Speaker 1: Welcome to Fantasy Hockey Life, presented by fan Tracks. Here's
your source of information and analysis to help you win
your fantasy hockey league.
Speaker 2: Block off hot a, step hit on, Stay Lock.
Speaker 1: Here's your hosts, Jesse sovi here and Victor Nunio Fantasy Hockey.
Speaker 3: Live once again. Jesse Severe, Victor Nuno your Fantasy Hockey
Life buddies, here to talk with you about the great
game that we all enjoy. How are you doing today,
Fantasy Hockey Doctor, Victor Nunyo.
Speaker 2: Awesome, Jesse. Yeah, it's been a great week. This was
American Thanksgiving down here, and I think it's a good
time to tell everyone what we're thankful for. You know,
I'm thankful for all our listeners and to be able
to do this to people who actually seem to want
to listen every now and then. And you know, I
had this conversation recently. I never one of the things
I appreciate about doing this as all all the people
from different communities and walks of life. I didn't actually
know before Fantasy Hockey that there was any other kind
of thanksgiving. I thought it was, you know, America centric.
I only thought of our thanksgiving. So the Canadians, you know,
have a version, and there's other holidays and other things
we get to learn about from other cultures around the world.
So I really like that about what we do, and
I'm thankful for everyone who listens in. For you, Jesse,
how are you doing.
Speaker 3: Hey, man, I appreciate that. Yeah, it's it's just us
in Canada, right. There's no other like weird thanksgivings that
are in April or something somewhere else in the world,
not that we're aware of anyway. Canada just got it.
They have to start the Thanksgiving earlier because it gets
cold earlier up there. Man, the harvest is coming soon.
Speaker 2: There are other thanksgivings. Germany has I don't even know
how to say this, earned ten dank Fest, and Japan
has a labor sort of Thanksgiving Day, and there's some
other ones in other parts of Asia, but I think
the one most similar to what we do is in Canada.
And yeah, we always have a discussion of it. Kind
of it always catches me off guard because they're like, oh,
it's Thanksgiving up here, and it's like, you know, middle
of early October, and it's like, well, what that's early.
It seems early for us.
Speaker 3: Yes, sir, well, we're gonna get to the meat of
this episode. We got some great stuff ahead. So right
after this, it's gonna be Victor and I. It's gonna
be Victor and I talking about those scouts. Victor. Today
is yet another episode of the Scouts Tout. This is
one of those times that we bring in some of
our great Fahl scouts. We've got such a cool crew
right now who are breaking down tape, who are bringing
us the takes, and we're here to repeat them. And
then you've got some analysis to do on these guys too,
and we got our Mason Black NHL ranking poles. So
without further ado, Victor, let's start with Adamak of the
Minnesota Wild, a fourth rounder for skating, very strong ability
manages to use the fact he's a smaller forward too,
is an advantage to be an elusive player and be
deceptive with the puck. A lot of his shiftiness comes
from footwork and speed. Has been a lot more active
this season. I should say. Austin Kelly is our scout
on this one, and Austin says that Banak is playmaking
maybe exceptional. His awareness of the play around of his
high end He has an incredibly quick motor to get
himself to the spot to create and find space shooting.
More of a playmaker than a shooter, and Branford has
been a team that has more established goal scoring than
his but Banak has shown himself to be somewhat of
a scorer with a quick shot, slippery, does well with
puck accuracy, doesn't have a major shoot first mentality though
the Hockey IQ Adam Banak is a highly intelligent player,
especially with the puck. He positions himself well at both ends,
strong creativity to move around the ice, doesn't seem phased
by smaller ice. He's very controlled on the ice, even
though he's also very active on defense. Binak very solid defender,
works hard in his own end, plays with an aggressive
side to his game. Going in the fourth round wasn't
just because of his skill, but because of his ability
to work hard in battle for pucks that impresses scouts.
But some surprise, he hasn't actually been on the penalty
kill much, which given his tenacity, seems like something that
could happen eventually. So the best asset was the playmaking,
but most important is the physicality. Because he's a smaller prospect,
So the fact he's not afraid to play aggressive and
get scrappy, that's something else he'll have to prove. He
could do that against older talent, even though he had
in Chechia, but can he do it at the NHL level.
He is very, very undersized, and both sides of this.
That's also the biggest concern five to eight. Even if
he was five to eleven, there's a chance that he
would be a first round talent instead of where he was,
but the lack of size is a legitimate question mark
for that concern. He showing himself to have that aggressiveness though.
The top tier outcome that Austin sees here top six forward,
tops out twenty goal fifty to sixty points, and the
justification could be top sixer if he's able to translate
to high playmaking as well as the scrappiness. He has
been working to overcome his size, and if he's committed
to getting stronger and staying energized, he could find success.
The median outcome maybe a little less more pessimistic, bottom
six energy support forward, maybe a twenty or thirty point guy,
and that's because some undersized guys have been able to
make it work in the NHL despite not being elite
scorers by being those high effort type guys. The stylistic
comparable Adam Bnat could find himself following the pathway of
another Minnesota Wild forward in Marco Rossi. Both are highly skilled,
undersized forwards who play both center and wing, have strong
hustle defensive ability. Benack will have to add some muscle
to his game like Rossi did. The final thoughts, he
had a very strong season, albeit on a strong Bulldogs
team that has had offense come easy. But Banak is
part of the big reason why, and the team he
plays for has helped. Let's put Adam Banak up in
the NHL Rankking Pole against Felix unger Sorum of the
Carolina Hurricanes. The people have voted, and Felix Ungersorm came
out ahead fifty three to forty seven percent victor. Is
that the way that you would rank these two?
