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

[ps241]

How many of those superstars who spent D+1 back in the CHL had the AHL as an option?

He has stood out in pre-season playing against AHL talent, actually some of the better AHL talent. They are the AHL players who still rate as prospects. Unlike the vets, those AHL players are trying to win NHL jobs, so they are giving it their best efforts. That suggests to me that he is an AHL level player already. And I put quite a lot of weight on Moose coaching being more interested in developing him than in milking him for W's.

Mason McTavish is the first guy that comes to mind. Much more elite prospect than BBL and last season he started in the NHL, went to the AHL for a few games, then was sent back to the OHL and carried his team into the memorial cup. He was a beast the The Ducks chose the CHL over the AHL.

Draisaitl also came out and went to the NHL in his D+1 for 37 but them Oilers opted to send him back to Kelowna (WHL) after he had more than proven himself in the CHL in his draft year. Why not Bakersfield?

That being said other than a few elite outliers not allot of options for the CHL guys to go strait to the AHL but guys like Cale Makar, Kyle Connor, and every other elite College talent further up the pecking order than BBL chose not to got to the AHL after they were drafted?? If the AHL is such a great place why would they waist their time playing 30 college games in their D+1 season? These guys are elite talents with a high probability of being in the NHL why not choose the best path for development when they clearly have elite talent?

With Lambert I get that everyone is excited after a couple of nice preseason games I am just not sold the AHL is better than the CHL or College for highly talented D+1 players. I think the CHL gets undersold on HFBoards at times. Its a really good league and I am not sold Lambert will dominate there to a point that it doesn’t optimize his development? Honestly Even if he dominates I think after last season he can use the work on his offense. A bigger risk is if he flops and gets underused/underdeveloped.

Where I have more of a challenge is when guys have to go back to the CHL in their D+2 seasons after dominating in their D+1. That is when I would prefer the AHL option.

 

[cbcwpg]

No contract = no play

Get it done Chevy.

 

[SLAYER]

Mason McTavish is the first guy that comes to mind. Much more elite prospect than BBL and last season he started in the NHL, went to the AHL for a few games, then was sent back to the OHL and carried his team into the memorial cup. He was a beast the The Ducks chose the CHL over the AHL.

Draisaitl also came out and went to the NHL in his D+1 for 37 but them Oilers opted to send him back to Kelowna (WHL) after he had more than proven himself in the CHL in his draft year. Why not Bakersfield?

That being said other than a few elite outliers not allot of options for the CHL guys to go strait to the AHL but guys like Cale Makar, Kyle Connor, and every other elite College talent further up the pecking order than BBL chose not to got to the AHL after they were drafted?? If the AHL is such a great place why would they waist their time playing 30 college games in their D+1 season? These guys are elite talents with a high probability of being in the NHL why not choose the best path for development when they clearly have elite talent?

With Lambert I get that everyone is excited after a couple of nice preseason games I am just not sold the AHL is better than the CHL or College for highly talented D+1 players. I think the CHL gets undersold on HFBoards at times. Its a really good league and I am not sold Lambert will dominate there to a point that it doesn’t optimize his development? Honestly Even if he dominates I think after last season he can use the work on his offense. A bigger risk is if he flops and gets underused/underdeveloped.

Where I have more of a challenge is when guys have to go back to the CHL in their D+2 seasons after dominating in their D+1. That is when I would prefer the AHL option.

I'm unsure about McTavish, because he was playing out of Peterborough in the OHL before the Swiss league when he was drafted, but Draisaitl was drafted out of the WHL (Prince Albert) and was not eligible to be sent to the AHL.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

If he plays the last two more season games and impresses, it will give the Jets a real tough decision at the very least.

Im just happy we’ve got a guy with some unexpected but well deserved buzz right now. We’re not seeing anything like this from McGroarty or Lucius so I’m going to enjoy it as long as it lasts.

I trust the Jets will make a good decision for the player and the franchise.

 

[heretik27]

@ps241
I think the AHL has a different meaning for teams like the Jets because the affiliate club also plays out of the same city as the NHL team meaning we get to keep a closer eye on our prospects and their development. Sending him over to the WHL in Seattle will mean trusting that those coaches can help him improve more than we can in Winnipeg with our coaching staff and trainers. From what I've been reading, it seems like the environment and support for Brad on the Moose will be more concerned with his development as opposed to those in Seattle who are gunning for a championship this season.

There's potential pros and cons for both options, but at the end of the day I'm hoping he stays with us in Winnipeg and plays for the Moose where he'll likely have a top 6 role to develop his offense. I'd like to see him in a few more games against NHL talent. If he continues to show well I don't see the benefit of demoting him from adult competition to the WHL.

