Prospect Info: Isles Prospect Talk 2019-20 | Part II

[Chapin Landvogt]

I agree with this, and mentioned that when we drafted him. We've been through this before. If you are going to draft someone who's tiny, they need to have great speed. He does not have great speed. We've been through this before with Cammarata. That kid had great hands, but was not a great skater, I see the same thing from Ishkabibble,

On a side note, Taylor has played for five different ECHL teams over the past three seasons.

Honestly, I don't know why he doesn't just head over to Europe.

Take Corey Trivino, for example. He's played the past two years in Germany's second league and has found a new life. Got married, living in a practically medieval town, and is putting up points for a competitive team in a competitive league with a strong fan following. It's all gone click.

He's probably earning 40-50 k EUR per year and the club pays for his apartment and car. It's a simple, but gratifying life.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Regarding the Iskhakov pick. I wanted Akil Thomas in that spot and still like him. But before everyone goes writing off the pick. You all do know that only 2 players have played a game in the NHL outside the first round from this draft and 14 from the first round have not played a NHL game yet. It is WAY to early to make predictions on anyone from the 18 draft.

One of the guys available and viewed as a mid-2nd rounder heading into the draft was center David Gustafsson. He was taken 17 spots after Iskhakov and has 22 NHL games under his belt.

But that naturally means nothing as an overall grade of the pick. We naturally know that a draft needs a good 5 years to really unfold.

Nonetheless, we can definitely identify that there were very strong pieces on the board when we took Iskhakov and a handful actually fit our organizational needs better. Many wrote about that right in these forums when the pick was made.

None of those options were 5'7", 150 lbs. In a draft that was that strong, it just seemed to early to go with a guy who had such an uphill battle right from the outset.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

As an aside to the note on Blade Jenkins' rights possibly going lost soon, here's a list of guys who rights will be lost to their drafting teams if they don't sign by next Monday:

There are a number of interesting names on this list. In prospect circles, there'd be great surprise if i.e. Declan Chisholm and Connor Corcoran are not signed. Riley Stotts will likely go unsigned simply because Toronto doesn't have any more space. The Rangers seem to have too many defensive prospects to fit in Nico Gross as well.

Center Curtis Douglas is 6'9", 248 lbs.
Markus Nurmi is basically Koivula.
Karlstrom is a big boy who put up 20 points in the SHL this season.
Boudrias and Henman were pretty strong point-producers in the Q.
Roman has a lot of what it takes to be a solid 3rd line NHL center.

Heck, Montreal has 3 centers there who averaged more than a PPG in Canadian juniors and they're all gonna walk. Goes to show that other than having more darts to throw at the board, having boatloads of draft picks often means losing assets for nothing two years later.

 

[leeroggy]

As an aside to the note on Blade Jenkins' rights possibly going lost soon, here's a list of guys who rights will be lost to their drafting teams if they don't sign by next Monday:

There are a number of interesting names on this list. In prospect circles, there'd be great surprise if i.e. Declan Chisholm and Connor Corcoran are not signed. Riley Stotts will likely go unsigned simply because Toronto doesn't have any more space. The Rangers seem to have too many defensive prospects to fit in Nico Gross as well.

Center Curtis Douglas is 6'9", 248 lbs.
Markus Nurmi is basically Koivula.
Karlstrom is a big boy who put up 20 points in the SHL this season.
Boudrias and Henman were pretty strong point-producers in the Q.
Roman has a lot of what it takes to be a solid 3rd line NHL center.

Heck, Montreal has 3 centers there who averaged more than a PPG in Canadian juniors and they're all gonna walk. Goes to show that other than having more darts to throw at the board, having boatloads of draft picks often means losing assets for nothing two years later.

Allan McShane was considered almost untouchable by Canadian fans here in trade offers. Somehow his growth plateaued and his point totals never increased year over year in any meaningful way. And his +/- was horrendous when compared to his teammates the past season.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Allan McShane was considered almost untouchable by Canadian fans here in trade offers. Somehow his growth plateaued and his point totals never increased year over year in any meaningful way. And his +/- was horrendous when compared to his teammates the past season.

