Tag Archives: WHL

Brennen York, Prospects

Matthew Savoie

If you were to bring up a prospect like Matthew Savoie to a regular hockey fan, the reaction is usually the same.

“He’s only twelve.”

The sentiment behind a statement like that is dismissive yet understandable. The fact of the matter is that Matthew Savoie is only 12 years old, however he is doing things we have seen very few hockey players do at such a young age. Not only has he been able to produce at well over a point per game average playing with kids two years older than him, he’s shown that he can be dominant in those games, often times the teams most effective forward. The hesitation or skepticism towards buying into the hype around a player like Savoie is understandable as we’ve seen many players come through the bantam ranks and end up either not living up to expectations or fall through the cracks before they even reach the league. Though this has been the case for a number of players, my money is on Matthew Savoie being one of the best prospects to come out of minor hockey in years.

There are very few flaws in Matthew’s game, and a such an early age, he’s shown a commitment to playing with consistent intensity, and has proven he can be relied upon in any situation. Savoie is a dynamic skater with the ability to explode up the wing, as well as be deceptive with his edge work while transporting the puck. He’s a highly creative offensive zone player who’s ability to find shooting and passing lanes to the net has put him amongst the top scorers in the league. He’s a strong checker, not something you’d expect out of an underage player, but his ability to explode through hits and fight through traffic make him that much more dynamic. He’s a defensively sound player who engages opponents quickly and utilizes his stick well in order to take away passing lanes, making offensive zone time difficult for the opposition. His ability in the faceoff dot is one of his biggest strengths as he has shown he can win draws against bigger competition. Though he’s still a few years away from WHL action, he already projects to be a combination Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Curtis Lazar in his ability to powerful, high skilled game

It’s uncertain whether or not we will see Savoie in Bantam next season as he’s proven to be competitive enough to remain with the ’02 age group, meaning he may end up playing at the Elite 15 level come the 2017/18 season. There are many routes which Savoie could take over the next few years as he has become one of the most heavily recruited players over the past year, and it’s expected by many that he may become the first WHL player granted exceptional status, which would allow him to enter the league full time at 15.

The St. Albert Sabres faceoff against Sherwood Park the first round of the AMBHL playoffs, so follow @DraftGeekHockey for game updates. Thank you for reading.

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Brennen York, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects

Patrick vs. Hischier: A Battle For Top Spot

Each year there are a number of preconceptions surrounding a draft class. 2015 was hailed as “the best since ‘03” years before it took place, and was praised for its depth in both the first round and throughout the remainder of the draft. With 18/30 first round selections having already played their first NHL game, it’s hard to argue that the preconceptions regarding that draft class were wrong. The preconceptions surrounding the 2017 draft class are vastly different, with many questioning both it’s depth and talent at the top. Though I believe the depth aspect of this draft is lacking, the talent at the top isn’t something to scoff at.

Nolan Patrick vs. Nico Hischier has been the battle presented to the masses this season, and though many, including myself, believe Nolan Patrick will likely be the first overall selection, Nico Hischier has done nothing but impress throughout his rookie QMJHL campaign. Throughout 43 games, Hischier has managed 76 points (1.77 ppg/2nd amongst QMJHL skaters), and has been relied upon in every situation for the Mooseheads, a testament to his ability to think the game at a very high level. His Zetterberg-like approach to the game has made it evident that he will be an effective player at the next level, and given the skills he possesses coupled with his ability to produce at all levels, it’s hard to see him not becoming a top line, point producing NHL player in the near future.

Since his return to the Wheat Kings lineup, Nolan Patrick has been dominant, recording 14 points in 8 games as well as a fight victory against Tyler Wong on January 31st. The Wheat Kings captain has drawn comparisons to Ryan Getzlaf, as the big bodied forward has proven to be an offensive zone force with his ability to push through traffic and be an effective scorer from in tight. He projects to be a top line NHL player, and given his versatility and ability to play in all situations as well as on the wing, he’s an ideal fit for nearly every team. Amongst teams poised to hold the first selection, Colorado would be an ideal fit giving their young core revolving around Nate MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Tyson Jost.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3muLUzDVw0

The most intriguing talking point when looking at these two high-end players is the west coast vs. east coast differences in their games. Teams have their choice of Nico Hischier, a true finesse, speedy, skilled type of forward, similar to Henrik Zetterberg or Nolan Patrick, the powerful, dynamic point producer similar to Ryan Getzlaf. Given the current layout of the NHL standings, both are likely western conference property when it’s all said and done, and regardless of which player goes first, I believe both will be successful NHL Players.

