Prospect Info: Blues 2024-2025 Prospect Thread

[PocketNines]

Bramptfordon-Boulangerie visits Kelowna tonight 705pm PACIFIC

Stancl is the only prospect in action today Tues Jan 21

 

[PocketNines]

STANCL time

1st shift rings the crossbar, later on the PP another grade A left wing break in, the goalie made a great save. Another wraparound chance on the same crossbar shift and a dangerous assist attempt to the crease. no points, but the kind of period where if you watched it you're seeing a player on a level above the other players.

He is so detailed. On the PP he is over in the right circle ala Dvorsky, and they are looking for him, but he loves the LW attacking shot on the goaltender ala Schenn. Great shot, great release. Good reverse hitter, makes well timed hits, knows when to lift sticks. Very aware out there, always ready to turn up and attack but will be the first forward deep in his own zone to help out his defender getting pressured. it's like watching an NHL player play with 16-19 year olds.

DETAILS is the word with this one. That's why I am pumped to see him end of March with Springfield, I think he is details ready.

He kept a puck from being cleared out of the ozone but took it off the right knee, that stung but he stayed out there and got a chance later in the shift

oh wow he just had a breakaway and then had a rebound of it, both saved by the goalie. he basically streaked by his defender and took the pass at the blue line and was in alone from there. he does this a lot. like multiple times a game at this competition level

Kelowna is getting smoked in the game, 5-1 late in the second. Bramptfordon with multiple PP goals. now 6-1 another PP goal. this is like the 10-0 game the other night, they can't get a save

another chance for Stancl right out of the gate in the 3d, again from the left wing attack

STANCL scores with 1:49 left in the game. Gorgeous shot from the RW circle.

they did get SOME saves, like 48 of them. but the problem was there were 55 shots. I mean it's unsustainable to allow 107 shots in the last two games, even if they did win one of them. Kelowna loses 7-3

6 goals in 5 games since the WJC, where he had 7 goals in 7 games. Very confident right now, chances galore. Goals in ten of his last dozen games played. Sweden and Seattle Thunderbirds each shut him out once but he scored on them each in another game

 

[PocketNines]

The scouting reports on Stancl all say the same things I am saying about the completeness of his game, his awareness, his details all over the place. They say things like if the skating improves then this is player could have a bigger impact than middle 6.

His confidence compared with earlier in the season is through the roof. It's because he knows he's improved his skating. When he gets interviewed and asked what is different right now he says confidence and skating are improved. Apparently whoever he's texting with on the Blues is full of praise and occasional detail comments, he knows the Blues are very happy with him.

I want to see his skating in the AHL, I think he is ready. But you don't know until you see it. If he gets to the AHL and does not look slow, I will straight up be penciling him into the Blues top 6, absolutely.

In fact if this player overcomes the skating question I think he is the #1 prospect in the organization. His total 200' pro style game is already past Dvorsky, Stenberg and Snuggy, it really is

btw last night's goal is at the 3:57 mark

 

[greybush314]

Can Stancl get a 9 game trial in the NHL this year without burning an ELC year?

 

[PocketNines]

Can Stancl get a 9 game trial in the NHL this year without burning an ELC year?

I don't see why not if Dvorsky can. But I suspect he would go to the AHL first since Kelowna may not make its playoffs and their season would end March 23, there being 10 games left for Springfield. Especially if they call Dvorsky up at the end

 

[PocketNines]

Tonight's games (405 PACIFIC) are also light and they are defensemen: Jiricek and Burns in the OHL

Jiricek #5 Brantford hosts Niagara (similarly strong teams)
Burns #41 Kingston (strong) hosts Ottawa (below average)

 

[StLewis11]

In fact if this player overcomes the skating question I think he is the #1 prospect in the organization. His total 200' pro style game is already past Dvorsky, Stenberg and Snuggy, it really is

Wow, that's a bold statement from you. But it excites me. Thanks for posting your insights. I'm looking forward to following Stancl's progress, you've given me high hopes for him.

