Not sure how I would feel about Ryabkin coming here, he's giving me Yakupov vibes. His talent is endless, but there are plenty of whispers about his attitude and conditioning.
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1) Very close, to be honest. If I'm an NHL GM right now, it would be very hard to pass up the likes of Mike Misa and/or Porter Martone (and even perhaps D Matt Shaefer) in order to draft a 5'10" forward- even though that forward has world-class skill and talent. When Jack Hughes was taken 1st-overall in 2019, he didn't have the same level of competition breathing down his neck (no disrespect to Kaapo Kakko, who put forth one of the best U-18 seasons in Finnish Liiga history). Misa and Martone are #1, and #2 respectively atop the OHL scoring race, each producing at 2 ppg- and that doesn't happen often with players in their draft year. Misa has breathtaking speed and vision, to go with a competitive two-way game, and Martone is a "unicorn"- a physical power-forward with skill and speed who will help your team win in the playoffs. All three are top-line talents though, and all three are sure to top 100 points in the NHL when they hit their stride.
2) No disrespect to Cihar, he's an excellent player with some grit and physicality, but there are questions about his offensive ceiling- some say he projects to bottom-6 duty at best, and there's certainly nothing wrong with that. His skating is good, but not great, and his overall hockey sense has been questioned, along with his defensive game. In this summer's Hlinka, his offensive contributions were overshadowed by fellow draft-eligibles Adam Benak, Vit Zahejsky, Adam Novotny, Tomas Poletin, and Dominik Pavlik- although he performed well by all accounts in the most recent U-20 5 Nations. I think some of his countrymen may have higher ceilings, but Cihar might just have a higher floor.
3) Osmanis had some eye-popping numbers in 2023-24 in the J20 Region, but that's Sweden's second-tier junior league. His numbers this year in the J20 Nationell (2 goals and 13 points in 17 games) are a bit mediocre, even though the team he plays for isn't good. In the Allsvenskan, he has managed to produce 6 points in 12 games, despite limited minutes and the occasional benching. He's a smaller forward who works hard- but not consistently, and he lacks high-end skill and skating. His defensive efforts are spotty at best, as well. I've read that some expect him to go later in the draft, if at all.
4) Simply put, I love Will Moore- even if his production is not where it was expected to be. He's a stud, with excellent skill, skating, and hockey sense, and he plays with power. Trethewey is ranked 13th by Craig Button, 15th by Bob McKenzie, 14th by Jason Bukala, and 13th by Daily Faceoff- there are questions about his decision-making under pressure at times, but he's otherwise a physical two-way presence with good mobility and skill who plays a pro-style game. This year's edition of the NTDP looks pretty weak, which has affected his numbers, but his production from 2023-24 (in his D-minus-1) makes me think there's much more in his arsenal offensively than he's been able to show thus far.
Not sure how I would feel about Ryabkin coming here, he's giving me Yakupov vibes. His talent is endless, but there are plenty of whispers about his attitude and conditioning.
Gotta think if Conroy has a good read on the kid they'll still take a flyer on him if they're picking around the 20s. Too much upside to ignore at that point
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@Jerome_Berube
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Nov 25
"Matthew Schaefer is our top-ranked prospect for this year's #nhldraft and there was no debate over this one. A lot more debates after him
Check our full list (top-32 is free), members have access to our full top-64 & our goalie list"
listening to Daily Faceoff, they had a Penguins writer on talking about the Pen's hoping to win the draft lottery "for the first time in 19 years".
Puke!
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When the prospects are not consensus #1 I would be fine with a top 6 pick and saving our lottery odds for the real prize in 26.
Plus Misa seems like the perfect fit for us. We also have his brother. I believe he was granted exceptional status. Seems like most Canadian 1C come from out east.
First 5 minutes of the game were nasty, and unrelentingly physical. There was plenty of animosity throughout the game, but the Americans were basically outclassed, 6-1.
LW Lynden Lakovic: I've seen him play, but this game was a bit of an eye-opener for me. He has an awkward-looking 10-and-2 stride, but he generates good speed- his goal came from his efforts to get open through the neutral zone to receive a Ben Kindel stretch pass, and then firing a nifty wrister top-shelf. He added an assist, and led all skaters with a +3. He made some smart passes that his teammates were unable to convert.
D Matt Schaefer: Best player on the ice tonight, and seemed to touch every inch of ice on every shift. He was pinching to the net, then making it back to man the point or to snuff the rush in seconds. Goal and an assist, +2. His goal was an end-to-end rush on the PP, and he blocked a shot after losing his stick and his glove. He's like a bigger, faster Parekh with a smothering defensive game.
