Prospect Info: New Jersey Devils 1st Round Pick: C Michael McLeod

[HBK27]

From that McKeen's link:



Sounds pretty good to me.

Also from the link:

One scout compared him to Dylan Larkin in his draft year. "Scouts were raising issues about Larkin's offensive upside in his draft year. I don't see them doing that now. I hear the same thing with McLeod..and I'm reminded of Larkin. McLeod's size, speed and tremendous competitiveness translate well to the NHL game....he'll produce at the next level. He will be a big-time crowd favourite wherever he plays, and his coach will love him."

The more I read about McLeod, the more I like this pick.

 

[Burner Account]

Haven't done a lot of research on McLeod. But I do like grabbing another forward over 6'0".

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Haven't done a lot of research on McLeod. But I do like grabbing another forward over 6'0".

More importantly, he's regarded as one of if not the fastest player the draft.

 

[Stephen Gionta]

Love the McLoed pick. Wouldve loved to get Keller, but Im still super happy.

Hoping he'll gain about 20-25 pounds this year in muscle and just overall body mass from growing up. If this happens, he could be in our 2017-18 starting lineup.

 

[Devils Dominion]

More importantly, he's regarded as one of if not the fastest player the draft.

He and Gignac are considered to be two of the fastest skaters drafted last weekend.

 

[Emperoreddy]

More importantly, he's regarded as one of if not the fastest player the draft.

Not only fastest but I believe he is considered the best skater drafted.

DS is right Gig is another that was considered tops in speed. We are slowly building a potentially super fast team.

 

[217 Forever]

Not only fastest but I believe he is considered the best skater drafted.

DS is right Gig is another that was considered tops in speed. We are slowly building a potentially super fast team.

People are getting a little carried away with the speed kills thing because the Penguins won the Cup. Yes fast is good in today's NHL but Pittsburgh also has at least four of the best players in the NHL (Crosby, Malkin, Kessel, and Letang), and not just because they can skate. If speed was all that mattered then McLeod would have been drafted #1 overall. The Penguins also blocked a ton of shots which has nothing to do with foot speed.

I'm certainly not upset to be drafting guys with wheels but hockey is not a one dimensional sport.

 

[OmNomNom]

People are getting a little carried away with the speed kills thing because the Penguins won the Cup. Yes fast is good in today's NHL but Pittsburgh also has at least four of the best players in the NHL (Crosby, Malkin, Kessel, and Letang), and not just because they can skate. If speed was all that mattered then McLeod would have been drafted #1 overall. The Penguins also blocked a ton of shots which has nothing to do with foot speed.

I'm certainly not upset to be drafting guys with wheels but hockey is not a one dimensional sport.

of course, but historically we haven't had many fast skaters, especially in recent years. this is an element that could really help make us DYNAMIC

 

[Edmonton East]

The Devils must have been very high on McLeod to pass up on two projected stud dmen knowing there was a real possibility they were gonna move Larsson.

 

[Mustangs]

The steelheads might have a solid team this year. I am going to get tickets when they swing into barrie.

 

[Scorcho]

I don't know, watching his highlights, he scores a lot of breakaway goals, and gets a lot of his production off the rush. His shot isn't great at this point in time, so I have a hard time comparing him to Kesler, at the moment.

kesler's shot at the draft wasnt great either

 

[Emperoreddy]

The Devils must have been very high on McLeod to pass up on two projected stud dmen knowing there was a real possibility they were gonna move Larsson.

They didn't. The Hall trade didn't come into fruition until the following week. You can't change your draft board based on a trade in the early stages of discussion.

 

[BomaLightDevils]

Funny read on McLeod scouting report from a year ago. It's seems that the things he wasn't good at is he's strength now and the other way around.

"A high potential forward who has the tools to be one of the best players in the age group. The MVP of the 2014 OHL Cup where he lead his team to a provincial championship. A puck possession pivot with soft hands and incredible elusiveness. Protects the puck superbly, aided by smart body positioning. A magnificent skater with elite acceleration, balance, and edge control. Masterful at taking advantage of his second gear and gaining the inside edge on defenders. Slick puck handler, has quick hands in tight and an ability to paralyse opponents with his one-on-one moves. Elite weapon is his dynamic wrist shot and unpredictable release point, one that keeps goaltenders guessing. Puts quick, soft feeds on the tape, both fore and backhand, and can carve up defences with inspired no look set ups. Too passive defensively, struggles to stay involved in the game when the puck is in his defensive zone. Can be puck focused, suffers bouts of tunnel vision, attempting to skate through his opponents and not utilizing his teammates. Must continue to physically mature, adding depth and strength to a somewhat thin frame." - Sean Lafortune, 2014

 

[Devil X]

Just saying

Hall - McLeod on the same line in a couple years possibly with how they both seem to have none stop engines and can fly could be very fun to watch. Maybe we will be lucky enough to see it during the pre-season once.

 

[thethinglonger]

Now this isn't fair to McLeod but I've been looking back through the thread for Dylan Larkin and this interesting tidbit came up

Dissecting the 2014 NHL Draft Combine
Aerobic Fitness - VO2 Max:

An interesting test that gauges half genetics/half current conditioning. The top few scores traditionally rival VO2's of low end, elite marathon runners.

