Prospect Info: First round pick #26 The environmentally friendly Liam Greentree

[FSL KINGS]

I’m joking with you. It’s not inflammatory at all. We’re just down on this organization as a whole with how they are with young players.

Was unaware that we at the King's section, had a sense of humor.

 

[Sol]

Was unaware that we at the King's section, had a sense of humor.

Usually your natural state of being, my friend.

 

[Peter James Bond III]

So in 2025-2026 he would still be in the OHL instead of the AHL (if he doesn't make the team), any chance he could be sent to Europe?

I don't think it's out of the realm, that he makes the Kings next year and stays up.
He's physically mature and he's getting stronger and his acceleration has improved. (per some scout)
He's been a captain since his draft year and a leader. He puts a lot on himself and going into ths season, said he expects to be a better captain and leader. Such high character guy.

I think most of the high end talented 18-19 year old that break in the NHL...the toughest part
at 18-19 is being physically ready. Liam is. Then, being able to be good (enough) defensive wise
and skating. But, I think some at 18-19, may have been able to dictate play in junior or college...and
then in the NHL, they can't...unless you're the very pinnacle of generational level talent...,maybe Berard and Celebrini. Stutzle could play a high level at 18...even if he was not great defensively.
Some 18 yr olds that make it, lack physical level and have to learn systems, defense and
for the first time in their lives, are not able to dominate...they go through a tough learning
process...and not playing a lot of minutes...can't do the tricks that worked in junior or college.
They have to forecheck and work harder than ever before. And take a physical beating, more than they're used to. They may have elite hockey sense, but the game is so much faster, they
now have to process everything faster and make plays faster.

I think Greentree is very gifted at seeing the ice, knowing where to be and can make plays.
And has an NHL shot. Some of the best talent, improve a lot, from draft to their year after and
turn 19 and are ready. QB had trouble with defense and hockey sense defensively. He looked lost at 18 at AHL level and chased the puck carrier, which is mostly futile...maybe he could catch 18 -20 yr old OHL opponents...and he was not physically mature and strong enough until age 20.

I think Greentree will be the most ready 19 yr old King, since Doughty. He gets it. He's capable.
They can do some of the Leo Carlsson approach and maybe he doesn't play every game.
He will not improve or grow in the OHL next year. He should be in the AHL...or Kings.
I don't see how he's ruined, if he makes the Kings next year. He's got the makeup and habits of a pro. The mindset, character, drive and ability.

Let's see where he's at, if he can go to the AHL at end of this season...and where he's at in September.

 

[CarlSneep]

Greentree will impress in camp and then will play in 8 games over 3 months before finally getting sent down to play in the WJC, then return to Junior where he’ll underperform before getting traded to a contending team but then he’ll get hurt, returning just in time for the playoffs where his team will get bounced in the 2nd round but he’ll play pretty well. Then he’ll get sent to Ontario the following season because hey, he barely played last season!

 

[King'sPawn]

So in 2025-2026 he would still be in the OHL instead of the AHL (if he doesn't make the team), any chance he could be sent to Europe?

I don't think the NHL-CHL agreement permits that. That sounds like a variation of poaching that they want to protect against.

The only recent exception was with players like Clarke and Pinelli, but:
- they weren't drafted yet, so it wasn't an NHL team that "loaned" them to a European team
- the OHL was on pause due to COVID

Even if it did, I don't think there's any chance it would happen.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I get that Greentree has his downsides where he doesn't do much for stretches, but probably would have been better to have him on Canada instead of Cole Beaudoin.

1 G, 4 A last night for Windsor.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[Sol]

Not NHL stats so none of it matters

 

[Schrute farms]

Good thing we have no cap space. If we did, Blake would probably trade Greentree & our FRP for a Fiala/PLD type.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I liked that his reaction to not being on Team Canada was 12 points in 3 (4?) games.

 

[Mcsorley47]

Please don’t trade away our first pick this year!

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

I don't think it's out of the realm, that he makes the Kings next year and stays up.
He's physically mature and he's getting stronger and his acceleration has improved. (per some scout)
He's been a captain since his draft year and a leader. He puts a lot on himself and going into ths season, said he expects to be a better captain and leader. Such high character guy.

I think most of the high end talented 18-19 year old that break in the NHL...the toughest part
at 18-19 is being physically ready. Liam is. Then, being able to be good (enough) defensive wise
and skating. But, I think some at 18-19, may have been able to dictate play in junior or college...and
then in the NHL, they can't...unless you're the very pinnacle of generational level talent...,maybe Berard and Celebrini. Stutzle could play a high level at 18...even if he was not great defensively.
Some 18 yr olds that make it, lack physical level and have to learn systems, defense and
for the first time in their lives, are not able to dominate...they go through a tough learning
process...and not playing a lot of minutes...can't do the tricks that worked in junior or college.
They have to forecheck and work harder than ever before. And take a physical beating, more than they're used to. They may have elite hockey sense, but the game is so much faster, they
now have to process everything faster and make plays faster.

