LD Shea Theodore (2013, 26th, ANA; VGK expan.)

[S E P H]

Don't know if anybody has been talking about this kid, but damn he has been very impressive as a rookie on a terribad Seattle team.

He is a offensive defenseman and reminds me a lot of Derrick Pouliot, but with better size and already better in the defensive zone. As all rookie defense in the CHL, his decision making is bad at times and still is trying to figure out how to get his shots through on the PP, but he is on the top unit and makes good passes for scoring chances and has solid hockey sense as well.

 

[R S]

Sorry, read the thread but haven't seen him enough to gauge. Excellent numbers though for a full blown 16 year old rookie defenceman.

Wonder how he compares to Josh Morrissey of Prince Albert.

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

With a name like that, I expect a defense man who wins Norris' on the regs and gets at least one Vezina.

 

[S E P H]

Seattle is playing Everett right now on FSN if you have it, watch number 17.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

he will be a complete stud forsure. Ya he had horrible + -, but Seattle wasnt too strong. Wait till this guy is 18

 

[R S]

Will definitely be going back this spring in the WHL archives to watch him play a couple times.

 

[S E P H]

Another kid who is rising in my books, had a slow start to the season, but the last few games he has been on fire and is currently tied in points on the team with 6 in 6 games.

Like I said he reminds me of Pouliot, but will have a bigger frame (already 6'2") and will be better in the defense zone.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

I have seen very little about this kid but heard great things about him. I am definitely gonna try to keep an eye on him if possible.

 

[R S]

Had the pleasure of watching him a little bit this year so far. Talented kid. Very good size and an excellent skater.

 

[Circulartheory]

I'll have a good viewing on Theodore on Tuesday. But I like the sound of Theodore: lots of room to add to his frame, dynamic, and a key player in a puck-moving team.

Very excited!

 

[The Nuge]

I have a pretty small sample size, but to be honest, he looked pretty vanilla to me. He really didn't stand out in any positive ways, but on the other hand, didn't really make many mistakes either

 

[Circulartheory]

I managed to catch the Seattle-Spokane game:

http://hockeyprospecthandbook.blogspot.hk/2012/10/101612-whl-game-report-spokane-chiefs.html

Theodore is a very exciting player to watch. A puck-moving defenseman who's mistakes become more evident because he is relied on so many offensive situations. Take that either as a positive or negative, either way, Theodore is getting tons of ice time because he can skate very well and has the ability to control the offensive rush. It'll be interesting what he can become once he fills out that frame.

 

[S E P H]

I managed to catch the Seattle-Spokane game:

http://hockeyprospecthandbook.blogspot.hk/2012/10/101612-whl-game-report-spokane-chiefs.html

Awesome read!

 

[40oz]

His draft rankings seem to be pretty varied (which is fair this early in the season), but my friend thinks there isn't a chance he slips out of the first round.

 

[R S]

The kid is so fun to watch on the PP. Watched him against Brandon last night and there was one PP where he had the puck on a string for most of it and played almost the entire 2 minute advantage. Also had a great end to end rush in the 2nd that showed off his long and powerful skating stride.

Still think he's a late 1st rounder, but if it was the 2011 or 2012 draft he could've even been a mid-1st.

 

[S E P H]

His draft rankings seem to be pretty varied (which is fair this early in the season), but my friend thinks there isn't a chance he slips out of the first round.

It's different who you talk to. RS has always listed him as a late first round like his post above, while I think he's more in the top 10-15 of the second round. One of my good WHL friends think he's a 3rd rounder, only time will tell if he gets a good average ranking, but I can definitely see a team pick him higher than all rankings I listed above.

 

[Circulartheory]

It's different who you talk to. RS has always listed him as a late first round like his post above, while I think he's more in the top 10-15 of the second round. One of my good WHL friends think he's a 3rd rounder, only time will tell if he gets a good average ranking, but I can definitely see a team pick him higher than all rankings I listed above.

I'm planning to see him around 2 more times later in the year but my initial thoughts is a first round pick. Has the frame, has the skating, has the flash, has the offense. Needs to round off his game but d-men with size, skating, offense, and "excitement" factor are always highly valued.

