26th Overall Jake Neighbours

[Stupendous Yappi]

The most important question of the draft

will it be Loofsie or Loofer ?

Loofah

 

[MissouriMook]

The most important question of the draft

will it be Loofsie or Loofer ?

Sponge-Bob.

 

[Ranksu]

 

[Celtic Note]

Got to like that out of a guy trying to make good.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Got to like that out of a guy trying to make good.

Lou had nice article on him today: In The Slot: Neighbours focused on making Blues roster as 19-year-old

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Neighbors making the team out of camp would be crazy. But, some nice youth movement would also be cool. Neighbors and Kostin shoring up the bottom 6 LW.

 

[Majorityof1]

Lou had nice article on him today: In The Slot: Neighbours focused on making Blues roster as 19-year-old

Neighbors making the team out of camp would be crazy. But, some nice youth movement would also be cool. Neighbors and Kostin shoring up the bottom 6 LW.

Unless he plays absolutely outstanding hockey, he has no chance to make the team out of camp. We are just too deep at forward right now.

Perron - RoR - Buchnevich
Saad - Schenn - Tarasenko
Sanford - Thomas - Kyrou
Barby - Sunny -Bozak

Who do you push out of that group? I guess Sanford is the weak link, but that would be crazy for a 19 year old non-blue-chipper to prove in camp he is better than a 26 year old who has paced 40 points in a season and 30 over his whole career. Sanford gets a huge benefit of the doubt over Neighbours. Even if he does outshine Sanford, then he has to beat out Kostin gunning for that spot as well. There is absolutely no way you push anyone else to the press box in favour of a non-blue-chip kid. Maybe if Sunny is hurt, he wins out over Kostin, but that would also be tough given Kostin's momentum from the KHL last year.

 

[Mike Liut]

Unless he plays absolutely outstanding hockey, he has no chance to make the team out of camp. We are just too deep at forward right now.

Perron - RoR - Buchnevich
Saad - Schenn - Tarasenko
Sanford - Thomas - Kyrou
Barby - Sunny -Bozak

Who do you push out of that group? I guess Sanford is the weak link, but that would be crazy for a 19 year old non-blue-chipper to prove in camp he is better than a 26 year old who has paced 40 points in a season and 30 over his whole career. Sanford gets a huge benefit of the doubt over Neighbours. Even if he does outshine Sanford, then he has to beat out Kostin gunning for that spot as well. There is absolutely no way you push anyone else to the press box in favour of a non-blue-chip kid. Maybe if Sunny is hurt, he wins out over Kostin, but that would also be tough given Kostin's momentum from the KHL last year.

I personally guarantee Kostin will be playing opening day.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Unless he plays absolutely outstanding hockey, he has no chance to make the team out of camp. We are just too deep at forward right now.

Perron - RoR - Buchnevich
Saad - Schenn - Tarasenko
Sanford - Thomas - Kyrou
Barby - Sunny -Bozak

Who do you push out of that group? I guess Sanford is the weak link, but that would be crazy for a 19 year old non-blue-chipper to prove in camp he is better than a 26 year old who has paced 40 points in a season and 30 over his whole career. Sanford gets a huge benefit of the doubt over Neighbours. Even if he does outshine Sanford, then he has to beat out Kostin gunning for that spot as well. There is absolutely no way you push anyone else to the press box in favour of a non-blue-chip kid. Maybe if Sunny is hurt, he wins out over Kostin, but that would also be tough given Kostin's momentum from the KHL last year.

Sunny is most likely on ltir at the beginning of the year Opening a stop for Kostin. Neighbors making it is a reach, yes, but totally throwing it out of the door before camp even starts?

 

[BlueDream]

Yeah it won’t happen this camp but you gotta love the attitude and what you’re hearing about that kid. Putting himself in a great position to have a good chance to make it next year in 2022.

