Prospect Info: Top Prospects Poll 2019

[DaveG]

Looking back my big whifs were Zykov at 5, Wallmark just outside my top 10, and Sellgren just missing the cut for my list, though I did mention him as a possible fast riser in my write-up.

Edit: underrated Geekie as well

 

[tarheelhockey]

Looking back my big whifs were Zykov at 5, Wallmark just outside my top 10, and Sellgren just missing the cut for my list, though I did mention him as a possible fast riser in my write-up.

Edit: underrated Geekie as well

I don't think missing Sellgren is a whiff. He was an unknown quantity at the time and even today we still don't really know what we have there.

Here's what I had a year ago:

1. RW Andrei Svechnikov
2. C Martin Necas
3. LD Jake Bean
4. RD Luke Martin
5. LW Valentin Zykov
6. W Warren Foegele
7. RD Roland McKeown
8. RD Adam Fox
9. WC/LW Aleksi Saarela
10. C Lucas Wallmark

I was (and still am) pretty high on Martin, but it sounds like his development really stalled this season. Hoping he bounces back from that, because there's absolutely no reason he shouldn't develop into a solid pro.

Totally missed on Wallmark and to a lesser extent Foegele. Classic case of guys finding a niche and running with it. Time will tell with Fox... I think he's an NHL'er but will be a much more limited and frustrating player than the hype would suggest.

I had Poturalski and Maenalanen super low (I know this because I mistakenly sent you ALL prospects in order rather than a top-10). I'm not sure Pots is even a "prospect" at his age, but he looks like he could be a Derek Ryan story. Saku, never would have thought he'd be on the NHL roster so soon but here we are.

 

[My Special Purpose]

If BC was its usual powerhouse self and he still hadn't signed by now I'd say it's not going to happen. But he has yet to make the NCAA tournament there, nor outright win a Hockey East title. Also, unlike Fox or Johnson before him, I haven't heard the usual rumor mill circulating about him having a destination already set in mind or just never wanting to sign here.

B.C. has three of the top 16 picks in the 2019 draft headed their way this summer (12 - Boldy, 13 - Knight, 16 - Newhook), and two more d-men from USNTDP (Helleson and Warren). If I was named captain and saw those guys headed to the program, I'd probably stick around to see how it goes as well. Unless my grades sucked. Then I'd run for the hills.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

Everyone go look at how close Luostarinen's numbers at KalPa last year were to Alex Texier's. He will be higher on my list than he would've been before I did that.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Not fully understanding draft eligibility, how come Luostarinen is a full year older than Texier, but they were both drafted the same year?

 

[Lempo]

Not fully understanding draft eligibility, how come Luostarinen is a full year older than Texier, but they were both drafted the same year?

Luostarinen was over-ager. Would have been eligible in 2016.

Generally, the cutpoint date is Sept 15; later borns go to the next year's draft.

 

[geehaad]

Last year's thread, for funzies: Prospect Info: - 2018-19 Prospect Poll

My attempt at sucking last year:

1. Martin Necas
   
2. Andrei Svechnikov
   
3. Jake Bean
   
4. Warren Foegele
   
5. Valentin Zykov
   
6. Roland McKeown
   
7. Janne Kuokkanen
   
8. Nicolas Roy
   
9. Aleksi Saarela
   
10. Julien Gauthier
    
11. Luke Martin
    
12. Morgan Geekie
    
13. Eetu Luostarinen
    
14. AdamFox
15. Stelio Mattheos

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

Last year's thread, for funzies: Prospect Info: - 2018-19 Prospect Poll

My attempt at sucking last year:

1. Martin Necas
   
2. Andrei Svechnikov
   
3. Jake Bean
   
4. Warren Foegele
   
5. Valentin Zykov
   
6. Roland McKeown
   
7. Janne Kuokkanen
   
8. Nicolas Roy
   
9. Aleksi Saarela
   
10. Julien Gauthier
    
11. Luke Martin
    
12. Morgan Geekie
    
13. Eetu Luostarinen
    
14. AdamFox
15. Stelio Mattheos

To be fair, Necas over Svech was a hell of a hot taek even back then.

 

[CanesFanBudMan]

To be fair, Necas over Svech was a hell of a hot taek even back then.

got it right though, Svech wont even make the top 15 this year...

 

[SlavinAway]

Here was mine from last year:
1. Svech
2. Necas
3. Zykov
4. Foegele
5. Bean
6. Fox
7. Kuokkanen
8. McKeown
9. Saku
10. Ned
11. Goat
12. Saarela
13. Roy
14. Wallmark
15. Fora

I was way overrating Zykov, and high on Fora; low on Wallmark and Saku. Didn't even have Geekie, Eetu, or Stelio on my radar. The rest of the list wasn't terrible.