The underlying correlations found are that the top scoring VO2 'maxxers' are either your elite prospects or total duds. If a rated first rounder shows up on this test, he should be a lock selection (Hertl, Baertschi, Klefbom). If he's not highly regarded, run away.

Quite confusing, but not really if you look at this more closely. If a top rated talent all year shows up on this test you can gather that (A) he has the natural skills to make the NHL, (B) he has a high genetic potential to be fit on ice (even if it is only part of the value), and (C) his conditioning is not a question mark and already there. Signs pointing to the ultimate draft pick if there continues to be an established trend.

On the flipside, if you're looking at a lower rated prospect, well, apply those principles and it is a damning statement against his future in the NHL. If a player scores high on this test, yet isn't regarded highly for his talent in season, one could draw the assumption that he was unable to capitalize and impress even with such a great fitness level. It is evident that these players usually do not find that precious development curve.

McLeod finished top-10 in VO2 Max at the combine this year (6th overall/tied for 4th).

Some quotes going through that thread as well are remarkably similar:

If Larkin is still on the board at 20, I fully expect the Sharks to take him. He's the prototypical SJ pick: a two-way center with high IQ, decent size and a lack of high-end offensive skill.

That last bit isn't meant to be a knock on Larkin at all; I like him a lot and would be fine with the pick, but he doesn't have huge offensive upside. I see him as a solid 40-50 point center who wins face-offs, kills penalties and wears a letter.

He's a similar player to Compher, a responsible two-way player that is good in every facet of the game, but not elite in any. He's got good wheels, solid offensive instincts, and is a good competitor. I question what his offensive upside is, but he's a relatively safe pick because at the very worst, his well-rounded game makes him a good third liner.

Is he comparable to Kesler?

Same style of play but I think he may be more efficient on the backcheck (that's not a knock on Kesler btw). His compete level is off the charts. Great pick by Detroit.

Heck, even Future Considerations had this to say about Larkin:

Best described as industrial, Larkin does it all. He plugs away at every aspect of the game and is equipped with the necessary tools to contribute offensively as well. As a member of the NTDP of the USHL this season, Larkin posted a respectable 29 goals and 49 points in 53 games. The numbers don’t jump out as teammate Sonny Milano’s would, but as mentioned previously, Larkin’s true value is revealed in the specifics of the game.

He’s solid at the faceoff dot, sticks to his defensive assignments admirably and most noticeably, is a jet on skates. The 6-foot, 190-pounder rips around the surface like it’s nobody’s business and affords him the advantage of catching up to the play if caught behind — at both ends of the ice. Larkin’s limitations concern his offensive upside. Outside of his skating ability, nothing in his offensive portfolio is elite or suggests he will find major offensive success in the pros.

And from Red Line Report:

"This is a classy, traditional playmaking centreman - just what the doctor ordered for the Wings," was the scouting report on the mock draft. "Smart, dependable, makes the right plays at the right time, and can play the way the Red Wings like to approach the game."

"We're suckers for silky smooth pivots who create tons of chances and make their linemates better," Red Line Report said. "Really fluid skater with a great edge who accelerates out of his cuts. Has such deceptive speed that he's able to glide past defenders effortlessly – gains the zone easily and forces defenders to back in off at the blue line and give up too much ice. Has a knack for holding onto the puck that extra split second to give wingers a chance to break free, then hits them with perfectly placed passes.

"Comes through with big plays at big moments and is productive with any linemates and in any role. Has soft hands, a terrific release and is naturally instinctive in all three zones. Reads well off his linemates and always knows where the play is headed. Strong two-way center is aware and responsible in the defensive end."

And another user in the thread wrote this:

At first I wasn't thrilled with this pick, because I felt it was a little too safe. The more I read and hear about Larkin though, the more I really like this pick. He sounds like a guy that could be the perfect complimentary center to some good offensive scoring wingers. A guy that could create space for guys like Mantha, Nyquist, Tatar, and Jurco in the offensive zone, win lose pucks, and cover for them on defense. As long as he can be an effective cycler and a decent passer, I think he will compliment the Wings glut of offensive minded wingers.

I'm not saying McLeod is going to be as impact-ful as Larkin but it's so interesting seeing the similarities in concerns from people regarding both prospects, particularly their potential offensive output.

 

[Brodeur]

Now I'm having a bad idea about stopping by Mississauga to catch a Steelheads game. It's too bad the Devils' only game in Toronto this season is after the OHL regular season ends.

Hrm, currently toying with this bad idea:

10/18: Ducks@Devils (home opener)
10/20: Devils@Bruins
10/21: Niagara@Mississauga
10/22: Wild@Devils

Took a quick look off Google Maps and Mississauga's rink is closer to the airport than downtown Toronto is.

 

[Group Chat Legend*]

The Devils must have been very high on McLeod to pass up on two projected stud dmen knowing there was a real possibility they were gonna move Larsson.

Having watched Mcleod, I think we got ourselves a steal at our pick. I think he is a top 3-5 talent from that draft.

