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Prospect Info: 2024 NHL Entry Draft Discussion

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Watching Calgary versus Brandon and I’m struck by how much better Yakemchuk is than Elick. It’s not even close. Elick has not gotten better with the puck. He’s great along the boards, in the corners and in front of the net. He hits hard and is physically aggressive. But he’s a disaster with the puck most of the time.

Yakemchuk on the other hand is so darn good. He’s huge, he can skate and move the puck, great vision and creativity and a fantastic shot. He’s nasty too. Constantly stirring the pot. Never stops chirping. Never passes up on a chance to take a shot at someone. Other teams hate him. He makes mistakes but it’s usually because he’s trying something very creative or because he’s tired because Calgary plays him over 30 minutes ever night. Top pair, top PP, top PK. Up by a goal, down by a goal.
 
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Watched the 1st 30 mins of the Moose jaw vs Calgary game. Tough night for the Hitmen. The warriors are tough to handle. Firkus, Yager and Mateychuk. Yakemchuk is not having a great game and it’s making him mean. He went into in corner on a routine retrieval, warrior was coming in hard, Yakemchuk chips it out quickly and safely but then gives the warrior a cold reverse shoulder. Kid pops up hot and they drop the gloves and Yakemchuk wins a sloppy fight.
 
Berkly Catton reminds me a lot of a center version of Clayton Keller. He’s a lot more like Keller than he is like Cooley anyway. Trying to think of smaller center he reminds me of, and I’m not really coming up with much. He’s like Keller. But a center.
 
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rt said:
Berkly Catton reminds me a lot of a center version of Clayton Keller. He’s a lot more like Keller than he is like Cooley anyway. Trying to think of smaller center he reminds me of, and I’m not really coming up with much. He’s like Keller. But a center.
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Cliff Ronning?
 
hbk said:
Cliff Ronning?
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I think he’s a little bigger than Cliff but I could see that. Like a modern era Ronning.

Catton is one of these super skilled guys that’s kind of no nonsense. Which is why I compare to Keller. He’s so skilled but not exactly flashy. It’s calm and cool skill. Not circus stuff like Zegras and not so much fire and swagger like Cooley. Like a ho-hum all-star. Like Keller.

I really like him, though. I don’t have him behind Demidov or Eiserman right now. That’s a three pack for me that could go in any order. There are others that could unseat them. But I’m certainly very tempted to put Catton 2nd on my list.

Is it possible for the mind to imagine a Ronning/RNH type hybrid? That might be our guy.
 
rt said:
I think he’s a little bigger than Cliff but I could see that. Like a modern era Ronning.

Catton is one of these super skilled guys that’s kind of no nonsense. Which is why I compare to Keller. He’s so skilled but not exactly flashy. It’s calm and cool skill. Not circus stuff like Zegras and not so much fire and swagger like Cooley. Like a ho-hum all-star. Like Keller.

I really like him, though. I don’t have him behind Demidov or Eiserman right now. That’s a three pack for me that could go in any order. There are others that could unseat them. But I’m certainly very tempted to put Catton 2nd on my list.

Is it possible for the mind to imagine a Ronning/RNH type hybrid? That might be our guy.
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Is it 13/14 RNH or 22/23 RNH? They're different versions which is why I ask. He's so much better now at puck management and positioning, I really like the player he's become.
 
rt said:
I think he’s a little bigger than Cliff but I could see that. Like a modern era Ronning.

Catton is one of these super skilled guys that’s kind of no nonsense. Which is why I compare to Keller. He’s so skilled but not exactly flashy. It’s calm and cool skill. Not circus stuff like Zegras and not so much fire and swagger like Cooley. Like a ho-hum all-star. Like Keller.

I really like him, though. I don’t have him behind Demidov or Eiserman right now. That’s a three pack for me that could go in any order. There are others that could unseat them. But I’m certainly very tempted to put Catton 2nd on my list.

Is it possible for the mind to imagine a Ronning/RNH type hybrid? That might be our guy.
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here's where I am at with him today. I view Bensen as superior to Catton but Catton plays a premium position that will always be of interest. That being said if we passed on a smaller player like Bensen then given our depth at C currently then I am leaning towards using our first on a D with top pairing potential. If that means trading draft capital to move up even a couple of spots that I think is our priority from a team building perspective. It's an October 13th opinion though.
 
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hbk said:
here's where I am at with him today. I view Bensen as superior to Catton but Catton plays a premium position that will always be of interest. That being said if we passed on a smaller player like Bensen then given our depth at C currently then I am leaning towards using our first on a D with top pairing potential. If that means trading draft capital to move up even a couple of spots that I think is our priority from a team building perspective. It's an October 13th opinion though.
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Friday the 13th at that.:rolly:
 
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hbk said:
here's where I am at with him today. I view Bensen as superior to Catton but Catton plays a premium position that will always be of interest. That being said if we passed on a smaller player like Bensen then given our depth at C currently then I am leaning towards using our first on a D with top pairing potential. If that means trading draft capital to move up even a couple of spots that I think is our priority from a team building perspective. It's an October 13th opinion though.
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All fair points. Catton would only be a target if we won a lottery anyway. I’m guessing we’ll pick 8th, 9th, or 10th. On October 13th, I like Jiricek, Chernyshov and Yakemchuk there. Maybe Dickson if he drops a bit or Lindstrom if he keeps rising.
 
