Thats pretty damn good company. I wasnt aware of that.
- GOA88

The NCAA is becoming a much more effective league at placing stars in the NHL. It's not going to catch the CHL, but it's definitely a viable pipeline. Eichel's a really good prospect. I agree he's not as good as McDavid, but I still think he's a potential franchise center. Kid's dripping skill.

The NCAA is becoming a much more effective league at placing stars in the NHL. It's not going to catch the CHL, but it's definitely a viable pipeline. Eichel's a really good prospect. I agree he's not as good as McDavid, but I still think he's a potential franchise center. Kid's dripping skill.
- Jsaquella

Eichel would look damn good in orange and black!

The NCAA is becoming a much more effective league at placing stars in the NHL. It's not going to catch the CHL, but it's definitely a viable pipeline. Eichel's a really good prospect. I agree he's not as good as McDavid, but I still think he's a potential franchise center. Kid's dripping skill.
- Jsaquella

I did see that wrap around goal the other day. He literally skated in a half circle around the net very quickly with just one small stride (with his back facing the boards the entire time). That really stood out to me.

Eichel would look damn good in orange and black!
- BiggE

So would McDavid.

Or 3 out of 10. Also I am not sure when the last time a college player scored 80-90 or 100 pts in the NHL, or if that ever happened. Im not saying it hasnt. I just dont know. I'm not saying Eichel sucks or anything either. Just that he has a chance to dissapoint the team that picks him so high. Like a Alexandre Daigle..
- GOA88

You mean the Alex Daigle who went first overall, and played in the QMJHL/CHL?

Ok, I'm convinced, McDavid could be a bust.

You can't base this kind of thing off of history though. What does Zach Parise's play have to do with Eichel's? Or any other player that played in college. They're not related at all. They're completely different individuals.
- NickTheKid87

Biggest adjustment is how many games they play. CHL plays 68 regular season games, with loads of travel, plus the playoffs and the Memorial Cup. NCAA is usually 40 regular season games, plus various tourneys and the Frozen Four

Not really. He's a limited player. He's not very good at the transitional game, he's a poor possession player, lacks the speed to really keep up with and be effective with a pair like Giroux or Voracek and needs a playmaker on his line to reach his full effectiveness.

I don't disagree that the roster is full of interchangeable parts, but so far the one spot he's been effective at has been the 4th line, with VDV and Bellmare.
- Jsaquella

I agree that he is limited. I just feel that he could be used more effectively. I do not want to guarantee him any specific amount of playing time. Just want to put him with players that will enhance his abilities. Playing with Read/Schenn/Raffl and Laughton is better than him playing with VDV and Bellemare. Doing so would really only effect Umberger negatively in terms of playing time. That is my point.

Anyway you slice it this line up is not put together well.

Or 3 out of 10. Also I am not sure when the last time a college player scored 80-90 or 100 pts in the NHL, or if that ever happened. Im not saying it hasnt. I just dont know. I'm not saying Eichel sucks or anything either. Just that he has a chance to dissapoint the team that picks him so high. Like a Alexandre Daigle..
- GOA88

You need to do a bit of research before making such blanket statements

http://collegehockeyinc.c...m/pages/2014-15-alums-nhl

I did see that wrap around goal the other day. He literally skated in a half circle around the net very quickly with just one small stride. That really stood out to me.
- GOA88

From what the scouts say, there's a dip after the top 2, then another around 5 and another after 12-14. Flyers will get a real good player in the top 12.

Obviously top two would be the best, but...

You mean the Alex Daigle who went first overall, and played in the QMJHL/CHL?

Ok, I'm convinced, McDavid could be a bust.
- BulliesPhan87

Listen smart guy . Just saying that THERE WILL BE A BUST in this draft. Like every draft, ever.

So would McDavid.
- GOA88

Yes, please!

How many of them are stars? Thats my point. Also 30% isnt a whole lot.
- GOA88

Isn't a whole lot relative to what?

I'd like to see the breakdown of where players come from (developmentally speaking) and how many players overall participate in that particular developmental system.

Listen smart guy . Just saying that THERE WILL BE A BUST in this draft. Like every draft, ever.
- GOA88

draught bust

From what the scouts say, there's a dip after the top 2, then another around 5 and another after 12-14. Flyers will get a real good player in the top 12.

