Prospect Info: CBJ Prospect Thread XI

[majormajor]

I appreciate you responding with the pretty graph and stats chart but the chart and someones tweet isn't going to change my mind. I'm sure others are interested in the charts/graphs and they are probably pretty useful to some. But not so much for me. I've been watching and playing hockey since 1966. I may not be versed in what a players (X#YZ%n number) is but I have seen a wealth of games in my lifetime and I think I can guestimate how good a player is/may be and what type of an impact said player might have on the team without having to rely on some fancy charts to make my assessment. My issue with these charts/graphs is that they don't watch the games and some of the numbers don't make sense at times. So I find them unreliable and not for me. This isn't meant as a criticism of you posting advanced stats or number crunching graphs and stuff like that or of others that use/find them useful. They are just not for me.

Also I mentioned in my post that I have not seen a lot of KJs games (probably around ten or so partial/full games). But I've seen enough of him to form an opinion at this point in time so it's not from just a few video highlights of his best plays.

I have high hopes for this player, maybe too high. I have seen some pretty plays and some nice goals from him but I will stand by the rest of what I said in my post.

He needs more development time. Can he play in the NHL? Of course he can but my main issue becomes is he really NHL ready or is Jarmo just gonna do a Sillinger with him. I'm pretty sure Jarmo kind of answered that question at the post trade deadline presser and I can't say I agree with him.

I think those sorts of charts are pretty helpful at establishing "what type of player is this at that level", it really doesn't tell you so much about what they're going to be doing in the NHL. Players all have to adapt in their own way, and sometimes their best junior tools aren't their best NHL tools.

For example, you know who had horrendous pass accuracy and horrendous defensive numbers in junior? Cole Sillinger. He also had some of the best shooting numbers ever. Now in the NHL he really hasn't scored much yet but he's actually survived the 200 ft game in an okayish way. He's not an above average defensive player at this point (though plenty of people think he is) but he's surviving at 18 which better junior defenders can't do. Saying all of that - I still agree with you that I wish he made his debut next year.

 

[Youngguns1380]

I didn’t ever say he was a superstar or ready at this point in time. I’m fact I’ve always said the opposite.

I just disagree in the fact that I think he is impacting games right now, when you might not see it.

I started “pumping his tires” when people on here said he was not a blue chip prospect, which is wrong IMO.

Again I’m also on record for saying the best player on that team is Brisson.

You can not trust the stats, I don’t really care, but I’ll at least show you them.

Best player on that team is Luke Hughes

 

[Cowumbus]

Best player on that team is Luke Hughes

Yes. Best forward - Brisson

 

[LJ7]

I actually don't think it's a bad idea for KJ to get a taste of the NHL this year after his season ends with Michigan. There were times he looked like the best player on the ice in the Olympics, and it would give him and the team a true feel for what he has to do this summer to prep for next season. It would specifically give him a chance to see which of his tools work immediately and to know which parts of his game need work to adapt at this level.

As for whether he should play in Cleveland or Columbus next year depends on where his game is next fall. I think he'll be better at center but that's a more demanding position to play. If he plays in either league it would not surprise me. Another year at Michigan isn't on the table and for good reason. That wouldn't push him nearly hard enough. Already over an assist per game there.

 

[5th Line Fanatic]

I actually don't think it's a bad idea for KJ to get a taste of the NHL this year after his season ends with Michigan. There were times he looked like the best player on the ice in the Olympics, and it would give him and the team a true feel for what he has to do this summer to prep for next season. It would specifically give him a chance to see which of his tools work immediately and to know which parts of his game need work to adapt at this level.

As for whether he should play in Cleveland or Columbus next year depends on where his game is next fall. I think he'll be better at center but that's a more demanding position to play. If he plays in either league it would not surprise me. Another year at Michigan isn't on the table and for good reason. That wouldn't push him nearly hard enough. Already over an assist per game there.

I agree with this.

Another year in college doesn't help KJ. He's been there two years, hasn't gained weight or played center. Let's get him here for 9 games and see where he is, then send him to Cleveland or Columbus next season and further his development.

 

[LJ7]

I agree with this.

Another year in college doesn't help KJ. He's been there two years, hasn't gained weight or played center. Let's get him here for 9 games and see where he is, then send him to Cleveland or Columbus next season and further his development.

IIRC KJ himself said he gained 10 lbs or something on that diary thing with Portzline, but he definitely still has work to do in that regard

 

[tunnelvision]

I actually don't think it's a bad idea for KJ to get a taste of the NHL this year after his season ends with Michigan. There were times he looked like the best player on the ice in the Olympics, and it would give him and the team a true feel for what he has to do this summer to prep for next season. It would specifically give him a chance to see which of his tools work immediately and to know which parts of his game need work to adapt at this level.

And of all issues in his game he needs to fix or work on, first thing coming to my mind was that tendency to stop at the offensive blueline to delay their zone entry. I haven't watched Michigan enough this year to clearly notice that but other posters on this board have been telling us about it. I'd guess that playing in an NHL sized rink would really force him to think more about decision making with the puck and in particular how to choose and time his skating lanes in certain situations at the next level.

 

[cslebn]

And of all issues in his game he needs to fix or work on, first thing coming to my mind was that tendency to stop at the offensive blueline to delay their zone entry. I haven't watched Michigan enough this year to clearly notice that but other posters on this board have been telling us about it. I'd guess that playing in an NHL sized rink would really force him to think more about decision making with the puck and in particular how to choose and time his skating lanes in certain situations at the next level.

Yost has NHL dimensions

 

[tunnelvision]

Yost has NHL dimensions

How about other teams' rinks in their conf/division?

 

[cslebn]

How about other teams' rinks in their conf/division?

As I recall most big 10 rinks are NHL sized.

