Prospect Info: 2024 7th OA : Carter Yakemchuk (RHD)

Sens in Process

Registered User
Oct 1, 2012
704
794
I have watched a lot of top CHL defensemen over the last couple of years. They all have their moments where they can look absolutley horrible, plagued by catastrophic blunders and misreads. This even goes for supposed defensive stalwarts. The CHL is a game of mistakes. And by that, I don't mean a slim margin that separates wining and losing. I mean there are a ton of mistakes

I didn't love Yakemchuk's game against Medicine Hat on Wednesday. He didn't have strongest game offensively or defensively. But while playing against Gavin Mckenna, who is fast and dynamic as they come and Hunter St. Martin, an overlooked player with an incredible size/speed combo, he more than held his own. In short, MH is a very fast team - perhaps one of the fastest in the WHL.

The -2 from the game is a bit misleading, because both goals were the result of wicked turnovers by his teammates. On one play, a neutral zone turnover leads Calgary to be caught flat footed, but Yakemchuk still manages to push Mckenna below the goal line. Mckenna's pass deflects off Yakemchuk skate into the net. On the second goal, Yakemchuk makes a beautiful defensive play on St. Martin off the rush. Calgary turns over the puck and Yakemchuk gets caught as the defender in a 2 on 1, He rightfully takes away the pass, but the shooter scores: Western Hockey League

I hear all the complaining by Sens fans how Hamonic is dragging down Sanderson's play, pointing to the underlying numbers. Magnify this by about four-fold for Yakemchuk. Yakemchuk's partner is a just turned 17year old pint sized defenseman who has limited offense. He is algorithmically programed in the offensive zone to rim the puck around the boards or take a low percentage shot. It was so bad in one game the announcers were wondering why he wasn't electing to pass the puck to his 30 goal defensive partner.

In my opinion, I think Yakemchuk has taken major strides in his defensive game this season. His length, anticipation, improved skating and his willing to box out and protect the net will make him a good defender at the next level. Despite what a lot people said, I really can't stress enough how well he reads the game. We saw that a bit in the NHL pre-season, but he has an "it" factor, where the puck follows him around.
 

Dionysus

Registered User
Oct 7, 2007
5,889
3,415
Around the bend
I have watched a lot of top CHL defensemen over the last couple of years. They all have their moments where they can look absolutley horrible, plagued by catastrophic blunders and misreads. This even goes for supposed defensive stalwarts. The CHL is a game of mistakes. And by that, I don't mean a slim margin that separates wining and losing. I mean there are a ton of mistakes

I didn't love Yakemchuk's game against Medicine Hat on Wednesday. He didn't have strongest game offensively or defensively. But while playing against Gavin Mckenna, who is fast and dynamic as they come and Hunter St. Martin, an overlooked player with an incredible size/speed combo, he more than held his own. In short, MH is a very fast team - perhaps one of the fastest in the WHL.

The -2 from the game is a bit misleading, because both goals were the result of wicked turnovers by his teammates. On one play, a neutral zone turnover leads Calgary to be caught flat footed, but Yakemchuk still manages to push Mckenna below the goal line. Mckenna's pass deflects off Yakemchuk skate into the net. On the second goal, Yakemchuk makes a beautiful defensive play on St. Martin off the rush. Calgary turns over the puck and Yakemchuk gets caught as the defender in a 2 on 1, He rightfully takes away the pass, but the shooter scores: Western Hockey League

I hear all the complaining by Sens fans how Hamonic is dragging down Sanderson's play, pointing to the underlying numbers. Magnify this by about four-fold for Yakemchuk. Yakemchuk's partner is a just turned 17year old pint sized defenseman who has limited offense. He is algorithmically programed in the offensive zone to rim the puck around the boards or take a low percentage shot. It was so bad in one game the announcers were wondering why he wasn't electing to pass the puck to his 30 goal defensive partner.

