Prospect Info: Top Prospects Poll 2019

[My Special Purpose]

It's actually really hard to keep track of -- and rank -- our prospects these days, especially all the Finns.

Lenny Killinen is clearly a top 15 prospect after watching him play two games in the lead-up to the U20 Showcase, but I don't think any of us could have possibly known that. He's probably better than Patrik Puistola, if we're being totally honest. Then there's Tuukka Tieksola, who could be the best of the three, but who knows.

Also watching these games, we're probably too high on Antoni Honka for now. He's got a long way to go just to get to the level of "prospect," IMO. Right now, he qualifies more as a "lottery ticket."

As far as my list goes, I'm doing OK, but I already feel that I've missed some guys. My list would look very different if I did it today. I'm also higher on Eetu Luostarinen and Pyotr Kochetkov than the rest of us and lower on Alex Nedeljkovic.

 

[My Special Purpose]

I guess it's all how you define "B". I think of B-level as guys from NHL/AHL tweener - bottom 6. From what I've seen, his "projection" is a 2nd line playmaking center. Suzuki appears to be a skilled, smart player with great hands and vision. No clue if he'll ever achieve his potential though, but that's the case with most guys drafted after #5 really.

I think that was THH's point, that we had grudgingly accepted likely getting a B-level guy but then got an A-level guy. So it's already a bonus.

If that's not what THH meant, then you're right, he's a moron.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I think that was THH's point, that we had grudgingly accepted likely getting a B-level guy but then got an A-level guy. So it's already a bonus.

If that was his point, then I clearly missed it.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

It's actually really hard to keep track of -- and rank -- our prospects these days, especially all the Finns.

Lenny Killinen is clearly a top 15 prospect after watching him play two games in the lead-up to the U20 Showcase, but I don't think any of us could have possibly known that. He's probably better than Patrik Puistola, if we're being totally honest. Then there's Tuukka Tieksola, who could be the best of the three, but who knows.

Also watching these games, we're probably too high on Antoni Honka for now. He's got a long way to go just to get to the level of "prospect," IMO. Right now, he qualifies more as a "lottery ticket."

As far as my list goes, I'm doing OK, but I already feel that I've missed some guys. My list would look very different if I did it today. I'm also higher on Eetu Luostarinen and Pyotr Kochetkov than the rest of us and lower on Alex Nedeljkovic.

How any of us could even have been expected to remember he exists is another thing.

 

[Chrispy]

Top prospect AHL Rookies (all from 2017 Draft) which played in the Calder Cup finales:

Cody Glass (6th Overall): 22GP - 7G - 8A - 15P
Martin Necas (12th Overall): 18GP - 5G - 8A - 13P
Morgan Geekie (67th *Overager): 19GP - 8G - 10A - 18P

I think Geekie is a better fit stylistically for the Canes than Wallmark. From my limited view he plays a grittier game, is more likely to go to dangerous areas of the ice and be effective (6'2" vs 6' Wallmark), and has a better shot. Being a right handed center could give him an extra edge to make the roster in coming years.

That sounds like Geekie could potentially slot in in 20-21 on the 3rd or 4th line C, replacing Haula if he doesn't re-sign and having Wallmark in the other bottom 6 C spot.

Geekie definitely made a quick impression in this first AHL season, and I can see him competing with Bishop for a call-up when a C is needed next year.

 

[GoldiFox]

That sounds like Geekie could potentially slot in in 20-21 on the 3rd or 4th line C, replacing Haula if he doesn't re-sign and having Wallmark in the other bottom 6 C spot.

Geekie definitely made a quick impression in this first AHL season, and I can see him competing with Bishop for a call-up when a C is needed next year.

I'm happy to let Geekie run wild in the Checkers top-6 next year. I have limited views of all of these guys but, in those limited viewings, of all the Canes prospects I think Geekie fits the current Canes team the best stylistically. One or two of Geekie + Mattheos + Gauthier developing into a solid middle-6 secondary scorer would go a long way to help the handedness issues.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I think that was THH's point, that we had grudgingly accepted likely getting a B-level guy but then got an A-level guy. So it's already a bonus.

If that's not what THH meant, then you're right, he's a moron.

My point was just that it’s nice to go into a draft knowing we don’t desperately need to hit a home run with our top-10 pick (followed by drafting a Ryan Murphy), because the pressure on a non-playoff team to add core pieces in the draft is completely different from the pressure on a playoff team to take a shot from the bottom of the round and if it doesn’t work out... oh well.

