Prospect Info: 2014-15 Colorado Avalanche Junior Prospects Thread (CHL & Europe)

[S E P H]

If anything HC is known for being loyal to their returning players. Of course we'd all love to see Bigras there but it isn't really the "wrong" decision to not have him. Canada's D is insane.

If Hicketts make it over Bigras, that is effin insane. You can say that this year's Fleury has not been better than Bigras.

Also look at Hockey Canada in the goaltending department. This Calvin Pickard, who is leading the Avs to wins did NOT EVEN get an invite. Even Spencer Martin (I believe) never got an invite, and he clearly has been outstanding in his junior career on a horrible team.

 

[henchman21]

Have you ever seen Josh Morrissey play hockey. MO was the best defenseman in the Calder Cup finals last year (better than Redmond, Nemeth, Oleksiak and Chariot).He was arguably the best player on the IceCaps after Hutchinson but he's a goalie and he has actually improved his game this year. Bigras isn't even nearly close to him. Theodore is better too. Nurse is questionable for sure. As i look at the roster though I do think Bigras should be there so I take back my earlier comments. I thought he didn't make it because those 3 lefties were taken ahead of him but I now realize that the d corp is pretty much all lefties. He should be over there over a few of those names but definitely not Morrissey or Theodore.

I'd take Bigras over Theodore right now... and you can all look back on it, I am a big Theodore tire pumper. Theodore has more upside and is more dynamic, but has more issues defensively (both are really good though).

Morrissy is the only defensemen I would clearly take over Bigras on that whole roster at this moment in time. Bigras isn't a better prospect than some others in the group, but on the ice right now he is better.

 

[chet1926]

Have you ever seen Josh Morrissey play hockey. MO was the best defenseman in the Calder Cup finals last year (better than Redmond, Nemeth, Oleksiak and Chariot).He was arguably the best player on the IceCaps after Hutchinson but he's a goalie and he has actually improved his game this year. Bigras isn't even nearly close to him. Theodore is better too. Nurse is questionable for sure. As i look at the roster though I do think Bigras should be there so I take back my earlier comments. I thought he didn't make it because those 3 lefties were taken ahead of him but I now realize that the d corp is pretty much all lefties. He should be over there over a few of those names but definitely not Morrissey or Theodore.

I'll give you Morrissey as he was rather impressive during the Calder Cup. But there is no way I'd take Theodore over Bigras. Theodore is offensive dman, that's it, his defensive game leaves a lot to be desired. Bigras is not on his level offensively (but Bigras is getting much better), but Bigras is lightyears ahead of Theodore in terms of all around game. I'm not a big fan of Theodore's game, he is basically Stefan Elliott. Same size, similar game.

 

[bidzey*]

the effects of being cut from the World Juniors

 

[bidzey*]

If Hicketts make it over Bigras, that is effin insane. You can say that this year's Fleury has not been better than Bigras.

Also look at Hockey Canada in the goaltending department. This Calvin Pickard, who is leading the Avs to wins did NOT EVEN get an invite. Even Spencer Martin (I believe) never got an invite, and he clearly has been outstanding in his junior career on a horrible team.

Owen Sound played Mississauga lately and Martin was standing on his head. I can't even remember the outcome, but I remember that Martin's team would've lost by 10 more goals if it wasn't for his play as you can't help remembering his game. He's a really good goalie!! and I agree he should've got an invite too.

 

[Bender]

I'll give you Morrissey as he was rather impressive during the Calder Cup. But there is no way I'd take Theodore over Bigras. Theodore is offensive dman, that's it, his defensive game leaves a lot to be desired. Bigras is not on his level offensively (but Bigras is getting much better), but Bigras is lightyears ahead of Theodore in terms of all around game. I'm not a big fan of Theodore's game, he is basically Stefan Elliott. Same size, similar game.

Lol...can I quote you on that in 2 years?

 

[chet1926]

Lol...can I quote you on that in 2 years?

