LD Nikolas Brouillard - Québec Remparts, QMJHL (2013 undrafted)

[Number 57]

It is puzzling to me how a guy like Nikolas Brouillard (and many more, including Tkachev) is undrafted. I mean do NHL scouts even watch the games? He isn't even that small, at 5'11 (but 168 pounds). His puck carrying skills, his hands, his vision, his passing abilities, his breakout, his shooting (both wrister and slapper) are top-class.

He's a very high competitor and is always on the ice (often spends the whole 2 mins PP on the ice). Can definitely QB a power play and can also play on the PK. Physically and defensively he's alright, but of course needs some work before turning pro. But who doesn't ?

I think NHL teams should start drafting skills. How many 4th liners/grinders/goons are there on the free agent market every year? Draft the skills and worry about the size later on. Look at Andrighetto at the Habs camp, twice ignored at the NHL draft, barely 5'10 and world-class skills, challenging for a spot on the Habs already after just one AHL season.

Skills above all.

Give Brouillard a chance, a dominant offensive defenseman that can do everything on the ice.

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[Number 57]

2012-13 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 68 14 43 57
2013-14 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 68 12 49 61

 

[FLYguy3911]

You told me he was weak and not very agile in his own zone.

JK appreciate the scouting report. I have been intrigued by this kid since I saw him play in the Super Series a couple years ago. Like I said in another thread, I thought someone would have taken a shot on him. It wasn't like he was padding stats on a stacked team. He was his teams third leading scorer in his draft year and was second last year.

Looking forward to seeing what happens with him.

 

[izzy]

It is puzzling. He'll find a team that will give him a shot to make the NHL eventually though.

 

[Ceccles]

He played on the jets young stars tourney, and I liked how he played. He did not receive an offer to our TC and got sent back to the Q. He definately deserves a look, but an extra season in the chl never hurts a defenseman.

 

[Number 57]

You told me he was weak and not very agile in his own zone.

JK appreciate the scouting report. I have been intrigued by this kid since I saw him play in the Super Series a couple years ago. Like I said in another thread, I thought someone would have taken a shot on him. It wasn't like he was padding stats on a stacked team. He was his teams third leading scorer in his draft year and was second last year.

Looking forward to seeing what happens with him.

He IS weak.

Not sure about the second part though. He is extremely agile. My bad, not sure why I wrote that to you. I mean, I saw him cut a scoring chance in the crease, quickly deke out a guy, power skate his way towards the neutral zone, out-skate the remaining defender to create a breakaway chance for himself.... on the penalty kill.

He's something.

 

[SergeConstantin74]

It doesn't look like he put much effort in the gym over the past 3 years. He has always stayed at the same weight.

 

[Sweech]

I really liked him in the Jets camp and during the Young Stars Tourney, but I guess he didn't do enough to earn a rookie contract.

 

[wings5]

His stats throughout his Q career have been great and he just scored a hat rick tonight, someone should take a flyer on him.

 

[Ryker]

It is puzzling to me how a guy like Nikolas Brouillard (and many more, including Tkachev) is undrafted.

I have to agree, and the only reason I'm resurrecting this thread is because I wanted to ask that same question myself somewhere on these boards. I generally dislike the QMJHL and everything that comes out of it, but this guy seems legit.

 

[SergeConstantin74]

I have to agree, and the only reason I'm resurrecting this thread is because I wanted to ask that same question myself somewhere on these boards. I generally dislike the QMJHL and everything that comes out of it, but this guy seems legit.

What the hell? You dislike every player who comes out from the league? Bold statement.

 

[themelkman]

Drafted him in eastside and he was a STUD

 

[Number 57]

I have to agree, and the only reason I'm resurrecting this thread is because I wanted to ask that same question myself somewhere on these boards. I generally dislike the QMJHL and everything that comes out of it, but this guy seems legit.

So I guess you arn't much of a fan of Lecavalier Crosby Voracek Drouin MacKinnon Luongo Kucherov Bergeron Krejci Huberdeau Giroux Letang Vlasic Palat Ehlers, Mario Lemieux, Guy Lafleur, Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur, Ray Bourque

But YOU ARE a fan of Brouillard! Good to know!

 

[Ryker]

So I guess you arn't much of a fan of Lecavalier Crosby Voracek Drouin MacKinnon Luongo Kucherov Bergeron Krejci Huberdeau Giroux Letang Vlasic Palat Ehlers, Mario Lemieux, Guy Lafleur, Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur, Ray Bourque

But YOU ARE a fan of Brouillard! Good to know!

I said in general, not that there aren't any exceptions. So from that list I'd say I like maybe half of the players.

 

[WildcatMapleLeafs28]

He's a hard player to predict. He could be in the AHL tearing it next season or he could be totally ineffective. I could see the Habs inviting him this year , maybe a spot in Hamilton ? What's their depth look like next year ?

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

He's a hard player to predict. He could be in the AHL tearing it next season or he could be totally ineffective. I could see the Habs inviting him this year , maybe a spot in Hamilton ? What's their depth look like next year ?

They need LD on the farm, they only have Mac Bennett right now among LD who can be sent to the farm without waivers. So it would be a good fit.

IMO, Brouillard is a victim of the draft being only 7 rounds. He would have been picked if it was still 9 rounds like it was before 2005.

 

[savard95]

They need LD on the farm, they only have Mac Bennett right now among LD who can be sent to the farm without waivers. So it would be a good fit.

IMO, Brouillard is a victim of the draft being only 7 rounds. He would have been picked if it was still 9 rounds like it was before 2005.

I hope they invite him. Could be a very pleasant surprise!

 

[SergeConstantin74]

Brouillard is just dominating the Q this year.

17 points in 9 games.

7 goals and 5 assists in 4 games this week, including 2 hat tricks.

Even for a forward those are great stats.

 

[GBLeaf]

He was with the Leafs this off season. He did well too (scored against Montreal), but I think injury ended it.


Wouldn't be surprised if we went in for him.

 

[Knies iT]

He was with the Leafs this off season. He did well too (scored against Montreal), but I think injury ended it.


Wouldn't be surprised if we went in for him.

Would be worth a flier based on his statistical performance alone.

I can see it.

 

[Number13]

Bump. Signed an AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies today. Hopefully he has a good camp again without injury, he may be able to snag an ELC if the Leafs do another Grabner-esque contract dump.

 

[Jyrki Lumme]

Good AHL signing - makes Brennan expendable IMO

I can guarantee he's better i his own zone than Brennan...

 

[izzy]

Good AHL signing - makes Brennan expendable IMO

If he can put up Brennan type numbers he'll make the NHL considering he's much better defensively.

 

[willyjones]

Glad he is getting a shot kid deserves it .. i have seen him play live a few timesand he was a standout. I am not saying he is the second coming but for me he has all the skills to be better then just a 5 or 6 d man as a pro. Only time will tell but this kid if given a real shot will surprise people.