Though Patrick and Hischier have been the two players featured in headlines, they are being pushed by some highly skilled and talented players. Timothy Lijegren, the top-ranked defenceman for this draft has had an up and down year, dealing with mono as well as demotion to Allsvenskan following a disappointing return from his sickness. Liljegren is a highly intelligent, smooth skating defender who’s omission from the Swedish World Junior roster left many confused given his ability to play in all situations as well as produce offensively. He’s a defenceman teams will have to be patient with, and we may end up seeing him spend another year or two in Sweden before coming over, though significant AHL time may not be the worst thing for his development. Casey Mittelstadt of Eden Prairie is a player who will garner attention from teams picking in the top five, and in my opinion may be a top three forward when we look back at this draft five years from now, as he boasts a strong offensive two-way game, and has really proven to be difficult to play against. He’s a solid player whose hard to knock off the puck and can be a dynamic offensive force.

 

Regardless of who is selected first overall, the 2017 draft brings a unique mix of offensive talents, with players who possess a wide range of skillsets and intangibles. It may not have the McDavid or Matthews hype, but any team picking in the top ten is walking away with an excellent player.

Thank you for reading, and if you have any questions or comments be sure to reach me at @DraftGeekHockey on Twitter or comment below!

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Brennen York

World Junior Rewind

From opening puck drop on boxing day to Troy Terry’s shootout heroics, the 2017 World Junior’s packed about as much junior hockey excitement into eleven days as anyone could hope for. There were a few major storylines many will remember twenty years down the road, the main one likely being Troy Terry’s shootout magnificence, however the lack of attendance throughout round robin action and even into quarter final action is sure to leave a black mark on the cities of Montreal and Toronto. Also, with the USA having won their third medal in eight years, many questions around Canada’s success at the tournament have already been asked and will likely be asked again come next December.
Focusing on the positives..
The roster the U.S. assembled was quite brilliant, and the way Bob Motzko utilized all four of his lines really helped push the Americans over the top. The Americans did an excellent job combining speed, goal scoring, and finding the players who were unwilling to walk away without a gold medal around their necks.

Tyler Parsons – Parsons is a big game guy and that’s exactly what they got out of him. He’s not a natural high end puck tracker, but man does he fight in the crease. Flames may have a good one.

 

Charlie McAvoy – McAvoy was the second best defenceman in the tournament and provided the Americans with a stabilizing force from the back end. McAvoy will be a high end NHL defenceman, and he will be there very soon.

 

Caleb Jones – Outside of WHL and Oiler fans, not many people were aware of the impact Jones would play on the roster. Jones, much like McAvoy, was a real stabilizer on the back end, able to slow the game down and distribute the puck effectively.

 

Jack Roslovic – Though he didn’t receive the attention that Colin White and Clayton Keller received, Roslovic was one of the most impactful players on the American roster. His ability to transport the puck through the neutral zone with speed, and gain clean zone entries are something that will make him a successful NHL winger.

 

Clayton Keller – He was quiet in the final, but I don’t think anyone can argue the sheer brilliance of Clayton Keller. From his puck skills to speed to the way he sees the ice, Keller is going to be a big time player for they ‘Yotes.

 

Luke Kunin – Kunin had a decent tournament, and was able to generate a fair amount of offensive zone chances. I believe he’s still a year away from the NHL (based on his performance in this tournament) but he played an integral part in the American’s success.

 

Jordan Greenway – Scary, scary player. His ability to skate given his size would have any opponent shaking. He’s a freight train, and the physical aspect of his game, as well as his ability to contribute around the net really allowed fans to see how good of a prospect Greenway is.

 

Tage Thompson – Unbelievably skilled player. Thompson showed he has the ability to dominate games, and I believe that’s exactly what he will bring to the St. Louis Blues. Out of any player on the roster, Thompson impressed me the most.

 

Troy Terry – What’s left to say? He was clutch. I’m not sure he’s ever a top 9 NHL player, but he certainly cemented himself as one of the most legendary US players ever.

 

Though they finished second, Team Canada really didn’t have all that good of a tournament. Aside from Thomas Chabot, and for a short time Phillippe Myers, the back end struggled mightily against the fast and skilled attacks of the Sweden and the USA. In a short tournament like this, the lack of defenceman capable of playing more of a shutdown role inevitably cost them, making the omission of Brendan Guhle even harder to swallow.

