Prospect Info: Hartford Wolf Pack/Greenville Swamp Rabbits Thread *Part VI*

[Beacon]

How far is Graves from being NHL ready? A year from now?

He's inconsistent and makes rookie errors. There are games where he looks amazing and other games where he looks like he needs to be polished in the ECHL.

 

[Revel]

Think he clocked in the low 90's before he was drafted but thats the last and only real mention of his shot velocity that I've seen/read.

Graves has a potentially elite weapon but I do think its worth mentioning that its one thing to be able to skate into a puck and wire it and its another to be able to one time a shot from a stationary position. McIlrath has shown that hes pretty good at doing the latter and I really haven't seen a whole lot of it from Graves.

Most of his in-game shots involve him taking a pass on his stick while stationary, then taking one step and blasting it. I have posted multiple videos of him doing this. His in-game shots are not like the Shooting Competitions where you're allowed to motor up to the puck from far behind, lol. He also does take some one-timers which are not as hard; but a one-timer generally won't be as hard for anyone, 'cuz physics.

 

[cwede]

He's inconsistent and makes rookie errors. There are games where he looks amazing and other games where he looks like he needs to be polished in the ECHL.

oh no, buzzkill! (..kidding

seriously though, most young D are not Aaron Ekblad,
or even McDonagh who became a regular midway in his age 21 season.

People wanted to call McIlrath was a bust because he had 3 full seasons in the A before sticking at age 23

Graves is playing this whole season at 20, if doesn't make it to NHL to stay until Spring '18, or Fall '18, or later, he'll just be that much more ready

the league is getting younger, and more young stars are asserting their presence at young ages,
but if a player doesn't peak early, that doesn't diminish his potential or the quality or length of his career

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Most of his in-game shots involve him taking a pass on his stick while stationary, then taking one step and blasting it. I have posted multiple videos of him doing this. His in-game shots are not like the Shooting Competitions where you're allowed to motor up to the puck from far behind, lol. He also does take some one-timers which are not as hard; but a one-timer generally won't be as hard for anyone, 'cuz physics.

Yeah being able to take a one timer and being comfortable with it is what I was referring to. Taking a step or two and leaning into one is nice but those shots get blocked at the NHL level.

He rarely fired one timers in Jr. either - its something he needs to work on in order to get the most out of his shot.

 

[Ola]

Getting of the shot is half the thing, but Graves is a good shooter. McCabe and Souray learned it in the NHL, neither were very talented. I think Graves as a starting point has more ability than both. Graves isn't a stay at home D, in terms of style (not overal ability of course), think of like a Rob Blake. IE last year he was like a Rob Blake of the QMJHL of you get what I mean. He is definitely not a stay at home D.

 

[Revel]

Graves just put one in shorthanded. 2-0 Pack over Portland in the 2nd. Pack had a breakaway and the goalie made the save, but he gave up a long rebound. Graves was trailing...came flying in... and put the rebound top shelf.

I was recording, but the software malfunctioned (or I did). No highlights 'til after the game, lol.

 

[Revel]

4-0 Pack in a hurry. Not even halfway through the game and Portland's goalie was pulled in favor of the backup. Hughes, Bourque, and Jensen have the other goals BTW.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Graves just put one in shorthanded. 2-0 Pack over Portland in the 2nd. Pack had a breakaway and the goalie made the save, but he gave up a long rebound. Graves was trailing...came flying in... and put the rebound top shelf.

I was recording, but the software malfunctioned (or I did). No highlights 'til after the game, lol.

The points have really started to come for him since the calendar flipped to 2016.

It hasn't been said enough, but Phillipe Boucher doesn't get enough credit for what he did with Graves during his time in Quebec. He had a very promising season right after being drafted but his offense has come a very long way since then.

There really isn't any rational reason to think this because Graves can more than hold his own defensively, but I hope he doesn't Eric Gelinas out on us when he gets to the NHL.

 

[Revel]

The points have really started to come for him since the calendar flipped to 2016.

It hasn't been said enough, but Phillipe Boucher doesn't get enough credit for what he did with Graves during his time in Quebec. He had a very promising season right after being drafted but his offense has come a very long way since then.

There really isn't any rational reason to think this because Graves can more than hold his own defensively, but I hope he doesn't Eric Gelinas out on us when he gets to the NHL.

We have a physically intimidating, very hard shooting, puck distributing (on the PP) D-man who just needs to work a bit on positioning and gap control. Sure-fire NHL caliber player that will not fizzle out, IMO. What he has cannot be taught...and what he is lacking can be learned. On top of that, he is not near smoothing out everything in his game. This is his first season in the AHL.

I'd say guaranteed Top 4 D-man and minimum second pairing on the PP in the NHL.

