Prospect Info: #20 Dennis Cholowski, D-Chilliwack, BCHL

[Zetterberg4Captain]

Pls dont group kindl with smith

Smith was never going to be what so many just assumed he would be, but, he is a heck of a lot better than what so many think he is.

 

[Frk It]

The only other thing I can think of about Chychrun is the fact that a ton of GMs passed on him prior to the Coyotes so I can only assume there was something about him that they all balked at. The guy who did chase him was the young kid out of PHX who was looking into make a splashy move and didn't have the experience of the GMs in front of him. But that could be me just reaching for some kind of justification and rationalizing the fact we passed on him

I definitely don't think he was just trying to make a splash. Chayka said he very nearly took him at #7.

And I mean plenty of GM's balked at flaws with Getzlaf and O'Reilly, and they were flat out wrong.

We'll have to see how it shakes out. I was always high on Chychrun, I didn't just take that position after we passed on him for the sake of it. Chayka also said he wants to his D to have an identity where they just retrieve the puck and get it up ice. So I think he will take guys with flaws IF their strengths fit into that mold. He drafted Chychrun and Dineen, then picked up DeAngelo, so I think he is gearing towards that. Picked up Gogo too, who very much plays that way.

 

[Wood Stick]

I definitely don't think he was just trying to make a splash. Chayka said he very nearly took him at #7.

And I mean plenty of GM's balked at flaws with Getzlaf and O'Reilly, and they were flat out wrong.

We'll have to see how it shakes out. I was always high on Chychrun, I didn't just take that position after we passed on him for the sake of it. Chayka also said he wants to his D to have an identity where they just retrieve the puck and get it up ice. So I think he will take guys with flaws IF their strengths fit into that mold. He drafted Chychrun and Dineen, then picked up DeAngelo, so I think he is gearing towards that. Picked up Gogo too, who very much plays that way.

Connor Murphy>Anthony DeAngelo>Jakub Chychrun all have the same connection too. They've all been scouted pretty heavily. Pretty sure Arizona scouts know what they have. DeAngelo is a big hit or miss though.

 

[lomekian]

One of the things that encouraged the wings to pick Cholowski was exactly the reason he didn't get much attention until late. Kid grew 5 inches in about a year and is still growing, without any negative impact on his co-ordination etc. Indeed, it seems it is the trajectory of his development that has them so excited. Possibly the biggest climber this draft year from what I've heard.

Certainly he seems the polar opposite to Brendan Smith, who is all energy and enthusiasm and puck-lugging and was quite physically developed at 18, but is neither the most composed nor the sharpest tool in the box. Cholowski is still growing upwards, but his style is all calmness and sharp passing despite his skating ability. And on interview he comes across as incredibly composed, assured and comfortable in his own skin for a kid of that age.

 

[jolly roger]

One of the things that encouraged the wings to pick Cholowski was exactly the reason he didn't get much attention until late. Kid grew 5 inches in about a year and is still growing, without any negative impact on his co-ordination etc. Indeed, it seems it is the trajectory of his development that has them so excited. Possibly the biggest climber this draft year from what I've heard.

Certainly he seems the polar opposite to Brendan Smith, who is all energy and enthusiasm and puck-lugging and was quite physically developed at 18, but is neither the most composed nor the sharpest tool in the box. Cholowski is still growing upwards, but his style is all calmness and sharp passing despite his skating ability. And on interview he comes across as incredibly composed, assured and comfortable in his own skin for a kid of that age.

That description would normally equate to a late round pick, not a first. He's played Tier 2 Canadian Junior only and won't even be a top pairing on his college team. Wasted a first round pick.

 

[Claypool]

He's played Tier 2 Canadian Junior only and won't even be a top pairing on his college team. Wasted a first round pick.

Just like Fabbro, you mean?

 

[RabidBadger]

That description would normally equate to a late round pick, not a first. He's played Tier 2 Canadian Junior only and won't even be a top pairing on his college team. Wasted a first round pick.

Very few freshmen see top line action in college. Ryan McDonagh and Duncan Keith were not top pair on their college teams either. Jonathon Toews was not the 1st line center, the list goes on with all these wasted draft picks.

And no, I'm not comparing Cholo to these guys. I'm pointing out that the point of reference you used does not hold much water to the credibility of a draft pick.

 

[lomekian]

That description would normally equate to a late round pick, not a first. He's played Tier 2 Canadian Junior only and won't even be a top pairing on his college team. Wasted a first round pick.

Given that Kronwall was the last 1st round pick in Detroit to crack the top two lines on a roster that has spent most of the last decade relying on late round picks to keep it afloat, maybe that's not a bad thing? Certainly the word from the training camp was that apart from size and strength he already plays a pro game in terms of skating, gap control, positioning and passing.

Your take would be more accurate if he was still the size he was at Christmas, but he's 6"1 now and still growing. There's a reason why many late draft coverage articles had him as a 1st round sleeper. Obviously its only time that can tell, but I'm very comfortable with the pick

 

[pierre gagnon*]

Well, he was very good at the WJC's. Either one could end up a better pro, but Fabbro is easily the better player right now. 8 pts in 7 games and many thought he outshined Chychrun. But Fabbro also has 20-30 lbs on the kid.

Why not compare apples to apples Cholo was better then Fabbro in the BCHL playoffs when it mattered. He is not better now, Cholo closed the gap during the year and eclipsed him and will continue too. Kid will gain weight and be taller, his brother is 6'3". All that matters is who evolves more, I do not see Fabbro getting that much better or bigger. Remember he played on a stacked team, that really helps the stats. Chychryn fell in the ranking and did not look good for Canada in this showcase, not a good comparision actually.

