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David St-Louis

@DavidSt_Louis

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NHL Analyst and Prospects Writer @Eliteprospects | Player Development Consultant

Québec, Canada
Joined July 2018
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
2 years
In Beck, MTL got a similar player to Wright, but with a better motor. He has physical skills, defence, transition passing, and flashes of high-end playmaking. Easy NHL projection. Might be my favorite player in the draft and @laurkelly24 's.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
2 years
Is Patrice Bergeron "the next Patrice Bergeron"? In this 2-minute video (Game 7 vs CAR), I took an in-depth look at the part of his game that is concerning - his low motor away from the puck, esp. backchecking. It needs to improve before he plays center in the NHL.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
This whole shift is incredible for Cole Caufield and he finishes it off with a great fake to score.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
7 months
Ville Koivunen: high hockey sense, playmaker, supports plays well, skating a weakness (upside: top-nine) Vasili Ponomarev: hard-working, two-way forward (bottom-six) Cruz Lucius: deceptive/flashy playmaker, skating also a weakness. Skilled, but style may not translate to NHL.
@PierreVLeBrun
Pierre LeBrun
7 months
Full trade: Pittsburgh trades Jake Guentzel (25% retained) and Ty Smith to Carolina in exchange for Michael Bunting, Ville Koivunen, Vasili Ponomarev, Cruz Lucius, Carolina’s 1st RD pick in 2024 (Conditional) and Carolina’s 5th RD pick in 2024 (Conditional).
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Yet another goal from Cole Caufield.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
Kotkaniemi is a pretty creative handler.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
This is a really interesting sequence from Jesperi Kotkaniemi in the game against Chicago. He displays why he should be a great defensive presence for the Habs for seasons to come. Only 18 years old and he has shifts like this.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
1 year
A lot of good here. Speeds past two players, doesn't stay focused on the puck, but looks for the next option as he moves, and an amazing first touch around a stick. That's first overall skill right there.
@scottmatla
Scott Matla
1 year
Sheeeesh Juraj Slafkovsky with the slick feed and Alex Newhook has his first goal as a Montreal Canadien!
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Nick Suzuki had a quiet WJ tournament last year. He didn't get top line-mates and wasn't on the first powerplay unit. A year later, he is one of the best rookies in the NHL.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Caufield fakes ''pass across'', but switches to ''shot'' as he gets to the top of the circle. Most would fire here. But Caufield baits the pokecheck, drags the puck around (changing the angle of the shot) and fires through the legs of the D. High-level deception and execution.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
1 year
We got a lot of requests for a Matvei Michkov video, so here it is. I had to make some compromises, but hopefully, you enjoy it. No contract talk, just the player, his upside, strengths, and weaknesses. @EPRinkside
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
Nick Suzuki finishes the season with 94 points in 59 games. His 1.59 point-per-game is the best of his career.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Caufield scores in the shootout!
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
3 months
Ivan Demidov sees the ice better than anyone else in the draft class. Great motor, ultra creative, and extremely talented. The most unique player in the draft class and a potential top NHL scorer. Here are my videos on him.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Victor Mete gets his first goal in the NHL.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
KOTKANIEMI SCORES !!!!
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
1 year
My video on David Reinbacher, the best defenceman in the draft. He's mobile and aggressive. His puck-moving game improved significantly during the year and there is a lot of upside there, too.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Cole Caufield again scores in the shootout.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
The game is too easy for Suzuki.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Nick Suzuki scores in OT!
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
3 months
Three years of Detroit picking the exact same player.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
4 years
Jesperi Kotkaniemi has been the best passer on the Habs this game. He's opening lanes, threading pucks through and over opponents easily. He looks confident.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
Natural hat trick for Nick Suzuki tonight with each goal being more impressive than the previous one.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
Jordan Weal is what the Habs thought they were getting in Matthew Peca.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
Joël Armia is not dynamic enough to be on a line with Kotkaniemi. He always looks to slow the game down. I'd like for Hudon to get a chance on the third line. Better shooter and he can play quicker.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
Kotkaniemi feeds the puck to Lehkonen, bypassing the defender's stick with a hook pass.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Nick Suzuki and the Guelph Storm complete the reverse sweep of the London Knights. Suzuki rose when his team needed him the most with 11 points in the last 4 games. Here are his 3 points of Game #7 .
