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C Michael McLeod - Mississauga Steelheads, OHL (2016, 12th, NJD)

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WeThreeKings said:
He only skates at one speed. Others will vary skating speeds to catch opponents off guard. McLeod only knows how to go his fastest.

Its a detriment to his offensive game
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This is an underrated ability in itself. Max speed isn't the only thing... You can lose defenders like this even if you don't have the highest speed.

Speaking of which, what is the official term for this? In Finnish the term used would go along the lines of "rhytm change" or along those lines.
 
ijuka said:
This is an underrated ability in itself. Max speed isn't the only thing... You can lose defenders like this even if you don't have the highest speed.

Speaking of which, what is the official term for this? In Finnish the term used would go along the lines of "rhytm change" or along those lines.
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I dunno what legitimate hockey people call it, but I tend to call it "change of pace". The ability to lure defenders in by slowing down before creating a burst of speed to get by, or the ability to open up ice by suddenly slowing down from top speed, is a skill that you see among a lot of the top scorers nowadays.

McLeod could still be a quality NHLer, but it's easy to predict if all you do is skate at one speed. The ice is too small for that now, when everyone is fast and everyone is big there needs to be another element to your game.
 
Spade said:
I dunno what legitimate hockey people call it, but I tend to call it "change of pace". The ability to lure defenders in by slowing down before creating a burst of speed to get by, or the ability to open up ice by suddenly slowing down from top speed, is a skill that you see among a lot of the top scorers nowadays.

McLeod could still be a quality NHLer, but it's easy to predict if all you do is skate at one speed. The ice is too small for that now, when everyone is fast and everyone is big there needs to be another element to your game.
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Change of pace is something all great offensive players do well. Just watch Patrick Kane, he'll change gears constantly. It opens up room. Think if you were defending him, if he comes blazing down the wing you're gonna back off hard, and when you do, he suddenly slows down. Now he's created a huge gap between himself and the defender.
 
I dunno about this one speed thing. Mostly I watched him at the u18s and there wasn't a big gap between his skating and a lot of the players there. He also tended to slow down in possession of the puck unlike a guy like Kyrou who seemed to accelerate with the puck on his stick.

Definitely wouldn't have McLeod in my top 12. He showed almost no creativity at the u18s. He's a good passer but I'm not convinced he'll be more than an elite 3rd line centre or average 2nd line centre.
 
Some lists have him in the 20's. I think this would be criminal. I can really see a fit in Winnipeg if he falls to 22. They have all the pieces coming in place to be the next big contender in the NHL. Adding a high end #2C to Mark Scheifele this draft would be a perfect fit for both Michael and the Jets I surmise.
 
Will also add. I can see Mcleod as being one that vaults up the draft +1 draft lists next year.

I can see the Steelheads led by Mcleod, Bastien, and if Nylander is back putting up some big numbers next year. We saw this with London this year with 2/3rds drafted players and one top 4 pick.

Mcleod could have a very good draft +1 year in 2016-2017 where he would be considered a high value pick, and especially so if he is not picked in the first 15 picks.
 
ijuka said:
Speaking of which, what is the official term for this? In Finnish the term used would go along the lines of "rhytm change" or along those lines.
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In English, it would probably be "change of pace". It is a term used a lot in American Football.
 
I am starting to think he is now being undervalued. There is no way Mcleod should make it to 20+ in this draft. I have him at 10-15 range. Even at 17. I would say Mcleod is good value. At 22, I would term this as a theft.
 
I don't really get the "one speed" comments, obviously he's very fast, but he slows it down too.

His tools are great - top notch skater, good hands, decent shot, good size, strong on draws, very good 2-way player in general. My main concern is his offensive creativity, he seems to make fairly obvious plays, and I think defenders pick up on that.

However, as others have pointed out, the same was true of Kesler at the same age, and he turned out great. I view McLeod as a bit of a risky pick, could easily end up a pretty weak offensive player in the NHL, but I definitely do see the high end 2C upside, if he can develop like Kesler did.

No way I take him top 10, too high a risk that he doesn't pan out offensively, but seems like a good pick in the 15-25 range.
 
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Frk It said:
In English, it would probably be "change of pace". It is a term used a lot in American Football.
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Yeah I see, I've had a bit of a different image regarding the usage of that phrase in English but it does make sense and should help going forward. Thank you.
 
tfong said:
He is a Darren Helm / Matt Lombardi!
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Quite a lot bigger than both (at the same age), better offensively than both (at the same age), and not soft like Lombardi. If he could turn into a bigger Helm, with better offence, he'd be quite a good player.
 
ponder said:
Quite a lot bigger than both (at the same age), better offensively than both (at the same age), and not soft like Lombardi. If he could turn into a bigger Helm, with better offence, he'd be quite a good player.
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That to me is a pretty good NHL player. I'm biased as a ticket holder and big fan but I see him falling into the 10-15 range.
 
Kesler always had a plus shot. McLeod has a minus shot. He can't even score on OHL goalies with his shot.. he will never beat NHL goalies with it. Most of his goals come off deflections, tap-ins or breakaways.

There are serious red flags with him. I wouldn't gamble on him in the top 15. After, that, sure, you hope the great athlete can learn how to play hockey.. but his decision making has always left me scratching my head. Especially in the offensive zone. He can only make obvious plays or passes.
 
If he is there at 15-20 I would seriously consider in taking him. There are always uses for an all around Center that can skate with size. Also I can see him upping his value in his draft +1 year with a promising young Steelheads team. He might be looked back as one of the better value picks of 2016 at 15-20.
 
The Winter Soldier said:
If he is there at 15-20 I would seriously consider in taking him. There are always uses for an all around Center that can skate with size. Also I can see him upping his value in his draft +1 year with a promising young Steelheads team. He might be looked back as one of the better value picks of 2016 at 15-20.
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From an Islanders perspective he is not really the guy I want but if he is remaining on the board at 19 I probably take him
 
So he's got size, great speed, and is terrific on FO's. All these things are very important(especially the first two) attributes, and don't go away, barring serious injury.

Is it possible that this guy is underrated?

It seems that players like Bellows and Kunin are now considered better bets. From someone who has seen a lot of the former...his skating might've improved, but he was nowhere near the best skater on his HS team. Kunin I've only seen a couple of times live, then a few times on the tube. Timely scorer, but he was by no means a dominant player like a Bjugstad was.
 

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