I think Greentree is very gifted at seeing the ice, knowing where to be and can make plays.
And has an NHL shot. Some of the best talent, improve a lot, from draft to their year after and
turn 19 and are ready. QB had trouble with defense and hockey sense defensively. He looked lost at 18 at AHL level and chased the puck carrier, which is mostly futile...maybe he could catch 18 -20 yr old OHL opponents...and he was not physically mature and strong enough until age 20.

I think Greentree will be the most ready 19 yr old King, since Doughty. He gets it. He's capable.
They can do some of the Leo Carlsson approach and maybe he doesn't play every game.
He will not improve or grow in the OHL next year. He should be in the AHL...or Kings.
I don't see how he's ruined, if he makes the Kings next year. He's got the makeup and habits of a pro. The mindset, character, drive and ability.

Let's see where he's at, if he can go to the AHL at end of this season...and where he's at in September.

I love this. I have really high hopes for Greentree and he's having a hell of a D+1 despite being snubbed by the morons that run Team Canada at the WJC.

That said, with the Kings track record I would be VERY worried about putting him in the NHL at 19 years old regardless of how physically mature he is.

Obviously it'll have to come down to how he looks at camp and how the Kings roster is looking... But the Kings don't have a great track record of setting young players up for success when they step into the NHL.

• Clarke got jerked in and out of the lineup last year, being healthy scratched every other game
• Kaliyev gets thrown on the 4th line as a 21 year old sniper and forced to play a role he never should've been put in
• Byfield jumped into the NHL when he should've spent more time dominating the AHL and learning the game - likely caused some confidence issues since he wasn't lighting it up in the NHL right away
• Even Turcotte was thrown onto the 4th line last year (and the start of this year) and legitimately got like 5 mins of ice time some games
• Bjornfot thrown straight into the NHL right away and then stagnated significantly

I REALLY don't want to see them mess up another prospect. It would be a mistake to keep Greentree on the Kings next year unless it's absolutely clear he's ready for a role in the top 9 - AND absolutely clear that the Kings have a spot open for him in the top 9 (or are willing to create one if he performs). And looking at the Kings top 9 / contracts for next year, it's pretty unlikely there will be a spot open for Greentree (granted, things can definitely change).

This team/coaching staff constantly favors older, more defensively reliable players over younger players with more offensive potential. The absolute WORST thing for Greentree would be to throw him into the NHL as a 19 year old and stick him on the 4th line for 10 mins a night.

 

[Trash Panda]

I get that Greentree has his downsides where he doesn't do much for stretches, but probably would have been better to have him on Canada instead of Cole Beaudoin.

1 G, 4 A last night for Windsor.

Hockey Canada pulled a Dean Lombardi in constructing this years roster.

Thought they were the smartest guys in the room by bringing a roster of grinders to a single elimination tournament.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Not NHL stats so none of it matters

Fair, but as the saying goes "it's better than the alternative", which would be Greentree falling off a cliff & sucking.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

FWIW he looked very very good at camp, played a pro game when around players of similar caliber. A lot of times hotshot picks don't know how to use their teammates and some never develop that...Greentree was a puck protection machine and excellent at making quick decisions. Too bad they're a generation apart, I could actually see him being an excellent linemate for Kopitar in the Vilardi mold. But maybe for Byfield!

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I love this. I have really high hopes for Greentree and he's having a hell of a D+1 despite being snubbed by the morons that run Team Canada at the WJC.

That said, with the Kings track record I would be VERY worried about putting him in the NHL at 19 years old regardless of how physically mature he is.

Obviously it'll have to come down to how he looks at camp and how the Kings roster is looking... But the Kings don't have a great track record of setting young players up for success when they step into the NHL.

• Clarke got jerked in and out of the lineup last year, being healthy scratched every other game
• Kaliyev gets thrown on the 4th line as a 21 year old sniper and forced to play a role he never should've been put in
• Byfield jumped into the NHL when he should've spent more time dominating the AHL and learning the game - likely caused some confidence issues since he wasn't lighting it up in the NHL right away
• Even Turcotte was thrown onto the 4th line last year (and the start of this year) and legitimately got like 5 mins of ice time some games
• Bjornfot thrown straight into the NHL right away and then stagnated significantly

I REALLY don't want to see them mess up another prospect. It would be a mistake to keep Greentree on the Kings next year unless it's absolutely clear he's ready for a role in the top 9 - AND absolutely clear that the Kings have a spot open for him in the top 9 (or are willing to create one if he performs). And looking at the Kings top 9 / contracts for next year, it's pretty unlikely there will be a spot open for Greentree (granted, things can definitely change).

This team/coaching staff constantly favors older, more defensively reliable players over younger players with more offensive potential. The absolute WORST thing for Greentree would be to throw him into the NHL as a 19 year old and stick him on the 4th line for 10 mins a night.

Agreed here. Toffoli wasn't hurt by playing his 19 year old season in junior. Neither were Giroux, Robertson, Couture, Point, DeBrincat, amongst others.