 

[Lucky Lindy]

Mine:

1. Svechnikov
2. Necas
3. Bean
4. Fox
5. Zykov
6. Saarela
7. Foegele
8. Kuokkanen
9. Mattheos
10. Martin
11. Roy
12. Wallmark
13. Drury
14. Gauthier
15. McKeown

HM: Cotton, Geekie, Fora

As many, too high on Zykov and maybe Saarela and Martin. Maybe too low on Wallmark and Geekie. Otherwise I think it's decent.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

Mine from last year. Way too high on Zykov as many were. My 9-11 were all overrated. Feeling a little justified in having Kuokkanen and Roy that low. Slept on Wallmark. Also apparently I solved BBA's confusion with goalies by just shoving them all into HM. I've had far worse showings.

1) Andrei Svechnikov
2) Martin Necas
3) Jake Bean
4) Adam Fox
5) Valentin Zykov
6) Warren Foegele
7) Aleksi Saarela
8) Julien Gauthier
9) Roland McKeown
10) Luke Martin
11) Jack Drury
12) Janne Kuokkanen
13) Stelio Mattheos
14) Nicholas Roy
15) Lucas Wallmark

Honorable Mention:

16) Morgan Geekie
17) Alex Nedeljkovic
18) Eetu Luostarinen
19) Callum Booth
20) Jeremy Helvig

 

[RodTheBawd]

Mine from last year, in which it was only projections for the upcoming season, not necessarily longterm... I just forgot to post it:

1. Svech
2. Foegele
3. Wally
4. Necas
5. Bean
6. Ned
7. Fox
8. Kuokk
9. Geekie
10.Saarela
11. Roy
12. McKeown
13. Zykov
14. Mattheos
15. Booth

 

[NotOpie]

Here's mine from last season:

1. Martin Necas
2. Andrei Svechnikov
3. Valentin Zykov
4. Warren Foegele
5. Jake Bean
6. Aleksi Saarela
7. Lucas Wallmark
8. Janne Kuokkanen
9. Adam Fox
10. Roland McKeown
11. Morgan Geekie
12. Stelio Mattheos
13. Alex Nedeljkovic
14. Luke Martin
15. David Cotton

HM

16. Nicolas Roy
17. Michael Fora
18. Saku Maenalanen
19. Trevor Carrick
20. Callum Booth
21. Saku Makiniemi
22. Julian Gauthier
23. Clark Bishop
24. Matt Filipe
25. Jack Drury

Like many I had Zykov way too high but was pretty happy with the Foegele and Wallmark ranks. Still curious about Luke Martin. I do think, despite a shit year at UofM he's got a some upside. This season will be critical. Also am a bit perplexed by McKeown's lack of progress....or maybe it's that he just doesn't see a path forward with the organization. Arguably, he's the "next man up" on the right side of the blueline.

 

[emptyNedder]

Also am a bit perplexed by McKeown's lack of progress....or maybe it's that he just doesn't see a path forward with the organization. Arguably, he's the "next man up" on the right side of the blueline.

If there are no more trades, then it would appear McKeown starts the season in Raleigh due to TVR's injury. Unless Fleury or Bean play on the right.

 

[spockBokk]

If there are no more trades, then it would appear McKeown starts the season in Raleigh due to TVR's injury. Unless Fleury or Bean play on the right.

Why wouldn’t they just break up Pesce-Faulk if TVR isn’t ready to go? Seems like a horrible idea to have a 3rd pair where both D have very little NHL experience.

If TVR is still hurt to start the season, I think you’d see:

Slavin-Hamilton
Fleury/Forsling-Pesce
Bean/Forsling/Fleury-Faulk

 

[Svechhammer]

What's the story on Nick Hale? Kid from Cary who grew up playing with the Junior Hurricanes. Saw him playing in the Prospect Camp as an unaffiliated invitee and looked to have some pretty good speed and motor.

Any chance of him getting a shot within the organization going forward?

 

[DougieSmash]

Last year ranking.

1. Svech
2. Necas
3. Bean
4. Zykov
5. Fox
6. Foegele
7. Martin
8. McKeown
9. Saarela
10. Gauthier
11. Roy
12. Wallmark
13. Kuokkonen
13. Drury
14. Mattheos
15. Geekie
16. Luostarinen
17. De Jong
18. Carroll
19. Booth
20. Sellgren
HM: Rasanen, Helvig, Lafontaine, Nedeljkovic, Makiniemi

I was pretty high on Zykov (big whiff) and Foegele (good, very good). Martin at #7 is epic fail though. I guess at least i have Sellgren then in top 20.

