Prospect Info: General Prospect Discussion Thread 2020-21 - Part 2

[thestonedkoala]

I think McBain could work his way into a utility-forward/fourth line role down the line, but his skating probably needs to get better.

Novak's an interesting one because I have no idea what to take away from numbers from the Czech leagues and he's done pretty well against his peers.

McBain is an athlete, don't know if Minnesota will sign him or not though.

Novak is really interesting. Was a dark horse last year as Czech League has been - well horrible lately, so it's hard to take away how good he is.

 

[guitarhunterdude]

Going from oldest to youngest:

Sam Hentges will be turning 22 this year, but could be a good depth forward for Minnesota. He has what they are missing - a right-handed shot. He's listed as a center, but who knows if he'll stick at the position in the pros. He's put together a pretty solid career at St. Cloud State. Could end up being an older prospect if they let him head to St. Cloud for his senior year.

Marshall Warren was considered a top 60 prospect in 2019, but dropped to the 6th round. Can't say how good he'll be as his numbers aren't there, but as a defenseman numbers don't always tell the entire story. With the shallow depth on the left side Warren could be seen as a depth defenseman if he continues on his path of development. I think once he gets to Minnesota, he'll see a progression similar to Soucy.

Pavel Novak is an intriguing prospect and like Hentges plays a position of need - right wing. He lost this year in the WHL and bounced around it looks like between the two Czech leagues. Put up some numbers at the U20 with the Czech National team and even got a game with the pro team. Looks like he's heading back to the Czech next year as well. Could be a good player to have in the system.

Missing the cut:

Jack McBain - was excited for him, put together a decent year last year but was that due to the talent or was he finally putting his game together?

Get Novak with a skating coach and he might turn into something. Lots of creativity I like there, just not the skating to be an NHLer without some serious work.

 

[Leeves]

I think McBain could work his way into a utility-forward/fourth line role down the line, but his skating probably needs to get better.

Novak's an interesting one because I have no idea what to take away from numbers from the Czech leagues and he's done pretty well against his peers.

From what I've seen skating is the big nock on both McBain and Novak. Hopefully they can get it to an acceptable level.

 

[Bazeek]

 

[2Pair]

He still hasn't figured it out?

 

[ThatGuy22]

He still hasn't figured it out?

Big bad Russian's out there don't you know....

 

[2Pair]

Big bad Russian's out there don't you know....

Does make me wonder just how much of Russo's information is just him talking out of his ass?

 

[AKL]

Does make me wonder just how much of Russo's information is just him talking out of his ass?

The last several years? Feels like most of it. 78% if I had to pick a number.

 

[MuckOG]

Khovanov is under contract, is he not? What is there for him to choose? Maybe I'm mistaken, but didn't the Wild have to give him permission to play in the KHL last season?

 

[Bazeek]

Khovanov is under contract, is he not? What is there for him to choose? Maybe I'm mistaken, but didn't the Wild have to give him permission to play in the KHL last season?

Yes, he's under contract. I'm sure a decision on where he plays isn't made unilaterally, but he can't just jet for the KHL and he'd have almost no reason to want that anyway. The Wild, at least, have a vested interest in developing him into an NHL caliber player.

I don't know why Russo phrases things the way he does.

 

[57special]

Yes, he's under contract. I'm sure a decision on where he plays isn't made unilaterally, but he can't just jet for the KHL and he'd have almost no reason to want that anyway. The Wild, at least, have a vested interest in developing him into an NHL caliber player.

I don't know why Russo phrases things the way he does.

I might as well just put you on auto-like.

 

[DeagleJenkins]

Yes, he's under contract. I'm sure a decision on where he plays isn't made unilaterally, but he can't just jet for the KHL and he'd have almost no reason to want that anyway. The Wild, at least, have a vested interest in developing him into an NHL caliber player.

I don't know why Russo phrases things the way he does.

We all know why he writes this way...

 

[2Pair]

Another case of either Russo doesn't really have any idea whats going on with what Guerin is doing, or Guerin has no idea what he's doing.

