C Jansen Harkins - Prince George Cougars, WHL (2015, 47th, WPG)

[Dr.Sens(e)]

It's interesting, because a draft eligible who leads their team in scoring on a low scoring team, is often one of the biggest steals of the draft. The wider the margin, the bigger the potential steal, because their offensive abilities are truly underappreciated.

Mike Green when he was in Saskatoon, Cory Perry in London, Logan Couture in Ottawa. All of these guys were 1st round draft picks, but guys that should have been picked higher than they were, mostly as a matter of production compared to other guys in the draft. Sam Gagner going ahead of Couture is a great example of that (Gagner scored a lot more points, but also happened to be the lowest scoring player on his LINE that year).

Guys like Crouse and Konecny have already seen their ranking boosted a bit by the recognition of the fact they don't have the best line mates, but in looking at it, Harkins production is much more impressive than either of those guys given the next best talent on the roster. He actually sounds a lot like Patrice Bergeron when he was drafted, who was really underappreciated at the time, because he didn't have a dynamic offensive trait per se, but once he got to the NHL, everyone realizes just how subtly good the guy was at pretty much every facet of the game.

 

[Anthony Mauro]

Jansen Harkins has been ranked in the top 30 of every DraftBuzz ranking since June 2014. His latest rank was 15th, which came from February's ranking on the 10th.

To say he hasn't had hype is inaccurate. He has been competitive with all of the latter half of the first round for awhile now.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

darn, I was really hoping he'd fall to the Oilers in the 20-25 range

 

[covfefe]

Jansen Harkins has been ranked in the top 30 of every DraftBuzz ranking since June 2014. His latest rank was 15th, which came from February's ranking on the 10th.

To say he hasn't had hype is inaccurate. He has been competitive with all of the latter half of the first round for awhile now.

He also came into the WHL as the #2 pick behind Barzal, and was very well known in Western Canada going back to his first year of bantam. Probably never 'hyped' like a superstar would be, and rightfully so, but people have been aware of him for a while.

 

[zjh]

Jansen Harkins has been ranked in the top 30 of every DraftBuzz ranking since June 2014. His latest rank was 15th, which came from February's ranking on the 10th.

To say he hasn't had hype is inaccurate. He has been competitive with all of the latter half of the first round for awhile now.

I agree. The masses seem to come in late to the party and assume there is no talk about anyone. If anyone follows me on twitter they can go back to his 15 year-old season and see 'hype' from when he scored a hat trick in the Western U16 Finals and when he was a prominent player on the Mac's winning NW Giants. Just because people aren't going around saying that he is a guaranteed superstar doesn't mean there isn't any hype. Jansen has been talked about every bit as much as Merkley, Provorov, and Barzal this year IMO.

 

[BillDineen]

It's interesting, because a draft eligible who leads their team in scoring on a low scoring team, is often one of the biggest steals of the draft. The wider the margin, the bigger the potential steal, because their offensive abilities are truly underappreciated.

Mike Green when he was in Saskatoon, Cory Perry in London, Logan Couture in Ottawa. All of these guys were 1st round draft picks, but guys that should have been picked higher than they were, mostly as a matter of production compared to other guys in the draft. Sam Gagner going ahead of Couture is a great example of that (Gagner scored a lot more points, but also happened to be the lowest scoring player on his LINE that year).

Guys like Crouse and Konecny have already seen their ranking boosted a bit by the recognition of the fact they don't have the best line mates, but in looking at it, Harkins production is much more impressive than either of those guys given the next best talent on the roster. He actually sounds a lot like Patrice Bergeron when he was drafted, who was really underappreciated at the time, because he didn't have a dynamic offensive trait per se, but once he got to the NHL, everyone realizes just how subtly good the guy was at pretty much every facet of the game.

Interesting.

Anthony Beauvillier is another leading his team by a wide margin. Jake DeBrusk as well. (Chlapik/Sprong together lead their team).

 

[Dr.Sens(e)]

Jansen Harkins has been ranked in the top 30 of every DraftBuzz ranking since June 2014. His latest rank was 15th, which came from February's ranking on the 10th.

To say he hasn't had hype is inaccurate. He has been competitive with all of the latter half of the first round for awhile now.

No doubt he has been on the radar, but the point is he is outscoring Barzal, Zacha, Konecny and many others. Why doesn't anyone rank him ahead of such players (including DraftBuzz?). He certainly doesn't have the hype any of those players do, and why not? I would hardly consider the coverage Harkins has received relative to the other top half dozen forwards as equal hype.

