TLEH
Pronounced T-Lay
I mean I really like Demidov but its just hard for me to want to take a risk on a guy that is playing MHL this year. I realize he is getting jerked around by SKA and stuff but really hard to want to commit.
2024 NHL Draft Thread - Upd: Draft Lottery is May 7th
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Chuck Testa
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The Russian factor scares the shit out of me, to be honest with you.
It would be a disaster to take him early in the draft only for him to eventually not sign/not come over to the NHL at all.
It would be a disaster to take him early in the draft only for him to eventually not sign/not come over to the NHL at all.
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The Russian factor is always in play for me as well, now more than ever.
TLEH
Pronounced T-Lay
He isn't being challenged very much in this league and its unfortunate. He's good enough to be a KHL player.
WarriorofTime
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The Russian factor is gonna relate more to
Marginal players and players running back to the KHL after their ELC if they aren’t guaranteed a role, which fair but the equivalent of those guys that don’t run back often don’t break out until they’re on their second or third team anyways just due to how the nhl functions. Think if like Ian Mitchell becomes an ok enough number 5 guy in the nhl in two or three years after riding the waiver bus for now, or for the Hawks positive end Joey Anderson being a consistent and solid third liner during his prime. You’re not in the business of developing depth players for other teams anyways so I don’t think it actually matters all that much.
The odds of Demidov just straight up never coming over and taking a run at the NHL? Close to zero. It’d be silly in my eyes to pass up the kid entirely due to that. Unfortunately a lot of scouts like to use that to justify prejudice. The more unfortunate thing is he’s stuck playing in a league he’s clearly outgrown. It’s not a huge deal if he is able to stay motivated and not grow complacent but that’s always the challenge at that point.
Marginal players and players running back to the KHL after their ELC if they aren’t guaranteed a role, which fair but the equivalent of those guys that don’t run back often don’t break out until they’re on their second or third team anyways just due to how the nhl functions. Think if like Ian Mitchell becomes an ok enough number 5 guy in the nhl in two or three years after riding the waiver bus for now, or for the Hawks positive end Joey Anderson being a consistent and solid third liner during his prime. You’re not in the business of developing depth players for other teams anyways so I don’t think it actually matters all that much.
The odds of Demidov just straight up never coming over and taking a run at the NHL? Close to zero. It’d be silly in my eyes to pass up the kid entirely due to that. Unfortunately a lot of scouts like to use that to justify prejudice. The more unfortunate thing is he’s stuck playing in a league he’s clearly outgrown. It’s not a huge deal if he is able to stay motivated and not grow complacent but that’s always the challenge at that point.
Kevin Musto
Hard for Bedard
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MHL is like BCHL or AJHL quality. It's piss poor.
And there's a reason he's not playing in the VHL. And it's because he's only interested in being a human highlight reel.
He doesn't play the right way, and I don't think coaches at higher level want to give him ice time.
He's talented, no doubt. But I wouldn't take him in the top 5.
WarriorofTime
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Nah, most common theory out there is that he is being punished for not wanting to extend his contract.
TLEH
Pronounced T-Lay
Russian factor is now different. I agree that before it was about would they ever come. Now.. Its not that I don't think Demidov wouldn't come over. Its you don't really know the timeline, you aren't in control of their development and you aren't sure of the league quality right now due to the rapidly changing landscape of Russian hockey. No international hockey to get an idea of player quality against peers. If I am even remotely torn between two guys, I am definitely siding with the guy not playing in the MHL.
Kevin Musto
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I've seen him play in his few KHL games.
It's a small sample size, but he doesn't do the things you're seeing him do in the MHL. He basically just looks like a guy.
I don't think he's able to do the things that make him special at a higher level, at least not now. Which is why he's still playing in the MHL.
WarriorofTime
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Yeah no doubt. Risk with any player that’s not Celebrini this draft. The factors you outlined are valid. I actually think the landscape with Russian hockey is strong right now. Not talking about converting khl scoring rates with Swedes, Finns and Czechs leaving the khl to protest the Ukraine invasion. I mean in the youth ranks. The “KHL gen” of kids who have played their youth hockey entirely in the creation of the KHL look a lot better than what was a bit of a Lost gen before it. There is a pretty healthy ecosystem right now with a financially viable khl (not making a statement on the quality of play or effects of the aforementioned nationalities leaving) that trickles through the MHL and minor ranks. May be some demographic struggles going forward as a result of the war, but nothing that impacts current players hitting the nhl draft age.
But that’s all besides the point about Demidov specifically. I definitely think he has the second highest upside of forwards in the class and I don’t believe it’s particularly close. Could easily be the hawks second big time top line level forward that all future powerhouses are built off.
MicronMega
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Kevin Musto
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These are the test results for the CHL Top Prospect game
chl.ca
A great showing for Dickinson.
You can expect all of the fastest skaters to be on the Hawks' radar.
Dickinson, Luchanko and Sennecke lead the way in Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects on-ice testing - Ontario Hockey League
OHL players Sam Dickinson, Jett Luchanko and Beckett Sennecke led the way in on-ice testing ahead of the Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton, NB.
chl.ca
A great showing for Dickinson.
You can expect all of the fastest skaters to be on the Hawks' radar.
DisgruntledHawkFan
Blackhawk Down
I've never been a Russian factor guy but without getting into politics...
