^How would one say that Klimchuk is close to making it? He hasn't shown an ability to be productive at the AHL level.
I'm not writing him off, but if the evaluation is how close they are to being NHL ready - I don't see how Klimchuk applies.
He isn't as close as Shinkaruk, Wotherspoon or Poirier, obviously. But he is a lot closer than most anyone else still on the list.
Even though he had a tough year statistically last year, it is not at all unreasonable to suggest that he might get a call-up this year.
I have never been a huge Klimchuk fan myself. And if he never makes it, I can't say I'll be surprised. However, there is no disputing that he is one good season from seeing the show and that is a lot closer than any of the guys in junior or the NCAA can claim.
^How would one say that Klimchuk is close to making it? He hasn't shown an ability to be productive at the AHL level.
I'm not writing him off, but if the evaluation is how close they are to being NHL ready - I don't see how Klimchuk applies.
While I wouldnt say he's a lock to make the big team this year, I think he will go back to stockton unless he tears up the preseason. I also dont think its preposterous to say a WHL socring sensation going into his second professional season can potentially be NHL ready. I think the organization has told him he can earn a job if he plays well. Meaning they arent going to hold him back or force him down for development, so maybe he is close to ready. A player doesnt need to dominate in the AHL to be ready. Remember when Poirier dominated in his rookie season and played in the AHL all-star game...did that mean he was ready?
I want to say I think between his injuries and how he was utilized, on top of the fact it was his very first professional season playing against grown men with lots of size and experience on him - its not really fair to say he wasnt productive. Sure he didnt put up tons of points, but he actually did play a role for the team and was productive in it, which is impressive if you consider the role he played and the fact he was trusted to play it in his rookie season, albeit on a very bad and under-aged team.
I think this is something a lot of people cant factor into Morgans development. He's had injury problems, hes been used in a defensive shutdown role and he was a rookie in the AHL last season. I dont think that his low point total is something to look into and be able to say he absolutely isnt ready for the NHL. He could just come in and tear up Penticton, the pre-season and push for a spot along with Tkachuk. I wouldnt be surprised because I know hes got lethal offensive weapons and if he is utilized correctly he will put up points. There is a reason he played on a line with McDavid and Reinhart at the u18s.
I think Huska just decided to use him in a defensive role which speaks volumes about his versatility and leadership qualities. He never whined or complained but got on with his job and played mostly defensive starts against the other teams best players. I think that year of developing the defensive side of his game will be super valuable. He has already shown he can score at an elite level in the WHL and I'm convinced he could do it in an offensive role in the AHL. I dont need to see him put up 50pts in the AHL to believe he can score, or think he is NHL ready. Just like people dont need to see Tkachuk put up 50pts in the AHL to know he could probably keep up and put the puck in the net in the NHL as soon as this season.
According to him
Quote:
“Early I kind of struggled a bit,” he said. “That was pretty evident. You get into a role or a mindset where you’re playing safe and try to stay in the lineup and be a reliable guy instead of what got you there. For me it was scoring.
“I was playing a lot of situations last year where I was playing against other team’s top guys and top lines. That’s where I fit in last year. We had a lot of guys who could score, and being a first-year pro that’s where (coach Ryan Huska) saw I would be best utilized.
“This year I’m looking to add onto that … keep all that in my game but play in different situations, offensive situations, and show I can play there. I’m not too worried about it. I know I can do it. I’m looking forward to this year to prove I can play that side of the game.”
NSFW!
CALGARY, AB -- Morgan Klimchuk got his feet wet in his first season of professional hockey.
He plans to dive right into his second go-round.
And make the most of the opportunity.
“Going into this year it’s remembering what got me there and taking a bit of risk … putting that into your game so you can produce,” the Calgary Flames prospect said.
“For me, it’s making sure I’m remembering that and bringing that into my game and that’s what I’m focusing on this summer. Honestly, it’s playing the game and having fun and scoring. That’s what I did very well at the junior level and that’s what I’m going to do very well this year at the pro level.”
After a standout junior career that saw him amass 118 goals and 267 points in 261 games over parts of five seasons in the Western Hockey League, Klimchuk struggled to replicate similar numbers in his first season with Stockton of the American Hockey League.
Klimchuk, selected in the first round (No. 28) of the 2013 NHL Draft, had three goals and nine points in 55 games as a first-year pro.
