C/LW Cole Perfetti - Saginaw Spirit, OHL (2020, 10th, WPG)

[TheImpatientPanther]

Thoughts on perfetti this wjc?

I came in expecting to see more from him, especially with the role he was given (top pp, top 6). I was honestly shocked when I saw that he had 5 points because I thought he's been pretty invisible for the most part.

Hasn't shown me anything to suggest he can stick at C, especially in the NHL.

But I feel like this has been a weird tournament so far especially for the Canadian players. Haven't really had any stiff competition yet.

Same thoughts. Hasn't stood out at all other than his playmaking on the PP here and there.
Not saying he won't be a good player in NHL but also expected more and was high on him leading into draft night, was fine with either him or Lundell coming to FLA.

Will be watching to see what he can do the rest of his D+1 year, hopefully the junior leagues get at least a half season in.

 

[Mickey Marner]

Thoughts on perfetti this wjc?

I came in expecting to see more from him, especially with the role he was given (top pp, top 6). I was honestly shocked when I saw that he had 5 points because I thought he's been pretty invisible for the most part.

Hasn't shown me anything to suggest he can stick at C, especially in the NHL.

But I feel like this has been a weird tournament so far especially for the Canadian players. Haven't really had any stiff competition yet.

He kills the play/momentum all the time. The team is built on a relentless forecheck, back pressure and aggressively holding the line. Perfetti likes to stand still and create with his back to the boards, and doesn't even deserve a participation trophy for his work along the boards.

 

[Finster8]

He kills the play/momentum all the time. The team is built on a relentless forecheck, back pressure and aggressively holding the line. Perfetti likes to stand still and create with his back to the boards, and doesn't even deserve a participation trophy for his work along the boards.

Your first sentence is a f**k*** joke. Cole like the rest is starting to get their legs under them. Also some familiarity is coming along as these talented players are getting use to how each other play. Standing still with his back to the boards was going enough for 111 pts last season. He hasn't been at the top of his game but give it more than 4 games to summarize his game.

 

[Bounces R Way]

He's been a little underwhelming so far in the WJC. Don't think he's been bad or anything, just hasn't shown as much as you'd hope.

Would like to see the Perfetti-McMichael-Krebs line split up personally. Big fan of each player individually but they all bring a lot of the same thing. 3 LHS natural centers on the same line just seems redundant.

 

[Channelcat]

He doesn't look to be in game shape, but he has played smart hockey. That's what coaches like.

I'm not concerned about his play.

 

[Atoyot]

He's been a little underwhelming so far in the WJC. Don't think he's been bad or anything, just hasn't shown as much as you'd hope.

Would like to see the Perfetti-McMichael-Krebs line split up personally. Big fan of each player individually but they all bring a lot of the same thing. 3 LHS natural centers on the same line just seems redundant.

That hasn't been a line for two and a half games.

 

[Belhammer16]

I've been so underwhelmed by him this tourney, he really needs to get quicker to be able to play at the next level. His brain and skills are there, but his physical attributes don't allow him to do what he's trying to do

 

[tsujimoto74]

Thoughts on perfetti this wjc?

I came in expecting to see more from him, especially with the role he was given (top pp, top 6). I was honestly shocked when I saw that he had 5 points because I thought he's been pretty invisible for the most part.

Hasn't shown me anything to suggest he can stick at C, especially in the NHL.

But I feel like this has been a weird tournament so far especially for the Canadian players. Haven't really had any stiff competition yet.

He looks even slower than I remember him being. Kid's gonna have to put a lot of work into his skating.

 

[Tutu to]

I’ve definitely been underwhelmed with him so far. He might have the skill but he needs to get stronger and work on his skating if he’s going to succeed in the NHL.

Suprised he’s put up 5 point tbh.

 

[DJB]

Thoughts on perfetti this wjc?

I came in expecting to see more from him, especially with the role he was given (top pp, top 6). I was honestly shocked when I saw that he had 5 points because I thought he's been pretty invisible for the most part.

Hasn't shown me anything to suggest he can stick at C, especially in the NHL.

But I feel like this has been a weird tournament so far especially for the Canadian players. Haven't really had any stiff competition yet.

I'm just not a fan of him.

Lazy, poor skater, doesn't go to the dirty areas of the ice.

I did think Perfetti was most likely to bust BEFORE the NHL draft occurred.

Poll: Of Bob's top 10 in 2020, who is the most likely to bust?

 

[BigHitter67]

I’ve definitely been underwhelmed with him so far. He might have the skill but he needs to get stronger and work on his skating if he’s going to succeed in the NHL.

Suprised he’s put up 5 point tbh.

A monkey could put up 5 playing the PP on that team vs that level of competition

 

[snowkiddin]

Perfetti had a pretty good tournament. His skating needs to improve, but the vision and IQ is there. Set up his teammates quite a few times, they just flubbed it.

Was also pleasantly surprised by his work in the defensive zone. His hockey IQ seems to be not limited only to the offensive zone; his positioning and stick is quite good defensively.

