Prospect Info: Tyler Boucher (RW/LW) - Don`t sleep on Tyler Boucher

[Senator Stanley]

I wonder if Boucher has spent any time working with Chris Neil. I found it interesting that he wore #25 at the WJC camp and that Kleven was there whose number at UND is #25. I have never seen Boucher use that number before.

He has been training in Ottawa with Ridly Greig and Jake Sanderson since the offseason started and was working directly with the Sens development staff. I wouldn't be surprised if Neil is still hanging around the Sens facilities and if Donovan and Winchester reached out to him to work with Boucher because they play a similar game. Maybe he chose #25 intentionally and maybe it is tied to working with Neil.

Pure speculation on my part, but maybe there is something to this. It would certainly be good if Boucher worked with Neil, there is a lot he could learn from him.

I think it's a lot more likely that attendees were just handed random jerseys. If you look at the final roster, players have now been assigned their usual numbers. Kleven is back to 25, after playing a scrimmage with 18. Nazar is back to 10, from 21. Cooley is back to 18, from 10. And so on.

2022 WJC | Roster

teamusa.usahockey.com

 

[Sweatred]

You can’t go around comparing him to Tom Wilson then get puzzled when people are talking about his scoring.

Sorry - I’ve never compared him with Wilson - I think you have me
Confused with someone else …

 

[dmarc]

Where can we find a list of Top-10 picks that never played for their country at the WJC?

Logan Couture is a note able one

 

[coladin]

Steve Webb was pretty effective for the Islanders. That is my ceiling for Boucher

 

[playasRus]

I remember Brady saying he was extra motivated by the haters who scoffed at him being picked at #4.

Not sure why Boucher gets a pass or gets shielded from the same scrutiny.

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

Why is everybody evaluating a guy who was drafted for modest at best scoring for his scoring -

The guy was drafted cause he hits like a truck, can skate with a top line, shoots lasers and has the potential to make a bigger difference with his shoulder than some scoring forward on PP3 who will never defend elite hockey.

Evaluate that. Good or bad.

because even the bottom six nhlers score at the junior levels.

And when a player with the tools of Boucher fails to do that it's sort a red flag about hockey IQ and NHL upside.

 

[Sweatred]

because even the bottom six nhlers score at the junior levels.

And when a player with the tools of Boucher fails to do that it's sort a red flag about hockey IQ and NHL upside.

Some … but there’s lots of crappy light junior scorers who are useless
Bottom 6 NHL players…

 

[coladin]

because even the bottom six nhlers score at the junior levels.

And when a player with the tools of Boucher fails to do that it's sort a red flag about hockey IQ and NHL upside.

Austin Watson, prototypical 4th liner was drafted in the first round and was a PPG player. Boucher is barely over .5 PPG

 

[jake1]

I've said this before, but these were the weirdest couple development years since the Spanish flu 100 years ago. If there was ever a time to not extrapolate based on junior performance, it's now.

 

[RAFI BOMB]

because even the bottom six nhlers score at the junior levels.

And when a player with the tools of Boucher fails to do that it's sort a red flag about hockey IQ and NHL upside.

I think the correlation between hockey iq and point production is less strong than you seem to be suggesting. A lot of the factors that constitute a high hockey iq are things that don't always show up on the scoresheet. They tend to be less flashy things that are often overlooked. For example Patrice Bergeron displays incredible hockey iq in this video but other players produce more points than him. I don't think it is reasonable to argue that those other players have a higher hockey iq than him.


Hockey iq tends to be related to a lot of subtle details, that others often overlook or are unware of such as the details described in this video, which is a coaching lecture by former Winnipeg Jets assistant coach Jamie Kompon.

 

[PlayOn]

I remember Brady saying he was extra motivated by the haters who scoffed at him being picked at #4.

Not sure why Boucher gets a pass or gets shielded from the same scrutiny.

Brady also asked the fans not to do that to others which tells you how he felt about it. Scrutiny comes with the territory but we should also remember they are teenagers.

 

[Korpse]

because even the bottom six nhlers score at the junior levels.

And when a player with the tools of Boucher fails to do that it's sort a red flag about hockey IQ and NHL upside.

You think Boucher's hockey IQ is an issue?

