After watching Denton Mateychuk play against the ICE he's moved up my list of interesting prospects that the jet's should be considering strongly!!! He's s serious skater and puck mover. Good shot and could be a PP guy!
GDT: The 2022 NHL Entry Draft Thread
- Thread starter Daximus
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Yeah I'd be fine with him there as well. Top choice is still Geekie if he's there but I'd be happy with Denton as well.
Another sneaky option is Lambert. He seems to be dropping. I've seen a few lists where he is sitting in the 9-15 range. The skating is remarkable. Size is adequate. Had a down year but could be a steal at 14 if he drops.
What a nice snag that would be. I wouldn't be opposed to adding a bit of capital to slide a few spots to secure him if that's what it takes either. You have to think if he falls out of the top ten that other teams will be looking to move up to grab him.
In terms of character "concerns" is the only issue with him primarily his Dad being pesky and involved with his hockey dealings?
I can't shake how impressive he looked at the WJHC a while ago and think the value is just immense in the teens draft wise. Especially in a draft like this with all sorts of question marks.
Yeah I think if he drops there will be interest. I'm fairly certain that someone good will drop to us at 14.
I'm not opposed to moving up either for the right guy.
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Related to the discussion, someone asked Ken Wiebe about moving up in the draft: Jets Mailbag: Could Cheveldayoff try trading up in the 2022 NHL Draft? - Sportsnet.ca
Interesting proposal was trying to trade up for #9OA from Buffalo. If Geekie was on the board, I know I'd consider it. Although I am not sure on the prices quoted there...
Interesting proposal was trying to trade up for #9OA from Buffalo. If Geekie was on the board, I know I'd consider it. Although I am not sure on the prices quoted there...
Depending on the target and depending on the price I'd be willing to move up. I'm not sure I'm sold on paying to move up for Geekie. At 14 sure, but moving up I'd prefer to take a shot at someone like Lambert or Savoie if he happens to fall.
Yeah the issues with Lambert is he looks good at international tournaments but not all that great outside of them. Ves had a similar calling card prior to us drafting him. I think Lambert is more talented and he has the skating but I'm not sold on him myself.
JetsFan815
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Geekie's point production is just OK. Points aren't everything but not sure it's worth giving up assets to trade up .
He was solid in his D-1 and D-2. Put up great seasons there and pretty much every season prior. It's really just this last season that raised concerns. Him changing teams means there was some obvious disagreement with how he was being handled. Didn't fair much better after the change either though. The talent level is obvious though and we can afford to give him some time to develop without much pressure to come in and be a difference maker right away.
My biggest issues with Geekie is his skating and transition game. He's a beast in the corners and can cycle really well but his strides and posture are awkward and he doesn't generate a whole lot of power for how big he is. Because of his skating, he really struggles with exiting the zone either by pass or carry and when speed is generated on the rush he is often the last man in which limits his ability to make big plays. It's a pretty glaring weakness at the WHL level and will only get compounded at the next level where the average player is much quicker at closing gaps and seams. Obviously he can outskate a lot of the bad WHL skaters but when he's up against other high quality WHL skaters the weakness shows.
When he is up in the play though he is incredibly dangerous. He can slow the game down, pick his spots well, has great hands and passing ability and can shoot well enough. He's decent at protecting the puck and can shake guys off but I wouldn't call him a power forward by any stretch.
I see the kind of kid with very limited #1 potential and more likely falls in the middle 6 C range. What will determine where he falls is whether his skating takes some big strides forward.
A very obvious comparable is Dylan Strome who has all the offensive talent in the world but his skating is ultimately what has held him back and kept him from really reaching his offensive ceiling.
Yeah but the major difference I see is Geekie is much more willing to mix it up physically where Strome tends to avoid contact.
Interesting thoughts on zone exits and entries. I see the exit part of it but to me he's been good and dangerous on entries in the games I've attended. Either way he definitely needs to work on his first few steps but I don't think his skating will be a massive issue at the next level.
With regards to points I think caliber team has an impact. He has spent a good chunk of the year on the second pp unit and on the second/third lines. He's not getting the same usage that most high end draft picks get.
He's definitely tougher in that regard to Strome, who really doesn't use his size. But he's also no Lowry out there either who is a pretty prototypical power forward. So I'd say somewhere in the middle. I don't see him mucking it up with the likes of someone like Kassian in the corners, whereas Lowry wouldn't shy away from that at all.
His entries are good when the play is slowed down to a point. When things are fast and everyone is rushing up ice he's usually pretty far behind and he tracks pretty low on his team in terms of controlled entries both passing and carries.
Calibre of team likely goes both ways. Would he be putting up these kinds of numbers on a team like Swift Current? Or Med Hat? Likely not. But he'd also get to show off more of his offensive abilities with more minutes.
When it comes to Geekie I think the size and offensive talent are the two things people focus on the most, which is why I point to Strome. People assume the strides in skating will come but that is more often not the case than is the case. More kids fail to improve in that regard than succeed and drive really has nothing to do with it. So while I do like taking a stab at Geekie at 14. I would be pretty opposed to moving up to grab him as I think his risk outweighs his potential for the cost at that point.
I agree that there are definitely areas in his game that are red flags and need improvement. If they get ironed out you may get a Getzlaf if evwrything goes righr but if not he may have a hard time being more then a low end 2C. That's the risk reward factor with a player like him.
I also wouldn't move up for him, I only move up if Savoie or one of Nemec/Jiricek fall to 9 or 10.
