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

[57special]

This year's Dylan Larkin - one team is going to be very happy with this pick.

I don't think so. Larkin is significantly bigger.

 

[MackAttack26]

Keller isn't so small that his game won't translate to the next level. Also, he plays bigger than his size.

Personally, same area he has been all year on my list, currently #5. Some team is going to be thrilled with him in the 10-12 range I'm guessing though.

 

[ProspectsSTC]

Please, Montreal. Swing for the fences with Jost or Keller.

 

[NHL Dude 120]

If he projects as a #1c, can grow 2-3 inches, maybe weight at 180-190 then he would be one hell of a player. Remember he doesn't turn 18 until the end of July.

 

[Tatar Shots]

They have a large amount of NCAA games and scouts are not down on the USHL at all. USDP is also highly valued and produces players which go very high in the draft, if he slips its due to size thats all. Larkin slipped because he played behind Eichel as the 2C, when he had the talent to be #1. I bet no one thought he was as good offensively as he was.

Wings claimed to have Larkin ranked 1st, Oilers claimed they had Larkin 5th. I feel some teams just are not paying enough attention to the U.S. development league.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

If he projects as a #1c, can grow 2-3 inches, maybe weight at 180-190 then he would be one hell of a player. Remember he doesn't turn 18 until the end of July.

Crosby's 5'11. Height doesn't matter, if he's very strong.

 

[Tatar Shots]

Crosby's 5'11. Height doesn't matter, if he's very strong.

A ridiculously generous 5'11 at that. Height issues are way overblown.

 

[57special]

Keller isn't so small that his game won't translate to the next level. Also, he plays bigger than his size.

Personally, same area he has been all year on my list, currently #5. Some team is going to be thrilled with him in the 10-12 range I'm guessing though.

I disagree that he plays bigger than his size. He plays his size.

 

[57special]

A ridiculously generous 5'11 at that. Height issues are way overblown.

Crosby is much, much thicker than Keller. To compare the two physically is laughable.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Crosby is much, much thicker than Keller. To compare the two physically is laughable.

Is? Or was at 17 years old? Not quite a fair comparison if it's the former.

 

[93LEAFS]

Is? Or was at 17 years old? Not quite a fair comparison if it's the former.

Crosby always has had an insane level of lower body strength. Not that they are comparable, but Keller is fairly slight closer to guys like Marner, Giroux, Kane etc, guys like Max Domi or Kevin Fiala are guys who entered there draft with a build like Crosby.

 

[chunkylover53]

If he projects as a #1c, can grow 2-3 inches, maybe weight at 180-190 then he would be one hell of a player. Remember he doesn't turn 18 until the end of July.

Expecting him to grow 2-3 inches is just wishful thinking. Rarely do we ever see that, it's the exception not the norm, it's actually more likely that he's done growing.

Is? Or was at 17 years old? Not quite a fair comparison if it's the former.

Crosby always had a stocky build and a monster lower body before he came into the league. Keller not so much.

 

[Ice Poutine]

...
Crosby always had a stocky build and a monster lower body ....

Thats what she said.

 

[franklin]

The 178-cm, 75-kg center has already been likened to two other diminutive stars of the U.S. national team and the NHL, Johnny Gaudreau of the Calgary Flames and Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks. Considering that Kane, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, just won his first Art Ross Trophy with 106 points, it’s fortuitous timing for a guy with Keller’s attributes to emerge on the scene.

http://u18worlds2016.iihf.com/en/news/kellers-killer-instinct/

 

[Lebowski]

Is? Or was at 17 years old? Not quite a fair comparison if it's the former.

Crosby was always exceptionally strong on the puck. He could have played in the NHL at 16 years old. Size was never an issue.

And size doesn't concern me much with Keller. He still has a lot of room to grow, and he already dominates his age group. That's part of what makes him interesting.

 

[57special]

The point being made is that size is Keller's limitation. He might be able to overcome that with his speed, smarts, and physical maturity/growth. But to ignore that limitation is not smart. The Johnny Gaudreaus and Jared Spurgeon's of the world are the exception, not the rule.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Keller doesn't have to be as strong as Crosby yet, but that's a good comparable for height and weight of a guy who was able to stick at center in the NHL. Why couldn't Keller work on getting stronger over the next five years?

 

[57special]

Keller doesn't have to be as strong as Crosby yet, but that's a good comparable for height and weight of a guy who was able to stick at center in the NHL. Why couldn't Keller work on getting stronger over the next five years?

Some people are just thinner. Different body types.

 

[Rogie21]

Keller doesn't have to be as strong as Crosby yet, but that's a good comparable for height and weight of a guy who was able to stick at center in the NHL. Why couldn't Keller work on getting stronger over the next five years?

Beginning this summer he'll be working on it at BU's world-class facility run by a S&C coach with 13 years of NHL experience. A few seasons there (as a BU fan, hoping he stays two years) will help him to fill out and get stronger, even if he doesn't get any taller.

 

[57special]

What makes him a better player than Mikhael Granlund?

 

[Sputniker]

What makes him a better player than Mikhael Granlund?

His dynamic skating, quick turnovers, and ability to score and pass in multiple different ways. He has better puck handling, so he is able to make plays in very little space with his crafty movements. He is also more hard-nosed versus Granlund.

 

[57special]

His dynamic skating, quick turnovers, and ability to score and pass in multiple different ways. He has better puck handling, so he is able to make plays in very little space with his crafty movements. He is also more hard-nosed versus Granlund.

I find it hard to believe that he is a better puck handler and passer than Granlund. More hard nosed? Maybe. Granlund was playing against men when he was 16.

 

[Sputniker]

I find it hard to believe that he is a better puck handler and passer than Granlund. More hard nosed? Maybe. Granlund was playing against men when he was 16.

They do it with different styles. Granlund with calmness but he needs space, though he's adjusted to NA rink. On the other hand, Keller is more effective with his puck handling: he carries and delivers plays regarless of the place. He covers the puck better.

With hard nosed, I mean Keller's ability to go to the boards and steal the puck with little grittyness. He also likes to challenge the biggers guys psychically. He plays a big game.

 

[whlscowt]

For me, the biggest question about this player isn't his size, it's his development path at Boston U. Any Vesey-like fears from this player? I honestly wonder if team's will start to take a step back and be weary of college bound players--though to be fair I had the same worries last year.

 

[Richiebottles]

For me, the biggest question about this player isn't his size, it's his development path at Boston U. Any Vesey-like fears from this player? I honestly wonder if team's will start to take a step back and be weary of college bound players--though to be fair I had the same worries last year.

I would that pre draft interview would help a little. But yes it should be a concern and should be addressed in the next CBA for sure.