 

[PocketNines]

Below is what others were saying before we drafted him 18+ months ago. You'll read a lot of what I've been observing. You can tell in those 18 months he has worked a ton on his skating. That's why I want to see it in Springfield asap. He produced in back to back WJCs including making the all tournament team not looking slow against his elite, same-age peers. When a guy is a pouncer like he is you don't tend to think "too slow" his mind makes him look faster. But that's also the thing against pros they will process the game faster than his current competition so his IQ will give him less of an advantage than it does right now. I am not saying he will take this large skating leap, but I do see evidence of a lot of progress, and it's the only real limitation on his game. I still have him 5th on my prospect list but IF his skating looks like it has no issues in the AHL, the completeness of the rest of his game is above those other forwards

From the Hockey Writers capsule:

Jakub Stancl is a prospect whose impact on the game goes beyond the scoresheet. Known for his two-way game, he is strong in his own zone and can be trusted on the penalty kill or late in games when trying to protect the lead. A player that does not make a ton of mistakes, it is clear that he is ready for whatever challenge coaches throw at him.​

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The first thing that jumps out when watching Stancl is his size. At 6-foot-3, 201 pounds, he sticks out on the ice, especially when playing against other U18 players. One common issue with prospects that are bigger is that they don’t know how to use their size to their advantage. That is not the case here, as when the puck is on his stick, it is extremely difficult for defenders to steal it away, thanks to his puckhandling skills and body positioning. He also can play a physical brand of hockey and isn’t afraid to throw a big hit if presented with the opportunity.​

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A smart player, Stancl is great at facilitating breakouts from his own zone. He makes life easy for his defenders by staying close and understands when it is best to carry the puck over the blue line or make a pass to his wingers. Once he has the puck in the offensive zone, he is not afraid to shoot but also is good at scanning the ice to try and find open teammates. When he is in the offensive zone without the puck, he is always moving around, trying to find the open ice so his teammates can get him the puck in scoring positions. Overall, he understands where the holes in the opposing defence are and looks to exploit them every chance he can.​

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Strengths​

• Size
• Transition game
• Vision
• Puckhandelling

Under Construction – Improvements to Make​

• Skating
• Staying focused in games
• Movement in the defensive zone

Inside the Rink:

Weakness’s​

Stancl definitely needs some work on his skating, especially in tight quarters. He also has a tendency to float and seem disengaged from time to time. He needs to find a spark to bring it every night and shift.​

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Summary​

If he continues to improve his skating and work ethic, Stancl should find a home in the NHL as a good bottom-six center to someone in the third-fourth round area. If his skating improves dramatically, he may even have some higher potential than that.​

Lines.com, Bill Placzek

Every draft class has a few kids you in the past were definitely off the radar and then show up unsuspectedly as dominant late bloomers. A year ago, this big framed winger who knew hockey, but lumbered to get back and forth down the sheet, having difficult in being involved in each end, unless he sacrificed getting down the other way at the end of the shift. No miracles were involved in the loss of his heavy boots and lazy feet, but hard work and adjusting to his growing into his body, adding serious leg strength, and improved stop/starts exponentially has transformed him to a force who plays heavy, scores and plays on both the power play and penalty kill. The stagger leap was witnessed in the Five Nations tourney where he captained Czechia's team. His skating power has transformed into hard driving tank who bulls his way to the net. He is aggressive and forceful all over the ice and has a heavy shot to go along with his heavy game. His on ice shifts cause problems with his physical forecheck. On the penalty kill, he pressures point men into giveaways and at equal strength he can hammer attackers in possession of pucks into turnovers. Some team may fall in love with the new improved version and take him in the top 60.​

Last Word on Sports

One of the options for a reliable and defensive forward in the later rounds is Jakub Stancl. The Czech forward from the Swedish team Växjö Lakers is a player that uses his great size to his advantage. He uses his weight well to both shield the puck when it’s on his stick and to make a hit when he has the chance to do so. He plays to his strengths and makes use of his control and balance to be an option for stability in all three zones. His skating needs a ton of work as it’s very slow and mechanically very flawed. It takes him ages to get going and he lacks a lot of power in his acceleration.​

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This lack of speed does limit his offensive translatability as most of his offense comes from his physicality and hockey sense. He will spot a weakness or try to create one with his size, which works in the junior leagues but won’t in the NHL. His passing is excellent, and his shot is fine, but getting open requires much better skating and off-the-puck movement. However, if this is worked on, his defensive skillset and size could make him a very strong middle-six player in the future.​