LD Derrick Pouliot (2012, 8th overall, Pittsburgh)

[Mr. T]

Pouliot's upside is better than Morrow's.

He has Letang skill set at the same age.

Morrow is stronger, nastier to play against and a better skater. Has a better shot too. I'm a big fan of both players, but for now and the future, I take Morrow. I don't think that he's miles ahead of Pouliot, but he is better.

 

[UpsideHockey]

The Next Ones profile on Pouliot:
http://thehockeywriters.com/derrick-pouliot-the-next-ones-2012-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/

Currently ranked 19th at The Hockey Writers;
http://thehockeywriters.com/2012-nhl-draft-rankings-the-next-ones-top-120/

 

[InfinityIggy]

Derrick Pouliot

Looked all over for a thread on him, but couldn't find one. If there is one, my apologies.

I was looking at some of his highlights from this past season and his offensive game really impressed me. His stats are also very intriguing:

59 points in 72 games for the Winterhawks this year (11g, 48a)

I'm wondering how much of his offensive game was due to unreal seasons by Bartschi & Rattie, or if he really possesses that much offensive talent. I am also wondering what his defensive game is like.

He is projected to go somewhere around 15-25 correct? What are some NHL players he would be comparable to (projection wise)?

 

[R S]

http://whl-from-above.blogspot.ca/2012/05/my-whl-player-rankings-for-2012-nhl_25.html

Pouliot is a very good skating offensive defenceman. He is an elite passer with great hands and the ability to finish on the rush. Had a good postseason for the Winterhawks, but his ability to defend is still a concern going forward. I think that he has arguably the highest offensive potential of any WHL blueliner in the draft, but is also a bigger risk to make it as a full-time NHL player because of his size, strength and play away from the puck. With that being said, he's not afraid to play physical in the corners and in front of the net, so that's a good sign in regards to his defensive growth. He could be considered a boom or bust player by some people.

NHL Style Comparable: Brian Campbell

Top End Potential: #3 Defenceman, PP Quarterback

Pick Prediction: 18-25th Overall

 

[HanSolo]

Heard he can't play D worth a damn.

 

[17Kurri]

Heard he can't play D worth a damn.

Offense is his bread and butter, no doubt, but he's no worse than average defensively. He's certainly not terrible defensively, imo.

 

[HanSolo]

Offense is his bread and butter, no doubt, but he's no worse than average defensively. He's certainly not terrible defensively, imo.

He's out of Anaheim's range anyway, he just seems like a guy better off playing as a forward.

 

[R S]

He's out of Anaheim's range anyway, he just seems like a guy better off playing as a forward.

Clearly you haven't seen him play. He's average defensively, at best, but he has plenty of time to grow.

 

[JawandaPuck]

That's what us Pens fans compare Morrow's skillset to. He has that nasty factor.

Now you have them both.

 

[jerseyjinx94]

Oops, thought I was in a different thread.

As far as Pouliot, Pens got the guy they wanted, that's what matters.

 

[lakai17]

This guy went way too early.

 

[R S]

Piece from FC:

http://futureconsiderations.ca/pouliot/

“Pouliot is a very good skating offensive defenseman. He is an elite passer with great hands and the ability to finish on the rush. He can control the pace of the game with his patience and poise. He needs to work on the defensive side of the game and become a better player without the puck.”

 

[R S]

This guy went way too early.

No he didn't.

 

[Crafton]

excited to see Morrow and Pouliot play together someday.

 

[OhlNetwork1]

Derrick Pouliot

How does this kid look? What do you think will be his stats and how will he rank amongst rookies and the rest of the NHL?

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

Well he's still a few years away from the NHL. Definitely raw in comparison to some of the more polished Pens D prospects in the development camp this week, but that's to be expected.

Will be interesting to see if he's paired with Seth Jones this upcoming season.

 

[OhlNetwork1]

Well he's still a few years away from the NHL. Definitely raw in comparison to some of the more polished Pens D prospects in the development camp this week, but that's to be expected.

Will be interesting to see if he's paired with Seth Jones this upcoming season.

Ya true, i would love to see those two paired up together on the blue line, imagine how unstoppable they could be once getting more experience

 

[dan1el]

I think he should be pretty good, at least top 4, but with Pitt's defensive prospect depth, who knows.

I remember looking over to my buddy right after the Staal trade and saying wow, imagine if they get Maatta at number 8 and steal Pouliot at 22?

 

[RipCityPuckers]

Still think the Pens should have taken Forsberg at 8

They probably wish they took Forsberg too now considering that Maatta dropped to them at 22

 

[wej20]

Still think the Pens should have taken Forsberg at 8

They probably wish they took Forsberg too now considering that Maatta dropped to them at 22

Maatta and Pouliot are different types of Dmen.

 

[Bennett Brauer]

Still think the Pens should have taken Forsberg at 8

They probably wish they took Forsberg too now considering that Maatta dropped to them at 22

I doubt it.

Shero and his staff watched Pouliot play all season and liked him, they wanted him when they could take him at #8, they didn't want to take the chance on Pouliot being available at #22.

Pouliot was their guy this year, they liked him more than Forsberg, Trouba, Grigorenko, Ceci, Faksa, etc. Then Maatta was available at #22.

 

[RipCityPuckers]

Maatta and Pouliot are different types of Dmen.

I'm fully aware of that but would you rather have

Maatta, Pouliot, and Dumoulin

or

Maatta, Dumoulin, and Forsberg



With Joe Morrow and Simon Despres already in their system and Letang on their roster - they didn't need 3 additional d-prospects (whether they are all solid or not).

Forsberg or even Grigorenko for that matter would have gone a long way to make the Pens forward prospect depth a lot more respectable

 

[Cam98]

pouliot has more raw offensive talent then morrow, but will take longer to develop

 

[le_sean]

I'm fully aware of that but would you rather have

Maatta, Pouliot, and Dumoulin

or

Maatta, Dumoulin, and Forsberg



With Joe Morrow and Simon Despres already in their system and Letang on their roster - they didn't need 3 additional d-prospects (whether they are all solid or not).

Forsberg or even Grigorenko for that matter would have gone a long way to make the Pens forward prospect depth a lot more respectable

I see your point, but if they really felt Pouliot was the BPA, who cares? Teams that draft based on need just end up shooting themselves in the foot.

 

[RipCityPuckers]

I see your point, but if they really felt Pouliot was the BPA, who cares? Teams that draft based on need just end up shooting themselves in the foot.

yeah of course this is really early to be discussing this

Pouliot might become a fine pro and thats fine - I'll eat my words if that happens

But it just makes you think especially when Forsberg has now signed an entry level deal with Washington of all teams