 

[BagHead]

Another case of either Russo doesn't really have any idea whats going on with what Guerin is doing, or Guerin has no idea what he's doing.

Yeah, that's a strange reason. By that logic, we shouldn't pay Kaprizov very much money.

 

[HotDish]

Yeah, that's a strange reason. By that logic, we shouldn't pay Kaprizov very much money.

Well Lindbergh has only played college hockey. While Kaprizov won rookie of the year in the NHL. I can't say the situations are exactly the same.

 

[BagHead]

Well Lindbergh has only played college hockey. While Kaprizov won rookie of the year in the NHL. I can't say the situations are exactly the same.

Yeah, I'm not saying they're in the exact same situation, instead I purposely used a hyperbolic example because I wanted to make the point clear: draft position does not indicate a prospect/player's level of value. What they do after being drafted matters, and all Lindberg did was be one of the best goalies in college hockey. If he were a college UFA instead of an RFA, teams would be offering him a max ELC. I really don't know why that's so out of the question that Guerin decided he'd rather just part ways (at least, that's how Russo is making it sound).

 

[Slotski]

Yeah, I'm not saying they're in the exact same situation, instead I purposely used a hyperbolic example because I wanted to make the point clear: draft position does not indicate a prospect/player's level of value. What they do after being drafted matters, and all Lindberg did was be one of the best goalies in college hockey. If he were a college UFA instead of an RFA, teams would be offering him a max ELC. I really don't know why that's so out of the question that Guerin decided he'd rather just part ways (at least, that's how Russo is making it sound).

The scouting report indicates he is an undersized goalie with limited athletic skills.

 

[BagHead]

The scouting report indicates he is an undersized goalie with limited athletic skills.

I guess it's true that we've reached that point with goalies now where 6'1" is undersized. I'm not overly sure about the source, since the quote is uncredited, but I found this said about him by, reportedly, a Wild scout: "He has a winning pedigree. He's a competitive guy with good athleticism and quickness."

So, I guess it depends who you ask. What I know is that he's won a lot of games and played great in them, which is what a goalie is supposed to do. I think there's some value in projecting players out, but if I have to choose between projections and results, I choose results.

 

[Ban Hammered]

Another case of either Russo doesn't really have any idea whats going on with what Guerin is doing, or Guerin has no idea what he's doing.

How do you come to that conclusion based on that tweet?

 

[Ban Hammered]

I guess it's true that we've reached that point with goalies now where 6'1" is undersized. I'm not overly sure about the source, since the quote is uncredited, but I found this said about him by, reportedly, a Wild scout: "He has a winning pedigree. He's a competitive guy with good athleticism and quickness."

So, I guess it depends who you ask. What I know is that he's won a lot of games and played great in them, which is what a goalie is supposed to do. I think there's some value in projecting players out, but if I have to choose between projections and results, I choose results.

You have to balance projection and results though...will it translate to the next level or was he just on a good team that limited high danger chances for him?
He'd be worth giving a shot to... but I'm not throwing money at the kid like he's some can't miss guy either.

 

[2Pair]

Well Lindbergh has only played college hockey. While Kaprizov won rookie of the year in the NHL. I can't say the situations are exactly the same.

It's an ELC, there really isn't anything to negotiate.

 

[AKL]

You have to balance projection and results though...will it translate to the next level or was he just on a good team that limited high danger chances for him?
He'd be worth giving a shot to... but I'm not throwing money at the kid like he's some can't miss guy either.

What do you mean throwing money at the kid? He's only eligible for a two-year ELC at 925k max.

 

[Ban Hammered]

What do you mean throwing money at the kid? He's only eligible for a two-year ELC at 925k max.

I'm aware. If they don't think he's worth it...why pay it?

 

[AKL]

I'm aware. If they don't think he's worth it...why pay it?

Sure, no need to offer him an ELC if they're not interested, but it's not a matter of "throwing money at him" or not

 

[Ban Hammered]

Sure, no need to offer him an ELC if they're not interested, but it's not a matter of "throwing money at him" or not

Ok...poor choice there as he's capped out at the deal he can get. I'm just saying what he's done needs to be balanced with how you think he projects at the next level.