Prospect Info: Sharks Prospect Info & Discussion Thread XX

[OrrNumber4]

Still bummed that we missed out on these two gems. Firkus is leading the WHL in points, and Casey is leading the NCAA in points as a Dman.

Maybe. Casey's size is a flag.

 

[LilLeeroy]

Still bummed that we missed out on these two gems. Firkus is leading the WHL in points, and Casey is leading the NCAA in points as a Dman.

Honestly Rutger Mcgroarty would be perfect on this team too. A high character young guy that actually comes with the talent package, so we don't have to keep Ferraro around for "leadership".

 

[coooldude]

Still bummed that we missed out on these two gems. Firkus is leading the WHL in points, and Casey is leading the NCAA in points as a Dman.

You mean 161lbs 19 year old Jagger Firkus who didn't get any ice time at world juniors? Not too worried about missing him, there's obvious projectability concerns from more than just us.

Same with Casey - 20 years old, 5'9", 161lbs according to Elite prospects. Havelid is still a strong prospect who was an all around solid D man for Sweden while Casey had 6 assists at WJC. Maybe a bit closer or maybe Casey is ahead by some reckonings but probably way too early to evaluate whether we "just missed" or not.

 

[Pete Taylor]

For what it's worth, I'm not sure Will Smith views college hockey purely as just a developmental stepping stone that he need to conquer before moving on to greener pastures. He grew up in metro Boston and went to BC hockey games growing up with his dad/grandpa, who are both alumni of the school along with like 15 other people in his family. He also actively recruited Perrault/Leonard to go to BC with him.

If BC falls short in the tournament and finishes the year without any hardware, I imagine Smith will feel there is unfinished business, especially if his linemates who he convinced to enroll stay another season. BC is also adding the potential 2025 first overall pick in James Hagens next year, so they'll be in a good position to contend next year as well.

There are obviously other factors at play, but it shouldn't be a surprise if the teenager who has deep roots at a program that does a great job developing players tells the Sharks he would like to stay for his age 19 season. Gauthier said the reason he returned to BC this season was because he wanted to leave a legacy and play with a loaded incoming class, so this is something players in that program themselves have done very recently.

Thank you, Will Smith. Glad to see you on these boards.

 

[Wieters]

Wasn't it reported that Gauthier desperately wanted to sign with the Flyers after his freshman season and they turned him down, resulting in his trade to Anaheim?

I'm sure Smith loves playing for BC and living close to his family but probably not enough to leave a million bucks on the table by going back to school next year.

There was a lot of noise around the Gauthier story. But straight from the kid himself and before that drama, Gauthier himself said immediately after last season that he wanted to return to BC to win something and because of the incoming class. The same YouTube channel interviews Will Smith. He explicitly talks about wanting to raise banners at BC before it's all said and done.

 

[Timo Time]

Feels like this draft is where we really start to see the rebuild take-off, in an exciting way. Chicago will more than likely get the #1 but there is still some pretty elite talent there at #2.

The development of Smith and Musty has really changed the direction of the overall prospect pool.

 

[coooldude]

Really ugly game from BC today. Everyone looked sluggish and off their A game.

0 points from Fresh Prince, but he did have some big hits and won two critical faceoffs in the last minute.

He skates with lead feet (at least today). Honestly he reminds me a lot of Pavs -- slow, smart, great shot, great playmaking, crafty on the fore/backcheck.

 

[Jargon]

Really ugly game from BC today. Everyone looked sluggish and off their A game.

0 points from Fresh Prince, but he did have some big hits and won two critical faceoffs in the last minute.

He skates with lead feet (at least today). Honestly he reminds me a lot of Pavs -- slow, smart, great shot, great playmaking, crafty on the fore/backcheck.

It’s funny because I feel like people’s scouting reports either harp on his skating or talk about what a great skater he is, it’s very confusing. I think @Juxtaposer was the one that theorized he needs to work on his leg strength and that maybe his skating problems stem from that, which makes sense, re: sluggishness.

I also sometimes wonder if he’s been told to bulk up so he’s working out a ton during the season and some games his body is just tired/unused to it.

I do hope, either way, he gets a good skating coach this summer.

 

[The Nemesis]

How is Cagnoni defensively?

Who cares? Defence is for losers who can't outscore their problems.

 

[hohosaregood]

It’s funny because I feel like people’s scouting reports either harp on his skating or talk about what a great skater he is, it’s very confusing. I think @Juxtaposer was the one that theorized he needs to work on his leg strength and that maybe his skating problems stem from that, which makes sense, re: sluggishness.

I also sometimes wonder if he’s been told to bulk up so he’s working out a ton during the season and some games his body is just tired/unused to it.

I do hope, either way, he gets a good skating coach this summer.

His edge work is really good and his crossovers are good. But he's got heavy legs more often than not in straight line. I do think that more strength and some power skating sessions will do him a lot of good.

 

[timorous me]

His edge work is really good and his crossovers are good. But he's got heavy legs more often than not in straight line. I do think that more strength and some power skating sessions will do him a lot of good.

It really seems like the easiest thing to improve upon. Basically more leg days in the gym.

 

[Jargon]

It’s funny to think that a hockey player would have weak legs, like doesn’t just… the act of being at this level mean your legs are ripped?

 

[coooldude]

It’s funny to think that a hockey player would have weak legs, like doesn’t just… the act of being at this level mean your legs are ripped?

It's not that he has weak legs necessarily. Speed isn't just about "stronger." He might need more fast twitch. He might not have the genetics for it, he might be too heavy on the strength building side. We're talking about pro sports... Maybe he has what it takes to be in the 99% but not the 99.9%.