Obviously top two would be the best, but...
- Jsaquella

After watching this team for nearly half a season, I'd be shocked if they aren't picking in the top 10, and probably the top 7.

I understand that. The logical thing to do as a human is to make decisions based off of prior events. Its the best way to not get burnt.
- GOA88

That is a logical thing to do but not when the prior events are mutually exclusive to the decision you're making.

Biggest adjustment is how many games they play. CHL plays 68 regular season games, with loads of travel, plus the playoffs and the Memorial Cup. NCAA is usually 40 regular season games, plus various tourneys and the Frozen Four
- Jsaquella

NCAA players also have more stringent academic requirements, I believe.

You need to do a bit of research before making such blanket statements

http://collegehockeyinc.c...m/pages/2014-15-alums-nhl
- jak521

As you can read, I never stated anything as a fact or that I'm completey sure of anything I was saying. Its just conversation buddy.

Isn't a whole lot relative to what?

I'd like to see the breakdown of where players come from (developmentally speaking) and how many players overall participate in that particular developmental system.
- johndewar

Lets look at the Blackhawks alone..


Sharp, Keith, Towes, Ben Smith.

draught bust
- BulliesPhan87

How do I sign up for this newsletter?

I agree that he is limited. I just feel that he could be used more effectively. I do not want to guarantee him any specific amount of playing time. Just want to put with players that will enhance his abilities. Playing with Read/Schenn/Raffl and Laughton is better than him playing with VDV and Bellemare. Doing so would really only effect Umberger negatively in terms of playing time. That is my point.

Anyway you slice it this line up is not put together well.
- mickel25

It's not a well constructed roster, no argument.

I'm getting to the point where I want to see younger guys in key roles, because the playoff chances right now are near zero. After losing to Nashville, they pretty much needed to beat Arizona AND Colorado to have a chance.

They're 8 points back, without games in hand on most teams ahead of them(in fact some teams ahead of them have games in hand on them, like FLA & NYR) and have to leap frog 5 or 6 other teams to squeak into the playoffs.

Even a wildcard berth is not a likely outcome for this crew at this point.

From what the scouts say, there's a dip after the top 2, then another around 5 and another after 12-14. Flyers will get a real good player in the top 12.

Obviously top two would be the best, but...
- Jsaquella

We'll be 6th overall with a loss or OTL tonight.

Biggest adjustment is how many games they play. CHL plays 68 regular season games, with loads of travel, plus the playoffs and the Memorial Cup. NCAA is usually 40 regular season games, plus various tourneys and the Frozen Four
- Jsaquella

I'm of the belief that a player will adjust regardless of what league he's in prior to the NHL. It may take longer for NCAA John Smith to adjust to the NHL than CHL John Smith but if he's good enough, he'll get to pretty much the same point regardless. Obviously this can't be tested (yet...) but I think a good player is a good player no matter what.

NCAA players also have more stringent academic requirements, I believe.
- johndewar

Yes. The NCAA is pretty strict, not only on grades, but other areas as well. NCAA guys don't get paid, which is the case in the CHL

It's not a well constructed roster, no argument.

I'm getting to the point where I want to see younger guys in key roles, because the playoff chances right now are near zero. After losing to Nashville, they pretty much needed to beat Arizona AND Colorado to have a chance.

They're 8 points back, without games in hand on most teams ahead of them(in fact some teams ahead of them have games in hand on them, like FLA & NYR) and have to leap frog 5 or 6 other teams to squeak into the playoffs.

Even a wildcard berth is not a likely outcome for this crew at this point.
- Jsaquella

I can agree with that. Playing the young guys should be the priority. The top 9 right now outside of Umberger is young.

I'm of the belief that a player will adjust regardless of what league he's in prior to the NHL. It may take longer for NCAA John Smith to adjust to the NHL than CHL John Smith but if he's good enough, he'll get to pretty much the same point regardless. Obviously this can't be tested (yet...) but I think a good player is a good player no matter what.
- NickTheKid87

Absolutely. It's just a bit bigger for the average NCAA guy than it is for the average CHLer. Take a guy like Toews. There was really zero adjustment for him. He stepped in, scored 54 points in 64 games in his first NHL season and has been a stud ever since.