I just don’t see why wanting him to “dominate” a lesser league is better than getting him in SJ full time with the NHL/AHL training staff to oversee his development.
It's impossible for Graf to counter that point immediately. His college season is roughly half a regular season in the NHL or AHL and he's only going to get a handful more games. He's not actually feeling the grind of a season with just one experience of a back-to-back.
OK, I see, you're arguing the point about more games per year and getting used to the grind. You're right, that's not comparable. I was making the argument about being able to prep for a real NHL level of hockey through NCAA.
I'm fine with letting prospects marinate in the AHL but it should be the AHL and not NCAA or SHL or anywhere else. The sooner the better, imo.
That's where we disagree, but it's not a big deal. For me it just depends on the maturity of the prospect, and my lack of trust in our AHL dev program. I think Lev is the kind of prospect who is so young and underdeveloped that I'd rather see him continue on in NCAA and maybe he develops past a need to go to the AHL, or maybe he does half a season, or maybe he needs a full season. But even throwing him in the A next season (for someone like him) feels too far for how raw he is.
Personally, I don’t believe in jumping up a huge level (ie NCAA to AHL) unless you are dominant at the lower level. Levshunov was extremely good in the NCAA this year, but he has not mastered the collegiate game. It would be a mistake to jump a level while he’s still learning how to be an effective and consistent defender at the NCAA level, in my opinion.
I agree it's not a big deal. I don't think the differences in playing a prospect in the AHL or another development league is staggering. I just think there's a pretty clear best path that should only be strayed from for good reason. The AHL is the best place to have kids not ready for the NHL because it is the most similar league to the one that we're supposed to be preparing them for in the NHL. But for players already in our system like Smith and Lund, it's about them choosing what they want to do first and foremost. If they want to stay in college for another year for whatever reason, it's perfectly fine to accept their choice, give them some pointers to work on, and assess them when they may be available again to come into the fold. But if they're asking the team's opinion on what is best for their development, the answer should pretty much always be to turn pro, sign with us, and play either in the NHL or the AHL depending on how training camps go.
If he stays in college, he should hit the portal and go somewhere with a better staff and history of development than Michigan State.
Michigan State is just a year or two into a new coach and system. They've added lots through the Transfer portal recently. It's not fair to look into their past...they're a new hockey program now. If Lev stays they'll be contenders again next year.
That's fine as long as we're playing Lev 25+ minutes a night in all situations, quarterbacking PP1, etc.
And what about if he isn’t getting that ice time because his coaches don’t feel like he’s an adequate defender as a teenager in a men’s league? What if he’s getting 15 minutes a night and not getting special teams because he hasn’t earned it? You can’t just force ice time to a player who might not be good enough in a pro league.
You don't think he's good enough to be in a pro league? His numbers at Michigan State this season are unprecedented for a freshman defenseman. He's certainly big enough to hold his own in pro hockey.
I think he’s extremely inconsistent defensively to the point that he’ll drive pro teammates and especially coaches insane enough not to trust him in defensive situations.
I agree. I'm not sure why the rush to the AHL for a player this young/raw. The dude may be an absolute stud by 24, but he's barely 18 at the moment and he's more inexperienced at high level hockey than anyone else.
He and his agent were yelling pretty loudly the last few months about being held back significantly.
Unfortunately you latched on to the one thing that my post specifically called out as hopefully not getting people to latch onto...
Half of your list is players that are barely making it in the NCAA or were just drafted in 2023. Not really making the argument that you are hoping it does.
Players that are barely making it in the NCAA? those are all prospects at the top of their teams' lists.
Nah they go Dickison or Lindstrom before that move
How do Flyers fans feel about Gauthier staying in school a year.
