Prospect Info: Marlies/Prospects Thread - 2021/22

[Leafs1991]

I dont think his skating is good enough to be in the NHL is probably a better way to put it.
I got to see him play a ton in the OHL, and its obvious his skating has improved.
Saying that, he is still not able to keep up with even average skaters at the AHL level yet.

Maybe its spending the next two years putting on 10-15 pounds od core and lower body muscle, but as of now his game doesnt translate as anything other than a well below average speed big guy.

It can take time, lots of players can improve their skating in their 20s. Hopefully he can do it.

 

[67Cup]

1 g. 1 a. for Villeneuve today.

 

[Knies iT]

I dont think his skating is good enough to be in the NHL is probably a better way to put it.
I got to see him play a ton in the OHL, and its obvious his skating has improved.
Saying that, he is still not able to keep up with even average skaters at the AHL level yet.

Maybe its spending the next two years putting on 10-15 pounds od core and lower body muscle, but as of now his game doesnt translate as anything other than a well below average speed big guy.

He's added 40lbs since his D+2 OHL season and is still nowhere near filled out.

I think he keeps up fine. He's never going to win foot races or find himself on a breakaway but he has nimble footwork in close quarters and average-above average edge work which will translate well to being a net front crease presence or on the cycle.

His skating is already better in all directions than Boyle at any point. You're correct that it's "below average" but he's such a physical anomaly that his tools can compensate for it. We're talking about a potential, average 4C at best, playing <10mins/game. I think some overestimate the development needed for a niche role like that, especially when his 21 y/o production is pacing better than 20 y/o Lowry in the AHL. If his skating was such a liability then he wouldn't produce like that beside Clune and Kopacka.

 

[Martin Skoula]

He's added 40lbs since his D+2 OHL season and is still nowhere near filled out.

I think he keeps up fine. He's never going to win foot races or find himself on a breakaway but he has nimble footwork in close quarters and average-above average edge work which will translate well to being a net front crease presence or on the cycle.

His skating is already better in all directions than Boyle at any point. You're correct that it's "below average" but he's such a physical anomaly that his tools can compensate for it. We're talking about a potential, average 4C at best, playing <10mins/game. I think some overestimate the development needed for a niche role like that, especially when his 21 y/o production is pacing better than 20 y/o Lowry in the AHL. If his skating was such a liability then he wouldn't produce like that beside Clune and Kopacka.

Run him with Engvall and Spezza, their combined wingspan would be the width of the rink.

 

[aingefan]

1 g. 1 a. for Villeneuve today.

There’s a name I’ve not heard in a long time. A long time.

 

[Maplebeasts]

There’s a name I’ve not heard in a long time. A long time.

Which is kind of weird seeing that I thought he looked good during the prospects tourney and has been miles better defensively this season for Saint John while still being around a ppg dman. If his skating continues to improve and his defensive growth is for real than there is some great potential there.

 

[aingefan]

Which is kind of weird seeing that I thought he looked good during the prospects tourney and has been miles better defensively this season for Saint John while still being around a ppg dman. If his skating continues to improve and his defensive growth is for real than there is some great potential there.

I agree.
I was just making a Star Wars joke.
I think we’ve seen fewer game reports on jr and college guys this year was my subtle point.
He’s a likeable prospect.

 

[4thline]

Which is kind of weird seeing that I thought he looked good during the prospects tourney and has been miles better defensively this season for Saint John while still being around a ppg dman. If his skating continues to improve and his defensive growth is for real than there is some great potential there.

I think it speaks to the overall state of the prospect pool that a 6'2 RHD going near point per game in the CHL is a complete afterthought. That and a general distrust of the Q.

 

[Fogelhund]

He's added 40lbs since his D+2 OHL season and is still nowhere near filled out.

I think he keeps up fine. He's never going to win foot races or find himself on a breakaway but he has nimble footwork in close quarters and average-above average edge work which will translate well to being a net front crease presence or on the cycle.

His skating is already better in all directions than Boyle at any point. You're correct that it's "below average" but he's such a physical anomaly that his tools can compensate for it. We're talking about a potential, average 4C at best, playing <10mins/game. I think some overestimate the development needed for a niche role like that, especially when his 21 y/o production is pacing better than 20 y/o Lowry in the AHL. If his skating was such a liability then he wouldn't produce like that beside Clune and Kopacka.

