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

[Gruyeriev]

I'll probably be in the minority... I'm not all that impressed with Larionov's coaching. His WJC team didn't meet expectations. His work in the KHL has a mediocre team in the West who doesn't look like a contender and will be a first or 2nd round exit. Reminds me of Don Granato... guys can breathe easier under him and take some steps, but he's not actually all that good of a coach.

Which is why it would be perfect if he landed in Detroit

How about Iginla's son playing for Kelowna and ranked for the 24 draft? f*** that.

He is certainly doing better in Kelowna than he did last year in Seattle. I’m not all that sold on him though. I think he lacks hockey IQ.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

5 assists for Ritchie tonight.

 

[MikeC]

5 assists for Ritchie tonight.

Did we find a real second line center

 

[jabubenice]

5 assists for Ritchie tonight.

yep, now at 26 points in 18 games... getting better

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Did we find a real second line center

I dont know, but I guarantee the Avs are going to try and find out earlier than they should.

 

[neelynugs]

you guys have a post-WJC top 10 prospect list?

 

[Muffin]

you guys have a post-WJC top 10 prospect list?

Considering we literally had no prospect at the WJC I'd say it's the same as the post draft one

Prospect Info: - 2023 HFAvs Prospect Ranking Polls - Main Thread

The summer prospect ranking polls have begun! We have 23 official prospects in the pool, and we're going to rank the top 20. Polls will post every other day. The main list of the rankings will be in this thread, I'll update it after the polls are complete. Position Player Draft 2023 Rank 2022...

forums.hfboards.com

 

[henchman21]

If we are talking about the Avs top 10... there aren't 10 NHL worth prospects in the whole pool.

 

[Bender]

yep, now at 26 points in 18 games... getting better

Well, he's over 1.4 PPG right now...

 

[PAZ]

Well, he's over 1.4 PPG right now...

Wake me up when he's closer to 2 PPG

 

[henchman21]

 

[NateTheGreat]

Calum Ritchie is up to 27pts in 19 games and is playing some really good hockey for Oshawa of late. Strong D+1 year from him so far.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

Behrens still having a very good season after having a bit of a slow start in the season. He might not be in this organisation for long though as he is probably a good trade bait.

Hanzel is still the guy that I am excited about. I liked that pick from the start. He is still at a PPG pace (32 pts in 32 games) and leading his team in pts. And yes I am aware he is a year older than his peers for his D+1. However It is worth noting that Seattle is currently the 2nd worst team in overall standings and also the worst offensive team in the WHL. The next two best scorers on his team both only have 24 pts. He also seem to be doing very well defensively on a team that is 8th overall in goals against. I can't wait to see what he can do in the AHL. I really like his game during TC. I thought he was very calm with the puck and also good at avoiding big hits while still making the play. He moves the puck very well and looks very much like an Avs type dman.

 

[Alienblood]

Behrens still having a very good season after having a bit of a slow start in the season. He might not be in this organisation for long though as he is probably a good trade bait.

Hanzel is still the guy that I am excited about. I liked that pick from the start. He is still at a PPG pace (32 pts in 32 games) and leading his team in pts. And yes I am aware he is a year older than his peers for his D+1. However It is worth noting that Seattle is currently the 2nd worst team in overall standings and also the worst offensive team in the WHL. The next two best scorers on his team both only have 24 pts. He also seem to be doing very well defensively on a team that is 8th overall in goals against. I can't wait to see what he can do in the AHL. I really like his game during TC. I thought he was very calm with the puck and also good at avoiding big hits while still making the play. He moves the puck very well and looks very much like an Avs type dman.

trade Behrens and Goulash not Ritchie or the 1st

 

[henchman21]

Behrens still having a very good season after having a bit of a slow start in the season. He might not be in this organisation for long though as he is probably a good trade bait.

