a smell of green grass wrote: ↑19 May 2025 12:49 pm
Meanwhile, prospects the same age that are picked TOP5 will be starting next year in the NHL.
No they won't.
There's a chance that 1 of them will...that's all.
Agreed. I think it is important to note that NOT ALL PROSPECTS need additional size/time. Often, TOP5 players can slide right into the NHL. The key characteristic of a star player is the ability to play at NHL level at a young age. Speed, instinct, skills, ice-awareness, hockey smarts are all there.
Army wants you to believe that all prospects require years and years and more years. That's only true for the players that he drafts habitually.
Remember the old saying. The longer it takes for a prospect to make it to the NHL, the less of an impact they will have once they get there.
HEY SMELLY GRASS - 1966 is the benchmark for Toronto. 1990 is still the benchmark for the Oilers. 1993 is still the benchmark for Canada. Your every post is not a benchmark for your intelligence!
seattleblue wrote: ↑19 May 2025 12:41 pm
I would be more than happy with Henry Brzustewicz as MN highlighted the other day. I didn't watch a lot of London but you can see this player's hockey sense is MILES ahead of Fiddler. Be mindful these are just some higher end plays. When you watch deeply you see it all so this doesn't have that perspective included. But the high end of his game is exactly what we want he reminds me of a RHD young Nick Leddy when I watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvCLjZnXq34
Carbonneau is my top forward for "player I somehow hope drops but won't" because I would like another Holloway on RW please
Kindel is in the model of "slightly smaller Schwartz" I would say
I like Hensler more than Brusty(not typing that whole thing out) but I'd be pretty happy with either. I think they both profile pretty close to Lindstein(defense oriented #3 types) and I'll gladly take that with a 19th overall pick.
I actually like Cootes/Reschny/Kindel(simply because there's the possibility that they could be developed as a center instead of automatically tossed on the wing) more than Carbonneau but I'd be content with any of them. With Kindel in particular, I think the playmaking tends to get under-rated because of his motor and advanced defensive game. I could pretty easily see him developing into something close to Thomas.
Side note; why can't you guys just put the idiot troll on ignore? At least stop quoting it so the rest of us don't have to mess with its nonsense.
I have a slight preference for Brzustewicz over Hensler but like both at 19. Hensler is a jack of all trades, master of none type IMO. He didn’t shine at Wisconsin as much as I thought he would this season but at the same time, it can be hard to break out as a college freshman sometimes, especially at defense. So he wouldn’t be my first pick but I could also see him being a steady defensive d-man. Not flashy, not a needle mover but a guy that would have a solid NHL career. Brzustewicz I think is underrated. I see a lot of translatable skills on both the offensive and defensive sides.
I like Carbonneau, particularly his skill but I question his hockey sense a bit. Kindel I think he a bit underrated as well. Highly skilled, smart and works hard. But always cautious when the player is 5’10”. Are we getting a Schwartz or a Fabbri? Heck, replay Fabbri’s career where his knee isn’t shredded twice and I bet it ends up pretty similar to Schwartz’s. That’s what makes projecting these kids so hard. You don’t really know what the future holds. But 5’10” players simply have fewer paths to be able to make an impact. But at 19, he’s certainly a consideration.
I would go so far as to say that Brusty probably has a higher offensive ceiling. But I like Hensler’s defensive game more. Given that I don’t think either of them is really going to be a huge factor offensively, I lean towards the defensive player. But admittedly that’s just personal preference.
Either way, if one or both of them are available at 19, I’m running up to the podium to make that pick(or slamming the “dial” button given that the draft won’t be held in person this year). With Broberg, Lindstein and one of those 2; I feel pretty darn comfortable with our future blue line(even better if Jiricek can manage a healthy season next year).
IF they’re both gone; there’s going to be a pretty darn good forward that fell(Carter Bear would be my guess). That also makes it a pretty easy pick to make IMO.
I'm trusting you guys a little on Hensler those games were a bridge too far and we are loaded at LD so I triaged my viewing. I saw more Reid than Hensler and I like Reid more than average. He's got the "I understand how to be competitive to try to win this game whatever it takes" gene.
There really are a handful of nice forwards (I think Zonnon is a reach at 19 but he's good), and maybe 2-3 of them are going to be there because there are more than 19 really good players in this draft.
The only thing about Carter Bear is that he plays in Everett and I'm down in the South Sound near Tacoma, and I-5 between here and there is Very Bad. It is macabre.
19. St. Louis Blues — Blake Fiddler, RHD
6-4, 207
Shoots: Right
The son of Vernon Fiddler is a big right-shot defenseman who would be a nice addition to the Blues’ pipeline. They need defensemen in St. Louis and he would be a terrific piece.
