Stizzle
Registered User
- Feb 3, 2012
- 13,209
- 23,193
Here is this years winter prospect rankings and debate thread. Please feel free to post your list, comments, criticisms, questions, etc.
Below is my list. I chose not to include goalies...
1. Morgan Frost
2. Philippe Myers
3. Joel Farabee
4. Egor Zamula
5. Jay O'Brien
6. Misha Vorobyev
7. Tanner Laczynski
8. Wyatt Kalynuk
9. Wade Allison
10. Wyatte Wylie
11. Jack St. Ivany
12. German Rubtsov
13. Isaac Ratcliffe
14. Linus Hogberg
15. David Kase
16. Nicolas Aube-Kubel
17. Mark Friedman
18. Noah Cates
19. Connor Bunnaman
20. Adam Ginning
_____________________
Various Prospect Blurbs
_____________________
**(4) Egor Zamula**
Calgary, and Big Z, started really slow this year. After an initial scoreless 8 games, Zamula absolutely caught fire.
He looks like a high-end prospect to me. A physically immature kid, but he has everything you look for. Zamula has me believing.
This is the type of defenseman you shouldn't mind ranking high, despite not having a long track record. These guys don't grow on trees. I think the upside is actually fairly considerable.
Zamula is smooth, smart, and confident. He has a lot of similarities to a former lanky Hitmen defenseman we know. He has some tricky herky jerky moves to create space and open lanes that are pretty slick. Big Z is a pretty damn nice last signing by Hextall & Pryor. Thank the Calgary Flames for once again gifting us an undrafted free agent defenseman who is awesome.
**(5) Jay O'Brien**
After initially watching all of his available footage, JOB seemed like a more dynamic prospect than Farabee to me.
Unfortunately, 6 months later we don't have much more to go on because of injuries and his near non-existent role at the WJC.
I moved him down slightly just because Farabee seems like such a sure bet and Zamula's big rise. My viewings of him this season have been almost exclusively positive.
JOB is always looking to either create offense or hunt the puck. I said in the WJC thread, during the Sweden game, that when he has the puck it feels like something good is about to happen. He doesn't want to settle, which I appreciate. O'Brien remains a bit of an enigma, but he certainly looks like a real player.
**(6) Misha Vorobyev**
The Pimp is having a bit of a post-demotion hangover in Allentown. After a monster NHL preseason, he was "coached up" by Hak and quickly unceremoniously dumped to Lehigh Valley.
He's been just ok this season in the AHL. He still makes a play or two a game that forces you to sit up and pay attention, but I'd like to see more of what I saw late last season and this preseason. He hasn't been afforded the toolsiest of linemates or any PP1 time, which certainly isn't helping. I also have to assume Fazleev returning to Russia, and Rubtsov off in Voorhees rehabbing, hasn't helped his psyche either.
I've obviously been an ardent believer in Vorobyev, and said his game translates to the NHL better than the AHL. I'd like to think we saw a glimpse of that being true earlier this year. Unfortunately, Misha ran into the Dave Hakstol young player development program.
Misha Vorobyev is a playmaking center, who makes good use of skilled linemates with give and go plays. He anticipates plays in advance and can put himself in positions for good things to happen.
But he isn't a one man show. He doesn't have dynamic skating or finishing ability. Vorobyev really needs a quality wingman to thrive.
He will catch some linemates off guard at times with unexpected passes. I recall a Powerplay sequence, in the preseason game at MSG, where he even suprised Giroux with a quick return pass.
I believe Vorobyev should eventually be a help on the Flyers penalty kill. He has an excellent stick and makes gaining entry to the blue line miserable at times.
Additionally, the Flyers 2nd PP unit could use him, as controlled offensive zone entries are one of his strengths. Both passing and carrying. Although, I must say, he did not acclimate himself well on his brief stint on that unit in the NHL. For some reason he failed in getting back on defense when the opposing PK would gain possession. Although, one would assume, that should be an easy fix for Misha.
In conclusion, free Misha.
**(7) Tanner Laczynski**
Oh, we need a replacement for a right-handed power forward headed to free agency? Here's one that's actually good.
**(10) Wyatte Wylie**
My love of right-handed defensemen is undeniable. Just so valuable and difficult to find.
Wylie is really good, but I almost wish he didn't play for such a well coached and structured team in Everett. I'd like to see how he'd respond to a less friendly environment (i.e. Lehigh Valley) to see if any warts are being hidden. This is a really well rounded and low maintenance prospect. I have hope for him.
**(11) Jack St. Ivany**
This ranking of St. Ivany is not based on much. The WJC only gave us a glimpse of him and I haven't seen any of his games at Yale. My only real thought is his skating looked much better than the one time I saw him last year. But hey, sign me up for a lanky right-handed defense prospect with smarts and skill any day.
**(13) Isaac Ratcliffe**
For me, Ratcliffe is the toughest forward we have to project. He's an unusual prospect because of his unique build and play style. Also, Guelph is a somewhat poorly coached and underachieving team. So that adds to the difficulty in projecting him. I'd love to see what he looks like on a line with a real playmaking center, which Guelph lacks.
**(14) Linus Hogberg**
I have no confidence my ranking on Hogberg is accurate. I don't watch SHL games and only have his Corsi numbers, my few viewings from last years Champions League, and WJC games to go on. A prospect I like but a little bit out of sight, out of mind.
**(17) Mark Friedman**
Friedman looks the part. He can skate, is pretty skilled, and plays with some bite. Despite being a RHD, which is a huge plus, he just doesn't rate highly for me. I question his decision making with the puck.
