I think he’ll definitely be in contention for an NHL spot next year, but I think they’ll probably want him to play a year in Hershey first, since Miroshnichenko would be ahead of him at the moment on the depth chart. If Cristall pans out at the NHL level, what a potentially great draft for the Caps getting Leonard and him.
F Andrew Cristall - Kelowna Rockets, WHL (2023, 40th, WSH)
- Thread starter Bubbles
- Start date
This is the team that drafted Filip Forsberg, Tom Wilson and Chandler Stephenson with their first 3 picks in 2012. Hopefully they don't do anything stupid to screw this up.
Very different times. When Forsberg was traded, the Caps had bombed in the playoffs five years in a row, had churned through three coaches in three years, the Young Guns era looked like it was ending quickly, and McPhee was flailing around trying to save his job.
Much more stable organization now with a clear plan on who they are and how they want to play. I don’t think you need to worry about knee-jerk decisions to try and grasp victory from the jaws of defeat.
Plus, two of those guys helped Washington win a Cup and one helped usher in BMac and Trotz (and TJ Oshie).
KevinRedkey
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trick9
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Tij Iginla without Andrew Cristall (away as WSH camp):
3 games - 1+0
Tij Iginla after Andrew Cristall back:
6 games - 8+6
Kelowna Rockets without Andrew Cristall:
1-5-0
Kelowna Rockets with Andrew Cristall:
4-1-1
3 games - 1+0
Tij Iginla after Andrew Cristall back:
6 games - 8+6
Kelowna Rockets without Andrew Cristall:
1-5-0
Kelowna Rockets with Andrew Cristall:
4-1-1
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FourQuarters
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4pts night, 300th point in his WHL career
MichaelFarrell
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He’s always been the heartbeat of that team. I remember when he was injured or something his draft year, Kelowna was just a dreadful team to watch. His ability to create offense has always been amazing. He is the type of player that amplifies his teammates.
Those players are so hard to find. I couldn’t believe he fell to the second round. I’ve always thought he’s a player that is capable of having a lot of success in the NHL.
wickedwitch
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Bum can't even hit 3 points per game. And they call him a prospect.
FourQuarters
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FourQuarters
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1+3 tonight, quiet in the first two periods, and took 4pts in the final frame
Blackhawks will regret not drafting him with their pick in the second round - was such an obvious choice to me in the moment even. Childhood friend of Bedard too.
WarriorofTime
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Not sure on Blackhawks in particular as a Bedard sized player that isn't as good as Bedard [through junior level] probably isn't the most pressing of needs, but yes if he continues scoring as he moves over to Pro the way he does at WHL, I imagine a whole bunch of teams will regret not drafting him with the opportunity.
IMO that’s exactly the wrong kind of mindset - we don’t need another small skilled player. Oh really? The fact that teams keep making those mistakes is baffling.
WarriorofTime
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What do you mean explain? I just said it. It makes no sense to think a team shouldn’t take a second small skilled player because they already have one.
WarriorofTime
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Well yeah but you only have so many draft picks and have used other draft picks on small, skilled guys as well (like Nazar 1st round, 13th overall, '22 draft). They took Nick Lardis in the third from same draft, who is also a small skilled guy. It's not like the one and only thing you can draft for is small skilled guys.
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Teams passed over Cristall not only because of his size but there were also serious questions about his skating at the time. Those two factors combined are not insignificant.
And to be honest, yes, while he's great in juniors, it still remains to be seen if his 'limiting factors' will be an issue in pro hockey.
And to be honest, yes, while he's great in juniors, it still remains to be seen if his 'limiting factors' will be an issue in pro hockey.
PocketNines
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I am watching Kelowna because of Jakub Stancl and damn if Andrew Cristall isn't stealing the show every game. It is possible size could limit him in a level up. The skills are there and he sees the game so well.
trick9
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