Prospect Info: Hartford Wolf Pack/Bloomington Bison Thread: Part XV

[nyr2k2]

I think Barbashev is a decent prospect, but he's a bit over-hyped here as a lot of this board fetishizes Russian prospects and also because of his brother.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I think Barbashev is a decent prospect, but he's a bit over-hyped here as a lot of this board fetishizes Russian prospects and also because of his brother.

He does nothing for me.

As far as guys who fit that profile, I like both Chmelar and Laba more, especially the former who is quietly becoming one of my favorites.

 

[eco's bones]

I think Barbashev is a decent prospect, but he's a bit over-hyped here as a lot of this board fetishizes Russian prospects and also because of his brother.

I think actually for a lot of posters it's a bit of stat watching. The CHL is 16 to 20 year olds and for a lot of teams it's a bit of the Wild West when it comes to offense. College and European leagues play more structured games and they don't prospects running up stats nearly as much. Also prospects older, bigger, stronger players. It can make a difference.

On Russians----there are obviously some really good Russian players but they have their share of players that fail too and the Rangers have had a bit of both. With the world situation as it is I'm a little leery of drafting Russians who are playing in Russia. I'll note that a Flyers prospect goalie was all signed and set to come over and then got shanghaied into Putin's Navy. For me that's a concern. It's only happened as far as I know once but when you're the one that once is a 100%.

 

[GAGLine]

I think actually for a lot of posters it's a bit of stat watching.

There's definitely a lot of stat watching with all prospects. It's just the nature of the beast. Most of us don't have the time, money and/or inclination to watch every game that our prospects participate in.

For Barbashev, the numbers don't concern me as much. I'm not expecting him to be a top scorer at higher levels. I want to see how he develops the physical side of his game. If he's going to be an NHL player, it will probably be as a 4th liner.

There's still a lot of question marks with him though, starting with when and where he will be playing this season.

Korczak was another from that draft and he's kind of really iffy to me too.

I may be the only one, but I think he has more upside than people give him credit for. The odds of him reaching that upside are pretty low, but the kid has talent. I wouldn't count him out.

According to the Hartford website, he is still on the roster. They list 15 forwards, 8 dmen and 2 goalies, so that is likely the group they are going with to start the season. We'll see how he does and if he can stick at that level, but I think we may be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Ranger Ric]

I think actually for a lot of posters it's a bit of stat watching. The CHL is 16 to 20 year olds and for a lot of teams it's a bit of the Wild West when it comes to offense. College and European leagues play more structured games and they don't prospects running up stats nearly as much. Also prospects older, bigger, stronger players. It can make a difference.

On Russians----there are obviously some really good Russian players but they have their share of players that fail too and the Rangers have had a bit of both. With the world situation as it is I'm a little leery of drafting Russians who are playing in Russia. I'll note that a Flyers prospect goalie was all signed and set to come over and then got shanghaied into Putin's Navy. For me that's a concern. It's only happened as far as I know once but when you're the one that once is a 100%.

Completely agree about stat watching. Barbashev was 36th in points in the QMJHL last year and 51st in PPG. These are fine but given that the QMJHL is high scoring league they don't scream major prospect. And as nyr2k2 said I think there is fascination with him because of his brother. In my own prospect ranking I had Barbashev and Chmelar much lower that our group. I was clearly wrong about Chmelar but think Barbashev was rated too high.

 

[eco's bones]

Completely agree about stat watching. Barbashev was 36th in points in the QMJHL last year and 51st in PPG. These are fine but given that the QMJHL is high scoring league they don't scream major prospect. And as nyr2k2 said I think there is fascination with him because of his brother. In my own prospect ranking I had Barbashev and Chmelar much lower that our group. I was clearly wrong about Chmelar but think Barbashev was rated too high.

I think Providence College is a good place for Chmelar. Watching him last year in the WJC he looked very good. I don't think we're going to get a big time scorer out of him but he's got size, strength, good hockey fundamentals not all that unlike say a Morgan Barron who is doing pretty well in Winnipeg now in bottom line roles.

A thing about college is they play weekends. They get practice time during the week to work on team things. A lot of CHL teams it's run here and run there. They play more like pro schedules and bussing all over. For teenagers it can be a bit much.

