Prospect Info: Jets Prospects

[Huffer]

I know Walton is not Lowry, and I'm not expecting that, but it would be nice if as he develops as a pro that he could incorporate some Lowry like traits. Look to become a Lowry light. You have to think as he transitions to the pros that the coaches are going to want him to start using his size. Not necessarily as a huge hitter, but as a tool.

 

[ps241]

Walton has to learn what his position is because he plays forward like a mid-field rover,and multiple loops at his own blue line is frustrating to watch,he isn't developing his defensive game at all,against northbay he was all over the place yet I don't remember him making contact with the opposition, it's no help that musty is playing the same way and changing wings multiple times on the same shift,they will end up deep in the minus if they don't straighten out.

Not all that unusual in Junior hockey when you are the leading scorer on a team to play a more open style. The fact Musty is back and doing the same thing is going to make it tougher. That’s why these prospects need time in the AHL, they get their development plan and they are coached to play a structured NHL ready game. A kid like Walton will need to learn to play within the system without the puck or he will never get a sniff of the NHL. The good news is he has time, Walton is 18 and if things go well he still has about 3-4 more seasons of development ahead of him.

 

[ps241]

I know Walton is not Lowry, and I'm not expecting that, but it would be nice if as he develops as a pro that he could incorporate some Lowry like traits. Look to become a Lowry light. You have to think as he transitions to the pros that the coaches are going to want him to start using his size. Not necessarily as a huge hitter, but as a tool.

I don’t really see it. Adam was always kind of Adam and the only thing he and Walton share in common is they are both tall. The best Walton will do with his height is hopefully add strength and learn to use his length and size to shield the puck (think Kevin Hayes). He is not going to turn into a guy that initiates physical contact IMO. Never say never but my bet would be he either learns to be a top 6 offensive asset or he doesn’t make it to the NHL as a full time player.

 

[ICdave]

 

[DEANYOUNGBLOOD17]

I do not see any traits of Lowry in Walton. You do not teach or suddenly acquire Lowry like traits later on In life or after your junior hockey career….

My opinion /

If Walton can make the leap from junior scorer to NHL scorer …. A more likely comparable would be a player like an Anthony Mantha.

 

[Huffer]

I don’t really see it. Adam was always kind of Adam and the only thing he and Walton share in common is they are both tall. The best Walton will do with his height is hopefully add strength and learn to use his length and size to shield the puck (think Kevin Hayes). He is not going to turn into a guy that initiates physical contact IMO. Never say never but my bet would be he either learns to be a top 6 offensive asset or he doesn’t make it to the NHL as a full time player.

TBH, I also don't think he's going to be a physical guy like Lowry, but I think he's going to be asked to use his size as an asset when he makes it to the pros. Shielding the puck as you say for sure, and even just using it to separate guys from pucks (not necessarily with a huge hit), instead of just using stick checks, etc.

Definitely don't expect a full Lowry or a Jamie Benn, but I think the coaches likely don't want him to model his game like Elias Pettersson either (just as an example). I think he'll get further using the size he has as another tool in his arsenal, and it doesn't sound like he is at the moment (and likely doesn't have to in junior). I probably shouldn't have said Lowry light, but I do think him rounding out his game to use a little of his size as an asset will help him.

 

[ps241]

TBH, I also don't think he's going to be a physical guy like Lowry, but I think he's going to be asked to use his size as an asset when he makes it to the pros. Shielding the puck as you say for sure, and even just using it to separate guys from pucks (not necessarily with a huge hit), instead of just using stick checks, etc.

Definitely don't expect a full Lowry or a Jamie Benn, but I think the coaches likely don't want him to model his game like Elias Pettersson either (just as an example). I think he'll get further using the size he has as another tool in his arsenal, and it doesn't sound like he is at the moment (and likely doesn't have to in junior). I probably shouldn't have said Lowry light, but I do think him rounding out his game to use a little of his size as an asset will help him.

