Most Overrated Drafted Prospects

[Dominance]

Gotta love the numerous 2019-drafted players being mentioned after the OP specifically stated it was too early one way or the other.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Kravtsov at 9 was based on some goals in post season.

Marginal prospect IMO.

 

[Hale The Villain]

As a Sens fan, I think Brannstrom and Thomson are overrated, mostly due to issues with decision-making.

Both have the skill and speed to be difference makers, but Brannstrom's hockey IQ leaves a lot to be desired, and Thomson is dumb as a rock.

 

[jfhabs]

Five players come to mind.

Quinn Hughes: A complete rover of a defensemen. He’ll be one of the best skaters, stickhandlers and playmakers in the NHL, but he wouldn’t know where the defensive zone is if you put up a sign for it. I also don’t like his hockey IQ at either end of the ice. He’ll put up a lot of points, but will give plenty back, and be a low end NHL’er.

Hayton: Another player whose hockey IQ I don’t like. It’s not that bad, but it’s a lot worse than the reputation it gets, in my opinion. He’s above-average across the board, but I don’t see the talent in any part of the game to be more than a 2C.

Samorukov: Classic case of an older CHL’er dominating in his last year in the league. I’ve always thought he’d play in the NHL, but I don’t buy that he has high upside. I don’t like his puck skill or vision.

Poehling: Another who will play in the NHL as an average player, but low-end upside. Small sample sizes don’t prove high upside over mediocre play in high sample sizes. I even think he’s getting the benefit of the doubt for his NCAA play in a way that others don’t get.

Zadina: Everyone overrated this guy to some extent. He’ll be a top six guy, maybe a top line guy, but I think he lacks the high-high end upside. Mediocre skating, size isn’t the advantage most thought it might be, not a line driver.

Mediocre play might point to you underrating him more then anything. Have you actually watch him play, because I haven't seen that from him in either NCAA, training camps, WJC. In fact, everytime I saw him play you can see he has a game that would easily transfer to the nhl, however his offense wasn't alway at the rendez-vous. But, that was mostly in the NCAA were he didn't have the best offensive wingers by his side and had more defensive responsabilities playing agaisnt the other teams top lines. Time will tell I guess. Most label him as a middle 6 center, I think that's a very safe projection.

 

[Kaners Bald Spot]

Another vote for Quinn Hughes and Filip Zadina.
From 2019, Byram and Turcotte

 

[VictorLustig]

As a Sens fan, I think Brannstrom and Thomson are overrated, mostly due to issues with decision-making.

Both have the skill and speed to be difference makers, but Brannstrom's hockey IQ leaves a lot to be desired, and Thomson is dumb as a rock.

Brännström has always been a bit overrated, never been particularly high on him. Will likely have a solid NHL career though.

 

[Hale The Villain]

Brännström has always been a bit overrated, never been particularly high on him. Will likely have a solid NHL career though.

Yeah I think he'll be a good 2nd pairing D for a long time, but I don't think he'll be considered a #1/2 D.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Demko. Don't get me wrong he has talent but I think his fundamentals, his tracking, and his lateral movement leave a lot to be desired.

Not really a big Tolvanen guy either but I dunno if he's really overrated anymore.

 

[Our Lady Peace]

As a Panther fan, I'm not the surest that Denisenko's style of play will translate to the NHL.

I think Tolvanen is (or was when he was in the KHL) overrated, but could become a 2nd line complimentary sniper.

Oliver Wahlstrom, another potential middle 6 sniper, but not top liner.

Kieffer Bellows I always thought was overrated, especially after a big 2018 WJC. I don't think he has the smarts or play-driving ability at all.

Tyler Madden, don't think he's much more than a 3rd liner, but for a 3rd rounder I guess you can't complain about that.

Morgan Frost, Akil Thomas, Ryan Merkley, Vitaly Abramov. Basically many CHLers that have high point totals in junior. A lot of play styles, especially Thomas, I think will not successfully translate to the NHL. I'm weary of a lot of CHLers because of that.

 

[Debrincat93]

• casey mittelstadt
• Riley Tufte
• Tage Thompson

 

[Scuba-Steve]

I will based this on guys I've actually watched since their draft year and keep it strictly to the OHL for now

Merkley (maybe less so the closer we got to the draft). Just more style then substance....he doesn't really play engaged hockey 5 on 5 and I think that's a massive problem at the next level (he's not nearly good enough to get away with it either)

Bouchard- I'm not sold on his 4 way mobility and I really think he's just a PP specialist with a good shot. I also don't think he really got better last year (and that's keeping in mind the shift in defensive responsibility) and actually played worst.

Nick Suzuki- this is a odd one, just never been a fan of his. This is one of the odd cases I'll go against the analytics which make strong cases for him for NHL success. To keep things short, he reminds me of Alex Nylander except with worst skating

I'm pretty confident in saying that you're just plain wrong. Just wait and watch.