Speaker 2: Probably not? Actually, you know, I was a great rundout
on Banak. You might also hear it say been more
like Benatch, but it probably is going to be more
of Banak because that's how we're going to say it
here in North America. He has been extremely impressive. This
whole Branford team has been an absolute wagon, you know,
So I think that's part of it. And so when
you look at this and you see is it just
him or is it everyone he's playing with? But I
mean he's he's at the point where he's making everyone
around him better. So I don't think it's just the
environment he's in. And as you mentioned, the size concern
with ben ack is Gonna is real. Like he is,
he is really small. But what I find interesting and
when you what you see when you look at the
Fantasy Hockey Life player card is that he's winning more
puck battles than he's losing. His loose puck recovery is good.
He's hitting at fifty percent mark for the OHL, which
is really good. His bash is actually really solid considering
he's a smaller player. He's winning a ton of face offs,
he's getting a lot of takeaways, he's driving play, his
net expectacles. All this is really good. And that isn't
just because of his environment. He's doing a lot of
that himself. And Felix Hunger sorem, Yes, I do like him.
You know, he is slightly undersize of five to eleven,
but he's already playing in the AHL, which is a
really tough league. He had sort of a pedestrian league
season in his first season last year, and this season
he's doing really well, almost at a point per game.
I think that if you're looking at this just for
like who's in proximity to doing well, I think that
you probably would take Felix Hunger's I think that there's
maybe a little bit more upside this season based on
what Banak is doing, and I think you have to
respect that the hockey prospecting between the two has Banak
all the way, rising his star potential from twelve to
forty six percent, which is pretty impressive to do in
your D plus one season. Felix Hungerstorm has kind of
hovered in that sub five percent range for the last
few seasons. But again the fact that he's NH already
and basically someone you could probably flex into your lineup
pretty soon. If that matters to you, then I would
go Felix Hungerstorm. But if you're going based on upside,
then I would actually lan Banak Jesse.
Speaker 3: Well very good. That is a good breakdown there of Banak.
Let's move on our guy Punit has come up with
the following scattering report on Carson Carroll's who is a
defenceman who's going to be eligible for the twenty twenty
six draft for skating Excellent mobility, fluid balance, stride with
strong acceleration, use the speed effectively to close gaps and
defend rushes. Transitions smoothly from defense to offense with quick
first steps, and can push pucks up ice confidently and
lead controlled breakouts for passing and handling. He makes crisp
accurate breakout passes under pressure, keeps his head up, identifies
lanes quickly, prefers smart, efficient puck movement over flashy plays,
handles the puck cleanly, and can navigate tight spaces when needed.
He reads the fore check well to make simple, high
percentage exits and punite. Further says about Carol's shooting heavy
slap shot from the point, legitimate scoring threat on the
power play, quick release with the lanes open, doesn't hesitate
to put pucks on net, generates offense through smart shot
placement and timing. Capable of finding shooting lanes and creating rebounds.
Er tips for the Hockey IQ exceptionally high processes the
game quickly and effectively, calm under pressure, rarely panics with
the puck, excellent positional wreaths, especially in the defensive zone,
makes proactive decisions rather than reacting late, and understands when
to activate offensively and when to stay back. Poonite says
of Carol's He's not typically used as a port checker,
but supports play well from the blue line. Keeps pucking
with smart reads positioning at the offensive blue line. Pressure
is opposing breakouts effectively with good stick placement on defense,
strong at the one on one game. Stick and body
positioning separates opponents from the puck. Great at maintaining gaps,
forcing plays wide, so the best asset there. Elite defensive
intelligence combined with strong skating shutdown defender transitions play effectively.
The biggest concern doesn't have the most creativity or dynamic
puck skill to round out his offensive game. Sometimes he
keeps things too safe rather than exploiting opportunities with possession.
The top tier potential Punite sees maybe a top pair
two way NHL defenseman. That's because of the skis, size, skating,
and defense of instincts that make him a potential top
pair anchor. Who can handle the heavy minutes of special
teams responsibilities and for the meeting outcome at least a
second pair shutdown guy with secondary offense. That's because he's
a reliable, low mistake player who drives play quietly. May
top out just below true top pair impact if offensive instincts.
Plateau the stylistic comparable for punit Yakup Slaven or Jacob
Slaven or Ryan McDonough composed mobile two way defenders who
thrive on positioning, smart and efficient puck movement rather than flash.
Carson Carroll's goes up against matthis Preston, who's also coming
up in the NHL draft this year. Carson Carroll's over
at Prince George and the dub and you got Preston
playing for the Spokane Chiefs and Carroll's wins this one
in a real world draft selection specified pull on the
Mason Black NHL rank King Carrol's wins this one pretty
small sample of size of votes, but a pretty decisive
victory sixty five to thirty five percent victor. What do
you think?
Speaker 2: Yeah, I think it's interesting because usually I find that
Mason puts defencemen and defenseman up against each other and
forwards and forwards, but this is a defenseman against the forward,
which I think makes a bit of a difference here.
So Carrol's is a six' two left handed d And
mathis is a little bit undersize five to eleven right shot.
Forward and one thing that you, know we'll be talking
a little bit about the twenty twenty six draft as
we go, along and people always ask, like how good is?
