Our Young Players

[Richdg 267]

Defense/Goalies....

Dekeyser-he is only 26 and most defensemen don't reach their full potential until their late 20's. He is still improving. He is a solid all around Dman, at worst a 3 maybe a 2. He would be better on the top pair if he didn't have to carry it. Or he can be a really good second pair guy. Either way we win. He is signed long term and has all the skills and measurables you can ask for.

Sproul-A cannon for a RHed shot. He has the most offensive potential of all our BLers. If he can be just average defensively then he will get the minutes to be the 40+ point guy he is capable of.

Oullett-He is never going to be a great offensive Dman. 20 points is about his max. But he is very good defensively. Currently leads the team at +8! Has a nice little mean streak to his game as well. Not the biggest guy about 6-1/210 but uses every pound and plays very smart.

Marchenko-Has all the skills, I wish he was a little meaner. Needs to channel some Vladdy! Ceiling is a 2nd pair guy, floor is a 3rd pair guy.

Cholowski-Has some skill but needs to grow. he is currently listed as 6-1/185 on St. Cloud State's website. several of the scouting reports projected him to grow to 6-3 over the next couple of years. After he finishes college and plays a year or 2 in the minors He could become our second best all around Dmen. For SCSU this season he has played in 16 games. He has 1 goal, 9 points and 11 blocks. As a true freshman those are decent numbers. he needs 3-5 more years to develop. He is only 18 atm, so 3-5 years from now puts him in the same develop area that Sproul and Oullett are currently in. Both are 23.

Saarijarvi-very small but combative Dman. Good puck mover and skater. But is he good enough to cover for his lack of size? Is he Rafalski or Lebda?

Jensen-a depth player. 3rd pair at best/7th Dman. The entire league just passed on him this summer when he was on waivers. Not big or fast enough, looks more like a career AHL guy.

We do have good balance between RH/LH on D. Dekeyser, Oullett, and Cholowski are LHed, while Sproul, Marchenko, Saarijarvi, and Jensen are RHed.

We need to find a super for the BL soon. Having that true #1 makes everyone else better. The 2017 draft is very weak on high end D prospects. Central Scouting only has 5 Dmen with 1st round grades. Even a guy like Foote-someone I love as a prospect is at best a 2/3, not a 1. Not sure how the 2018 draft looks yet.

Keepers:

we have Mrazek and everyone else. None of the others to date have really developed. Many still have time so we shall see. No I don't think Couroe (sure I spelled that wrong) is a NHL caliber G. Looks like a career AHLer at best.

Edited December 21, 2016 by Richdg
error

[krsmith17 7,191]

You think DeKeyser is carrying Green? Really? I definitely see it as the other way around...

Hajek? He was drafted by Tampa. Pretty sure you mean Hronek, who is a much smaller, right-handed puck moving defenseman...

Jensen may not ever make it, but I don't see his size or speed having anything to do with it. He's basically the same size as Ouellet, a better skater, and plays a very similar style game...

[kickazz 5,459]

Anyone got the tl;dr on Rich's posts?

Edited December 21, 2016 by kickazz

[Richdg 267]

11 hours ago, krsmith17 said:

You think DeKeyser is carrying Green? Really? I definitely see it as the other way around...

Hajek? He was drafted by Tampa. Pretty sure you mean Hronek, who is a much smaller, right-handed puck moving defenseman...

Jensen may not ever make it, but I don't see his size or speed having anything to do with it. He's basically the same size as Ouellet, a better skater, and plays a very similar style game...

LOL grabbed the wrong guy off of the list.... hey it was early for me..... Mistakes do happen....

 

Yes Dekeyser is carrying Green defensively. Green makes mistakes defensively and Dekeyser tries to cover up for those. Now both guys are out of position. Which is a big part of our defensive issues.

12 hours ago, Richdg said:

Defense/Goalies....

Dekeyser-he is only 26 and most defensemen don't reach their full potential until their late 20's. He is still improving. He is a solid all around Dman, at worst a 3 maybe a 2. He would be better on the top pair if he didn't have to carry it. Or he can be a really good second pair guy. Either way we win. He is signed long term and has all the skills and measurables you can ask for.

