C Clayton Keller - Boston University, NCAA (2016, 7th, ARI)

[93LEAFS]

This. He would tear the hell out of juniors, but what he really needs is off ice training and going up against men. He will still probably tear them up too with trusty sidekick Bellows this year.

Didn't seem to hurt Pat Kane.

 

[Magua]

Didn't seem to hurt Pat Kane.

Patrick Kane spent his D+1 year in juniors......or on the Blackhawks?

 

[93LEAFS]

Patrick Kane spent his D+1 year in juniors or on the Blackhawks?

He spent his 18 year old season, and first season out of the USNDP on the Knights. Remember he's a late birthday, Keller is an early one. He probably goes to BU, but I don't think Windsor would be bad for him. Tons of USNDP kids have gone that route in there first post USNDP year and had great success. I doubt he's staying 4 for the degree regardless, so he would have more downtime to work purely on hockey related things.

 

[Magua]

I didn't say going to the OHL would hurt him. He'd get as much out of it as someone like Marner this year.

But the kid is already enrolling at BU, seems excited to go there, rallied his friends to join him, and probably is better spent taking this year+ to bulk up and play against more physically developed guys. He simply has no reason to bolt to the OHL, and is probably better off continuing the path he is on right now.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

What? For an NHL player, he absolutely is small. We aren't comparing him to office workers here.

Having said that, I would love for the Sens to draft him at 12.

He's not going to the NHL tomorrow, that's the thing. He's an 18 year old, lots of time to get ready for the NHL. His frame is "average", he is not small. Not everyone in the NHL is over 6'2.

 

[93LEAFS]

I didn't say going to the OHL would hurt him. He'd get as much out of it as someone like Marner this year.

But the kid is already enrolling at BU, seems excited to go there, rallied his friends to join him, and probably is better spent taking this year+ to bulk up and play against more physically developed guys. He simply has no reason to bolt to the OHL, and is probably better off continuing the path he is on right now.

Who knows, guys like Bracco and Milano said the same things at this point. I think he goes to BU, but I don't think its a lock like it is with the local kids who grew up dreaming of winning the Beanpot. Also remember his best friend is recruiting him to Windsor (Logan Brown). Also remember, he gets his signing bonus if he signs his ELC which is roughly a 100g's, he can't get that and go to BU. Columbus encouraged Milano with this.

 

[Magua]

Who knows, guys like Bracco and Milano said the same things at this point. I think he goes to BU, but I don't think its a lock like it is with the local kids who grew up dreaming of winning the Beanpot. Also remember his best friend is recruiting him to Windsor (Logan Brown). Also remember, he gets his signing bonus if he signs his ELC which is roughly a 100g's, he can't get that and go to BU. Columbus encouraged Milano with this.

He has been committed since 2013. He seems pretty committed to it.

 

[93LEAFS]

He has been committed since 2013. He seems pretty committed to it.

Here's what he said last week.

https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-draft-prospect-clayton-keller-may-go-to-bu/c-280839714

"I think right now Boston University is my top choice because I think just coach [David] Quinn is a really special guy," Keller told NHL.com at the opening day of the 2016 NHL Draft Combine at First Niagara Center on Monday. "I'm really close with him and I think that's going to be the best fit for me."

"Logan is playing in Windsor, but you can have different paths and maybe someday we can still play in the NHL together; you never know," Keller said. "I guess there's always that chance I could go to Windsor, but I think it's slim. Not with so many great players playing and going to BU. That's going to be really special; it's hard to pass up.

"I want to get stronger in college and I guess [my decision] could change, but right now BU is my decision."

So, I'd say he's leaning to BU, but Windsor is still in play.

 

[mikeyp24]

He convinced other guys to go there and had a conversation with Eichel to where after he said that eased his mind and made it 100% health going there. Also guys that commit to college and pull out haven't been looked favorably especially when it comes time for international time. Branco recently commited backed out and while it's not the whole reason he didn't make it it sure didn't help. It's a bad sign of character to commit somewhere and then back out. Especially because it hurts teams that you commit to because they can't offer that scholarship to another player and you backing out then makes them scramble to replace you when they could have had someone else a while before. It's a big jerk move.

 

[93LEAFS]

He convinced other guys to go there and had a conversation with Eichel to where after he said that eased his mind and made it 100% health going there. Also guys that commit to college and pull out haven't been looked favorably especially when it comes time for international time. Branco recently commited backed out and while it's not the whole reason he didn't make it it sure didn't help. It's a bad sign of character to commit somewhere and then back out. Especially because it hurts teams that you commit to because they can't offer that scholarship to another player and you backing out then makes them scramble to replace you when they could have had someone else a while before. It's a big jerk move.