What are your thoughts on Savoie? I see some Point in him myself. Plays a fairly pro type game and is an equal scorer and playmaker that is involved in the tough areas of the ice.
As someone who watched a boat load of Point when he was playing in MJ I think the comparison is pretty apt. I think the only major risks you have with Savoie are the same type of risks you had with Point. He will likely be on the IR for good stretches of time throughout his career as his style of play and size make him injury prone and can he round out his game enough that you can play him at C. Right now I don't think there is any question he could be a top 6 C at the NHL level. But with guys like Point, Marner or P. Kane. I don't think you really lose out on much playing him as a winger at the NHL level because from his own blueline out he is controlling the pace, momentum and direction of play like a center would.
Thanks for your insight as always.
We are talking about two guys in Geekie and Lambert with some pretty impressive high-end traits, but they also come with some knocks, of course, otherwise we'd be talking sure fire top ten for them in the draft.
The Jets have never shied away from guys who have struggled with skating in the past. I think if Geekie knocks the interviews out of the park and the Jets believe in his character, work ethic, etc. he might definitely be the guy if he falls. It'll come down to where they feel he is at with his skating and how quickly it can be corrected. I'm with you, I love how he plays in the corners and can really use his body to create space and plays. Size is a skill at the end of the day.
Lambert, admittedly I haven't watched a ton of him outside of international tourneys, but the talent just flashed when I saw him. He's such a crisp, beautiful skater and when I saw him play I could not think anything but impact player at the next level. That being said, if his Dad is interfering in his hockey affairs and is going to be a pain in the ass, I could see the Jets staying far, far away from opening that potential can of worms.
Good post. Savoie has been at the top of my wish list all year. He would also add some much needed speed to our prospect pool. We've gone the hockey sense with mediocre to poor skating route the last few years and getting another high end skater would help a lot.
I thought he wasn't that great last year as well and that is why he started falling in the rankings. I definitely could be wrong on that.
Yeah the tools are obvious but my concern is if he will have a good enough tool box at the next level. I wouldn't have an issue picking him at 14 either but wouldn't move up for him.
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Good point. Of course, if Lambert or Savoie is available at 9, there's probably going to be a lot of competition.
Kinda replying to you both here but yeah I think Lambert and Savoie are the two guys I want the most. Just because they bring speed and skill into the lineup and both could likely play within two seasons if not next year. Both can project at C which allows us to potentially move on from you know who by then if they can transition in. If we end with up Geekie though I'm still really excited no doubt but I think he's likely more of a project prospect where he takes a bit longer to get here so he can work on his skating but if he improves on it enough he could have a major impact. Those 3 guys are kind of top of my radar. I wouldn't mind another defencemen but we really need to be looking towards getting someone established on the roster more than continuing to fill the prospect pool. Unless Nemec is there, but that is highly unlikely.
Yeah we may not be willing to make that kind of deal but I guess it all depends on the price. The Rags going to the ECF sure would help with our ability to haggle though.
For sure, agreed on all accounts here in terms of those guys. All for Savoie (crossed fingers, lol) Lambert or Geekie at this stage in the game for me.
But if the usual Jets maneuver takes place, and they decide to go USDP route, are there any guy(s) who stand out that you particularly like more than the others? I know McGroarty and Howard are the guys who are "expected" to be around at 14, with a chance of Nazar and Gauthier, albeit less likely.
Gauthier is intriguing a true power forward type. Great skater, Drives the net really well, shoots well. He's very all tools no toolbox to me when I see him though. Like there's lots of talent there but his brain isn't always caught up with his hands and feet and he can make some bonehead plays sometimes. But he seems like a versatile kind of player. Sort of reminds me of less overall skilled Evander Kane which is still very solid. I see a solid middle 6 scoring power forward who can PK if things go right.
McGroarty is another who I wouldn't mind at 14, but certainly wouldn't move up for. His creativity and playmaking are incredibly dynamic. He's also got a great shot but doesn't use it as much as I think he should. That can be corrected though. Great transition playes and has decent size. His skating isn't a glaring weakness but it could use some touching up here and there. His defensive game is also pretty solid. I see a middle 6 versatile kind of player who can slot in on wing or at C. He reminds me a little bit of Copp.
Nazar is just another one of those smaller incredibly skilled and quick forwards that every team needs to open things up. He is kind of a similar player to Ehlers though lacks those explosive first steps that makes Ehlers even more of a threat. Always attacking and pushing the pace and tends to stay on the outside unless he has a clear lane to the net. His shooting isn't quite on Ehlers level either and he is prone to make some bad passes here and there but overall he has a lot of skill and speed.
There's another kid I've been keeping an eye on that I think the Jets might target in a late 1st or 2nd round pick.
Adam Ingram with the Youngstown Phantoms. Plays a very similar game to Connor. Really solid skater with a nose for the net and a solid shooting arsenal. But also struggles on the defensive side of things. Didn't put up the kind of numbers Connor did with Youngstown but also didn't have as good of a team wit him. He seems to be ranked anywhere from the mid 1st all the way to the late 2nd round but I think he could be a steal for us if we can get him.
I really like Ostlund, though I'm not 100% sure about him at 14. Kid could end up being an absolute steal there in a few years though. Really exciting player to watch. He's always moving, always making plays on both sides of the puck. Has that never quit motor.
Joe Hallenback
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I see a lot more upside in Lambert than Vesalainen and definitely more overall upside than Laine has. Though his shot certainly isn't on that level. His overall game is much better IMO.