It and it just too early to. Tell, still it's
definitely too early before the, season and even until you
get closer, to, like you, Know February, march you really
don't know because some of these guys can come on really.
Late but one thing we know so far is that
there doesn't seem to be a lot of. Centers there
does seem to be a lot of really good defencemen
and some pretty good. Wingers and so what you'll see
probably is a lot of these defencemen going early and
some of the centers going earlier than you. Think so
you're probably going to be able to get value on
some of these defencemen and some of these, wingers so
that can influence what's going on. HERE i do Think
carrol's is the better prospect. Here he's got good size. Mobility,
also when you look at his consolidated, rank he's, thirteen
and most of his ranks are kind of in that.
Range what's interesting For mathis who's still a little bit
under point per game during his draft, season which, is you,
know not terribly, unusual but you'd want that to be
up a little bit. More but he's also really young
for his draft. Class he's A july twenty first. Birthday
carrol's is also A june, birthday so both these guys
are pretty young and probably have a lot more development to.
Go but Mathis is also has a lot of. Variability
his consolidated rank is, nine but he has ranks all
the way up in the mid to late twenties and
as early as ranked fourth by some, Outlets so that's
kind of interesting BY smot. Scouting SO i think that
that's always kind of interesting to look. AT i think
some of these depth offensive defensemen are probably going to
look better in a lot of these models because of
the high scoring, potential Like carrol's right now has fifty
three percent star potential and hockey, prospecting Mathis is at,
fifteen and so we could see that change a little.
Bit but the comparables For carol's are kind of, crazy
Like Paul, Coffee rasmustelin on the low end and To,
mittaichuk you know that kind of. Thing so that's kind of.
Interesting you look at The Fantasy Hockey life player card
for these two and you see That carrol's is really
doing fantastic with his scoring and a lot of his play.
Driving he also hits a. Ton both these guys actually
are pretty much bash. Masters carrol's has a ton of
shots and blocks and really good for hits ninety fifth
percentile for bash mathis even though he's slightly, undersized he
shoots a ton and his hits and blocks are pretty,
average so that gives him up in the ninetieth. Percentile
so you, know we'll keep following these as we. Go
and the question and fantasy of would you take kind
of of a potential middle six forward or someone who
could be your top power play, DEFENCEMAN i know which
Way i'm. Leaning i'm always going to take that guy
who could be your power play quarterback and could be
the best defenseman on that. Team so that's which WAY
i would lean right, Now. Jesse but it's, early and
we'll keep saying that with all these draft. Eligibles it's,
early so it's hard to, know but it's good to
start talking about.
Speaker 3: THESE i, think, yeah that is a different one to
put up a defenseman against. Forward but let's move on
to our next, Guy Victor Vigo. Byork this is another
fellow who's up in the twenty twenty six. Draft this
time we are on a, forward, center right winger who
is ranked pretty consistently among the top. Picks we don't
actually have a scouting report for this one as far
AS i can, tell and so some things you should
know about. Him he's your gardens this. Year he made
it up to THE shl where he's produced some. Points but,
again this is a draft. Eligible you wouldn't expect him
to necessarily out of the. Water he's got seven points
in his first twenty. Games but he's also playing For
SWEDEN'S u twenty. Situation So Vigo, bjork we're gonna put
him up Against Nikita klepov in THE nhl ranking. Poll another.
Forward this fella is going to be over in The
Saganaw spirit and he's actually been playing for THE US
u eighteen team in the past as, Well So Saganaw
Spirit klipov VERSUS. Jr. Gardens how do you compare those
apples and, Oranges. Victor we asked the people to, vote
and the people Decided Vigo bjork is the prospect they would,
more they would preferred to. Have so sixty seven to thirty,
Three Vigo byork comes out ahead Of Nikita klepov on the.
Pole what do you, Think?
Speaker 2: Victor, Well, actually When Central scouting came out with their first,
list this was kind of a big talking, point is
That Vigo buorck was given A b rating and if
you're not familiar with, that most of the people who
considered should be in the first or GIVEN a, ratings
and that it was kind of bonkers for a lot
of people Because buyorck has been awesome this, season and
so a lot of people kind of push back on
that he has split time between THE u twenty and THE.
Shl AND i know that it's hard to compare when
guys don't play a lot in THE, shl but seven
points in twenty two games for a seventeen year old
who doesn't turn eighteen Until march twelve is pretty, impressive
AND i think he's a really impressive. KID i would
definitely rather have. HIM i, think you, know looking at
some of the scoring, potential it does look Like klipoff
has a little bit. More he's also a young for
his draft. Class he's doing really well For saginaw and
he's going off To Michigan state next, year so you
know that's. Good BUT i think right now it's really
impressive What buorck is doing in THE, shl SO i
would probably lean that. WAY i think a big part
of this, rating or this lack of respect maybe That
buick is, getting is that he is five foot. Ten you,
know he's most likely a, winger SO i think that's
part of what's holding him back a little. Bit but
you look at some of his stats in THE, shl
and his transition game has been really, good and his,
course he play driving his puck battles like he's getting in.
