NHL Projections

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Hey backburner folks, I have to be honest, I haven't spent any time following the Wranglers closely this year, but I do see they've had a great season mostly on the back of Wolf.

However, I wanted to know how close some of these guys are to NHL action, or if they ever project to the NHL. I'm especially curious about the defense, because I can see the Flames whittling down their core to 3 guys in the near future, which gives opportunities to these young d-men.

From just the stats, I can tell that Phillips, Zary, Jones, Petterson, Poirier, and DeSimone all had good seasons, with an honorable mention to Schwindt. But I want to know more than just stats. Who looks capable of stepping into the NHL and why?

Interested to hear any and all takes. I'm an open book. Inform me!

[Sandman]

I really think Zary will make a fine 2nd line C in the future, but he will have a chance to make the team next year in a lesser role.

I really like Jones, he plays with speed and jam. I believe if there were more injuries this year, he would have been brought up. I still think he would make a good 3rd/4th liner, ala Blake Coleman.

Schwindt still needs time, but like Jones, I think he'll make a good bottom-six C in a few years.

Poirier has the same kind of skillset and issues that Kylington did- he's a great skater and stickhandler, and an offensive D, but needs work in the D zone. I think he might get a few cups of coffee in the bigs this upcoming year, but he needs a year or 2 to become a regular. I see him in Ky's role- second pairing, with a stay-at-home stalwart type of Tanev's ilk.

I don't see Pettersen or DeSimone becoming NHL regulars any time soon.

I can definitely see Kuznetsov grabbing a 3rd pairing spot in a few years, and maybe Solovyov.

Only my opinion, I'm sure others' opinions will differ.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Thanks Sandman. Jones intrigues me as well, as does Poirier.

De Simone has been around a while, so I'm more prone to believe he's a tweener at best, but what do you see as the shortcomings for Pettersen that will keep him from the NHL? Is it purely size or something else?

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Thanks Sandman. Jones intrigues me as well, as does Poirier.

De Simone has been around a while, so I'm more prone to believe he's a tweener at best, but what do you see as the shortcomings for Pettersen that will keep him from the NHL? Is it purely size or something else?

I guess he’s still got a shot, his stats were pretty good this year. Scorpion can speak first-hand on this better than I can, but he just seems a little vanilla to me. He’s 22, and I have doubts that he would be able to play a checking role in the NHL, but he won’t win a spot in any team’s top-six. I also think that he’s pretty far down the depth chart, behind Pelly, Zary, and Jones. Just my opinion.

What are your thoughts, and projections?

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I have none. I can't say that I've watched a single minute of these players. This is why I'm here. I crave information.

[TheScorpion]

Emilio and Schwindt aren't too far off from each other, IMO. Both have great shots. Emilio is a better skater. As of right now, though, I'm not sure either is all that close to the NHL. They aren't consistently impactful enough, especially away from the puck.