RD Zayne Parekh - Saginaw Spirit, OHL (2024, 9th, CGY)

[LeProspector]

You are him. The one who always provide us others with the truth.

You’re right i’m basically god

 

[horner]

Interesting. Craig Button has him going 8th overall to Seattle in mock draft he did for TSN.

Parekh
Mews
Cole Hutson
What's separates Parekh from the other 2.

All 3 of them aren't great defensively

 

[coooldude]

Parekh
Mews
Cole Hutson
What's separates Parekh from the other 2.

All 3 of them aren't great defensively

I'm no Parekh stan, but what separates him is he's historically elite at the offense part while the other two are just very good.

 

[PittsburghHustlers]

Parekh
Mews
Cole Hutson
What's separates Parekh from the other 2.

All 3 of them aren't great defensively

I think Parekh is better offensively and defensively than both. Hutson might be kinda close offensively but Parekh is way better defensively (which says a lot about Hutson's defensive play). I'm a big Parekh fan tho (top 5 prospect in 2024 IMO).

 

[Dead Coyote]

I know +/- is a very contextual stat but Parekh led his team in +/- with a good margin (11). I admit to never have seen any full game with him, and the highlights do point to some of his defensive liabilities but are they overblown?

Or is the concern that if his offense does not translate to the same level in the pros's his defensive issues will stand out more?

He has the tendency to cough up pucks, his zone entries can be good or fall flat on their face and turn the puck over, he can be a bit lazy and slow getting back, especially when he pinches, and he isn't really the type of guy who defends one on one without the puck well. He also often throws the puck into people's feet and takes low percentage shots into a blocked shot. He can sometimes chase the puck a bit defensively and be out of position. Those are pretty much his defensive liabilities though, I don't think he has much to work on, but he also may not be interested in working on those things at all. Mechanically he's fine and he should be able to transition to the NHL relatively decently, though I don't know if he'll ever be good at handling guys one on one, but he has to actually buy into the system and make the changes, which is the concern.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

He has the tendency to cough up pucks, his zone entries can be good or fall flat on their face and turn the puck over, he can be a bit lazy and slow getting back, especially when he pinches, and he isn't really the type of guy who defends one on one without the puck well. He also often throws the puck into people's feet and takes low percentage shots into a blocked shot. He can sometimes chase the puck a bit defensively and be out of position. Those are pretty much his defensive liabilities though, I don't think he has much to work on, but he also may not be interested in working on those things at all. Mechanically he's fine and he should be able to transition to the NHL relatively decently, though I don't know if he'll ever be good at handling guys one on one, but he has to actually buy into the system and make the changes, which is the concern.

Thing is that most of these D prospects still have a lot of development. What you are mentioning at least with the puck are low % occurrence's compared to his success at zone entries or turn overs or throwing pucks at feet .. His vision, processor and skills to complete passes are on display constantly.. do junior hockey players some time make mistakes sure.

His defensive game is definitely a work in progress.. he is not very strong physically.. but he has a really good stick and can disrupt a lot of plays.

 

[Dead Coyote]

Thing is that most of these D prospects still have a lot of development. What you are mentioning at least with the puck are low % occurrence's compared to his success at zone entries or turn overs or throwing pucks at feet .. His vision, processor and skills to complete passes are on display constantly.. do junior hockey players some time make mistakes sure.

His defensive game is definitely a work in progress.. he is not very strong physically.. but he has a really good stick and can disrupt a lot of plays.

Sure! As I said I don't think his defense is as bad as some make it out to be, but there are definitely concerns.

 

[rt]

He looks extra lazy and disinterested at times.

Injury is probably playing some kind of role in that.

The thing is he got injured because he was getting rag dolled. And he continued to be rag dolled. In the OS series he withstood the physical pressure well and had a good series. Against SSM he did not. He folded. Same against London. He was physically overwhelmed. And he didn’t deal well with it at all. I was not impressed with him in either series. Meanwhile I think Dickinson has been tremendous. For me, it’s no contest. I like Dickinson much more having watched all the playoff games each played so far.

 

[Hale The Villain]

The thing is he got injured because he was getting rag dolled. And he continued to be rag dolled. In the OS series he withstood the physical pressure well and had a good series. Against SSM he did not. He folded. Same against London. He was physically overwhelmed. And he didn’t deal well with it at all. I was not impressed with him in either series. Meanwhile I think Dickinson has been tremendous. For me, it’s no contest. I like Dickinson much more having watched all the playoff games each played so far.

His problem is laziness. He's a good skater but he doesn't move his feet.

Needs to put himself in better positions when forecheckers come at him. Made some bad turnovers due to playing at half speed and took some hits because of it in the games I watched.

