RW Ozzy Wiesblatt - Prince Albert Raiders, WHL (2020, 31st, SJS)

[Richard88]

Yes it has, I am more of a believer in his production as an offensive player. I still do have some concerns about how much of his production can translate to the pros, however, in my spring list I moved him from 45th to 36th. He still plays on a very good team and still predominately gets major PP time, which obliviously helps with his statline. Nonetheless, I like him more than I do Jarvis and I do agree that he's not really talked about a lot. I think he could have the same impact as Parenteau did in the league, maybe doesn't have the top talent, but as you said can fill in a role/spot on the 2nd line. I would consider him at 28th, but more due to the fact that there will be a lot of players bunched up between 20th and 40th I suggest. I would prefer to pick him in the second round because that's more where I think he should go, but I believe the Avs do not have a 2nd rounder.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, much appreciated.

I think you've probably got him ranked in the right zone for where he'll go, but I can't help but think that some teams are going to regret passing on him late in the 1st round.

Despite the lack of NHL size I think he looks like a player who will be a real pest to play against, along with adding good speed and skill. With some development he could become a middle 6 version of one of the Tkachuk brothers. Sean Avery also comes to mind (he was also 5'10'').

Being feisty, physical, fast, and skilful is a nice combo, and due to his traits I think he's a pretty safe pick as he can fit in well in the bottom 6 even if his offense doesn't translate from juniors.

I agree that there's a group between 20-40 (or maybe 25-40ish) that are really bunched together, and I really hope Sakic has a plan to pick up a high 2nd round pick (with Zadorov/Jost/Kamenev) so as to be in prime position to pick up a 2nd player in that group. Coming away with two guys in the top 40 would be a great result, particularly if we manage to grab a RHD at #28 (eg. Niemela/Schneider) and forward with the acquired 2nd (eg. Wiesblatt).

 

[Brett44]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, much appreciated.

I think you've probably got him ranked in the right zone for where he'll go, but I can't help but think that some teams are going to regret passing on him late in the 1st round.

Despite the lack of NHL size I think he looks like a player who will be a real pest to play against, along with adding good speed and skill. With some development he could become a middle 6 version of one of the Tkachuk brothers. Sean Avery also comes to mind (he was also 5'10'').

Being feisty, physical, fast, and skilful is a nice combo, and due to his traits I think he's a pretty safe pick as he can fit in well in the bottom 6 even if his offense doesn't translate from juniors.

I agree that there's a group between 20-40 (or maybe 25-40ish) that are really bunched together, and I really hope Sakic has a plan to pick up a high 2nd round pick (with Zadorov/Jost/Kamenev) so as to be in prime position to pick up a 2nd player in that group. Coming away with two guys in the top 40 would be a great result, particularly if we manage to grab a RHD at #28 (eg. Niemela/Schneider) and forward with the acquired 2nd (eg. Wiesblatt).

I hope Sakic can found a (or more) pick between 32 and 45. For RHD Niemela, Schneider,Barron,Grans and Villeneuve. For forward lot of players are interesting. Reichel,Peterka,Greig,Neighbours ,Heinemen ,Torgersson and Wiesblatt and more...

 

[jc17]

Wiesblatt has some very impressive stats which suggest that he's being quite underrated. Especially since he played on quite a defensive-minded team this year.

(source: Draft Dynasty YT video above)...


6th in primary assists among all north american skaters:


View attachment 346994



10th in points per 20 mins:


View attachment 346995

That's definitely a good sign, but looking at historical numbers its still a mixed bag of successful NHLers and guys that never broke through that performed well in the Assists category

 

[rt]

Yes it has, I am more of a believer in his production as an offensive player. I still do have some concerns about how much of his production can translate to the pros, however, in my spring list I moved him from 45th to 36th. He still plays on a very good team and still predominately gets major PP time, which obliviously helps with his statline. Nonetheless, I like him more than I do Jarvis and I do agree that he's not really talked about a lot. I think he could have the same impact as Parenteau did in the league, maybe doesn't have the top talent, but as you said can fill in a role/spot on the 2nd line. I would consider him at 28th, but more due to the fact that there will be a lot of players bunched up between 20th and 40th I suggest. I would prefer to pick him in the second round because that's more where I think he should go, but I believe the Avs do not have a 2nd rounder.

How would you compare and contrast him with Ridly Greig and Tristen Robins?

 

[Tryblot]

How would you compare and contrast him with Ridly Greig and Tristen Robins?

Compare and contrast with all hockey players.

