2023-24 Senators Prospect Watch

[PlayOn]

I could have sworn I remembered hearing that Boyd was a one year placeholder (at least in the head role). I’ll try to figure out where I saw that.

Well Garrioch did talk about it before last year’s draft, saying that Staios would have to make a decision about whether he would keep him beyond the year or not as he was filling in. And then we never really heard about it from there. So all we really know is that they did keep him on this year, but there was no talk about its permanence.

But in an interview at some point Staios alluded to not everything having been completed just yet in terms of org changes when asked. So I wouldn’t assume that keeping him this season is a sign that they won’t make a change eventually. If things are still status quo next season then I would guess they just decided to keep the staff as is.

 

[Masked]

There's no chance the current iteration of our scouting staff would have considered drafting Karlsson in 2008, and that needs to be said really.

Don't we have the pretty much the same scouting staff we had in 2008?

 

[DrEasy]

Well Garrioch did talk about it before last year’s draft, saying that Staios would have to make a decision about whether he would keep him beyond the year or not as he was filling in. And then we never really heard about it from there. So all we really know is that they did keep him on this year, but there was no talk about its permanence.

But in an interview at some point Staios alluded to not everything having been completed just yet in terms of org changes when asked. So I wouldn’t assume that keeping him this season is a sign that they won’t make a change eventually. If things are still status quo next season then I would guess they just decided to keep the staff as is.

If we had a POHO, maybe someone would have the time to take care of these important tasks.

 

[BondraTime]

Don't we have the pretty much the same scouting staff we had in 2008?

Vaclav Burda and Anders Forsberg.

Our European scouting was one of the best in the league for a period of time. It been the worst for over a decade. Not a single European player who was a regular for the Sens drafted outside of Stutzle and Zib (gimmies) since 2010.

2008-09 had EK, Silf and Lehner

 

[Emerica]

Don't we have the pretty much the same scouting staff we had in 2008?

Nah, the only amateur scouts that remain from 2008 are George Fargher, Mikko Ruutu and Bob Janecyk.

 

[BondraTime]

Calgary getting walked through the first 2 periods.

Yak took a diving penalty

 

[PlayOn]

I actually really like Yak’s game tonight. He’s been good at both ends.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

I actually really like Yak’s game tonight. He’s been good at both ends.

Winnipegs got a stud in Yager. Masterclass trade over a prima Donna in McGroaty.

 

[Sens in Process]

I actually really like Yak’s game tonight. He’s been good at both ends.

I though Yakemchuk was good and had a calming influence in his zone. He moved the puck out well on the breakout. Dare I say, he showed poise. There a couple of things here and there I didn't like, but he consistently made good plays. He had some decent rushes and a beautiful stretch pass that sent Wetsch on the breakaway, but no finish.

His skating has taken a jump - he looks so much better retrieving pucks than he did early in the season.

On the pp, I am not sure if teams are overplaying Yakmchuk, but I find Tulk and Kindel do not properly set him up for one-timers.

When you compare him to Mynio, Yakemchuk holds up to very well to him on the defensive side of the puck. At times, I even think Yakemchuk is the superior defender. It was insane that team Canada didn't bring Yakemchuk and Parekh to the WJC. There was far too much redundancy on the team Canada D with Dicksinon, Mynio, Molendyk and Price. They are all good players, but similar in a lot of ways. Yakemchuk could of held is own in the defensive end and helped out on the PP, with Parekh on the first unit.

I think with Yakemchuk, we’re looking at a solid two-way defenseman who could produce between 30 and 55 points per season. I believe he’ll likely end up on the higher end of that range, though others might reasonably argue he’ll stay closer to the lower end. Even if his point totals remain on the lower end, I think Yakemchuk has the potential to develop into a really good, physical defender. So, despite his disappointing numbers, I don’t see it as doom and gloom for this player. He has a lot of positive attributes. He’s not some big, clumsy player who can’t skate (although still a work in progress) or lacks hockey sense. He is not an undisciplined player; he has taken one penalty in the playoffs- a strange embellishment call. If Yakemchuk continues to grow—both physically, by filling out his frame, and defensively—while becoming a 50-point player, he’ll be a highly coveted asset in the NHL.

 

[PlayOn]

I though Yakemchuk was good and had a calming influence in his zone. He moved the puck out well on the breakout. Dare I say, he showed poise. There a couple of things here and there I didn't like, but he consistently made good plays. He had some decent rushes and a beautiful stretch pass that sent Wetsch on the breakaway, but no finish.

His skating has taken a jump - he looks so much better retrieving pucks than he did early in the season.

