Kadri is the 2nd best prospect in the Leafs system?

...Uh oh.

You're right about Ross. I was watching the Winterhawks/Oil Kings game 7 that the Oil Kings steam rolled through. In the final few minutes Ross as 20 year was spearing and slashing and tried to jump a few of the Oil King players who are still eligible for the WHL. I kind of wished at that point that someone would have taken his head off.

Nice writeup B-hud. I just thought McKegg was above say Biggs or Ross talent wise. I know you have a thing for big tough guys though. In my head so far I thought Ross was better than Biggs and Mckegg had Grabovski type skill in him. I suppose you put Biggs ahead of Ross because hes a center not a wing?

Great blog. The only thing I was confused by was the Tyler Biggs-Mike Knuble comparison. "Big and mean", "big time hitter", "won't back down from a fight", that doesn't sound anything like Knuble to me.
- dionschenn

Knuble in the sense that he'll compliment skill, make space, etc. I could put "Dustin Brown" or something, but it's not accurate as far as what Biggs should contribute, though stylistically they're similar.

Knucle is big and strong, but Biggs takes it a bit further, obviously.

Nice writeup B-hud. I just thought McKegg was above say Biggs or Ross talent wise. I know you have a thing for big tough guys though. In my head so far I thought Ross was better than Biggs and Mckegg had Grabovski type skill in him. I suppose you put Biggs ahead of Ross because hes a center not a wing?
- wolfos412

Biggs is a winger.

My beef with McKegg, having watched a lot of him this year closely, I'm starting to suspect he's not going to find an NHL role. I could be wrong, but I think he's going to be hard pressed to make the jump.

Kadri is the 2nd best prospect in the Leafs system?

...Uh oh.
- ausenik

A PPG player at the AHL level who just has to get stronger to play in the NHL....

I hardly find that an "uh oh".

I like to try being positive. Too much negative writing out there for my taste. We all love the sport of hockey, why not look at it through a positive lense?
- Brian Huddle

It's just refreshing on Hockeybuzz

What about Komarov? Shouldn't he still be considered a prospect?

Biggs is a winger.

My beef with McKegg, having watched a lot of him this year closely, I'm starting to suspect he's not going to find an NHL role. I could be wrong, but I think he's going to be hard pressed to make the jump.
- Brian Huddle

When I see him in the Leaf development camps (didnt see this years though) he always stood out, had good vision was always one of the better skaters etc. Seemed decent on the faceoffs. What is it about him that won't get him into the NHL? He atleast seemed to me like a Bozak type player. Without the backchecking effort though.

Edit: Sorry about the Biggs Center thing, I knew he was a winger, don't know why I said Center.

What about Komarov? Shouldn't he still be considered a prospect?
- B-Wforever

4th line Pest who might be a third line pest. Wouldn't put him in the Top 10 for upside.

Haha. They play similar blocking styles with just a hint of athleticism. Obviously there are some differences, but I think it's the closest.
- Brian Huddle

So unlimited upside then?

4th line Pest who might be a third line pest. Wouldn't put him in the Top 10 for upside.
- Brian Huddle

Many expect him to break the leafs roster this year as the third line pest replacing Armstrong.
Wouldn't that put him as a higher prospect over Biggs and/or Ross?

4th line Pest who might be a third line pest. Wouldn't put him in the Top 10 for upside.
- Brian Huddle

Foolish signing IMO

Will Kadri still have the 12 yr olds body after hes done his off season with Gary "too much man" Roberts?

that's the million dollar question

When I see him in the Leaf development camps (didnt see this years though) he always stood out, had good vision was always one of the better skaters etc. Seemed decent on the faceoffs. What is it about him that won't get him into the NHL? He atleast seemed to me like a Bozak type player. Without the backchecking effort though.
- wolfos412

One thing that concerns me is opportunity. I truly believe that opportunity is one of the biggest things for a player to ultimately reach his potential. He has both JC and Kadri ahead of him at center, plus Grabovski and whoever Burke brings in should he ever bring in a center. Not saying all of those will work out. On the wings, he has Phil, JVR, Lupul, etc. but after that, even Biggs/Ashton/Ross/etc. will get more opportunity simply because of their size and projected ability.

After that, I wonder about McKegg's skating. Yea he's fluid and mobile, but there's no real separation gear. He tends to rely on having to be sneaky and opportunistic from the outside, rather than forcing the puck through coverage.

He is skilled, yes, but I do have concerns. Also take into account his development really stalled this year, and London started turning him into more of a checking forward and faceoff guy.

Foolish signing IMO
- wolfos412

Many don't realize, Leo Komarov is not one of those european FA's like Monster.
He was a late round JFJ leaf draft pick. 6th round in 06.

Will Kadri still have the 12 yr olds body after hes done his off season with Gary "too much man" Roberts?

that's the million dollar question
- TheFondler

Gary "Too fit for the NHL" Roberts? Kadri will definitly benifit from him. Said he's working on his Explosiveness which I like to hear.

10. Ben Scrivens, GoalieToronto Marlies, AHL
Undrafted UFA
6'2, 195 lbs
Tall and lanky, some think Ben can look a little small in net with his crouch. He fights through screens and is a battler in net, relying on positioning with some last minute athleticism to save him. He can move the puck well for a goalie, as he's a strong skater who can get out of his net quick. He pops out of the butterfly quick, and shows a good understanding of the play developing.
Upside: 40 Game Goalie
NHL Comparable: James Reimer

well done Huddle

Many expect him to break the leafs roster this year as the third line pest replacing Armstrong.
Wouldn't that put him as a higher prospect over Biggs and/or Ross?
- B-Wforever

I don't expect him to be on the third line, at all. SHould he push for a spot, it'll be on the fourth line with Brown and Steckel. This is based purely on upside, not on who's more ready, otherwise Kadri, Blacker, Holzer would 1-2-3.

Foolish signing IMO
- wolfos412

I love the signing.

Will Kadri still have the 12 yr olds body after hes done his off season with Gary "too much man" Roberts?

that's the million dollar question
- TheFondler

Make or break for him as a prospect this summer, IMO.

Many don't realize, Leo Komarov is not one of those european FA's like Monster.
He was a late round JFJ leaf draft pick. 6th round in 06.
- B-Wforever

Either way should have let him walk. There is just no spot for him that a younger/ better player could fill just as well.

- TheFondler-PrinceLH-PinkSock-JohnnyReb

So are you not counting Holzer as a prospect? he got a 1 way deal.

I don't expect him to be on the third line, at all. SHould he push for a spot, it'll be on the fourth line with Brown and Steckel. This is based purely on upside, not on who's more ready, otherwise Kadri, Blacker, Holzer would 1-2-3.

- Brian Huddle

I just think if you have two prospects with basically the same up side potential (3rd line pest) then the one who has developed closer to being NHL ready is the better prospect.

The same would definitely apply for Matt Finn/ Koribean Holzer.

So are you not counting Holzer as a prospect? he got a 1 way deal.
- TheFondler-PrinceLH-PinkSock-JohnnyReb

Low upside, though. Bottom pairing type hard nosed defender. Not the worst thing, but wouldn't consider him a top end prospect.