D Reese Hamilton: I think his confidence is quite low right now, and I question his hockey sense and decision-making in the offensive zone. He was dumping the puck when plays were available, and his shots weren't getting through. He seemed to want to get rid of the puck. His speed was on display though, and he showed he can beat the opposition wide. Defensively, he blocked some shots and seemed to play well positionally. No points, but +1.
D Kashawn Aitcheson: He drove the opposition nuts all night long with huge hits, some in open ice. He has a booming point shot that he showed off on his goal that at first looked like it went off the crossbar, but was determined to be a good goal. Pretty heads-up two-way player.
D Blake Fiddler: He's the type of defensive defenseman who can ride shotgun with the top D on your team- he moves well, does all the little things right, and pays attention to his defensive duties before anything else. He keeps pucks alive, and supports the play in the offensive zone from the blueline, without pinching too much. Good first-pass too, but no points tonight- although that's not really his game.
RW Porter Martone: He skates well, but there's room to improve his small-area quickness- he took a lazy penalty in the second by hooking a player who beat him with speed. He had some chances, and got involved physically and in the scrums, but not his best game overall. No points tonight.
D Cameron Reid: Though he's considered an offensive D, he paid special attention to playing a sound, detailed defensive game. He's an excellent two-way player, but he can be outmuscled, and knocked off the puck. Still, I like this kid more than most. No points tonight.
RW Justin Carbonneau: It was good and not-so-good tonight for JC- he had an assist and was one of the more dangerous players on the ice, but had a rough night with the puck as it seemed like he had a hole in his stick. He flubbed some passes, has trouble receiving at times, and missed an easy tap-in pass from Lakovic in the first. Still, he showed a willingness to battle physically, and skated hard. 1 assist, and +1.
LW Malcolm Spence: Pro-style player with good speed, but his boots look a bit heavy at times- he could use a little tweak on his explosiveness and top speed. He's a smart, responsible player who doesn't take short cuts, is a natural leader, and always seems to be in position. Scored a goal by going to the net front.
C Caleb Desnoyers: Missed on a glorious set-up by Martone while short-handed in the second, with the USA goalie making a big save 1-on-1. Played an industrious defensive game, and went 9/14 in faceoffs. He likes to slow the play down at times, but will need to play with more pace in the pros. No points for him tonight.
C Mike Misa: He could be a spectator in the stands and stiil wind up with points. He was one of the best players on the ice tonight, and put up 2a, with a +1 playing on a line with Martone and Desnoyers. He's around the puck at all times, always dangerous, and has an effortless skating stride.
G Josh Ravensbergen: I'm sure he's had plenty of busier nights, but he's as cool and calm as they come. He has exceptional hockey sense, and reads the play extremely well.
C Conrad Fondrk (USA): No Points, but I like his grit. He's a hard-worker, battles hard in the trenches, and plays a physical game- despite not being the biggest player out there.
C Jake O'Brien: He has elite vision, and can connect on passes that few others can even see, but I was disappointed to see that he lets up a bit in 50/50 battles, and plays a bit soft. 1 assist, and +1,
D Charlie Trethewey (USA): He's bigger and stronger than his 6'1" frame, plays hard and physical, and is pretty mean. He made some excellent defensive plays, even stifling Misa, and played in all situations but needs a bit of a tweak on his defensive coverage at times and his decision-making. Still- he moves well, is good with the puck, and puts in an honest two-way effort. I like this kid. No points, and -2.
D Maceo Phillips (USA): Huge D-man (6'5",214lbs) had a running feud with Martone all night, and was one of the few on team USA that could handle the big Canadian. He's mean and surly, taking 2 minors, one of them for a head shot. I don't think his mobility is very good. No points, and -1.
C Jack Murtagh (USA): I'm a fan of Murtagh's, and I thought he was the best forward for the Americans, followed by Will Moore. He's speedy and hard-working, and never backs down from a battle. He had some good chances, and scored the goal for team USA off of a one-timer from the dot.
C Will Moore (USA): He assisted on Murtagh's goal, and was even on the night. He's big and skates well, and challenges defenders using his size and reach effectively. He's got skill, but wasn't able to show it off much tonight. He played in all situations, including the PK, and almost scored a shorty.
