Vilmanis just gets better every game I watch. He is so strong on the puck, has it constantly on his stick. I could see him being a great possession driving third liner in the nhl if he is prepared to put in the work on the defensive side of his game in the A for a couple years.
F Sandis Vilmanis - North Bay Battalion, OHL (2022, 157th, FLA)
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Artorius Horus T
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3rd liner? not better than that though? you don't see him as a potential top 6 player? does he lack of stuff what is required to become a top 6 guy?
i see a top 6 guy though, but opinions
Artorius Horus T
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Svedu
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This guy and Murnieks. Glad for Latvian hockey. Biggest prospects since Ozolinsh and Girgensons.
Could have a good Skoda cup roster in the future with these guys, Silovs, Balinskis, Locmelis, Abols, Balcers and others.
Could have a good Skoda cup roster in the future with these guys, Silovs, Balinskis, Locmelis, Abols, Balcers and others.
Big body, pushing through defence, great shot, great skating, yet limited playmaking. Those are the qualities that usually attribute to a 3rd liner. There is no reason you can't play top lines and pp with those skills though. It all will depend on how his skills translate to pro hockey.3rd liner? not better than that though? you don't see him as a potential top 6 player? does he lack of stuff what is required to become a top 6 guy?
i see a top 6 guy though, but opinions
I see a lot of young Nichushkin in Vilmanis, and, ironically, Nichushkin is the one who shows that depending on different factors, you can be either a borderline star, or a meme player known for not being able to score.
People are cautious because for a 5th rounder, even making it to the NHL as a third liner is a big success. Plus, he is 20 years old, and you would expect this kind of dominating performance should a player have any remote chances of making the NHL. His true potential will be seen next year in th AHL. Currently, I am cautiously optimistic.
Agreed, I can see Nichuskin, he's reminded me a lot of Luostarinen as well, assuming he can translate to the pro game and dealing with players that have more pushback than guys in junior.
The biggest reason why I see him more as a third liner than second liner is he does lack a bit of vision on the ice, great puck skills but gets a bit tunnel visiony at times. Has great instincts tracking the puck though which I think could serve him well providing back pressure when he's more focused on his own end after some seasoning, but I am not sure he sees the ice well enough to push thru into a role on a PP unit in the NHL. Seem like a 15-20 goal/30-40 point 5 year NHL peak would be an ideal scenario to get out of a late pick for Florida. Especially when inevitably some guys price themselves out and they need to replenish their depth.
Will certainly be interesting to see him in the AHL, give him a year or two to adjust to bigger and stronger players and see if he's willing to make the necessary adjustments to his game. If not I am sure he'll get his chance to go back to Europe and crack the national team roster as he hits his prime.
I was thinking more about Vilmanis' game and one other thing I would add among his most valuable skills that could garner him PP time is he is very good at gaining the O zone and maintaining possession. He consistently finds his outlet man at the blueline and hits the zone with speed for the entry, he's more polished at it than Nelson so he tends to bring the puck thru the neutral zone on the battalion PP a lot. He upsets the fans at the games with his refusal to dump the puck in like they want but a skill like that will definitely translate well to the pros.
Artorius Horus T
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Dead Coyote
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Vilmanis is lighting it up in the OHL playoffs this year after coming over, currently the leading scorer in the playoffs in the OHL.
He's an extremely dangerous sniper who has great hands and creativity and is a competent skater while being big enough that his puck possession is great. He hangs onto the puck and protects it with his body very well. Has one of the best wristers down low as his ability to elevate the puck without much space is very good.
Have always had an eye on him since his first WJC on Latvia and it feels like this is the first time he has been given the opportunity to step up and take on more time and responsibilities, and he has responded in an amazing way.
He's not a playmaker, but isn't selfish either, and his reflexes and reaction speed are quite good, though his vision and hockey IQ could use some work. He may not be the smartest tool in the shed but he very often gets the job done anyways with his excellent shot and puck handling skills. He's a wizard with the puck in tight.
I could definitely see him being in a top 6 role IF (and it's a big IF) he puts it together and continues to work. His skating is fine but not amazing for the NHL level, he doesn't have the top speed or acceleration to be able to break away from the defense consistently, but his agility and edge work is good.
As it is he's a complimentary player who will look good if you put him with someone able to get him pucks that he has chemistry with- otherwise I could see him being a bottom 6 player who is able to score but often leaves you wanting more. He could really be something if he improves his skating and IQ though.
He's an extremely dangerous sniper who has great hands and creativity and is a competent skater while being big enough that his puck possession is great. He hangs onto the puck and protects it with his body very well. Has one of the best wristers down low as his ability to elevate the puck without much space is very good.
Have always had an eye on him since his first WJC on Latvia and it feels like this is the first time he has been given the opportunity to step up and take on more time and responsibilities, and he has responded in an amazing way.
He's not a playmaker, but isn't selfish either, and his reflexes and reaction speed are quite good, though his vision and hockey IQ could use some work. He may not be the smartest tool in the shed but he very often gets the job done anyways with his excellent shot and puck handling skills. He's a wizard with the puck in tight.
I could definitely see him being in a top 6 role IF (and it's a big IF) he puts it together and continues to work. His skating is fine but not amazing for the NHL level, he doesn't have the top speed or acceleration to be able to break away from the defense consistently, but his agility and edge work is good.
