Prospect Info: Phantoms (AHL), Reading Royals (ECHL), NCAA, Jrs., Int'l, etc. [The June 2022 Edition]

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Lehigh Valley Phantoms Media and Team Coverage

Allentown Morning Call

• Website -- Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Philadelphia Flyers hockey news & scores - The Morning Call

American Hockey League

• Website -- TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League | The official website of the American Hockey League
• Transactions -- TheAHL.com

Lehigh Valley Phantoms

• Website -- Home - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
• Facebook -- Lehigh Valley Phantoms
• Radio Twitter -- Listen to Phantoms Radio 24/7 on TuneIn
• Bob Rotruck's Twitter (Radio PxP) -- Bob Rotruck (@BobRotruck) | Twitter
• Schedule News --

Inside AHL Hockey

• Website -- Inside AHL Hockey
• Tony Androckitis' Twitter -- Tony Androckitis (@TonyAndrock) | Twitter

===============================================================

Reading Royals Media and Team Coverage

ECHL

• Website -- ECHL

Reading Eagle

• Website -- NHL – Reading Eagle
• Matt Knaub's Twitter -- https://twitter.com/Matt_Knaub

Reading Royals

• Website -- Home
• Twitter -- Reading Royals (@ReadingRoyals) | Twitter
• Schedule --

====================================================================

Miscellaneous

• Canadian Major Juniors -- CHL
• College Hockey -- All the News and Much More : College Hockey News and College Hockey | USCHO.com
• Elite Prospects -- Elite Prospects - Hockey Players, Stats and Transactions
• Hockey Prospects -- https://hockeyprospect.com/
• International -- IIHF - Home

=====================================================================

Previous Thread: (Prospect Info: - Phantoms (AHL), Reading Royals (ECHL), NCAA, Jrs., Int'l, etc. [The Post-Trade Deadline Edition]).

Click to read more...

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Reading Royals announce Protected Players list

The Reading Royals have announced their protected players list following the 2021-22 season.

www.wfmz.com

Jun. 2—The Reading Royals announced their 2022 protected list Thursday, retaining the rights to 23 players, 18 of whom played for Reading in 2021-22.​

​

The list:​

​

Forwards (13): Frank DiChiara, Kevin Conley, Kenny Hausinger, Trevor Gooch, Brayden Low, Grant Cooper, Thomas Ebbing, Patrick Bajkov, Jackson Cressey, Jacob Pritchard, Zane Franklin, Corey Mackin and Matt Schmalz.​

​

Defensemen (8): Garrett Cecere, Patrick McNally, Garret Cockerill, Dominic Cormier, Mike Chen, Mike Crocock, Aaron Titcomb, Rob Michel.​

​

Goaltenders (2): Hayden Hawkey, Logan Flodell.​

 

[macleish1974]

"I think if McClennon improved his skating he'd have been signed, but being a good but not elite CHL scorer didn't bode well for his NHL future."

Question:

If they did not sign him to an NHL ELC, could the Flyers offer him an AHL contract, IF we wanted, to the Phantoms??

 

[deadhead]

They probably could, but I think he'd first see if he can sign with another NHL team.
But LHV is a bit crowded at RW:
Brink?, Foerster, Wisdom, Hodgson, Sandin. Brink would have to beat out one of TK, Atkinson, Tippett and Allison for a NHL job.

Brink, Foerster and Wisdom are better prospects and would get PT ahead of McClennon.
Hodgson has already shown he can play at the NHL level, would be a key LHV veteran and a potential injury call up.
Sandin is auditioning for the role that Hodgson is filling, the veteran AHL player with enough skill to fill in at the NHL level.

 

[FLYguy3911]

"I think if McClennon improved his skating he'd have been signed, but being a good but not elite CHL scorer didn't bode well for his NHL future."

Question:

If they did not sign him to an NHL ELC, could the Flyers offer him an AHL contract, IF we wanted, to the Phantoms??

Yes but they won't. The player has options.

 

[mr4tno]

I do not really have anything to say. I just wanted to see the replies counter increase....

 

[Powinkle]

Hello! What are your thoughts on Zamula? Seems young and had a decent year on a not so great phantoms team?

 

[deadhead]

Hello! What are your thoughts on Zamula? Seems young and had a decent year on a not so great phantoms team?

Zamula is a bit of an odd duck, smooth skater, good exit passer, good IQ but doesn't really have an offensive skill package, lacks good speed or a great shot or great vision to drive play.

So he's more of a reliable defensive defenseman, but he's rail thin (wiry strength so he plays above his weight class), so he may struggle to physically handle bigger NHL forwards (high center of gravity and lack of mass makes him easy to push around), depends on his length and stick to make defensive plays.

