Adam French: 2016 Draft Eligibles at the U18's

Hello everyone. Welcome to French's blog.

Hello everyone. Welcome to French's blog.
- hunglikeapuck

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Last comment!
- AdamFrench

what would you do without me Frenchy...keeping the revolution alive.

Was Puljujärvi there? What about Max Jones for USA?

I remember reading about Laine two years ago. Was nicknamed the 'Finnish Ovechkin'. Fair comparsion?

Was Puljujärvi there? What about Max Jones for USA?

I remember reading about Laine two years ago. Was nicknamed the 'Finnish Ovechkin'. Fair comparsion?
- Newfinator81

1. Puljahrhavirdbde was there. He was pretty good. Played on the top line with Laine and Saarela. Bit concerned when the 5'10 centre is the most physical player on a line with dudes that are 6'4 and 6'3.

2. Max Jones was not invited.

3. Not a good comparison at all. Laine is pretty darn soft, unlike OV who would rather skate through players than around them. More like the Finnish JVR.

1. Puljahrhavirdbde was there. He was pretty good. Played on the top line with Laine and Saarela. Bit concerned when the 5'10 centre is the most physical player on a line with dudes that are 6'4 and 6'3.

2. Max Jones was not invited.

3. Not a good comparison at all. Laine is pretty darn soft, unlike OV who would rather skate through players than around them. More like the Finnish JVR.
- AdamFrench

1.

2. I thought he was a projected top-10. Surprised he wasn't there.

3. I don't know how to feel about that. A big, power forward with all the strength and power of a golf cart....I'd still take him. No Pain, no Laine.

My worries about Artyom Ivanyuzhenkov is that everyone will think his name is too complicated.

My worries about Artyom Ivanyuzhenkov is that everyone will think his name is too complicated.
- jugkope

He will shorten it to Arty Ivanov just for you.

My worries about Artyom Ivanyuzhenkov is that everyone will think his name is too complicated.
- jugkope

It's fairly ridiculous

Adam, I know both Matthews and Tkachuk are great talents regardless of age/bday but how much weight to put on the fact that they were both a year older and had more experience than much of their competition - especially Matthews who is just a couple of days shy of being in the 2015 draft?

I would think that scouts would prefer to compare them to this years group in terms of development.

It's fairly ridiculous
- AdamFrench

There are enough letters to bankrupt our poor Yotes.

Would Matthews be ahead of Eichel if he was eligible this year?

There are enough letters to bankrupt our poor Yotes.
- jugkope

Not U18 related, but how do you think Panarin fits with Chicago now that he's chosen to go there?

Would Matthews be ahead of Eichel if he was eligible this year?
- porkchops1977

Hard to say. Numbers and build are similar, but Eichel had a better U20 the year before his draft than Matthews did and what he did in the NCAA is practically unheard of. I think he might, if only because he would be the youngest player in the draft and teams would look at that and project what he could do at Eichel's age.

Adam, I know both Matthews and Tkachuk are great talents regardless of age/bday but how much weight to put on the fact that they were both a year older and had more experience than much of their competition - especially Matthews who is just a couple of days shy of being in the 2015 draft?

I would think that scouts would prefer to compare them to this years group in terms of development.
- The Law

It usually doesn't end up hurting players. Ovechkin had a similar thing, he was born on the 17th of September just like Matthews and was the oldest player in his draft. Kept dominating and kept his first overall status. It certainly makes scouts try harder to find weaknesses though. John Tavares was also similar, born on the 20th, scouts were trying desperately to find holes in his game by the time the draft rolled around.

Not U18 related, but how do you think Panarin fits with Chicago now that he's chosen to go there?
- Sandus

Start him in the AHL if you ask me. He's never played on the NA ice surface and his game is pretty perimeter based playmaking off the rush. He'll probably need to adjust.

interesting read Adam.

There are enough letters to bankrupt our poor Yotes.
- jugkope

I think the Sabres improve this year, but still pick in the top10
I'd LOVE Matthew Tkachuk! He'd fit perfect in our top6 (not right away of course)
I'd rather he went to the NCAA though. Just BC I like the option of sending a guy to the AHL if he isn't ready for the NHL, but prob too good for Juniors
Or if Sean Day falls to us (prob won't), then we'd have to consider him even though we are pretty set on defense

Nice read btw

Hard to say. Numbers and build are similar, but Eichel had a better U20 the year before his draft than Matthews did and what he did in the NCAA is practically unheard of. I think he might, if only because he would be the youngest player in the draft and teams would look at that and project what he could do at Eichel's age.
- AdamFrench

Idk
No one has done what Eichel has done since Kariya. That's pretty high praise.
I think it would be a toss up between Strome, Matthews & Hannifin to round out the top5 this year.
McDavid & Eichel a clear step above id say

Idk
No one has done what Eichel has done since Kariya. That's pretty high praise.
I think it would be a toss up between Strome, Matthews & Hannifin to round out the top5 this year.
McDavid & Eichel a clear step above id say
- jdfitz77

This.... I give mad props to Strome.... he's a step down but nothing to shake a stick at....

This article is so full of inaccuracies and mischaracterizations, I don't even know where to start. I guess I'll start at the beginning. Making fun of Matthews' name is idiotic. Clayton Keller played on a line with Jeremy Bracco. He didn't take a single shift on Matthews' line. Calling Laine soft is just absurd. Puljujarvi didn't play on a line with Laine for most of the tournament; only in certain situations. And that's just the beginning. I'm blown away that Puck Daddy would include a piece like this in its Puck Headlines. Seriously. This is just awful. Surely you can do better than this.
- rivermen123

This post is so full of inaccuracies and mischaracterization, I don't even know where to start.

"The dynamic offensive winger has been overshadowed by Matthews and Tkachuk" does not mean he played with them. However reading comprehension can be lost when one is looking to try to slam something.

Laine and Puljujarvi were out together with Saarela for the majority of the tournament.

Thanks Puck Daddy

This post is so full of inaccuracies and mischaracterization, I don't even know where to start.

"The dynamic offensive winger has been overshadowed by Matthews and Tkachuk" does not mean he played with them. However reading comprehension can be lost when one is looking to try to slam something.

Laine and Puljujarvi were out together with Saarela for the majority of the tournament.

Thanks Puck Daddy
- AdamFrench

To be fair, you did say "Matthews’s entire line however makes up the top-3" but that's not really worth getting worked up about.