There he's winning the, pucks he's getting after. It he's
hitting a fair amount, too over fifty, percent and he's
got seventy seven percent for. Blocks he's not shooting a whole,
lot but you know that's probably because he's deferring because
he's a young player in this. League but he's doing
really well with his possession in a very difficult, league
SO i would definitely look at. THAT i also have
some tracking data for him in THE u twenty league
and it looks as you would, imagine. Incredible SO i
don't have any tracking data for a clip, off BUT
i think these guys are close right. Now, THOUGH i
would lean towards the guy producing at in a really difficult,
league and he was a little hotter at the beginning
of the, season but now seven points in twenty two. Games,
yeah it doesn't look that, great but he's still playing
in a really difficult league compared to THE, Ohl So
i'll laying that way for, Now.
Speaker 3: Jesse next, up we've Got Jack. Hextall he is a center.
Winger he is also a twenty twenty, sixer AND i
would say the consensus rankings kind of have him in
the second half of the first round more or less
somewhere in. There tony our lead. Scout tony comes in
off the top rope with this scouting. Report Skate jack
is a hard, skater not the, smoothest but it seems
like he's always on the. Move Jack hextall seems to
be adept at handling the puck in tight spaces and
makes good passes for, shooting able to get his own shot,
off score on passes from teammates and in HOCKEY, iq
very good vision and. Anticipation he sees teammates and gets
the puck to. Them for, Checking hextall refreshingly did a
lot of for. Checking he was working all the time
and for. Defense it was the looks That tony had
was him working all the time IN ushl, games but
he he did see a bit of a slip in
The helenka game that he watched Of. Hextall so the
best asset is no doubt that hard. Work the biggest
concern is the. Skating he needs to work on that
speed and. Acceleration the top tier outcome For hextall would
be tier two middle six type. Guy his hard work
and willingness to make hits in four check would get
him to that tier two bash could make him a
must have in. Fantasy he could be good in any situation,
powerplay penalty, kill, offense. Defense the meeting, outcome, though is
probably more like tier three bottom. Six if the skating
does not, improve playing time will be limited to defensive
matchups AND pk. Time the stylistic comparable a Young Yanni
gord or Maybe kei For sherwood Or Tanner Jano keith For.
Sherwood man my eyes just popped out of my. Head
the scouts' final thoughts he could be a score that
has bash or a third line forward that, scores And
tony notes that even though he was listed as a,
center he played a lot of wing in the Games tony.
Saw So Jack heckstall goes up Against Vladimir, draveki who
is also a twenty twenty six draft eligible who's playing
for The Branford. Bulldogs once Again, branford and the poll
came Out Jack hextall. Again he wins this, one not
in a huge response, number but he does win this
one fifty eight to forty two. Percent what do you, Think?
Speaker 2: Victor, YEAH i Think i'm gonna go With hextall as.
Well and some of you might be, wondering AS i,
was Whether Jack hextall is related to Goalie Ron, hexstall
and he is, not so that's good to. Know and
he's he's also fairly young for this draft. Class he's.
Seventeen i'll turn Eighteen march twenty. Third he's a six
to zero right shot center and, YEAH i think that
you're looking at HIS pnhle they're pretty. Similar draveki's is
a little bit. Higher for some. Reason draveki isn't in
The Hockey Prospecting, model But hextall, is and he's just
a four percent chance of being a. Star so both
these guys a little bit lower down the total pole
in terms of exciting prospects to. Watch but you, know
in THE, ushl he could really turn things on down the,
stretch Could hextall And draveki being you, know he's playing In,
chechia so hard to. SAY i, mean he's played twenty
five games right now and has one, assist so you,
know that's a little hard To that's probably why there's
no data for him in The Hockey Prospecting. Model that's
probably why he doesn't have. Anything BUT i do have
some tracking data for the two in terms of My
Fantasy Hockey life player, card AND i think what you
can see From hextall is that he's a really solid transition,
player excellent, transition really good play driving and AS i mentioned,
earlier the there's not going to be that many centers
in this, draft And Jack hextall is one of them
who is rated in the first, round so and even
if he's, NOT i would be shocked if he didn't
go in the first round because of the lack of options.
There SO i think he's someone who's probably going to
go a little earlier than he, should which is something
to think about as you're making your ranks at you,
know he's someone who you might not want to reach,
for but you, know if he's still there in your
later rounds of your, draft he might be a good
option because you know he still is going to get
a lot of opportunity whoever drafts. Him but he you,
know he was winning a lot of face offs his
he hits a decent. Amount he doesn't really shoot or
block that much, though so his bash is actually kind
of low. Considering So draveki is the, Defenseman so again
here we have a forward versus the. Defenseman both of
these are going to be premium. Positions And draveki is
going to turn eighteen In, december so not super. Young
but he is playing For, branford as you, mentioned with
some pretty decent scoring seventeen points in twenty five, games
and so that's pretty. NICE i covered recently on one
of My journey articles That Adam yirchek is getting tons
of opportunity there and he's really showing out in his
deep plus two. Seasons so not a lot of great
opportunity there in terms of. Offense But branford does score a,
lot and so those thirteen as sists are piling up
For draveki and he's he's, definitely you, know interesting, player
probably going a little bit, later like in the second.
Round but between these, TWO i think that the upside
is probably a little bit more For traveki just in
terms of what he's showing right now In. Brantford BUT
i think THAT i WOULD i would Lean Jack. HEXTALL
i think he's got he's going to get more opportunity
as a more well rounded, player and you, KNOW i
think that he's he's probably going to go higher than
he should in the. Draft BUT i think that you
could use that to your advantage if you can get
him a little bit, Later.
