RD William Villeneuve - Saint John Sea Dogs, QMJHL (2020, 122nd, TOR)

[Johnny Hanson]

Could this be a Zboril-Chabot case 2.0 where Poirier gets drafted first but Villeneuve becomes the better player?

Yes

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Could this be a Zboril-Chabot case 2.0 where Poirier gets drafted first but Villeneuve becomes the better player?

If anything, it’d be the opposite. Villeneuve could go earlier because he’s had an excellent season and is well rounded, but he probably lacks that top end upside to be as good as someone like Chabot. Poirier is a lot more talented than Zboril ever was. He needs to clean up his defense. If he does, he’ll be a star in the NHL.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

If anything, it’d be the opposite. Villeneuve could go earlier because he’s had an excellent season and is well rounded, but he probably lacks that top end upside to be as good as someone like Chabot. Poirier is a lot more talented than Zboril ever was. He needs to clean up his defense. If he does, he’ll be a star in the NHL.

Devils fans are already targeting Villeneuve if the Devils can trade down with the Vancouver pick and the the 2nd on him. I worry about his footspeed limiting his potential.

 

[Bjindaho]

Will was named a finalist for D of the year in the Q at 17.

 

[LeProspector]

Most underrated player in the draft.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Most underrated player in the draft.

Couldn’t agree more. He’s absolutely an NHL player in my mind.

 

[bert]

I dont see him making it out of the first round.

 

[LastWordArmy]

Sherbrooke native William Villeneuve had a huge season for the Saint John Sea Dogs. He scored nine goals and 49 assists for 58 points in 64 games. Villeneuve led all QMJHL defencemen in both assists and points. He also served as an alternate captain for the Sea Dogs. Villeneuve spent most of the season playing on the Sea Dogs top pair, alongside fellow 2020 NHL Draft prospect Jeremie Poirier. On a rebuilding club, the two 17-year-olds took on big minutes. They also had the responsibility of being matched against the opponents’ top lines.

Villeneuve was the second overall pick in the 2018 QMJHL Draft. In his rookie season, he scored one goal and 18 assists for 19 points in 55 games. Villeneuve has also played internationally for Canada. He put up four assists in six tournament games for Team Canada Red at the 2018 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge. Villeneuve played Bantam hockey for the Magog Cantonniers in the QMAAA, where he was coached by former NHL goaltender Felix Potvin. He led the Cantoniers to an appearance in Canada’s top midget hockey tournament, the Telus Cup.

William Villeneuve Scouting Report: 2020 NHL Draft #50

 

[EnglishJet]

Sherbrooke native William Villeneuve had a huge season for the Saint John Sea Dogs. He scored nine goals and 49 assists for 58 points in 64 games. Villeneuve led all QMJHL defencemen in both assists and points. He also served as an alternate captain for the Sea Dogs. Villeneuve spent most of the season playing on the Sea Dogs top pair, alongside fellow 2020 NHL Draft prospect Jeremie Poirier. On a rebuilding club, the two 17-year-olds took on big minutes. They also had the responsibility of being matched against the opponents’ top lines.

Villeneuve was the second overall pick in the 2018 QMJHL Draft. In his rookie season, he scored one goal and 18 assists for 19 points in 55 games. Villeneuve has also played internationally for Canada. He put up four assists in six tournament games for Team Canada Red at the 2018 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge. Villeneuve played Bantam hockey for the Magog Cantonniers in the QMAAA, where he was coached by former NHL goaltender Felix Potvin. He led the Cantoniers to an appearance in Canada’s top midget hockey tournament, the Telus Cup.

William Villeneuve Scouting Report: 2020 NHL Draft #50

He is one of my favourite players in this draft—not saying I think he is the best D, but every time I saw him was composed, smart and efficient.

 

[NHL Dude 120]

Where do you folks think he projects? are we talking 2nd pairing or a decent/elite 3rd pairing

What's his ETA? Im guessing say 2 more years in junior and perhaps 2 more in the AHL.

 

[Richard88]

One thing thou, can this be right; 6 foot 2 RD who weighs only 163 lbs????.

Scouts love players who are performing well already despite a small frame as it's easy to project them improving further if they can add 30lbs of muscle.

