F Cameron Hillis - Guelph Storm, OHL (2018, 66th, MTL, traded to CHI)

[jvr32]

Cameron Hillis

I was really impressed with Cameron Hillis' performance yesterday against Ottawa 67's, he's really good passer, good vision, good skater, it is evident that he's just a good hockey player. Also scored the OT winner in that game. And he plays the #1C role over his team mates Nate Schnarr (2017 #75 ARI) and Liam Hawel (2017 #101 DAL). Hillis played in the 1st PP unit (with Ratcliffe, Schnarr, Merkley and McFadden).

Here's more of an idea what he brings (written 28th December):

Here are the splits. Hillis' first 13 games: 1 goal and 5 assists. Hillis' last 19 games: 13 goals and 10 assists. It took the former St. Andrew's College alum some time to adjust to the league, but he's been the Storm's best and most consistent forward since. And that's on a team with 5 NHL drafted forwards (including two early 2nd rounders). Hillis' elusiveness and creativity in the offensive end can be fun to watch. Not the biggest kid at 5'11, 163lbs, but he darts around and plays relatively fearless. He possesses a lightning quick release and creates a lot of time and space for himself with his skating ability and puck skill. Hillis definitely possesses a lot of offensive potential. His play away from the puck and in his own end was billed to be a strength (entering the league), but it's been pretty inconsistent. I think it comes down to the need to add strength. Don't be surprised if Hillis is this year's Robert Thomas and Morgan Frost, a guy who slowly builds momentum and ends up a first round pick.

Source: ohlprospects.blogspot.com/2017/12/midseason-top-50-for-2018-nhl-entry.html

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[Magua]

I've really liked him with Ratcliffe, a player who needs some of what Hillis brings. He's the most skilled forward I've seen on Guelph these last two seasons, and it's very noticeable. Very powerful skater in every way, small but good build, good puck skills, really thinks the game well offensively, even off puck.

I'm not sold he's a center though long-term. I wish I could see him at wing on a team with more help and less defensive responsibilities. Agree with that blurb that his off puck work in his own end is inconsistent. Guelph is a structural mess though, and he's a rookie center. But he chases a lot. Sometimes cheats on his exits to get things moving. But he works his rear end off, so it's not work ethic. Feels slightly shorter than his listing, but he battles.

I don't see him being this year's Thomas/Frost at the moment, and this is coming from someone who was VERY high on both early. Maybe it's possible he could be a 2nd rounder? So hard to tell. Maybe he goes higher and maybe I'll be on board, I don't know right now, but I'll stick to saying he's definitely not as good a prospect as Thomas/Frost at the same time last year, especially defensively and as centers. Their off puck game in every zone was high end, full stop. He's fun though, and I want to keep watching him to get a better opinion.

 

[Frk It]

I really like this kid.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I really like this kid.

He's got outstanding hockey sense and his playmaking skills are off the charts.

 

[Lays]

My only problem with him is that he’s on the smaller side and doesn’t have any standout skills. He thinks the game very well and has the vision though which makes up for it. He reminds me of Giroux though (playstyle only)
I like him and I think he definitely goes early second, maybe mid second.

 

[AmericanDream]

I ditto the above posts, came away very impressed with this kid. the new NHL has a lot of talent coming in, and the game seems set up for him to succeed. He looked real good today, need to catch more of him, but he was a total "eye catcher" any time he had the puck. His cross ice passes were just spot on and through pressure areas...very impressive.

 

[LastWordArmy]

Our look at Hillis

Cam Hillis Scouting Report: 2018 NHL Draft #48 - Last Word on Hockey

 

[De Montreal]

Can he bounce back after an injury plagued season?

Is his drop in production due to a regress in his play or he was simply playing hurt?

What is the plan for him next season? Keep playing him at centre? Who should be his linemate?

 

[montreal]

Can he bounce back after an injury plagued season?

Is his drop in production due to a regress in his play or he was simply playing hurt?

What is the plan for him next season? Keep playing him at centre? Who should be his linemate?

I watched a little of him early on and to be honest I couldn't say what the problem was as I thought he played well but the points weren't there. It looks like it was just a slow start, as he had only 4 pts in the first 12 games but after that he had 17 pts in 14 games only to get injured a week later. He came back for 3 games after being out for 6 weeks.

Hopefully he's 100% and puts up some big numbers.

 

[ProspectsFanatic]

Bounce back with a strong season in the OHL, can see it happening, but I have a hard time projecting anything more than a very fringe player at the NHL level, speed/size/skills combo not high enough. I could see Fonstad, Mcshane and Hillis becoming good AHL players, but all coming short in terms of the NHL for similar reasons; not high-end enough offensively for the top6, not the best fit on a bottom6.