It's just not that big a deal. The overall speed increase of college to pro would be more of an issue.

 

[Youngguns1380]

As I recall most big 10 rinks are NHL sized.

It's just not that big a deal. The overall speed increase of college to pro would be more of an issue.

As well as the physical part of the game.

 

[CBJx614]

The thing with KJ is also he just hit a massive growth spurt(and is likely still growing) so he's gonna have to adjust his game while getting used to his new size. He's gonna have to work to keep his speed and agility as he starts to fill out and bulk for the NHL game against men. That's gonna be the true test for him.

 

[Hello Johnny]

The thing with KJ is also he just hit a massive growth spurt(and is likely still growing) so he's gonna have to adjust his game while getting used to his new size. He's gonna have to work to keep his speed and agility as he starts to fill out and bulk for the NHL game against men. That's gonna be the true test for him.

I agree that he will be tested as he adds weight to his frame, but according to this article he's been 6'1" for two years now, so I think he's done growing.

 

[CBJx614]

I agree that he will be tested as he adds weight to his frame, but according to this article he's been 6'1" for two years now, so I think he's done growing.

That's fair, I think I saw someone posted that he added a few pounds this season, but it's kinda concerning he's been listed at 165-168 for the last two seasons and hasn't really been able to bulk up.

Though I imagine it's not something that Michigan is necessarily concerned with, I can see him gaining a bit more weight once he's fully in the organizations grasps.

 

[Monk]

That's fair, I think I saw someone posted that he added a few pounds this season, but it's kinda concerning he's been listed at 165-168 for the last two seasons and hasn't really been able to bulk up.

Though I imagine it's not something that Michigan is necessarily concerned with, I can see him gaining a bit more weight once he's fully in the organizations grasps.

Yeah it his age... hard to put on weight in my experience.

 

[Cowumbus]

 

[LJ7]

 

[Doggy]

That's fair, I think I saw someone posted that he added a few pounds this season, but it's kinda concerning he's been listed at 165-168 for the last two seasons and hasn't really been able to bulk up.

Though I imagine it's not something that Michigan is necessarily concerned with, I can see him gaining a bit more weight once he's fully in the organizations grasps.

Weird, I always assume the height/weight numbers on websites are wrong for prospects and would be skeptical of the numbers unless the CBJ poke and prod him and release his measurables.

As for Michigan not being concerned with his weight, the college game is supposedly far more focused on strength (building muscle) and conditioning than Canadian Juniors. The weight room facilities these kids have access to and and the strength training programs these guys are expected to follow are likely first rate...especially in the Big Ten!

 

[5th Line Fanatic]

Weird, I always assume the height/weight numbers on websites are wrong for prospects and would be skeptical of the numbers unless the CBJ poke and prod him and release his measurables.

As for Michigan not being concerned with his weight, the college game is supposedly far more focused on strength (building muscle) and conditioning than Canadian Juniors. The weight room facilities these kids have access to and and the strength training programs these guys are expected to follow are likely first rate...especially in the Big Ten!

I'm sure he has access to elite facilities and trainers. Probably better than Canadian Juniors, but Michigan is concerned with winning National Championships, not developing our players. I want him in our control ASAP. He's too valuable to rely on someone else to develop him.

 

[majormajor]

I'm sure he has access to elite facilities and trainers. Probably better than Canadian Juniors, but Michigan is concerned with winning National Championships, not developing our players. I want him in our control ASAP. He's too valuable to rely on someone else to develop him.

I sort of agree, but the Jackets are also in the business of winning games. Playing 82 NHL games might make it harder for KJ to get stronger, just as the schedule makes it harder for Sillinger to work on his skating. Cleveland is the best of both worlds.

 

[stevo61]

I agree Cleveland is a good spot for Johnson and Sillinger for that matter. Johnson just needs to hit the weights and figure out his diet. He doesnt need top end facilities, trainers or nutrionists for any of that. People make it all sound complicated but at the end of the day its quite simple. This is a big offseason for many young guys

 

[5th Line Fanatic]

I sort of agree, but the Jackets are also in the business of winning games. Playing 82 NHL games might make it harder for KJ to get stronger, just as the schedule makes it harder for Sillinger to work on his skating. Cleveland is the best of both worlds.

Yeah, I'm not too concerned with Columbus vs. Cleveland, as long as the CBJ organization is controlling what needs to be controlled. That's clearly not happening at Michigan, which is a fine program, but he's not even playing Center there. We drafted a Center who needs to play Center. I have my doubts that he'll ever be a Center and clearly Michigan does too. But, that's another argument. Get the kid under our control and develop him.

 

[majormajor]

Weird, I always assume the height/weight numbers on websites are wrong for prospects and would be skeptical of the numbers unless the CBJ poke and prod him and release his measurables.

As for Michigan not being concerned with his weight, the college game is supposedly far more focused on strength (building muscle) and conditioning than Canadian Juniors. The weight room facilities these kids have access to and and the strength training programs these guys are expected to follow are likely first rate...especially in the Big Ten!

I think part of it is that player weights are always going up and down.

KJ might have put on 10 lbs from last season to this one but then lost the whole thing in the Fall, from playing a lot and getting sick.

 

[LJ7]

We drafted a Center who needs to play Center. I have my doubts that he'll ever be a Center and clearly Michigan does too. But, that's another argument. Get the kid under our control and develop him.

What's funny is I actually do expect him to play center in the NHL. He played it in the BCHL (making it his "natural" position), and he was playing center when he was torching everybody in that Canada WJC camp. When he played wing for Michigan and TC it was with the only 2 centers drafted ahead of him in that entire class, and I imagine he played wing in the Olympics (and maybe the WJC) just because he was playing wing in the NCAA.

 

[CBJWerenski8]