2022-23 NCAA CHL, OHL and European prospects thread

[Clam Jensen]

Rafalski had some time to put on that kind of weight, I think he was 26 his rookie season. That being said, eat up Seamus (I just love that name)!

You just know he’ll ball out on st pattys day lol

 

[MasterofGrond]

Casey’s a string bean too at 162, but goddamn I didn’t realize Rafalski was sitting at 200 being 5’10”. Absolute unit.

The Zetterlund physique

 

[Clam Jensen]

The Zetterlund physique

Certified unit

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Not sure why but it looks like Topias Vilen missed seven games for Pelicans. Was that the time he was still in Devils camp or is there an injury?

According to projections he is in line to be one of Finland's top defensemen at the World Juniors.


Pelicans is currently in second place with one of the younger teams in Liiga.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Didn't see it until this morning, but Michigan D Steven Holtz is in the hospital with RSV. Several others out and they used their 3rd string goalie as a forward last night.

Didn't see it until this morning, but Michigan D Steven Holtz is in the hospital with RSV. Several others out and they used their 3rd string goalie as a forward last night.

More me being juvenile, but can't help thinking of the Marx Brothers when I see Ciccolini in the lineup.

Figures he's drafted by the Rangers.

 

[Guttersniped]

Not sure why but it looks like Topias Vilen missed seven games for Pelicans. Was that the time he was still in Devils camp or is there an injury?

According to projections he is in line to be one of Finland's top defensemen at the World Juniors.


Pelicans is currently in second place with one of the younger teams in Liiga.

He played 6 games for Finland in tournies, 5 points (1G 4A).

 

[StevenToddIves]

He played 6 games for Finland in tournies, 5 points (1G 4A).

Topias Vilen's development has, thus far, gone as ideally as imaginable. He continues to play an extremely commendable defensive game, while his offense and skating have both improved remarkably. When he was drafted, a safe projection would be to say Vilen had bottom pairing upside at the highest levels, but now I don't think it's unreasonable to say, if he continues his upward trajectory, he could even ideally become a mid-pairing NHL defenseman.

I know we're not used to so much good news as Devils fans in recent years, but it's tough to find a reason to be down after the past months. New Jersey followed a terrific draft with a stunningly successful off-season. Now we're watching the Devils outperform expectations at the NHL level while several prospects (Vilen among them) are outperforming expectation at an amateur level.

 

[FooteBahl]

Topias Vilen's development has, thus far, gone as ideally as imaginable. He continues to play an extremely commendable defensive game, while his offense and skating have both improved remarkably. When he was drafted, a safe projection would be to say Vilen had bottom pairing upside at the highest levels, but now I don't think it's unreasonable to say, if he continues his upward trajectory, he could even ideally become a mid-pairing NHL defenseman.

I know we're not used to so much good news as Devils fans in recent years, but it's tough to find a reason to be down after the past months. New Jersey followed a terrific draft with a stunningly successful off-season. Now we're watching the Devils outperform expectations at the NHL level while several prospects (Vilen among them) are outperforming expectation at an amateur level.

I’ve missed you STI!

 

[My3Sons]

it's tough to find a reason to be down after the past months.

I'll let you know after you tell us if you are going to favor us with your draft writing again.

 

[Nubmer6]

New Jersey Devils NCAA Prospect Update: Comparing Luke Hughes

Just how good is Luke Hughes? This post shows how well the Devils 4th overall pick compares to former NCAA defensemen now playing in the NHL and provides updates on other Devils collegiate prospects including outstanding freshman Seamus Casey.

www.allaboutthejersey.com

 

[Guttersniped]

I didn’t even notice this, good for him.

His old team cancelled his PTO but Popi got one with the bottom of the barrel HK Sochi and he lead the team in Goals, PPG, and was one point behind their lead scorer. 14 points (9G 5A) in 28 games.

He really got his career back on track after not playing at all last season and not playing a ton the season before either. Not bad for the social influencer.

And he was on the 3rd line with Bardakov in latest game, it’s a small world after all.

He’s 81 near the front of the net when Bardakov scores. (Now @Guadana can see a ton of his fav player while breaking down Bardakov’s game lol.)

 

[Guadana]

I didn’t even notice this, good for him.

His old team cancelled his PTO but Popi got one with the bottom of the barrel HK Sochi and he lead the team in Goals, PPG, and was one point behind their lead scorer. 14 points (9G 5A) in 28 games.

He really got his career back on track after not playing at all last season and not playing a ton the season before either. Not bad for the social influencer.

And he was on the 3rd line with Bardakov in latest game, it’s a small world after all.

He’s 81 near the front of the net when Bardakov scores. (Now @Guadana can see a ton of his fav player while breaking down Bardakov’s game lol.)

That`s fun that now I can see one of my favorite player of the system and one of my unfavorite player of the system in the same time)

 

[Its Always Sundstrom]

I didn’t even notice this, good for him.

His old team cancelled his PTO but Popi got one with the bottom of the barrel HK Sochi and he lead the team in Goals, PPG, and was one point behind their lead scorer. 14 points (9G 5A) in 28 games.

He really got his career back on track after not playing at all last season and not playing a ton the season before either. Not bad for the social influencer.

And he was on the 3rd line with Bardakov in latest game, it’s a small world after all.