 

[Frk It]

Why not compare apples to apples Cholo was better then Fabbro in the BCHL playoffs when it mattered. He is not better now, Cholo closed the gap during the year and eclipsed him and will continue too. Kid will gain weight and be taller, his brother is 6'3". All that matters is who evolves more, I do not see Fabbro getting that much better or bigger. Remember he played on a stacked team, that really helps the stats. Chychryn fell in the ranking and did not look good for Canada in this showcase, not a good comparision actually.

I know how tall his brother is, you've said that several times by now.

You think Cholowski is better right now? Ok, well I think you would be in the minority there. Fabbro has probably 25 lbs on him, he is playing top pair on Canada for a reason. Better suited right now to face 18-19 year old players. I understand that Chychrun fell, but Fabbro rose because of his WJC performance.

Though I agree with you, all that really matters is who develops more at the end of the day. And that is still to be determined.

 

[Shaman464]

This kid is likely going to take as long as Smith to make it to the NHL. Think glacial. This, in and of itself presents my biggest complaint with this pick: He is unlikely to be an impact player in the next 5 years. This would have been a wonderful pick if Detroit was a contender today, and didn't desperately need help at multiple positions. But, that's not where Detroit is at right now. As such, the team isn't in a position to take the long view.

 

[Lil Sebastian Cossa]

This kid is likely going to take as long as Smith to make it to the NHL. Think glacial. This, in and of itself presents my biggest complaint with this pick: He is unlikely to be an impact player in the next 5 years. This would have been a wonderful pick if Detroit was a contender today, and didn't desperately need help at multiple positions. But, that's not where Detroit is at right now. As such, the team isn't in a position to take the long view.

Wait what? What the hell is advocating to tank and wanting the management to be embarrassed into changing their ways other than a long view?

 

[Shaman464]

Wait what? What the hell is advocating to tank and wanting the management to be embarrassed into changing their ways other than a long view?

What I am advocating for, and the clear message and indications from management, are two totally different things. The recent moves are a clear indication that the team thinks it can be competitive. As such, filling holes as quickly and as cheaply as possible with young talent is a clear need for this team. Especially because they are slowly placing themselves in cap hell with all the long term contracts to plug players.

 

[BinCookin]

This kid is likely going to take as long as Smith to make it to the NHL. Think glacial. This, in and of itself presents my biggest complaint with this pick: He is unlikely to be an impact player in the next 5 years. This would have been a wonderful pick if Detroit was a contender today, and didn't desperately need help at multiple positions. But, that's not where Detroit is at right now. As such, the team isn't in a position to take the long view.

So your #1 Factor for drafting is who hit puberty first?

 

[Shaman464]

So your #1 Factor for drafting is who hit puberty first?

Well, please alert me when Cholowski hits it.

Seriously though, physical development is an important factor.

 

[SirloinUB]

Well, please alert me when Cholowski hits it.

Seriously though, physical development is an important factor.

And Cholowski developed in leaps and bounds last year, both physically and in terms of ability. I see no reason to assume his development can't continue.

 

[Ezekial]

Well, please alert me when Cholowski hits it.

Seriously though, physical development is an important factor.

Yea it's important and ideal for a guy to develop early enough to get as many years possible out of their career. But Cholo isn't a Saarijarvi or Hicketts, we drafted him after his late spurt started. He could easily be bigger and as good/better of a skater than Chych and Fabbro, is it bad that it happened later? Not at all.
Also dude could kill it and go pro in 2 years - just because the plan is for him to be ready in 4-5 doesn't mean it's written in stone.

 

[Henkka]

Could somebody show me defenceman who was not a top15 pick and became impact defenceman in 5 years?

I'd like to know how common and easy they are to pick.

 

[obey86]

Could somebody show me defenceman who was not a top15 pick and became impact defenceman in 5 years?

I'd like to know how common and easy they are to pick.

Gostisbehere

 

[Heaton]

Could somebody show me defenceman who was not a top15 pick and became impact defenceman in 5 years?

I'd like to know how common and easy they are to pick.

Weber, Keith, Josi, Subban, Klingberg.

 

[Zetterberg4Captain]

Could somebody show me defenceman who was not a top15 pick and became impact defenceman in 5 years?

I'd like to know how common and easy they are to pick.

in the last 5 years?

how many dmen taken within the top 15 have accomplished that feat, ekblad?

 

[Orthodox Caveman]

What are the chances Cholowski becomes an elite top defenseman/our bonafide #1 dman?

 

[Frk It]

Weber, Keith, Josi, Subban, Klingberg.

Parayko, Barrie, Brodie, Vatanen, Faulk.

Looking at impact defenseman, it seems like most guys that are them become them within 5 years of being drafted. Even outside the top 15.

 

[Orthodox Caveman]

Parayko, Barrie, Brodie, Vatanen, Faulk.

Looking at impact defenseman, it seems like most guys that are them become them within 5 years of being drafted. Even outside the top 15.

Then what are the Red Wings doing wrong?

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

Then what are the Red Wings doing wrong?

My opinion: the Wings have developed a weird habit of drafting guys specifically because they don't have to be signed for a long time. They've started to do this even if it involves passing up a superior talent who would have to be signed in 2 years. I think the logic is: that college or European guy has extra years to develop, so he could potentially have a higher ceiling because of the extra development time. But I'm not sure it's the brilliant plan they think it is, because they end up drafting guys much further from the NHL.