Adam French: QMJHL: A Strong Year For The Draft

Good list, QMJHL is loaded this year. I'd put Mantha ahead of Gauthier though. Sure he (Gauthier) has the defensive awareness and the hockey smarts but Mantha's got the kind of talent that you can't teach. Here's to hoping he falls to 16

Adam French: QMJHL: A Strong Year For The Draft
- AdamFrench

Where do you think Erne ends up from your description sounds like he could be a good replacement of Parise

Good list, QMJHL is loaded this year. I'd put Mantha ahead of Gauthier though. Sure he (Gauthier) has the defensive awareness and the hockey smarts but Mantha's got the kind of talent that you can't teach. Here's to hoping he falls to 16
- Sabresfan-365

I agree, Mantha is one of the pure finishers in the draft and at 6'3/6'4...gotta love it.

Where do you think Erne ends up from your description sounds like he could be a good replacement of Parise
- blizzzard

He's in that jumble of guys in the 12-25 region, he might fall due to a "so-so" playoff performance, though I did like that his game even when he's not producing is still effective as he was crashing and grinding.

I agree, Mantha is one of the pure finishers in the draft and at 6'3/6'4...gotta love it.
- AdamFrench

What do you think his current NHL comparison is. Maybe it's because I'm a sabres fan but he reminds me so much of Vanek (particularly in his Minnesota U days).

What do you think his current NHL comparison is. Maybe it's because I'm a sabres fan but he reminds me so much of Vanek (particularly in his Minnesota U days).
- Sabresfan-365

James Neal comes to mind, Vanek is not a bad comparison either, but I don't think he's as good as Vanek is. But they both have the same strenghts/weaknesses.

What do you think his current NHL comparison is. Maybe it's because I'm a sabres fan but he reminds me so much of Vanek (particularly in his Minnesota U days).
- Sabresfan-365

I'd go with Nathan Horton, brings some physicality, brings some goal scoring, brings some puck protection.

Though the Vanek comps surrounding that "it factor" when it comes to goal scoring is pretty apt.

I'd go with Nathan Horton, brings some physicality, brings some goal scoring, brings some puck protection.

Though the Vanek comps surrounding that "it factor" when it comes to goal scoring is pretty apt.
- AdamFrench

I know this is you're Q blog but do you feel that Nischuskin or however you spell it kid falls

I know this is you're Q blog but do you feel that Nischuskin or however you spell it kid falls
- blizzzard

I do, having seen him several times I just don't see the hype. Size and blazing speed is great and his talent is undeniable, but he's not as good as many other Russian's at the same age (Kuznetsov, Tarasenko, Cherepanov the poor lad and guys like Nail, Kucherov and Grigo in their MHL days). I think that if he wasn't 6'4 he would be around 30. I expect him to fall to around 15ish baring the Lightning and their Russian crush picking him at 3 in a mad "wtf" moment.

Plus as much as we deny it, the Russian factor is real and players have fallen every year if they decide to stay in the KHL and he's signed up for 2 more years minimum.

Adam French: QMJHL: A Strong Year For The Draft
- AdamFrench

Valentin Zykov is immensely talented.

Sven Andrighetto is also very very skilled with the puck. You gotta figure a team like Anaheim or St louis with their fair share of power forward types could take a chance on this little guy. Probably not in the first round mind you.

Valentin Zykov is immensely talented.

Sven Andrighetto is also very very skilled with the puck. You gotta figure a team like Anaheim or St louis with their fair share of power forward types could take a chance on this little guy. Probably not in the first round mind you.
- Morris

I'd easily use a 6-7th on him, was surprised he didn't get drafted last year

I do, having seen him several times I just don't see the hype. Size and blazing speed is great and his talent is undeniable, but he's not as good as many other Russian's at the same age (Kuznetsov, Tarasenko, Cherepanov the poor lad and guys like Nail, Kucherov and Grigo in their MHL days). I think that if he wasn't 6'4 he would be around 30. I expect him to fall to around 15ish baring the Lightning and their Russian crush picking him at 3 in a mad "wtf" moment.