 

The forward group deployed in this years tournament was quite strong, but the team lacked in a clear go to guy. Of course Mathew Barzal and Dylan Strome were thought to be those guys heading in, and they did have a fairly strong round robin, but they were never able to truly take over and dominate a game, with Dylan Strome nearly disappearing in the final. Julien Gauthier was one of the more impressive forwards, and given his size, speed, and overall intelligence, it wouldn’t be a stretch to think he’ll be a top none guy in Raleigh next season. Anthony Cirelli received a lot of media attention, and though he played above what was expected, he didn’t blow me away.

 

The goaltending was what it was. They took the two best Canadian goalies in the CHL, and to Hart’s credit the Americans got really lucky on a couple of goals in the final game.

 

In terms of draft eligibles who impressed, no one was better than Halifax Mooseheads forward, Nico Hischier who scooped up seven points in five games and was the clear go to man for the Swiss. Is he going to be a top three pick in this years draft, probably not, but everyone now knows how skilled the young center is. Miro Heiskanen is another player who saw a rise in his draft stock following a fairly strong outing on a weak Finnish squad. The other Fins in Tolvanen, Vesalainen, and Valimaki are likely to remain in a similar spot, though Vesalainen is a guy who could see his name rise. Elias Pettersson had a decent outing for a draft eligible in the WJC, and is likely solidified in the top 15. Lias Andersson showed off how dynamic he can be, and at times looked like one of the best Swedes on the ice. Andersson is a player I had some reservations on heading into the tourney, but he looks like he will be a high end offensive player at the NHL level.

 

Aside from Finlands shocking fall from grace, the other disappointment comes with the Swedes, who on paper were the majority favourite heading in. With a deep defensive corp, elite goaltending, and a good mix of veterans and skilled, the Swedes fell short to the Russians. The Swedes are a perennial power house, but if this tournament showed anything it’s that teams are able to adjust to the same old formula, and that’s evident in the success that a team like Switzerland had at the tournament, proving to be far more competitive than one would have thought.

 

As strange as it may sound, the Fins will have a strong team in the 2018 edition of the tournament, with likely returnees in Rasanen, Vesalainen, Tolvanen, Heiskanen, Valimaki, as well as the addition of likely top 60 pick Robin Salo.

 

Thank you for reading, and follow me at @DraftGeekHockey for more news and notes on junior hockey news and prospects.

Edmonton Oilers, Michael Sifeldeen, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects

Hedge Your Bets on Benson

3 Comments

I’m typing this article up on a combination of an iPad Air 2 + Apple Magic Keyboard 2. It’s replacing my very-powerful-yet-very-old-and-temperamental Macbook Pro that I picked up sometime in 2010. It’s a great computer and all, but more often than not it’s a headache to use, it doesn’t show up for me every day, and basically I just needed something new, different, more reliable. Maybe the iPad doesn’t have the same kind of raw computing power as my old Mac, but it is also without the old, buggy software and backlog of files slowing it down every time I need to count on it.

Which is, of course, an absolutely perfect metaphor for who we’re going to be talking about today: Tyler Benson. I’m going all in here, and I’m predicting that Tyler Benson is going to grow into the perfect left wing replacement for Taylor Hall. It might not be this season or the next, but wait and see. By his early 20s, Benson is going to be an absolute force in the NHL, and he’ll be tearing it up on the left side in a very Hall-like fashion, but (hopefully) without all the other bullshit getting in the way of otherwise remarkable performances.

BACKGROUND

The Edmonton Oilers picked up a really interesting player in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft in Tyler Benson. He’s an Edmonton boy, and a minor celebrity coming out of the South Side Athletic Club following his just absurd numbers put up in AAA with the Lions Bantam team. Touted by some analysts in the early 2010s to be the “Next One” out of Western Canada, how did such a shining prospect fall into the Oilers’ laps 32nd overall in the 2nd round?

In a word: injuries.

The kid was an absolute monster in AAA. Like, as in, “numbers no one had ever seen before.” He scored 146 points (57G, 89A) in 33 (33!) games in 2013 for the SSAC Lions. Can you just imagine for a second what scoring almost 4 1/2 points per game must feel like? Absurd. And according to an Edmonton-based /r/hockey redditor familiar with his junior league play, Benson’s bantam coach — in an apparent show of mercy and good sportsmanship (but mostly mercy) — would often bench him for much of the 3rd periods of his games when the scores just got out of hand. So really, his point totals should’ve been even higher than the already-terrifying numbers he put up playing only 2/3 of his normal shifts.