As it is he's a complimentary player who will look good if you put him with someone able to get him pucks that he has chemistry with- otherwise I could see him being a bottom 6 player who is able to score but often leaves you wanting more. He could really be something if he improves his skating and IQ though.
Only me see when goalie comes to celebrate he falls down? Hilarious
Only me see when goalie comes to celebrate he falls down? Hilarious
Artorius Horus T
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3 points in 3 pre-season games with the Panthers. I was not sure if it would translate to the NHL level, but he does have a knack for scoring goals. It's like he's got a HUD with a sight picture of the opposing team's goal embedded in his visor.
His scouting report from 2022 sums it up nicely - quick release, powerful shot and a dangerous wrister even from distance. I would add that he's a bit of a sniper as well.
Can he crack the Panthers lineup this year?
His scouting report from 2022 sums it up nicely - quick release, powerful shot and a dangerous wrister even from distance. I would add that he's a bit of a sniper as well.
Can he crack the Panthers lineup this year?
What are the realistic options for him to get in the lineup (which position/line)?
No idea, but would he stoked to see him get some NHL time this year
No idea, but would he stoked to see him get some NHL time this year
Crack the line-up as in "become an NHL regular"? Probably, chances are close to zero. As in "get a call up and make a debut"? Significantly better. But it will depend on his play in the AHL and injuries, not those pre season games.
I'm fairly sure there is such thing as "late rounder bias". If he was a first - second rounder, everybody would be expecting him to crack the line-up and saying - yeah, he's fighting for a roster spot, good job. But since nobody is expecting him in the NHL in the next two years, those plays kind of go under the radar. Plus, Florida scored 15 goals in those 3 games, so his 3 points are probably nothing too impressive in the overall picture.
The main thing to get out of this is that apparently, his transition from junior to pro is going smoothly. Otherwise, I wouldn't start opening champagne just yet.
Sandis 'chances-are-close-to-zero' Vilmanis with a goal and assist vs. pretty much the game day roster of the Bolts. And this time the Panthers only scored 2.
Vilmanis on the top line/PP.
5 points in 4 pre-season games.
Vilmanis on the top line/PP.
5 points in 4 pre-season games.
What we're seeing is that his skating, speed and size allows him to do much of the same at the NHL level in terms of scoring. And that sort of changes the entire equation.
We've got a natural goal scorer on our hands here.
We've got a natural goal scorer on our hands here.
Svedu
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You are talking about a Stanley cup champion roster. Do you honestly think he should play top6 minutes and PP in a title contender his first year? Also, do you believe it would benefit him to play fourth line in the NHL instead of getting more ice time and mature elsewhere?
Wasn't Zemgus hurried too?
But I understand you are excited because Vilmanis followed by Murnieks are prospects Latvian hockey needs and have waited for.
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Girgensons is a one-dimensional shutdown player who does not compare with Vilmanis in any way other than their size. Girgensons wasn't hurried, he just never had the tools in the first place.
If Vilmanis was a 1st round pick, he would be playing in the NHL this season. I am not saying he should play 82 games in the NHL, obviously, but that he's worthy of NHL ice time and that he will crack the line-up at some point.
The 'either-or' top 6 or 4th line does not make any sense, as next year the Panthers are still going to have a great group of forwards. It's just a matter of trying him out and seeing how he does. And he has exceled when given the chance so far.
Svedu
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You are honestly being a bit biased here, understandable. He's very talented, yes. I do believe he's a certain NHLer but besides his playoffs in the OHL this last season he hasn't shown anything spectacular and you know it. Yeah this preseason perhaps. And fine give him some games.
It does matter, for his development further down the road. He'll become another Sabres prospect or another Zemgus if he plays limited ice time for 2-3 years in the NHL. At least more likely to do so.
Also, you are missing the fact that the Panthers roaster isn't that old. And yeah, did I mention they just won a cup?
I mean they have Tkachuk, Verhaeghe and Reinhart that are nothing but lock wings on the top6. Not a single on of them are 30 or above yet. Then at top 9 you have Luostarinen who can play both winger and center and he's good in that role. Both Bennett and Lundell can also play center and wing.
He could what? Potentially steal Rodrigues spot who also had a great playoff series in the actual league last year. Okay, but is it likely?
Then you have Samoskevich, Okuliar and others but I guess Vilmanis will go before them.
Sticktape
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Seriously dude, I've seen every single one of Girgensons first ~200 NHL games. He got plenty of ice time and PP time. The Sabres greenhoused him. He just sucked.
Stop bringing him up lol.
You also keep bringing up how stacked the Panthers are. How is that an argument in favor of keeping Vilmanis in the A?
I'm not even sure what your point is to be honest. All I'm saying Vilmanis has been phenomenal in the preseason and definitely has a non-zero chance of cracking the lineup. There's no bias involved.
I prefer Sandman tbh
Svedu
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Svedu
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Lol! Panthers having a good roster is the most damn relevant point there is to understand. How in the hell is that difficult for you? Oh, so you think a organization should give up a spot for free. Especially when they are contenders? Lol.
My point is, they will not give him a damn thing for free because of their contender status. Also, if you think it's better to play low minutes in a fourth line for a promising prospect? Then that's on you. You haven't answered a single question either. Only ducking without the ability to problematize the scenario.
I think the kid is really promising but you are picturing him as Bedard or Michkov by now. Chill.
