Fata and Brendl both qualify for sure, neither panned out but both were top prospects and serious speedsters. Both 90s picks though. What about more recent picks? I think Hall is probably the most explosive skater in terms of acceleration in terms of top 10 picks from say, 2003 onwards, but am I crazy to think that MacKinnon looks even more explosive? He accelerates really, really fast. Pushing back earlier there's Gaborik in 2000, Kovy in 2001, and Nash in 2002, I don't think he's there with Gaborik, but I do think he's right there with the likes of Kovy, Nash, Ovy, Hall, etc. in terms of getting up to speed insanely fast. He's one of those guys who you don't really have to look for, even when you're just half paying attention to the game it's like "holy ****, that guy is a powerful skater!"
C Nathan MacKinnon - Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL (2013 draft) II
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scoutman1
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- Feb 19, 2005
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Brendl was majorly talented but there is a reason he never turned out, and he was not a speedster his skating and work ethic was a downfall, it a shame he was a good player.
Rico Fata when he made the OHL never really dominated like many thought he dominated Midget hockey with his amazing speed, but the guy had NO hockey sense at all, he had no positioning and that was a BIG BIG problem for him. Mackinnon is way smarter than him.
I watched Rick Nash at the U17s in Nova Scotia, and saw him many many times play in junior after that including world junior camp, game in London and Nathan Mackinnon is faster than him when he played junior
Pick Six
@Lafortune_FC
Without trying to derail this thread, say what you want about momentum, but being up 3-0 after the first; they had tons of momentum (the HSBC was rocking). As for your last sentence, I'd argue there's no chance a 16-year-old MacKinnon would be anywhere near the ice with 8 minutes left in the gold medal game.
I've seen Nathan MacKinnon play a ton of games live over the past 11 months, and I'm a big fan (just look at my past posts). He's one of the best prospects that'll enter the NHL since Crosby. He should have a seamless transition to the pros, and I'd genuinely be shocked if he isn't selected first overall.
That being said, he definitely has things to work on to be an elite NHL'er (hands, hockey sense, cheating defensively etc.). Will he work on these things and be a better player than all the players that were invited to the WJC Camp? It's very likely. But I'm sure if you asked Hockey Canada, they'll say that other players were better/had more experience right now or could fill roles better than MacKinnon could.
I fully agree with Ponder's post. He's got another gear that teams just can't contain. As they say; speed kills.
Sidney the Kidney
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I always thought one of the knocks on Brendl was he wasn't very fast. Obviously the lack of work ethic/desire was a bigger impediment, but I thought skating was one of the known issues with him.
scoutman1
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his skating was a problem for him, he was slow and sluggish on his skates and very bad work ethic.
Haha, more than a little wrong about Brendl apparently, honestly I was a teenager when he entered the league and I never paid much attention to him, as I really didn't care much about prospects back then, and he was a scrub in the NHL.
However, since I've actually tried to perform my poor forms of amateur scouting on individual players (and watching CHL games), which is really just the last 10 years (somewhat), and really the last 5ish year, I have to say that MacKinnon is right up there with the fastest, most explosive prospects I've seen, especially in terms of acceleration. I feel like Hall is probably the closest in terms of high end prospects that I've seen a lot of, but I think MacKinnon might be even a touch more explosive as a skater than Hall. Not quite Gaborik/Grabner level speed, but not too far off either, and I'm not really counting Grabner as a truly top notch prospect because the rest of his game was never that complete.
However, since I've actually tried to perform my poor forms of amateur scouting on individual players (and watching CHL games), which is really just the last 10 years (somewhat), and really the last 5ish year, I have to say that MacKinnon is right up there with the fastest, most explosive prospects I've seen, especially in terms of acceleration. I feel like Hall is probably the closest in terms of high end prospects that I've seen a lot of, but I think MacKinnon might be even a touch more explosive as a skater than Hall. Not quite Gaborik/Grabner level speed, but not too far off either, and I'm not really counting Grabner as a truly top notch prospect because the rest of his game was never that complete.
Breakfast of Champs
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I was watching highlights of MacKinnon's 5 goal game, and thinking the exact same thing to myself. Hall was maybe the most explosive 16 year old I'd seen, until I saw MacKinnon.
