Prospect Info: 2020-21 Prospect Info

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

I agree. As I said, the opportunity is there now, and in the future. You could argue that while the path wasn't quite as clear as this one, that there was a path to be had for Freddy Andersen too. I don't have a clue where the kid's head is at or what he prioritizes or how we have or haven't been in contact with him, helped him out, etc. I do know that he can choose whatever makes him happy and immediate (or close) playing time may not be it. A guy like Priskie chose a deeper blue line organization because we had a good track record with young dmen. If Lafontaine wants a team known for developing goalies, as an example, this one ain't it.

As for trading him, I think there's quite a value difference in Fox vs Lafontaine. I'd be happy to get anything for him if he wouldn't sign but it'd be a small asset most likely. Goalies don't often carry huge value. Less so when they are very unproven. Throw in that the Rangers paid to get the guy a year early and that's not in play for this one, we'd be lucky to get much. Hopefully, he continues his strong play and wants to sign here as well.

I never said that they would get anything big if they dealt them. Probably another 6th or 7th round penny-stock. This club hasn't been afraid to stock up on those, however.

 

[Lempo]

I think Capfriendly has Lafontaine as a UFA in August. Which makes sense given this is 5 years post-draft I believe. We do certainly have a big goalie opportunity pretty much now and in the future. But he'll be free to call his shot by waiting a few months.

Yup, rights are retained until and including August 15 in the year the player's college class is scheduled to graduate, and he spent a sabbatical year in Penticton Vees in the middle of his college time so that in all likeliness would push it to the fifth year instead of the normal four.

 

[CandyCanes]

I didn’t realize how solid of a season LaFontaine had last year. 25 games with a .919 sv%. His start this season is promising, definitely putting him on the radar.

Another big night from LaFontaine

 

[geehaad]

Can I redo my rankings?!?!

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

I'm out of the loop a bit here... Can someone tell me about LaFontaine? Odds of signing him, how his current successful play could translate to the NHL, etc. I don't follow NCAA too closely, how indicative is success there of success in the AHL/NHL? Thanks

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

Good news on the prospect front: blue-chip goalie prospect Lukas Dostal has agreed to report to Anaheim and start his North American career, meaning that Makiniemi is likely the full-time starter going forward at Ilves.

 

[A Star is Burns]

Hopefully, this allows Makiniemi to get on a roll like he did last year.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

Hopefully, this allows Makiniemi to get on a roll like he did last year.

He's got the talent for it, he just needs the consistent PT to keep getting exposed to pucks, much like LaFontaine this year.

 

[Lempo]

Good news on the prospect front: blue-chip goalie prospect Lukas Dostal has agreed to report to Anaheim and start his North American career, meaning that Makiniemi is likely the full-time starter going forward at Ilves.

The linked release: "Should Lukas still need Ilves' help on his journey towards the NHL games, we will continue to give it to him, but at this point we want to wish him luck to his next challenges in the North America."

They are keeping the door open. And why shouldn't they, he was the Liiga Player of the Month in October.

 

[ookhaab]

Cade Webber is going to make his debut at BU this season, personally I look forward to the Webber - Fensore pairing, here's sneak peek

 

[Discipline Daddy]

Is that Gerbe and Chara? Makes me think of:

 

[raynman]

If Gerbe was 6’ tall with the same work ethic he has now he’d be an absolute menace and making $7 mill a season.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

If Gerbe was 6’ tall with the same work ethic he has now he’d be an absolute menace and making $7 mill a season.

True. Although his work ethic probably comes from the fact that he's only 5'4" (?) so he had to develop that work ethic to overcome that. Maybe he wouldn't have the same work ethic if he was 6' tall.

Still, it always amazes me how talented even the lower tier of NHL players are. Gerbe with that between the legs goal against Philly (I think?). Foegele with that highlight reel goal/move against the Caps. I remember Brandon Sutter even having a few "wow" moments from time to time.

 

[A Star is Burns]

True. Although his work ethic probably comes from the fact that he's only 5'4" (?) so he had to develop that work ethic to overcome that. Maybe he wouldn't have the same work ethic if he was 6' tall.

Still, it always amazes me how talented even the lower tier of NHL players are. Gerbe with that between the legs goal against Philly (I think?). Foegele with that highlight reel goal/move against the Caps. I remember Brandon Sutter even having a few "wow" moments from time to time.

This is like putting up a bat signal for Paul Fenton to come tell us how amazing Cody Ceci is.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

This is like putting up a bat signal for Paul Fenton to come tell us how amazing Cody Ceci is.

Ceci was always just an example, a funny one, yes, but an example nonetheless. All NHL players are insanely good at hockey, even the "bad" ones. They're in the league for a reason. It's like watching certain NBA players that are universally considered bad shooters, like Dwight Howard, practice in person, and you see that at the three point line, they make 80+% of their open shots.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

True. Although his work ethic probably comes from the fact that he's only 5'4" (?) so he had to develop that work ethic to overcome that. Maybe he wouldn't have the same work ethic if he was 6' tall.

