Monday, February 24, 2014

Yakupov VS his 'Draft Class and Rookie competition'

What do the following players have in common?

2013/14:
Nail Yakupov 55 games = 23 pts / Avg PPG =.42
Ryan Murray 58 games = 19 pts / Avg PPG =.33
Alex Galchenyuk 44 games = 23 pts / Avg PPG =.52
Morgan Rielly 51 games = 19 pts / Avg PPG =.37
Hampus Lindholm 57 games = 21 pts / Avg PPG =.37
Jacob Trouba 43 games = 22 pts / Avg PPG =.51
Filip Forsberg 12 games = 5 pts / Avg PPG =.42
Mikhail Grigorenko 18 games = 3 pts / Avg PPG =.17
Zemgus Girgensons 56 games = 17 pts / Avg PPG =.30
Cody Ceci 27 games = 6 pts / Avg PPG = .22
Tomas Hertl 35 games = 25 pts / Avg PPG =.71
Olli Maatta 57 games = 23 pts / Avg PPG =.40

Each one of these players were drafted in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Also each one of these players has played NHL games. Which then brings us to another question. Which of those players are in their sophomore season having played their first year in 2012/13 ? The reason is, we often see a player enter their first year on fire and drop in their sophomore one.

2012/13:
Nail Yakupov 48 games = 31 pts / Avg PPG =.65
Alex Galchenyuk 48 games = 27 pts /Avg PPG =.56
Filip Forsberg 5 games = 1 pt / Avg PPG =.20
Ryan Murray 58 games = 19 pts / Avg PPG =.33

When combing these same players combined NHL games to date your totals look like this on a PPG basis…


Nail Yakupov 103 games = 31 pts / Avg PPG =.52
Alex Galchenyuk 92 games = 50 pts /Avg PPG =.54
Filip Forsberg 17 games = 6 pt / Avg PPG =.35
Ryan Murray 58 games = 19 pts / Avg PPG =.33

While Yakupov certainly rose to the top in his rookie season, his sophmore season has been a disappointment. Alot different on his PPG pace then Ryan Nugent-Hopkins who also struggled in his sophmore season.

Ryan.Nugent-Hopkins 102 games = 76 pts / Avg PPG = .75

 I can list so many great players that struggled their second year but we don't have time to go into the excessive numbers that fall into that category.


Nail Yakupov last year was a rookie but other then he and Galchenyuk, he was required to compete for rookie of the year against older drafted players coming into the NHL at a older age. Lets look how they fared as a rookie against Yakupov but a year older or more...

Jonathan Huberdeau 48 games = 31 pts / Avg PPG = .65
Jonas Brodin 45 games = 11 pts / Avg PPG = .24
Sven Baertschi 20 games = 10 pts / Avg PPG = .50
Vladimir Tarasenko 38 games = 19 pts / Avg PPG = .50
Charlie Coyle 37 games = 14 pts / Avg PPG = .38

Having said that, since he competed against older players in his rookie year, let's look at their sophomore year totals for a total combined total and included is Nail's draft year comrades. This would mean no matter the age, all those players who have entered the NHL along with Nail, we are comparing their PPG. 

Nail Yakupov 103 games = 31 pts / Avg PPG =.52
Alex Galchenyuk 92 games = 50 pts /Avg PPG =.54
Filip Forsberg 17 games = 6 pt / Avg PPG =.35
Jonathan Huberdeau 104 games = 53 pts / Avg PPG = .51
Jonas Brodin 101 games = 27 pts / Avg PPG = .27
Sven Baertschi 46 games = 21 pts / Avg PPG = .46
Vladimir Tarasenko 92 games = 53 pts / Avg PPG = .58
Charlie Coyle 84 games = 32 pts / Avg PPG = .38
Ryan Murray 58 games = 19 pts / Avg PPG =.33
Tomas Hertl 35 games = 25 pts / Avg PPG =.71

With the exception of a small sample of Tomas Hertl, taking a look at these totals, I think we all can agree that while Nail started this season with some difficulties he is not that far off from other players struggles as well when we look at the bigger picture here. I think it is also fair to say that his offence has sacrificed some at the expense of learning a better defensive game. All in all I believe that Nail's trade value is not down but in fact just about to start turning in a upward arrow.