 

[cwede]

Pack sent 2 more guys to Cincy[ECHL: Berzolla(D) (who played at Cincy last season) and Worrad(F)

so the current Pack roster includes 14 F, 7 D, and only 1 player on an AHL contract, the vet D Hillman

 

[E-Train]

Curious to see who sits among the forwards on opening night. Hope it’s not two kids but looking likely.

 

[Harbour Dog]

That looks like a roster that could make a serious push for a Calder Cup. Especially if the Rangers can stay healthy, and Quick can stave off Father Time for 20ish games.

 

[GAGLine]

That looks like a roster that could make a serious push for a Calder Cup. Especially if the Rangers can stay healthy, and Quick can stave off Father Time for 20ish games.

I'm hoping (selfishly) that Emberson gets waived at some point so we can reclaim him. The Sharks have 3 other dmen on IR, two of which can play RD and one that makes over 2 mil, so Emberson could be the odd man out once they are healthy.

 

[Leetch3]

 

[cwede]

not surprising, when signing in summer, they gave both Nash and Belzile 2-year contracts
(FWIW Nash 1-way this season, Belzile 1-way next ...)

and with Brodz having a solid camp and impressing the new staff,
glad these guys are here...

curious which 2 F's sit tonight, but let's not over-react ...

 

[Harbour Dog]

not surprising, when signing in summer, they gave both Nash and Belzile 2-year contracts
(FWIW Nash 1-way this season, Belzile 1-way next ...)

and with Brodz having a solid camp and impressing the new staff,
glad these guys are here...

curious which 2 F's sit tonight, but let's not over-react ...

My guess is Korczak and Rempe. Berard wouldn't shock me either.

 

[Ranger Ric]

not surprising, when signing in summer, they gave both Nash and Belzile 2-year contracts
(FWIW Nash 1-way this season, Belzile 1-way next ...)

and with Brodz having a solid camp and impressing the new staff,
glad these guys are here...

curious which 2 F's sit tonight, but let's not over-react ...

cede, you are kidding when you say "let's not over-react'" aren't you?

 

[RangersFan1994]

My guess is Korczak and Rempe. Berard wouldn't shock me either.

I'd rather sit the players on AHL contract or AHL lifers like Fritz or Elson. Both Korczak and Rempe have some NHL potential

 

[nyr2k2]

I would guess they'll rotate guys in and out. Who they line up in game one will be different in game two.

 

[cwede]

I'd rather sit the players on AHL contract or AHL lifers like Fritz or Elson. Both Korczak and Rempe have some NHL potential

Fritz is no longer with the Pack

 

[Harbour Dog]

I'd rather sit the players on AHL contract or AHL lifers like Fritz or Elson. Both Korczak and Rempe have some NHL potential

Fritz isn't on the team anymore as far as I know. I could see them sitting Elson maybe, but I'm kind of expecting the best possible lineup for game one, and then as nyr2k2 said, there'll be guys popping in and out of the lineup all season.

 

[GAGLine]

The Pack plays tonight and tomorrow, so whomever doesn't get in tonight should play tomorrow.

 

[E-Train]

I don’t see Elson sitting they just gave him a letter.

 

[GENESISPuck94]

Othmann better be getting like 20 minutes of ice and top PP unit every game.

 

[cwede]

Othmann better be getting like 20 minutes of ice and top PP unit every game.

This has been making me grin for like an hour. wtf?
Its the kid's first pro game.
Mighta happened last spring, if only he didnt help lead his team an OHL title and a Memorial Cup invitation.

All this noise blaming NYR as poor at developing prospects

But also these demands that somehow Othmann MUST play the spotlight role against a talented, bitter rival in his first pro game.

Ok, sure

 

[nyr2k2]

Yeah, he should have a top 6 role and see time on the PP. Hartford has other players to develop and also is trying to win games. Their sole objective isn't to spoon-feed Othmann huge minutes.

 

[GAGLine]

Domingue in goal. Not sure of the scratches yet, but the following forwards are in:

Elson, Lesch, Trivigno, Edstrom, Brodz, Nash, Othmann, Berard, Rempe, Sykora

Edit: Belzile and one more I haven't identified yet.

Edit2: Looks like Henriksson, so the scratches are Korczak and Blidh.

 

[Svenhart2008]

Providence is playing with deBussi in next…… yeah…