Speaker 3: Jesse you, Know, VICTOR i recently Read i'm reading a
book about the human race and kind of how we,
Developed homo sapiens, developed and the close genetic relationship that
all humans, have like way closer than certain other, animals
which is a roundabout way of, Saying, victor we're all
related To Ron hextall really if you think about. It
so let's move on to our next. Player, actually before
we do, That, VICTOR i think we should take a
break and contemplate the world of.
Speaker 4: Genetics christian as shock your an apologize wasn't really familiar
with your, game and you, Know casual, thinktu we're. Back
before we.
Speaker 3: Get back into the, prospects you do some things you'd
like to tell.
Speaker 2: People sure do want to share with everyone that a
lot of these insights that you're. Seeing you, know we
pay a lot for different subscription services to get cool
stats like hit some blocks and a lot of the tracking,
data and we try to give that back by giving
patrons some. Perks and so if you want to subscribe
and get some bonus content and look at these cards
whenever you, want or get access to the show notes
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all that out over at patreon dot com slash Fans Hockey.
Life you can support the show and get some cool
bonuses as.
Speaker 3: Well that's, Right, Victor and you can always join our
discord because it's free and all you need is a
little link to get in, there and That's FANTASY hockeylfe
at gmail dot. Com of, course if you're joining at The,
patreon you know we're gonna give you that. Too we'll
tell you all about. It you won't miss. Out So,
victor let's move. On we've got a few more players
that we want to discuss. Today the next among. Them
the next among them is going to Be Tynan, lawrence
OUR fhl lead. Scout tony has this to. Say he's
an undrafted, centerman or well not drafted. Yet at twenty twenty,
SIX i said an excellent, skater, speed, edges awesome passing and,
handling and a dept. Passer can handle the puck in all.
Situations tynan can get his own shot off as well
as hitting one timers from passes from. Teammates he can
also handle the puck in, close change the angel angle
to get around an individual. Defense for HOCKEY, Iq lawrence
seemed to gain vision and poise as last season went.
On In, october he seemed to be holding onto the
puck of it too. Much By, march he seemed to
be a little willing to open things and trust his
abilities and. Teammates By, august he was a confident. Centerman
He tony did see some four checking in some of the.
Games the defense is mostly stick work and keeping him
keeping the puck on his stick and away from the other.
Team but the best asset That tony saw was the.
Skating the second would be the. Vision the biggest. Concern
lawrence is a little bit, small but has room to.
Grow his acceleration and explosiveness also need some. Work the
top tier outcome could be tier. One you, Know tony's
not an easy, grater and he sees That lawrence could
be a one or a two center that's pretty. Good
skating and vision will allow him to ply on the
top the play on the top two, lines and get
tons of power. Playtime on the other, hand the median
outcome here tier. Three somebody makes him a winger plays
Down lawer in the. Lineup that's if this acceleration does not,
develop where he gets put in the wrong position or
he doesn't have enough. Bash he Reminds tony Of Connor.
Bedard Now tony says he doesn't see any Of badard's
temper when things don't go, well, though so that's something.
Else Tynan lawrence gets put up in this poll Against
Yvonne stenberg Or Ivar, stenberg the one of the top
three picks Or. No one of the top potential picks
in this. Trap that's that's quite a piece of, competition
and maybe, Predictably lawrence goes down hard in this poll
eighty five to fifteen Percent Victor Stenberg. Lawrence is it
a fair?
Speaker 2: Fight? No, Really and this might Make Tynan lawrence seem
like not a great option or super, exciting BUT i
think he is and the fact that he, IS i
believe the top rated center prospect right. Now he's a
consensus number, five AND i think that he's he's gonna,
rise like he might even, be you, know kind of
like what we saw When Leo carlson went a little
earlier than maybe we. Thought not necessarily saying that that's
going to, happen BUT i do think he's he is
both really good and probably going to go earlier than
have one, things just because of how what limited options there.
Are i'm looking at the consolidated ranks right now AND
i think he's of all the for sure, centers like
he's definitely the. BEST i think and there's some other
options that are kind of questionable who are in that,
range who you, know may sneak in, there but they're
they're you, know we always know THAT nhl teams just
they can't help. Themselves they're going to reach for, centers
and so that's probably going to. Happen but he is really.
Good there's some. Concerns some people concern question his, size
BUT i, mean he's six oh one to eighty, five, so,
LIKE i don't think that's a huge. Concern he has
been really good in his limited time so far in THE.
Ushl that's the. Thing we haven't seen too many, games
but what we saw last year year and the progression he's,
MADE i think that there's room to be pretty excited with.
Him he's also really really young for this draft. Class
he is going to be. Eighteen he's not going to
be eighteen until Next, august so after the, draft and
SO i think you also have to keep that in.
Mind there's just more runway for him to. Improve but
he's a really exciting, player AND i think a lot
of his transition game and a lot of his play
driving are really. Excellent his bash is just going to
be kind of, average but he's winning a ton of face,
offs he's driving. Play he looks just awesome in that.