But last winter, after being drafted first overall into the WHL for the 2014-15 season and putting up a very good showing (62GP-14G-26A-40TP), his 2015-16 campaign was cut short to only 30 games when he had to have surgery to remove a cyst from his back. In a stroke of horribly bad fortune, Tyler then developed a groin/lower core issue called osteitis pubis, which is a disorder that kids get from working out too much and too hard.

BEYOND BOXCARS

Boxcars are good and all, but with the absence of advanced stats in the minor leagues, how does Benson really “play the game” outside of putting up just a whacky amount of points, and why do I think he’ll be a perfect Taylor Hall replacement if he gets back and keeps his health?

Steve Kournianos has this to say about the Vancouver Giants captain:

“He is a nightmare to defend because he is as physically punishing with the puck as he is without it… Benson is very shifty with tremendous balance, meaning he can continue to move if he gets hit at the same time he decides to change direction. Possessing the kind of vision and IQ he owns makes it no surprise the CHL came close to giving him “exceptional” status to play a full season as a 15 year old (cut short by a knee injury).”

He’s not a small guy at 6′ and 200lbs, and if his scouting reports are to be believed, he’s steady and stable with and without the puck, and can be a real force at both ends of the ice. He’s sure-footed, and the word “complete” gets used time and time again when referring to the guy. Say what you want about Taylor Hall, but to my eyes and ears, we were never seeing or hearing those things said about him. Hall simply isn’t a defensively-minded forward, and despite his elite foot speed, almost every game he was over-skating pucks and slipping on the ice at inopportune times. Flame away in the comments section, guys, but I’m just sayin’…

SUMMARY

Chiarelli says Benson’s hockey sense is “through the roof”, and the reports out of orientation camp in Jasper this year have him looking and feeling healthy. The Oilers organization has a real gem with former Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater David Pelletier as their skating coach, and I have no doubt that he and the other coaches in the system will be working closely with Benson to ensure that he maintains his health in a sustainable way.

The irony here is that, had Tyler been fully healthy for his last season in the W, there’s no chance the Oilers get to pick him up at #32. The same Draft Analyst article by Kournianos has him being compared with the likes of Auston Matthews with regard to his on-the-spot corrections and his ability to create offense in ostensibly impossible situations, for Christ’s sake. I, for one, am right chuffed on Tyler Benson, and I look forward to having this article cited about four years from now when he’s considered an elite NHL winger and I get to say “I told you so!”

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2016 Mastercard Memorial Cup, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects, Zach Laing

Should the Oilers be looking at drafting Kale Clague?

Action from Game 2 of the 2016 MasterCard Memorial Cup between the Brandon Wheat Kings and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in Red Deer, AB on Saturday May 21, 2016. Photo by Rob Wallator/CHL Images

Kale Clague was a player who quickly caught my eye during Saturday’s matchup against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.

The 6’0, 178 lb Lloydminster native put up 43 points in 71 games this season, and looked like a major part of this Wheat Kings team. His 43 points ranked 21st amongst WHL defensemen.

His inaugural season in the WHL was shortened to only 21 games due to injury, however this season was a big breakout year for the 17-year old.


What does Clague bring to the table? 

Clague has the ability to process the game at a quick pace and has the skating ability to be a very mobile defenceman at the next level. Offensively, he put up some impressive numbers and was the second highest scoring defenseman in this year’s WHL playoffs, scoring 14 points in 21 games.

His production was great for a 17-year old, and another year or two would do him very well.

The beginning of his season started off slow, as during the first 27 games of the season, he only put up 13 points. However, he really turned it on as soon as the new year hit.

In the final 34 games of the season, Clague put up 30 points.

Clague is just as solid in his own zone as he is in the offensive zone. Against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies on Saturday night, he did a fantastic job of creating offensive chances and negated many Rouyn-Noranda chances.

I spoke with scouts at the game that feel although he needs more seasoning in the WHL, he is a player who will certainly be able to be a difference maker.

Should the Oilers be looking at Kale Clague?

I think so.

 

Despite the fact that Clague is a left shot he plays on the right side for the Wheat Kings in all situations. He projects as an offensive defenceman likely to play on the second pairing, with the ability to be a powerplay quarterback.

This is an area that’s certainly lacking for the Oilers, so using an early second rounder on him wouldn’t be the worst thing the team does.

https://youtu.be/eKzLSfMOBO0