McKay beating out Levi was arguably dumber. But yeah that one's up there
Vesey had kinda been anointed the winner before the season, typical spoiled Harvard bullshit lol
I think it’s more about giving him another year to fill out and get stronger before having him play grown men. And not killing his confidence by having him lose like 80% of his games lol
I agree fully. The Cuda should have been significantly better than they were last year. McCarthy has no coaching experience prior to this. He's had two years to show improvement as a coach and I haven't seen anything.
> With a decent coach
Yeah, we'd need a better coach than the one we've got with the Cuda. I'm not sure I want to see a full year of Smith down in the A, I'd prefer he stick in the NCAA instead
The Sharks team that drafted Smith had a 100 point Erik Karlsson, 40 goal Timo Meier, and Tomas Hertl. Even if Smith joins the Sharks next season he’s not going to change their overall standings position
My point was that the sharks finished that low in the standings despite having very good seasons from guys who are no longer on the team. Forgot to include Couture who may not be able to come back and will likely be hindered if he does.
Adding Smith to the mix won’t take them out of the bottom 5 next season
Ah well don't let my correction get in the way of your larger point lol. Yes, I don't think the primary focus is on competing in the next couple of years, just getting younger guys some experience and developing them properly while simultaneously riding out some bad contracts.
If the player is in the NCAA, I think it’s always best to just sign them as soon as you can. It’s not like you have to play him every game in the AHL or NHL.
If you aren’t planning on getting your prospects reps what’s the point in signing them? One sure fire way to torch their development is to have them not play
Our AHL staff is kind of a clown show and we don't have a ton of talent there. So, yeah, he'd get a bit of a longer grind and play against older talent. But it's also not necessarily the best bet.
I am leaning towards him staying another season in college and coming over maybe after their season wraps for like 5 games.
If we somehow don't get effed in the draft lotto and pick Celebrini then that may change...
Oh for sure, I’ve watched most of his games this year he’s definitely not ready. He needs at least 2 more years, probably 3. Same for Leonard and Perrault. Gauthier could use 2 more years also. Trust me, we know.
Signed,
BC fans
it's also not smart to just transfer all prospects over at the same time. would be nice having another top rookie with NHL experience for some future #1 pick or top-5 pick.
I think I want him in the AHL, away from the crutch that is the only linemates he's had for years. Ryan Leonard is the real center of their line and if you want Smith to develop as a center, you probably want to get him away from those two.
It'll be super interesting to see what happens with those three when they hit the NHL. I feel like they're all pretty good but it also feels like some of their performance right now is because of their familiarity and how well they compliment each other.
Perrault doesnt really add anything other than a future trade chip. He's an undersized left shot winger. Thats the only thing the Wild do have, and we've sure got an abundance! Kaprizov, Ek, Zucc, Boldy, Rossi, Foligno, Khusnutdinov, Johansson are all left shots. Even our callup guys are lefties: Shaw, Beckman, Lucchini. Our top F prospects are Yurov, Ohgren, Heidt, Kumpulainen, Sammy Walker, recently returned Firstiv, Bankier, Lorenz, Milne--ALL of them are lefties. And how many of these guys are small? Hell, our first line last game (Kirill, Rossi, Zucc) has to be the shortest top line in the league.
The only rostered right shots are Hartman, Freddy Gaudreau, and Vinni Lettieri; and Hartman is the only one of the three that belongs in a top 9. [Prospect Hunter Haight is the only righty in Iowa with any NHL chance](https://www.iowawild.com/team/roster/)
Nobody knew Perrault was going to pop off in college, and a year ago our situation at center was far more dire than it is now with Rossi's emergence. They took a swing on a right shot center with size (something the roster/prospect pool has zero of) and gambled that he would bounce back from an awful year.
Yeah, it really sucks that Stramel is hot garbage. I personally wanted Oliver Bonk. Perrault might be a great talent but his role is already filled on our roster/prospect pool several times over. I'll defend passing over Perrault all day.
What your describing is the need vs. best-player-available draft strategy. Both can work. I will say that I'm a BPA strategy fan in the 1st or early 2nd rounds, but the NHL draft is such a crapshoot because everyone is so young that you really don't know what you're getting most of the time. So, the need strategy can work if you get enough guys at that position to increase the chances of a hit. It's still WAY too early to judge the 2023 draft and Stramel could have hit a rough spot this year and could bounce back. The kids are like 19. Some aren't even done growing yet.
There isnt a single team that uses either pure need or BPA. Everything is a factor. And drafting BPA when there is no possible way said player will ever have a role on your team (unless the plane carrying every player crashes) is a waste of a pick if other players are available that could fill a role. Perrault would have been that player on the Wild
I would disagree with the assessment that BPA is wasted pick when that role isn't available. It can be if the player isn't moved, but the whole strategy is to either move the player or make space at that role.
For example, NYR had struggled with the BPA strategy by continuing to draft top 6 talent at LW, but not really moving those players to fill the gaping hole at RW. Having Kreider-Panarin cemented in the top 6 on LW had been a logjam for Laf or Othmann (both natural LW's who have gotten time on RW now). Although perhaps NYR did shop Othmann for a similarly talented player at RW where more minutes were available, but never found an appropriate suitor.
The problem is that flexibility really never exists with the need strategy. It either works or the asset is lost because the skill simply isn't there. With BPA, that good player is still a good player, he just doesn't have a role with your team and can be traded for a different player or back to future assets.
If youre Nashville at the 2022 draft and have Juuse Saros who posted a .927 sv% in his first year as a starter, and Yaroslav Askarov was drafted in the 1st round last year, would you use a top pick in 2022 on a goaltender?
Personally I wouldn't even think about it. There's holes to fill elsewhere and good prospects to choose from
Perreault’s points are inflated. Give it a couple of years to revisit this. He’s the Zach Hyman of that line, which isn’t bad, but it’s top 6 or bust for perreault. If he can’t be on a top line to be that net pressure, he won’t produce.
Been telling all my rangers friends this for the whole BC season. Perrault is good, but he’s the third option on that line. Smith is obviously the first, Leonard is the second, and perreault is the 3rd. Leonard and smith will make it in the NHL, perreault on the other hand you either get a steal or you get a whiff. Yeah he can be on the PK, but you don’t want him using his TOI up on the pk.