 

[Sartorial]

Watched Theodore tonight and was impressed.

He's got a great shot that goalies have a hard time handling (scored on the pp with a lazer snap shot). He's also a smart puck mover and defensively he reads the play really well.

I noticed he often got outmuscled, but I doubt that's really a concern since he's not small and will strengthen up.

This is a really fun year to watch 2013 eligible players in the W

 

[Gritty]

Watched Theodore tonight and was impressed.

He's got a great shot that goalies have a hard time handling (scored on the pp with a lazer snap shot). He's also a smart puck mover and defensively he reads the play really well.

I noticed he often got outmuscled, but I doubt that's really a concern since he's not small and will strengthen up.

This is a really fun year to watch 2013 eligible players in the W

Wouldn't that be a BIG cause for concern?

(JK, I know it was a typo)

 

[Circulartheory]

Wouldn't that be a BIG cause for concern?

(JK, I know it was a typo)

In my opinion, yes and no. It is obviously a concern, but for a puck rushing defenseman, its less important. Guys like Theodore play a style that revolves around puck possession, and transitioning the puck from defense to offense. He isn't going to be your top PK defenseman, but if you want a defenseman that can take charge of your offense, Theodore's style much interest you.

That is why you see guys like Derrick Pouliot drafted high, he isn't the biggest player but wow, can he move the puck! And Theodore isn't small, he has a big frame that he can fill out, making him less of a liability.

My problem with him is that he sometimes tries to do too much. That might negatively effect a puckmoving defenseman.

 

[R S]

Watched him over the weekend. Fantastic skater, is bigger than I thought and is very smart offensively.

Had a pair of horrendous turnovers in the 3rd period just because he wasn't aware of opposing players around him.

Overall I'm a big fan of his game and think he would be a steal if he fell to round 2.

 

[SeattleShark]

Seen this kid a lot and the best comparable is Brenden Dillon his 20 year old year (if that means anything to you ). He likes to carry the puck a lot and join the rush (i suspect he used to play forward) and his skating ability allows him to get back in position quickly. His ability to quarterback a powerplay has the T-birds PP near the top of the WHL on a team that has no business being up there. His defense is just alright at this point and he isn't very physical despite his size, but these attributes are still better than most offensive defensemen his age. He is pretty raw but you can see he has incredible talent and he is definitely putting up points. I think his draft stock is going to rise and i see him mid-late first rounder with the potential to make that pick look like a steal. He is the type of player a team may pick much higher than his ranking come june

 

[Leaf Rocket]

Watched him over the weekend. Fantastic skater, is bigger than I thought and is very smart offensively.

Had a pair of horrendous turnovers in the 3rd period just because he wasn't aware of opposing players around him.

Overall I'm a big fan of his game and think he would be a steal if he fell to round 2.

how is he ability to read the ice?

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

]how is he ability to read the ice?[/[/B]QUOTE]

His ability to read the ice is possibly tops in the WHL. He has unbelievable vision and its crazy thinking he is only 17. I really feel he will be a mid-late 1st rounder but will need atleast 2 years to develop after the draft in the WHL before he is even considered to play at a higher level. Skillset and brains is there but he is still quite slender off the ice. Will definately need to get bigger and stronger. Guarenteed when he is 19 years old he will be the most dangerous d-man in the league and also one of the top players in the league....... also if Mathew Barzal plays in Seattle next year, those 2 will be absolutely DEADLY on the PP

 

[R S]

]how is he ability to read the ice?[/[/B]QUOTE]

His ability to read the ice is possibly tops in the WHL. He has unbelievable vision and its crazy thinking he is only 17. I really feel he will be a mid-late 1st rounder but will need atleast 2 years to develop after the draft in the WHL before he is even considered to play at a higher level. Skillset and brains is there but he is still quite slender off the ice. Will definately need to get bigger and stronger. Guarenteed when he is 19 years old he will be the most dangerous d-man in the league and also one of the top players in the league....... also if Mathew Barzal plays in Seattle next year, those 2 will be absolutely DEADLY on the PP

Uhhhh, that's definitely a bold statement.

He's got good vision and hockey sense, well above average, but definitely not 'possibly tops in the WHL'.