Prospect Info: 2014-2015-2016 Kings Prospects in the CHL/College

[Caser]

Looks like final WJC rosters are announced and Kings are having four prospects there: Kempe, Cernak, Dergachyov and Sharipzyanov.

 

[Captain Mittens*]

Looks like final WJC rosters are announced and Kings are having four prospects there: Kempe, Cernak, Dergachyov and Sharipzyanov.

Thank you one who cases

 

[King'sPawn]

Watching the NB/Mississauga game and the announcers were praising Amadio. Not just for his skill and utility, but they are most impressed with his work ethic and conditioning.

That's something you don't see on the scoreboard, so seeing that praise is always encouraging when discussing an upcoming prospect who is making great strides to his game.

 

[AnThGrt]

Watching the NB/Mississauga game and the announcers were praising Amadio. Not just for his skill and utility, but they are most impressed with his work ethic and conditioning.

That's something you don't see on the scoreboard, so seeing that praise is always encouraging when discussing an upcoming prospect who is making great strides to his game.

Have a buddy who works for ISS.

Finally got back to me on Amadio, "haven't seen north bay yet but know their head scout very well (happens to live in Ott) he personally thinks Amadio isn't a good pro but a great Jr we shall see."

Hopefully he is wrong.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Have a buddy who works for ISS.

Finally got back to me on Amadio, "haven't seen north bay yet but know their head scout very well (happens to live in Ott) he personally thinks Amadio isn't a good pro but a great Jr we shall see."

Hopefully he is wrong.

Seems so backwards since there doesn't seem to be anything he doesn't do well, but maybe it's a 'definition to his game' thing like with McKeown? Weird.

You would like to think a guy like that could at least carve out a 4th liner career.

 

[King'sPawn]

Have a buddy who works for ISS.

Finally got back to me on Amadio, "haven't seen north bay yet but know their head scout very well (happens to live in Ott) he personally thinks Amadio isn't a good pro but a great Jr we shall see."

Hopefully he is wrong.

Would be interested in hearing the rationale. Skilled, plays a two way game, good vision, good size.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Would be interested in hearing the rationale. Skilled, plays a two way game, good vision, good size.

Yeah, if LAKI was right, grew a lot since the draft, 6'3" 227 is pretty beefy for his age, has continued to improve every year despite the team around him, and has gotten rave reviews from the locals.

Maybe there's something there about playing with better players (i.e. maybe doesn't know how to support the puckcarrier well? but that conflicts with reports about his two-way ability which is more why he was drafted, shrug), and haven't seen anything about his skating, so dunno. Not slagging the scout who has obviously seen him a lot more than us (me anyway), just questioning what it is that would stop him.

 

[King'sPawn]

Yeah, if LAKI was right, grew a lot since the draft, 6'3" 227 is pretty beefy for his age, has continued to improve every year despite the team around him, and has gotten rave reviews from the locals.

Maybe there's something there about playing with better players (i.e. maybe doesn't know how to support the puckcarrier well? but that conflicts with reports about his two-way ability which is more why he was drafted, shrug), and haven't seen anything about his skating, so dunno. Not slagging the scout who has obviously seen him a lot more than us (me anyway), just questioning what it is that would stop him.

I agree. I just don't see exactly what the criticism is. I mean, last year, the Battallion had Nick Paul to arguably inflate his numbers.

This year, Amadio leads his team by 18 points in scoring. The second leading scorer on the team is a rookie defenseman. So it's not even like he has great support this year to inflate his numbers.

And Amadio ended this game with 2 goals and an assist. A powerplay assist, an even strength goal, and a short-handed (empty net) goal. The 5 shorthanded goals ties for the league lead. He also has 5 shorthanded assists. That's 10(!) shorthanded points. His teammate, Matthew Santos, has 6 shorthanded points. Nobody else has more than 5. That's phenomenal.