His slight frame also raises the question of durability over an 82 game season, not so much injuries (doesn't seem to be injury prone) but stamina - the long season can wear down players and he doesn't have excess muscle mass to lose. So you'd probably want to limit his minutes until he physically matures - he'll only be 22 this season.

Think he's a 3rd pair D-man right now, who can move up the lineup later in his career as he adds strength and experience and learns how to compensate for his physique. Upside is a reliable CYA partner to a more offensively talented D-man.

 

[Powinkle]

Zamula is a bit of an odd duck, smooth skater, good exit passer, good IQ but doesn't really have an offensive skill package, lacks good speed or a great shot or great vision to drive play.

So he's more of a reliable defensive defenseman, but he's rail thin (wiry strength so he plays above his weight class), so he may struggle to physically handle bigger NHL forwards (high center of gravity and lack of mass makes him easy to push around), depends on his length and stick to make defensive plays.

His slight frame also raises the question of durability over an 82 game season, not so much injuries (doesn't seem to be injury prone) but stamina - the long season can wear down players and he doesn't have excess muscle mass to lose. So you'd probably want to limit his minutes until he physically matures - he'll only be 22 this season.

Think he's a 3rd pair D-man right now, who can move up the lineup later in his career as he adds strength and experience and learns how to compensate for his physique. Upside is a reliable CYA partner to a more offensively talented D-man.

Appreciate the detailed response. Would a fair NHL comparable be Braun then?

Is he considered the flyers best defensive defenseman prospect currently?

 

[deadhead]

Appreciate the detailed response. Would a fair NHL comparable be Braun then?

Is he considered the flyers best defensive defenseman prospect currently?

York is their best defensive prospect at both ends of the ice, no outstanding quality but someone you'd rate as good to very good in almost all aspects of the game other than physicality.

Hogberg is faster than Zamula, but also limited in terms of offensive skill, I'd give Zamula the edge defensively.

Attard is bigger, more physically mature, but an offense first defenseman with a plus shot, will need time to learn the nuances of NHL defense. Gets overly aggressive and caught out of position, but quickly adjusted in his first taste of NHL action.

Andrae is farther away, smaller D-man who dominated Allsvenskan, especially in the playoffs, b/c his SHL team got demoted. Will play in the SHL at 20 next season, the highest upside after York but from all reports, more of an offensive defenseman.

So after York, I'd have Zamula as their best defenseive defenseman, but I don't see him as a shutdown guy, a younger Braun is not a bad comparison, more of a reliable type that doesn't wow you but gets the job done on a consistent basis.

 

[Beef Invictus]

Appreciate the detailed response. Would a fair NHL comparable be Braun then?

Is he considered the flyers best defensive defenseman prospect currently?

Braun is a bad comparison. He is far more skilled with the puck than Braun. Isn't a defensive dman.

The Flyers want him to be Braun, and because he isn't they do their utmost to refuse to use him even though they badly need his skillset.

 

[deadhead]

Zamula isn't that skilled, he's good at handling the puck on exits, but not much of a factor offensively. He didn't drive play at the AHL level and he's not going to at the NHL level.

Braun averaged 19 assists (7 primary assists) a year from 26-32, he wasn't a total cipher with the puck, FLyers fans just saw him at the end of his career.

 

[Beef Invictus]

Zamula isn't that skilled, he's good at handling the puck on exits, but not much of a factor offensively. He didn't drive play at the AHL level and he's not going to at the NHL level.

Braun averaged 19 assists (7 primary assists) a year from 26-32, he wasn't a total cipher with the puck, FLyers fans just saw him at the end of his career.

Transition and exits are vital. Zamula does things there Braun never has. Their styles arent close at all.

 

[captainpaxil]

Appreciate the detailed response. Would a fair NHL comparable be Braun then?

Is he considered the flyers best defensive defenseman prospect currently?

He looks to me like a poor man's parayko.

 

[Doodootheclown]

Reading Royals announce Protected Players list

The Reading Royals have announced their protected players list following the 2021-22 season.

www.wfmz.com

Jun. 2—The Reading Royals announced their 2022 protected list Thursday, retaining the rights to 23 players, 18 of whom played for Reading in 2021-22.​

​

The list:​

​

Forwards (13): Frank DiChiara, Kevin Conley, Kenny Hausinger, Trevor Gooch, Brayden Low, Grant Cooper, Thomas Ebbing, Patrick Bajkov, Jackson Cressey, Jacob Pritchard, Zane Franklin, Corey Mackin and Matt Schmalz.​

​

Defensemen (8): Garrett Cecere, Patrick McNally, Garret Cockerill, Dominic Cormier, Mike Chen, Mike Crocock, Aaron Titcomb, Rob Michel.​

​

Goaltenders (2): Hayden Hawkey, Logan Flodell.​

Good to see they retained the Gooch

 

[Magua]

Zamula is a defensive defenseman.

