saucypass

Yeah it's too bad. I don't think he should play in the NHL either. Personally think it's players like Juolevi that should go to a Euro leage next year so he can play a pro style game even if it's different. I made this claim earlier but got shot down. I still don't think it's a bad idea. We will see though.

Probably because when they make that huge move all the way to North America for hockey, they do it for just hockey and getting acclimated to the country and culture. By going to the NCAA, they're not only comitting to a new hockey program, they're also going to an academic institution which puts academic requirements for athletes as well. Having to adjust to the academic rigor (or really any academics really) creates a distraction from playing hockey. Also the CHL in general is also better known in Europe as the premier league en route to the NHL.

Which is why I think the NCAA produces the best defenseman. Too bad Juolevi can't play for Northeastern haha.

This is precisely why I would like to see Juolevi go pro next year instead of repeating another year of junior hockey.

I 100% agree with Linden's assessment. Gaudette is no doubt a great prospect, but like I said earlier in this thread, it's better if he played another year at Northeastern. It's pretty easy to get sucked into his stats, but ultimately, he plays a pretty gritty two way game that he doesn't have the size for in the pros yet. Think Cassels, he's a great gritty two way player, but couldn't translate that in his first year pro because he didn't have the size (and imo maybe still don't) for that type of game. For Gaudette to go back another year not only allows him to work on getting stronger, but it allows him to continue working on other parts of his offensive game without Aston-Reese.

You really have to watch this kid play to really appreciate his game. I honestly think if he reaches his potential, the only thing separating him and Doughty would be his offense. If he can put up as much offense Doughty can, then man...

I think he was criticizing our defenders on our PP, and not the pick itself. I actually thought his comment was pretty funny, and I like the Juolevi pick.

Can't believe this guy didn't get nominated for the Hobey Baker. He absolutely deserves to be in the running.

Although I don't condone his name calling, what he means is that Gaudette isn't expected to show much potential of making the NHL whereas Virtanen is supposed to not only show potential of making the big show, but he's supposed to be a top 6 scorer. Which is why we invested a 6th overall pick on one player, and a 5th round pick on another.

Yes, 1 goal in 68 games is pretty bad offensively for sure. To me it's just not really something I worry too much about since he's a young defensive forward that we both know is still developing. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that as long as he's showing well defensively, that's all that matters because everything else will come along eventually. Nice to see he's doing well offensively in Utica though. Now, if you've drafted a goal scorer that doesn't score... (I know a name just popped into your head, and something tells me I know who it is... )

LOL. You're so critical in almost every post. Gaunce will be okay. Would be happy if he becomes third line center that can pot 30 points a season. Late first round pick in a pretty weak draft. Great character, great shutdown skills, probably going to play tough minutes, and going to be a great leader someday.

I don't understand. Outside of Hischier, who can possibly be rated higher than Mittlestad in offense? I guess it's because I haven't kept up with this draft as much as previous drafts... can anyone with more knowledge expand more on Tippett? What are his best skillsets? What are his weaknesses? Player comparisons? What is his projection? NHL star? Top line? Second line? Likelihood? How does he compare to other players similar to him in the draft?

Evened out your post. You weren't even bashing the guy and got minused. Quite sad really.

HAHAHA. Can you pass my stickhandling compilation of me deking little red pylons along as well? See you guys in the big show!

Fair enough, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to see him play another season for the Knights.

Yes. I don't doubt that.

It would just be one year and the whole point is for him to work on what he doesn't have. He's already gained what everything the OHL has to offer, why not let him learn the game for a year elsewhere? It's not like he isn't used to playing in NHL size. I hate the Larsen comparison. The dude is 26 and always had issues defensively. That's like saying Tom Sestito was an OHL allstar and that takes away the credibility of the OHL. OJ doesn't have problems learning the defensive game, and he's young with more time to improve especially after making the jump to the AHL the year after.

