The Q doesn't draw from quite the same talent pool. I also think the bigger problem for the Q has always been they lose Eastern kids in their area to college hockey and prep hockey at a huge rate. As California and Washington have developed more prospects the W has benefited along with actually finding ways to get kids out of Minnesota long a hurdle. Still doesn't happen all the time, but it happens more these days in my opinion. The OHL has benefited from the jump in quality in Chicago, St. Louis, Columbus, Pittsburgh and Michigan kids turning that route more and more. I think it is the dynamics of where they draw from.One of the funniest parts is the southern expansion has helped the CHL, not that I expect Don Cherry to start touting it, but they have benefited from some of those kids coming north to their junior league as well.
But at times the Q has been undervalued. They still do have plenty of talent. The Wings as a scouting staff has always really been featuring and focusing on areas that are undervalued. So it doesn't surprise me that they have mined the Q often for the last decade, sometimes with success and some other notable misses. But I think that is one thing the Wings have done since Devellano took over, they are always looking at areas where other teams aren't paying as close of attention. Yeah Russia was a boon. But we now heavily scout Czech and Slovak hockey when other teams are saying it is down. It is interesting, but it happens with a frequency that I don't think it is an accident. While yes the scouting world has shrunk with technology and resources being used by all NHL teams, there are still things to be gained by being a little harder invested in certain areas.
I think Veleno is an example of while every scout expected more offense or more this, they have liked the progression in his game. They had an idea of the areas they didn't like in it and how he could work at it. One of the more stunning things and Veleno didn't elaborate a ton in this article, but they basically said he was wasting energy and not skating efficiently. Even though it was one of his strengths they had issues with it and thought it could be a lot better.
Veleno is exciting to me, because he is a high character worker like a lot of the guys we have been betting on but he has a good platform to start with. I find it easier to buy in on this type of prospect, I see why the Wings like them. Talking about character and the off the ice stuff annoys people at times, but it is paying off with Cholo, Ras and of course Larkin. Most of his concerning areas are areas that traditionally get better as you go along and I think we can count on Veleno putting in the work. He has been good when I have caught the rare game with him in it this year.
'
