LW Kyle Connor - Michigan, NCAA (2015, 17th, WPG)

[ponder]

Man imagine if boston drafted those three?haha... woulda been insane.. but I'm happy they didn't cause that would be just unfair!

Even ignoring White, the 3 picked right after Boston's picks were Barzal, Connor and Chabot, who are all having terrific years. I thought Chabot was Canada's best dman in the WJCs, and has been really good in the Q too, I can absolutely see top pairing upside there.

Gotta like how Ottawa, NYI and Winnipeg did in the 1st round of the draft. Ottawa had the 18th and 21st picks, and got Chabot and White. NYI had 16 and 28, and got Barzal and Beauvillier. Winnipeg had 17 and 25, and got Connor and Roslovic. At the moment I'd take any of those duos over Boston's trio (Zboril, DeBrusk, Senyshyn at 13/14/15), despite all of Boston's picks being ahead of all of the Ottawa/NYI/Winnipeg picks.

With that being said, it's still extremely early to be judging any of these guys. Senyshyn is having quite a good year, and has great tools. Barzal, Connor and Chabot could all end up "tweeners" in the NHL (games suited to being top 6 forwards/top 4 d, but not quite good enough to play there), while guys like Senyshyn and DeBrusk could end up as really good 2-way forwards. My money's on Boston looking bad in this draft when it's all said and done, but it is still very early.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Even ignoring White, the 3 picked right after Boston's picks were Barzal, Connor and Chabot, who are all having terrific years. I thought Chabot was Canada's best dman in the WJCs, and has been really good in the Q too, I can absolutely see top pairing upside there.

Gotta like how Ottawa, NYI and Winnipeg did in the 1st round of the draft. Ottawa had the 18th and 21st picks, and got Chabot and White. NYI had 16 and 28, and got Barzal and Beauvillier. Winnipeg had 17 and 25, and got Connor and Roslovic. At the moment I'd take any of those duos over Boston's trio (Zboril, DeBrusk, Senyshyn at 13/14/15), despite all of Boston's picks being ahead of all of the Ottawa/NYI/Winnipeg picks.

With that being said, it's still extremely early to be judging any of these guys. Senyshyn is having quite a good year, and has great tools. Barzal, Connor and Chabot could all end up "tweeners" in the NHL (games suited to being top 6 forwards/top 4 d, but not quite good enough to play there), while guys like Senyshyn and DeBrusk could end up as really good 2-way forwards. My money's on Boston looking bad in this draft when it's all said and done, but it is still very early.

White's a Boston kid too. He would have wet his pants if Boston drafted him

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

1 goal night... up to 31 points in 19 games... top freshman and now 4th in overall NCAA scoring

 

[Gump Hasek]

Another 4 points for Connor thus far today, just tearing it up.

2G, 2A so far. 4 minutes left in the game.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

I had him at #12 last year in my Draft Rankings. U of Michigan is such a good hockey program under Red Berenson. What he is doing statistically this year doesn't do any adjectives justice. He is a primary reason why I said the Jets have the best stable of prospects in the NHL. He is one upping Larkin this year. Terrific talent and what a great skater.

 

[Whileee]

18g, 18a in 21 games (1.71 pts/game). Remarkable freshman season.

 

[MardyBum]

Tied for #1 in goals in the NCAA @ 18.

Second in points.

Second in PPG.

36 points in 21 games.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

I wonder if he will put up more points than Eichel did as a freshman(71 pts)

such a good player

 

[Gump Hasek]

Just 2 points back of the NCAA scoring lead in 1 fewer game played versus the leader.

http://www.uscho.com/stats/overall/division-i-men/2015-2016/

PPG of 1.71 is rapidly approaching Eichel's 1.78 average from 14/15.

 

[Atoyot]

2.4 PPG in 10 games since the WJC snub.

 

[CorgisPer60]

Not nearly as impressive, but he's only been held pointless in 3 games in his NCAA career. Such a remarkable offensive player.

 

[canwincup]

Connor is really impressive love his skill level. Kind of off topic but why are all of Michigan's games so high scoring. Michigan and their opponent usually score 5+ lol

 

[Bonin21]

Michigan goalies and D are bad.

 

[sah braise]

Dang i was wondering how his ppg was so high. Such a high scoring team. But still a great player

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Kid is is putting up unreal numbers. Good for him. Hope he keeps it up and makes the jump next year

 

[Rawrasaurus]

Some Highlights of his two goals.