BalotelliMassive wrote: ↑20 May 2025 10:23 am
From Bleachernation Chicago
19. St. Louis Blues — Blake Fiddler, RHD
6-4, 207
Shoots: Right
The son of Vernon Fiddler is a big right-shot defenseman who would be a nice addition to the Blues’ pipeline. They need defensemen in St. Louis and he would be a terrific piece.
BalotelliMassive wrote: ↑20 May 2025 10:23 am
From Bleachernation Chicago
19. St. Louis Blues — Blake Fiddler, RHD
6-4, 207
Shoots: Right
The son of Vernon Fiddler is a big right-shot defenseman who would be a nice addition to the Blues’ pipeline. They need defensemen in St. Louis and he would be a terrific piece.
seattleblue wrote: ↑19 May 2025 12:41 pm
I would be more than happy with Henry Brzustewicz as MN highlighted the other day. I didn't watch a lot of London but you can see this player's hockey sense is MILES ahead of Fiddler. Be mindful these are just some higher end plays. When you watch deeply you see it all so this doesn't have that perspective included. But the high end of his game is exactly what we want he reminds me of a RHD young Nick Leddy when I watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvCLjZnXq34
Carbonneau is my top forward for "player I somehow hope drops but won't" because I would like another Holloway on RW please
Kindel is in the model of "slightly smaller Schwartz" I would say
I like Hensler more than Brusty(not typing that whole thing out) but I'd be pretty happy with either. I think they both profile pretty close to Lindstein(defense oriented #3 types) and I'll gladly take that with a 19th overall pick.
I actually like Cootes/Reschny/Kindel(simply because there's the possibility that they could be developed as a center instead of automatically tossed on the wing) more than Carbonneau but I'd be content with any of them. With Kindel in particular, I think the playmaking tends to get under-rated because of his motor and advanced defensive game. I could pretty easily see him developing into something close to Thomas.
Side note; why can't you guys just put the idiot troll on ignore? At least stop quoting it so the rest of us don't have to mess with its nonsense.
I have a slight preference for Brzustewicz over Hensler but like both at 19. Hensler is a jack of all trades, master of none type IMO. He didn’t shine at Wisconsin as much as I thought he would this season but at the same time, it can be hard to break out as a college freshman sometimes, especially at defense. So he wouldn’t be my first pick but I could also see him being a steady defensive d-man. Not flashy, not a needle mover but a guy that would have a solid NHL career. Brzustewicz I think is underrated. I see a lot of translatable skills on both the offensive and defensive sides.
I like Carbonneau, particularly his skill but I question his hockey sense a bit. Kindel I think he a bit underrated as well. Highly skilled, smart and works hard. But always cautious when the player is 5’10”. Are we getting a Schwartz or a Fabbri? Heck, replay Fabbri’s career where his knee isn’t shredded twice and I bet it ends up pretty similar to Schwartz’s. That’s what makes projecting these kids so hard. You don’t really know what the future holds. But 5’10” players simply have fewer paths to be able to make an impact. But at 19, he’s certainly a consideration.
I will always defer to you guys who watch more of the juniors and college game consistently in regards to the draft, I usually only start doing my research on those "prospect youtube" videos where someone cuts stuff up and analyzes their game on the lead up to the draft. But I would think the Blues have to go defense here unless someone they value dropped as a forward. When you only have 2 bluechip defensive guys in your system, it seems like you have to keep throwing darts to fill up the chance that 3 years down the road you have someone.
As to your Fabbri and Schwartz comparison. If there is THAT guy, you obviously have to take him. Schwartz was a great player for the Blues, and has continued to be that same guy for the Kraken. Fabbri would have been one of the better Blues in a long time if it wasn't for his knee injuries. He was truly electric and had another gear that not many had in 2016. Pre injury Fabbri was a problem any time he had the puck. Once his lost the jets, the game got exposed. But you would take that gamble every time.
BalotelliMassive wrote: ↑20 May 2025 10:23 am
From Bleachernation Chicago
19. St. Louis Blues — Blake Fiddler, RHD
6-4, 207
Shoots: Right
The son of Vernon Fiddler is a big right-shot defenseman who would be a nice addition to the Blues’ pipeline. They need defensemen in St. Louis and he would be a terrific piece.
Fiddler would be a terrible pick as we have been discussing lately. I would say it has come up at least 5 times in different threads and so in context of right after discussing other defensemen to literally suggest the divisive idea again. Pierre wants us to take him and MN kimzey and I think he is a bum, it's nice the Hawks want us to pick him too. If the Blues take Fiddler I will be (upset).