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

I think the correlation between hockey iq and point production is less strong than you seem to be suggesting. A lot of the factors that constitute a high hockey iq are things that don't always show up on the scoresheet. They tend to be less flashy things that are often overlooked. For example Patrice Bergeron displays incredible hockey iq in this video but other players produce more points than him. I don't think it is reasonable to argue that those other players have a higher hockey iq than him.


Hockey iq tends to be related to a lot of subtle details, that others often overlook or are unware of such as the details described in this video, which is a coaching lecture by former Winnipeg Jets assistant coach Jamie Kompon.

I fully agree that high hockey iq can manifest in non offensive ways, and you certainly have to be high hockey IQ to play good defensive hockey like Bergeron does. But even Bergerons high hockey IQ is acutely seen in his offensive game as well.

If you have high hockey IQ you're actively making plays that are preventing goals or making plays that are resulting in goals and in general boosting possession for your team.

Boucher doesn't play at a high end level on either side of the puck relative to his junior peers. He's big body, good skater, physical, good shot but his IQ seems to be the least impressive part of his game and imo why he struggles to involve himself and his teammates in dangerous chances consistently. He doesn't seem to have chemistry with anyone he plays with.

I don't even think he's got terrible hockey IQ or something, he makes nice subtle passes and plays, but things just don't seem to click for him. Weird player because with his tools and even just decent hockey IQ he should be tearing these kids apart.

You think Boucher's hockey IQ is an issue?

yes especially if we're hoping for a top 9 player.

 

[Korpse]

yes especially if we're hoping for a top 9 player.

I've seen some sources I find helpful suggest it's an asset of his and personally haven't seen anything to worry about it from my viewings. It's actually surprising how cerebral his game is for a player with his style.

 

[Ice-Tray]

Brady also asked the fans not to do that to others which tells you how he felt about it. Scrutiny comes with the territory but we should also remember they are teenagers.

Hell, human beings, and that there really are very few valid reason to treat other people like shit. Being injured, sick, and underperforming to other peoples standards definitely doesn’t make the cut in my opinion.

People just don’t seem to make the connection that their online anonymous words can still hurt people, that or they don’t care. The words ‘scrutiny’, or ‘criticism’ barely applies to a lot of what is said in here and on Twitter.

I remember asking an older couple at a Royals game why they continually called a Giants player in the penalty box a “piece of shit”. I said that he was still an 18 year old kid, and they told me with a sneer that they bought season tickets and could say what they wanted. I’m pretty sure that logic made them the ‘pieces of shit’ but they thought their scrutiny was warranted as well!

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

Hell, human beings, and that there really are very few valid reason to treat other people like shit. Being injured, sick, and underperforming to other peoples standards definitely doesn’t make the cut in my opinion.

People just don’t seem to make the connection that their online anonymous words can still hurt people, that or they don’t care. The words ‘scrutiny’, or ‘criticism’ barely applies to a lot of what is said in here and on Twitter.

I remember asking an older couple at a Royals game why they continually called a Giants player in the penalty box a “piece of shit”. I said that he was still an 18 year old kid, and they told me with a sneer that they bought season tickets and could say what they wanted. I’m pretty sure that logic made them the ‘pieces of shit’ but they thought their scrutiny was warranted as well!

what is up with this false equivalency? like who is calling Tyler Boucher anywhere near a POS or treating him like shit?

I don't know about Twitter but all people are doing here is discussing a prospect on a hockey forum that was created to specifically do that.

 

[Ice-Tray]

what is up with this false equivalency? like who is calling Tyler Boucher anywhere near a POS or treating him like shit?

I don't know about Twitter but all people are doing here is discussing a prospect on a hockey forum that was created to specifically do that.

Dude, read his thread and the draft thread from start to finish, and see if you can highlight the posts that are shitty towards the kid.

Here’s a hint, there are lots, and tons more on Twitter.

It seems like you’re personally getting defensive as though I was posting about you. Perhaps you simply glaze over posts that have nothing to do with discussing anything.

Unless I have specifically referenced your post, or you, feel free to assume I’m not talking about you, or the many other posters who have written support or criticism for the pick.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Brady also asked the fans not to do that to others which tells you how he felt about it. Scrutiny comes with the territory but we should also remember they are teenagers.

That's the interesting part of all this.

That other thread (you know, that one) we're talking about how badly things are going when we turn kids into mini gods for being good at a sport and puffing up their ego and entitlements to absurd degrees.

Here we're all about feelings.

That ole pendulum is a' swingin' like crazy. No wonder everyone is screwed up.

