SSM Greyhounds Prospects Thread

[HockeyPops]

Pucek not returning. Updated depth chart in first post.

 

[HockeyPops]

Let's talk for a moment about roster management as I see it. If you are trying to construct a team that is competitive year after year (like the Greyhounds seem to be trying to do), lets's assume that on any given season, you want your 24 man roster made up of the following:
3 - 20 year olds
6 - 19 year olds
6 - 18 year olds
7 - 17 year olds
2 - 16 year olds
A roster constructed in such a way gives you the most stability from year to year. Each year you would sign 2 new 16 year olds, and 5 more 17 year olds. Pretty straight forward. Trades to add premium players are rare on such a team, since you aren't planning on selling big to recoup those lost assets.
Now let's look at the current Greyhounds roster for 2019-2020 (24 players signed so far - 16 forwards, 6 defense, 2 goalies):
2 - 20 year olds
6 - 19 year olds * *
9 - 18 year olds
5 - 17 year olds
2 - 16 year olds
The * are reminders that both Barrett Hayton and Brett Jacklin may not actually return this season. If we assume neither returns, we will need to replace them (probably with an 18 year old import and another prospect signed). So far so good. We should just sign another 17 year old defenseman, right?
Wrong. Here is why. Let's assume we signed that 18 year old import plus that 17 year old prospect and now look forward to the 2020-2021 season (22 players signed - 13 forwards, 8 defense, 1 goalie)
4 - 20 year olds **
10 - 19 year olds
6 - 18 year olds
2 - 17 year olds (2003 born)
0 - 16 year olds
The ** flags too many overagers, but even dropping one overager leaves us only 3 roster spots to fill. 2 will likely be 16 year olds and we need a goalie to replace Propp. We have room to sign only 1 more 2003 born player. Let's look at our 2003 born prospects:
2019, 1st - Holmes, Jacob (D)
2019, 3rd - Boudreau, Marc (F)
2019, 4th - D'Intino, Jordan (F)
2019, 5th - Parsons, Owen (F)
2019, 6th - Brzustowski, Luc (D)
2019, 7th - Taylor, Coulter (G)
2019, 8th - Haymes, Luke (F)
2019, 9th - Chiddenton, Rhys (F)
2019, 10th - Brown, Hunter (D)
2019, 11th - Savard, Tyler (F)
2019, 12th - Di Pasquo, Luca (G)
2019, 13th - Miller, Connor (F)
2019, 14th - DeVries, Luke (D)
2019, 15th - Heroux, Logan (D)
How are we going to get these good 2003 born prospects on our roster next year? I believe you have to sign one more this season instead of another 2002 born. It sucks for Cole McGuire and Matthew Halushak, but whoever shows best at training camp between Jordan D'Intino, Owen Parsons, and Luc Brzustowski should get on the team. The only reason to sign McGuire or Halushak would be if you somehow think they have a higher ceiling than any of these 2003 born prospects.

Obviously, if Raftis moves out some roster players then that makes it easier. But Raftis hasn't traditionally made many moves like that, so it remains to be seen if he has the appetite to do it. If not, don't be surprised to see a third 2003 born make the squad this year.

Thoughts?

 

[jjhound]

Let's talk for a moment about roster management as I see it. If you are trying to construct a team that is competitive year after year (like the Greyhounds seem to be trying to do), lets's assume that on any given season, you want your 24 man roster made up of the following:
3 - 20 year olds
6 - 19 year olds
6 - 18 year olds
7 - 17 year olds
2 - 16 year olds
A roster constructed in such a way gives you the most stability from year to year. Each year you would sign 2 new 16 year olds, and 5 more 17 year olds. Pretty straight forward. Trades to add premium players are rare on such a team, since you aren't planning on selling big to recoup those lost assets.
Now let's look at the current Greyhounds roster for 2019-2020 (24 players signed so far - 16 forwards, 6 defense, 2 goalies):
2 - 20 year olds
6 - 19 year olds * *
9 - 18 year olds
5 - 17 year olds
2 - 16 year olds
The * are reminders that both Barrett Hayton and Brett Jacklin may not actually return this season. If we assume neither returns, we will need to replace them (probably with an 18 year old import and another prospect signed). So far so good. We should just sign another 17 year old defenseman, right?
Wrong. Here is why. Let's assume we signed that 18 year old import plus that 17 year old prospect and now look forward to the 2020-2021 season (22 players signed - 13 forwards, 8 defense, 1 goalie)
4 - 20 year olds **
10 - 19 year olds
6 - 18 year olds
2 - 17 year olds (2003 born)
0 - 16 year olds
The ** flags too many overagers, but even dropping one overager leaves us only 3 roster spots to fill. 2 will likely be 16 year olds and we need a goalie to replace Propp. We have room to sign only 1 more 2003 born player. Let's look at our 2003 born prospects:
2019, 1st - Holmes, Jacob (D)
2019, 3rd - Boudreau, Marc (F)
2019, 4th - D'Intino, Jordan (F)
2019, 5th - Parsons, Owen (F)
2019, 6th - Brzustowski, Luc (D)
2019, 7th - Taylor, Coulter (G)
2019, 8th - Haymes, Luke (F)
2019, 9th - Chiddenton, Rhys (F)
2019, 10th - Brown, Hunter (D)
2019, 11th - Savard, Tyler (F)
2019, 12th - Di Pasquo, Luca (G)
2019, 13th - Miller, Connor (F)
2019, 14th - DeVries, Luke (D)
2019, 15th - Heroux, Logan (D)
How are we going to get these good 2003 born prospects on our roster next year? I believe you have to sign one more this season instead of another 2002 born. It sucks for Cole McGuire and Matthew Halushak, but whoever shows best at training camp between Jordan D'Intino, Owen Parsons, and Luc Brzustowski should get on the team. The only reason to sign McGuire or Halushak would be if you somehow think they have a higher ceiling than any of these 2003 born prospects.