 

[rt]

Compare and contrast with all hockey players.

Good post. Thanks.

 

[Tryblot]

Good post. Thanks.

Anytime.

 

[S E P H]

How would you compare and contrast him with Ridly Greig and Tristen Robins?

He's the most offensively gifted of the three, but will have issues with a smaller frame. Modern NHL is heading towards players like Ozzy, so it isn't a big problem being small anymore. However, Greig plays a more pro style of game and that allows him more opportunity to create offence in a different way. Wiesblatt of his 25 goals had 10 on the powerplay, whereas Greig had 9 of his 26. On the assists ratio, Ozzy had 17 of his 45 assist with the man-advantage, while Greig had 17 of his 34 showing that both had very similar production. I do think Wiesblatt is a bit more crafty and creative with the puck, especially with more open space such as what you find on the PP. However, based on these stats Greig was able to hold his own with the man-advantage as well. I still consider Wiesblatt (and to some degree Greig) a bit of a powerplay specialist and perhaps that isn't great for a potential 1st rounder, you can do a lot worse.

I am a bit surprised how successful of a season Robins had, because offensively I still like Ozzy the most, but Robins is different to the other two players as he plays the most complete game and is the best goalscorer of the bunch. Nonetheless, I suggest that Robins was more of a benefit of teammates than the other two simply because he's a couple levels down in terms of offensive creativity. Tristen did have the lowest man-advantage points of the three and I am a pretty big believer in 5v5 generated offence, especially in the junior leagues.

It's hard because a lot of players are bunched up from the late 1st round to well within the 2nd round. I don't want to be too harsh because I think all three players are good in their own right, but have certain areas to fix as well. I still think Wiesblatt boasts the best offensive potential of the three and why he tends to be ranked the highest. Next, Greig has the most bulldog mentality of the three and his game is more tailored to the pros, which is why he's ranked around Wiesblatt and in some cases higher. Lastly, Robins is the most complete player of the three and I think is the best in creating offence for himself, but it will be interesting in how much that translates to the pros because he doesn't really have any highlight talent. Robins I am probably the most iffy on simply because he's good at everything, great at nothing and those players give me really eerie reminders of Conner Bleackley.

 

[MMC]

Welcome to San Jose!

 

[landy92mack29]

great pick for the Sharks and makes it 7 WHLers in the 1st

 

[Alaskanice]

Ozzy!! Welcome to Team Teal!!

 

[Langdon Alger]

Great name.

 

[themelkman]

Alberta dominated this year.

 

[Bubbles]

Wasn't there an old thread about him when he was like 12? I think it was called "Child prodigies" or something.

Anyways, cool for a guy I heard about like 6 years ago on this forum.

 

[RussianShark]

Wasn't there an old thread about him when he was like 12? I think it was called "Child prodigies" or something.

Anyways, cool for a guy I heard about like 6 years ago on this forum.

Ozzy is mentioned in this thread from 2007 about his older brother being the next Sidney Crosby - who is next Sidney Crosby?

Some of us have been on this forum long enough that a 5-year old prospect mentioned in a thread has been drafted to the NHL.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Poor mans Marchand, in a good way.

 

[dmcccdmn]

There's something about a player who beat the odds and become a player in the NHL. It's like having a guy like Cheechoo. You can't help but rooting for him to become a star one day.

 

[Richard88]

Poor mans Marchand, in a good way.

Good skater, underrated playmaking, and some great tenacity. He was 6th in primary points per 60 among all prospects. Looks like he has good character and comes from a great family too. Real nice pick for SJ.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Good skater, underrated playmaking, and some great tenacity. He was 6th in primary points per 60 among all prospects. Looks like he has good character and comes from a great family too. Real nice pick for SJ.

Indeed.

 

[Le Golie]

Ozzy is mentioned in this thread from 2007 about his older brother being the next Sidney Crosby - who is next Sidney Crosby?

Some of us have been on this forum long enough that a 5-year old prospect mentioned in a thread has been drafted to the NHL.

So this is a bit of HF Hall of Fame stuff here. Honestly.

For background, when Ozzy was literally 4 or 5 years old somebody, I’m assuming his mom or dad (or some close personal family associate) was pumping him and his brothers on HFboards. Which was ridiculous and hilarious for most of us and it became a running joke for a while on the Prospects board.

Cool to see he made it! Definitely adds more to that legendary thread back in the day. It would be great if someone could find it but seriously it was 2006 or earlier. Not many here today would remember it.