 

[Edmonton East]

They didn't. The Hall trade didn't come into fruition until the following week. You can't change your draft board based on a trade in the early stages of discussion.

You can based on events you feel are likely to happen. If you have 2 guys similarly ranked, and you as the GM know you might move your cornerstone D in the coming weeks, you draft the defenseman. Of course we'll never know what their player rankings were nor will we know how certain Shero believed the Larsson trade was, so this is just all for fun.

Personally, I think this trade was in the works for multiple months. Anyone else remember TG reporting multiple Devils scouts following around EDM during February for multiple games? Obviously this doesn't mean they were targeting Hall, but in hindsight I consider it more likely than not.

And yes, I am aware Shero acted as if this trade conversation just started heating up recently, but I'm not buying it. I would expect most GMs to play it cool and not reveal they were actively considering trading one of their best players mid season.

 

[Ripshot 43]

You can based on events you feel are likely to happen. If you have 2 guys similarly ranked, and you as the GM know you might move your cornerstone D in the coming weeks, you draft the defenseman. Of course we'll never know what their player rankings were nor will we know how certain Shero believed the Larsson trade was, so this is just all for fun.

Personally, I think this trade was in the works for multiple months. Anyone else remember TG reporting multiple Devils scouts following around EDM during February for multiple games? Obviously this doesn't mean they were targeting Hall, but in hindsight I consider it more likely than not.

And yes, I am aware Shero acted as if this trade conversation just started heating up recently, but I'm not buying it. I would expect most GMs to play it cool and not reveal they were actively considering trading one of their best players mid season.

I remember the scouts in Edmonton as well but for all we know they were watching Yakupov or RNH which had nothing to do with AL.

Also, I'm not sure which cornerstone D we could've drafted with our pick, seeing that the top 2 were gone and JC kept falling and falling after being a top 4 guy only last year. Many GMs didnt see him as highly as you do so its definitely not looked at as a sure thing pick.

 

[Edmonton East]

I remember the scouts in Edmonton as well but for all we know they were watching Yakupov or RNH which had nothing to do with AL.

Also, I'm not sure which cornerstone D we could've drafted with our pick, seeing that the top 2 were gone and JC kept falling and falling after being a top 4 guy only last year. Many GMs didnt see him as highly as you do so its definitely not looked at as a sure thing pick.

I'm not saying we should have drafted a dman (but if we did, I would have wanted Bean). I was replying to a response to my initial post where I just said the organization must be very high on McLeod to pass on high quality dmen with the possibility of trading Larsson. If anything that makes me more comfortable with the pick.

 

[Ripshot 43]

I'm not saying we should have drafted a dman (but if we did, I would have wanted Bean). I was replying to a response to my initial post where I just said the organization must be very high on McLeod to pass on high quality dmen with the possibility of trading Larsson. If anything that makes me more comfortable with the pick.

It's weird because I had such a negative view of McLeod before the draft because of everything said per draft but then when I do some research, he seems like he could've easily went top 10. The fact that I've seen multiple ppl say that he would be a top skater in the NHL today, is just amazing.

 

[Camille the Eel]

People are getting a little carried away with the speed kills thing because the Penguins won the Cup. Yes fast is good in today's NHL but Pittsburgh also has at least four of the best players in the NHL (Crosby, Malkin, Kessel, and Letang), and not just because they can skate. If speed was all that mattered then McLeod would have been drafted #1 overall. The Penguins also blocked a ton of shots which has nothing to do with foot speed.

I'm certainly not upset to be drafting guys with wheels but hockey is not a one dimensional sport.

Speed and size together though. Can't beat that.

The swing towards speed in the league is an evolution that dates back to the elimination of the two line offside pass rule. It's been a steady realization that you can throw the puck up the boards or into open space and burn folks big time with the stretch pass. Chicago did it with high end skill but L.A. offered a different model. Then steadily we see Dallas, the Rangers, now Pittsburgh going deep into the playoffs with the fast break model.

Hynes really designed the Pittsburgh system when he was at Wilkes Barre. I am not surprised that he's brought that philosophy here.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

If McLeod has a breakout season in juniors, I can see him getting several pro games in October 2017.

 

[DevilsFanInFla]

If McLeod has a breakout season in juniors, I can see him getting several pro games in October 2017.

I wouldn't be shocked to see him get a couple game look if he impresses in camp. Not that I would expect it but if the kid earns it, I have no doubt he'll get a shot. That said, we know Hynes and company won't just give him NHL games because of draft position. Zacha didn't make the cut in his first year but the time in the juniors really did him well from what I saw in the one game against the Marlies More realistically I expect we see a similar situation with McLeod as we did with Zacha which is fine. Let the kid add some weight, get some more experience, and hopefully he can crack the lineup in 2017/18. Still, amazing how quickly Shero has improved this team in just 2 short seasons. Very easy to be optimistic about the future

 

[JimEIV]

I would imagine that they keep McLeod and maybe even Bastian around a while before they return to them to juniors. I'd imagine that they like to get their 1st round pick a little taste of his first NHL train camp at the very least.