Prospect Info: Hunter Haight C, 47th Overall, 2022 NHL Draft

[Jbcraig1883]

5 goals and 2 assists for 7 points in 11 games (-1) for the rookie. Currently third in scoring and the only person near him in points that has a better +/- is Milne. Been great on PK, has surprised me with some of his physical play, and might have the best wrister on the team (gets it off faster than Bankier). I think Heidt and Bankier have some competition. Haight is a righty, quicker laterally and maybe overall top speed, better dangling, and a better shot. Not as big as Bankier and not as good as vision as Heidt.

He still has some junior-esque plays that are getting ironed out but there has already been improvement in this area since the start of the season.

 

[57special]

5 goals and 2 assists for 7 points in 11 games (-1) for the rookie. Currently third in scoring and the only person near him in points that has a better +/- is Milne. Been great on PK, has surprised me with some of his physical play, and might have the best wrister on the team (gets it off faster than Bankier). I think Heidt and Bankier have some competition. Haight is a righty, quicker laterally and maybe overall top speed, better dangling, and a better shot. Not as big as Bankier and not as good as vision as Heidt.

He still has some junior-esque plays that are getting ironed out but there has already been improvement in this area since the start of the season.

Haight always looked good, but his stats never really popped. Most top 9 NHL'ers scored at a high level in junior, or had a physical component to their game that he does not.

 

[Jbcraig1883]

Haight always looked good, but his stats never really popped. Most top 9 NHL'ers scored at a high level in junior, or had a physical component to their game that he does not.

"that he had not developed/shown" would be more accurate because he is showing it now.

I always thought he looked the best in the exhibitions with the Wild the last two years (over the others we've discussed) and have said in the past that I wouldn't be surprised if he produces more when playing with smarter players. Great to see. Mobile, smart, RH centerman has not shied away from physical play and has a hell of a shot. He might be the next Milne for me where all the scouting lists have him at the bottom of the list or not even on it. Stat watching and draft pedigree isn't everything (this is not directed at 57 or anyone on these boards but the THNs, Athletic, McKeens, etc. that haven't see more than 1 game in two years).

 

[DANOZ28]

haight kinda reminds me of freddy g. hes got a shot at a bottom 6 role.

 

[AKL]

Call me crazy but maybe if Iowa wasn't a dumpster fire, he'd have a few more assists and might be at 10 points in 11 games as an AHL rookie.

I've always been a big believer that some guys best traits are their IQ, and those guys tend to perform better when playing with better teammates at higher levels, guys who can process the game the same way they can. Think Faber was one of those. Think Haight can be.

 

[Jbcraig1883]

haight kinda reminds me of freddy g. hes got a shot at a bottom 6 role.

It's quite possible - however, he's been more assertive physically than Freddy usually is, and his shot might be better. It's hard to say since I didn't see Freddy in the AHL and have only seen him against NHL defensemen/systems.

Call me crazy but maybe if Iowa wasn't a dumpster fire, he'd have a few more assists and might be at 10 points in 11 games as an AHL rookie.

I've always been a big believer that some guys best traits are their IQ, and those guys tend to perform better when playing with better teammates at higher levels, guys who can process the game the same way they can. Think Faber was one of those. Think Haight can be.

A few pipes and a goal called back (that was clearly in - think he assisted on it) as well. I agree.

 

[57special]

"that he had not developed/shown" would be more accurate because he is showing it now.

I always thought he looked the best in the exhibitions with the Wild the last two years (over the others we've discussed) and have said in the past that I wouldn't be surprised if he produces more when playing with smarter players. Great to see. Mobile, smart, RH centerman has not shied away from physical play and has a hell of a shot. He might be the next Milne for me where all the scouting lists have him at the bottom of the list or not even on it. Stat watching and draft pedigree isn't everything (this is not directed at 57 or anyone on these boards but the THNs, Athletic, McKeens, etc. that haven't see more than 1 game in two years).

Oh, I think he has the potential to play higher up the lineup than Milne. He looked really good on that line last year with Heidt and Walker. Watched him in about 5-6 games with Saginaw when they made their run last year. He has an appealing skating stride, and handles the puck reasonably well, but he also Charlie Coyle's it at times and disappears.

Development is hard to predict. Beckman peaked in his D+1. Faber...who knew? Brett Bulmer looked good for a few games, as did Gustav Olofsson.

 

[Jbcraig1883]

Oh, I think he has the potential to play higher up the lineup than Milne. He looked really good on that line last year with Heidt and Walker. Watched him in about 5-6 games with Saginaw when they made their run last year. He has an appealing skating stride, and handles the puck reasonably well, but he also Charlie Coyle's it at times and disappears.

Development is hard to predict. Beckman peaked in his D+1. Faber...who knew? Brett Bulmer looked good for a few games, as did Gustav Olofsson.

Brett Bulmer blocked me on Twitter. I think he may be the only one who has ever blocked me. Good times.

 

[Circulartheory]

Haight always looked good, but his stats never really popped. Most top 9 NHL'ers scored at a high level in junior, or had a physical component to their game that he does not.

That has always been his issue - always showed the skills and we drafted him for it but it just never equaled consistent stats. It just makes me cement my opinion on the guy that he'll develop into a Dewar/Shaw/Khusnutdinov type of player - skilled but on an energy line and playing PK. Him and Milne. Wild tends to like these types so there is definitely a route.

But who knows, Haula also falls into that category and is able to elevate his play into 30-40pts.

 

[Jbcraig1883]

That has always been his issue - always showed the skills and we drafted him for it but it just never equaled consistent stats. It just makes me cement my opinion on the guy that he'll develop into a Dewar/Shaw/Khusnutdinov type of player - skilled but on an energy line and playing PK. Him and Milne. Wild tends to like these types so there is definitely a route.

But who knows, Haula also falls into that category and is able to elevate his play into 30-40pts.

I don't see him as an energy guy at all. Yes, he is playing more assertive/initiating contact, but not like the typical 3rd/4th liners you mentioned. I know it's a small sample but he's doing better than most Iowa Wild/Houston Aeros rookies have done at the same stage. Not saying he's a sure-fire top 6 guy (not sure I'd say that about any of our prospects), but I don't think he would develop into a Dewar/Shaw/Khus type player.

You know, probably trying too hard to comp him to former Wild players but he reminds me of Stacy Roest - the guy that Yzerman loved and did everything in minors and in practice and then comes to Wild and couldn't produce.....hopefully Haight is better.