Saturday, February 22, 2014

REVS Top 15 2014 NHL Prospects #11. Ivan Barbashev

 REVS 2014 NHL Draft Prospects (August 10/13)
1.Sam Reinhart
2.Aaron Ekblad
3.William Nylander
4.Roland McKeown
5.Jake Virtanen
6.Blake Clarke
7.Nick Ritchie
8.Leon Draisatl
9.Michael Dal Colle
10.Jakub Vrana
11.Ivan Barbashev
12.Jared McCann
13.Anton Karlsson
14.Joshua Ho-Sang
15.Sam Bennett 

Honourable mentions:
Oskar Lindblom
Haydn Fleury
Nick Schmaltz

RECAP update of players we have looked at
(stats official as of February 22/14)
Sam Reinhart
6'1, 183 lbs
Kootney Ice- Games 49 Goals 32 Assists 57 Points 89
Canada U20- Games 7 Goals 2 Assists 3 Points 5

Aaron Ekblad
6'4, 216 lbs
Barrie Colts- Games 46 Goals 19 Assists 24 Points 43
Canada U18- Games 5 Goals 2 Assists 2 Points 4
Canada U20- Games 7 Goals 1 Assists 1 Points 2

William Nylander
5'10, 170 lbs
MODO J20- Games 1 Goals 0 Assists 0 Points 0
MODO- Games 16 Goals 1 Assists 3 Points 4
 Rögle- Games 18 Goals 4 Assists 4 Points 8
Södertälje Games 15 Goals 10 Assists 7 Points 17
Sweden U18- Games 7 Goals 6 Assists 3 Points 9

Roland McKeown
6'1, 195 lbs
Kingston Frontenacs- Games 54 Goals 8 Assists 29 Points 37
Canada U18- Games 5 Goals 0 Assists 1 Points 1

Jake Virtanen
6'1, 210 lbs
Kingston Frontenacs- Games 61 Goals 39 Assists 23 Points 62
Canada U18- Games 5 Goals 0 Assists 1 Points 1

Blake Clarke
6'1, 190 lbs
CHL- Games 44 Goals 2 Assists 8 Points 10

Nick Ritchie
6'3, 236 lbs
CHL-Peterborough Petes - Games 51 Goals 32 Assists 30 Points 62

Leon Drasaitl
6'1, 209 lbs
Prince Albert Raiders - Games 53 Goals 28 Assists 53 Points 81

Michael Dal Colle
6'2, 180 lbs
Oshawa Generals - Games 58 Goals 35 Assists 49 Points 84

Jakob Vrana
6'0, 187 lbs
Linkoping HC (SHL) - Games 19 Goals 2 Assists 1 Points 3
Linkoping HC J20 (Superelite) - Games 19 Goals 12 Assists 9 Points 21

The player I listed in August at #11.
Ivan Barbashev
6'03 185 lbs
Moncton Wildcats (CHL) - Games 45 Goals 24 Assists 42 Points 66

Ivan is a Hard-nosed forward from Moscow, Russia, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound playing left wing . "The biggest part of his game is that he competes hard," NHL Central Scouting's Troy Dumville told NHL.com. "Last year he played wing and later made the adjustment to center, so he's a pretty adaptable kid with good hockey sense. He does a lot of the little things. His defensive-zone coverage was really impressive."
As a rookie Barbashev had 18 goals, 62 points and a plus-9 rating in 68 games. Ivan has become more physically involved in the play as he matures which at his size is a bonus to NHL clubs. It is very likely  he will fill out more in muscle the next couple years with his 6'3 frame. 
He is definitely one of the most skilled guys in his league. He won't be playing that physical game night in and night out, but at the same time he's capable of it. If the Oilers could secure a additional first round draft pick this year in the top 15, he could be a possible target with good size, skill and potential who came to the CHL to play the NHL type game.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

