RD Carter Yakemchuk - Calgary Hitmen, WHL (2024, 7th, OTT)

[majormajor]

I really think the Yakemchuk hype is going to pale in comparison to Hutson hype.

He's already been anointed as Makar 2.0 around here. Poor Yak just wants to make the NHL!

Hutson was drafted two years ago, there's been plenty of time for him to develop and the hype to bubble up.

 

[HSF]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841285722969407916

 

[DackellDuck]

I liked the pick because of the raw tools, but holy hell this guys looks good. He seems like a guy who’s just better suited for the NHL than junior. Being around players who know where to be and not to be so he can play off them. I didn’t think he’d be as smart as he is. His skating can still use some work, but he makes so many clever plays already.

I think he could become a 60-70 point guy within the next 3-4 years.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

This kid is gross offensively, are they sending him back to the dub? He seems like one of those cases that would benefit playing in the A instead if he could

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

This kid reminds me so much of Burns / Byfuglien. Gonna score a lot of points in this league.

 

[PatrickMcC]

I see what people are saying about him needing work in the D zone. I think his flaws are fixable though, relies a lot on his reach to defend and less so his skating. Makes sense when you’re used to playing against 5’10-5’11 junior players. Despite all of this, holy is his potential ever high. Hard to find an accurate player comparable.

 

[Senscore]

It's entirely possible that when the season starts, and things elevate, he could hit a bit of a wall.

But even still I don't think it will hold him back for long. Regardless of what league he's in, under a year of guidance from an NHL team on training, nutrition, etc. he'll just end up that much better.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I really liked him all year. I thought it was weird how much some people seemed to dislike him (having him outside of 1st) and how much the pick was panned. Will be interesting to see what Ottawa decides to do and how his career unfolds.

 

[zenator]

I'd like his bomb of a shot on the #1 PP unit, with Sanderson on the point, replacing Norris. That would help the team win today.

And play him mostly sheltered on the 3rd pair, but also with Sanderson at times. Although, Kleven hasn't impressed me. If Sandy / Chabot play 52 minutes, and Kleven 8, he can be sheltered.

The puck seems to follow Yak around, and goals just happen when this guy is involved, so creative offensively, and such great puck skills and shot.

 

[bert]

And we have the new name that Sens fans will overhype for the next 3 years

From a Habs fan? Hahahahahaha

 

[bert]

I really liked him all year. I thought it was weird how much some people seemed to dislike him (having him outside of 1st) and how much the pick was panned. Will be interesting to see what Ottawa decides to do and how his career unfolds.

It's because it's arm chair scouts that are capable of evaluating the obvious (skating) and not hockey sense. Which he has a plenty of. They also likely haven't been doing it long enough to project big players who are still growing into their bodies.

Yak is making a serious case as being the best player on the team in pre season which is pretty sad and impressive at the same time.

The other d men fighting for a spot have been less than impressive. He's likely gonna get 9 games but he should be sent down for his long term development.