Sort of. He’ll fill out. I’m really regretting that we didn’t take Cooley last year.
2023 Draft and UFA Thread
- Thread starter GGpX
- Start date
GGpX
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Yup, saw a little bit of him at the U17. Incredible player.
2024's top of the draft looks pretty amazing. Eiserman, Zetterberk, Dickinson... But the one who's going to rival Eiserman for first overall? Macklin Celebrini.
Chicago Steel's become the premier USHL program in the last few years. They keep pushing out great talents.
so max out at 60 or so points?
Is the CHL a higher caliber league than the USHL ?
Aron Kiviharju is a nice prize as well
GGpX
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Well, in recent history, the OHL is head & shoulders the best league at developing NHL talent, especially when it comes to forwards.
The WHL, while they pump out NHL bodies, they don't pump out many high end forwards anymore. If you look at the top 100 scorers in the NHL, how many of them come from the WHL? There's Draisaitl (technically) RNH, Point, Benn, Morrissey (defenseman, but worth noting), Cozens, Hagel, Stephenson, Eberle, Reinhart. 10 total players, with 3 of them having career years that I don't think will be replicated.
I'm of the belief that the USHL is third and gaining ground fast on the WHL in terms of developing NHL talent. The caliber of play is getting better & better with the amount of young Americans who are getting into hockey, not to mention Canadians who rather go the NCAA route and could choose to play in the USHL or prep schools like Shattuck St. Mary's or Avon Old Farms.
The Q is just lacking in overall talent, but that's been a long time coming.
The WHL, while they pump out NHL bodies, they don't pump out many high end forwards anymore. If you look at the top 100 scorers in the NHL, how many of them come from the WHL? There's Draisaitl (technically) RNH, Point, Benn, Morrissey (defenseman, but worth noting), Cozens, Hagel, Stephenson, Eberle, Reinhart. 10 total players, with 3 of them having career years that I don't think will be replicated.
I'm of the belief that the USHL is third and gaining ground fast on the WHL in terms of developing NHL talent. The caliber of play is getting better & better with the amount of young Americans who are getting into hockey, not to mention Canadians who rather go the NCAA route and could choose to play in the USHL or prep schools like Shattuck St. Mary's or Avon Old Farms.
The Q is just lacking in overall talent, but that's been a long time coming.
GGpX
Well-known member
Perreault's another player that I would strongly think about taking with Florida's pick, assuming he's still there.
Getting Will Smith & Gabe Perreault with our two firsts would make me very, very happy.
I don’t know about that but just in terms of how he looks on the ice and plays. Smith is very skilled, and not small, he’s just not Logan Cooley v. 2.0 if that’s what some here are expecting or hoping for.
Sal_Butera
Well-known member
I think USHL has leapfrogged WHL a while back and only trails OHL slightly but will surpass them in the next 10-years.
CHL can’t match the UFA $ USNTDP is willing to dole out to attract coaches, trainers & staff…
From what I’ve seen, there none of this nationalism when it comes to hockey in the US - they’ll proudly acknowledge they’re plagiarizing any system from anywhere to develop players as long as the end result leads to success, and poach anyone they need to get there
The people who own the Steel also own the North Jersey Avalanche organization - my son’s team plays in the same league the (AYHL) and there’s a pipeline of talent flowing upward to them from the Avs. Lane Hutson played for the Avs at 15U or 16U I believe.
GGpX
Well-known member
You might be right, and while it might be inevitable, I don't think the USHL's going to pass the OHL for a while. The OHL more consistently and often develops players that make an impact in the NHL.
What the USHL has going for them beyond the $ is the attraction to college.
Sal_Butera
Well-known member
Oh my god - my kids teams played them this past weekend at March Madness Tourney in Marlborough, MA…
The Jr Canes program as well.
Impressive…
GGpX
Well-known member
Huh, didn't know that. But that makes sense. Kind of the Little Ceasars program based in Detroit had some links with... If memory serves me right, the Windsor Spitfires?
Sal_Butera
Well-known member
It was started by the Illitch’s
‘08 Jr. Hurricanes are here at Nationals with us. Justin Williams’ son Jackson plays for them. He’s okay, not great.
GGpX
Well-known member
I remember reading they had a sort of association with a team in the OHL, similar to what Krustchev was saying for the Chicago Steel, but I can't recall who. I might be mixing up programs altogether, though.
east coast
Well-known member
Eye for an eye.....
He is only 14, or at most just turned 15.
Habsy
Not playing around anymore.
He has a letter from his endocrinologist though
Cole might be the best of them - the one I saw last night on the USNTDP.