I encountered the same type of thing with respect to McShane, Fonstad, Houde, and Hillis (before he was signed).

Habs fans just didn't want to accept that these boys going unsigned could possibly become a reality.

I mean sheesh, Montreal had like 13 picks that summer and spent 8 of them on centers. What did those people think was going to happen?

The big question for the Islanders is whether they like any of these guys and if so, if they could plan the space to give them a contract?

I do think we'll see a number of the players in the list above getting AHL contracts around the league.

 

[leeroggy]

I encountered the same type of thing with respect to McShane, Fonstad, Houde, and Hillis (before he was signed).

Habs fans just didn't want to accept that these boys going unsigned could possibly become a reality.

I mean sheesh, Montreal had like 13 picks that summer and spent 8 of them on centers. What did those people think was going to happen?

The big question for the Islanders is whether they like any of these guys and if so, if they could plan the space to give them a contract?

I do think we'll see a number of the players in the list above getting AHL contracts around the league.

And they have FOURTEEN picks this year! Seems like if we need to trade Leddy they would be the likely team to give up picks.

Also, according to Capfriendly they are at 45 contracts, so if they really like any of those they easily could have fit the contract. I think I'd prefer Gross, it would give even more flexibility to make a hockey trade of a RHD like Wilde for a solid Center prospect or scoring winger prospect. Kind of like Wilde for Brayden Tracey type deal.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

And they have FOURTEEN picks this year! Seems like if we need to trade Leddy they would be the likely team to give up picks.

But we have to see if the draft is going to be held at a time when players can actually be traded.

Take that out of the equation and things are going to be tough on that front.

Also, according to Capfriendly they are at 45 contracts, so if they really like any of those they easily could have fit the contract. I think I'd prefer Gross, it would give even more flexibility to make a hockey trade of a RHD like Wilde for a solid Center prospect or scoring winger prospect. Kind of like Wilde for Brayden Tracey type deal.

Well, we are at 49 out of 50, but yep, the Habs are at 45. Bergevin appears to want to keep those open for other things.

I do wonder though... do you just think that Wilde is not going to pan out, so it'd be best to get something for him now?

I believe it's a HUGE strength to have Pulock, Mayfield, Dobson, Wilde, and Hutton on that right side and when the time comes, Lou needs to make optimal use of that. Big, tough, talented, righty shot Dmen are about the most valuable pieces on the trade market.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Another thing...

Anyone have any idea on when exactly we would need to make a decision on Bibeau and Coskey?

I remember Wheeler or Pronman writing that he had seen two of Bibeau's games on one weekend and said he was the best overall player in both games.

 

[leeroggy]

But we have to see if the draft is going to be held at a time when players can actually be traded.

Take that out of the equation and things are going to be tough on that front.



Well, we are at 49 out of 50, but yep, the Habs are at 45. Bergevin appears to want to keep those open for other things.

I do wonder though... do you just think that Wilde is not going to pan out, so it'd be best to get something for him now?

I believe it's a HUGE strength to have Pulock, Mayfield, Dobson, Wilde, and Hutton on that right side and when the time comes, Lou needs to make optimal use of that. Big, tough, talented, righty shot Dmen are about the most valuable pieces on the trade market.

My feeling is that Wilde will not get a shot at Top 4 with Pulock and Dobson and we have plenty of 3rd pair RHD in the system so I'd like to fill another hole with him as the trade bait. It's more of an organizational thing than a judgment on him. If he is 3rd pair he'll never get to show much because Pulock and Dobson will likely take up 22-23 minutes each. It's like St. Louis with Pietrangelo and Parayko . . . can you even name the 3rd pair Blues RD? I'm just skeptical that Wilde will be able to show much in the NHL with us.

Why not get a similar prospect at wing or center? A 3rd line 20-goal scorer would do wonders for this team. Again, it's not a judgement on him, I just don't see how logistically all the RHD in our system can become top players all at once to make them all valuable.