**(18) Noah Cates**
Safe and reliable. Plays a heavy game. Put in the work. Provides structure to our group.
Below is my list. I chose not to include goalies...
1. Morgan Frost
2. Philippe Myers
3. Joel Farabee
4. Egor Zamula
5. Jay O'Brien
6. Misha Vorobyev
7. Tanner Laczynski
8. Wyatt Kalynuk
9. Wade Allison
10. Wyatte Wylie
11. Jack St. Ivany
12. German Rubtsov
13. Isaac Ratcliffe
14. Linus Hogberg
15. David Kase
16. Nicolas Aube-Kubel
17. Mark Friedman
18. Noah Cates
19. Connor Bunnaman
20. Adam Ginning
_____________________
Various Prospect Blurbs
_____________________
**(4) Egor Zamula**
Calgary, and Big Z, started really slow this year. After an initial scoreless 8 games, Zamula absolutely caught fire.
He looks like a high-end prospect to me. A physically immature kid, but he has everything you look for. Zamula has me believing.
This is the type of defenseman you shouldn't mind ranking high, despite not having a long track record. These guys don't grow on trees. I think the upside is actually fairly considerable.
Zamula is smooth, smart, and confident. He has a lot of similarities to a former lanky Hitmen defenseman we know. He has some tricky herky jerky moves to create space and open lanes that are pretty slick. Big Z is a pretty damn nice last signing by Hextall & Pryor. Thank the Calgary Flames for once again gifting us an undrafted free agent defenseman who is awesome.
**(5) Jay O'Brien**
After initially watching all of his available footage, JOB seemed like a more dynamic prospect than Farabee to me.
Unfortunately, 6 months later we don't have much more to go on because of injuries and his near non-existent role at the WJC.
I moved him down slightly just because Farabee seems like such a sure bet and Zamula's big rise. My viewings of him this season have been almost exclusively positive.
JOB is always looking to either create offense or hunt the puck. I said in the WJC thread, during the Sweden game, that when he has the puck it feels like something good is about to happen. He doesn't want to settle, which I appreciate. O'Brien remains a bit of an enigma, but he certainly looks like a real player.
**(6) Misha Vorobyev**
The Pimp is having a bit of a post-demotion hangover in Allentown. After a monster NHL preseason, he was "coached up" by Hak and quickly unceremoniously dumped to Lehigh Valley.
He's been just ok this season in the AHL. He still makes a play or two a game that forces you to sit up and pay attention, but I'd like to see more of what I saw late last season and this preseason. He hasn't been afforded the toolsiest of linemates or any PP1 time, which certainly isn't helping. I also have to assume Fazleev returning to Russia, and Rubtsov off in Voorhees rehabbing, hasn't helped his psyche either.
I've obviously been an ardent believer in Vorobyev, and said his game translates to the NHL better than the AHL. I'd like to think we saw a glimpse of that being true earlier this year. Unfortunately, Misha ran into the Dave Hakstol young player development program.
Misha Vorobyev is a playmaking center, who makes good use of skilled linemates with give and go plays. He anticipates plays in advance and can put himself in positions for good things to happen.
But he isn't a one man show. He doesn't have dynamic skating or finishing ability. Vorobyev really needs a quality wingman to thrive.
He will catch some linemates off guard at times with unexpected passes. I recall a Powerplay sequence, in the preseason game at MSG, where he even suprised Giroux with a quick return pass.
I believe Vorobyev should eventually be a help on the Flyers penalty kill. He has an excellent stick and makes gaining entry to the blue line miserable at times.
Additionally, the Flyers 2nd PP unit could use him, as controlled offensive zone entries are one of his strengths. Both passing and carrying. Although, I must say, he did not acclimate himself well on his brief stint on that unit in the NHL. For some reason he failed in getting back on defense when the opposing PK would gain possession. Although, one would assume, that should be an easy fix for Misha.
In conclusion, free Misha.
**(7) Tanner Laczynski**
Oh, we need a replacement for a right-handed power forward headed to free agency? Here's one that's actually good.
**(10) Wyatte Wylie**
My love of right-handed defensemen is undeniable. Just so valuable and difficult to find.
Wylie is really good, but I almost wish he didn't play for such a well coached and structured team in Everett. I'd like to see how he'd respond to a less friendly environment (i.e. Lehigh Valley) to see if any warts are being hidden. This is a really well rounded and low maintenance prospect. I have hope for him.
**(11) Jack St. Ivany**
This ranking of St. Ivany is not based on much. The WJC only gave us a glimpse of him and I haven't seen any of his games at Yale. My only real thought is his skating looked much better than the one time I saw him last year. But hey, sign me up for a lanky right-handed defense prospect with smarts and skill any day.
**(13) Isaac Ratcliffe**
For me, Ratcliffe is the toughest forward we have to project. He's an unusual prospect because of his unique build and play style. Also, Guelph is a somewhat poorly coached and underachieving team. So that adds to the difficulty in projecting him. I'd love to see what he looks like on a line with a real playmaking center, which Guelph lacks.
**(14) Linus Hogberg**
I have no confidence my ranking on Hogberg is accurate. I don't watch SHL games and only have his Corsi numbers, my few viewings from last years Champions League, and WJC games to go on. A prospect I like but a little bit out of sight, out of mind.
**(17) Mark Friedman**
Friedman looks the part. He can skate, is pretty skilled, and plays with some bite. Despite being a RHD, which is a huge plus, he just doesn't rate highly for me. I question his decision making with the puck.
**(18) Noah Cates**
Safe and reliable. Plays a heavy game. Put in the work. Provides structure to our group.