So the point is perhaps he should be discussed as one of the top 5 forwards in the draft, no? I don't see any rankings with him in that range, where as his production relative to circumstances should perhaps merit such considerations.

It's not that anyone following the draft doesn't know about him. It just seems most know a little less about him than others in the same range. Heck, look how thin the discussion thread is on this board for him compared to others.

 

[Dr.Sens(e)]

Interesting.

Anthony Beauvillier is another leading his team by a wide margin. Jake DeBrusk as well. (Chlapik/Sprong together lead their team).

Totally agree. And he's a guy that should definitely be in the first round too. Very surprising some see him as a 2nd rounder compared to some of the forwards in the late 1st. Many have Sprong rated ahead of him, which doesn't make any sense for most of those who have watched more than a handful of games in the Q.

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

What is his possible ceiling and what would be a good comparison for him? I havent had a chance to see him play.

 

[R S]

What is his possible ceiling and what would be a good comparison for him? I havent had a chance to see him play.

I've used Stastny as a comparable and I think it fits both in regards to his top end potential and style of play. I think he tops out as being a good #2 C who can play in any situation.

 

[phillipsj89]

I've used Stastny as a comparable and I think it fits both in regards to his top end potential and style of play. I think he tops out as being a good #2 C who can play in any situation.

This. His defensive play at the age of 17 is incredible.

 

[phillipsj89]

With an assist on Saturday vs the Winterhawks, Harkins is now the Cougars single season assists leader.

Took him a couple games of being stuck on 58, but he got it.

https://twitter.com/PGCougars/status/576957927937851392

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

I have to say I was incredibly disappointed in the game I saw him recently. I have always been a huge supporter of Harkins and think he could become a captain of an NHL team and become a steal of this draft, but he was horrible in the game I saw and it's killing me to say it!!. Had no offensive touch at all, got overpowered many times and just looked very weak. It was a bad time to play bad because there were a ton of NHL scouts watching. I know players are allowed to have bad games, but unfortunately he has dropped a bit in my rankings. He needs to get stronger and add some weight. Atleast his dad is a big guy though so I assume he will fill out a lot still.

 

[arsmaster*]

I have to say I was incredibly disappointed in the game I saw him recently. I have always been a huge supporter of Harkins and think he could become a captain of an NHL team and become a steal of this draft, but he was horrible in the game I saw and it's killing me to say it!!. Had no offensive touch at all, got overpowered many times and just looked very weak. It was a bad time to play bad because there were a ton of NHL scouts watching. I know players are allowed to have bad games, but unfortunately he has dropped a bit in my rankings. He needs to get stronger and add some weight. Atleast his dad is a big guy though so I assume he will fill out a lot still.

He looks 12 in his face. Listed at what? 170lbs.

His dad players at 210+ says hockeydb, give Jansen time to grow.

I think scouts often like the guys who produce while being physically immature. Gives them room to project.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

He looks 12 in his face. Listed at what? 170lbs.

His dad players at 210+ says hockeydb, give Jansen time to grow.

I think scouts often like the guys who produce while being physically immature. Gives them room to project.

Yup agreed... you definitely don't want a kid that looks like he's completely physically mature already at 17.

 

[R S]

I have to say I was incredibly disappointed in the game I saw him recently. I have always been a huge supporter of Harkins and think he could become a captain of an NHL team and become a steal of this draft, but he was horrible in the game I saw and it's killing me to say it!!. Had no offensive touch at all, got overpowered many times and just looked very weak. It was a bad time to play bad because there were a ton of NHL scouts watching. I know players are allowed to have bad games, but unfortunately he has dropped a bit in my rankings. He needs to get stronger and add some weight. Atleast his dad is a big guy though so I assume he will fill out a lot still.

Eh, I wouldn't but too much stock into one game. Everyone has an off night.

For me, that's how Harkins is. He doesn't do a lot to stand out. He's not going to be a 1st round pick due to flashy offensive plays. He's smart, methodical. And frankly, his offensive numbers speaks for themselves.

His offensive production, relative to the rest of the WHL players from this class, is really something special. He's produced more at even strength than any other WHL player in this class. Considering his lack of overall support, that's pretty special.

