Zach trotman. Last overall pick in the 2010 draft. Big Mobile defensemen with a good shot. I think he'll be a top 4 defensmen with a chance to make an all star game or 2 in several years
You know I went to highschool and had a few classes with this kid. I still to this day find it hilarious that not only was he drafted, but that some people actually have expectations for him to make it to the NHL.
Never once when I saw him play did I think he was the best player on the ice, or even the team. I believe only 2 other guys from my graduating class went on to play college hockey and even then it was only DIII, maybe DII. All that said it has been almost 4 years so who knows how much the guy has improved. I most certainly could be wrong about him and I would be pulling for him if I wasn't a Sabre's fan.
Oilers' prospect David Musil is very underrated. I think he'll be a great shutdown guy one day. Nothing flashy, but a rock solid defenseman who can contribute offensively from time-to-time and eat up a ton of minutes against the leagues best players. It'll likely take him a year or so in the AHL before he's ready for the show, but he'll be good. He showed how good he could be last year at the WJC and will likely captain the Czech team as an improved, shutdown guy this year. Can't wait to see him take on the world's best again!
I have two guys that come to mind , Marek Hrivik and Roman Will. I've watched them both of these underrated guys play a ton of hockey. Hrivik is a left winger and recently signed an ELC with the Rangers. You can expect him to turn heads this season for the Whalers. He's very strong skater with smoothe hands and is hard to contain for dmen because he's so slippery and strong for his frame. He also plays a solid 2-way game and isn't a liability defensively. He's a good vocal leader and one the of the classiest juniors player I've seen in a while. Roman Will is goaltender who went undrafted in the 2012 NHL draft but was noticed by scouts who had him pegged #20 among North American goaltenders. He had a stellar season on a weak Moncton squad last season boasting .913 sav% and a 2.77GAA. He plays a similar style as St.Louis goaltender Jaroslav Halak and is even better than Halak at the ages of 17 , 18 and 19 . IMO, he was the 4th best goalie taken in last this year's draft behind only Vasilevski , Subban and Dansk. He was taken in the KHL draft so hopefully he can get some exposure and get offered a contract in NA which is where he dreams to play. So far this season he's suited up for 8 games in the Czech2 league for BK Mlada Boleslav boasting a 1.19GAA and .959sav% ! He too is a very nice person and super classy hockey player.
You know I went to highschool and had a few classes with this kid. I still to this day find it hilarious that not only was he drafted, but that some people actually have expectations for him to make it to the NHL.
Never once when I saw him play did I think he was the best player on the ice, or even the team. I believe only 2 other guys from my graduating class went on to play college hockey and even then it was only DIII, maybe DII. All that said it has been almost 4 years so who knows how much the guy has improved. I most certainly could be wrong about him and I would be pulling for him if I wasn't a Sabre's fan.
He had a hat trick in the first Providence Bruins scrimmage and from most accounts has improved every year since he was drafted. He should compete for playing time in the AHL this year. I wouldn't say I think he'll be a star defense men but considering his draft slot, regular time in the top 6 would be a good story.
Two years ago it was Roman Josi, but everyone is starting to catch on to him. Now, Zoltan Hetenyi
Undrafted invite to Preds prospect camp. As a goalie myself, I went to watch Hellberg (disappointing showing from him, but that's another story), and was quickly distracted by this guy. Reminds me a ton of Tim Thomas as far as style goes. Not the biggest (spoiled by Rinne/Lindback/Hellberg), but he is built like a tank and plays very aggressively. Preds affiliate immedietly signed him to an AHL deal. This guy can be an NHL goalie some day.
For the Sabres I would say Alex Lepkowski. He's a local guy, big bodied defenceman and you don't expect points from him at all, just there to intimidate which is always good.
6'3'' played on the same team as brian hart. Scored 39 goals, 35 assists in 28 games in his last year in the USHS. He's playing at Yale this year. At this point, he's a pure offense player, with questionable skating. He's got a great shot, and great stick handling kind of in the kovalchuk mold.
matt mangene. Played both D and F at Umaine and can absolutely fly. I think he has Trevor Daley upside in terms of his skating, maybe can add a little more explosive offense to his game as well and be a dynamic middle pairing D.
He's been noticed by CBJ fans, and folks are being cautiously optimistic, on the theory that we can afford optimism because we have so many quality blueline prospects that our hopes won't be shattered if one of the boom-or-bust ones slips.
And on the original topic... I'm the founding member, president, treasurer, secretary, and chief recruiting officer of the TJ Tynan Will Be An NHL Star fan club.
Then again, the last player prospect I was this badly obsessed with was Andrei Plekhanov.
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Remember - when you're a hockey fan, it's not "reckless driving", it's "good forechecking".
"Viqsi, you are our sweet humanist..." --mt-svk on the CBJ boards
Thanks, Howson, for cleaning up MacLean's toxic waste. Welcome, Kekalainen; let's get good things built!
Okay , I'll bite. I really like Christopher Clapperton from the Armada in the Q. I was sure someone would take a late flyer on him at last years draft but he went undrafted. Rumors are he grew a bit this summer from 5''09 to 5'10.5 and IIRC he got an invite to a camp (the flyers i think not sure here).
Anyway realllly like his skillset and hockeysense. he's not the fastest or the most physical but he's not afraid to go in the corners and gets up after every hit. I think he could go from a ppg player in the Q to scoring close to 100 points this year for the Armada.
I'm probably not the only one in Slovakia, but for me it's Martin Réway. Currently playing his first season for Gatineau Olympiques in QMJHL.
The "Czech Crosby" is making an immediate impact with Gatineau. Can't wait to see him play live. He and Barbashev will make for an interesting game ! Although I don't think he fits in this category because almost everyone knows he's going to be a special player.
Rattie, but not with the Blues. I think he'll be traded to someone like Pittsburgh that has excess defence. Put him alongside Crosby and let him flourish.
The "Czech Crosby" is making an immediate impact with Gatineau. Can't wait to see him play live. He and Barbashev will make for an interesting game ! Although I don't think he fits in this category because almost everyone knows he's going to be a special player.
