Ok, if YOU guarantee Mitchell signs with the Hawks, then I’ll rest easy with that assurance...

Since the Hayes experience, I’m leery of these NCAA prospects stringing out their signing/commitment. This is a loophole that needs to be closed with the next CBA.
- Chief4Feathers

I thought something had happened with one of the brother prior ... or something like that. Then he decided not to sign. A trade or something to sour the relationship. I might be mixing some stuff up.

Now there is a big ordeal of keeping tabs on prospects, watching or talking with them, even the players welcome them. Sikura & Hayden both came over. I think a lot has been done to make sure everyone signs with us. I fully expect Mitchell to sign with us. I'm sure that does nothing for you, personally, but Bowman has been better at signing since then.

I think they play a mishmash of a schedule - against USHL and college teams mostly. But the point is CHL teams play a consistently tougher level of competition than the USNTDP plays.
- EbonyRaptor

Most assuredly the USHl is a step down competition wise from the three CHL leagues and there might be some weak sisters in the USHl, but a lot of the players they are step stoning to a college program they have committed to.

There are weak sisters in the Q and Dub, and even the OHL after teams start tossing away their older stars to gain assets to rebuild.

I must be watching another Charlie McAvoy but I’m not seeing what everyone else apparently sees.

Makar on the other hand will be upsetting Hawks fans for years to come.
- TommyHawk

Put McAvoy on the Hawk's defence and I think you would have some appreciation for his ability compared to what's there now.

Can't put too much on comparables but I think Bergeron is a good comparable for a Turcotte ceiling.
- EbonyRaptor

yeah, my boss at draft site is always trying to get me to do these and to me they are meaningless because these kids are NOT anywhere along to be considered in the same breath as NHLers.

The one Comparable I like is Zegras is like Elias Petterson in how quickly he reads and passes and shoots.

I saw that Hockey New issue had a comparable for each and every guy they thought was in the top sixty, and so many where like squat size compared to the NHlers they are compared to.

As far as ceilings go Hockey News also limited Turcotte to a second line centre high water based on size I believe.

I must be watching another Charlie McAvoy but I’m not seeing what everyone else apparently sees.

Makar on the other hand will be upsetting Hawks fans for years to come.
- TommyHawk

Pay better attention. McAvoy is just beginning to reach his potential. He make Chara serviceable at this point.

Can't put too much on comparables but I think Bergeron is a good comparable for a Turcotte ceiling.
- EbonyRaptor

WOW!

Patrice is 6 1 around 195
and Turcotte?


and as far as ceiling, you just picked a old guy (34 before next year) who disproves any theories of slowdown, drop off.

that is a high bar that you are telling us all Turcotte MAY reach...

I said most, not all.

Makar is a great player about to be a star. Add in Charlie McAvoy in too and some others.
- RickJ

They actually play closer to 40 games these days. Juniors is still the toughest level of comp but the NCAA is far different than what we recall from our younger days, Rick.

More and more kids from the US and Canada are using it as developmental step which has caused the level of competition to increase quite a bit.

That all sounds accurate to me as far as what I've read up about Turcotte, i.e. about the mono and taking on a larger role (and performing well) when Hughes went down. If anything, Hughes is more injury prone than Turcotte. Even then, it's still too early to tab either as injury prone.
- AEL_Fox

Wasn't it his hip?
and the back?

beside mono...

I mean "the injury" WAS these things.

(I think if I recall his dad had reoccurring hip injury, but I ma not gonna check).

WOW!

Patrice is 6 1 around 195
and Turcotte?


and as far as ceiling, you just picked a old guy (34 before next year) who disproves any theories of slowdown, drop off.

that is a high bar that you are telling us all Turcotte MAY reach...
- wiz1901

Turcotte is 5'11 and 190 ish pending on what site you peep. He is not small. He is pretty close to the same size as Crosby was at that age.

Ok, if YOU guarantee Mitchell signs with the Hawks, then I’ll rest easy with that assurance...

Since the Hayes experience, I’m leery of these NCAA prospects stringing out their signing/commitment. This is a loophole that needs to be closed with the next CBA.
- Chief4Feathers

He will sign. He is nothing like Hayes. The kid was just named Captain at DU. His going back to Denver is because he felt he wasn't ready physically and mentally ready for pro hockey.

WOW!

Patrice is 6 1 around 195
and Turcotte?


and as far as ceiling, you just picked a old guy (34 before next year) who disproves any theories of slowdown, drop off.

that is a high bar that you are telling us all Turcotte MAY reach...
- wiz1901

Bergeron has an inch or two on him but Turcotte is about the same weight - he's strong/thick. I can see Turcotte's ceiling being about like Bergeron because he's relentless like Bergeron - he keeps moving and puck hunting.

Turcotte is 5'11 and 190 ish pending on what site you peep. He is not small. He is pretty close to the same size as Crosby was at that age.
- Elbows15

My point was reach and the comparison.

I would never have the cojones any kid, Matthews or even super fast McDavid to an established star...

usually these impact generational develop their on niche...

It seems trying to place Turcotte on this pedestal when he still needs T I M E is

b I z a r r e

(Wait I apologize - there was an article out of DETROIT where some rummy started the comparison!)

My point was reach and the comparison.

I would never have the cojones any kid, Matthews or even super fast McDavid to an established star...

usually these impact generational develop their on niche...

It seems trying to place Turcotte on this pedestal when he still needs T I M E is

b I z a r r e

(Wait I apologize - there was an article out of DETROIT where some rummy started the comarison!)
- wiz1901

I can't speak for others, but for myself, I am not putting Turcotte on a pedestal by comparing him with an established star player. I only meant that he has a chance to be like Bergeron because I think he plays a relentless high-motor game like Bergeron does. No pedestal - just a projection.

