F Andrew Cristall - Kelowna Rockets, WHL (2023, 40th, WSH)

[SantosHalper]

 

[Postulates]

“How did Brayden Point fall to the 3rd round??”

NHL GMs:

Brayden point skates like the wind though

 

[GoBoltz56]

Brayden point skates like the wind though

He didn't back in the day

 

[Juxtaposer]

Brayden point skates like the wind though

Not when he was drafted.

 

[Postulates]

He didn't back in the day

and thats why he went in the 3rd

 

[GoBoltz56]

and thats why he went in the 3rd

And why Cristall shouldn't

 

[Deleted member 339941]

 

[ValeriKamensky]

The more I follow the prospects, the more I realize I don’t understand anything about skating. In my opinion Crystal has a lack of top end speed, but in terms of another parts of skating - he’s a very good. Especially considering that top end speed is an aspect that is easiest to fix.

Also I’ve always thought Drouin and Jarvis are pretty good skaters, especially Drouin. But local experts say they are awful

 

[Lavar Ball]

 

[Lavar Ball]

 

[Deleted member 339941]

 

[Deleted member 339941]

 

[LeProspector]

Inconsistent with his effort, and too predictable.

 

[Byron Bitz]

He seems like he could be an exception to the rule “You can be slow or small but not slow and small”. Kid is loaded with skill.

 

[Kevin Musto]

I don't get how Kent Johnson can go 5th overall, but Andrew Cristall is this ultra polarizing prospect.

 

[Mrb1p]

The more I follow the prospects, the more I realize I don’t understand anything about skating. In my opinion Crystal has a lack of top end speed, but in terms of another parts of skating - he’s a very good. Especially considering that top end speed is an aspect that is easiest to fix.

Also I’ve always thought Drouin and Jarvis are pretty good skaters, especially Drouin. But local experts say they are awful

You do understand skating. It's the rest of the people that don't know shit. Even his top end speed isn't bad per say, it's only bad because you're expecting every sub 6'1 players to be Paul Byron fast.

You're right about his skating though, he is very good. It's just the perception people have that is wrong.

Drouin never really had any skating problems though, you may be mistaken on the comments. Or maybe it's more of people thinking Drouin should be McDavid because he's a small skilled player. Also if anyone told you Jarvis was a bad skater, you can just ignore their opinion.

 

[Bubbles]

I don't get how Kent Johnson can go 5th overall, but Andrew Cristall is this ultra polarizing prospect.

Kent Johnson was a different type of player all together. Centre, good size. Not a comparison to Cristall.

 

[ponder]

You do understand skating. It's the rest of the people that don't know shit. Even his top end speed isn't bad per say, it's only bad because you're expecting every sub 6'1 players to be Paul Byron fast.

You're right about his skating though, he is very good. It's just the perception people have that is wrong.

Drouin never really had any skating problems though, you may be mistaken on the comments. Or maybe it's more of people thinking Drouin should be McDavid because he's a small skilled player. Also if anyone told you Jarvis was a bad skater, you can just ignore their opinion.

He’s got great edges/agility, very shifty in tight spaces, but average acceleration and top speed. I’d say he’s a good skater, but not a great one.

I do think people sometimes confuse pace with skating. Regardless of his skating, Cristall often likes to “slow the game down” and play at a lower pace. He can do this because of his vision, hands and agility/elusiveness - WHL defenders are afraid to pressure him and get burned, so they back off, giving him the time and space to slow it down. He often plays a slower paced game not because he’s a slow skater, but because he prefers to play that way.

I do think pace (combined with size) is the biggest question mark around him, though. Big guys can slow it down and protect the puck at the NHL level, but it’s often harder for small guys to pull off. Will he be able to keep his current game at the NHL level? Or if not, will he be able to adapt and play with more pace? TBD.

 

[Mrb1p]

He’s got great edges/agility, very shifty in tight spaces, but average acceleration and top speed. I’d say he’s a good skater, but not a great one.

I do think people sometimes confuse pace with skating. Regardless of his skating, Cristall often likes to “slow the game down” and play at a lower pace. He can do this because of his vision, hands and agility/elusiveness - WHL defenders are afraid to pressure him and get burned, so they back off, giving him the time and space to slow it down. He often plays a slower paced game not because he’s a slow skater, but because he prefers to play that way.

I do think pace (combined with size) is the biggest question mark around him, though. Big guys can slow it down and protect the puck at the NHL level, but it’s often harder for small guys to pull off. Will he be able to keep his current game at the NHL level? Or if not, will he be able to adapt and play with more pace? TBD.

I agree, I see the same thing. His situation is very similar to Suzuki in his draft year. I think theyre very similar in toolkits. Cristall is somewhat uninvested defensively and when the puck isnt around though. Suzuki always played a much more sound pro game and now he biases defensively a lot more, maybe to bridge the gap between his horrible team.

Theres also a Patrick Kane comparison to be made with Cristall. Hes just a great freaking prospect.

 

[LeProspector]

I don't get how Kent Johnson can go 5th overall, but Andrew Cristall is this ultra polarizing prospect.

Hot take: Cristall is closer to Dumais and Petan than Kent Johnson.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Kent Johnson was a different type of player all together. Centre, good size. Not a comparison to Cristall.

They're literally the same size. One is just 3 inches taller. Measure that out with your hand, it's a marginal difference.

Johnson is a winger.

Both are high skill players that slow the game down.

It's fair to compare them.

 

[Bubbles]

They're literally the same size. One is just 3 inches taller. Measure that out with your hand, it's a marginal difference.

Johnson is a winger.

Both are high skill players that slow the game down.

It's fair to compare them.

3 inches is a big difference.

Johnson was a centre in the BCHL, and college. He has been put on the wing in CB, but he was drafted as a centre.

Someone else said Patrick Kane and I would say that's a fair comparison in styles. Johnson and Cristall are completely different players.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Johnson was a centre in the BCHL, and college. He has been put on the wing in CB, but he was drafted as a centre.

Everyone knew he projected as a winger in his draft year.

 

[Deleted member 339941]

 

[WeThreeKings]

Kent Johnson is also a very good skater.. Cristall is unequivocally not that.

Also Kent Johnson, with all his skill, doesn't repeat the same patterns the same way Cristall will if you watch him enough.