Prospect Info: 2023-24 Prospect Info (CHL, NCAA, Europe)

[The Merchant]

 

[henchman21]

Kovalenko had a good season and he was finally healthy (hopefully his issues are behind him). I'd pause on thinking his numbers make him a sure thing. KHL has taken large steps back over the past few years, and the league just isn't nearly as good as it was.

 

[LTCPain75]

I always wonder how many people here get that reference to "cubbard." Pretty impressive we've kept that silly joke going for so long. I hope I'll be in my 80's one day and still see it when I check in on HF. It'll be like my last scene of Shawshank Redemption moment.

What is the meaning of Cubbard?

n. A closet or cabinet, usually with shelves for storing food, crockery, and utensils.

definition of Cubbard by The Free Dictionary​

 

[Hasbro]

I always wonder how many people here get that reference to "cubbard." Pretty impressive we've kept that silly joke going for so long. I hope I'll be in my 80's one day and still see it when I check in on HF. It'll be like my last scene of Shawshank Redemption moment.

 

[Caser]

Kovalenko had a good season and he was finally healthy (hopefully his issues are behind him). I'd pause on thinking his numbers make him a sure thing. KHL has taken large steps back over the past few years, and the league just isn't nearly as good as it was.

While the league level has dropped a bit due to obvious political reasons, the main effect of it is that scoring has become lower, which makes Kovalenko's numbers even more impressive. I mean, his stats are under ppg, which might seem kind of meh, but that is 3rd ppg in the league. And then we remember he is just 23 now, so that's kind of the best result for a young player there since Kaprizov I'd say, but Kaprizov also played in the powerhouse CSKA team, not on the cap floor team that Torpedo is. However I agree that his numbers don't make him a sure thing, just wanted to add a bit of context.

 

[henchman21]

While the league level has dropped a bit due to obvious political reasons, the main effect of it is that scoring has become lower, which makes Kovalenko's numbers even more impressive. I mean, his stats are under ppg, which might seem kind of meh, but that is 3rd ppg in the league. And then we remember he is just 23 now, so that's kind of the best result for a young player there since Kaprizov I'd say, but Kaprizov also played in the powerhouse CSKA team, not on the cap floor team that Torpedo is. However I agree that his numbers don't make him a sure thing, just wanted to add a bit of context.

I'm not saying he didn't have a good season, he definitely did. I just don't see the quality in the KHL right now. Looking at his own team I see a familiar name, around his same age (might be a year older), that failed out of the OHL and QMJHL and just isn't a good hockey player...Igor Larionov Jr put up 28 points in 36 games. Another younger guy (I think he's 25) who was an AHL 3rd/4th liner, on the same team put up 39 points in 51 games.. Denis Yan. Across the Torpedo lineup we have a number of guys who suddenly had career years there who just haven't been very good in prior season. Then looking league wide your leaders are guys like Da Costa, Jaskin, the corpse of Radulov, Boucher, and of Avs' deadline fame Taylor Beck. The leaders over there right now are AAAA AHL guys. Gusev was something like 1.3+ PPG... and I think he's got NHL skill, but he didn't stick with a few teams who could have desperately needed scoring.

I personally think the stats here are telling a very skewed story. He played as a top option on a weak team that put him in prime opportunities to score. To his credit, he capitalized on this and that is a great sign.

None of this means the Kovalenko will fail over here. I want to see the Avs give him a shot next spring. I just don't personally see the season anywhere near what Kaprizov was doing. Kovalenko's NA future will be more in how he transitions to small ice, his forechecking ability, and if he can become a PK ace over here.

 

[Caser]

I'm not saying he didn't have a good season, he definitely did. I just don't see the quality in the KHL right now. Looking at his own team I see a familiar name, around his same age (might be a year older), that failed out of the OHL and QMJHL and just isn't a good hockey player...Igor Larionov Jr put up 28 points in 36 games. Another younger guy (I think he's 25) who was an AHL 3rd/4th liner, on the same team put up 39 points in 51 games.. Denis Yan. Across the Torpedo lineup we have a number of guys who suddenly had career years there who just haven't been very good in prior season. Then looking league wide your leaders are guys like Da Costa, Jaskin, the corpse of Radulov, Boucher, and of Avs' deadline fame Taylor Beck. The leaders over there right now are AAAA AHL guys. Gusev was something like 1.3+ PPG... and I think he's got NHL skill, but he didn't stick with a few teams who could have desperately needed scoring.

I personally think the stats here are telling a very skewed story. He played as a top option on a weak team that put him in prime opportunities to score. To his credit, he capitalized on this and that is a great sign.

