C Akil Thomas - Niagara IceDogs, OHL (2018, 51st, LAK)

[Martin Skoula]

My thoughts on Akil,

Thomas is good; I like that he battles hard and he has some slick hands, but his lack of frame is quite prevalent. Another aspect I am not a fan of is his consistency. I know that all young players his age go through bouts of consistent issues, but Akil takes it a step further. There are bipolar shifts by him in games where he looks totally invisible like a 6th round prospect and there are other shifts where he looks like a legit top 6 prospect. It's so hard to tell what type of player he will become because of that, so that's why I have him dropping a tad to the early 20's as of now. He also gets a LOT of points on the PP and I am not a huge fan of those type of players. I am not against picking Thomas because I think Avs definitely need a power-play specialist, just commenting that I personally prefer players who do most of their damage 5v5.

How does he compare to Kadri at the same age? A lot of those criticisms are very familiar, and it took him a good 4-5 years to start rounding those out.

 

[S E P H]

How does he compare to Kadri at the same age? A lot of those criticisms are very familiar, and it took him a good 4-5 years to start rounding those out.

Could be, but Kardi had some strengths which Thomas doesn't have and vice-versa. For instance, Kadri always had a chip on his shoulder and played the game a lot more chipper than Thomas does - Nazem liked getting under players skins even in juniors. That's why Burke and his testosterone took him as high as they did while being fairly raw at the time. Both display(ed) a lot of high caliber skill, but I would say that Thomas is a smoother player of the two, especially with the puck. I don't think he's as raw as Kadri was when he was playing in the OHL, I mean both were/are under developed physically, but Akil just needs to figure out how to make his intensity level reach a more consistent rate. In regards to comparisons, he really reminds me of a centre version of Ondrej Palat.

 

[JK2K]

You have got to be kidding.
Kadri is a Warrior. You want that guy in the trenches with you. You got to war with guys like that. Thomas is soft. Has skill, but soft perimeter player. I’m sorry, I just can get over the awful u18 tournament. He was Canada’s worst and least effective player. Too many pp points with Niagara, playing perimeter, never getting to dirty areas and crapped the bed hard in u18 WC.
It has to count for a lot.

 

[57special]

Sort of an off the wall question, but is there anyone out there prepared to compare Thomas to Ty Madden? It sounds like they have somewhat similar games, though lack of consistency is not something that Madden can be accused of.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Hoping to get him if we acquire a mid 1st-round in the Pacioretty trade

 

[57special]

Hoping to get him if we acquire a mid 1st-round in the Pacioretty trade

That wouldn't be a bad idea, at all.

 

[landy92mack29]

 

[Dominance]

He’s being slept on hard.

 

[Phenomenon13]

Is the reason he slid because he was reliant on the pp production for points?

 

[tony d]

He slipped further than I thought he would. Went to LA, that's a very good pick for the Kings.

 

[Peasy]

5 points in his first game back today.

 

[Dominance]

5 points in his first game back today.

Expecting a big year from him. I’ve always gotten Nick Suzuki vibes and thought he should’ve gone in the first round.

 

[HOPE]

was mad when Montreal didn't pick him in their mid 2nd round pick.

 

[jfhabs]

You have got to be kidding.
Kadri is a Warrior. You want that guy in the trenches with you. You got to war with guys like that. Thomas is soft. Has skill, but soft perimeter player. I’m sorry, I just can get over the awful u18 tournament. He was Canada’s worst and least effective player. Too many pp points with Niagara, playing perimeter, never getting to dirty areas and crapped the bed hard in u18 WC.
It has to count for a lot.

Kadri ain't tough. He runs his mouth and take runs at players, but normally hides behind the ref or turtle when it gets tough... good player tho
Don't think Thomas has the same style either.

 

[Hatter of the Beach]

At around the 40th pick, I posted that I would be ok with the Wings trading the rest of their entire draft, including their 3 thirds, for a pick to get Akil or Bode Wilde. I haven't seen or heard much from preseason, is he looking good?

