2024-25 USNTDP U18 Discussion
- Thread starter Pavel Buchnevich
- Start date
last night they look short players at forward /murtaugh stewart were out too ? wonder if they plan on bringing best u -17 kid up at some point
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
They could do so for a game or two, but on a permanent or semi-permanent basis they won’t until the second half unless someone is dominating.
95snipes
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I thought after yesterday's game, better days were ahead for this team. Too good of a group to consistently lose USHL games, even if some of the goals Fargo let in today were weak. They've mixed and matched lines and nothings really worked so far. Missing Murtagh hurts for however long he's out for. If any of the '08s are good, there are a few obvious candidates for demotion on this team.
I thought after the Fall Classic that Amico was going to be the best prospect on this team. I really liked his puck composure and overall presence; there was a play where he navigated the forecheck and hit the weak side winger right in stride for a break. Great stuff there. After watching the Fargo series, I'm not as sure. The Friday game he was pretty bad turning pucks over and overall struggling with pressure. Very intriguing player, I'm just not completely sold.. yet. The upcoming college games should be telling.
I am pretty sold with Murtagh. Everyone watched Boston College last year and gushed over Ryan Leonard. Murtagh is probably the closest thing you'll see to Leonard, just slightly worse. Competitive, NHL release, and enough skill to play with top players. My only gripe with Murtagh is that I thought he had tunnel vision at times last year.
I love Fondrk's game and think he's been the most dangerous player on the team so far. Results haven't been there as he's set up linemates who haven't finished and Fondrk hasn't converted chances himself that he usually was last year. The points will come. There will be questions around his projectability and I do have some concerns myself over how his game translates to pro hockey. But don't let him fall too far, kid is talented.
Maceo Phillips played his best game today, but has been largely a disaster so far this year overall. He hurts whoever is paired with him. Some will see a 6'5 defenseman who can skate and is legitimately mean and think the rest will come around. I see a player who has no hockey sense, can't make a pass, runs around in his own zone and takes stupid penalties. Odds are he's this years Cleveland/Skahan but not my cup of tea.
I agree with the commentary on Will Moore. Not a terrible player, but just not that talented. Good hand eye and does most of his damage around the net. Maybe he could be a 3rd line player down the road if he ups his compete. 2nd/3rd rounder for me at the moment. With the McKenzie ranking, I don't think most scouts are watching the U17s too closely.
I also think McKinney is overrated. Don't see the skill to think he could play in top 6 in the NHL.
I like Andrew O'Neill. Listed 6'2, good skater, and versatile. Yesterday there was a mix up in front of the net where Kvasnicka was on the ice getting mauled by a Fargo player. O'Neill no hesitation rushed in to tackled the Fargo player. Stuff you like to see and I think there's still some untapped offense.
Landon Hafele is the most improved player from last season. Could be a top 2 round guy for next year.
Looking forward to seeing how the NCAA games go.
I thought after the Fall Classic that Amico was going to be the best prospect on this team. I really liked his puck composure and overall presence; there was a play where he navigated the forecheck and hit the weak side winger right in stride for a break. Great stuff there. After watching the Fargo series, I'm not as sure. The Friday game he was pretty bad turning pucks over and overall struggling with pressure. Very intriguing player, I'm just not completely sold.. yet. The upcoming college games should be telling.
I am pretty sold with Murtagh. Everyone watched Boston College last year and gushed over Ryan Leonard. Murtagh is probably the closest thing you'll see to Leonard, just slightly worse. Competitive, NHL release, and enough skill to play with top players. My only gripe with Murtagh is that I thought he had tunnel vision at times last year.
I love Fondrk's game and think he's been the most dangerous player on the team so far. Results haven't been there as he's set up linemates who haven't finished and Fondrk hasn't converted chances himself that he usually was last year. The points will come. There will be questions around his projectability and I do have some concerns myself over how his game translates to pro hockey. But don't let him fall too far, kid is talented.
Maceo Phillips played his best game today, but has been largely a disaster so far this year overall. He hurts whoever is paired with him. Some will see a 6'5 defenseman who can skate and is legitimately mean and think the rest will come around. I see a player who has no hockey sense, can't make a pass, runs around in his own zone and takes stupid penalties. Odds are he's this years Cleveland/Skahan but not my cup of tea.
I agree with the commentary on Will Moore. Not a terrible player, but just not that talented. Good hand eye and does most of his damage around the net. Maybe he could be a 3rd line player down the road if he ups his compete. 2nd/3rd rounder for me at the moment. With the McKenzie ranking, I don't think most scouts are watching the U17s too closely.
