F Antonio Stranges - London Knights, OHL (2020, 123rd, DAL)

[Artorius Horus T]

138 games for London Knights all together: 32 goals, 44 assists, +9, 275 sog,

138 games and in 81 of them, he hasn't scored a single point
so his 76 points has come in 57 games.

 

[bigdog16]

exactly my point and we’ll put. 2 years ago stranges was thought of as if not the top one of the top American players and projected 1st round pick. He has been stuck behind better players in London and really hasn’t moved the needle. At the NTDP he would have been put into a much better position to play and develop. Now he is a late 2nd/3rd or even 4th round pick in some mocks.

He made the NTDP and then left for London. Fast forward a year and he can’t even adavance to the USA camp selections out of Michigan. Gets added on with an at large bid and doesn’t make the Hlinka team and everyone I talked to said he didn’t deserve to make it. Seems like that’s regression if you ask me.

Granted he didnt turn out to be what everyone thought. But the stuff that happened with the USA selection camp was a clear grudge from USA hockey for him ditching the program. Idk who you talked to, but it was clear as day. Theres also never been an American CHL’er who went uninvited to the USA selection camps. Many turn down the invite, but they are still invited. USA tried to make Stranges the first. Come on

 

[OldScool]

Granted he didnt turn out to be what everyone thought. But the stuff that happened with the USA selection camp was a clear grudge from USA hockey for him ditching the program. Idk who you talked to, but it was clear as day. Theres also never been an American CHL’er who went uninvited to the USA selection camps. Many turn down the invite, but they are still invited. USA tried to make Stranges the first. Come on

Why would USA hockey give him an at large bid then if there was a grudge? They could have just said he didn’t make it out of Michigan fair and square and not extended him an at large invite.

That being said - USA should hold the player accountable too. He agreed to a contract and left. No debate there.

I talked to several people that were at the USA camp and not one said he deserved to make the team. Not one and he poor stats that week back that up. Not sure what happened at the Michigan camp but evidently they got it right too.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

It seems like the kid hasn't developed much in the last two years. I find it hard to put that more on London than the player, considering they have a great history of producing players. They have the best program in the CHL.

He does have great skill, but what else does he do well? Some will talk about his skating, but how much does that skating style actually help? Bracco uses it and can't make the NHL. Spooner used it and is out of the NHL at 28. Does anyone successfully use it? He would've been better off trying to get faster. He has good edges, but he tried for a fancy skating style instead of one that is proven to work, and he's probably going to have skating problems to get to the NHL because of it. Thats on top of being a turnover machine because he tries too many 1v1 skill plays than using his skill effectively, and also an indifference to defense.

At this point, the kid isn't a high-level prospect. He might have some skill, but having some stick skills doesn't make you a top few round prospect. He could reach the NHL because he does have some level of talent, but he will need to show a lot of development in upcoming years that he hasn't shown in the last two years. Would he have been better off at the NTDP? It's hard to know. He might've not developed well there either. I don't think it's as simple as saying he didn't play enough.

 

[OldScool]

It seems like the kid hasn't developed much in the last two years. I find it hard to put that more on London than the player, considering they have a great history of producing players. They have the best program in the CHL.

He does have great skill, but what else does he do well? Some will talk about his skating, but how much does that skating style actually help? Bracco uses it and can't make the NHL. Spooner used it and is out of the NHL at 28. Does anyone successfully use it? He would've been better off trying to get faster. He has good edges, but he tried for a fancy skating style instead of one that is proven to work, and he's probably going to have skating problems to get to the NHL because of it. Thats on top of being a turnover machine because he tries too many 1v1 skill plays than using his skill effectively, and also an indifference to defense.

At this point, the kid isn't a high-level prospect. He might have some skill, but having some stick skills doesn't make you a top few round prospect. He could reach the NHL because he does have some level of talent, but he will need to show a lot of development in upcoming years that he hasn't shown in the last two years. Would he have been better off at the NTDP? It's hard to know. He might've not developed well there either. I don't think it's as simple as saying he didn't play enough.

