Last year was his first pro season, still far too early to call it on him as he still needs to add strength to his game, good decision maker and nice skating but needs experience and more physicality for pro play. As mentioned, Iowa has been a tire fire for several years now, most of MNs top prospects have been in college or abroad, and while the Wild have stayed a float with the cap penalties, it was at the cost of their depth veteran players.
Lambos hasn't grown to the level most of us thought he would. That's disappointing. If he can be a minutes eating number 5 or 6, that's a win at this point. Peart has regressed relative to expectations as well, considering he was very solid for St Cloud State back in 2022 and 2023.
Agreed. Thought for sure he would be a solid bottom pair guy at least
The thread is on prospects who are on the verge of busting. I agree that Wallinder and Buium will be given more time as they have played big mins in the AHL, so it's too early to call them busts. Niederbach, Hanas and James, however, all look like 2nd rounders who will never get more than a cup of coffee in the NHL.
For Korchinksi, I'm sure that year in the NHL as a 19 year old has done wonders for his confidence.
Who made the decision to put him there so early? He's still very young and has a good chance to bloom later. Many D don't put it together until much much later.
Simashev just turned 20. Simashev is a safe bet to make it in the NHL, when you're 6'5 and have the skating to evade forecheckers like he does, you're going to play.
That’s funny. Yakemchuk and merilainen are without question better prospects. The rest of their pool sucks though.
Not sure why you would say that. He was drafted as a bottom 6 center, he is being developed as a bottom 6 center. Apparently the coaching staff love him in San Diego. They put him on the ice against every team's top line and he has dealt with injuries. I would say he is right where I expected him to be in his D+3.
Because when you're drafted in the 1st round, you automatically have more expectations placed on you. Gaucher was drafted ahead of several guys who have panned out better so far.
I think both of you are correct, it's not Gaucher's fault that Anaheim drafted him where they did, and he definitely has the tools to be a very capable 4th line C in the NHL and he is very well regarded in the organization for what he does bring, size, skating, grit & compete. That having been said, could Anaheim have gotten him later in the draft, perhaps. A difference making 4th line center is actually a pretty valuable player and I think Gaucher will win a ton faceoffs, hit the crap out of people and generally be a very good defensive player. I don't think he will produce much offense however.
That doesn't make him a bust....
Exactly.