Hanzel is still the guy that I am excited about. I liked that pick from the start. He is still at a PPG pace (32 pts in 32 games) and leading his team in pts. And yes I am aware he is a year older than his peers for his D+1. However It is worth noting that Seattle is currently the 2nd worst team in overall standings and also the worst offensive team in the WHL. The next two best scorers on his team both only have 24 pts. He also seem to be doing very well defensively on a team that is 8th overall in goals against. I can't wait to see what he can do in the AHL. I really like his game during TC. I thought he was very calm with the puck and also good at avoiding big hits while still making the play. He moves the puck very well and looks very much like an Avs type dman.

Behrens has been phenomenal this season IMO. The offense isn't high end and he's not getting all the prime offensive opportunities partially because he's not that offensively talented... but he's been a rock defensively and playing really good complimentary offensive hockey.

I don't see Hanzel as an offensive guy... he's getting the minutes and role there because Seattle is really lacking talent. His defensive game and puck movement have been good, but I don't see enough plus skills to really give a ton of hope there. Next season in the AHL will say a lot about his longer term ability.

 

[Tommy Shelby]

Behrens is going to make G and Bo expendable.

That is my hottest take for this season.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

Behrens has been phenomenal this season IMO. The offense isn't high end and he's not getting all the prime offensive opportunities partially because he's not that offensively talented... but he's been a rock defensively and playing really good complimentary offensive hockey.

I don't see Hanzel as an offensive guy... he's getting the minutes and role there because Seattle is really lacking talent. His defensive game and puck movement have been good, but I don't see enough plus skills to really give a ton of hope there. Next season in the AHL will say a lot about his longer term ability.

I agree on Hanzel. IMO where he will get his points is joining the rush. He did a bunch of that during TC. But yeah I agree regarding the puck skills. Unless that improves the only shot he has at seeing PP2 is if he distributes the puck very well but with Toews, one of Byram/Girard, and most likely Malinski on the team his chances are basically 0%. Again though what I liked a lot from him at TC was how calm he seemed to be with the puck to make an outlet pass.

 

[henchman21]

My personal Avs prospect list:

1. Ritchie - Still the most talent here, but his play in the OHL this year has been meh... and he's very much a perimeter guy still. He's certainly best at center and should project as a center... he looks like a less talented Dylan Strome.
2. Gulyayev - Up here on talent and projection. Clear skating and hands talent that project very well into the NA style of game. His development scares me. He's being forced to play a more conservative and international sort of game. The extra year in Russia was a bad move IMO.
3. Behrens - He looks like a NHLer today. Maybe he's not a high end guy and at his size that will work against him. Looks like a #4 two way puck mover. In the mold of Girard with less offense, but more physical and sturdier. He's probably trade bait, but ready for a bottom pairing role on an average or below team.
4. Kovalenko - Massive injury concern, not a great skater and I (personally) don't see plus talent. I'm in the minority on the latter part here. Great work ethic, forechecks very well and has some nastiness. He's going to get a run and play in the NHL. Looks more like a 4th liner than a middle 6 guy to me, but even a 3rd liner would be a nice upgrade.
5. Foudy - Injuries... needs to stay healthy more than anything. There is 3rd line talent here and would move up if he could stay healthy.
6. Pavel - I don't think he's a NHLer... there is zero puck skill here and even on the 4th line you need it. Best case is Cliche 2.0 for a couple years.
7. Hanzel - Looks like a long-term AHL top 4 guy and leader. Value there, but not enough standout skills to be a NHLer full time. Could surprise in his first year though... his brain is his best attribute.
8. Olausson - Somebody is going to give him a run in the NHL to see if the shot will translate and overcome everything else in his game. Don't think that will be here and I don't think it will work. Probably a change of scenery trade sort of guy.
9. Annunen - Way too slow to be a full time NHLer even as a backup. He has good size, so has to mold into a positional goalies who soaks up every shot to not give up rebounds. At best #3G.