On the pp, I am not sure if teams are overplaying Yakmchuk, but I find Tulk and Kindel do not properly set him up for one-timers.

When you compare him to Mynio, Yakemchuk holds up to very well to him on the defensive side of the puck. At times, I even think Yakemchuk is the superior defender. It was insane that team Canada didn't bring Yakemchuk and Parekh to the WJC. There was far too much redundancy on the team Canada D with Dicksinon, Mynio, Molendyk and Price. They are all good players, but similar in a lot of ways. Yakemchuk could of held is own in the defensive end and helped out on the PP, with Parekh on the first unit.

I think with Yakemchuk, we’re looking at a solid two-way defenseman who could produce between 30 and 55 points per season. I believe he’ll likely end up on the higher end of that range, though others might reasonably argue he’ll stay closer to the lower end. Even if his point totals remain on the lower end, I think Yakemchuk has the potential to develop into a really good, physical defender. So, despite his disappointing numbers, I don’t see it as doom and gloom for this player. He has a lot of positive attributes. He’s not some big, clumsy player who can’t skate (although still a work in progress) or lacks hockey sense. He is not an undisciplined player; he has taken one penalty in the playoffs- a strange embellishment call. If Yakemchuk continues to grow—both physically, by filling out his frame, and defensively—while becoming a 50-point player, he’ll be a highly coveted asset in the NHL.

I’ve never really been down or high on Yak, because I just don’t watch him enough to really have a strong opinion, but in the couple games I did catch this season he was sort of all over the place. One shift I’d really like his game, the next I was confused about what he was doing. So with that said, it was actually really nice to see the other side of him last night and what some people on here have talked about. He was really poised, I agree. Looked like a guy who could be a solid two way dman in the NHL.

I still think he’s got a lot of offensive upside, although I could see it taking him a bit of time to figure it all out at the NHL level. So if he can play the type of game he played last night he will have an easier time transitioning to the NHL even if he isn’t spectacular right off the bat.

 

[Sens in Process]

I’ve never really been down or high on Yak, because I just don’t watch him enough to really have a strong opinion, but in the couple games I did catch this season he was sort of all over the place. One shift I’d really like his game, the next I was confused about what he was doing. So with that said, it was actually really nice to see the other side of him last night and what some people on here have talked about. He was really poised, I agree. Looked like a guy who could be a solid two way dman in the NHL.

I still think he’s got a lot of offensive upside, although I could see it taking him a bit of time to figure it all out at the NHL level. So if he can play the type of game he played last night he will have an easier time transitioning to the NHL even if he isn’t spectacular right off the bat.

I totally agree and I could see him have a breakout later on his development - He won't light the NHL on fire early in his career.

Staios is always talking about the long-term projections for this player. It is going to take some time.

 

[BigRig4]

I haven’t watched enough of him to comment on most things, but I can agree with people above who’ve said his skating has improved. It was brutal early in his draft year and has really come a long way.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

I think he projects to be a star in the NHL.



Denver erased a 2 - 0 deficit in the 3rd period but just came up short losing a heartbreaker in the 2nd OT

He should be joining the Wild soon

 

[OD99]

I think he projects to be a star in the NHL.



Denver erased a 2 - 0 deficit in the 3rd period but just came up short losing a heartbreaker in the 2nd OT

He should be joining the Wild soon

It's interesting how the 3 highest are all within the last few years. I know the game changes but so many of those other names are from quite a while ago (some I have never heard of and may be more recent).

The emergence of the puck carrying and offensive D is really evident in this graphic. I guess you also have stay in school, so remember that children!

 

[Senator Stanley]

I’ve never really been down or high on Yak, because I just don’t watch him enough to really have a strong opinion, but in the couple games I did catch this season he was sort of all over the place. One shift I’d really like his game, the next I was confused about what he was doing. So with that said, it was actually really nice to see the other side of him last night and what some people on here have talked about. He was really poised, I agree. Looked like a guy who could be a solid two way dman in the NHL.

I still think he’s got a lot of offensive upside, although I could see it taking him a bit of time to figure it all out at the NHL level. So if he can play the type of game he played last night he will have an easier time transitioning to the NHL even if he isn’t spectacular right off the bat.

To reach his offensive ceiling, I think he's going to have to learn how to produce offence in different ways than he's shown at the WHL level, because I don't see his current offensive game translating all that well.