 

[cg98]

At around the 40th pick, I posted that I would be ok with the Wings trading the rest of their entire draft, including their 3 thirds, for a pick to get Akil or Bode Wilde. I haven't seen or heard much from preseason, is he looking good?

Its a good thing you arent a GM. Akil Thomas is good but in no way is he a player you give up more picks for.

 

[member 147413]

Kadri ain't tough. He runs his mouth and take runs at players, but normally hides behind the ref or turtle when it gets tough... good player tho
Don't think Thomas has the same style either.

Lol, Kadri never turtles or hides behind refs

 

[DJN21]

You have got to be kidding.
Kadri is a Warrior. You want that guy in the trenches with you. You got to war with guys like that. Thomas is soft. Has skill, but soft perimeter player. I’m sorry, I just can get over the awful u18 tournament. He was Canada’s worst and least effective player. Too many pp points with Niagara, playing perimeter, never getting to dirty areas and crapped the bed hard in u18 WC.
It has to count for a lot.

I wouldn't want him in a 30 foot radius of my team let alone being a key piece "in the trenches". Cowardice and cheap play don't rub off well on real winners.

 

[Mrb1p]

Lol, Kadri never turtles or hides behind refs

LOL COME ON

 

[tfong]

LOL COME ON

Too ez

 

[Critical13]

Can't wait to watch him for the first time live this year...going this weekend. Looks like he's had a nice start.

I agree with the Kadri comparisons - I think he has less skill, less physicality, and lower NHL potential but I see the similarities mentioned. Elusive, quick accurate shot, seems to thrive with the puck on his stick.

 

[Hatter of the Beach]

Its a good thing you arent a GM. Akil Thomas is good but in no way is he a player you give up more picks for.

Considering the Wing’s current glut of prospects and the liklihood of those picks past 60 panning out, I’d rather take what I consider to be a sure thing NHLer.

Quality > Quantity. Maybe you miss out on some late draft steals, but probaby not. A 4th+ rounder is considered a good pick even if they have a cup of coffee in the NHL

 

[Go Wings]

At around the 40th pick, I posted that I would be ok with the Wings trading the rest of their entire draft, including their 3 thirds, for a pick to get Akil or Bode Wilde. I haven't seen or heard much from preseason, is he looking good?

Why would we do that when we already have Larkin, AA, Veleno and Rasmussen. We need a Jack Hughes top center not another guy who will likely be a 2nd or 3rd line one. It is Akil Thomas not Robert Thomas.

 

[Hatter of the Beach]

Why would we do that when we already have Larkin, AA, Veleno and Rasmussen. We need a Jack Hughes top center not another guy who will likely be a 2nd or 3rd line one. It is Akil Thomas not Robert Thomas.

Well for one he had more offensive production in his draft year than R. Thomas. Obviously not the end all in terms of NHL production, but a good indicator of skill.

I personally had him ranked in the late first, and while a bit superfluous given out prospect pool, that is a good problem to have, and worst case scenario results in a good trade piece.

I guess it just comes down to if you think any combination the players the wings drafted after McIssac

A) is likely to have as big of a NHL impact
while also being B) not readily accessible through minor FA signings every year

I think Regula is a possible for an NHL, but still a project. Outside of the goalie prospects (who I don’t value due to the over abundance of goalies every year) or the Finnish kid growing 3 inches to go along with his skill, I view it unlikely.

And even if it goes as well as we could realistically dream for, with our RoR becoming a Luke Glendenning clone, a goalie turning into an average goalie, Regula, turning into a decent 4th, I still take the guy I feel has top end potential. Even if they all pan out, none of those types of players are hard to find cheap. Granted, I had him ranked 22nd and I don't think many did.

 

[Hatter of the Beach]

Also, looks like he's having a nice start to the season. 5 points in an opening game