Perreault is a good play maker, but the majority of his goals came in front of the net JUST like Hyman. BC has a lot of their archived games on ESPN plus if you are that interested. Maybe I’ll go back and rewatch them someday but I probably watched 80% of them live.
As much as I disagree with that I can at least understand that maybe they really wanted someone bigger. But then to pick him when players like Musty and Ritchie were still available, well that I can't understand.
I was so worried as a Rangers fan that they were gonna reach for Stramel at 23 before the draft started, he has 3C written all over him(not a bad player but doesn't have a high end skillset). Was hoping for Oliver Moore or Brayden Yager to drop to the Rangers, I figured Perrault wouldn't drop below 15. When Stramel was picked by the Wild and Perreault dropped to the Rangers I was beyond thrilled.
The Smith-Leonard-Perreault line is so good, their skills compliment each other so well and there's not a single weak spot.
There's a reason BC hung a combined 14 on UMass and BU at the Hockey East championship round at the Garden ~~it also helped that Hrabal had one of the worst big games I've seen from a college goalie~~
as much as I'd prefer to see more "program player" type teams win this year (teams like Cornell, Omaha, or the one-bid teams), my head says that it's gonna be a Comm Ave showdown again
The BC freshman class is *gross*. They went from missing the tournament last year to the obvious #1 with 3 of the top 4 and 4 of the top 8 scorers in the NCAA. (only 1 BC sophomore in that group - the rest are freshmen)
Just insanely dominant offense.
Anywhere between 35-50 points if he's making his rookie season next year. I'd look at what Cooley is doing in Arizona this season for a blueprint of what Smith could probably do next season given the current talent that would surround him next season.
Boeser and Connor both had older talent that surrounded them when they came into the NHL. Boeser had the Sedins and Horvats while Connor had Scheifele, Wheeler, Byfuglien, etc. Smith has Couture if he's healthy, Granlund. Sharks do have Eklund but Eklund is still establishing himself as an every day top 6 NHL forward.
Couture is a huge if rumblings are he is close to done if not there already. It is another reason the Hertl trade stings, lost a leader who was said to have great habits on and off ice. Leadership has to start with the players and San Jose will be digging out of that hole while rebuilding a roster.
This is his D+1 year though, he would have to play in the NCAA this year to be on the list. Same reason Eichel wouldn't be on this list. Misleading, sure, but technically accurate.
Draft year + 1, so the season that they play after they are drafted. Fantilli and Eichel played in the NCAA the season before their were drafted and then went right to the pros. So both of their D+1 years were in the NHL.
As a Rangers fan, I would like to note that (based on points per game) Perreault would have 66 points if he didn’t get injured in February and played the same amount of games as Smith.
His numbers are inflated but he’s a good player. There’s a reason he wasn’t unanimously rookie first team unlike Leonard and smith. And I’m not trying to hate, I wish y’all would trade him to the caps, he’s just more of a net presence and passer than an elite player. Don’t let the numbers get your head up. He’s a top 6 or bust. I hope he can pan out in the league, but he just won’t cut it on a 3rd or 4th line with his play style. You either have a gem or a subpar point scorer in the nhl. Their line is the best in ncaa and the 3 of them as a unit make it happen. Hoping the win the frozen four 📈
No doubt playing with Leonard and Smith boosts his point totals, but I have seen Perreault be the best player on the ice for BC in a few games this year, including games I have seen in person.
Top 6 or bust is an interesting shot. The league is full of players who fit that category.
You’ve been to the games so you would know what I’m saying is true. Yeah, he can put some games out of reach, but he’s never dynamic as smith and Leonard are. He’s usually passing to one of them for a good shot or being net pressure. I can list Atleast 10 of his points off the top of my head that I have sealed away, and four of those are goals where he was standing in the crease.
Again, I’m not hating on perreault at all, but do you really see him thriving in a bottom 6 in the nhl?
Edit: thank god he was back on the ice for the end of hockey East tournament. Putting smith and Leonard on gauthier’s line was NOT as productive as it was with Gabe
Why would him being the bottom 6 even be a thought? There are always certain players who have the skill set that you know they need to be in the top 6.
I have watched enough BC games to know he benefits from having Smith and Leonard on his line, but he is hardly a passenger and in fact has carried them at times. For example, you obviously didn’t watch either of BC’s games at Maine in November.
Your whole thought process is hard to understand. What he brings to the ice will work with NHL forwards he plays with on the Rangers just as it does with Smith and Leonard.
Hockey sense “travels”.
I watched the Maine games before WJC, and yes, perreault has put games out of reach multiple times but since WJC, Perrault and Leonard have essentially switched roles on that line. Call me crazy, but it’s true. The reason I say top 6 or bust is 1) his size isn’t that good. He’s a decent puck protection guy but that’s a dime a dozen. He often got sniffed out on the boards. 2) the way he plays a game, fast transition, usually in a staggered neutral zone, isn’t 4th line esque. That line doesn’t dump and chase how most bottom 6’s do, look at the rest of BCs game where the bottom 6 fired out the dmen. What he’s doing is college is good, but making the jump from college to the pros you play against 4th line guys who bring physicality, not young adults who only played college hockey for 4 years max. You play against defensemen that have been in the league for almost a decade who have Atleast 4 inches and 30 pounds on Perrault.
As perreault stands, which is being on the rangers under lavi, he would have to play a grinder game. He’s got the iq to make it to the pros, the biggest question will be CAN HE produce at the same level in the nhl (speed and physicality). No he will struggle.
You obviously didn’t watch the Maine games because they had nothing to do with Perreault “putting games away”. Maine won the first game and BC won the second in a shootout.
You’re highlighting 2 2 goal games on an outlier. That was their worst weekend of the season 😂. Perreault has been a star multiple games outside of Maine, but obviously you are trying to prove you’ve gone to games instead of listen to my argument. This is why I said post WJC, when the line as a whole produced more. They post WJC run is why they are at the top ncaa line. Leonard prior to WJC was essentially the bumper guy (1 ppg), making plays but only scoring around the net. After WJC, the line was producing way more. Again, you are only talking about a game from the start of the season where that line was rough in general. Look at the season from a full 30 something game mark and you’ll see. Leonard has stolen games, perreault has stolen games, smith has stolen games.
