C Nicolas Roy (2015, 96th, CAR; traded to VGK)

[Marc the Habs Fan]

He seems to be a better player when playing for Team Canada in Europe than in the Q...which is odd because Chicoutimi has an international size rink.

 

[wings5]

He seems to be a better player when playing for Team Canada in Europe than in the Q...which is odd because Chicoutimi has an international size rink.

Better linemates?

 

[Plastic Joseph]

Better linemates?

That and he isn't forced to play mainly D-zone starts on a team with (from what I saw) very little offensive talent to begin with.

 

[VanNistelrooy]

CHI had a tough year... it wasn't easy to look good.

 

[Woodhouse]

Roy met with 17 teams at the combine.

[NHL]827936[/NHL]

 

[Patmac40]

He deserves a bump.

As I expected, he's performing very well this year. Showing some great offensive consistency to go along with his defensive ability.

Currently has 17 points (7 goals, 10 assists) in 12 games, and also has won 61.5% of his faceoffs.

 

[OG]

He was impressive at development camp. Good hands and some playmaking ability. Glad to see he's producing more. Could be a solid defensive center for the Canes.

 

[Plastic Joseph]

I still think he has some ridiculously high upside

 

[w e l o s t b o y s]

Any update from those who see him play

 

[Cane mutiny]

Haven't had the pleasure of seeing him play, but he has 15G/17A, 32Pts in 25GP and +13. Wish I had the opportunity.

 

[Mathletic]

Any update from those who see him play

I've recorded 2 or 3 of his games so far. Haven't had time to watch them yet. Will do once the exams are over. I'll come back to you on this one.

 

[biturbo19]

Still seems to have the dips in intensity level at times, doesn't always keep his feet moving, and doesn't generally play as aggressive a game as you'd like to see with his size and tools. But he's been a real driver of player when i've watched Chicoutimi this year overall. Seems to be using his size quite effectively to protect the puck consistently this year, does some solid work around the net. Really leaned on in all situations...and obviously getting better results with the production this year.

Still really surprised he fell as far as he did in the draft.

Can be tough to spurr on some of these players who seem to lack an intrinsically high intensity level, but with that size and ability to get around the ice well for a big man, and at least some decent offensive and defensive instincts there's a ton to work with there. Looks to me like a terrific gamble in the 4th round for the Canes.

 

[Plastic Joseph]

One player who he always drew comparisons to in terms of strictly playing style (as it is obvious he isn't on the same level) was Mario Lemieux.

Both are long rangy Centres, 6'4 in height but are not physical. Not an explosive skater either but he makes up for it with his IQ and puck skills. The reason he was seen as the clear cut #1 heading into the Q draft over guys like Beauvilier and J. Roy was because of his poise and vision.

I remember scouts saying something along the lines of "he is not the next Mario Lemieux, but he possess a similar skillset, and has amazing patience with the puck"

 

[biturbo19]

Whoa. Ease up on even the mentions of Lemieux here.

Just doesn't demonstrate anywhere even remotely close to that level of pure skill. I don't see the similarity, beyond...talking about the player pre-Q draft as a kid.

As Roy's skillset has translated to Jrs, the comparisons i'd throw out are more like...Patrik Berglund or Lars Eller type. In terms of style, and upside.

 

[Cane mutiny]

Whoa. Ease up on even the mentions of Lemieux here.

Just doesn't demonstrate anywhere even remotely close to that level of pure skill. I don't see the similarity, beyond...talking about the player pre-Q draft as a kid.

As Roy's skillset has translated to Jrs, the comparisons i'd throw out are more like...Patrik Berglund or Lars Eller type. In terms of style, and upside.

Did you READ his post? He didn't SAY he was remotely close to that skill level. In fact, he said he was NOT close to Lemieux skill level. Put on your glasses.

 

[izzy]

Whoa. Ease up on even the mentions of Lemieux here.

Just doesn't demonstrate anywhere even remotely close to that level of pure skill. I don't see the similarity, beyond...talking about the player pre-Q draft as a kid.

As Roy's skillset has translated to Jrs, the comparisons i'd throw out are more like...Patrik Berglund or Lars Eller type. In terms of style, and upside.

And at no point did he say he had close to his level of skill..

 

[biturbo19]

I don't really understand how you can say he plays a similar "style" to Lemieux, without an extremely high skill level. To even throw it out as a "stylistic" comparison has to imply some sort of very high skill level.

 

[Cane mutiny]

"strictly playing style....isn't on the same level" and it's not like he has no skill, just because he's not Lemieux.

 

[Mathletic]

Points are going up in his case. Winning close to 2/3 of his faceoffs for the last couple of months too. Hearing good things about his development.

 

[Plastic Joseph]

29 goals so far, just had 15 game point streak snapped a few games ago.

 

[Nalyd Psycho]

I feel falling in the draft was the best thing for him. He really seems to have a fire lit under him vs last year.

 

[Plastic Joseph]

5 points tonight

 

[Plastic Joseph]

10 + 8 in 10 games played in 2016 so far, he is starting to utilize his skills and is learning he can dominate the league.

Points in 20 of his last 21 games as well

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

So for those that get to watch him. What has made the difference? Is this simply a case of a young guy growing into his body? Has his skating improved? Is it just confidence?

 

[Plastic Joseph]

So for those that get to watch him. What has made the difference? Is this simply a case of a young guy growing into his body? Has his skating improved? Is it just confidence?

Its both. His skating and strength have improved which led to a boost in confidence.

He is using his reach and size on the pp much more effectively down low and in front of the net.