 

[Pongs21]

Was a little disappointed, but got better every game. Thought he played well in the gold metal game. Seems like he's the kind of player who excels in fancy stats, but gets shit on from the eye test. You can see the skill and the IQ and his ability to slow the game down. Was concerned about his speed and ability to reach that top gear consistently like the rest of team Canada, making him look a lot slower than he is. Noticed him trying to anticipate the play and going to the area he though the play would go to. If it didn't, it looked bad and could be dismissed or confused as a lazy play and lack of effort. Don't think he's ready for the NHL at all right now, especially with the upcoming compacted schedule. He needs to work on his skating and getting stronger.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Obviously has the hands and the brain.

 

[57special]

He looked overwhelmed physically at the WJC's. Unless he has a crazy growth spurt( not necessarily taller, but much thicker), then he's at least a couple of years away. Rossi looked faster and stronger.

 

[Preposterone]

It's concerning to me that he looks pretty much the same physically as he did at the end of last season. He had 9 months to improve his fitness/add muscle. look at what Hughes/Stutzle/Raymond have done with that time off...

 

[snowkiddin]

Was a little disappointed, but got better every game. Thought he played well in the gold metal game. Seems like he's the kind of player who excels in fancy stats, but gets shit on from the eye test. You can see the skill and the IQ and his ability to slow the game down. Was concerned about his speed and ability to reach that top gear consistently like the rest of team Canada, making him look a lot slower than he is. Noticed him trying to anticipate the play and going to the area he though the play would go to. If it didn't, it looked bad and could be dismissed or confused as a lazy play and lack of effort. Don't think he's ready for the NHL at all right now, especially with the upcoming compacted schedule. He needs to work on his skating and getting stronger.

I agree with this 100%. Where do you think he should play next year? What’s best for his development? Assuming (big assumption) things are normal in September, I’m assuming he goes to the OHL, although I think he might be a little too good for the junior leagues.

 

[95snipes]

Reminds me of Dylan Strome

 

[NyQuil]

Obviously has the hands and the brain.

He didn't seem like a good fit for this type of team.

The PP where he was supposed to be the primary shooter lacked the kind of puck control guys to create those open opportunities for him.

We relied heavily on Byram and Drysdale for seam passes and offensive creativity.

When he did get shots, he often missed the net. He did have the one big goal, and that's a credit to his offensive ability.

Canada employed a sort of relentless pursuit and aggressive approach (until Periods 1 and 2 of the Final) and I'm not sure that plays to his strengths.

 

[Pongs21]

I agree with this 100%. Where do you think he should play next year? What’s best for his development? Assuming (big assumption) things are normal in September, I’m assuming he goes to the OHL, although I think he might be a little too good for the junior leagues.

I mean ideally I would love for him to be ready next year, or even prove me wrong this year. He appears to take things to heart (snubs) for example and uses it as motivation - could very well use the loss to the USA and find that other gear? But I think chances of sticking with the big club all year is not likely.
I think it depends on what happens with the OHL and where he goes. I would have loved to see him get a sniff at C as he seemed to revert to that position at times making him out of position and the point open. Curious if he gets slotted into a C position with the Moose if he's AHL bound due to OHL pushing back further or cancelling the season. I guess it also depends on how this season plays out in terms of player movement and if there's a need/more pressure for him to jump into a spot or say for instances Laine gets traded for PLD or another young C and if that at all changes the Jets position on where they feel to best develop him, whether its still at C or on the wing.

 

[heretik27]

I thought he had his best game in the finals. He had the puck on his stick quite a bit and his line was one of the few that had been getting the puck down to the Americans end of the ice. He showed some patience with the puck, but on the PP in particular his teammates were just too stationary to create any openings. In particular that cross ice pass through the seam when he came on as an extra man at the end of the game where nobody was there to take the pass. He finds the openings, but the team had no real time together and just never gelled on the PP. I think he showed flashes of what got him drafted so high, but the critiques on his skating and lack of size seem pretty valid. His linemates did the majority of the board work, which from others comments sounded by design? But I did see a few times where he wasn't afraid to get in on the forecheck and throw a hit or chase for a loose puck. The problem I saw was that he is not quick at all on his feet and he often times is found floating instead of anticipating the play to be in position to support his teammates in the offensive zone which resulted in a lot of breakouts for the other teams instead of the sustained pressure other lines were generating all tournament.

He's definitely a year or two away, but still has the potential to be a solid contributor imo at the NHL level. The areas he needs to improve in can be accomplished with effort, so as long as he's willing I can see him making it.

 

[Tube Skates]

I like the way he finds open ice and picks off loose pucks. I don’t like when he plays hot potato with it when there is no defender even close to him. Good shot. Needs to learn how to skate and glide with the puck if he’s going to handle it a lot. He and his line mates didn’t cost the team anything. I’d give him a B rating for the tournament.

 

[bsu]

If anyone reminds me of Casey Mittelstadt its this guy not Zegras.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

If anyone reminds me of Casey Mittelstadt its this guy not Zegras.

Neither does. Mittelstadt is bigger, skates better and stick handles better than Perfetti. Perfetti has a better shot and hockey sense.

I think Perfetti needs another year. The talk of him playing in the NHL this season seems very premature. He's not ready. He's small and slow. He might even need some AHL time, but he should have more success at the WJC next year as a 19 year old.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

1st pro game, 1st pro goal, congrats Cole!.