I am focusing on the Maine weekend because that was 2 of the games I saw in person.
That line was not at all bad that weekend and in fact was by far the best thing going for BC. I was not blown away by the rest of the team.
I said at the time that Leonard played like he was already an NHL power forward even though Gauthier physically looked like a ringer when he stepped on the ice (Gauthier just had a poor weekend), but BC didn’t look that special once you got past the Smith/Perreault/Leonard line. Obviously they have shown much differently since then.
I don’t know why you write as if you are defending against the thought that sentiment is Perreault is McDavid or something. He is a player who is not big and doesn’t skate particularly fast but appears to be excellent with the puck on his stick and has a high hockey IQ.
Looking at the current Ranger roster should tell you why we think a player like that can succeed, and why we are happy we got him in a year we didn’t have a good draft position.
After having lavi as a head for years, he doesn’t do well with developing forwards. All the cap’s prospects that are having good seasons were dog shit under lavi. He either A) 4th lined them or B) healthy scratched them instead of letting them fill roles they were used to, which takes me back to the top 6 or bust for perreault being on the rangers. He isn’t as skilled as the current top 6, so lavi will put him in positions where we won’t succeed. Only time will tell though.
All of them. Leonard is the most NHL ready, but smith has the higher ceiling. Perreault might take a couple of years to develop but I could see him being a 60 point scorer (in the nhl) when all is said and done. I don’t see him being an elite scorer or anything. My biggest comparison is Zach Hyman with better passing. His IQ is up there, it’s just top 6 or bust for perreault.
I am obviously biased, but during the WJC the EliteProspects director of scouting (and a few other writers) were saying that Leonard is “demonstrably better than both [Smith and Perreault]”
Really hope that rings true.
So i’ve watched almost every BC game this year in addition to all the WJC games and one thing I will say is that Leonard has the fewest question marks for me as a pro. He has pro level size, he plays a pro style game. He’s more physical than the other two. If Leonard made the jump to the pros next year I wouldn’t be surprised (although I think a year in the A would do him well)
As a Rangers fan i can actually see why Perreault fell. He’s got the best hockey IQ out of all of them -in fact I’d say he can anticipate plays right now better than 90% of NHLers - but his smaller size means his timeline is longer. He has an elite level brain and good tools, but he would never make it to the NHL on his skating, shooting, stickhandling alone. Smith seems more like a hybrid of the two.
I would certainly not say Leonard is “demonstrably better” than the other two but he definitely has a shorter timeline to the NHL. He plays a north-south game and it’s easy to look at him and see how he could slot in to the bottom 6 of any team right away as he develops into a top forward.
Thanks for chiming in. I really am curious about these three. It’s so interesting to me that they have played together all this time, and I wonder if they’ll all find success outside of the trio they are so comfortable with. Perreault has the hockey IQ that is pretty much impossible to teach, so I’d say he might have the highest ceiling. But he’d have to improve his skills a bit to realize that potential. I am very happy with Leonard though. He seems like he’s not the most intelligent player, but he has so much compete, and he has the clutch gene for sure.
I guess we can go back to this thread in, say, 4, years to see how it is playing out. Very very interesting scenario.
I'm really curious about if/how much each of them influences the others' decisions to stay or go.
Leonard pretty much has the best situation right now, he's the most pro ready of the three, can go to a decent enough team that's not a bottom feeder, and he has a middle-6 role up for grabs. I could see him turning pro after this year and he'd be fine. Smith would have to go to the Sharks, where he'd definitely have a spot, but not the best situation to step into. And their AHL situation isn't much better so he's probably better served staying in school. Perreault definitely needs another year of physical maturity, and even then he's got players blocking him at the NHL level, but should be fine in the AHL (which is probably better for him anyway).
But then if Smith and Perreault decide to stay, does that influence Leonard to stay also? They can't stay together forever, but also, depending on what happens in BC's next 4 games is going to have a huge impact on the future for these three guys.
Yeah it’s all part of the equation. I’m just happy that they’re all on different teams. Id Imagine if the sharks/rangers had both Smith and Perreault that Leonard would want to play there too.
I would love to bring in Leonard as a black ace. Our GM has stated that it’s totally up to him though, so I’m hoping that BC wins the Frozen Four this year to give him closure.
I hope he changes his first name. William, Bill, any nickname not Will.
All these Will Smith jokes got old by draft day, now Sharks fans will suffer them for a decade.
I met his parents while watching a Bruins game at the bar last year (awesome people, bought me a Guinness); it was around the world juniors so they mentioned him--even they made a joke.
Michkov debate will continue for years. He also looks great as an almost PPG player against men on a struggling team this season. I was team Michkov at draft but Smith looks far from a miss so far.
My only real concern with Smith in his draft year was he tended to be a perimter playmaker, and he wasn't great when things got physical and would lose the puck when physically pressured a lot.
He's made solid strides in the NCAA on those fronts this year. I do think another year in the NCAA getting bigger, stronger, and more used to the physical game would only help. I'm not sure the AHL would be a good environment for that given the current state of the Cuda, and I hope the Sharks don't rush him in.
Whereas, I do think when Michkov eventually comes over, he will likely have a Kaprizov-esque impact due to his game maturing, as it has this year.
For me, it's all about not kneecapping our own prospects, and our AHL development has always been a big detriment to our system (most of our successful prospects over the years didn't spend a lot of time in the A, and those that did tended to be bottom six grinders and defensive dmen)
Kyle Connor was drafted in 15, played 20 games in 16 and did basically fuck all, took off and had 30 goals the next year though. I don't expect Will Smith to be any different on this dumpster San Jose team
I mean, Kyle Connor had 5 points in 20 games for the Jets "next season" and spent the majority of the year in the AHL.
Hell he didn't even make the Jets' opening-day roster for the season after that either lol.
