I don’t know, man. Perreault-Smith-Leonard seemed to do alright lol.
North Dakota, on paper, has a very deep team this year. Personally, I’d like to see James-Boisvert-Perron.
C Sacha Boisvert - Univ. of North Dakota, NCAA (2024, 18th, CHI)
- Thread starter GermanSpitfire
- Start date
North Dakota, on paper, has a very deep team this year. Personally, I’d like to see James-Boisvert-Perron.
I see he's now the leading scorer on his team (that has 12 other NHL draft picks). Nice to see things coming together for him.
Boisvert has been fantastic. I thought he'd need some adjustment time; but no siree bob. Getting a regular shift, and 2nd PP usage.
Was at the North Dakota Miami Friday game in Oxford a couple hours ago. Thoughts on Boisvert:
Boisvert has a lethal shot that he probably doesn't use enough. Solid passer, but he's got an NHL shot that strikes fear into the opponent when UND has the puck in the offensive zone. Nice pass on UND's first goal for an assist, and scored the GWG with 23 seconds left with a nice snipe from fairly far out to complete the comeback for UND.
Boisvert has a lethal shot that he probably doesn't use enough. Solid passer, but he's got an NHL shot that strikes fear into the opponent when UND has the puck in the offensive zone. Nice pass on UND's first goal for an assist, and scored the GWG with 23 seconds left with a nice snipe from fairly far out to complete the comeback for UND.
I like that he can one time pucks that are in his feet and still get good velocity. Very good skill to have. Will be fun to watch his 5 on 5 play progress.
I've really liked Boisvert's game at UND, he's managed to adapt well from the USHL I think and has been very solid overall as an all-around type of potential top 6 center.
The guy skates well, plays hard, is a good thinker of the game as a whole, defends well though there were some rough mishaps in the games that I did see, and though he isn't the biggest/strongest I do also like Boisvert's board play and willingness to engage physically though he isn't really a grinder type.
Where I think he'll need to improve the most though is simplifying some of his plays offensively, try to take more shots because right now he's a bit predictable as a pass-first guy, and learn to play with a more patient approach when in tight-checking games.
And by that last bit I mean that right now I feel Boisvert at times tries to "force the issue" a little too much while challenging defenders to get clean looks/zone entries whereas a good, simple, fundamental dump-in and then trying to outspeed an opponent or delay puck-retrieval would be just a better play to make.
That side to his game is especially more apparent when playing tougher opponents which is why I think he'll need to be coached on this, on when to pick his moments to be aggressive.
I also feel that Boisvert's "one-touch plays", mostly his passing under tight checking, need some work. Not to be misunderstood, I'm not saying that Boisvert's "quick-play" skills and recognition are "bad" per se.
Just, I feel that if Boisvert started executing those one-touch plays with more consistency and accuracy that it would really help him realize his offensive potential in the NHL.
So yeah, I've enjoyed Boisvert's play at UND and think chances are there for him to be a very good player for the Blackhawks.
The guy skates well, plays hard, is a good thinker of the game as a whole, defends well though there were some rough mishaps in the games that I did see, and though he isn't the biggest/strongest I do also like Boisvert's board play and willingness to engage physically though he isn't really a grinder type.
Where I think he'll need to improve the most though is simplifying some of his plays offensively, try to take more shots because right now he's a bit predictable as a pass-first guy, and learn to play with a more patient approach when in tight-checking games.
And by that last bit I mean that right now I feel Boisvert at times tries to "force the issue" a little too much while challenging defenders to get clean looks/zone entries whereas a good, simple, fundamental dump-in and then trying to outspeed an opponent or delay puck-retrieval would be just a better play to make.
That side to his game is especially more apparent when playing tougher opponents which is why I think he'll need to be coached on this, on when to pick his moments to be aggressive.
I also feel that Boisvert's "one-touch plays", mostly his passing under tight checking, need some work. Not to be misunderstood, I'm not saying that Boisvert's "quick-play" skills and recognition are "bad" per se.
Just, I feel that if Boisvert started executing those one-touch plays with more consistency and accuracy that it would really help him realize his offensive potential in the NHL.
So yeah, I've enjoyed Boisvert's play at UND and think chances are there for him to be a very good player for the Blackhawks.
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Boisvert at 18 years old has looked great for North Dakota
19 GP
8 goals
9 assists
17 pts
Hawks organization has to be very happy with his development thus far
19 GP
8 goals
9 assists
17 pts
Hawks organization has to be very happy with his development thus far
15 goals + 12 assists in 33 games
6th straight game
Now 16 goals for rookie
Now 16 goals for rookie
The Blackhawks definitely need a gritty competitive player with a bit of nasty. The fact that he’s a center, and projects to stay there is a huge bonus. His shot is lethal and he has an incredibly quick release.
