The only reason I bring up the playoffs for Petan, is that a strong one with tougher play might help address some concerns with how his skills might transfer to the next level despite his size concerns.
I'm also curious if Jackson Houck was in the mix at all?
Very good skater, super competitive but his production might be lower than expected because of the poor support in Vancouver.
Certainly not a 1st rounder but might be a top 50 pick?
I'd guess somewhere in the top 60-75, but could see someone really buying high on the tools. Elite physical game, good defense, skates well especially for his size, but I question his offensive upside.
Zadorov drops 7 spots but he has nothing negative to say about him?
Agreed, his play has steadily improved all year and he demonstrated that he can step up under pressure when London was missing Maatta and Harrington at the WJC.
The only reason I bring up the playoffs for Petan, is that a strong one with tougher play might help address some concerns with how his skills might transfer to the next level despite his size concerns.
I'm also curious if Jackson Houck was in the mix at all?
Very good skater, super competitive but his production might be lower than expected because of the poor support in Vancouver.
Certainly not a 1st rounder but might be a top 50 pick?
Your thoughts?
I don't know Houck too well, as I approached this piece looking for top 2 rounds prospects. I've never gotten the impression this season he fits that mold.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xokkeu
Hudson Fasching slowly but surely plummeting off your list their Corey. Would you mind elaborating on that one?
I considered Fasching and wasn't that far out, but he'll have to be better in the 2nd half to get into my top 45. Very toolsy... good skater, hands and frame but he's been inconsistent.
Horvat at 45....Have only watched one game since late November, but I check the box scores regularly and the guy is an inferno on the stats sheet lately, couple that with his two way game and effort level and I'm not sure I take 44 players before him.
Horvat at 45....Have only watched one game since late November, but I check the box scores regularly and the guy is an inferno on the stats sheet lately, couple that with his two way game and effort level and I'm not sure I take 44 players before him.
Horvat at 45 is about my only issue with this list. He's a first round prospect for sure and there's a reason Hunter has been sending him over the boards late in games instead of Domi (who's no slouche).
His late surge in offense is just a bonus that people underestimate.
I think Kujawinski's going to make a slow climb up the rankings. He got off to a horrible start, goal scoring-wise, but has since snapped out of the funk. I believe he had 5 goals in the first 30 or so games, but has 5 since returning from the Christmas break.
At one point he looked like a potential first round pick. I think his goal scoring troubles contributed to his drop, but if his goal scoring continues to rebound, I think that one fear will be alleviated.
He still has to work on his foot speed, but he's got the potential, IMO, to be a similar player to someone like a Jordan Staal (offensively).
Kujawinski isn't a "goal scorer". He's at his best as a hard working and getting pucks to his teammates. He won't put anyone on their edge of their seats by scoring regularly or making slick passes but he can play that hard-working North American game to become a top 9 forward.
I said this from the start of the season but expectations were way too high for Kujawinski and the top 10 rnakings just weren't justifiable with his skill set. Still a great prospect but he's got lots of weaknesses to work on.
Kujawinski's late surge in offensive production can be attributed to Kingston's top line (Watson-Ikonen) being away at the Under-17 World Championship.
Horvat at 45....Have only watched one game since late November, but I check the box scores regularly and the guy is an inferno on the stats sheet lately, couple that with his two way game and effort level and I'm not sure I take 44 players before him.
I'm not sure I buy the offensive upside for him to be in the top 30 in a pretty strong class. He has a solid amount of offensive talent, but don't buy anything truly of a stand out nature. He's a good well-rounded player though who has a lot of intriguing elements to his game. Also is there a forward who hasn't had good box scores on London?
Quote:
Originally Posted by RomersWorld
Wow, this list isn't even THAT ridiculous. Maybe because Detroit hasn't drafted any of them yet.
I'm not sure I buy the offensive upside for him to be in the top 30 in a pretty strong class. He has a solid amount of offensive talent, but don't buy anything truly of a stand out nature. He's a good well-rounded player though who has a lot of intriguing elements to his game. Also is there a forward who hasn't had good box scores on London?
There has been a HUGE spike in Horvat's production, that has basically coincided with London's massive winning streak.
From what I can judge (based on one TV viewing, highlights, box scores, and reading game reports/assessments) Horvat is the catalyst offensively.
You put him out to get a goal, to keep a lead, to kill a penalty, to score on the PP.....
Yes, London has a good team, that always seems to produce, but Horvat's production + skill + effort + intangible leadership qualities is a 1st rounder in my books.
Kujawinski isn't a "goal scorer". He's at his best as a hard working and getting pucks to his teammates. He won't put anyone on their edge of their seats by scoring regularly or making slick passes but he can play that hard-working North American game to become a top 9 forward.
I said this from the start of the season but expectations were way too high for Kujawinski and the top 10 rnakings just weren't justifiable with his skill set. Still a great prospect but he's got lots of weaknesses to work on.
Kujawinski's late surge in offensive production can be attributed to Kingston's top line (Watson-Ikonen) being away at the Under-17 World Championship.
I didn't say Kujawinski was a goal scorer, I said that his goal scoring totals likely had a lot to do with his drop in rankings due to concerns over his overall offensive production. Regardless of whether he's a pure goal scorer, or a pure playmaker, or whatever. No one is going to rank him in the first round when he's got 5 goals in 34 games (on pace at the time for around 10 goals total). Now that that "statistical concern" isn't so noticeable, I think his ranking will go up.
Actually, Kujawinski's surge in offensive production can be attributed to him doing the things he did last season to find success. He's going to the net more regularly, and just generally being more assertive offensively these past few games that he wasn't in the first half. Also, Ikonen didn't make the WJC. He's actually been playing with Kujawinski on a line with Povorosniouk, and the line has shown good chemistry.
There has been a HUGE spike in Horvat's production, that has basically coincided with London's massive winning streak.
From what I can judge (based on one TV viewing, highlights, box scores, and reading game reports/assessments) Horvat is the catalyst offensively.
You put him out to get a goal, to keep a lead, to kill a penalty, to score on the PP.....
Yes, London has a good team, that always seems to produce, but Horvat's production + skill + effort + intangible leadership qualities is a 1st rounder in my books.
I may have communicated poorly what I said. I don't believe Horvat is without offensive gifts, to go along with his physical and defensive value, I just don't buy truly significant offensive upside. In a strong class, you would need that to get into my top 30.
Also re: Kujawinski, I was talking to a Head Scout about him and he kind of echoed what some of the posts here discuss. He told me that he's a hard working player, who can at times flash quality offensive ability, but is inconsistent in that area and some nights looks very average offensively.