 

[Revel]

Tambo ENG made it 5-0. 1:40 to go. Hellberg has 35 saves.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

We have a physically intimidating, very hard shooting, puck distributing (on the PP) D-man who just needs to work a bit on positioning and gap control. Sure-fire NHL caliber player that will not fizzle out, IMO. What he has cannot be taught...and what he is lacking can be learned. On top of that, he is not near smoothing out everything in his game. This is his first season in the AHL.

I'd say guaranteed Top 4 D-man and minimum second pairing on the PP in the NHL.

I don't think he is completely comfortable with his body yet either. Thats totally fine too, not everyone is Seth Jones.

I forget the poster who dropped the Coburn comp on him but I think thats the most accurate one that I've read. Don't think Coburn can bring it at 103 mph+ but from a style/stature standpoint, I think its pretty on point.

 

[Irishguy42]

It feels like Jensen has a super high SH% since coming to the Wolf Pack. But it's only around 9% or 10%, I think.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Tambo ENG made it 5-0. 1:40 to go. Hellberg has 35 saves.

ENG? They were down 4-0. Why the hell would you pull the goalie?

 

[Revel]

ENG? They were down 4-0. Why the hell would you pull the goalie?

They pulled the goalie with over 6 minutes to go.

 

[Brooklyn Ranger]

ENG? They were down 4-0. Why the hell would you pull the goalie?

Probably to work on it in a game situation. Helps when it matters.

 

[Revel]

Ryan Graves SH Goal 02/05/2016

Most impressive here was the speed. Wasn't expecting it. Could be that the Portland PPer was dogging it, but Ryan appears to be really moving on this one. He blew by somebody to score that goal.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

They pulled the goalie with over 6 minutes to go.

Still never heard of that. I heard of 3 goals max and even that's rare.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Ryan Graves SH Goal 02/05/2016

Most impressive here was the speed. Wasn't expecting it. Could be that the Portland PPer was dogging it, but Ryan appears to be really moving on this one. He blew by somebody to score that goal.

He was still on the defensive side of the blueline when Gibbons was at center ice.

Portland PK'er was with out a doubt gliding back into his own end, I don't think he expected Graves to jump in like that lol.

 

[Charlie Conway]

He was still on the defensive side of the blueline when Gibbons was at center ice.

Portland PK'er was with out a doubt gliding back into his own end, I don't think he expected Graves to jump in like that lol.

That was definitely a lazy back-check by the forward.

Was that a long PK? If so, impressive to see Graves get to that gear to slam that goal in.

 

[alkurtz]

Was in Albany yesterday and saw the Pack lose 3-0. Although it is not valid to judge players by one game, here are some impressions.

Not a single forward impressed me in any way. Hartford was totally unable to generate any offense at all.

Brady Skjei: his skating ability was certainly apparent as was his ability to carry the puck out of the defensive zone. Otherwise he had a so-so game, not good, not bad. He didn't impact the game in any way. Likely just one of those games and doesn't indicate or mean much.

Ryan Graves: by far the most impressive player on the Pack in this game. I know, from reading some of the comments, that he is wildly inconsistent. This was one of those games where he was on. He looks and carries himself like an NHL defenseman and did almost everything well. The Pack offense seemed to totally be structured around getting him the puck at the point and letting him shoot. Had some hard shots that were right on net by stopped. One thing though, when he gets to the NHL, he is going to have to change his number: 27. And get there he will....

Though he is not an NHL prospect, I couldn't help be impressed with Mat Bodie's skating ability: he is so light on his skates and seems to glide on the ice. But he looks frail and is very narrow shouldered. Maybe he should be tried at forward....

Again, single game evaluations are not really valid but this is what I came away with.

 

[Revel]

Was in Albany yesterday and saw the Pack lose 3-0. Although it is not valid to judge players by one game, here are some impressions.

Not a single forward impressed me in any way. Hartford was totally unable to generate any offense at all.

Brady Skjei: his skating ability was certainly apparent as was his ability to carry the puck out of the defensive zone. Otherwise he had a so-so game, not good, not bad. He didn't impact the game in any way. Likely just one of those games and doesn't indicate or mean much.

Ryan Graves: by far the most impressive player on the Pack in this game. I know, from reading some of the comments, that he is wildly inconsistent. This was one of those games where he was on. He looks and carries himself like an NHL defenseman and did almost everything well. The Pack offense seemed to totally be structured around getting him the puck at the point and letting him shoot. Had some hard shots that were right on net by stopped. One thing though, when he gets to the NHL, he is going to have to change his number: 27. And get there he will....

Though he is not an NHL prospect, I couldn't help be impressed with Mat Bodie's skating ability: he is so light on his skates and seems to glide on the ice. But he looks frail and is very narrow shouldered. Maybe he should be tried at forward....

Again, single game evaluations are not really valid but this is what I came away with.

Great post and your observations echo my own.

You're right about Graves.

Regarding Bodie, I've mentioned before about how Bodie's skates never stop moving and how he is entertaining....yet he is so slight of build.

