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

[Jacob]

He probably gets an AHL deal like Hayes.

 

[Ulf5]

• Spezza on what Ville Koivunen has been able to do at the AHL level: "Ville is a really driven kid. His competitiveness is really underrated, so I think that's allowed him to have the sustained success so far. There are still ups and downs in his game because he's a young player playing a lot of hockey, but his brain is his best quality. I think he's really smart, has a great hockey sense and has done a great job using it."

• Rutger McGroarty has been a "huge success story for us right now in terms of just continuing getting better," according to Spezza. While there are still ways to go as far as McGroarty being more consistent, Spezza said he's been playing well for over two months now.
"I think it's the little things in his game that show up. I think he's the type of guy that, as the games get bigger, he'll have bigger moments because of his details. He already has that naturally. Now he's just getting used to the grind of the schedule and the consistency. Struggled offensively to begin, and it might have been probably the best thing that could have happened to him because he's probably our first penalty killer over the boards, he's on late in games and he does so many things that allow us to win hockey games that don't show up on the scoresheet. Unless you're watching the games every night, it's hard to notice. Even during the times when he wasn't scoring, we were happy with how things were going."

Final: Spezza access

Jason Spezza, who serves as the Penguins assistant general manager in addition to a role as general manager of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, will be speaking here at the UPMC

www.dkpittsburghsports.com

 

[eXile3]

• Spezza on what Ville Koivunen has been able to do at the AHL level: "Ville is a really driven kid. His competitiveness is really underrated, so I think that's allowed him to have the sustained success so far. There are still ups and downs in his game because he's a young player playing a lot of hockey, but his brain is his best quality. I think he's really smart, has a great hockey sense and has done a great job using it."

• Rutger McGroarty has been a "huge success story for us right now in terms of just continuing getting better," according to Spezza. While there are still ways to go as far as McGroarty being more consistent, Spezza said he's been playing well for over two months now.
"I think it's the little things in his game that show up. I think he's the type of guy that, as the games get bigger, he'll have bigger moments because of his details. He already has that naturally. Now he's just getting used to the grind of the schedule and the consistency. Struggled offensively to begin, and it might have been probably the best thing that could have happened to him because he's probably our first penalty killer over the boards, he's on late in games and he does so many things that allow us to win hockey games that don't show up on the scoresheet. Unless you're watching the games every night, it's hard to notice. Even during the times when he wasn't scoring, we were happy with how things were going."

Final: Spezza access

Jason Spezza, who serves as the Penguins assistant general manager in addition to a role as general manager of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, will be speaking here at the UPMC

www.dkpittsburghsports.com

Ugh. They won’t be happy until he’s Acciari.

 

[Andy99]

What about Broz? Does no one ever the FO ask about him? Spezza makes him sound like a plug, rather than someone who scores well In The AHL and has a shot at becoming a middle six center in the NHL

 

[Jacob]

Spezza doesn’t strike me as the type that’d try to square-peg a reasonably skilled forward, being formerly a skilled forward himself.

But even if your upside is top 6, if you’re in the AHL you’re gonna need to start at or near the bottom of the NHL lineup and work your way up. Rust is a perfect example of that.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Spezza doesn’t strike me as the type that’d try to square-peg a reasonably skilled forward, being formerly a skilled forward himself.

But even if your upside is top 6, if you’re in the AHL you’re gonna need to start at or near the bottom of the NHL lineup and work your way up. Rust is a perfect example of that.

Yeah like what was posted a few days ago, I don't think people realize that McGroarty is just a bigger and more naturally talented Rust. McGroarty isn't a pure skill guy that will make the NHL based on talent and production.

He's being used on the PK because he likely needs to be an all around player to cut it in the NHL, just like Rust is.

 

[Gurglesons]

What about Broz? Does no one ever the FO ask about him? Spezza makes him sound like a plug, rather than someone who scores well In The AHL and has a shot at becoming a middle six center in the NHL

There is another paragraph on Broz.

 

[Darren McCord]

Yeah like what was posted a few days ago, I don't think people realize that McGroarty is just a bigger and more naturally talented Rust. McGroarty isn't a pure skill guy that will make the NHL based on talent and production.

He's being used on the PK because he likely needs to be an all around player to cut it in the NHL, just like Rust is.

I feel like that's pretty commonly accepted here. No one really thought they were bringing in a skilled sniper. Getting McGroarty was getting a type of player that they haven't had in the system for a long time.

Also a bigger more talented Rust is like a Tom Wilson without the antics. That would be a damn good player to have.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I feel like that's pretty commonly accepted here. No one really thought they were bringing in a skilled sniper. Getting McGroarty was getting a type of player that they haven't had in the system for a long time.

Also a bigger more talented Rust is like a Tom Wilson without the antics. That would be a damn good player to have.

I mean if that was the case, you wouldn't get a bunch of complaints about McGroarty killing penalties in WBS though.

There is another paragraph on Broz.

Yeah and it's encouraging from past reports of Broz having issues in the past with engagement in games:

"There is a lot of positivity surrounding Tristan Broz. Spezza said he's "very coachable, works hard and cares a lot about his game." Broz's competitiveness has especially stood out to Spezza. "

I know Wheeler really docked Broz a lot for that lack of compete level, glad to see it's not an issue in the eyes of the team. This was Wheeler's report from his prospect ranking:

"When Broz was at his best, in the USHL playoffs in his draft year and his junior year at Denver, he was looking to be involved, attacking players and over the toes of his boots constantly looking to make something happen. But when he doesn’t engage physically like he’s capable of and timidity creeps into his game, he’s hard to send over the boards offensively, where his game is better suited than it is defensively."