Take a comparison of two prospects putting up the same performance in juniors:

- The first one is a 6'2'' 200lbs defenseman
- The second one is a 6'2'' 165lbs defenseman

The first one probably doesn't have much room to improve physically, but the second one does. And if the second one is already performing at the same level as the first one who is much bigger and stronger in junior, then it makes sense that the second one would have the greater potential.

That's obviously extremely simplistic and a multitude of other factors would be involved. But my point is basically that scouts may be higher on Villeneuve than we think due to how much room he has to grow still.

 

[Richard88]

Could this be a Zboril-Chabot case 2.0 where Poirier gets drafted first but Villeneuve becomes the better player?

If I had the choice between either of these players I'd pick Villeneuve 10 times out of 10. Poirier's total lack of defense is likely to keep him out of the NHL, whereas with Villeneuve you very likely get a high floor middle pairing Dman.

 

[docbenton]

If I had the choice between either of these players I'd pick Villeneuve 10 times out of 10. Poirier's total lack of defense is likely to keep him out of the NHL, whereas with Villeneuve you very likely get a high floor middle pairing Dman.

I like both these players though they're different. The question to ask with Poirier isn't really can he defend, I don't think that matters when projecting offensive defenseman. Has a defenseman EVER been kept out of the league because they couldn't defend, despite scoring 40+ points in the NHL? I can't think of one example. The question to ask is, can he produce enough? He's incredibly skilled, but his skating could be a little more explosive and his passing game can definitely be more refined. These are my concerns.

Villeneuve seems like a very smart, solid player, not sure why he's being underrated by scouts despite the production. If there are concerns I haven't seen them yet in limited viewings.

 

[SympathyForTheDevils]

I like both these players though they're different. The question to ask with Poirier isn't really can he defend, I don't think that matters when projecting offensive defenseman. Has a defenseman EVER been kept out of the league because they couldn't defend, despite scoring 40+ points in the NHL? I can't think of one example. The question to ask is, can he produce enough? He's incredibly skilled, but his skating could be a little more explosive and his passing game can definitely be more refined. These are my concerns.

Villeneuve seems like a very smart, solid player, not sure why he's being underrated by scouts despite the production. If there are concerns I haven't seen them yet in limited viewings.

Dmen that don't have basic defensive competency don't make it to the NHL, regardless of their offensive potential. Coaches are not gonna put that kind of player in for 15-20 min every game just because he might score 40 pts in a season. And Poirier, unfortunately, is pretty far from having basic defensive competency.

 

[NHL Dude 120]

I think he would be a good fit on the sens tbh.

 

[Richard88]

I like both these players though they're different. The question to ask with Poirier isn't really can he defend, I don't think that matters when projecting offensive defenseman. Has a defenseman EVER been kept out of the league because they couldn't defend, despite scoring 40+ points in the NHL? I can't think of one example. The question to ask is, can he produce enough? He's incredibly skilled, but his skating could be a little more explosive and his passing game can definitely be more refined. These are my concerns.

Villeneuve seems like a very smart, solid player, not sure why he's being underrated by scouts despite the production. If there are concerns I haven't seen them yet in limited viewings.

Dmen that don't have basic defensive competency don't make it to the NHL, regardless of their offensive potential. Coaches are not gonna put that kind of player in for 15-20 min every game just because he might score 40 pts in a season. And Poirier, unfortunately, is pretty far from having basic defensive competency.

If you want an offensive Dman I don't see why anyone would pick Poirier over Cormier. As you can see in the table below, Poirier scores a bunch because he shoots a lot (3.2 shots per 20 minutes) but he's given up a LOUSY 101 goals against this season. That's horrific.

By comparison Cormier let in 1/3rd as many goals, and would have scored about half as many goals if he didn't have bad luck with shots (i.e. his shooting percentage is 3.45%. A normal % would be around 6 and see him score about 10-12 goals. I'd take Cormier over Poirier every time.

Btw, to bring this back on topic, it's interesting to note that Villeneuve allowed 85 goals, but I would argue that that is heavily inflated by the fact that he was partnered by Poirier the whole season.

 

[docbenton]

If you want an offensive Dman I don't see why anyone would pick Poirier over Cormier. As you can see in the table below, Poirier scores a bunch because he shoots a lot (3.2 shots per 20 minutes) but he's given up a LOUSY 101 goals against this season. That's horrific.

