Prospect Info: 2024 Draft (5/131): Colton Roberts (D) | Vancouver Giants (WHL)

[The Nemesis]

This pick was acquired from Calgary in the Nikita Okhotiuk trade. It had previously changed hands through Chicago and Toronto as well.

Outlet	Rank
NHL Central Scouting	#36 North American Skater
TSN Bob McKenzie	#84
TSN Craig Button	#91
EliteProspects	#79
Sportsnet Cosentino	NR
Sportsnet Bukala	NR
Future Considerations	#130
THN Ryan Kennedy	#59
THN Tony Ferrari	NR
Tankathon	#84
FloHockey	#75
Daily Faceoff	#98
Dobber Hockey	#104
The Hockey Writers	#50

Main Prospects Board Thread

EliteProspects
Player Type Keywords: Mobile Defenseman, Physical Defenseman

Roberts’ mobility is most evident on retrievals, where he easily beats opponents to the puck, takes away their space, and accelerates on reception. He’s also capable of making high-level plays on the breakout.

Colton Roberts - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Colton Roberts, 2006-06-08 Ridge Meadows, BC, CAN Canada. Most recently in the undefined with Vancouver Giants. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

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The Athletic

Tier: Has a chance to play games

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average

Analysis: Roberts played a big role for Vancouver this season, lining up on both special teams. He’s an athletic defenseman who skates well for his size. He has NHL straight-ahead speed and good enough four-way mobility and first-step quickness to skate at the pro level. Roberts’ game isn’t overly flashy. He shows some skill as a puckhandler and passer and can make the odd tough play but I wouldn’t call him overly offensive. He can create with his feet and leads the odd rush. Defensively, he uses his length to break up plays and has some physicality. If his puck play gets more consistent, he could get games.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5598387/2024/06/28/sharks-rangers-nhl-draft-picks-grades-2024/ (****PAYWALL****)

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5598387/2024/06/28/sharks-rangers-nhl-draft-picks-grades-2024/

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FloHockey

A big, right-shot defenseman, Roberts showed improvement in his puck game this season and was able to increase his production some. I think there’s still some raw ability for him to tap into, but I had enough concerns about hockey sense that it was hard to put him any higher despite the athletic toolkit.

NHL Draft Rankings 2024 Final Edition

Macklin Celebrini leads FloHockey's 2024 NHL Draft Rankings of the top 100 prospects from Chris Peters heading into June's draft.

www.flohockey.tv

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Click to read more...

 

[The Nemesis]

I approve of this pick

 

[The Nemesis]

sorry, forgot to click the unlock tick box. I was too excited.

 

[timorous me]

36th ranked NA skater according to NHL Central Scouting. Feels like a serious sleeper pick at 131!

Nice profile here: https://thehockeynews.com/whl/players/2024-nhl-draft-profile-colton-roberts

 

[mogambomoroo]

Elite Prospects ranks him #79:

''A tall, mobile defenceman with shutdown potential and breakout skill, but hockey sense must continue to improve.

Colton Roberts is one of the draft’s most exciting – and biggest – blue-line projects. The 6-foot-4 defenceman brings NHL-calibre skating with plenty of flashes of skill, but hasn’t quite yet put all the pieces together. But one thing’s for certain: He has home run potential.''

 

[The Nemesis]

Also this:

Giants Defenceman Roberts Selected by Sharks in 2024 NHL Entry Draft - Vancouver Giants

Colton Roberts is the newest member of the San Jose Sharks, after they took him in the fifth round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

chl.ca

Scouting snippits from that article:

WHAT THE SCOUTS SAY:​

“Able to kill plays. He’s 6-foot-4, 200 lbs. and he’s got good size. His favourite player is Victor Hedman. He’s not quite as big as Victor, but in terms of that reach and what he’s able to do with that size defensively, those are the kind of elements you want from a guy his size. His ability to defend, his compete level, those are the big strengths of his game. I think there’s a little more offence there probably. One of those players that I’m just intrigued to watch his development as he continues to grow. We had him in our Sportlogiq rankings 75th, so we obviously think pretty highly of him.” – Mike Kelly (NHL Network & Sportlogiq)