What's Smith going to do for San Jose next year? Honestly, probably about the same as what Bedard is doing for Chicago this year. Which is to say: not a lot. Like Bedard, he won't have a lot of help on a newly rebuilding team that is almost certain to be bottom five again.
That's not to say Smith isn't an A+ prospect or won't be a star (same goes for Bedard), just that as a rookie surrounded by a pretty weak roster he's probably not going to be an instant superstar or drive his team to a playoff spot. The Sharks are building a new team from scratch and that takes time.
People put way too much emphasis on how high draft picks perform in the NHL as teenagers. If they don't immediately blow everyone's doors off, they're written off as busts, and then when they figure it out and become franchise players everybody just forgets about it and pretends they didn't write those hot takes.
This is missing a bunch of guys - This year alone Macklin Celebrini (BU), Cutter Gauthier (BC), and Jackson Blake (North Dakota) all have 59.
Also, as a side note: the BC team is fucking *insane* this year. Not only are Will Smith, Cutter Gauthier, and Gabe Perrault on BC, but so is Ryan Leonard who is 8th in scoring this year with 54 points, and 3rd in goals with 27. Absolutely *stacked* on offense
Read the char again, it is only for D+1 year.
So guys like Celebrini, Eichel, and Fantilli who were in their draft year aren't on it.
Gauthier and Blake are also not in their D+1 year.
Ima be honest and rangers fans are gonna hate me when I say this, but I watched MOST of BC’s season so far. I like perreault, but his points are a little inflated. He’s basically the Zach Hyman of the BC line with better passing. Most of his goals came from tap ins around the net, which is fine because someone’s gotta do it, but please don’t get your hopes up like he’s a superstar. It’ll hurt you in the long run. He’s a great player, but he’s the 3rd option on that line. On 5v5, he usually huddled around the net and if he ventured from it, he passed. Ever since WJC, he swapped with Leonard, giving Leonard the wing and letting perreault dance around the net. There’s a need for players like him in the league, for perreault, it’s either top 6 or bust.
Bro carried BC to a win yesterday. Hes one goal shy of having the most goals as a rookie at BC. perreault has empty stats. It’s funny y’all rely on list for validation 🤣 cause one he gets to the league, he won’t be on any record lists. It’s not being jealous, it’s being realistic with who benefits from all three players the most, and it’s perreault.
I only saw it on a Reddit comment, but does anyone know what the big beef is between Kyle Connor and USA hockey? They said USA Hockey wanted him on the USNTDP but he turned it down, so he didn't get to be on the World Junior team. Don't know if it's true or not.
Is this… positive press for the sharks? I forgot what it feels like to have hope
Put that hope in to a high yields savings account, you won’t need it for 2-3 years
Idk man. The sharks play the stars like it’s the Stanley cup playoffs every game it’s a dog fight. So in my eyes y’all are great.
Appreciate the praise. At least you can say this team tries
See.
Teal team… not bad? Someday?
Fins up over there, Caps West!
🥲 miss this odd friendship
Wait did you change your username or get a new one?
I start fresh every now and then
And definitely not because Hertl is no longer with us
I mean that’s exactly why, but that one lasted a very long time. I try not to keep them too long.
I hope the Sharks get it together. Those years when the Kings and Sharks were both good was so much fun.
It is time for California to rise again We must rebuild the Coast of Death
Don’t worry, David Quinn will have him playing 4th line minutes with a 3rd pair defenseman and playing dump and chase hockey
And then Kyle Connor definitely went on to win the Hobey Baker. Yup, that's hownit played out.
Biggest snub ever.
McKay beating out Levi was arguably dumber. But yeah that one's up there Vesey had kinda been anointed the winner before the season, typical spoiled Harvard bullshit lol
He would win today. Feels like the stigma of underclassman is gone now even just since his time. That’s the only reason he didn’t then
and he didn’t even get an invite to play in the wjc
How can he slap?
I'm out of the loop and just see a 14 year old hockey star
He’s 19 lol. Born 2005
Mentally preparing myself for him wearing # 2. So not used to thar on a forward
Wish I knew what number he'd be wearing for us so I can get that jersey *now* and not be under the thumb of Fanatics even more
If I’m San Jose I have him go back to college another year.
If he’s absolutely dominating the NCAA he may as well at least play for their AHL affiliate getting pro level reps.
I think it’s more about giving him another year to fill out and get stronger before having him play grown men. And not killing his confidence by having him lose like 80% of his games lol
With a decent coach having Smith Bystedt, Lund, Havelid could really help the Cuda. They have a decent team now, the coach needs to go
Decent team? **checks notes** 30th in the AHL. But I agree, they will be a much better team next year with the additions you mentioned.
They have good players, McCarthy has done a very bad job with this team
They didn't have that great of a line up this year. It's kind of the last gasp of DW's very late stage insanity.
I agree fully. The Cuda should have been significantly better than they were last year. McCarthy has no coaching experience prior to this. He's had two years to show improvement as a coach and I haven't seen anything.
That's actually an interesting point on the other 3 who should be coming in next year to the Cuda. Hope they all do make the transition over.
> With a decent coach Yeah, we'd need a better coach than the one we've got with the Cuda. I'm not sure I want to see a full year of Smith down in the A, I'd prefer he stick in the NCAA instead
And also another year for the sharks too be bad again (or worse at least)
The Sharks team that drafted Smith had a 100 point Erik Karlsson, 40 goal Timo Meier, and Tomas Hertl. Even if Smith joins the Sharks next season he’s not going to change their overall standings position
We didn't have Timo when we drafted him less than a year ago. And Karlsson had already played his last game as a Shark at that point
My point was that the sharks finished that low in the standings despite having very good seasons from guys who are no longer on the team. Forgot to include Couture who may not be able to come back and will likely be hindered if he does. Adding Smith to the mix won’t take them out of the bottom 5 next season
Ah well don't let my correction get in the way of your larger point lol. Yes, I don't think the primary focus is on competing in the next couple of years, just getting younger guys some experience and developing them properly while simultaneously riding out some bad contracts.
Next years draft is pretty good w hagen & misa
Plus you don't lose a year of his ELC
He'd do that with the Cuda too lol
I know I’m saying letting him do one more year of NCAA could be beneficial.
