For the first time in three years, eligible prospects met in Buffalo for the NHL Combine, a key event to close out the listening season. It gives teams a chance to meet and have a chance to meet players face-to-face, while providing a wealth of physical test data that can then be dissected before compiling draft lists. finals.
In addition, as all teams are present, the Combine offers a more informal environment to lay the groundwork for future trades. The event also provides a forum for potential customers to get to know each other. Finally, it offers potential customers a taste of the NHL as the first step in their lifelong dream of being selected.
Here are some things to take away from my time in Buffalo.
Three horse race
The main conclusion of the Combine is that the first general’s conversation is no longer just about Shane Wright. Juraj Slafkovsky and Logan Cooley are legitimate candidates and if you ask Cutter Gauthier, he would say that the list should also include his name.
Anything can happen
Almost every explorer or executive I spoke to believes that this draft will be as unpredictable as any they have ever seen. Normally, we start seeing the splash splash after the first 10-15 splashes, but that splash will start well within the top 10 of this draft. The effects of the pandemic will again wreak havoc on this class.
Action Plan
With an informal consultation with some GMs and explorers, the general consensus is that the draft in person will do more action on the day of the draft. It is much easier to approach another GM’s table than to try to send a text message or conference to a GM to start a discussion as the clock moves forward.
Two worth seeing
1. Brad Lambert: One of the top 10 talents who struggled to produce numbers on two different teams in the Finnish League, Lambert excelled for two games in the junior world and has a decent international resume within his group. equal. I can see a 5-15 rating for the nephew of the new Islands coach, Lane.
2. Lane Hutson: The USNTDP defender was measured 5 feet 8, 148 pounds in the final Central Scouting standings. From an ice perspective, he’s a safe first-round player. In terms of size, he would be the NHL’s smallest defender, if and when he plays. It should be noted that Hutson brought a report from an endocrinologist to the Combine, which indicates that he has almost two more years of bone growth left in his body. Essentially, growing up to 5 feet by 10 is beyond doubt. If Hutson is 5 feet 10 today, he is expected to be among the top 15 options in this draft.
This is not Jack Hughes
There is another Jack Hughes available in 2022, but it is not related to the family of Jack, Quinn and Luke.
The son of Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes, this Jack Hughes could still be a first-round pick (No. 20 in the pre-lottery standings).
If the Habs don’t take him, I asked Jack if whenever he was selected he would go through the Canadians ’table to hug his father. It’s not something he’d thought about before, but he said he would definitely consider it after all his father has done for him.
Notably, it was debated whether or not Kent should have been in Jack’s interview room with Montreal. At first, Kent tried to leave, and that would have been Jack’s preference, but the rest of the team’s management thought it would be best to stay in the room.
More Hughes
Attending his first combination as a GM must have been difficult for Kent not to pick on Jack’s brain as to how the interview process works for other teams.
Three and counting
The Austrian Marco Kasper was one of the most impressive interviews we conducted. He learned Swedish in three months, adding to his Austrian and German language repertoire. And by the way, he’s also learning French at school.
Kasper left Austria at the age of 16 to play for Rogle in the Swedish SHL. His parents left him in the small Swedish town and stayed with him for two weeks before leaving him alone.
Teach and explain
Can you imagine going to school and teaching with an NHL player? This is exactly the case with Kasper’s classmates, who, as long as time allows, continue to attend regular school classes when they are not playing or traveling with their Rogle team at SHL.
GAUT
The best trick in our interviews was performed by Cutter Gauthier of the USNTDP. When asked about a hidden talent, he stated that he could juggle. Producer Scott Lennox proceeded to juggle four Timbits and Gauthier nailed him, ending his session with the last Timbit ending up in his mouth.
Combine Karaoke
Conor Geekie, a self-described sage of letters, was challenged to sing a few lines of Zach Bryan’s Heading South and made it out of the park. Geekie was one of the most engaging interviews in the draft class.
Catch the Jury
You couldn’t help but notice Juraj Slafkovsky’s physical presence. As soon as he entered our room, you understood why he thinks so much. Not only is he massive, but he has a gregarious personality and a calm confidence that suggests he will be a star in the league.
All Wright reasons
Shane Wright’s quest to learn the guitar continues. Learning an instrument challenges the brain in a different way than hockey and is a great escape from the pressure of being the first projected global selection.
stone stone
Really impressed with what we heard from Pierre Dorion’s outgoing meeting with Brady Tkachuk. The Captain of the Senses came to the meeting with a prepared list of questions / concerns from his comrades.
Go Leafs Go
Toronto had a unique way of interacting with the players during the week. The Maple Leafs showed video clips of themselves to potential customers and asked them to explain the clip and the role it played.
Chesley v. The Field
USNTDP defender Ryan Chesley claimed to be the best pure defender in the draft class.
Off the field
The Colorado Avalanche welcomed the players into its interview room by making them compete in a candy throwing competition against a person from their exploration staff. Vinzenz Rohrer of Ottawa gave five of five and let them know with a short talk afterwards.
Favorites
The Combine offers a forum where you can talk to players casually before or after rehearsals, or in the hotel hallways. He had great conversations with Luca Del Bel Belluz, Noah Warren, Owen Beck and Tristan Luneau. One player I tried to talk to was Paul Ludwinski of Kingston. An amazing young man who has experienced his fair share of adversity in his life and this is noticeable in his work. He plays as if his hair is on fire, and he does it constantly.
Go fishing
One player who absolutely amazed me with his maturity was Michael Fisher from St. Louis High School. Mark. He talked at length about how St. Mark not only produces good athletes, but most of all, good people. He was highly praised by his parents, both plastic engineers, and head coach Carl Corazzini. No wonder the Northeast Commander was the captain of his team. Earlier in the season, he was awarded the Boston Bruins John Carlton Memorial Award as the most outstanding male athlete in high school or junior hockey.