Not sure if it can be coached out of him either

 

[wetcoast]

The thing is he got injured because he was getting rag dolled. And he continued to be rag dolled. In the OS series he withstood the physical pressure well and had a good series. Against SSM he did not. He folded. Same against London. He was physically overwhelmed. And he didn’t deal well with it at all. I was not impressed with him in either series. Meanwhile I think Dickinson has been tremendous. For me, it’s no contest. I like Dickinson much more having watched all the playoff games each played so far.

Dickinson is also more physically mature and team construction matters as well.

I really like Dickinson and he is definitely the safer pick but the type of offensive ceiling and if he reaches it is just very tempting.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think Parekh is better offensively and defensively than both. Hutson might be kinda close offensively but Parekh is way better defensively (which says a lot about Hutson's defensive play). I'm a big Parekh fan tho (top 5 prospect in 2024 IMO).

Don’t agree at all. Cole Hutson is pretty solid defensively other than the obvious limitations of being 5’10.

 

[Finster8]

Dickinson is also more physically mature and team construction matters as well.

I really like Dickinson and he is definitely the safer pick but the type of offensive ceiling and if he reaches it is just very tempting.

If Zayne is 100% for Memorial Cup will make a huge difference offensively and on PP. l thought Lalonde played well as a backup but Oke was on top of his game and playing his best hockey in a Spirit uniform until his injury. Parekh and Dionicio will be big factors in the MC.
The two week rest will only help club to get prepared for 3 very good teams. DD and Lazary have to get team ready to compete with the CHL elite in a short tournament.
Saginaw will be on the road for redemption and Parekh will be a key for Sags chances as a Sophomore and could rise his stock in the NHL Draft with a good tourney. Can’t wait as we have been ridiculed all year from not having adequate area/arena and a team that wasn’t doing well at the start of the year etc. Adding Beck, Bloom, Donavon, Hache, Christopoulos andHay will make us very hard to beat. I hope Zayne makes some eat crow shit, l guess 96 pts for a D should give you some respect amongst your peers. Zayne is an aggressive in your face player and is an essential piece for success

 

[rt]

Zayne is an aggressive in your face player …

In what way?

 

[Bobby Holik agent]

Learning to play a bigger physical games in the playoff when you're barely okay to lineup ain't ideal, he's learning.
Beating goal record ain't easy baby.
His skating dynamics against London was way subpar from what i've seen earlier, was that a leg injury?
I think Saginaw ticket selling tactics involve never say anything about Parekh trouble or if he's playing or not.

How easy it would be to make a RD/RW hybrid out of this guys? Easy or very easy?

 

[Kingpin794]

Learning to play a bigger physical games in the playoff when you're barely okay to lineup ain't ideal, he's learning.
Beating goal record ain't easy baby.
His skating dynamics against London was way subpar from what i've seen earlier, was that a leg injury?
I think Saginaw ticket selling tactics involve never say anything about Parekh trouble or if he's playing or not.

How easy it would be to make a RD/RW hybrid out of this guys? Easy or very easy?

I don't know why people always throw this idea out when a defenseman shows high offensive skills. Just let him play his game on the blue line.

 

[57special]

I don't know why people always throw this idea out when a defenseman shows high offensive skills. Just let him play his game on the blue line.

1000%. Playing offensively from the back end is much different than from the forward position. In many ways it's easier, as you can see play before you and choose the weak spots to attack, while forwards end up with their nose pressed against the glass for much of the time. Less small area skills are needed as on offensive Dman, you don't practice things like the cycle nearly as much as a forward.

They also develop a far better risk/reward sense when deciding when to pinch, and shoot from the point. I always cringe when a forward who is the last man back shoots from the blue line - it's like they have no idea what happens when a shot is blocked and there is no one behind you. If you move a Dman up, you waste many of the defensive skills/considerations(i.e.defending line rushes) like that.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I don't know why people always throw this idea out when a defenseman shows high offensive skills. Just let him play his game on the blue line.

It's so f***ing annoying - just really exposes a fundamental lack of knowledge of the game.

 

[bigdog16]

It's so f***ing annoying - just really exposes a fundamental lack of knowledge of the game.

Yeah it really shows a lack of knowledge when ppl throw that out there.

As far as Parekh is concerned I don’t see his game translating the slightest bit and would have zero interest in him in the top 15

 

[LeBrun is a Clown]

In what way?

Not afraid to cut to the middle of the ice off the rush to generate offense/challenge defenders. Also had some bite from time to time in his own zone as well.

I will also say, in comparison, to say a player like Zev, who generates more offense from the perimeter and doesn’t engage in as much physical play, he’s more aggressive in his game.

