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C Carter Verhaeghe (2013, 82nd, TOR; traded to NYI)

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Yeah, he's scoring and that's awesome. Points and scoreboard watching are great, but could someone who actually watches Niagara comment on his overall game?

Does he play any defensive situations?
Does he float defensively or actively defend?
How is he in the faceoff dot?
What are his main offensive strengths (scoring, playmaking, getting garbage goals, or well rounded)?
How is he along the boards?
What about his hockey IQ?
Is there any current or past NHLer that you can compare his 'style' to?
What are his weaknesses/what does he need to improve on?

Thanks!
 
HockeyGuruPitka said:
Have you been watching him play? How does he look? I'm just impressed that Niagara hasnt taken a step backwards after losing Strome and Hamilton.
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A few games I have. He's just a very smart player. Skating looks a lot better too. He looks more like he was drafted in the first round. Not the third round.
 
The Leafs NEED a late round gem. I'm not saying Verhaeghe will be one or even has a great chance of being one, but boy could we really use it.

There are multiple gems found in 2nd round or later essentially every year. Weber, Keith, Letang, Subban, Bergeron, Krejci, Pavelski, ROR, Quick, Lundqvist, Lucic, Backes, Stastny, etc. are all examples.

The BEST non-1st round draft pick from the Leafs over the past 15 years is one of Kulemin, Gunnarsson, or Reimer. In 15 years we've found a 3rd line winger, a #3-4 dman, and a 1B goaltender. Take your pick. One thing almost all contenders seem to have in common is that one of their franchise players was a later round gem, which so far we simply have not been able to do.
 
416Leafer said:
The Leafs NEED a late round gem. I'm not saying Verhaeghe will be one or even has a great chance of being one, but boy could we really use it.

There are multiple gems found in 2nd round or later essentially every year. Weber, Keith, Letang, Subban, Bergeron, Krejci, Pavelski, ROR, Quick, Lundqvist, Lucic, Backes, Stastny, etc. are all examples.

The BEST non-1st round draft pick from the Leafs over the past 15 years is one of Kulemin, Gunnarsson, or Reimer. In 15 years we've found a 3rd line winger, a #3-4 dman, and a 1B goaltender. Take your pick. One thing almost all contenders seem to have in common is that one of their franchise players was a later round gem, which so far we simply have not been able to do.
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Pull it back a couple years and we got our former #1 D in the 8th round... But ya I agree, the Leafs have been phenomenal at producing quality NHLers year after year but not a single one outside the first round looks to be an impact player.
 
Definitely playing pretty lights out. Him and Connor Brown(to a lesser extent) are really impressing.
 
The Podium said:
Pull it back a couple years and we got our former #1 D in the 8th round... But ya I agree, the Leafs have been phenomenal at producing quality NHLers year after year but not a single one outside the first round looks to be an impact player.
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We look to have a few potentials gems right now though; specifically Verhaeghe, Leivo, Nilsson, Johnson, and Herzog
 
Leafski said:
Yeah, he's scoring and that's awesome. Points and scoreboard watching are great, but could someone who actually watches Niagara comment on his overall game?

Does he play any defensive situations?
Does he float defensively or actively defend?
How is he in the faceoff dot?
What are his main offensive strengths (scoring, playmaking, getting garbage goals, or well rounded)?
How is he along the boards?
What about his hockey IQ?
Is there any current or past NHLer that you can compare his 'style' to?
What are his weaknesses/what does he need to improve on?

Thanks!
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He's one of those guys that's always buzzing, you'll hear his name every time he's on the ice. Good offensive ability but I wouldn't say he's physical though. I'd definitely say he can make to the NHL, time will tell.
 
I took a hockey course with him a few years go in high highschool, he was a few years younger then everyone but he dangled through everyone so easily. His IQ is of the charts and he's dedicated. He was living with foster parents in our city just so he could qualify to play for a different team. The guys sick everyone already new he was going to the NHL.
 
Leafski said:
Yeah, he's scoring and that's awesome. Points and scoreboard watching are great, but could someone who actually watches Niagara comment on his overall game?

