Player Discussion Victor Mete: Part II

[Guns n Roses]

Nah. He's already been a huge win for a 4th rounder. Kid's already damn good for a 20 year old D. You'll have to show me all the kids who made the D at 19 and didn't get any better after 20. Or just all the legit prospects who topped out at 20 years old. Did anyone think he'd be neck and neck with Sergachev in the OHL scoring race during his D+1 (where he scored 15 goals mind you)? Did anyone think he'd make the NHL as a 19 year old and be a plus player on a basement dweller? Did anyone think he'd be a plus player on a top pairing the year after?

If the kid stays in the OHL and plays in the AHL everyone would be raving about him. People are more excited about Fleury meanwhile Mete would've crushed Fleury's totals had he been down there last year. Instead he does BETTER and everyone thinks he could MAYBE be a 2nd pairing guy lol. People just look at the size and the 0 goals.

I'm not saying he's a guaranteed stud but I really don't think it's this wishful thinking that others think. I'll wait and see. I'm willing to go out on a limb for him since no one else will so I gets to do muh gloating in a few years. It will be a nice feather in my cap.

 

[Runner77]

Habs did well with Mete but he was still rushed. Would hate to have to use an expansion draft slot on him though, trade him if the right offer comes along.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

agreed he's already a big win for the scouting staff as a 4th rounder in the NHL at 19 and 20.

His numbers with London were solid but he was also on a deeper offensive team then Sergachev. London had 5 guys with 55 or more pts, Windsor had 2. That said Sergachev clearly was not playing his best after getting sent down from the NHL. There's a reason why he was named the best D in the OHL at 17, whereas Mete at 17 was on a team that had their top 3 scorers put up 343 pts that year. Mete has certainly been better then expected, but put Sergachev on London those 2 years and his numbers likely are a good bit higher.

As for him crushing Fleury's numbers in Laval if he was there, it's hard to say if he would have kept up his pace, he was there when Laval still had goal scorers, their offense got worse in the 2nd half and only 1 team had a lower goals per game in the league. Fleury was on pace for 29 pts, which is very good considering it was such a low scoring team, so not sure how much more offense Mete could have brought since he's likely not a big goal scorer whereas Fleury has that big shot as he led the team in goals for defensemen while being 2nd in points. He was 9th on the team overall in goals but only 2 of those players played less games then him.

well you also have Brook's stats in his D+1. Wasn't he on a powerhouse? Brook went on to rip the WHL apart while Mete played in the NHL.

Juolevi had 13 pts in 18 games in the AHL last year. Mete had two more points than him in 8 less games on the same team in the same year in their D+1.

Sure the kid could stall out as a 20 pt 2nd pairing guy which is still great but why just about everyone acts like it's a foregone conclusion is a bit strange. Kid made the NHL before Krug. I mean he's trending along absolutely tremendously for his age if he was anyone of the following: a)Taller b) better shot/scored goals or c) drafted higher we'd all be ecstatic about him.

Again if someone wants to tell me about all the D men who made the NHL at 19 and never got better past 21 years of age, I'm all years. I just want to know the precedent for these lowered expectations. I'll admit ignorance in that department.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Habs did well with Mete but he was still rushed. Would hate to have to use an expansion draft slot on him though, trade him if the right offer comes along.

Definitely need to keep options open in trades. I am a big fan of Mete's, but he's not an untouchable for me.

Looking back, I think Schlemko's injury first day of camp in September 2017 kind of forced the Habs to keep Mete around. I believe (and this is just my POV), the plan was to send him back to London. However, we do need to credit the kid because he did real well at camp and earned his spot. But the lack of LD depth played a role in him making the team.

He was good and a breath of fresh air because he is so mobile and played with no complex. He didn't seem intimidated out there. It wasn't always easy for him. But overall, he played like he belonged. And I always liked that about him.

Last year proved that patience with him would have been even more beneficial. Because, like I said, even if he looked like he can handle the NHL, as soon as he was sent down to Laval for two weeks, he came back a different player. He had elevated his game. And, again, credit to the kid. But this proved two things for me. One, if they let him marinate a bit (in Junior in 2017-18 and starting in AHL in 2018-19), he'd be a lot more ready now. And the other thing it proved to me is that Joël Bouchard is the man for the job in Laval.

 

[Runner77]

Definitely need to keep options open in trades. I am a big fan of Mete's, but he's not an untouchable for me.

