2024-25 Prospect Thread

[Chockey22]

This is not what the fanbase is expecting.

He looks more like the type of player who either makes it as a scorer or perhaps not at all.

If that's the case, he's probably not going to make it - he's never been a scorer. It seems he's more of a playmaker. I think if he ends up a decent third line center, we can't complain about that trade - but I agree there is significant bust potential based on his trajectory.

 

[doublechili]

This is not what the fanbase is expecting.

He looks more like the type of player who either makes it as a scorer or perhaps not at all.

If this is the kind of post we'll be seeing if the Isles actually do a "rebuild", it could be more depressing around here than it is now.

 

[SI90]

If that's the case, he's probably not going to make it - he's never been a scorer. It seems he's more of a playmaker. I think if he ends up a decent third line center, we can't complain about that trade - but I agree there is significant bust potential based on his trajectory.

Not the same exact skill set but he’s similar to Barzal. Pure playmaker. While Barzal was/is an elite skater and possession player, Ritchie is known for his elite 2way play and decision making.

 

[Zeeker]

If this is the kind of post we'll be seeing if the Isles actually do a "rebuild", it could be more depressing around here than it is now.

If the Isles commit to a “rebuild”, we will not be discussing the prospects of a 27th overall pick

 

[doublechili]

If the Isles commit to a “rebuild”, we will not be discussing the prospects of a 27th overall pick

Oh, I'm sure it will be extremely positive around here in that case, and no one will bring up MDC, Strome, Reinhart, etc..

 

[Zeeker]

Oh, I'm sure it will be extremely positive around here in that case, and no one will bring up MDC, Strome, Reinhart, etc..

I agree, no matter which direction the team goes in, the anti-rebuild crowd will never let us forget about those prospects from the Wang/Snow era

 

[doublechili]

I agree, no matter which direction the team goes in, the anti-rebuild crowd will never let us forget about those prospects from the Wang/Snow era

If the team is out of the playoffs for 5 or 6 years, and (getting back to the point of my original post) people are picking apart the prospects, they'll have plenty of company in the negativity department.

 

[MJF]

Not the same exact skill set but he’s similar to Barzal. Pure playmaker. While Barzal was/is an elite skater and possession player, Ritchie is known for his elite 2way play and decision making.

I keep hearing Ritchie described as the smartest guy on the ice. To me it means he must see the game well and instinctively knows where the play is going. That’s different than Barzal, who freelances until a teammate opens up for a pass or skates himself into a giveaway.

 

[Zeeker]

If the team is out of the playoffs for 5 or 6 years, and (getting back to the point of my original post) people are picking apart the prospects, they'll have plenty of company in the negativity department.

I think you got twisted around a bit, but my point is that the later we pick, the more flawed the prospect, and the higher potential for bust territory. 26 players were chosen before Cal Ritchie.

You compared Cal Ritchie concerns to people moaning during a rebuild, but in that scenario we will be discussing higher potential top 5/10 picks.

And I do agree that even if we picked higher, those suffering from Snow PTSD will still be negative.

 

[SI90]

I keep hearing Ritchie described as the smartest guy on the ice. To me it means he must see the game well and instinctively knows where the play is going. That’s different than Barzal, who freelances until a teammate opens up for a pass or skates himself into a giveaway.

That’s why I pointed out the difference and specifically said Ritchie is known for his decision making as well. High jockey IQ.

Both are playmakers with different skill sets, styles, and games.

 

[SI90]

I think you got twisted around a bit, but my point is that the later we pick, the more flawed the prospect, and the higher potential for bust territory. 26 players were chosen before Cal Ritchie.

You compared Cal Ritchie concerns to people moaning during a rebuild, but in that scenario we will be discussing higher potential top 5/10 picks.

And I do agree that even if we picked higher, those suffering from Snow PTSD will still be negative.

As long as we never pick 5th overall I’m good lol

 

[doublechili]

I think you got twisted around a bit, but my point is that the later we pick, the more flawed the prospect, and the higher potential for bust territory. 26 players were chosen before Cal Ritchie.

You compared Cal Ritchie concerns to people moaning during a rebuild, but in that scenario we will be discussing higher potential top 5/10 picks.

And I do agree that even if we picked higher, those suffering from Snow PTSD will still be negative.

I guess we agree that less negativity would be a good thing. I look forward to the rampant positivity around here come June if we have a top 10 pick.

 

[Zeeker]

I guess we agree that less negativity would be a good thing. I look forward to the rampant positivity around here come June if we have a top 10 pick.

You’re also well entitled to the “rebuild bad!” point you were angling for, but I wanted to make you work for it a little bit - the specific argument you took felt like a false equivalence. But there are definitely other arguments that support your preference, I will certainly admit.

And we both know that any potential top 10 pick this summer is not a result of any rebuild strategy, but more so falling ass backwards into it through general managerial ineptitude.

 

[xECK29x]

If that's the case, he's probably not going to make it - he's never been a scorer. It seems he's more of a playmaker. I think if he ends up a decent third line center, we can't complain about that trade - but I agree there is significant bust potential based on his trajectory.

His best quality is actually his hockey sense and two-way play, also solid faceoff guy, JGP isn't that fall off, but I think he is more dynamic.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

If that's the case, he's probably not going to make it - he's never been a scorer. It seems he's more of a playmaker. I think if he ends up a decent third line center, we can't complain about that trade - but I agree there is significant bust potential based on his trajectory.

