Parekh named OHL defenseman of the month.....again.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Sandman

There was a rumor that he told teams in his pre-draft interview not to draft him if they expected him to change his style. Maybe it was true.

There was also somebody who posted some things a rival GM said about our draft picks last summer, and he hinted that a few of the kids we picked had attitude problems. Wonder if that was him?

I don’t think he is wrong though. He should play to his strengths and the team he plays for should help with him with the correct type of partner on his D pairing. He needs to be able to play defense at the NHL level but I’d much rather he presses all out on his offensive skills rather than forcing him into being a crappy two way guy. It would be nice if he is a high level two way D but that’s his highest ceiling and can’t bank on it.

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by Sandman

There was a rumor that he told teams in his pre-draft interview not to draft him if they expected him to change his style. Maybe it was true.

There was also somebody who posted some things a rival GM said about our draft picks last summer, and he hinted that a few of the kids we picked had attitude problems. Wonder if that was him?

This is correct, it was specifically about Parekh.
His confidence can come off as egotistical to some apparently, but when I listen to him speak I don't see it.

He's a confident kid, who speaks his mind and isn't afraid to call a spade a spade. As I said before, lots of scouts/teams/GM's aren't used to kids speaking their mind, they're used to that rhetorical "agent" speak that most kids use these days with all the usual clichés etc.

Parekh much like Tkachuk does, shoots straight from the hip.
He's very confident in his abilities and knows what he needs to do to succeed and that's generate offense.
I think its safe to say he's quite elite at it, I get that we always want guys to be good on both sides of the puck, but PP time + sheltered minutes with an elite defensive partner would be what he needs to start in the NHL.

Much like a bunch of offensive D-men did: Karlsson, Bouchard, Q.Hughes his first 2 years, Makar and most recently Hutson.

[Canada 02]

Defensively, is Parekh any worse than Lane Hutson?
I would not have a problem if Parekh puts up 60 points, is a top Calder candidate, but was a big minus player as a rookie.

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Defensively, is Parekh any worse than Lane Hutson?
I would not have a problem if Parekh puts up 60 points, is a top Calder candidate, but was a big minus player as a rookie.

Not at all.

[jlh2640]

This kids stock is rising big time.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Bubba17

If I was him I would skip the WJC even if they invite him.

Na, once in a lifetime experience versus this payback? He should go.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Bonded

I don’t think he is wrong though. He should play to his strengths and the team he plays for should help with him with the correct type of partner on his D pairing. He needs to be able to play defense at the NHL level but I’d much rather he presses all out on his offensive skills rather than forcing him into being a crappy two way guy. It would be nice if he is a high level two way D but that’s his highest ceiling and can’t bank on it.

Like I said, I don’t expect him to be a shutdown guy, but there’s a level you have to be at as far as being responsible goes, and he has a ways yet. Ask Jeremie Poirier. Plus, he was one of the few guys who looked truly lost in camp.

Please don’t take this post as me being snippy, context is hard to get across in writing lol.

[Wastedyouth]

He has a skill set that you capitalize on. At 5v5 Makar still gets a significant amount of his zone starts in the offensive zone and has every year he has been in the league. He is great on defense, but even his coach knows, you give players of this ilk the high ground on every shift you can.

If Makar was buried in his own zone on starts every shift I have no doubt his box stats would take a pretty decent hit.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by Royle9

This is correct, it was specifically about Parekh.
His confidence can come off as egotistical to some apparently, but when I listen to him speak I don't see it.

He's a confident kid, who speaks his mind and isn't afraid to call a spade a spade. As I said before, lots of scouts/teams/GM's aren't used to kids speaking their mind, they're used to that rhetorical "agent" speak that most kids use these days with all the usual clichés etc.

Parekh much like Tkachuk does, shoots straight from the hip.
He's very confident in his abilities and knows what he needs to do to succeed and that's generate offense.
I think its safe to say he's quite elite at it, I get that we always want guys to be good on both sides of the puck, but PP time + sheltered minutes with an elite defensive partner would be what he needs to start in the NHL.

Much like a bunch of offensive D-men did: Karlsson, Bouchard, Q.Hughes his first 2 years, Makar and most recently Hutson.

