Prospect Info: 2017 Draft - 1st Pick: Kailer Yamamoto II Rookie Pro Season in the Books

[Llamamoto]

CONDORS: Yamamoto looks to 'play with more confidence'

A link to an article + Yamamoto's exit interview. He really wants to make the team next year.

Click to read more...

 

[Panda Bear]

I don't want to see him on the big team unless he's been tearing up the AHL for a minimum half season.

 

[48g90a138pts]

I'm fine with him on the big club next year as long as it looks like he's not struggling. Being sent down to AHL is fine. Just keep building progress.

But everyone needs to earn their spot. There's no set amount of games to show your stuff.

 

[MettleMcOiler]

I think he might need another year in the AHL. He always looks good at camp but doesn't really produce when the season starts.
Developing in the AHL to grow your game is not a bad thing.

 

[Senor Catface]

He did decently in the AHL. He never should have been in the NHL.

 

[ToeMcDrag83]

He made the team in his first 2 years as well. He never should have.
Keep him in the AHL as long as necessary. Make him force the team's hand by burning the AHL over a long sample, not just preseason fodder.

Wouldn't be the worst thing to sign him to a 2 year bridge on the cheap after a full year of development with a few looks at the tail end of the NHL season.

 

[Zaddy]

Definitely want him to start down in Bakersfield next year and build some confidence and really produce well there for half a season or so at least before he gets called up. He has a lot to learn about the pro game still.

 

[780il]

He should be in Bakersfield for the whole year next season. Holland being the new GM pretty much guarantees that.


Play on one of the best teams in the league, on one of the best lines in the league, build confidence and improve your skating/shot/strength.

 

[FlameChampion]

I think overall a pretty disappointing year for him. I like the player but I do think he needs to spend more time in the AHL. With Holland as the GM, that will likely be the case.

I think he will need to change the way he plays if hes going to have better success. I appreciate that he wants to be more physical and edgy but I just think hes too small to be effective like that. I think hes got to learn to cherry pick more, find open spots in coverage if hes going to want to put up some points and impact the game. The way he plays now, its too easy for defenders to just eliminate him from the play.

 

[CycloneSweep]

With Pulju having to clear waivers...the team can't afford to have them both start with the team next year. Yamamoto will be on the farm next year and I think he will be fine with that. He wants to be confident and he needs sustained success to build that.

 

[McDoused]

The bar for making the team in past has been set too low.

Rookies need to be able to come in an produce if they want to make the team and keep producing.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

I'm fine with him on the big club next year as long as it looks like he's not struggling. Being sent down to AHL is fine. Just keep building progress.

But everyone needs to earn their spot. There's no set amount of games to show your stuff.

I don't get this line of thought.

Why can't it be "I'm fine with him on the big club as long as he's contributing in a big way on the scoresheet"?

He was drafted to be a scorer. He will never be a grinder at his size, he will never be a checker, or a defensive specialist.

If he scores consistently in the NHL we can keep him there. otherwise he can spend the rest of his time on the farm.


If he's not scoring he's not helping.

 

[48g90a138pts]

I don't get this line of thought.

Why can't it be "I'm fine with him on the big club as long as he's contributing in a big way on the scoresheet"?

He was drafted to be a scorer. He will never be a grinder at his size, he will never be a checker, or a defensive specialist.

If he scores consistently in the NHL we can keep him there. otherwise he can spend the rest of his time on the farm.


If he's not scoring he's not helping.

Of course his main trait is offense, but there's other aspects to the game all players need to have. He's young and the team needs to think about his all around game and build on that before they lose control of his waiver status and are left with the only options of work on the player in the NHL, trade him or waive/release him.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

Of course his main trait is offense, but there's other aspects to the game all players need to have. He's young and the team needs to think about his all around game and build on that before they lose control of his waiver status and are left with the only options of work on the player in the NHL, trade him or waive/release him.

When he was in the NHL, he didn't look like he was struggling, but he sure as hell wasn't contributing.
He was on pace to get about 9 points over a full 82 games.

Not that this is any kind of barometer, but he exactly wasn't lighting up the AHL on fire either.
He was at a 54 point pace in 82 games (0.66PPG)

I'm not fine with him "not struggling" while not contributing on the big club.

He has to contribute. I think another year in the A is likely what we're looking at. But I don't think there's a tremendous top end NHLer here. I've been saying for a long time, I think his ceiling is David Desharnais at best. But he's going to need to cover a LOT of bets to get there.

