Prospect Info: Brad Lambert, 30th Overall, 2022 NHL Draft

[Tasteless Beaver]

I’m just excited for one of our draft picks for the first time in a while. Almost all of our recent 1st rounders looked like they were locks for the minors (Perfetti aside due to the AHL technicality) and we knew that they weren’t NHL-bound. Even though he was taken at #30, I don’t know if the fan base has been this pumped to see a fresh pick on NHL ice since Laine, and before that, Scheifele. I was shocked that TNSE went for the ‘character flaw’/do not draft pick in the 1st round, but I’m rooting for the kid more than anyone else. Maybe this is a fresh perspective within the organization on how to deal with youth, but there is something special here.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Interesting that they are still pushing the WHL angle. I'd say he's earned the AHL but maybe they aren't reading as much into these two weeks as us fans are and think playing on a championship caliber team is the best bet.

Or ...... he is resisting signing a contract making Seattle the best option remaining.

Very much speculating here. It doesn't jibe with what Lambert has been saying and doesn't seem to make a lot of sense from his POV. I can't see him preferring playing in the Dub for free over getting paid in the AHL.

On another note ... Speaking of championship calibre teams. Last year's Moose were pretty good, mainly because of their D corps. Add Lambert, Torgy, Lucius to their F corps and maybe get better goaltending from Holm/Berdin and Salminen and they could be really good!

 

[RustyCat]

I love that Bones rewarded Lambert's tenacious play with OT shifts. And I absolutely love that before the shoot out you could see Lambert look up at Bones when he is sitting on the bench and Bones said something along the lines of 'your going'. Now Lambert likely won't make the big club this year but holy man does that go a long way for a kids confidence that he is on the right track.

 

[heretik27]

This is the little tic-tac-toe play that Lambert was involved in last night. That goalie had no chance.

 

[tbcwpg]

Or ...... he is resisting signing a contract making Seattle the best option remaining.

Very much speculating here. It doesn't jibe with what Lambert has been saying and doesn't seem to make a lot of sense from his POV. I can't see him preferring playing in the Dub for free over getting paid in the AHL.

On another note ... Speaking of championship calibre teams. Last year's Moose were pretty good, mainly because of their D corps. Add Lambert, Torgy, Lucius to their F corps and maybe get better goaltending from Holm/Berdin and Salminen and they could be really good!

I don't see any reason to resist signing a contract. The only reason might be the Jets are telling him they'd prefer him in the WHL and he doesn't want to go. If he's going to the AHL instead I'm sure he signs pretty quick.

 

[WaveRaven]

Maybe he'd prefer to go back overseas rather than the WHL.

 

[FlappyGiraffe]

I don't see any reason to resist signing a contract. The only reason might be the Jets are telling him they'd prefer him in the WHL and he doesn't want to go. If he's going to the AHL instead I'm sure he signs pretty quick.

He may want bonuses more in line with a top 10 pick if he forces 9 or more games in the show. Could be that he was told to prove it in camp if he wanted more bonuses and that's the sticking point in negotiations

 

[tbcwpg]

He may want bonuses more in line with a top 10 pick if he forces 9 or more games in the show. Could be that he was told to prove it in camp if he wanted more bonuses and that's the sticking point in negotiations

Could be that as well - the main point is I don't see him coming here for rookie camp and training camp if he intends to hold out.

 

[hockeyarena]

This is the little tic-tac-toe play that Lambert was involved in last night. That goalie had no chance.

Lambert and perfetti could be SEXY TIME VERY NICE! one day

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

I don't see any reason to resist signing a contract. The only reason might be the Jets are telling him they'd prefer him in the WHL and he doesn't want to go. If he's going to the AHL instead I'm sure he signs pretty quick.

That's what I said.
But the facts remain that he is not signed and he can't go to the Moose until he is.

Maybe he'd prefer to go back overseas rather than the WHL.

That doesn't match what he has been saying, but it is possible.

He may want bonuses more in line with a top 10 pick if he forces 9 or more games in the show. Could be that he was told to prove it in camp if he wanted more bonuses and that's the sticking point in negotiations

Can he play regular season games without signing?