 

[jetkarma*]

I had him at #12 last year in my Draft Rankings. U of Michigan is such a good hockey program under Red Berenson. What he is doing statistically this year doesn't do any adjectives justice. He is a primary reason why I said the Jets have the best stable of prospects in the NHL. He is one upping Larkin this year. Terrific talent and what a great skater.

Not sure about Michigan being such a good hockey program ( it's good not elite ) and Berenson has his detractors to be sure .

He's having an impressive rookie season and stepped up his production once he went to LW on the top line .

Connor is a dynamic player with elite speed that handles the puck and makes play without having to gear down . He also has great offensive instincts , reads the play , goes to open areas and also takes the puck to the net . Really nice shot too , and he's always ready to unload it .

Right now I see him back for one more year , but that is subject to change . It would not be a stretch to have him turn pro after Michigan's season ends , especially if Ladd gets traded .

 

[Red]

I posted this on the Canucks board but thought it might be of interest here to show how amazing his season is so far. The points per game and goals per game in a player's draft+1 college season from (I believe) all 1st rounder forwards from 2005 on.

[table="head"]Player|Draft|Pts/Game|Goals/Game
Kyle Connor|'15|1.71|0.86
Jaden Schwartz|'10|1.57|0.57
Colin White|'15|1.40|0.60
Jonathan Toews|'06|1.35|0.53
Dylan Larkin|'14|1.34|0.43
Colin Wilson|'08|1.28|0.40
Brock Boeser|'15|1.14|0.68
James van Riemsdyk|'07|1.10|0.36
Max Pacioretty|'07|1.05|0.41
TJ Oshie|'05|1.02|0.55
Kyle Okposo|'06|1.00|0.48
Kyle Turris|'07|0.98|0.31
Riley Nash|'07|0.89|0.33
Jack Roslovic|'15|0.86|0.43
Joe Colborne|'08|0.78|0.25
Alex Tuch|'14|0.76|0.38
Jordan Schroeder|'09|0.76|0.24
Louis Leblanc|'09|0.74|0.36
Andrew Cogliano|'05|0.72|0.31
Charlie Coyle|'10|0.70|0.19
Nick Bjugstad|'10|0.69|0.28
Nick Schmaltz|'14|0.68|0.13
Beau Bennett|'10|0.68|0.24
Chris Kreider|'09|0.61|0.40
Riley Sheahan|'10|0.55|0.13
Mark Jankowski|'12|0.53|0.21
Kyle Palmieri|'09|0.52|0.27
Jack Skille|'05|0.51|0.32
Brock Nelson|'10|0.50|0.19
Tyler Biggs|'11|0.46|0.24
Kevin Haynes|'10|0.45|0.13
Daulton Leveille|'08|0.45|0.24
Patrick White|'07|0.22|0.13[/table]

 

[Phenomenon13]

Will he ever be played as a Center? or Is his home now as a LW?

 

[Halfy]

I'd like to see him get the same treatment as Larkin. Sign him at the end of the year and let him play some AHL games (even though MB is NOT making playoffs). Then, next year the plan would be to send him to the AHL unless he steals a spot (and there will be lots if Ladd goes) at camp.

 

[Whileee]

I posted this on the Canucks board but thought it might be of interest here to show how amazing his season is so far. The points per game and goals per game in a player's draft+1 college season from (I believe) all 1st rounder forwards from 2005 on.

[table="head"]Player|Draft|Pts/Game|Goals/Game
Kyle Connor|'15|1.71|0.86
Jaden Schwartz|'10|1.57|0.57
Colin White|'15|1.40|0.60
Jonathan Toews|'06|1.35|0.53
Dylan Larkin|'14|1.34|0.43
Colin Wilson|'08|1.28|0.40
Brock Boeser|'15|1.14|0.68
James van Riemsdyk|'07|1.10|0.36
Max Pacioretty|'07|1.05|0.41
TJ Oshie|'05|1.02|0.55
Kyle Okposo|'06|1.00|0.48
Kyle Turris|'07|0.98|0.31
Riley Nash|'07|0.89|0.33
Jack Roslovic|'15|0.86|0.43
Joe Colborne|'08|0.78|0.25
Alex Tuch|'14|0.76|0.38
Jordan Schroeder|'09|0.76|0.24
Louis Leblanc|'09|0.74|0.36
Andrew Cogliano|'05|0.72|0.31
Charlie Coyle|'10|0.70|0.19
Nick Bjugstad|'10|0.69|0.28
Nick Schmaltz|'14|0.68|0.13
Beau Bennett|'10|0.68|0.24
Chris Kreider|'09|0.61|0.40
Riley Sheahan|'10|0.55|0.13
Mark Jankowski|'12|0.53|0.21
Kyle Palmieri|'09|0.52|0.27
Jack Skille|'05|0.51|0.32
Brock Nelson|'10|0.50|0.19
Tyler Biggs|'11|0.46|0.24
Kevin Haynes|'10|0.45|0.13
Daulton Leveille|'08|0.45|0.24
Patrick White|'07|0.22|0.13[/table]