In my opinion, I think Yakemchuk has taken major strides in his defensive game this season. His length, anticipation, improved skating and his willing to box out and protect the net will make him a good defender at the next level. Despite what a lot people said, I really can't stress enough how well he reads the game. We saw that a bit in the NHL pre-season, but he has an "it" factor, where the puck follows him around.

Appreciate your insight in following Calgary Hitmen games!

Interested to see how Yak progresses this season.
 

sena

Registered User
Jul 3, 2024
134
87
I have watched a lot of top CHL defensemen over the last couple of years. They all have their moments where they can look absolutley horrible, plagued by catastrophic blunders and misreads. This even goes for supposed defensive stalwarts. The CHL is a game of mistakes. And by that, I don't mean a slim margin that separates wining and losing. I mean there are a ton of mistakes

I didn't love Yakemchuk's game against Medicine Hat on Wednesday. He didn't have strongest game offensively or defensively. But while playing against Gavin Mckenna, who is fast and dynamic as they come and Hunter St. Martin, an overlooked player with an incredible size/speed combo, he more than held his own. In short, MH is a very fast team - perhaps one of the fastest in the WHL.

The -2 from the game is a bit misleading, because both goals were the result of wicked turnovers by his teammates. On one play, a neutral zone turnover leads Calgary to be caught flat footed, but Yakemchuk still manages to push Mckenna below the goal line. Mckenna's pass deflects off Yakemchuk skate into the net. On the second goal, Yakemchuk makes a beautiful defensive play on St. Martin off the rush. Calgary turns over the puck and Yakemchuk gets caught as the defender in a 2 on 1, He rightfully takes away the pass, but the shooter scores: Western Hockey League

I hear all the complaining by Sens fans how Hamonic is dragging down Sanderson's play, pointing to the underlying numbers. Magnify this by about four-fold for Yakemchuk. Yakemchuk's partner is a just turned 17year old pint sized defenseman who has limited offense. He is algorithmically programed in the offensive zone to rim the puck around the boards or take a low percentage shot. It was so bad in one game the announcers were wondering why he wasn't electing to pass the puck to his 30 goal defensive partner.

In my opinion, I think Yakemchuk has taken major strides in his defensive game this season. His length, anticipation, improved skating and his willing to box out and protect the net will make him a good defender at the next level. Despite what a lot people said, I really can't stress enough how well he reads the game. We saw that a bit in the NHL pre-season, but he has an "it" factor, where the puck follows him around.
when he is the last guy back into the zone after the goal is scored it's hard to blame his partner
 

Icelevel

During these difficult times...
Sep 9, 2009
25,835
5,847
Despite a slow start he’s a goal behind being on pace to improve on all stats from last year (goals, assists, points, +/-, less pims)
 

BondraTime

Registered User
Nov 20, 2005
29,706
25,370
East Coast
Despite a slow start he’s a goal behind being on pace to improve on all stats from last year (goals, assists, points, +/-, less pims)
+/- would be projected to be much lower at -21, though obviously you can't pro rate a +/- with much/any certainty

Right now it would be 28g(-2) 45a(+4) 73p(+2) -21(-15) 95PIMs(-25) if he plays the same 66 games as last season. Like you said, a game with points/no points would effect the projections quite drastically with so few games.

My shot in the dark guess is he ends up ~30g 45a -5 100PIMS
 

BondraTime

Registered User
Nov 20, 2005
29,706
25,370
East Coast
Wouldn't be surprised if he was traded soon, Hitmen have added two RD in the past day

They are either going for it, which I don't think is too smart as they aren't a top team in a position, their cycle is probably 2 years away; or they are going to get a big package of picks and players for an expiring player, which seems to be the wise choice

They added an 18 year old BCHL guy who was a top 3 round prospect in the WHL 4 years ago, and added an overage guy in Kelem Parker for a 2nd, 3rd and 7th, which is something you'd do if you were looking to compete, but may just be to offset a loss of Yak who will bring back a package like Ostapchuk did (three 1st's, 4 players).
 

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