Edited Jan. 6, 2022 at 9:02 p.m.. Reason: Corrected some spelling and grammar mistakes
Quoting: Lenny7
Well done! Honestly, I like how level headed it is...sure, there could be some discussion here and there about dropping or bumping a player up/down, but I don't feel like you've done what most do-absolutely overrate every prospect in the system.
Here are my thoughts...
-You've got Pastujov in tier 3...I think he might have that upside, and if he hits it what a big steal, but I worry about the footspeed. I think he ends up as a decent 3rd line option. If we're just going off of "upside" though, shouldn't Tracey be right there with him? I guess I'd have them both in tier 4 though...
-I've been pretty high on Dostal, but it's been a pretty inconsistent year for him in SD. I think he's still got it, but I guess (without watching them enough), I can only really go by the numbers this year (SMALL SAMPLE SIZE!!!), which are mediocre at best. I'd assume that a lot of it comes from an inconsistent d-core in front of him, but I guess I'd just like to see more out of him.
-I worry about Zellweger's size. Kid can play, and many have done it before him, but again, seems like a "Boom or bust" type of guy (Which isn't bad considering he was a 2nd rounder).
-Really like Thrun, and hope he hits the top 4 some day, but I think we're a long way out before we see that. Of the Thrun/Zellweger/Moore/Lacombe group, I think I've got Lacombe 1/4.
-Really hope we sign McLaughlin.
-Agree completely with Groulx. Think he's a fine option, but I'd assume he ends up as a Sammy Pahlsson type with a bit more offense. You could do a heck of a lot worse!
Again though, great list!
Thoughts on your thoughts:
-Without the "skating concern" Pastujov would've been a first rounder. And a lot of times those kind of players that drop a lot due to their skating are either boom or bust. A recent example for boom: Jason Robertson, although the concern with his skating resided in his first few steps when accelerating. A reason Pastujov went to Guelph was because of Underhill who's the skating coach there. She also coached guys like Brayden Point and I think his skating will be just fine. Skating can still be taught at such a relatively young age and it's looked better this season already. I project him to be a 2nd line LW. I don't see Tracey being as good as Pastujov at the NHL, but I'm happy that he's regained some confidence and is playing pretty good with the Gulls this season. He definitely has the upside, it's more that I don't project him to quite reach it. He could be a tier higher.
-Dostal has struggled a bit this season, but, as you said, this is also due to the defense in front of him. He showed how good he is last year and I still think he's a top 10 goalie prospect.
-I think Zellweger will be just fine. I don't think size is as important in the modern-day NHL. Many D are under 6 feet tall and still have a lot of success because of other factors in their game (like Fox, Makar, Girard and Hughes). And with the skating ability he has, he'll just skate circles around opponents to avoid getting hit. And it's not like he's 5'7" or anything.
-You really have LaCombe as the best? I personally can't see him being higher than the other 3. Thrun's been one of my favorite prospects for a long time and he's always been better than LaCombe defensively and he's not far off when it comes to offense imo. My guess is Thrun plays another year at Harvard and then either plays with the Ducks immediately or goes to San Diego. It depends how he looks in training camp. But I believe that he'll be the first to play in the NHL out of the group you mentioned.
-I really hope so. Have been following him a lot since his first year with the Gophers and I really like his game. Another great "late" round pick by the Ducks scouting department. (Is 3rd round already "late"?)