He and Ginning are vying for the same role/roll. And let's just say one has man strength.

 

[Larry44]

Hello! What are your thoughts on Zamula? Seems young and had a decent year on a not so great phantoms team?

Zamula is a tall, lanky Dman who skates well, moves the puck well and doesn't shy away from contact. Thinks the game well and has a future in the top 4 for sure. His stated goal is to play in the top pairing with Provorov. Has offensive skill and isn't bad on D. All he needed was time to adjust to pro-game and get some of his man strength. He looked very good in his late season call up.

I expect York to be in the NHL squad next season and Big Z to challenge for a spot in the lineup from the start, but to be regular by Christmas. It all depends what kind of jackass Fletcher hires as a coach and whether it's someone who will play a talented rookie who can skate over a slow, useless veteran.

 

[renberg]

The Flyers want him to be Braun, and because he isn't they do their utmost to refuse to use him even though they badly need his skillset.

This what happens all to often in Philly. Pound that square peg into a round hole. It'll fit goddam it!
They need to stop this stuff. Z can play. He has skills. Use them instead of trying to make him into something else. Hopefully the next HC will have the sense to use the players the way that their abilities play best.

 

[BernieParent]

Appreciate the detailed response. Would a fair NHL comparable be Braun then?

Is he considered the flyers best defensive defenseman prospect currently?

Thanks for throwing that grenade into our clubhouse. Just when we had gotten those two to settle down, too!

 

[TB87]

Would a fair NHL comparable be Braun then?

No. They couldn’t be more different really. Pretty sure I know who told you different too lol. Zamula is aggressive in all 3 zones…always. Braun can barely do anything with the puck on his stick. Braun is an actually good defensive-defenseman. Zamula is skilled and creative. Wouldn’t put it past the Flyers though to beat the skill out of Zamula in the favor of “safeness.”

 

[TheKingPin]

Hello! What are your thoughts on Zamula? Seems young and had a decent year on a not so great phantoms team?

He seemed very effective and calm with breakouts, especially given his age. He isn’t a top pair more than likely, but I guess it could happen with development and a true #1 partner.

 

[BritainStix]

Zamula should have been on the club all pf last year. But ya know, we need dem hits from fisto.....

 

[Rebels57]

In another organization devoid of the delusions of competing with veteran try-hards and lockeroom all-stars, Zamula would already have a full NHL season in the Top 4 under his belt.

 

[deadhead]

Zamula needed a season in the AHL, people forget how inexperienced he is, as well as physically immature.
Nor is he some uber-talent who can compensate for lack of experience with off the wall physical skills.
He didn't exactly dominate the AHL last season. And was dinged to start the season, lost 10 lbs to illness in mid-season.
Nor did he stand out once promoted, 0 points in 10 games, -6, nice metrics with everyone but Provorov, but bad results.

In the 3 seasons from age 18-20, before last season:
25 AHL games
17 Int'l games, WJC-18, WJC-20
169 CHL games

Zamula doesn't have great speed, has an average shot at best, is a good passer but doesn't show great vision.
He's smart, a smooth skater, good positioning, uses his stick well, but some people around here are fluffing him like they do every prospect they think should be rushed to the NHL.

Next season he'll be competing with Attard and Hogberg for the last spot, or if Ellis can't return, the last two spots on the roster.

 

[Beef Invictus]

Zamula needed a season in the AHL, people forget how inexperienced he is, as well as physically immature.
Nor is he some uber-talent who can compensate for lack of experience with off the wall physical skills.
He didn't exactly dominate the AHL last season. And was dinged to start the season, lost 10 lbs to illness in mid-season.
Nor did he stand out once promoted, 0 points in 10 games, -6, nice metrics with everyone but Provorov, but bad results.

In the 3 seasons from age 18-20, before last season:
25 AHL games
17 Int'l games, WJC-18, WJC-20
169 CHL games

Zamula doesn't have great speed, has an average shot at best, is a good passer but doesn't show great vision.
He's smart, a smooth skater, good positioning, uses his stick well, but some people around here are fluffing him like they do every prospect they think should be rushed to the NHL.

Next season he'll be competing with Attard and Hogberg for the last spot, or if Ellis can't return, the last two spots on the roster.

You insist every single decision made by management is exactly what the player needs at that time, even when it goes against your own assessments. Which the Zamula handling did.

It's especially comedic when it creates contradictions in short periods.

One would think that with such flawless development, they'd get more utility out of their players. Kinda weird that they don't.