 

[Helsinki Hurricanes]

Top prospect AHL Rookies (all from 2017 Draft) which played in the Calder Cup finals:

Cody Glass (6th Overall): 22GP - 7G - 8A - 15P
Martin Necas (12th Overall): 18GP - 5G - 8A - 13P
Morgan Geekie (67th *Overager): 19GP - 8G - 10A - 18P

I think Geekie is a better fit stylistically for the Canes than Wallmark. From my limited view he plays a grittier game, is more likely to go to dangerous areas of the ice and be effective (6'2" vs 6' Wallmark), and has a better shot. Being a right handed center could give him an extra edge to make the roster in coming years.

Didn't realise his first AHL season and especially playoffs went that well. Being in the same company as Necas and Glass as a later round overager is really impressive. Looking forward to next seasons, it's especially interesting to note that Canes might have really deep and solid center depth chart after the years with J Staal as a nr. 1 centerman. Aho, Necas, Staal and Geekie/Luostarinen/Suzuki. This also means that having Necas turning out to be Nick Ehlers like speedy winger wouldn't be the end of the world.

It's weird how Canes are so deep with prospects yet can already contend against the best. Usually contenders are old and veteran heavy and their AHL top prospects get gifted spots for cap relief whereas now Canes are almost forced to marinate multiple NHL ready prospects in the AHL. I'm really excited about the next seasons.

 

[My Special Purpose]

If that was his point, then I clearly missed it.

My point was just that it’s nice to go into a draft knowing we don’t desperately need to hit a home run with our top-10 pick (followed by drafting a Ryan Murphy), because the pressure on a non-playoff team to add core pieces in the draft is completely different from the pressure on a playoff team to take a shot from the bottom of the round and if it doesn’t work out... oh well.

Huh. We both missed it.

 

[emptyNedder]

Looking forward to next seasons, it's especially interesting to note that Canes might have really deep and solid center depth chart after the years with J Staal as a nr. 1 centerman. Aho, Necas, Staal and Geekie/Luostarinen/Suzuki. This also means that having Necas turning out to be Nick Ehlers like speedy winger wouldn't be the end of the world.

At some point it is conceivable that the Canes have one or two lines with multiple forwards capable of playing center. As you mention Necas can be a speedy winger. I think Luostarinen can be a complementary winger with good size. Suzuki has some of Teravainen's qualities that would make him an excellent playmaking winger.

Something like a Luostarinen/Wallmark/Geekie line would have a little of everything.

I agree with whoever said a few days ago that Luostarinen is getting underrated. He is actually 6 weeks younger than Geekie. I expect those two to be the top two offensive centers in Charlotte. With Bishop the defensive center for the Checkers.

 

[My Special Purpose]

I agree with whoever said a few days ago that Luostarinen is getting underrated. He is actually 6 weeks younger than Geekie. I expect those two to be the top two offensive centers in Charlotte. With Bishop the defensive center for the Checkers.

Kuokkanen - Geekie - Gauthier
Gibbons - Luostaranen - Mattheos
McCormick - Bishop - Smallman
Lorentz - Shinkaruk - Pritchard

 

[DaveG]

the next 4 are up, because stupid ties:
6 - RW Julien Gauthier - 2016 1st round, 21 OA
7 - LW/C Janne Kuokkanen - 2016 2nd round, 43 OA
8 - G Pyotr Kochetkov - 2019 2nd round, 36 OA
9 - C Stelio Mattheos - 2017 3rd round, 73 OA
10 - LHD Jesper Sellgren - 2018 6th round, 166 OA
10 - C Jamieson Rees - 2019 2nd round, 44 OA
12 - C Eetu Luostarinein - 2017 2nd round, 42 OA
13 - RHD Roland McKeown - trade 2015 (drafted LAK 2nd 2014, 50 OA)
14 - C Jack Drury - 2018 2nd round, 42 OA
15 - RW Patrik Puistola - 2019 3rd round, 73 OA
16 - RHD Luke Martin - 2017 2nd round, 52 OA
17 - C David Cotton - 2015 6th round, 169 OA
18 - RHD Anttoni Honka - 2019 3rd round, 83 OA
19 - C Clark Bishop - 2014 5th round, 127 OA
20 - G Jeremy Helvig - 2016 5th round, 134 OA
20 - RHD Alex Lintuniemi - 2019 UFA signing (drafted LAK 2nd 2014, 60 OA)
HMs:
RW Spencer Smallman - 2015 5th round, 138 OA
LW/RW Matt Filipe - 2016 3rd round, 67 OA
RW Tuukka Tieksola - 2019 4th round, 121 OA
LHD Domenick Fensore - 2019 3rd round, 90 OA
G Callum Booth - 2015 4th round, 93 OA
LHD Cade Webber - 2019 4th round, 99 OA

 

[Lempo]

We should use more k's in the name as the tie-breaker.

