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

[BondraTime]

Tbf I think there's a big difference between someone in their D+1 being dominant in pre-season versus someone in their mid 20s.

Danielson is a year older than Yakemchuk

 

[BondraTime]

He's had hype even prior to his pre season stint which many don't realize because they don't follow the whl. Couch potato gm's already writing him off here unfortunately.

I mean, he just went 7th overall, of course he had hype prior to the start of this season

 

[bert]

He's had hype even prior to his pre season stint which many don't realize because they don't follow the whl. Couch potato gm's already writing him off here unfortunately.

Its an absolutely hilarious read. 'He could still be a good player' lol he is 19 of course he can. What are we doing here.

Danielson is a year older than Yakemchuk

And a forward. Just a terrible comparison.

 

[Peasy]

Its an absolutely hilarious read. 'He could still be a good player' lol he is 19 of course he can. What are we doing here.

And a forward. Just a terrible comparison.

I was comparing both their D+1 pre seasons lmao. They would have been the same age. I was just pointing out the similarities of a top 10 pick having a great pre-season in their D+1. One is in their D+2 now and still hasnt played in the NHL, and the other had what you could call a disappointing season back in the WHL. Was seeing a lot wild comments during the pre-season saying hes ready for the NHL, future super star etc etc setting expectations sky high. Even had a sens fan attack me in a Buium thread cause I like him more going on about how Yak is already way better and will be playing NHL games well before Buium

Easton Cowan is another. Dude looked amazing his D+1 pre-season but he might not even play in his D+3.

This has gone so far off track. I don't really think Yak has had a "disappointing" season. Its disappointing that his points regressed, but I think this type of season is close to what I would have expected his D+1 to go pre draft. I was just saying I think his hot pre-season might have raised some expectations in fans that made the rest of his year look "disappointing". Bottom line I think people put way to much stock in pre-season games. Simple as that.

 

[LeProspector]

I was comparing both their D+1 pre seasons lmao. They would have been the same age. I was just pointing out the similarities of a top 10 pick having a great pre-season in their D+1. One is in their D+2 now and still hasnt played in the NHL, and the other had what you could call a disappointing season back in the WHL. Was seeing a lot wild comments during the pre-season saying hes ready for the NHL, future super star etc etc setting expectations sky high. Even had a sens fan attack me in a Buium thread cause I like him more going on about how Yak is already way better and will be playing NHL games well before Buium

Easton Cowan is another. Dude looked amazing his D+1 pre-season but he might not even play in his D+3.

This has gone so far off track. I don't really think Yak has had a "disappointing" season. Its disappointing that his points regressed, but I think this type of season is close to what I would have expected his D+1 to go pre draft. I was just saying I think his hot pre-season might have raised some expectations in fans that made the rest of his year look "disappointing". Bottom line I think people put way to much stock in pre-season games. Simple as that.

Well put.

 

[bert]

I was comparing both their D+1 pre seasons lmao. They would have been the same age. I was just pointing out the similarities of a top 10 pick having a great pre-season in their D+1. One is in their D+2 now and still hasnt played in the NHL, and the other had what you could call a disappointing season back in the WHL. Was seeing a lot wild comments during the pre-season saying hes ready for the NHL, future super star etc etc setting expectations sky high. Even had a sens fan attack me in a Buium thread cause I like him more going on about how Yak is already way better and will be playing NHL games well before Buium

Easton Cowan is another. Dude looked amazing his D+1 pre-season but he might not even play in his D+3.

This has gone so far off track. I don't really think Yak has had a "disappointing" season. Its disappointing that his points regressed, but I think this type of season is close to what I would have expected his D+1 to go pre draft. I was just saying I think his hot pre-season might have raised some expectations in fans that made the rest of his year look "disappointing". Bottom line I think people put way to much stock in pre-season games. Simple as that.

His pre season showed the tool box. His skillset specifically fits the pro game way better than Jr. His development curve was always going to be a longer one. It's quite clear to me that his instructions from the sens were to round out his game. Take less risks and play a more pro game, a safer game that translates. Not play like a cowboy. Which he has done, he is also on a better team that plays with more structure. I am seeing alot of stat counters that want him to fail because their fragile ego's were so damaged after he was picked 7th and showed exactly why.

 

[Sens in Process]

One of the things that gets me is that he was a high-event player last season—it was going to be either good or bad, but never boring. This season, particularly the last 20 games, is completely different. He can play an eerily quiet game. If a person had no prior knowledge of this player and watched a few games down the stretch, I could see them concluding he’s a solid two-way defenseman who skates fairly well for his size and has some untapped offensive ability.

In the NHL pre-season, it wasn't like he was simply the recipient of nice plays by others or got lucky a few times being in the right spot.. He was making plays, and showing really good anticipation all over the ice.

It was a weird season for the kid.

 

[Garbageyuk]

One of the things that gets me is that he was a high-event player last season—it was going to be either good or bad, but never boring. This season, particularly the last 20 games, is completely different. He can play an eerily quiet game. If a person had no prior knowledge of this player and watched a few games down the stretch, I could see them concluding he’s a solid two-way defenseman who skates fairly well for his size and has some untapped offensive ability.

