Prospect Info: Luke Tuch

[FormerLurker]

Pure power.

Have you ever watched him play? If not, why are you making comments without any knowledge of the player?

Not that I’m a hockey scout or anything close to that, but I saw him play at least 15-games this past season at Avon Old Farms, Deerfield Academy, Taft, Fairfield Academy and other prep schools near me. He needs to work on his skating and will be able to do so at BU, good IQ, defensively aware, and mean. Has a quick release, powerful shot, and never say die hustle - which is rare for 17-year olds who are so much bigger than their opposition. He’ll likely play at 215-230 and may grow another 1-2 inches to 6’3 - 6’4

Is he a guarantee? No, but low probability he’s another Connor Crisp IMO. This was a good pick, I suspect another team was going to grab him which is why Habs grabbed him instead of waiting for #57 or 3rd round.

This is the kind of opinion that is a pleasure to read. But it is drowned out by the mind-numbing entitled ramblings of the ill-informed.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

I prefer a "low upside" who can play at NHL level than a high upside who never reach the NHL. you need all kind of tools to make a hockey TEAM, not only screwdrivers or hammers.

The problem is these players seldom exist. The safe picks are ironically almost never safe. We have plenty of our own recent examples. Tinordi and Big Mac were safe picks with “limited upside” who can play at the NHL level.

The problem with this approach is that the margin for error is just too narrow.

 

[Sterling Archer]

 

[BehindTheTimes]

We didn't have a McCarron either in 2013.

That’s what ppl fail to realize.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

I want to like this pick. Doesn anyone think there's top 6 upside here?

 

[admiralcadillac]

I want to like this pick. Doesn anyone think there's top 6 upside here?

No one knows what they’re talking about here so it doesn’t matter. I won’t pretend to know but I would love a clone of his brother on the habs.

 

[Seb]

My least favorite player of the draft relative to where he got picked. Seems to have limited upside.

 

[Skip Bayless]

I know some of you jabronis like to compare anything above 6'2 to Slow feet McCarron, but this kid is one of the most exciting picks for me today. If everything pans out, we get another power fwd type after 20+ years of losing 70% of our board battles, cycling the puck like a hot potato and having no presence in the doorstep.

 

[salbutera]

I want to like this pick. Doesn anyone think there's top 6 upside here?

He needs time, look at his brother Alex, a mid 1st rounder always has the hands but knock against him was always the lack of 100% hustle. Luke is different he’s got the Gallagher engine and good IQ, needs time to develop confidence to become a top-6. IMO he should play NCAA for 3-years, get used to his size and develop confidence.

I just hope the org doesn’t feel the need to rush him.

 

[salbutera]

That’s what I thought - reason they grabbed him before the 57th or 3rd round

 

[Sterling Archer]

I want to like this pick. Doesn anyone think there's top 6 upside here?

Yes bit more as a drive the net/make space for his line mates like his brother, Wilson, Anderson etc. He’ll be the guy playing and keeping up with 2 skilled players and allow them to do their thing imo. Really like the direction we’re going in. Also, when you’re a big body and you can’t cracks the top 6, there’s place for you on the bottom 6. So even if he doesn’t crack the top lines, he can still be more useful than a smaller skilled player in that role. Really like the pick.

 

[FLHabs]

If he becomes the Tom Wilson type 40ish pts power forward which would be considered "limited offensive upside", I'm sure we will all be very happy about the pick

 

[ahmedou]

 

[habsterr]

I want to like this pick. Doesn anyone think there's top 6 upside here?

I see more of a Joel Armia middle-six forward in him.

 

[VirginiaMtlExpat]

Yes bit more as a drive the net/make space for his line mates like his brother, Wilson, Anderson etc. He’ll be the guy playing and keeping up with 2 skilled players and allow them to do their thing imo. Really like the direction we’re going in. Also, when you’re a big body and you can’t cracks the top 6, there’s place for you on the bottom 6. So even if he doesn’t crack the top lines, he can still be more useful than a smaller skilled player in that role. Really like the pick.

I know some of you jabronis like to compare anything above 6'2 to Slow feet McCarron, but this kid is one of the most exciting picks for me today. If everything pans out, we get another power fwd type after 20+ years of losing 70% of our board battles, cycling the puck like a hot potato and having no presence in the doorstep.

My view aligns with these takes. We needed players like Tuch in the prospect pool and Anderson on the big team. So many games where the Habs dominate possession with not much to show for it. It's clear that part of it is a need for scoring talent, but also a need for large-size forwards with an insatiable appetite to push into the slot at any cost, and tip some pucks as well as shovel in some rebounds in the ugliest way possible. The difference between a team like the Isles and ours isn't so much talent, as a few players that fit this style of play, which we only have in a 5'9" format.

 

[ahmedou]

 

[VirginiaMtlExpat]

Wow, this guy's a born diplomat on top of his on-ice talent.
He and Anderson will be fan favorites.

 

[VirginiaMtlExpat]

Attachez votre Tuch

Classic and untranslatable, but well played.

 

[frapp10]

I’d be happy if he became a top 9 forward but even if he became a bottom 6 forward like Brendan Lemieux it would be worth it

 

[Favster]

Funny thread here, did Josh Anderson have 27 goal potential when he was drafted in the 4th round? The reality is these big dudes are extremely hard to predict; most guys this size look awkward and unathletic at 17-18 years old. All we know is the only way to get one is to take a chance and draft them.

 

[Bee Holder]

Classic and untranslatable, but well played.

Can't wait for the thread: "{Player discussion} Alex Tuch: "Attache ta Tuch" edition"

 

[admiralcadillac]

Funny thread here, did Josh Anderson have 27 goal potential when he was drafted in the 4th round? The reality is these big dudes are extremely hard to predict; most guys this size look awkward and unathletic at 17-18 years old. All we know is the only way to get one is to take a chance and draft them.

Lucic

 

[yianik]

Just thinking Cuylle might have been the better pick of a player with power forward potential, with better skating and hands, while this Tuch is more physical. So Cuylle with the higher ceiling ? The funny is if MB didnt play Playstation at the Draft, we could have had both as our pick was#57, and Cuylle went at #60. Now sure, maybe they did not like Cuylle for some reason, but if you want some power forward seeds in the system, you take Cuylle easy.

 

[Redux91]

Funny thread here, did Josh Anderson have 27 goal potential when he was drafted in the 4th round? The reality is these big dudes are extremely hard to predict; most guys this size look awkward and unathletic at 17-18 years old. All we know is the only way to get one is to take a chance and draft them.

I completely agree, well said

 

[le_sean]

Just thinking Cuylle might have been the better pick of a player with power forward potential, with better skating and hands, while this Tuch is more physical. So Cuylle with the higher ceiling ? The funny is if MB didnt play Playstation at the Draft, we could have had both as our pick was#57, and Cuylle went at #60. Now sure, maybe they did not like Cuylle for some reason, but if you want some power forward seeds in the system, you take Cuylle easy.

I’d be worried about his lack of progression. Cuylle is the exact same player he was a year ago. Not much has changed, including his production. That’s a red flag for me.