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Dylan Larkin vs. Nikolaj Ehlers


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Dylan Larkin vs. Nikolaj Ehlers   

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Who do you see having the greatest impact going forward for a keeper league squad?

Easy set of parameters.. Value is placed on: Goals, Assists, +/-, PPP, SHG..


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Nikolaj Ehlers
: Displaying the pedigree of an offensive wizard, Ehlers has proven all he can at the Major Junior level and will certainly press for a spot in Winnipeg's top nine set of forwards next season. He's slight at only 6'0 and roughly 175lbs, so the concern will be if he's able to get into the tough scoring areas against bigger, stronger NHL defensemen. Can he turn into the point producing winger he appears to be headed towards or will be become another softer, skilled middle 6 guy?

Top End Potential and Comparable: Elite producing winger - Jonathan Drouin/Markus Naslund

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Dylan Larkin: A prospect who has shot up the rankings this past season due to a tremendous showing in the NCAA, WJC, and the AHL playoffs.. and not a bad go at the World's either. Drafted as more of a two-way centreman, his point production this year as left the hockey world questioning that tag. A speedster who is built for pro hockey (6'1 195lbs) Larkin still may have a season or two in the AHL before cracking a notoriously-patient Red Wings organization. Is he the heir apparent to Zetterberg or Datsyuk down the middle or will he find it difficult translating his offence and settle in as a Brandon Sutter style player?

Top End Potential and Comparable: Forceful, scoring top-line centre - Jonathan Toews

Who do you guys believe will be the better fantasy player? Heck, who do you believe will be the better overall player for their organization?

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My initial reaction is Ehlers. He'll be playing in Winnipeg next season, as he's too good to go back to junior. And although he doesn't have a thick frame, he's going to be "protected" by a big group of players that stand up for each other (Ladd, Wheeler, Lowry, Copp, Trouba, Buff, Stuart, and Thorburn). The Jets were one of the most penalized teams and outhit their opponent most nights. Ehlers is in the perfect environment to to succeed.

While Larkin should be a great player, my concern with him is the inevitable decline of the Red Wings. While people have been saying this for years, and I'm also a huge Wings fan, it certainly seems like they are in for a rough patch sooner rather than later.

My bet, at this point, would be on Ehlers.

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Ehlers.

Larkin think Horvat - defensive specialist, offense secondary.

Ehlers think Gaborik - elite offensive talent.

That's the way I've been leading for a few months now, but Larkin has certainly made it an interesting scenario. I've considered moving Ehlers as he has more hype (see: perceived value) and keeping Larkin. Should be a fun summer

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My initial reaction is Ehlers. He'll be playing in Winnipeg next season, as he's too good to go back to junior. And although he doesn't have a thick frame, he's going to be "protected" by a big group of players that stand up for each other (Ladd, Wheeler, Lowry, Copp, Trouba, Buff, Stuart, and Thorburn). The Jets were one of the most penalized teams and outhit their opponent most nights. Ehlers is in the perfect environment to to succeed.

While Larkin should be a great player, my concern with him is the inevitable decline of the Red Wings. While people have been saying this for years, and I'm also a huge Wings fan, it certainly seems like they are in for a rough patch sooner rather than later.

My bet, at this point, would be on Ehlers.

You bring up a good point about Winnipeg's overall size, physicality and 'pack mentality'. Being surrounded by all that size and willingness to engage should help Ehlers adjust.

One would think that Detroit would have to take their turn as a rebuilding team one of these years, but their cupboards are still pretty well stacked.. Tatar, Nyqvist, Sheahan, Jurco, Dekeyser and Mrazek are all 25 or under and contributing to the big squad. With Larkin, Mantha, Pulkinnen and Ouellet pushing for spots in the near future. I don't know how they keep doing it, but they appear to be adequately prepared for the decline of Datsyuk, Zetterberg. They will need to replace Kronwall somehow.. be it trade or free agency.

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Just to throw some more fire on the debate... Dylan Larkin is named the top prospect of the year by Hockey's Future.

Considering all the factors involved – position, league, age, to name a few – it isn’t easy to compare prospects across multiple levels. But, because there can be only one Hockey’s Future NHL Prospect of the Year, we set out to make those comparisons.

Several players emerged with tremendous 2014-15 seasons, establishing themselves as top-flight prospects or proving true previously established beliefs in regard to their talent. One, however, stood out more so than the others.

Prospects that competed primarily outside the NHL were considered for this honor. Players that were under consideration in HF’s Calder Poll for the top NHL rookie were not considered for the Prospect of the Year award.

Hockey’s Future 2015 NHL Prospect of the Year

Dylan Larkin, C, University of Michigan (DET)

Dylan Larkin follows in the footsteps of Teuvo Teravainen (CHI) and Evgeny Kuznetsov (WSH), who were the previous two Hockey’s Future NHL Prospects of the Year. And, other than the fact that he plays for a patient Detroit Red Wings organization, it wouldn’t be out of line to suggest Larkin having the same impact in the 2016 NHL Playoffs as both Teravainen and Kuznetsov had in the 2015 postseason.

In fact, the 18-year-old, who had a standout season for the University of Michigan, recently decided to turn pro, joining the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL playoffs following a season in which he has already racked up a ton of miles in the air. As a freshman with Michigan, Larkin finished second in scoring with 47 points in 35 games, elevating the play of those around him, specifically former Florida Panthers prospect Zach Hyman, who saw his point total rise from 17 to 54 from his junior to senior season. Larkin is a smooth, at-ease skater and can distribute the puck quite well, evidenced by his team-leading 32 assists. He showcased his goal-scoring ability for the United States at the 2015 World Junior Championship, scoring five goals in five games before a quarterfinal exit. Despite Jack Eichel (2015) receiving all of the attention heading into the tournament for the American team, Larkin was the team’s best – and most complete – player.

Larkin also played with Eichel during the 2015 IIHF World Championship in the Czech Republic. He recorded just one assist in the 10 games he played, but was used sparingly. Upon returning to North America in mid-May amidst questions of his college status, Larkin decided to sign an entry-level deal with the Red Wings, and with the Grand Rapids Griffins still in the AHL playoffs, he joined the team for the beginning of the Western Conference finals. To the surprise of no one, Larkin fit right in, scoring three goals and adding two assists in six games.

Full article here: http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/124547/hockeys-future-2015-nhl-prospect-of-the-year-larkin-parlays-strong-ncaa-season-into-first-pro-contract/

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