By comparison Cormier let in 1/3rd as many goals, and would have scored about half as many goals if he didn't have bad luck with shots (i.e. his shooting percentage is 3.45%. A normal % would be around 6 and see him score about 10-12 goals. I'd take Cormier over Poirier every time.

Btw, to bring this back on topic, it's interesting to note that Villeneuve allowed 85 goals, but I would argue that that is heavily inflated by the fact that he was partnered by Poirier the whole season.

View attachment 347440

I don't really see Cormier projecting as an offensive defenseman, he just doesn't have the skillset.

Dmen that don't have basic defensive competency don't make it to the NHL, regardless of their offensive potential. Coaches are not gonna put that kind of player in for 15-20 min every game just because he might score 40 pts in a season. And Poirier, unfortunately, is pretty far from having basic defensive competency.

I think if you're a big time producer in the AHL (as a prospect) you'll get a chance in the NHL at some point even if you can't play defense. Is there a counterexample? Again, the issue is, can he produce, or is he just a Ryan Murphy, who, by the way, got a bunch of NHL games despite complete inability to play defense...couldn't score. On the other hand Anthony DeAngelo has made it, that's kind of all you need to know.

 

[docbenton]

delete

 

[LeProspector]

First among draft eligible defenceman in scoring for this years draft, yet is an HM in bobs list? Whichever team picks this kid up has gotten a first round talent likely in the second or later.
He’s IMO the second best RHD in the draft, behind Drysdale, has excellent gap control and is a good skater. I just don’t understand how professional scouts are missing what i’m seeing out there.

 

[SympathyForTheDevils]

First among draft eligible defenceman in scoring for this years draft, yet is an HM in bobs list? Whichever team picks this kid up has gotten a first round talent likely in the second or later.
He’s IMO the second best RHD in the draft, behind Drysdale, has excellent gap control and is a good skater. I just don’t understand how professional scouts are missing what i’m seeing out there.

IMO, part of it is his lack of exciting physical attributes (no great skating, no great size, no great puck skills) and part of it is I think scouts are scared of Saint John players, since they were such a mess this year.

But I still think there's good value to be had there. He's smart, he competes hard and he's a great passer. After a long summer in the gym he should be a much better player.

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

IMO, part of it is his lack of exciting physical attributes (no great skating, no great size, no great puck skills) and part of it is I think scouts are scared of Saint John players, since they were such a mess this year.

But I still think there's good value to be had there. He's smart, he competes hard and he's a great passer. After a long summer in the gym he should be a much better player.

He just doesn't look like anyone else out there. Often you see a player and can see them becoming someone (Poirier and Letang for example) and that leads to a reasonable projection of sorts.

With Villeneuve I don't think I have ever seen anyone really navigate the game like he does, for the good and bad. He's been getting it done at an elite level for years now though, I think he should go higher than 90th overall and that his value/ranking consensus is way off.

 

[Breomike]

Not as big a fan of Villeneuve as some, but still. At 90+, he's way, way undervalued.

 

[jvr32]

 

[TopC0rner]

He is complaining publicly that his ranking is too low on lists. He thinks he will be a steal.

« Je me vois comme un vol au repêchage »

Some scouts chime in, in that article, here's the one I agree with the most from my viewings:

"Oui, je comprends. Quand tu le regardes jouer, avec ses outils, on dirait que ses stats ne cadrent pas avec ce que tu vois. Il n’est pas fort physiquement, il n’a pas le gros tir de la pointe ni les mains pour déjouer des adversaires. Défensivement, c’est un joueur, et je suis généreux, moyen. Tu regardes ses chiffres et il a l’air d’un choix de deuxième ronde. Mais, si tu vas le voir jouer souvent, on dirait que ce n’est pas ça que tu vois"

Here's a quick translation: When you see him play, with his tools, his stats don't seem to match. He's not strong, he doesn't have a powerful shot and has average stickhandling. On the defensive end, he is average if you're being generous. Looking at his numbers, he looks like a 2nd rounder. However, when you see him play often, you just don't see it.

 

[pgfan66]

not sure why he's being underrated by scouts despite the production. If there are concerns I haven't seen them yet in limited viewings.

His skating is very, very bad. And while we’ve seen players fix their skating over the years, it’s still difficult to do and there’s no guarantee he’ll make it work at the NHL level. All comes down to whether or not teams believe that it can be fixed.