Its not the months that is the issue, Couturier has essentially another full year of development in junior, as opposed to anyone else born before September 15.

it eventually balances out, but its a factor between playing 2 years of junior and 3.
- Lohaus

roger that

100th post ...

roger that

100th post ...
- senstroll

boom.

And this year's Zibanejad is Faksa, no offence Huddle
- QuebecPride

Time will tell. I know that the organization is very excited about the leaps Zibanejad made this year and there is a lot of talk that both our swedes, Silfverberg and Zibanejad, will be part of the starting 12 come next October (which would put Zibby at the same age as Couturier starting his career). A lot to be positive about the development right now. I don't get to caught up in how Couturier is fairing right now. I don't think anyone thinks Huberdeau, Scheiffele and Strome are busts, all taken before Couturier. Some guys just take a year or two more and like I said, Couturier is a year older anyways.
- Lohaus

Good post.

I have my reservations on Z because he came out of nowhere last year, and skyrocketed to the top10. A bit like Mr. Scheifele who played Junior A the year before his draft year

- Brian Huddle

Good post.

I have my reservations on Z because he came out of nowhere last year, and skyrocketed to the top10. A bit like Mr. Scheifele who played Junior A the year before his draft year
- QuebecPride

and after a seven game series against him, with the 67s inflicting as much physical punishment as I have seen in a long time targetted at one guy, Scheiffele is not a one year wonder. Winnipeg has themselves a player who I am pretty sure played his last game in junior.
...also helps that his coach is former Winnipeg Jet great Dale Hawerchuck....

and after a seven game series against him, with the 67s inflicting as much physical punishment as I have seen in a long time targetted at one guy, Scheiffele is not a one year wonder. Winnipeg has themselves a player who I am pretty sure played his last game in junior.
...also helps that his coach is former Winnipeg Jet great Dale Hawerchuck....
- Lohaus

Oh I'm not saying he's a flash in the pan, I just have my reservations on players that come out of nowhere.

Couturier would have been a better pick than him though

Oh I'm not saying he's a flash in the pan, I just have my reservations on players that come out of nowhere.

Couturier would have been a better pick than him though
- QuebecPride

FWIW, Some Scouts get really high on "development curves". Guys like Johansen, Huberdeau, Z, Faksa this year are cases of guys who tend to take a rapid development, and the hope is that the "quicker development" or flash in the pan is a trend that will continue.

It's something that I was taught by a scout, that he followed a lot. So I tend to fall into that group when watching players.

One. I don't think NYI swaps Strome for 5, but the Leafs could reasonabley add to the pot with something. Only way it happens, for sure. But it might be something Toronto could look at.

Two. To me, Galchenyuk is the real deal. Went first overall in the OHL Draft for a reason. He's as skilled as Yakupov without the insane wheels. As long as the missed development time and injury don't affect him more than I think, he should be a good 80 pt center.
- Brian Huddle

If the Leafs could add a quality, respectable every night defenseman I'd be OK moving Strome for the 5 pick/(defenseman). Don't expect Gardiner by any means, but I'm not sure I'd want Komi either.

As far as Galchenyuk, I'd like him for sure. Corey Pronman thinks that Strome would move to wing, assuming we drafted Gally.

Have you ever seen Saint-John play?
- QuebecPride

Yes, last year. Not this year though. I assumed they got worse Huber left did he not? Oh poop, nevermind I just noticed his 73 pts in 37 games... (frank) me...

If the Leafs could add a quality, respectable every night defenseman I'd be OK moving Strome for the 5 pick/(defenseman). Don't expect Gardiner by any means, but I'm not sure I'd want Komi either.

As far as Galchenyuk, I'd like him for sure. Corey Pronman thinks that Strome would move to wing, assuming we drafted Gally.
- eichiefs9

I find with Strome, he always ends up playing like he is a left wing anyways. He's a right handed shot, but he loves to set up for the one timer and cheat ot that side. If he slid to the wing, I think he be more comfortable on the left side just based on his tendancies.

FWIW, Some Scouts get really high on "development curves". Guys like Johansen, Huberdeau, Z, Faksa this year are cases of guys who tend to take a rapid development, and the hope is that the "quicker development" or flash in the pan is a trend that will continue.

It's something that I was taught by a scout, that he followed a lot. So I tend to fall into that group when watching players.
- Brian Huddle

I assume Oleksiak is a high pick based on this?

I assume Oleksiak is a high pick based on this?
- Lohaus

I find with Strome, he always ends up playing like he is a left wing anyways. He's a right handed shot, but he loves to set up for the one timer and cheat ot that side. If he slid to the wing, I think he be more comfortable on the left side just based on his tendancies.
- Lohaus

It may sound kinda corny, but I actually really, really appreciate the input. It sucks being a draft/prospect freak like myself but not actually getting to see any of these guys play outside of the WJC's once a year.

If Gally is our guy I'd be happy, I like his big frame better at center and Strome on the wing.