 

[HuGo Sham]

what a surprise, poehling and suzuki already considered 'most' overrated. i'll let myself out ...

 

[The Great Weal]

Nick Suzuki- this is a odd one, just never been a fan of his. This is one of the odd cases I'll go against the analytics which make strong cases for him for NHL success. To keep things short, he reminds me of Alex Nylander except with worst skating

I'm sorry but you haven't seen Suzuki much lately if you think he has skating problems.

 

[Debrincat93]

Veleno. Just because he scored a lot of points doesn’t mean he has the offensive tools to become a 1st line player in the NHL.

this comment makes me think you only read the scoresheet with him and didnt read how his summer training went nor watch a minute of play?

 

[HabsMD97]

I'll go with Kravtsov, Tolvanen and Mittelstad

 

[Hoghandler]

Surprised Quinn Hughes has been getting votes here. He stepped into the NHL as a teenager and was an automatic breakout machine from his own zone at the end of last season. Posted just ridiculously good stats in this regard in his 5 games. Has picked up where he left off in the pre-season.

Plays with a ton of conviction and confidence while defending too. Size will always be a weakness, but hockey IQ, skill and skating are just too good to hold him back.

Not sure if he's a Calder finalist, but wouldn't bet against him.

 

[Cygnusx1018]

Mittelstatd. The hype he got was so unrealistic, he was listed as a top 3 prospect in many lists. I watched a lot of him and I just never saw it and I still don't. I read lots that boasted him as a top line centre potentially but I was always like nah 2nd line ceiling.

Wahlstrom. I don't see him having the ability to translate his game to the next level. I know he did better in the AHL but his college showings have me very hesitant on him.

He almost made the Isles this preseason. Very impressive showing. Should be a full time NHLer in 2020-21

 

[Cygnusx1018]

Kravtsov and Podkolzin

 

[EdJovanovski]

Surprised Quinn Hughes has been getting votes here. He stepped into the NHL as a teenager and was an automatic breakout machine from his own zone at the end of last season. Posted just ridiculously good stats in this regard in his 5 games. Has picked up where he left off in the pre-season.

Plays with a ton of conviction and confidence while defending too. Size will always be a weakness, but hockey IQ, skill and skating are just too good to hold him back.

Not sure if he's a Calder finalist, but wouldn't bet against him.

I agree he looked great in his stint at the end of last season, but I thought he looked sluggish & bad in the preseason. Looks almost like he's injured or sick.

 

[Hoghandler]

I agree he looked great in his stint at the end of last season, but I thought he looked sluggish & bad in the preseason. Looks almost like he's injured or sick.

Was just his last game where he didn’t play his best IMO. His partner Biega had an off night, as well as the forwards.

Can’t recall where I saw his breakout stats from last season but they were eye popping...

 

[sabremike]

• casey mittelstadt
• Riley Tufte
• Tage Thompson

What the heck are you talking about: Tage is one of the very few wingers in the sport capable of carrying a lion all by himself.

 

[TeddyBare]

Adam Fox
Tolvanen

 

[SupremeNachos]

I agree to an extent on both. I think Casey has a lot of talent but playing center in the NHL at such a young age is so tough. He might have more upside on the wing, but maybe in a few years if he sticks with it he will be a big time center. Wahlstrom just leaves me wanting so often, I don't have any question about his ability to do well in the NHL I just don't know if he actually will. He's a headscratcher, probably one of the most gifted prospects I've followed who has yet to realize his massive potential

He needed to stay another year in college.

 

[SupremeNachos]

What the heck are you talking about: Tage is one of the very few wingers in the sport capable of carrying a lion all by himself.

I can't tell if they are being playful or they are a bunch of lazy lionesses.

 

[Boxscore]

1. Nolan Patrick -- he's a lemon of a player and his upside isn't all that great even if healthy. A poor 2nd overall pick. I said he was snake oil prior to his draft and wished the Flyers passed. They could have had Heiskanen, Pettersson or Makar instead of him and they would be far better off.

2. Even Bouchard -- Just not a fan of this kid. He has a nice shot and some skill but he is extremely lax and has no jam or intensity whatsoever. There's just something about him that I never liked as a prospect.

3. Filip Zadina -- I really liked him in the World Juniors a couple of years ago, but after watching him in camp and preseason since he was drafted, he just looks average at the very best. The more I watch him, the less impressed I am by him.

4. Eeli Tolvanen -- Another prospect who I really liked coming out of the draft, but like with Zadina, the more I've watched him, the less I like him.

5. Ryan Poehling -- Quite honestly, he never impressed me as a high end prospect. I always felt he would be a "decent" NHLer who is good but nothing special.