RD Carter Yakemchuk - Calgary Hitmen, WHL (2024 Draft)

[tomd]

There's really no perfect one for him. Some Bouchard, some Parayko except add way more physicality than those 2 bring so throw in a Trouba/Schneider lol

Sounds like he should go 2OA...but you haven't talked about any of the reasons why he won't.

 

[majormajor]

Seems to me that Yakemchuk has some of the same issues that David Jiricek has. In fact, I think he has some of the same issues that Rodwin Dionicio has. He may be better than both but if he has those same issues then he'll have a lot of work to do to make the NHL...let alone be a star.

Yakemchuk has the exact same issue (it's really one thing) as David Jiricek. Both struggle to get going backwards defending the rush. They get walked.

But those are NHLers all day, the question is just whether they're going to be more offensive specialists or whether they can be trusted in all situations. Sometimes you have to take a risk with a prospect like that to get the high upside. I personally think the upside with those two is much higher than your guy Silayev, who I think is going to be a defensive specialist and not an all situations player.

You might be right, though Burns has really lost a step in the last year. I would hope Yakemchuk's skating & explosiveness improve as he matures. He'll never be a super agile guy, but with his range and top speed I think he'll be okay.


Probably lol.

Burns right now is very slow in all directions, Yakemchuk is obviously faster in most ways, it's just a question of those slow first steps back.

I don't see the Burns, Bfuglyien, or Seabrook comps at all. Burns and Byfuglien were by no means perfect players when they was younger, and were shuttled between forward and D trying to find where they were most effective, but both were absolutely huge, and incredibly strong. Yakemchuk seems to be relatively big and strong, but nothing like those two.

Yakemchuk is huge and strong though. He's not quite as tall as Burns or thick as Buff but he looks bigger and stronger than most 6'3 guys. We'll see where he measures up. I think his comp as Burns/Buff is about as far off as it is on the other end comparing him to Trouba/Schneider. He really is special in his physical strength and his ability to protect the puck with his reach and frame.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I don't see the Burns, Bfuglyien, or Seabrook comps at all. Burns and Byfuglien were by no means perfect players when they was younger, and were shuttled between forward and D trying to find where they were most effective, but both were absolutely huge, and incredibly strong. Yakemchuk seems to be relatively big and strong, but nothing like those two.
As mentioned above, Seabrook was a good defensive guy who ended up adding some offense to his game before it all went away.

Byfuglien was huge (too big lol) but Burns was listed at 6'4 183 when he was drafted, Yakemchuk is 6'3 201.

Oshawa Generals

staging.chl.ca

I wouldn't be shocked to see Yakemchuk end up being listed at 6'4 220-225. He's got a pretty big frame.

Edit: Jesus this kid has grown. He was 5'9 155 when he was drafted into the WHL.https://chl.ca/whl-hitmen/get-to-know-carter-yakemchuk/#:~:text=The%205'9%E2%80%B3146%2D,be%20a%20potential%20powerplay%20quarterback.

 

[tomd]

Yakemchuk has the exact same issue (it's really one thing) as David Jiricek. Both struggle to get going backwards defending the rush. They get walked.

But those are NHLers all day, the question is just whether they're going to be more offensive specialists or whether they can be trusted in all situations. Sometimes you have to take a risk with a prospect like that to get the high upside. I personally think the upside with those two is much higher than your guy Silayev, who I think is going to be a defensive specialist and not an all situations player.

I agree that Yakemchuk has lots of upside but the risk factor is just as high. The issue (and I think there are one or two others) that you mentioned is pretty important in determining whether a guy will be an NHL regular or an AHL all-star. And when I watch Yakemchuk and Dionicio I see similar dangling and stick work. And I wonder with both of them how much of that will translate to the NHL...just a fraction is my impression. Everyone after Celebrini has issues so I'm not sure where I'd slot Yakemchuk but I don't think it would be top 5.

As for Silayev, as a Ducks fan he is exactly what this team needs to add into the organization. They have tons of offensive D but have no one who excels on the defensive side. He may not have 3OA value to other teams but for the Ducks I think he does. His floor is probably 2nd pairing defensive anchor (much more than a defensive specialist IMO...his skating is just too good). If he even develops decent offensive skills he's a top pairing guy. Again, my focus on him at 3OA is strictly about how he'd fits so perfectly for the Ducks.

 

[BondraTime]

Byfuglien was huge (too big lol) but Burns was listed at 6'4 183 when he was drafted, Yakemchuk is 6'3 201.

Oshawa Generals

staging.chl.ca

I wouldn't be shocked to see Yakemchuk end up being listed at 6'4 220-225. He's got a pretty big frame.