C Ben Kindel: Surprisingly, I thought Kindel was one of the CHL's best players, especially in the third- it seemed like the puck was around him every time he stepped on the ice, and he made several heads-up dangerous plays. He connected with Lakovic on a stretch pass for the first goal of the game, and duplicated the same play again in the third with no goal. 1 assist, and +1.
RW Cameron Schmidt: Another one of the CHL's best, he had a goal and an assist with a +2. Aside from maybe Schaefer and Misa, he was the fastest player on the ice. and had many chances that didn't go in. His goal was a snipe from the faceoff dot, high glove. He's proficient at finding soft spots on the ice, but can also make room for himself with reverse hits. Not afraid of traffic at all.
D Jackson Smith: One of my favorites for the upcoming draft, his speed was on display and he joined the rush a few times, but no points and a +1. He had a bit of a quiet night, but moved the puck well, and played a sound game.
C Braeden Cootes: I like his ability to outskate and outwork his opponents, although he sometimes tried to do too much by himself. He's a nice two-way player with grit and some physicality.
C LJ Mooney (USA): I'm familiar with this kid from the U-18's. He's quite small, but ultra fast and quite feisty with a low center of gravity that seems to make it hard to knock him off the puck. He was noticeable on the PP in the 3rd, and he seems to like to QB the play from the half-boards, where he made some nice passes. Exciting player to watch, but no points tonight, with a -2.
C Brady Martin: Another one of my favorites in this draft class, he really understands the C position, and how to play positionally- he's an excellent defensive player, with good 1-on-1 skill, and displays grit and physicality. He is a lot like Cootes IMO- both could make it in the NHL as defensive specialists, if their offense lets them down. He scored a goal off a misplayed puck by the USA goalie, and was +2. Great two-way performer.
C Cole McKinney (USA): He went 8/13 in faceoffs, picked up an assist, and was even on the night. He played in all situations, and looked good on the PK. Like Cootes and Martin, he's a six-footer who plays a tight two-way game with intensity and physicality.
Last edited by Sandman; 11-27-2024 at 05:49 AM.
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When the prospects are not consensus #1 I would be fine with a top 6 pick and saving our lottery odds for the real prize in 26.
Plus Misa seems like the perfect fit for us. We also have his brother. I believe he was granted exceptional status. Seems like most Canadian 1C come from out east.
I'm not seeing the Flames drop into top (bottom) 6 this season, probably not top 10 unless they offload some players.
Not seeing a top (bottom) 6 finish next season either.
Thoughts from CHL USA Prospects Challenge, Day 2 (Canada Wins 3-2):
Team CHL scored just 16 seconds in, with Caleb Desnoyers tipping in the Porter Martone shot. With 5 minutes to go in the first, USA scores on a Cole McKinney breakaway from D Drew Schock IV (yup, that's his name). CHL pulls ahead again in the second with Misa scoring from home plate- assisted by Desnoyers and LW Malcolm Spence. Shots were 26-5 after 2 periods. Halfway through the 3rd period, C Jack Murtagh scores from Schock IV, and Mooney, but the hero for team CHL is Cole Reschny, who finds the back of the net with 1:12 left in the game, from RW Justin Carbonneau and Spence.
C Caleb Desnoyers: Played much better today, and showed why he's hovering around the top-10 of the draft. He was very physical today, and even when he's not providing offence he's doing all the little things right and playing a detailed defensive game. He lifts sticks, picks pockets, blocks shots, and levelled a huge hit in the third on Donato Bracco. He showed a bit more of his true self self today offensively, and showcased his top-shelf hockey sense on the Misa goal, where he found his man through layers of traffic.
RW Porter Martone: Like Desnoyers, he played much better in game 2, and was more focused. He had plenty of chances, and made several plays that weren't finished. He didn't shy away from the extracurricular activities today, and even dangled the gloves a few times- daring anybody to fight him.
D Kashawn Aitcheson: As expected, he was unrelentingly physical and mean, and seemed to be in the middle of every scrum. He drives opponents crazy, and plays sound two-way hockey- to say he plays on the edge is a big understatement.
LW Malcolm Spence: He looks like a man against boys at times, especially with how composed he plays. He's smart, responsible, hard-nosed, and in the thick of the action at all times.
C Cole McKinney (USA): I like this kid, and I think he'll be picked around the late first, or early second. Excellent hockey sense, mixed with grit, and he showed off his speed and slick hands by beating the CHL goalie (a good one in Jack Ivankovic) in the first. He plays an energetic two-way game.