 

[Sens]

Sleeping on David Cotten... late bloomer poised for a monster year in college.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

Sleeping on David Cotten... late bloomer poised for a monster year in college.

He'll be great with the Rangers.

 

[poobags]

1. C/RW Martin Necas - 2017 1st round, 12 OA
2. LHD Jake Bean - 2016 1st round, 12 OA
3. G Alex Nedeljkovic - 2014 2nd round, 37 OA
4. C Ryan Suzuki - 2019 1st round, 28 OA
5. C Stelio Mattheos - 2017 3rd round, 73 OA
6. C Jack Drury - 2018 2nd round, 42 OA
7. RW Julien Gauthier - 2016 1st round, 21 OA
8. G Pyotr Kochetkov - 2019 2nd round, 36 OA
9. RW/C Morgan Geekie - 2017 3rd round, 67 OA
10. RW Patrik Puistola - 2019 3rd round, 73 OA
11. C Jamieson Rees - 2019 2nd round, 44 OA
12. RHD Luke Martin - 2017 2nd round, 52 OA
13. LHD Jesper Sellgren - 2018 6th round, 166 OA
14. RHD Roland McKeown - trade 2015 (drafted LAK 2nd 2014, 50 OA)
15. C Eetu Luostarinein - 2017 2nd round, 42 OA

My submission was not bad. Nailed Kochetkov. Little high on Puistola and Martin but not too many glaring errors. Looks like by biggest was having Geekie and Mattheos swapped. I'm assuming Geekie is #5 and that I got my top 4 right.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

All that I can say is that I'm very confident in the future of this team as long as Francis's scouting department mostly sticks around. Number one deepest prospect pool in the NHL, almost entirely built on excellent Day 2 selections, with the unusual luxury of being able to let them all develop before adding them to lineups. Usually teams with great prospect pools are previously bad teams who racked up multiple firsts and have to rush them in due to lack of depth (Rangers this year). The Canes, in contrast, mostly were in the realm of "OK not good enough" during our entire decade of no playoffs and had to build their pool with non-Top 5 selections (yes, they lucked out on Svech, but I'm referring to every other year).

 

[My Special Purpose]

Sleeping on David Cotten... late bloomer poised for a monster year in college.

Which means what, exactly?

I'm a fan of his, but he just turned 22. In this day-and-age in the NHL, guys who just turned 22 need to be just about finished establishing themselves in the league, not "poised for a monster year" in the NCAA. Cotton is 17 days *older* than Sebastian Aho, who's entering his fourth full NHL season.

He'll be great with the Rangers.

So, what's best-case scenario for Cotton? He has a huge college season. Great. Proves nothing. He can either sign with us at age 22 and finish the season in the AHL, then come to camp as a 23-year-old rookie, or he waits until Aug. 15 and signs with the team of his choosing, and heads to camp with zero pro experience as a 23-year-old -- basically Jimmy Vesey's career path.

So yeah, maybe Cotton makes the NHL. But the odds of him having any kind of impact are almost minuscule at this point.

I've got no issues with the NCAA route to the NHL. It's worked for a lot of guys. But I think you can count the key NHL players who played *four years* of NCAA hockey on one hand and have enough fingers left to hack out this post.

 

[Sens]

Which means what, exactly?

I'm a fan of his, but he just turned 22. In this day-and-age in the NHL, guys who just turned 22 need to be just about finished establishing themselves in the league, not "poised for a monster year" in the NCAA. Cotton is 17 days *older* than Sebastian Aho, who's entering his fourth full NHL season.



So, what's best-case scenario for Cotton? He has a huge college season. Great. Proves nothing. He can either sign with us at age 22 and finish the season in the AHL, then come to camp as a 23-year-old rookie, or he waits until Aug. 15 and signs with the team of his choosing, and heads to camp with zero pro experience as a 23-year-old -- basically Jimmy Vesey's career path.

