Tbf to Kesler in his heyday he often picked the puck up in his own zone and just fly end to end fairly often. Though you are right that Kesler is a direct player whose strong suit isn't his vision.
C Michael McLeod (2016, 12th, NJD) Part II
- Thread starter hototogisu
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Baemon Severson*
N1CO!!!
RememberTheName
Conductor of the Schmid Bandwagon
Steazy Doo
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- Jan 31, 2013
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I don't know if you're being sarcastic, but Cirelli and Stephens were like two of our best forwards.
He should have played more though, I'm a huge McLeod fan! Big things from him this year if he isn't chelling it up
VoidCreature
Before you see the light, you must die.
I'm not knocking them as players, but McLeod's on another level. Watching him this playoff run has been a revelation, even for me. You don't play someone as dynamic and hard working as McLeod 3 minutes a game if you're trying to win.
Steazy Doo
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TheGoldenJet
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2 PPG against the Petes, not bad at all.
I am one of the biggest McLeod supporters on here, but l will have to agree with Whiskey in that another year in junior (after a short NHL stint and preseason) will do McLeod wonders. Especially since he'll get top 6 minutes at the WJCs this year, and the chance to maybe play at the Olympics against pretty good competition.
I am one of the biggest McLeod supporters on here, but l will have to agree with Whiskey in that another year in junior (after a short NHL stint and preseason) will do McLeod wonders. Especially since he'll get top 6 minutes at the WJCs this year, and the chance to maybe play at the Olympics against pretty good competition.
I am by no means comparing him to McDavid. McDavid is clearly a generational player. But if there is any player over the last say 5 years that can carry the puck with the speed of McDavid it is McLeod. He has excellent vision and utilizes his team mates very well. Aside from his speed and vision I think his best asset is his ability to get into the open. He can draw the defenders to him, allowing him to feed the other players and can accelerate quickly enough that he can escape the defenders and get open himself and create a scoring chance on the give and go.
I am excited for this player in NJ. He really started the season slow and I was somewhat dissapointed at the beginnning. He has improved a lot throughout the season, but he has been on a whole other level and has been dominating through the playoffs.
I am excited for this player in NJ. He really started the season slow and I was somewhat dissapointed at the beginnning. He has improved a lot throughout the season, but he has been on a whole other level and has been dominating through the playoffs.
Did you just forget about the existence of Nathan Mackinnon? McLeod's an elite skater, but I'd say he's behind those 2 out of the last 5 drafts. Jordan Kyrou in the OHL also has absolutely ridiculous skating.
Unknown Caller
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McLeod's ceiling is higher than Gomez. Other than the outlier year where Gomez scored 33 goals, he never hit 20 in his entire career.
I think the Kesler comparison is not as much about playing style but spot you project them to be on a team's roster(ie a very high level #2C who has a 2 way game)
That's probably it. I also think the fact that Mcleod is known as being very good defensively plays a big part in this. Most Devils fans compared him to a faster Zajac initially, and I remember lots of discussion comparing Zajac to Kesler over the years even though they have different playing styles (the comparisons were more that both were very solid defensive centers, but not true number 1 Centers).
His goal scoring potential might be higher, but I don't think McLeod will be the playmaker Gomez was.
Cheddabombs
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One thing I love about his game, and something that's really lacking on the Devils, is his movement in the offensive zone. The guy is a ****ing bee on crack out there he just doesn't stop moving. It created fits for the Petes yesterday. They had to always keep an eye on where was which helped create space for Mikey's teammates. I don't think anyone on the Devils does that. Granted there's a difference between the NHL and OHL but Mikey's motor is something we lack. There's too much standing around, endless cycling that leads to no where. I think Mikey will help big time in that regard.
DudeWhereIsMakar
Bergevin sent me an offer sheet
Cheddabombs
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He's the type of player coaches love. I see his situation similar to Speers last season, only Mikey has better raw physical tools. Unfortunately the Devils are deeper at center than they are at RW so that's a big difference between the two scenarios. But either way I highly doubt the Devils won't at least give up a look for a few games to start the year.
Emperoreddy
Show Me What You Got!
They aren't that deep. Zajac is the only center that is a guarantee.
Zacha can play wing and so can Rico (if he isn't traded).
McLeod can also play RW, which is very thin.
shotvalley
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- Jan 18, 2010
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NJDevils17
Going Up?
Not yet. I think he has moved up even from where Pronman had him at 33. He's probably top 20 and after his second half/playoffs it seems justified. I'm looking forward to new rankings to see how scouts view his progress.
The Winter Soldier
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Mckagg when he was with Mckeens had Mcleod as high as 5 last year. Higher than Dubois. This is a good testament that maybe the Devils have a good one here because I do respect his eye for talent.
In April of last year, McKeens had McLeod 3rd - only behind Laine and Matthews.
https://www.mckeenshockey.com/prospects-blog/mckeens-2016-top-30-nhl-draft-rankings-apr-2016/
Not sure where he landed in the final rankings, but do recall how high McKegg was on McLeod leading up to the draft. I know a lot of Devils fans were disappointed at the time (myself included) on missing out on Keller and Jost, but seeing how enamored he was with McLeod made me like the pick, particularly over Brown.
The Winter Soldier
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Thanks for the info. I didn't know he once had him at #3. I like Brown too, and IMO I think both the Sens and Devils will have good Centers in these 2.
MMC
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SteveCangialosi123
Registered User
AfroThunder396
[citation needed]
Don't forget about Zacha
I think Zacha's future is at LW, but yeah, rags to riches pretty quick.
Zajac is still an extremely capable and useful player, as is Henrique.