 

[Majorityof1]

Sunny is most likely on ltir at the beginning of the year Opening a stop for Kostin. Neighbors making it is a reach, yes, but totally throwing it out of the door before camp even starts?

I didn't completely throw it out the door. I said if he plays outstanding hockey there is a chance. But he would have to really, really impress and some other guys would have to fall down a bit. Camp is just a couple weeks. Other guys have been building their claim to a roster spot for years. The Blues aren't a team to let some kid wow in camp and stick around. If we have a free spot, somebody might win a couple weeks with the team. I think Kostin himself won a few games one year. Ultimately,Armstrong has his opening day roster in mind going into camp, and that is the roster that will play most of the year when healthy.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Unless he plays absolutely outstanding hockey, he has no chance to make the team out of camp. We are just too deep at forward right now.

Perron - RoR - Buchnevich
Saad - Schenn - Tarasenko
Sanford - Thomas - Kyrou
Barby - Sunny -Bozak

Who do you push out of that group? I guess Sanford is the weak link, but that would be crazy for a 19 year old non-blue-chipper to prove in camp he is better than a 26 year old who has paced 40 points in a season and 30 over his whole career. Sanford gets a huge benefit of the doubt over Neighbours. Even if he does outshine Sanford, then he has to beat out Kostin gunning for that spot as well. There is absolutely no way you push anyone else to the press box in favour of a non-blue-chip kid. Maybe if Sunny is hurt, he wins out over Kostin, but that would also be tough given Kostin's momentum from the KHL last year.

First, no clue why you keep calling him non-blue chip. You're selling him way short. He was first round pick, took huge step last year, and he has apparently gotten bigger, faster, and improved his shot. Now maybe he isn't ready or isn't that good, but he is arguably top forward prospect in organization.

Second, Sunny likely won't be ready when camp breaks.

Third, Tarasenko may well be dealt by then.

Fourth, you really gonna keep Bozo or Sanford in lineup ahead of Neighbours if kid has great camp and looks to be better option?

Fifth, if he doesn't make team out of camp do you send him back to juniors and miss out on whole season? Makes more sense to keep him if close and see how he does in regular season. Can always send him down later.

 

[Majorityof1]

First, no clue why you keep calling him non-blue chip. You're selling him way short. He was first round pick, took huge step last year, and he has apparently gotten bigger, faster, and improved his shot. Now maybe he isn't ready or isn't that good, but he is arguably top forward prospect in organization.

Because he isn't, at least not my definition. Blue chips are can't miss prospects. Guys who are 95% going to be a top 6 forward or a top pair D. The Blue chip definition to me comes at the draft. They are general top 10 picks, but that can vary by draft. So improvements post draft can make aplayer a better, or more valuable prospect, but they don't give him Blue chip status. The reason that matters is because teams put blue-chip prospects in their game plan. They know they will be ready immediately, or within a year. LA/Detroit won't be surprised if Byfield/Raymond make the team this year (barring setbacks in their development I don't know about). They are top 5 picks from last year and top 5 blue chips generally make the team within a year or 2.

Second, Sunny likely won't be ready when camp breaks.

Yes, and I accounted for that. He would still have to beat out Kostin. He'd also have to beat out MacMac and Clifford. If any of those 3 are better or as good, Neighbours will get sent down to develop with more ice time.

Third, Tarasenko may well be dealt by then.

May well, and that changes the equation. But I am not counting my chickens before they are hatched on him being traded. I think it might be the deadline at the earliest.

Fourth, you really gonna keep Bozo or Sanford in lineup ahead of Neighbours if kid has great camp and looks to be better option?

Yes, because you know what they can do over afull pro season. The kid might just be running hot on adrenaline and getting lucky bounces. We have seen lots of prospects come in hot and fizzle. We know Bozak can play consistent all year and Sanford is a hot streak waiting to happen.

Fifth, if he doesn't make team out of camp do you send him back to juniors and miss out on whole season? Makes more sense to keep him if close and see how he does in regular season. Can always send him down later.