In the NHL pre-season, it wasn't like he was simply the recipient of nice plays by others or got lucky a few times being in the right spot.. He was making plays, and showing really good anticipation all over the ice.

It was a weird season for the kid.

He clearly prioritized the development and improvement of his two-way game this season, which is a great thing to see.

I much prefer this over just racking up the points like people thought he would. The “quiet game” point you made is bang on and is such a valuable thing for a defenseman to be able to do.

Of course, people who are uninformed are just going to look up the stats and make a knee jerk reaction about how his season went without knowing a damn thing. But that’s nothing new around here.

Lastly, his stats didn’t even dip all that significantly either. Sens fans should be feeling even better about the pick now, contrary to what a lot of the “experts” on here would have you believe.

 

[Sens in Process]

He clearly prioritized the development and improvement of his two-way game this season, which is a great thing to see.

I much prefer this over just racking up the points like people thought he would. The “quiet game” point you made is bang on and is such a valuable thing for a defenseman to be able to do.

Of course, people who are uninformed are just going to look up the stats and make a knee jerk reaction about how his season went without knowing a damn thing. But that’s nothing new around here.

Lastly, his stats didn’t even dip all that significantly either. Sens fans should be feeling even better about the pick now, contrary to what a lot of the “experts” on here would have you believe.

I agree. As I mentioned before, I’m totally convinced that his defensive game—and even his skating—will translate to the NHL. I think he might even end up being a really good defender. They tried pairing Hurting and Yakemchuk early this season at times, but it looked kind of awkward and was quickly abandoned, with two rangy guys who weren’t the most mobile. Now, though, it works—I think they’ll be a hell of a shutdown duo in these playoffs. It works now because Yakemchuk’s skating has improved as the season has progressed.

One of the main arguments against Yakemchuk during pre-draft talk was that he was incapable of playing a quiet game. He was considered slow and lacking in hockey sense, so he’d get walked, take dumb penalties, and just be a rollercoaster. I argued at the time that I’d witnessed stretches of sound hockey from him and that he was capable of a solid two-way game, despite what these experts said. It didn’t help that HockeyProspects rated his hockey sense a 5 (out of 9 or 10), which was totally insane.

I think this season has shown he’s not a boom-or-bust prospect, and his floor is pretty high. Still, I’d like to see more production from him.

There is a lot of stat watching and commentary around prospects, and Sens fans have be guilty of hyping high profile guys -based on numbers and perceived skill- that were total busts.

 

[Garbageyuk]

I agree. As I mentioned before, I’m totally convinced that his defensive game—and even his skating—will translate to the NHL. I think he might even end up being a really good defender. They tried pairing Hurting and Yakemchuk early this season at times, but it looked kind of awkward and was quickly abandoned, with two rangy guys who weren’t the most mobile. Now, though, it works—I think they’ll be a hell of a shutdown duo in these playoffs. It works now because Yakemchuk’s skating has improved as the season has progressed.

I think this season has shown he’s not a boom-or-bust prospect, and his floor is pretty high. Still, I’d like to see more production from him.

There is a lot of stat watching and commentary around prospects, and Sens fans have be guilty of hyping high profile guys -based on numbers and perceived skill- that were total busts.

I agree he isn’t a boom or bust prospect, and never saw him as such. I believed the potential for a two-way game was there, and this season confirms it. I hope he keeps working at it because while elite offensive D are fun and what’s en vogue right now in the NHL, it has always been the strong two-way guys who are most valuable and conducive to winning - the Doughtys, Niedermayers, Prongers, Pietrangelos, Hedmans, the list goes on and on. Needless to say, his development trajectory this year is a very good thing, and he’s got all the tools to be a strong two-way D.

On a side note, I think the comparison between the development paths that Yakemchuk and Dickinson took this year is very interesting.

Last year, Dickinson was regarded as a strong two-way, maybe even defensive D where people questioned his offensive upside (I didn’t). This year, he has exploded offensively and shown that he can be elite offensively as well.

Conversely, Yakemchuk was seen as the offensive D with questionable defensive upside. This year, he has rounded out his game and improved the weak areas while still producing near the same clip. Like you said, ideally, you’d want him to have produced more this season, but for young D, the defensive side is harder to be proficient at. I think it’s a very good thing that he got the jump on that while still in junior and didn’t wait until the pros to start trying to round it out significantly, like say, one of my team’s prospects - Logan Mailloux (not surprising, since he’s a couple tiers below Yak in terms of calibre of prospect).

To sum up, both Dickinson and Yakemchuk took big strides in their game this year, but most people aren’t going to notice Yakemchuk’s improvement as much because it was on the quieter side of the game. I just thought the contrast between the two was interesting, not comparing them aside from the difference in development paths this year.