I could see GMs and coaches being concerned about that kind of response. I agree with you that it shows confidence in himself and his abilities. The response a lot of GMs would likely prefer is “I’ll play any way you want me to”.

I’m not concerned about it though. As long as he is coachable which I’m sure he is. By all accounts he’s a very intelligent player/person.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Like I said, I don’t expect him to be a shutdown guy, but there’s a level you have to be at as far as being responsible goes, and he has a ways yet. Ask Jeremie Poirier. Plus, he was one of the few guys who looked truly lost in camp.

Please don’t take this post as me being snippy, context is hard to get across in writing lol.

Jeremie Poirier has offensive skills, but is weak defensively.

Parekh doesn't have 'offensive skills', he is a unicorn. Big difference. You find a partner for him, and you shelter him until the defensive game improves. But you don't impede his access to the show.

Quinn Hughes was HORRIFIC defensively, for a couple of years. Defense is a coachable skill. And Parekh is extremely bright. And driven.

[NegativeSpace]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Unpopular opinion, but as I said in the CHL Prospects thread, I think Parekh will need a longer runway than most of us think. He wasn't drafted to be a shutdown defenseman, but you have to be somewhat responsible in order to get minutes in the NHL- and he has a ways to go yet.

Plus, he was one of the few youngsters in camp who looked absolutely overwhelmed against older players.

It is unfair to Zayne, but I'm thinking of the Makar progression from his draft year as a timeline to look at. Makar is the (or one of the) best defenceman in the league and he still took two seasons at UMass before coming in the playoffs. So, I wonder if Zayne has a similar progression where not next year but the year after we start to see him force his way into the lineup.

[NegativeSpace]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Like I said, I don’t expect him to be a shutdown guy, but there’s a level you have to be at as far as being responsible goes, and he has a ways yet. Ask Jeremie Poirier. Plus, he was one of the few guys who looked truly lost in camp.

Please don’t take this post as me being snippy, context is hard to get across in writing lol.

I think he'll show up at camp next year much better prepared. He just finished the mem cup, draft, integration in new team, and then he's off to dev camp, and young stars. I think he had like a couple weeks to settle out. He's a smart kid.

[Groot]

Originally Posted by NegativeSpace

It is unfair to Zayne, but I'm thinking of the Makar progression from his draft year as a timeline to look at. Makar is the (or one of the) best defenceman in the league and he still took two seasons at UMass before coming in the playoffs. So, I wonder if Zayne has a similar progression where not next year but the year after we start to see him force his way into the lineup.

Problem is UMass is a step up from the OHL. If that was an option for Parekh I'm sure they would look at it, but right now it's OHL or NHL. I don't see how another season in the OHL benefits his development in any way so you have to figure out to promote his development in the NHL which like Royle said is sheltered, offensive minutes.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Poirier has made great strides defensively, and I would also argue that he should have at least had some looks by now if not for his injury last season. Missing almost an entire season is a major setback, and he started off slowly in the AHL, but has caught up to Solovyov now.


What will be interesting to see is if Conroy keeps open spots next season on defence. I mean, Weegar needs a full-time regular partner there instead of a revolving door for the majority of the season (though Hanley has been good and stable in that spot since being put together). Assuming that Andersson is NOT traded (which is a possibility, but it sounds more like re-signing is where this is headed), then I would say the 'backbone' of the Flames' D-corps next season will be: Andersson - Bahl, Weegar, Pachal.



Hanley is a UFA - I doubt he gets re-signed, even though he has been solid. Barrie is a UFA, and I doubt he gets re-signed. That leaves Bean and Miromanov left over from this year's rotation. I think Bean will be the 7th next season, and Miromanov will either be traded, waived and picked up by someone else, or waived and playing in the AHL for most of the season. He just hasn't been consistently good. I think Bean has been mostly good this year, but best served as a 6th/7th guy.


WIll Conroy sign someone to suit up with Weegar? I think internal competition (including Bean) will be up for grabs for the 6th spot. Will Conroy be ok with having 2 rookies on defence?



