Who's our #4 prospect?

[DaveG]

1 - Elias Lindholm - 75%
2 - Ryan Murphy - 81%
3 - Victor Rask - 69%

should start getting real interesting right here.

Click to read more...

 

[tarheelhockey]

The poll options look pretty grim

edit: ah, there they are

 

[Unsustainable]

McGinn then Lowe for me.

I don't consider Welsh a prospect since he is on a one way this season

 

[Jussijuice]

I think Dalpe has the best chance of making an impact so I'd go with him but I like Biega's upside as a two-way 2nd pairing D. I think he'd be a lot more hyped if he didn't get injured playing for Charlotte at the end of last year.

Admittedly only watched one game of Di Giuseppe last year. Can't comment on how he progressed, wasn't much of a factor against ND (maybe my bias talking).

 

[Unsustainable]

I think Dalpe has the best chance of making an impact so I'd go with him but I like Biega's upside as a two-way 2nd pairing D. I think he'd be a lot more hyped if he didn't get injured playing for Charlotte at the end of last year.

Admittedly only watched one game of Di Giuseppe last year. Can't comment on how he progressed, wasn't much of a factor against ND (maybe my bias talking).

I was at the game Biega was hurt, that whole sequence was just painful to watch.

Even the players on the ice was looking at the ref like blow the ****ing whistle already.

But when he was back in the playoffs, he looked really good.

I think he needs a couple of years of development to adjust.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I'll give Dalpe one last shot before writing him off. He's still within a half-step of being a serviceable NHL player, and surely he realizes that he's on the same track as the Boychuk Express if he doesn't bring it this fall.

 

[Buenos Necas]

Interesting that Dalpe is getting votes, and Nash isn't being considered yet. Of course Dalpe has the higher ceiling between the two, but they're at similar stages in their careers, and Nash is the closest to showing he can actually stick in the NHL. Nash also has the same amount of points in 4 less games, despite not being given top 6 time. While everyone's valuing system is different, I would have guessed they'd at least be getting similar consideration.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Interesting that Dalpe is getting votes, and Nash isn't being considered yet. Of course Dalpe has the higher ceiling between the two, but they're at similar stages in their careers, and Nash is the closest to showing he can actually stick in the NHL. Nash also has the same amount of points in 4 less games, despite not being given top 6 time. While everyone's valuing system is different, I would have guessed they'd at least be getting similar consideration.

I voted Dalpe this time but will probably vote Nash next, and I'd have no problem swapping the order. There's not a big gap between them.

That said, a large part of the reason Nash got playing time on this team was due to a truly woeful lack of bottom-6 options. I think he was ok in the role, especially early on, but he wouldn't be on most NHL rosters at this point. Both of these guys are a half-step down from gaining a roster spot on merit.

 

[Chrispy]

I voted for Nash in part because I think he has a high likelihood to stick as a 4th line center and because I think he has the potential to grow to a 3rd line center. We've seen spurts of scoring; getting more consistent offensive production would make him a good 3C option.

I agree that Dalpe has a higher ceiling, but I feel like we haven't seen the production in his time in Raleigh yet.

 

[Discipline Daddy]

What happened to nil? I thought he was for sure in the conversation!

 

[Ole Gil]

I still like Dalpe's upside. The kid has some good offensive tools, I just think it's been a matter of finding a spot that makes sense for him. Hopefully, an offensive 3rd line will finally give one of these kids an extended look in a situation where they could actually succeed.

 

[DaveG]

Interesting that Dalpe is getting votes, and Nash isn't being considered yet. Of course Dalpe has the higher ceiling between the two, but they're at similar stages in their careers, and Nash is the closest to showing he can actually stick in the NHL. Nash also has the same amount of points in 4 less games, despite not being given top 6 time. While everyone's valuing system is different, I would have guessed they'd at least be getting similar consideration.

I have Biega next (after Dalpe), then Nash so he's not far off at all.

 

[Brock Anton]

Di Giuseppe. Definitely the most quiet prospect that's fairly highly rated that we've had.

