William Lockwood | RW

[Nuxfanabroad]

Really like what we've seen of this kid, so far. Looks like a pure athlete to me, & will prob be a key mid-6 W for a number of yrs.

[SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME]

7 minutes ago, Nuxfanabroad said:

Really like what we've seen of this kid, so far. Looks like a pure athlete to me, & will prob be a key mid-6 W for a number of yrs.

He has all the makings of a fan favourite type of player on the fourth line or bottom six in the NHL.

 

The CA write up offers a good scouting report and this section is probably worth quoting and posting here:

 

“Lockwood is a talented bottom-sixer. In many ways, he’s a coach’s dream in that role. He brings energy through his ever-running motor, he makes opponents keep their heads up at all times, he’s smart enough to kill penalties, he buries the puck in the offensive zone with his forechecking, and he’s speedy and opportunistic enough to capitalize on mistakes and turn the puck back in the other direction. His offensive skills may not be anything to write home about, but his goal-scoring at lower levels suggests he’ll still pick up his fair share of points.

The name that keeps popping up when it comes to Canuck comparables is Jannik Hansen, and it’s hard not to see it. Like Hansen, Lockwood could wind up being one of those players that is infinitely more useful than his stat line might suggest. The kind of player who might not be a household name, but who every opponent knows and dreads playing against.”

Edited September 9, 2021 by SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME

[Alflives]

19 minutes ago, SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME said:

He has all the makings of a fan favourite type of player on the fourth line or bottom six in the NHL.

 

The CA write up offers a good scouting report and this section is probably worth quoting and posting here:

 

“Lockwood is a talented bottom-sixer. In many ways, he’s a coach’s dream in that role. He brings energy through his ever-running motor, he makes opponents keep their heads up at all times, he’s smart enough to kill penalties, he buries the puck in the offensive zone with his forechecking, and he’s speedy and opportunistic enough to capitalize on mistakes and turn the puck back in the other direction. His offensive skills may not be anything to write home about, but his goal-scoring at lower levels suggests he’ll still pick up his fair share of points.

The name that keeps popping up when it comes to Canuck comparables is Jannik Hansen, and it’s hard not to see it. Like Hansen, Lockwood could wind up being one of those players that is infinitely more useful than his stat line might suggest. The kind of player who might not be a household name, but who every opponent knows and dreads playing against.”

100% agree.  These are the kinds of players teams win Cups with in their bottom six.  

[SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME]

One thing the article doesn’t mention, and doesn’t get talked about too much these days, is that Lockwood actually has incredible chemistry with Quinn Hughes. 
 

He was one of the few players on that Michigan team who could always keep up with Quinn on the ice, both with his feet and, perhaps more importantly, his brain.

 

EDIT: I just mention this because it speaks to Lockwood’s ability to “hang” with elite players, even if he’s not elite in his own skill level. Beyond just good wheels and work ethic, he really has a knack for reading and anticipating plays made at a high level. Many bottom-six/depth guys just don’t have this characteristic, and it limits their effectiveness, and creates a ceiling, as to where they can play and who they can play with. Similar to Hansen, I could see Lockwood succeeding in dovetailing his game into that of more talented players, and knowing where and when to bring tenacity and effort that can truly compliment elite level skilled guys.

Edited September 10, 2021 by SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME

[tas]

I really miss those early years of jannik hansen forechecking. no fly-bys. guys think they can post up behind the net to buy some time, plan their outlet, but oh sh-t! there's a honey badger in my face. 

[Ray_Cathode]

On 8/26/2021 at 8:27 AM, Alflives said:

Through injury is the likely way that happens.  Motte goes down again, and Lockwood takes that role.  

Another thing is that Lockwood will put huge pressure on third and fourth liners who make the mistake of thinking their job is locked down. No more Virtanen’s!
 

On D, even with Juolevi being subject to waivers, Rathbone will push the bottom four D to earn a spot. From watching both in Utica, Rathbone is the better defender on either side of the puck, but he does not have Juolevi’s size, and with Hughes already struggling defensively on the left side, another smallish D may be problematic for Green.

[N4ZZY]

Lockwood seems to me like another version of Motte. Time will tell. 

 

[GoldenAlien]

 

[JeremyCuddles]

Seen Lockwood absolutely obliterate Schenn with a hit. Colour me excited. I really hope this kid pans out. Love that grit and energy. If we can get a Chris Higgins/Jannik Hansen type player outta him it'd be a massive, massive win.

[GoldenAlien]

Lockwood laying out Schenn:

[GoldenAlien]

Full article: https://canucksarmy.com/2021/09/26/not-something-media-fans-see-will-lockwood-explains-shining-star-training-camp/

[-DLC-]

Quote

One of his best teaching lessons was that you have more time with the puck than you think.

