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RW Blake Speers (2015, 67th, NJD, traded to ARI)

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I have followed Speers quite a bit this season. Other than size Im not sure why he wasn't ranked higher in last years draft.

- He is a pretty quick skater both straight away and east/west.
- He shoots the puck a lot, similar to that of Marner only on a very weak offensive team. Last 16 games he has 85 shots.
- His -1 draft year statistics put him in the top 20 players for the draft.
- He is a possession driving center
- He is excellent on faceoffs.
- His biggest asset is his hockey sense and playmaking.

I just get a Brad Richards/Alex Tanguay vibe from this guy, not to say he will reach those heights. In his last 16 games he has 13 13 assists.
 
Last edited:
Jason MacIsaac said:
I have followed Speers quite a bit this season. Other than size Im not sure why he wasn't ranked higher in last years draft.

- He is a pretty quick skater both straight away and east/west.
- He shoots the puck a lot, similar to that of Marner only on a very weak offensive team. Last 16 games he has 85 shots.
- His -1 draft year statistics put him in the top 20 players for the draft.
- He is a possession driving center
- He is excellent on faceoffs.
- His biggest asset is his hockey sense and playmaking.

I just get a Brad Richards/Alex Tanguay vibe from this guy, not to say he will reach those heights. In his last 16 games he has 13 13 assists.
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I wouldnt doubt that he's the best player on that team (yes, better than Senyshyn). He got unlucky shooting-wise in the regular season
 
Jason MacIsaac said:
I have followed Speers quite a bit this season. Other than size Im not sure why he wasn't ranked higher in last years draft.

- He is a pretty quick skater both straight away and east/west.
- He shoots the puck a lot, similar to that of Marner only on a very weak offensive team. Last 16 games he has 85 shots.
- His -1 draft year statistics put him in the top 20 players for the draft.
- He is a possession driving center
- He is excellent on faceoffs.
- His biggest asset is his hockey sense and playmaking.

I just get a Brad Richards/Alex Tanguay vibe from this guy, not to say he will reach those heights. In his last 16 games he has 13 13 assists.
Click to expand...

Do you think his game will translate to playing Center at the NHL level?
 
I haven't watched him too much, but I've been impressed by what I've seen from him in his series against the Sting. Think he has a chance to be the next Henrique for the Devils.
 
Having a very strong training camp and I believe he and Zacha are the only two underages still left with the team. Being a right shot could really help him. Given the roster being iced tonight he has an outside chance at making the Devils this season.
 
I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being the best player out of the devils draft, even ahead of Zacha. He's a good enough skater and his ability to read the play is phenomenal.
 
WhiskeyYourTheDevils said:
I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being the best player out of the devils draft, even ahead of Zacha. He's a good enough skater and his ability to read the play is phenomenal.
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I wouldn't go that far but he's looking like a steal considering he was a 3rd round pick.
 
I was hoping someone would have bumped this thread. Speers has been impressive to say the least. And while it's a long-shot he makes the team this year, the fact that he's being given this opportunity tonight to skate with what looks like almost the full Devils roster it speaks highly of him.

I still fully expect him to go down for one more year in juniors but let's see how he finishes out the pre-season/training camp.
 
still kicking it at camp as of this post, while earning a lot of praise for his game against the islanders. I think he will eventually be one of the last cuts and be sent back down to juniors. Is he in a situation where he can be a threat to hit 100 points? I'm not sure how good his team is in juniors.
 
Watched him live last night, the Devils got a gem in him, does all the small things and plays smart hockey, and he has some serious skill.
 
Sounds like he made the opening night lineup.

http://fireandice.northjersey.com/f...-making-a-call-on-the-backup-goalie-1.1674113

As for Speers, Hynes said, “It is a surprise in the sense that, coming in, we know what type of prospect he’s been every day he’s gone through. There hasn’t been a letdown, from rookie camp to now and, arguably, he’s played his way into the opening day lineup and that’s what we like to see. The fact that he’s been very strong. We know about the hockey sense, the instincts, his speed and compete. But, sometimes, you have to be able to have the strength to do it at this level and, so far, he’s shown that.â
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Getting a chance on the top line with Hall and Henrique tomorrow, looks like. He's played well on the fourth line so far, it'll be exciting to see if he has what it takes to be a scorer at 19.
 
Most fans assumed he was another year or two away from making the team anyway. And while he definitely proved that in his short stint with the club I think he's turned some heads and made more people aware that they need to keep an eye on this kid. Very excited about his future.
 
Poor kid...fractures his wrist in the first period of his first game back to Soo. He'll be out at least 6 weeks, could be longer if he does have to get surgery on Monday
 
Speers has been on fire since coming back from the WJC, he has 12 goals and 10 assists with 61 shots on goal in 16 games
 
SMantzas said:
Expecting a middle 6 rw, but wouldnt be shocked if he ends up a 40-50 pt top 6 guy
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I think you're selling him short. He's got extremely high IQ and is a pretty good skater - his skill set should translate pretty well. Based on what I've seen I'd expect a 40-55 point top 6 winger and be a bit disappointed with less.

Biggest thing I'd like to see from him is increased assertiveness with the puck - hopefully as he physically matures he brings a bit more of that.
 
WhiskeyYourTheDevils said:
I think you're selling him short. He's got extremely high IQ and is a pretty good skater - his skill set should translate pretty well. Based on what I've seen I'd expect a 40-55 point top 6 winger and be a bit disappointed with less.

Biggest thing I'd like to see from him is increased assertiveness with the puck - hopefully as he physically matures he brings a bit more of that.
Click to expand...

I think I heard someone at the WJC compare him to Chris Kunitz? I'd be pretty happy with that.
 
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