D Carson Lambos - Iowa Wild, AHL (2021, 26th, MIN)

[wetcoast]

Great point! The Ice will be an absolute wagon next year, with Lambos set to emerge as the clear all-situations leader of the defense corps.

Hoping for a pan-Canada defence battle to emerge between Lambos, Clarke, and Belliveau - how perfectly do those names fit the regions, eh?

Power, Ceulemans, Hughes, and company all have potential to go very high, too.

Yes as obvious the lack of top elite dman talent in the 20 draft, it's the complete opposite in 21.

 

[Patrik Barkov]

Will be playing in the Finnish u20 league until WHL starts.

 

[JJTT]

Why the U20? He would probably be a top pair d-man on the JYP's pro team lol.

 

[Patrik Barkov]

Why the U20? He would probably be a top pair d-man on the JYP's pro team lol.

Not necessarily. The jump from WHL to Liiga is still a big one to make at that age. Although at his size he probably would be fine physically, but jumping straight to mens game on the big ice could end up bad. From what I've heard it's a bit up in the air whether he'll play with men or not but I predict he'll at least get a few junior games in to get comfortable on the bigger surface.

 

[wings5]

Will be playing in the Finnish u20 league until WHL starts.

So for around 2 months or less, I know there is alot to consider when making making move like this but I wish he'd have gone over earlier to get more games in, he likely won't get into too many before he has to go back

 

[Patrik Barkov]

So for around 2 months or less, I know there is alot to consider when making making move like this but I wish he'd have gone over earlier to get more games in, he likely won't get into too many before he has to go back

True, but if/when he gets at shot in Liiga, even a few games in a mens league could do wonders with development mentally. Most CHL prospects never face professional players until they are in the NHL/AHL and even a short stint could give him a huge amount of experience as well as a better grasp on what areas need development the most when transforming to professional hockey.

 

[wings5]

True, but if/when he gets at shot in Liiga, even a few games in a mens league could do wonders with development mentally. Most CHL prospects never face professional players until they are in the NHL/AHL and even a short stint could give him a huge amount of experience as well as a better grasp on what areas need development the most when transforming to professional hockey.

That is true he will get a big benefit training and playing with men if that does happen. It's just kind of a last minute decision but it's still better than him spending a month or less in Finland I guess

 

[Kiekura]

100% sure he gets atleast couple games in Liiga.

 

[Mysteric1000]

He will surely play in liiga anytime soon after quarantine theres no question about it. 2nd pairing alongside Honka culd be a fit if they dont want to put him alongside for some veteran presence with Kalteva.

Anyhow thats an interesting choice and interesting player to keep an eye on.

 

[tigervixxxen]

How is Lambos allowed to do this when no other active WHL player was allowed? I know Bedard is playing overseas too but he has not played a WHL game yet.

 

[BKarchitect]

This is pretty cool - I love when prospects find unique ways to challenge themselves and this of course is a really strange year. Was a big fan when Matthews went to Switzerland for a year pre-draft. Obviously this is not analogous because Lambos will be back in the WHL when that league starts but to me this shows some creativity in his personality (and/or those of his parents/advisers) to be unafraid to use this time to continue to push his boundaries both in the rink and in a totally new situation. It will serve him well as he proceeds to the next level.

 

[Patrik Barkov]

Looked like a man among boys physically today. You could see a bit of rustiness as he's not played a game in a long time but his strength with and without the puck really sticked out.

 

[Fresh Prince55]

Think the kid going to be a top 10 pick in the draft.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Dark-horse contender for the #1 pick this year. He may lack the flash and offensive upside of some of his competition, but he has all the tools to become a reliable 1D.

 

[WingsMJN2965]

Dark-horse contender for the #1 pick this year. He may lack the flash and offensive upside of some of his competition, but he has all the tools to become a reliable 1D.

Unpopular opinion: There will be no #1 pick this year. #1OA will be the world renowned, Next Great One, "Pick Forfeited".

I'm loving the way the top end of this draft is shaping up this year. Shit ton of LHD and Centers, which are exactly what Detroit needs.

 

[Zaddy]

4 points in 5 games, wonder when he'll get his first games in Liiga?

Also has there been any interviews with him or articles recently? Would be interesting to hear some thoughts from him, his agent and/or whoever recruited him to JYP.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

North American players for upcoming drafts should look at players like Lambos or Clarke, and play in Europe instead of junior hockey. It's one thing if they are going the college route and want the education. But if they are planning to play in the USHL or CHL before advancing to pro hockey they should instead sign in a country like Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, even Russia at 15-16, and work their way through pro hockey prior to being drafted. They will be able to face better competition than junior hockey provides, they'll make some money, and they'll get to probably experience some new cultures that they otherwise wouldn't have.

It's not for everyone, but something like Matthews did or what some players are doing this season makes some sense, especially if you are a top name and know you'll be a first round pick years in advance. It also allows for a player to play in the AHL right after being drafted if they aren't drafted out of the CHL. I know the biggest junior leagues in NA won't like this, but players shouldn't be tailoring their careers to what certain leagues want.

