Leafs' Prospect/Marlies Discussion Thread!

[LeafGm]

Antropov did have pretty bad knies. er, knees. Eastern Bloc nutrition.

Also didn’t help that the Leafs rushed him to the NHL as a spindly, malnourished teenager.

 

[Preston]

Makes me just hate the NCAA even more if he’s a bust. Stupid league.

He's not a bust. He wasn't a top 10 pick or anything and he's trending arguably better than most people do in his slot. Just temper expectations and stay off the Youtube scouting binge.

 

[LeafOfFaith]

No can do.

 

[runninglow]

He's not a bust. He wasn't a top 10 pick or anything and he's trending arguably better than most people do in his slot. Just temper expectations and stay off the Youtube scouting binge.

I've seen Knies as a second line support player, goal scorer and sand-paper type. He'll grow into a net front PP presence. He'll forecheck, dig a lot of pucks out of corners, throw it to a team mate and head to the net for dirty goals, but can also shoot from mid-range. I'm seeing his potential similar to Tomas Holmstrom (and shades of Anderson) type...won't drive a line or put up huge points, but the guy everyone wants on their line. 25-30 goals, 50-ish points...not a cornerstone, but a solid player which is good for a 2nd rounder. He's a ways from a bust, but not out of the woods yet.

 

[LeafOfFaith]

I mean, if that happens, pretty sure everyone is ecstatic. That's a huge hit where he was drafted.

 

[MindzEye]

Yeah, for clarity, I don't think he will "bust". Pretty clearly looks like a NHL player is there. I just think we're probably a lot more likely to get a 20/20 middle 6 winger than a 30G first line type that the hype machine was predicting last year.

Think a big, angry Kapanen

 

[LeafOfFaith]

Kapanen almost always looked angry, so just a big Kapanen then.

Nobody would get more frustrated than that guy.

 

[runninglow]

Yeah, for clarity, I don't think he will "bust". Pretty clearly looks like a NHL player is there. I just think we're probably a lot more likely to get a 20/20 middle 6 winger than a 30G first line type that the hype machine was predicting last year.

Think a big, angry Kapanen

Nah...Kapanen was all wheels and stickhandling, no consistent vision/playmaking/shot or physicality. Reminded me of Rico Fata with a little more skill. Knies' size, drive in the corners, and net front skill could be what makes him, but doubt he'll be more than a goal scoring 2nd liner.

 

[Wayward DP]

the lack of vision/playmaking/passing ability Kappy had certainly appears to be consistent with Knies so far

 

[zeke]

I actually thought his vision and passing were good this tourney.

But i'm more worried about his skating than I was before. Every time he made a nice deke or cutback he just lost all speed and couldn't keep the move going to get separation.

 

[MindzEye]

All tools, no toolbox. Knies just appears to have better size and hands, less wheels.

 

[fergy57]

Chad Kilger 2.0

 

[Artnes]

Leafs history of developing players who have the tools but need some help putting it all together is good. If they dont sell on the hype, Im confident they will make something of him

 

[Oldman]

Antropov was great, and nearly lived up to the off the board pick we made.

He finished top 15 or so in points for his draft year.

 

[Habsy]

Antropov was great, and nearly lived up to the off the board pick we made.

That word best describes Antropov. Like Kovalev always left you waiting for more that you knew was there.

 

[zeke]

I'd be quite happy if Knies had an 800gm career of a 20gl/50pt pace.

 

[MindzEye]

That word best describes Antropov. Like Kovalev always left you waiting for more that you knew was there.

Sometimes you have to roll the dice. If his knees dont explode he probably ends up a top 5 pick in a redraft

 

[Volcanologist]

Chad Kilger 2.0

Nah. Kilger was huge and a great skater. Just had no hands or talent.

 

[CH1]

The guy was a late 2nd rounder. Some of you guys expect too much.

If Josh Anderson is his floor, that’s pretty fucking good.

 

[Preston]

It's prolly closer to his upside. Some folks just watched YouTube and twit clips and got wooed. But production rarely lies. He's trending more than fine for a late 2nd tho.