 

[scelaton]

@ps241
I think the AHL has a different meaning for teams like the Jets because the affiliate club also plays out of the same city as the NHL team meaning we get to keep a closer eye on our prospects and their development. Sending him over to the WHL in Seattle will mean trusting that those coaches can help him improve more than we can in Winnipeg with our coaching staff and trainers. From what I've been reading, it seems like the environment and support for Brad on the Moose will be more concerned with his development as opposed to those in Seattle who are gunning for a championship this season.

There's potential pros and cons for both options, but at the end of the day I'm hoping he stays with us in Winnipeg and plays for the Moose where he'll likely have a top 6 role to develop his offense. I'd like to see him in a few more games against NHL talent. If he continues to show well I don't see the benefit of demoting him from adult competition to the WHL.

I'm starting to lean this way as well.

What is clear is that he should not play in the NHL this year, beyond 9 reg season games. He has elite skating and is offensively gifted, but the flaws in his game on bth sides of the ice have not gone away. Scheifele led the Jets in pre-season points in his draft year, but then took 2 more OHL seasons to be ready to play against real NHL players. The pre-season is not the real NHL.

I thought BL would need time in the WHL to regain his confidence but what I see is a young man who is overly-confident in his ability to skate through lesser competition. The WHL may just reinforce those bad habits. The AHL Moose will focus on the need to play a team game as opposed to an individualistic game, and a pro-level defensive game where he is held accountable for high risk decisions. That is the 'nurture' (vs nature) part of Hockey IQ, and it can be taught.

 

[TS Quint]

I think Lambert should get less than 9 NHL games ….. preserving his 3 year yet to be signed ELC.

Or

Under 39 NHL games preserving his 7 RFA years owed to the Jet franchise.

Ehlers was a similar talent speed /skating wise and he broke in ….. in his draft -2 season.

18 years old in the NHL requires a maturity in mind and body that few 18 year olds possess!

AHL …… for seasoning and time to mature with a NHL taste as a reward.

I’m with you. I don’t understand the push to play a couple games at the beginning of the year. What’s the point? If you want to see him, let him play 30-40 AHL games and show he can be consistent and useful.

He is no where near Ehlers in skating or anything else. That’s not a good comparison at all. Why not say he passes like Gretzky just not as good? Lambert is not part of the NHL elite yet.

 

[Jet]

I’m with you. I don’t understand the push to play a couple games at the beginning of the year. What’s the point? If you want to see him, let him play 30-40 AHL games and show he can be consistent and useful.

He is no where near Ehlers in skating or anything else. That’s not a good comparison at all. Why not say he passes like Gretzky just not as good? Lambert is not part of the NHL elite yet.

I think it's a nice reward for the player. Again, if Barron can't go to start the season let big bad Brad play a couple games, let him get a sense of where he actually is and what he needs to work on and send him down. Plus, he can get some serious $$$ in his bank account

 

[DRW204]

Mason McTavish is the first guy that comes to mind. Much more elite prospect than BBL and last season he started in the NHL, went to the AHL for a few games, then was sent back to the OHL and carried his team into the memorial cup. He was a beast the The Ducks chose the CHL over the AHL.

Draisaitl also came out and went to the NHL in his D+1 for 37 but them Oilers opted to send him back to Kelowna (WHL) after he had more than proven himself in the CHL in his draft year. Why not Bakersfield?

That being said other than a few elite outliers not allot of options for the CHL guys to go strait to the AHL but guys like Cale Makar, Kyle Connor, and every other elite College talent further up the pecking order than BBL chose not to got to the AHL after they were drafted?? If the AHL is such a great place why would they waist their time playing 30 college games in their D+1 season? These guys are elite talents with a high probability of being in the NHL why not choose the best path for development when they clearly have elite talent?

With Lambert I get that everyone is excited after a couple of nice preseason games I am just not sold the AHL is better than the CHL or College for highly talented D+1 players. I think the CHL gets undersold on HFBoards at times. Its a really good league and I am not sold Lambert will dominate there to a point that it doesn’t optimize his development? Honestly Even if he dominates I think after last season he can use the work on his offense. A bigger risk is if he flops and gets underused/underdeveloped.

Where I have more of a challenge is when guys have to go back to the CHL in their D+2 seasons after dominating in their D+1. That is when I would prefer the AHL option.

you couldn't play in the AHL until you're 20 years old in Draisaitl's (and Ehlers' case).

i know they changed it for the Covid year, but idunno if it still applies now w/ Mctavish
edit- he did play 3 games in the AHL as you said lol. my bad.

 

[TS Quint]

I think it's a nice reward for the player. Again, if Barron can't go to start the season let big bad Brad play a couple games, let him get a sense of where he actually is and what he needs to work on and send him down. Plus, he can get some serious $$$ in his bank account

this is the best league in the world. This isn’t a cookie for a child. Where is the cookie for the better payer? Earn your way on the team or go get better. The Moose over the WHL is the cookie he earned.