He would make a great shootout specialist! Honestly I agree with your assessment - looks more for flash highlight reel stuff than making smart hockey plays. That 9-3 Skating style is a gimmick and used too much. The major ref flags for me in terms of what I hear is “not giving a good effort” - “looks disinterested” - “lazy away from puck” - “attitude, attitude, attitude”.

 

[HOPE]

I don't care about his stats, watching him play he's gonna blow up at any moment. Kid just need to build up strange, he might be a more long term project but he's gonna be a major steal in the draft and i hope Montreal realy goes for him in early second.

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

I don't care about his stats, watching him play he's gonna blow up at any moment. Kid just need to build up strange, he might be a more long term project but he's gonna be a major steal in the draft and i hope Montreal realy goes for him in early second.

From what I've seen of him, it's his Hockey IQ that will hold him back.

 

[LastWordArmy]

Antonio Stranges went in the second round, 21st overall at the 2018 OHL Priority Selection Draft. Most analysts predicted he would play for the US NTDP before heading to the University of Michigan. Instead, the London Knights took a risk on Stranges, and it paid off as he joined the team. He put up 13 goals and 21 assists for 34 points in 66 games in limited ice time as a rookie last season. He also added two assists in 11 playoff games. This year, Stranges’ offensive numbers have improved slightly with 19 goals and 21 assists for 40 points in 61 games before the season was suspended. Stranges started out the season very well but seemed to tail off as it went along. His ice time was cut as games became more important. This is not unusual though, as the Knights often bring their young prospects along slowly.

Stranges, a Plymouth, Michigan native played in the Little Caesar’s system. When he was still just 15-years-old he put up 22 points in 12 games for the Under-16 club. He also played in 11 games for the Under-18 team. Stranges also played in the famous Quebec PeeWee Tournament in 2013-14.

Our full report
Antonio Stranges Scouting Report: 2020 NHL Draft #49

 

[DatDude44]

It seems like the kid hasn't developed much in the last two years. I find it hard to put that more on London than the player, considering they have a great history of producing players. They have the best program in the CHL.

He does have great skill, but what else does he do well? Some will talk about his skating, but how much does that skating style actually help? Bracco uses it and can't make the NHL. Spooner used it and is out of the NHL at 28. Does anyone successfully use it? He would've been better off trying to get faster. He has good edges, but he tried for a fancy skating style instead of one that is proven to work, and he's probably going to have skating problems to get to the NHL because of it. Thats on top of being a turnover machine because he tries too many 1v1 skill plays than using his skill effectively, and also an indifference to defense.

At this point, the kid isn't a high-level prospect. He might have some skill, but having some stick skills doesn't make you a top few round prospect. He could reach the NHL because he does have some level of talent, but he will need to show a lot of development in upcoming years that he hasn't shown in the last two years. Would he have been better off at the NTDP? It's hard to know. He might've not developed well there either. I don't think it's as simple as saying he didn't play enough.

Every forward in the nhl uses Mohawks. For me it’s when and how they’re utilized. Stranges over does it, Crosby Mohawks all the time but he does it when it’s necessary to protect the puck or add deception down low w/ the puck. Some guys will use outside edge Mohawk pulls off the rush to make the D think they’re gonna escape up the wall but then keep going low and create space for themselves below the goal line

 

[weems]

From what I've seen of him, it's his Hockey IQ that will hold him back.

Yep. He tries some outright hilarious low % things

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Yep. He tries some outright hilarious low % things

To me, that’s not hockey IQ, that’s pure selfishness. I don’t think there’s anyone who would be dumb enough, even in the moment, to believe that’s an acceptable sequence of plays. Even if you made that play once, you’d probably know right away that you made a big error in judgement, and you wouldn’t proceed a second later to make an even worse play.

 

[GlassesJacketShirt]

Yep. He tries some outright hilarious low % things

Man, this made me feel like I've been too harsh on Poirier.

Based purely on his reports and video, he seems more like ND to me.

