Prospect Info: '24-'25 Prospects Thread: Generation Z

[PensFutures]

Do people rate Gauthier as a prospect still? He got the shutout last night. His numbers in wheeling are fantastic this year.

He is only 24 which isn't super old as a goalie. I find it odd he never really got a chance in WBS even though his career AHL numbers aren't bad for a 21, 22 year old.

Hes kind of the same scenario as Darling or Condon. 5th best goalie in the org so is stuck. Might eventually make it with another organization, but his path here is all but blocked currently.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Do people rate Gauthier as a prospect still? He got the shutout last night. His numbers in wheeling are fantastic this year.

He is only 24 which isn't super old as a goalie. I find it odd he never really got a chance in WBS even though his career AHL numbers aren't bad for a 21, 22 year old.

I do and I like him. Not much opportunity for him here though.

What an odd, surprising thing to say.

 

[Jacob]

Do people rate Gauthier as a prospect still? He got the shutout last night. His numbers in wheeling are fantastic this year.

He is only 24 which isn't super old as a goalie. I find it odd he never really got a chance in WBS even though his career AHL numbers aren't bad for a 21, 22 year old.

He’s a prospect but I wouldn’t count him as one of ours. I’m assuming we don’t QO him.

We still have 5 goalies on NHL deals going into next season.

 

[SEALBound]

I would love to hear the internal ranking discussions around the goalies. Great problem to have but it's still a problem. Blomqvist, Gauthier, Murashov, and Larsson...I mean, my god.

 

[WickedWrister]

Nice pinch to keep the play alive and an opportunistic goal for Pieniniemi. I've been impressed in my limited viewings and a PPG for a defensemen in his first season of NA hockey is nothing to scoff at. I still think I'd have Brunicke as our #1 D in the system due to his age and ceiling, but I don't know if I have Pieniniemi that far behind him.

Game 7 of the quarterfinals of the OHL playoffs, Pieniniemi with 2 goals so far in the game

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Adding Pieniniemi and Harding into the mix on defense at WBS next season is going to be fun.

I wonder if they'll try to sign Joona Vaisanen to an ELC, or if they'll let him play another year in college since he's been a late-bloomer. He's 20, too.

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

I wonder if they'll try to sign Joona Vaisanen to an ELC, or if they'll let him play another year in college since he's been a late-bloomer. He's 20, too

Granted, I've only seen him play 2 periods, but by my estimate he needs at least another season in college, if not 2.

 

[wej20]

Granted, I've only seen him play 2 periods, but by my estimate he needs at least another season in college, if not 2.

Yeah, no need to rush him to the AHL, especially if there isn't going to be a spot for him.

 

[Jesse]

Adding Pieniniemi and Harding into the mix on defense at WBS next season is going to be fun.

I wonder if they'll try to sign Joona Vaisanen to an ELC, or if they'll let him play another year in college since he's been a late-bloomer. He's 20, too.

Pump the brakes on Harding. The ECHL seemed to be a little too much for him.

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

Pump the brakes on Harding. The ECHL seemed to be a little too much for him.

We've had such a dearth of promising prospects that I feel like everyone is going to hype up any junior player with decent production, forgetting the fact that most of these dudes won't make it.

 

[Gurglesons]

Pump the brakes on Harding. The ECHL seemed to be a little too much for him.

Vaisanen seems like he might be a diamond in the rough. Any takes on him?

 

[eXile3]

Pump the brakes on Harding. The ECHL seemed to be a little too much for him.

Eh. Was a long shot to begin with.

 

[Ryder71]

I would love to hear the internal ranking discussions around the goalies. Great problem to have but it's still a problem. Blomqvist, Gauthier, Murashov, and Larsson...I mean, my god.

Blomqvist IMO has been a huge disappointment since early this season. He's fallen off big time including tonight.

 

[PensFutures]

Rough stretch for the org. Wheeling and WBS both facing elimination, and Calgary (Howe) &Kingston (Pieniniemi) both lost game 7s.

 

[eXile3]

Blomqvist IMO has been a huge disappointment since early this season. He's fallen off big time including tonight.

Sure that had nothing to do with him getting killed in Sullys “system”.

 

[Ryder71]

Rough stretch for the org. Wheeling and WBS both facing elimination, and Calgary (Howe) &Kingston (Pieniniemi) both lost game 7s.

Howe has been out for a while though. Had an injury earlier in the series.

 

[PensFutures]

Howe has been out for a while though. Had an injury earlier in the series.

A true penguin

 

[Jesse]

Vaisanen seems like he might be a diamond in the rough. Any takes on him?

I've only watched three of his games so far. Once I get through most of the draft work I am gonna do these long-form mixtapes, but for the prospect corps.

I will say I struggled to find clippable moments in the games I watched. Not because he is bad, but because he is just very unassuming. The highlights are mostly just him keeping a sound gap and being tidy with the puck in transition. It sort of reminds me of like Mark Eaton or something. He isn't super physical, he isn't very noticeable, but he's very good at handling what IS given to him and keeping his minutes clean.

 

[Jesse]

Howe has been out for a while though. Had an injury earlier in the series.

He was in Pittsburgh this week with a full knee brace on. Probably won't get word on what it actually is for awhile. I asked around but got met with the usual "lower body."

Also asked around about Blomqvist. "He tweaked something" was the response.

Edit: Narrator: "They did not have to wait awhile..."

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I've only watched three of his games so far. Once I get through most of the draft work I am gonna do these long-form mixtapes, but for the prospect corps.

I will say I struggled to find clippable moments in the games I watched. Not because he is bad, but because he is just very unassuming. The highlights are mostly just him keeping a sound gap and being tidy with the puck in transition. It sort of reminds me of like Mark Eaton or something. He isn't super physical, he isn't very noticeable, but he's very good at handling what IS given to him and keeping his minutes clean.

I think the “problem” with Vaisanen, Pietila, Harding… and to a lesser degree Pieniniemi is that they are tweeners

NHL d-men are increasingly specialized. Either you’re a top pair guy that can do it all, a puck mover, or a shutdown type. Some room for PP specialists.

I feel like very few good 5-6D are 6 foot zero “do it all/jack of all trades” types.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Of course

 

[wej20]

Well that sucks. Next year's pretty much a write off then.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Frustrating for Howe but I guess that means he'll be back mid year next year. Hopefully he can get back sooner so next season isn't a total waste.

 

[Jesse]

Welp, that explains the brace.

 

[Jacob]

ACL is 9 months? Usually it's 4-6 I thought.