Prospect Info: Bruins Prospects XXIV

[Dr Quincy]

Could someone please post 3-4 modern examples of players that scored 10 points in a full NCAA rookie season, then went on to become contributing top six talent in the NHL? Just would like to see where the precedent was set.

Haven't done a deep dive, but I couldn't find any that sprung to mind. That said, he is a project and was always a project. But the best comp I could find was Brian Boyle. 6'6 8pts at BC in his freshman year. Boyle was a horrific skater at that age, but had decent hands. Letourneau is more skilled but I'm not sure how significantly more.

 

[JoeIsAStud]

Haven't done a deep dive, but I couldn't find any that sprung to mind. That said, he is a project and was always a project. But the best comp I could find was Brian Boyle. 6'6 8pts at BC in his freshman year. Boyle was a horrific skater at that age, but had decent hands. Letourneau is more skilled but I'm not sure how significantly more.

It is a somewhat interesting comparison. Dean's starts were like 10-20% better in HS (per game basis) , and I think they played a slightly better set of opponents, but maybe not on average. . He is a good bit better as a skater.

 

[Dr Quincy]

It is a somewhat interesting comparison. Dean's starts were like 10-20% better in HS (per game basis) , and I think they played a slightly better set of opponents, but maybe not on average. . He is a good bit better as a skater.

Yeah, the other obvious comp that people used around the draft was Tage Thompson. But Thompson played at a higher level in his D -1 year and his DY. Just was more proven at an already higher level.

I didn't love the Letourneau pick at all when it was made - I would have taken Greentree or Chernyshov, but neither are Cs. That said, I didn't expect much from Letourneau this year, so I'm not "that" discouraged by his stats. It's not "great", but you drafted him for what he'll be at 23-24 not what he'll be at 19.

 

[Dr Hook]

Yeah, the other obvious comp that people used around the draft was Tage Thompson. But Thompson played at a higher level in his D -1 year and his DY. Just was more proven at an already higher level.

I didn't love the Letourneau pick at all when it was made - I would have taken Greentree or Chernyshov, but neither are Cs. That said, I didn't expect much from Letourneau this year, so I'm not "that" discouraged by his stats. It's not "great", but you drafted him for what he'll be at 23-24 not what he'll be at 19.

Maybe he's Tage Thompson if Thompson took the same career path, and Dean will take a couple more years to develop. Or he could be a giant stiff that never even earns an AHL contract. He's the definition of a sketchy dice roll pick, but one that could really be worth the gamble.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Haven't done a deep dive, but I couldn't find any that sprung to mind. That said, he is a project and was always a project. But the best comp I could find was Brian Boyle. 6'6 8pts at BC in his freshman year. Boyle was a horrific skater at that age, but had decent hands. Letourneau is more skilled but I'm not sure how significantly more.

That would be unfortunate.

 

[Dr Hook]

That would be unfortunate.

Boyle did play almost 900 games in the league. Not an exciting player by any stretch, but for a late first round pick (Boyle went 26th, Letourneau 25) that has to be considered a draft win, so if Letourneau carves out a career along those lines, it's okay., Lots of guys taken that late even in the first round do jack squat in NHL.

 

[JoeIsAStud]

Yeah, the other obvious comp that people used around the draft was Tage Thompson. But Thompson played at a higher level in his D -1 year and his DY. Just was more proven at an already higher level.

I didn't love the Letourneau pick at all when it was made - I would have taken Greentree or Chernyshov, but neither are Cs. That said, I didn't expect much from Letourneau this year, so I'm not "that" discouraged by his stats. It's not "great", but you drafted him for what he'll be at 23-24 not what he'll be at 19.

Where we diverge is I loved the pick at the time and would make the same pick if the draft was tomorrow and we had the additional 6 months of data. And it's not just the center thing, I still thing it was a home run swing which they haven't done enough of.

 

[wintersej]

I would argue that NCAA hockey is higher quality relative to other leagues than when Boyle played.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Boyle did play almost 900 games in the league. Not an exciting player by any stretch, but for a late first round pick (Boyle went 26th, Letourneau 25) that has to be considered a draft win, so if Letourneau carves out a career along those lines, it's okay., Lots of guys taken that late even in the first round do jack squat in NHL.

Just not what the Bruins desperately need now and in three years. Overall it would be a win.