Prospect Info: 2023-2024 Coyotes Prospect General Discussion and Stats Weekly Update

[Llewzaher]

Do you guys think we trade Nathan Smith ?

 

[Jagged Ice]

Do you guys think we trade Nathan Smith ?

Trade him for what though? We need all the center help we can get.

 

[rt]

Do you guys think we trade Nathan Smith ?

Why? Reports from Tucson are he’s working hard. Could be a decent checking line guy at some point.

 

[Llewzaher]

Why? Reports from Tucson are he’s working hard. Could be a decent checking line guy at some point.

I am wondering where he fits in with some of the up and comers

 

[rt]

I am wondering where he fits in with some of the up and comers

Fair. I guess next season the Boyd role? The Swiss Army knife reserve player?

 

[Jakey53]

I am wondering where he fits in with some of the up and comers

Who are the up and comers at C? Geekie is a couple of years away. Who else is there?

 

[Llewzaher]

Who are the up and comers at C? Geekie is a couple of years away. Who else is there?

I guess maybe just Geekie , but I don’t see why he is a couple of years away. With his skill and body size. Maybe he is … ?

I am thinking BA usually trades or gets a roster centre during the offseason.. I think we keep Hayton, Bughstad( 1 more year) and Cooley etc

I thought Smith was the one who signed here over some other teams thinking it would be easier to make our roster.. maybe that was McBain

 

[rt]

I guess maybe just Geekie , but I don’t see why he is a couple of years away. With his skill and body size. Maybe he is … ?

I think Geekie will need a year in the AHL but I could be wrong. His play has been really strong this season.

I am thinking BA usually trades or gets a roster centre during the offseason.. I think we keep Hayton, Bughstad( 1 more year) and Cooley etc

True. With Hayton, Cooley, Bjugstad and McBain it’s crowded. That’s why I was thinking he might take on that Boyd role. Filling in wherever.

I thought Smith was the one who signed here over some other teams thinking it would be easier to make our roster.. maybe that was McBain

You’re right on the money. It was both kids. Neither was going to sign with their team that drafted them (Winnipeg and Minnesota) and both agreed to sign with us when we traded them because the path looked clearer.

 

[Heldig]

Who are the up and comers at C? Geekie is a couple of years away. Who else is there?

Geekie makes the NHL next year imo

 

[rt]

Geekie makes the NHL next year imo

I’m a little skeptical. I loved Geekie in his draft year. I was basically a Geekie super fan. And I’ve been happy with his development. Really. But I’ve always figured he’d be a long term project and I’m not sure a super great 4th WHL season is reason enough to think he’s gonna skip that long road I envisioned initially.

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

I think Geekie has turned the corner and will make the team out of camp

 

[Heldig]

I’m a little skeptical. I loved Geekie in his draft year. I was basically a Geekie super fan. And I’ve been happy with his development. Really. But I’ve always figured he’d be a long term project and I’m not sure a super great 4th WHL season is reason enough to think he’s gonna skip that long road I envisioned initially.

I was not a fan of the pick...but he is improving steadily. Showing more skill, more consistency.

With the talent on the wing he can be a great fit. Similar to Cooley he can play up and down the lineup as he learns the pro game.

 

[rt]

I was not a fan of the pick...but he is improving steadily. Showing more skill, more consistency.

With the talent on the wing he can be a great fit. Similar to Cooley he can play up and down the lineup as he learns the pro game.

I had him 11th on my list and the only player on the board I had higher was Mateychuk.

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

Aku Raty hattrick tonight and we're only in the 2nd period for the Roadrunners...dude is starting to cook

 

[lanky]

Geekie COULD make the team next year, but if you're looking for cues as to how Bill wants to operate, note that Guenther was sent to Tucson this year.
Guenther was absolutely NHL ready but the AHL experience will serve him well. Same will be true for Geekie.
He'll replace Bjugstad when that contract expires.

 

[rt]

Geekie COULD make the team next year, but if you're looking for cues as to how Bill wants to operate, note that Guenther was sent to Tucson this year.
Guenther was absolutely NHL ready but the AHL experience will serve him well. Same will be true for Geekie.
He'll replace Bjugstad when that contract expires.

I think this is right. I could see Smith being the one to get the shot next year and Geekie taking Smith’s spot in Tucson.

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

I think this is right. I could see Smith being the one to get the shot next year and Geekie taking Smith’s spot in Tucson.

Smith is a career < .50 ppg player in the AHL...he's not making the team...not an NHLer

 

[Jakey53]

I think Geekie has turned the corner and will make the team out of camp

Geekie in his 4th junior year playing with his peers where most are much smaller and younger is giving you false hope. I see no way in hell Geekie makes the NHL as a regular next year. Not only is it a huge jump from junior to the NHL, he plays C which is a hard position to play.

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

Geekie in his 4th junior year playing with his peers where most are much smaller and younger is giving you false hope. I see no way in hell Geekie makes the NHL as a regular next year. Not only is it a huge jump from junior to the NHL, he plays C which is a hard position to play.

Nah...he was pretty impressive during pre-season before getting sent back...both he and Doan (who should have made it out of camp) were our best players in pre-season. All he's done is carry that into the regular season and remained "consistent".

"Consistency" is what I'm looking for, that was what he was missing in his game and he seems to have found it...as a result, I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt that he's turned the corner and will come into camp extremely hungry to make the team and will take his game to another level and make the team.

 

[rt]

Nah...he was pretty impressive during pre-season before getting sent back...both he and Doan (who should have made it out of camp) were our best players in pre-season. All he's done is carry that into the regular season and remained "consistent".

"Consistency" is what I'm looking for, that was what he was missing in his game and he seems to have found it...as a result, I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt that he's turned the corner and will come into camp extremely hungry to make the team and will take his game to another level and make the team.

I completely agree that his primary issue was consistency. Really there was almost nothing else for him to focus on this entire time. And I agree that he’s finally found it. But he’s found it in junior. My worry/expectation is that he’s going to have to do it all over again as a pro.

 

[Jakey53]

Geekie COULD make the team next year, but if you're looking for cues as to how Bill wants to operate, note that Guenther was sent to Tucson this year.
Guenther was absolutely NHL ready but the AHL experience will serve him well. Same will be true for Geekie.
He'll replace Bjugstad when that contract expires.

Guenther is in Tucson because he is not ready. Camp proved that, but I agree that the AHL experience will serve him well.

 

[hbk]

I had him 11th on my list and the only player on the board I had higher was Mateychuk.

i also had him at 11 ahead of Mateychuk (who i had physically witnessed get injured at a game I was at). Geekie is going to likely need at least a half season at the AHL level. We almost have depth when he turns pro.

 

[Jakey53]

I completely agree that his primary issue was consistency. Really there was almost nothing else for him to focus on this entire time. And I agree that he’s finally found it. But he’s found it in junior. My worry/expectation is that he’s going to have to do it all over again as a pro.

Buy this man a $5 cigar.

 

[MIGs Dog]

Guenther is in Tucson because he is not ready

Weird that they made a big deal last season about him making the roster.

 

[rt]

Weird that they made a big deal last season about him making the roster.

He REALLY looked ready to me. I was certain he was ready.