Can a 7-Foot-1 Prospect Actually Thrive in the NHL? San Jose's Karmanov Aims to Find Out

Alexander Karmanov is a physical anomaly in a sport where size usually comes with tradeoffs, and the Sharks are betting his frame is more asset than liability. At 7-foot-1, he's already drawing comparisons and skepticism in equal measure from scouts who've seen tall prospects flame out before. The real question isn't whether he can play - it's whether he can play fast enough to survive at the NHL level.