Prospect Info: 2018-2019 Prospect Stats, Reports and Discussion - The Memorial Cup (Samorukov and Safin)

[Perfect_Drug]

It seems like we are in good hands on the blueline future speaking. We need to start focusing big time on skill up front and also on the blueline when it presents itself.

With the way we develop and dump prospects, I don't think we should ever say we are in good hands.

We once thought our forwards were in good hands with Schremp, Omark, Nilsson, Gagner.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

If I recall, the Oilers were criticized for signing Samorukov so early to an entry-level deal

looking like a smart move now

 

[ImmuneEH]

With the way we develop and dump prospects, I don't think we should ever say we are in good hands.

We once thought our forwards were in good hands with Schremp, Omark, Nilsson, Gagner.

I hear what you're saying, and I wasn't around in the Schremp, Omark days etc. But when our blue line is filled up with NHL defenders (yes, some playing above their head), it prevents the kids from getting handed those jobs. Obviously pending a trade and expecting Jones or Bouchard to play top 4 minutes... that'd be taking a hugely toxic left turn.

Klefbomb/Larsson
Nurse/Russell
Sekera/Benning
Persson (does he start in the NHL?)

I'm assuming most of the above sticks together next season. Probably see Benning moved. Don't see Sekera getting traded so soon after coming off of a big injury. Trading Russell leaves a big hole at 2RD, which we don't have the assets to fill this off-season without mortgaging the future. So if most of that stays together, we could see:

Jones/Bouchard
Lagesson/Bear
Lowe/Day (Day's earned a contract)
7D or ECHL: Samorukov.

If Benning is traded, I could see Jones or Persson playing 3RD next year. I don't think that's a bad thing because A) Sekera is a good, veteran presence on that pairing and B) both are coming off their 2nd pro seasons and could legitimately be ready. Otherwise, I bet management contemplates loaning Samorukov to a European team for a year like they did with Lagesson or leaving him in the OHL for another season.

TL;DR - From the looks of it right now it looks like Samorukov will be sheltered in Bakersfield next year or left in the OHL/loaned to another pro team for a year.

 

[McJadeddog]

Samorukov, man!

It's about time this stupid organization found a hidden gem.

Now please don't ruin him...

He has been okay, and is a legit prospect. But he has miles and miles and miles to go. He is scoring well as a 19 year old in the OHL, but that should be expected. Let's see how he does in the AHL next year. Bear was lighting the world on fire in the WHL 3 years ago, and people were all excited, and now he is struggling mightily in his 2nd pro season. Dmen are almost as bad as goalies for projecting. We won't know what we have with this player for 3-4 more years. Yes, his arrows look good right now, but we really don't know much at all about his future.

 

[smokersarejokers]

He has been okay, and is a legit prospect. But he has miles and miles and miles to go. He is scoring well as a 19 year old in the OHL, but that should be expected. Let's see how he does in the AHL next year. Bear was lighting the world on fire in the WHL 3 years ago, and people were all excited, and now he is struggling mightily in his 2nd pro season. Dmen are almost as bad as goalies for projecting. We won't know what we have with this player for 3-4 more years. Yes, his arrows look good right now, but we really don't know much at all about his future.

Yes. I know this. Thank you.

Just trying to get excited by something positive this year.

I wouldn't say that Bear has "struggled mightily" this year. He hasn't set the world on fire, but he's put up 20 points in 39 games and he's been battling injuries all year.

 

[ImmuneEH]

Yes. I know this. Thank you.

Just trying to get excited by something positive this year.

I wouldn't say that Bear has "struggled mightily" this year. He hasn't set the world on fire, but he's put up 20 points in 39 games and he's been battling injuries all year.

Bear has also improved a lot defensively year over year so I think that's generally inaccurate lol.

 

[Panda Bear]

I wish I could find his splits, but Bear has also been putting up more points since the turn of year.

Unfortunately, the AHL player page for him seems to have its game log stick in 17-18.

 

[CycloneSweep]

He has been okay, and is a legit prospect. But he has miles and miles and miles to go. He is scoring well as a 19 year old in the OHL, but that should be expected. Let's see how he does in the AHL next year. Bear was lighting the world on fire in the WHL 3 years ago, and people were all excited, and now he is struggling mightily in his 2nd pro season. Dmen are almost as bad as goalies for projecting. We won't know what we have with this player for 3-4 more years. Yes, his arrows look good right now, but we really don't know much at all about his future.

The difference is Bear was a PP specialist offensive weapon that was okay at skating and average defenaively.

Samurkov is a big boy, very very good defensively and is developing his offensive game. His path is a bit more direct then a guy like Bear.

 

[A91]

Wasnt Bear WHL dman of the year?