Yeah I have no problem with that, because I'm confident in my comparison. Everything you read about Theodore screams Stefan Elliott. Everything on Theodore says high end offensive skills, power play specialist, good shot, quality skater, needs to improve defensive end play and physicality. Sound familiar? **** they're even the basic same size. The only difference was one was a late 1st round pick the other was ranked in the first round but fell to the 2nd.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Yeah I have no problem with that, because I'm confident in my comparison. Everything you read about Theodore screams Stefan Elliott. Everything on Theodore says high end offensive skills, power play specialist, good shot, quality skater, needs to improve defensive end play and physicality. Sound familiar? **** they're even the basic same size. The only difference was one was a late 1st round pick the other was ranked in the first round but fell to the 2nd.

You basically described most PMD... some turn out great others flop.

 

[NateTheGreat]

I think i've seen enough of Bigras in that im confident saying he will be a top pairing defenseman in the nhl.

 

[FoppaForsberg*]

Stawp. No matter how good anyone looks in junior you NEVER know what can happen once they get to the NHL.

 

[tigervixxxen]

Saw this on the WHL board, maybe worth a try if anyone wants to check out Bleackley, Geertsen or any other WHL players this weekend.

WHL Live games are FREE on December 27 and 28. Enter the promo code, WHLHOLIDAYS, to redeem. There are no limits to how many games you can get with the code.

 

[R S]

Hockey Canada: Where Politics Trumps Talent.

May I ask how Bigras not making it can be blamed on "politics"?

Politics are a very real thing in minor hockey, especially in Canada. Parents have relationships with each other, with coaches, some kids end up getting special consideration for teams they don't deserve to be on.

At this level, I don't think I would call it politics. If anything, I think it's the coach/GM/Hockey Canada being too specific in the way they outline roles as they build their teams. Crouse making the team is a good example of this.

Yeah I have no problem with that, because I'm confident in my comparison. Everything you read about Theodore screams Stefan Elliott. Everything on Theodore says high end offensive skills, power play specialist, good shot, quality skater, needs to improve defensive end play and physicality. Sound familiar? **** they're even the basic same size. The only difference was one was a late 1st round pick the other was ranked in the first round but fell to the 2nd.

It's not a very good comparison, coming from someone who has seen both Theodore and Elliott extensively. Sure, the description of their game is similar, but they really don't play the same way.

Theodore is longer, a much more powerful skater, plays with a long stick (literally, his stick is very long for his size) and he owns a rocket of a slapshot.

 

[tigervixxxen]

Bleackley had a nice pair of games this weekend. Scoring the first goal (of course) on Saturday for a win. Then tonight scoring with 10 minutes left in the game down 1-0 to tie and then again with a few minutes left to take the lead, added an assist winning a faceoff in the D zone for an ENG. Was a really gutsy and clutch effort from him, especially on the winning goal was a power move to the net and not his typical snipe shot. Highlights from that game:

http://www.reddeerrebels.com/video/47349#ch_223

 

[chet1926]

Bleackley had a nice pair of games this weekend. Scoring the first goal (of course) on Saturday for a win. Then tonight scoring with 10 minutes left in the game down 1-0 to tie and then again with a few minutes left to take the lead, added an assist winning a faceoff in the D zone for an ENG. Was a really gutsy and clutch effort from him, especially on the winning goal was a power move to the net and not his typical snipe shot. Highlights from that game:

http://www.reddeerrebels.com/video/47349#ch_223

It's nice to see that in the past 10 games or so he has picked up his play. Starting to look like a 1st round pick.

The thing I like about his game is his shot and his instincts. He has a great shot, but he doesn't float and try to coast by on that, he isn't afraid to take it to the net either. Often times when you see a player with a shot like that they rely too much on that and become floaters. He doesn't do this, he will be an NHLer sooner than later.

A lot of people around here are pegging him for 3rd line center in the future, but I could easily see him being a top 6 winger with Duchene. Duchene needs a player that can pot some of his passes and Bleackley has the type of shot that can score. You don't want to waste a shot like that on a 3rd line.

 

[henchman21]

You don't want to waste a shot like that on a 3rd line.

So what you are saying is that Mitchell should always be a top 6 player.

