D Cale Makar - UMass (Amherst), NCAA (2017, 4th, COL)

[canucks20]

Correct, i've watched him 3 times via the television. Obviously he was the best on the ice by a country mile and was very impressive in every game. In saying that, there is very little structure to his game, he was all over the ice and was skating circles around everyone. We have no idea how he will do when he has to play with structure, rely on his teammates a little, refine his game and how he'll do when he's no longer the best player on the ice. That's too big of an unknown for a top

Makar is the Erik Karlsson of the AJHL
It's like being the best in Division 4 hockey and then being asked to not only move up to Division 1 in time, but dominate and become a top pairing guy.

I'm not trying to be rude, but you should really stop talking if you have no clue. Which in this case is true.

Makar doesn't just skate around the ice with no plan. They guy uses his tools to dominate a game. When he needs more structure, he can play that way too. He has a great first pass and reads the ice very well. If he played without as much structure, I think Brooks wins the RBC Cup

 

[StayAtHomeAv]

you know who else is sub 6'?

a guy by the name of Erik Karlsson.

Karlsson checked in at 5' 11.75" at his combine. Your splitting hairs. And that's assuming he didn't grow even just a tad bit as a late teenager.

How do you define top pair minutes? Krug was 2nd on his team in TOI and is 5'9. Almost 22 isn't top pairing on some, but it was for the Bruins.

Even strength minutes. Which, to be fair, Krug missed top pair by mere seconds. But Krug is in the same boat as Barrie. Neither should get those type of minutes. These are guys who need to be on a 2nd pair where they are not taking on the tough matchups and defense minutes.

 

[covfefe]

Correct, i've watched him 3 times via the television. Obviously he was the best on the ice by a country mile and was very impressive in every game. In saying that, there is very little structure to his game, he was all over the ice and was skating circles around everyone. We have no idea how he will do when he has to play with structure, rely on his teammates a little, refine his game and how he'll do when he's no longer the best player on the ice. That's too big of an unknown for a top pick.






Fantastic, let's both hope they take him

Makar is the Erik Karlsson of the AJHL
It's like being the best in Division 4 hockey and then being asked to not only move up to Division 1 in time, but dominate and become a top pairing guy.

Do you think that Makar would have trouble competing in the WHL?

 

[Gunner Stahl]

Do you think that Makar would have trouble competing in the WHL?

He would have far less highlight reels, likely have worse numbers, and prob be more of a late 1st/early 2nd if he was in the WHL. Being even considered in the 1st is still really solid so don't get butt**** Makar truthers.

Being a big fish in a small pond has really propelled his draft stock, anyone who says otherwise simply isn't being rational

 

[covfefe]

He would have far less highlight reels, likely have worse numbers, and prob be more of a late 1st/early 2nd if he was in the WHL. Being even considered in the 1st is still really solid so don't get butt**** Makar truthers.

Being a big fish in a small pond has really propelled his draft stock, anyone who says otherwise simply isn't being rational

The same exact thing was said about Jost last year

 

[SB84]

I dont think you have a very good grasp on the level of hockey he is playing at judging by your posts. The gap in talent isnt nearly as large. Suggesting what he is doing is easy is not accurate.

Division 4 ? What the heck,...... its tier 2 and the 2nd highest level if junior hockey Canada. A step down from chl. as a Canadian you should know that.

Residing in Calgary, watching the Canucks live and having played with players who played in the AJHL, I have a very good grasp of the level of hockey it is. The gap in talent between the AJHL and the WHL is significant, although the biggest change imo is the structure the teams play with, and massive when compared to the NHL. My analogy should have been seen like this:

Division 4 - AJHL
3 - WHL
2 - AHL
1 - NHL.

I'm not trying to be rude, but you should really stop talking if you have no clue. Which in this case is true.

Makar doesn't just skate around the ice with no plan. They guy uses his tools to dominate a game. When he needs more structure, he can play that way too. He has a great first pass and reads the ice very well. If he played without as much structure, I think Brooks wins the RBC Cup

I never said he didn't have a plan, the problem is that he is so much better than everyone he's playing against that it's better for him and his team for him to play all over the ice and have the puck the majority of the time. He needs to play against better competition and until we see that I can not say he is an elite level player worthy of a top pick. I'm not arguing that he's a first round talent, just that in my opinion, I would not pick him until later because of the unknown and risk. I guess i'm just risk adverse.

Do you think that Makar would have trouble competing in the WHL?

Not at all, he would definitely be a great, top pairing player in the WHL, but would he be among the top 1-5 D in the league which is where he should be based on his draft stock? I'm not sure. Thats where there is too much uncertainty imo.

