Prospect Info: Kings Prospects in the CHL/College Part II

[verbalkint47]

Why does 1 of them have to move to wing? They seem like a perfect 1-2 punch down the middle.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Why does 1 of them have to move to wing? They seem like a perfect 1-2 punch down the middle.

People, including me, still have doubts Gabe can play a 200 ft game due to his average skating.

 

[Choralone]

Vilardi’s faceoff prowess is argument alone to leave him at center.

 

[BallPointHammer]

Some of you guys need to study up on probability and statistics. Unless a player has some chronic injury (such as groin/concussion) or gets repeating injuries from reckless play or physical frailty -- there is no injury prone. Just bad luck. And with apologies to Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes, there is no law of averages that states "chances go around". Sure in the long run they will tend to even out but as congresswoman AOC's favorite economist Milton Keynes once said -- " in the long run we are all dead".

LOL with a snort.

 

[No Name The Nameless]

Some of you guys need to study up on probability and statistics. Unless a player has some chronic injury (such as groin/concussion) or gets repeating injuries from reckless play or physical frailty -- there is no injury prone. Just bad luck. And with apologies to Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes, there is no law of averages that states "chances go around". Sure in the long run they will tend to even out but as congresswoman AOC's favorite economist Milton Keynes once said -- " in the long run we are all dead".

Back problems are of the chronic variety. They also lead to other injuries due to overcompensating.

 

[KopitarFAN]

Why does 1 of them have to move to wing? They seem like a perfect 1-2 punch down the middle.

In an ideal situation, Stutzle or Byfield are better than both, Turcotte becomes the #2, Gabe moves to the wing.

 

[KopitarFAN]

2/29 results:

Hamilton lost 8-2, Kaliyev had an Assist(54) and -2.
Kitchener won 5-4 in a SO, Ingham stopped 37/41. Dudas had an Assist(37) and -1.
Spokane won 4-3 in a SO, Parik DNP.

3/1 games:

Barrie @ Peterborough (Thomas)
London (Phillips) @ Erie
Moncton (Spence) @ Rimouski

 

[King'sPawn]

Kaliyev's assist yesterday was his 247th point for Hamilton, which ties a club record set by Matthew Strome. What's amazing is Kaliyev did it in 190 games. It took Strome 260.

 

[Fishhead]

People, including me, still have doubts Gabe can play a 200 ft game due to his average skating.

He's honestly not much slower than Kopitar. One thing I've noticed with Gabe is he looks likes hes going at very different speeds from game to game. Being lined up against such a quick line against NJ, it looked like he was thinking a LOT out there and not reacting. His speed is certainly an acclimation issue as much as a physical one.

As he keeps learning, I don't think his skating will be a detriment at all. It's never going to be a strength for sure.

 

[Statto]

He's honestly not much slower than Kopitar. One thing I've noticed with Gabe is he looks likes hes going at very different speeds from game to game. Being lined up against such a quick line against NJ, it looked like he was thinking a LOT out there and not reacting. His speed is certainly an acclimation issue as much as a physical one.

As he keeps learning, I don't think his skating will be a detriment at all. It's never going to be a strength for sure.

It’s a question mark for sure however we need to remember he is still playing catch up and probably still isn’t as fast as he was in junior. A full preseason will give us a much better feel for how is skating will trend but I’d imagine he’s got a good 12-18 months of organic improvement there, plus any actual technical development. He won’t be an elite skater but if he ends up average speed wise then that’s a result. His IQ is going to be elite so with the right line mates he’s going to be deadly.

 

[Herby]

Not the end of the world if he's just a one-dimensional offensive player or even switches over to playing the wing, or even if he does most of his damage on the PP.

Players like this have been frowned upon by the Kings and alot of this fanbase but plenty of teams employ guys like this and they play important roles.

 

[KingLB]

Its hard to say in the first few games of an NHL career. Lots of guys "look slower" cause mentally they can't keep up with the pace of play, so there reactions are a half second behind putting their legs a half second behind. That along with improve knowledge of teammates/angles you need to play in the NHL can improve "speed" or atleast the appearance of speed by a player.

