Prospect Info: Angus Crookshank 126th

[ChurchOfAlfie]

The big argument I would make for keeping Crookshank around and giving him every chance to make the team (in whatever role) is that he's only played 11 games in the NHL.

If he was at 100+ games played, you could make the case that he is what he is, and won't be improving much. But he's still getting used to the NHL game. I think it's likely he's got an extra gear he can reach once he gets more comfortable at this level.

Is that extra gear enough for him to become a third liner on a playoff team? I don't know. But I'd like to see him given the opportunity.

 

[OD99]

Meh, not sure about him on Stutzle's line. Then again we don't have many options right now.

He is certainly not a long term fit but as you said, we dont have many options at the moment.

I love that we are letting a young player who has scored in college and the AHL have an opportunity in that role in the NHL. He hasn't looked out of place.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

This last sentence is where I (optimistically) disagree. Lack of competition has been a hallmark of the Dorion era, it's been the case literally every year, and imo it's the biggest factor that has sunk us. I really hope and believe Staois will work his ass off to change that

I think it’s just a numbers game.

Tkatchuk stutzle giroux batherson Joseph pinto Greig Norris and whoever staios signs as a vet forward will all be competing for ice time. But they won’t necessarily be competing for a roster spot.

Kelly kastelic crookshank ostapchuk macewen and possibly celebrini demidov lindstrom will be competing for not that many spots. And you have to figure not everyone is suited to fourth line play so that narrows competition even more.

There’s a top 9 wing spot open right now. Barring a big trade with top 9 forwards going out and none coming in. And if there isn’t then that spot is gonna get filled by the signing staios makes.

 

[Xspyrit]

?????? - Stutzle - Batherson
Tkachuk - Pinto - Norris
Joseph - Greig - Giroux

They need to bring a much better player than Crookshank for the remaining spot, a veteran with a great 2-way game.

Then the bottom-4 forwards is built with Kastelic, Katchouk, Crookshank and Kelly

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

?????? - Stutzle - Batherson
Tkachuk - Pinto - Norris
Joseph - Greig - Giroux

They need to bring a much better player than Crookshank for the remaining spot, a veteran with a great 2-way game.

Then the bottom-4 forwards is built with Kastelic, Katchouk, Crookshank and Kelly

Yea, it has to be a notable forward too. Someone like Toffoli/Marchessault

and someone like Pesce/roy

Toffoli-Stutzle-Giroux
Tkachuk-Pinto-Batherson
Greig-Norris-Joseph
Katchook-Kastelic-Kelly

Chabot-Pesce
Sanderson-Zub
Kleven-xxxx

Korpi
xxxxx

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Yea, it has to be a notable forward too. Someone like Toffoli/Marchessault

and someone like Pesce/roy

Toffoli-Stutzle-Giroux
Tkachuk-Pinto-Batherson
Greig-Norris-Joseph
Katchook-Kastelic-Kelly

Chabot-Pesce
Sanderson-Zub
Kleven-xxxx

Korpi
xxxxx

I think you may have hopped over the cap here.

 

[SensontheRush]

Gonna be the new Peter Schaefer on the 3rd line.

 

[Cosmix]

Yeah, every year there are guys who perform really well in top 9 roles where before the season, or maybe a year prior, they'd be waived, struggle to get a 7 figure contract/any term, or you'd commonly hear them spoken about as though they barely belonged in the league.

Fit is underrated. Whether Crookshank is a good fit is another story

I like Crookshank's speed and hustle. He looked good but our opponent was not so good. I need to see more against better teams. I fear he might be too small.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

I like Crookshank's speed and hustle. He looked good but our opponent was not so good. I need to see more against better teams. I fear he might be too small.

Looked great against New Jersey and I mean lots of people just cream their pants over how good New Jersey is

 

[mysens]

With the insertion of Crookshank in the lineup, it has really lit a fire under the ass of Kastelic. Good both ways.

 

[Tuna99]

Gonna be the new Peter Schaefer on the 3rd line.

Schaefer killed or penalties - don’t see that in Cookers future. I like his activity but he doesn’t hVe great hockey sense

 

[OD99]

Schaefer killed or penalties - don’t see that in Cookers future. I like his activity but he doesn’t hVe great hockey sense

I disagree. He is around the puck a lot, and that doesn't happen by accident. He needs to keep playing before any decisions can be made about how he fits.

He has the motor for PK as well.

Admit he has been a dark horse of mine si ce his last year of college.

 

[Ice-Tray]

I like how tenacious he is when battling for pucks. He wins a lot of battles which is an unheralded skill, but absolutely necessary for a puck possession team.

He’ll need to add a few more elements to his game in my opinion because we already have a guy like Kelly who plays a similar role and is established on our new fancy 4th line.