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Could be that as well - the main point is I don't see him coming here for rookie camp and training camp if he intends to hold out.

Yup, that too.

This is a jig-saw puzzle with 1 piece that doesn't fit.

Maybe the Jets had made up their minds in advance that he was going to Seattle. He doesn't need to sign to go there. But I think it is clear from his play that he would be better served in the AHL, IMO.

 

[larmex99]

Yup, that too.

This is a jig-saw puzzle with 1 piece that doesn't fit.

Maybe the Jets had made up their minds in advance that he was going to Seattle. He doesn't need to sign to go there. But I think it is clear from his play that he would be better served in the AHL, IMO.

I read that the Seattle GM said that they are not expecting Lambert to play for them. Pretty sure negotiations are going to lead to a good outcome for BL and the Jets.

 

[FonRiesen]

Yup, that too.

This is a jig-saw puzzle with 1 piece that doesn't fit.

Maybe the Jets had made up their minds in advance that he was going to Seattle. He doesn't need to sign to go there. But I think it is clear from his play that he would be better served in the AHL, IMO.

Could just be a negotiation thing? Lambert may want to maximize his ELC by proving himself during the preseason before signing. He definitely had a lot to prove to all the naysayers.

 

[surixon]

Could just be a negotiation thing? Lambert may want to maximize his ELC by proving himself during the preseason before signing. He definitely had a lot to prove to all the naysayers.

I don't think a couple weeks of training camp will really improve his position that much but I do agree that his agent could be looking for a higher bonus structure the the Jets are willing to offer at this point.

That's what I said.
But the facts remain that he is not signed and he can't go to the Moose until he is.



That doesn't match what he has been saying, but it is possible.



Can he play regular season games without signing?

No, he needs a contract to play in the NHL or AHL. As of now Europe or WHL is his only recourse. I expect he signs though, his agent is likely trying to haggle for more bonus cash.

 

[MardyBum]

Thought I heard on either WST or Saturday's IC show that Seattle's GM said he didn't expect Lambert to play there this year.

I assume he wants a good preseason to get more ELC bonuses. Especially if he thinks he'll be in the NHL in a year (or maybe less )

 

[FonRiesen]

I don't think a couple weeks of training camp will really improve his position that much but I do agree that his agent could be looking for a higher bonus structure the the Jets are willing to offer at this point.



No, he needs a contract to play in the NHL or AHL. As of now Europe or WHL is his only recourse. I expect he signs though, his agent is likely trying to haggle for more bonus cash.

I think normally I'd agree - it wouldn't make a big difference for most situations, but we're talking about a guy that fell from a projected top pick to #30. And with the character rumors (maybe they were just here...) I think that proving he does not have attitude problems or coachability issues would go a long way to paying him like a top 15 pick vs 30th overall... I don't know how big that difference is, but it'll be a few $$$$ at least.

 

[surixon]

I think normally I'd agree - it wouldn't make a big difference for most situations, but we're talking about a guy that fell from a projected top pick to #30. And with the character rumors (maybe they were just here...) I think that proving he does not have attitude problems or coachability issues would go a long way to paying him like a top 15 pick vs 30th overall... I don't know how big that difference is, but it'll be a few $$$$ at least.

Well if you look at the Jets first round pick bonus structures and AAV:

Heinola (20th pick) 1.075 million aav
Perfetti (10th pick) 1.627 million aav
Lucious (17th pick) 1.325 million aav

So really Lambert likely falls closer to Heinola based on draft position. I could see the Jets going as high as Lucious's deal but I don't think they go anywhere near Cole's.

Also I'm a big believer in the entire body of work. Most any player can catch fire for a couple of weeks especially when the expectations and pressure is off. This is a kid that has so far proven in last couple of years that the highs are very high but the lows are very low. So I'm sure the org is very aware what he can do when he is motivated but also what can happen when things aren't working out well. That will play a role in his contract and where they put hi to develop.

