Prospect Info: Scott Perunovich (2018 Draft - 45th overall)

[Robb_K]

I don’t think Perunovich will need much time in the AHL...half-season tops.

I agree with this. I don't think Berube would play him right away. So, having him get used to the pro game, and continuing to build muscle strength and bulk, will help.

 

[TheGoldenGod]

 

[Celtic Note]

When I watch these highlights it seems Scott is benefitting a ton from his teammates. Lots of secondary assists. There are also assists on the PP where he has an incredible amount of decision time. There really weren’t many “wow” plays.

 

[MissouriMook]

When I watch these highlights it seems Scott is benefitting a ton from his teammates. Lots of secondary assists. There are also assists on the PP where he has an incredible amount of decision time. There really weren’t many “wow” plays.

The ones that are "WOW" plays are also typically home run passes. Those seams will be there at the NHL level, but not as often and they won't be as open for as long.

I'm still excited to see what he brings and to see if there is an element to his game that can make Dunn expendable and others around him better.

 

[Alklha]

His awareness on the ice is his biggest asset, but it's not something that you can get a feel for in a short highlights clip. He can recieve the puck under pressure and he doesn't need to buy time to know where everyone is and what to do. That awareness is what gave him the platform to improve his defensive game.

The biggest issue of any potential NHL career is always going to be his size.

 

[TheGoldenGod]

When I watch these highlights it seems Scott is benefitting a ton from his teammates. Lots of secondary assists. There are also assists on the PP where he has an incredible amount of decision time. There really weren’t many “wow” plays.

Not necessarily disagreeing but just wanted to post for fellow Blues fans since there isn’t a ton of recent film on him and these 19-20 highlights just dropped on youtube a few weeks ago

 

[Celtic Note]

Not necessarily disagreeing but just wanted to post for fellow Blues fans since there isn’t a ton of recent film on him and these 19-20 highlights just dropped on youtube a few weeks ago

It’s really appreciated. The hard critique was not aimed your way.

 

[TurgPavs]

I dont get it with Peru.
The Guy was passed over by every team in the draft, not once, not twice, but for 15 rounds over the course of 3 drafts.
IMO the guys game is not going to transition to the NHL and essentially the Blues absolutely wasted a 2nd round pick on this guy.

 

[Alklha]

I dont get it with Peru.
The Guy was passed over by every team in the draft, not once, not twice, but for 15 rounds over the course of 3 drafts.
IMO the guys game is not going to transition to the NHL and essentially the Blues absolutely wasted a 2nd round pick on this guy.

I don't really understand why it matters that he was passed over in prior drafts. So were Parayko, Perron, Bozak and Gunnarsson, but they managed to play an important role in bringing the first Cup here.

There are aspects of his game to be concerned about, but it his skating, outlet pass and awareness on the ice look NHL level in the games I've seen.

I wasn't particularly happy with the pick at the time, but he looks a decent prospect to be getting in the second round.

 

[mk80]

I dont get it with Peru.
The Guy was passed over by every team in the draft, not once, not twice, but for 15 rounds over the course of 3 drafts.
IMO the guys game is not going to transition to the NHL and essentially the Blues absolutely wasted a 2nd round pick on this guy.

There are guys passed over in every draft completely or that fall x number picks from where they should be drafted in every draft. So that doesn't concern me much. I think Perunovich is a good pick for us, but like all prospects he has parts of his game that could use work.

Maybe he becomes an everyday staple on the roster, maybe he becomes another Tommy Vannelli. Right now the door is open either direction, at least he's got more potential in my opinion.

 

[MissouriMook]

There are guys passed over in every draft completely or that fall x number picks from where they should be drafted in every draft. So that doesn't concern me much. I think Perunovich is a good pick for us, but like all prospects he has parts of his game that could use work.

Maybe he becomes an everyday staple on the roster, maybe he becomes another Tommy Vannelli. Right now the door is open either direction, at least he's got more potential in my opinion.

He's this year's Hobey Baker award winner and that is no small feat. Not only was he judged to be the best player in college hockey, he was also the best player on a two time defending NCAA champion, and stood a good chance at leading his team to a three-peat. He may not be the next Hughes or Makar, but he proved himself quite admirably as a college junior and there is plenty to like about his game. I'm going to take the glass half full approach and say that he could certainly replace Dunn after a season of pro hockey, or be even better.