D Drew Schock IV (USA): He was one of USA's best performers, with 2 assists. He's small (5'10") but quite smart, and also a bit feisty and tough- he will take a hit to make a play, block shots, and isn't afraid to play in traffic. Schock is fairly well-rounded, playing with tons of energy and working hard on both sides of the puck. He joins the rush and activates frequently, but his skating looks to be around average.
D Asher Barnett (USA): I have him going in the third round, as he's talked about as having excellent potential- and indeed, he looks a bit raw and perhaps more of an unfinished product. I like this kid, and he was very noticeable today. He's developing his game in the offensive zone, but right now he's a conscientious defensive presence who loves the rough stuff and plays a physical style. He showed in this game that he can be a menace in the trenches, and downright mean in scrums- with some punches thrown and facewashes dished out. He's strong and competitive, and tried to put an opposing forward into the backboards through his net after they messed with his goalie in the 2nd. He skates well, displays a smart first-pass, and will join the rush in order to unleash his powerful shot. He's listed at 6'0",185lbs- but I thought he looked bigger, so I looked it up- some say he's actually 6'1", and 200lbs.
D Maceo Phillips (USA): Makes his 6'5" presence felt every shift- he's a bit of a bully, and the opposition knows when he's out there. I take back what I said about him last game- he's actually a decent skater, but doesn't always keep his feet moving and needs work on his edges and agility. He is pretty good at angling attackers to the outside, and has an excellent stick that he used to kill several plays and block a ton of passes and shots. With his size and athleticism, and the fact that he appears to be a good (albeit raw) shutdown D, I could see him going in the top 3 rounds.
C Will Moore (USA): Showed off his speed and power at times, even beating a defender wide for a shot on net. I wish he played in the CHL, instead of a weak NTDP squad- and I could say the same about Murtagh and McKinney. All three would have better numbers.
C Jack Murtagh (USA): Team USA's best player again, he scored from virtually the same spot as he did yesterday. I really like this kid, he's got a high motor, and plays with superb energy and compete. He's one of the youngest players available in the upcoming draft, with an August 22nd birthday, and yet he's a highly driven player. Obviously, he has an excellent shot in his arsenal, and doesn't mind the rough-going. If he's still available with a late first-rounder, it might be wise to select him.
C/W Ben Kevan (USA): It's not his fault that he faded into the background a bit in these games, as team USA was horribly caved in, but to me- he was one of the biggest disappointments in these 2 games. When he's on, he plays with a giant chip on his shoulder, and can grind it out with the best of them. He forechecks hard, plays physical, and provides offense with good skill and soft hands. I was a fan of his at the Hlinka tourney, where he put up 3 points in 5 games- good for 6th on USA's list of forwards, and currently has 15 points in 14 USHL games, with 23 PIM. He's known to be hard to play against along the boards, despite being only 6'0", and 183lbs.
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I know people love the top of the draft but I personally like diamonds in the rough.
I haven't even seen a clip of him but I'm told to watch out for center Kieren Dervin, he's currently playing for a prep school in north Toronto with plans for Penn state next year but with the new NCAA rules has now put that on hold and will now play for the Kingston Frontenacs next year. What I'm told is he's big kid, big brain, really strong skater and really good with the puck.
He's being scouted a lot so it might take a 3rd or 4th to get him but I trust my guy when he says he would be worth it.
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I’ve been following the draft for a long time and Matt Schaefer is one of the best defensive prospects I’ve ever seen. He’s right there with Doughty and Hedman. That’s a future stud franchise d man IMO.
He’s so cerebral and has the skill to match. He’s an absolute stud. I love Martone, but for me, this guy is the guy at 1
Edit:
Mckenna is a 2026, but what that kid is doing is insane. The west is pumping out studs like crazy and I love it
Last edited by sch19lks; 12-01-2024 at 04:04 AM.
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-AMAZING. After 10 points in his last 4 games, RW Justin Carbonneau now sits tied with teammate LW Jonathan Fauchon for top spot in the QMJHL scoring race, with 26gp/20g/22a/42pts,+2, 24 PIM. Their teammate, draft-eligible C Mateo Nobert has 8 points in his last 4 games to bring his season total to 26gp/15g/20a/35pts,+6, 12 PIM, good enough for 8th in the scoring race.
-C Caleb Desnoyers was not in the lineup tonight for Moncton, but still sits tied for 14th in Q scoring, with 20gp/14g/17a/31pts,+24, 12 PIM. He's second in the league for plus/minus.
