Prospect Info: 190th - Brett Stapley

[Adam Michaels]

I look at Stapley almost in the same light as Evans. Not just that they're both 7th round picks. But also because Evans' first two years of NCAA and Stapley's are almost comparable.

I admit I haven't had a chance to watch Stapley that much aside from here and there. But I hadn't watched much of Evans, either at the time. And I'm a fan of Evans, who has NHL written all over him. But that doesn't automatically mean Stapley is NHL material. But if he continues on the same path as Evans, I can definitely see Stapley signed to an ELC.

Evans:
Freshman year: 17 pts (7G, 10A) in 41 GP
Sophomore year: 33 pts (8G, 25A) in 37 GP

Stapley:
Freshman year: 19 pts (5G, 14A) in 32 GP
Sophomore year: 30 pts (5G, 25A) in 35 GP

 

[Tyson]

Rob Ramage mentioned him in a positive way

 

[Adam Michaels]

Rob Ramage mentioned him in a positive way

Yup. He mentioned him as a prospect that is kind of flying under the radar because almost everyone's attention is on the top prospects (and rightfully so). But when asked about what prospect is not as talked about as others, he mentioned Stapley without hesitation.

 

[26Mats]

Yup. He mentioned him as a prospect that is kind of flying under the radar because almost everyone's attention is on the top prospects (and rightfully so). But when asked about what prospect is not as talked about as others, he mentioned Stapley without hesitation.

He has very similar numbers in the NCAA as another late bloomer: Jake Evan's

Evans:

Regular Season	Playoffs
Season	Team	Lge	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	+/-	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2011-12	St. Michael's Buzzers	OJHL	5	2	2	4	0
2012-13	St. Michael's Buzzers	OJHL	50	12	32	44	45		24	8	9	17	14
2013-14	St. Michael's Buzzers	OJHL	49	16	47	63	79		5	0	5	5	8
2014-15	Notre Dame	H-East	41	7	10	17	22	4
2015-16	Notre Dame	H-East	37	8	25	33	29	15
2016-17	Notre Dame	H-East	40	13	29	42	47	11
2017-18	Notre Dame	Big-10	40	13	33	46	18	9
2018-19	Laval Rocket	AHL	67	13	32	45	26	-11
2019-20	Laval Rocket	AHL	51	14	24	38	26	-5
2019-20	Montreal Canadiens	NHL	13	2	1	3	0	1	6	0	1	1

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[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Stapley:

Regular Season	Playoffs
Season	Team	Lge	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	+/-	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2014-15	Cowichan Valley Capitals	BCHL	1	0	0	0	0		--	--	--	--	--
2015-16	Vernon Vipers	BCHL	49	4	8	12	22		4	0	1	1	0
2016-17	Vernon Vipers	BCHL	52	16	33	49	48		12	1	9	10	8
2017-18	Vernon Vipers	BCHL	52	27	32	59	60		7	0	4	4	2
2018-19	U. of Denver	NCHC	32	5	14	19	35	9
2019-20	U. of Denver	NCHC	35	5	25	30	41	15

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[WeThreeKings]

so maybe it isn't wise to burn a 7th round pick on a scrub

 

[Habs Halifax]

Yup. He mentioned him as a prospect that is kind of flying under the radar because almost everyone's attention is on the top prospects (and rightfully so). But when asked about what prospect is not as talked about as others, he mentioned Stapley without hesitation.

If we had Stapley in our pool about 5 years ago, there would be more hype on him due to lack of draft power and a poor pool. Because we have both quality and quantity, a guy like Stapley flies under the radar to some degree. And yes, I do believe he is on the Evans track.... so far anyways

 

[Adam Michaels]

He has very similar numbers in the NCAA as another late bloomer: Jake Evan's

I know. I mentioned it in the post right before the one you quoted.

 

[Habs Halifax]

so maybe it isn't wise to burn a 7th round pick on a scrub

I think we managed our picks very well in recent years.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Ruscheinski is an utter abomination

Was talking more about stock piling picks and high draft power. I think the Habs said something about the later part of that 2019 draft was weak right? I don't study the 4-7 rounds that well so I will have to defer to your opinion about that.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Was talking more about stock piling picks and high draft power. I think the Habs said something about the later part of that 2019 draft was weak right? I don't study the 4-7 rounds that well so I will have to defer to your opinion about that.

Considering a guy like Sokolov was on everyone's list and got passed over, then drafted in the 3rd round this year. You are better off throwing a 7th round pick at some guy with tools and flaws than scratching it on a nobody who has no shot, at all.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Considering a guy like Sokolov was on everyone's list and got passed over, then drafted in the 3rd round this year. You are better off throwing a 7th round pick at some guy with tools and flaws than scratching it on a nobody who has no shot, at all.