 

[Boxscore]

I think Yakemchuk ends up a hybrid between (good) Dion Phaneuf and Evan Bouchard (minus the Oilers bump). He'll be a goal-heavy producer from the backend in his prime (20g/40a/60pts). He won't produce high-end Bouchard numbers because he won't have the luxury of feasting with McDavid and Draisaitl... but he'll be more consistent and steady in his own end than Phaneuf. His production will also hinge on how he's deployed by the Sens... and how much PP1 they give Sanderson in the future.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

I still wish we took Parekh ngl or Catton.

 

[Garbageyuk]

I think Yakemchuk ends up a hybrid between (good) Dion Phaneuf and Evan Bouchard (minus the Oilers bump). He'll be a goal-heavy producer from the backend in his prime (20g/40a/60pts). He won't produce high-end Bouchard numbers because he won't have the luxury of feasting with McDavid and Draisaitl... but he'll be more consistent and steady in his own end than Phaneuf. His production will also hinge on how he's deployed by the Sens... and how much PP1 they give Sanderson in the future.

Not a bad take.

 

[Boxscore]

I still wish we took Parekh ngl or Catton.

Hmm, I dunno. I like all three kids. Don't you think Parekh and Catton have that new, shiny toy glimmer while Yakemchuk matched his already amazing numbers? Don't forget, Yakemchuk was a camp and preseason standout at 18 and was hard to cut. He also has the size neither of them will ever have. All three should be great, but I'd be very happy with Yakemchuk if my team drafted him over those other kids.

 

[Garbageyuk]

I still wish we took Parekh ngl or Catton.

Now Parekh is boom or bust. Crazy upside, like prime EK upside, but super risky too, imo.

Catton nah. Too safe with more limited upside for me. I’m getting decent 2nd liner upside vibes from him. Something like a poor man’s Marner. 60-70 points average in his prime, if all goes well.

To me, a potential top-pairing D is much more valuable, especially a big RHD with physicality and a booming shot.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

Looked very good in preseason with the Sens. Very, very dissapointing year in the WHL.

I really hope he’s just checked out, because it looks like Sens scouting staff once again tried to be the smartest people in the room in the 1st round.

 

[Shroud of Orrin]

[QUOTE="Boxscore, post: 199482926, member:…He won't produce high-end Bouchard numbers because he won't have the luxury of feasting with McDavid and Draisaitl...
[/QUOTE]

“High-end Bouchard #’s are like 80 points and he’ll be feasting (if there is a feast to be had) with a more mature Stutzle and Tkachuk, which isn’t bad.

My take is the Sens drafted him for the shot. I’ve always seen Sanderson as a skater not a shooter. Same for Chabot. The size and snarl Yakemchuk has and all that helped make the decesion easier but the primary reason is the shot. Why you would do that 7th overall is a bit beyond me, but whatever. The more chuk’s the merrier too, right?

 

[Boxscore]

^ He's got the shot... but also the size, reach, skating, offensive instincts, physicality, and attitude. The only concern I see are some brain farts (common with most young D) and he can be reckless at times. But he is an awesome package.

 

[JadedRandom]

^ He's got the shot... but also the size, reach, skating, offensive instincts, physicality, and attitude. The only concern I see are some brain farts (common with most young D) and he can be reckless at times. But he is an awesome package.

I disagree on the skating component but generally agree with the rest of your post.

I've watched him this year and last in the WHL, and I think Yakemchuk's feet are a bit heavy as of now by NHL standards, and that his elusiveness and acceleration need work especially.

If Yakemchuk fixes those deficiencies of his, and cleans-up his decision-making mostly in the defensive end, then I agree that he could be a very good NHL defenseman and might shine both offensively and defensively.

But I am much higher on Dickinson and Buium than I am on Yakemchuk, and I thought that the Sens overdrafted him for his handedness at the Draft, a view that hasn't changed almost 12 months later.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Over discussing of a prospect who is too good for junior that is sulking a little.

 

[landy92mack29]

Was told he requested a trade from the Hitmen early in the year as him and the new coach didn't see eye to eye but Calgary being in it to win it this year obviously didn't want to.

 

[bert]

I still wish we took Parekh ngl or Catton.

Teams with Big d cores win cups. Catton is not what this team needs at all.

 

[bert]

I disagree on the skating component but generally agree with the rest of your post.

I've watched him this year and last in the WHL, and I think Yakemchuk's feet are a bit heavy as of now by NHL standards, and that his elusiveness and acceleration need work especially.

If Yakemchuk fixes those deficiencies of his, and cleans-up his decision-making mostly in the defensive end, then I agree that he could be a very good NHL defenseman and might shine both offensively and defensively.

But I am much higher on Dickinson and Buium than I am on Yakemchuk, and I thought that the Sens overdrafted him for his handedness at the Draft, a view that hasn't changed almost 12 months later.

Yakemchuk has way more upside than both of those players. Dickinson doesn't have close to as good hockey sense or processing.

I'm very high on Buium however I think he is guaranteed to be a minute munching top pair low event player. Thats the only D man I would have taken over him. But RHD are way more valuable due to a serious lack of depth I the position in general.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Over discussing of a prospect who is too good for junior that is sulking a little.

He's not too good for junior is the point.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

He's not too good for junior is the point.

He could easily be playing in a better league. Junior is not his appropriate level.