 

[Legend123]

Bounce back with a strong season in the OHL, can see it happening, but I have a hard time projecting anything more than a very fringe player at the NHL level, speed/size/skills combo not high enough. I could see Fonstad, Mcshane and Hillis becoming good AHL players, but all coming short in terms of the NHL for similar reasons; not high-end enough offensively for the top6, not the best fit on a bottom6.

way too early for such statements

 

[ProspectsFanatic]

way too early for such statements

Too early to have an opinion on players I have watched play? Obviously, I could be wrong.

 

[biturbo19]

Bounce back with a strong season in the OHL, can see it happening, but I have a hard time projecting anything more than a very fringe player at the NHL level, speed/size/skills combo not high enough. I could see Fonstad, Mcshane and Hillis becoming good AHL players, but all coming short in terms of the NHL for similar reasons; not high-end enough offensively for the top6, not the best fit on a bottom6.

I don't think it'd be a surprising result if a set of 3/4/5 round picks ultimately just yielded some decent AHLers. Liked that run of picks from the Habs though, and still think at least one of the three eventually makes it at least as a Charles Hudon/Sven Andrighetto sort of NHL "tweener" though. Hillis is still the better bet for me, despite the down year production and health wise. I think McShane is probably the most likely to stall out at the AHL level due to his skating. Who knows though. We're talking about darts in a board at this point, and that CHL - AHL jump is a big one.

 

[montreal]

way too early for such statements

it's a safe assumption for now as all of them will have to take major steps forward over the next several years as they have a lot of depth to contend with depending on the progression of others. When you have Kotka, Caufield, Suzuki, Poehling, Ylonen, etc... that's a lot of young forwards with only so many spots plus whatever incoming top prospects they obtain. Each have some major holes in their game but also have an interesting mix of skills so it will be fun to see who if any can step up.

 

[Legend123]

it's a safe assumption for now as all of them will have to take major steps forward over the next several years as they have a lot of depth to contend with depending on the progression of others. When you have Kotka, Caufield, Suzuki, Poehling, Ylonen, etc... that's a lot of young forwards with only so many spots plus whatever incoming top prospects they obtain. Each have some major holes in their game but also have an interesting mix of skills so it will be fun to see who if any can step up.

I was saying as NHLers not Habs. But yeah I agree their chances are low. But I don't agree with 'the most they will be is AHL.' He might be right but they do have a chance at the NHL. All they need to do to change ppl's opinion is simply having a breakout year in Junior, which isn't much.

 

[montreal]

I was saying as NHLers not Habs. But yeah I agree their chances are low. But I don't agree with 'the most they will be is AHL.' He might be right but they do have a chance at the NHL. All they need to do to change ppl's opinion is simply having a breakout year in Junior, which isn't much.

having another NHL team will certainly help a few more players reach the NHL that might have fallen just short. All those prospects certainly have the offensive skills, just a question if they can overcome their physical shortcomings over the next several years.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Finally some signs of life from Hillis after a slow start: 3 goals and 2 assists tonight.

 

[montreal]

I watched the game from last Friday where he scored his first goal of the season and the play by play guys were saying the talk around the team was that they felt Hillis was putting too much pressure on himself to try and do everything since they were having so much trouble scoring goals. They faced a goalie that going into the game had a gaa over 4 and lost the game 7-1, they looked really bad. He needs to be traded as that is a really young team and he's playing for a contract in June.

 

[montreal]

after a slow start where Hillis had points in just 1 of the first 5 games, he's picked up 8 pts in the last 4 games. Hopefully he can build up some confidence if he hasn't already, gets traded at some point within the next few weeks, goes on a tear and gets a contract before June.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Another big game tonight, 2 goals and 2 assists. First star game of the game.

21 points in his last 8 games.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

83 points in 62 games as the captain of Guelph this season. I suspect he'll play next season in the AHL. What is the expectation from Habs fans? Do you think he has top 6 potential?

 

[De Montreal]

83 points in 62 games as the captain of Guelph this season. I suspect he'll play next season in the AHL. What is the expectation from Habs fans? Do you think he has top 6 potential?

He is not under contract and might not get signed by the Habs because they have only 1 remaining spot from the 50 contract limit

 

[HuGort]

83 points in 62 games as the captain of Guelph this season. I suspect he'll play next season in the AHL. What is the expectation from Habs fans? Do you think he has top 6 potential?

Step to AHL is big step. Josh Brook anybody? Next season will tell us a lot about his future. My gut instinct is he is NHL material.

 

[frapp10]

Habs better sign him

 

[Big Empty]

Hillis signs his ELC with the Habs.