Sproul-A cannon for a RHed shot. He has the most offensive potential of all our BLers. If he can be just average defensively then he will get the minutes to be the 40+ point guy he is capable of.

Oullett-He is never going to be a great offensive Dman. 20 points is about his max. But he is very good defensively. Currently leads the team at +8! Has a nice little mean streak to his game as well. Not the biggest guy about 6-1/210 but uses every pound and plays very smart.

Marchenko-Has all the skills, I wish he was a little meaner. Needs to channel some Vladdy! Ceiling is a 2nd pair guy, floor is a 3rd pair guy.

Cholowski-Has some skill but needs to grow. he is currently listed as 6-1/185 on St. Cloud State's website. several of the scouting reports projected him to grow to 6-3 over the next couple of years. After he finishes college and plays a year or 2 in the minors He could become our second best all around Dmen. For SCSU this season he has played in 16 games. He has 1 goal, 9 points and 11 blocks. As a true freshman those are decent numbers. he needs 3-5 more years to develop. He is only 18 atm, so 3-5 years from now puts him in the same develop area that Sproul and Oullett are currently in. Both are 23.

Saarijarvi-very small but combative Dman. Good puck mover and skater. But is he good enough to cover for his lack of size? Is he Rafalski or Lebda?

Jensen-a depth player. 3rd pair at best/7th Dman. The entire league just passed on him this summer when he was on waivers. Not big or fast enough, looks more like a career AHL guy.

We do have good balance between RH/LH on D. Dekeyser, Oullett, and Cholowski are LHed, while Sproul, Marchenko, Saarijarvi, and Jensen are RHed.

We need to find a super for the BL soon. Having that true #1 makes everyone else better. The 2017 draft is very weak on high end D prospects. Central Scouting only has 5 Dmen with 1st round grades. Even a guy like Foote-someone I love as a prospect is at best a 2/3, not a 1. Not sure how the 2018 draft looks yet.

Keepers:

we have Mrazek and everyone else. None of the others to date have really developed. Many still have time so we shall see. No I don't think Couroe (sure I spelled that wrong) is a NHL caliber G. Looks like a career AHLer at best.

Now if I am close to being correct on these guys and who knows, we have the following:

Top 6 F's: larkin, Mantha, and Svechnikov, need 3 more....

Bottom 8 F's: Abby, maybe Helm, Lil Bert, Smith, Jurco, AA, Sheahan, Teurgen, etc.... All set here.

Top 4 Dmen: Need a 1, Dekeyser, Sproul, Cholowski

Bottom 3 Dmen: Oullett, Marchenko, and Saarijarvi-all set here.

G: Mrazek and ????

Meaning we need to find 5 more players over the next few years. 3 Top 6 F's-prefer a couple of front of net guys and some RHed players, a true #1 Dman in the Weber/Dourghty mode, and a backup G that can play 30ish games per year.

Edited December 21, 2016 by Richdg

[DickieDunn 2,571]

So we just need 3 top 6 forwards, a #1 D and probably a second pair guy, and a #1 goalie

Sent from my LGLS676 using Tapatalk

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

3 hours ago, DickieDunn said:

So we just need 3 top 6 forwards, a #1 D and probably a second pair guy, and a #1 goalie

Sent from my LGLS676 using Tapatalk
 

Our goalies are fine.  This team has no confidence, especially in it's coaching staff.

Edited December 21, 2016 by Hockeymom1960

[Richdg 267]

1 hour ago, Hockeymom1960 said:

Our goalies are fine.  This team has no confidence, especially in it's coaching staff.

We are talking 5 years from now. Howard will be long gone. We only have Mrazek.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

We are talking 5 years from now. Howard will be long gone. We only have Mrazek.

If he doesn't get his game on track both will be gone or traded.

Right now there really can't too many untouchables outside of Larkin, Mantha, Dekeyser and maybe AA.

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

Well Mrazek here's your chance...

[Dabura 12,232]

5 hours ago, Richdg said:

We are talking 5 years from now. Howard will be long gone. We only have Mrazek.

Coreau.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

6 hours ago, Richdg said:

We are talking 5 years from now. Howard will be long gone. We only have Mrazek.

Yeah, Coreau looks pretty good. Anyway, I don't think a getting a backup goalie should be a huge consideration. There seems to be an expansive amount of good goalies in the league in recent years and there's been options in free agency.