 

[McTonyBrar]

I think overall a pretty disappointing year for him. I like the player but I do think he needs to spend more time in the AHL. With Holland as the GM, that will likely be the case.

I think he will need to change the way he plays if hes going to have better success. I appreciate that he wants to be more physical and edgy but I just think hes too small to be effective like that. I think hes got to learn to cherry pick more, find open spots in coverage if hes going to want to put up some points and impact the game. The way he plays now, its too easy for defenders to just eliminate him from the play.

I think if he hadn't had injuries this year, he would've have a 20 goal AHL season and Condors would most likely still be in the playoffs right now

 

[McTonyBrar]

When he was in the NHL, he didn't look like he was struggling, but he sure as hell wasn't contributing.
He was on pace to get about 9 points over a full 82 games.

Not that this is any kind of barometer, but he exactly wasn't lighting up the AHL on fire either.
He was at a 54 point pace in 82 games (0.66PPG)

I'm not fine with him "not struggling" while not contributing on the big club.

He has to contribute. I think another year in the A is likely what we're looking at. But I don't think there's a tremendous top end NHLer here. I've been saying for a long time, I think his ceiling is David Desharnais at best. But he's going to need to cover a LOT of bets to get there.

LOL he doesn't even play like Desharnais and he's 19-20 years old

 

[Perfect_Drug]

LOL he doesn't even play like Desharnais and he's 19-20 years old

Yeah. David Desharnais is a world better.

For a couple of tiny guys who were not very fast or strong.
Yamamoto is going to need his fiestiness and aggressiveness if he want to be even remotely close to being the reliable 50 point player Desharnais was.

 

[replacement]

We should all hope he can be as good as David Desharnais was. Of course, Desharnais is a left handed C, so there's really not much comparison, but production wise, it would be a dream if Yamamoto could be that good.

Yamamoto has all the tools, he proved it. He can play in the NHL. But, a rookie needs to be in a positive and supportive team environment. It's clear the Oilers did not have that the last couple years. If they can build that, then Yamamoto will succeed. If they can't, then we're in the same feedback loop as we've been in for a decade.

 

[joestevens29]

Really don't have much concerns at this point. Not a lot of guys from his draft year really doing a whole lot better. Lots of guys taken before him still haven't played a game yet either.

 

[McTonyBrar]

Yeah. David Desharnais is a world better.

For a couple of tiny guys who were not very fast or strong.
Yamamoto is going to need his fiestiness and aggressiveness if he want to be even remotely close to being the reliable 50 point player Desharnais was.

Yamamoto has played 1 pro season, AHL, where he only got to play 27 games and scored 10 goals and 8 assists. All of a sudden, to you, he can't ever be a 50 point winger like Desharnais after he hasn't even had a chance to show what he can do when fully healthy? When he only turned 20 years old?

Are you one of the Oiler fans who said Benson wouldn't amount to anything because he was so injury riddled in junior? But then he proved so many wrong in his first pro season where he was fully healthy?

Maybe keep your opinions about a kid who hasn't reached the age of an adult, in American law, and see what he does in the next 2 years. Then, create your opinion

 

[The Hound]

Yama battles hard and draws penalties, from what I’ve seen anyway. The points will most likely come when he settles down a bit at the NHL level.

 

[McTonyBrar]

Yama battles hard and draws penalties, from what I’ve seen anyway. The points will most likely come when he settles down a bit at the NHL level.

he's played 17 NHL games. Leon had played 39 games, I believe, and scored 9 points. He pulled through at a great level. I'm not saying Yamamoto will be at that level. But every prospects needs TIME and DEVELOPMENT. Oiler fans don't understand that all. Just want to throw prospects to the wolves like the declining OBC

Declining OBC... Wow they're actually getting thrown out. I must be dreaming

 

[3IR]

I remember when we first drafted him everyone was like 3-4 years minimum, long term project with potential, blah blah.

2 years later and some already have him down as a surefire bust.

 

[Aerchon]

I remember when we first drafted him everyone was like 3-4 years minimum, long term project with potential, blah blah.

2 years later and some already have him down as a surefire bust.

The organization poached everyone's expectations.

I've gone back to thinking he is years away from ready, but under the circumstances that management set up that seems very disappointing.

 

[Messrules11]

Yamamoto is a little fire cracker, needs more time but his attitude and desire is what this team needs. I’ve got time for this player.