Looking back, I think Schlemko's injury first day of camp in September 2017 kind of forced the Habs to keep Mete around. I believe (and this is just my POV), the plan was to send him back to London. However, we do need to credit the kid because he did real well at camp and earned his spot. But the lack of LD depth played a role in him making the team.

He was good and a breath of fresh air because he is so mobile and played with no complex. He didn't seem intimidated out there. It wasn't always easy for him. But overall, he played like he belonged. And I always liked that about him.

Last year proved that patience with him would have been even more beneficial. Because, like I said, even if he looked like he can handle the NHL, as soon as he was sent down to Laval for two weeks, he came back a different player. He had elevated his game. And, again, credit to the kid. But this proved two things for me. One, if they let him marinate a bit (in Junior in 2017-18 and starting in AHL in 2018-19), he'd be a lot more ready now. And the other thing it proved to me is that Joël Bouchard is the man for the job in Laval.

I sure agree that he's done well but not well enough to be a first pairing D. Can't have a regular on the top 4 who can't score and who owns a muffin shot.

Will he get better? Certainly but I doubt he'll ever produce any tangible offence and his diminutive size is a liability. If some team sees him as more than what he is, flip him.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

View attachment 234735

it'll definitely just be the one feather. I'm always wrong so there's that.

 

[Kotkaniemi15]

This place is utterly ridiculous. The fact that Mete was able to play first line minutes in the NHL alongside Shea Weber at the age of 20 is saying something. He didn’t look out of place at all. Mete is phenomenal for such a young player. He’s already a top four defenseman. Once he develops a shot, he’s going to be lethal. Protecting Mete in the expansion draft is definitely not a waste.

 

[LaP]

Thread title should be "Victor Mete- Not even a quarter of the player Brett Kulak is"

 

[Runner77]

This place is utterly ridiculous. The fact that Mete was able to play first line minutes in the NHL alongside Shea Weber at the age of 20 is saying something. He didn’t look out of place at all. Mete is phenomenal for such a young player. He’s already a top four defenseman. Once he develops a shot, he’s going to be lethal. Protecting Mete in the expansion draft is definitely not a waste.

Yeah, what an offensive dynamo on first pairing. If he doesn't score and can't hit, and has a muffin shot, how does he belong on the first pair?

Name one team who would have Mete on first pair.

Yeah, this place is ridiculous. So is the premise of making Mete a lot more than he is.

 

[Runner77]

Threat title should be "Victor Mete- Not even a quarter of the player Brett Kulak is"

That title is quite the threat.

It would threaten Mete's deity status in this place, according to some.

 

[Kotkaniemi15]

Yeah, what an offensive dynamo on first pairing. If he doesn't score and can't hit, and has a muffin shot, how does he belong on the first pair?

Name one team who would have Mete on first pair.

Yeah, this place is ridiculous. So is the premise of making Mete a lot more than he is.

When did I say that? He’s 20 year old fourth round pick. I don’t think you understand how young he is. The fact that he’s even in the NHL right now is massive. He’s working this summer to get a better shot and will surprise a lot of people including you. Mete is a more than capable top 4 D in the NHL. He’s not a natural top pairing defenseman but he more than held his own. We don’t appreciate Mete because he doesn’t put up points. The potential is through the roof with this kid. He’s so young too.

 

[Runner77]

When did I say that? ...

Right here:

The fact that Mete was able to play first line minutes in the NHL alongside Shea Weber at the age of 20 is saying something. He didn’t look out of place at all.

I don't think it's saying anything about Mete but more about how much Weber can make anyone look better than they are and about how management put Mete in an impossible situation as he wasn't ready to assume such high responsibility given his age and attributes.

Mete belonged nowhere close on first pair with Weber. He was out of place.

 

[Kotkaniemi15]

Right here:



I don't think it's saying anything about Mete but more about how much Weber can make anyone look better than they are and about how management put Mete in an impossible situation as he wasn't ready to assume such high responsibility given his age and attributes.

I think it’s the other way around. Weber is slow and Mete is quick enough to make up for that. Also just because I mentioned that he played first pairing minutes doesn’t mean I said he’s a top 2D. It’s an accomplishment that he doesn’t look out of place. His next developmental step will be thriving in that role.

 

[Runner77]

I think it’s the other way around. Weber is slow and Mete is quick enough to make up for that.

Weber has enough talent and experience to properly position himself to make up for his lack of speed.

Mete on the other hand, belongs nowhere near a first pair role. No NHL team would allow him to do that. The Habs are only doing it cause Bergevin shot himself in the foot and did not ensure a viable successor to Markov. Mete was not only rushed but should have assumed a lower pairing role had management done their job.

