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

[majormajor]

Having said that, for such a passionate and brilliant high iQ player - Mark Stone, who is 6'3" with uncanny timing and the ability to get to the right spot - he is remarkably not physical. He could be 5'5" and it would make no difference at all in his game tbh. Maybe less solid on his stick, but more agile and light on his skates?

Yamerchuk is physical though, and in no way shy about contact. His size and strength is an asset. And he will be vvery hard to play against so long as he stays motivated.

Height is largely about reach, we don't talk about that enough. Whether you're willing to throw the body or not, you still have a huge advantage with a long reach. And Stone absolutely relies on it, his anticipation isn't going to get him the puck if it's a foot out of reach.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

I love how happy everyone is now with him and how sour I’m sure rival fans are with how good he has been when a few months ago many Sens fans were pissed off and rival fans were laughing when he was drafted.

Us posters that see WHL a lot knew how good of a player he was but many people just get caught up with all the random mock drafts online and feel at the time it was a reach taking him that high

 

[Fatass]

The kid looks like the best player on the ice for both clubs most nights.

 

[Samsquanch]

Height is largely about reach, we don't talk about that enough. Whether you're willing to throw the body or not, you still have a huge advantage with a long reach. And Stone absolutely relies on it, his anticipation isn't going to get him the puck if it's a foot out of reach.

I would agree but also add that being quicker (ie lighter) and faster on your feet, and all over the ice for that matter, would negate the reach factor overall if you are a supreme high IQ player.

Point being though is that Yamerchuck is a stronger man physically and more willing to engage than Stone ever was. Already. Not that they have a choppy stride, or have a short reach.

 

[WhataKnight]

He plays with some damned entertaining swagger.

 

[CanadienShark]

I love how happy everyone is now with him and how sour I’m sure rival fans are with how good he has been when a few months ago many Sens fans were pissed off and rival fans were laughing when he was drafted.

Us posters that see WHL a lot knew how good of a player he was but many people just get caught up with all the random mock drafts online and feel at the time it was a reach taking him that high

I felt he went a little high at the time. I had personally preferred Buium and Dickinson at #11 (assuming all 3 were available), but Yakemchuk is showing he was drafted at the right spot. He's got a lot of talent and has been really impressive.

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

He is really good with the puck, not flashy but those passes he makes are so good and easy to catch. Great placement, speed, everything feels so crisp. It's weird seeing it from a guy who's so big. Like watching a Thornton but on D.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Crazy because I was literally going to compare him to Mark Stone (were both Sens fans so Im not going to lose my hat, but wow). They just get to the right place and let the hands take over.

Having said that, for such a passionate and brilliant high iQ player - Mark Stone, who is 6'3" with uncanny timing and the ability to get to the right spot - he is remarkably not physical. He could be 5'5" and it would make no difference at all in his game tbh. Maybe less solid on his stick, but more agile and light on his skates?

Yamerchuk is physical though, and in no way shy about contact. His size and strength is an asset. And he will be vvery hard to play against so long as he stays motivated.

He definitely has a good dose of that Mark Stone level vision......which is scary, considering Stone is practically jedi-like in that regard.

I do worry about Yak's strength though. Being a defenseman and taking hits against men is hard even when you're fit. As a teenager is going to be doubly difficult. The team really has to take care regarding matchups and icetime, and continue to put him in a position to succeed.

He's had a jaw-dropping preseason, but he's still a kid, and in a kid's body. We can't forget that.

 

[KapG]

So has he played his way onto the team? Might be a smart move. Is he really going to learn how to defend against grown men playing against a bunch of teenagers in the CHL after all?

I hated the Tkachuk pick, I hated the Sanderson pick, I was disappointed Stützle fell to us instead of Byfield and I was mad with the Yakemchuk pick.

I liked the Boucher pick.

To be fair wrt Byfield he has taken longer to develop but he had some bad luck early in his pro career. He seems to be right on track now. Big season incoming for him.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

I hated the Tkachuk pick, I hated the Sanderson pick, I was disappointed Stützle fell to us instead of Byfield and I was mad with the Yakemchuk pick.

I liked the Boucher pick.

Please hate who the Sens pick in 2025.