 

[AnThGrt]

I was on the same page as you guys so was a little shocked when I read that. Always interesting hearing actual scouts opinions though. Lets not also forget scouts are often wrong and many players get that label and proceed to prove it wrong.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I was on the same page as you guys so was a little shocked when I read that. Always interesting hearing actual scouts opinions though. Lets not also forget scouts are often wrong and many players get that label and proceed to prove it wrong.

For sure. Not trying to discount the opinion at all, just would love to know the 'why.' I certainly don't get to see him play much so it's just curious to me that a guy who was drafted for his two way play, whose knock, IIRC, was offense, has developed offensively but isn't seen as a potential pro.

 

[King'sPawn]

I was on the same page as you guys so was a little shocked when I read that. Always interesting hearing actual scouts opinions though. Lets not also forget scouts are often wrong and many players get that label and proceed to prove it wrong.

I understand completely. I wasn't trying to call you out and I wasn't getting up in arms about it. I know different scouts have very differing opinions. As you said, it's interesting to hear what the professionals think, and specific criticisms and praises (particularly things we may not be thinking about) are always fascinating.

As a brief example, I watched some video on Roland McKeown, and I thought, "Meh, why do people think he's so great?" People would give canned answers, or answers I thought weren't enlightening. After he's drafted, Futa said McKeown plays Doughty minutes.

So I paid attention to this statement when I did a shift by shift video. Sure enough, he not only played in all situations, but his video is over 31 minutes long. (shameless plug: here's my youtube channel with several shift by shift videos http://www.youtube.com/user/HockeyPwns)

It wasn't a long, descriptive answer, but it provided an insight into looking at a prospect a way I hadn't considered before.

 

[EON]

Cernak's injured, not playing for Erie this weekend, possibly flying out to LA to be examined by medical staff there. Hopefully it's not too serious but it doesn't sound good.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Cernak's injured, not playing for Erie this weekend, possibly flying out to LA to be examined by medical staff there. Hopefully it's not too serious but it doesn't sound good.

Not good. Did not have best WJC, wonder if this was a factor. Of course the absolutely awful Slovakian team certainly did not help.

Looks like he is doing well in Erie. Cernak should be in Ontario next year, IMO. He is physically ready having played a full year in the Slovakian league among men (a very mediocre mens league but still). Could have played AHL this year if not for number of AHL D signed by LA (he is already better than Lintuniemi and McDermid at least, IMO).

 

[Caser]

Prokhorkin got a hat-trick and an assist in KHL today.

 

[regulate]

Prokhorkin got a hat-trick and an assist in KHL today.

The Kings seriously need to kick the tires again on this kid. Really coming into his own this year after a sophomore slump.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I'm still crazy excited about Amadio and I can't get any info out of anyone about his drawbacks

Seems like a late bloomer. He put up crazy offensive numbers before the O and has been seen as a great two-way player but his knock seemed to be his offensive upside; well, he's filled that out to a pretty damn good degree. So what exactly is the problem now? Who could we ask to find out more? He's on pace for 98 points (68 games) on a team where no one is even close to him--that would have been good for 10th in the O last year behind a bunch of familiar 1st round names. Couple that with great two-way all situations play, and I'm trying to figure out what's 'wrong.'

I don't mean to say he'd be a prolific scorer at the NHL level but based on everything I've seen and read he could be a great shutdown-style 3C with a bit of offensive touch. Only think I haven't read about is his skating, but I haven't seen anything problematic there either...it's just baffling to me.

 

[tigermask48]

I'm still crazy excited about Amadio and I can't get any info out of anyone about his drawbacks

Seems like a late bloomer. He put up crazy offensive numbers before the O and has been seen as a great two-way player but his knock seemed to be his offensive upside; well, he's filled that out to a pretty damn good degree. So what exactly is the problem now? Who could we ask to find out more? He's on pace for 98 points (68 games) on a team where no one is even close to him--that would have been good for 10th in the O last year behind a bunch of familiar 1st round names. Couple that with great two-way all situations play, and I'm trying to figure out what's 'wrong.'

