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

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I like Mcleod. But not at #7. He's going to be a good NHL hockey player. Ideally a top #2C on a contending team. This is where I project him. He won't cheat you in any area of the ice. He will be a solid 10-15 pick for me.
 
I used to be so high on McLeod earlier in the year. His highlights were incredible and his skating in amazing. I saw him live 8-9 times + u18s and I can honestly say I wouldn't waste a top 20 pick on him. Hockey sense doesn't seem to be there, average/below average shot. Looks like a jack skille floor Darren helm ceiling imo
 
Saw this guy a couple times live and his skating really sets him apart. However even with the upper hand with his skating he never really dominated any of the games. His younger brother actually looked better in a couple of the games I saw. I see him being a solid third line centre with the upside of a number 2.

I could see him developing into a Carl Hagelin type player just at centre. Very quick and responsible at both ends but like Hagelin I don't believe he will ever display the type of offensive upside many want him too have.
 
When I have watched him (u18's, a few games with the trout) I don't even notice that he skates better than other good skaters, it seems like he just moves his feet really fast so that it ends up looking like he is skating faster than everyone.

Anyone else feel the same way?
 
Connor McDaigle said:
When I have watched him (u18's, a few games with the trout) I don't even notice that he skates better than other good skaters, it seems like he just moves his feet really fast so that it ends up looking like he is skating faster than everyone.

Anyone else feel the same way?
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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
 
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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True.

Also, in the OHL, he stands out the most when he curls around his own net and takes 10 strides blazing through the neutral zone, it's basically a setup play for Missisauga and it makes him look real good. In the NHL, where any team has good forecheck and will make you take the path they want, he won't be able to do that and he doesn't have the poise, the skill and the creativity to work his way through the NZ as easily.

Still think he'll be a very useful player but there are several options I like better in the top 15. Like you, I just don't see how his offense will translate.
 
I haven't watched him, but the descriptions of him remind me of Emerson Etem -- lots of speed and a good defensive game, but no finishing ability at the professional level.
 
JetsAlternate said:
I haven't watched him, but the descriptions of him remind me of Emerson Etem -- lots of speed and a good defensive game, but no finishing ability at the professional level.
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Etem put up some ridiculous numbers in the WHL though (didn't he go for 60 goals one season?). I'm always wary of guys that are average to above average producers in junior (granted line mates and such are a factor) and then expecting anything more when they play in the NHL. That usually doesn't happen.
 
Very curious to see what his post-draft year looks like.

Could see him proving a ton of people wrong, or also not. Actually seeing him mocked around the range of where Detroit picks now (16), and I could see them liking McLeod for some of the reasons they liked Larkin. Not saying they are the same, but similar in some aspects.

Also side note-- I think it's funny he gets negative marks for playing fast all the time. I agree and understand it's important to play at different speeds, it's just the direct opposite of "coasting" which a lot of prospects and younger guys get knocked for.
 
Can't see him going top 12. Maybe a team looking for a stable two way middle 6 C, but those looking for top line potential with good offensive upside should look elsewhere in the top half of the 1st round IMO.
 
How often is a guy projected to be the 10th best player in a Draft BEFORE the Draft actually turn out to be the 10th best player? Seems silly to nitpick rankings down that low. The way this Draft is looking the range of guys from 6~21 or so could all have strong cases as ending up being a top-10 reDraft pick shortly after. It's very close.

If you told a team at pick ~#6-11 last year that they should pick Brock Boeser or Sebastian Aho at that pick you would be ridiculed. Fast forward one year and I don't think too many NJ (Zacha), SJ (Meier), or FLA (Crouse) fans would give you too much grief. They might be happy to make that trade.
 
Rabid Ranger said:
Etem put up some ridiculous numbers in the WHL though (didn't he go for 60 goals one season?). I'm always wary of guys that are average to above average producers in junior (granted line mates and such are a factor) and then expecting anything more when they play in the NHL. That usually doesn't happen.
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getzlaf
 
Rabid Ranger said:
Etem put up some ridiculous numbers in the WHL though (didn't he go for 60 goals one season?). I'm always wary of guys that are average to above average producers in junior (granted line mates and such are a factor) and then expecting anything more when they play in the NHL. That usually doesn't happen.
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monster_bertuzzi said:
getzlaf
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Getzlaf is a good example. Predicting PWF is very difficult going by overall stats. Although McLeod doesn't fall into that category. Look at guys like Benn, Getzlaf, James Neal, Ladd, etc. The only high-end Power Forward in the CHL I can remember putting up absolutely insane numbers is Corey Perry, and while his draft year numbers were good, they weren't elite (His 2 post draft years were ridiculous though). Then again, there are guys like Isbister, Pouliot, Bernier who had similar numbers and never developed.
 