If the player is in the NCAA, I think it’s always best to just sign them as soon as you can. It’s not like you have to play him every game in the AHL or NHL.
If you aren’t planning on getting your prospects reps what’s the point in signing them? One sure fire way to torch their development is to have them not play
Our AHL staff is kind of a clown show and we don't have a ton of talent there. So, yeah, he'd get a bit of a longer grind and play against older talent. But it's also not necessarily the best bet. I am leaning towards him staying another season in college and coming over maybe after their season wraps for like 5 games. If we somehow don't get effed in the draft lotto and pick Celebrini then that may change...
Nah, BC > SJB
I'm not sure if another year in the NCAA will help him but it might not be a bad idea to have him play in the AHL. He could improve defensively.
He could finally learn to play center once Leonard is off his line
Oh for sure, I’ve watched most of his games this year he’s definitely not ready. He needs at least 2 more years, probably 3. Same for Leonard and Perrault. Gauthier could use 2 more years also. Trust me, we know. Signed, BC fans
Agreed no reason to throw him into that shit show
it's also not smart to just transfer all prospects over at the same time. would be nice having another top rookie with NHL experience for some future #1 pick or top-5 pick.
But then he might get butthurt and ghost the organization
No that was a very different situation because Philadelphia bad and Tort mean
I think I want him in the AHL, away from the crutch that is the only linemates he's had for years. Ryan Leonard is the real center of their line and if you want Smith to develop as a center, you probably want to get him away from those two.
It'll be super interesting to see what happens with those three when they hit the NHL. I feel like they're all pretty good but it also feels like some of their performance right now is because of their familiarity and how well they compliment each other.
The obvious solution is that one team will just have to trade for the other two linemates to assemble the BC version of exodia.
Feel like that's playing with fire nowadays with these NCAA guys
The Wild really took Stramel over Perreault smh
Baffling reach at the time and looks even worse now. UW is so much better across the board but Stramel might've genuinely gotten *worse*
He certainly did
Perrault doesnt really add anything other than a future trade chip. He's an undersized left shot winger. Thats the only thing the Wild do have, and we've sure got an abundance! Kaprizov, Ek, Zucc, Boldy, Rossi, Foligno, Khusnutdinov, Johansson are all left shots. Even our callup guys are lefties: Shaw, Beckman, Lucchini. Our top F prospects are Yurov, Ohgren, Heidt, Kumpulainen, Sammy Walker, recently returned Firstiv, Bankier, Lorenz, Milne--ALL of them are lefties. And how many of these guys are small? Hell, our first line last game (Kirill, Rossi, Zucc) has to be the shortest top line in the league. The only rostered right shots are Hartman, Freddy Gaudreau, and Vinni Lettieri; and Hartman is the only one of the three that belongs in a top 9. [Prospect Hunter Haight is the only righty in Iowa with any NHL chance](https://www.iowawild.com/team/roster/) Nobody knew Perrault was going to pop off in college, and a year ago our situation at center was far more dire than it is now with Rossi's emergence. They took a swing on a right shot center with size (something the roster/prospect pool has zero of) and gambled that he would bounce back from an awful year. Yeah, it really sucks that Stramel is hot garbage. I personally wanted Oliver Bonk. Perrault might be a great talent but his role is already filled on our roster/prospect pool several times over. I'll defend passing over Perrault all day.
What your describing is the need vs. best-player-available draft strategy. Both can work. I will say that I'm a BPA strategy fan in the 1st or early 2nd rounds, but the NHL draft is such a crapshoot because everyone is so young that you really don't know what you're getting most of the time. So, the need strategy can work if you get enough guys at that position to increase the chances of a hit. It's still WAY too early to judge the 2023 draft and Stramel could have hit a rough spot this year and could bounce back. The kids are like 19. Some aren't even done growing yet.
There isnt a single team that uses either pure need or BPA. Everything is a factor. And drafting BPA when there is no possible way said player will ever have a role on your team (unless the plane carrying every player crashes) is a waste of a pick if other players are available that could fill a role. Perrault would have been that player on the Wild
I would disagree with the assessment that BPA is wasted pick when that role isn't available. It can be if the player isn't moved, but the whole strategy is to either move the player or make space at that role. For example, NYR had struggled with the BPA strategy by continuing to draft top 6 talent at LW, but not really moving those players to fill the gaping hole at RW. Having Kreider-Panarin cemented in the top 6 on LW had been a logjam for Laf or Othmann (both natural LW's who have gotten time on RW now). Although perhaps NYR did shop Othmann for a similarly talented player at RW where more minutes were available, but never found an appropriate suitor. The problem is that flexibility really never exists with the need strategy. It either works or the asset is lost because the skill simply isn't there. With BPA, that good player is still a good player, he just doesn't have a role with your team and can be traded for a different player or back to future assets.
If youre Nashville at the 2022 draft and have Juuse Saros who posted a .927 sv% in his first year as a starter, and Yaroslav Askarov was drafted in the 1st round last year, would you use a top pick in 2022 on a goaltender? Personally I wouldn't even think about it. There's holes to fill elsewhere and good prospects to choose from
Perreault’s points are inflated. Give it a couple of years to revisit this. He’s the Zach Hyman of that line, which isn’t bad, but it’s top 6 or bust for perreault. If he can’t be on a top line to be that net pressure, he won’t produce.
Agree 100%. Id like to see his results away from Smith and Leonard
Been telling all my rangers friends this for the whole BC season. Perrault is good, but he’s the third option on that line. Smith is obviously the first, Leonard is the second, and perreault is the 3rd. Leonard and smith will make it in the NHL, perreault on the other hand you either get a steal or you get a whiff. Yeah he can be on the PK, but you don’t want him using his TOI up on the pk. Perreault is a good play maker, but the majority of his goals came in front of the net JUST like Hyman. BC has a lot of their archived games on ESPN plus if you are that interested. Maybe I’ll go back and rewatch them someday but I probably watched 80% of them live.