It hasn't hurt players with international duty. Milano was on the team this year and last, Tkachuk backed out of his ND commitment, Kyle Connor honoured his and wasn't invited, Bracco wasn't invited either, they flat out just chose Debrincat over both of them. Plus Bracco left mid-year, which is a different situation. But the fact they hold it against you if you don't go the NCAA route/decommit is a myth.

And read the quotes I posted. Nowhere does it say he's 100% committed, and he leaves the door open.

 

[Rogie21]

And read the quotes I posted. Nowhere does it say he's 100% committed, and he leaves the door open.

Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs)
6/4/16, 3:05 PM
Clayton Keller doesn't lack for confidence. Said he envisions himself playing at BU for a year & then jumping into the NHL

Skating with sidekick Kieffer Bellows and very likely, 6-5, 225 lb Wild draft pick Jordan Greenway, plus a backline with the likes of Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Hickey and Dante Fabbro, Keller will put up big numbers against college competition as he did in the NTDP. Equally important, he'll spend plenty of time in BU's 12,000 sq. ft. state-of-the art strength and conditioning facility in a program developed by S&C guru Mike Boyle. After two years, he'll be ready to skip the AHL and play in the NHL.

 

[Jerrico]

He's not going to the NHL tomorrow, that's the thing. He's an 18 year old, lots of time to get ready for the NHL. His frame is "average", he is not small. Not everyone in the NHL is over 6'2.

I don't mean to be pedantic here...but the average height for an NHL player is 6'1".

That is the average.

Keller is not average, he is small. Calling him average seems like a desperate attempt at painting him as the whole package. If he were average NHL height, he would be in the discussion for the top 3 in this draft, not a questionable top 10 pick.

I love Keller, and I hope my team drafts him. But let's not paint him as something he is not.

 

[buttman*]

I don't mean to be pedantic here...but the average height for an NHL player is 6'1".

That is the average.

Keller is not average, he is small. Calling him average seems like a desperate attempt at painting him as the whole package. If he were average NHL height, he would be in the discussion for the top 3 in this draft, not a questionable top 10 pick.

I love Keller, and I hope my team drafts him. But let's not paint him as something he is not.

Plenty of below average players at the top of scoring each year.

 

[Flames Draft Watcher]

That isn't "small" at all.

You're right, at 163 lbs he probably qualifies as "tiny". Keller is definitely small for the NHL, and especially for a centre. He looked like a little kid out there at the U18s.

He's a great prospect but the size concerns are real. Not all tiny players can translate their game to the NHL seamlessly.

 

[Lebowski]

You're right, at 163 lbs he probably qualifies as "tiny". Keller is definitely small for the NHL, and especially for a centre. He looked like a little kid out there at the U18s.

He's a great prospect but the size concerns are real. Not all tiny players can translate their game to the NHL seamlessly.

He's 17.

In one year time he should be close to 180.

He's 5'10". Could grow some more given his age. He'll put on some muscle and the size concerns will go away.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Barring serious injury his game will translate to the NHL. Book it

 

[Flames Draft Watcher]

He's 17.

In one year time he should be close to 180.

He's 5'10". Could grow some more given his age. He'll put on some muscle and the size concerns will go away.

Maybe, maybe not.

PM Bouchard was one of the most skilled players in his draft year and never could become a top two line centre regularly in the NHL. Sam Gagner was extremely skilled and has failed to become a top talent. Brule struggled to stay healthy below 6'0. Not all small players are Giroux, not all small players are Gaudreau, not all small players are Tyler Johnson. Those guys are exceptions, not the rule. Keller's size is an inherent disadvantage that he'll have to overcome. Can he overcome it? Sure. Will he overcome it? It's unclear and that's why he's likely to not go top 8. His size may limit his upside like it did for Bouchard, Gagner and Brule. His size may mean he has to be converted to the wing.

Only time will tell.

 

[93LEAFS]

Maybe, maybe not.

PM Bouchard was one of the most skilled players in his draft year and never could become a top two line centre regularly in the NHL. Not all small players are Giroux, not all small players are Gaudreau. His size is an inherent disadvantage that he'll have to overcome. Can he overcome it? Sure. Will he overcome it? It's unclear and that's why he's likely to not go top 8.

Different league, Bouchard was ruined by concussions. The league has adapted for smaller players and head injuries are better managed and protected against.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

I don't mean to be pedantic here...but the average height for an NHL player is 6'1".