Obviously, if Raftis moves out some roster players then that makes it easier. But Raftis hasn't traditionally made many moves like that, so it remains to be seen if he has the appetite to do it. If not, don't be surprised to see a third 2003 born make the squad this year.

Thoughts?

Pretty good, except the 2003 better be good enough to play this year or Raftis would just return him to Jr A and keep a 2002 or 2001. Can always trade a 2002 or 2001 next year and make room for the 2003. You do not need to keep him this year to have him next year, and it's better for his development if he plays, even major midget.

 

[count35]

Well Caufield drafted by Montreal? Any thoughts regarding his chances of playing for the Hounds this year?

 

[HockeyPops]

Caufield (Montreal) is committed to University of Wisconsin.
Beecher (Boston) is committed to Michigan University.
Both University teams were below .500 last season. But I have no idea what Montreal or Boston would prefer.

 

[Marj44]

Update on Caufield; Montreal has stated they don’t want to dictate where he plays, they’ll leave that up to him (via Trevor Timmins). They’ve also stated they hope to have him in the NHL before 4 years of college hockey (via Marc Bergevin). So at least there’s a chance. Haven’t heard anything regarding Beecher next season other than his previous commitment.

Hopefully these two prospects like each other and the program enough to come give it a go!

 

[HockeyPops]

 

[count35]

So HockeyPops IF both Caufield AND Beecher reported to the Hounds where do you think that puts us for this season? I'm assuming they'd both be one-and=done correct? I'm curious how that would affect the team this year and looking forward to the next few? Just summer time hypothetical? LOL

 

[jjhound]

So HockeyPops IF both Caufield AND Beecher reported to the Hounds where do you think that puts us for this season? I'm assuming they'd both be one-and=done correct? I'm curious how that would affect the team this year and looking forward to the next few? Just summer time hypothetical? LOL

That would make us buyers, likely 2 defenceman and a forward with size and skill. Especially if Hayton returns, which I believe he will.

 

[HockeyPops]

Definitely makes us buyers. We are already going to be good this season without them.

The second part of the question is about asset management as much as anything. Although our draft cupboard is only average in strength, we have a jammed pipeline of prospects that can also be considered assets. We already have 1 too many forwards signed. Signing two more top prospects just adds to that. Those become assets that are dealt to help offset moves at the deadline.

Even if they were both one-and-done, we aren't graduating many other players after this year, so should be able to easily plug those additional holes with prospects without digging too deep in the barrel for replacements.

 

[HockeyPops]

Malik

 

[HockeyPops]

Zeppa signs with Chatham - Welcome to Hockey News North

Missed this one. Thanks Randy.

 

[HockeyPops]

 

[HockeyPops]

 

[HockeyPops]

TBH I can see SSM trading one of Wale or LeGuerrier. Likely Wale. Allow O'Rourke and the other one to be the top 4 LD, and then let 2/3 of your open OA and Import spots (with Peca and Pytlik on the team, you have 2 OA spots and 1 import spot) go towards top 4 RD. Have Wawrow and Holmes split bottom pairing RD duties, and have Calisti and Halushak/Brzustowski split bottom pairing LD duties.

Personally, I wouldn't mind SSM trying out a defense that looked something like this for next year:

O'Rourke-OA
LeGuerrier-Holmes
Calisti-Wawrow
Halushak-Import

SeaOfBlue, just wondering what your thoughts are now that we have burned both an OA spot and an Import spot on Goaltending? I suspect we keep Wale and look to add on OA defenseman.
O'Rourke - OA
LeGuerrier - Holmes
Wale - Wawrow
Calisti - Halushak / McGuire / Brzustowski

Or, do you think we may still flip our new OA goaltender if Malik signs?

 

[HockeyPops]

2019, 13th - Miller, Connor (F)

Found this scouting report on Connor:
Michigan names to know before 2019 OHL draft

Connor Miller (Honeybaked U15) – Good skater with good balance and knee bend that allows him to maintain a top speed for an extended period of time. Does a nice job of using his edge work and skill to create time and space off the rush. Has a scoring touch around the net. Can score goals in a variety of ways. Has a heavy shot, with a quick release that allows him to score from beyond the tops of the circles. Also has the skill and strength to score the gritty goals at the net front. Is learning to play on the defensive side of the puck and has shown improvement in this area as the season has progressed.

NHL Player he reminds me of: Blake Wheeler

 

[HockeyPops]

2019, 13th - Miller, Connor (F)

Just starting to realize how good this pick is. In his league (HPHL 15s), he finished tied for fourth overall in all 3 scoring categories (Goals, Assists, Points). Only players with NCAA commitments finished higher than him in those rankings. Connor does not have a commitment. For comparison, Tanner Dickinson (who we just signed as a 2002 free agent) is a year older than Connor, and played in the same league one season earlier (2017-2018) with a very respectable 18 points in 14 games. Connor edged him out, getting 25 points in 18 games.

 

[HockeyPops]

2019, 6th - Brzustowski, Luc (D)
Deep Dutchies primed for contention in GOJHL

2019, 15th - Heroux, Logan (F)
CBA hires experienced Gojdycz as new ice hockey coach

 

[EON]

Closing this down, see: Peterborough Petes Prospects Thread