Prospect Info: Marlies & Prospect Discussion

[SprDaVE]

Appreciate the feedback

If he clears waivers, he's probably at the top of the list of call-ups if the Leafs hit a snag of injuries.

 

[Kiwi]

My issue watching tape of Webber during his NCAA days was his gap control
I thought he gave up his blueline way to easily and he ended up having to block shots in some pretty high danger areas
Which isn't ideal

He skates alright so I'm looking for him to start playing a much tighter gap, not give up his blueline and not have to rely on his shot blocking abilities quite so much

That's going to go a long way to telling me what he's going to end up being imo

 

[ULF_55]

My issue watching tape of Webber during his NCAA days was his gap control
I thought he gave up his blueline way to easily and he ended up having to block shots in some pretty high danger areas
Which isn't ideal

He skates alright so I'm looking for him to start playing a much tighter gap, not give up his blueline and not have to rely on his shot blocking abilities quite so much

That's going to go a long way to telling me what he's going to end up being imo

Just asking ...

Does the NHL allow more contact than NCAA?

That may impact gap control for better or worse.

 

[Kiwi]

Just asking ...

Does the NHL allow more contact than NCAA?

That may impact gap control for better or worse.

When you're defending the rush it isn't as contact based, your backing up and trying to keep the attacker in front of you

It's more mobility and managing your gap, a big guy who doesn't have bad mobility should be able to keep his gap tight without getting beaten and limit shooting opportunities

He didn't do that as often as I would like and I think he's capable of it and it would help him if he wants to get to higher levels imo

 

[ULF_55]

When you're defending the rush it isn't as contact based, your backing up and trying to keep the attacker in front of you

It's more mobility and managing your gap, a big guy who doesn't have bad mobility should be able to keep his gap tight without getting beaten and limit shooting opportunities

He didn't do that as often as I would like and I think he's capable of it and it would help him if he wants to get to higher levels imo

Yes, gap control can involve contact, as keeping a good gap but backing into the keeper isn't going to work.

What I'm asking, and we've seen the NHL make dumb rules, like a stick feather light touches a glove and it's a penalty, so in the NCAA are you allowed contact in gap control, or can you actually touch someone? Move aside I'm skating towards you.

Flag football anyone?

 

[Stringer Bell]

I know we no longer have rights, but I noticed Kral put up great numbers in the Finnish Elite league last year.

 

[Stephen]

My issue watching tape of Webber during his NCAA days was his gap control
I thought he gave up his blueline way to easily and he ended up having to block shots in some pretty high danger areas
Which isn't ideal

He skates alright so I'm looking for him to start playing a much tighter gap, not give up his blueline and not have to rely on his shot blocking abilities quite so much

That's going to go a long way to telling me what he's going to end up being imo

I seem to recall when we traded for him he was billed as a massive shot blocker.

 

[notbias]

I seem to recall when we traded for him he was billed as a massive shot blocker.

He basically plays goalie from what I've seen (I've watched more than just our prospect tournament), he is not a traditional get in the lane and block a shot guy, he flops around and sacrifices a lot, which I think is both good and bad.

Good that he is willing to sacrifice, not sure NHL goalies or his body will appreciate that though.

He is a big guy and he is good at the big guy stuff and bad at the other stuff, so I am not trying to point out too many negatives, but being a big guy, he seems to get lost a lot during play, I think this has to do with it not being as easy to quickly move from point A to point B when it is small distances, (he has good top end and straight line speed) so he is standing around a lot and this leads to his shot blocking too, he's in front of the net, not moving much and pucks are coming at him.

 

[ULF_55]

I seem to recall when we traded for him he was billed as a massive shot blocker.

Megan Carter, Cade Webber Honored as Inaugural Academic Champions - Hockey East Association

Newly Created League Award Acknowledges Outstanding On-Ice and Academic Performance

hockeyeastonline.com

Webber, selected in the fourth round (99th overall) by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, enjoyed a record-setting season in 2023-24 for Boston University while serving as an assistant captain. The 6-foot-7 defenseman set the NCAA single-season record with 137 blocked shots and helped the Terriers to the 2024 Frozen Four in St. Paul, Minnesota. He collected a career-best six assists and was named the Best Defensive Defenseman in Hockey East for his efforts. As a junior, he blocked 95 shots, which was second in the NCAA in 2022-23, and helped his Terriers earn a Hockey East Regular Season title and the Lamoriello Trophy as Hockey East Tournament Champions. Webber signed a two-year entry level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs in April.

Webber is a four-time honoree on the Hockey East All-Academic Team and a two-time AHCA All-American Scholar. He completed his undergraduate degree in Boston University’s Questrom School of Business in just three years while carrying a 3.47 GPA. He was honored with the E. Ray Speare Award as the top male scholar-athlete at BU in 2023-24.

 

[WTFMAN99]

When you're defending the rush it isn't as contact based, your backing up and trying to keep the attacker in front of you

It's more mobility and managing your gap, a big guy who doesn't have bad mobility should be able to keep his gap tight without getting beaten and limit shooting opportunities

He didn't do that as often as I would like and I think he's capable of it and it would help him if he wants to get to higher levels imo

This is probably what they will work on with him for the next 1-2 years.