Hickey Named Biggest Riser from 2014 Draft

[corporatejay]

What's encouraging isn't so much that there is one guy here or there who is projecting well, but ~10. If even 3 of those "later round" picks hit, that's impressive.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

Apparently Jack Eichel was quoted as saying Hickey has the best shot on the team. I'll take his word for it!

They were taking about who has the best one timer, not shot. They said Hickey because he can get it off anywhere even if it's in his feet

[Hackey]

Great to hear. Prime example of why we shouldn't so easily dismiss mid round picks. These are the types of players that will definitely help put us over the top and keep us there if they can make that jump to the big club.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Why all the apparent success in recent years (I know it's still early, but definitely a lot more positives vibes of late) but epic fails in the past?

Best guesses...

A: Darryl Sutter is no longer here (better direction to the scouting dept.),
B: Different scouts (yes Button is still the top guy but if he has better people under him giving him better advise. Didn't we hear that the Flames had a lot of turnover in the scout ranks a ways back?).

Regardless, glad to hear good things from an impartial source about Hickey. I hope we can bring Rafikov over sooner rather then later, was impressed with his play at the WJC.

[TheScorpion]

Slick!

[J epworth]

I don't remember where I saw this, think maybe BU Hockey's twitter, but in December I remember the coach saying there are two players on the team right now that he would peg as 100% NHLers, one of course being Jack Eichel, and the other being Hickey.

I'll see if I can find the quote anywhere.

[Fischy13]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Best guesses...

A: Darryl Sutter is no longer here (better direction to the scouting dept.),
B: Different scouts (yes Button is still the top guy but if he has better people under him giving him better advise. Didn't we hear that the Flames had a lot of turnover in the scout ranks a ways back?).

Regardless, glad to hear good things from an impartial source about Hickey. I hope we can bring Rafikov over sooner rather then later, was impressed with his play at the WJC.

Further to this, I think Michel Goulet came aboard right when things turned around for the Flames, consequently, Colorado dropped off when he left them for us. (outside the 1st overall of MacKinnon)

[Enoch Root]

I am really hoping that Hickey can get enough exposure playing at BU to get on TC radar for next year. I would think there is enough attention with that team that he is being seen and noticed.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Fischy13

Further to this, I think Michel Goulet came aboard right when things turned around for the Flames, consequently, Colorado dropped off when he left them for us. (outside the 1st overall of MacKinnon)

Goulet is a pro scout though

[Rick M.]

I watched him in the Beanpot the other night. I was very surprised at what a well-rounded game he has already and how much the coach trusts him as an 18 yr. old. He was not outmuscled by older players either. The fact that he easily caught from behind a Northeaster U player who had a clear breakaway and forced him off the puck without taking a penalty made me smile. I think he's a keeper.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

I watched him in the Beanpot the other night. I was very surprised at what a well-rounded game he has already and how much the coach trusts him as an 18 yr. old. He was not outmuscled by older players either. The fact that he easily caught from behind a Northeaster U player who had a clear breakaway and forced him off the puck without taking a penalty made me smile. I think he's a keeper.

I caught the last ten minutes of the third period and OT. Surprised by his size and played a very TJ type of game from what I saw. His coach had him out for the final shift of the third period - showing a lot of faith in an 18 year old.

[Bingo]

Monster franchises find guys in the mid to late rounds to supplement good choices in the first two rounds.

I don't think you can build one of those decade long runs with just hitting on the first round.

Getting the Monahan pick right is huge, and a big change for the organization.
Bennett looks to be another gem which sets them up for the future.

But you can't over look Wotherspoon and Granlund as 2nd round picks, Gaudreau and Brodie as 4th round picks, and the free agent signing of Giordano.

That's why this rebuild is going faster than expected.

Hopefully Hickey is another.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Goulet is a pro scout though

I do wonder what kind of cross over pro scouts have. I've seen Goulet at development camps in the spring and rookie camp in the fall. Also IIRC I've noticed him at the draft as well for the Flames. Certainly he has a voice when it comes to prospects, but yeah probably not a reason for a turnaround.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

His points have slowed, but he's getting tons of shots on net. Great accurate shot too. Didn't miss too often from the few games I've watched

Great - ready for the PP when Wideman goes eventually.

How's his first pass? That's what I liked about Robyn - a big physical guy who, though not fast, didn't throw the puck away when clearing the zone.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Great - ready for the PP when Wideman goes eventually.

How's his first pass? That's what I liked about Robyn - a big physical guy who, though not fast, didn't throw the puck away when clearing the zone.

I've only watched 3 games, but I'd say ok. Up and out or off the boards. A few "sort of" giveaways, but that's a really small sample and I'm terrible at assessing that type of thing

[GioforPM]

I was hoping more for "hits the winger in stride". But getting it actually out of the zone > Engelland.

[Azure]

Hopefully Wideman doesn't go for a while. He is seriously flying under the radar because of the seasons Brodie and Gio are having.

[Phanuthier]

I think a large part of it is the time it took for everything to become sync'ed up (rankings between scouts, increasing number of scouts, building up a farm team and a development program) after building the scouting staff from 2005. Plus bombing out the 2004-2006 draft.

2007 see's 2 NHLers (Backlund, Aulie... RIP Renaud)
2008 see's 2 NHLers (Brodie, Bouma)
2009 see's (Ortio, Erixon)
2010 see's (Ferland, Bill Arnold, Max Reinhart)
2011 we all know
and so on

Those 3 years of failure saw us have a gap in the 22-27 talent, but things looks like they were getting better since 2007.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Monster franchises find guys in the mid to late rounds to supplement good choices in the first two rounds.

I don't think you can build one of those decade long runs with just hitting on the first round.

Getting the Monahan pick right is huge, and a big change for the organization.
Bennett looks to be another gem which sets them up for the future.

But you can't over look Wotherspoon and Granlund as 2nd round picks, Gaudreau and Brodie as 4th round picks, and the free agent signing of Giordano.

That's why this rebuild is going faster than expected.

Hopefully Hickey is another.

and that Bouma kid at #78 overall looks like he might work out as well.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Azure

Hopefully Wideman doesn't go for a while. He is seriously flying under the radar because of the seasons Brodie and Gio are having.

Agreed - wasn't dissing Wideman at all.

I see Hickey as making the NHL in 2-3 years at best. At that point Wideman is 33-34, and a transition will be happening.