 

[Kotkaniemi15]

Weber has enough talent and experience to properly position himself to make up for his lack of speed.

Mete on the other hand, belongs nowhere near a first pair role. No NHL team would allow him to do that. The Habs are only doing it cause Bergevin shot himself in the foot and did not ensure a viable successor to Markov. Mete was not only rushed but should have assumed a lower pairing role had management done their job.

I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.

 

[Runner77]

I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.

I'm good with that. I'm not out to convince anyone, it doesn't pay enough.

 

[Nordiques1979]

I can't remember when it was online, but Mete recently said earlier this year that he'd like to copy his game on Morgan Rieilly from the Leafs, hopefully he can achieve his goal one day, but honestly he's nowhere near Rielly's IQ and hockey sense..

 

[Brownies]

well you also have Brook's stats in his D+1. Wasn't he on a powerhouse? Brook went on to rip the WHL apart while Mete played in the NHL.

Juolevi had 13 pts in 18 games in the AHL last year. Mete had two more points than him in 8 less games on the same team in the same year in their D+1.

Sure the kid could stall out as a 20 pt 2nd pairing guy which is still great but why just about everyone acts like it's a foregone conclusion is a bit strange. Kid made the NHL before Krug. I mean he's trending along absolutely tremendously for his age if he was anyone of the following: a)Taller b) better shot/scored goals or c) drafted higher we'd all be ecstatic about him.

Again if someone wants to tell me about all the D men who made the NHL at 19 and never got better past 21 years of age, I'm all years. I just want to know the precedent for these lowered expectations. I'll admit ignorance in that department.

I thought Mete looked really confident with the puck in the offensive zone at the end of the year, much more like he looked in junior. I think he’ll surprise many next year.

 

[Mrb1p]

Thread title should be "Victor Mete- Not even a quarter of the player Brett Kulak is"

Who said that? Ill fight him.

 

[Help]

Despite the zero goals, I thought Mete was more menacing offensively than anyone but Weber and Petry. He doesn't have the bomb like those guys have, but his speed and his smarts put him in the right place at the right time frequently enough to make me feel good about him as a goal scorer going forward

Wouldn't surprise me if he pots 8-10 goals next year

 

[DangerDave]

Weber has enough talent and experience to properly position himself to make up for his lack of speed.

Mete on the other hand, belongs nowhere near a first pair role. No NHL team would allow him to do that. The Habs are only doing it cause Bergevin shot himself in the foot and did not ensure a viable successor to Markov. Mete was not only rushed but should have assumed a lower pairing role had management done their job.

I agree but I do think you under rate him quite a bit. His shot is awful sure but he is an excellent possession player. Even though it doesn't directly translate to points, it does contribute to the teams overall production. Mete is fine on the first pair if you have an equally good second pair (which admittedly we don't). He's very young and he'll only get better. Theirs no reason to think he can't develop into a top pair guy

 

[Habs]

This place is utterly ridiculous. The fact that Mete was able to play first line minutes in the NHL alongside Shea Weber at the age of 20 is saying something. He didn’t look out of place at all. Mete is phenomenal for such a young player. He’s already a top four defenseman. Once he develops a shot, he’s going to be lethal. Protecting Mete in the expansion draft is definitely not a waste.

That wrist shot and offensive skill though, Beer league material. He'll have a fine career in Europe , he can tell people he played with Weber and people will laugh until they google it.

 

[Kotkaniemi15]

That wrist shot and offensive skill though, Beer league material. He'll have a fine career in Europe , he can tell people he played with Weber and people will laugh until they google it.

Mete makes an amazing first pass and has great offensive vision. It’s more so the shot that sucks but he’s working on it this summer. Mete and beer league don’t belong in the same sentence.

 

[Roadhouse]

Mete makes an amazing first pass and has great offensive vision. It’s more so the shot that sucks but he’s working on it this summer. Mete and beer league don’t belong in the same sentence.

...not to mention the overall skating & gap control ability everywhere on the ice. He's not a dumb skater and he's got Byron-like speed if/when needed. 2nd/3rd pair specialist type of D.

Several other D's available to help up front in PP and/or exploitation situations. Not an issue if we get a solid LHD to play on the first pair. Romanov enters the picture next year, no AHL time there I don't think....

 

[Teufelsdreck]

If Mete were playing in the finals he's be carried off on a stretcher by now. NHL hockey is a violent contact sport. His coach would have kept Mete on the bench for his own safety. Too bad he isn't constructed like Weber. Blame his parents

I pray for a LH version of Weber.