I don't mean to say he'd be a prolific scorer at the NHL level but based on everything I've seen and read he could be a great shutdown-style 3C with a bit of offensive touch. Only think I haven't read about is his skating, but I haven't seen anything problematic there either...it's just baffling to me.

Only thing I can think of is maybe he's viewed as being just bigger and stronger than everyone else since he's 19? Sort of just takes what he wants and does whatever he wants to and that won be the case when he gets to the AHL? I have no basis for this but just the only thing I can think of because everything else seems to be there like you said.

On another note, what happened to Mistele? Was super excited to see what he did this yearafter the playoffs last year and he seems to have floundered. Just had a good playoffs or is he still a legit prospect?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

FWIW no one on the prospects board has anything but positive to say about him. He just keeps improving.

 

[Fat Elvis]

Has anyone seen how our college players doing? It's been quiet on LaDue, Steven Johnson and Matt Roy. Don't know much about Johnson and Roy, other than both have increased their point total over last season. LaDue's are down, but his team's seems to be doing well. People like LaDue's game, wonder if he'll come out after this season.
Any opinions on Johnson and Roy?

 

[Mike Carr]

anybody know much about Austin Wagner ?
seems to be doing really well for the Regina pats
around 40 games and 38 points - 17 goals and 21 assists
no PP goals but leads the team with 5 SHG
he is LW and only 17 but 6,2 and 185 already
has a lot of penalty minutes so I am thinking he is a tough player ??
has a really good plus minus

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I need to just get an Amadio North Bay Battalion jersey. Always wanted one of those jerseys anyway!

anybody know much about Austin Wagner ?
seems to be doing really well for the Regina pats
around 40 games and 38 points - 17 goals and 21 assists
no PP goals but leads the team with 5 SHG
he is LW and only 17 but 6,2 and 185 already
has a lot of penalty minutes so I am thinking he is a tough player ??
has a really good plus minus

Not much to add here but I do remember at draft time all the pundits were saying that it was a good value, borderline steal, couldn't figure out why he fell. Seems to have upped his production year over year which is good--still has 21 games to go and is only one point short of last year's total. Allegedly doesn't get much PP time because he's so good checking at ES and on the PK, speedy and tenacious (this all sound Kings-y to you? ). Power winger, elite speed.

Just what a bunch of draft sites had to say. He grew explosively in his draft year and rose to being ranked really high--2nd to 3rd round for most--and we got him at 99.

And from a well-reputed poster here:

Comes in at #11 on my final WHL player rankings for 2015: http://whl-from-above.blogspot.ca/2015/05/final-whl-rankings-2015-nhl-draft.html

#11 Austin Wagner

Team: Regina Pats
Position: RW/LW
Shoots: L
Height: 6’1
Weight: 178
GP: 61
Goals: 20
Assists: 19
Points: 39
Pts/Gm: 0.64
PIM: 53

