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

[projexns]

Is there Ryan Kesler type potential with this player, a 2C that you can match up against top lines, minimize their damage and give your #1 line more favourable matchups?

Does he have the skill-set to match up well versus all types of players, be they big, fast, or highly skilled?

 

[Zaddy]

Following his rookie season and the start of this season I was really hoping that his offensive tools would catch up to incredible physical traits. He's disappointed me a little in that aspect.

What I do see though is a guy who's skilled enough and talented enough to play with skilled players, but take them off his line and his creativity isn't enough to allow him to carry a line himself.

For Leafs fans, think of the way Tyler Bozak has been used in Toronto. He's always been able to keep up and play with the likes of Phil Kessel and JVR and didn't look out of place. But for some reason he was still never able to break more than 50 points. That's the kind of role I see for Mcleod in the NHL.

That being said, he has physical gifts that Bozak could only dream of having. He is going to be a coach's wet dream in the NHL one day, and you'll be able to play him anywhere in the line up and not look out of place. He's a C that will be able to do all the heavy lifting and work on a line, but is still skilled enough to play with anyone. Just don't expect 60 points out of the guy.

I think RNH is probably another good comparison. He's good with skilled guys but doesn't create much on his own. Can play tough minutes and is a good two-way guy but has yet to break 60 points. That's probably a somewhat realistic high-end projection for McLeod.

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

this years Pavel Zacha?

 

[Icebreakers]

Is there Ryan Kesler type potential with this player, a 2C that you can match up against top lines, minimize their damage and give your #1 line more favourable matchups?

Does he have the skill-set to match up well versus all types of players, be they big, fast, or highly skilled?

I dont really think hes a Kesler type. Kesler was a glorified grinder with a good shot. He out worked and outhit his opponents. If he hits his max potential i think he would be like a Duchene type with less offense and more two way play. Speed and skill.

 

[VictorLustig]

I dont really think hes a Kesler type. Kesler was a glorified grinder with a good shot. He out worked and outhit his opponents. If he hits his max potential i think he would be like a Duchene type with less offense and more two way play. Speed and skill.

I see nothing similar between McLeod and Duchene's game.

 

[Icebreakers]

I see nothing similar between McLeod and Duchene's game.

I see a lot of similarities, they even skate similar.

 

[Saxon]

On the Habs board Grant McCagg said one scout he spoke to made a comparison to Dylan Larkin. Grant said he agreed....

 

[CanaFan]

I see nothing similar between McLeod and Duchene's game.

Not even one thing?

C'mon man ...

 

[Circulartheory]

Except none of those guys were ranked top 10. Horvat and Schiefele were small reaches. And Horvat grew because of his disgusting playoffs. If it werent for that he would have went late teens probably.

To be fair, Schiefele, from an average rank of TSN, The Hockey Writers, FC, The Scouting Report, Craig Button, and McKeens, was #11.

 

[rt]

Right handed Jarred McCann?

 

[The Winter Soldier]

His best game in quite awhile. Scored a nice goal, but more than that. He was a solid presence all over the ice. I think he would make a nice pick as a possible #1B or IMO more likely top tier #2C in the NHL. At most a team is getting a #3C that will play in the NHL.

 

[docbenton]

Right handed Jarred McCann?

Bigger, faster, stronger...not quite as good of a shot but at least equally skilled at the same age. Better on faceoffs. Definite 1C upside.

 

[Amadeus]

Reminds me of a young Mike Fisher.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Reminds me of a young Mike Fisher.

Bingo. This is the closest comparison.

 

[puckfan13]

Reminds me of a young Mike Fisher.

This is spot on.

 

[VictorLustig]

Take away his time and space to skate into the offensive zone and his offensive game will take a big hit. He just isn't dynamic enough offensively to be a big producer in the NHL.

 

[Mad Brills*]

Him being mike fisher is fine, but is it worth a top 10 pick? I'd pick him around 15

 

[FrankMTL]

It's amazing how McLeod is being viewed..Some people love him and some people just don't see much in term of offensive upside. Even the scouts can't seem to agree as on some lists he's as high as 4th and others he's as low as 11th.

He has all the tools that you'd want in a hockey player, but will he be able to develop his offence more next year and eventually in the NHL? It could be the different between a 1st/2nd line center and a 3rd line center (obviously you don't want to waste a top 10 pick on a 3rd line center)

I think there are a few GM's that might reach to grab him in the top 10. Bergevin might be one of them depending where the Habs are drafting.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

It's amazing how McLeod is being viewed..Some people love him and some people just don't see much in term of offensive upside. Even the scouts can't seem to agree as on some lists he's as high as 4th and others he's as low as 11th.

He has all the tools that you'd want in a hockey player, but will he be able to develop his offence more next year and eventually in the NHL? It could be the different between a 1st/2nd line center and a 3rd line center (obviously you don't want to waste a top 10 pick on a 3rd line center)

I think there are a few GM's that might reach to grab him in the top 10. Bergevin might be one of them depending where the Habs are drafting.

Mcleod to the Habs in the top 10. Sounds good to me.

 

[FrankMTL]

Mcleod to the Habs in the top 10. Sounds good to me.

I wouldn't mind at 9 or 10..but if we're picking 7th or 8th, I would be disappointed.

 

[HockeyGuruPitka]

I wouldn't mind at 9 or 10..but if we're picking 7th or 8th, I would be disappointed.

I've watched McLeod play a few times this year and i dont think i'd use a 1st on him. He has a good motor, but the IQ and offensive instincts just dont seem to be there. He lacks purpose and vision. I cant say there is anything in his game that i peg as exceptional.

Its strange that Mcleod is ranked as high as 5 yet Logan Brown is barely in the 1st rd. This is a player that will be a steal for the team that drafts him.

 

[Devils Army]

He kind of seems like a Zajac to me, he is good 2 way, has some offensive tools but doesn't put up crazy numbers

The guy you like to have on your team, but not a superstar, seems like a very safe bet to play in the NHL but probably won't be a surefire star

 

[HenriquesJawLine]

He definitely has more offensive skill than Zajac and Travis was putting up a few 60 point seasons years ago with good line mates. I am quite high on McLeod, maybe not top 10 but a great pick in the 11-15 range. Logan Brown's size is so intriguing but that is often overrated these days.

 

[BigRangy]

The Mississauga vs Barrie game 7 will be a good one to watch for the prospect watchers (and Flames fans). Tuesday at 7:30 ET on SN360 as far as I can tell.

Get a good look at Nylander, McLeod, Bastian, and Day.

Also, are there any other teams in the CHL with this much draft-eligible talent? Two top-10 guys and two guys who might push for the late 1st? They have to be a favorite to go deep next year, if not this year.

 

[UsernameWasTaken]

The Mississauga vs Barrie game 7 will be a good one to watch for the prospect watchers (and Flames fans). Tuesday at 7:30 ET on SN360 as far as I can tell.

Get a good look at Nylander, McLeod, Bastian, and Day.

Also, are there any other teams in the CHL with this much draft-eligible talent? Two top-10 guys and two guys who might push for the late 1st? They have to be a favorite to go deep next year, if not this year.

London.