Player Discussion: Daemon Hunt

[ColumbusTrill]

The Iowa Wild were the third worst team in the AHL last season. They're not doing much better this season either. Saying he was the best on that team doesn't exactly constitute a ringing endorsement on its own.

It's also minor league hockey. Players come and go all the time. It's about development and not necessarily winning.

Like I said, none of us have ever watched him play. That argument is like saying Werenski actually isn't good because the CBJ haven't been good. But we watch Werenski and know he's good. Those guys actually watch Iowa and say Hunt is good

 

[ColumbusTrill]

I distinctly remember you saying he was "the best on that team", not that he was actually good, or good enough to amount to anything in the NHL beyond bottom-pairing spot duty. Did they in fact characterize him differently than reported?

Like I said, the Wild are one of the best teams in the NHL so it's not exactly easy for a young prospect to stick.

I'd encourage you to listen to what they said because they gave a great breakdown of his game. Right now I feel like this is what I'm talking to:

 

[ThatGuy22]

The Iowa Wild were the third worst team in the AHL last season. They're not doing much better this season either. Saying he was the best on that team doesn't exactly constitute a ringing endorsement on its own.

All of the Wilds best prospects last year are in Europe, college or CHL(and really only added Ohgren to this year's squad).

Hunt is going to be an NHLer, I have zero doubt about that. His game reminds me a lot of Carson Soucy who Dean/the Wild also developed. He's a victim of his waiver exemption right now. He probably deserves to be in the Wild over Merril and Chisholm(others may disagree there).

As a Wild fan, I'm more confident he'll have a long NHL career than Jiricek, because D with poor skating don't tend to last long in the NHL.

 

[Xoggz22]

Didn't take that long to come up with conclusions on any of Berni, Blankenburg, Bean, or Bjork.

I'm trying not to jump in the middle of this, but I don't understand the concern with these players no longer being in the organization? None of them were NHL players so moving them or letting them go had no impact on this organization. I'm sure I'm missing something? You don't have to explain. I'll keep reading to try to figure it out.

 

[squashmaple]

I distinctly remember you saying he was "the best on that team", not that he was actually good, or good enough to amount to anything in the NHL beyond bottom-pairing spot duty. Did they in fact characterize him differently than reported?

Have you been correct on your assessment of... anything? Hated Torts. Wrong. Hated Evason. Wrong. Instant snap judgment of a 6/7-caliber player his former org and fanbase thought well of that he's utterly worthless garbage. Seriously, Viqsi, go touch some grass. Take a break. Make take a breath of grass. Getting this intensely worked up over Daemon Hunt is ridiculous, and I say this as the person who FLOUNCED OVER DAVID JIRICEK HYPERBOLE ON THIS SAME BOARD.

 

[CBJx614]

This should win some hearts haha

 

[Viqsi]

Have you been correct on your assessment of... anything?

Apparently not, since if that ever happened you'd think folks would remember.

Thanks, y'all. Makes me really feel good about having anything to do with anything.

 

[aRussian]

If he's in Cleveland full-time I hope he doesn't have loft ideas like Jiricek and is willing to develop his shortcomings until he marinates to potential NHL quality. That alone would make him better if tit-for-tat he ends up equivalent career-wise to Jiricek. Push them to develop in the AHL to what you need in the NHL. Screw pressure from evil agent or immature player

 

[Viqsi]

I've deleted all my other posts in this and the Jiricek trade thread. Not touching replies because that would require use of moderator-granted powers, so if y'all want to see what I was on about you can still follow the conversation that way.

I just don't need the hostilty and the first step to avoiding it is to not precipitate it myself.

 

[Doggy]

Apparently not, since if that ever happened you'd think folks would remember.

Thanks, y'all. Makes me really feel good about having anything to do with anything.

Obviously I cannot speak for anyone else but it feels like you are so angry over the trading of Jiricek that you are taking it out on some kid and writing him off before he has even landed in Cleveland and unpacked his gear. Tack that on to how negative you were about the Waddell and Evason hires it just feels like you have made up your mind about this entire organization's direction and it's all negative.

I love your passion and dedication to the organization and to contributing on this board but right now your anger seems very unhealthy. Personally I have tried very hard to remember sports are our release from all the shit going on in the world...not add to our anxiety. Sometimes it's just better to walk away and catch my breath, I can't change the team so I just have to roll with it like everyone else.

Edit: posted this before seeing your last comment.

 

[Viqsi]

Obviously I cannot speak for anyone else but it feels like you are so angry over the trading of Jiricek that you are taking it out on some kid and writing him off before he has even landed in Cleveland and unpacked his gear. Tack that on to how negative you were about the Waddell and Evason hires it just feels like you have made up your mind about this entire organization's direction and it's all negative.

I love your passion and dedication to the organization and to contributing on this board but right now your anger seems very unhealthy.

I never had any objection to the Evason hire. Waddell, yes, absolutely. Evason, no.

 

[Doggy]

I never had any objection to the Evason hire. Waddell, yes, absolutely. Evason, no.

My mistake, my apologies. I still stand by my post above which I added to for some more levity. I just hate to see you so worked up over this.