 

[emptyNedder]

Martin at #7 is epic fail though. I guess at least i have Sellgren then in top 20.

I am with Tarheel on this in that I still think Martin has potential. The organization actually needs him because there really isn't a right-shot, right-side D after McKeown until Honka develops.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I am with Tarheel on this in that I still think Martin has potential. The organization actually needs him because there really isn't a right-shot, right-side D after McKeown until Honka develops.

Can I ask why you and @tarheelhockey view him this way? I'm not disputing your view, I just don't have that much insight to him so want to understand your thought process. I do have concerns though.

1) I remember early on some on this board saying he's another Brett Pesce, but Pesce offensively looks (and looked) like Erik Karlsson compared to Martin offensively. I remember Pronman really panned that pick when we made it because of how his offense was so lacking.
2) The stagnation of his development, or "apparent" lack of development is concerning.
3) I don't know that there is a lot of room in the NHL for a guy that doesn't move the puck well and doesn't contribute any offense, even if he's good defensively.

Again, I'm not suggesting he doesn't have an NHL future as he could be a de Hann type guy, but there are definitely some "apparent" signs that are concerning, no?

 

[MinJaBen]

3) I don't know that there is a lot of room in the NHL for a guy that doesn't move the puck well and doesn't contribute any offense, even if he's good defensively.

*Hayden Fleury looks around the room nervously*

 

[NotOpie]

Can I ask why you and @tarheelhockey view him this way? I'm not disputing your view, I just don't have that much insight to him so want to understand your thought process. I do have concerns though.

@Boom Boom Apathy I can certainly understand your impressions. I watched him at development camp and that's an admittedly small sample size against lesser competition. However, I felt he moved the puck quite well, but really blew me away with his ability to maintain gaps, keep guys to the outside, and generally prevent any high danger chances. I felt he skated well for a big man and had a pretty darn good 1st pass.

I've also heard the University of Michigan's hockey program is in shambles. There were some significant questions around the coaching staff's decisions over the last couple of years. I'm not absolving Martin from his apparent stagnation, but I'm not sure how much support he's getting with his overall development.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

*Hayden Fleury looks around the room nervously*

Yep. And Fleury did show some offense in Junior and AHL, so at least there's an outside chance he can develop some.

 

[emptyNedder]

Can I ask why you and @tarheelhockey view him this way? I'm not disputing your view, I just don't have that much insight to him so want to understand your thought process. I do have concerns though.

BBA. I will admit to some hopeful thinking and then reasoning backward from there. However:

1. Martin looked solid in both prospect camps. He was probably the best defender on gapping up. He was decent at moving the puck into the neutral zone. While not amazing he wasn't horribly weak in the offensive zone.
2. I didn't recall the Pronman quote, but I do remember several analysts who liked the pick because Martin's combination of size, play in his own end, and being a right shot made him a value in the 2nd round.
3. Though his production numbers were poor, he led Michigan in +/- in 17-18. While not the greatest stat, it is more indicative for a defensive defenseman (both Pesce and Slavin were leaders on their teams in juniors and college).
4. I do think part of his lack of development is due to Michigan. When he was on the US development team he wasn't Fox, but he registered a decent number of points. The same was true in both WJC-17 and WJC-18.

Basically, I don't think Martin has fallen as much as statistics indicate.

 

[CanesFanBudMan]

Can I ask why you and @tarheelhockey view him this way? I'm not disputing your view, I just don't have that much insight to him so want to understand your thought process. I do have concerns though.

1) I remember early on some on this board saying he's another Brett Pesce, but Pesce offensively looks (and looked) like Erik Karlsson compared to Martin offensively. I remember Pronman really panned that pick when we made it because of how his offense was so lacking.
2) The stagnation of his development, or "apparent" lack of development is concerning.
3) I don't know that there is a lot of room in the NHL for a guy that doesn't move the puck well and doesn't contribute any offense, even if he's good defensively.

Again, I'm not suggesting he doesn't have an NHL future as he could be a de Hann type guy, but there are definitely some "apparent" signs that are concerning, no?

My concern is I have a hard time finding a comparable NHL defenseman with similar point production in a non pro league. Look at Haydn Fleury who is the least offensively productive player on the Canes. Obviously its not apples to apples, but he was always among the most offensively productive Dmen on his WHL team.

I guess what I'm saying is - if you have NHL skill and size you should be lighting up the NCAA your Junior year even if your a complete Defensive D in the NHL