C Samuel Honzek - Vancouver Giants, WHL (2023, 16th, CGY)

[Hinterland]

How are you a Flames fan and you spell his name wrong? The correct spelling is in the tweet you quoted.

Hey now. You might be talking to a kid. Iginla hasn't played for the Flames for 10 years now and he retired two years before this user joined hfboards. Might not even have been born when Iginla last played for the Flames.

 

[Backlund]

Hey now. You might be talking to a kid. Iginla hasn't played for the Flames for 10 years now and he retired two years before this user joined hfboards. Might not even have been born when Iginla last played for the Flames.

It's still in the tweet that he quoted. There's no excuse.

 

[Yepthatsme]

How are you a Flames fan and you spell his name wrong? The correct spelling is in the tweet you quoted.

Not gonna lie, that post had approximately 15% of my attention at the time, and most my posts get edited ~3ish times to be coherent. I’ll leave it in there for posterity though.

Hey now. You might be talking to a kid. Iginla hasn't played for the Flames for 10 years now and he retired two years before this user joined hfboards. Might not even have been born when Iginla last played for the Flames.

Iginla is the only reason I am a Flames fan, it definitely wasn’t a popular decision being a born and raised Edmonton kid who was rooting for the Flames, but Iginla was my favorite player by far and I slowly turned from rooting for him to just rooting for the Flames (Sakic is the reason Colorado is my second team as well).

Unless we want to keep guessing my age, Honzek apparently put on a show in camp with his shot as well, managing to break a ceiling light with it after his shot rang off the crossbar. If he manages to fix his janky stride (which his skating is still good/great in spite of) and fills out his pretty slight frame, he could be a pretty scary player in the NHL.

 

[super6646]

It's still in the tweet that he quoted. There's no excuse.

I think you are overreacting lol

 

[Figgy44]

Teaching this kid how to improve his shot is going to be neat. What I noticed in highlight packages is that there's often plays where he looks like he's experimenting with moves. He doesn't seem like the type to keep repeating the same moves over and over. He looks like a kid soaking up skills and knowing to experiment with the harder stuff when the skill comp is appropriate. His shot isn't bad already, but with Iggy's guidance, that's awesome. Not expecting elite shot, but upgrading it to one you cannot ignore or underestimate would be sweet.

Pros and cons. It means one day he'll have to reduce his toolkit to be more effective at the NHL level. This means late blooming or an extended sophomore slump. But damn, if Iggy is training him to add shooting and physicality to an early raw playmaking build (like himself)... that's tantalizing and dare I say that we've bought ourselves ticket at testing a another unicorn build. My goodness. That's exciting. It's like a solid piece with a whole bunch of potential bonus add ons that you may or may not get to benefit from.

I get that other fans probably don't care, but as a Flames fan, Honzek seems like the perfect project for what Conroy is probably trying to build. I can't envision it, but this is the most intrigued I've ever been for a prospects' development (albeit I've had a soft spot for some hard working ones over the years).

 

[Double Dion]

Teaching this kid how to improve his shot is going to be neat. What I noticed in highlight packages is that there's often plays where he looks like he's experimenting with moves. He doesn't seem like the type to keep repeating the same moves over and over. He looks like a kid soaking up skills and knowing to experiment with the harder stuff when the skill comp is appropriate. His shot isn't bad already, but with Iggy's guidance, that's awesome. Not expecting elite shot, but upgrading it to one you cannot ignore or underestimate would be sweet.

Pros and cons. It means one day he'll have to reduce his toolkit to be more effective at the NHL level. This means late blooming or an extended sophomore slump. But damn, if Iggy is training him to add shooting and physicality to an early raw playmaking build (like himself)... that's tantalizing and dare I say that we've bought ourselves ticket at testing a another unicorn build. My goodness. That's exciting. It's like a solid piece with a whole bunch of potential bonus add ons that you may or may not get to benefit from.

I get that other fans probably don't care, but as a Flames fan, Honzek seems like the perfect project for what Conroy is probably trying to build. I can't envision it, but this is the most intrigued I've ever been for a prospects' development (albeit I've had a soft spot for some hard working ones over the years).