You know in two years Hunt could be our everyday third pairing LD and Jiricek could be heading back to Europe to play professionally because he never learned to be an effective NHL skater. The how silly it would have been to waste so much energy getting worked up over the trade. We don't know at this point, this can all go six different ways within a few years and not all bad for the CBJ.

 

[SteelCityCannon]

I'm trying not to jump in the middle of this, but I don't understand the concern with these players no longer being in the organization? None of them were NHL players so moving them or letting them go had no impact on this organization. I'm sure I'm missing something? You don't have to explain. I'll keep reading to try to figure it out.

I'm also confused what they have to do with anything. DW came in and immediately purged the team of tweeners we kept around too long and super injury prone players. Then brings in a great coach and a legitimate #1 center....how are we crapping on him again?

Let's not get into the fact that he built the Carolina Hurricanes. I would KILL for us to play like them. They're my favorite team to watch other than ours. They're relentless. The Patrik Laines of the world would melt.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

I'm also confused what they have to do with anything. DW came in and immediately purged the team of tweeners we kept around too long and super injury prone players. Then brings in a great coach and a legitimate #1 center....how are we crapping on him again?

Let's not get into the fact that he built the Carolina Hurricanes. I would KILL for us to play like them. They're my favorite team to watch other than ours. They're relentless. The Patrik Laines of the world would melt.

Because he's being held single handedly responsible for the Atlanta Thrashers being a terrible franchise that moved because hockey has never worked in that city.

But yes. I agree. If the blueprint is to build a roster that can move like the Hurricanes sign me up. We pulled out a win against them with some puck luck and hard work but man is that team fast and skilled. If we turn into something close to that I don't care if Jiricek becomes a Hall of Famer for another team. He just doesn't fit that mold. The crest on the front of the jersey is more important than any name on the back of it.

 

[S1N4TR4]

Why have one Jordan Harris when you can have two?

this post got zero likes for a reason.

what kind of comparison is this?

as if you’ve watched 10+ of Daemon’s professional games played and know he plays just like jordan harris. lolol

 

[Viqsi]

Because he's being held single handedly responsible for the Atlanta Thrashers being a terrible franchise that moved because hockey has never worked in that city.

Apparently deleting all posts and backing off isn't enough to end the active hostility.

Guess at this rate I can look forward to waking up tomorrow to discover I apparently also hated the Fabbro pickup and insisted KJ would be a bust or something. I mean, I'm used to "facts don't matter" arguments when they're about my team, but it hits a little different when it gets actively and directly personal from folks whom you thought actually knew you.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

this post got zero likes for a reason.

what kind of comparison is this?

as if you’ve watched 10+ of Daemon’s professional games played and know he plays just like jordan harris. lolol

what is this, facebook? Like I give a rats ass about likes.

I can easily turn this statement back at you. But theres no monopoly on blanket, condescending, know it all statements.

Jordan Harris scouting profile:

Has very good mobility and puck-moving savvy. Thinks the game well and can carry the play. Is also adept at quarterbacking the power play. Is an offensive producer. Even for the way the NHL is played today, he is undersized and lacking in strength. Also, he plays a soft brand of hockey at times, something he will need to correct soon.

His long-range potential is listed as a "Mobile, smart puck-moving defenseman with upside."

Hunt scouting profile (a tidbit):

Hunt is a good skater, with strong edgework and agility and this helps him to play a two-way game. He is able to change directions easily and moves well laterally. Hunt also has smooth, tight pivots that allow him to transition quickly from offence to defence and vice-versa. His speed is very good in both directions. A strong first step and very good acceleration allow Hunt to reach that speed. This allows him to cover a lot of ice. He can join the rush, or pinch at the blue line and still get back defensively. Hunt is solid on his skates, with good balance. He can fight through checks and battle for loose pucks in the corners and clear the front of the net. Hunt can still add muscle to his frame and get even better.

Hunt can carry the puck out of his zone and start the transition game. He is able to retrieve dump-ins and loose pucks and avoid forecheckers and get the puck up the ice. He is also able to carry the puck through the neutral zone. Hunt is a good passer who can create offence in transition with a good first pass or by quarterbacking the play at the blue line.

Both strengths: Skating, First pass/puck moving ability

Both weaknesses: Limited toolbox, offensive upside

Theres different nuanced things both struggle with/are good at. But both of their strengths lie in skating. Both of their weaknesses are in physical play and offensive upside. Both are capable defenders. Low lineup players that probably won't hurt you but also won't be difference makers. Which is what I meant by my "why have one Harris when you can have two" statement. Not that they were only carbon copies of each other.

That good enough for you Bob McKenzie?

 

[majormajor]

I like what the Wild scout/fans were saying about Hunt on Youtube. He's NHL ready, there were comments that he was better than half their current D, has no holes in his game, average size (unlike Harris). Before going to the Wild system he was a big activator and maybe our scouts think we can have him get back to that, which would fit better in our system.

With our depth chart having a lot of big point producing D-men, I like how Hunt would fit as a fast complementary type. Unfortunately not an RD. Oh well, I guess we'll have to have Mateychuk switch sides and slide up next to Werenski.