Let me flip the question. If he only makes the team because Sunqvist is hurt, do you keep him up all year knowing you can't send him back to juniors. Once he plays more than 9 games, he cannot go down to juniors or the AHL. If Sunny is hurt for 15 games, maybe you keep him up and play him in 8 of those games. But no way you burn a year on his ELC to have him up for the whole season when you only need him for 15 games and you have adaquate players for the 4th line role he'd be filling.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Let me flip the question. If he only makes the team because Sunqvist is hurt, do you keep him up all year knowing you can't send him back to juniors. Once he plays more than 9 games, he cannot go down to juniors or the AHL. If Sunny is hurt for 15 games, maybe you keep him up and play him in 8 of those games. But no way you burn a year on his ELC to have him up for the whole season when you only need him for 15 games and you have adaquate players for the 4th line role he'd be filling.

I deleted your answers to my 1st 4 questions bc they were well thought out and I have nothing to add. But I want to address this bc there is factual issue. He can be sent down to juniors at any point during season. If he plays more than 9 games he burns 1st year of ELC, which some clubs actually see as positive bc he will have less of a case for big raise on 2nd contract (although admittedly no evidence we view this way).

But regardless of whether we want to burn first year, if he is great in camp and Sunny is hurt (or we otherwise have specific opening), I'd like to see him open season with club. He can play every other game or so, rotating with Sanford or Bozo or whomever. It let's us see whether he can help us this year and also gives him valuable experience to go back to junior knowing exactly what he needs to improve (we did this with Petro, you recall).

Of course, if he is really good during those games no need to send him down. And obviously, if training camp shows he isn't ready (or just isn't that good) then this is moot and you send him down before we break camp.

 

[542365]

I like his attitude about trying to make the team. That should be his mindset at this point, regardless how unlikely it may be. Injuries happen, trades happen etc. Could really impress and force his way on, but he'd have to play some incredible hockey to make that happen. Like dangerous every shift type of hockey like Fabbri was at that stage in his career. Seems very unlikely, but if he badly outperforms some of the regulars throughout camp, maybe it could happen.

 

[Bluesnatic27]

Because he isn't, at least not my definition. Blue chips are can't miss prospects.

I don't even think you have to say "not my definition" honestly. Blue chip is an incredibly high-level for any prospect at any sport. It's the designation given to players that have proven to be the very best in their respective sport at their respective age groups. Putting Neighbours in the blue chip label puts him on the same tier as Alexis Lafreniere or the aforementioned Quinton Byfield. And honestly, doing so is more unfair to Neighbours than anyone.

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

Since Jake has played in 4 seasons with the Oil Kings, wouldn’t he be able to get sent down to Springfield despite being 19 still?

I thought Lou had made a mistake in the article, and then I saw he had done his 4 years.

 

[The Electrician]

Since Jake has played in 4 seasons with the Oil Kings, wouldn’t he be able to get sent down to Springfield despite being 19 still?

I thought Lou had made a mistake in the article, and then I saw he had done his 4 years.

I was wondering that myself.

 

[Moose and Squirrel]

First, no clue why you keep calling him non-blue chip. You're selling him way short. He was first round pick, took huge step last year, and he has apparently gotten bigger, faster, and improved his shot. Now maybe he isn't ready or isn't that good, but he is arguably top forward prospect in organization.

Second, Sunny likely won't be ready when camp breaks.

Third, Tarasenko may well be dealt by then.

Fourth, you really gonna keep Bozo or Sanford in lineup ahead of Neighbours if kid has great camp and looks to be better option?

