Ryan Collins, how good will he be?

[nyrcup94]

I was wondering how good CBJ fans think Ryan Collins will be. He's obviously a big dman, but I have been reading that some question his mobility, and whether that is something he can overcome to become a regular NHL dman.

What are everyone's thoughts?

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[Hello Johnny]

Haven't gotten a chance to see him play, but I thought I heard he had good mobility for a big defenseman?

 

[CBJWerenski8]

I wasn't a fan on the pick when it happened and he didn't get much time as a freshman for Minnesota. We'll see how he does this year with more time but for right now I would say he likely tops out to be a 3rd pairing PK guy. But still plenty of time to grow. Way too early

 

[Johansen2Foligno]

We didn't want him anyways.

 

[WannabeFinn]

Defensemen take a while to mature, especially a defenseman who was 6'5" by his 18th birthday. Collins said specifically in his draft interview that one of the biggest reasons he chose UofM was for their S&C program.

Let's give the big guy another year or two before we start to get worried about his mobility. Personally, I think Collins has 2nd pairing upside but more like a #4 shutdown guy rather than a #3 like Heatherington. Collins just lacks the offensive output right now to be looked at as anything higher than a potential #4.

 

[Jackets16]

I wasn't a fan on the pick when it happened and he didn't get much time as a freshman for Minnesota. We'll see how he does this year with more time but for right now I would say he likely tops out to be a 3rd pairing PK guy. But still plenty of time to grow. Way too early

How could you not be a fan of the pick? I LOVED the pick and still do.

 

[Jackets16]

I only saw him play a little, but just for comparison.

Brady Skjei - JR - 20yo (21 now) - 33gp, 1g, 9a, 10pts, +7, 32pim
Ryan Collins - FR - 18yo (19 now) - 32gp, 1g, 8a, 9pts, +7, 14pim

 

[EspenK]

How could you not be a fan of the pick? I LOVED the pick and still do.

That's because with him we won't have to trade up to get Hanifin or Provorov.

 

[Jackets16]

It is starting to seem like all Blue Jackets defensive prospects are the worst ever and Hanifin is the best defensive prospect ever .

 

[CBJWerenski8]

It is starting to seem like all Blue Jackets defensive prospects are the worst ever and Hanifin is the best defensive prospect ever .

That's not it at all. It's widely known we need defensive prospect help.

 

[Viqsi]

It is starting to seem like all Blue Jackets defensive prospects are the worst ever and Hanifin is the best defensive prospect ever .

Nah; just that we have a bunch of probable #2-3-4 guys and would like a #1.

 

[SuperGenius]

If he gets too good maybe he takes the Reilly route and goes UFA?

(tell me this isn't possible again with this guy, please)

 

[CBJWerenski8]

If he gets too good maybe he takes the Reilly route and goes UFA?

(tell me this isn't possible again with this guy, please)

Yes its possible. But not in the Reilly sense where he can leave after his Junior year and go to UFA. He would have to play all 4 years in Minnesota to be eligible.

 

[EspenK]

Yes its possible. But not in the Reilly sense where he can leave after his Junior year and go to UFA. He would have to play all 4 years in Minnesota to be eligible.

As more and more American kids get NHL ready and go the college route this could become a bigger issue. As long as it is possible for guys who aren't top picks to play out the 4 years (3 in Reilly-like cases) and become a UFA the risk will always be there. Guess it could affect the lower rated guys a lot. Why bother wasting a pick on them when there is a chance you can snag them or an equally talented undrafted guy down the road?

 

[Xoggz22]

If he gets too good maybe he takes the Reilly route and goes UFA?

(tell me this isn't possible again with this guy, please)

Since he went straight to college he is CBJ property for four years and until August 15th following his last year

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Since he went straight to college he is CBJ property for four years and until August 15th following his last year

Ala Kevin Hayes with Chicago.

 

[alphafox]

As more and more American kids get NHL ready and go the college route this could become a bigger issue. As long as it is possible for guys who aren't top picks to play out the 4 years (3 in Reilly-like cases) and become a UFA the risk will always be there. Guess it could affect the lower rated guys a lot. Why bother wasting a pick on them when there is a chance you can snag them or an equally talented undrafted guy down the road?

I think we'll see it addressed in the GM meetings once one or two more "glamour" franchises get stuck on the wrong end of the rule. If we see guys ducking Philly or Boston the comish will fast track some kind of fix.