[Richdg 267]

Coreau isn't that good. A career backup at best.

Now 1 guy I do hope to see in detroit real soon is Svechnikov. He is doing good in his first year with the Griffs. Had 2 goals tonight and on pace for a 20+ goal season. I would love to see him get a good look/taste of the NHL for 12-15 games at the end of the year.

His 1st goal tonight was awesome. Ran over 1 defender, skated around another to score on a backhand through the 5 hole. He showed his size/power, speed/skating, and great hands all in 1 play. On a side note, he leads the griffs in PIM's.

[kliq 3,763]

3 minutes ago, Richdg said:

Coreau isn't that good. A career backup at best.

Now 1 guy I do hope to see in detroit real soon is Svechnikov. He is doing good in his first year with the Griffs. Had 2 goals tonight and on pace for a 20+ goal season. I would love to see him get a good look/taste of the NHL for 12-15 games at the end of the year.

His 1st goal tonight was awesome. Ran over 1 defender, skated around another to score on a backhand through the 5 hole. He showed his size/power, speed/skating, and great hands all in 1 play. On a side note, he leads the griffs in PIM's.

I cant remember where I read it, but apparently this has been as issue as he is having a hard time keeping his stick to himself. 

[ChristopherReevesLegs 7,022]

2 minutes ago, Richdg said:

Coreau isn't that good. A career backup at best.

Now 1 guy I do hope to see in detroit real soon is Svechnikov. He is doing good in his first year with the Griffs. Had 2 goals tonight and on pace for a 20+ goal season. I would love to see him get a good look/taste of the NHL for 12-15 games at the end of the year.

His 1st goal tonight was awesome. Ran over 1 defender, skated around another to score on a backhand through the 5 hole. He showed his size/power, speed/skating, and great hands all in 1 play. On a side note, he leads the griffs in PIM's.

Theres literally an article from a few days ago in another thread about how dissapointing Svechs season in GR has been so far.  Not scoring consistently, poor defense, and taking tons of penalties. And you wanna promote him? Get real.

Coreau is better than Mrazek at this point

[Richdg 267]

5 minutes ago, ChristopherReevesLegs said:

Theres literally an article from a few days ago in another thread about how dissapointing Svechs season in GR has been so far.  Not scoring consistently, poor defense, and taking tons of penalties. And you wanna promote him? Get real.

Coreau is better than Mrazek at this point

Don't know who write such an article. Nor do I care. Again, watch the kid play. He is better than half the F's on the RW's now. Only going to get better. Let me guess, the same wirters that though Mantha sucked in his first year after breaking his leg? LOL.....

[ChristopherReevesLegs 7,022]

4 minutes ago, Richdg said:

Don't know who write such an article. Nor do I care. Again, watch the kid play. He is better than half the F's on the RW's now. Only going to get better. Let me guess, the same wirters that though Mantha sucked in his first year after breaking his leg? LOL.....

Nope, actually that writer wrote the complete opposite on Mantha. Do you even follow our prospects? it seems like u have no idea whats going on..

[BinMucker94 302]

Svech, Hicketts, and Russo look pretty good in these highlights lol.  I know it's just one game but it's still fun to watch these young guys have some success.

 

[krsmith17 7,191]

I haven't watched as many Griffins games this year, only a couple since Mantha got called up. But I've very been impressed with Hicketts every single game I've watched. Kid is tiny, but has absolutely no fear and hits like a ton of bricks. It means nothing to him that he's the smallest guy on the ice, just goes out there and gets s*** done... I'm excited for Russo and Svechnikov too.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

I haven't watched as many Griffins games this year, only a couple since Mantha got called up. But I've very been impressed with Hicketts every single game I've watched. Kid is tiny, but has absolutely no fear and hits like a ton of bricks. It means nothing to him that he's the smallest guy on the ice, just goes out there and gets s*** done... I'm excited for Russo and Svechnikov too.

I guess you need game center in order to get some GR games? Since the Wings are so boring to watch I would love to watch some AHL prospects but haven't found a way to do it which is sad.

[AtlantaHotWings 1,135]

I like that hit by Hicketts showing zero fear perhaps someone can show Big E that's how to hit. OR could we transfer Hicketts into Big E's body? 