-Big LW Bill Zonnon has 4 points in his last 2 games, and is tied for 6th in Q scoring with 26gp/14g/23a/37pts,+12, 12 PIM.
-With only 3 points in his last 8 games, LD Cam Reid has slipped to 7th in OHL scoring by D, with 25gp/4g/18a/22pts,+10, 18 PIM.
-D Matt Schaefer sits in 12th in D scoring, with 14gp/6g/12a/18pts,+16, 6 PIM.
-C Mike Misa still leads the OHL, with 24gp/24g/24a/48pts,+20, 14 PIM.
-RW Porter Martone remains second in OHL scoring, with 23gp/18g/29a/47pts,+10, 37 PIM.
-In two games since returning from the CHL USA Prospects Games, C Jake O'Brien has continued his pace from before, putting up 4 points- which puts him in a tie for 17th in OHL scoring, with 25gp/12g/20a/32pts,-7, 6 PIM.
-Don't be surprised to see American LW Kristian Epperson get drafted this summer, in his D+1 year (I was surprised he wasn't picked up in the 2024 Draft). He has graduated from the NTDP, and is now playing in the OHL for the Saginaw Spirit, where he has compiled 24gp/10g/23a/33pts,+20, 36 PIM (16th in scoring), on pace for 92 points and 101 PIM. He's tied with teammate Mike Misa for 4th in the league in plus/minus. He's a nice blend of playmaking skill, and sandpaper.
-D Kashawn Aitcheson is coming on, with 9 points in his last 10, and now has 22gp/8g/9a/17pts,+7, 41 PIM.
-D Henry Brzustewicz has 7 in his last 10, and now has 24gp/4g/13a/17pts,+11, 28 PIM.
-C Tyler Hopkins has cooled off somewhat, but has 7 points in his last 10, and now has 26gp/8g/13a/21pts,+1, 6 PIM.
-Only 5 points in his last 10 for big C Jack Nesbitt, for 27gp/11g/10a/21pts,+10, 22 PIM.
-Since coming back from the Prospects Challenge, C Carter Bear has 4 points in 2 games and is now 3rd in WHL scoring with 25gp/22g/23a/45pts,+23, 18 PIM. The two players above him in scoring are 16 year-old Gavin McKenna (55 points in 27 games), and 19 year-old Capitals prospect Andrew Cristall (a whopping 47 points in just 18 games).
-Hitmen RW Ben Kindel is on a tear of late, with 14 points in his last 8 games, and is 19th in WHL scoring with 23gp/15g/18a/33pts,+3, 12 PIM, on pace for 96 points in 67 games- on a mediocre squad.
-C Cole Reschny, who was the hero in game 2 of the Prospects Challenge, has 4 points in 2 games since returning to the Royals. 24gp/10g/21a/31pts,+5, 24 PIM, on pace for 84 points in 65 games.
-D Jackson Smith is on a bit of a slide offensively, with no points in the last 2 games since returning from the Prospects Challenge, and only 2 in the previous 5. He's 11th among WHL blueliners, with 25gp/2g/19a/21pts,+11, 26 PIM.
-C Anton Frondell is still most likely trying to get back into the groove after his injury, but he's managed to only produce 7 points in 10 J20 Nationell games, and 3 points in 7 games in the Allsvenskan. Last season, as a 16 year-old, he had 39 points in 29 J20 games.
-C James Hagens had 2 goals on Friday in NCAA action, with his Boston College defeating Dartmouth, 5-3. He just turned 18 at the beginning of November, and has 13gp/3g/14a/17pts,+15, 4 PIM, for a ppg of 1.31. Last season, Mack Celebrini had a ppg of 1.68 while playing at Boston University in his draft season. Jack Eichel had 1.77 ppg, and Adam Fantilli had 1.81.
-No points for C Ivan Ryabkin in his last 2 MHL games (only 8 points in 11 games for MHK Dynamo Spartak), and only 2 points in his last 8 VHL games (2 points in 8 games in Russia's second-highest tier). He has played 2 KHL games, with no points.
-RD Logan Hensler has produced a very respectable 5 points in 13 NCAA games so far.
-LD Kurban Limatov has cooled a bit with only 1 point in his last 5 MHL games, for a stat line of 19gp/4g/9a/13pts,+10, 12 PIM. He's tied for 11th in D scoring, but if he keeps up his current pace of 0.68 ppg, he'll have one of the best draft years by a defenseman in terms of production in the history of the MHL.
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