William H Bonney
Registered User
AAPG was fun. No player evaluations off of a exhibition but it was enjoyable, especially since they went away from the terrible NTDP vs Everyone Else setup.
AAPG was fun. No player evaluations off of a exhibition but it was enjoyable, especially since they went away from the terrible NTDP vs Everyone Else setup.
Watched some of the 17's, and this is what I think. Think I've seen enough of every player, except Augustine, to opine. If I need to mention him at some point, I'll come back to this.
I think it's a bad crop without doubt. I don't see a top 10 pick caliber of player in this crop. I don't even know who has the skillset for that type of rise. I've been following since the 2000's. Now followed the 2000's, 2001's, 2002's, 2003's, 2004's, and 2005's. This is the worst year.
Not that many first round types either. The goalies aren't bad. Don't see anyone like a Knight, but the goaltending isn't a weakness. The defense is weak. Really hard to sugar-coat it. There's almost no offense from the defensemen, and a few of them can't defend. Forwards are pretty deep. Don't initially see a player I'd worry won't be drafted. Like always though, the 11th and 12th guys will be on the bubble. Forwards do lack those top end types though that we normally have.
I always wondered if someone can tell me ... Why don't don't have more than one under 18 or 17 team. How do they distribute ice time too all these players. Young players need time on ice in order to develop...
I hear you Bro..make sense what you are saying. I personally think the NTDP is flawed and overall a good idea but might be stunting player growth and USHL should be looking at tweaking it for the sake of development of overall USA players. Alot, of star guys are initially happy to get on this prestigious team but once they get there are very frustrated. Players would probably be better off starring and developing on a lesser team rather than sitting on the bench on this team... No all players should want to join this team.
I hear you Bro..make sense what you are saying. I personally think the NTDP is flawed and overall a good idea but might be stunting player growth and USHL should be looking at tweaking it for the sake of development of overall USA players. Alot, of star guys are initially happy to get on this prestigious team but once they get there are very frustrated. Players would probably be better off starring and developing on a lesser team rather than sitting on the bench on this team... No all players should want to join this team.
Sawchyn-I think he's probably the best NHL prospect on the team, although I could make an argument for the next player. Plays center, great skater, great puck skills, can pass, can shoot. For some reason and I can't figure out why yet, he doesn't score as many points as his talent indicates he should. He also holds onto the puck for way too long and loses it a lot. I don't think he's selfish or has bad sense, but its a possibility. He's also only about 5'10 and very thin. Compete isn't bad. May not be a center. I'd say he's like a mid-first on first thought. Could see him as a late first instead.
I think even if you might get more icetime playing elsewhere. And also players worry if they turn down USA Hockey that it may limit their chances down the road to making tournaments such as the WJC and U-18.
Politics will be the evil destructiveness that is killing and will eventually destroy American society... I remember a great player like Kyle Connor either he did not play for the NTDP or for some other reason he was not in good with them . He was banished from the team that lost out on the gold medal. Now he is one of the best players in hockey, and I am sure there are more examples.I think even if you might get more icetime playing elsewhere. And also players worry if they turn down USA Hockey that it may limit their chances down the road to making tournaments such as the WJC and U-18's.
Politics will be the evil destructiveness that is killing and will eventually destroy American society... I remember a great player like Kyle Connor either he did not play for the NTDP or for some other reason he was not in good with them . He was banished from the team that lost out on the gold medal. Now he is one of the best players in hockey, and I am sure there are more examples.
USAH does a lot of stupid things but Connor wasn't subject to politics, just the realities of player evaluation - you don't always get it right. In hindsight of course he would have been a well deserved NTDP team member, and his WJC snub in his last year was horribly egregious, but don't confuse incompetence with politics - they can be mutually exclusive.
Ehh, not sure about the last part.
There is no logical reason whatsoever that a 1st round pick who was leading the nation in scoring as a freshman for a major program was not chosen for the WJC, so of course it's fair to look at politics. There is absolutely 0% chance that had Connor been an NTDP alum that he wouldn't have been chosen for that team.
Add Logan Cooley to the list of Minnesota commits.Oliver Moore committed to Minnesota. Joins other Minnesotan potential 1st-3rd rounders in the pipeline: Cruz Lucius, Snuggerud, Chesley, and Rinzel
They play boring ass hockey.What’s going on with Notre Dame - they are bleeding blue chip commits lately…
Add Logan Cooley to the list of Minnesota commits.![]()