“Early I kind of struggled a bit,” he said. “That was pretty evident. You get into a role or a mindset where you’re playing safe and try to stay in the lineup and be a reliable guy instead of what got you there. For me it was scoring.
“I was playing a lot of situations last year where I was playing against other team’s top guys and top lines. That’s where I fit in last year. We had a lot of guys who could score, and being a first-year pro that’s where (coach Ryan Huska) saw I would be best utilized.
“This year I’m looking to add onto that … keep all that in my game but play in different situations, offensive situations, and show I can play there. I’m not too worried about it. I know I can do it. I’m looking forward to this year to prove I can play that side of the game.”
Klimchuk will be provided an opportunity to do so.
The Flames didn’t qualify pending restricted free agent forwards Kenny Agostino, Drew Shore, Bill Arnold and Turner Elson. Forward Derek Grant also departed the team as an unrestricted free agent.
The five were among Stockton’s seven leading scorers a year ago.
The roster space screams opportunity to Klimchuk.
And he's looking to deliver.
“For a young guy like myself I see it as an opportunity,” he said. “There were a lot of guys that were go-to guys on our team that aren’t back. That’s why I’m making sure I have a good summer. If I’m back down there, I’ll be ready to fill those shoes and take over a role that some of those guys would’ve had.
“It’s an opportunity. You want to come here and do as well as you can, but you know if you go down there (to Stockton) you’re going to get an opportunity because those guys are no longer there.
“At the end of the day, it’s pro hockey and you have to earn everything you get. It’s cliché but you have to earn it, like I earned everything this year. I fully expect it, and it’s something I’m excited for if I do end up there.”
Last edited by Crumpy-Gunt; 07-22-2016 at 11:46 AM.
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I would like to hear from the people that watched a bunch of AHL last season to comment on Klimchuk. His numbers look really really bad, but I wonder if he was placed with terrible linemates or lacked a bunch of ice-time. A younger Hunter Smith basically had identical numbers to Klimchuk and no one has voted for him yet.
I'm on the Parson's wagon. Got a feeling he might be a good one! It's interesting that pretty much all our 2016 picks are still on the board.
I think it's pretty silly how our second rounders this year are completely overlooked. Yet our second rounders last year were immediately considered to be blue chip prospects.
Parsons again.
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I think it's pretty silly how our second rounders this year are completely overlooked. Yet our second rounders last year were immediately considered to be blue chip prospects.
Parsons again.
Our second rounders last year came in and immediately looked like blue chip prospects. I was amazed watching Kylington and Anderssen. They looked a cut above most prospects there, including basically all of the older d-men. Also that year we had no forward prospects really making much of a push and the d prospects were getting a bit stale. Couple that with Kylingtons incredible skating and skill on display, Anderssens veteran poise and great passing and understandably people were pretty excited to have 2 of the top rated young Swedish defencemen in the past 5 years. Kylington played with Farjestad against men at age 15 or 16. Anderssen played there at a young age as well. When he came over he was the highest or second highest scoring defenceman in the league in his rookie season. We were all pretty stoked. We still are, after Kylingtons rookie season in the AHL and Anderssen having a very strong season with Barrie. Those 2 prospects had 2 of the best 1st time development camp performances I've seen and they seemed like 2 huge steals with 1st round talent by the end of the pre season. I havent seen anything making me feel like Parsons or Dube were steals in the 2nd round or any flashes of brilliance. Also a smooth skating swedish offensive defenceman with top 4 potential is a sexier prospect to most people than a 5'10 point per game WHL forward or a good young goalie on a great team.
Who knows how it will turn out but I dont think Parsons and Dube are being overlooked or deserve to be in the top 13. Goalies are a crapshoot and Dube will have a tough time playing professional hockey as all undersized forwards will, but he looks like he has the skill and attitude to do it.
Parsons is underrated around here but he's a goalie and I think people are reluctant to get too excited about another young goalie. Maybe some people assume hes just a decent goalie on a great team, which I would disagree with. I think hes great from what I've seen of him but its so hard to judge teenage goalies. I felt the same about Mason McDonald. Opposite situation where he was on a garbage team in the Islanders but put up respectable numbers. Its hard to look at that and a few saves in camp and say this player is exciting enough to vote for in the top 10. I'd wait until 1 solid AHL season to vote a goalie as a top prospect personally. Its such a difficult position. Not many jobs. Hard to project them and hard to get excited about young goalies with 3+ years ahead of them likely before they will see NHL pucks if they prove they can do it along the way.