I would have preferred any of the 3 drafted after him. He's almost a year older than other guys picked this year and we'll behind them in terms of production. But I didn't interview these guys. It could be that guys like Moore, ASP or Barlow were luke warm on Calgary. Or it could be a "I think I see something there" type of pick. I hate those.

 

[ESH]

I would have preferred any of the 3 drafted after him. He's almost a year older than other guys picked this year and well behind them in terms of production. But I didn't interview these guys. It could be that guys like Moore, ASP or Barlow were luke warm on Calgary. Or it could be a "I think I see something there" type of pick. I hate those.

Kinda strange to compare production when 2 of the 3 you’re talking about are playing in completely different situations

 

[Antiillafire]

I would have preferred any of the 3 drafted after him. He's almost a year older than other guys picked this year and we'll behind them in terms of production. But I didn't interview these guys. It could be that guys like Moore, ASP or Barlow were luke warm on Calgary. Or it could be a "I think I see something there" type of pick. I hate those.

Almost a year older? From your listed players btw: 5 months older than ASP. 2 months older than Moore. 3 months older than Barlow. Is Stevie Y wrong for taking danielson because he’s a September birthday? Funny you mention Barlow as he legitimately looks like he could have just hung up the skates and been retiring this past summer, while honzek has a baby face and is like paper thin with 20-25 lbs to grow into.

Well behind “them” in terms of production? He finished 4th among WHL draft eligibles in even-strength points per 60, beating out Yager, Danielson, Heidt, Ziemmer, Sawchyn, and more. Better numbers than Geekie who played on a stacked Ice team. His PPG including the PP was still better than Danielson’s and Yager’s. The players who produced better PPG than him like Ziemmer and Heidt had a large boost from their powerplay. Ziemmer 36 powerplay points. Heidt 43 powerplay points. Honzek 16 powerplay points.

Honzek played on one of the worst offenses in the entire WHL, a Giants team that scored only more than the rebuilding Edmonton oil kings. He played a handful of games with Ostapchuk, a third rounder but other than that did not have a single drafted player on his line. If you look at all the first rounders from 2023 out of the CHL, there is a serious argument to be made that Honzek has the least support in terms of linemates. If Honzek was playing on a better team or with just better players his numbers would obviously be much better. Still finished a +17, rather good for being on a team that scored just 188 goals in 68 games.

Not to mention Honzek is playing in a foreign country with all new teammates, and new ice and everything else culturally he had to adapt to.

 

[Double Dion]

Kinda strange to compare production when 2 of the 3 you’re talking about are playing in completely different situations

It's not strange. There are tools for it. I mean guys going in the second round and very late 1st vastly outproduced him.

 

[Double Dion]

Almost a year older? From your listed players btw: 5 months older than ASP. 2 months older than Moore. 3 months older than Barlow. Is Stevie Y wrong for taking danielson because he’s a September birthday? Funny you mention Barlow as he legitimately looks like he could have just hung up the skates and been retiring this past summer, while honzek has a baby face and is like paper thin with 20-25 lbs to grow into.

Well behind “them” in terms of production? He finished 4th among WHL draft eligibles in even-strength points per 60, beating out Yager, Danielson, Heidt, Ziemmer, Sawchyn, and more. Better numbers than Geekie who played on a stacked Ice team. His PPG including the PP was still better than Danielson’s and Yager’s. The players who produced better PPG than him like Ziemmer and Heidt had a large boost from their powerplay. Ziemmer 36 powerplay points. Heidt 43 powerplay points. Honzek 16 powerplay points.

Honzek played on one of the worst offenses in the entire WHL, a Giants team that scored only more than the rebuilding Edmonton oil kings. He played a handful of games with Ostapchuk, a third rounder but other than that did not have a single drafted player on his line. If you look at all the first rounders from 2023 out of the CHL, there is a serious argument to be made that Honzek has the least support in terms of linemates. If Honzek was playing on a better team or with just better players his numbers would obviously be much better. Still finished a +17, rather good for being on a team that scored just 188 goals in 68 games.

Not to mention Honzek is playing in a foreign country with all new teammates, and new ice and everything else culturally he had to adapt to.

I've watched him play live several times. He reminds me of Adam Ruzicka. Nothing wrong with Adam Ruzicka. You just don't take him ahead of at least 5 other players in this draft. I think we missed on this one. He'll play, but in the middle six. We need front of the lineup players. We don't have any under 27 up front at all. Coronato is unfortunately still our best forward prospect.