None of this means the Kovalenko will fail over here. I want to see the Avs give him a shot next spring. I just don't personally see the season anywhere near what Kaprizov was doing. Kovalenko's NA future will be more in how he transitions to small ice, his forechecking ability, and if he can become a PK ace over here.

Yes, it also is correct in terms of the context that his stats are inflated by the Larionov's magic (and therefore all the Torpedo's guys numbers) and that on the stronger teams it would be harder for him to get the top minutes. However if returning to Kaprizov comparison it is kind of a rather complicated question, what is easier: to post big numbers on a strong team (more competition for TOI yet better linemates) or on a weak one (so the other way around).

As for Gusev, Da Costa, Radulov, Jaskin, Boucher, Beck and others if we look at who Kaprizov season's top scorer were (Shipachyov, the same Jaskin, Omark, the corpse of Nigel Dawes, as well as Linden Vey and the Avs legend Grig O'Renko) I'm not sure those are much better than these guys, more or less the same to me.

As for the small ice, it is not like KHL plays on the much bigger one, as it doesn't use the international dimensions anymore - only NHL sized and the so called "Finnish" ones; and I think forechecking is something that is actually the least concerning to me, Kovalenko is just a crazy puck retriever.

 

[Chiarelli]

So Kovalenko is not as good as Kaprizov?

 

[barriers]

So Kovalenko is not as good as Kaprizov?

Kovalenko is not as good as Kaprizov

 

[henchman21]

Yes, it also is correct in terms of the context that his stats are inflated by the Larionov's magic (and therefore all the Torpedo's guys numbers) and that on the stronger teams it would be harder for him to get the top minutes. However if returning to Kaprizov comparison it is kind of a rather complicated question, what is easier: to post big numbers on a strong team (more competition for TOI yet better linemates) or on a weak one (so the other way around).

As for Gusev, Da Costa, Radulov, Jaskin, Boucher, Beck and others if we look at who Kaprizov season's top scorer were (Shipachyov, the same Jaskin, Omark, the corpse of Nigel Dawes, as well as Linden Vey and the Avs legend Grig O'Renko) I'm not sure those are much better than these guys, more or less the same to me.

As for the small ice, it is not like KHL plays on the much bigger one, as it doesn't use the international dimensions anymore - only NHL sized and the so called "Finnish" ones; and I think forechecking is something that is actually the least concerning to me, Kovalenko is just a crazy puck retriever.

I agree and think forechecking is Kovalenko's calling card and what will be his biggest asset for the Avs. If he can do that reliably at the NHL level, he's got a spot with the Avs as Bednar absolutely loves those types of players.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

I haven't seen Kovy play so I am asking the question: does he have enough speed for his forecheck to be effective in the NHL? If he is continuously one step behind because of his speed that might make him a lot less effective. I am curious what you guys are thinking.

 

[henchman21]

I haven't seen Kovy play so I am asking the question: does he have enough speed for his forecheck to be effective in the NHL? If he is continuously one step behind because of his speed that might make him a lot less effective. I am curious what you guys are thinking.

He has enough top speed, but I don't think that is the right question... does he have plenty of burst and are his edges good enough? Speed is completely overrated. Makar is not even close to the fastest skater... I don't think he has ever clocked faster than 24 in a game and might even be in the mid 23s. Byram is a much faster skater than Makar at the top end. But Makar is arguably the most explosive skater in the NHL (doesn't have the very elite edges, but top 20 there too). That is much more of a question.

As another data point on speed... a guy the Avs played last night, Ryan Poehling currently has the highest top speed recorded in the NHL this season. Nobody is really saying that Poehling is one of the best skaters in the NHL.

 

[Caser]

I haven't seen Kovy play so I am asking the question: does he have enough speed for his forecheck to be effective in the NHL? If he is continuously one step behind because of his speed that might make him a lot less effective. I am curious what you guys are thinking.

Forecheck situations can be different, if we are talking about dumping the puck in and trying to retrieve the puck and applying the pressure in this situation then I'd say Kovalenko likely won't be the first at the puck, but he will obviously be there soon enough to cover the passing option. If we are talking about the situation when the opposition has the puck control in their zone then I'd say it is definitely Kovalenko's game, as it requires being able to maneuver fast and actively using the stick.

He has enough top speed, but I don't think that is the right question... does he have plenty of burst and are his edges good enough? Speed is completely overrated. Makar is not even close to the fastest skater... I don't think he has ever clocked faster than 24 in a game and might even be in the mid 23s. Byram is a much faster skater than Makar at the top end. But Makar is arguably the most explosive skater in the NHL (doesn't have the very elite edges, but top 20 there too). That is much more of a question.