REVS Top 15 2014 NHL Prospects #10. Jakub Vrana

 REVS 2014 NHL Draft Prospects (August 10/13)
1.Sam Reinhart
2.Aaron Ekblad
3.William Nylander
4.Roland McKeown
5.Jake Virtanen
6.Blake Clarke
7.Nick Ritchie
8.Leon Draisatl
9.Michael Dal Colle
10.Jakub Vrana
11.Ivan Barbashev
12.Jared McCann
13.Anton Karlsson
14.Joshua Ho-Sang
15.Sam Bennett 

Honourable mentions:
Oskar Lindblom
Haydn Fleury
Nick Schmaltz

RECAP update of players we have looked at
(stats official as of February 16/14)
Sam Reinhart
6'1, 183 lbs
Kootney Ice- Games 47 Goals 31 Assists 53 Points 84
Canada U20- Games 7 Goals 2 Assists 3 Points 5

Aaron Ekblad
6'4, 216 lbs
Barrie Colts- Games 45 Goals 19 Assists 24 Points 43
Canada U18- Games 5 Goals 2 Assists 2 Points 4
Canada U20- Games 7 Goals 1 Assists 1 Points 2

William Nylander
5'10, 170 lbs
MODO J20- Games 1 Goals 0 Assists 0 Points 0
MODO- Games 16 Goals 1 Assists 3 Points 4
 Rögle- Games 18 Goals 4 Assists 4 Points 8
Södertälje Games 12 Goals 9 Assists 6 Points 15
Sweden U18- Games 4 Goals 4 Assists 2 Points 6

Roland McKeown
6'1, 195 lbs
Kingston Frontenacs- Games 51 Goals 8 Assists 27 Points 35
Canada U18- Games 5 Goals 0 Assists 1 Points 1

Jake Virtanen
6'1, 210 lbs
Kingston Frontenacs- Games 58 Goals 36 Assists 20 Points 56
Canada U18- Games 5 Goals 0 Assists 1 Points 1

Blake Clarke
6'1, 190 lbs
CHL- Games 42 Goals 2 Assists 7 Points 9

Nick Ritchie
6'3, 236 lbs
CHL-Peterborough Petes - Games 46 Goals 29 Assists 27 Points 56

Leon Drasaitl
6'1, 209 lbs
Prince Albert Raiders - Games 50 Goals 25 Assists 50 Points 75

Michael Dal Colle
6'2, 180 lbs
Oshawa Generals - Games 55 Goals 33 Assists 46 Points 79

The player I listed in August at #10.
Jacob Vrana
6'0, 187 lbs
Linkoping HC (SHL) - Games 19 Goals 2 Assists 1 Points 3
Linkoping HC J20 (Superelite) - Games 19 Goals 12 Assists 9 Points 21

Jakub Vrana moved to Sweden two years ago to continue his development He has made his way up to Sweden's top professional flight as a 17-year-old. With lots of speed to burn and a complete two-way player he can be a dynamic player. Jakub can tend to try to go it alone through defenders when he should be passing it off sometimes  but likely competition against men now with help with that part of his development. Jakub is probably still at least 2 years away from making any kind of impact in North America. He is capable of playing either wing, Vrana has had some struggles finding icetime with Linkoping since his promotion but that was too be expected in this big jump in competition.