 

[Gabe Kupari]

I've always felt the best option for guys drafted from overseas were if they looked ready then you get them over here ASAP... I think Cole has beneftted greatly from being able to play in the A. I think I'd rather have him here in Winnipeg with the Moose so the Moose coaches can specifically work with him on his shortcomings which at this point might be just more muscle mass. Looks great but looks small but he's dynamic. Maybe muscle mass and can always improve the defensive game. In Seattle or Europe he's not gaining as much as he would being on the team that is specifically around for developing Winnipeg Jets

 

[scelaton]

IDK about this -- I was a Mooseheads fan and loved Ehlers from well before the pick and he was astonishingly fast with and without the puck, with edgework was levels ahead of the next-fastest players, and that's barely changed. Ehlers is a zone-entry machine partly because of that speed, partly because of his close puck control, and partly because his edgework is so good that he can send a defender so far the wrong way when he stops up or changes direction that he has plenty of time to shoot or make a play. So he's dangerous across the board, with a ton of options as he moves into the zone.

From my limited viewings Lambert has terrific top-end speed and acceleration but not sure he has the edgework of an Ehlers (or a JMo) at this point.

Not sure that matters really, just my observations. I'm super high on Lambert and think he has some added dimensions in his game based on his forechecking intensity and ability to disrupt plays and strip pucks.

Agree--although Lambert has some of Ehlers' physical skills, there are reasons he dropped to #30 and they are not just his father.

Of all the players in his draft year, Ehlers is tied for #5 in points, and his scoring, possessional play and opportunities are still growing. It would be an enormous win if Lambert's overall game ever came close. (And I am a guy who compared BL stylistically to Ehlers soon after we drafted him, despite the nattering nabobs of negativism from abroad).

Incidentally, the player picked at #30 in Ehlers' year has played a total of 42 games and scored 5 points.

 

[10Ducky10]

I'd give him at least 5-9 games in the NHL and he'll let you know where he needs to go by his play. That'd put another 60-70k in his pocket.
Let's take a look at him against some other team's D men.

Ideally he makes the team but I'd like to see him on the Moose playing on a line with Lucius and Torg.

 

[Jet]

For the first time, I'm OK with the notion of him staying with the Jets. Does it make the most sense? No, but if he shows well in these last two games against what will surely be stronger opposition, he's earned at least an audition imo.

Also, from an organizational pov- it is starting to make more sense - with Dubois, Wheeler, and Schiefele having uncertain futures beyond 2 years. Getting Lambert 160 odd games of NHL experience could allow us to let Wheeler walk, unlocking lots of cap space, and parlay Dubois and perhaps Schiefele into strong asset return.

I'm changing my own mind right before your

 

[Eyeseeing]

After having two REALLY good games to start his preseason, where does everyone predict Brad Lambert will start the season?

It seems unlikely he breaks camp with the team, so I'm thinking with the Moose? I'd think both player and team would prefer to keep him out of the WHL for development and recall purposes.

That's my prediction, but I'd like to hear everyone else's thoughts.

I wrote something about it here that dives into the current situation a bit more, if you'd like to read up on it:

What Do The Winnipeg Jets Do With Brad Lambert?

Following yet another strong performance from the 18-year-old, the Winnipeg Jets have a lot of thinking to do before they decide where Brad Lambert starts.

jetswhiteout.com

I’m thinking Moose and very first call up.
I missed last game but many folks I talked to were super impressed with him.

 

[hockeyarena]

if only we had a brad lambert thread already

 

[WaveRaven]

They are not going to waste an RFA year for a kid that isn't ready for full time minutes. It makes no sense to rush him.

I suspect the A or back overseas.

 

[surixon]

They are not going to waste an RFA year for a kid that isn't ready for full time minutes. It makes no sense to rush him.

I suspect the A or back overseas.

Agreed, there is no point playing him on a fourth line full time. We saw how he's looked in that type of role both at the recent WJC and last year in the top league in Finland. He's a young kid and needs minutes so it's the AHL for me.

It's almost like people forget he's had very recent struggles. A hot week against largely AHL teams shouldn't change the developmental plan all that much.