 

[matt trick]

He's the most offensively gifted of the three, but will have issues with a smaller frame. Modern NHL is heading towards players like Ozzy, so it isn't a big problem being small anymore. However, Greig plays a more pro style of game and that allows him more opportunity to create offence in a different way. Wiesblatt of his 25 goals had 10 on the powerplay, whereas Greig had 9 of his 26. On the assists ratio, Ozzy had 17 of his 45 assist with the man-advantage, while Greig had 17 of his 34 showing that both had very similar production. I do think Wiesblatt is a bit more crafty and creative with the puck, especially with more open space such as what you find on the PP. However, based on these stats Greig was able to hold his own with the man-advantage as well. I still consider Wiesblatt (and to some degree Greig) a bit of a powerplay specialist and perhaps that isn't great for a potential 1st rounder, you can do a lot worse.

I am a bit surprised how successful of a season Robins had, because offensively I still like Ozzy the most, but Robins is different to the other two players as he plays the most complete game and is the best goalscorer of the bunch. Nonetheless, I suggest that Robins was more of a benefit of teammates than the other two simply because he's a couple levels down in terms of offensive creativity. Tristen did have the lowest man-advantage points of the three and I am a pretty big believer in 5v5 generated offence, especially in the junior leagues.

It's hard because a lot of players are bunched up from the late 1st round to well within the 2nd round. I don't want to be too harsh because I think all three players are good in their own right, but have certain areas to fix as well. I still think Wiesblatt boasts the best offensive potential of the three and why he tends to be ranked the highest. Next, Greig has the most bulldog mentality of the three and his game is more tailored to the pros, which is why he's ranked around Wiesblatt and in some cases higher. Lastly, Robins is the most complete player of the three and I think is the best in creating offence for himself, but it will be interesting in how much that translates to the pros because he doesn't really have any highlight talent. Robins I am probably the most iffy on simply because he's good at everything, great at nothing and those players give me really eerie reminders of Conner Bleackley.

With San Jose selecting two of the three, would you be open to cross-posting (and/or elaborating!) on the Sharks board draft thread?

 

[Bubbles]

Ozzy is mentioned in this thread from 2007 about his older brother being the next Sidney Crosby - who is next Sidney Crosby?

Some of us have been on this forum long enough that a 5-year old prospect mentioned in a thread has been drafted to the NHL.

Yes that's the one! God, I'm old lol.

 

[Bubbles]

So this is a bit of HF Hall of Fame stuff here. Honestly.

For background, when Ozzy was literally 4 or 5 years old somebody, I’m assuming his mom or dad (or some close personal family associate) was pumping him and his brothers on HFboards. Which was ridiculous and hilarious for most of us and it became a running joke for a while on the Prospects board.

Cool to see he made it! Definitely adds more to that legendary thread back in the day. It would be great if someone could find it but seriously it was 2006 or earlier. Not many here today would remember it.

I think it was deleted in the great purge, but I swear it was stickied on top and labeled "Child Prodigies" or something.

It was fun to see people list names that eventually became NHL stars. I'm sure McDavid was named in the thread before anyone was talking about him. One example was Jayce Hawryluk who was only around 8 when mentioned and he ended up being drafted by Florida.

 

[Samsquanch]

So this is a bit of HF Hall of Fame stuff here. Honestly.

For background, when Ozzy was literally 4 or 5 years old somebody, I’m assuming his mom or dad (or some close personal family associate) was pumping him and his brothers on HFboards. Which was ridiculous and hilarious for most of us and it became a running joke for a while on the Prospects board.

Cool to see he made it! Definitely adds more to that legendary thread back in the day. It would be great if someone could find it but seriously it was 2006 or earlier. Not many here today would remember it.

Wow trip down memory lane right here!

And yeah I totally remember the whole group of brothers getting hyped up, and that they all super strange-ass names. The whole thing was weird quite frankly, especially because I remember a lot of people questioning how they were getting so much unwarranted hype.

Does anyone know if any of the other brothers ever amounted to anything?

 

[RussianShark]

Wow trip down memory lane right here!

And yeah I totally remember the whole group of brothers getting hyped up, and that they all super strange-ass names. The whole thing was weird quite frankly, especially because I remember a lot of people questioning how they were getting so much unwarranted hype.

Does anyone know if any of the other brothers ever amounted to anything?

Orca is 20 - had a decent year in the WHL last year.
Ocean is 21 - played in the Manitoba Junior League last year. Takes a lot of penalties.
Oasiz is 16 - played 1 game in the WHL last year.

So not really, but Oasiz has a chance to get drafted.