Edit: Jesus this kid has grown. He was 5'9 155 when he was drafted into the WHL.https://chl.ca/whl-hitmen/get-to-know-carter-yakemchuk/#:~:text=The%205'9%E2%80%B3146%2D,be%20a%20potential%20powerplay%20quarterback.

W kids are all drafted in their 14 years old season with another year before they are eligible for the W. Their draft sizes are always much smaller than the O or Q where they are drafted in their 15 year old season and jump straight in. The growth looks much larger than other leagues, because they are given a full extra year when boys grow the largest amount.

Kids are generally growing a ton between 14 and 15, the difference between the 2 leagues form draft to rookie year is substantial, as it's 3 vs 15 months

He was 6'2 185 in his rookie season in Calgary

He's going to be a big boy, likely playing around 6'3 210ish I'd guess

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

W kids are all drafted in their 14 years old season with another year before they are eligible for the W. Their draft sizes are always much smaller than the O or Q where they are drafted in their 15 year old season and jump straight in. The growth looks much larger than other leagues, because they are given a full extra year when boys grow the largest amount.

Kids are generally growing a ton between 14 and 15, the difference between the 2 leagues form draft to rookie year is substantial, as it's 3 vs 15 months

He was 6'2 185 in his rookie season in Calgary

He's going to be a big boy, likely playing around 6'3 210ish I'd guess

Yea I'm aware, that's still half a foot and ~50 lbs in pretty short order! It would make help explain why his agility is relatively poor - he's grown a ton in the last handful of years. It may take a few more years for him to fully settle into his frame.

 

[Faceboner]

Definitely a high reward anywhere in the 6-12 range physical force with wheels and puck skills also a scoring touch wouldn't be surprised to see Utah take a swing on him

 

[Doublechin]

Definitely a high reward anywhere in the 6-12 range physical force with wheels and puck skills also a scoring touch wouldn't be surprised to see Utah take a swing on him

I wouldn't be surprised that he's end up being the top D on some lists, the main knocks on him and Levshunov are their IQ but I see more offense potentially from Yak and more physical play and for some teams that might give him an edge as the top RD

 

[57special]

I could see him as a top 5 pick. Is it weird to describe him as a D version of Lindstrom?

 

[VanIslander]

I thought this Yushktvich.

 

[rt]

I could see him as a top 5 pick. Is it weird to describe him as a D version of Lindstrom?

I’ve been saying all year that he’s a D version of Corey Perry. Haha.

 

[57special]

I’ve been saying all year that he’s a D version of Corey Perry. Haha.

That's weird as hell, but i like it!

 

[JT3]

I’ve been saying all year that he’s a D version of Corey Perry. Haha.

I've said the same thing! I think he's a better skater than Corey, but the rattiness, physicality, the dangles on a big frame are so reminiscent of Perry. He's a much better skater than Perry in my opinion though, and I don't share the same concerns with his skating some people have. He's very much an average skater but he gets around just fine.

If you want to swing on upside Yakemchuk is the guy for me, he's pretty nearly the whole package and if he goes to a franchise with a strong development team that can help him refine a few things in his game (namely gap control/d coverage/decision making) he will be a star.

 

[rt]

I've said the same thing! I think he's a better skater than Corey, but the rattiness, physicality, the dangles on a big frame are so reminiscent of Perry. He's a much better skater than Perry in my opinion though, and I don't share the same concerns with his skating some people have. He's very much an average skater but he gets around just fine.

If you want to swing on upside Yakemchuk is the guy for me, he's pretty nearly the whole package and if he goes to a franchise with a strong development team that can help him refine a few things in his game (namely gap control/d coverage/decision making) he will be a star.

I was thinking about his janky skating. He has the feet to easily gain the blueline, beat forwards and get behind them. He has the feet to escape pressure as well as any defender in the draft. And he has the length and aggression to gap up really effectively on oncoming forwards. His backward skating needs work and his pivots. His mechanics need work as his stride is ugly. And he doesn’t have elite separation speed. But does he need any of that to play his game? And is his game still extremely valuable without those elements?

If he can stop getting turnstyled (when he can’t challenge oncoming forwards and instead has to skate with them)I think teams can live with the rest. And happily.

He’s got great feet but a bad stride and some mechanical issues. There’s some work to be done but there’s so much upside apart from all that.

 

[Petes2424]

Big fan of this player and would be happy if the Flames took him at #9 depending on who's still available. I dunno if he'd be at the top of my list for the defenders ranking but he's my favourite. A big hit or one big shot can change a game fast.

The Flames are gonna have a big decision to make if he and Iginla are both there. Or should I say, the media and fans are gonna think they’ll have a big decision to make. I’d wager Conroy runs to the stage with the Yakemchuk pick and never thinks twice about it. You simply can’t take Iginla over Yakemchuk in Calgary. You’ll never hear the end of it.