He’s 81 near the front of the net when Bardakov scores. (Now @Guadana can see a ton of his fav player while breaking down Bardakov’s game lol.)

All I saw was the Zohan smoking one top shelf.

 

[nugg]

I didn’t even notice this, good for him.

His old team cancelled his PTO but Popi got one with the bottom of the barrel HK Sochi and he lead the team in Goals, PPG, and was one point behind their lead scorer. 14 points (9G 5A) in 28 games.

He really got his career back on track after not playing at all last season and not playing a ton the season before either. Not bad for the social influencer.

And he was on the 3rd line with Bardakov in latest game, it’s a small world after all.

He’s 81 near the front of the net when Bardakov scores. (Now @Guadana can see a ton of his fav player while breaking down Bardakov’s game lol.)

Where is he now? He's listed on Hockey DB as no longer on Sochi?

 

[Guttersniped]

Where is he now? He's listed on Hockey DB as no longer on Sochi?

He was traded to SKA Petersburg. So he went from the worst team in the KHL to best (in terms of points).

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

He was traded to SKA Petersburg. So he went from the worst team in the KHL to best (in terms of points).

Will be interesting to see how the rest of the season goes.

Sochi is pretty much hockey oblivion. SKA is at least back on the radar; though with the sudden depth in the Devils' forward group I'd imagine he's still fairly low in the player pool.

 

[Triumph]

Will be interesting to see how the rest of the season goes.

Sochi is pretty much hockey oblivion. SKA is at least back on the radar; though with the sudden depth in the Devils' forward group I'd imagine he's still fairly low in the player pool.

Popugaev isn't on the Devils radar at all - I'm not even sure his rights belong to the Devils anymore. It's just fun to follow his career, especially now that he seems to have figured something out.

 

[Nubmer6]

Popugaev isn't on the Devils radar at all - I'm not even sure his rights belong to the Devils anymore. It's just fun to follow his career, especially now that he seems to have figured something out.

CapFriendly says we hold his rights indefinitely.

 

[Triumph]

CapFriendly says we hold his rights indefinitely.

They're probably right, but not sure they've gone over things with a fine-tooth comb - Popugaev is considered a 'defected player' according to the CBA, but not sure if his going to the KHL supercedes that. Basically if a player leaves junior, a team has his rights for two more years than they would normally. So with Jaromir Pytlik, the Devils have his rights until June 2024, but he went to a league that has a transfer agreement with the NHL.

Regardless, it doesn't matter, if Pop does become a decent player in the KHL, he's already 24, guys just don't come over that late very often.

 

[Nubmer6]

They're probably right, but not sure they've gone over things with a fine-tooth comb - Popugaev is considered a 'defected player' according to the CBA, but not sure if his going to the KHL supercedes that. Basically if a player leaves junior, a team has his rights for two more years than they would normally. So with Jaromir Pytlik, the Devils have his rights until June 2024, but he went to a league that has a transfer agreement with the NHL.

Regardless, it doesn't matter, if Pop does become a decent player in the KHL, he's already 24, guys just don't come over that late very often.

If I remember correctly, he was loaned to the junior team from his Russian team when he was drafted, so he was technically drafted out of his Russian league, making his rights indefinite.

Either way, you're right. It doesn't really mean anything to us. It's just an object of fascination.

 

[Blackjack]

In other KHL news:



So, uhh, bring him over after the KHL season ends and roll into the playoffs like this?

Siegenthaler-Hamilton
Hughes-Marino
Mukhamadullin-Severson

I mean, god damn

 

[Triumph]

If I remember correctly, he was loaned to the junior team from his Russian team when he was drafted, so he was technically drafted out of his Russian league, making his rights indefinite.

Either way, you're right. It doesn't really mean anything to us. It's just an object of fascination.

Yeah, this is right, and either you or Guttersniped set me straight the last time this came up.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Solely based on points, Case McCarthy is now third amongst BU defensemen behind freshman Lane Hutson (Montreal) and senior Domenick Fensore (Carolina); both of whom are smaller players seemingly more suited to college hockey.

Any likelihood that McCarthy still gets signed or with the right-hand shot D drafted last year have the Devils moved on from him?

 

[Nubmer6]

Solely based on points, Case McCarthy is now third amongst BU defensemen behind freshman Lane Hutson (Montreal) and senior Domenick Fensore (Carolina); both of whom are smaller players seemingly more suited to college hockey.

Any likelihood that McCarthy still gets signed or with the right-hand shot D drafted last year have the Devils moved on from him?

I haven't watched him play, but he's a shutdown guy, so the points are just a bonus. I know STI is high on him.

I think we're pretty sparse in the right side so I'd say there's a good shot we sign him.

 

[Triumph]

Solely based on points, Case McCarthy is now third amongst BU defensemen behind freshman Lane Hutson (Montreal) and senior Domenick Fensore (Carolina); both of whom are smaller players seemingly more suited to college hockey.

Any likelihood that McCarthy still gets signed or with the right-hand shot D drafted last year have the Devils moved on from him?

The person who is more likely to move on here is McCarthy, who should have at least some interest elsewhere and while there's a pocket for him here - Nemec and Walsh could easily not be in Utica next year - he is definitely going to be squeezed from both sides.