I think Galchenyuk will be a huge point producer and a # 1 center... But i really think the leafs cant pass on Dumba... You dont need top scorers in the league to win the cup, you need character guys with grit, leaders and a good system. I see Dumba as a Pk Subban but i think hes got better skills, maybe less weight but hes gonna be physical no matter how small he is... Hes got character and theres no way this guy will be a bust, i say the leafs take him, i dont care about are lack of centers we will eventually get a center this kids a winner and a guy to build around... Although i wont be mad if we select Galchenyuk, hes gonna be a good center... I will not be to pleased if we select Forsberg or Grigorenko before Dumba is picked.

If the Leafs could add a quality, respectable every night defenseman I'd be OK moving Strome for the 5 pick/(defenseman). Don't expect Gardiner by any means, but I'm not sure I'd want Komi either.

As far as Galchenyuk, I'd like him for sure. Corey Pronman thinks that Strome would move to wing, assuming we drafted Gally.
- eichiefs9

Why would the leafs want Strome??? Id rather have Galchenyuk or Dumba... Stromes skilled but hes a right handed player like Kessel and i think it was a bad pick by the isles... over Coutourier and Doug Hamilton? Really?

If the Leafs could add a quality, respectable every night defenseman I'd be OK moving Strome for the 5 pick/(defenseman). Don't expect Gardiner by any means, but I'm not sure I'd want Komi either.

As far as Galchenyuk, I'd like him for sure. Corey Pronman thinks that Strome would move to wing, assuming we drafted Gally.
- eichiefs9

It'd likely be a Gunnarsson or a Franson in that situation.

I assume Oleksiak is a high pick based on this?
- Lohaus

Yep.

At least hes starting to figure out the O lately. That first half was horrendous to watch at times.

Yes, last year. Not this year though. I assumed they got worse Huber left did he not? Oh poop, nevermind I just noticed his 73 pts in 37 games... (frank) me...
- wolfos412

They lost Simon Després, but they gained, Charlie Coyle, Charles Olivier-Roussel and Villemaire (good checker).

Not to mention, Galiev, Huberdeau, Beaulieu, Jurco, Phillips, Gauthier (who had his coming out party this year), Macaulay, Tesink and Corbeil-Thériault are a year older

I could see Shawinigan challenging them, because they have a very deep team, but they don't have the same firepower.

Portland has a sexy lineup too, but not to that level.

It'd likely be a Gunnarsson or a Franson in that situation.



Yep.

At least hes starting to figure out the O lately. That first half was horrendous to watch at times.
- Brian Huddle

Seems its not that easy to adjust, Tinordi had trouble last year too.

FWIW, Some Scouts get really high on "development curves". Guys like Johansen, Huberdeau, Z, Faksa this year are cases of guys who tend to take a rapid development, and the hope is that the "quicker development" or flash in the pan is a trend that will continue.

It's something that I was taught by a scout, that he followed a lot. So I tend to fall into that group when watching players.
- Brian Huddle

We'll see if that philosophy will pay dividends. At least on Faksa, people have seen him in more than the odd IIHF tournament, as he plays in the CHL. Zibanejad was hyped to the max, and people didn't see him play that much.

Sometimes less exposure is a bless.

Have you ever seen Saint-John play?
- QuebecPride

I was going to ask if he has seen the Oil Kings who Finished First in the WHL play BTW only lost 1 game in the play-offs.

Why would the leafs want Strome??? Id rather have Galchenyuk or Dumba... Stromes skilled but hes a right handed player like Kessel and i think it was a bad pick by the isles... over Coutourier and Doug Hamilton? Really?
- Bar-South

we'll see? Gotta give the kid a few years

hey Brian, could Joe Morrow from Portland compete for a roster spot on the Penguins next season? does he have the size that he would need?

also, who do you see the penguins drafting and do you think that there is anything to this Staal to EDM for the #1 rumor?

Fucale played in something like 69 of the last 73 games of the moose this year.

This kid will be mad good.

Oh and Drouin was stellar in the playoffs. This kid is the most talented Québécois out of the 'Q next year, ahead of Duclair.
- QuebecPride

Drouin was insane in the playoffs. They have him listed as 5'11 176, I dunno if he's that big, but the way he played, he looks big enough to have NHL potential.

Fucale had two amazing rounds and one so-so round. He's legit though.

hey Brian, could Joe Morrow from Portland compete for a roster spot on the Penguins next season? does he have the size that he would need?

also, who do you see the penguins drafting and do you think that there is anything to this Staal to EDM for the #1 rumor?
- SuperHenderson13

Morrow should be able to compete for a spot. It's up to management to open up the opportunity, but he's ready to move on after this season. I wouldn't worry about his size, he's pretty strong.

And Staal for the #1 makes no sense from an Edmonton perspective, IMO. I like Staal, a lot. But he's a 60 pt center, and Yakupov has the looks of a 100 pt winger. I just can't see why Edmonton would entertain that without Pittsburgh adding some serious weight to a package.