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

[S E P H]

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.

Better have over any other skill than not have it and have a ton of tools.

 

[GirardSpinorama]

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.

Ya that was an odd non-move. Dont know the full story but i would have liked Aman on the 4th line or at least leading our AHLers.

Im just glad we've been switching a lot of scouts lately.

 

[henchman21]

Ya that was an odd non-move. Dont know the full story but i would have liked Aman on the 4th line or at least leading our AHLers.

Im just glad we've been switching a lot of scouts lately.

Take this with a complete grain of salt as it is all third hand... but essentially Aman wanted a promise of 20+ NHL games and a Euro assignment clause. He essentially didn't want to be playing all season in the AHL and if there wasn't a NHL spot by the Christmas break, he wanted to go back to Sweden. Avs bascially wanted him to give a whole season in the AHL if that is what it took. Apparently the Avs were open to a Euro clause only for the 2nd year of the ELC.

Again, take that all with a grain of salt and is purely what has spread in the rumor mill... not from direct sources.

 

[GirardSpinorama]

Take this with a complete grain of salt as it is all third hand... but essentially Aman wanted a promise of 20+ NHL games and a Euro assignment clause. He essentially didn't want to be playing all season in the AHL and if there wasn't a NHL spot by the Christmas break, he wanted to go back to Sweden. Avs bascially wanted him to give a whole season in the AHL if that is what it took. Apparently the Avs were open to a Euro clause only for the 2nd year of the ELC.

Again, take that all with a grain of salt and is purely what has spread in the rumor mill... not from direct sources.

20+ games in the NHL is a bit much. No way a team in Avs position can afford that. We should have given a euro clause though, not much damage except to our AHL depth. Maybe our AHL owner made a fuss about that.

 

[henchman21]

20+ games in the NHL is a bit much. No way a team in Avs position can afford that. We should have given a euro clause though, not much damage except to our AHL depth. Maybe our AHL owner made a fuss about that.

It makes building an AHL team difficult to... if a player just leaves midseason it causes all sort of issues roster wise. I understand (the rumored) both sides. With hindsight, we can see now Aman would have been the 4C last year over Meyers and likely the 4C this year (with two more years now for a cheap price).

 

[MaKarter]

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 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.

In hindsight, do you think Ritchie and Gulyayev were the right choices by the Avs?

 

[henchman21]

In hindsight, do you think Ritchie and Gulyayev were the right choices by the Avs?

It is way too early to say anything definitive… not enough time has passed to really show enough to sway opinions. In a year we will know much more. My personal opinion then is the same as now. I would have went different directions on both, but neither one of those picks were significantly out of the range expect.

 

[MaKarter]

It is way too early to say anything definitive… not enough time has passed to really show enough to sway opinions. In a year we will know much more. My personal opinion then is the same as now. I would have went different directions on both, but neither one of those picks were significantly out of the range expect.

There are some good players in that second round. I don't remember who your guys were.

Brindley had a strong WJC this year.

 

[henchman21]

There are some good players in that second round. I don't remember who your guys were.

Brindley had a strong WJC this year.

I would have selected one of Edstrom or Walhberg for sure. From there a debate of the pure upside of Nelson (arguably best physical tools in the draft) vs grabbing a goalie. I would have probably gone goalie since I have a personal theory on that. Hrabal or Augustine would have been the names for me. So the healthy debate winner between those three.

 

[neelynugs]

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.

that sam malinski looks like a pretty good player. i think the bruins were in the running for him last year. i haven't seen him a ton, but would add him to this list (even at age 25).

 

[barriers]

that sam malinski looks like a pretty good player. i think the bruins were in the running for him last year. i haven't seen him a ton, but would add him to this list (even at age 25).

 

[MaKarter]

that sam malinski looks like a pretty good player. i think the bruins were in the running for him last year. i haven't seen him a ton, but would add him to this list (even at age 25).

Yeah the Avs are a favorite place for free agent college kids because of our lack of actual prospects. But Malinski is older than Cale Makar so I am not sure he is a prospect.

 

[niwotsblessing]

Sam is an NHL 3rd pairing D-man who will scare teams with plays like the one he demo'ed last night.

 

[henchman21]

that sam malinski looks like a pretty good player. i think the bruins were in the running for him last year. i haven't seen him a ton, but would add him to this list (even at age 25).

He's not a prospect... he's an offensive defensemen who is a call up type, not an every night type. Different styles, but same outcome as Butcher.

 

[GirardSpinorama]

He's not a prospect... he's an offensive defensemen who is a call up type, not an every night type. Different styles, but same outcome as Butcher.

Way better skater. But id be pleased to get one season of will butcher production for free.

 

[Bender]

Sam is an NHL 3rd pairing D-man who will scare teams with plays like the one he demo'ed last night.

He really needs to switch his number to 9 and have only the top of it showing like Cale. It would be like a modern-day NHL Killer Bees!!! (B. Brian Blair and Jumping Jim Brunzel)

 

[henchman21]

Way better skater. But id be pleased to get one season of will butcher production for free.

I said different styles.

Both are flawed offensive #6D at their very best. 7/8/9D ideally

 

[Chiarelli]

are there any useful bottom pairing offensive D men in this league? Seems they're all just liabilities that you'd never role out in a meaningful game at least significant minutes.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

are there any useful bottom pairing offensive D men in this league? Seems they're all just liabilities that you'd never role out in a meaningful game at least significant minutes.

Yes, Malinski.

 

[GirardSpinorama]

are there any useful bottom pairing offensive D men in this league? Seems they're all just liabilities that you'd never role out in a meaningful game at least significant minutes.

Any dman who can transition the puck is pretty useful on any pairing if provided a good d first partner. Its not like malinski can only shoot a slapper like marc andre bergeron (who was really good at it).

That being said, come playoff time, i bet you see another big D first guy on the bottom pairing.

 

[henchman21]

are there any useful bottom pairing offensive D men in this league? Seems they're all just liabilities that you'd never role out in a meaningful game at least significant minutes.

That’s the crux of it… usually bottom pairing guys are to not make mistakes and PK. You have to be very good on the PP to have a long term bottom pairing offensive role. These players are good depth… but not guys you keep around.

 

[Bender]

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).

I see what you did there... Gotta say, personally I appreciate it.

Not a lot of people want to re-live the Mitchell Heard (20 years old) as a 2nd round pick fiasco and you wanted to spare us that.

Can't say I don't take some comfort in the fact that pracey is in charge of Edmonton's drafts now. I guess that's the silver lining...

 

[henchman21]

I see what you did there... Gotta say, personally I appreciate it.

Not a lot of people want to re-live the Mitchell Heard (20 years old) as a 2nd round pick fiasco and you wanted to spare us that.

Can't say I don't take some comfort in the fact that pracey is in charge of Edmonton's drafts now. I guess that's the silver lining...

Giving me way too much credit for thinking.

 

[GirardSpinorama]

I see what you did there... Gotta say, personally I appreciate it.

Not a lot of people want to re-live the Mitchell Heard (20 years old) as a 2nd round pick fiasco and you wanted to spare us that.

Can't say I don't take some comfort in the fact that pracey is in charge of Edmonton's drafts now. I guess that's the silver lining...

Mitchell heard, josh anderson, steinberg. Any time we go off the board, its a massive miss.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

are there any useful bottom pairing offensive D men in this league? Seems they're all just liabilities that you'd never role out in a meaningful game at least significant minutes.