Fifth, if he doesn't make team out of camp do you send him back to juniors and miss out on whole season? Makes more sense to keep him if close and see how he does in regular season. Can always send him down later.

my predictions (TIFWIW):

I would think that after a team has an injury to a F during camp, Sanford is traded (frees up ~1m when considering replacement salary and a F spot)

Vladi starts the season here, and good chance he stays here all year

no way Berube sits Bozak

Sunny is out till at least Jan

I'll get the call from Army to join the team to guide them to another cup, but a recurring hang nail injury will keep me out of the lineup

that is all

 

[MissouriMook]

Since Jake has played in 4 seasons with the Oil Kings, wouldn’t he be able to get sent down to Springfield despite being 19 still?

I thought Lou had made a mistake in the article, and then I saw he had done his 4 years.

I don’t think you can send a junior player to the AHL, even after NHL service, unless they turn 20 on or before December 31 of that season. I don’t believe CHL tenure has any bearing on that.

 

[Frenzy31]

I don’t think you can send a junior player to the AHL, even after NHL service, unless they turn 20 on or before December 31 of that season. I don’t believe CHL tenure has any bearing on that.

I am pretty sure that Tenure does play a role and think theater 4 years is the amount of time to be able to move onto the AHL. The one question is how is last year viewed.

The real question is does that actually benefit him. Is e ready to move on. He essentially lost a year of development last season. And I am pretty sure Kostin would have be fitted from a year in Jr.

Just because a kid says hers goal is to make the team, well that should be every prospects goal. Doesn’t mean he is strong enough to handle the ware and tear of the full season in the NHL.

 

[Oberyn]

I believe you can play in the AHL if you have 4 seasons in the CHL (OHL/WHL/QMJHL) which Neighbours has. Though he only played 11 games in his rookie season, I think that still counts.

 

[ezcreepin]

I am pretty sure that Tenure does play a role and think theater 4 years is the amount of time to be able to move onto the AHL. The one question is how is last year viewed.

The real question is does that actually benefit him. Is e ready to move on. He essentially lost a year of development last season. And I am pretty sure Kostin would have be fitted from a year in Jr.

Just because a kid says hers goal is to make the team, well that should be every prospects goal. Doesn’t mean he is strong enough to handle the ware and tear of the full season in the NHL.

This is correct, the limit you can play in the CHL is either 4 years of major junior hockey OR being age 20 before December 31st of the year they play. However, I dont know if 11 games is considered a full year by the CHL standards, but if they do, then Neighbours is eligible to play in the AHL.

 

[MissouriMook]

I am pretty sure that Tenure does play a role and think theater 4 years is the amount of time to be able to move onto the AHL. The one question is how is last year viewed.

The real question is does that actually benefit him. Is e ready to move on. He essentially lost a year of development last season. And I am pretty sure Kostin would have be fitted from a year in Jr.

Just because a kid says hers goal is to make the team, well that should be every prospects goal. Doesn’t mean he is strong enough to handle the ware and tear of the full season in the NHL.

I believe you can play in the AHL if you have 4 seasons in the CHL (OHL/WHL/QMJHL) which Neighbours has. Though he only played 11 games in his rookie season, I think that still counts.

I wasn't aware of the 4 years exception, and I'm not trying to be argumentative, but I'm still not sure Neighbours would qualify. According to this article from Frank Servalli,

"The National Hockey League’s current transfer agreement with the Canadian Hockey League requires all draft picks under the age of 20 to be loaned back to their major junior club unless they are on the NHL roster or have completed four full junior hockey seasons."

Both Neighbours initial season when he joined Edmonton in March after his 16th birthday, as well as last year's abbreviated season, are likely not to be considered "full" seasons relative to this agreement. Because he doesn't turn 20 until March, I think it is still NHL or WHL for him this coming season.

Frank Seravalli: High-octane AHL might make NHL GMs re-think CHL agreement - TSN.ca

 

[ChicagoBlues]

His exact status is probably TBD as they figure out what constitutes a “full” season.

But I’d imagine that there is already some sort of agreement in place on how to account for last season.

Seems strange, however, that we still don’t know how last season is categorized.