I also think McKinney is overrated. Don't see the skill to think he could play in top 6 in the NHL.
I like Andrew O'Neill. Listed 6'2, good skater, and versatile. Yesterday there was a mix up in front of the net where Kvasnicka was on the ice getting mauled by a Fargo player. O'Neill no hesitation rushed in to tackled the Fargo player. Stuff you like to see and I think there's still some untapped offense.
Landon Hafele is the most improved player from last season. Could be a top 2 round guy for next year.
Looking forward to seeing how the NCAA games go.
MichaelFarrell
Registered User
I don’t totally agree with some of this but I will say O’Neil is definitely underrated. I think Hafele could go top 15 next year. He’s got a lot of great tools.
What did you think of LJ Mooney?
great report - i’m not sure what dmen are going in the first round ? phillips and amico are raw and could argue upside but both should play one more extra year on ushl team in my view - mooney good but i see second round - agree on murtaugh - leonard
95snipes
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I like Mooney. He's had to do some of the heavy lifting, but if he had a Hughes/Cooley/Smith/Hagens to play with, he'd be tearing it up. I think he has the highest offensive upside on the team. Looked good with the U18s last year, looked good at the summer showcase, I like him.
95snipes
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I'd be surprised if Amico didn't go 1st round. How many 6'5, right shot defenseman who can skate and have skill exist? It's a coveted asset. We'll see how his season goes, but it'd have to go poorly to drop past 30 I'd guess. If there's a top 10 pick on this team, it's likely Amico.
Trethewey has a chance I think, but the more time goes on the less I like him. There was a time where I thought he was a great prospect, now more of a good prospect, but plenty of time for him to show what he can do.
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
Quinlan got his first win tonight. Stopped 26/28. I think he's better than either of the goaltenders from last year's team. He's not Augustine, but maybe a slightly taller Silverstein who hopefully doesn't have the injury trouble that derailed Silverstein's chances to make the NHL.
great point on mooney - your right on that . he doesn’t have that high end skill player that really compliments him / for a small elite player he plays really hard . anybody know deal with murtaugh being out ?
pronmon of athletic came out with his draft
ranking today - had tretheway at 22# no other ntdp kid in first round - it looks like a weak year for the program
ranking today - had tretheway at 22# no other ntdp kid in first round - it looks like a weak year for the program
you could have 2-3 kids maybe slide to end of the first round but i don’t see any top 15 players in this group
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
agree - difference in the past had some sure high end bets - this group i have murtaugh, mooney, fondrak , mckinney , amico, tretheway , - pick any 2
There were more questionable picks in this u18 group than the u17's. Is USA hockey becoming another good ol boys network like hockey Canada? Shame.
i sent pronmon who he saw could sneak into first round - he said moore - fondrk- mckinney
rumor is the big agents control who is on the team in general -
MichaelFarrell
Registered User
95snipes
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Lee is an '06 and frankly not an NTDP caliber player.
I don't where they were at selection camp, but Rombach would be the one you want if you could repick the team today. Kevan has flaws but would still be a welcome addition to a team that has struggled to score so far.
The narrative might be different with Rombach, Kevan, and Potter on the team. I still think there is more quality depth than last year which didn't have much after Hagens and Eiserman at forward.
I mainly scout defensemen and can think of 2 that are EASILY better than what they went with. I wont call anyone out by name but I mean its almost sad.
MichaelFarrell
Registered User
Who are the two? I am not a fan at all of Bracco, Lindberg, and Kuehne. I’m not even entirely sure if Barnett get drafted at this point. So, I imagine there must be at least one player better than any of those guys.
I would love to know who you think because I haven’t seen any defenseman in the USHL that has really made me think “they should’ve be on the development team”. But, I haven’t seen every team play yet.
Hockeyville USA
Registered User
They're about to start the NCAA portion of their schedule, it's going to be interesting to see how they fair against the tougher competition.
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
I would point to the three game sample this year. He’s 5’10 and struggled last season. I don’t know if he’s improved a lot this season or what, but he didn’t look draftable to me based off last season.
2 of the 4 D you listed should never have sniffed the NTDP. Ridiculous picks. I wont nit pick the others but I'm glad you are seeing things from my point of view.
As far as replacements, just from the northeast alone who started playing in he USHL at 16 I can easily pick two who are better than the weakest 2 on ntdp. I just dont want to name drop on a forum know for crazys so we'lll have to leave it at that. Keep in mind I prefer 2 way D who can succeed on both sides of the ice over offense only guys so that might give you a hint.