“You do have a little bit more time and it’s important to have that poise — especially as a winger on the wall — because those plays are really important to get the puck out. You don’t want to panic and just throw it up the wall or to the middle. A lot of it is having that poise.”

 

[RogersTowell]

I've been impressed by his speed and willingness to finish checks hard.  He's got reasonable skill.  I think this might be his year to break into the league for more than a taste.  It's good to see him being given time on the PK.

[Bobby James]

3 hours ago, RogersTowell said:

I've been impressed by his speed and willingness to finish checks hard.  He's got reasonable skill.  I think this might be his year to break into the league for more than a taste.  It's good to see him being given time on the PK.

I agree. I watched the game yesterday and he definitely stood out. My goodness the amount of checks this dude finished was very noticeable. 

 

Not saying he is more then a bottom 6 forward (which is totally still great), but really like what I'm seeing and expecting him to only get better. 

[Topcheeze86]

I love this kids energy shift to shift would love to see him with motte on that 4th line 

[Grape]

On 9/9/2021 at 7:52 PM, SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME said:

One thing the article doesn’t mention, and doesn’t get talked about too much these days, is that Lockwood actually has incredible chemistry with Quinn Hughes. 
 

He was one of the few players on that Michigan team who could always keep up with Quinn on the ice, both with his feet and, perhaps more importantly, his brain.

 

EDIT: I just mention this because it speaks to Lockwood’s ability to “hang” with elite players, even if he’s not elite in his own skill level. Beyond just good wheels and work ethic, he really has a knack for reading and anticipating plays made at a high level. Many bottom-six/depth guys just don’t have this characteristic, and it limits their effectiveness, and creates a ceiling, as to where they can play and who they can play with. Similar to Hansen, I could see Lockwood succeeding in dovetailing his game into that of more talented players, and knowing where and when to bring tenacity and effort that can truly compliment elite level skilled guys.

Don't forget that Lockwood was not a bottom six player in college! Lockwood was our best forward and Quinn was our best defenceman that year - so let's not make it too big of a deal that the top forward could "keep up" with the top defenceman haha

[SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME]

44 minutes ago, Grape said:

Don't forget that Lockwood was not a bottom six player in college! Lockwood was our best forward and Quinn was our best defenceman that year - so let's not make it too big of a deal that the top forward could "keep up" with the top defenceman haha

I wasn’t trying to suggest otherwise!

 

Lockwood was a beast in college, especially when healthy, and without a doubt was the best Wolverines forward during Quinn’s sophomore year.

 

Mel Pearson gave an interview after one of the games where he discussed Lockwood’s “game breaking” ability and how he creates special moments in games where he individually shifts the balance on the ice, and just makes good things happen, through his combination of talent, pace, effort, and will.

 

I wholeheartedly agreed, at the time, and still do.

 

Lockwood and Hughes were the two best players on that team, but what I was getting at is their chemistry made them even greater than the sum of their parts, and how this reflects positively on Lockwood.

 

Quinn played with some other good players on those Michigan teams, and had great success. But the really exceptional, get out of your seat moments those two seasons often involved both Hughes and Lockwood sharing the ice.

 

Watching games, I found the most exciting plays often happened when Quinn was skating with the puck and looked over and saw he had Lockwood with him. Both players just seemed to light up and would find their extra gears when they were skating together. Whereas, at times, other good players on that team would look slightly “outclassed” with Quinn, and not be able to keep up or maximize the opportunities he created.

 

I meant the comment as a compliment, not just to Lockwood’s wheels, but his mind for the game, and his ability to make reads and anticipate plays that show he had the hockey IQ to “hang” with a world class talent like Hughes. Not every top college player has those kind of chops, but Will does IMO.

 

He’ll still likely top out as bottom-six in the NHL, but if he plays with the Canucks, I expect there will be moments, when he shares the ice with Hughes, that the old magic will suddenly reappear, and the two of them will do something special together.

Edited October 7, 2021 by SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME

[-DLC-]

 

[J.I.A.H.N]

1 hour ago, -DLC- said:

 

Man, this is sad.

I really liked Lockwood's game

I think the waiver exemption got him

I think it sends a bad message to the prospects

But....as Joe says...in Benning we trust!

Damn it!

[Guest]

1 hour ago, J.I.A.H.N said:

Man, this is sad.

I really liked Lockwood's game

I think the waiver exemption got him

I think it sends a bad message to the prospects

But....as Joe says...in Benning we trust!

Damn it!

I think it's been a good message to Lockwood that he was one of the last cuts.  

 

Wouldn't be shocked to see him called up this year, good step forward for him so far.