Not to say improving that that is the only thing that could hold Vilardi back speed wise. But getting to a Thornton/Kopi/Getz level of skating is all you need to dominate if you use your body properly.

A guy like Turcotte couldn't survive with Vilardi's skating. But they don't play the same game.

 

[King'sPawn]

Keep in mind that while skating is important, people put too much emphasis on skating speed. Otherwise, you'd all be fawning over Austin Wagner.

What Vilardi has over many prospects is speed of mind. He processes the game very quickly and he moves the puck without much telegraphing.

While Vilardi does need to improve his skating to get back in the defensive zone faster, he doesn't need high-end speed to make plays or protect the puck.

 

[Fishhead]

It was obvious that Gabe struggled a couple times speed wise going back on defense, but we do see what Kopitar always does and it skews the perception a bit. Anze is a beast on the backcheck, he's so dominant physically and is a complete handful. Vilardi will likely never have that in his game, and I for one hope they don't try to turn him into that. Guys like Kopitar, Toews, Bergeron, they are few and far between. I'd rather the team try to develop him with more of a focus on offense, as long has his defense is acceptable. Turcotte already has that in his game, and Kopitar is going to be here a while still. With Vilardi's offensive strengths, I'd like to see him cut loose a bit. Responsible play is important, but the team has drafted a lot of guys who are more pure offensive firepower lately. I just don't want to see them saddled down by so many defensive requirements that they overthink it and are a step behind. Gotta release the hounds a little bit.

 

[KopitarFAN]

3/1 results:

Peterborough won 6-1, Thomas had an Assist(55) and +2.
London won 6-3, Phillips had an Assist(7) and +1.
Moncton won 3-1, Spence was scoreless and -1.

3/3 games:

London (Phillips) @ Kitchener (Ingham)

 

[Fat Elvis]

Our boy Bulat has 11 goals in 15 games. Granted it's MHL, but at least he's a bit beasty.

Let the speculation that he's a future first liner begin....

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Our boy Bulat has 11 goals in 15 games. Granted it's MHL, but at least he's a bit beasty.

Let the speculation that he's a future first liner begin....

Those guys are all dead to me until they leave Russia, honestly.

Pretty sick of the development path being "we're going to bury you on the 4th line until you're mid-20s and give up on the NHL."

 

[Fat Elvis]

Those guys are all dead to me until they leave Russia, honestly.

Pretty sick of the development path being "we're going to bury you on the 4th line until you're mid-20s and give up on the NHL."

Concur, unless they have some connection to NA or coming to play in NA, I'd leave them alone.

 

[KopitarFAN]

3/3 results:

London won 6-2, Phillips was scoreless and +3, Ingham stopped 26/31 in 40 minutes.

3/4 games:

Owen Sound (Dudas) @ Flint
Spokane (Parik) @ Edmonton

 

[Magnificent66]

GV is better at fo and will be no 1 center

Yep. Getzlaf 2.0.

 

[KopitarFAN]

3/4 results:

Owen Sound won 5-2, Dudas had a Goal(15), an Assist(38) and +2.
Spokane won 6-2, Parik stopped 25/27.

3/5 games:

Hamilton (Kaliyev) @ Peterborough (Thomas)
Owen Sound (Dudas) @ Windsor
Moncton (Spence) @ Acadie-Bathurst

 

[Fat Elvis]

It's good to have Parik, Ingham and Villalta in the pipeline.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

It's good to have Parik, Ingham and Villalta in the pipeline.

Agree! Need to have one of them make the NHL.

 

[kovacro]

Bulldogs fired their HC. Not sure what sort of effect it will have on Kaliyev and Co.

They are down 3-0 after 20 mins in Peterborough.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Bulldogs fired their HC. Not sure what sort of effect it will have on Kaliyev and Co.

They are down 3-0 after 20 mins in Peterborough.

Arty can become the player/coach for Bulldogs.