Prospect Info: C Kieron Walton #187 2024 NHL Draft

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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
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[TR]
[TH]Season[/TH]
[TH]Team[/TH]
[TH]Lge[/TH]
[TH]GP[/TH]
[TH]G[/TH]
[TH]A[/TH]
[TH]Pts[/TH]
[TH]PIM[/TH]
[TH]+/-[/TH]
[TH]GP[/TH]
[TH]G[/TH]
[TH]A[/TH]
[TH]Pts[/TH]
[TH]PIM[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2022-23[/TD]
[TD]Sudbury Wolves[/TD]
[TD]OHL[/TD]
[TD]46[/TD]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]-3[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2023-24[/TD]
[TD]Sudbury Wolves[/TD]
[TD]OHL[/TD]
[TD]65[/TD]
[TD]18[/TD]
[TD]25[/TD]
[TD]43[/TD]
[TD]18[/TD]
[TD]-5[/TD]
[TD]9[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2024-25[/TD]
[TD]Sudbury Wolves[/TD]
[TD]OHL[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]9[/TD]
[TD]15[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]-1[/TD]
[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD][/TD]

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[/TABLE]
All that scoring and still on pace for the worst +/- of his junior career? Clearly, defence is being sacrificed for offence. Scheifele must have taught him a thing or two about cheating. :nod:
 
All that scoring and still on pace for the worst +/- of his junior career? Clearly, defence is being sacrificed for offence. Scheifele must have taught him a thing or two about cheating. :nod:
10 of his 16 points have come on the PP, then you have He with 4 points on the PP, 2 SH, out of 20, and I think that attests more to the difference we saw in TC between the two players.
 
All that scoring and still on pace for the worst +/- of his junior career? Clearly, defence is being sacrificed for offence. Scheifele must have taught him a thing or two about cheating. :nod:
IMG_8525.jpeg

Maybe you should check the facts before posting. I see you posted this on Oct 24 … he was -1 at the time which is better than -5 and -3 in his first 2 years in the OHL
 
Told you during pre-season Walton is the most interesting player to follow when on the ice we had since Buff.

Where did you get a chance to watch him play?

I have to admit I have grown "VERY" cautious when projecting prospects because the last one to exceed my draft day expectations was Samberg and that was 8 drafts ago. Even then I really liked that draft pick at the time.

Salomonsson and Walton are two prospects that very much intrigue me and those are probably the first two since Samberg where I think we may get a steal vs their drafted position. To be clear there have been other picks I like but none of that are really exceeding my draft day expectations.
 
Where did you get a chance to watch him play?

I have to admit I have grown "VERY" cautious when projecting prospects because the last one to exceed my draft day expectations was Samberg and that was 8 drafts ago. Even then I really liked that draft pick at the time.

Salomonsson and Walton are two prospects that very much intrigue me and those are probably the first two since Samberg where I think we may get a steal vs their drafted position. To be clear there have been other picks I like but none of that are really exceeding my draft day expectations.

NHL.TV old man 😁
 
I've been watching Walton with the Wolves the last few seasons and he's a lot of fun to watch (especially this season) because he's such a unique combination of size and skill.

He's taken a large step forward from last season as he's playing consistent 1st line minutes compared to 3rd line last season. He's been very consistently putting up points on the season and there have been very few games this year I've come away thinking he played "bad."

Strengths:
- Size/reach
- Hands (very good! Capable of high light reel goals)
- Shot
- Smarts (not elite, but "good")
- Skating (he's an average skater, but considering his size I'd consider it a strength)
- Discipline (hardly ever in the box)

Weaknesses:
- Defensive play (there is some effort but its very nonchalant)
- Doesn't use his body to outmuscle other players or drive the net for the most part
- Plays around the perimeter too much
- No mean streak (not in his personality)

I think he's a great value pick in the 6th round because he's a very boom or bust type of prospect. He was being rated 2nd/3rd round at mid-season last year and played in the CHL prospects game but then he had a very slow 2nd half of the season - fatigue maybe could have played a factor, but overall he just didn't have any pep in his game and coasted for the rest of the season for the most part. I think his production could slow down a bit in the second half but it shouldn't drop off like last season (hopefully).

A common critique amongst Wolves fans is that if he could just be more assertive and even get a little bit mean and use his body more he would be scary good. He has a very high ceiling IMO. Time will tell if he gets there or not. Great kid, he'll probably have a letter on his jersey next season.

I'd think he's at least a late 1st rounder in a redraft ;)
 
I've been watching Walton with the Wolves the last few seasons and he's a lot of fun to watch (especially this season) because he's such a unique combination of size and skill.

He's taken a large step forward from last season as he's playing consistent 1st line minutes compared to 3rd line last season. He's been very consistently putting up points on the season and there have been very few games this year I've come away thinking he played "bad."

Strengths:
- Size/reach
- Hands (very good! Capable of high light reel goals)
- Shot
- Smarts (not elite, but "good")
- Skating (he's an average skater, but considering his size I'd consider it a strength)
- Discipline (hardly ever in the box)

Weaknesses:
- Defensive play (there is some effort but its very nonchalant)
- Doesn't use his body to outmuscle other players or drive the net for the most part
- Plays around the perimeter too much
- No mean streak (not in his personality)

I think he's a great value pick in the 6th round because he's a very boom or bust type of prospect. He was being rated 2nd/3rd round at mid-season last year and played in the CHL prospects game but then he had a very slow 2nd half of the season - fatigue maybe could have played a factor, but overall he just didn't have any pep in his game and coasted for the rest of the season for the most part. I think his production could slow down a bit in the second half but it shouldn't drop off like last season (hopefully).