 

[islesny88]

My feeling is that Wilde will not get a shot at Top 4 with Pulock and Dobson and we have plenty of 3rd pair RHD in the system so I'd like to fill another hole with him as the trade bait. It's more of an organizational thing than a judgment on him. If he is 3rd pair he'll never get to show much because Pulock and Dobson will likely take up 22-23 minutes each. It's like St. Louis with Pietrangelo and Parayko . . . can you even name the 3rd pair Blues RD? I'm just skeptical that Wilde will be able to show much in the NHL with us.

Why not get a similar prospect at wing or center? A 3rd line 20-goal scorer would do wonders for this team. Again, it's not a judgement on him, I just don't see how logistically all the RHD in our system can become top players all at once to make them all valuable.

Wild idea, pun intended. What if we tried him on offense? His skillset fits and he has size that we don't have on the wing. It'd be a project and a high-risk one, but one that could pay off. He's been done before with varying degrees of success. I agree that he's blocked right now from playing for us with Dobson, Pulock, and Mayfield ahead of him long-term. And even if Mayfield moves on or we lose him in the expansion draft, is Wilde a 3rd pairing defenseman?

It's not tremendously hard to learn how to play wing, especially when you've been around the game as long as any NHLer has. Could it be a risk worth taking if we can't find a trade partner that would benefit us?

 

[PWJunior]

St. Louis once had Pietrangelo, Parayko, and Shattenkirk at RHD...

No sense in trading Wilde now,

 

[leeroggy]

St. Louis once had Pietrangelo, Parayko, and Shattenkirk at RHD...

No sense in trading Wilde now,

But Shattenkirk played LD that year and was the main PP QB. Do we want Dobson back on the left side? He played so much better on the right.

 

[PWJunior]

But Shattenkirk played LD that year and was the main PP QB. Do we want Dobson back on the left side? He played so much better on the right.

Wilde has little value right now, his ELC will slide again so he has a full ELC starting officially next season. He probably needs 2 AHL seasons for seasoning before he is a legitimate NHL option. He has some awesome tools, but he needs reps in pro hockey to refine his decision making and defensive play.

If he booms, he could be a beast. He could be the best #1PPQB option in the entire organization with his strengths. I would hold onto him and let him develop in peace. If he continues to trend positively, then he'll be worth a lot more down the line. Even if we keep him, he could be the #3RD and PP specialist in 2022-23. Dobson with 3 NHL seasons under his belt and Pulock as the top guy. Pulock-Dobson-Wilde would be the sickest RHD group in the league.

With expansion after next season, we could lose Mayfield and Boychuk could be movable with only 1 year left on his deal. Hutton could be a nice option as a #3RHD and Wilde could get some NHL in his D+4 season. Next year is all about Dobson becoming a true full time NHLer and gets to play in the playoffs.

I don't touch the RD group right now. If we can get rid of Boychuk's contract, that would be ideal and I don't really see that happening until next year's offseason. Maybe Seattle can be tempted to get some veteran leadership and select Boychuk?

Leddy makes the most sense to deal and ideally for picks. Maybe load up on 2021 picks to give Lou more flexibility entering expansion.

 

[buud]

Completely happy with our RD as is. Considering that Dobson, Wilde, and Hutton are young, I say we keep giving them time, and hope for at least 2 of them to excel AT the NHL level.

I like the idea of trying Wilde at RW. We only have Eberle and Clutterbuck as RH'd forwards who play RW, and he has size. I say why not try it? Good suggestion, islesny88

 

[leeroggy]

Completely happy with our RD as is. Considering that Dobson, Wilde, and Hutton are young, I say we keep giving them time, and hope for at least 2 of them to excel AT the NHL level.

I like the idea of trying Wilde at RW. We only have Eberle and Clutterbuck as RH'd forwards who play RW, and he has size. I say why not try it? Good suggestion, islesny88

Hutton will already be 25 in July.

 

[PWJunior]

Completely happy with our RD as is. Considering that Dobson, Wilde, and Hutton are young, I say we keep giving them time, and hope for at least 2 of them to excel AT the NHL level.