I definitely agree with what you've said. I'm just saying that fans here (me included) get way too hyped up about prospects, and then are disappointed when they don't live up to expectations. I've personally just seen so many flop or simply not live up to the hype that I've become cautious about where to set my expectations. I have no doubt that Boeser might become a top player for us someday, but to have some people here project him as an elite scoring forward might be a bit much. I just feel that all these expectations aren't warranted for a pick drafted outside the top 10. There are things in his game that is still in question before we can pencil him in on all our top line RW slots for the future.

Mittslstad has been my guy since day 1. Still hasn't changed. Unless we finish low enough for Hischier of course.

I feel like there have been too many prospects that have come and gone, that ended up not panning out the way we want them to and it would be heartbreaking to see this happen to Boeser (hypothetically speaking of course) if he didn't meet people's expectations and scored 30 and 30 in his Calder trophy winning rookie year-- especially for a guy of his character.

I'm pretty sure Jensen was drafted straight out of the OHL. Same with Juolevi, neither like A. Nylander where he was a straight up loan. Yep, I've seen Leafs game this year and I agree with you about their defensive structure but let's not get carried away and focus on the individual's ability to come in and compete with the vigor of the NHL's physicality. I get where you're coming from, but when you're playing on larger ice, all it does is that it gives you more time to make decisions with the puck. Players still finish their checks, and it's not like there's no hitting in there. I think this gives OJ a chance to dealing with grown men coming at him on a larger ice for a year and then transition into the AHL where all he needs to do is get the timing right due to smaller ice. With hockey IQ and decision making being one of his strongest assets, I don't think he'll have trouble transitioning. Playing for Jokerit in the KHL is most definitely a better league. Playing for any SHL or Liiga team is a better league than the CHL. I don't really see how that is even disputed to be honest. Personally I just think with competitors being stronger, faster, and better, I think OJ can only improve playing against them. Plus the larger ice would most likely fit OJ's game better as there is way more fluidity on European ice. This will give him more confidence in improving his strengths in a setting where he has to work on his weaknesses, whereas in junior it feels like all he's being trusted to do is constantly shutdown other forwards. It just feels like his offnesive game is being seriously hampered, while his ability to handle stronger opponents don't improve at all.

Yeah I think the Generals were pretty upset that they had lost their second highest (or highest?) leading scorer (they sucked that year anyways). You definitely bring up a lot of really good points, but correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think OJ is really getting all that much PP time as they've been mostly going to Vandesompel and Mete. OJ much like his time during this season's WJC, had his ice time reduced in order to get the least favorable match-ups so he can play in a shutdown role. Looking at the Knight's history of defenseman, Olli Maatta has been their most offensive defenseman to date. The Knights are undeniably one of the best hockey factories arguably ever, but their strength is creating forwards like our very own Horvat. Another issue with OJ staying in the CHL is for the reason that he's already thinking at a much higher level than all his peers. I forgot which analyst that said it but he mentioned that sometimes OJ thinks the game so high that he sometimes misreads the play. If true, sounds like he should be playing in a league with a more pro styled game so he can continue to develop his hockey IQ rather than having it stunted in the CHL and picking up on bad habits. Furthermore, one of OJ's biggest weaknesses right now is his physicality. I truly believe he'll benefit from learning how to dodge, absorb, and working out his core when playing in a league like the SHL for example. Look at Nylander, he played in the SHL and how he's been able to adjust to the physicality of the NHL. I also don' t think that the possibility of getting his ice time significantly reduced should be a problem as teams in those leagues have shown in the past that if you're good enough to play, then they will play you.

I think that would be the best idea. He played for Jokerit's youth team back in the day, maybe they'll take him back on their pro team in the KHL next year. Having an SHL or Finnish league team would be great too. I'm personally just not a big fan of the CHL developing defenseman.

Didn't Jensen go play in the SHL even though the Generals still held his rights?

RIP Grandma.