Rest are not worth ranking IMO. 1-3 are a complete toss up. Out of this list, I have major doubts there are more than 3 200+ game NHLers in this group. Maybe there is an outside chance of 4, but I think that is a stretch. If we are talking impact guys (top 6/ top4/stating goalie) Gulyayev is probably the most likely to reach that level. Very, very outside chances to Behrens/Kovalenko. Ritchie has a shot, but he needs a more aggressive mentality or a position change. I think Ritchie is a long-term NHLer though and could have a Morgan Geekie like trajectory even if things don't work out well.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

My personal Avs prospect list:

1. Ritchie - Still the most talent here, but his play in the OHL this year has been meh... and he's very much a perimeter guy still. He's certainly best at center and should project as a center... he looks like a less talented Dylan Strome.
2. Gulyayev - Up here on talent and projection. Clear skating and hands talent that project very well into the NA style of game. His development scares me. He's being forced to play a more conservative and international sort of game. The extra year in Russia was a bad move IMO.
3. Behrens - He looks like a NHLer today. Maybe he's not a high end guy and at his size that will work against him. Looks like a #4 two way puck mover. In the mold of Girard with less offense, but more physical and sturdier. He's probably trade bait, but ready for a bottom pairing role on an average or below team.
4. Kovalenko - Massive injury concern, not a great skater and I (personally) don't see plus talent. I'm in the minority on the latter part here. Great work ethic, forechecks very well and has some nastiness. He's going to get a run and play in the NHL. Looks more like a 4th liner than a middle 6 guy to me, but even a 3rd liner would be a nice upgrade.
5. Foudy - Injuries... needs to stay healthy more than anything. There is 3rd line talent here and would move up if he could stay healthy.
6. Pavel - I don't think he's a NHLer... there is zero puck skill here and even on the 4th line you need it. Best case is Cliche 2.0 for a couple years.
7. Hanzel - Looks like a long-term AHL top 4 guy and leader. Value there, but not enough standout skills to be a NHLer full time. Could surprise in his first year though... his brain is his best attribute.
8. Olausson - Somebody is going to give him a run in the NHL to see if the shot will translate and overcome everything else in his game. Don't think that will be here and I don't think it will work. Probably a change of scenery trade sort of guy.
9. Annunen - Way too slow to be a full time NHLer even as a backup. He has good size, so has to mold into a positional goalies who soaks up every shot to not give up rebounds. At best #3G.

Rest are not worth ranking IMO. 1-3 are a complete toss up. Out of this list, I have major doubts there are more than 3 200+ game NHLers in this group. Maybe there is an outside chance of 4, but I think that is a stretch. If we are talking impact guys (top 6/ top4/stating goalie) Gulyayev is probably the most likely to reach that level. Very, very outside chances to Behrens/Kovalenko. Ritchie has a shot, but he needs a more aggressive mentality or a position change. I think Ritchie is a long-term NHLer though and could have a Morgan Geekie like trajectory even if things don't work out well.

Good list. The only thing I would say is I personally see potential for bottom pair D with Hanzel but you see those guys a lot more than me and you are usually very good at projecting prospects so I certainly won't argue with you on any of these guys.

Our amateur scouting REALLY needs to improve by quite a bit. I think it is better than before but that is not a high bar to jump. Certainly IMO the major reason for our window to not be better regardless of how long it stays opened.

 

[henchman21]

Good list. The only thing I would say is I personally see potential for bottom pair D with Hanzel but you see those guys a lot more than me and you are usually very good at projecting prospects so I certainly won't argue with you on any of these guys.

Our amateur scouting REALLY needs to improve by quite a bit. I think it is better than before but that is not a high bar to jump. Certainly IMO the major reason for our window to not be better regardless of how long it stays opened.

I've been wrong many times before and I'll be wrong many times in the future. That list certainly won't age perfectly.

More or less my issue with Hazel is that he doesn't really have a plus skill anywhere in his game. He has talent, but it isn't to a level where he's a 25-30 point guy on that alone. He plays good defense, but it isn't anywhere near elite. He can move the puck, but you don't come away thinking he's going to make a living on it. I just don't see a huge calling card that he can lean on to break through. I'd be he will get games, but I don't know if he has any attribute to really have a coach pound the table to keep him. If he wants to make the NHL, he's going to have to become an ace penalty killer IMO.