The Flames are the exact reason I can’t see him dropping out of the Top 10. The only way, is if the Russian kid drops (over the Putin thing) and they take him. Otherwise they may never live the pick down.

 

[Zirakzigil]

The Flames are gonna have a big decision to make if he and Iginla are both there. Or should I say, the media and fans are gonna think they’ll have a big decision to make. I’d wager Conroy runs to the stage with the Yakemchuk pick and never thinks twice about it. You simply can’t take Iginla over Yakemchuk in Calgary. You’ll never hear the end of it.

The Flames are the exact reason I can’t see him dropping out of the Top 10. The only way, is if the Russian kid drops (over the Putin thing) and they take him. Otherwise they may never live the pick down.

Flames picked up a lot of blueline prospects through trade. I think they would prefer an impact forward with their top pick. All depends on their internal rankings. Id be happy with either player.

 

[Blueswin]

From the Combine:

• Speaking of Yakemchuk, he got the most answers of any player for the questions, “Who’s the hardest player to play against?” and “Who’s the most underrated player in this draft class?”

 

[rt]

From the Combine:

• Speaking of Yakemchuk, he got the most answers of any player for the questions, “Who’s the hardest player to play against?” and “Who’s the most underrated player in this draft class?”

Link? Looks like it’s a copy paste from an article I’d love to read. Thanks.

 

[Blueswin]

MSN

 

[Blueswin]

here is the article - MSN

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

The Athletic was saying that one of the big talking points around the league after the combine was that he had a bad week. Poor interviews and testing. Supposedly his lack of athleticism was a common theme throughout the testing and some of his interviews. Didn’t sound like character concerns, but closer to he’s not a natural athlete and some of the indicators of future success at higher levels teams are worried about.

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

Yakemchuk has the exact same issue (it's really one thing) as David Jiricek. Both struggle to get going backwards defending the rush. They get walked.

But those are NHLers all day, the question is just whether they're going to be more offensive specialists or whether they can be trusted in all situations. Sometimes you have to take a risk with a prospect like that to get the high upside. I personally think the upside with those two is much higher than your guy Silayev, who I think is going to be a defensive specialist and not an all situations player.



Burns right now is very slow in all directions, Yakemchuk is obviously faster in most ways, it's just a question of those slow first steps back.



Yakemchuk is huge and strong though. He's not quite as tall as Burns or thick as Buff but he looks bigger and stronger than most 6'3 guys. We'll see where he measures up. I think his comp as Burns/Buff is about as far off as it is on the other end comparing him to Trouba/Schneider. He really is special in his physical strength and his ability to protect the puck with his reach and frame.

Could Weber come to mind for you as a comp?

 

[coooldude]

The Athletic was saying that one of the big talking points around the league after the combine was that he had a bad week. Poor interviews and testing. Supposedly his lack of athleticism was a common theme throughout the testing and some of his interviews. Didn’t sound like character concerns, but closer to he’s not a natural athlete and some of the indicators of future success at higher levels teams are worried about.

That was what they said on the podcast, which definitely moved the needle for me on him, but what's confusing is that Pronman's Draft Confidential article also quoted a bunch of scouts as saying they think he's underrated, that he's one of the top 3-4 D in the draft, he got votes for best hands/ best compete / best shot, and the aforementioned MSN article saying that he was the most common answer to "who's the hardest to play against" and "who's the most underrated." So it's a mixed message.

 

[Sens in Process]

Judging from his interviews in and round the combine, he certainly doesn't radiant personality or charisma. But keep in mind, the dude is from Northern Alberta, and is perhaps lacking in the cultural capital of some of his peers that grew up in major cities, who just seem more confident and cooler. Or maybe he is just a quiet kid? Regardless, I am not sure how much stock teams will put into this.

The athletic testing is an interesting piece that can go both ways in the eyes of NHL teams. Does he have athletic limitations or has he not prioritized gym work at this stage? If he is able to dominate at the CHL level with a high body fat count and hardly ever stepping foot in a gym, maybe teams will think this represents a development opportunity? I don't have the answers here.

When I watch him, he looks like a very strong and powerful individual. He had no problems physically handling Lindstrom who is tall, athletic and heavy in their encounters this season.

 

[57special]

That was what they said on the podcast, which definitely moved the needle for me on him, but what's confusing is that Pronman's Draft Confidential article also quoted a bunch of scouts as saying they think he's underrated, that he's one of the top 3-4 D in the draft, he got votes for best hands/ best compete / best shot, and the aforementioned MSN article saying that he was the most common answer to "who's the hardest to play against" and "who's the most underrated." So it's a mixed message.

Ya, and Catton mentioned a couple of times in his Combine interview how talented, and hard to play against Yakemchuk is.

Some players really train those tests, others don't. They have little to do with how good you are on the ice.