 

[Aceboogie]

He has been okay, and is a legit prospect. But he has miles and miles and miles to go. He is scoring well as a 19 year old in the OHL, but that should be expected. Let's see how he does in the AHL next year. Bear was lighting the world on fire in the WHL 3 years ago, and people were all excited, and now he is struggling mightily in his 2nd pro season. Dmen are almost as bad as goalies for projecting. We won't know what we have with this player for 3-4 more years. Yes, his arrows look good right now, but we really don't know much at all about his future.

How is Bear struggling mightily lmao? He has 20 points in 39 games

 

[Aceboogie]

I feel like Oiler fans need a yearly refresher on setting expectations of prospects (on both ends of the spectrum). Bear was the best D in the WHL and a top 5 D in the entire CHL. What he did in the WHL was a tremendous, tremendous performance.

What Samurkov is doing is like what Marincin or Simpson did in the WHL/NCAA. Its a good performance, but hes not some special prospect

Likewise, Bear is having a good solid year in the AHL. I remember some poster trying to claim Tyler friggen Benson was having a down year being nearly PPG *in his rookie season*

1) PPG in the CHL is not that great. Its a good performance, but not something to gawk at
2)The AHL is a massive, massive jump

 

[North]

Why does it feel like there is some policing of people’s excitement about prospects in this thread?

Bear is doing fine in the AHL considering his injuries.

Samorukov is doing very well lately in the CHL both offensively and defensively.

It’s okay to be excited about their skill sets even if they haven’t proven anything in the NHL yet.

 

[CycloneSweep]

Why does it feel like there is some policing of people’s excitement about prospects in this thread?

Bear is doing fine in the AHL considering his injuries.

Samorukov is doing very well lately in the CHL both offensively and defensively.

It’s okay to be excited about their skill sets even if they haven’t proven anything in the NHL yet.

Yep. Until they bust at least enjoy and recognize the skill they have and are showing

 

[CycloneSweep]

I feel like Oiler fans need a yearly refresher on setting expectations of prospects (on both ends of the spectrum). Bear was the best D in the WHL and a top 5 D in the entire CHL. What he did in the WHL was a tremendous, tremendous performance.

What Samurkov is doing is like what Marincin or Simpson did in the WHL/NCAA. Its a good performance, but hes not some special prospect

Likewise, Bear is having a good solid year in the AHL. I remember some poster trying to claim Tyler friggen Benson was having a down year being nearly PPG *in his rookie season*

1) PPG in the CHL is not that great. Its a good performance, but not something to gawk at
2)The AHL is a massive, massive jump

Then you have never actually watched Samorukov play

 

[Bryanbryoil]

With the way we develop and dump prospects, I don't think we should ever say we are in good hands.

We once thought our forwards were in good hands with Schremp, Omark, Nilsson, Gagner.

These guys are all being developed properly with lots of CHL and in at least a few of these cases lots of AHL time.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

These guys are all being developed properly with lots of CHL and in at least a few of these cases lots of AHL time.

Who have we actually developed that we haven't thrown to the wolves?

Our development seems to be throwing babies into the deep end and expecting them to swim or drown.


I'm starting to think we should really just trade every pick after the 1st round for actual roster players.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Who have we actually developed that we haven't thrown to the wolves?

Our development seems to be throwing babies into the deep end and expecting them to swim or drown.


I'm starting to think we should really just trade every pick after the 1st round for actual roster players.

Jones.

I don't mind that idea for the next year as we need to start icing a competitive roster.

 

[CycloneSweep]

Who have we actually developed that we haven't thrown to the wolves?

Our development seems to be throwing babies into the deep end and expecting them to swim or drown.


I'm starting to think we should really just trade every pick after the 1st round for actual roster players.

Man Benson, Jones and Bouchard are really floundering in the NHL right now....

 

[Senor Catface]

He has been okay, and is a legit prospect. But he has miles and miles and miles to go. He is scoring well as a 19 year old in the OHL, but that should be expected. Let's see how he does in the AHL next year. Bear was lighting the world on fire in the WHL 3 years ago, and people were all excited, and now he is struggling mightily in his 2nd pro season. Dmen are almost as bad as goalies for projecting. We won't know what we have with this player for 3-4 more years. Yes, his arrows look good right now, but we really don't know much at all about his future.

If I had a nickel for every time you came into this topic with some poorly researched view on a prospect. It's always just noise. Usually there's a lot of good opinions back and forth, but when jadeddog posts it's always doomsday statements with no basis in fact.

"He's not tall enough"

"He's having an ok season"

"He's struggling mightily"

It's noise, it's always noise. You have no basis to base your poor posts around. Can you let the people interested in having real discussions about prospects have this topic, and you can do your act on the rest of the board?

To everyone else reading this who doesn't know what's going on with Bear and might have this "opinion" leave a mark on your own, Bear is having a fine season. He started off slow and has picked it up. He's had some injuries, one was a headshot. What I've seen with my own eyes is that he was doing really well before that head injury, and the numbers back it up.

