Prospect Info: John Beecher signs ELC - 925K AAV

[PlayMakers]

Funny thing is when the Bruins acquired Coyle, Burke said the exact same thing about Coyle, in that he didn't see him playing in the middle and should mainly be a winger...

That's because Brian Burke views everything through his 1980 prism. Big guys belong on the wing. 3rd lines should be defense only. It's cool to hang your tie around your shoulders. Women should wear shoulder pads and suit jackets... Out. To. Lunch.

 

[RussellmaniaKW]

I like the concept the plan

You want to have an identity I’m all in on a stocked D and big fast center group with jam

My favorite game of the 24 the Bruins just played was the 4th game against Carolina. They were on the road and no Chara and the D transition was as good as any game I can remember the Bruins playing in years

Ironically that’s supposed to be the game Bergeron hurt his groin - probably because he wasn’t used to all the skating the way the D was retrieving pucks and flying out of the zone

that was the most perfect game of hockey the Bruins had played since game 7 against Vancouver. give me more of that

 

[DKH]

that was the most perfect game of hockey the Bruins had played since game 7 against Vancouver. give me more of that

I was watching with a group of people and everyone was commenting how fast the Bruins were

They had several extraordinary long periods without whistles

And the commentator said the Canes can’t get in to pressure the D because the Bruins are already retrieved it and are coming out

 

[Mainehockey33]

that was the most perfect game of hockey the Bruins had played since game 7 against Vancouver. give me more of that

Imagine a Grzelcyk-Mcavoy pairing full time? The Bruins transition game would be insane.

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

Unfortunately, no 2nd rounder as a result of the Johansson deal

That's is my hope to get those back

 

[PacificNWBruin]

I was surprised Lavoie and Kaliyev we’re still available and the Bruins didn’t pick either of them. From the reports, I didn’t like Kaliyev more then Lavoie. But happy Bruins picked this kid. Size, Speed, Shot, 200 ft game. Looking forward to see how he develops. From interviews he seems like a great kid too.

 

[CptxMorgan]

If he develops the playmaking of Wheeler that would be huge. I’m cautiously optimistic though, that’s a high bar to reach.

Extremely high given the questions regarding his skill level. Wheeler was already the full package as far as scoring goes.

 

[CptxMorgan]

How was kreider's offensive upside viewed when drafted? Because they do sound similar.

Much, much higher. To the point where some analysts had him going top 10.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Ha ha.

Al Pedersen was as nice a person as you could ever met

I have no idea what he does now but I’d bet if it’s not hockey he’s probably not even told his coworkers he once was an NHL player if they didn’t know

Barry Pederson struggled his first month and I think they returned him to Junior

Barry Pederson is my Fred Lynn - always will be my favorite

He was such a great player before the tumor and subsequent trade

I liked Al.

Big guy with very limited skills but managed to use his size and positioning to be an adequate NHL defenseman.

My memories of Barry Pederson are all positive. 20 years old and already played like a veteran all-star. Right up there with Bruins bad luck kids like Orr, Kluzak, Leveille, Thelven, etc.

 

[PlayMakers]

I'll wait to see Beecher myself before casting judgement on his abilities, but I like the plan. I think the NHL is leaning towards size/two-way ability in the middle and speed/skill on the wings. Look at the Bergeron line, the Coyle line, or the way STL would put flank O'Reilly or Schenn with Schwartz and Tarasenko. Studnicka, Beecher and Frederic.

The pick is very similar to Trent Frederic. Two guys who were buried behind NHL stars on the US team, but they both put up ~40 points in ~60 games for the US Development Program and again had similar points in the USHL. Beecher sounds like a better skater while Frederic was more productive in the small sample international tourneys.

 

[DominicT]

2019 NHL Draft: B’s go with Beecher in 1st round

 

[DominicT]

Don't agree with you or Burke on this one. Nothing personal, but I think he's far too reliable of a center to be switched to wing.

Beecher was leaned on really heavily by the USNTDP in defensive and crunch-time situations, especially for face-offs and penalty killing. He's definitely at the top of the draft in regards to two-way ability and face-offs as well. I could see if this were someone who had more high-end traits and wasn't very strong down the middle, but that isn't Beecher.

Think that Beecher is easily one of the most agile, quick, big-bodied skater in the draft. Haven't seen someone with his size and reach possess his agility and skating in a while. Watch him in and around the net, especially after gaining the zone off the rush on a straight line. He can literally stop on a dime and gives defenders fits trying to gauge him as a result of him simply being able to do things most big-bodied players can't. He's an excellent two-way center.

I'm not 100% sure he's a center.

Defensively yes. for all the reasons you mentioned.

But offensively, he fits the winger mold. Not a great passer and his vision is average. What he does do well, the skating, shooting, finding lanes and soft spots in the O-zone, all say winger to me.

 

[Spoked-B]

I'm guessing that's a lot for a 17yo (video is from 8/20/2018)

 

[DKH]

I'm not 100% sure he's a center.