 

[Pinto Bean]

I only watched about 5 67's games this year so take this evaluation for what its worth but I don't really understand the hype for Boucher to this point. I was pretty surprised to see him rank above Kleven, Jarventie and a handful of others on our prospect ranking list.

Boucher has some desirable traits no doubt about it. He has a nice shot, good speed, and good size and is able to throw a huge hit every few games.

The problem I have with Boucher is that he clearly doesn't have the scoring touch to be a good top 6'er in the NHL but he also doesn't have the agitation, peskiness, or elite hustle that guys like Parker Kelly, Crookshank, and even Greig have that typically feast in those bottom line roles.

In the games I watched with Boucher in, he was highly unnoticeable. I didn't notice some intense work ethic, I didn't notice him getting into scrums or agitating the other team. I didn't notice him being extremely hard on the puck or even being a forechecking fiend. I noticed guys like Stonehouse and Varga being way more effective at those ideal bottom 6 qualities then I did Boucher. It's not like he is some overly big guy either at 6'1 and 205lbs.

The biggest thing he has going for him at this point is that he seems to be a good practice player, a good interview, and he throws the occasional big hit (but he isn't overly physical & agitating beyond that), plus his draft status. Beyond that I can't for the life of me see why he'd be valued higher then Kleven etc.

That being said I'm of course rooting for the kid and I'm hopeful for a nice upcoming season for him! Lots of time for him to improve his game in whatever role is best suited for him!

 

[Sens in Process]

 

[Larionov]

It's pretty tough to sugar coat Boucher's failure to make Team USA. Like Canada, they are missing a whack of top prospects who took a pass on the tournament, leaving the door wide open for him to make it. For a 19 year old top ten pick to get cut from a WJC roster is pretty rare. We'll see how his year goes with the 67's - he absolutely has to have a dominant year in order to change the narrative and trajectory around his development, but based on what we have seen it is hard to feel much confidence about that...

 

[Sweatred]

It's pretty tough to sugar coat Boucher's failure to make Team USA. Like Canada, they are missing a whack of top prospects who took a pass on the tournament, leaving the door wide open for him to make it. For a 19 year old top ten pick to get cut from a WJC roster is pretty rare. We'll see how his year goes with the 67's - he absolutely has to have a dominant year in order to change the narrative and trajectory around his development, but based on what we have seen it is hard to feel much confidence about that...

Top ten picks are traditionally selected for scoring ability - Boucher was selected for
His physicality which isn’t always an advantage at international play.

Regardless, Boucher’s final year of eligibility for the u20 is the 2023 tournament. Ridley Greig, JBD, Lassi, and Norris are all current first round picks who only made the team in their final year of eligibility.

Brady, Jimmy, and Sanderson are 1RD picks who made it
Before their final year (all top 5 picks). Cleary
Boucher is not in that second group of prospects and remains to be seen where he fits in compared to the first.

Expecting Boucher to make the 2022 team is expecting him to play at a level with guys like Jimmy, Sanderson, Brady etc vs Greig, JBD, Norris etc.

 

[pt_mck]

Certainy not going to crack the sens roster this year. Likely a few years in the minors before we know what he is all about.

People love making excuses for him. It was just a bad pick. Not a high ceiling. Best to just forget about him and be surprised if he ever makes it.

 

[Tap on the Ankle]

Certainy not going to crack the sens roster this year. Likely a few years in the minors before we know what he is all about.

People love making excuses for him. It was just a bad pick. Not a high ceiling. Best to just forget about him and be surprised if he ever makes it.

This is where I've been for awhile. It looks like they misread a small sample size, disappointing but nothing to get hung up about. Would love to eat crow and see him become a solid middle sixer though so I'll be cheering for him to have a good season with the 67s.

My main issue is the draft strategy in general - that they have been going off the board on many picks lately instead of trading down. Could have easily traded down and still ended up with a lot of these guys anyway. Going off the board for a certain player is fine but they gotta be hitting on that like Yzerman did with Seider. Otherwise it just feels like they are leaving too much value on the table by not trading down.

 

[OD99]

Top ten picks are traditionally selected for scoring ability - Boucher was selected for
His physicality.

The post draft comments were all about how he can score from distance with his pro level shot so while his physical play was coveted there is no doubt that Boucher and the team were disappointed with his numbers.

Sounds like he may have had a decent scrimmage and hopefully he has a great season.