Jacub will be falling out of the top 15 ranking in the season ending rankings I put out. Between his drastic drop in production at a higher level and other players rosining in their game it is very difficult to lee him in the top 15. Very unlikely the Oilers would even consider Jacob as he is a average size player, winger and doesn't play a strong enough  team game.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

REVS Top 15 2014 NHL Prospects #9. Michael Dal Colle

 REVS 2014 NHL Draft Prospects (August 10/13)
1.Sam Reinhart
2.Aaron Ekblad
3.William Nylander
4.Roland McKeown
5.Jake Virtanen
6.Blake Clarke
7.Nick Ritchie
8.Leon Draisatl
9.Michael Dal Colle
10.Jakub Vrana
11.Ivan Barbashev
12.Jared McCann
13.Anton Karlsson
14.Joshua Ho-Sang
15.Sam Bennett 

Honourable mentions:
Oskar Lindblom
Haydn Fleury
Nick Schmaltz

RECAP update of players we have looked at
(stats official as of February 12/14)
Sam Reinhart
6'1, 183 lbs
Kootney Ice- Games 44 Goals 29 Assists 49 Points 78
Canada U20- Games 7 Goals 2 Assists 3 Points 5

Aaron Ekblad
6'4, 216 lbs
Barrie Colts- Games 42 Goals 19 Assists 23 Points 42
Canada U18- Games 5 Goals 2 Assists 2 Points 4
Canada U20- Games 7 Goals 1 Assists 1 Points 2

William Nylander
5'10, 170 lbs
MODO J20- Games 1 Goals 0 Assists 0 Points 0
MODO- Games 11 Goals 0 Assists 2 Points 2
 Rögle- Games 18 Goals 4 Assists 4 Points 8
Södertälje Games 12 Goals 9 Assists 6 Points 15
Sweden U18- Games 4 Goals 4 Assists 2 Points 6


Roland McKeown
6'1, 195 lbs
Kingston Frontenacs- Games 50 Goals 8 Assists 27 Points 35
Canada U18- Games 5 Goals 0 Assists 1 Points 1

Jake Virtanen
6'1, 210 lbs
Kingston Frontenacs- Games 56 Goals 35 Assists 19 Points 54
Canada U18- Games 5 Goals 0 Assists 1 Points 1

Blake Clarke
6'1, 190 lbs
CHL- Games 40 Goals 2 Assists 7 Points 9


Nick Ritchie
6'3, 236 lbs
CHL-Peterborough Petes - Games 46 Goals 29 Assists 27 Points 56

Leon Drasatl
6'1, 198 lbs
Prince Albert Raiders - Games 47 Goals 22 Assists 45 Points 67

The player I listed in August at #9.
Michael Dal Colle
6'2, 180 lbs
Oshawa Generals - Games 54 Goals 33 Assists 45 Points 78

Dal Colle played for the gold medal-winning Team Canada U18 team in the 2013 before returning to Oshawa for his second OHL season. Playing like a a bull in a china shop he uses his natural talents well. Scouts say he has a  imposing frame and already shows great balance and strength on his skates. While 6'2 in height, his weight would be a concern for me to play at the next level and be imposing still. He does play a strong  two-way game, battles hard and shows soft hands around the net.
Many consider Michael to have High-end offensive tools to go with a great drive. Some have said he plays a style like Ryan Getzlaf but IMO it is more style then skill. Dal Colle likes to be creating his chances off the cycle and use his taller frame to an advantage. Getting to open spots on the ice well, he also utilizes coming off the wall and driving to the net with aggression. If he adds more size and strength to his frame, he's going to become a force. Michael tells a writer "I'm always looking to get faster, quicker," he said. "That was my weakness growing up. I was always a little bit sluggish. I still need to get bigger. I'm only 180 pounds, so if I want to be a successful at the next level I need to put on some muscle mass."
Michael is a left hander center and is considered a top 5-6 player for sure. If the Oilers were to select him he is more of a 2 year project likely. Another year in jr hockey followed by 1 season in the AHL should be just what the dr ordered. It's unlikely he is selected in a Top 3 pick and that is where they are sitting to pick at worst if a lower ranked team were to win the lottery draft in 2014. Good player but would fall in the second group of good players in this June's draft.

