WJC camps + U18 tourney

[Nick]

Who has been following?

The highlights make Ekblad seems to be a standout - he and Hicketts supposedly playing 34+ minutes a game?

WJC red/white game last night... I haven't even seen highlights, anywhere to stream the game post-hoc?

[bills09]

apparently Gauthier has played very well.

[Lee]

apparently Gauthier has played very well.

Go Lurch!

[The BBKL Insider]

Ya, tsn was saying he was looking good.

Could possibly have a laich in him.

[Nick]

Ye- we need to see a big jump in his qmjhl production to really get excited. One of those 110+ pt seasons.

[Mike]

Ye- we need to see a big jump in his qmjhl production to really get excited. One of those 110+ pt seasons.

Maybe 5-10 years ago, but hell, 110 points in 2013 Q is a lot to expect.

[The BBKL Insider]

110 in the Q is a star or overagers.

[Nick]

post draft year? It's not totally uncommon for good scorers toss up those sorts of numbers. I definitely didn't say expect, rather to get really excited about.

[The BBKL Insider]

i'd think he works more on his 2 way game, he wont be a dominant scorer at the NHL level.

i'd be happy with 75 points this season from him.

[Nick]

He already did 60 in 62, with an elite defensive game... We don't need another David Steckle, we need a scoring centre with size - he's got the makings of a beast, if he can turn the hands and puck possession skills into some scoring. I personally wouldn't be excited about a 75 point season from FG. That would be a very modest increase from his draft year. 110+ means that he is a force in the offensive zone, and I'd be excited about him as a prospect.

[bills09]

I personally expect an 80 point year out of Gauthier with continued dominance in the defensive zone.
IMO hes an elite 3C at the nhl level.

[bills09]

im not sure anyone really expects him to become a first line C

[Lee]

He will make a nice 3rd line center in 10-15 years.

[Nick]

Fans may speculate that, but there's little chance the leaf scouts recommend him so early in the draft if they see his ceiling relatively low.

What will ultimately determine his ceiling is where you think his offensive ability eventually grades out. Is he a Paul Gaustad type – a highly effective defensive player in a 3rd line role? Or is he a David Backes type – capable of a 1st/2nd line role on a very good team? It’s tough to say at this point because the sample size is so small and the trajectories of power forwards is so unpredictable but I’m optimistic and will tend toward the latter. His size, strength and well-rounded game could see him ascend very quickly through an organization.

With players like Burakovsky, McCarron and Poirier selected after him it shows me the Leafs believe he could grow into something more than a checking C.

Hell, the Canucks might have gotten the steal of the draft in Hunter Shinkaruk - size pushing people away too much?

[Robin Hood]

Agreed with Nick. Not necessary to pin down a player's ceiling so early in the going. That being said, I'm not as high on Gauthier as most. It's a project 1st round pick compared to other late guys that are more guaranteed even if they are wingers - which IMO are the smartest players to draft late in the 1st round.

[anton]

Gauthier was the first Leaf's 1st round pick I was unhappy with in awhile. With Shinkaruk on the board, I was pretty let down to hear his name called.

Mind you I did watch a lot of the W this past season and very little Q - but I thought we had a steal fall right into your laps with Shinkaruk at 21. We played it safe with our last couple of late 1st rounders with Biggs/Percy - lower ceiling role players - would've liked to go for a homerun pick this time around.

[Nick]

Ditto Anton. I watched virtually no Q until their representative won the memorial cup. Both FG and hunter look good in the red/white though, so who knows, maybe both were good picks?

[The BBKL Insider]

I've always liked safe picks.

No issues with fg

[Mike]

If we weren't on a trade freeze I'd put Freddie up on the block

[anton]

we're on a trade freeze?