I like the idea of trying Wilde at RW. We only have Eberle and Clutterbuck as RH'd forwards who play RW, and he has size. I say why not try it? Good suggestion, islesny88

That would be pretty radical, I don't like the idea of Brent Burns'ing or Big Buff'ing Wilde. The kid is a d-man, there is a path and role open to him that should play to his strengths fairly soon.

I am still high on Wahlstrom and he's a RH shot RW entering his D+3 season. I liked what I saw during his NHL stint, there were certainly glimpses of the type of player he could be. Assuming his ELC slides again this year, he'll have a full ELC in tow next season so he got a bonus AHL/NHL season under his belt.

I would love to see Bailey-Pageau-Wahlstrom as our 3rd line next season.

 

[islesny88]

That would be pretty radical, I don't like the idea of Brent Burns'ing or Big Buff'ing Wilde. The kid is a d-man, there is a path and role open to him that should play to his strengths fairly soon.

I am still high on Wahlstrom and he's a RH shot RW entering his D+3 season. I liked what I saw during his NHL stint, there were certainly glimpses of the type of player he could be. Assuming his ELC slides again this year, he'll have a full ELC in tow next season so he got a bonus AHL/NHL season under his belt.

I would love to see Bailey-Pageau-Wahlstrom as our 3rd line next season.

I get it’s not really realistic but I think it’s a fun idea. And I agree, whalstrom still has high end potential regardless of what people say, so does holmstrom. But our rws are getting up there in age. Brassard likely won’t be back. Bailey and Eberle are both 28/29, around there. We’ll likely move on from one or both in a few years. We’ll need replacements.
I think it’s just a fun idea to speculate about. Just imagine if he could make the transition, he’d be much more of a help playing 2nd/3rd line minutes then playing behind Pulock and Dobson.

 

[IslesCLT]

I would love to see Bailey-Pageau-Wahlstrom as our 3rd line next season.

This was my 3rd line in NHL20 and Wahlstrom put up some points!

Then I traded Leddy for Tatar and back to Bridgeport he went haha.

 

[PWJunior]

I get it’s not really realistic but I think it’s a fun idea. And I agree, whalstrom still has high end potential regardless of what people say, so does holmstrom. But our rws are getting up there in age. Brassard likely won’t be back. Bailey and Eberle are both 28/29, around there. We’ll likely move on from one or both in a few years. We’ll need replacements.
I think it’s just a fun idea to speculate about. Just imagine if he could make the transition, he’d be much more of a help playing 2nd/3rd line minutes then playing behind Pulock and Dobson.

I'm ok with our RW situation. Eberle and Bailey are finesse skill players who should be able to play their games for a couple of seasons. They're not 32 or something. As I mentioned about Wahlstrom, I am high on him and there is no issue with having his ELC slide this time. I think he's on the NHL roster on opening night next season. Holmstrom brings speed and skill with solid size, he got an AHL season under his belt at 18 years of age. He could surprise in another year or two.

We need another gamebreaker to pair with Barzal, not necessarily on the same line. I also prefer that player is a LH shot. We are a bit RH heavy (which is probably a good thing) so I want an impact LC/LW. On the chance lightning strikes and we get a top-3 pick then any one of LaFreniere, Byfield, or Stutzle would be perfect. Sigh.

 

[IslesNorway]

Dreger reporting that the June 1st date will be pushed back one month so they can figure out what to do with free agents

 

[MJF]

 

[DarkHorse2]

So signing all three puts us at 51 contracts (Jenkins doesn't count unless he plays in the AHL or NHL.)
Which means we either already jettisoned at least one player or they are about to be jettisoned shortly.

Unless the contracts don't count until next season I guess.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

So signing all three puts us at 51 contracts (Jenkins doesn't count unless he plays in the AHL or NHL.)
Which means we either already jettisoned at least one player or they are about to be jettisoned shortly.

Unless the contracts don't count until next season I guess.

They're for next season.

 

[IslesNorway]

Good to see them signed. They are all long shots but sometimes you get lucky.

 

[danteipp]

Good org signings. It will be interesting to watch how the Isles either move some other contracts out and/or who they opt not to extend.

I am hoping that Bridgeport starts to get more competitive going forward. I have never really disliked Thompson, but it is probably time for some new blood.