Parekh will be fighting for a spot this year, no questions. I think he will look better and really push for a spot. Brzustewicz looked fantastic at camp last season, then started his pro career slowly, but has really picked it up. I think he will be tough to beat (but he is not waiver-eligible). Dark horse is Morin who is a 2-way guy and a year older - he looked fantastic at camp 2 seasons ago, but I think he starts in the AHL.



Then comes the AHL guys. Solovyov has been having a great year on the Wranglers, and has NHL experience. He passed through waivers once already, but i am not sure he will pass again given his development. Poirier is a slick offensive guy who has taken great steps defensively, and has been a bit derailed by injuries. I think this really made him start slow, but he has already caught and surpassed Solovyov offensively, and should finish as the top point producer on the blue-line. This is his first waiver eligible season. Likewise, Kuznetsov will have to go through waivers for the first time as well. He is a 6'5" strong skating defensive defencemen that moves the puck well. We know organizations value some of those attributes.



Jurmo and Grushnikov are not waiver eligible yet (75% sure on Jurmo, 100% sure about Grushnikov). Either way, I don't think either of these will factor-in next season. Jurmo has only played a total of 18 games this season equally split between the ECHL and AHL (and I can only assume he is - or has been injured). Grushnikov is not ahead of Solovyov IMO, and though I may be in the minority, I feel he has one of the lower upsides organizationally anyway, even if I personally still do like defensive-defencemen with snarl.



That's a lot of prospects competing for 1, or maybe 2 spots. I assume that Pachal will keep his spot - he seems like a great partner for someone like Parekh, Brzustewicz or Poirier - more defensive, and also willing to stick up for his teammates, which I think helps a rookie be able to concentrate on his game.



Is it Parekh's spot to lose? I think he will push and impress, but that's a lot of bodies to hop over. Just as big of a question will be what Conroy does with the defence. Weegar's partner? Andersson trade? Any other moves impacting Ds, including UFA signings? I think it will be a 3-way battle for one spot between Parekh, Brzustewicz and Poirier, and if neither of these guys are looking good enough, then it is either Bean's spot or Solovyov's spot.



That's a lot of promising defencemen fighting it out next season.

[Wastedyouth]

I don't think Jurmo is long for this organization.

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Poirier has made great strides defensively, and I would also argue that he should have at least had some looks by now if not for his injury last season. Missing almost an entire season is a major setback, and he started off slowly in the AHL, but has caught up to Solovyov now.


What will be interesting to see is if Conroy keeps open spots next season on defence. I mean, Weegar needs a full-time regular partner there instead of a revolving door for the majority of the season (though Hanley has been good and stable in that spot since being put together). Assuming that Andersson is NOT traded (which is a possibility, but it sounds more like re-signing is where this is headed), then I would say the 'backbone' of the Flames' D-corps next season will be: Andersson - Bahl, Weegar, Pachal.



Hanley is a UFA - I doubt he gets re-signed, even though he has been solid. Barrie is a UFA, and I doubt he gets re-signed. That leaves Bean and Miromanov left over from this year's rotation. I think Bean will be the 7th next season, and Miromanov will either be traded, waived and picked up by someone else, or waived and playing in the AHL for most of the season. He just hasn't been consistently good. I think Bean has been mostly good this year, but best served as a 6th/7th guy.


WIll Conroy sign someone to suit up with Weegar? I think internal competition (including Bean) will be up for grabs for the 6th spot. Will Conroy be ok with having 2 rookies on defence?



Parekh will be fighting for a spot this year, no questions. I think he will look better and really push for a spot. Brzustewicz looked fantastic at camp last season, then started his pro career slowly, but has really picked it up. I think he will be tough to beat (but he is not waiver-eligible). Dark horse is Morin who is a 2-way guy and a year older - he looked fantastic at camp 2 seasons ago, but I think he starts in the AHL.



Then comes the AHL guys. Solovyov has been having a great year on the Wranglers, and has NHL experience. He passed through waivers once already, but i am not sure he will pass again given his development. Poirier is a slick offensive guy who has taken great steps defensively, and has been a bit derailed by injuries. I think this really made him start slow, but he has already caught and surpassed Solovyov offensively, and should finish as the top point producer on the blue-line. This is his first waiver eligible season. Likewise, Kuznetsov will have to go through waivers for the first time as well. He is a 6'5" strong skating defensive defencemen that moves the puck well. We know organizations value some of those attributes.