 

[PlayersLtd]

Schaefer killed or penalties - don’t see that in Cookers future. I like his activity but he doesn’t hVe great hockey sense

Crookshank absolutely has passable hockey iq. I could see him in a PK role in the future- good skating, good motor and good at breaking up plays with an active stick. In fact, I think he has very good puck luck on that last point.

I'd say he has enough tools to project as a pk guy down the road.

(not going near the Peter Schaeffer comparison because nobody plays the game like Peter Schaeffer with the exception of maybe prime Pavel Datsyuk...)

 

[BoardsofCanada]

He flies around the ice with a crazed determination and causes turn overs. He's effective. He is small and loses physical battles but I love the hustle. I think he's great depth; he can play on the 4th line or fill in higher when injuries strike, I think he'll have a permanent spot next season.

 

[Icelevel]

He flies around the ice with a crazed determination and causes turn overs. He's effective. He is small and loses physical battles but I love the hustle. I think he's great depth; he can play on the 4th line or fill in higher when injuries strike, I think he'll have a permanent spot next season.

He could be Parker Kelly. He could be Ridly Greig. He could be Angus Crookshank.
Need/want to see more

 

[jbeck5]

No one seemed to mention this, or atleast make a thread...

But the sens re-signed crookshank to a 1 year - 2 way deal yesterday.

 

[bicboi64]

He;s playing 60+ games for us and breaking out nthis coming season. C'mon Crooker

 

[stempniaksen]

Based on the way the group is projecting up front and the (probable) lack of cap space to fill out the bottom-six it certainly seems like there's going to be a spot for the kids to grab up front. Whether that ends up being Crookshank, Ostapchuk or someone else entirely is TBD at the moment.

I'd assume Crookshank will have the inside track on a spot here next season, but he's in prove it mode now. This upcoming season will likely determine a lot for his future as a Senator and as an NHL'er.

 

[Icelevel]

Based on the way the group is projecting up front and the (probable) lack of cap space to fill out the bottom-six it certainly seems like there's going to be a spot for the kids to grab up front. Whether that ends up being Crookshank, Ostapchuk or someone else entirely is TBD at the moment.

I'd assume Crookshank will have the inside track on a spot here next season, but he's in prove it mode now. This upcoming season will likely determine a lot for his future as a Senator and as an NHL'er.

Ostapchuk is so young I have no problem with him getting a full and solid season in Belleville. Crookshank should be on our third line until he shows he can’t do it.
I expect crooker to be a big part of our bottom/middle six

 

[stempniaksen]

Ostapchuk is so young I have no problem with him getting a full and solid season in Belleville. Crookshank should be on our third line until he shows he can’t do it.
I expect crooker to be a big part of our bottom/middle six

I only really bring up Ostapchuk because of how good he looked when he got some games in and his ability to play the C spot if needed. He brings a different element to the bottom-six than Crookshank would.

That being said, I think in a perfect world Ostapchuk gets more seasoning in the AHL and is the first call up in case of injury while Crookshank gets some time to prove he can be an NHL contributor.

A lot will be determined by the off-season additions and if they bring in a true winger or someone who can flip to C as needed. If they bring in a guy like Martinook for example that left side suddenly has a lot of bodies for 4 spots.

Either way, I'm excited to see what AG can do here next season, whether he starts on the 3rd line or as the 13th forward.

 

[Big Muddy]

I mean he’s a stalling Wolverine type player with skill. No reason why he can’t be a good fit. He’s working quite well with stu and giroux right now.

And after girouxs goal he had some serious issue finishing lol. Crookshank could have had 2 assists last night easily. Giroux misfired on a couple.

I think next year we’re gonna see either Joseph stutzle giroux or Norris stutzle giroux.

Crookshank Greig Joseph? The problem for Crookshank is that I think management will want an older middle sixer for vet presence. So that third line wing spot is going to be taken by someone like that.

So the big issue is I don’t think there’s going to be any competition in camp. The team will essentially be set.

This last sentence is where I (optimistically) disagree. Lack of competition has been a hallmark of the Dorion era, it's been the case literally every year, and imo it's the biggest factor that has sunk us. I really hope and believe Staois will work his ass off to change that

I’m surprised you figured out what a “stalling Wolverine” was.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

I’m surprised you figured out what a “stalling Wolverine” was.

I can’t even figure out what my typos from 5 minutes ago meant. Let alone months ago

 

[aragorn]

I view Crookshank as a career AHLer, he is not quite good enough for the top six & doesn't bring enough grit for the bottom six. Ostapchuk on the other hand has the size, the grit, the smarts, defensive responsibilty, hard to play against, toughness & some scoring to be a perfect bottom six player for this team.

 

[Big Muddy]

I can’t even figure out what my typos from 5 minutes ago meant. Let alone months ago

Understandable given the enormous quantity you’d have to go through.