Role but it's kind of unfair Because Ivar, stenberg quite,
frankly is looks like he might even Give gavin McKenna
a run for his money for first. OVERALL i know
people have been saying, McKenna, McKenna, McKenna and there's no,
One but in terms of his off puck, play it
continues to be a little, concerning like he doesn't really
do a whole lot away from the, Puck AND i
know for a lot of people that are, like who
cares if he drives that good of, Offense but THE
nhl teams might a little, Bit and If stenberg does
a little bit more off, puck then there might be
more of an. Argument if you look at the hockey
prospecting between McKenna And stenberg right, now Which byron did
update a couple of weeks, ago it has Ira stenberg
as the top star potential right now in all of
the twenty twenty six. Ers in, fact McKenna is actually
quite quite a ways, down even though he's having a
pretty great season in THE. Ncublea but it is hard
to have your draft season in THE NC. Doublea that's
just a, fact so there's always going to be a
little bit of that. There but AS i, said a
lot of the top a lot of the top fantasy
players in this draft are going to be, defenceman and
several of, them like most of them in the top,
ten are. Defenseman, ANYHO i definitely would Take stenberg. HERE
i think his upside is. Higher it generally is the
case often for wingers two to break in because they
have less, responsibility they have fewer things to worry about
as they get going and as they get their. Opportunity
SO i think all that leans in the favor Of
stenberg and he's killing it right. Now MAYBE i haven't mentioned,
that but nearly a point per game in THE shl
as a draft eligible is just kind of. Bonkers, now
we should note he is going to be one of
the oldest in his draft. Class he's The september thirtieth
draft birth, date so he that's fifteen days after the,
limit so he's going to be one of the older
but he's using that to his. Advantage he's playing in
a really tough league at a young age and doing fantastically.
Well so all of. THAT i, mean that's a harder,
league even in THE NC douablea and what he's doing
compared To gavin, McKenna there's gonna be. Rumblings there's going
to be. PEOPLE i haven't seen it, yet but there's
gonna be people who Push stenberg ahead of, McKenna and
it's going to be an interesting discussion down the. ROAD
i think ultimately no one in this class has more
pure upside than, McKenna BUT i think that there will
be Average stenberg either. Way if you have the, second,
third or fourth, pick is going to be a pretty
nice consolation. Prize and this should be no disrespect To Tynan,
lawrence who is also a pretty good.
Speaker 3: Prospect, Jesse, well we all lived through The Sane wright
draft here not too long. Ago you can't always assume
it's a layup with the guy who comes in early
as the number one. Prospect Chase reid is next. Up
Our fahl scout poony is back to talk about the
young defenseman Another as you, said of these elite twenty
twenty SIX Nhl Entry draft picks who were playing on
the blue line for the Skating Chase reid Elite edgework and,
acceleration moves with fluidity and, balance escapes, pressure easily turns
broken plays into clean. Exits excellent mobility for a six two,
frame and he has a blend of size and. Speed
read is able to play through neutral zone and closes
defensive gaps effectively for passing and. Handling excellent touch and
control on both short and long, passes creates passing lanes
on the power play using skating in. Deception he's calm
under pressure with smart puck management And read is a
confident puck transporter who can carry across both blue. Lines for,
shooting a, heavy accurate shot from the point effective on
the main, advantage and at times he can rely too
heavily on his shot rather than facilitating. Plays he has
the ability to generate consistent offensive pressure from the blue,
line high envision, composure rarely rushes his, decisions strong reads
in transition and an offensive. Zone calm under pressure with
excellent timing and puck retoval. Instincts for for, checking he
keeps plays alive with strong pinches anticipation of the blue.
Line he uses his mobility to sustain offensive, pressure, defense
tight gap, control solid, positioning uses his size effectively retrieves
pucks effectively and transitions it back to the. Offense the
best asset then the elite skating that drives transition and
impacts both ends of the. Ice the biggest concern the
tendency to over rely on offense and shot. Attempts he
still is working at refining defensive decision making and reads
under four prec for check. Pressure the top tier outcome
here could be a top pair two WAY nhl. Defenceman
he has, size, skating, poise offensive instincts that could take
him to a high END nhl. Role reid also has
the tools that can translate directly to the pro game
if the defensive play keeps. Progressing punit thinks that the
meeting outcome here is probably something more like a second
pair puck moving. Defenceman he's very much reliable in, transition
capable of earning a second power. Play unit sits here
as he may top out if defensive growth. Plateaus the stylistic.
Comparable punit sees a comparabile to like An Ozen power
or A Noah, Haniffen smooth, skating poised two way defenders
who drive play through mobility and intelligence rather than physical.
Dominance And Chase reid goes up against fellow twenty twenty
six Potential Albert's smit's who is playing over In finland
right now read Whip course of The Sue, greyhounds And
reid wins this poll fifty nine to forty one. Percent,
Victor are you A Chis reid? Guy?
Speaker 2: Yeah this is really interesting between the. TWO i, mean
one's playing in THE, ohl one's playing in The. Liga so,
typically you, KNOW i like to go with the guy
who has a little bit of a harder, situation which
would definitely Be smit's. Here and by the, Way Smith's,
latvian so you know what that. Means we have a
plethora Of s's just at the end of every, name
first and last, Name, Alberts. Smit's you gotta get all
that in. There but, YEAH i think these guys are
they're they're kind of. Similar AS i was, mentioning defensemen
are going to be you, know there's gonna be a
lot of really good, defense so this is your year
to draft high end. DEFENSEMAN i think that they're both really,
solid BUT i probably would Lean smith just because he
has a little bit of a Harder he has a
harder role that he's playing right now In, finland for
you gurt a little closer to half point per. Game
but you also can't ignore What Chase reed is doing
in THE su and so that's really great to see
point per. Game BUT i think both these guys are
going to be in a similar, range AND i think
it's kind of early to, tell quite, frankly so's it's
kind of. Hard but between the two in terms OF,
bash you also Have smit's with a lot more. Bash
he's clicking at seventy three percent for bash And Chase
reid at just forty two. Percent the transition data for
both of them is really, good with a little bit
better play driving For smith's as, well more, takeaways more expected.
