C Michael McLeod (2016, 12th, NJD) Part II

[VoluntaryDom]

Gotcha

 

[evnted]

Management thinks very highly of him. Shero said something to the effect of "we'll give him every opportunity to earn a spot in training camp" and Castron always heaps praise on him. He perfectly personifies the vision Shero has for this team.

I think he would have to have a really bad camp to not make it. He could start as #3 C behind Zajac/Nico, or at RW where we are very thin. We definitely have spots open.

Personally I think he has nothing more to learn at the junior level, and he's not AHL eligible. He'd be an immediate upgrade over the guys we have now and would bring some much needed energy and enthusiasm. To me, this is the right time for him to make the next step but I don't think it's the end of the world if he goes back for another year. Nico will satiate my sweet tooth for the year.

this is a strong post to refer to for anyone interested Mikey's position on the roster moving forward, tho i disagree with the bolded. it does seem likely Mikey makes the roster (if Nico's 99%, Mikey's probably 75% minimum) and our lack of RW depth as well as lack of many true C's (Zajac being the only bonafide center we have) plays very well into him making the team. that said, Mikey returning to the OHL can still be extremely beneficial. he can use last year's playoff run as momentum to dominate the entire regular season, not just half of it (i know injuries and roster issues contributed to that last year). additionally, he can be given the chance to excel in a leadership role at the WJC. i still have yet to feel completely confident in his ability to be a high end producer at the NHL level and (not saying we are but) in the event we end up rushing him into the NHL, it would almost certainly lean him towards being a bottom 6 shutdown guy as opposed to a top 6 two-way force. at the end of the day, i trust the choice we make with him.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

this is a strong post to refer to for anyone interested Mikey's position on the roster moving forward, tho i disagree with the bolded. it does seem likely Mikey makes the roster (if Nico's 99%, Mikey's probably 75% minimum) and our lack of RW depth as well as lack of many true C's (Zajac being the only bonafide center we have) plays very well into him making the team. that said, Mikey returning to the OHL can still be extremely beneficial. he can use last year's playoff run as momentum to dominate the entire regular season, not just half of it (i know injuries and roster issues contributed to that last year). additionally, he can be given the chance to excel in a leadership role at the WJC. i still have yet to feel completely confident in his ability to be a high end producer at the NHL level and (not saying we are but) in the event we end up rushing him into the NHL, it would almost certainly lean him towards being a bottom 6 shutdown guy as opposed to a top 6 two-way force. at the end of the day, i trust the choice we make with him.

Ive probably seen more of McLeod's games live this year than any other prospect. And I lean towards giving him another year in Juniors to refine his offensive game.

Can he play at the NHL level this season? Yes, come September he would be able to jump into a bottom 6 role and not look out of place. And if they're looking to develop a checking line player with their #12 pick, then sure, bring him up.

But if NJ wants the kid to hit his ceiling as a top 6 C with elite skating and defensive ability, it's not a good idea to usher him into such a role at this point in time. As a 19 year old prospect, he should be playing top line minutes and top PP minutes all year long (which he won't get this year in NJ). He should be given a top 6 role and leadership position at the WJCs with Team Canada this year. His offensive game, which just started to come around for the last couple of months of last season, would flourish in this type of environment, as would his confidence in himself as a player.

Tl;dr - It would be in the Devils' best interests to keep him up for training camp, preseason, and a 9 game NHL stint, so he can develop with the team in September and learn what he needs to work on in October against NHL opposition. Then back to rip up the OHL in November, and the WJCs in December. This way his offensive game and creativity isn't stifled and his development isn't stunted by moulding him into a bottom 6 Zach Hyman type of player, when he could develop into a Koivu or a Kesler with a little more patience.

 

[Spoiled Bratt]

Couldn't agree more.

We're in no rush here, so bringing up McLeod only to play him in our bottom #6 wouldn't be a wise decision IMO. That and the fact that he can be a key piece to Canada's WJ team is another reason why I'd keep him in the CHL for another year.