 

[StayAtHomeAv]

The same exact thing was said about Jost last year

Jost had a very impressive international resume to prove he could do it against the best kids his age. He also plays forward where it's easier to overcome a lack of size.

 

[bigdog16]

Residing in Calgary, watching the Canucks live and having played with players who played in the AJHL, I have a very good grasp of the level of hockey it is. The gap in talent between the AJHL and the WHL is significant, although the biggest change imo is the structure the teams play with, and massive when compared to the NHL. My analogy should have been seen like this:

Division 4 - AJHL
3 - WHL
2 - AHL
1 - NHL.

Out of all those tiers you made, the gap between 4 and 3 is by far the least significant compared to the others.

 

[WhatWhat]

Interesting tidbit. Stars reporter Sean Shapiro said in his weekly QA post that Dallas likes a guy who is more in the 5-10 range then later in a different answer specifically mentioned Makar as a guy Dallas really likes

 

[pckstpr31]

Interesting tidbit. Stars reporter Sean Shapiro said in his weekly QA post that Dallas likes a guy who is more in the 5-10 range then later in a different answer specifically mentioned Makar as a guy Dallas really likes

Maybe there's some truth to the VAN/DAL rumours. Dallas trades down to 5 and picks Makar, Vancouver moves up to 3 and can take Vilardi or Heiskanen.

 

[The Sweetness]

Jost had a very impressive international resume to prove he could do it against the best kids his age. He also plays forward where it's easier to overcome a lack of size.

Makar was the top defenseman at the World Junior A challenge.

He's playing in a weak league but he's impressed as much as possible considering the opportunities he's been given. From what I've heard he plays a very unselfish dlrefined game and could have had a greater impact in his league if he'd played a less mature game.

He seems to have the skating, skills and smarts. I feel someone with his ability will succeed anywhere.

I wouldn't be surprised if he turns out to be the best player in this draft. It'll be real interesting to see where he gets picked. This draft is very intriguing.

 

[StayAtHomeAv]

Makar was the top defenseman at the World Junior A challenge.

He's playing in a weak league but he's impressed as much as possible considering the opportunities he's been given. From what I've heard he plays a very unselfish dlrefined game and could have had a greater impact in his league if he'd played a less mature game.

He seems to have the skating, skills and smarts. I feel someone with his ability will succeed anywhere.

I wouldn't be surprised if he turns out to be the best player in this draft. It'll be real interesting to see where he gets picked. This draft is very intriguing.

Not impressed with World Junior A challenge. That's no where near the overall talent as the world junior championships.

Makar also missed out in playing against the USA and the other Canadian team in that tourny. And Russia held him pointless. 6 of his 8 points came against the Swiss, 5 in just 1 game.

 

[mazmin]

Last year, Brinson Pasichnuk, late birthday, draft eligible NCAA bound dman, 52gp-20g-45a-65pts, went undrafted.

Makar puts up similar points and is going top 10? I don't see it. I see him on a similar level as Cholowski. A bit of a reach at 20-30.

These Jr A guys are riskier with such a difference in competition. He's also committed to a pretty bad NCAA program. Too many red flags for me.

 

[mazmin]

The same exact thing was said about Jost last year

Jost played in the BCHL which is a step above AJHL (Makar). Many players get drafted in the first round out of the BCHL: Turris and Zajac are examples.

The AJHL doesn't produce NHLers at nearly the same rate as the BCHL.

 

[Ace]

Last year, Brinson Pasichnuk, late birthday, draft eligible NCAA bound dman, 52gp-20g-45a-65pts, went undrafted.

Makar puts up similar points and is going top 10? I don't see it. I see him on a similar level as Cholowski. A bit of a reach at 20-30.

These Jr A guys are riskier with such a difference in competition. He's also committed to a pretty bad NCAA program. Too many red flags for me.

You're going to be left very surprised then on draft day.

 

[Sticks and Pucks]

Last year, Brinson Pasichnuk, late birthday, draft eligible NCAA bound dman, 52gp-20g-45a-65pts, went undrafted.

Makar puts up similar points and is going top 10? I don't see it. I see him on a similar level as Cholowski. A bit of a reach at 20-30.

These Jr A guys are riskier with such a difference in competition. He's also committed to a pretty bad NCAA program. Too many red flags for me.

I'm a little curious too. What was the main difference between Pasichnuk and Makar? Pasichnuk had better size too.

 

[ps241]

So Makar comes in at 5-foot-11.25, 187.44 pounds so if that is official its not like that is an issue in today's NHL.

 

[Critical13]

He would have far less highlight reels, likely have worse numbers, and prob be more of a late 1st/early 2nd if he was in the WHL. Being even considered in the 1st is still really solid so don't get butt**** Makar truthers.

