Prospect Info: 2021-22 Kings Prospects in CHL/College/Europe part 4

[King'sPawn]

The Kings have the better Laf

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I heard someone call him "The Wrong One" and it stuck for me

Great year for an unheralded dude!

 

[Sleeping Dog]

I heard someone call him "The Wrong One" and it stuck for me

Great year for an unheralded dude!

It would be something if we drafted the right Laf in that draft!

 

[DAkings20]

 

[Fishhead]

Faber didn't look out of place at all with the top prospects at the Olympics. In my eyes he was the most reliable all situation D on the ice. He was out there all the time on the PK and especially on 5 on 3's. Always on at the end of the game, too.

 

[dman3474]

Do you think Faber stays in college or leaves?

Originally I was thinking leave, but with the RD log jam next year I’m not sure.

 

[Fat Elvis]

Do you think Faber stays in college or leaves?

Originally I was thinking leave, but with the RD log jam next year I’m not sure.

I think he'll sign and LA will figure out the log jam. He's ready for the next chapter.

 

[kinghock]

Do you think Faber stays in college or leaves?

Originally I was thinking leave, but with the RD log jam next year I’m not sure.

According to John Hoven he will sign with Kings after end of this college season

 

[Bonin21]

Do you think Faber stays in college or leaves?

Originally I was thinking leave, but with the RD log jam next year I’m not sure.

Most of us thought he was gone 100%, but then Logan Cooley signed and now there is a slight buzz Faber+Knies come back to make a run with WJC teammate Cooley. I'll say 25% chance he comes back.

 

[JeanBlanc]

Any other college prospects playing on TV in the coming weeks? Figured out the BTN is on YouTube TV, so I can watch the Michigan/Minnesota game on Saturday with Brock Faber.

 

[King'sPawn]

Any other college prospects playing on TV in the coming weeks? Figured out the BTN is on YouTube TV, so I can watch the Michigan/Minnesota game on Saturday with Brock Faber.

Not sure of the TV schedule, but Harvard (Laferriere) is playing Clarkson and UMass-Lowell (Lee and Meehan) is playing UMass on Friday.

 

[King'sPawn]

Do you think Faber stays in college or leaves?

Originally I was thinking leave, but with the RD log jam next year I’m not sure.

Sorry, missed this.

I would be very shocked if Faber returns to NCAA. Even with the logjam, Durzi would have to clear waivers next season.

Spence and Grans, barring an amazing training camp, are definitely AHL bound. Strand would have to clear waivers. Clarke isn't AHL eligible.

So, it's literally Strand vs Faber.

 

[Herby]

It wouldn't make much sense for Faber to return to Minnesota, even if he wants to play in the WJC he could get the Kings to ok it as a condition of his signing. Most guys who are that good as sophomores rightfully turn pro. It would probably have to be a situation where he really wants to try and win a national championship.

 

[Bonin21]

It would probably have to be a situation where he really wants to try and win a national championship.

Well ya that's what I was talking about. If the Gophers win it this year he's gone the next day.

 

[Antiillafire]

Anyone know what's happened to Martin Chromiak? He's been outta the line up a few games now for Kingston Frontenacs. Is he on the Slovakian Olympic team,injured or something else?

He had an off the ice incident, local Kingston newspaper was told by head coach. Broke team rules or something, along with a few other players. He was scratched for a bit longer than the others though.

 

[King'sPawn]

Umass-Lowell's season ended last night. Lee, who finished his junior year, would be a good candidate to be signed, if the Kings wanted to.

He ended the season with 28 points in 33 games (tied for first on the team).

 

[regulate]

Umass-Lowell's season ended last night. Lee, who finished his junior year, would be a good candidate to be signed, if the Kings wanted to.

He ended the season with 28 points in 33 games (tied for first on the team).

Well, almost. Umass-Lowell is going to the NCAA hockey tourney. So Faber, Hrenak, Lee, Meehan and Laferriere are going to the dance. Tourney starts March 24th, championship is April 9th. Single elimination.

 

[kings11]

Well, almost. Umass-Lowell is going to the NCAA hockey tourney. So Faber, Hrenak, Lee, Meehan and Laferriere are going to the dance. Tourney starts March 24th, championship is April 9th. Single elimination.

Is Hrenak on the radar? Didn’t think we would sign him but I’d love the other 4 at Ontario

 

[King'sPawn]

Well, almost. Umass-Lowell is going to the NCAA hockey tourney. So Faber, Hrenak, Lee, Meehan and Laferriere are going to the dance. Tourney starts March 24th, championship is April 9th. Single elimination.

Yup, jumped the gun on that. Thank you!

 

[JeanBlanc]

Watching the Minnesota-Michigan game... Faber looks decent, but Toronto's 2021 second round pick, Matthew Knies jumps out every time he's in the ice.