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Holy smokes that Ryder Ritchie is fun to watch. Son of Byron Ritchie, nephew of Andreas Johansson. Canadian kid who’s fluent in Swedish. He’s an electric factory of a winger. Average size but really good motor and high end puck skills. He’s flying all over the place out there. One to watch for sure.
 
rt said:
Holy smokes that Ryder Ritchie is fun to watch. Son of Byron Ritchie, nephew of Andreas Johansson. Canadian kid who’s fluent in Swedish. He’s an electric factory of a winger. Average size but really good motor and high end puck skills. He’s flying all over the place out there. One to watch for sure.
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PA right? #21. Caught a game earlier this year and thought the same. Good speed.
 
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Saw this highlight reel posted on the main board.

Cayden Lindstrom looks like a sure fire top 10 pick. 6'5 C that can skate and carry the puck through traffic like that.

 
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lanky said:
Saw this highlight reel posted on the main board.

Cayden Lindstrom looks like a sure fire top 10 pick. 6'5 C that can skate and carry the puck through traffic like that.

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I have a really good top 10-15 shaping up on my list. It’s early
 
lanky said:
Saw this highlight reel posted on the main board.

Cayden Lindstrom looks like a sure fire top 10 pick. 6'5 C that can skate and carry the puck through traffic like that.

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Watched his first couple of games this season. Medicine Hat has been on my list to get back to. He was certainly impressive in the games I saw. Carter Yakemchuk definitely knows how to get under his skin and make him so stupid things. Haha.
 
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Kaizen said:
www.sportsnet.ca

Sportsnet's 2024 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings: First Edition

In our first rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft, Sam Cosentino starts with Macklin Celebrini at the top. Will he be able to hold that spot all season?
www.sportsnet.ca www.sportsnet.ca
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It’s early and I might end up agreeing by the end of the season but right now, with what I’ve seen in watching games this season, I can’t see having Parekh or Mews ahead of Yakemchuk. Also don’t love seeing my boy Chernyshov drop. But I’m kind of a fanboy for these two early on.

And cool to see Ritchie so high. He’s a blast to watch.

Wetsch I like a lot. Fiery player. Decent skill. I think 20s is a little early. Elick has the tools but man, he’s so bad with the puck. I couldn’t do 20s on him either.

Yegor Surin, on the other hand, I do think should be a 1st rounder.
 
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rt said:
It’s early and I might end up agreeing by the end of the season but right now, with what I’ve seen in watching games this season, I can’t see having Parekh or Mews ahead of Yakemchuk. Also don’t love seeing my boy Chernyshov drop. But I’m kind of a fanboy for these two early on.

And cool to see Ritchie so high. He’s a blast to watch.

Wetsch I like a lot. Fiery player. Decent skill. I think 20s is a little early. Elick has the tools but man, he’s so bad with the puck. I couldn’t do 20s on him either.

Yegor Surin, on the other hand, I do think should be a 1st rounder.
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I haven't watched Yakemchuk yet but he certainly sounds enticing based on your description(s) of his play and some the characteristics he exhibits.

I watched Ritchie's dad play back in the day - he was an exciting player. High motor which I believe is one of your preferences (ex. Bensen).
 
Kaizen said:
I haven't watched Yakemchuk yet but he certainly sounds enticing based on your description(s) of his play and some the characteristics he exhibits.

I watched Ritchie's dad play back in the day - he was an exciting player. High motor which I believe is one of your preferences (ex. Bensen).
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Yakemchuk has flaws, too. I can’t lie but they’re things I think getting off of an awful Calgary squad and getting some better coaching and development can really help.

Ritchie I really like, but I think he’s probably a winger. I love Chernyshov too, but again, he’s a winger. I just don’t know if we can do another winger in the first round.

1. Guenther (w)
2. Doan (w)
3. Fedotov (w)
4. Moser
5. Cooley
6. Geekie
7. Lamoureux
8. Duda
9. Lutz (w)
10. Matikka (w)
11. Langlois
12. Simashev
13. But (w)
14. Hrabal
15. Castagna
16. Nordh (w)
17. Ludtke
18. Moroz (w)

^ about 45% of BA’s picks made within the top 100 of the draft have been wingers. And you have to think a good amount of forwards drafted as centers ultimately become wingers.
 
Jagged Ice said:
Would we pass on Eiserman if he's available when we pick in the next draft because he's a winger?
Chances are we'd draft another one.
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For sure. If the commonly accepted tie breaker is C/D over W when all else is equal, I’m just saying I’d lean into that even more heavily this draft, at least with the first few picks.
 
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