Defensively yes. for all the reasons you mentioned.

But offensively, he fits the winger mold. Not a great passer and his vision is average. What he does do well, the skating, shooting, finding lanes and soft spots in the O-zone, all say winger to me.

Ironically in the Boston Globe today he uses Blake Wheeler as a model

Sweeney in the same article mentions his flexibility to play wing & center and RL cited his ability to clean up on the wall and dominate low with size and speed - clearly wing attributes

They said the one thing appealing beyond character is a high floor

 

[DKH]

Imagine a Grzelcyk-Mcavoy pairing full time? The Bruins transition game would be insane.

I would think that could happen

Grzelcyk getting knocked out early in game 2 was a game changer

Dom could tell you how much the Blues thought of Grzelcyk back there

 

[KnightofBoston]

I love this pick. Power forward, who love to make the big hits and plays a 200 ft game.

The SCF loss definitely inspired this pick and I give it a thumbs up regardless of if we had won or not

 

[DominicT]

Ironically in the Boston Globe today he uses Blake Wheeler as a model

Sweeney in the same article mentions his flexibility to play wing & center and RL cited his ability to clean up on the wall and dominate low with size and speed - clearly wing attributes

They said the one thing appealing beyond character is a high floor

In my viewings Dan, I didn't see enough domination. Certainly he has the size to dominate physically. I'd like to see him forecheck more, get in and crash and bang. He can dominate possession on the walls and in the cycle game. But not enough of it that I saw.

Doesn't mean I don't like the pick. I do. Just see room for a lot of growth there.

 

[DominicT]

I would think that could happen

Grzelcyk getting knocked out early in game 2 was a game changer

Dom could tell you how much the Blues thought of Grzelcyk back there

The Blues liked Gryz a lot. Their fans not so much. But after the SCF, I think their opinion might have changed.

 

[Mainehockey33]

I would think that could happen

Grzelcyk getting knocked out early in game 2 was a game changer

Dom could tell you how much the Blues thought of Grzelcyk back there

I think they played together in college, right? Their transition and puck retrieval would probably make them one of the best pairings in the league.

I know the Blues wanted him for Schenn, but you could also see how much they thought of him when they sent him through the boards in game 2. They knew he was key to the Bruins transition game and knocking out Grzelcyk put both teams on a more even playing field... I hope he’s a Bruin for many years.

 

[DKH]

In my viewings Dan, I didn't see enough domination. Certainly he has the size to dominate physically. I'd like to see him forecheck more, get in and crash and bang. He can dominate possession on the walls and in the cycle game. But not enough of it that I saw.

Doesn't mean I don't like the pick. I do. Just see room for a lot of growth there.

Sweeney said Michigan views him as a top 6 and the Wolverines have a group of NHL draft picks he will be playing with under an excellent coaching staff

 

[ODAAT]

other than highlights I watched this morning and posts here, I knew nothing about the kid, looks like a bit of a project, give him some time and hopefully he develops nicely

 

[DominicT]

Sweeney said Michigan views him as a top 6 and the Wolverines have a group of NHL draft picks he will be playing with under an excellent coaching staff

Oh, I agree with that.

I'm just saying he has a ways to go. The tools are all there. I just think people should temper expectations a bit and not move him to the top of the Bruins prospects just yet. He needs time to develop and define his game. Certainly he can climb to the top in time. Just not yet. It's the shiny new toy syndrome.

Last night they used my scouting report on 98.5. They made fun of it/him a bit, but I don't think they were being serious though. (and you know me, I take these things seriously).

I'll be on there next week and we'll set it all straight.

 

[ODAAT]

Oh, I agree with that.

I'm just saying he has a ways to go. The tools are all there. I just think people should temper expectations a bit and not move him to the top of the Bruins prospects just yet. He needs time to develop and define his game. Certainly he can climb to the top in time. Just not yet. It's the shiny new toy syndrome.

Last night they used my scouting report on 98.5. They made fun of it/him a bit, but I don't think they were being serious though. (and you know me, I take these things seriously).

I'll be on there next week and we'll set it all straight.

Dom if I may, is it likely/possible that he`ll be similar as far as being a project like Seny who, despite what some here think, should already be in the top 20 of NHL scoring although considered loudly at the draft to be a long term project?

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

other than highlights I watched this morning and posts here, I knew nothing about the kid, looks like a bit of a project, give him some time and hopefully he develops nicely

Yep, 30th pick in the draft usually is a bit of a project.

Fredric was a 29th pick.

 

[DominicT]

Dom if I may, is it likely/possible that he`ll be similar as far as being a project like Seny who, despite what some here think, should already be in the top 20 of NHL scoring although considered loudly at the draft to be a long term project?

No.

Beecher is not as much of a project as Senyshyn.

Beecher is an accomplished 200 ft player who kills penalties already. Senyshyn could take his equipment off and rest when it came to the PK and defensive responsibilities because he wouldn't see the ice.

No comparison as far as the development required.