Dube looks like a fantastic prospect but the odds are stacked against him simply due to his size. I hope he leads the WHL in scoring and makes the WJC team!
Last edited by Crumpy-Gunt; 07-22-2016 at 02:04 PM.
Went with Fox this round, but there are really 6 guys I still really like at this spot.
Fox has pretty good upside as an offensive defencemen. He is probably just a tad behind Kylington as the Flames highest ceiling offensive defencemen (not all around defencemen). That always carries a lot of value in my opinion. For instance, Wideman 2 seasons ago was simply gold for the Flames and was a huge reason why the Flames made the playoffs. Fox is a better skater and puck mover IMO than Wideman.
Klimchuk - I really, really like Klimchuk still. He has tools to become a reliable top 6 scorer - his shot is absolutely lethal I think, and he has great IQ. It is sad to see myself ranking him this low as it is within this group, but all the time he has missed due to injuries makes me wonder if his development has been impaired. I really hope he has a healthy year in Stockton - I still think he has the ability to become a pretty good NHL'er, but if his development takes another hit by injury, I will start getting used to the idea that he won't make the show.
Parsons - Kipper. That is what I think. Yeah, they don't play the same style. Why I make that comparison is in terms of his 'fight' - Kipper made some outstanding momentum-changing saves because he would not give up. Parsons is like that. Kid has a tonne of compete - probably the most compete out of all the goalies.
MacDonald - Size and athleticism. Goalies are always such a crapshoot, and thus are always ranked lower in my list, but MacDonald has done nothing but impress me since the draft.
Schneider - yep, another goalie here in this group. Kid competes like Parsons I think. Parlayed a generous camp invite into a contract by being so impressive. I thought he did well in the AHL for his stint there too. He is forgotten about, but he is very much a very strong goalie prospect.
Dube - the center version of Klimchuk to me in some ways. Does so much right all the time.
Rafikov - yeah, yeah, it looks like he may never come over. I see him as a less physical Kasparaitis. Defends well, moves the puck decently, is a good skater, and agitates really well. I thought he had solid top 4 potential. I can't lower his ranking simply because it looks like he isn't coming over - if he progresses, the Flames can always encourage him to come over, or trade him to a team like Tampa that seem to love Russians.
Ollas-Mattsson here as well. Size, aggression, solid puck-mover and also a bit of a feel-good story that is hard to root against.
Culkin - this is his last season before he becomes a Negrin. Just like I am worried about Klimchuk, I am even more concerned with Culkin. If it wasn't for his injuries, he probably would have been selected in the top 10.
There are a few others that I am mulling over as well. I really don't know who I will pick next once Fox is off the board, and it looks like I may be voting for Fox for a few more rounds by the looks of it.
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I like a lot of the prospects who are still on the board. Stark contrast to the 'bare-cupboards' from 4/5 years ago.
I've been voting Klimchuk since round 10.
I'll go with McDonald next, though Parsons looks like a talented goalie too. I don't feel there's much separating those 2 goalie prospects. Tuulola is on the radar, as are forwards like Pollock, Dube and Phillips. Where does Hathaway land, considering he has an inside track to playing in the NHL this season?
Went with Fox this round, but there are really 6 guys I still really like at this spot.
(snip)
There are a few others that I am mulling over as well. I really don't know who I will pick next once Fox is off the board, and it looks like I may be voting for Fox for a few more rounds by the looks of it.
As soon as Parsons is off the board, Fox is my next choice. I'm not feeling many of our previous later picks, and I really don't think much of Klimchuk to be honest, so we're on to the best of the bunch that we gathered this year.
Parsons-Fox-Tuulola
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"You know, that's kinda why I came here, to show that I don't suck that much" ~ Devin Cooley, Professional Goaltender
I think McDonald and Hathaway should be above Klimchuk on this list.
Hathaway unlike Wotherspoon is actually likely to make the NHL team this season and has the potential to replace/make Bouma expendable. Hes way closer to the NHL than Klimchuk.