As another data point on speed... a guy the Avs played last night, Ryan Poehling currently has the highest top speed recorded in the NHL this season. Nobody is really saying that Poehling is one of the best skaters in the NHL.

I'm pretty confident in his edgework, burst yeah, might be a bit subpar, but again if we are looking strictly at him forechecking I'm not seeing real issue unless you want him to be that first guy on that dumped in puck situation. It might be more of an issue is we are looking lets say at the zone entry situations though, but again it is more hypothetical, as it is hard to guess now how things will work for him and if not how will he adjust those.

 

[henchman21]

Ok… so maybe Behrens signing is soon.

 

[BaconNater]

College tournament is always fun, remember when Chambers whined that the Avs refuse to draft college players haha

 

[Pokecheque]

Whoops. Not the college prospect I was expecting to be free to sign.

 

[henchman21]

Whoops. Not the college prospect I was expecting to be free to sign.

Yeah was a choke job…

 

[Cousin Eddie]

How was Stienburg? Is there anything pro there? I probably haven’t watched a college game in two years.

 

[henchman21]

How was Stienburg? Is there anything pro there? I probably haven’t watched a college game in two years.

Pro… yeah he can be a really solid AHL guy. NHL… not really. Maybe a 4th liner if he develops some fighting skill.

 

[Hasbro]

Pro… yeah he can be a really solid AHL guy. NHL… not really. Maybe a 4th liner if he develops some fighting skill.

Worth a contract

 

[Pokecheque]

If they gave Nick Henry a contract they ought to give him one.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

He has enough top speed, but I don't think that is the right question... does he have plenty of burst and are his edges good enough? Speed is completely overrated. Makar is not even close to the fastest skater... I don't think he has ever clocked faster than 24 in a game and might even be in the mid 23s. Byram is a much faster skater than Makar at the top end. But Makar is arguably the most explosive skater in the NHL (doesn't have the very elite edges, but top 20 there too). That is much more of a question.

As another data point on speed... a guy the Avs played last night, Ryan Poehling currently has the highest top speed recorded in the NHL this season. Nobody is really saying that Poehling is one of the best skaters in the NHL.

I should have been more specific when I said "enough speed". I wasn't talking about top speed to get there but more about quickness/burst to get there in time to apply that pressure. I have said many times in the past that top speed is not as important as the first few steps so I agree my question was worded wrong.

On the other hand I do not agree with you that Byram is faster than Makar. He is fast but I don't find Byram as fast as most people think he is. I always felt the same way about Girard also. They are both great skater but their top speed is not their strength. Makar's explosiveness and edges are definitely his strength but he is also faster than those two.

 

[S E P H]

If they gave Nick Henry a contract they ought to give him one.

You know mate, I don't know what to really think anymore. They gave Josh Anderson one, but not Tyler Weiss or Lievermann who themselves probably won't ever make it though are way superior players. I am thinking there is somebody with power in the Avs organisation that just loves physical defensive-defencemen. It would be the same bloke who went after Josh Manson, Ian Cole, Zadorov, Mironov, Siemens, Brad Stuary, Erik Johnson, etc. I might be looking at hindsight bias though because I would believe that perhaps every team in the NHL probably have their own version of Josh Anderson and/or Ian Coles.

 

[Hasbro]

Kato lost to St. Cow.

Time to beat down Jake Livingstone's and Akito Hirose's door.

The Avalanche do have an advantage with college UFAs: simultaneously a contender with opportunity to join the line up.

 

[henchman21]

I should have been more specific when I said "enough speed". I wasn't talking about top speed to get there but more about quickness/burst to get there in time to apply that pressure. I have said many times in the past that top speed is not as important as the first few steps so I agree my question was worded wrong.

On the other hand I do not agree with you that Byram is faster than Makar. He is fast but I don't find Byram as fast as most people think he is. I always felt the same way about Girard also. They are both great skater but their top speed is not their strength. Makar's explosiveness and edges are definitely his strength but he is also faster than those two.

I see Kovalenko’s burst as his biggest skating flaw personally. European hockey is played slower and more deliberate.

There is data to back up that Byram is faster than Makar top speed wise. Makar hasn’t (to my knowledge) ever topped 24mph in a game. I think his highest is 23.6/7. Byram has been clocked at 24.3 or 24.5 (one of the two). Byram can absolutely fly. But he’s a smother more efficient sort of skater where Makar is explosiveness and power. Makar’s average is probably much higher because he can get to his top gear in basically 2 strides.