Regarding Skeij, I'm not surprised by your observations. He is a great skater and can carry the puck. But...can he distribute the puck and does he have any vision? In my mind...Not a much as people may assume. This does not mean he cannot be a quality NHLer. It just means he is not a PMD. Definitely not a Keith Yandle. We just have to hope he continues to develop defensively and becomes the Marc Staal type (when he was younger) with better skating ability.

 

[Ola]

Alkurtz and Revel- I agree with your observations and do not think they are reflective of the odd game.

Ryan Graves is a very good hockey player. He is developed into an offensive 2-way D in the Q, lets not be fooled by were he was picked and slot him in as a stay-at-home type with a heavy shot. He won't be overly fancy, but you don't have to be that. He isn't overly punishing on a shift-by-shift basis, and he of course don't skate like Doughty or Brodin and the likes, but he is very solid overall. We got a steal in him. Then of course skating, puck management, gap-control and those things will be a challenge of some sort for him in the NHL.

If you take the established job specification for a NHL D 5-10 years ago maybe, Graves is a 8 on a 10 scale. If you take the established job specification for a NHL D last summer, he is maybe a 5.5 on a 10 scale. That is probably why he fell. But, this is something we have seen before. It is so valuable to skate well in the league right now, and to be able to turn the game fast that that is what everyone is looking for now. The next Gotisbherre. But, its when "everyone" is looking for size you can steal guys like Zetterberg and Datsyuk in 7th or 5th rounds. When we drafted Graves his mobility didn't stand out and his offensive game was still latent, like for many kids you draft potential, but since he wasn't a standout in terms of mobility he fell much more than he should have had.

I like Brady Skjei and think he will become a good player in this league. But I think there is a risk with expecting him to be something he is not. He is kind of a Kreider on defense. Don't expect him to be Brassard if you get what I mean.

However, when I saw Skjei in the WJCs his vision and puck moving ability was not as good at all as it is right now. It does seem like he himself as well as the coaching staff really has figured out what the game is about and what Skjei needs to improve. I saw a few of Skjei's first games in the AHL last season and he 100% focused on working on the right things. Making those plays with the puck and using his skating to his strength. I do not think he will become John Moore II. But vision and hockey sense is an ability like any other, we don't expect Tambo to learn to skate like Brassard just because he has good hands and we can't count on Skjei picking up the vision and hockey sense of a true PMD just because he skates really well. But hopefully Skjei can build a lot on it. I do think playing in HFD will be good for him, but maybe I would like to see him play for a bit better team?? You always get to play more with the puck if you play for a better team and PMDs playing for bad teams are really pressured hard and often heads off in the wrong direction.

Mat Bodie, I wouldn't count him out as a NHL prospect. I wouldn't bet on it, but I remember like it was yesterday when I traveled to the Arena Delfinen in Sweden and saw this 23 y/o midget from US College Hockey hit the ice for Brynäs with a way too big sweater. We joked that you couldn't tell the difference between him and the kids escorting the players to the ice. He was cut loose by his SHL because he just was way to weak for the SHL and played the coming 3 years in Finland. That D retired with over 500 pts in 800 NHL games and must have won 3-4 Stanley Cups and got 100 pts in 165 PO games.

Bodie won't become Rafalski II, but I wouldn't rule out that he will make the NHL one day.

 

[Revel]

Alkurtz and Revel- I agree with your observations and do not think they are reflective of the odd game.

Thanks for the thoughtful breakdown of the 3 players being discussed. You certainly know your hockey better than most.... and your post is a very good read!

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Revel, who's more ready for a call up to the NYR, Skjei or Graves?

 

[Revel]

Revel, who's more ready for a call up to the NYR, Skjei or Graves?

In my amateur opinion, they both need work....but if I had to choose, I would say Skeij.

Graves has been shooting well, distributing the puck well in the O-zone, and QB'ing our PP ... which is all great. BUT, it is the 2nd worst PP in the league with 1 goal in something like their last 35 or so PPs. This is not a slight on Graves; just an aside that he is not a miracle worker. He is getting better...but he simply is too green to get called up. He needs to marinate another year or two in the AHL, IMO. If done correctly, we'll have a Top 4 that is a PP weapon...scoring the occasional slapshot goal and generating PP rebounds with his hard shot for guys like Kreider.

Being able to keep up with 5v5 in the NHL is a whole 'nother story. I don't believe Graves could keep up as well as Skeij at this point in time. Skeij's natural skating ability would allow him to keep up with the Pro game and cover guys using a man defense. If you'll remember (when Skeij was with the big club for a short time), we saw Skeij get back and take guys off the puck when we thought he was beat.

That's it, really. Skeij can skate with (or better than) most of the pros. It doesn't mean he'll always play things correctly, but being able to easily keep up is part of the battle. That's why I would choose him at this point.