Player Analysis: Austin Wagner is a rangy winger with absolutely blazing speed for the Regina Pats…owns arguably the best straight-line speed of any draft-eligible WHL forward…he isn’t just fast for his 6’1+ frame, he’s an absolute burner in general…has extremely good acceleration with the ability to get up to nearly full speed in only 2-3 quick strides…owns that elite speed despite a somewhat hunched stance with his upper body…has quick feet and makes use of crossovers to change angles to generate a bit more speed while in tight space…uses his straight-ahead speed to generate regular breakaway chances and 2 on 1’s…is hard to slow down once he gets going and likes to drop his inside shoulder and drive to the blue ice off the rush…he also likes to spin back into his defensive zone without the puck in order to gain a running start before charging through the neutral zone, joining the rush…drives lanes aggressively once he’s in the offensive zone…owns a good wrist shot that he likes to fire while on the rush…has a heavy shot but it’s still an area that could be refined with time regarding his ability to get it away when in traffic…hasn’t scored on nearly as many plays as you would expect given how many grade-A chances his speed helped generate…his puck handling ability in tight spaces wouldn’t be considered a huge strength but he has shown some growth there…has a tendency to get ahead of himself when carrying the puck…has consistently shown me that his feet might be faster than either his hands or his head…has been prone to skate into traffic or leave himself prone to being stick-checked because he gets up the ice and into the teeth of the defence ahead of his linemates…hands will need to be refined…isn’t a pure receiver of the puck and tends to bobble the puck fairly frequently…away from the puck his physical play is a noted strength…throws massive, thundering hits with regularity…that speed, size, physicality combo allows him to excel on the forecheck…while I do have some already-noted concerns about his offensive processing ability I don’t have those same concerns defensively…he reads the play well without the puck on defence, aided by the fact that he was brought along slowly as a 4th line player as a rookie in 2013-14…this season he spent time in a variety of roles inside the Pats top 9 forward group, including having the ability to play both wings…saw time both on the powerplay and the penalty kill and has good two-way value looking forward…Pavel Padakin and Adam Brooks were common linemates for him this season, spending 25 of Regina’s final 55 regular season games together despite injuries and some line shuffling…is definitely one of the biggest risers in the draft this year after scoring only one goal in 42 games last season…was very consistent in his offensive production this year with his first half numbers nearly matching his second half numbers (0.65 PPG compared to 0.63 PPG)…his 20 goals during the regular season were good enough to be tied for 8th in that category among all first-year draft-eligible WHL forwards….15 of those goals came at even-strength, with that tally being the 9th best among all first-year draft-eligible WHL forwards…suffered an upper-body injury late in the season which forced him to miss several weeks worth of action…is listed at 6’2 on his WHL page but only 6’1 by Central Scouting…he definitely looks taller and longer than 6’1 to me…his style of play reminds me a lot of Erik Cole as both are big guys who can really skate, have two-way sense and own great shots…was a 5th round choice, 94th overall, by the Regina Pats at the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft…overall I project Wagner to be a guy who offers a team a lot of versatility as he will be able to play any role on any line with the proper development…ideally I see him as a top 9 winger with 20 or 25 goal upside at the NHL level…I anticipate we’ll see him slide off the board some time within the top 75 picks (I have him rated as a late 2nd or early 3rd myself), although I wouldn’t be shocked if some teams liked him as a top 50 guy given his frame, NHL-ready skating ability and versatile overall skillset…

 

[Mike Carr]

I need to just get an Amadio North Bay Battalion jersey. Always wanted one of those jerseys anyway!



Not much to add here but I do remember at draft time all the pundits were saying that it was a good value, borderline steal, couldn't figure out why he fell. Seems to have upped his production year over year which is good--still has 21 games to go and is only one point short of last year's total. Allegedly doesn't get much PP time because he's so good checking at ES and on the PK, speedy and tenacious (this all sound Kings-y to you? ). Power winger, elite speed.

Just what a bunch of draft sites had to say. He grew explosively in his draft year and rose to being ranked really high--2nd to 3rd round for most--and we got him at 99.

And from a well-reputed poster here:

thx a lot for that - good read - sounds like he is putting it together well this year - if he is good defensively and hits hard and has lightning speed that is an awesome base.

 

[Jason Lewis]

FWIW no one on the prospects board has anything but positive to say about him. He just keeps improving.

Likewise, I have heard nothing but good things.

 

[EON]

Cernak's back in Erie, was scratched for their home game last night. So him up in one of the boxes, only had a brace on his hand so I doubt it's anything more than a sprain or deep bruise. Would think he's back within a few weeks at the most.

 

[King'sPawn]

Cernak's back in Erie, was scratched for their home game last night. So him up in one of the boxes, only had a brace on his hand so I doubt it's anything more than a sprain or deep bruise. Would think he's back within a few weeks at the most.

Thank you for the update!