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

[theIceWookie]

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.

Vesey is absolutely an exception. It's actually nowhere near as often as people think where a prospect pulls a Vesey. It's pretty rare and almost always happens with non-first round draft picks. Who was the last first rounder to do it? Wheeler? The Vesey's tend to be the type of guys who breakout in year three and then have a nice year four and then move on.

The first round guys tend to make it very clear four years would be far too much development time and they move on. Non-issue in my mind

 

[theIceWookie]

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.

It wasn't addressed in the last CBA, it won't be now. Teams can actually get to own the rights of players who go the NCAA route up to two years longer than CHLers. It's not exclusive to NCAAers. Erixon did it coming from Europe.

It won't be addressed nor does it need to. It's a rare thing that a player can use. It requires giving up a lot to get to that point.

 

[Sebastian Svechnikov]

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.

No, because there's a near zero chance Keller stays at BU all 4 years.

 

[thethinglonger]

Vesey is absolutely an exception. It's actually nowhere near as often as people think where a prospect pulls a Vesey. It's pretty rare and almost always happens with non-first round draft picks. Who was the last first rounder to do it? Wheeler? The Vesey's tend to be the type of guys who breakout in year three and then have a nice year four and then move on.

The first round guys tend to make it very clear four years would be far too much development time and they move on. Non-issue in my mind

Kevin Hayes with the Rangers.

I agree with your point though...don't think Keller spends more than 2 years at BU.

 

[theIceWookie]

Kevin Hayes with the Rangers.

I agree with your point though...don't think Keller spends more than 2 years at BU.

Right, for some reason I was thinking he was Jimmy.

But Hayes, outside of being a first rounder, still fits the point. His first two seasons were pedestrian to alright, and then it wasn't really until his third year that he broke out.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Keller's hands are amazing

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

He is a lot like Drouin...

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

He is a lot like Drouin...

Certainly some similarities... See some Patrick Kane as well.

He is very heady, good vision / imagination makes things happen

Bellows can really fire it... Impressed with him as well

 

[ps241]

just posted this in the Jost thread but I think it applies here as well.

Although the tournament might not get weighted heavily in rankings for the scouts never forget the tiebreakers are in the house watching this.......GM's that is. Sure the scouts do all the dirty work to build their lists but I want to know which Scout is now going to steak is reputation on McLeod over Jost in the upcoming war room battles where teams build their final lists after the combines???

List building and consensus building is fluid and usually comes together late......for a Kid like Yost or Keller they could absolutely leapfrog spots on a teams list with a GM sitting side by side with his top people watching. Not like they are coming from nowhere they were most likely both in the mix anyways and this is a good spot to show off with so many important war room eyeballs in the house.

Keller has looked brilliant and I am a huge fan.....question is do Keller and Jost become the W Nylander Ehlers (8-9 picks) of the 2016 draft?

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Where do Keller, Jost and Brown go in relation to Chychrum, Juolevi and Sergachev?
Assuming Nylander and Tkachuk stay ahead of them. Which could change

 

[Jabba11]

If someone can post that 7th goal for the Americans...ALL KELLER! Such character along the boards in his own end, wins possession in the neutral zone, and dangle his way and backhand saucer pass between the D for his teammate to score the goal.

That was incredible!

 

[Doublechin]

Where do Keller, Jost and Brown go in relation to Chychrum, Juolevi and Sergachev?
Assuming Nylander and Tkachuk stay ahead of them. Which could change

Second time I will say this today all these 3 Dman will fall, I can no longer justify picking either of them in the top 8, maybe even 10.

 

[AuraSphere]

Safe to assume he's this years Larkin/Connor?

 

[93LEAFS]

Safe to assume he's this years Larkin/Connor?

I'd say he has less questions than either. Larkin was hidden behind Eichel, and Connor was questioned a bit due to being a guy playing his 18 year old season in the USHL, without a massive jump from his 17 year old numbers. I'd also add, Larkin and Colin White are probably better comparables for the situation, I think you are describing. Keller got 1st line USHL minutes as one of the teams top players, and was on last years under 18 as a 16 year old.

 

[TimeZone]

My god this kid is TINY. Zero chance he's anywhere near 5'10. He looks like a midget out there.

With that being said, looks to have some unreal skills, explosive skating, amazing hands and a great shot.

 

[sergejean]

Wow! If it wasn't for his size, he would be an easy top 5 imo. I believe a lot of team will regret passing up on him.

 

[57special]

Second time I will say this today all these 3 Dman will fall, I can no longer justify picking either of them in the top 8, maybe even 10.

But there is such a need for Dmen on so many teams.

 

[Menzinger]

But there is such a need for Dmen on so many teams.

If scouts think they've got low ceilings they're going to fall. I can't help but roll my eyes everytime I see a post on here proclaiming Chychurn to be a lock to be a top pairing guy.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

If scouts think they've got low ceilings they're going to fall. I can't help but roll my eyes everytime I see a post on here proclaiming Chychurn to be a lock to be a top pairing guy.

Agreed. I don't see it... I was told after the prospects game that he was the next Doughty ... ok I must have missed something .. . Now I am more convinced he is overrated.

 

[Flair Hay]

He is about the size that I figured, but he's faster and shoots heavier than I thought.

 

[Jabba11]

U18 MVP

Why no hype?

 

[snipes]

You got to think he's going top 15 after the U18s. I was really impressed with his play.

 

[toomuchsauce]

Safe to assume he's this years Larkin/Connor?

No, in that he's better than them.

 

[snipes]

No, in that he's better than them.

I don't know about that. He's definitely close though, he'll be a steal. Might even sneak into the top 10.

 

[Flames Draft Watcher]

I'd say he has less questions than either. Larkin was hidden behind Eichel, and Connor was questioned a bit due to being a guy playing his 18 year old season in the USHL, without a massive jump from his 17 year old numbers. I'd also add, Larkin and Colin White are probably better comparables for the situation, I think you are describing. Keller got 1st line USHL minutes as one of the teams top players, and was on last years under 18 as a 16 year old.

Questions in what sense?

In a sense Keller has more questions than Larkin and Connor because those two have NHL size and Keller looks like a little kid out there. Not every super skilled tiny guy will be the next Gaudreau. Keller is inherently risky because his size may limit how effective he can be, especially in the playoffs. At some point he'll be a good risk. I kind of doubt anybody takes a chance on him top 10 at his size.