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

[MS]

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.

Yeah, he's a ludicrous talent relative to the WHL at this stage but he also has a very Kyle Wellwood-ish skillset and and the steps up through pro hockey are often very limiting for this kind of player.

It will be very interesting to see how he goes.

 

[wickedwitch]

The number of under 20 dudes that look great in preseason but then completely fade when real games start is way to high to count. Dunno why people put so much stock into pre season still. Its obviously a good sign, but in preseason youre not facing anywhere near the same level of play as the regular season. NHL regulars are probably trying at like 50% in the pre season, theyre just going through the motions.

In this case, it's because it's the only time he's ever faced NHL players. So it's the only evidence available. If he had played actual games, I would have referenced that.

 

[EXTRAS]

Yeah, he's a ludicrous talent relative to the WHL at this stage but he also has a very Kyle Wellwood-ish skillset and and the steps up through pro hockey are often very limiting for this kind of player.

It will be very interesting to see how he goes.

Tbf his stats in junior are better than wellwoods, and wellwood has a couple really strong seasons to start his career. 45 point rookie season and then 42 points in 48 gp second season. So he had the talent...to me it felt like he lacked drive...at least while on the canucks.

 

[MS]

Tbf his stats in junior are better than wellwoods, and wellwood has a couple really strong seasons to start his career. 45 point rookie season and then 42 points in 48 gp second season. So he had the talent...to me it felt like he lacked drive...at least while on the canucks.

CHL scoring was lower when Wellwood was playing. Wellwood led the OHL in scoring in his draft year.

I had no issues with Wellwood's compete in Vancouver but this type of player is never loved by coaches and you have to score *a lot* to avoid being a fungible journeyman type.

Jonathan Drouin is another example. Insane junior talent but his combination of undersized/mediocre skating/defensive issues/soft play has been very limiting.

Fans on message boards love this type of player/prospect. NHL coaches and GMs do not.

 

[FLYguy3911]

We can point to all of the exceptions, but guys that score to the degree Cristall does, and as long as he has, hit more times than they don't. Yes, Wellwood led the OHL in (raw) scoring in his draft year. He also had two linemates score at about the same pace including one future NHLer. Cristall has always been the clear driver of his team's offense. Wellwood had a hand in 43% of his team's goal that year. A very good rate. Cristall was at 57% involvement in his draft year which was one of the highest marks ever in the modern era of Junior hockey.

Does scoring translate 1:1? Of course not, but guys that score to the level of Cristall do so because they have a tremendous feel for the game - space, passing lanes, ability to play off teammates, deception.... Even if their preferred plan of attack is neutralized, they tend to problem solve and adapt.

Kyle Wellwood is a bit before my time, but I seem to recall based on second hand comments that his issues were less about ability and more commitment, fitness etc. And that was more than two decades ago. Game has changed a lot. Perhaps he has more success in this era.