He's just a guy you need to focus on skating, skating and skating. He's just such a reach and wingspan, that he can be so useful defensively, and as a 4C, he can score a little. Plus, that physicality, age, and willingness to stand up for his teammates... Simmonds isn't going to be here forever, and if we can turn him into a good defensive 4C, that stands up for his teammates.... and if you've seen him fight, there aren't going to be many guys who can stand up to him... I mean he's a beast. He's got such a useful toolbox, that you absolutely have to concentrate on that skating in the offseason. If he's committed to making it, has the work ethic, I have no questions that they can work on his skating to the point of making him useful. This guy is a bigger, meaner GOAT, without the draft expectations.

 

[Morgs]

I think it speaks to the overall state of the prospect pool that a 6'2 RHD going near point per game in the CHL is a complete afterthought. That and a general distrust of the Q.

Plus I personally think he's on the Rindell level of complete defensive liability. I've heard the seasons gotten better, especially after not being paired with Poirier, but the games I watched earlier this year he was getting walked around virtually every shift. He's got that same issue that Rielly has where he doesn't attack the line, and although is a good skater, can't defend wide.

 

[Fogelhund]

These are kind of nice.

 

[AlienWorkShop]

There’s a name I’ve not heard in a long time. A long time.

You do know him then?

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Plus I personally think he's on the Rindell level of complete defensive liability. I've heard the seasons gotten better, especially after not being paired with Poirier, but the games I watched earlier this year he was getting walked around virtually every shift. He's got that same issue that Rielly has where he doesn't attack the line, and although is a good skater, can't defend wide.

Not true at all. He got walked earlier in the year, but there were also a lot of cases where he had to defend against two or three guys on his own. Saint John, and especially his main partner Poirier, did not like playing defense very much. He wasn't beat one-on-one very often.

Defensively, Villeneuve is arguably their most reliable defender. He has never been a Rindell-level defensive liability, never mind this year.

If Villeneuve's skating continues to improve, I think Villeneuve can become a lot like Zaitsev could have become... And I think this year we have seen both the good and the bad of Zaitsev.

Earlier in the year, Villeneuve was a babysitter for Poirier like Zaitsev was a babysitter for Gardiner. Pretty much he was told to make safe plays, dump the puck out with maybe the odd stretch pass, and just make sure the puck got to Poirier and the forwards as much as possible. There were far too many instances where Villeneuve was left on an island defensively and he looked like he was figuring out how to defend 2 or 3 guys (often because he had to defend 2 or 3 guys).

Eventually, they figured out that was a complete waste of Villeneuve's talents. They started to give him more freedom to handle the puck, take some risks, use his shot and own offensive skills rather than just defer... Effectively how the Leafs used Zaitsev in his first year with even more success. He was more effective in his own end because he just needed to focus on his own responsibilities and after only putting up 4 points in 13 games to start the year, he has 34 points in 27 games since.

He is a legit prospect. Maybe not a blue chipper, but another guy in that Kral range and a very solid RHD prospect behind Niemela.

 

[Thornbury]

Not true at all. He got walked earlier in the year, but there were also a lot of cases where he had to defend against two or three guys on his own. Saint John, and especially his main partner Poirier, did not like playing defense very much. He wasn't beat one-on-one very often.

Defensively, Villeneuve is arguably their most reliable defender. He has never been a Rindell-level defensive liability, never mind this year.

If Villeneuve's skating continues to improve, I think Villeneuve can become a lot like Zaitsev could have become... And I think this year we have seen both the good and the bad of Zaitsev.

Earlier in the year, Villeneuve was a babysitter for Poirier like Zaitsev was a babysitter for Gardiner. Pretty much he was told to make safe plays, dump the puck out with maybe the odd stretch pass, and just make sure the puck got to Poirier and the forwards as much as possible. There were far too many instances where Villeneuve was left on an island defensively and he looked like he was figuring out how to defend 2 or 3 guys (often because he had to defend 2 or 3 guys).