 

[Zippy316]

Ive probably seen more of McLeod's games live this year than any other prospect. And I lean towards giving him another year in Juniors to refine his offensive game.

Can he play at the NHL level this season? Yes, come September he would be able to jump into a bottom 6 role and not look out of place. And if they're looking to develop a checking line player with their #12 pick, then sure, bring him up.

But if NJ wants the kid to hit his ceiling as a top 6 C with elite skating and defensive ability, it's not a good idea to usher him into such a role at this point in time. As a 19 year old prospect, he should be playing top line minutes and top PP minutes all year long (which he won't get this year in NJ). He should be given a top 6 role and leadership position at the WJCs with Team Canada this year. His offensive game, which just started to come around for the last couple of months of last season, would flourish in this type of environment, as would his confidence in himself as a player.

Tl;dr - It would be in the Devils' best interests to keep him up for training camp, preseason, and a 9 game NHL stint, so he can develop with the team in September and learn what he needs to work on in October against NHL opposition. Then back to rip up the OHL in November, and the WJCs in December. This way his offensive game and creativity isn't stifled and his development isn't stunted by moulding him into a bottom 6 Zach Hyman type of player, when he could develop into a Koivu or a Kesler with a little more patience.

Your tl;dr was just about the same length as your post

I agree though. Unless he lights it up and shows he deserves to stay, I would send him back.

He's likely to dominate the OHL, play in the WJC, and possibly even make the Olympic team. Not sure how the latter would work given he's on an NHL contract, but I would presume the Devils would let him go if given the choice.

 

[Gardiner Expressway]

this is a strong post to refer to for anyone interested Mikey's position on the roster moving forward, tho i disagree with the bolded. it does seem likely Mikey makes the roster (if Nico's 99%, Mikey's probably 75% minimum) and our lack of RW depth as well as lack of many true C's (Zajac being the only bonafide center we have) plays very well into him making the team. that said, Mikey returning to the OHL can still be extremely beneficial. he can use last year's playoff run as momentum to dominate the entire regular season, not just half of it (i know injuries and roster issues contributed to that last year). additionally, he can be given the chance to excel in a leadership role at the WJC. i still have yet to feel completely confident in his ability to be a high end producer at the NHL level and (not saying we are but) in the event we end up rushing him into the NHL, it would almost certainly lean him towards being a bottom 6 shutdown guy as opposed to a top 6 two-way force. at the end of the day, i trust the choice we make with him.

I presume that with Zajac going down for the next 4-6 months that Mikey's a shoe in for a spot now? Or does NJD have enough system depth that they can send him back to the O after 9 games if they really want to give him another year in the oven?

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I presume that with Zajac going down for the next 4-6 months that Mikey's a shoe in for a spot now? Or does NJD have enough system depth that they can send him back to the O after 9 games if they really want to give him another year in the oven?

We aren't a contender this year. Not even close. There are certainly guys who can fill in well enough for Zajac to allow for McLeod to be sent back. I personally would prefer he be sent back.

 

[Brodeur]

I presume that with Zajac going down for the next 4-6 months that Mikey's a shoe in for a spot now? Or does NJD have enough system depth that they can send him back to the O after 9 games if they really want to give him another year in the oven?

I imagine he'll get a chance to win a spot, but I don't think it's a given that he's got the inside track. If Zajac hadn't been hurt, probably one of Zacha or Henrique would have slid to left wing. But now both could be options at center again. John Quenneville and Joe Blandisi also got cups of coffee last year, so this might be a bigger opportunity for them as well.

Hypothetically:

Hall-Henrique-Palmieri
Zacha-Hischier-Johansson
Quenneville-Blandisi-Speers
Wood-Boyle-Noesen
Pietila-Coleman

Suffice to say, it'll depend on how everybody performs in camp. Blandisi fell flat in camp last year and was sent down as a result, and I think management went out of its way to let him know that he missed an opportunity.

