Prospect Info: Filip Mesar

[WeThreeKings]

Really? I didn’t know that. Fantastic that he’s getting reps at center.

“I don’t think anything is permanent. The way we play, most notably in our defensive zone, I think everyone on the line is going to have some responsibility to be playing down low. Even though the paper will say who’s playing centre or who’s playing wing, the first guy back (on defence) will be playing down low, so he’ll get reps regardless.”

Despite not lining up at centre on the stat sheet, Mesar will still have many of the same responsibilities that a pivot would normally have, as he will split some of those duties with Pinelli. That being said, he’ll also be tried at centre before the Rangers ultimately settle on a spot for him in the lineup.

“He’s going to be taking draws for sure, since he’s a right-shot and Pinelli’s a left-shot,” said McKenzie on the strategy behind the Mesar-Pinelli pair. “It’ll help alleviate the responsibility for sure. He’ll start as the winger, but he’s going to get reps at centre too and we’ll see how it goes.”

 

[BeliveauFan4ever]

Going to the OHL was ideal for Mesar, for many reasons.
- Decreases the chance of a major injury compared to playing in AHL. Unlike Slafkovsky who can get hit in the middle of the ice and survive, a bad hit could derail Mesar's career (think Koivu)
- Has more quality minutes in OHL than AHL
- Can more easily work on his weaknesses (e.g., one-timer slapshot)
- Can leave OHL for a month for the WJC, then come back and not miss a beat. Harder to do at the next level.
- OHL playoffs will provide appropriate challenge for his age
- This year, he needs to acclimate himself to a new culture, language and playing on a smaller rink size. This is a lot for an 18yr-old. Easier to do this in a lower league.

 

[morhilane]

“I don’t think anything is permanent. The way we play, most notably in our defensive zone, I think everyone on the line is going to have some responsibility to be playing down low. Even though the paper will say who’s playing centre or who’s playing wing, the first guy back (on defence) will be playing down low, so he’ll get reps regardless.”

Despite not lining up at centre on the stat sheet, Mesar will still have many of the same responsibilities that a pivot would normally have, as he will split some of those duties with Pinelli. That being said, he’ll also be tried at centre before the Rangers ultimately settle on a spot for him in the lineup.

“He’s going to be taking draws for sure, since he’s a right-shot and Pinelli’s a left-shot,” said McKenzie on the strategy behind the Mesar-Pinelli pair. “It’ll help alleviate the responsibility for sure. He’ll start as the winger, but he’s going to get reps at centre too and we’ll see how it goes.”

Basically how it was with Suzuki in his D+, the OHL use that system a lot I believe.

 

[Runner77]

“I don’t think anything is permanent. The way we play, most notably in our defensive zone, I think everyone on the line is going to have some responsibility to be playing down low. Even though the paper will say who’s playing centre or who’s playing wing, the first guy back (on defence) will be playing down low, so he’ll get reps regardless.”

Despite not lining up at centre on the stat sheet, Mesar will still have many of the same responsibilities that a pivot would normally have, as he will split some of those duties with Pinelli. That being said, he’ll also be tried at centre before the Rangers ultimately settle on a spot for him in the lineup.

“He’s going to be taking draws for sure, since he’s a right-shot and Pinelli’s a left-shot,” said McKenzie on the strategy behind the Mesar-Pinelli pair. “It’ll help alleviate the responsibility for sure. He’ll start as the winger, but he’s going to get reps at centre too and we’ll see how it goes.”

You’re basing Mesar at center from that quote? I had read that thinking that the goal was to have him “settle on a spot”, which could go either way.

Also, taking certain faceoffs doesn’t mean he’s a center, the coach is just working a favorable match-up for a given situation.

The coach further diluted the attribution of the position to Mesar by saying everyone on his line will be acting like a pivot by playing down low.

Let’s give it time. Right now, the coach’s comments are unclear to me. We’ll need a larger sample of games to see exactly how the coach favors his deployment.

 

[HuGort]

Habs have bit of depth down center, Mesar likely winger. I see him about like Canes Jarvis kind of player

 

[Alexandre Magny]

Que Mesar brûle la OHL et ensuite qu'il fasse le saut AHL l'an prochain, ses mains et sa vitesse sont ses principales forces.

 

[Belial]

Que Mesar brûle la OHL et ensuite qu'il fasse le saut AHL l'an prochain, ses mains et sa vitesse sont ses principales forces.

I think that's the plan, this year in the OHL then a full year in the AHL and then making the big club.

 

[26Mats]

You’re basing Mesar at center from that quote? I had read that thinking that the goal was to have him “settle on a spot”, which could go either way.

Also, taking certain faceoffs doesn’t mean he’s a center, the coach is just working a favorable match-up for a given situation.

The coach further diluted the attribution of the position to Mesar by saying everyone on his line will be acting like a pivot by playing down low.

Let’s give it time. Right now, the coach’s comments are unclear to me. We’ll need a larger sample of games to see exactly how the coach favors his deployment.

Yeah, when Suzuki was first coming into the organization, many wondered if he would have to be converted to a winger, given we had KK, Poehling, Domi, and Danault.

Mesar, Dach, and Beck's play in about 3 years, and any other young center we bring in, will dictate who plays center and who plays wing.

 

[KevSkillz4]

I liked this pick at the draft day, but today... i'm really high on him. He have the speed, the hands, the shot, the passing ability, the IQ ability, the two-way game, to become a very very good player for Habs. He is going to be fun to watch, for sure.

 

[Egresch]

Pre-game interview
That smile on coaches face when he talks about Mesar. He knows he just won a jackpot.

 

[ahmedou]

 

[Runner77]

Pre-game interview
That smile on coaches face when he talks about Mesar. He knows he just won a jackpot.

That interviewer was quirky. Yeah, saw the coach’s smile when Mesar’s name came up, ‘twas the classic “as happy as a butcher’s dog” elation.

Coach said that it’s evident that Mesar doesn’t need a lot of time or space to create a goal and I believe he said that that he’d like to see his line play deeper into the offensive zone and more picks fed to him.

 

[Habsrule]

What an assist

 

[RangerNation]

Mesar and Pinelli. Going to be hearing this combo all season.

 

[McGees]

 

[sheed36]

What an assist

 

[Ezpz]

I wonder if this will turn into another prospect from another team who gets overhyped on the coattails of our prospect doing all the work. Like Ratcliffe and Samorukov with Suzuki or anyone with Caufield.

 

[Naslundforever]

Wideman is about to break out.

 

[Goldenhands]

Mesar isnt used on the PK, but gets used for the whole 2 mins on the PP, he is going to end up with a ridiculous PPG average.

 

[RangerNation]

Mesar with only 1 point I a 7-1 Rangers win. 3 games in and already in a slump. Geez.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Mesar isnt used on the PK, but gets used for the whole 2 mins on the PP, he is going to end to with a ridiculous PPG average.

This is fine, the whole point of sending him to the OHL was to let him develop his offensive tools anyway. I'm okay with him focusing entirely on that all season.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Mesar with only 1 point I a 7-1 Rangers win. 3 games in and already in a slump. Geez.

He did have several great chances to score. The only time Guelph goaltenders came up with a big save was on his chances.

 

[HuGort]

With 7 points in 4 games could Mesar be our Bedard?

 

[Belial]

With 7 points in 4 games could Mesar be our Bedard?

Calm down buddy))

 

[RationalExpectations]

With 7 points in 4 games could Mesar be our Bedard?

No. Been a fan of Mesar since before the draft but he is a poor man‘s Marner in terms of style : playmaking winger with a good shot and good perimeter play. Bedard is supposed to be a generational talent.