As to your points. Where was Heidt drafted? Andrew Cristall had less help, is younger and significantly out produced him. He has more offensive tools. He was taken in the second round.

Loved our 2nd round pick and thought our 3rd rounder was a good pick too. We needed a front of the roster player with this pick and I don't think we got one. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[BondraTime]

Best pick the Flames could have made I’d think. Should have gone higher.

 

[Peasy]

I've watched him play live several times. He reminds me of Adam Ruzicka. Nothing wrong with Adam Ruzicka. You just don't take him ahead of at least 5 other players in this draft. I think we missed on this one. He'll play, but in the middle six. We need front of the lineup players. We don't have any under 27 up front at all. Coronato is unfortunately still our best forward prospect.

As to your points. Where was Heidt drafted? Andrew Cristall had less help, is younger and significantly out produced him. He has more offensive tools. He was taken in the second round.

Loved our 2nd round pick and thought our 3rd rounder was a good pick too. We needed a front of the roster player with this pick and I don't think we got one. Hope I'm wrong.

Theres more to becoming a good NHLer than putting up a buncha points in junior lol. Points should always be viewed as secondary when it comes to prospects. Theres so many things that influence a prospects point totals.

 

[Double Dion]

Theres more to becoming a good NHLer than putting up a buncha points in junior lol. Points should always be viewed as secondary when it comes to prospects. Theres so many things that influence a prospects point totals.

Yah McDavid wins Hart Trophys because he's good at everything besides scoring right?

We have tons of excellent role players. We needed a front of the lineup player, not a middle sixer. Name me a 1C who didn't score a lot in the WHL.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

The two questions I have for Honzek next year are

1. Was he on an major upward trajectory that got derailed by his injury?
2. Can he play center?

If the answer to either of those are yes I think Calgary made a great pick. If not, he should still make the NHL based on the package of skills in his body, especially if he's not fully mature yet and he'll be solid pro.

 

[Peasy]

Yah McDavid wins Hart Trophys because he's good at everything besides scoring right?

We have tons of excellent role players. We needed a front of the lineup player, not a middle sixer. Name me a 1C who didn't score a lot in the WHL.

Dylan Cozens draft year ppg 1.23 while playing on a better team.

Robert Thomas only a ppg his draft year.

ROR not even PPG his draft year, Bergeron 73 points in 70 games.

Look at the difference between Rossi and Quinn. Rossi blew him out of the water in terms of ppg and yet Quinn is already a full time NHLer and Rossi isnt.

Like dude the list goes on, these are just easy examples off the top of my head.

Do you need me to list all the high scoring junior players that busted too?

 

[BondraTime]

Yah McDavid wins Hart Trophys because he's good at everything besides scoring right?

We have tons of excellent role players. We needed a front of the lineup player, not a middle sixer. Name me a 1C who didn't score a lot in the WHL.

Samuel Honzek - 56p in 43g - 1.30pgg

Ryan Getzlaf - 68p in 70g draft year - 0.97ppg
Ryan Johansen - 69p in 71g draft year - 0.97ppg
Sam Reinhart - 85p in 72g in draft year - 1.18ppg
Dylan Cozens - 84p in 68g in draft year - 1.23ppg
Matt Barzal - 57p in 44g in draft year - 1.29ppg

His scoring was perfectly in line with very good top 6 scorers at the NHL level out of the WHL.

 

[Hinterland]

Yah McDavid wins Hart Trophys because he's good at everything besides scoring right?

We have tons of excellent role players. We needed a front of the lineup player, not a middle sixer. Name me a 1C who didn't score a lot in the WHL.

How many 1C's get drafted 16th overall or later? These are rare finds. Bluechip 1C's usually go top5. In the 2023 draft, Honzek was easily your 1C best bet left at 16. I think he has 1C potential but if he gets there I expect him to be more of a two way/shutdown than high scoring 1C. Honzek is most likely more of a 2C but that's still great for a 16th overall.

 

[Double Dion]

Dylan Cozens draft year ppg 1.23 while playing on a better team.

Robert Thomas only a ppg his draft year.