Does he play any defensive situations?
Plays on the first penalty kill unit with Perlini. Usually stays on the ice between a minute and 1:30 of the PK
Does he float defensively or actively defend?
He's not a floater. He backchecks well, is responsible in the defensive zone and is usually in proper position. Good with his stick as well. I find he works harder than Strome did in his final season in Niagara defensively. He rarely turns the puck over in the neutral zone
How is he in the faceoff dot?
Not terrible but like any young center will need to work on this. Should be improved when he starts to get stronger
What are his main offensive strengths (scoring, playmaking, getting garbage goals, or well rounded)?
Playmaking. But that's not to say he can't score. I'm surprised he's so effective so far this year because he doesn't have a WOW skillset but is doing everything well right now. Maybe his biggest attribute is hockey IQ. I pegged Carter for a 60-70 point season and chuckled when the Leaf brass said he could score 100 in this league. But he's dominating out there - controls the play, carries the puck well, slows the play down, creates most chances for Niagara and is noticeable in every game. He hasn't had an off game in the first 10
How is he along the boards?
Average
What about his hockey IQ?
See above. His hockey IQ should get him to the NHL. Not sure he has enough skill to be a top 6 forward but has already shown he can play a good 3rd line role (under 18 for Team Canada) and chip in offensively
Is there any current or past NHLer that you can compare his 'style' to?
Can't think of any at the moment
What are his weaknesses/what does he need to improve on?
Strength. Shot. Foot speed.

Thanks!
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....

I watched a lot of Tyler Biggs when he played for Oshawa and I like Verhaeghe's skillset much more as a bottom 6 player. Much more well-rounded - especially compared to a former 1st rounder.
 
My favourite player we got from this last draft. If he was born 1 month later he would of been in this years up coming draft. Over 2 pts/game, plays a pretty complete game, decent size and a natural C. Plus he's a local boy.

Also I don't think this season is as much a fluke so far as people think (yes 9 points over 2 games will skew your actual ppg by end of year, but still)

If you look at his last 51 games to finish last season he has 37 points, 0.72 points per game. So he has been slowly trending upwards offensively
 
FirstOverallLine said:
Does he have a shot at getting a WJC invite?
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In seven games for Canada at the U18 WJC he had 4 assists and was +3 with 4 penalty minutes. So he seemed to do okay on the big stage for U18, as a 16 yr old (turned 17 during the tournament)

He's 100% lock for the U18 again. I think a WJC invite isn't out of the question.
 
Verhaeghe was one of the most impressive prospects we had in training camp period, not only from the 2013 draft, but for all of our prospects.

This guy was a steal, has a good wrister too, not too many flukey cheap goals I have seen.

I'd take him over Gauthier if there was a re-draft today based on training camp and certainly early season results.
 
4 more games, 5 more points.

I see him settling in at around 1.0 to 1.2 ppg. He had those two big nights which really skewed his stats. Take aways those 2 big games and he's got 18 points in 12 games.
 
hero said:
4 more games, 5 more points.

I see him settling in at around 1.0 to 1.2 ppg. He had those two big nights which really skewed his stats. Take aways those 2 big games and he's got 18 points in 12 games.
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Which would still place him at a 100 point season with a 1.5 ppg pace. So even take away those two games and he's kicking ass.
 
His weaknesses are strength and skating, no doubt if he improves those he has 2nd line potential.
 
(Leivo (2011) and Verhaeghe (2013) are two 3rd round gems the Leafs have found recently. Leivo is currently our best forward prospect IMO and looks like a young Lupul. And I've been reading nothing but good things about Verhaeghe.
 
FishManSam said:
His weaknesses are strength and skating, no doubt if he improves those he has 2nd line potential.
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yep, I'm still a skeptic due to those two weaknesses, but even then his scoring this year shows he's a legit prospect for sure.
 
zeke said:
yep, I'm still a skeptic due to those two weaknesses, but even then his scoring this year shows he's a legit prospect for sure.
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Next summer with Barb Underhill (skating) & Belza+Jim Hughes should help.

The feedback from the players re the development camps the Leafs run w/ these 2 is that it makes massive improvements which is just what a prospect like Verhaege needs.

Would love to see him make that WJC Team - even if he is one of the last cuts from the final roster, that would be a massive step forward.

Certainly hoping he's more than what McKegg has been demonstrating thus far in his 2nd year of pro w/ the Marlies.
 
He's holding his pace, still see him finished at about 1.5 points per game, trying to be cautiously optimistic.

Any updates on his D game?
 
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