Goals so it's pretty. Close BUT i think THAT i
would Lean smith's playing in the professional. League but both
these guys are going to be a little bit probably
your fourth or fifth best offensive. Option but you, know
one of those things WHERE i always talk about in
a draft where you have lots of good offensive d
the fourth or fifth option maybe better than the top
offensive option in a week. Class so this might be
a good place to get.
Speaker 3: Value, yeah we always worry about some of the potential
two way. Guys, next we're going to Have Xavier. Villaneuve
chris O'Brien breaks down this young defenseman who will be
part of the twenty twenty Sixth Entry Entry. Draft. Class,
Skating chris says high end skater with elite, edgework quick, twitch,
elusiveness excels on rushing the puck up into the, ice
darting into, lanes quick, feet and ability to turn on a.
Dime allowed to walk the line with ease passing and,
Handling villaneuve is an exceptional puck. Handler displays confidence in his,
abilities employs deft feints to learning defenders before exploding around.
Them as a playmaker and limited, Viewings chris said is
playmaking failed to stand out as, expected But villaneuve favors
rushing the puck up the ice, himself doesn't often make
adequate use of, teammates leading to unnecessary. Turnovers, Shooting villaneuve's
got a decent. Shot it's currently not the best weapon
in his, arsenal but he'll have to continue to work
on it as he advances through the gauntlet of pro.
Hockey the HOCKEY iq clearly gifted as an offensive, player
But villeneuve's overall HOCKEY iq did not stand out In chris's.
Viewings the singular focus on rushing the puck up the
eyes distracts from identifying potential better opportunities to maintain possession
and drive offense. Further and the defensive, Zone villaneuve routinely
looked lost To chris and could be rushed into turning
over pucks by oncomping four checkers for. Defense it's a
big work in progress right. Now efforts in the defensive
zone were sort of lack of. Daisical lack of size
makes him prone to being pushed off pucks. Easily villaneuve
relies mostly on stickwork to defend and largely avoids. Contact
so the best asset the bread and butter are those
quick feet and stick handling and savvy loves to carry the,
puck never misses the opportunity to try to generate. Offense
the size and defensive acumen are the biggest. Concern that's
what could Keep villaneuve from achieving his potential despite his
clear offensive. Upside the failure to evolve will require him
to play sheltered minutes and limit overall opportunities for success
at THE nhl level if not. Addressed the top tier
outcome here top FOUR d power play one, Catalyst he's
got the upper eachel on offensive POTENTIAL nhl team's, desire
but his overall game is not probably going to translate into.
That the median outcome Here chris sees AN Ahl all
star gifted offensive, force but his game will need to
evolve in order to give coaches the confidence to put
him in situations where he can both succeed and not
hurt the. Team many highly gifted offensive players have failed
to make the transition to the pro game because they
could not adjust their. Games the stylistic comparable to put
the point on, It Jeremy Poitier and in THE nhl ranking,
poll we've GOT Jp hurl But Herbalrlbert herlbert going up
against The. Villaneuve, villaneuve of, course playing up there in the,
queue Whereas herlbert is With Kamloops blazers out. West villaneuve
wins this one pretty, considerably a seventy five to twenty
five percent victory victor your.
Speaker 2: Move, Yeah i'm definitely Going villeeneuve. Here AND i mentioned
The Hockey Prospecting drafter tool looking at the twenty twenty six,
draft and right, Now Xavier villeneuve is the number one
player on that list in terms of star potential in his.
Draft here him And Ryan, lynn WHO i wrote about
recently in A journey article AND i actually got to
see him play. LIVE i think we're not gonna talk
About Ryan lynn, today but if just as a quick,
aside If Ryan lynn had anyone to play with except
the guys that are on his CURRENT wahl, team if
he had some more, talent he we'll be talking about
him a lot. More he's extremely. Talented he doesn't have
a lot going for him though on his. Team villeneuve
is going to be an. Case AND i think that
what tone What chris said there is totally. Accurate this
could absolutely be Another Jeremy. Poirier AND i think that
right now we were still a little early to say,
that you, know whether he's going to be able to
figure it out or, not because he absolutely has some
of those inconsistencies defensive positioning and decision making and a
lot of. That SO i think that there's still an
opportunity for him to get. Better you, know we did
See paria get a little bit better to the point
Where he's probably good enough to play in THE, nhl
but it took a long time for him to get,
there AND i think it really limited a lot of his.
Opportunity that could be the same For villeneuve, here you,
know so we'll have to. See he's also really old
for his draft, class so he's much older than most
of his cohort in the. Queue and whether that's helping
him or, not it is hard to, say but it's probably.
Not hurting is a little bit more, mature a little
bit older and. Stronger so that's probably how the offensive
upside is a. Mistake he's, great but will he be
able to defend well? ENOUGH i think those are the
questions we still don't. Know at this, POINT i would
still take him ahead Of, hurlbert but you, know that may.