 

[kilowatt]

Let's keep this kid away from our elite AHL player development department as long as we can

 

[Fat Elvis]

Who is his style of play similar to?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Who is his style of play similar to?

I always say Jamie Benn with a little less anger

Vilardi with not quite as good hands?

Yeah I think it's @Herby that always says no one was ever hurt by staying an extra year in juniors

you can argue how much it helps but it's sure better than arriving early ESPECIALLY with the Kings, the longer they stay away, the better as per results thus far

 

[King'sPawn]

Who is his style of play similar to?

I liken him a lot to Vilardi. Vilardi has better hands, but very similar as far as decisiveness, vision, and puck protection.

At similar ages, Vilardi had a better release on his shot, but Greentree has slightly more variety.

 

[Lt Dan]

Who is his style of play similar to?

Part Deadmarsh, part Vilardi, Part Kempe, Part Jason Bourne, and part Gumby

 

[Herby]

I always say Jamie Benn with a little less anger

Vilardi with not quite as good hands?

Yeah I think it's @Herby that always says no one was ever hurt by staying an extra year in juniors

you can argue how much it helps but it's sure better than arriving early ESPECIALLY with the Kings, the longer they stay away, the better as per results thus far

I say this with NCAA and European players, because they can be put in the AHL at 18-19, which almost always hurts the players long-term development as we have seen with basically all the player who played for the Reign as teenagers.

As a 2006 Greentree would not be eligible to play in the AHL next season (outside of conditioning games), so going down that destructive avenue would thankfully not be an option. I think it should be a meritocracy, if he's good enough to make the team he should, especially with how he has already conquered the OHL level and the Kings desperate need for skilled finishers in the lineup.

Way more likely scenario is the Kings either outright send him back, or do the Clarke treatment on him and then eventually send him back. And then have him play a good chunk of his age 20 season for the Reign. This of course assumes Blake is here beyond this season, and the AHL heavy development continues continue.

 

[Schmooley]

I always say Jamie Benn with a little less anger

Vilardi with not quite as good hands?

Yeah I think it's @Herby that always says no one was ever hurt by staying an extra year in juniors

you can argue how much it helps but it's sure better than arriving early ESPECIALLY with the Kings, the longer they stay away, the better as per results thus far

I like the Jamie Benn comparison

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Let's keep this kid away from our elite AHL player development department as long as we can

I might be in the minority here but I feel like having prospects play in the AHL hasn't been the issue for the Kings in terms of development.

Vilardi spent time in the AHL and is now a young star. Spence spent time in the AHL and is a beast. Durzi spent time in the AHL. Anderson spent a full season in the AHL and is now one of the best shutdown D in the league. Byfield probably should've spent MORE time in the AHL and probably should've proved he could dominate that league before becoming a full time NHLer. Kaliyev should've spent more time in the AHL until the Kings had a spot for him in the top 9 and/or until he was clearly too good for the league. Turcotte maybeeeeeeee you'd have an argument but I think the issue was more-so leaving college too early and injuries. Long time ago at this point but Kempe spent time in the AHL. Clarke first proved he could dominate the AHL before moving on to the Kings and seems to be better for it. Guys like Helenius and Lee are looking pretty good - both spent time in the AHL developing.

Personally, I think for the Kings - the issues with development more come down to A) rushing players into the NHL (or in Turcotte's case, rushing them to turn pro) and B) the way they've deployed young players when they do get to the NHL.

I'd be more than OK having Greentree spend a year (or even two) developing in the AHL until he proves he can produce at a high level (ideally around a point/game) - Then inserting him into the Kings lineup as injuries happen and/or holes open up in the top 9.

 

[Surf Nutz]

I might be in the minority here but I feel like having prospects play in the AHL hasn't been the issue for the Kings in terms of development.

Vilardi spent time in the AHL and is now a young star. Spence spent time in the AHL and is a beast. Durzi spent time in the AHL. Anderson spent a full season in the AHL and is now one of the best shutdown D in the league. Byfield probably should've spent MORE time in the AHL and probably should've proved he could dominate that league before becoming a full time NHLer. Kaliyev should've spent more time in the AHL until the Kings had a spot for him in the top 9 and/or until he was clearly too good for the league. Turcotte maybeeeeeeee you'd have an argument but I think the issue was more-so leaving college too early and injuries. Long time ago at this point but Kempe spent time in the AHL. Clarke first proved he could dominate the AHL before moving on to the Kings and seems to be better for it. Guys like Helenius and Lee are looking pretty good - both spent time in the AHL developing.

Personally, I think for the Kings - the issues with development more come down to A) rushing players into the NHL (or in Turcotte's case, rushing them to turn pro) and B) the way they've deployed young players when they do get to the NHL.

I'd more more than OK having Greentree spend a year (or even two) developing in the AHL until he proves he can produce at a high level (ideally around a point/game) - Then inserting him into the Kings lineup as injuries happen and/or holes open up in the top 9.

Absolutely correct!

Great summation.

However, these guys will talk to you a lot less, apart from a few angry reply's to this comment.