Last night was, to me, a demonstration of his offensive limitations. Once they got down a few goals Yakemchuk really came on, noticeably pushing the play, rushing the puck, trying to drive to the net. On the one hand, you love to see him trying to take over the game - he's a 19 year old 7th overall pick, he should be an impact player. The problem is his rate of success is quite low. He's like a basketball player who can hit these incredible contested fadeaway jumpers, but what the highlight reel leaves out are the hundreds of attempts that were missed badly. It looks good when it works, but it's a bad shot. Yakemchuk is like that on the rush. He attacks in these direct lines, attempting to dangle his way through traffic to the net. We've all seen the highlights, but it rarely actually works at the WHL level, and it definitely won't fly in the NHL (think Spezza coming out of junior, attempting toe drags at the blue line).

Take that attacking game away from him, and what is he left with to produce offence? There's his shot on the power play, which will be an asset. He can make an aggressive first pass to spring a guy. When he circles the offensive zone (as opposed to barreling into traffic), he's shown an ability to find guys through the seams. So what are we talking/hoping for - a Jakob Chychrun-type without the world class athleticism? Big shot, well-rounded skillset, not necessarily a play drive but dangerous as an opportunist?

He's a tough evaluation. That's my main take away every time I watch him.

 

[Masked]

It's interesting how the 3 highest are all within the last few years. I know the game changes but so many of those other names are from quite a while ago (some I have never heard of and may be more recent).

I suspect the pandemic played a part in this. The lost year of development for many players might have watered down the talent in the NCAA a bit. Some players missed more time than others.

It's also interesting how the top three guys all have brothers who were NHL picks. That might not be a coincidence.

 

[Sens in Process]

To reach his offensive ceiling, I think he's going to have to learn how to produce offence in different ways than he's shown at the WHL level, because I don't see his current offensive game translating all that well.

Last night was, to me, a demonstration of his offensive limitations. Once they got down a few goals Yakemchuk really came on, noticeably pushing the play, rushing the puck, trying to drive to the net. On the one hand, you love to see him trying to take over the game - he's a 19 year old 7th overall pick, he should be an impact player. The problem is his rate of success is quite low. He's like a basketball player who can hit these incredible contested fadeaway jumpers, but what the highlight reel leaves out are the hundreds of attempts that were missed badly. It looks good when it works, but it's a bad shot. Yakemchuk is like that on the rush. He attacks in these direct lines, attempting to dangle his way through traffic to the net. We've all seen the highlights, but it rarely actually works at the WHL level, and it definitely won't fly in the NHL (think Spezza coming out of junior, attempting toe drags at the blue line).

Take that attacking game away from him, and what is he left with to produce offence? There's his shot on the power play, which will be an asset. He can make an aggressive first pass to spring a guy. When he circles the offensive zone (as opposed to barreling into traffic), he's shown an ability to find guys through the seams. So what are we talking/hoping for - a Jakob Chychrun-type without the world class athleticism? Big shot, well-rounded skillset, not necessarily a play drive but dangerous as an opportunist?

He's a tough evaluation. That's my main take away every time I watch him.

I think that is fair.

I also think he will get points in the context of an offense that is structured and reliably gets him touches in the offensive zone, where he can read and react off of other players. He has poise and he can get passes through seams. He is very good breakout passer and springs guys all the time on breakaways and odd man chances. I don't think Calgary is best optimized for generating a ton points for d-men. I think it is top heavy team and I am not even convinced of their top-end guys, especially Kindel and Tulk on the PP.

We probably disagree on his level of hockey sense and these debates won't be settled for years.

Yakemchuk was maybe the only Calgary defender last night without panic in this game against the forecheck. I think he also thinks the game better than Chychrun - considerably better. There are guys like Mattis Ekholm and Weeger who are solid but not exceptionally gifted offensive players who still produce at fairy high-rates, without flashy parts to their game. Would you be surprised if Yak out produces Ekholm? I think Yak has more offensive gifts than Ekholm. And with hard work and willingness to grow, which he has shown, I think he will mature into a good offensive player at the NHL level. But as others have said, it may take some time.

When we drafted Tkachuk, he was 6-3 , 193 pounds; he is now listed at 6'4, 225 pounds. His skating has improved and is far from the player that used to "bambi" all over the ice in his first couple of years. I see Yakemchuk the same way. Yakemchuk was 6"3, 202 when he was drafted and he is listed as 6'4, 207 now on the WHL page. I know these numbers can be distorted, but Yak has a very big frame and I would expect him to be about the same weight as Tkachuk. I also expect we will continue to see an uptick in Yakemchuk's skating in terms of strength and power.

​

 

[Burrowsaurus]

I actually really like Yak’s game tonight. He’s been good at both ends.

