Harry York 37 wrote: ↑29 Jul 2026 09:17 am
Dayum. All that skill and he is a leader who rises to the occassion.
To top it off, he challenges himself and keeps the bar raised very high.
and enjoys seeing the bar raised.
If I get this right, he fell in the draft a lot because of that, admirable trait.
They should room him with Carbonneau in Camp.
He's still just a kid. And yes, he pushes himself hard.
If not for BU I'd expect him here in 2 years but so many over stay in NCAA.
Harry York 37 wrote: ↑29 Jul 2026 09:17 am
Dayum. All that skill and he is a leader who rises to the occassion.
To top it off, he challenges himself and keeps the bar raised very high.
and enjoys seeing the bar raised.
If I get this right, he fell in the draft a lot because of that, admirable trait.
They should room him with Carbonneau in Camp.
He's still just a kid. And yes, he pushes himself hard.
If not for BU I'd expect him here in 2 years but so many over stay in NCAA.
What makes you say this? What prospects overstayed in the NCAA? I guess Snuggerud here and Hage in Montreal but that’s all I’ve got off the top of my head.
Harry York 37 wrote: ↑29 Jul 2026 09:17 am
Dayum. All that skill and he is a leader who rises to the occassion.
To top it off, he challenges himself and keeps the bar raised very high.
and enjoys seeing the bar raised.
If I get this right, he fell in the draft a lot because of that, admirable trait.
They should room him with Carbonneau in Camp.
He's still just a kid. And yes, he pushes himself hard.
If not for BU I'd expect him here in 2 years but so many over stay in NCAA.
What makes you say this? What prospects overstayed in the NCAA? I guess Snuggerud here and Hage in Montreal but that’s all I’ve got off the top of my head.
I guess the Snuggs experience and all the hand wringing that went on here.
Is he not committed full years to year in that situation as well or can he bounce out when he wants?
Harry York 37 wrote: ↑29 Jul 2026 09:17 am
Dayum. All that skill and he is a leader who rises to the occassion.
To top it off, he challenges himself and keeps the bar raised very high.
and enjoys seeing the bar raised.
If I get this right, he fell in the draft a lot because of that, admirable trait.
They should room him with Carbonneau in Camp.
Lawrence won’t be at camp as that’d violate his amateur status with the NCAA. Same reason why he won’t be at the Prospect Showcase vs the Hawks and Wild either. It’s a silly rule, especially with the chances the NCAA has made the past few years with NIL money and allowing CHLers to play in the NCAA but they haven’t changed that rule yet.
Do you think Lawrence will have a better career than Klepov? Klepov was announced he is not playing at Michigan State and signed with the Ducks.
There were a few really physically mature guys that I was hoping the Blues would select. Klepov looks like a stud.
I wonder if he cracks the NHL this year?
Hemming, Suvanto, Morozov, and Klepov where the intriguing prospects that I hoped we would take.
I hope Lawrence works out. I am curbing my enthusiasm.
Last edited by BluesDom on 29 Jul 2026 10:31 am, edited 3 times in total.
Harry York 37 wrote: ↑29 Jul 2026 09:17 am
Dayum. All that skill and he is a leader who rises to the occassion.
To top it off, he challenges himself and keeps the bar raised very high.
and enjoys seeing the bar raised.
If I get this right, he fell in the draft a lot because of that, admirable trait.
They should room him with Carbonneau in Camp.
He's still just a kid. And yes, he pushes himself hard.
If not for BU I'd expect him here in 2 years but so many over stay in NCAA.
What makes you say this? What prospects overstayed in the NCAA? I guess Snuggerud here and Hage in Montreal but that’s all I’ve got off the top of my head.
I guess the Snuggs experience and all the hand wringing that went on here.
Is he not committed full years to year in that situation as well or can he bounce out when he wants?
He can leave BU whenever he wants.
Lawrence already has half a season of college hockey under his belt. I think it’s possible he’s ready to move to pro hockey after the 2026-27 season at BU. But my guess is he’ll stay one more year after that. But a lot will likely hinge on just how well he develops this season. If he takes a big step at BU, makes Canada’s WJC team and does well there and looks pro ready by spring, maybe he turns pro. Or maybe he feels he’ll need another year. Or maybe even two. He could play all 4 years of college hockey (all 4 years of eligibility anyway but it’ll be 3 1/2 years of actually playing college hockey) and he’d still be exiting college hockey at the same age Snuggy did.
But considering how he’s been challenging himself with new levels relatively early, my guess is he doesn’t stick around at BU super long. Either 1 more season or possibly 2.
BluesDom wrote: ↑29 Jul 2026 10:26 am
Do you think Lawrence will have a better career than Klepov? Klepov was announced he is not playing at Michigan State and signed with the Ducks.
There were a few really physically mature guys that I was hoping the Blues would select. Klepov looks like a stud.
I wonder if he cracks the NHL this year?
Morozov and Klepov where two intriguing prospects that I hoped we would take.
To be determined.
I had Klepov ranked just ahead of Lawrence but time will tell. I find Klepov to be more skilled and with better hockey sense but he’s a winger and a below average skater with just an ok two-way game. Lawrence is also very skilled but can get tunnel visioned at times. But he’s a plus, plus skater (something our org really needed), works his butt off, is an absolute puck hound and is very advanced defensively for his age. Oh and he plays the premium position of C and there’s pretty much zero doubt he’ll be able to stick there.
I found it interesting Klepov signed with the Ducks. It must’ve taken MSU by surprise as they announced him as an official member of their incoming class just the day before. Pretty big loss for them but they’ve still got a loaded class coming in (Chase Reid, Tommy Bleyl, Ethan Belchetz, Jack Hextall, Mason West, Cullen Potter etc). But still, it was really late in the game for Klepov to pull out of his commitment. I personally don’t think he’s ready for the NHL yet. They could maybe throw him on their 3rd line and just put up with the growing pains but my guess is he’ll end up back in the OHL. Curious move from him and the Ducks. Guess he really wanted that signing bonus money and/or the Ducks think he’s more NHL ready than I do. I think college hockey would’ve been a great next step for him but now that’s off the table.
I think scouts expected him to go to the NCAA and start putting up points like he was the next Celebrini. He struggled out the gate and there wasn't enough season left to shine when he got his game together. I think he is going to be the best center taken this draft class and be Thomas 2.0 but with more offense.
I'm excited to see how he does with a full season in the NCAA. He'll have some great teammates in Malhotra and Nik AO as well as Pandolfo as his Coach.
With age and the risks he has taken to force himself to improve Lawerence is going to be steal in 3-4 years. I am confident he should have gone in top five.
