Prospect Info: Sharks Prospect Info/Discussion Thread XV

[Doctor Soraluce]

Oh yeah no doubt. I watched him lots in his overage season and it was great the changes I saw. However you do see lots of guys have crazy overage seasons and don’t go anywhere, so I don’t try to base too much on them

True, but a number of those guys are small and fast or physically just overpower the kids. Blich has had an NHL level shot since at least his second year of juniors and it got even better in his overage season. With him it's going to be all about motivation and coachability. I know the coaches here loved him, thought he was a great kid, he had just been used to doing the minimum since he was so much more naturally talented than most players prior to Juniors.

 

[Patty Ice]

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

True, but a number of those guys are small and fast or physically just overpower the kids. Blich has had an NHL level shot since at least his second year of juniors and it got even better in his overage season. With him it's going to be all about motivation and coachability. I know the coaches here loved him, thought he was a great kid, he had just been used to doing the minimum since he was so much more naturally talented than most players prior to Juniors.

I had expected to be better than he was last season. He has the talent for sure and can play with an edge from time to time both of which are areas we need help with.

But he totally looked lost on the ice. I saw him many times trying to figure out where the play was going on and being totally stationary on the ice. If he can improve his on-ice awareness he will make an impact on the game.

 

[Patty Ice]

 

[Hobocop]

Sharks Scout Tomi Kallio on Hatakka’s Progress, Ibragimov Playing in Finland

Some good info from Sheng in talking with Tomi Kallio about Hatakka and Sund, among others.

Also info I hadn't seen elsewhere, Ibragimov and Evan Weinger are in quarantine in Finland and will play for TPS Turku. Both will start skating soon:

Sheng Peng: Why Timur Ibragimov and Evan Weinger to Turku — what do they gain in particular from going there?
Tomi Kallio: Ibragimov hasn’t played high-end men’s hockey yet. I think he can take that step. Strong kid and he can really skate.

I think [Weinger’s] got a good shot at taking a big role here, play in all different situations.

Our rinks are wider than NHL or AHL. He can develop his skill and play with the puck [more].
Practice might be a bit of a shock, at least for Weinger. We want to develop the guys who come here. Many days, they will practice twice a day. Mornings will be more team practice; later on, it’s more individual skill. It will be good for both of those guys.

 

[themelkman]

We have some guys playing in the sochi hockey open for the U20 team. Trying to find info on this tourney is a nightmare but Kniazev and Spiridonov both played and the team is coached by Igor Larionov. The team that was supposted to be playing was the KHL team for Sochi, but it seems like they had a COVID outbreak and were mostly replaced with guys from their junior MHL team. The Russian U20s crushed them in both games, Kniazev had an assist in the 6-0 win and Spiridonov had an assist in the 10-0 win.

 

[LadyStanley]

Junior

 

[Bowie22]

DW Jr. @46:56

 

[OrrNumber4]

Not worth listening too. Twenty minutes of tendentious sycophancy.

 

[themelkman]

Not worth listening too. Twenty minutes of tendentious sycophancy.

It’s not terrible but doesn’t really say anything we don’t already know

 

[hohosaregood]

How much do you think the Sharks paid the hosts to justify DW Jr.'s path to the head scout position?

 

[themelkman]

How much do you think the Sharks paid the hosts to justify DW Jr.'s path to the head scout position?

As much as it is pretty suspicious to have your son rise up like that, I’ve gotta say I’ve liked almost all his choices so far

 

[hohosaregood]

As much as it is pretty suspicious to have your son rise up like that, I’ve gotta say I’ve liked almost all his choices so far

Same. They just spent so much time talking about how he worked his way up even though he's the GM's kid.

 

[Desert Eagle]

Team Russia U20 won all 4 games against a bit younger team 6:0, 10:0, 4:2, 7:1 in minor tournament. Our prospects:

Knyazev - 3 games, 5 (0+5) points, he looked very solid overall, mobile D with smooth skating. Played in second pair.
Spiridonov - 4 games, 3 (1+2) points, he played in 4th line, then in 2nd, and in 3rd. Often played on the wing.

It doesn`t mean much because of weak opponent but still. I hope they are both will earn slots on WJC. IMO, Knyazev may be in roster, but I`m not sure about Spiridonov.

 

[Caser]

 

[wishman]

 

[themelkman]

Between Hatakka And him that draft could be really good for us

 

[hohosaregood]

Between Hatakka And him that draft could be really good for us

This draft is very like "hmm but maybe they're actually pretty good but also maybe not"

 

[Mr Fahrenheit]

This draft is very like "hmm but maybe they're actually pretty good but also maybe not"

sounds like every Sharks prospect after the 3rd round

 

[hohosaregood]

sounds like every Sharks prospect after the 3rd round

FTFY

 

[Mr Fahrenheit]

FTFY

Thats what I was thinking but: 1st round picks go from who? to trade bait, never hyped. 2nd round picks go from hype to bust so damn fast they dont fit. 3rd round picks? Lol, nothing else necessary

 

[LadyStanley]

Not sure if xfer thread for 2020-21 season should start yet.

 

[Brock]

My annual look at San Jose's OHL prospects. Some good clips of Merkley's progression in there.

Happy to answer questions.

 

[wishman]

From Corey Pronman's U20 Camp Notes: "Kniazev was named the top defenseman in the Sochi open with five points in three games. It was some of the best hockey I’ve seen Kniazev play in the past few years. His skating and puck-moving ability made a difference when he was on the ice, and he created a lot of offense."

 

[hohosaregood]

My annual look at San Jose's OHL prospects. Some good clips of Merkley's progression in there.

Happy to answer questions.

I've generally been under the impression that Merkley's biggest assets are his vision and hockey IQ. So when you say his vision and anticipation are underrated, are you saying that those are even better than reported?