Wouldn't shock me. I'm a huge fan of Larkin. Once I saw him enough to convince myself that he had enough offense so that he could be more than a 3rd liner, his stock obviously increased for me. We have him ranked 9th at HP and I'm not predicting it, but wouldn't be shocked if he went off the board before our ranking.
High end player with seemingly very little bust risk. Nice combo.
Dissecting the 2014 NHL Draft Combine
Aerobic Fitness - VO2 Max:
An interesting test that gauges half genetics/half current conditioning. The top few scores traditionally rival VO2's of low end, elite marathon runners.
The underlying correlations found are that the top scoring VO2 'maxxers' are either your elite prospects or total duds. If a rated first rounder shows up on this test, he should be a lock selection (Hertl, Baertschi, Klefbom). If he's not highly regarded, run away.
Quite confusing, but not really if you look at this more closely. If a top rated talent all year shows up on this test you can gather that (A) he has the natural skills to make the NHL, (B) he has a high genetic potential to be fit on ice (even if it is only part of the value), and (C) his conditioning is not a question mark and already there. Signs pointing to the ultimate draft pick if there continues to be an established trend.
On the flipside, if you're looking at a lower rated prospect, well, apply those principles and it is a damning statement against his future in the NHL. If a player scores high on this test, yet isn't regarded highly for his talent in season, one could draw the assumption that he was unable to capitalize and impress even with such a great fitness level. It is evident that these players usually do not find that precious development curve.
BUY: Dylan Larkin, Brayden Point
SELL: Alex Schoenborn, Josh Wesley
Grew up a Wings fan, no less. It would be pretty awesome to draft him. His stock is so high right now, though, and it seems like guys like Perlini, Honka, and McCann are shuffling down. Worse yet, he has to get past some really shrewd drafting teams in order to get to Detroit. In particular, I think Winnipeg, Nashville, and Dallas could all steal him away.Hes going to go in the ten-fifteen range I'd bet. Lots of good players in that area but I dont see him slipping past the wings who need some center prospects and hes from Detroit
Grew up a Wings fan, no less. It would be pretty awesome to draft him. His stock is so high right now, though, and it seems like guys like Perlini, Honka, and McCann are shuffling down. Worse yet, he has to get past some really shrewd drafting teams in order to get to Detroit. In particular, I think Winnipeg, Nashville, and Dallas could all steal him away.
http://video.oilers.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=622672Pretty sure that's not true. Take a look at his twitter... he's been a Leafs fan growing up.
Not that that matters at all when it comes to the draft
Hoping the Wings can nab him. If not, McCann is not a bad consolation prize.
Hoping the Wings take neither, this is one of those drafts where I would like them to take a risk. Larkin comes across like a future Mike Fisher at best.
I think he means picking a guy who is a boom or bust type of player, for example Nylander is that kind of player or even Jakub Vrana.All prospects are a risk. I'm really not sure what you mean, you'd prefer the Wings take a guy who has less of a chance to make the NHL?
I think he means picking a guy who is a boom or bust type of player, for example Nylander is that kind of player or even Jakub Vrana.
I know, that just seems strange to me. With your 1st round pick you'd usually prefer as sure a thing as you can get. Mid-late round picks are more for the boom/bust players imo.
I wouldn't consider Nylander a boom or bust player. He has elite talent and NHL bloodlines. Vrana is a better example, or maybe someone like Scherbak or Goldobin. But imo their potential upside isn't really significantly higher.
He’s solid at the faceoff dot, sticks to his defensive assignments admirably and most noticeably, is a jet on skates. The 6-foot, 190-pounder rips around the surface like it’s nobody’s business and affords him the advantage of catching up to the play if caught behind — at both ends of the ice.
Speculation but maybe because some scouts believe Tuch and Milano have been feeding off Eichel's skill, obviously they still have skill but maybe some points have been fed off?
Larkin, to me, offers everything Tuch does, but better, with the exception of size. But size doesn't really mean anything when you have the complete game of Larkin.
I read he is committed to University of Michigan. So, it looks like Larkin is probably not a guy who will break the Red Wings mold by entering the NHL young, as was suggested by one of the NBCSN hosts. He's probably more of a part of the long-term plan.
His rank has been pretty steady, meaning that he's likely a pretty sure bet. I like this pick.