I don't really lack belief in Shore at all. For me, he's #5 just behind Howden and Bjugstad. I have him behind the other two because they are safer prospects. Shore is a great talent but he could still bust. Bjugstad and Howden will be NHL players. This is not particularly a knock on Shore, but Bjugstad and Howden are about as safe as safe can be. Shore is a little bit of a gambler. And that's fine, you need diversity.
In what way is Shore not likely to make it as an NHL regular? He has all the tools to be at least a third line center and possibly a top 6 guy. He's big, has very good hockey sense, good defensively, and legitimate offensive skill (6th overall in scoring). He's improved every year and may go pro next season. He reminds me of a poor man's Ryan Kesler but only because he isn't as fast. The kid isn't as exciting/talked about because he's a year older and was drafted in the second round, imo.
In what way is Shore not likely to make it as an NHL regular? He has all the tools to be at least a third line center and possibly a top 6 guy. He's big, has very good hockey sense, good defensively, and legitimate offensive skill (6th overall in scoring). He's improved every year and may go pro next season. He reminds me of a poor man's Ryan Kesler but only because he isn't as fast. The kid isn't as exciting/talked about because he's a year older and was drafted in the second round, imo.
I didn't say at all he's not likely to make it, just that he's not a guarantee. He has a lot of the tools you look for. He makes a little too many high risk plays for my liking, as I said he is a bit of a gambler and will turn the puck over more than Bjugstad or Howden on average. As i said, I still like him a lot, and his defensive approach to the game is something that can be corrected. I implied that this is not really a knock on him, as much as it is a testament to how Bjugstad and Howden already play NHL style games. Shore is good enough defensively, I wouldn't say good, you can't really be good if you don't protect the middle of the ice with tenacity. He is very creative and will try lots of things and therefore leaves himself prone to turning over the puck. I don't really see Kesler in him, Shore has nowhere near the grit that he has.
I actually think Shore is much more exciting of a player than either Bjugstad or Howden. In a way, that's why he's not as safe a prospect as the other two. It's not his age or draft position. And again, I'm not knocking him or picking on him if that's how you see it, this is my honest assessment of his game. You need all different types of players to win the Cup. You can't win it with 18 Quinton Howdens. Dean Lombardi said if he could he'd have a team full of Mike Ricci's, a foolish comment.
I live in Saint John and have the pleasure of seeing Huberdeau on a regular basis.
Here is what he brings to the table.
from 10-15 feet out in the slot he can pick the top corner and just makes it look easy.
You watch the game and all of a sudden he makes this incredible pass and you just ask how did he do that.
he's not afraid to go to the dirty areas. he is the first on the puck in the corner
and drives to the net. He takes a hit to make a play.
He is a threat every time he is open the ice.
Even though he plays for a great team he's the engine that makes it go.
The problem with him right now and also with the team itself is they are so good
they take their foot off the gas and try to get too cute. Instead of taking a shot to score they try to make a sweet three way passing play. They are destroying most of their competition. People have to remember this past month has been the first time
we have had our whole team together since the first of the year and we have just won our 17th in a row.
In my opinion and I have watched a lot of hockey in my 60 years he will definitely make the big club next year and flourish on your top six. You are very lucky to be able to watch him at the next level. You are going to be pleasently surprised what he can bring to the team.
I live in Saint John and have the pleasure of seeing Huberdeau on a regular basis.
Here is what he brings to the table.
from 10-15 feet out in the slot he can pick the top corner and just makes it look easy.
You watch the game and all of a sudden he makes this incredible pass and you just ask how did he do that.
he's not afraid to go to the dirty areas. he is the first on the puck in the corner
and drives to the net. He takes a hit to make a play.
He is a threat every time he is open the ice.
Even though he plays for a great team he's the engine that makes it go.
The problem with him right now and also with the team itself is they are so good
they take their foot off the gas and try to get too cute. Instead of taking a shot to score they try to make a sweet three way passing play. They are destroying most of their competition. People have to remember this past month has been the first time
we have had our whole team together since the first of the year and we have just won our 17th in a row.
In my opinion and I have watched a lot of hockey in my 60 years he will definitely make the big club next year and flourish on your top six. You are very lucky to be able to watch him at the next level. You are going to be pleasently surprised what he can bring to the team.
thanks for the analysis. Many panthers fans including myself cant wait to see this guy become the cornerstone of the franchise moving forward.
The key is not wasting his potential and talent by not getting the talent to play with him in the future. He is one of three players this team needs to start building a stanley cup caliber first line.
Notice Megan is leading his BU team in goals. He has gone from 5, 8 goals previously to 18 already.This year he is getting an opportunity at BU and is doing well. Although his name rarely comes up on this board he is 6'2 and a very fast, and highly skilled player. We will see a lot of him during the playoffs. BU should make a run for the HE title and do well in the NCAAs. Bottomline, the Panthers have a ton of players.
Notice Megan is leading his BU team in goals. He has gone from 5, 8 goals previously to 18 already.This year he is getting an opportunity at BU and is doing well. Although his name rarely comes up on this board he is 6'2 and a very fast, and highly skilled player. We will see a lot of him during the playoffs. BU should make a run for the HE title and do well in the NCAAs. Bottomline, the Panthers have a ton of players.
Megan is big and fast, it's true. It's good to see him step up and put the puck into the net, but I'm still not sold on his willingness to get his nose into the really physical areas. This postseason should help give us a bit more insight into his future. If he can perform at both ends of the ice, and make an impact in the corners and in front of the net, some of my discomforts might be eased a bit.