“A big, right shot, skating, puck moving defenseman that has made significant strides this season and has a big upside. He has the size, reach and physical assets to finish his checks and to defend effectively and with a purpose. He plays big minutes on the top pairing and is utilized in all situations. Plays the top on the power play or as a shooter, moves the puck around quickly and efficiently to make plays. Makes the good first outlet pass, connects with the long stretch pass and joins the rush smartly where he can also beat attackers with his puck skills and skating.” – NHL Central Scouting


“He’s an extremely competitive player who plays a physical, hard game built upon a foundation of athletic tools. He’s a strong skater who plays sturdy over his balanced posture. He battles and holds his ground (and likes to chirp). He’s hard to play against. He’s got the reach and the willingness to use it and finish checks decisively…With some refinement, more attention paid to the details and positioning, and hopefully a little more creativity in time, there’s a pro-style player there.” – Scott Wheeler (The Athletic)


“The 6-foot-4 defenceman brings NHL-calibre skating with plenty of flashes of skill, but hasn’t quite yet put all the pieces together. But one thing’s for certain: He has home run potential. Roberts’ mobility is most evident on retrievals, where he easily beats opponents to the puck, takes away their space, and accelerates on reception.” – Elite Prospects Draft Guide

NOTES:​

• Roberts becomes just the third Giants defenceman drafted to the NHL in the last 10 years. The others are: Bowen Byram (2019 – Colorado); Alex Kannok Leipert (2018 – Washington)
• He is the 38th Giants player to ever be drafted to the NHL.
• Roberts becomes the 2nd Vancouver Giant ever to be selected by the Sharks, after Tyson Sexsmith in 2007.
• The Vancouver Giants have had at least two players drafted in the same year 14 times

 

[timorous me]

Another one who just turned 18 a few weeks ago.

 

[timorous me]

Just stumbled on Roberts at 47 on Jason Bukala's mock draft at Sportsnet. Some very good stuff:

Roberts missed some time in the second half with injury, but he has provided me a body of work that has to be dissected closely to be appreciated. Roberts moves very well, has great size, and he’s a coveted right shot defenceman. He projects as a two-way defenceman who can provide some secondary offence. There are times his routes when defending his zone can improve, but he’s also had some tough luck in his zone with plays breaking down around him that led to goals against. It’s my opinion he brings solid value in the second round of this draft class.

 

[Lebanezer]

Draft Pick (6/29): Roberts | San Jose Sharks

Sharks prospect Colton Roberts answers questions.

www.nhl.com

 

[jMoneyBrah]

I approve of this pick, if only to give Nem someone to root for. I feel like since Rudolph left Nem’s days just haven’t been as bright. Nem deserves nice things, especially since he has to deal with us degenerates on the daily.

Clearly Grier agrees.

 

[coooldude]

Might just be his personality, but he seemed pretty flat in the interview, maybe not that stoked to be drafted to SJ or maybe just less effusive as a person.

These guys are the total lottery tickets so we'll see what happens.

 

[The Nemesis]

Draft Pick (6/29): Roberts | San Jose Sharks

Sharks prospect Colton Roberts answers questions.

www.nhl.com

"Uhhh yeah, for sure."

I think we've found our new Hertl

It's also funny he says he models his game after Brandon Carlo. That's who The Hockey News tabs as his player comp.

 

[LadyStanley]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1807112162495619363

https://x.com/i/web/status/1806734307341275640

https://x.com/i/web/status/1807112814450114609

https://x.com/i/web/status/1807143163326275670

https://x.com/i/web/status/1806756953143779704

https://x.com/i/web/status/1753985532277973119

Another "Secondary" candidate?