Monday, February 3, 2014

REVS Top 15 2014 NHL Prospects #8.Leon Draisatl

 REVS 2014 NHL Draft Prospects (August 10/13)
1.Sam Reinhart
2.Aaron Ekblad
3.William Nylander
4.Roland McKeown
5.Jake Virtanen
6.Blake Clarke
7.Nick Ritchie
8.Leon Draisatl
9.Michael Dal Colle
10.Jakub Vrana
11.Ivan Barbashev
12.Jared McCann
13.Anton Karlsson
14.Joshua Ho-Sang
15.Sam Bennett 

Honourable mentions:
Oskar Lindblom
Haydn Fleury
Nick Schmaltz

RECAP to date of players we have looked at
Sam Reinhart
6'1, 183 lbs
Kootney Ice- Games 40 Goals 24 Assists 41 Points 65
Canada U20- Games 7 Goals 2 Assists 3 Points 5

Aaron Ekblad
6'4, 216 lbs
Barrie Colts- Games 38 Goals 17 Assists 21 Points 38
Canada U18- Games 5 Goals 2 Assists 2 Points 4
Canada U20- Games 7 Goals 1 Assists 1 Points 2

William Nylander
5'10, 170 lbs
MODO J20- Games 1 Goals 0 Assists 0 Points 0
MODO- Games 11 Goals 0 Assists 2 Points 2
 Rögle- Games 18 Goals 4 Assists 4 Points 8
Södertälje Games 11 Goals 7 Assists 6 Points 13
Sweden U18- Games 4 Goals 4 Assists 2 Points 6


Roland McKeown
6'1, 195 lbs
Kingston Frontenacs- Games 47 Goals 8 Assists 24 Points 32
Canada U18- Games 5 Goals 0 Assists 1 Points 1

Jake Virtanen
6'1, 210 lbs
Kingston Frontenacs- Games 51 Goals 32 Assists 18 Points 50
Canada U18- Games 5 Goals 0 Assists 1 Points 1

Blake Clarke
6'1, 190 lbs
CHL- Games 37Goals 2 Assists 7 Points 9


Nick Ritchie
6'3, 236 lbs
CHL- Games 37Goals 2 Assists 7 Points 9

The player I listed in August at #8.
Leon Draisatl
6'1, 198 lbs
 Prince Albert Raiders - Games 43 Goals 19 Assists 41 Points 60

Leon will be rising quite considerably from the #8 spot but definitely not into the top 2 player ranking for my ranking for the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Drasatl is a good player but is IMO a different class outside of Reinhart and Ekblad. 

ISS hockey says "Off the charts vision and smarts combined with a power frame. Leading the way in PA". Craig Button says "Leon is a blend of skill and power and comfortable in either element. His skill derives from excellent hockey sense and the ability to make plays and recognize what is unfolding. His power is more along the lines of being hard to deter and imposing himself on opponents, with a serious determination to make a difference. Skating is good with much room to improve. A Top 2 line type forward." While back in August before the season began Future Considerations stated "Draisaitl is a playmaking center who isn't overly physical but uses his size effectively to shield himself and the puck. He has excellent vision and knows where his options are. He has soft hands and a steady stride, but his smarts are his most important asset."

I have not followed Leon much until the last 2 months and while he shows lots of promise the question I have is, can he still display that kind of ability when competing against bigger, stronger and more skilled players consistently. His lack of discipline at the U20 world jrs and his inability to shine at the Prospects game send off a couple caution signs. I still see this player good, just not as a elite player in the NHL.

Seeing as time goes by the Oilers seemed destined for a top 2 pick, it's highly unlikely he will be selected by the Oil. That is, unless a team other then Buffalo or Edmonton win the lottery and they end up selecting 3rd overall. At third overall, he may be a player the Oilers consider.

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