Change he also has a really high hockey prospecting Does hurlbert,
so and not the defensive. Question so as we get
closer and closer to the, draft if we haven't seen
more improvement from Ville, neuve we might have to shift
that conversation even. More but as of, NOW i think
we're taking the offensive. Upside it's interesting when you look
at Ville neuve's skatercart because his transition game is, excellent
his loosepuck, recovery his puck, battles his, takeaways all that's really.
Good even his bash is pretty, good especially considering he
gets he has no, hits zero percentile for, hits and
so all that's driven by the shots and. Blocks but
you can clearly see some of the defensive deficiencies because
his net goals is dragged way down by his negative
corse and so as well as he drives a play,
offensively he's letting too much on the other. End and
so That jeremy pride argument is going to be hard
to get away. From AND i think we're probably going
to keep hearing some questions about, that BUT i think
for Now i'm gonna, say, well we'll see what else
he can show the rest of the. Season it's still
a little, early and hopefully it can show some improvement
by the.
Speaker 3: End jesse outstanding and the last one up for this,
Episode Daxon rudolph Is patrick Plax are a drafty for
discussion today twenty twenty SIX Nhl entry. Drafty Dason rudolph
on the defensive, end above average, skating able to skate
well laterally on the blue, line as well as skating
backward well for defensive, positioning, passing and. Handling dason's got
average passing and. Handling prefers smart and short passes the,
teammates but sometimes throws the puck to an, area causing a.
Turnover generally he doesn't handle it, much but he can
transport it up the. Ice an average, shooter he tries
to find lanes through defenders when shooting from the. Point
for HOCKEY, Iq daxon's got very good hockey, sense Per.
Patrick he keeps his, poise he reads the play well on,
defense and is well prepared with where to move the
puck on. Defense rudolph uses his hockey sense and skating
for good positioning and gap. Maintenance, however sometimes he over,
commits which nullifies those. Positives the best asset then several good,
assets but Probably HOCKEY iq would Be patrick's, favorite and
the biggest concern of the lack of creativity in the offensive.
Game the top tier outcome here top four with power play,
two and that's because he's solid most parts of his,
game but playing first pair could require him to be
more dynamic. Offensively the median outcome here bottom pair defender
occasional power play. Time if the development, stalls he could
be yes solid two way defender and the stylistic comparable
brought Up Caden goolie of The Montreal. Canadians Elton hermannson
is the competition For Daxon rudolph in THIS Nhl Rankking,
pole another guy coming up in the, draft and again
another forward going up against the Defenseman, rudolph And rudolph
as the best real world draft selection in this poll
comes out just narrowly, AHEAD i, think probably one by
one vote here fifty two to forty eight Percent Victor
Elton hermanson Versus Daxon. Rudolph who you.
Speaker 2: Got, well probably sound like a broken, record but this
draft is going to be strong for, defenseman So i'm
probably going to take the defender. Here the upside is
pretty strong. THERE i think that they're going to be pretty.
Similar but when you have a forward like this who's,
got you, know reasonable, upside and then you have a
defenseman who you, know they're just the for vorp, reasons
they're just a little bit harder to acquire and to,
Develop SO i think THAT i would lean that. Way
but this is going to be pretty. Close most of these.
Guys both these guys will probably be in your fantasy
draft towards the end of your first round orson a,
round depending on how deep your league, Is so they're
probably not going to be super, exciting but you, know
if one has the option of being potential to be
the top power play, guy then that might be a
little more. Exciting both these. Guys, Actually hermanson And rudolph
have really GOOD, bash With rudolph a little bit better
ninetieth percentile For, bash doesn't hit that, much but shoots
and blocks a, ton and in terms of his tracking
data in THE whl looks better all, around in terms
of his, play, driving, fenwick, loosepuck, recovery, takeaways all that
looks really. Excellent of, Course Elton hermanson is playing in
a more difficult league in The hockey Helsepen, skin but
a lot of his underlying metrics don't look quite as,
strong even if HIS ros scoring looks a little bit.
Better BUT i, mean seven points in eleven games is
still a little bit of a smaller sample, size so
hard to, know BUT i do think THAT i would
lean a little bit more towards.
Speaker 3: It very Good Vic jersey that is going to do
it for our prospects on The Scouts Touts. Edition anything
else to say before we come, Back.
Speaker 2: WELL i did want to, say you, know thanks to
all our scouts are doing an excellent, job as you
mentioned in the, beginning and we have actually had a
couple of scouts joined recently and we are still happy
to have. More if it's something you're interested, in you
do get some pretty cool, access like being able to
watch video on all these, prospects which is really hard to,
find but we do pay for instat and so we
can share that and you, can you, know look at
players that you're really interested in and you can watch them.
Play you can isolate their, shifts you can do a
lot of cool visualizations that you can't really get your eyes.
On for a lot of these, guys it's really hard
to find track you, know data and videos and all these.
Things so all we ask is for a couple of
reports a, month and if things get, busier we need
to work out a. Plan that's also an, option and
right now it's flexible in terms of who you can.
Watch as we get closer To Team previews, season if
you listen to the, show you probably know that WE
i kind of say who we want to have, watched
but there's still some ability to choose in, there so
it's a good. Time it's not a huge, commitment and
you get access to some really cool stuff and you
get your reports right on the. Show so even if
you've never done it before and you're, interested reach out
and we'll chat about. It thanks so much to all
of our current SUTs, scouts and we will tout some
more reports on undreaming.
Speaker 3: By tip of the cap to our, scouts and right
after this we'll be back to close up the show.
Speaker 4: Before we.
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