 

[snipes]

North American players for upcoming drafts should look at players like Lambos or Clarke, and play in Europe instead of junior hockey. It's one thing if they are going the college route and want the education. But if they are planning to play in the USHL or CHL before advancing to pro hockey they should instead sign in a country like Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, even Russia at 15-16, and work their way through pro hockey prior to being drafted. They will be able to face better competition than junior hockey provides, they'll make some money, and they'll get to probably experience some new cultures that they otherwise wouldn't have.

It's not for everyone, but something like Matthews did or what some players are doing this season makes some sense, especially if you are a top name and know you'll be a first round pick years in advance. It also allows for a player to play in the AHL right after being drafted if they aren't drafted out of the CHL. I know the biggest junior leagues in NA won't like this, but players shouldn't be tailoring their careers to what certain leagues want.

Depends on the situation, but getting 68-90+ games including playoffs while playing 26-30 minutes a game for D men at that age also greatly helps develop their skills at home.

Not sure why Canadian kids should go to Russia at 15-16 years old as you suggested, doesn’t even make any sense to me. Like, zero. For the hope of playing 4-7 minutes a night in the KHL as the 13th forward in their draft year? That’s not a development league for a young Canadian hockey player, it’s a win now pro league.

Maybe a late draft birthday playing a year in the SHL might make sense in some very rare circumstances, but those would be rare exceptions rather than what is generally best. Mathews situation being one that made sense.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Depends on the situation, but getting 68-90+ games including playoffs while playing 26-30 minutes a game for D men at that age also greatly helps develop their skills at home.

Not sure why Canadian kids should go to Russia at 15-16 years old as you suggested, doesn’t even make any sense to me. Like, zero. For the hope of playing 4-7 minutes a night in the KHL as the 13th forward in their draft year? That’s not a development league for a young Canadian hockey player, it’s a win now pro league.

Maybe a late draft birthday playing a year in the SHL might make sense in some very rare circumstances, but those would be rare exceptions rather than what is generally best. Mathews situation being one that made sense.

I'll give you a scenario. Let's say you're Matt Savoie or Shane Wright. You think you'll probably be playing in the NHL at 18 or you'll at the very least be good enough to play in the AHL at 18. SKA or CSKA offers you a big contract to live in Moscow or St. Petersburg for a few years where you make a lot of money, you have access to much better facilities and amenities than you'll have anywhere outside the NHL, and you'll get to play in the KHL your D-1 season, maybe your D-2 season, if you are really good.

You might miss your friends and family, and it's not glorious to be playing in the MHL or VHL when you first get there, but you'll get better competition, better facilities/amenities, good money, and you get to live in a foreign country for a few years and experience a different culture. It's not for everyone, but if you are like an Auston Matthews from years back or a kid like Brandt Clarke this year, it could make more sense than another year of junior hockey or even in some cases, another two years. We might see this season that Shane Wright is too good for the OHL. What if he was in SKA's organization and could get the chance to play KHL games this season? Yurov, whose been getting KHL games this season for one of the better teams in the league, is only about two weeks older than Wright. I think he could probably play this season in the KHL.

 

[bigdog16]

I'll give you a scenario. Let's say you're Matt Savoie or Shane Wright. You think you'll probably be playing in the NHL at 18 or you'll at the very least be good enough to play in the AHL at 18. SKA or CSKA offers you a big contract to live in Moscow or St. Petersburg for a few years where you make a lot of money, you have access to much better facilities and amenities than you'll have anywhere outside the NHL, and you'll get to play in the KHL your D-1 season, maybe your D-2 season, if you are really good.

You might miss your friends and family, and it's not glorious to be playing in the MHL or VHL when you first get there, but you'll get better competition, better facilities/amenities, good money, and you get to live in a foreign country for a few years and experience a different culture. It's not for everyone, but if you are like an Auston Matthews from years back or a kid like Brandt Clarke this year, it could make more sense than another year of junior hockey or even in some cases, another two years. We might see this season that Shane Wright is too good for the OHL. What if he was in SKA's organization and could get the chance to play KHL games this season? Yurov, whose been getting KHL games this season for one of the better teams in the league, is only about two weeks older than Wright. I think he could probably play this season in the KHL.

You get paid chump change in the VHL and i dont think they even get paid in the MHL

 

[covfefe]

I’d be looking more heavily at the Swiss league if I were a top pre-draft eligible from NA. Still good-great money, a limited language barrier, a beautiful country, and much better competition than the CHL or NCAA.

It’d be a hard sell getting a kid from Vancouver or Toronto, or Boston, to pack his bags for Moscow. That’s not to say it couldn’t be done, but it’d be a tough sell.

Sweden would make some sense too but D-1 players typically struggle for icetime there.

 

[Killerjas]

I’d be looking more heavily at the Swiss league if I were a top pre-draft eligible from NA. Still good-great money, a limited language barrier, a beautiful country, and much better competition than the CHL or NCAA.

It’d be a hard sell getting a kid from Vancouver or Toronto, or Boston, to pack his bags for Moscow. That’s not to say it couldn’t be done, but it’d be a tough sell.

Sweden would make some sense too but D-1 players typically struggle for icetime there.

Or the DEL. Germany is great

 

[Zaddy]

Any updates?

I'm a bit surprised he got games in the U18 league rather than in Liiga.

 

[wings5]

Seems strange he was sent to u18 league, I'm guessing u20 team had time off between games and they wanted him top play. I hope this was the case anyways as Lambos shouldn't playing be at that level

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

Cars, son. Lambos.