 

[Agent Zub]

Yep. He tries some outright hilarious low % things

what a f***ing dumbass lol. with a 1 goal lead no less

 

[member 96824]

Yep. He tries some outright hilarious low % things

Was the girl he has a crush on watching?

 

[ponder]

He’s got excellent hands, and does that mohawk skating style better than any other hockey player I’ve seen. But he’s weak defensively, makes a lot of poor decisions, and his effort is very inconsistent. Part of the reason his point totals are low is because Dale Hunter doesn’t trust him, and sometimes even benches him for significant stretches.

I’d probably take a flyer on him in the 4th round or so, he’s very skilled. But it’d be a huge mistake to take him in the 1st round, and a significant mistake to take him in the 2nd.

 

[Gopher13]

Could be a lot similar to the Josh Ho-Sang story..."The reason behind the move by general manager Lou Lamoriello is speculated to have been Ho-Sang’s poor attitude. On the most recent episode of Coach’s Corner, Don Cherry brought this to light. Cherry explained, “This kid . . . was the best player in the GTHL I ever saw . . . and you know what, nobody wants him because of his attitude.” When you start to add up the early struggles in school, the internal discipline in Windsor, Ho-Sang being left off Hockey Canada’s U18 team, his reputation as someone who questions authority and his flashy plays on the ice, then mix in how much is at stake with teams selecting in the first round, it’s easy to see why teams might be nervous."

Other things matter in hockey life other than skating and hands....

 

[Coaches Coroner]

In my viewings he's reminded me a bit of Bracco without as good vision/IQ. Same weaknesses. From what I've read on the Knights board, that seems to line up and he seems to be a very frustrating player to watch.

 

[57special]

He's a better skater than Bracco, no? That's pretty important.

IMO, unless the kid is dumb as rocks, he'll learn to adjust, or simply won't advance. I don't mind a skilled forward prospect who holds on to the puck a little too long, and errs on the side of risky. That's how you develop skill.

If he has an attitude problem that's another story.

 

[Luc Poitras]

He's a better skater than Bracco, no? That's pretty important.

IMO, unless the kid is dumb as rocks, he'll learn to adjust, or simply won't advance. I don't mind a skilled forward prospect who holds on to the puck a little too long, and errs on the side of risky. That's how you develop skill.

If he has an attitude problem that's another story.

Better skill.
Not as smart as Bracco.
Bracco - guys love him - his work ethic is very questionable.
Stranges - big ego - guys not fond of him.
I'd say no to both.

I'd want neither on my team.

 

[OldScool]

Better skill.
Not as smart as Bracco.
Bracco - guys love him - his work ethic is very questionable.
Stranges - big ego - guys not fond of him.
I'd say no to both.

I'd want neither on my team.

Bingo.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Better skill.
Not as smart as Bracco.
Bracco - guys love him - his work ethic is very questionable.
Stranges - big ego - guys not fond of him.
I'd say no to both.

I'd want neither on my team.

If he's still there in the 4th/5th round I'd probably give him a shot. I'm not really a fan of him but with his skill and skating I'd be willing to swing on him late.

 

[MBH]

Wonder what everyone will be saying when he hits 80-90 points next year?

 

[LeProspector]

Wonder what everyone will be saying when he hits 80-90 points next year?

Exact same thing they are now.
Rob Schremp 2.0. His 10-3 skating is something special but seldom does he create any offence because of it. Teams know he has one move in his arsenal.
He won’t be able to hold onto the puck like that at the next level, it just won’t happen. He’ll probably have a very good junior career, and maybe even pro career, but barring any drastic changes to his game, he’ll likely get no more than a cup of coffee in the NHL.

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

Exact same thing they are now.
Rob Schremp 2.0. His 10-3 skating is something special but seldom does he create any offence because of it. Teams know he has one move in his arsenal.
He won’t be able to hold onto the puck like that at the next level, it just won’t happen. He’ll probably have a very good junior career, and maybe even pro career, but barring any drastic changes to his game, he’ll likely get no more than a cup of coffee in the NHL.

Shinkaruk as well

 

[Favin]

Any minute now....