F Cruz Lucius - USNTDP, USHL (2022, 124th, CAR, traded to PIT)
- Thread starter MMC
- Start date
Pavel Buchnevich
Drury and Laviolette Must Go
I don't think what I've seen so far is any better than a late round pick next year. And I only say late round pick because I know that usually some of these lesser NTDP players can play better on a team with less natural talent where they have a bigger role and look like a more talented player.
I believe a proponent might suggest he's a playmaker with good hands, shifty skating, and average size. I don't think any of his tools are NHL caliber, aside from maybe his hands, but in isolation having quick hands doesn't matter if you can't do anything with it.
On the other hand, his stats are not that bad, although I must say I just went to check the stats expecting he'd be about 2nd worst on the team in PPG, so that tells you what my expectations were going to check them. I also did see someone recently say they thought he's better than I do, so I'm not saying my opinion will be unanimous. There might be some proponents, but right now I would not say he's a particularly good prospect for his draft year.
I believe a proponent might suggest he's a playmaker with good hands, shifty skating, and average size. I don't think any of his tools are NHL caliber, aside from maybe his hands, but in isolation having quick hands doesn't matter if you can't do anything with it.
On the other hand, his stats are not that bad, although I must say I just went to check the stats expecting he'd be about 2nd worst on the team in PPG, so that tells you what my expectations were going to check them. I also did see someone recently say they thought he's better than I do, so I'm not saying my opinion will be unanimous. There might be some proponents, but right now I would not say he's a particularly good prospect for his draft year.
montreal
Go Habs Go
His acceleration really holds him back. He looks like he's trying to skate in mud. I like his playmaking so far from what I've seen in the U18s.
Pavel Buchnevich
Drury and Laviolette Must Go
He missed nearly the whole year. I have no clue where he'll be drafted. I'm actually surprised they didn't shut him down, but props to him for wanting to return for a short period of time.
He's a good playmaker with good hands. He's a perimeter winger with average skating, but probably a little better than Chaz. Chaz is a little stronger and Chaz is less perimeter. He's obviously not the scorer that Chaz is, and Chaz has a chance to play center. He won't be picked anywhere near as high as his brother was.
I think ordinarily Cruz might've been a round 3 or 4 pick with a good year. Now, I think round 5 or 6 seems more likely.
He's a good playmaker with good hands. He's a perimeter winger with average skating, but probably a little better than Chaz. Chaz is a little stronger and Chaz is less perimeter. He's obviously not the scorer that Chaz is, and Chaz has a chance to play center. He won't be picked anywhere near as high as his brother was.
I think ordinarily Cruz might've been a round 3 or 4 pick with a good year. Now, I think round 5 or 6 seems more likely.
Pavel Buchnevich
Drury and Laviolette Must Go
There were rumors that his family didn’t like how Chaz was handled at his first season at Minnesota.
Frk It
Mo Seider Less Problems
- Jul 27, 2010
- 36,243
- 14,753
Pavel Buchnevich
Drury and Laviolette Must Go
Agreed, good buy low candidate. He'd likely go higher if he didn't get injured and miss almost the full season.
Headed to Madison next year. Looks like Chaz’s poor experience with the Gophers has sent his younger brother into the arms of the Badgers. He should have a better chance to make an impact right away with UW than he would have with the Gophers.
William H Bonney
Registered User
Better opportunity for him at Wisconsin. And likely means Chaz and Winnipeg are hopeful that he's ready for the AHL.
Pavel Buchnevich
Drury and Laviolette Must Go
Herby
Now I can die in peace
It didn't effect Phil Kessel, Jack Skille and Jack Johnson back in the day, but they were higher draft picks, like Chaz was.
Although none of those decisions resulted in the poor development choice of having their sons leave school after 1 season to play in the AHL, like what is going to happen with Chaz. UW is not going to turn down a potentially good player in Cruz but in some circumstances and for some families it's clearly obvious that the CHL presents a better alternative than the NCAA. But then again, even with Cruz being drafted by Seattle (WHL) that is quite a hit further away from home than Madison is.
I feel like if Cruz has an even respectable season for the Badgers he will bolt for the pros too.
MMC
Global Moderator
Lavar Ball
Neva Lost
Jersey Fan 12
Positive Vibes
- Nov 20, 2006
- 6,080
- 2,600
Parliament
Registered User
- Jul 15, 2014
- 401
- 70
I hope Cruz gets consideration for U20,.. but the US selection process usually leaves me scratching my head at times, so who knows? I'd hope he's at the very least on their radar, especially given Chaz's involvement this year.
He's having a pretty solid freshman season though. I'm more impressed that he's doing it as a 2004 (D+1). And that's not to take anything away from the Jackson Blake's of this year, or the Josh Doan's from last year, but it's on another level (in my opinion) whenever you have a kid who's 18 in their D+1 year, plays +30 games, maintain a PPG pace, and leads their team in more ways than one...
I feel as if guys like Cruz / Cutter Gauthier would be getting more attention if it was any other season, but understandably they're being overlooked by other guys in the same draft who are absolutely crushing it (Cooley, Snuggerud, Hutson, etc.) or by the D-1 prospects like Fantilli, Wood and to a lesser degree Gavin Brindley.
He's having a pretty solid freshman season though. I'm more impressed that he's doing it as a 2004 (D+1). And that's not to take anything away from the Jackson Blake's of this year, or the Josh Doan's from last year, but it's on another level (in my opinion) whenever you have a kid who's 18 in their D+1 year, plays +30 games, maintain a PPG pace, and leads their team in more ways than one...
I feel as if guys like Cruz / Cutter Gauthier would be getting more attention if it was any other season, but understandably they're being overlooked by other guys in the same draft who are absolutely crushing it (Cooley, Snuggerud, Hutson, etc.) or by the D-1 prospects like Fantilli, Wood and to a lesser degree Gavin Brindley.
TLEH
Pronounced T-Lay
Two goals last night against Minnesota. Looked good.
Finlandia WOAT
js7.4x8fnmcf5070124
- May 23, 2010
- 24,190
- 23,856
MMC
Global Moderator
The Great Mighty Poo
Thank You 59.
More then likely he stays with the Badgers for another years, signs a ATO with the Baby Pens at the end of the season, signs ELC in the summer.
Wait until Andrew Berkshire finds out Mr. Lucius created a whole prep school for his boys to play at