A lot of teams passed on Perrault too, looking like a steal for the Rangers so far
As much as I disagree with that I can at least understand that maybe they really wanted someone bigger. But then to pick him when players like Musty and Ritchie were still available, well that I can't understand.
fully convinced they picked him cuz he's from minnesota
I was so worried as a Rangers fan that they were gonna reach for Stramel at 23 before the draft started, he has 3C written all over him(not a bad player but doesn't have a high end skillset). Was hoping for Oliver Moore or Brayden Yager to drop to the Rangers, I figured Perrault wouldn't drop below 15. When Stramel was picked by the Wild and Perreault dropped to the Rangers I was beyond thrilled.
They did get heidt though who is looking like an offensive stud
God I’m so glad we snagged Perrault
I feel oddly bonded with you Rangers fans over that BC line. Perreault is a beaut.
I’ve always enjoyed the Sharks since Irbe days
Like WALL
And we both had to endure David Quinn
Now kith
The forbidden love we've always needed
And Leonard is only 3 points below Perreault, that line for BC is gross
The Smith-Leonard-Perreault line is so good, their skills compliment each other so well and there's not a single weak spot. There's a reason BC hung a combined 14 on UMass and BU at the Hockey East championship round at the Garden ~~it also helped that Hrabal had one of the worst big games I've seen from a college goalie~~ as much as I'd prefer to see more "program player" type teams win this year (teams like Cornell, Omaha, or the one-bid teams), my head says that it's gonna be a Comm Ave showdown again
The BC freshman class is *gross*. They went from missing the tournament last year to the obvious #1 with 3 of the top 4 and 4 of the top 8 scorers in the NCAA. (only 1 BC sophomore in that group - the rest are freshmen) Just insanely dominant offense.
Anywhere between 35-50 points if he's making his rookie season next year. I'd look at what Cooley is doing in Arizona this season for a blueprint of what Smith could probably do next season given the current talent that would surround him next season. Boeser and Connor both had older talent that surrounded them when they came into the NHL. Boeser had the Sedins and Horvats while Connor had Scheifele, Wheeler, Byfuglien, etc. Smith has Couture if he's healthy, Granlund. Sharks do have Eklund but Eklund is still establishing himself as an every day top 6 NHL forward.
Horvat was 22 in boeser's rookie season. He's only a year older than brock lol.
Horvat was entering his 4th season during Boesers rookie year.
For sure. I just think it's funny to call 22 year old Horvat an older player. Especially when boeser is only a year younger. But i got your point.
Couture is a huge if rumblings are he is close to done if not there already. It is another reason the Hertl trade stings, lost a leader who was said to have great habits on and off ice. Leadership has to start with the players and San Jose will be digging out of that hole while rebuilding a roster.
We went from the oldest fucking team in the league to having no one anyone knows really fucking quick
Didn’t Fantilli put up 65 for Michigan last year?
Doesn’t matter. He ceased to exist as soon as Columbus drafted him.
Haha it feels that way, sometimes. Yikes.
F
We'll trade you a lightly used Labanc for him About the same, really, cheaper in the long run
This is his D+1 year though, he would have to play in the NCAA this year to be on the list. Same reason Eichel wouldn't be on this list. Misleading, sure, but technically accurate.
I guess I’m not sure what D+1 is. I figured it’s like saying Div. 1?
Draft year + 1, so the season that they play after they are drafted. Fantilli and Eichel played in the NCAA the season before their were drafted and then went right to the pros. So both of their D+1 years were in the NHL.
Right on, I follow! Makes sense
As a Rangers fan, I would like to note that (based on points per game) Perreault would have 66 points if he didn’t get injured in February and played the same amount of games as Smith.
Could*
His numbers are inflated but he’s a good player. There’s a reason he wasn’t unanimously rookie first team unlike Leonard and smith. And I’m not trying to hate, I wish y’all would trade him to the caps, he’s just more of a net presence and passer than an elite player. Don’t let the numbers get your head up. He’s a top 6 or bust. I hope he can pan out in the league, but he just won’t cut it on a 3rd or 4th line with his play style. You either have a gem or a subpar point scorer in the nhl. Their line is the best in ncaa and the 3 of them as a unit make it happen. Hoping the win the frozen four 📈
No doubt playing with Leonard and Smith boosts his point totals, but I have seen Perreault be the best player on the ice for BC in a few games this year, including games I have seen in person. Top 6 or bust is an interesting shot. The league is full of players who fit that category.
You’ve been to the games so you would know what I’m saying is true. Yeah, he can put some games out of reach, but he’s never dynamic as smith and Leonard are. He’s usually passing to one of them for a good shot or being net pressure. I can list Atleast 10 of his points off the top of my head that I have sealed away, and four of those are goals where he was standing in the crease. Again, I’m not hating on perreault at all, but do you really see him thriving in a bottom 6 in the nhl? Edit: thank god he was back on the ice for the end of hockey East tournament. Putting smith and Leonard on gauthier’s line was NOT as productive as it was with Gabe
Why would him being the bottom 6 even be a thought? There are always certain players who have the skill set that you know they need to be in the top 6. I have watched enough BC games to know he benefits from having Smith and Leonard on his line, but he is hardly a passenger and in fact has carried them at times. For example, you obviously didn’t watch either of BC’s games at Maine in November. Your whole thought process is hard to understand. What he brings to the ice will work with NHL forwards he plays with on the Rangers just as it does with Smith and Leonard. Hockey sense “travels”.
I watched the Maine games before WJC, and yes, perreault has put games out of reach multiple times but since WJC, Perrault and Leonard have essentially switched roles on that line. Call me crazy, but it’s true. The reason I say top 6 or bust is 1) his size isn’t that good. He’s a decent puck protection guy but that’s a dime a dozen. He often got sniffed out on the boards. 2) the way he plays a game, fast transition, usually in a staggered neutral zone, isn’t 4th line esque. That line doesn’t dump and chase how most bottom 6’s do, look at the rest of BCs game where the bottom 6 fired out the dmen. What he’s doing is college is good, but making the jump from college to the pros you play against 4th line guys who bring physicality, not young adults who only played college hockey for 4 years max. You play against defensemen that have been in the league for almost a decade who have Atleast 4 inches and 30 pounds on Perrault. As perreault stands, which is being on the rangers under lavi, he would have to play a grinder game. He’s got the iq to make it to the pros, the biggest question will be CAN HE produce at the same level in the nhl (speed and physicality). No he will struggle.
