I went the the high school kid, MM. At this point it's like pulling a name out of a hat. The good news is that even this far down the list there are some players who could make it to the big show.
I went with Tesink here, as his game should mesh with requirements for 3rd or 4th liner in The NHL, IF he continues to develop along his current track. I haven't really seen Andronov play KHL games (other than a few highlights). So, I don't know how the two of them compare as to the chances of succeeding in The NHL. But, based on scouting reports and forum poster comments, I'd guess that Andronov would have NO chance of being an NHL 4th liner, and, thus, have less opportunity to be an NHL-fit than Tesink. So, I went with the latter.
Really, the rest after the two mentioned above, can be put in a hat, and would be a complete crapshoot. There are too many factors and intangibles that could affect their development to rank them with any worth.
Going with MacEachern. Considered Eronen as well as Andronov, Parayko, and Beach. I really doubt that Tesink gets signed. He just has to have an incredible season and fill out. I don't have him that high.
Isn't Tesink suppose to be very fast? Something that can't be taught. This is his year to get extensive ice time and show what he's got.
There lies the tough part with him. Speed is a very valuable asset. I don't know. I would hope for better goal scoring stats, if he was that fast. Breakaway speed at the junior level should put up more goals I would think. Crapshoot with 4 or 5 guys right now.
There lies the tough part with him. Speed is a very valuable asset. I don't know. I would hope for better goal scoring stats, if he was that fast. Breakaway speed at the junior level should put up more goals I would think. Crapshoot with 4 or 5 guys right now.
Ryan Johnson was very fast. But, he could hardly score goals. Speed doesn't automatically result in high (or even adequate) scoring totals.
I remember Tesink being considered a real dark horse in his draft year. I believe I heard a few coaches and scouts saying he could have a very successful NHL career as a top 9 guy. but that's what I remember and I could be quite wrong.
I remember Tesink being considered a real dark horse in his draft year. I believe I heard a few coaches and scouts saying he could have a very successful NHL career as a top 9 guy. but that's what I remember and I could be quite wrong.
Anyways, went with MacEachern...again...
I remember that, too. I think he could possibly become a good 3rd liner, IF he continues to develop his 2-way game, and gets a lot stronger.
Going with MacEachern. Considered Eronen as well as Andronov, Parayko, and Beach. I really doubt that Tesink gets signed. He just has to have an incredible season and fill out. I don't have him that high.
I would be very surprised if Tesink goes unsigned. The kid's an absolute spark plug and is always giving 100%. I see him as having bottom-6 energy line potential in the NHL. I'd also say that he is more offensively skilled than his numbers the previous two seasons would suggest. The Sea Dogs were absolutely loaded offensively those 2 years so he has mainly been used in defensive/checking/energy roles while not getting much of any PP time. Watch the kid play and you'll see why he's a fan favorite. I think it will take him a few years in the minors to round out his game but I see him as having the potential to have a similar impact in the NHL as Sobotka.
Ryan Johnson was very fast. But, he could hardly score goals. Speed doesn't automatically result in high (or even adequate) scoring totals.
You are right that speed doesn't mean points, but Ryan Johnson and Chris Porter are also over 6'1" and over 200 pounds and are defensive specialist. Really not a good comparison. Most of your light weight players ala Steve Sullivan, Doug Gilmour, and Brian Gionta are point getters. Not too many lightweight defensive specialist.
If he can do it, then great for us. I'd love to see a huge year out of him ala Doug Gilmour. I just don't see rating someone that is a smallish third or fourth liner over a 6' 3" center with top 6 potential or third and fourth liners with more ideal size. That's just my opinion right or wrong....
You are right that speed doesn't mean points, but Ryan Johnson and Chris Porter are also over 6'1" and over 200 pounds and are defensive specialist. Really not a good comparison. Most of your light weight players ala Steve Sullivan, Doug Gilmour, and Brian Gionta are point getters. Not too many lightweight defensive specialist.
If he can do it, then great for us. I'd love to see a huge year out of him ala Doug Gilmour. I just don't see rating someone that is a smallish third or fourth liner over a 6' 3" center with top 6 potential or third and fourth liners with more ideal size. That's just my opinion right or wrong....
But Tesink is 6 ft. tall, and should fill out some. He's not 161 lb any more (maybe, close to 170)-like Rattie. When he fills out, he should be at least 180-185, if not 190. That isn't all that small for a feisty player. He doesn't shy away from contact. An energy line player is , perhaps a cross between a scoring line player and a defensive specialist, at least in terms of scoring potential and defensive ability.
He might be more like a 12-17 goal, 15-20 assist player on an NHL 3rd line, who plays all over the ice and steals the puck, and gets into the opponent's hair, IF he develops well.
I'd rather The Blues have such depth that they have a 6:03 220lb 60 point scorer on the 3rd line, rather than a Tesink type, but, maybe that isn't a realistic expectation given budget restraints.
Voted MacEachern. More raw than Tesink but if both develop well then MacEachern is more skilled. I like both players. We're in the area of voting where there's a lot of guesswork. When that happens I prefer to pick guys with the higher end potential.
But Tesink is 6 ft. tall, and should fill out some. He's not 161 lb any more (maybe, close to 170)-like Rattie. When he fills out, he should be at least 180-185, if not 190. That isn't all that small for a feisty player. He doesn't shy away from contact. An energy line player is , perhaps a cross between a scoring line player and a defensive specialist, at least in terms of scoring potential and defensive ability.
He might be more like a 12-17 goal, 15-20 assist player on an NHL 3rd line, who plays all over the ice and steals the puck, and gets into the opponent's hair, IF he develops well.
I'd rather The Blues have such depth that they have a 6:03 220lb 60 point scorer on the 3rd line, rather than a Tesink type, but, maybe that isn't a realistic expectation given budget restraints.
Or if Tesink develops into that type of player, you can just put him on your 4th line and he should do just fine there with the ability to move up lines in the event of injuries like Sobotka does now.
Or if Tesink develops into that type of player, you can just put him on your 4th line and he should do just fine there with the ability to move up lines in the event of injuries like Sobotka does now.
I hope he does develop into a Sobotka. He was a point a game player in the AHL and put up 20+ goals and 20+ assists in 40+ games. I think he will need to be a point a game player in the Q first.
I hope he does develop into a Sobotka. He was a point a game player in the AHL and put up 20+ goals and 20+ assists in 40+ games. I think he will need to be a point a game player in the Q first.
Tesink was over a pt/game player in the Q last season and should easily be one this season. He has 5 pts in the Seadogs first 3 games so far this season.
Voted for Della Rovere. I'm still holding out hope he can become the player I thought we acquired when we got him.
Honestly, I've never seen any of the guys this far down the list actually play.