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

14 hours ago, Richdg said:

Coreau isn't that good. A career backup at best.

Now 1 guy I do hope to see in detroit real soon is Svechnikov. He is doing good in his first year with the Griffs. Had 2 goals tonight and on pace for a 20+ goal season. I would love to see him get a good look/taste of the NHL for 12-15 games at the end of the year.

His 1st goal tonight was awesome. Ran over 1 defender, skated around another to score on a backhand through the 5 hole. He showed his size/power, speed/skating, and great hands all in 1 play. On a side note, he leads the griffs in PIM's.

You said we need a backup goalie for the future, if Coreau's a backup isn't that perfect? I don't think anyone has claimed that he's a future #1. 

Anyway, as I said, backup goalies can be picked up in free agency if he doesn't work out. We picked up Gustavesson, Conklin (1st time he was good) and it seems to me backup-type goalies are always available in free agency as the amount of talent at the goalie position has expanded in the past while.

[kliq 3,763]

1 hour ago, AtlantaHotWings said:

I like that hit by Hicketts showing zero fear perhaps someone can show Big E that's how to hit. OR could we transfer Hicketts into Big E's body? 

Was anyone else thinking The New Day lol?

[kliq 3,763]

37 minutes ago, PavelValerievichDatsyuk said:

You said we need a backup goalie for the future, if Coreau's a backup isn't that perfect? I don't think anyone has claimed that he's a future #1. 

Anyway, as I said, backup goalies can be picked up in free agency if he doesn't work out. We picked up Gustavesson, Conklin (1st time he was good) and it seems to me backup-type goalies are always available in free agency as the amount of talent at the goalie position has expanded in the past while.

100% agree, most teams backups are UFA signings or minor trades anyways.

Just look at our division as a sample size. Only two teams have a homegrown backup.

Toronto - *Enroth (UFA) (I put an * as they have gone back and forth with Bibeau these past couple weeks)

Montreal - Montoya (UFA)

Boston - Khudobin (current tenure UFA)

Buffalo - Nilsson (trade)

Detroit - Mrazek (drafted)

Florida - Riemer (UFA)

TB - Vasilevskiy (drafted)

Ottawa - Condon (trade)

 

[chaps80 1,591]

3 hours ago, PavelValerievichDatsyuk said:

it seems to me backup-type goalies are always available in free agency as the amount of talent at the goalie position has expanded in the past while.

Yep. That's why I say Vegas will have two great goalies after the expansion draft, while that wasn't the case in the four expansion drafts since 1991. Although Florida did snag Vanbiesbrouck, who was a major part of their trip to the Finals in 1996. A lot of teams have two goalies of starter calibre these days on their roster.

Edited December 23, 2016 by chaps80

[Richdg 267]

8 hours ago, PavelValerievichDatsyuk said:

You said we need a backup goalie for the future, if Coreau's a backup isn't that perfect? I don't think anyone has claimed that he's a future #1. 

Anyway, as I said, backup goalies can be picked up in free agency if he doesn't work out. We picked up Gustavesson, Conklin (1st time he was good) and it seems to me backup-type goalies are always available in free agency as the amount of talent at the goalie position has expanded in the past while.

At best he could be a backup. Most likely he isn't that good, nor is he that young. Remember I was talking about 5 years from now. Coreau will be 30 at that point. Not old, but if he isn't making it with us soon, he will leave to play somewhere else.

It is also an unknown if Mrazek is a start for us. There are no sure things. Until a player comes into the league and has multiple good seasons we can't say that they are a star or even a solid NHL player.

As for Svechnikov he is playing great. Any writer that thinks a guy has made it or failed after their first 25 games as a pro hockey player is a total fool. Most players need at least 1 full season to adjust to the NA pro game. How many Euros have dominated their pro leagues in europe and struggled here? Most do. Jumping from Juniors or College to pro hockey is a huge leap. He is on pace to score 20+ over a full season. Nothing to complain about at all. He kills penalties and plays on the PP, so clearly his coach likes him. Bob and Larry love the guy and his attitude. Spent 10+ mins during the game last night expressing their man love for him. Did the same thing with Smith about 10 days ago as well.