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

[BoneDocUK]

Suspect he gets the Connor treatment and heads to the A on the understanding that he'll be in line for a call-up as he gains experience and works on problem areas.

Just don't see the W as an option really now. His likely options there are to either dominate and coast, or fail to dominate and mope/ regress.

In the A he has the advantage of top-end coaching and mentoring and a really strong peer group, plus the allure of a Jets call-up. Just think that's where he'll learn the most and develop quickest.

 

[nobody imp0rtant]

Where does he start? Hopefully, in Chevy's office signing a damn contract.

 

[Jet]

if only we had a brad lambert thread already

Thanks for adding to the discussion

 

[Buffdog]

I'm not against him being eased into the lineup on lowrys wing. Would add an element of speed reminiscent of Tanev on the right side. Also plenty of offensive upside.

Barron Lowry Lambert
Apples Gus Gagne

 

[Jack7222]

I'm not against him being eased into the lineup on lowrys wing. Would add an element of speed reminiscent of Tanev on the right side. Also plenty of offensive upside.

Barron Lowry Lambert
Apples Gus Gagne

Was thinking this too. Actually think he might fit nicely with Lowry and give Lowry a play-pusher with some speed.

 

[surixon]

Was thinking this too. Actually think he might fit nicely with Lowry and give Lowry a play-pusher with some speed.

They only thing is we have seen how skilled players offense develops with Lowry so if you want him to develop that aspect of his game playing him with Adam is likely not the best move. I think we want that part of his game developed.

 

[Jack7222]

They only thing is we have seen how skilled players offense develops with Lowry so if you want him to develop that aspect of his game playing him with Adam is likely not the best move. I think we want that part of his game developed.

Well he definitely belongs on the Moose IMO for development. But I'm not sure a guy like this wouldn't work alright with Lowry as long as they had some potential talent at LW.

Definitely did not like Perfetti with Lowry though.

 

[Joe Hallenback]

I think he has to sign to play a NHL game or an AHL game. I have him out performing a lot of the bubble players right now. Be interesting to see if he plays these final couple of pre season games

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

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

Add a poll to this thread.
Jets
Moose
WHL
Other (Europe?)

 

[surixon]

Well he definitely belongs on the Moose IMO for development. But I'm not sure a guy like this wouldn't work alright with Lowry as long as they had some potential talent at LW.

Definitely did not like Perfetti with Lowry though.

In terms of speed and pressure ability, absolutely he'd likely work like a Tanev type. Not sure his d game is good enough to play tough checking minutes though.

 

[lomiller1]

It makes zero sense to burn RFA years on an 18 year old unless you're talking about someone like McDavid who can step into the league as a superstar, so I really hope he's not with the Jets.

The AHL could make sense but I'm not 100% convinced he'll thrive there, while he's played well there have also been points where he disappeared or looked lost. I'd be fine if he were sent to Junior, but I suppose it's worth a try playing him in the AHL.

 

[Huffer]

Get him signed and playing big minutes on the Moose, PP1, etc. Could be the 1st call up for a top 6 injury replacement.

 

[DeepFrickinValue]

Just to be “that guy”, I say he is traded.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

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

Exciting as he has been, I don't see any chance of him being with the Jets this year - at least at the start of the year. Even later is unlikely, but possible.

Getting Lambert 80 odd games of NHL experience gets the job done. Wheeler probably retires when his contract expires. He would be 38 going into another season. If he still has some gas in the tank, he signs 1 year for a lot less money. After losing the C, would that be here or with some other team? Regardless, Wheeler's cap hit is unlocked.

Having Perfetti, Lambert, Lucius & McGroarty in the pipeline might make parting with PLD and maybe Scheifele a little easier to stomach, but none of them is a top 6 C. At least not yet. But none of those issues relate to having Lambert in the NHL this year.

The above subject to change after the last of pre-season games.

 

[TS Quint]

Clearly the Moose. We are just weeks past him sucking at the WJC. let Him have a year and a half down there and unless he does something incredible revisit his position on the team in 2024.

 

[Jet]

Exciting as he has been, I don't see any chance of him being with the Jets this year - at least at the start of the year. Even later is unlikely, but possible.

Getting Lambert 80 odd games of NHL experience gets the job done. Wheeler probably retires when his contract expires. He would be 38 going into another season. If he still has some gas in the tank, he signs 1 year for a lot less money. After losing the C, would that be here or with some other team? Regardless, Wheeler's cap hit is unlocked.

