With Hollowell and Holmberg playing pretty good, are we getting to the point where some of the guys drafted by Dubas start to help out? I don't really follow prospects much and freely admit if you asked me a few weeks ago who Hollowell and Holmberg were, I wouldn't have known.
Just curious, many people have complained that Dubas sucks, he hasn't drafted anyone who has helped etc. but it's way too early obviously to whine about that so I was wondering what the status of our prospect pool was in general. I know that's a very general question so feel free to ignore, I was just wondering, rambling ... feels good so see some of these guys contribute, especially guys that were drafted in the later rounds.
There is a childrens book by Astrid Lindgren called "Rasmus, Pontus och Toker". Great book (like everything Lindgren ever wrote), I read the translation and loved it. Rasmus and Pontus are two young boys who are best friends, Toker is a dog they love. I would love to see a guy named Toker added to our roster and have Rasmus, Pontus and Toker line up as a forward line just one time, I would be laughing for weeks.
You should definitely follow this thread more. It's he only thread that is actually positive and has real discussions without the constant troll posts. Also very informative.
Despite what many ignorant posters on this board as well as fans from around the league would have you believe, we have a very deep pool. We just lack potential superstar type players that you would get at the top of the draft.
Amirov- I am higher on him than most I think but I believe him to have the highest potential in our pool. He's pretty much an elite skater and can handle the pick at high speeds and has a wicked wrister. Also praised for his 2 way play in the draft. If he can overcome his cancer and get his development on track, I think he could be a potential 1st liner. Ian Moran who runs a scouting service and was on Spittin Chiclets said he believes he was the steal of the draft and thinks he could potentially be the next Kucherov.
Knies- ppg player in his 1st 1.5 seasons in the NCAA and has played with men at the Olympics and I think the WC iirc. Plays like a meaner more physical JVR. Potential top 9 or top 6 winger for us.
Robertson - you've obviously seen him and know about him by now. He's still young and developing and could still become a top 9 or top 6 forward.
Niemela - praised for his defensive play in the draft and then broke out offensively in Liiga to become the highest u20 scoring dman. Also was best D man at the WJC. Excellent in transition, great skater and high IQ all over the ice. Very poised. Potential #3 or 4 for us imo. At worst I think he could be a good bottom pairing guy. Needs to put on weight and strength.
Minten - pretty much elite defensive player for his age. Plays mean and lays big hits. After the draft it seems we took him because of those attributes plus untapped offensive potential after he started scoring at a high rate at the end of the season and going into playoffs. Seems to be correct as right now he has 22 prs I 14 games in the WHL and is on pace for 106 pts. Might even play for team canada at the WJC. Potential middle 6 center but most likely a bottom 6er.
Steeves- plays with speed and a bit of a power game. Has been a ppg player in the NCAA and is a ppg player on the Marlies this year. Surprised he hasn't got a look yet with the big club.
Hirvonen- is a pest like Bunting, plays with energy and is tenacious. Not really elite at anything but is average or better at almost everything. Has been a top line player for his Finnish team as well as for team Finland playing with Lundell and performed well at the WJC. Potential bottom 6er.
Tverberg - absolute steal in the 7th round. Dubas traded for an extra pick In the draft because apparently one of our scouts slammed his fists on the table and said we need to draft this kid. Played JR.A in Toronto and then has gone on to be a ppg player in the NCAA. Plays a power game. Good forechecker and takes the puck hard to the net with speed. Potential bottom 6er. Also almost made team Canada as a surprise riser.
Voit - 5th rounder who is currently leading the OHL in scoring while being on a mediocre Sarnia team. Currently has 40 pts in 24 games and is on pace for 113 pts. Most of his points are primary which is crazy. Seems like a top 6 or bust type of player though.
Kral and Villeneuve- both 6'2 d men who are smart at both ends and play with poise and move the puck well. Both potential bottom pairing guys that might grow to be #4s.
Koster- maybe an underrated prospect on our board. Small d man but has had very high praise from our scouts, coaching staff and his coaches at U.Minn for his hockey IQ. moves the puck well and is good at shutting guys down. At the U18s he was shutting guys like Lafreniere and Byfield down.
Moldenhauer - skilled player that plays with speed. Had bad luck in his draft year with illness and a bad skate to face injury and dropped to the 3rd round. Currently 7th in the USHL in scoring and is committed to U.Michigan next year. Potential middle 6er.
we also have a bunch of guys like Kokkonen, Abramov, Abbruzzese, SDA, Miettinen, Lisowsky, Ovchinnikov, Grebenkin that have varying degrees of skill and have NHL potential but are longer shots. I might be missing a few others.
Sorry for long post lol