So yeah, maybe Cotton makes the NHL. But the odds of him having any kind of impact are almost minuscule at this point.

I've got no issues with the NCAA route to the NHL. It's worked for a lot of guys. But I think you can count the key NHL players who played *four years* of NCAA hockey on one hand and have enough fingers left to hack out this post.

Prospect Need to Know: World Juniors on the cusp - TheHockeyNews
David Cotton, LW, Boston College Eagles (Hockey East): One of the top snipers in all of college hockey, Cotton is up to 11 goals through 14 games with the Eagles. A big-bodied Carolina Hurricanes prospect, Cotton is a former prep schooler who has been key to Boston College’s recent turnaround in the standings. NHL arrival: 2020-21

http://bcheights.com/magazine/index.php/2019/male-athlete-of-the-year-david-cotton/
Of course, Cotton is much more than just a big body on the ice. He flies around the rink with agility and quickness, has excellent skills with the puck on his stick, and is always looking for the right killer pass. In fact, his 13 assists were third-most on the team this season. Cotton even hustles back into the defensive zone, blocking shots and starting breakouts into the offensive zone with aplomb. In short, he can do it all, and that’s something Eagles longtime head coach Jerry York is quick to point out when asked about his strengths.
“His skating allows him to play a 200-foot game now,” York said.
…
It’s also something more than that. Cotton sees the chance to also write his name in the BC history books as a driving force behind the team’s turnaround.
“I want to take this program that’s kind of been in a lull the past couple years and I want to be one of the guys to bring us out of it,” he said. “I want to compete and I want to win those trophies.”
York has a similar read on what Cotton wants, and it’s music to the ears of the five-time national championship-winning coach.
“He’s proud to be at BC, and he wants to make sure he pushes the whole team forward next year.”
……

Kid was named captain and with the talent BC added... Cotton is going to pot 30+ this year in college

He a future two-way 20+ goal scorer in the nhl

 

[Navin R Slavin]

Kid was named captain and with the talent BC added... Cotton is going to pot 30+ this year in college

He a future two-way 20+ goal scorer in the nhl

You have literally no way of knowing if this is true, of course.

Feel free to believe it, but he's got a lot to prove before we get even a little excited.

 

[Sens]

You have literally no way of knowing if this is true, of course. But feel free to believe it.

So he was not named captain and was not one of the best goal scorers in college hockey (tied for 2nd)

 

[Navin R Slavin]

So he was not named captain and was not one of the best goal scorers in college hockey (tied for 2nd)

Gee whiz, did he win the Hobey Baker too?

We can read, dude. That's not the point. The point is that you have no way to project his NHL career, for reasons that have already been enumerated.

Great that you're excited about him. We will continue to reserve judgement, because as of right now, he looks like exactly what he is: a sixth round pick that isn't ready to make the jump to professional hockey.

 

[Sens]

Gee whiz, did he win the Hobey Baker too?

We can read, dude. That's not the point. The point is that you have no way to project his NHL career, for reasons that have already been enumerated.

Great that you're excited about him. We will continue to reserve judgement, because as of right now, he looks like exactly what he is: a sixth round pick that isn't ready to make the jump to professional hockey.

A fast two-way player with hands for 20+
I hope Canes management has more respect for him because he’ll be in the nhl with another club with that attitude

Only a fraction of late rd picks develop like Cotton

I’ve been around awhile... plenty of players don’t break into the nhl full time till 23,24,25

I watched Mike Hoffman get waived a few years ago and then become a 30G scorer

 

[Navin R Slavin]

A fast two-way player with hands for 20+
I hope Canes management has more respect for him because he’ll be in the nhl with another club with that attitude

Geez, I know, right? Such an attitude I have, of not automatically agreeing with an opinion that you assert to be true!

Only a fraction of late rd picks develop like Cotton

And of those, only a fraction go on to become regular NHL players. I certainly hope Cotton can be one of them.

I’ve been around awhile... plenty of players don’t break into the nhl full time till 23,24,25

And I was Toe Blake's haberdasher. So what? We're all old around here. No one gives a shit.

I watched Mike Hoffman get waived a few years ago and then become a 30G scorer

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate.

But I still don't believe that Cotton is a 20 goal scorer in the NHL until he proves it in Charlotte.

 

[Sens]

All the generic stuff your saying you could say about every prospect before they played in the nhl lol