Prospect Info: Robert Thomas (20th overall in 2017)

[Celtic Note]

Thomas isn't small. He's 6 ft tall and already 190 lbs. Size won't be an issue for him.

Tiny was used to describe the difference in scoring, not his size.

 

[carter333167]

Wings fan stopping in to say I really like what you guys did with your two first round picks. Good luck!

Thanks very much!

 

[carter333167]

Honestly, he sounds more like a young Stastny than Schwartz. Really gifted playmaker, not a great shot, sees the ice really well...great work ethic, good skater (probably better in this dept than Stas).

 

[DatDude44]

Thomas isn't small. He's 6 ft tall and already 190 lbs. Size won't be an issue for him.

He meant that as he has a tiny bit less scoring ability than schwartz....not that he is tiny himself lmao...

 

[DatDude44]

Honestly, he sounds more like a young Stastny than Schwartz. Really gifted playmaker, not a great shot, sees the ice really well...great work ethic, good skater (probably better in this dept than Stas).

Very good comparison as well. I'd love another stastny with more footspeed and finesse.

 

[Starry Knight]

Depending on his usage next year, I wouldn't be surprised if he scores upwards of 100 points. His ability to make impossible plays can be reminiscent of Marner at times. Unbelievable vision.

 

[DatDude44]

Depending on his usage next year, I wouldn't be surprised if he scores upwards of 100 points. His ability to make impossible plays can be reminiscent of Marner at times. Unbelievable vision.

Yup just watched his shifts in one of their games against windsor recently. So much vision, can thread the needle, especially working the half wall on the PP, he fed kukkonen for a 1-t through a maze. Can't imagine how this guy would play in between tararasenko.

Extremely excited for thomas. He seems to be the whole package on and off the ice. Just need to work on that release, but the hockey sense, the hands, the speed, the vision are all there.

 

[EastonBlues22]

This was a great pick for the Blues. Liked him a decent amount better than Poehling.

 

[zman77]

Excellent pick for the Blues!!
He has high end skill.
Great work habits and attitude towards his Coaching Staff and Team-Mates.
Also:
He trained with Matthew Tkachuk in St. Louis last summer.

 

[DatDude44]

This was a great pick for the Blues. Liked him a decent amount better than Poehling.

I can't wait to see the difference between the two 3-5 years from now. I think thomas could be our stastny replacement(assuming stas signs a 2 yr deal after this year) and end up being an upgrade on what stastny has provided for us(not bashing stas, i'm high on thomas)

I think Poehling has a very limited ceiling with a fantastic chance to reach it, i think robert thomas has a giroux-esque ceiling tho obviously doubtful he hits THAT level.

 

[carter333167]

I've read that he has a good shot though not an ultra-quick release.

Game seems exceptionally well rounded...only thing again is that he probably needs to shoot once in a while to keep the D honest. He apparently thinks pass first, pass second and pass third.

His passes and vision are undeniably elite...think he will need decent wingers...he might develop into the best playmaker we have had in a very long time.

 

[tfriede2]

I've read that he has a good shot though not an ultra-quick release.

Game seems exceptionally well rounded...only thing again is that he probably needs to shoot once in a while to keep the D honest. He apparently thinks pass first, pass second and pass third.

His passes and vision are undeniably elite...think he will need decent wingers...he might develop into the best playmaker we have had in a very long time.

One's shot can be improved upon - hockey IQ and the ability to make passes in traffic is one of the hardest things to work on or improve. I'm sure he's aware that his shot will need to improve. He could be an exciting player for us in 2-3 years.

 

[carter333167]

One's shot can be improved upon - hockey IQ and the ability to make passes in traffic is one of the hardest things to work on or improve. I'm sure he's aware that his shot will need to improve. He could be an exciting player for us in 2-3 years.

Totally agree....the playmaking and vision are elite. Honestly, I don;t care whether he ever develops an elite shot b/c the rest of the package is so attractive.

 

[Vincenzo Arelliti]

I'm very high on Thomas. I think he has potential playmaking 1C ability, and can also hold his own in a 200-ft game. I think he has an average ceiling of a 2C, and outside of a few of the centers in the top of the draft, this guy was my choice center regardless of position.

 

[Mike Liut]

I'm very high on Thomas. I think he has potential playmaking 1C ability, and can also hold his own in a 200-ft game. I think he has an average ceiling of a 2C, and outside of a few of the centers in the top of the draft, this guy was my choice center regardless of position.

He flew under my radar, but after watching videos of him, i am really impressed with his vision and playmaking abilities. Looking forward to watching him develop

 

[KirkOut]

Who's a good comp? Mike Ribeiro?

 

[LetsGoBooze]

Who's a good comp? Mike Ribeiro?

Mathew Barzal

 

[Vincenzo Arelliti]

Who's a good comp? Mike Ribeiro?

I don't watch enough to feel comfortable making a comparison to anyone outside my immediate knowledge, but I would say he is a more universal passer than Stastny (Stastny likes to get set in the O-zone and then dish from behind the net), is faster, and plays a more cerebral defensive game. He won't be as imposing as Stastny physically, but he is more creative than Paul. I think he will end up a better match for top talent than Paul is, but I don't want to say that Thomas will necessarily put up more points, either.

Stastny is better down low, and plays a grindier defensive style. Thomas is more cerebral and highlight-reel passing is his forte.

These are just my thoughts from what I would describe as limited viewing (never live, never full-shifts, and limited to highlight-reels within the past month).

 

[Evocable Manager]

Who's a good comp? Mike Ribeiro?

He's not like Ribeiro at all.

Think Derek Stepan. That's the first guy that comes to mind. He may be a better playmaker (and Stepan the better goal scorer) but they play pretty similarly.

He's gonna need to use his shot more (shot isn't great but IMO better than perceived).

Hopefully him and Kyrou don't play together cause then only 1 player on that line would shoot the damn puck .

 

[DatDude44]

He's not like Ribeiro at all.

Think Derek Stepan. That's the first guy that comes to mind. He may be a better playmaker (and Stepan the better goal scorer) but they play pretty similarly.

He's gonna need to use his shot more (shot isn't great but IMO better than perceived).

Hopefully him and Kyrou don't play together cause then only 1 player on that line would shoot the damn puck .

I'd say stepan is a pretty realistic comparable. My ceiling comparable (him if he hits is max ceiling) would be giroux. Giroux especially a couple seasons ago when he was not only an elite point producing setup man but a very good 200ft player as well. That's my hopeful comparison for thomas and I'd say a stepan is a more realistic ceiling.

 

[LetsGoBooze]

Stepan, great comparison. In my limited viewing of both i can really see it.

 

[BangarangxRufio]

Scouting Report

http://lastwordonhockeyprospects.com/2017/04/23/robert-thomas-scouting-report/

I was really hoping that when I clicked on this it was going to take me to a Matchbox 20 music video

 

[BangarangxRufio]

The kid has GREAT vision and hands! I think his ability to create opportunities and see the ice is something you cannot teach. Which gives him a great base to develop off of, and could be a very solid #2C.

 

[Oberyn]

Krejci is a solid comparison for him as well.

 

[trevorftw]

Had to do it...