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Prospect Info: C Kieron Walton #187 2024 NHL Draft

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This kid may be a real sleeper pick. He is big with skill and a good skater for someone his size. His numbers were just 'ok' but he was on a stacked Wolves team and didn't get a ton of minutes. Hopefully he can up his nasty/intensity level.
 
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Nickname should be

Wall Street

For his hit or miss draft stock value!
 
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Liking what I'm seeing!

Kieron Walton - Wing - Sudbury Wolves
Along with Frasca, the player in this crop who fell the hardest thanks to a poor second half. Including the playoffs, Walton scored in only ONE GAME in the last 40. Yes, it was a hat trick against the Saginaw Spirit, but three goals in the final 40 games of the year is just not good enough. If Walton wasn't 6'6 and 200+ lbs, we wouldn't be talking about him as a serious draft candidate. But...he is, and we are. The allure is that Walton has more skill and is a better skater than the average 6'6 forward. He can be a really effective North/South player because of his ability to drive the net. His shot, believe it or not (considering his goal drought to end the year) is good and gives him great potential as a goal scorer. But the lack of consistency is concerning. Even more concerning, this has been an issue for Walton dating back to his minor hockey days; it's why he was the 28th overall pick in the OHL draft and not earlier despite his physical gifts. Without an increase in physical intensity, Walton just won't reach the upside that he possesses. Additionally, I wonder about how well he thinks the game as an offensive player. To be 6'6 and to not get consistent looks in the slot or near the net speaks volumes about a lack of anticipation and awareness, just as much as it does about his physical intensity. Early in the year, it looked like he was turning a corner. Later in the year, it was the exact opposite.

Kieron Walton​

Center -- shoots L
Born Apr 22 2006 -- Toronto, ONT
[18 yrs. ago]
Height 6.06 -- Weight 216 [198 cm/98 kg]

Drafted by Winnipeg Jets
- round 6 #187 overall 2024 NHL Entry Draft
SeasonTeamLgeGPGAPtsPIM+/-GPGAPtsPIM
2022-23Sudbury WolvesOHL4685130-320110
2023-24Sudbury WolvesOHL6518254318-590000
2024-25Sudbury WolvesOHL1069154-1
 
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Not sure if Wlaton's stride translates to higher levels. Obviously he's still young and has a lot of "adolescent puppy growing into his body" awkwardness going on

Curious to see how he develops
 
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Buffdog said:
Not sure if Wlaton's stride translates to higher levels. Obviously he's still young and has a lot of "adolescent puppy growing into his body" awkwardness going on

Curious to see how he develops
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Would some of the big boys benefit from playing in Europe for a year? Bigger ice might translate to forcibly getting better at skating.
 
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Developing into an Alex TUCH lite level player would be tremendous. Heck I’d even be satisfied with Bjugstad level.
 
bumblebeeman said:
Got some Tage Thompson vibes from those highlights
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Not a bad comparable. A note that Tage Thompson didn't really "break out" until his D+6 season. I could see a similar trajectory for Walton, but he really needs to have he work ethic to develop into an NHLer. He has good skill to go with his size. Now it's mainly about how hard he is willing to work to become an NHLer.
 
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Whileee said:
Not a bad comparable. A note that Tage Thompson didn't really "break out" until his D+6 season. I could see a similar trajectory for Walton, but he really needs to have he work ethic to develop into an NHLer. He has good skill to go with his size. Now it's mainly about how hard he is willing to work to become an NHLer.
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Lots of those big guys take longer. Like a puppy growing into a big dog's body

Chara also comes to mind as an example
 
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