A common critique amongst Wolves fans is that if he could just be more assertive and even get a little bit mean and use his body more he would be scary good. He has a very high ceiling IMO. Time will tell if he gets there or not. Great kid, he'll probably have a letter on his jersey next season.

I'd think he's at least a late 1st rounder in a redraft ;)
Thanks for the write up

Your description made me think of Eric Daze for some reason
 
I've been watching Walton with the Wolves the last few seasons and he's a lot of fun to watch (especially this season) because he's such a unique combination of size and skill.

He's taken a large step forward from last season as he's playing consistent 1st line minutes compared to 3rd line last season. He's been very consistently putting up points on the season and there have been very few games this year I've come away thinking he played "bad."

Strengths:
- Size/reach
- Hands (very good! Capable of high light reel goals)
- Shot
- Smarts (not elite, but "good")
- Skating (he's an average skater, but considering his size I'd consider it a strength)
- Discipline (hardly ever in the box)

Weaknesses:
- Defensive play (there is some effort but its very nonchalant)
- Doesn't use his body to outmuscle other players or drive the net for the most part
- Plays around the perimeter too much
- No mean streak (not in his personality)

I think he's a great value pick in the 6th round because he's a very boom or bust type of prospect. He was being rated 2nd/3rd round at mid-season last year and played in the CHL prospects game but then he had a very slow 2nd half of the season - fatigue maybe could have played a factor, but overall he just didn't have any pep in his game and coasted for the rest of the season for the most part. I think his production could slow down a bit in the second half but it shouldn't drop off like last season (hopefully).

A common critique amongst Wolves fans is that if he could just be more assertive and even get a little bit mean and use his body more he would be scary good. He has a very high ceiling IMO. Time will tell if he gets there or not. Great kid, he'll probably have a letter on his jersey next season.

I'd think he's at least a late 1st rounder in a redraft ;)
Very much appreciate your input!
 
I've been watching Walton with the Wolves the last few seasons and he's a lot of fun to watch (especially this season) because he's such a unique combination of size and skill.

He's taken a large step forward from last season as he's playing consistent 1st line minutes compared to 3rd line last season. He's been very consistently putting up points on the season and there have been very few games this year I've come away thinking he played "bad."

Strengths:
- Size/reach
- Hands (very good! Capable of high light reel goals)
- Shot
- Smarts (not elite, but "good")
- Skating (he's an average skater, but considering his size I'd consider it a strength)
- Discipline (hardly ever in the box)

Weaknesses:
- Defensive play (there is some effort but its very nonchalant)
- Doesn't use his body to outmuscle other players or drive the net for the most part
- Plays around the perimeter too much
- No mean streak (not in his personality)

I think he's a great value pick in the 6th round because he's a very boom or bust type of prospect. He was being rated 2nd/3rd round at mid-season last year and played in the CHL prospects game but then he had a very slow 2nd half of the season - fatigue maybe could have played a factor, but overall he just didn't have any pep in his game and coasted for the rest of the season for the most part. I think his production could slow down a bit in the second half but it shouldn't drop off like last season (hopefully).

A common critique amongst Wolves fans is that if he could just be more assertive and even get a little bit mean and use his body more he would be scary good. He has a very high ceiling IMO. Time will tell if he gets there or not. Great kid, he'll probably have a letter on his jersey next season.

I'd think he's at least a late 1st rounder in a redraft ;)
Most of his weaknesses are actually things that are easier to fix and his strengths actually indicate he has a much higher floor than one would think. A big guy who still needs to grow into his body and use it effectively is a great sign.
 
Wow his prospect projection is trending at Rutger McGro level...
I've been thinking for a while that if he's the next one that doesn't want to sign here, some people will have some serious backtracking to do. :laugh:

Speaking of signing, I see He now has but Walton hasn't. Could there be trouble in paradise? :popcorn:
 
I've been watching Walton with the Wolves the last few seasons and he's a lot of fun to watch (especially this season) because he's such a unique combination of size and skill.

He's taken a large step forward from last season as he's playing consistent 1st line minutes compared to 3rd line last season. He's been very consistently putting up points on the season and there have been very few games this year I've come away thinking he played "bad."

Strengths:
- Size/reach
- Hands (very good! Capable of high light reel goals)
- Shot
- Smarts (not elite, but "good")
- Skating (he's an average skater, but considering his size I'd consider it a strength)
- Discipline (hardly ever in the box)

Weaknesses:
- Defensive play (there is some effort but its very nonchalant)
- Doesn't use his body to outmuscle other players or drive the net for the most part
- Plays around the perimeter too much
- No mean streak (not in his personality)

I think he's a great value pick in the 6th round because he's a very boom or bust type of prospect. He was being rated 2nd/3rd round at mid-season last year and played in the CHL prospects game but then he had a very slow 2nd half of the season - fatigue maybe could have played a factor, but overall he just didn't have any pep in his game and coasted for the rest of the season for the most part. I think his production could slow down a bit in the second half but it shouldn't drop off like last season (hopefully).

A common critique amongst Wolves fans is that if he could just be more assertive and even get a little bit mean and use his body more he would be scary good. He has a very high ceiling IMO. Time will tell if he gets there or not. Great kid, he'll probably have a letter on his jersey next season.

I'd think he's at least a late 1st rounder in a redraft ;)

Great stuff -- thanks.

Def seems a unique mix of size, skill and smarts. Hopefully graduating to the A and the chronically terrible Moose irritates him enough to grow out that mean streak a little and larns him some D.

Also imagining a scenario in which a player like Walton, who is actually good, satisfies the team's Big Body requirement and maybe even makes Stanley redundant.
 

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