BalotelliMassive wrote: ↑20 May 2025 10:23 am
From Bleachernation Chicago
19. St. Louis Blues — Blake Fiddler, RHD
6-4, 207
Shoots: Right
The son of Vernon Fiddler is a big right-shot defenseman who would be a nice addition to the Blues’ pipeline. They need defensemen in St. Louis and he would be a terrific piece.
Fiddler would be a terrible pick as we have been discussing lately. I would say it has come up at least 5 times in different threads and so in context of right after discussing other defensemen to literally suggest the divisive idea again. Pierre wants us to take him and MN kimzey and I think he is a bum, it's nice the Hawks want us to pick him too. If the Blues take Fiddler I will be (upset).
One…Fiddler is not a bum, there is a lot of potential there. Two… Lynden Lakovic is my guy…has been since the beginning of the year…that is the player I want. I’d be happy with Fiddler and wouldn’t hate the pick. I believe he’s a player that the Blues have some interest in. We will see how it plays out.
BalotelliMassive wrote: ↑20 May 2025 10:23 am
From Bleachernation Chicago
19. St. Louis Blues — Blake Fiddler, RHD
6-4, 207
Shoots: Right
The son of Vernon Fiddler is a big right-shot defenseman who would be a nice addition to the Blues’ pipeline. They need defensemen in St. Louis and he would be a terrific piece.
Fiddler would be a terrible pick as we have been discussing lately. I would say it has come up at least 5 times in different threads and so in context of right after discussing other defensemen to literally suggest the divisive idea again. Pierre wants us to take him and MN kimzey and I think he is a bum, it's nice the Hawks want us to pick him too. If the Blues take Fiddler I will be (upset).
One…Fiddler is not a bum, there is a lot of potential there. Two… Lynden Lakovic is my guy…has been since the beginning of the year…that is the player I want. I’d be happy with Fiddler and wouldn’t hate the pick. I believe he’s a player that the Blues have some interest in. We will see how it plays out.
I'm being florid in my prose when I call him a bum. I know Lakovic is your guy and I am more with you on him than with MN. I would be excited about Lakovic
BalotelliMassive wrote: ↑20 May 2025 10:23 am
From Bleachernation Chicago
19. St. Louis Blues — Blake Fiddler, RHD
6-4, 207
Shoots: Right
The son of Vernon Fiddler is a big right-shot defenseman who would be a nice addition to the Blues’ pipeline. They need defensemen in St. Louis and he would be a terrific piece.
Fiddler would be a terrible pick as we have been discussing lately. I would say it has come up at least 5 times in different threads and so in context of right after discussing other defensemen to literally suggest the divisive idea again. Pierre wants us to take him and MN kimzey and I think he is a bum, it's nice the Hawks want us to pick him too. If the Blues take Fiddler I will be (upset).
Easy there prima donna - I just posted a mock draft and you're acting like I'm sabotaging your social security number. I apologize for not keeping up with all of your opinions on this site...
BalotelliMassive wrote: ↑20 May 2025 10:23 am
From Bleachernation Chicago
19. St. Louis Blues — Blake Fiddler, RHD
6-4, 207
Shoots: Right
The son of Vernon Fiddler is a big right-shot defenseman who would be a nice addition to the Blues’ pipeline. They need defensemen in St. Louis and he would be a terrific piece.
Fiddler would be a terrible pick as we have been discussing lately. I would say it has come up at least 5 times in different threads and so in context of right after discussing other defensemen to literally suggest the divisive idea again. Pierre wants us to take him and MN kimzey and I think he is a bum, it's nice the Hawks want us to pick him too. If the Blues take Fiddler I will be (upset).
Easy there prima donna - I just posted a mock draft and you're acting like I'm sabotaging your social security number. I apologize for not keeping up with all of your opinions on this site...
ok Hawks fan, I said "lol" on both ends of it to indicate I didn't think you were actually trolling. I am not sure how you would have liked it signaled differently. you literally were like "hey Blues fans your archrivals think you should take this pick that several of you have shown strong opinions against." I'll tell you this I hope your Hawks get this player in their system.
seattleblue wrote: ↑20 May 2025 10:12 am
I'm trusting you guys a little on Hensler those games were a bridge too far and we are loaded at LD so I triaged my viewing. I saw more Reid than Hensler and I like Reid more than average. He's got the "I understand how to be competitive to try to win this game whatever it takes" gene.
There really are a handful of nice forwards (I think Zonnon is a reach at 19 but he's good), and maybe 2-3 of them are going to be there because there are more than 19 really good players in this draft.