I believe Johansson said he'd prefer to play left wing. Our AHL coach mentioned that Quenneville played some right wing as well. So they'll probably mix and experiment a lot (which they did last year to unsexy results).

 

[evnted]

I presume that with Zajac going down for the next 4-6 months that Mikey's a shoe in for a spot now? Or does NJD have enough system depth that they can send him back to the O after 9 games if they really want to give him another year in the oven?

more likely but as others have said, not a guarantee yet

 

[seafoam]

I presume that with Zajac going down for the next 4-6 months that Mikey's a shoe in for a spot now? Or does NJD have enough system depth that they can send him back to the O after 9 games if they really want to give him another year in the oven?

Why would you presume that? New Jersey likely finishes last in the Metro with or without a healthy Zajac.

If McLeod shows he ready, there is a chance he'll stick, whether or not Zajac got hurt.

 

[93LEAFS]

https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/inj...d-expected-to-miss-four-six-weeks/c-291861912

Seems he's out atleast until early November. I wonder what the outcome will be. With how the Devils have started, I'd be surprised if they have an NHL spot for him. Any chance they use this chance to temp conditioning stint him in the AHL, then send him to the WJC camp and back to Mississauga. Or will they just outright send him to the OHL once he's done rehab with the pro-team?

 

[Blender]

https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/inj...d-expected-to-miss-four-six-weeks/c-291861912

Seems he's out atleast until early November. I wonder what the outcome will be. With how the Devils have started, I'd be surprised if they have an NHL spot for him. Any chance they use this chance to temp conditioning stint him in the AHL, then send him to the WJC camp and back to Mississauga. Or will they just outright send him to the OHL once he's done rehab with the pro-team?

Not sure, definitely possible they give him a conditioning stint in the AHL, but also possible he just goes right back to junior.

 

[93LEAFS]

Not sure, definitely possible they give him a conditioning stint in the AHL, but also possible he just goes right back to junior.

Yeah, I just hope they give him some real game reps as soon as he's ready. I find kids who are sent back to junior for like a week, and then right to WJC camp almost always have piss-poor WJC's (or at least poor relative to expectations).

 

[93LEAFS]

Back from injury and back in Sauga. Barring a disastrous return and camp, he's a lock for a top 9 role with the WJC team and could be fighting for the 1st line center gig.

 

[Kaners PPGs]

Any updates on McLeod?

 

[Devils Dominion]

Back from injury and back in Sauga. Barring a disastrous return and camp, he's a lock for a top 9 role with the WJC team and could be fighting for the 1st line center gig.

That didn't happen for whatever reason at the WJC.

 

[VoidCreature]

I was probably too bullish on his hot streak last year. Hoping for Travis Zajac.

 

[Devils Dominion]

1st pro game tonight, scored on his SO attempt in Binghamton.

 

[NJ DevLolz]

In his first pro season, he has a decent 5-23-28 in 45 games. What is impressive is that he has 20 points in his last 25 games. He needs to shoot more, but he is trending in the right direction.

 

[Tripod]

Going to be a #1 C for a long time.

 

[ProspectsFanatic]

Going to be a #1 C for a long time.

Quite early to say this, I am not so convinced of that personally.

 

[135ace]

Quite early to say this, I am not so convinced of that personally.

Pretty sure that guy was trolling there.

 

[ProspectsFanatic]

Pretty sure that guy was trolling there.

Quite certain your statement makes sense thinking about it for 2 sec.

 

[Nocashstyle]

Going to be a #1 C for a long time.

Pretty sure no one ever claimed that...even on draft day.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

1 point so far in 15 games playing about 12 minutes a game. Apparently he is playing wing of late. I don't get what the Devils are doing with this prospect. Clearly not ready. Call up some minor leaguer if you want to fill out the roster.