 

[mk80]

He's this year's Hobey Baker award winner and that is no small feat. Not only was he judged to be the best player in college hockey, he was also the best player on a two time defending NCAA champion, and stood a good chance at leading his team to a three-peat. He may not be the next Hughes or Makar, but he proved himself quite admirably as a college junior and there is plenty to like about his game. I'm going to take the glass half full approach and say that he could certainly replace Dunn after a season of pro hockey, or be even better.

Right, I definitely think he's got a high ceiling and have equally high hopes/expectations for him. I wasn't comparing to Vannelli one to one, more or less trying to say that where he was drafted doesn't matter when it comes to his potential. That's poor wording on my part more than anything.

I'm excited to follow his progress in Springfield assuming that's where he starts this season. But I don't think it's long until we see him as a regular wearing the Blue note.

 

[stl76]

He's this year's Hobey Baker award winner and that is no small feat. Not only was he judged to be the best player in college hockey, he was also the best player on a two time defending NCAA champion, and stood a good chance at leading his team to a three-peat. He may not be the next Hughes or Makar, but he proved himself quite admirably as a college junior and there is plenty to like about his game. I'm going to take the glass half full approach and say that he could certainly replace Dunn after a season of pro hockey, or be even better.

To further your point, here are the last 10 Hobey Baker Winners in order from most recent:

Scott Perunovich
Cale Makar
Adam Gaudette
Will Butcher
Jimmy Vesey
Jack Eichel
Johnny Gaudreau
Drew Lebanc
Jack Connolly
Andy Miele

Not saying Perunovich is a sure thing, but that's some pretty good company (especially recently, last ~7 years). Hobey Baker is no guarantee of success, but I think most teams would be quite happy to spend a 2nd on a player of Perunovich's caliber.

 

[Johnny Danger]

Any update on Perunovich? He's still waiting for his first NHL game. How has he been in camp?

 

[Frenzy31]

He is done for the season, due to surgery.

Feels like 50% of team is out right now so he fits in just fine.

 

[Ranksu]

Perunovich=peruna there is nickname for him.

 

[bleedblue1223]

I wonder how he compares to Grzelcyk on the NHL level, that was someone we had heavy interest in during the Schenn talks when we were talking trades before the 18/19 turnaround.

 

[Frenzy31]

I wonder how he compares to Grzelcyk on the NHL level, that was someone we had heavy interest in during the Schenn talks when we were talking trades before the 18/19 turnaround.

I think he is very much like Dunn. Minus the physical play and better d positioning.

 

[Mike Liut]

I think he is very much like Dunn. Minus the physical play and better d positioning.

I think he’s better than Dunn. Sees the ice better IMO

 

[rumrokh]

Perunovich=peruna there is nickname for him.

Piranha. Thank me later.

 

[Mike Liut]

He can really skate and see the ice well. Looks like Makar out there lol.

 

[jura]

Perun - Wikipedia

In Slavic mythology, Perun (Cyrillic: Перýн) is the highest god of the pantheon and the god of sky, thunder, lightning, storms, rain, law, war, fertility and oak trees. His other attributes were fire, mountains, wind, iris, eagle, firmament (in Indo-European languages, this was joined with the notion of the sky of stone[2]), horses and carts, weapons (hammer, axe (Axe of Perun), and arrow), and war. He was first associated with weapons made of stone and later with those of metal.[3]

 

[Celtic Note]

Perunovich Looks a lot like a 4th forward out there.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Perunovich Looks a lot like a 4th forward out there.

Yeah, this is the problem with prospect tournaments. Some will either just have way more talent and/or much further along in development because of age. Perunovich should be dominating out there, so it's good that he is, but it doesn't really mean much. This tourney did nothing to tell us about his decision making, does he force plays in bad situations because he believes he has the talent to do so, or will he take what the opposition gives him? That's a big difference between the high-end offensive defensemen and the guys that flame out, even if they are productive offensively. Knowing when he can push it and not get burned will be a big factor in his success.

 

[Ranksu]

Perun - Wikipedia

I think mine is better. Peruna means in English potato.