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

[Richard88]

Just listened to the DNVR podcast from Day 1 of rookie camp.

Some of the notable things they said:

Zhuravlyov is clearly way bigger than the 163lbs he's listed at. AJ said that he's built like a small tank, really robust. The Dmen in general did well on the day.

Meyers is clearly levels above in terms of polish, and the coaches were leaning heavily on him when explaining drills.

Ranta was using his body to engage a lot more than before which stood out. He's apparently been studying film of Landeskog and Rantanen to model his game after them and was getting to the net for tips a half dozen times among other smart plays he typically hasn't done away from the puck previously.

AJ said Beaucage's skating has improved to the point that he doesn't look awkward anymore, and was the best he's seen him skate.

Foudy, Meyers, and Olausson formed one line which is interesting, as it's a "vet" center, a playmaker and a triggerman. They'll presumably be the top line in the rookie games.

Ranta-Fizer-Beaucage was another line.

Olausson's skating and shot combo is looking nasty for a guy his size.

Zhigalov looks super raw... "as far away from the NHL in terms of rawness as far as a deer that's just been shot is from being on the dinner plate", per AJ. He has the raw tools but has seemingly never received a day of coaching and was letting in comically bad goals in a stand-up position. There could be something there if the coaches can work on his habits and positioning though, as his size and athleticism are clearly great.

 

[Hasbro]

I think another year of college will be good for Stienburg. I'd like to see him develop his offense a little more before turning pro, don't want to see him become a Bowers where the offense just never came around to earn a call up. I know scoring isn't going to be his calling card in the NHL, but you need SOME skill even in a 4th line role.

At any rate, I don't think it will hurt him to go for another year. I'd like to see him signed after that, though. I'll be interested to see if some of his habits translate as well to pro hockey as I think they will.

Gotta finish that degree in hotel management.

 

[tigervixxxen]

I saw the rookie skate too. Not every single drill as I watched some of the vets too. Oskar looks primed to breakout but we’ll see if that comes to fruition. I liked that top line but Meyers and Foudy need to sort out which of them is playing center as they keep going to the same spots on the ice. Meyers definitely has the polish but I wanted to see some more compete because that’s what Bednar is going to want to see. I will say it was better than in dev camp so that’s encouraging. I wouldn’t say the D or goalies left much impression. Hopefully the games will be streamed.

 

[Perratrooper]

Just listened to the DNVR podcast from Day 1 of rookie camp.

Some of the notable things they said:

Zhuravlyov is clearly way bigger than the 163lbs he's listed at. AJ said that he's built like a small tank, really robust. The Dmen in general did well on the day.

Meyers is clearly levels above in terms of polish, and the coaches were leaning heavily on him when explaining drills.

Ranta was using his body to engage a lot more than before which stood out. He's apparently been studying film of Landeskog and Rantanen to model his game after them and was getting to the net for tips a half dozen times among other smart plays he typically hasn't done away from the puck previously.

AJ said Beaucage's skating has improved to the point that he doesn't look awkward anymore, and was the best he's seen him skate.

Foudy, Meyers, and Olausson formed one line which is interesting, as it's a "vet" center, a playmaker and a triggerman. They'll presumably be the top line in the rookie games.

Ranta-Fizer-Beaucage was another line.

Olausson's skating and shot combo is looking nasty for a guy his size.

Zhigalov looks super raw... "as far away from the NHL in terms of rawness as far as a deer that's just been shot is from being on the dinner plate", per AJ. He has the raw tools but has seemingly never received a day of coaching and was letting in comically bad goals in a stand-up position. There could be something there if the coaches can work on his habits and positioning though, as his size and athleticism are clearly great.

Just listening to the podcast as well and I really wonder if how raw Zhiggy is might be a positive thing. A lot of the time you have to break bad habits and if he doesn’t have any habits it might be easier for a goalie coach to help shape his play. Now he’ll need a certain level of intelligence to actively make these changes, but once he’s able to consciously take note of these changes it’ll hopefully become muscle memory. Based off of this, I think if he were to make the NHL Mike Smith might be his best case.

 

[Perratrooper]

I saw the rookie skate too. Not every single drill as I watched some of the vets too. Oskar looks primed to breakout but we’ll see if that comes to fruition. I liked that top line but Meyers and Foudy need to sort out which of them is playing center as they keep going to the same spots on the ice. Meyers definitely has the polish but I wanted to see some more compete because that’s what Bednar is going to want to see. I will say it was better than in dev camp so that’s encouraging. I wouldn’t say the D or goalies left much impression. Hopefully the games will be streamed.