 

[Smif]

I have to say I was incredibly disappointed in the game I saw him recently. I have always been a huge supporter of Harkins and think he could become a captain of an NHL team and become a steal of this draft, but he was horrible in the game I saw and it's killing me to say it!!. Had no offensive touch at all, got overpowered many times and just looked very weak. It was a bad time to play bad because there were a ton of NHL scouts watching. I know players are allowed to have bad games, but unfortunately he has dropped a bit in my rankings. He needs to get stronger and add some weight. Atleast his dad is a big guy though so I assume he will fill out a lot still.

Lots of cough/colds/flu goin around...you never know.

 

[MCDAVIDISH]

It's interesting, because a draft eligible who leads their team in scoring on a low scoring team, is often one of the biggest steals of the draft. The wider the margin, the bigger the potential steal, because their offensive abilities are truly underappreciated.

Mike Green when he was in Saskatoon, Cory Perry in London, Logan Couture in Ottawa. All of these guys were 1st round draft picks, but guys that should have been picked higher than they were, mostly as a matter of production compared to other guys in the draft. Sam Gagner going ahead of Couture is a great example of that (Gagner scored a lot more points, but also happened to be the lowest scoring player on his LINE that year).

Guys like Crouse and Konecny have already seen their ranking boosted a bit by the recognition of the fact they don't have the best line mates, but in looking at it, Harkins production is much more impressive than either of those guys given the next best talent on the roster. He actually sounds a lot like Patrice Bergeron when he was drafted, who was really underappreciated at the time, because he didn't have a dynamic offensive trait per se, but once he got to the NHL, everyone realizes just how subtly good the guy was at pretty much every facet of the game.

Ya Monahan definitely applies to what you're saying as well. Points were harder to come by for him on the team he was on, and has so far proved to be one of the best from that draft.

 

[Love]

Eh, I wouldn't but too much stock into one game. Everyone has an off night.

For me, that's how Harkins is. He doesn't do a lot to stand out. He's not going to be a 1st round pick due to flashy offensive plays. He's smart, methodical. And frankly, his offensive numbers speaks for themselves.

His offensive production, relative to the rest of the WHL players from this class, is really something special. He's produced more at even strength than any other WHL player in this class. Considering his lack of overall support, that's pretty special.

Where do you have him ranked compared to Barzal and Merkley? Harkins' 2nd half of the season has to be making it tough not to put him right with these two.

Personally I'd go Barzal, Harkins, then Merkley. But I think you see the 3 of them more than I do, so I'm interested to hear your thoughts.

 

[Whileee]

He kind of feels like a Jets pick... maybe reminiscent of Scheifele. Scheifele needed to grow and improve his skating, and he's now a very good 2-way center in the NHL.

 

[R S]

Where do you have him ranked compared to Barzal and Merkley? Harkins' 2nd half of the season has to be making it tough not to put him right with these two.

Personally I'd go Barzal, Harkins, then Merkley. But I think you see the 3 of them more than I do, so I'm interested to hear your thoughts.

Currently:

Barzal
Harkins
Merkley

Been like that for the last few weeks for me.

 

[arsmaster*]

Where do you have him ranked compared to Barzal and Merkley? Harkins' 2nd half of the season has to be making it tough not to put him right with these two.

Personally I'd go Barzal, Harkins, then Merkley. But I think you see the 3 of them more than I do, so I'm interested to hear your thoughts.

http://whl-from-above.blogspot.ca/2015/02/2015-nhl-draft-rankings-fourth-edition.html

R S' rankings from 6 weeks ago. Always a good read.

 

[R S]

http://whl-from-above.blogspot.ca/2015/02/2015-nhl-draft-rankings-fourth-edition.html

R S' rankings from 6 weeks ago. Always a good read.

Have since swapped both Provorov-Barzal and Merkley-Harkins but thanks for the kind words.

 

[arsmaster*]

Have since swapped both Provorov-Barzal and Merkley-Harkins but thanks for the kind words.

So Harkins is ahead of Merkley now? Interesting. Is there a specific reason?

 

[phillipsj89]

So Harkins is ahead of Merkley now? Interesting. Is there a specific reason?

I can't speak for R S, but I echo having Harkins above Merkley.

Merkley has a lot of high end skill, can pass well and can score. He also skates well.

Harkins does all the same but his high end skill isn't at the same level and his skating needs some work.

The diff for me comes in the defensive end. Harkins is always in the right place in both ends of the rink. He works as hard in the d-zone as the o-zone, and he iss till on pace for over 80 points with much less help than Merkley has been getting.