 

[JeanBlanc]

Watching the Minnesota-Michigan game... Faber looks decent, but Toronto's 2021 second round pick, Matthew Knies jumps out every time he's in the ice.

Not really much about Faber in this game screamed NHL-ready.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

All these have underwhelmed this year:

Byfield been discussed ad nauseum. the ankle break was a setback, to where he was at that day
Thomas 2 new shoulders and cannot score a goal now. What happened? Had 8 game point streak to end last yr with 2 bad shoulders.
Tkachek - for his age and level, at NHL level - although not given much of a chance. Don't see him ever fitting the Kings system
Vilardi - has done well at AHL level and looks ok at NHL level now, but not to where hoped to be after a season in NHL last year
Turcotte - mostly due to injuries; has played fairly well at AHL level...but the Boldy's etc, of his draft are excelling in NHL
Kupari - has not looked bad, but needs to do more power moves like that nice goal. still, a work in progress
JAD - has not played that well at NHL level, even with games on line 1. Doing well at AHL level, but consider he has 1 yr NHL experience.
Andersson - injuries have hurt his progress this year. Todd never gives him a real chance, ever though. Sure, he's not looked great, but never gets series of games, with the same linemates and never talented ones. 6 goals in 4 AHL games, shows his scoring ability and hands, which never will show on line 4 nhl

Ones who are doing well and getting better:

Fagemo - 20 goals and improving. Did not look great in NHL, but fine, for first time up.
Moverare - has done well in AHL and has not looked out of place in NHL. Good positioning and strady. His feet will never be quick, but he's ok
Strand - almost too old to consider prospect. He's never really disappointed and filled in well. Will be way down RHD depth chart by next yr
Grans - maybe should be in 'exceeding expectations', as has worked with Greene on defense and has 7 goals and 20 pts. Not very physical, but he's 19 and will get stronger.

Ones who have excelled:

Kaliyev - from where he started last year, has continued to improve in every area, period. his skating has improved and he'll never outskate defensemen,
but it has improved and his board work and 200 foot play have really improved. He's smart and making good plays. Will need to move up and
hope his play on Danault's line (before Arvy os back) helps his offensive game.
Durzi - ranked 20th in prospect voting just 6 months ago; has fooled all of us. Is a hockey player, with jam and lots of confidence and poise with the puck.
Is already the #1 PP catalyst. Has improved his D and he may never be where everyone would like him to be, but has the talent to make great plays all over the ice...and batting a puck, that was about to go into his net, shows his skill. He will get better and better.
Spence - When was the last time a first yr defenseman topped 40 pts in the AHL? Very smart, high IQ, great positionally and moves the puck very
well and has looked great with the Kings.

So....2 of the 3 players that have excelled, are Durzi and Spence, one's not even expected to play in the NHL. Kaliyev was 'supposed' to be a project,
that would take a few years to work on defense and development. 2017-2020 first rounders not making an impact at the NHL, really hurts.

The Kings must have another 2-3 overachievers by early next season - be they in the AHL or NHL. Like Clarke, Chromiak, Faber, Helenius, Ward, maybe Fagemo hitting 20 AHL goals (in first 30ish games) and coming up and producing, Grans becoming near-elite level....And the top list of underwhelmers - Byfield, Turcotte, Vilardi, Kupari, Andersson (if signed) taking the next step and PRODUCING in the NHL. I don't want to see Clarke going back to the OHL and hope he has a great Summer, getting stronger and ready.

 

[Fat Elvis]

I listened to the Mayer's podcast. He mentioned that Hrenak, Faber and Lee will all be offered contracts when their college seasons end.
Who knows if that's accurate or not or if they'll sign, but it's interesting.
Hrenak had a solid season and improved on his save % from the previous couple seasons.
Lee bettered his numbers across the board and is a seriously big dude like Helenius. Would love to see those 2 on the same line in Ontario.
Faber, he has his own thread. Not 100% certain he signs if Minnesota doesn't win the college championship.
Anyway, food for thought.

 

[Sybil227]

Harvard was eliminated by #1 seed Minnesota St. this morning, 4-3. Laferriere had 2 assists to lead Harvard in scoring, and was +1.
Harvard vs Minn. St. Mankato DI Men's Ice Hockey Game Summary - March 24th, 2022 | NCAA.com

 

[regulate]

I wonder if Laferriere is going to leave school and turn pro if the Kings want to sign him this year. First time I have seen him play, thought he looked solid offensively with his passing and stick work, he has a hard shot (even though he is a forward he plays the point on the PP), passing vision looked above average, skating was fine, defense could use a bit more effort. He's 20, depends on where he is physically to see if he's ready for pro hockey, but the NCAA has a lot of older guys playing too. Overall, I was impressed.