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LW Lawson Crouse - Kingston Frontenacs, OHL (2015 Draft)

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For what it is worth, I'd have Crouse on this team over Ritchie. I've seen both a fair chunk this season live and I like the game Crouse plays compared to Ritchie.

The reason I think Crouse would be a good fit on this team is that his hockey sense and play away from the puck are elite. I'd rank it top in the draft just below Mcdavid and Eichel. He has great size and range as well, plus being very patient defensively, never chasing plays and being in good position. He is also very hard on the fore check and hits like a truck, but clean. In the 9 games I've seen Ritchie play live this season, he has taken at least one stupid penalty per game, and that's not even with IIHF refs. His puck skills and shot are also very good.
 
This guy is a fast riser this year, still if it was between him and Strome for the tryout camp I would have went with Strome.
 
tony d said:
This guy is a fast riser this year, still if it was between him and Strome for the tryout camp I would have went with Strome.
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Realistically where would Strome be put in that line up? Not a chance would I have him on ken of my 4 lines this year where as I would think about having Crouse as a 4th line forward.
 
I don't see much offensive upside. Will likely be put as a completely complimentary player in a Callahan type role.
 
Maplebeasts said:
I agree. I need to see more offence before I peg him as a top ten pick.
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Have either of you even watched him play before, or are you just looking at his stat lines?

He has good offensive upside IMO. He has a great shot and quick release, right up there with the best in the whole draft, as well as having good puck skills and in tight hands. He has good finish but he doesn't cheat on the defensive side of the game like a lot of high point producers looking to generate offense, but sacrifice defense in doing so.

If he doesn't go in the top ten then some team will be running up to that podium to select him.

Again this is all just my opinion from watching him live.
 
GenLeaf89 said:
Have either of you even watched him play before, or are you just looking at his stat lines?

He has good offensive upside IMO. He has a great shot and quick release, right up there with the best in the whole draft, as well as having good puck skills and in tight hands. He has good finish but he doesn't cheat on the defensive side of the game like a lot of high point producers looking to generate offense, but sacrifice defense in doing so.

If he doesn't go in the top ten then some team will be running up to that podium to select him.

Again this is all just my opinion from watching him live.
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Oh, I've watched him. Trust me. While he has a good forechecking presence, I'd expect someone of his size to dominate all of these kids, most of whom are 1/2 of a foot shorter and 50 lbs less than him. I just don't see very much of his game translating. I'm very unimpressed.
 
Gerbefied said:
Oh, I've watched him. Trust me. While he has a good forechecking presence, I'd expect someone of his size to dominate all of these kids, most of whom are 1/2 of a foot shorter and 50 lbs less than him. I just don't see very much of his game translating. I'm very unimpressed.
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I'd say it's the opposite. His game translates perfectly to the pro game.
 
DekeLikeYouMeanIt said:
I'd say it's the opposite. His game translates perfectly to the pro game.
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The details of his game will translate very well. I have no trouble seeing his forechecking, speed, size, physicality, defensive play, etc. all translating. What I don't see translating is enough offensive ability to warrant taking him in the top-10 in this draft. I think his absolute FLOOR is a solid 3rd liner. I think his upside is an above average 2nd liner. A good and useful player, but why would you take that player when you could have a top liner or a top pairing defenseman instead? That player might be riskier, but you must draft for upside in the top-10.
 
TheJuxtaposer said:
The details of his game will translate very well. I have no trouble seeing his forechecking, speed, size, physicality, defensive play, etc. all translating. What I don't see translating is enough offensive ability to warrant taking him in the top-10 in this draft. I think his absolute FLOOR is a solid 3rd liner. I think his upside is an above average 2nd liner. A good and useful player, but why would you take that player when you could have a top liner or a top pairing defenseman instead? That player might be riskier, but you must draft for upside in the top-10.
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Ya. I share your veiw on him, and have wondered why he's ranked so highly. Size/def/skating is great, but as you said the guys in the top ten can bring it offensively, and I haven't seen it consistently from him yet. Has great tools.
 
