Prospect Info: 2014-2015 Prospect Stats and Discussion | Stauffer: Slepyshev NOT KHL re-signed

[Fourier]

That's the definition of an offensive defenseman nowadays.

35 points is currently good for something like 34th in NHL scoring among D men.

I know but the term is more in reference to the style of play. Schultz is an offensive defenseman. Klefbom is a two way defenseman. Even if they end up with the same point totals I'd still say this.

 

[Kalost]

Thanks; that would make sense.

Nurse said he stopped going across the ice to level someone for looking him in the eye

 

[krazy kanuck]

Nurse said he stopped going across the ice to level someone for looking him in the eye

Yep, that's pretty much what I remember

 

[Zaddy]

What do people think about Zach Bogosian as a comparison for Nurse at the NHL level? Big, physical shutdown defender who doesn't put up a lot of points but is very hard to play against. I mean, I'm hoping Nurse will be able to put up more points than Bogo but I'm not 100% convinced the offensive upside is there. I hope he can play in the AHL for a year or two and really work on his offensive game.

 

[krazy kanuck]

What do people think about Zach Bogosian as a comparison for Nurse at the NHL level? Big, physical shutdown defender who doesn't put up a lot of points but is very hard to play against. I mean, I'm hoping Nurse will be able to put up more points than Bogo but I'm not 100% convinced the offensive upside is there. I hope he can play in the AHL for a year or two and really work on his offensive game.

I did see a lot more of Bogosian in the OHL than Nurse (both the Colts and the Petes are in the Eastern Conference) and he was an offensive star back then. It seemed like he was always a threat to and he could rush the puck with the best of them. He was drafted ahead of Pietrangelo for a reason. I think he was rushed to the NHL to be honest...

 

[40oz]

I love hearing these first hand accounts and scouting reports of players, numbers obviously don't do them justice. Usually predicting a defenseman's offensive potential based on his junior career is a crap shoot. Many defensemen will get similar numbers in junior but some end up in defensive roles and some end up in offensive based on their skills and development. Hell, at even strength Nurse scores at a higher rate than guys like Bigras. Nurse even scored at a higher ES ppg in his draft year than Ekblad did in his. Frankly I'm very happy with his production while playing the role he does.

 

[Digger12]

A bit surprised that Greg Chase isn't getting more attention around here...had a hat trick last night to help Victoria advance to the 2nd round (where they'll be facing Kelowna!), and is 5-2-7 in 5 playoff games so far.

I think he's going to be an NHLer down the road, and with more skill than you'd think.

 

[McDeathbyCheerios*]

A bit surprised that Greg Chase isn't getting more attention around here...had a hat trick last night to help Victoria advance to the 2nd round (where they'll be facing Kelowna!), and is 5-2-7 in 5 playoff games so far.

I think he's going to be an NHLer down the road, and with more skill than you'd think.

I'll see him as a 3rd liner who is rough and tough and can put up a decent amount of points.

 

[krazy kanuck]

Nurse even scored at a higher ES ppg in his draft year than Ekblad did in his. Frankly I'm very happy with his production while playing the role he does.

Aaron Ekblad is on a whole different level. I was a Colts season ticket holder for years and he was easily the most impactful defenseman I ever had the pleasure of watching play in the OHL. Does everything exceptionally well and incredibly gifted in his own end - never looked out of place from the very beginning (as a 15 year old defending other team's 19 and 20 year old top threats)...a skill he is demonstrating in the NHL as well. Ekblad is in a small group of players that I ever saw play in the OHL who I thought couldn't have benefited from playing his 18 year old year in Junior. Heck, I thought he could have played in the NHL as a 17 year old and been an improvement on some blue lines (especially the one here at Rexall). He was more impactful as a 17 year old in the Colts 2013 playoff run to the finals than Alex Pietrangelo as a 20 year old or TJ Brodie as a 19 year old in the Colts 2010 playoff run to the finals.

He is absolutely unreal; frankly I've seen nothing to suggest that Nurse is even in the same conversation (hence why Ekblad is already a number one defenseman in the NHL despite being a year younger).

 

[BarDownBobo]

A bit surprised that Greg Chase isn't getting more attention around here...had a hat trick last night to help Victoria advance to the 2nd round (where they'll be facing Kelowna!), and is 5-2-7 in 5 playoff games so far.

I think he's going to be an NHLer down the road, and with more skill than you'd think.