That is the average.

Keller is not average, he is small. Calling him average seems like a desperate attempt at painting him as the whole package. If he were average NHL height, he would be in the discussion for the top 3 in this draft, not a questionable top 10 pick.

I love Keller, and I hope my team drafts him. But let's not paint him as something he is not.

Oh please, let's not make this kid out to be a dwarf. Besides at 5'10, he could easily grow another inch, he will put on mass as well. He's not that small, he's more underdeveloped compared to other kids his age. There are plenty of players that are smaller than him in the NHL today, they are playing and finding success. With the skill level that Keller has, there's no evidence to suggest he won't be successful. There are lots of players taller than 6'1 that don't make it in the NHL either.

 

[93LEAFS]

Oh please, let's not make this kid out to be a dwarf. Besides at 5'10, he could easily grow another inch, he will put on mass as well. He's not that small, he's more underdeveloped compared to other kids his age. There are plenty of players that are smaller than him in the NHL today, they are playing and finding success. With the skill level that Keller has, there's no evidence to suggest he won't be successful. There are lots of players taller than 6'1 that don't make it in the NHL either.

Marner is 5'11 and 5 pounds lighter. Some people think any player below 6' is tiny for whatever reasons. Not realizing even if these guys don't grow again, they have yet to fill out.

 

[AD1066]

I don't think he'll end up any smaller than Tyler Ennis, who is a ~50 point player.

 

[Jerrico]

Oh please, let's not make this kid out to be a dwarf. Besides at 5'10, he could easily grow another inch, he will put on mass as well. He's not that small, he's more underdeveloped compared to other kids his age. There are plenty of players that are smaller than him in the NHL today, they are playing and finding success. With the skill level that Keller has, there's no evidence to suggest he won't be successful. There are lots of players taller than 6'1 that don't make it in the NHL either.

I don't think you're understanding me here.

I never said small players can't be successful. I never said Keller wouldn't be successful. And I never said that all players over a certain height are guaranteed to be successful.

All I'm saying, literally all I'm saying, is that Keller is not "average" in terms of NHL size, as you claimed him to be. This is not a debatable statement, it is objectively and empirically true. That's it.

 

[BlazingBlueAnt]

I think he's in play from 7 on. Personally, while some Coyotes fans disagree with me, I think there is a strong chance he is the Coyotes guy at 7. My reasoning is, depending on how much of a say Chayka has, he's the type of player the young analytics inclined scouts love (see Pronman having him at 4). Leafs who were analytics inclined last year drafted similar guys high up (Marner, Bracco, and Timashov later on), and I could see Chayka being from that train of thought. They also tend to be sceptical of defence high and would rather draft in bulk, partially due to expected return on an ELC.

He has a strong chance to be a top 5 player from this class considering his skill set and where the league is heading. Wherever he end up next year they are either serious contenders for the NT (BU) or the OHL crown and the Memorial Cup (Windsor).

I could see us going with Keller at 7. He's got the feet, the hands, and the head to be a special player. I'm not sold on the big 3 Dmen, so if Logan Brown is gone Keller is next on my list.

Question remains if we can have another undersized winger(where I imagine he'll end up moving).

 

[Noble]

I don't think he'll end up any smaller than Tyler Ennis, who is a ~50 point player.

Ennis is 5'9 160lbs (as per hockeydb, not sure how accurate that is) at 26. Keller is already bigger than that.

Height is so overrated anyway. 5'10 isn't as small as people on here will lead you to believe. If he was 6' there would be no complaints. That's only a 2 inch difference which is completely marginal.

If he can put on 20 pounds by the time he is 20 he'll be laughing. He will be a top 20 scorer before he's 24 I'll bet my hat on that.

 

[AD1066]

Ennis is 5'9 160lbs (as per hockeydb, not sure how accurate that is) at 26. Keller is already bigger than that.

Height is so overrated anyway. 5'10 isn't as small as people on here will lead you to believe. If he was 6' there would be no complaints. That's only a 2 inch difference which is completely marginal.

If he can put on 20 pounds by the time he is 20 he'll be laughing. He will be a top 20 scorer before he's 24 I'll bet my hat on that.

I actually edited my post to say "end up" rather than "is", because I wasn't sure if the numbers for Ennis were old.

But agreed, 5'10 and 180 or so is absolutely doable in today's game, with someone like Ennis being smaller than that. Keller has skill and intelligence in spades and is going to make some team very happy.