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united · 07-23-2019, 11:03 AM

Adam Ruzicka
He's big, he has decent hands and offensively ability, he is decent in his own end...but his attitude and commitment are concerns. He isn't always engaged and is easily rattled and knocked off his game, and when that happens he looks like a beer league player during a 10:45 PM weekday game going through the motions to get home ASAP. But when he is on he can drive a line and contribute at both ends of the ice. 32 even-strength goals in 65 games is impressive as is generating over 3.5 shots per game, while also having decent vision. Excellent in the dot, too - arguably the best in the OHL. If he can get the mental side figured out he has a good shot at making it as he has every tool in the box. If not, I reckon he'll be saying "what if" when he looks back on things later in life.

Ceiling: 2nd line C
Probable: 4A C
Floor: Outright bust

Also in consideration
Jeremy McKenna
One dimensional goal scorer but scoring goals is the most difficult skill in hockey. Excellent at getting open and finding gaps in coverage which allows him to get his hard and accurate shot off. Also terrific on the powerplay. But, his defensive shortcomings significantly reduce his probability of success. Hockey is full of junior snipers who didn't pan out, but there are a few who have turned into mighty good scorers. Over 5 shots per game is insane.

Ceiling: 2nd line W
Probable: Tweener
Floor: Outright bust

After Ruzicka and McKenna, I see a drop with the rest of the lot, noting I value ceiling much higher than probability of playing a handful of games on the 4th line.

Lucas Feuk

Spoiler!

Milos Roman

Spoiler!

Ryan Lomberg

Spoiler!

Glenn Gawdin

Spoiler!

Luke Philp

Spoiler!

Eetu Tuulola

Spoiler!

Josh Nodler

Spoiler!

Carl-Johan Lerby

Spoiler!

Rinat Valiev

Spoiler!

Dustin Wolf

Spoiler!

Jon Gillies

Spoiler!

N/A
Artem Zagidulin
Nick Schneider

No hope
Spencer Foo
Mitchell Mattson
Linus Lindstrom
Andrew Nielsen
Justin Kirkland
Pavel Karnaukhov