Best case scenario is he becomes a bigger version of Brendan Gallagher. Even if he tops out as a third liner, something like Raffi Torres; that's a huge steal for the 7th round.

 

[40oz]

Aaron Ekblad is on a whole different level. I was a Colts season ticket holder for years and he was easily the most impactful defenseman I ever had the pleasure of watching play in the OHL. Does everything exceptionally well and incredibly gifted in his own end - never looked out of place from the very beginning (as a 15 year old defending other team's 19 and 20 year old top threats)...a skill he is demonstrating in the NHL as well. Ekblad is in a small group of players that I ever saw play in the OHL who I thought couldn't have benefited from playing his 18 year old year in Junior. Heck, I thought he could have played in the NHL as a 17 year old and been an improvement on some blue lines (especially the one here at Rexall). He was more impactful as a 17 year old in the Colts 2013 playoff run to the finals than Alex Pietrangelo as a 20 year old or TJ Brodie as a 19 year old in the Colts 2010 playoff run to the finals.

He is absolutely unreal; frankly I've seen nothing to suggest that Nurse is even in the same conversation (hence why Ekblad is already a number one defenseman in the NHL despite being a year younger).

Haha yah that's my point, numbers in junior (especially for defensemen) are pretty useless in predicting what type of impact they'll have in the NHL. Most top dmen have inflated stats due to the PP (not 4th fwd Deangelo though), and the amount of even strength scoring they do is quite low. It's much more beneficial for those of us who can't watch them live to hear from folks like yourself thanks to compare stats.

 

[fancy dan]

people talk about greg chase playing with a physical edge but frankly i don't see it. i think the only chance he has of making the NHL is if he adds these elements to his game (hitting, fighting).

 

[Canovin]

people talk about greg chase playing with a physical edge but frankly i don't see it. i think the only chance he has of making the NHL is if he adds these elements to his game (hitting, fighting).

What about agitating? Getting players off their game. Oilers need more of that.

 

[McDeepika]

What was the story with Horak? Did he want a guaranteed NHL spot? He was a pretty promising young player.

Seems like a shame to not even get to see what we had with him.

 

[ohheyhemsky]

What was the story with Horak? Did he want a guaranteed NHL spot? He was a pretty promising young player.

Seems like a shame to not even get to see what we had with him.

I'm assuming he saw the $$$ in the KHL, and jumped to play closer to home.

I'd be surprised if he wasn't back in the AHL next season though.

 

[Approved Variety]

What about agitating? Getting players off their game. Oilers need more of that.

Only analysts/scouts I've heard talk about him have called him a feisty agitator. Not a fighter, but I really don't care about fighting as long as you're willing to jump in and face-wash guys in a scrum or throw some lumber around.

Royals coach says Chase is the one guy who needs to be at the top of his game for them to get far in the playoffs.

Their biggest offensive threat, as well as the guy who drives the team's motivation on and off the ice.

Sounds a lot like Matt Hendricks to me. Maybe potting four or five more goals than Hendo.

 

[McDeathbyCheerios*]

Only analysts/scouts I've heard talk about him have called him a feisty agitator. Not a fighter, but I really don't care about fighting as long as you're willing to jump in and face-wash guys in a scrum or throw some lumber around.

Royals coach says Chase is the one guy who needs to be at the top of his game for them to get far in the playoffs.

Their biggest offensive threat, as well as the guy who drives the team's motivation on and off the ice.

Sounds a lot like Matt Hendricks to me. Maybe potting four or five more goals than Hendo.

A guy who thrives on getting under the opposing teams skins and getting them off their game because of it.

I'm excited to see him and Nurse on the ice together in the AHL causing all sorts of havoc

 

[rockinghockey]

I think EDM has some good prospects on the way up but they are 2-3 yrs away role players that this team really need that can still get some points and make it difficult for the opposition to play. Players like
Chase
Nurse
Yak big
Slep
Nurse is a top dman but the other players will all be bottom 6 that can play top 6 when injuries occur

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Getting a few of the KHL guys back would be a bit of a boon for the farm system here. Personally i'd like to see Slepyshev, Horak, and Larsson come over. Horak and Slepyshev are fairly obvious as for why, but Larsen would give the team a depth a RH defenceman, and he could take on Hunt's role with the team this year.