Having Perfetti, Lambert, Lucius & McGroarty in the pipeline might make parting with PLD and maybe Scheifele a little easier to stomach, but none of them is a top 6 C. At least not yet. But none of those issues relate to having Lambert in the NHL this year.

The above subject to change after the last of pre-season games.

Yes, my opinion is definitely predicated on these next 2 games.

 

[B33R LEAGUE]

I feel like he could play in the NHL.

A clear shoe in for AHL.

but tbh I would love to see him tear up the WHL.

This would make up for the years that he was playing against men.

It would allow him to focus on learning the finer details of NA systems in a slower paced league.

He already has all the skill of a top liner, he just needs to enhance decision making.

It would also boost his confidence after a rough year.

WHL this year gets my vote.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Clearly the Moose. We are just weeks past him sucking at the WJC. let Him have a year and a half down there and unless he does something incredible revisit his position on the team in 2024.

Yes, clearly the Moose.
But time line would be unknown. He could spend less than a season there. He could spend this whole season there and force his way into the NHL at next TC. Or it could take longer.

If I polish up my crystal ball I see him making the Jets next TC. Start the season at 3RW and move up after adjusting to the pace, however many games that takes.

 

[Arthur Fonzarelli]

if only we had a brad lambert thread already

Agreed. This thread should be merged.

I'll cut the OP some slack since his first ever post.

Add a poll to this thread.
Jets
Moose
WHL
Other (Europe?)

Yes a poll would be good, although its highly doubtful he'd return to Europe.

It's WHL (Thunderbirds) or AHL (Moose). I'd lean heavily to the Moose where he can benefit from from our own coaching staff.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Yes, my opinion is definitely predicated on these next 2 games.

It is very rare to have a player taken below the top 5 make the NHL in D+1. Monahan did it from #6 in a strong draft class. Of the 5 taken ahead of him, only Drouin didn't play most of D+1 in the NHL. To have a guy taken at 30 do it would be crazy rare. Of course, he had been touted as a possible 1OA before his disappointing draft year so .........

But we have had players with outstanding D+1 TC's before who have turned out to need even more than a single additional year of development before being ready. Scheifele is the obvious example. It is still only TC.

 

[EpicGingy]

I haven't caught any pre-season games in full yet, but from the highlights and word of mouth it seems like he's making a good impression.

That said it's difficult for even the most talented of 18-year old's to make the NHL, and he hasn't exactly played against the most stellar NHL competition yet. Playing in a top-6 role on what could be a pretty good Moose team seems the best place to start him. Depending on how well he does he could play himself into being the first call-up.

If he keeps up his impressive play and Bones keeps giving him opportunities maybe he can sneak into the opening day roster, but unless he's in the top-6 I see no reason to burn a RFA year so soon.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

I feel like he could play in the NHL.

A clear shoe in for AHL.

but tbh I would love to see him tear up the WHL.

This would make up for the years that he was playing against men.

It would allow him to focus on learning the finer details of NA systems in a slower paced league.

He already has all the skill of a top liner, he just needs to enhance decision making.

It would also boost his confidence after a rough year.

WHL this year gets my vote.

I think WHL would just allow him to succeed not playing the right way, ingraining bad habits.

 

[LowLefty]

Based on the attention he is getting from Bones, I'd assume they want him on the Moose.
If he can continue to build his game and confidence, he'll be a top 6 player at some point.

You know the Jets are not going to rush this guy into anything - but I do think they want control of his development and they'll get that on the Moose.

He's obviously a high skill player - it now comes down to how they build his game and let him mature in an environment where as an 18 year old, he can do so without being under a high pressure microscope - I don't think he responds well to that approach based on his game prior to the draft.

 

[cneely]

It is very rare to have a player taken below the top 5 make the NHL in D+1. Monahan did it from #6 in a strong draft class. Of the 5 taken ahead of him, only Drouin didn't play most of D+1 in the NHL. To have a guy taken at 30 do it would be crazy rare. Of course, he had been touted as a possible 1OA before his disappointing draft year so .........

But we have had players with outstanding D+1 TC's before who have turned out to need even more than a single additional year of development before being ready. Scheifele is the obvious example. It is still only TC.

It's rare but not unheard of. Lambert's game is nowhere similar, but Bergeron made the NHL in his D + 1 as a mid second rounder.

 

[DeepFrickinValue]

lambert gets a 9 game trial with the jets.

Bones is going to play a lot of youth this year. It is the reason the Jets didn’t sign any free agency this year.

Jets are going back to a draft and develop strategy which they strayed away from the last few years. Being an Undesirable small-market the team doesn’t have a choice.