Jurmo and Grushnikov are not waiver eligible yet (75% sure on Jurmo, 100% sure about Grushnikov). Either way, I don't think either of these will factor-in next season. Jurmo has only played a total of 18 games this season equally split between the ECHL and AHL (and I can only assume he is - or has been injured). Grushnikov is not ahead of Solovyov IMO, and though I may be in the minority, I feel he has one of the lower upsides organizationally anyway, even if I personally still do like defensive-defencemen with snarl.



That's a lot of prospects competing for 1, or maybe 2 spots. I assume that Pachal will keep his spot - he seems like a great partner for someone like Parekh, Brzustewicz or Poirier - more defensive, and also willing to stick up for his teammates, which I think helps a rookie be able to concentrate on his game.



Is it Parekh's spot to lose? I think he will push and impress, but that's a lot of bodies to hop over. Just as big of a question will be what Conroy does with the defence. Weegar's partner? Andersson trade? Any other moves impacting Ds, including UFA signings? I think it will be a 3-way battle for one spot between Parekh, Brzustewicz and Poirier, and if neither of these guys are looking good enough, then it is either Bean's spot or Solovyov's spot.



That's a lot of promising defencemen fighting it out next season.

I think there will be 2 rookie D next year. Soloyov and Parekh would be my guess.

Its the year after it starts to get interesting as Brz and Morin should be pushing by then with no new openings on the horizon.

Although I love Anderson, this is the one reason I could see us moving on and instead signing a UFA to an overpriced 2 year contract.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Jeremie Poirier has offensive skills, but is weak defensively.

Parekh doesn't have 'offensive skills', he is a unicorn. Big difference. You find a partner for him, and you shelter him until the defensive game improves. But you don't impede his access to the show.

Quinn Hughes was HORRIFIC defensively, for a couple of years. Defense is a coachable skill. And Parekh is extremely bright. And driven.

Absolutely.

Someone as intelligent as him just gets better being around what is happening.

Repetition and pattern recognition, it just comes natural just like how he skates like a water bug.

Shelter him and find him a Tanev.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

I think there will be 2 rookie D next year. Soloyov and Parekh would be my guess.

Its the year after it starts to get interesting as Brz and Morin should be pushing by then with no new openings on the horizon.

Although I love Anderson, this is the one reason I could see us moving on and instead signing a UFA to an overpriced 2 year contract.

I think Grushnikov is a lot closer than people realize as well.

I think him and the other two mentioned will be here sooner rather than later.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

I think there will be 2 rookie D next year. Soloyov and Parekh would be my guess.

Its the year after it starts to get interesting as Brz and Morin should be pushing by then with no new openings on the horizon.

Although I love Anderson, this is the one reason I could see us moving on and instead signing a UFA to an overpriced 2 year contract.

What do I know, but I think there will be zero rookie D beyond spot duty.

None of the Flames D prospects have differentiated themselves. For a couple there is still plenty of time but they don’t seem close. For others they are what they are.

Aspirot is the dark horse in all this. He’s not that old and is pretty darn good.

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by NegativeSpace

It is unfair to Zayne, but I'm thinking of the Makar progression from his draft year as a timeline to look at. Makar is the (or one of the) best defenceman in the league and he still took two seasons at UMass before coming in the playoffs. So, I wonder if Zayne has a similar progression where not next year but the year after we start to see him force his way into the lineup.

I kind of feel this way as well. Quinn Hughes also had two years of college hockey as well before he stepped into the NHL. He did it a year quicker (from his draft) than Makar, but had the same amount of time in University.

Parkeh hasn't quite had that development. Hopefully, he'll get a few NHL games late in the season or even in the playoffs, like both Hughes and Makar did the year before they were rookies, and maybe he'll be ready to go next year.

I kind of feel similar to Sandman, though, that even if he is a unicorn of a player, the Flames are pretty patient with their prospects -- and he'll have to blow the doors off at next year's training camp (or in this year's playoffs) to cement a spot in the NHL next year.