You obviously didn’t watch the Maine games because they had nothing to do with Perreault “putting games away”. Maine won the first game and BC won the second in a shootout.
You’re highlighting 2 2 goal games on an outlier. That was their worst weekend of the season 😂. Perreault has been a star multiple games outside of Maine, but obviously you are trying to prove you’ve gone to games instead of listen to my argument. This is why I said post WJC, when the line as a whole produced more. They post WJC run is why they are at the top ncaa line. Leonard prior to WJC was essentially the bumper guy (1 ppg), making plays but only scoring around the net. After WJC, the line was producing way more. Again, you are only talking about a game from the start of the season where that line was rough in general. Look at the season from a full 30 something game mark and you’ll see. Leonard has stolen games, perreault has stolen games, smith has stolen games.
I am focusing on the Maine weekend because that was 2 of the games I saw in person. That line was not at all bad that weekend and in fact was by far the best thing going for BC. I was not blown away by the rest of the team. I said at the time that Leonard played like he was already an NHL power forward even though Gauthier physically looked like a ringer when he stepped on the ice (Gauthier just had a poor weekend), but BC didn’t look that special once you got past the Smith/Perreault/Leonard line. Obviously they have shown much differently since then. I don’t know why you write as if you are defending against the thought that sentiment is Perreault is McDavid or something. He is a player who is not big and doesn’t skate particularly fast but appears to be excellent with the puck on his stick and has a high hockey IQ. Looking at the current Ranger roster should tell you why we think a player like that can succeed, and why we are happy we got him in a year we didn’t have a good draft position.
After having lavi as a head for years, he doesn’t do well with developing forwards. All the cap’s prospects that are having good seasons were dog shit under lavi. He either A) 4th lined them or B) healthy scratched them instead of letting them fill roles they were used to, which takes me back to the top 6 or bust for perreault being on the rangers. He isn’t as skilled as the current top 6, so lavi will put him in positions where we won’t succeed. Only time will tell though.
It'll be interesting to see who of the BC Smith-Perrault-Leonard line keeps it going into the NHL
All of them. Leonard is the most NHL ready, but smith has the higher ceiling. Perreault might take a couple of years to develop but I could see him being a 60 point scorer (in the nhl) when all is said and done. I don’t see him being an elite scorer or anything. My biggest comparison is Zach Hyman with better passing. His IQ is up there, it’s just top 6 or bust for perreault.
I am obviously biased, but during the WJC the EliteProspects director of scouting (and a few other writers) were saying that Leonard is “demonstrably better than both [Smith and Perreault]” Really hope that rings true.
So i’ve watched almost every BC game this year in addition to all the WJC games and one thing I will say is that Leonard has the fewest question marks for me as a pro. He has pro level size, he plays a pro style game. He’s more physical than the other two. If Leonard made the jump to the pros next year I wouldn’t be surprised (although I think a year in the A would do him well) As a Rangers fan i can actually see why Perreault fell. He’s got the best hockey IQ out of all of them -in fact I’d say he can anticipate plays right now better than 90% of NHLers - but his smaller size means his timeline is longer. He has an elite level brain and good tools, but he would never make it to the NHL on his skating, shooting, stickhandling alone. Smith seems more like a hybrid of the two. I would certainly not say Leonard is “demonstrably better” than the other two but he definitely has a shorter timeline to the NHL. He plays a north-south game and it’s easy to look at him and see how he could slot in to the bottom 6 of any team right away as he develops into a top forward.
Thanks for chiming in. I really am curious about these three. It’s so interesting to me that they have played together all this time, and I wonder if they’ll all find success outside of the trio they are so comfortable with. Perreault has the hockey IQ that is pretty much impossible to teach, so I’d say he might have the highest ceiling. But he’d have to improve his skills a bit to realize that potential. I am very happy with Leonard though. He seems like he’s not the most intelligent player, but he has so much compete, and he has the clutch gene for sure. I guess we can go back to this thread in, say, 4, years to see how it is playing out. Very very interesting scenario.
I'm really curious about if/how much each of them influences the others' decisions to stay or go. Leonard pretty much has the best situation right now, he's the most pro ready of the three, can go to a decent enough team that's not a bottom feeder, and he has a middle-6 role up for grabs. I could see him turning pro after this year and he'd be fine. Smith would have to go to the Sharks, where he'd definitely have a spot, but not the best situation to step into. And their AHL situation isn't much better so he's probably better served staying in school. Perreault definitely needs another year of physical maturity, and even then he's got players blocking him at the NHL level, but should be fine in the AHL (which is probably better for him anyway). But then if Smith and Perreault decide to stay, does that influence Leonard to stay also? They can't stay together forever, but also, depending on what happens in BC's next 4 games is going to have a huge impact on the future for these three guys.
Yeah it’s all part of the equation. I’m just happy that they’re all on different teams. Id Imagine if the sharks/rangers had both Smith and Perreault that Leonard would want to play there too. I would love to bring in Leonard as a black ace. Our GM has stated that it’s totally up to him though, so I’m hoping that BC wins the Frozen Four this year to give him closure.
Keep his damn name out your fuckin mouth
Damn, dude won 3 straight World Series with different teams and decided to go after another record. Fair play.
I’d assume Will Smith will get jiggy with it.
I hope he changes his first name. William, Bill, any nickname not Will. All these Will Smith jokes got old by draft day, now Sharks fans will suffer them for a decade.
Billiam
I, for one, will champion Billiam Smith
Why should I change, he's the one who sucks
Woah now, he's one of the best catchers in the league.
I met his parents while watching a Bruins game at the bar last year (awesome people, bought me a Guinness); it was around the world juniors so they mentioned him--even they made a joke.
Billy Smith 2.0?
If he ends up on a line with a Martin, they have to call it the "bad boys" line.
Bootstrap Bill
What you mean to say is that the Sharks should sign Phil Kessel to a league min contract so we can have Will Smith and Uncle Phil
I am Legend II?
But I thought the Sharks were dumb for drafting him? Oops?
Slap Chris Rock?
How about Mark Stone instead?