 

[rt]

Not afraid to cut to the middle of the ice off the rush to generate offense/challenge defenders. Also had some bite from time to time in his own zone as well.

I will also say, in comparison, to say a player like Zev, who generates more offense from the perimeter and doesn’t engage in as much physical play, he’s more aggressive in his game.

I completely disagree. I watched around 20ish of his regular season games and all 13 of his playoff games. I saw a kid who avoids contact and does so for good reason because he gets absolutely ragdolled when he doesn’t. Buium is in an entirely other league when it comes to strength and using strength to his advantage. Buium is strong, assertive and effective in physical battles. Parekh is like a peewee.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Pretty good game 1, 1+2, +2, 3 sog and 2 pim, first star of the game and W for Saginaw.

 

[57special]

Yeah, he looks skinny out there and lacking heft, but he isn't tiny. Give him 2-3 years to pack on 15-20 lbs and it will make all the difference. He is already a vg skater, and has an uncanny ability to involve and be effective offensively. I don't see a guy who has no clue defensively... no doubt that he cheats a bit for offense, but pair him up with a solid defender and you can deal with it, He can also be coached up to play more defense(and the extra lbs. will help a lot), but if he can provide anything like the offense at the pro level that he does at the junior level then you might tell him to just go out there and do your thing, be the next Leetch, or Coffey.

I don't mind picking a guy who is dominant offensively as a junior, despite the fact that he is a scarecrow. Just means to me that he has an even higher ceiling, as opposed to the 6' tall, thick guy who was successful at lower levels because he dominated others physically(i.e Bellows). Unless he is stupid, or otherwise uncoachable, he can be taught how to play acceptable D, again, especially if he can gain weight. Some even grow an inch or so.

It's not like he's 5'8" - though one of favorite Dmen, Jared Spurgeon, is 5'8" and pretty damn good.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I actually think his defensive positioning is passable, it looks worse than it is because of Saginaw’s chaotic system. But holy crap is he weak, it seems like he must have never set foot in a gym in his life. It doesn’t seem like his frame is super skinny either, he just has no strength to him whatsoever.

If Parekh can get at least strong enough that he doesn’t get pushed around, then I think he’s actually a pretty safe prospect. Best player on the ice yesterday in my opinion.

It’s crazy how he can whip off that shot with almost no wind-up. Fools goaltenders and doesn’t give defenders enough time to get set for a block.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

36 goals and 110 points, +41, 80 pims, for Saginaw so far this season.

 

[majormajor]

Yeah, he looks skinny out there and lacking heft, but he isn't tiny. Give him 2-3 years to pack on 15-20 lbs and it will make all the difference. He is already a vg skater, and has an uncanny ability to involve and be effective offensively. I don't see a guy who has no clue defensively... no doubt that he cheats a bit for offense, but pair him up with a solid defender and you can deal with it, He can also be coached up to play more defense(and the extra lbs. will help a lot), but if he can provide anything like the offense at the pro level that he does at the junior level then you might tell him to just go out there and do your thing, be the next Leetch, or Coffey.

I don't mind picking a guy who is dominant offensively as a junior, despite the fact that he is a scarecrow. Just means to me that he has an even higher ceiling, as opposed to the 6' tall, thick guy who was successful at lower levels because he dominated others physically(i.e Bellows). Unless he is stupid, or otherwise uncoachable, he can be taught how to play acceptable D, again, especially if he can gain weight. Some even grow an inch or so.

It's not like he's 5'8" - though one of favorite Dmen, Jared Spurgeon, is 5'8" and pretty damn good.

I actually think his defensive positioning is passable, it looks worse than it is because of Saginaw’s chaotic system. But holy crap is he weak, it seems like he must have never set foot in a gym in his life. It doesn’t seem like his frame is super skinny either, he just has no strength to him whatsoever.

If Parekh can get at least strong enough that he doesn’t get pushed around, then I think he’s actually a pretty safe prospect. Best player on the ice yesterday in my opinion.

It’s crazy how he can whip off that shot with almost no wind-up. Fools goaltenders and doesn’t give defenders enough time to get set for a block.

He'll need to add strength but the unusual obstacle in Parekh's case is his stance. It is not the "athletic stance" where you have enough bend in your ankles, knees, and hips to use your lower body to generate power. He stands straight up so his glutes, quads, etc... are not all working. It's part of his unique skating, which is very effective offensively, but he needs an athletic stance in order to stop attackers from going through him, either to protect the net or to protect himself against the forecheck and oncoming hits.



Simon has a lot of video here of Parekh getting wrecked. Parekh also seems to be unaware of how to protect himself. It's unusual.

I think that may scare teams off more than the defense will.