Just for clarity, if I were simply referring to his goal-scoring abilities, I'd have explicitly mentioned him as a "goal-scorer".

When I refer to someone as a scorer, it means he generates points... He's a point-producer.

Do posters here think of the word "scorer" as meaning someone who simply puts the puck in the net himself?

***
If he's a 15-45-60 player, then AWESOME!

Gotta hope that's what comes of him.

I'm just not sure he can be much of anything else as an NHLer based on how he plays and where his skating is at.

 

[Zeeker]

Do posters here think of the word "scorer" as meaning someone who simply puts the puck in the net himself?

Yes

When I refer to someone as a scorer, it means he generates points... He's a point-producer.

I think it’s fair for people to interpret a difference between those two terms

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

If this is the kind of post we'll be seeing if the Isles actually do a "rebuild", it could be more depressing around here than it is now.

Just calling it as I see it when it comes to Ritchie.

Prospectwise, I've got lots of time for Nelson and Finley, who I see possessing clear-cut NHL traits.

Eiserman and Bednarik are "getting there" for me.

I don't know how much time he'll need but there are some very slick aspects to Odelius' game. I just think we haven't taken the right path with him. After missing just about all of last season, this wasn't the time to bring him into this shitshow of an AHL outfit. His Djurgarden team had a top 3 role for him this season and is chock full of former NHL prospects and big-named European players as well as some up-n-coming prospects. The team is a very special collection and it likely would have been JUST the right place for him to take a next step.

Now I'm getting into semantics but the point is, we've got assets I can get behind.

 

[MJF]

Do posters here think of the word "scorer" as meaning someone who simply puts the puck in the net himself?

Yes.

 

[boredmale]

This is not what the fanbase is expecting.

He looks more like the type of player who either makes it as a scorer or perhaps not at all.

In a take it for what it's worth, I bolded the key parts.

A scouting report on every notable prospect moved at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline

Did your team snag a future piece over the past week? Get to know them here.

www.dailyfaceoff.com

Ritchie is a top 20 NHL prospect, and easily one of the best, smartest two-way threats you’ll find. He started the year in the NHL with the Avs, and it seemed like training and playing with quality players helped boost his game in a way we hadn’t seen before. Ritchie has done a better job at making quick decisions with the puck, and he loves to shoot the puck. I think he’s good on the power play, mostly as a passer. Ritchie’s stock fell a bit in his 2023 NHL Draft year, which I felt to be a bit unfair. That’s mostly because scouts wanted to see him become a better point-producer. But it became clear he was prioritizing becoming valuable at both ends, and his workhorse ethic should take him far in the NHL.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Yes

I think it’s fair for people to interpret a difference between those two terms

Yes.

Welp, now I'm having one of those weird flashes of "Holy crap, have I understood the nuance of something slightly different for like forever?"

Like if someone said to me, "Yep, Eiserman is a scorer."

I'd actually find myself responding, "Well, he's really more of a goal-scorer than anything else."

***
@Chockey22 @doublechili

In any case, I mean to say that Ritchie will need to make it in this league as a playmaking point-producer.

If he can't successfully translate that aspect of his game to the NHL, I don't see him having much else to offer.

He's certainly got plenty of time for everything though, including adding various layers to his game.

 

[Kevin27nyi]

I have low expectations for prospects for my own sake of not getting too high and being annoyed when they inevitably fail. Makes me enjoy them blossom more. See any of my posts of Dal Colle, Strome and Reinhart as well as Holmstrom.

For Ritchie, if he’s a solid two way guy that can put up 60 points I’d be very, very happy.

I am eager to see the future of Ritchie, Nelson and Bednarik. I think having two way talent coming through is huge for a future winning culture.

 

[doublechili]

You’re also well entitled to the “rebuild bad!” point you were angling for, but I wanted to make you work for it a little bit - the specific argument you took felt like a false equivalence. But there are definitely other arguments that support your preference, I will certainly admit.

And we both know that any potential top 10 pick this summer is not a result of any rebuild strategy, but more so falling ass backwards into it through general managerial ineptitude.

I basically think a retool with the right GM is the way to go, but if they decide to tear it down and rebuild then I'll root for that to go well and check the prospects thread first thing when I come here. I won't be negative. And I wasn't really angling for "rebuild bad" so much as poking fun at the idea that we finally trade a player for a prospect and we're picking on the guy. It's all good though.

 

[doublechili]

Just calling it as I see it when it comes to Ritchie.

Prospectwise, I've got lots of time for Nelson and Finley, who I see possessing clear-cut NHL traits.

Eiserman and Bednarik are "getting there" for me.

I don't know how much time he'll need but there are some very slick aspects to Odelius' game. I just think we haven't taken the right path with him. After missing just about all of last season, this wasn't the time to bring him into this shitshow of an AHL outfit. His Djurgarden team had a top 3 role for him this season and is chock full of former NHL prospects and big-named European players as well as some up-n-coming prospects. The team is a very special collection and it likely would have been JUST the right place for him to take a next step.

Now I'm getting into semantics but the point is, we've got assets I can get behind.

It's all good. Gallows humor. It's all we got.

 

[MJF]

The Frozen Four is set:

Boston University vs Penn State
Western Michigan vs Denver

 

[SI]

If Ritchie hits - more like Ryan Johansen, big-bodied C, not the fastest in the league, but wins battles, and sets up more than he scores.

Maybe he ends up a Charlie Coyle type or Adam Henrique. If he is really good defensively - Boone Jenner.