 

[bleedgreen]

Interesting that Dalpe is getting votes, and Nash isn't being considered yet. Of course Dalpe has the higher ceiling between the two, but they're at similar stages in their careers, and Nash is the closest to showing he can actually stick in the NHL. Nash also has the same amount of points in 4 less games, despite not being given top 6 time. While everyone's valuing system is different, I would have guessed they'd at least be getting similar consideration.

I think Nash will be hard pressed to get into as many games this year. If he wants the third line spot he has to show more offense and beat out rask, lindholm and possibly skinner. If he wants the fourth line I think he has to beat out sutter, who they like but could possibly end up on wing. I think he makes the fourth line.

Depending on who we sign I think we have a spot on right wing open that dalpe can walk right into with a good camp. He does have the higher ceiling, significantly more so IMO. Dalpe could easily get 20 goals next year, and we'd all be shocked if Nash did. Pretty big reasons to consider dalpe and not Nash at this point. I'd agree Nash is more likely to stick around as a role/depth guy, but as you say on lists like this different people have different values.

 

[Vagrant]

There is a tremendous disparity between Dalpe and his ultimate upside and Nash. Nash had two phenomenal games that accounted for nearly all his tangible production. Yes, I know it's two more than Dalpe has had to this point. Historically, Nash hasn't even been consistently productive in the AHL. He had a hot streak, he took advantage to his credit, and it certainly boosted his stock in the organization but he's not in the same area code in puck skills as Dalpe. What Dalpe does with those skills remains to be seen, but he's been working on his game and if he had a good summer he's going to clear Nash in a hurdle. I suppose the same could be said of Boychuk if he gave a damn.

But truthfully, the situation is looking more and more grim for the likes of guys like Terry, Dalpe, Boychuk, Nash, etc. The "old guard" in Charlotte that accounted for our future Top 6 at one point in time. With Samson, Sanguinetti, and even Boychuk last season trading teams it's time to close the chapter on a lot of these guys unless this year is finally the year. There is a difference between seasoning and stagnation and while Dalpe remains my favorite of the Charlotte Crew, his window is closing faster than hell. Time to start looking at future options. Thus.... McGinn for me.

 

[Swag Surf Aho]

I have Dalpe after McGinn but before Nash. It's strange because I don't even know how I value these prospects in terms of being more of a project or a "sure thing".

Dalpe is a boom or bust in the NHL and playing with 3 scoring lines will be his saving grace for this team. Ideally though, we need a couple of checking lines. Obviously, he has more potential than McGinn and Nash.

I like the McGinn pick. He's an ideal checking line forward and one that could use some seasoning while he's still growing into his body.

Nash has always gave me the impression of being a 4th line center. He needs to focus on filling out his frame.

 

[vwg*]

I don't really see Dalpe's potential being that much higher than Nash's anymore, at least from what I've seen in the NHL. They have the same amount of points in the NHL in a similar amount of games, and Nash played almost strictly in a bottom 6 role. Granted, Dalpe has posted the better stats in the AHL but Boychuk has shown that means practically nothing in the NHL.

Also, I don't really consider them prospects anymore so I'm not going to vote for either of them in these polls.

 

[Carolinas Identity*]

I voted Dalpe. I feel like this is the year he finally does something.

Even if it's only 25-35 points, I'll gladly take it.

 

[Buenos Necas]

I think Nash will be hard pressed to get into as many games this year. If he wants the third line spot he has to show more offense and beat out rask, lindholm and possibly skinner. If he wants the fourth line I think he has to beat out sutter, who they like but could possibly end up on wing. I think he makes the fourth line.

Depending on who we sign I think we have a spot on right wing open that dalpe can walk right into with a good camp. He does have the higher ceiling, significantly more so IMO. Dalpe could easily get 20 goals next year, and we'd all be shocked if Nash did. Pretty big reasons to consider dalpe and not Nash at this point. I'd agree Nash is more likely to stick around as a role/depth guy, but as you say on lists like this different people have different values.

I pretty much see him as, dare I say, a lock for the 4C, and having an outside shot at 3C if Lindholm doesn't come over, though it'd most likely be Skinner. I've been penciling Dalpe in on the 3rd line RW, and I do hope he shows enough improvement to warrant that role, but until he does, Nash has proven more than Dalpe. And the 20 goal metric isn't really a fair comparison; Dalpe is expected to put up points, while Nash is relied on more for his 2-way play. That being said, I'll be surprised if either of them scores 20 this year. If all goes well, I could see Dalpe putting together a decent 30-or-so point campaign, kind of like Tlusty 2 seasons ago, but 20 goals would be a welcomed surprise.