Do you think OO has an outside chance of making the Avs or getting a 9 game stint based off of what you are seeing?

 

[Hasbro]

Do you think OO has an outside chance of making the Avs or getting a 9 game stint based off of what you are seeing?

Winger injury maybe.

 

[tigervixxxen]

Do you think OO has an outside chance of making the Avs or getting a 9 game stint based off of what you are seeing?

I highly doubt he makes the team but could get some games here and there.

 

[Foppa2118]

I highly doubt he makes the team but could get some games here and there.

Too early to know for sure, but it feels like OO could be a candidate to spend all year in the AHL, and then get a handful of games up to 9 before the playoffs.

Similar to what they did with Mikko, Newhook, and Meyers. Mikko's 9 games in 2015-16 were split between the start of the season and the end of the season.

Was a little different with Newy and Meyers coming out of college and because they negotiated to burn the first year of their ELC's anyway, but I also think the Avs like to try out prospects at the end of the regular season, so they have a better idea how ready they'll be the following year, and a better idea of what they should do in the off season.

Better than gauging this off early season performance, as they'll have had six months or so of development both on the ice and physically at the end of the year.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

What am I missing that has people talking about OO and 9 games? He's on a standard entry level contract and waiver exempt right?

[edit...nevermind, just double checked and he's a slide contract candidate as a 19 year old.]

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

Just listening to the podcast as well and I really wonder if how raw Zhiggy is might be a positive thing. A lot of the time you have to break bad habits and if he doesn’t have any habits it might be easier for a goalie coach to help shape his play. Now he’ll need a certain level of intelligence to actively make these changes, but once he’s able to consciously take note of these changes it’ll hopefully become muscle memory. Based off of this, I think if he were to make the NHL Mike Smith might be his best case.

He does have habits though, that's what happens when you're playing goalie in major junior and you have to find a way to stop the puck somehow. You develop bad habits trying to figure out how to stop pucks because you have to stop pucks somehow. Now Budaj has to figure out how to add structure/fundamental goalie techniques to a guy who is behind by years, possibly a decade compared to anyone else. Zhigalov better be the most open minded person ever or it's going to go badly.

 

[Metallo]

Can anyone elaborate on why Zhigalov never received goalie coaching? That seems weird for an elite athlete.

 

[Caser]

Can anyone elaborate on why Zhigalov never received goalie coaching? That seems weird for an elite athlete.

"Never" is likely a bit of a fancy exaggeration, as at least in the MHL he had a goalie coach and I believe at Team Belarus too, possibly had a bit of limited opportunities to work with them though.

Anyone watch Kovalenko this year? Off to a pretty nice start.

Nice, but the most important stat line for him this season is the number of games played.

 

[ndmd99]

 

[Metallo]

Kinda amazing that we can put cameras on the Moon.

 

[Richard88]

 

[Richard88]

 

[blackjackmulligan]

Any opinion or summary how Vinny Borgesi looked in your rookie camp month or so ago.

 

[Avsboy]

Any opinion or summary how Vinny Borgesi looked in your rookie camp month or so ago.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

Kinda amazing that we can put cameras on the Moon.

I think I'm the only person that actually likes that view. It's more like being there live as you can chose to watch the battles in front of the net or the puck moving point to point. You don't get that option with the lower views that always get zoomed in so far you can't see any action happening away from the puck.

 

[Cake Malar]

I know there was some discussion of whether we still held Weiss’ rights. It appears that he is still listed on the “In the system” page on the Avs website. But so is Nils Aman so I might take that with a grain of salt.

 

[dmac7719]

@Gigantor The Goalie What's the deal with Dmitri Nikolayez for SKA? Does his game match the stats he's put up in the VHL/KHL or is it one of those he benefits of the teams and style of play that can at times enhance the goalie stats.

 

[The Merchant]

 

[Richard88]

The one that got away

 

[dmac7719]

If Aman makes the Canucks, do the Avs scouts get credit for finding an NHL'er in the later rounds?

 

[henchman21]

If Aman makes the Canucks, do the Avs scouts get credit for finding an NHL'er in the later rounds?

I mean if he sticks, yeah. His skating took a huge step forward last year and really completed his game.

I heard the main sticking point with Aman signing with the Avs was a shot in the NHL or going back to Europe right away. Avs were not on board. I'm not sure if he got an arrangement with Vancouver or not, but it wouldn't shock me. A kid with his size, skates well, and works hard... teams do give them a lot of benefit of doubt.