 

[Jet]

this is the best league in the world. This isn’t a cookie for a child. Where is the cookie for the better payer? Earn your way on the team or go get better. The Moose over the WHL is the cookie he earned.

Lol that's really isn't a smart play from EQ perspective. You're dealing with GEN Z here. Besides the reward (why wouldn't you want to reinforce good behaviors) wouldn't you want to expose a blue chip prospect to the level of play that they will need to perform at so they know they have to work hard in the A to get back?

Your thinking on this is rather dinosauric

 

[lomiller1]

you couldn't play in the AHL until you're 20 years old in Draisaitl's (and Ehlers' case).

i know they changed it for the Covid year, but idunno if it still applies now w/ Mctavish
edit- he did play 3 games in the AHL so guess not

It's not an age thing, the NHL has an agreement with the CHL to send CHL players back to their CHL teams if they are not in the NHL. Players who were not in the CHL when they are drafted can play in the AHL regardless of age. Draisaitl and Ehlers were both drafted out of the CHL so this rule applied to them so if they were not in the NHL they needed to be sent back to the CHL. Lambert was in Liiga so he can play in the AHL this year even though he's only 18.

 

[SLAYER]

You're dealing with millennials here.

Millennials haven't been in the NHL draft for years, we're talkin' Gen Z, baby!

 

[DRW204]

It's not an age thing, the NHL has an agreement with the CHL to send CHL players back to their CHL teams if they are not in the NHL. Players who were not in the CHL when they are drafted can play in the AHL regardless of age. Draisaitl and Ehlers were both drafted out of the CHL so this rule applied to them so if they were not in the NHL they needed to be sent back to the CHL. Lambert was in Liiga so he can play in the AHL this year even though he's only 18.

Yes that's what I mean as Draisaitl was out of the CHL, hence why I said in his case. OP mentioned why not Bakersfield for him, it wasn't an option. Same with Ehlers

 

[Joe Hallenback]

Didn't covid affect those rules though?

Possibly but Pavel Mintyukov was another guy drafted out of the OHL last draft. Typically though high end euro prospects say in whatever organization they developed in.

 

[Jared Dunn]

Lol that's really isn't a smart play from EQ perspective. You're dealing with millennials here. Besides the reward (why wouldn't you want to reinforce good behaviors) wouldn't you want to expose a blue chip prospect to the level of play that they will need to perform at so they know they have to work hard in the A to get back?

Your thinking on this is rather dinosauric

Millennials are in their 40s dude

 

[A1LeafNation]

Question for all the lamBEAR experts out here, do you think he will be an NHL center or winger at his peak?

 

[sipowicz]

Looks like the Jets lucked out on this guy and he's no Chaz!

 

[Pongs21]

Question for all the lamBEAR experts out here, do you think he will be an NHL center or winger at his peak?

Probably depends on the future of Schiefele and Dubois with or without the organization as well as Perfetti. I'd say winger most likely.

 

[surixon]

Question for all the lamBEAR experts out here, do you think he will be an NHL center or winger at his peak?

Probably winger. Even when in rookie camp he was used as a winger with Perfetti and Lucious taking the top center spots.

 

[Jet]

Millennials haven't been in the NHL draft for years, we're talkin' Gen Z, baby!

Oops

 

[BobTheSolarsystem]

His agent is not Overhardt - I like him more already

 

[Jet]

Millennials are in their 40s dude

Sorry, didn't drink my morning coffee

 

[TS Quint]

Lol that's really isn't a smart play from EQ perspective. You're dealing with millennials here. Besides the reward (why wouldn't you want to reinforce good behaviors) wouldn't you want to expose a blue chip prospect to the level of play that they will need to perform at so they know they have to work hard in the A to get back?

Your thinking on this is rather dinosauric

He isn’t a millennial.

He isn’t a blue chip prospect. He is currently a project.

Handing him anything is not the way to set the bar. He had a couple decent preseason games after being benched against 20 year olds. Now is not the time to take the foot off the gas. There are a lot better players who have worked harder for longer.

He played a couple decent games against AHLers and NHL players going for a skate. Calm down. I get he is a shiny new toy but this is a marathon not a sprint.

 

[surixon]

He isn’t a millennial.

He isn’t a blue chip prospect. He is currently a project.

Handing him anything is not the way to set the bar. He had a couple decent preseason games after being benched against 20 year olds. Now is not the time to take the foot off the gas. There are a lot better players who have worked harder for longer.

He played a couple decent games against AHLers and NHL players going for a skate. Calm down. I get he is a shiny new toy but this is a marathon not a sprint.

Very much agreed. Do it right with the kid. If he excels for an extended period in meaningful games with the Moose then give him a look. This org doesn't rush prospects so no reason to start with someone who's game needs a good amount of polish.

Too much is made of what is earned in camp. Almost all positions are earned with play in meaningful games the year prior with maybe 2 or 3 spots open to be won. I put little stock in preseason performance.