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Guentzel is my McGroarty comp playstyle-wise

 

[Darren McCord]

I mean if that was the case, you wouldn't get a bunch of complaints about McGroarty killing penalties in WBS though.

I think most of the comments are jokes. I don't think there is anyone seriously complaining.

But the issue is that if Sullivan stays. Because jokes aside he is stunting developing of players by forcing them to worry about making the smallest mistakes. He would rather them be net 0 than risk being a negative to be a positive. His development is awful.

 

[eXile3]

Guentzel is my McGroarty comp playstyle-wise

Yeah I don’t know where Rust is coming from.

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

Can people please stop wasting time quoting anything Scott Wheeler says?

 

[Gurglesons]

Yeah like what was posted a few days ago, I don't think people realize that McGroarty is just a bigger and more naturally talented Rust. McGroarty isn't a pure skill guy that will make the NHL based on talent and production.

He's being used on the PK because he likely needs to be an all around player to cut it in the NHL, just like Rust is.

McGroarty and Rust are completely different players. Terrible comp.

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

Same with him and Guentz, tbh.

 

[Darren McCord]

Same with him and Guentz, tbh.

People compared him to Doan which seems like a good comp. Good sized, big winger with strong leadership qualities. Not saying he will be Doan but that seems like best case scenario which would be great.

Doan also broke out late at 23. If McG can get games next year at 21 and be a full timer at 22 he could follow a similar path if all things go his way.

 

[ChaosAgent]

Guentzel is my McGroarty comp playstyle-wise

A Jake outcome would be fantastic, but having a first round pick get a Jake comp bodes really poorly for that player. I don't believe you know that someone had elite NHL hockey sense until you see them in the NHL. What a Jake comp actually means is "physically very underwhelming but hopefully it can work itself out"

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I think the Jake comparison is basically just that McG seems to rely entirely on his hockey IQ as opposed to having an excellent shot, vision, skating, physicality, etc. Pretty appropriate imo. If McG's ever gonna make an impact at the NHL level, it's gonna be as a third wheel guy. I don't think there's a prayer in hell he ever hits Jake-like production, but probably filling the Rakell role of doing the grunt work for more skilled guys and chipping in now and then by being in the right places at the right time.

 

[ChaosAgent]

I think the Jake comparison is basically just that McG seems to rely entirely on his hockey IQ as opposed to having an excellent shot, vision, skating, physicality, etc. Pretty appropriate imo. If McG's ever gonna make an impact at the NHL level, it's gonna be as a third wheel guy. I don't think there's a prayer in hell he ever hits Jake-like production, but probably filling the Rakell role of doing the grunt work for more skilled guys and chipping in now and then by being in the right places at the right time.

I agree with the gist. I'm just saying that "excellent hockey IQ" that hasn't even manifested yet at the AHL based on results gives me the heebie jeebies prospect-wise.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I agree with the gist. I'm just saying that "excellent hockey IQ" that hasn't even manifested yet at the AHL based on results gives me the heebie jeebies prospect-wise.

I think the opposite is true tbh. He's not putting up gaudy numbers but by all accounts he's always heavily involved in the play and even when he's not getting points, he's doing things on the forecheck and along the boards to get puck possession, etc.

I dunno. Neither Yager or McG were ever going to be really impressive prospects imo. Middle 6 guys who do different things but are pretty securely in the "supporting cast" designation at the NHL level, if all things fall into place perfectly.

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

Excellent IQ is just one of many elements. Guentz is a better skater and better puck-handler, passer/shooter, and even though he's an elite complimentary player, still a better play-driver. It's just a lazy and inaccurate comp.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

A Jake outcome would be fantastic, but having a first round pick get a Jake comp bodes really poorly for that player. I don't believe you know that someone had elite NHL hockey sense until you see them in the NHL. What a Jake comp actually means is "physically very underwhelming but hopefully it can work itself out"

Just means he plays similarly. He’s good at putting himself into scoring positions without the puck, likes to pass from the low slot, doesn’t like to carry the puck. Jake didn’t have bad hands but isn’t someone who wants to handle/over handle the puck. McGroarty similar although his mitts seem lacking some. Just a lot of reliance on anticipation and timing and getting “lost”.

That’s just how they play offense - they’re not identical across the board. McGroarty **should** be a better puck protector and better on the walls/forecheck, as well as way more physical but we will see.

There is a spectrum where his hockey sense can be good without being on Jake’s level and they can be similar players in style. I doubt McGroarty ever scores 80 points or 40 goals, but I also think he’ll be a solid pro.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Excellent IQ is just one of many elements. Guentz is a better skater and better puck-handler, passer/shooter, and even though he's an elite complimentary player, still a better play-driver. It's just a lazy and inaccurate comp.

Style. Not tools. Guentzel loves to pass from the low slot and play a quick give and go game. Very similar to McGroarty. McG likes to play below the net with his toes towards his own goal which is different than Jake, sure. My overall point is McGroarty does his damage offensively while having the puck very little, akin to Jake. No comp is perfect but it’s not lazy at all.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Closest comparison, in my opinion, for McG is Hallander.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Nobody should have a problem with McG killing penalties.