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habsrule4eva3089
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Anyone know details on the injury? Hopefully he's good to go for tuesday night's game. Shouldn't risk anything for the weekend and have him ready for tuesday and the long run until the world under 17's.
Pick Six
@Lafortune_FC
That's disappointing. Was looking forward to watching him on Sunday against Saint John, especially if Huberdeau isn't playing. As long as he's healthy for the U'17s, I'm happy.
Fel 96
JFC
MacKinnon expected to return tonight against Bathurst, pending doc's approval before the game. Drouin will dress tonight as well, an exciting night for Moose fans.
Here were the lines at practice today:
Critchlow-MacKinnon-Frk
Drouin-Boudreau-Grenier
Ryan-Cuzner-Ciampini
Ashley-Andrews-Desjardins
Extras: Falkenham and Cote
Here were the lines at practice today:
Critchlow-MacKinnon-Frk
Drouin-Boudreau-Grenier
Ryan-Cuzner-Ciampini
Ashley-Andrews-Desjardins
Extras: Falkenham and Cote
markrander87
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Oh baby, I knew they'd put this line together. Very excited for tonights game.
Edit: Is Randall still playing D?
WeThreeKings
Demidov is a HAB
SPORTSMANIAC
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markrander87
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1st star of the game, scored a beauty game winner.
Overall not a great game.
Drouin played pretty well, two assists including a great back door pass to Grenier for the first goal of the game. They played well together and had several scoring chances. Drouin's a lot smaller then I expected, but seemed dangerous off the rush and some creativity in the offensive end.
Mackinnon looked pretty flat tonight. A couple nice passes to Marty, but I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt this time that he was still lingering from that shoulder injury.
Frk had a couple chances but didnt look too dangerous either. I know he has a rocket of a shot, but I hate the fact that they took Mackinnon of the left half boards on the PP and put Frk there. Mackinnon ran the PP from that spot, but tonight they buried him infront of the net and he didnt get to use any creativity.
First of all, he doesn't suck. Clearly you haven't seen many Moose games this season. Either that or you are an awful judge of hockey ability. He's one of the most consistent and reliable players on the team at both ends of the ice.
Second, with two speedster offensive weapons like MacKinnon and Frk, it is only logical to have a defensive presence on the line who can keep up, open up space playing physically (Although both Frk and Mackinnon don't shy away from that side of the game either), and fight if need be.
I thought it was pretty obvious given the fact he kept going off the ice wincing and favoring his shoulder, avoided taking most faceoffs, didn't drive the net like he usually does, and didn't destroy people with hits like he usually does. I don't think flat is the right word, because he still had the most jump and speed of anyone on either team, I'd lean towards overly cautious. He's just not as effective when he can't dominate physically, along the boards, and drive the net. They should have just let him sit out.
Partially agree about Frk, it wasn't a great game for him. Although, I seem to remember the pp changing up regularly. I saw Mackinnon in multiple different places on the PP (half boards, down low, point), and Frk spent time in front of the net too. I would agree that Frk spent the most time on the half boards though. The problem is that I think that half boards position is the best place for Frk, whereas Mackinnon can be extremely effective from anywhere. I'd certainly rather not have him in front trying to tip or anything, but I'm ok with him being down low to make plays from the corner and take cross crease passes.
Drouin was quite impressive for his first game, looks like he's going to be able to dominate at this level once he fills out a little more. The skating, hands, and vision were all on display last night. I was impressed with his confidence in just attacking defenders, he made a few slick dangles.
Point per Game Captains suck do they? Watch a game why dont ya.
And Avs, MacKinnon will probs go top 3 if not #1 so I don't think they're that bad. My prediction: Phoenix or Calgary for MacKinnon.
habsrule4eva3089
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Any word on his injury? Didn't play last night...I hope it's nothing too long term, is it day to day or is he out of a considerable amount of time?! ...Hope he doesn't miss the U-17's...
WeThreeKings
Demidov is a HAB
I've seen quite a few games this season. He has no pro potential. Sure he's a "good" Q player.
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