And agreed on the last point, it really comes down to what you value more, a better shot at actual NHL contribution (albeit a bottom-6 role) or the less-likely, but higher-ceiling guy.

There is a tremendous disparity between Dalpe and his ultimate upside and Nash. Nash had two phenomenal games that accounted for nearly all his tangible production. Yes, I know it's two more than Dalpe has had to this point. Historically, Nash hasn't even been consistently productive in the AHL. He had a hot streak, he took advantage to his credit, and it certainly boosted his stock in the organization but he's not in the same area code in puck skills as Dalpe. What Dalpe does with those skills remains to be seen, but he's been working on his game and if he had a good summer he's going to clear Nash in a hurdle. I suppose the same could be said of Boychuk if he gave a damn.

But truthfully, the situation is looking more and more grim for the likes of guys like Terry, Dalpe, Boychuk, Nash, etc. The "old guard" in Charlotte that accounted for our future Top 6 at one point in time. With Samson, Sanguinetti, and even Boychuk last season trading teams it's time to close the chapter on a lot of these guys unless this year is finally the year. There is a difference between seasoning and stagnation and while Dalpe remains my favorite of the Charlotte Crew, his window is closing faster than hell. Time to start looking at future options. Thus.... McGinn for me.

I don't disagree with your analysis of offensive production and overall ceiling, but like I said above, Nash is going to be relied on for his 2-way play more than offense. It all comes back to personal preference when weighing a more likely bottom-6er, vs overall ceiling. My point with bringing up offensive production was to show that despite their different roles, Nash has actually scored at a slightly higher rate. Like you said, it did mainly come from a couple big games, and that's more than Dalpe had, but it doesn't cancel out the fact those games happened. And I don't really care much about puck-skills or AHL production if it doesn't translate to the NHL. Clearly it suggests the higher ceiling, but at this point in Dalpe's career, he could just as easily never pan out. I view them as being in the same tier of prospects, so my initial post was more about finding it interesting that Dalpe seemed to be the run-away favorite between the two.

And I agree with your 2nd paragraph, same reasoning also lead me to vote for McGinn over Nash or Dalpe.

 

[Finlandia WOAT]

I think it's interesting that many hold the mindset that we were too optimistic on Dalpe, Boychuk, etc., yet we (as a board) are pumping the tires of Brock McGinn, a short checking line player who could not score effectively at the OHL level.

Anyways, I voted Dalpe again.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

I think it's interesting that many hold the mindset that we were too optimistic on Dalpe, Boychuk, etc., yet we (as a board) are pumping the tires of Brock McGinn, a short checking line player who could not score effectively at the OHL level.

Anyways, I voted Dalpe again.

54 points in 68 games really isn't bad... Not bad at all.

 

[FlyingSquirrels]

Aren't we voting on who will eventually become the best NHL'er out of the listed guys? If so then Dalpe will not get my vote. Too many other guys that I believe will have good careers, Dalpe I'm not too sure of.

 

[raynman]

Also, I don't really consider them prospects anymore so I'm not going to vote for either of them in these polls.

Having a hard time choosing because I also don't think I consider Dalpe a prospect anymore.

When do all of you think a player moves past prospect status?

 

[Buenos Necas]

Eh, I still think they're prospects, just a different group than the more recent draft picks. The last two posts illustrate the difficulty of ranking "best prospects," it can get very subjective between NHL-readiness, overall ceiling, and then more likely bottom-6/bottom pairing guys.

 

[NotOpie]

I don't really consider Nash a prospect anymore either. He had 32 games in the NHL last year mostly in a single stretch. Dalpe has never had more than a 10 game stretch.

These guys like Dalpe and Boychuk all started with great hype and because they didn't pull a Skinner or a Faulk, then they are busts or soon to be busts (okay, I might agree that Boychuk is). Some players just take longer to develop. Some players have to get an opportunity at extended time on a line or in the big leagues. I think that describes Zac Dalpe.

Anyway, I don't think it really is that close, Dalpe's next.