The only thing about Carter Bear is that he plays in Everett and I'm down in the South Sound near Tacoma, and I-5 between here and there is Very Bad. It is macabre.
Hensler is a RHD.
A 6’3” 200lbs RHD with fairly high end skating ability(I’d say more Leddy than Broberg but the kid can skate with just about anyone).
seattleblue wrote: ↑20 May 2025 10:12 am
I'm trusting you guys a little on Hensler those games were a bridge too far and we are loaded at LD so I triaged my viewing. I saw more Reid than Hensler and I like Reid more than average. He's got the "I understand how to be competitive to try to win this game whatever it takes" gene.
There really are a handful of nice forwards (I think Zonnon is a reach at 19 but he's good), and maybe 2-3 of them are going to be there because there are more than 19 really good players in this draft.
The only thing about Carter Bear is that he plays in Everett and I'm down in the South Sound near Tacoma, and I-5 between here and there is Very Bad. It is macabre.
Hensler is a RHD.
A 6’3” 200lbs RHD with fairly high end skating ability(I’d say more Leddy than Broberg but the kid can skate with just about anyone).
You should have tried to watch more of him.
Well I did watch at least 200 prospect level games this year in addition to all the Blues games and noted along the way the players I wasn't getting eyes on but yes, I should have made a better effort!
seattleblue wrote: ↑19 May 2025 12:41 pm
I would be more than happy with Henry Brzustewicz as MN highlighted the other day. I didn't watch a lot of London but you can see this player's hockey sense is MILES ahead of Fiddler. Be mindful these are just some higher end plays. When you watch deeply you see it all so this doesn't have that perspective included. But the high end of his game is exactly what we want he reminds me of a RHD young Nick Leddy when I watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvCLjZnXq34
Carbonneau is my top forward for "player I somehow hope drops but won't" because I would like another Holloway on RW please
Kindel is in the model of "slightly smaller Schwartz" I would say
I like Hensler more than Brusty(not typing that whole thing out) but I'd be pretty happy with either. I think they both profile pretty close to Lindstein(defense oriented #3 types) and I'll gladly take that with a 19th overall pick.
I actually like Cootes/Reschny/Kindel(simply because there's the possibility that they could be developed as a center instead of automatically tossed on the wing) more than Carbonneau but I'd be content with any of them. With Kindel in particular, I think the playmaking tends to get under-rated because of his motor and advanced defensive game. I could pretty easily see him developing into something close to Thomas.
Side note; why can't you guys just put the idiot troll on ignore? At least stop quoting it so the rest of us don't have to mess with its nonsense.
I have a slight preference for Brzustewicz over Hensler but like both at 19. Hensler is a jack of all trades, master of none type IMO. He didn’t shine at Wisconsin as much as I thought he would this season but at the same time, it can be hard to break out as a college freshman sometimes, especially at defense. So he wouldn’t be my first pick but I could also see him being a steady defensive d-man. Not flashy, not a needle mover but a guy that would have a solid NHL career. Brzustewicz I think is underrated. I see a lot of translatable skills on both the offensive and defensive sides.
I like Carbonneau, particularly his skill but I question his hockey sense a bit. Kindel I think he a bit underrated as well. Highly skilled, smart and works hard. But always cautious when the player is 5’10”. Are we getting a Schwartz or a Fabbri? Heck, replay Fabbri’s career where his knee isn’t shredded twice and I bet it ends up pretty similar to Schwartz’s. That’s what makes projecting these kids so hard. You don’t really know what the future holds. But 5’10” players simply have fewer paths to be able to make an impact. But at 19, he’s certainly a consideration.
I would go so far as to say that Brusty probably has a higher offensive ceiling. But I like Hensler’s defensive game more. Given that I don’t think either of them is really going to be a huge factor offensively, I lean towards the defensive player. But admittedly that’s just personal preference.
Either way, if one or both of them are available at 19, I’m running up to the podium to make that pick(or slamming the “dial” button given that the draft won’t be held in person this year). With Broberg, Lindstein and one of those 2; I feel pretty darn comfortable with our future blue line(even better if Jiricek can manage a healthy season next year).
IF they’re both gone; there’s going to be a pretty darn good forward that fell(Carter Bear would be my guess). That also makes it a pretty easy pick to make IMO.
Agree I’d be happy with either. And agree Brzustewicz has the better offensive game and Hensler likely the better defensive game. I just see Brzustewicz as more projectable and Hensler as a bit more safe but that’s just me. My guess is Hensler will be picked before Brzustewicz though.
