Is Zack Kassian the #1 Power forward prospect?

[English stars fan]

Alex Chiasson could be.

 

[hockeywoot]

I think he is, Kyle Clifford is another young PF that I wish the Oilers had.

Seconded. Clifford is solid.

 

[GoBU19]

Granted 'power forward' is hard to define, but I think a high PIM count is part of the resume.

Charlie Coyle is the real deal. As a Terriers fan it bothered me the way the team tried to use him and frustrated me when he left, but it was probably mutually beneficial. Coyle actual played a power-forward type game during the first half of his freshman year but I think he figured out quickly that he could thrive on skill alone, especially in the Q. He's huge and physically mature for how young he is and has made himself right at home on Minnesota's top line. His first NHL goal was pretty slick too. I see him as an annual 50-60 point guy that will be a beast in front of the net on the power play. Ceiling could be higher. I hope SJ is enjoying Brent Burns.

Alex Chiasson is more of a playmaker than Coyle, but certainly plays with a mean streak. He's probably the most polished forward to leave BU for the pros other than Colin Wilson since Drury. Got off to a rough start this year but don't be fooled by the less than impressive stat line, he was lighting it up in the weeks prior to injury. I'd be surprised if he didn't get a callup this year.

Chris Brown has quietly made the transition from Michigan to the AHL without missing a beat. Probably the most 'prototypical' power forward of the three and certainly knows how to finish. We'd know a lot more about this kid if he wasn't a PHX prospect.

I've never been very high on Tyler Biggs

 

[WildcatMapleLeafs28]

Tyler Biggs and Tom Wilson definitely come to mind. Leafs have a couple of others but not near Kassian's potential in Broll and Devane..

 

[Gritty]

I'm not sure if I consider Zack a prospect anymore? That, and it's also hard to find comparables with the same amount of experience. He's a rare blend.

I would say Wilson, Biggs, and Clifford are all similar players with similar upside. Clifford doesn't have as good of hands, but he has the physical components... I think Wilson and Biggs will be pretty much identical players.

 

[abe jr]

I'd put Marcus Foligno up there as well, probably a little higher actually. Stefan Matteau also is coming along pretty well

came here to say this

 

[Lebanese Leaf]

Tyler Biggs is in the dicussion.

If we want to broaden the definition as much as some here are, Josh Leivo also belongs in the discussion.

 

[Sweech]

Adam Lowry doesn't get talked about much around here (aside from the Jets board and a few threads) and he's in that "score on you and then fight you" mold. He's been relied on more for his leadership and scoring for his team this season than his pugilism, which is nice to see. Can still drop the mitts though.

 

[Aceboogie]

Ill take Foligno.

Not in the NHL: Biggs looks pretty good.

Another guy coming up is Jujhar Khaira. Plays a chippy game and able to put up points in NCAA as a freshman. Still 3-4 years away

 

[Gritty]

Ill take Foligno.

Not in the NHL: Biggs looks pretty good.

Another guy coming up is Jujhar Khaira. Plays a chippy game and able to put up points in NCAA as a freshman. Still 3-4 years away

It's true, I forgot about him. Solid pick up in the third round. He's also having a great season at Michigan-tech.

 

[ColdSteel2]

 

[Morlu]

Tyler Biggs for the Leafs. Kassian is the best I can think of with solid goal scoring potential

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

 

[gifted88]

I second Tom Wilson.

Would Sissons and Nicholls in the WHL qualify as power forwards?

 

[keppel146]

Charlie Coyle is big but his game isn't in the powerforward mold (thats what I saw at BU and Majors)

Going to have to slightly disagree with you.

 

[Winnipeg Jets]

after 235 NHL games (over a third of a way to a pension), I think it's safe to say that Kane is no longer a prospect.

Yeah, I forgot which subforum I was in

 

[umwoz]

I don't even agree, but yes. You win. Correct answer.

 

[HockeyGuruPitka]

Marcus Foligno. Take him in a heart beat over Kassian. Kassian is becoming overrated.

I agree that not many can fight like Kassian, but the overall game just isnt there for me.

 

[fedfed]

Tom Wilson, his stats, even taking league scoring difference into consideration, are way more impressive.
Haven't seen a whole lot of Kassian, but I watch a lot of Wilson and he really plays great.

 

[TSC*]

Might not be the #1, but he's making a case.

Anthony Camara

19 years old in the OHL. 45 games played. 33 goals. 24 assists. 74PIM.

 

[Lundell4Prez]

Nick Bjugstad

 

[Chainshot]

And as always, one thing sticks out in a debate over power forwards (regardless of stripe): how few of them there are, even taking a broad view of the term.

 

[Market Street Heroes]

Homer vote for Dmitrij Jaskin as a promising PWF prospect.

 

[RomersWorld*]

Personally, I don't think Saad really compares to Kassian. I think Saad is already the better player even though he was drafted 2 years later and Saad has higher potential as well IMO. But Saad isn't a fighter and isn't really that physical. I think he'll be more like a James Neal, Max Pacioretty type player(potential, of course) instead of a Kassian type player. Kassian is more of a Bryan Bickell type guy who can fight. Kassian doesn't have the two-way game or hockey sense of Saad, but will be a 3rd line type player who is a great fighter, not so good defense and puts up 40 points in a PWF type mold IMO. Kassian is rare for the fact that he is big, decent offensively and can fight but still, not that valuable like a Lucic, Stewart, Simmonds, ect.

 

[arsmaster*]

Might not be the #1, but he's making a case.

Anthony Camara

19 years old in the OHL. 45 games played. 33 goals. 24 assists. 74PIM.

Nice scrap.

I hadn't seen that one.