Have...
Hamilton-Draisaitl-Miller
Horak-Yakimov-Slepyshev
Davidson-Larsen
Nurse-Simpson
Brossoit

... as your main group in Bakersfield

 

[IAGTTAYM]

Getting a few of the KHL guys back would be a bit of a boon for the farm system here. Personally i'd like to see Slepyshev, Horak, and Larsson come over. Horak and Slepyshev are fairly obvious as for why, but Larsen would give the team a depth a RH defenceman, and he could take on Hunt's role with the team this year.

Have...
Hamilton-Draisaitl-Miller
Horak-Yakimov-Slepyshev
Davidson-Larsen
Nurse-Simpson
Brossoit

... as your main group in Bakersfield

Why would Oilers bring Larsen back? OKC has Musil, LaLeggia, Oesterle, Betker, Gernat and Simpson singed for next year. And we could still see Davidson/Hunt returning for another year, and of course Darnell Nurse could start in the AHL. Horak is not coming back to play in the AHL. Plus OKC has: Ewanyk, Yakimov, Platzer, Moroz, Khaira, R Hamilton, Kessy and Chase signed for next year. And Oilers have still to sign M-O Roy, Houck and potentially Slepyshev. Then you have vet guys like C Hamilton and Miller maybe returning for another season, and Draisaitl potentially going to AHL to start the year. OKC will be crowded at forward too, I see no need or place for Horak.

 

[Macblender]

I think EDM has some good prospects on the way up but they are 2-3 yrs away role players that this team really need that can still get some points and make it difficult for the opposition to play. Players like
Chase
Nurse
Yak big
Slep
Nurse is a top dman but the other players will all be bottom 6 that can play top 6 when injuries occur

I would add Laleggia as he has potential as a 6 pp specialist.

 

[Tw0Shoes]

Why would Oilers bring Larsen back? OKC has Musil, LaLeggia, Oesterle, Betker, Gernat and Simpson singed for next year. And we could still see Davidson/Hunt returning for another year, and of course Darnell Nurse could start in the AHL. Horak is not coming back to play in the AHL. Plus OKC has: Ewanyk, Yakimov, Platzer, Moroz, Khaira, R Hamilton, Kessy and Chase signed for next year. And Oilers have still to sign M-O Roy, Houck and potentially Slepyshev. Then you have vet guys like C Hamilton and Miller maybe returning for another season, and Draisaitl maybe going to AHL to start the year. OKC will be crowded at forward too, I see no need or place for Horak.

Horak would come back to the NHL for a one-way contract, even if he ends up playing in the AHL. He'd also probably play on the top line. There's always room for a better player than your current prospects. Anyway, OKC always seems to start with more players than they have room for and rotate everyone through the line up, and always seem to finish the year signing all sorts of journeymen to shore up the line up.

Some of those guys may start the year in the ECHL.

 

[OilerTyler]

Why would Oilers bring Larsen back? OKC has Musil, LaLeggia, Oesterle, Betker, Gernat and Simpson singed for next year. And we could still see Davidson/Hunt returning for another year, and of course Darnell Nurse could start in the AHL. Horak is not coming back to play in the AHL. Plus OKC has: Ewanyk, Yakimov, Platzer, Moroz, Khaira, R Hamilton, Kessy and Chase signed for next year. And Oilers have still to sign M-O Roy, Houck and potentially Slepyshev. Then you have vet guys like C Hamilton and Miller maybe returning for another season, and Draisaitl potentially going to AHL to start the year. OKC will be crowded at forward too, I see no need or place for Horak.

The problem is that Musil, LaLeggia, Oesterle, Betker, Gernat, Simpson, Davidson, Hunt, and Nurse are ALL left shooting defensemen. Larsen would add depth on the right side.

 

[Macblender]

The problem is that Musil, LaLeggia, Oesterle, Betker, Gernat, Simpson, Davidson, Hunt, and Nurse are ALL left shooting defensemen. Larsen would add depth on the right side.

While I agree with this I think with the lack of depth some of the guys are going to have to transition over to the right side may as well find out who can do it best if Larsen has no chance at a future as an oiler it would be a spot wasted on a guy who may have no future with us.

 

[IAGTTAYM]

The problem is that Musil, LaLeggia, Oesterle, Betker, Gernat, Simpson, Davidson, Hunt, and Nurse are ALL left shooting defensemen. Larsen would add depth on the right side.

It's a minor problem for most D to switch sides. And they have been running with a group of LHD in OKC this year and it's been going fine.