Very possible they didn't scout that part of the draft very well... or the ones who did, didn't do a good job.

The narrative I remember was Timmins saying something about lack of talent at that part of the draft and they looked uninspired or lack of interest at that part of the draft. They probably tried to make other trades where they swapped picks for that draft to future drafts. I believe they made a few but might have wanted to make more with no bites. Then came along the brain cramp when they had to make the pick

 

[montreal]

I saw a lot of Evans in the NCAA and a good bit of Stapley, they don't really compare since Stapley was 19 in his first season as he turns 22 in 3 months. Both weren't the greatest skaters but Evans is much smarter and better defensively plus on FO's. Both are playmaking centers but I think Stapley ends up on the wing in the AHL.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I saw a lot of Evans in the NCAA and a good bit of Stapley, they don't really compare since Stapley was 19 in his first season as he turns 22 in 3 months. Both weren't the greatest skaters but Evans is much smarter and better defensively plus on FO's. Both are playmaking centers but I think Stapley ends up on the wing in the AHL.

Very possible. I guess Stapley chatter today (as well as Evans track comparable) is just to recognize to not forget him. Very possible he busts or becomes a depth winger but so can others drafted before him. Stapley is heading into this NCAA season as the highest pts production guy left from last year on his team. Read that somewhere

 

[montreal]

Stapley is heading into this NCAA season as the highest pts production guy left from last year on his team. Read that somewhere

correct, he was 3rd on his team in points and the 1st 2 scorers turned pro in the off-season.

 

[montreal]

starts at :25, former Hab scout saying that the Habs are high on Stapley.

 

[montreal]

Stapley with 5 points in the last 5 games, only 3 games left before they take a break for the holidays. Being a soon to be 22 year old junior, he needs to have a big year, will be interesting to see if he does, do they look to sign him at the end of the season. He can't use the loophole but not sure he would learn more at Denver next season vs being in the AHL with Bouchard though he still needs to get stronger and add mass.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Even though it seems like Stapley is out the rest of the season (as been mentioned in the Injury Thread), it was his birthday on Tuesday. He turned 22.

 

[montreal]

nice start to the season for him, he's playing for a contract this summer, I assume he gets one.

 

[Adam Michaels]

 

[Adam Michaels]

He was also named Player of the Week & Player of the Month for the NCHC.

 

[Lebowski]

Stapley had a goal and an assist last night in a 5-0 win.

Is there a parallel to be drawn with Evans? Statistically speaking, it looks like he could earn himself a contract.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Is there a parallel to be drawn with Evans? Statistically speaking, it looks like he could earn himself a contract.

Yeah he seems to be making a pretty damn good case this year. I would've thought it next to impossible or highly unlikely but he's had the quite up tick in production.

 

[montreal]

Is there a parallel to be drawn with Evans? Statistically speaking, it looks like he could earn himself a contract.

I don't think so, perhaps as they are both 7th rounders, both centers, both playmakers first but that's about it.

Evans turned 20 4 months before his Junior year, Stapley turned 20 in the last 5-6 weeks of his Freshman year. So it's tough to compare their stats if you go by age. The other problem is Evans really had a big Junior year and in Stapley's Junior year he missed most of the season.

The fact that Stapley is shooting the puck more is interesting as he looks like he could equal his entire first 3 years of goals as that was a big knock on him imo. But you have to also keep in mind the stats this year are impacted due to playing on the best offense in the entire NCAA.

Yeah he seems to be making a pretty damn good case this year. I would've thought it next to impossible or highly unlikely but he's had the quite up tick in production.

Playing on the #1 offense in the NCAA helps though.

 

[Runner77]

Brett Stapley dreams of an offer from the Canadiens - Daily News

 

[Harry Kakalovich]

I don't think so, perhaps as they are both 7th rounders, both centers, both playmakers first but that's about it.

Evans turned 20 4 months before his Junior year, Stapley turned 20 in the last 5-6 weeks of his Freshman year. So it's tough to compare their stats if you go by age. The other problem is Evans really had a big Junior year and in Stapley's Junior year he missed most of the season.

The fact that Stapley is shooting the puck more is interesting as he looks like he could equal his entire first 3 years of goals as that was a big knock on him imo. But you have to also keep in mind the stats this year are impacted due to playing on the best offense in the entire NCAA.



Playing on the #1 offense in the NCAA helps though.

I agree with you that Stapley will probably be a winger. I'm not sure he gets a contract but I think he might. Either way I see him as a bottom-six prospect, but one I'm kind of rooting for since I love late-round picks that work out.