Damn I thought game 1 was tonight

 

[Burrowsaurus]

I though Yakemchuk was good and had a calming influence in his zone. He moved the puck out well on the breakout. Dare I say, he showed poise. There a couple of things here and there I didn't like, but he consistently made good plays. He had some decent rushes and a beautiful stretch pass that sent Wetsch on the breakaway, but no finish.

His skating has taken a jump - he looks so much better retrieving pucks than he did early in the season.

On the pp, I am not sure if teams are overplaying Yakmchuk, but I find Tulk and Kindel do not properly set him up for one-timers.

When you compare him to Mynio, Yakemchuk holds up to very well to him on the defensive side of the puck. At times, I even think Yakemchuk is the superior defender. It was insane that team Canada didn't bring Yakemchuk and Parekh to the WJC. There was far too much redundancy on the team Canada D with Dicksinon, Mynio, Molendyk and Price. They are all good players, but similar in a lot of ways. Yakemchuk could of held is own in the defensive end and helped out on the PP, with Parekh on the first unit.

I think with Yakemchuk, we’re looking at a solid two-way defenseman who could produce between 30 and 55 points per season. I believe he’ll likely end up on the higher end of that range, though others might reasonably argue he’ll stay closer to the lower end. Even if his point totals remain on the lower end, I think Yakemchuk has the potential to develop into a really good, physical defender. So, despite his disappointing numbers, I don’t see it as doom and gloom for this player. He has a lot of positive attributes. He’s not some big, clumsy player who can’t skate (although still a work in progress) or lacks hockey sense. He is not an undisciplined player; he has taken one penalty in the playoffs- a strange embellishment call. If Yakemchuk continues to grow—both physically, by filling out his frame, and defensively—while becoming a 50-point player, he’ll be a highly coveted asset in the NHL.

Solid 2 way guy producing 30-55 points (I think 55 is very high) is really not great compared to what Buium and Dickinson are projecting to be right now

 

[OD99]

Solid 2 way guy producing 30-55 points (I think 55 is very high) is really not great compared to what Buium and Dickinson are projecting to be right now

You are right.

There won't be any time to complain in a few years when we know what their games will really be.

Good to get a head start with the rest, now!

 

[PlayOn]

On a non-Yakemchuk related note, it seems Eliasson only has 2 PIMs in 6 GP these playoffs.

Is he comatose? Has anyone watched him?

 

[Sens in Process]

Solid 2 way guy producing 30-55 points (I think 55 is very high) is really not great compared to what Buium and Dickinson are projecting to be right now

I can't speak about Buium, because I haven't watched him play much this season, although I thought Cole Huston was way more dynamic in the WJC.

What do you think is a fair projection for Dickinson is? a 70 to 80 point player? Sanderson was not producing so hot in his D+1 and D+2. But I don't care what the numbers say, Sanderson was a much better prospect than Dickinson is today. He was way smarter and way better defensively and , less error prone. Dickinson is the player we saw at the WJC. He almost singlehandedly caused Canada to lose with a terrible first period in the elimination game. He was outplayed every d-man not named Bonk.

If you believe Dickison is tracking to be a better player than Sanderson, I will take that bet.

 

[aragorn]

This board continues to prioritize pts by individual players & less emphasis on complete players which to me is what Yakemchuk is becoming at both ends of the ice as well as team needs. These players are what teams covet, players who can play in all situations rather than specialty players who are all offence & no defence. Dickenson could also become a complete player, but he is a left shot & Ott needs a right shot to replace a 35 yr old Jensen when he retires. We have seen how playing defencemen on their right side hasn't worked for Ott. Zub RD will be 30 to start next season & it's the wrong side that needs to be replaced & upgraded first & Yakemchuk will fill in nicely there.

 

[Sens in Process]

This board continues to prioritize pts by individual players & less emphasis on complete players which to me is what Yakemchuk is becoming at both ends of the ice as well as team needs. These players are what teams covet, players who can play in all situations rather than specialty players who are all offence & no defence. Dickenson could also become a complete player, but he is a left shot & Ott needs a right shot to replace a 35 yr old Jensen when he retires. We have seen how playing defencemen on their right side hasn't worked for Ott. Zub RD will be 30 to start next season & it's the right side that needs to be replaced & upgraded first & Yakemchuk will fill in nicely there.

Imagine if we drafted McAvoy over Logan Brown; all hell would of broke loose. Not going to lie, I wanted Brown int that draft. That is one of my first moments of being totally wrong in a player.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

You are right.

There won't be any time to complain in a few years when we know what their games will really be.

Good to get a head start with the rest, now!

Don’t need to tell me twice