 

[tigervixxxen]

I wouldn't even say his play was ever down. He's on a hot streak now but he was on one in October too when he won WHL player of the week. He's the kind of player that he's going to do what the team needs. If they get down early and they need to get back in the game he's there to score them the first goal, If he needs to play more defensive to maintain a lead or if other lines are hot he does that too. Obviously it's nice to see Bleackley produce and I understand that people want to see that out of a first round pick. I just hope people don't get caught up in the he needs to score like X picked in the first round because there is a lot more to his game than that.

Yeah I think he's good enough to be top 6 for us. He's better as a center but there is plenty of time to work on his game at wing. Maybe even with Landy and MacKinnon and he could play some center there too if need be.

 

[henchman21]

I just hope people don't get caught up in the he needs to score like X picked in the first round because there is a lot more to his game than that.

Agreed. IMO people get way to tied up in stats and should be look more at the skill set and how it will translate.

 

[chet1926]

I wouldn't even say his play was ever down. He's on a hot streak now but he was on one in October too when he won WHL player of the week. He's the kind of player that he's going to do what the team needs. If they get down early and they need to get back in the game he's there to score them the first goal, If he needs to play more defensive to maintain a lead or if other lines are hot he does that too. Obviously it's nice to see Bleackley produce and I understand that people want to see that out of a first round pick. I just hope people don't get caught up in the he needs to score like X picked in the first round because there is a lot more to his game than that.

Yeah I think he's good enough to be top 6 for us. He's better as a center but there is plenty of time to work on his game at wing. Maybe even with Landy and MacKinnon and he could play some center there too if need be.

Yeah I agree, I don't think he was down per say. But I do think his started slower than I was expecting. It seemed like he had a bit of a hangover from his disappointing camp with the Avs.

I also agree that judging Bleackley by stats is stupid because that's not his type of game. He's never going to be a high end scorer, but I do expect him to hover around a point per game in the WHL (which he is doing right now), he is more than talented enough to do that. It's nice to see that his goal totals are trending up (meaning last season's 29 wasn't a fluke), I would like to see a few more assists but that's not always something a player can control.

I think he is quietly having a solid year in the WHL, and it's obvious that the coaches like his game, as he wouldn't have been selected to the subway series if they didn't.

 

[The Mars Volchenkov]

I don't see how Bleackley would be wasted as a 3rd line center. Great 3rd line centers are still extremely valuable in this league (See Brandon Sutter). It's not like he wouldn't play a lot of minutes elsewhere.

 

[henchman21]

Not sure it was posted here, but Martin's knee injury is 'significant.'

 

[Freudian]

I don't know if it's Bleackley playing on the wing that does it, but he's shooting from everywhere. He's got a very nice release and seem to be able to elevate the puck even when in close. If Landeskog and Duchene had a natural shot like that, they'd be 30 goal scorers.

 

[not a troll]

Not sure it was posted here, but Martin's knee injury is 'significant.'

Out for the season. Ouch.

 

[S E P H]

I don't know if it's Bleackley playing on the wing that does it, but he's shooting from everywhere. He's got a very nice release and seem to be able to elevate the puck even when in close. If Landeskog and Duchene had a natural shot like that, they'd be 30 goal scorers.

I think Landeskog has a good shot, he just looks for the perfect post and in shot every odd man rush and has low confidence right now from zero bounces going his way.

Duchene is another story, it seems he never practices his shot, but I consider him more of a playmaker that could score on occasion than a pure sniper.

 

[tigervixxxen]

Yeah I agree, I don't think he was down per say. But I do think his started slower than I was expecting. It seemed like he had a bit of a hangover from his disappointing camp with the Avs.

His whole team sucked that first month was part of it but certainly having his confidence rebuilt at this point helps too. After they hit rock bottom they put him back at center and that was another thing that helped him.

 

[tigervixxxen]

Not sure it was posted here, but Martin's knee injury is 'significant.'

I poked around a bit and it seems like they still don't know exactly what the injury is so I'm hoping that doesn't mean the worst as that's usually confirmed pretty quickly. But it's too bad, he was having a great season. His team really got screwed but it was their own doing too.