I used Kevin Hayes as kind of an attempted complement. Hayes used size a in a different way than Vilardi but they are similar in one way neither of them has a mean bone in their body but they have found ways to use their size as part of their arsenal (in different ways). Kevin really shielded well in his better days and his length was an asset.

Blake Wheeler would be great but Blake was all about speed skill and length. There is zero chance Walton will have Blake’s blinding speed and once Blake slowed down the wheels came off (Sorry for the bad pun).

Those are just three examples of tall guys but either way Walton will need to figure out how to use his size in his own unique way. Fingers crossed he can unlock the code.

 

[ennsjd07]

I used Kevin Hayes as kind of an attempted complement. Hayes used size a in a different way than Vilardi but they are similar in one way neither of them has a mean bone in their body but they have found ways to use their size as part of their arsenal (in different ways). Kevin really shielded well in his better days and his length was an asset.

Blake Wheeler would be great but Blake was all about speed skill and length. There is zero chance Walton will have Blake’s blinding speed and once Blake slowed down the wheels came off (Sorry for the bad pun).

Those are just three examples of tall guys but either way Walton will need to figure out how to use his size in his own unique way. Fingers crossed he can unlock the code.

I thought the pun was completely appropriate.

 

[flin flon bombers]

I don’t really see it. Adam was always kind of Adam and the only thing he and Walton share in common is they are both tall. The best Walton will do with his height is hopefully add strength and learn to use his length and size to shield the puck (think Kevin Hayes). He is not going to turn into a guy that initiates physical contact IMO. Never say never but my bet would be he either learns to be a top 6 offensive asset or he doesn’t make it to the NHL as a full time player.

I feel the same way,grit is an innate quality that walton does not possess, one(lowry)can fight for his meal at the dinner table the other goes hungry,but with his style of skating walton will have to hit the gym if he is serious about the nhl.what walton can learn to do now is use his body to remove a player from the Puck,right now he just uses his reach,the other thing I noticed in last 2 games is he's playing like he is a star and trying a lot of risky stuff,it also seems since musty is back he has changed abit.but he has a lot of work to do

 

[Flair Hay]

Not all that unusual in Junior hockey when you are the leading scorer on a team to play a more open style. The fact Musty is back and doing the same thing is going to make it tougher. That’s why these prospects need time in the AHL, they get their development plan and they are coached to play a structured NHL ready game. A kid like Walton will need to learn to play within the system without the puck or he will never get a sniff of the NHL. The good news is he has time, Walton is 18 and if things go well he still has about 3-4 more seasons of development ahead of him.

Yeah, being a full time NHLer after another year of junior/college and a couple years of AHL time seems like a pretty logical progression.

Next year will be about trying to maintain his scoring playing a more well rounded game and working on weaknesses. Maybe even trying center again on a full time basis.

Whether he continues in junior or elects to go NCAA will lately affect his time spent in AHL down the road. College would be great if it wasn't for that pesky UFA fear...

He obviously has a lot of hardening needed before the NHL level so not rushing that will be key.

He took a huge jump this year. If he can make a fraction of that progress again next year he will be in a very good position to be a top six calibre guy one day.

 

[flin flon bombers]

I can see Kevin he develop into a darren helm type,he reminds me of him alot.

 

[BoneDocUK]

Yeah, being a full time NHLer after another year of junior/college and a couple years of AHL time seems like a pretty logical progression.

Next year will be about trying to maintain his scoring playing a more well rounded game and working on weaknesses. Maybe even trying center again on a full time basis.

Whether he continues in junior or elects to go NCAA will lately affect his time spent in AHL down the road. College would be great if it wasn't for that pesky UFA fear...

He obviously has a lot of hardening needed before the NHL level so not rushing that will be key.

He took a huge jump this year. If he can make a fraction of that progress again next year he will be in a very good position to be a top six calibre guy one day.