Yea bud it's night and day. Country is actively at war. Demidov can play. No thanks at two.
Hattrick Kane
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At war, and if you’re following along, showing signs of escalating. There’s some alarming sirens going off unfortunately.
DisgruntledHawkFan
Blackhawk Down
dreadpirateroberts
Registered User
Dickinson, Luchanko and Sennecke lead the way in Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects on-ice testing - Ontario Hockey League
OHL players Sam Dickinson, Jett Luchanko and Beckett Sennecke led the way in on-ice testing ahead of the Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton, NB.
chl.ca
Charlie Elick, Colton Roberts, Jett Luchanko, and Luke Misa are on my 2nd round short list
Castle8130
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Bob Mckenzie was on the Recrutes Draft Podcast. They discussed a lot of different players in their top 40. A few notables;
Zayne Parekh - Was ranked 11 or higher by 7/10 scouts. This means the other 3 likely had him near their top 5. He has been shooting up the draft boards. His offensive game is astounding and he is steadily improving the defensive parts to his game. There are still many concerns about his defensive game. Scouts have said he had "great character" and wants to work on his defensive game.
Carter Yakemchuk - Maybe the most polarizing player right now. Mckenzie said "Some scouts had him inside the top 5". There were some that had him much lower than that too. The part of his game that worries some scouts is his skating.
Berkly Catton - Another player scouts have either in their top 10 or outside the top 15. It comes down to his ability to get in the corners and battle for pucks, the dirty areas of the game. Scouts believe his project-ability is either a 2c or 3c. The scouts that have him as a 2c ranked him in the top 10 and the others had him later.
Lucas Petterson - "There was a lot of support for him way higher than where we had him" Bob Mckenzie. Others had him far into the 2nd round.
Dean Letourneau - Can he utilize his size to his advantage? Scouts believe he isn't tough enough with his size. Some scouts ranked him really low because they can't get over that.
Matvei Gridin - Another polarizing guy. It all comes down to the pace he plays at. My understanding of this is his compete level might not be high enough for some and some love the size and skill he brings.
Another Note from Grant Mckegg. He says this draft is one of the best defenseman classes he can remember scouting. It's incredibly deep and the guys at the top are really good too.
Zayne Parekh - Was ranked 11 or higher by 7/10 scouts. This means the other 3 likely had him near their top 5. He has been shooting up the draft boards. His offensive game is astounding and he is steadily improving the defensive parts to his game. There are still many concerns about his defensive game. Scouts have said he had "great character" and wants to work on his defensive game.
Carter Yakemchuk - Maybe the most polarizing player right now. Mckenzie said "Some scouts had him inside the top 5". There were some that had him much lower than that too. The part of his game that worries some scouts is his skating.
Berkly Catton - Another player scouts have either in their top 10 or outside the top 15. It comes down to his ability to get in the corners and battle for pucks, the dirty areas of the game. Scouts believe his project-ability is either a 2c or 3c. The scouts that have him as a 2c ranked him in the top 10 and the others had him later.
Lucas Petterson - "There was a lot of support for him way higher than where we had him" Bob Mckenzie. Others had him far into the 2nd round.
Dean Letourneau - Can he utilize his size to his advantage? Scouts believe he isn't tough enough with his size. Some scouts ranked him really low because they can't get over that.
Matvei Gridin - Another polarizing guy. It all comes down to the pace he plays at. My understanding of this is his compete level might not be high enough for some and some love the size and skill he brings.
Another Note from Grant Mckegg. He says this draft is one of the best defenseman classes he can remember scouting. It's incredibly deep and the guys at the top are really good too.
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TLEH
Pronounced T-Lay
Interesting to hear them say Catton doesn't get in the corner and battle for pucks. He certainly does that. I think the questions would be his offensive creativity and how high that can really go, and his size. But he definitely battles, goes into the corners, and understands the game and where to be.
Kevin Musto
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Castle8130
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From what I understand, it's about his size/strength potential to battle players in the NHL that are much bigger. I'm not arguing for either side, just stating their conversation
TLEH
Pronounced T-Lay
Yeah I get that, I think it could be an issue, but I don't see 10 other players better than him. Guess only time will tell.
Didn't you have Cristall in the top 5? in 2023?
Kevin Musto
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TLEH
Pronounced T-Lay
Catton skates better, competes harder, and is in a worse draft, and they're both roughly the same size. Similar level of D0 seasons, Catton a C, and Cristall a W. Not sure how any of that lines up.
MicronMega
Registered User
In the CHL Prospects game a few guys showed well who could be 2nd or 3rd round picks:
In No order
Jecho-Big powerful right shot center. Strong skater and good hands for a big man.
Basha-Quick and shifty winger. Skill
Boilard-Player of the game with two goals, one empty netter.
Dickenson-As advertised. Solid skill set and great skater
Elick-Big strong shutdown type D
Mateiko-Big strong winger who was hard on the forecheck
Sennecke-Good size, skill and shot. Winger
In No order
Jecho-Big powerful right shot center. Strong skater and good hands for a big man.
Basha-Quick and shifty winger. Skill
Boilard-Player of the game with two goals, one empty netter.
Dickenson-As advertised. Solid skill set and great skater
Elick-Big strong shutdown type D
Mateiko-Big strong winger who was hard on the forecheck
Sennecke-Good size, skill and shot. Winger
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