Notice Megan is leading his BU team in goals. He has gone from 5, 8 goals previously to 18 already.This year he is getting an opportunity at BU and is doing well. Although his name rarely comes up on this board he is 6'2 and a very fast, and highly skilled player. We will see a lot of him during the playoffs. BU should make a run for the HE title and do well in the NCAAs. Bottomline, the Panthers have a ton of players.
Megan's undoubtedly getting his shot due to all the expulsions the BU team has had to deal with this season. Good that he's making the most of it, but as BF said, is he ready for primetime? But I guess no point wondering, time will tell.
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"...and ultimately it doesn't matter."
I'm surprised to see that not many people are talking about Corban Knight. As someone who goes to mostly all of the Sioux games, Corban Knight really impresses me. He isn't a really flashy player, but he is extremely hockey-smart and knows where to be and when to be there. He is a linesmate's dream to play with because he makes everyone around him better, and not to mention his faceoff winning ability. Everyone is excited to get Bjugstad and other players, and rightfully so, but I don't think Panthers fans realize what they are getting in Corban Knight. I hope he stays for his senior year, but if he doesn't he will be a great player in your organization. Expect to see him and Bjugstad as future linemates
corban is great in faceoffs and i think he is good at everything but personally i think his upside is an ok 3rd line center and a guy that plays in the ahl for a year or two waiting for florida to get hit with the injury bug. i would be surprised though if florida didnt want to sign him this summer. nobody wants to wait until that 4th year and risk a prospect becoming a free agent (like corbans teammate did- gregoire. islanders lost him)- so florida should sign him this summer if they have interest. plus there are rumblings of bjugstad and shore wanting to return to college next year- so that make knight more valuable to floridas affiliate this fall
corban is great in faceoffs and i think he is good at everything but personally i think his upside is an ok 3rd line center and a guy that plays in the ahl for a year or two waiting for florida to get hit with the injury bug. i would be surprised though if florida didnt want to sign him this summer. nobody wants to wait until that 4th year and risk a prospect becoming a free agent (like corbans teammate did- gregoire. islanders lost him)- so florida should sign him this summer if they have interest. plus there are rumblings of bjugstad and shore wanting to return to college next year- so that make knight more valuable to floridas affiliate this fall
They are a lot more than rumblings. Shore wants to play with his brothers.
Bjugstad is a little different. His uncle former NHLer and Gopher Scott has basically told him; The NHL is going to be there in two years. Do not leave college with regrets. Same reason why he choose to stay in high school instead of going to Ann Arbor or the USHL. He wanted to win a tennis title and win a hockey title for Blaine. I have no idea what his goals are for the Gophers.
Minnesota swept Alaska-Anchorage in their 1st round playoff series on Sat. night when they beat them 7-3. Bjugstad scored the game tying goal on the PP late in the 2nd to make it 3-3. Bjugstad and Rau then both made great passes to set up haula for one of his two goals. Rau assisted on his other goal later on. Minny blew open the game early in the 3rd in a matter of minutes, it was incredible. Haula is completely on fire and eclipsed Bjugstad in points last weekend. Bjugstad now has 40 pts., trailing Haula for the team lead by two.
With Minny's top line having been consistently great all season, and now Haula a one man wrecking crew on the 2nd line for the past few weeks, plus the consistently great play of Patterson in net for the past two seasons, Minny's going to be a very tough out. If things work out, Minny would be playing corban Knight's UND in the WCHA Final Five. Haven't checked the rearranged brackets yet.
Denver lost game 1 vs. 10th seeded Wisconsin, but they forced a game 3 last night and won it. Shore had 3 assists in game 3. Brittain got both wins.
Donskoi after regular season in Sm-liiga: 52 games 8+17=25 points +/- 0. I was expecting him to score over 40 points so he was big a disappointment. Although he was suffering from mycoplasma through the autumn. He played his best games at the end of season so i'm expecting him to be good producer in playoffs.
Exciting how well Huberdeau's done. On the note about awesome prospects, how about Sven Bartschi on Calgary getting called up and scoring 3 goals in 4 games after annihilating the WHL? What a great pick by them for the first time in forever, definitely a little jealous.
Exciting how well Huberdeau's done. On the note about awesome prospects, how about Sven Bartschi on Calgary getting called up and scoring 3 goals in 4 games after annihilating the WHL? What a great pick by them for the first time in forever, definitely a little jealous.
It ok Hubs will make sure that jealousy subsides QUICKLY
It ok Hubs will make sure that jealousy subsides QUICKLY
I hope so, I'm sure he will but I view Bartschi as one of very few prospects who I look at as about the same category or better relative to Huby. Outside of those two, maybe Kuznetsov and Tarasenko would be up on that elite level as well.
I hope so, I'm sure he will but I view Bartschi as one of very few prospects who I look at as about the same category or better relative to Huby. Outside of those two, maybe Kuznetsov and Tarasenko would be up on that elite level as well.
What do you mean he's not? Because of HF's prospect rankings? He was picked in the top 15 of the same draft, putting up even more impressive numbers in the W than Huberdeau in the Q, though it's apples to oranges, and before tonight, he had a goal in 3 straight games giving him 3 in his first 4 NHL games. He's progressed more than any prospect in the short period of time since last years draft and though it's early to assess, he's got all the makings of a future star and he's very exciting to watch.
That said, this really has nothing to do with the panthers, since Huberdeau was our guy and we are so fortunate to have selected him and some other stud prospects like Bjugs and such, but it's pretty impressive seeing a prospect gain as much momentum in just a year as Baertschi has.
I suppose on the bright sight, it shows that some great prospects who can contribute early are available even in the top 20 depending on the draft, so no matter where we're picking this year, we can hope to get a good prospect added to our awesome depth.