Good discussion here. Agree that Walton’s no proto-Lowry but if he has the vision and tools for scoring like he has this season then he can learn to be more efficient and decisive in his positioning and physicality, especially as he gets close to the AHL.

Wheeler had speed and high-end vision without being hugely physical. Villardi, despite never quite learning to be 6’6”, and without elite speed is highly effective at retaining possession and holding up play in front where he’s absolutely lethal.

A scoring FW with size who can cycle, score in tight and disrupt with his reach is a valuable player. If he can help team D as he grows into his frame, his value goes up, IMO.

 

[Bender Duster]

This is probably both a reward to DD for his good play in the ECHL and a life preserver to Milic for having to play in front of the Moose defense for this long into the season.

 

[flin flon bombers]

Good discussion here. Agree that Walton’s no proto-Lowry but if he has the vision and tools for scoring like he has this season then he can learn to be more efficient and decisive in his positioning and physicality, especially as he gets close to the AHL.

Wheeler had speed and high-end vision without being hugely physical. Villardi, despite never quite learning to be 6’6”, and without elite speed is highly effective at retaining possession and holding up play in front where he’s absolutely lethal.

A scoring FW with size who can cycle, score in tight and disrupt with his reach is a valuable player. If he can help team D as he grows into his frame, his value goes up, IMO.

Wheeler evolved as he went,in Bostons stanley cup run where every player was paying the price wheeler stood out like an apple amongst oranges, I believe this resulted in him getting scratched,sure he was young but he wasn't pulling on the same rope as his team mates.while i believe villardi is effective,I also feel if he and a few others applied a little sandpaper they could go far in the playoffs,we don't really have a Marchand,Bennet or tkachuk ,I would just love to see villardi have some grit and throw people off there games because he has the size and skating

 

[flin flon bombers]

Watching the junior games I can't help but notice no defensive prospects,I think every junior game I watch Seattle has one defensive prospect lol.

 

[flin flon bombers]

Unfortunately the Jets are winning to many games to draft the next bryan trotter,and hes a home town boy,carter bear.

 

[10Ducky10]

Wheeler evolved as he went,in Bostons stanley cup run where every player was paying the price wheeler stood out like an apple amongst oranges, I believe this resulted in him getting scratched,sure he was young but he wasn't pulling on the same rope as his team mates.while i believe villardi is effective,I also feel if he and a few others applied a little sandpaper they could go far in the playoffs,we don't really have a Marchand,Bennet or tkachuk ,I would just love to see villardi have some grit and throw people off there games because he has the size and skating

Wheeler was traded to Atlanta for Peverley and Valabik the year the Bruins won the cup.

 

[ps241]

Unfortunately the Jets are winning to many games to draft the next bryan trotter,and hes a home town boy,carter bear.

Good call I really like Bear.

McKenzie’s list has him projected at #15 but Hockey Prospects is my go to and they have him in their top 7 in this draft.

 

[Joe Hallenback]

Good call I really like Bear.

McKenzie’s list has him projected at #15 but Hockey Prospects is my go to and they have him in their top 7 in this draft.

I am really big Carter Bear fan. Watched him play at the Bantam level and got to view him live this year and on streaming. Really good 2 way player,hard nosed and natural scoring ability. He would be a good secondary player for someone someday. A 20+ year goal scorer who will kill penalties and play physical hockey without hurting you defensively

 

[buggs]

A scoring FW with size who can cycle, score in tight and disrupt with his reach is a valuable player. If he can help team D as he grows into his frame, his value goes up, IMO.

Would Tuch fit as a reasonable comp? I recall wanting him in his draft year, even sporting a pic as an avatar for a while. Not someone that strikes me as overly physical and I think he took a while to get settled in the NHL, but has somewhat comparable height and speed.

 

[Bob E]

Maybe they move Ehlers or Pionk for a mid range 1st and Carter Bear slides to them with that pick.

One can dream.

 

[MardyBum]

Edit : already posted. Behind the times!