Eventually, they figured out that was a complete waste of Villeneuve's talents. They started to give him more freedom to handle the puck, take some risks, use his shot and own offensive skills rather than just defer... Effectively how the Leafs used Zaitsev in his first year with even more success. He was more effective in his own end because he just needed to focus on his own responsibilities and after only putting up 4 points in 13 games to start the year, he has 34 points in 27 games since.

He is a legit prospect. Maybe not a blue chipper, but another guy in that Kral range and a very solid RHD prospect behind Niemela.

A guy with a chance to be a 3rd pairing RHD coming out of the 4th round is solid drafting. He has flown under the radar this year, but with St John's hosting the Memorial Cup, we'll be seeing a fair bit more of him.

 

[hockeynorth]

how has Kral been lately

 

[Morgs]

Not true at all. He got walked earlier in the year, but there were also a lot of cases where he had to defend against two or three guys on his own. Saint John, and especially his main partner Poirier, did not like playing defense very much. He wasn't beat one-on-one very often.

Defensively, Villeneuve is arguably their most reliable defender. He has never been a Rindell-level defensive liability, never mind this year.

If Villeneuve's skating continues to improve, I think Villeneuve can become a lot like Zaitsev could have become... And I think this year we have seen both the good and the bad of Zaitsev.

Earlier in the year, Villeneuve was a babysitter for Poirier like Zaitsev was a babysitter for Gardiner. Pretty much he was told to make safe plays, dump the puck out with maybe the odd stretch pass, and just make sure the puck got to Poirier and the forwards as much as possible. There were far too many instances where Villeneuve was left on an island defensively and he looked like he was figuring out how to defend 2 or 3 guys (often because he had to defend 2 or 3 guys).

Eventually, they figured out that was a complete waste of Villeneuve's talents. They started to give him more freedom to handle the puck, take some risks, use his shot and own offensive skills rather than just defer... Effectively how the Leafs used Zaitsev in his first year with even more success. He was more effective in his own end because he just needed to focus on his own responsibilities and after only putting up 4 points in 13 games to start the year, he has 34 points in 27 games since.

He is a legit prospect. Maybe not a blue chipper, but another guy in that Kral range and a very solid RHD prospect behind Niemela.

I just don't see it. I've watched him plenty over the last few years and I just have the same doubts I have when I watch Rindell. I'm obviously hoping he makes it, but his defensive IQ is just so poor in my opinion he won't.

But hey, we don't need to agree on everything.

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

I liked Villeneuve in his draft year and was hoping he was in the mix in the 2nd round IIRC and was thrilled when we picked him in the 4th.

I thought he looked pretty good in camp this year. I'm not sure I really saw the skating concerns. He could be a solid 3rd pairing contributer as a 6'2 two way RHD. Could possibly have a 3rd pair of Kral and Villeneuve or Kokkonen there.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I have watched a lot of the Q and Villeneuve being poor defensively is never a thing that has come across my mind. The majority of his junior career he has been the only somewhat competent defensive player on a team that was young and terrible defensively. He has always been the one getting hung out to dry and left to clean up the mess. He is a very good defensive player.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

A guy with a chance to be a 3rd pairing RHD coming out of the 4th round is solid drafting. He has flown under the radar this year, but with St John's hosting the Memorial Cup, we'll be seeing a fair bit more of him.

It depends on how much his skating improves, but I think he can even be a 2nd pairing RHD.

 

[notdoneyet]

A guy with a chance to be a 3rd pairing RHD coming out of the 4th round is solid drafting. He has flown under the radar this year, but with St John's hosting the Memorial Cup, we'll be seeing a fair bit more of him.

Saint John in New Brunswick
Not St John’s in Newfoundland

 

[Fogelhund]

Marlies game on TSN2 right now.

 

[Knies iT]

Douglas' mullet is lethal.

6'5" Brazeau trying to get chippy with Kral and Douglas just tosses him. Hilarious watching this guy.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

These penalty calls man.

The Marlies need to do better with making sure you don't reach in and you get to the bench faster, but talk about tit-for-tat.

 

[Fogelhund]

Douglas' mullet is lethal.

6'5" Brazeau trying to get chippy with Kral and Douglas just tosses him. Hilarious watching this guy.

Douglas is ridiculously strong.

 

[stickty111]

Holmberg goal and assist. Both ES