 

[McTonyBrar]

He has been okay, and is a legit prospect. But he has miles and miles and miles to go. He is scoring well as a 19 year old in the OHL, but that should be expected. Let's see how he does in the AHL next year. Bear was lighting the world on fire in the WHL 3 years ago, and people were all excited, and now he is struggling mightily in his 2nd pro season. Dmen are almost as bad as goalies for projecting. We won't know what we have with this player for 3-4 more years. Yes, his arrows look good right now, but we really don't know much at all about his future.

Huh? Umm Bear had 18 points in 37 games for his first AHL season and he has 20 points in 39 games this season so far... What he's struggling with is injuries... not his play

 

[CycloneSweep]

From what I have seen, most of our prospects have taken a step forward.

2018
Bouchard- His offense has taken a slight hit but he is no longer the only defender that can put up points. His defense is apparently better too.

McLeod- Having a quiet season imo. Not hearing or seeing much great from him. Thought after the great camp he would take a step forward this year and that hasn't been the case.

Rodrigue- Winningest goalie in his team's history, one of the top 3 goalies in the Q this year.

Kesselring, Siikanen - Don't know enough about them but their numbers have both taken very good improvements from last year


2017
Yamamoto- Starting to look like he will surpass Currie soon at the AHL level, play similar games and as soon as he learns to use his smaller size like Currie. Look out.

Skinner- He is having a very rough year. Looked bad in camp, in the AHL and then is looking medicore at best at the ECHL level too.

Samorukov- Started the year a little slow but is arguably the best 2 way defender in the entire OHL. Props to the kid.

Safin- His injury has taken so much time from him. This will definitely hamper his development.

Maksimov- Continues showing high skill but 34 more penalty minutes in 10 less games...kid needs to learn to breath.

Brind'Amour- almost doubled his production from last year, long way away but good to see the massive improvement.

Kemp- Got a silver medal at the WJC, looks fine defensively but his offense is still non existent. Good to see him play good minutes for team USA.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

From what I have seen, most of our prospects have taken a step forward.

2018
Bouchard- His offense has taken a slight hit but he is no longer the only defender that can put up points. His defense is apparently better too.

McLeod- Having a quiet season imo. Not hearing or seeing much great from him. Thought after the great camp he would take a step forward this year and that hasn't been the case.

Rodrigue- Winningest goalie in his team's history, one of the top 3 goalies in the Q this year.

Kesselring, Siikanen - Don't know enough about them but their numbers have both taken very good improvements from last year


2017
Yamamoto- Starting to look like he will surpass Currie soon at the AHL level, play similar games and as soon as he learns to use his smaller size like Currie. Look out.

Skinner- He is having a very rough year. Looked bad in camp, in the AHL and then is looking medicore at best at the ECHL level too.

Samorukov- Started the year a little slow but is arguably the best 2 way defender in the entire OHL. Props to the kid.

Safin- His injury has taken so much time from him. This will definitely hamper his development.

Maksimov- Continues showing high skill but 34 more penalty minutes in 10 less games...kid needs to learn to breath.

Brind'Amour- almost doubled his production from last year, long way away but good to see the massive improvement.

Kemp- Got a silver medal at the WJC, looks fine defensively but his offense is still non existent. Good to see him play good minutes for team USA.

We can say the same about our AHL prospects too. Benson, Marody, and Jones have all taken huge steps forward.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

We can say the same about our AHL prospects too. Benson, Marody, and Jones have all taken huge steps forward.

The oilers AHL team has never been lead by actual prospects like it has been this year.

Normally its the coach playing AHL vets who will never be on the oilers. Woodcroft is doing a great job.

I feel bad for questioning this move, but also alot of players praised him for working on their skills with him, like Khaira and such, so maybe him being there to develop their skills is the best for the oilers.

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

I'm seeing a lot of off-base comments about Samorukov. Comparing him to Bear, certainly shows a lack of knowledge on the player.

This guy has always been a stud defensively, and now his offensive game is coming through and it is impressive. His positioning, shot, physicality, size and vision are package that I have rarely seen in all my years watching the OHL. He was arguably the best dman in the world juniors (Bear wasn't there).

I'm telling you, he is our best prospect that isn't playing pro-hockey right now.

 

[CycloneSweep]

I'm seeing a lot of off-base comments about Samorukov. Comparing him to Bear, certainly shows a lack of knowledge on the player.

This guy has always been a stud defensively, and now his offensive game is coming through and it is impressive. His positioning, shot, physicality, size and vision are package that I have rarely seen in all my years watching the OHL. He was arguably the best dman in the world juniors (Bear wasn't there).

I'm telling you, he is our best prospect that isn't playing pro-hockey right now.

Imo I think if you stapled him and Bouchard together in the AHL next year...they would wreck face. Also I would hope they would learn from eachother a bit too

GMs around the league agree about Samorukov too, apparently he is the prospect that is the most asked about