Being a big fish in a small pond has really propelled his draft stock, anyone who says otherwise simply isn't being rational

We will take your word for it over people who get paid salaries and spend their lives doing this work. Thanks bud.

 

[StayAtHomeAv]

So Makar comes in at 5-foot-11.25, 187.44 pounds so if that is official its not like that is an issue in today's NHL.

How many 5'11" Dmen play in the NHL?
How many 5'11" Dmen play in the top4?
How many 5'11" Dmen play on the top pair?
How many 5'11" Dmen play a #1 role?

For a guy who is being projected as a top 10 pick, top pair, #1 Dman I think size is an issue. These guys are getting into the NHL but only a handful play more than a middle pair role.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

How many 5'11" Dmen play in the NHL?
How many 5'11" Dmen play in the top4?
How many 5'11" Dmen play on the top pair?
How many 5'11" Dmen play a #1 role?

For a guy who is being projected as a top 10 pick, top pair, #1 Dman I think size is an issue. These guys are getting into the NHL but only a handful play more than a middle pair role.

Actually, that is bigger than Erik Karlsson was during his draft combine. Size didn't hamper Erik in the NHL.

Let's face it, this isn't 1970 anymore. Size isn't everything. Hockey IQ + skating speed/agility is the key to success nowadays.

 

[fredligh]

Yep and an add to that is most NHLers being 5'10-5'11 being rounded up to 6'0 when they get listed. At the combine the measurement is sharp. I bet Erik Karlsson is no more than 5'11. Height isn't just everything. Klingberg is 6'2 if not more. Still he is built like a toothpick. Bet there is ******** of 5'10-5'11s that is far more stronger than him....

 

[CanuckCity]

All this talk/concern about him being small and he's near identical size to Liljegren.

Makar: 5'11.25 187

8th Pro Agilty Left
3rd Pro Agility Right
5th Vertical Jump
10th standing long jump

Liljgren: 5'11.25 190
22nd Mean Power Output
11th Peak Power Output
17th Vertical Jump
8th Standing long jump

 

[zenator]

Not having seen this guy play before, I'm excited by what I read.

The only concern would be that I read somewhere he's an average skater. As long as he has tremendous quickness, the average top end speed won't hinder him much.

Having seen both guys break in to the NHL, the main difference between Erik Karlsson and David Rundblad is that Karlsson is extremely fast and extremely quick, while Rundblad is below average quickness, and a slow skater. He didn't have the time in the NHL to do what he did in the SEL.

I'm hoping Makar is closer to Karlsson than Rundblad, the NHL needs more of this type of player for a more exciting game.

 

[WhatWhat]

Not having seen this guy play before, I'm excited by what I read.

The only concern would be that I read somewhere he's an average skater. As long as he has tremendous quickness, the average top end speed won't hinder him much.

Having seen both guys break in to the NHL, the main difference between Erik Karlsson and David Rundblad is that Karlsson is extremely fast and extremely quick, while Rundblad is below average quickness, and a slow skater. He didn't have the time in the NHL to do what he did in the SEL.

I'm hoping Makar is closer to Karlsson than Rundblad, the NHL needs more of this type of player for a more exciting game.

Average Skater?? I was under the impression that was on of his best attributes and he is one of the top D in this draft in terms of skating

 

[StayAtHomeAv]

Yep and an add to that is most NHLers being 5'10-5'11 being rounded up to 6'0 when they get listed. At the combine the measurement is sharp. I bet Erik Karlsson is no more than 5'11. Height isn't just everything. Klingberg is 6'2 if not more. Still he is built like a toothpick. Bet there is ******** of 5'10-5'11s that is far more stronger than him....

I thought that too, but I actually looked up the combine measurements of these guys guys listed at 6' thinking they would be less, at least the younger ones. I couldn't find info before 2008 or something. These top guys who are listed at 6' measured in at 6' during the combine.

Actually, that is bigger than Erik Karlsson was during his draft combine. Size didn't hamper Erik in the NHL.

Let's face it, this isn't 1970 anymore. Size isn't everything. Hockey IQ + skating speed/agility is the key to success nowadays.

Karlsson measured in at 6' (5'11.75"), so actually a little taller than makar. And 6' is actually when you start seeing a good amount of top pair players. Just from watching them it appears Karlsson has a longer wingspan or at least uses a longer stick too

Size might not matter as much, but it's still a big factor in what roles players can play. Seriously, just look up the numbers to those questions above. Very very very few 5'11" Dmen make it past the middle pair. We're talking like just 3 guys who actually belong on the top pair and another 2 or 3 who get top minutes but shouldn't be in that role. And the three that do belong there, they are actually more defensive minded types.