Yeah... I think there are signs of improvement, but it is certainly still not even close to good enough. Guys like Taylor Makar, Zhigalov, Ishimnikov, etc are happening way too much to maintain success.

One thing that is kinda crazy is they actually make a great pick in Aman in 2020. Just when it came time to sign him, the Avs balked at a NHL guarantee/Euro assignment clause. He didn't get the clause but an under the table promise of a certain amount of game... which worked out for both. Fundamentally I agree with the Avs, but it is clear at this point Aman would be in the NHL here and probably a staple on the 4th line.

 

[McMetal]

One thing that is kinda crazy is they actually make a great pick in Aman in 2020. Just when it came time to sign him, the Avs balked at a NHL guarantee/Euro assignment clause. He didn't get the clause but an under the table promise of a certain amount of game... which worked out for both. Fundamentally I agree with the Avs, but it is clear at this point Aman would be in the NHL here and probably a staple on the 4th line.

I remember how baffled and disappointed we were with that pick when it happened. Funny how that works out, scouting is such an unpredictable exercise sometimes.

 

[Pokecheque]

This HAS to be the worst prospect base in the NHL. For some inexplicable reason guys keep lumping in Byram but without him, it has to be the worst.

 

[henchman21]

I remember how baffled and disappointed we were with that pick when it happened. Funny how that works out, scouting is such an unpredictable exercise sometimes.

Yeah I hated the pick and thought it was terrible. In the 21-22 season he took a major step forward... his skating took a giant leap and he started using his frame a lot better. The scouts clearly saw something and were 100% correct in selecting him. They should be getting a lot of props there. He may not ever be more than a 4th liner, but even at that, he's a NHLer. I think he has third line upside personally.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

I've been wrong many times before and I'll be wrong many times in the future. That list certainly won't age perfectly.

More or less my issue with Hazel is that he doesn't really have a plus skill anywhere in his game. He has talent, but it isn't to a level where he's a 25-30 point guy on that alone. He plays good defense, but it isn't anywhere near elite. He can move the puck, but you don't come away thinking he's going to make a living on it. I just don't see a huge calling card that he can lean on to break through. I'd be he will get games, but I don't know if he has any attribute to really have a coach pound the table to keep him. If he wants to make the NHL, he's going to have to become an ace penalty killer IMO.

Yeah... I think there are signs of improvement, but it is certainly still not even close to good enough. Guys like Taylor Makar, Zhigalov, Ishimnikov, etc are happening way too much to maintain success.

One thing that is kinda crazy is they actually make a great pick in Aman in 2020. Just when it came time to sign him, the Avs balked at a NHL guarantee/Euro assignment clause. He didn't get the clause but an under the table promise of a certain amount of game... which worked out for both. Fundamentally I agree with the Avs, but it is clear at this point Aman would be in the NHL here and probably a staple on the 4th line.

Fair enough on Hanzel. Hopefully he improves on some things enough to get a cup of tea at some point.

WRT the other three well we all know why Makar was taken and I don't have a problem with that. Keep Cale happy. I was ok with Zhigy as well. I am still hoping they will hit on a goalie with a low pick eventually. I am not holding my breath though. However what will they pick in those rounds anyways? They can't hit on skaters in those rounds as well. I never liked the Ishmnikov pick. It reminded me too much of the Josh Anderson pick.

 

[henchman21]

Fair enough on Hanzel. Hopefully he improves on some things enough to get a cup of tea at some point.

WRT the other three well we all know why Makar was taken and I don't have a problem with that. Keep Cale happy. I was ok with Zhigy as well. I am still hoping they will hit on a goalie with a low pick eventually. I am not holding my breath though. However what will they pick in those rounds anyways? They can't hit on skaters in those rounds as well. I never liked the Ishmnikov pick. It reminded me too much of the Josh Anderson pick.

We can play the nitpick game and it is probably unfair... but there are just some really odd 3rd-5th round picks (and some terrible coincidences).