Still, it always amazes me how talented even the lower tier of NHL players are. Gerbe with that between the legs goal against Philly (I think?). Foegele with that highlight reel goal/move against the Caps. I remember Brandon Sutter even having a few "wow" moments from time to time.

Foegele isn't exactly a lower-tier player now, but at the time, yes, he was playing a 4th line grinder's role and I still wasn't sold on him as a full-time NHLer. All of a sudden, boom, that highlight reel play, and everyone (including me) was awestruck. That was the moment that I was like "yup, he belongs in the NHL".

I remember Rangers fans back then dunking on Neal Pionk as a fringe defenseman a few years back, and then he went and pulled off one of the more beautiful coast-to-coast goals I've seen. It doesn't surprise me that he broke out in Winnipeg while everyone was saying that Cheveldayoff got "shafted".

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Foegele isn't exactly a lower-tier player now, but at the time, yes, he was playing a 4th line grinder's role and I still wasn't sold on him as a full-time NHLer. All of a sudden, boom, that highlight reel play, and everyone (including me) was awestruck. That was the moment that I was like "yup, he belongs in the NHL".

My point on Foegele, and even Sutter at the time wasn’t that they were fringe NHLrs, but lower tier when it comes to offensive skill. Foegele is a guy that made it off of speed, effort and work effort. Sutter was known as a defensive specialist. Etc...

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

Dominik Bokk: „Nach Ablauf der SHL-Saison werde ich in die NHL gehen“

interview with Bokk yesterday.

Basically:
He went back to Sweden because he didnt like how the DEL team he was on was ran
He wants to be in NA but Carolina wants their prospects to play and get into rhythm
He talks to Carolina regularly and breaks down each game
He plans on getting to NA once the SHL season is over because they dont have short contracts in the SHL.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

A very straight forward article on Bokk. Some really good stuff, some not so good.

Bänkningar och hårdare jobb kan ta Bokk till NHL: "Inte så trevligt"

 

[A Star is Burns]

Can't beat those Bokk to Bokk articles.

 

[Helsinki Hurricanes]

Puistola wasn't chosen to Finnish U20 camp. Also Aatu Räty was left out who at one point was touted as a potential top 5 draftee.

It seems like Puistola hasn't been that good this season and team couch feels he has better options for bottom 6 energy roles.

Edit: Aapo Räty corrected to Aatu Räty

 

[WreckingCrew]

Puistola wasn't chosen to Finnish U20 camp. Also Aatu Räty was left out who at one point was touted as a potential top 5 draftee.

It seems like Puistola hasn't been that good this season and team couch feels he has better options for bottom 6 energy roles.

Edit: Aapo Räty corrected to Aatu Räty

That's slightly concerning considering how well he did last year in WJC?

 

[Helsinki Hurricanes]

That's slightly concerning considering how well he did last year in WJC?

Yes. In Finnish media Puistola is bit of an afterthought as Räty was touted as potential #1 pick (= top 5-10 without the Finnish hype) before this season and now he's not playing despite playing last year.

Did some super quick stat's checking. In 19 games Puistola 2+4 = 6, Anttoni Honka 1+6 = 7, Brad Lambert (potential #1 draft pick in two years, only 18 games vs 19 for others) 4+3 = 7, leading scorer Jani Tuppurainen 4+6=10. It seems like whole team is quite anemic. Some notable points from other teams:

Arttu Ruotsalainen 27, Anton Lundell (Florida's 1st rounder this year) 20, Juuso Välimäki (Calgary's first round defenseman from couple years ago) 19, Aleksi Saarela (you know that guy) 18 in 18 games, Emil bemström 17 in 16 games, Eetu Luostarinen 15 in 17 games, Ville Heinola (WPG's MID first round defenseman year ago) 14 in 19, Puljujärvi 12 in 16 games. And eventually when you scroll down to 74th place you get first Jyp player.

So I guess to conclude: be worried but it seems like Puistola's team isn't doing too hot right now.

 

[NJ Fan 12]

Clearly it's not likely he keeps up the numbers he is putting up to start the year, but has Lafontaine developed that much or is it the case of the Gophers being strong defensively?

LaFontaine has grinded his way back to prospect status. Good for him. Also, that was a great goal from Wall. I didn't know that he had those kind of wheels.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

Clearly it's not likely he keeps up the numbers he is putting up to start the year, but has Lafontaine developed that much or is it the case of the Gophers being strong defensively?

It's both, I think. He's always had solid technique, at least to my eyes, but not necessarily the numbers to back them up. The 1 year stint in the BCHL and the transfer to Minnesota really seemed to have helped him out.