Connor is having a remarkable freshman season. Larkin is an interesting comparison because he played on the same team last year. This year's team scores at a higher rate, which should be considered when comparing the two.

My personal guess is that Connor plays another season at Michigan to get physically stronger and is signed at the end of next season. However, the Jets do seem to be going through a strong youth movement and they might want to transition more quickly, in which case there is a possibility that they'll look to sign Connor sooner. I suppose it really depends on Connor. If he wants to leave college and turn pro this year, I expect that the Jets will find a way to accommodate him.

 

[cneely]

Connor is having a remarkable freshman season. Larkin is an interesting comparison because he played on the same team last year. This year's team scores at a higher rate, which should be considered when comparing the two.

My personal guess is that Connor plays another season at Michigan to get physically stronger and is signed at the end of next season. However, the Jets do seem to be going through a strong youth movement and they might want to transition more quickly, in which case there is a possibility that they'll look to sign Connor sooner. I suppose it really depends on Connor. If he wants to leave college and turn pro this year, I expect that the Jets will find a way to accommodate him.

It's interesting that he's scoring at such a higher rate than Larkin (particularly goals, twice the rate). One of Larkin's key strengths though, is his two way game, and that's why he was trusted with big minutes on Detroit this year IMO.

I haven't seen enough of Connor to speak to his defensive game, but one more year in College may not hurt him if he works on his defensive game. Having said that, teaching defensive systems is not really Michigan's forte.

 

[Whileee]

It's interesting that he's scoring at such a higher rate than Larkin (particularly goals, twice the rate). One of Larkin's key strengths though, is his two way game, and that's why he was trusted with big minutes on Detroit this year IMO.

I haven't seen enough of Connor to speak to his defensive game, but one more year in College may not hurt him if he works on his defensive game. Having said that, teaching defensive systems is not really Michigan's forte.

There are a few considerations. He'll play wing (Larkin is a center), so he won't have the same defensive responsibilities. However, I think he'll need to get a bit stronger and more aggressive because he won't be able to play a perimeter game in the NHL with the Jets.

Also, it will depend on how much room there is for young wingers in the Jets' development scheme. Now, they are working in two skilled wingers (Ehlers and Armia). They have Petan in the AHL. I wonder if they would want to try to bring in so many young, offensive wingers over a short time period.

I think another year at Michigan might suit Connor. I would expect him to score a bit less (hard to imagine him keeping up this pace), but maybe round out his game by being more physically involved in all zones of the ice.

 

[cneely]

There are a few considerations. He'll play wing (Larkin is a center), so he won't have the same defensive responsibilities. However, I think he'll need to get a bit stronger and more aggressive because he won't be able to play a perimeter game in the NHL with the Jets.

Also, it will depend on how much room there is for young wingers in the Jets' development scheme. Now, they are working in two skilled wingers (Ehlers and Armia). They have Petan in the AHL. I wonder if they would want to try to bring in so many young, offensive wingers over a short time period.

I think another year at Michigan might suit Connor. I would expect him to score a bit less (hard to imagine him keeping up this pace), but maybe round out his game by being more physically involved in all zones of the ice.

I wonder if he would consider turning pro to play in the AHL. A year in the AHL may well help him develop a more rounded game than another year under Berenson.

 

[Whileee]

I wonder if he would consider turning pro to play in the AHL. A year in the AHL may well help him develop a more rounded game than another year under Berenson.

Probably would benefit more from a year in the AHL. Michigan / Berenson would be pretty ticked off. My guess is that if the Jets don't think he's ready for the NHL they'll leave him with Michigan next year.