Confirmed with Link: Eagles sign Keaton Middleton

[Freaky Styley]

Surprised there wasn't a thread yet. Anyone have any pertinent info on the lad?

Click to read more...

 

[Ararana]

Yay?

 

[McMetal]

 

[Freaky Styley]

Not big news or anything but more curious if this affects anyone in particular on the depth chart. I.e. the org. Assuming Timmins will be on the big club next year or something

 

[UncleRisto]

Not big news or anything but more curious if this affects anyone in particular on the depth chart. I.e. the org. Assuming Timmins will be on the big club next year or something

Here's that Kevin Davis replacement we've been clamoring for.

 

[Richard88]

From what I gather, in a nutshell he's a big shutdown defender with good character and with limited puck skill.

He is a big, left-shooting defender who has played his OHL career on a team that no one calls top class. The Saginaw Spirit were able to play him big minutes, and he eventually became their captain, in part because they lacked big-name defence prospects. He is very highly thought of by his team and by his coaches.

There is no question that he’s a man with the character and attitude of a level to be the absolute best good pro anyone could want, but his play isn’t elite. He’s not terrible either. It’s very wrong to decide he’s a coke machine with no skill at all. Like most CHL players he’s somewhere in the middle.

Leafs draft pick Keaton Middleton to return to the draft: report

Keaton Middleton Scouting Report

Courtesy of the 2016 NHL Draft Black Book

Keaton was selected in the third round of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection Draft by the Saginaw Spirit out of the Huron-Perth Lakers Minor Midget program. Middleton had trial by fire in the OHL almost instantaneously playing a big minute role for the Spirit. He went through a lot of growing pains, but has come out of it with good development for a big defender.

Middleton has huge size and a massive frame, which can make him tough to get around. He has a pretty good stick and loves the physical stuff in his own zone. His balance and skating need improvement, but they have come miles since his Minor Midget season. Keaton’s puck play has also come along over the past couple years, he is often able to make the smart simple pass up ice. He still makes a fair amount of puck mistakes and can get stripped, but he has shown consistent improvement in this area.

He is a relentless competitor along the wall and wins a ton of battles through his size, strength and a relative comfort in these types of situations. Middleton played top minutes 5 on 5 and on the penalty kill, and secondary minutes on the power play. He’s relentless in the slot area, making life difficult for forwards and has the reach to take away passes shorthanded. He’s not an over the top fighter, but he has good toughness and isn’t afraid to drop the gloves when necessary.

Middleton still has plenty of room for improvement, but has been showing clear progression, which is very promising. He projects as a shutdown defender at the NHL level. He looks comfortable playing the big man’s game that he will need to in order to be successful. Middleton may go off the board a little earlier than we would’ve expected this time last year.

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2016/06/25/keaton-middleton-toronto-maple-leafs/

Today [May 23, 2018], it was reported that the 2016 fourth-round pick would not be added to Kyle Dubas’ arsenal, as the Leafs chose not to offer him an entry-level contract.
Middleton became somewhat of a punchline over the past few seasons in Toronto, with many believing that he was only drafted due to his 6-foot-5 frame and not his ability. He posted just 16 points in his first 127 OHL games and has has upped that to just 42 over his next 128 games. He finished third on his Saginaw Spirit team in defensive scoring, which while isn’t everything, doesn’t exactly inspire confidence on a bad team. It’s likely the Leafs didn’t see much in Middleton, but perhaps they spent the time scouting teammate Blade Jenkins, a projected selection in the middle rounds of the draft.

While he appears to have been a miss, the one positive is the Leafs haven’t committed themselves a roster spot in his development if there’s not an apparent NHL future there.

Other articles about him:

2016 NHL Draft Prospect Profile – Keaton Middleton

Monday Maple Leafs prospect report: Keaton Middleton

 

[Richard88]

This is probably a move to replace Connauton who hits UFA this offseason (along with Barberio and Alt).

Guessing that we'll look to resign Alt (and possibly another RHD if Timmins makes the NHL) and that Middleton will slot in on the 3rd pairing:

MacDonald --- Timmins
Lindholm ----- Alt/other RHD?
Middleton ---- Renouf

Anderson (ECHL)


Here are our AHL Dmen under contract for 2020/21 (added Middleton at $700k which is the minimum capfriendly contract):

 

[Richard88]

I asked TML for their opinion on the Toronto board:

What are TML fans thoughts on Keaton Middleton? Curious from an Avs perspective...

Probably better to ask Shark fans. I don’t think any of us have really followed him since his D+1 year, where it was obvious he wouldn’t get a contract.

Seems like a serviceable AHL player. Wouldn’t hold your breathe on him getting an NHL deal. He’s all size and reach, and not much else.

But again, maybe he did well for the San Jose AHL team last year.

Thought he was worth an ELC in a vacuum, the only reason I'm not upset he didn't get one is that the org is absolutely stacked at LD. Moves well for a big man, underrated 1st pass, and was absolutely dominant defensively at the OHL level.

Most likely he's nothing, but there's a chance at a solid bottom pair PK guy, and a tiny sliver of late blooming stay at home top 4 guy with a more talented partner.

I can only speak to his time as a Leafs prospect as I haven't followed him with the Sharks (although his stats show he seemed to perform well).

He looked to be trending in the right direction until getting into a fight at Rookie Camp one year and getting beat up pretty bad by Pezzetta (Habs prospect). He missed a lot of time after that and didn't really seem to catch his stride again.

By all accounts, seems to be a really good person from the write-ups I had read about him with strong leadership capabilities.

He was the 6/7 defenseman in the AHL for the Barracuda, and will likely be about the same for the Eagles. Lot of personality, though, seems like a good locker room guy.

 

[henchman21]

Middleton is a fine middle pairing AHL guy. He's good depth for that team. We will probably see a few of these moves to shore up the defense down there. There is basically nobody incoming unless college hockey is canceled and the Avs rush a couple guys.

 

[Pokecheque]

Sure, why not. Seems like a good pickup.

 

[tigervixxxen]

It’s an AHL deal

 

[Brett44]

This is probably a move to replace Connauton who hits UFA this offseason (along with Barberio and Alt).

Guessing that we'll look to resign Alt (and possibly another RHD if Timmins makes the NHL) and that Middleton will slot in on the 3rd pairing:

MacDonald --- Timmins
Lindholm ----- Alt/other RHD?
Middleton ---- Renouf

Anderson (ECHL)


Here are our AHL Dmen under contract for 2020/21 (added Middleton at $700k which is the minimum capfriendly contract):

View attachment 353031

What do you think about Xavier Bouchard ? He has been draft by Vegas but not sign. He play for a poor team in Q but is very good dmen.