Think of a parallel in football. You wouldn't see a slow running back and say, "they just need to get stronger." There's a nuance to it because it's skating not running, but it's definitely not just "needs to get stronger."

 

[CaptainShark]

FWIW Scott Wheeler has ranked the top 75 (skater) prospects affiliated to an NHL-team:

Smith is 4 OA (tier 2)
Musty is 38 OA (tier 4)
Bystedt is 70 OA (tier 5)
Bordeleau, Muk, Thrun and Cagnoni are hM (unofficial tier 6 if you will)

 

[gaucholoco3]

FWIW Scott Wheeler has ranked the top 75 (skater) prospects affiliated to an NHL-team:

Smith is 4 OA (tier 2)
Musty is 38 OA (tier 4)
Bystedt is 70 OA (tier 5)
Bordeleau, Muk, Thrun and Cagnoni are hM (unofficial tier 6 if you will)

Bystedt over Muk??

That’s interesting. I’m starting to write off Bystedt or penciling him in as a 4 C.

- Celebrini/Haggens -

- Smith -

- Eklund -

- Bystedt -


That’s some quality depth down the middle.

 

[Barrie22]

Bystedt over Muk??

That’s interesting. I’m starting to write off Bystedt or penciling him in as a 4 C.

- Celebrini/Haggens -

- Smith -

- Eklund -

- Bystedt -


That’s some quality depth down the middle.

Probably due to more so age.

 

[bullslugg]

Bystedt over Muk??

That’s interesting. I’m starting to write off Bystedt or penciling him in as a 4 C.

- Celebrini/Haggens -

- Smith -

- Eklund -

- Bystedt -


That’s some quality depth down the middle.

Move Bystedt to 3C, Keep Ek in top 6

 

[gaucholoco3]

Move Bystedt to 3C, Keep Ek in top 6

While I think Eklund would thrive as a top 6 wing, he could also be an elite 3C for a cup contender if he continues to develop down the middle.

Celebrini as a 1C that can match opposition top lines.

Smith as a scoring 2C that can feast on softer competition.

Eklubd as a 3C that can anchor a line that can match opposing teams 2nd lines allowing Smith to feast on softer competition.

Give Eklund PP time and this would be a team that is so hard to play against.

 

[Barrie22]

While I think Eklund would thrive as a top 6 wing, he could also be an elite 3C for a cup contender if he continues to develop down the middle.

Celebrini as a 1C that can match opposition top lines.

Smith as a scoring 2C that can feast on softer competition.

Eklubd as a 3C that can anchor a line that can match opposing teams 2nd lines allowing Smith to feast on softer competition.

Give Eklund PP time and this would be a team that is so hard to play against.

Turn Eklund into a Couture that would be amazing.

 

[BaileyMacTavish]

I still think Eklund is a top 6 winger and we can fill out the bottom 6. We got plenty of those

 

[mogambomoroo]

Eklund has 2nd line in him, even better if he can be a winger/relief center If you will. He will start racking up points when the core gets younger and they find their groove. IMO 3rd and 4th line should be build by veterans or fringe top 6 players that can do the dirty work too.

 

[gaucholoco3]

Eklund has 2nd line in him, even better if he can be a winger/relief center If you will. He will start racking up points when the core gets younger and they find their groove. IMO 3rd and 4th line should be build by veterans or fringe top 6 players that can do the dirty work too.

Oh I know he is capable of being a top 6 winger. I just think if they can build the depth they could slot him as a top 6 player who anchors an elite 3rd line.

 

[Celly4Celebrini]

For what it's worth, I'm not sure Will Smith views college hockey purely as just a developmental stepping stone that he need to conquer before moving on to greener pastures. He grew up in metro Boston and went to BC hockey games growing up with his dad/grandpa, who are both alumni of the school along with like 15 other people in his family. He also actively recruited Perrault/Leonard to go to BC with him.

If BC falls short in the tournament and finishes the year without any hardware, I imagine Smith will feel there is unfinished business, especially if his linemates who he convinced to enroll stay another season. BC is also adding the potential 2025 first overall pick in James Hagens next year, so they'll be in a good position to contend next year as well.

There are obviously other factors at play, but it shouldn't be a surprise if the teenager who has deep roots at a program that does a great job developing players tells the Sharks he would like to stay for his age 19 season. Gauthier said the reason he returned to BC this season was because he wanted to leave a legacy and play with a loaded incoming class, so this is something players in that program themselves have done very recently.

for what it's worth, i think Smith would benefit immensely from another year of university strength and conditioning. Add some size before you play against men. It's VERY hard to do that playing a junior/pro schedule. Very doable with a univeristy schedule

It’s funny to think that a hockey player would have weak legs, like doesn’t just… the act of being at this level mean your legs are ripped?

Not really. Weak legs can mean he doesnt have the same ability to recover post game that a pro does. Can mean he needs to improve his overall capacity so his current 100% is closer to 90%. Could mean he got to college hockey because of his other skills.

 

[Skeksis25]

I know there ain't such a thing as Hockey Gods, but if we go through 2023-2025 without getting 1 of Bedard, Celebrini or Hagens, then I'm a Hockey Satanite.

 

[DG93]

I know there ain't such a thing as Hockey Gods, but if we go through 2023-2025 without getting 1 of Bedard, Celebrini or Hagens, then I'm a Hockey Satanite.

No, you're just a Sharks fan. Welcome aboard!