OEL for Norris said:
Ya. I share your veiw on him, and have wondered why he's ranked so highly. Size/def/skating is great, but as you said the guys in the top ten can bring it offensively, and I haven't seen it consistently from him yet. Has great tools.
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It could be that scouts think he's one of those guys for whom offense is just going to click one day. He obviously shows flashes (not enough for my taste, alas) and maybe scouts think based on his strength in other areas that he can eventually put it together even if he isn't scoring much now. I'm hoping dearly he makes Team Canada so he can be compared to his non-OHL draftmates head to head.
 
Bryan Bickell is also big and can fire the puck but he rarely gets to use his shot and is pretty useless other than that. Hasn't been the physical force I expected when I saw him play, if he can carve out a Troy Brouwer type role I think the team who picks him will be happy.
 
Surprised that there's not a lot of discussion on him. This kid is tenacious and plays incredibly well for an underager. Like his upside.
 
I've been very very impressed with Crouse in the games I've watched. There is alot of similarities in his game to that of Andrew Ladd like Sidney the Kidney said.

I think he'll go higher that expected because NHL teams have size boners
 
TheJuxtaposer said:
The details of his game will translate very well. I have no trouble seeing his forechecking, speed, size, physicality, defensive play, etc. all translating. What I don't see translating is enough offensive ability to warrant taking him in the top-10 in this draft. I think his absolute FLOOR is a solid 3rd liner. I think his upside is an above average 2nd liner. A good and useful player, but why would you take that player when you could have a top liner or a top pairing defenseman instead? That player might be riskier, but you must draft for upside in the top-10.
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I'm a little late. I wasn't sure about his offensive ability either after last season. This season he's shown a lot of improvement and he's so consistent. He can go end to end, sauce the puck, toe drag much like all the top prospects so he's capable of it, but he's not about the flash. If all goes well, I see him being the forechecker/puck retriever next to top players. No guarantees.

As for drafting for upside... you could argue what upside is: a 2-way "1st liner" or a higher scoring PP flashy 2nd liner. GMs will differ in answers.
 
DekeLikeYouMeanIt said:
I'm a little late. I wasn't sure about his offensive ability either after last season. This season he's shown a lot of improvement and he's so consistent. He can go end to end, sauce the puck, toe drag much like all the top prospects so he's capable of it, but he's not about the flash. If all goes well, I see him being the forechecker/puck retriever next to top players. No guarantees.

As for drafting for upside... you could argue what upside is: a 2-way "1st liner" or a higher scoring PP flashy 2nd liner. GMs will differ in answers.
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The problem is that Crouse always passes the eye test (to me as well), but no one can explain why he isn't scoring like the other top prospects.

avsfan09 said:
Haven't watched him play but he sounds a lot like Landeskog.
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Anyone who wants to defend Crouse's offensive upside should be desperately scouring ways to compare Crouse's offensive potential to the way that Landeskog's potential exploded in the NHL. Pre-draft Landeskog is not a bad comparison for Crouse, stylistically and statistically. Since Landeskog was a late birthday, you could conceivably compare his draft-2 production to Crouse's draft-1 production: Landeskog had 46 points in 61 games, Crouse is on a 41 points in 61 games pace. Although of course, this is Crouse's second year in the OHL and that was Landeskog's first.
 
I was very impressed with Crowse playmaking ability, speed, composure and vision on the ice during the WJHC. I doubt he falls, but would love him on the Habs.

I think he is going to be a steal in the NHL and probable decent top 6 two way player.
 
I didn't see much offensive upside in Crowse or Ritchie. They could cycle the puck, but no finish. The kid is still young, but I don't know if he has enough top-end skill.
 
I was pretty impressed by this kid. I thought he found a way to contribute in all three zones, showed some versatility by playing his off-wing most of the tournament, killed penalties, and was out there in critical game situations. Good skating ability, and a good shooter. If he's a top-10 pick you're going to get an excellent 3rd liner, or someone you can stick in the top-6 as a complimentary, physical guy who won't look out of place and can contribute offensively.
 
Proust said:
I didn't see much offensive upside in Crowse or Ritchie. They could cycle the puck, but no finish. The kid is still young, but I don't know if he has enough top-end skill.
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He does have high end skill, pretty evident during the tournament as he should some flashes.
 
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