ROR not even PPG his draft year, Bergeron 73 points in 70 games.

Look at the difference between Rossi and Quinn. Rossi blew him out of the water in terms of ppg and yet Quinn is already a full time NHLer and Rossi isnt.

Like dude the list goes on, these are just easy examples off the top of my head.

Do you need me to list all the high scoring junior players that busted too?

Cozens played in a lower scoring season. That's the only WHLer you named. Cozens also was the best WHL forward in his draft year. He was the correct birth year. He had a good shot. None of these things are Honzek. Honzek was more like the reach pick the Hawks made with Dach. Except Dach was the correct birth year.

 

[Kranix]

Iggy coaching him on his shot just like he did for Dave Moss back in the glory days

 

[BondraTime]

Cozens was a year younger. Played in a lower scoring seasons. That's the only WHLer you named.

2 months younger

2018-19 - 3.45 goals per game
2022-23 - 3.27 goals per game

Total of 1 extra goal every 5 games.

2018-19 - Lethbridge - 268 goals
2018-19 - Vancouver - 185 goals

Cozens - In on 31% of Lethbridges total offence, while playing in 68/68 games.
Honzek - In on 30% of Vancouvers total offense while playing in 43/68 games.

 

[Peasy]

Cozens was a year younger. Played in a lower scoring seasons. That's the only WHLer you named.

Yeah, a whole 3 months younger relative to their draft year, definitely a year younger

Hilarious you say play in a lower scoring season but completely ignore how bad the team Honzek played on.

You just going to ignore all the names someone posted right after my post? I'll copy them out for you again.

Ryan Getzlaf - 68p in 70g draft year - 0.97ppg
Ryan Johansen - 69p in 71g draft year - 0.97ppg
Sam Reinhart - 85p in 72g in draft year - 1.18ppg
Dylan Cozens - 84p in 68g in draft year - 1.23ppg
Matt Barzal - 57p in 44g in draft year - 1.29ppg

Pointless to keep discussing because you clearly have your mind set and dont show any inclinations of being open to changing that opinion. There are so many examples of players not putting up the highest point totals in junior but go on to have extremely successful careers, youre just choosing to ignore this fact for some reason.

 

[Brew]

It's still in the tweet that he quoted. There's no excuse.

All he did was spell Jeroame wrong. Be easy on the kid.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

Samuel Honzek - 56p in 43g - 1.30pgg

Ryan Getzlaf - 68p in 70g draft year - 0.97ppg
Ryan Johansen - 69p in 71g draft year - 0.97ppg
Sam Reinhart - 85p in 72g in draft year - 1.18ppg
Dylan Cozens - 84p in 68g in draft year - 1.23ppg
Matt Barzal - 57p in 44g in draft year - 1.29ppg

His scoring was perfectly in line with very good top 6 scorers at the NHL level out of the WHL.

Besides he went 16th overall, not top 5 lmao. Scoring at 1.3 for 16th overall is already more than fine.

 

[Double Dion]

Yeah, a whole 3 months younger relative to their draft year, definitely a year younger

Hilarious you say play in a lower scoring season but completely ignore how bad the team Honzek played on.

You just going to ignore all the names someone posted right after my post? I'll copy them out for you again.

Ryan Getzlaf - 68p in 70g draft year - 0.97ppg
Ryan Johansen - 69p in 71g draft year - 0.97ppg
Sam Reinhart - 85p in 72g in draft year - 1.18ppg
Dylan Cozens - 84p in 68g in draft year - 1.23ppg
Matt Barzal - 57p in 44g in draft year - 1.29ppg

Pointless to keep discussing because you clearly have your mind set and dont show any inclinations of being open to changing that opinion. There are so many examples of players not putting up the highest point totals in junior but go on to have extremely successful careers, youre just choosing to ignore this fact for some reason.

The highest any credible rating group had him was hockey news at 19. This was a reach based on deciding we needed size with skill. Conroy outright said they prioritized skill with size. How about Cristall who went in the second round? You never responded to that.

 

[Kranix]

The highest any credible rating group had him was hockey news at 19. This was a reach based on deciding we needed size with skill. Conroy outright said they prioritized skill with size. How about Cristall who went in the second round? You never responded to that.

McKenzie had him at 17