07-23-2019, 11:03 AM	#18
united First Line Centre Join Date: Mar 2007 Exp:	Adam Ruzicka He's big, he has decent hands and offensively ability, he is decent in his own end...but his attitude and commitment are concerns. He isn't always engaged and is easily rattled and knocked off his game, and when that happens he looks like a beer league player during a 10:45 PM weekday game going through the motions to get home ASAP. But when he is on he can drive a line and contribute at both ends of the ice. 32 even-strength goals in 65 games is impressive as is generating over 3.5 shots per game, while also having decent vision. Excellent in the dot, too - arguably the best in the OHL. If he can get the mental side figured out he has a good shot at making it as he has every tool in the box. If not, I reckon he'll be saying "what if" when he looks back on things later in life. Ceiling: 2nd line C Probable: 4A C Floor: Outright bust Also in consideration Jeremy McKenna One dimensional goal scorer but scoring goals is the most difficult skill in hockey. Excellent at getting open and finding gaps in coverage which allows him to get his hard and accurate shot off. Also terrific on the powerplay. But, his defensive shortcomings significantly reduce his probability of success. Hockey is full of junior snipers who didn't pan out, but there are a few who have turned into mighty good scorers. Over 5 shots per game is insane. Ceiling: 2nd line W Probable: Tweener Floor: Outright bust After Ruzicka and McKenna, I see a drop with the rest of the lot, noting I value ceiling much higher than probability of playing a handful of games on the 4th line. Lucas Feuk Spoiler! At this stage his game is purely offensive, likely as a winger going forward, but one who plays a gritty game and isn't afraid to go to the tough areas of the ice. Excellent forechecker, but doesn't like his own zone. Good frame with plenty of room for growth over the next few years. Looking forward to him hopefully stepping up a level in competition next season. Ceiling: 3rd line LW Probable: Minors/Europe Floor: Outright bust Milos Roman Spoiler! A cerebral player who doesn't have the physical toolbox of most other draftees. Important player on the best defensive team in the conference as he often lined up against the opposition's best, which may have impacted his slightly disappointing offensive output. Very smart and patient player with a high degree of anticipation whether forechecking or angling in the neutral zone. At this stage his offense is unlikely to translate, but he is excellent defensively. Ceiling: 4th line C Probable: Minors/Europe Floor: Outright bust Ryan Lomberg Spoiler! Well known for his pesty play in the NHL, he actually put together a surprisingly good campaign in the minors which was likely partially the reason he was rewarded with some NHL cash. 0.5 ppg in the AHL with hardly any powerplay time isn't to be disregarded - he outscored Spencer Foo and Glenn Gawdin 5v5 in fewer games, for example. Ceiling: 4th line W Probably: Minor league journeyman Floor: Minor league journeyman Glenn Gawdin Spoiler! Coming off an enormous WHL season as an overager on the second best team in the league, he had a reasonable first year as a pro - I maintain the leap from junior to the AHL is a huge step for rookies so cut them some slack as a result. That said, just 5 even strength goals in 60+ games is concerning. Next season will be a big one in his development. Right shot gives him a leg up. Ceiling: 4th line utility player Probable: Minors/Europe Floor: Minors/Europe Luke Philp Spoiler! Very interested to see his first season of pro. Completely murdered a league filled with mid-range ex-WHLers/high-end ex-Tier 2 juniors. Likely a hard working journeyman but need some viewings. Eetu Tuulola Spoiler! Massive human being who had an excellent season in Finland. A respectable 36 in 60 but with a shooting % of 6 he likely could've added a few more goals to that point total. As a natural right wing, he could become a defensively responsible banger which is not only coveted by the Flames, but the entire league. Also a big body in front on the powerplay. Ceiling: 4th line RW Probable: Europe Floor: Europe Josh Nodler Spoiler! Decent year of output in the USHL without a ton of powerplay time, but you could counter that by noting he also sported a shooting % of 19. Avoids the difficult areas but plays smart and efficient. Needs to up the intensity and become less of a perimeter player, but the hockey sense as a two-way forward is there. Ceiling: 4th line utility player Probable: Minors Floor: Outright bust Carl-Johan Lerby Spoiler! Adequate two-way defenseman who blossomed with an increased role as a powerplay quarterback this season. Small frame but smooth skater. Needs to get better defensively, but another season of development in Sweden with a big plate of confidence could do wonders. Ceiling: #6 defenseman Probable: Minors/Europe Floor: Minors/Europe Rinat Valiev Spoiler! As expected in Stockton. No nonsense defenseman who can chip in on the powerplay in a pinch but is better suited at evens and killing penalties. Isn't exceptionally good or poor at any aspect of the game. Ceiling: #6 defenseman Probable: Journeyman/injury call-up Floor: Journeyman/injury call-up Dustin Wolf Spoiler! Not much to say. Superhuman season in the WHL following right in the footsteps of Carter Hart. If he were 3+ inches taller he doesn't make it into the third round and possibly goes in the first. The NHL has become obsessed with tall goalies, but the Blues just won the Cup with an undersized goalie, and guys like Jaroslav Halak, Jonathan Quick, Antti Raanta, Philip Grubauer, Anton Khudobin have enjoyed solid careers as small guys. Cautiously optimistic. Jon Gillies Spoiler! Needless to say, Gillies' fall has been rapid and somewhat unexpected. Goalies are voodoo, but his college numbers were off the charts. With a save % of just .902 over his last 2,500 shots faced in the AHL, he needs a big season badly...if he even gets the chance. That said, who the hell knows with goalies (nobody does). N/A Artem Zagidulin Nick Schneider No hope Spencer Foo Mitchell Mattson Linus Lindstrom Andrew Nielsen Justin Kirkland Pavel Karnaukhov __________________ "I think the eye test is still good, but analytics can sure give you confirmation: what you see...is that what you really believe?" Scotty Bowman, 0 NHL games played "You ain't gotta like me. You're just mad 'cause I tell it how it is and you tell it how it might be." Last edited by united; 07-23-2019 at 11:06 AM.