Plus as much as we deny it, the Russian factor is real and players have fallen every year if they decide to stay in the KHL and he's signed up for 2 more years minimum.
- AdamFrench

That's true I cant remember for sure but I thought I read somewhere that he was being compared to Malkin is this true and is that where a lot of the hype came from ? does he ever lay the body and one last thing did he play for Russia at the world tournament and would he be good with Kovy ? Or should the Devils stay far away from him I think we have done quite well with Kovy and his two way game has improved drastically

That's true I cant remember for sure but I thought I read somewhere that he was being compared to Malkin is this true and is that where a lot of the hype came from ? does he ever lay the body and one last thing did he play for Russia at the world tournament and would he be good with Kovy ? Or should the Devils stay far away from him I think we have done quite well with Kovy and his two way game has improved drastically
- blizzzard

Malkin?

eh, not even close even in playstyles let alone skill. More like Viktor Stalberg with hands and a much better shot.

He throws hits every now and then (ask Wotherspoon at the WJC's) but he leaves so much to be desired on that end, he's an extremely soft 6'4 most of the time.

He might have been injured prior to the WC's if memory serves, though at 18 it's not very likely he would have made that team anyways.

That's true I cant remember for sure but I thought I read somewhere that he was being compared to Malkin is this true and is that where a lot of the hype came from ? does he ever lay the body and one last thing did he play for Russia at the world tournament and would he be good with Kovy ? Or should the Devils stay far away from him I think we have done quite well with Kovy and his two way game has improved drastically
- blizzzard

He's nowhere near as smart as Malkin with the puck.

I might be a bit harsh on him, but to me Nichuskin is the Andrei Kostitsyn 2.0. All the tools and could be a dominant player, he just needs to play with consistency and use his head when he plays.

He's nowhere near as smart as Malkin with the puck.

I might be a bit harsh on him, but to me Nichuskin is the Andrei Kostitsyn 2.0. All the tools and could be a dominant player, he just needs to play with consistency and use his head when he plays.
- Jean_Perron

ah thanks

Malkin?

eh, not even close even in playstyles let alone skill. More like Viktor Stalberg with hands and a much better shot.

He throws hits every now and then (ask Wotherspoon at the WJC's) but he leaves so much to be desired on that end, he's an extremely soft 6'4 most of the time.

He might have been injured prior to the WC's if memory serves, though at 18 it's not very likely he would have made that team anyways.
- AdamFrench

haha I have a hectic life I must of been mixing two different things I read lmao

haha I have a hectic life I must of been mixing two different things I read lmao
- blizzzard

I think he said he models his own game to Malkin if memory serves in an article published in Russia.

I think he said he models his own game to Malkin if memory serves in an article published in Russia.
- AdamFrench

Maybe that was it. Is it the Euros you cover the most or have you taken on the roll of prospect guy? I know Todd does a lot of OHL coverage

Maybe that was it. Is it the Euros you cover the most or have you taken on the roll of prospect guy? I know Todd does a lot of OHL coverage
- blizzzard

Mostly I covered Europe during draft stuff back when Huddle was around because I didn't want to steal views and stuff from him (he's a buddy), but now I'm sort of taking on a bit of a bigger role I guess.

Mostly I covered Europe during draft stuff back when Huddle was around because I didn't want to steal views and stuff from him (he's a buddy), but now I'm sort of taking on a bit of a bigger role I guess.
- AdamFrench

Well that's good it should be covered by someone and you seem to be a good fit I heard he gave up writing hockey ? are we allowed to know why or did I miss when that was told It just seems a little odd that someone would just give it up unless they got a kick a** job and don't have time

Well that's good it should be covered by someone and you seem to be a good fit I heard he gave up writing hockey ? are we allowed to know why or did I miss when that was told It just seems a little odd that someone would just give it up unless they got a kick a** job and don't have time
- blizzzard

He got married and is working on his career.

He got married and is working on his career.
- AdamFrench

Well good for him everyone has to grow up sometime unfortunately I am learning that very quick haha

He got married and is working on his career.
- AdamFrench

He's in that jumble of guys in the 12-25 region, he might fall due to a "so-so" playoff performance, though I did like that his game even when he's not producing is still effective as he was crashing and grinding.
- AdamFrench

Your mom's in that jumble of guys in the 12-25 region.