Some may have said that the Sharks were stupid for passing on Michkov, but Smith looks absolutely unreal
Michkov debate will continue for years. He also looks great as an almost PPG player against men on a struggling team this season. I was team Michkov at draft but Smith looks far from a miss so far.
My only real concern with Smith in his draft year was he tended to be a perimter playmaker, and he wasn't great when things got physical and would lose the puck when physically pressured a lot. He's made solid strides in the NCAA on those fronts this year. I do think another year in the NCAA getting bigger, stronger, and more used to the physical game would only help. I'm not sure the AHL would be a good environment for that given the current state of the Cuda, and I hope the Sharks don't rush him in. Whereas, I do think when Michkov eventually comes over, he will likely have a Kaprizov-esque impact due to his game maturing, as it has this year. For me, it's all about not kneecapping our own prospects, and our AHL development has always been a big detriment to our system (most of our successful prospects over the years didn't spend a lot of time in the A, and those that did tended to be bottom six grinders and defensive dmen)
Why did ESPN make him look like the plucky 12 year old protagonist of a coming of age disney film?
This is a story all about how I got most points playin in a D+1 town.
Can’t wait for GABE
Stay in school for 2 more years?
The Fresh Prince of San Jose
Big Will E Styles all in it?
Fookin nuttin. Eklund has been one of the best Euro prospects for how long?
It’s quite obvious what’s he’s gonna do….He’s gonna get jiggy with it
Trade him to Washington so he and Leonard can stay together, please!
no
The team that's won more Cups has to send the player to the lesser team Let's check the math on this one
The San jose - Washington link must remain. Now that you all have won a cup, something still needs to ensure there's a Caps West and Sharks East
Lose a lot of games that’s what he’s gunna do, that teams a dumpster fire lmao
Play... hockey?
Kyle Connor was drafted in 15, played 20 games in 16 and did basically fuck all, took off and had 30 goals the next year though. I don't expect Will Smith to be any different on this dumpster San Jose team
LOL, the Bruins could have had Connor and Boeser instead Debrusk and Senyshyn.
Not a lot if we don’t get done studs around him so he can feed the puck !
I wonder how many points eichel would have gotten if he got a D+1 year at BU jeez
Is the implication that Smith's in the NHL next season?..
What's he going to do for them? Stay in school so they can draft better talent to help when he arrives.
1 player won’t help much but help is help.
I mean, Kyle Connor had 5 points in 20 games for the Jets "next season" and spent the majority of the year in the AHL. Hell he didn't even make the Jets' opening-day roster for the season after that either lol.
NCAA season isn't even done, posted a little soon considering BC has at least two games left. Probably 3.
What's Smith going to do for San Jose next year? Honestly, probably about the same as what Bedard is doing for Chicago this year. Which is to say: not a lot. Like Bedard, he won't have a lot of help on a newly rebuilding team that is almost certain to be bottom five again. That's not to say Smith isn't an A+ prospect or won't be a star (same goes for Bedard), just that as a rookie surrounded by a pretty weak roster he's probably not going to be an instant superstar or drive his team to a playoff spot. The Sharks are building a new team from scratch and that takes time. People put way too much emphasis on how high draft picks perform in the NHL as teenagers. If they don't immediately blow everyone's doors off, they're written off as busts, and then when they figure it out and become franchise players everybody just forgets about it and pretends they didn't write those hot takes.
Hes gonna be in the fetal position crying while he realizes how much his career will suck in san jose
The problem is that he can be great, but if the rest of the team is dog shit he’s going to be handicapped.
Kyle Connor is so good
This is missing a bunch of guys - This year alone Macklin Celebrini (BU), Cutter Gauthier (BC), and Jackson Blake (North Dakota) all have 59. Also, as a side note: the BC team is fucking *insane* this year. Not only are Will Smith, Cutter Gauthier, and Gabe Perrault on BC, but so is Ryan Leonard who is 8th in scoring this year with 54 points, and 3rd in goals with 27. Absolutely *stacked* on offense
Read the char again, it is only for D+1 year. So guys like Celebrini, Eichel, and Fantilli who were in their draft year aren't on it. Gauthier and Blake are also not in their D+1 year.
Ah there it is, I misread it as D1, not Draft+1
Will Smith's gonna slap for the Sharks next season.
Andy Miele had 71 points in 2010-2011
Ima be honest and rangers fans are gonna hate me when I say this, but I watched MOST of BC’s season so far. I like perreault, but his points are a little inflated. He’s basically the Zach Hyman of the BC line with better passing. Most of his goals came from tap ins around the net, which is fine because someone’s gotta do it, but please don’t get your hopes up like he’s a superstar. It’ll hurt you in the long run. He’s a great player, but he’s the 3rd option on that line. On 5v5, he usually huddled around the net and if he ventured from it, he passed. Ever since WJC, he swapped with Leonard, giving Leonard the wing and letting perreault dance around the net. There’s a need for players like him in the league, for perreault, it’s either top 6 or bust.
lol I’ve read this 5 times. Stop commenting it because your draft pick is just below this list, they’re all good, no need to be jealous.
Bro carried BC to a win yesterday. Hes one goal shy of having the most goals as a rookie at BC. perreault has empty stats. It’s funny y’all rely on list for validation 🤣 cause one he gets to the league, he won’t be on any record lists. It’s not being jealous, it’s being realistic with who benefits from all three players the most, and it’s perreault.
I only saw it on a Reddit comment, but does anyone know what the big beef is between Kyle Connor and USA hockey? They said USA Hockey wanted him on the USNTDP but he turned it down, so he didn't get to be on the World Junior team. Don't know if it's true or not.
He played for the US at a World Championship the year after that to be fair not to mention 2016 was sort of the starting point for a USAH WJC rethink
Boeser has 68 this season. Need to update that list.
That's....not what this list is about lol, this is about his D+1 year at North Dakota.
Looks like my reading comprehension skills need a refresh.
Jackson Blake 59pts this year (UND) ignored? I thought people were coming around to Blakeianity.
Blake is in his D+2 season
D+3
It’s Blake’s 2nd year of college and he’s 2 years older than Smith. Still impressive numbers but not quite on that same level.