All this posturing we are doing here should come with the caveat that this year the 2019 class doesn't drop until after the top ten (and that is w/o Byram).

The differences will be exactly how long you will wait for that prospect to blossom and actually become that NHL player.

"That" NHL player may be a forward who might get slotted up and down the top three lines of a top team, the guy may be solid top six forward, the guy may be a solid top six player at the position he is presently projected to be playing in the NHL, or the guy may be a dominant NHL player and a star.

Not sure any of us is qualified to make anything but predictions or state our preferences.

McAvoy is just beginning to reach his potential. He make Chara serviceable at this point.
- Elbows15

Yeah, I thought most of the year he was still in learning mode, but I think the big hard playoff minutes with help elevate his game, the stronger constant match-ups. but that's the thing about these these new ag defenders, they have to eventually find ways to consistently punish, win, dominate in their end.

They actually play closer to 40 games these days. Juniors is still the toughest level of comp but the NCAA is far different than what we recall from our younger days, Rick.

More and more kids from the US and Canada are using it as developmental step which has caused the level of competition to increase quite a bit.
- Elbows15

For developing pros I'm a big believer in playing a lot of games against the toughest competition possible. For obvious reasons the NCAA can't provide that, but I agree the talent level is improving which is great for quality of competition.

BTW - the starting goalie for Guelph today in the Memorial Cup is making his 77th start of the season. And he let in a sh$tty goal in the first 3 minutes.

He will sign. He is nothing like Hayes. The kid was just named Captain at DU. His going back to Denver is because he felt he wasn't ready physically and mentally ready for pro hockey.
- Elbows15

I read the same in a recent article - hopefully this doesn’t go sideways. However, Fox is another example of a college player waiting out his draft selection and essentially picking where he wanted to go - NYR being the benefactors yet again. It’s BS in my opinion - next CBA needs to clean this up.

Interesting part of article on TheAthletic on why you draft a forward early:
I went back and looked at the top 10 picks in each of the last 15 drafts, and how long it took for them to become NHL regulars. The numbers are striking. Of the 102 forwards taken in the top 10, 36 percent made the jump immediately, 66 percent within one season, and 79 percent within two seasons. Only 5 percent were total busts, with seven recent draftees still to be determined.
Of the 46 defensemen taken in the top 10 over the last 15 years, only 17 percent (eight of them) made the jump immediately, only 54 percent within one season, and only 70 percent within two seasons. Nine percent were busts, with three still to be determined.
Narrow it down to just top-five picks, and the numbers are similar. Fifty-two percent of the forwards taken in the top five jumped straight to the NHL, while just 36 percent of the defensemen did. Eighty-one percent of the forwards taken in the top five were NHL regulars within one season, compared to 68 percent of defensemen.

All this posturing we are doing here should come with the caveat that this year the 2019 class doesn't drop until after the top ten (and that is w/o Byram).

The differences will be exactly how long you will wait for that prospect to blossom and actually become that NHL player.

"That" NHL player may be a forward who might get slotted up and down the top three lines of a top team, the guy may be solid top six forward, the guy may be a solid top six player at the position he is presently projected to be playing in the NHL, or the guy may be a dominant NHL player and a star.

Not sure any of us is qualified to make anything but predictions or state our preferences.
- wiz1901

Time and the opportunity to develop and patience is what's required by most of these kids. And a keen scouting eye to project where that kid will be in 2-4 years.

Consider Alexei Toropchenko - 113th overall in 2017 to St
Louis (long after they took Robert Thomas). Hat trick in the 1st period for Guelph today. Looks like a man playing with 12 year olds.

Time and the opportunity to develop and patience is what's required by most of these kids. And a keen scouting eye to project where that kid will be in 2-4 years.

Consider Alexei Toropchenko - 113th overall in 2017 to St
Louis (long after they took Robert Thomas). Hat trick in the 1st period for Guelph today. Looks like a man playing with 12 year olds.
- RickJ

Entwistle just makes it 4-1 Guelph early in the 2nd.

For developing pros I'm a big believer in playing a lot of games against the toughest competition possible. For obvious reasons the NCAA can't provide that, but I agree the talent level is improving which is great for quality of competition.

BTW - the starting goalie for Guelph today in the Memorial Cup is making his 77th start of the season. And he let in a sh$tty goal in the first 3 minutes.
- RickJ

Is it not Popovich playing for Guelph he played like 80 games this year playoff and regular season . Been their for 3 years . Make some big saves to keep the 2 goal lead .

Entwistle just makes it 4-1 Guelph early in the 2nd.
- boilermaker100

And MacWistle (my new nickname for him) with a helper on Suzuki's goal. 5-2 Guelph after two.

And MacWistle (my new nickname for him) with a helper on Suzuki's goal. 5-2 Guelph after two.
- boilermaker100

Is he our next Hossa ..

Is he our next Hossa ..
- oldduffman

You never know. There is/was only 1 Hossa, but I hope he'll be on the team in 20/21 as a 3rd line C/RW or as one of those who can slide up to a top 6 slot.

You never know. There is/was only 1 Hossa, but I hope he'll be on the team in 20/21 as a 3rd line C/RW or as one of those who can slide up to a top 6 slot.
- boilermaker100

Yes your right there Hossa was a one of a kind player . Really miss seeing him out there . Always liked his Goal celebrations . Whistle is making some noise in the playoffs this year, and back in the Worlds . Blue chip prospect .