I thought McLeod would put up better number this year than he did, but I'm not overly worried. We'll see how he looks next season.

I agree that his shot is a problem, though - kids whose shots 'aren't the best' in junior don't suddenly develop it later on.
 
People seem to forget that offense isn't all that McLeod brings to the table. Yeah he's not as talented as Keller or Nylander but he's a terrific two-way forward. Kid is a top faceoff man in the OHL already and was a key cog on one of the best PK units in the league. He's got the same size and speed combo as Kesler, and disrupts plays all over the ice with his skating ability, motor and reach. It isn't just offense with this player, he's a two-way player through-and-through.

Realistically I think he's a likely 30-40 point forward at the NHL level, which would make him an above average 3rd line forward production wise. If he can fix his weak shot and continue to develop his offensive game I could see him producing 40-50 points a season, which combined with his excellent defensive game would make him an above average 2nd line center. If he somehow breaks out offensively and produces in the 50-60 point range, that would make him a Kesler-type player - an elite 2nd line center or a lower end #1 guy.

All everyone cares about around here is offensive potential, and that makes McLeod underrated because he brings so much more than points. Terrific two-way player that fully deserves to be drafted in the top 15 this year.
 
Hale The Villain said:
People seem to forget that offense isn't all that McLeod brings to the table. Yeah he's not as talented as Keller or Nylander but he's a terrific two-way forward. Kid is a top faceoff man in the OHL already and was a key cog on one of the best PK units in the league. He's got the same size and speed combo as Kesler, and disrupts plays all over the ice with his skating ability, motor and reach. It isn't just offense with this player, he's a two-way player through-and-through.

Realistically I think he's a likely 30-40 point forward at the NHL level, which would make him an above average 3rd line forward production wise. If he can fix his weak shot and continue to develop his offensive game I could see him producing 40-50 points a season, which combined with his excellent defensive game would make him an above average 2nd line center. If he somehow breaks out offensively and produces in the 50-60 point range, that would make him a Kesler-type player - an elite 2nd line center or a lower end #1 guy.

All everyone cares about around here is offensive potential, and that makes McLeod underrated because he brings so much more than points. Terrific two-way player that fully deserves to be drafted in the top 15 this year.
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He's a guy who could easily make people look bad next year, as he played alot of the 2nd half injured. But I don't see Kesler, Kesler has all the same traits as McLeod, plus an elite shot. You draft McLeod thinking you are getting a good middle 6 center, with an outside shot of becoming a fringe 1st line center or an elite 2nd line center like Kesler.
 
Hale The Villain said:
People seem to forget that offense isn't all that McLeod brings to the table. Yeah he's not as talented as Keller or Nylander but he's a terrific two-way forward. Kid is a top faceoff man in the OHL already and was a key cog on one of the best PK units in the league. He's got the same size and speed combo as Kesler, and disrupts plays all over the ice with his skating ability, motor and reach. It isn't just offense with this player, he's a two-way player through-and-through.

Realistically I think he's a likely 30-40 point forward at the NHL level, which would make him an above average 3rd line forward production wise. If he can fix his weak shot and continue to develop his offensive game I could see him producing 40-50 points a season, which combined with his excellent defensive game would make him an above average 2nd line center. If he somehow breaks out offensively and produces in the 50-60 point range, that would make him a Kesler-type player - an elite 2nd line center or a lower end #1 guy.

All everyone cares about around here is offensive potential, and that makes McLeod underrated because he brings so much more than points. Terrific two-way player that fully deserves to be drafted in the top 15 this year.
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There are just a lot of teams around where he's expected to go where "offensive F" is the only criterion going. Ottawa doesn't need what you've just described. Carolina already has more of this type of player than they have roster room for. Boston needs defensemen, not a F.

If someone doesn't want him enough to take him top-12, I don't see him going before Detroit or Nashville.
 
Chan790 said:
There are just a lot of team's *fans* around where he's expected to go where "offensive F" is the only criterion going. Ottawa doesn't need what you've just described. Carolina already has more of this type of player than they have roster room for. Boston needs defensemen, not a F.

If someone doesn't want him enough to take him top-12, I don't see him going before Detroit or Nashville.
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FTFY

NHL GMs and Coaches love guys like McLeod. Won hardest working player in his OHL conference's coaches poll, 2nd lowest % body fat at the combine, 3-zone player, great on face-offs, etc.

I'm willing to bet Bill Peters in Carolina would love to have McLeod. He practices what Peters' preaches. A good coach needs guys like that around with full buy-in.
 
Always has reminded me of Mike Fisher in his early days.

A speedy two-way C with enough offense to give you 50+ points.
 

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