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
I probably have time for one more (big) project this summer. I was thinking of an in-depth look at Jonathan Drouin's game from junior until now. Is there interest for that?
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
A couple of passes from Jesperi Kotkaniemi. I missed watching him play.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
Ryan Poehling #11 has four points (2 G, 2 A) so far tonight. Some great plays, including a breakaway goal, and he's back to the point-per-game mark.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
4 years
Max Domi didn't fit. Centres ahead of him are more effective or project to be. And his style of play (perimeter playmaking) also clashed with team identity. Drouin already fills that role and has shown more improvements defensively. A heathly Anderson brings a different element.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
3 years
From today's article: How Cole Caufield managed to play his game inside the structure of the Canadiens.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
2 years
David Jiříček vs Šimon Nemec is a debate we will see a lot between now and the draft, but in reality, David Jiříček is better in every single category. There's a large gap between the two in terms of projection, offensively and defensively. Jiříček has more upside and certainty.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Nick Suzuki's goal is even more impressive at full speed.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
2 years
The lack of wow factor in Wright's game seems to still cause problems, but there are many comparables for him at the NHL level, many Cs who aren't *that* flashy, but effective and productive: Bergeron, Aho, Couturier, Zibanejad, Suzuki... There are some similarities.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Cole Caufield splits the defence. His shot hits the crossbar.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
3 months
Zetterberg was one of the more skilled players in the 2024 class. We ranked him 120th. He should have been drafted, but 5-foot-8.
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@CanadiensMTL
Canadiens Montréal
3 months
Le camp de perfectionnement des Canadiens commence mardi! Horaire et joueurs invités ↓ #GoHabsGo
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
Jesperi Kotkaniemi is definitely a quick learner and his goal today was a good example of the way he adjusts. He attempted the same play against the Devils on Saturday, but was stopped going five-hole. Given a second chance, he roofed the puck above the goalie's shoulder.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Beautiful exchange from the ex-Owen Sound teammates. Nick Suzuki gets the goal.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Nick Suzuki escapes the defence and scores.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
8 months
Incredible. It's great to see Slafkovsky being rewarded for his work and the team for their confidence in him. They put him in a position to succeed (!), waited, and now he looks like he belongs. I may have to make another video/article on him. I'm curious to see the progress.
@MarcPDumont
Marc Dumont
8 months
Juraj Slafkovsky can't stop, won't stop 3rd point of the game for the youngest player in the lineup. A great pass by Suzuki, too. 4-0 #GoHabsGo
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 months
Here's Cayden Lindstrom's stats from @MitchLBrown 's tracking project. An excellent play-driver in all three zones, tons of plays from the walls, and high-end playmaking results.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
1 year
My last game report on David Reinbacher.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
Ryan Poehling with the moves to get in the zone and setup his teammate for a scoring alone with the goalie.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
Where have I seen a great hook pass before..? 🤔
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
I know a solution to the Habs PP: Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
Tonight: Josh Brook 1 goal 2 assists. Allan McShane 2 goals, 1 assist. Cole Fonstad 2 goals. Samuel Houde 1 goal, 1 assist. Cam Hillis 1 goal. What is this? I'm going to need a few Habs prospects to slow down if I'm going to cover everyone with Catching the Torch.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
4 years
Perry and Toffoli continue to prove that hockey sense makes up for a lack of mobility.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
1 year
Just because Ryan Leonard played more of a shooter/puck-retriever role on a line with two amazing playmakers doesn't mean he lacks playmaking skills himself. Role ≠ Projection. He has those skills and should develop even more.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
4 years
No Habs player has impressed me more than Brett Kulak in these playoffs
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Cole Caufield is never boring to watch.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
4 years
I'm still not 100% sure this dangle from Sean Farrell #Habs is intentional, but it's amazing regardless.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Caufield uses the threat of his shot to find Drury on the far post.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
2 months
I think some Flyers fans will be surprised by Michkov's playstyle. He's not a dynamic, ultra-skilled player, but more a cerebral, opportunistic, inside-driven scorer. He won't necessarily flash as much as some expect in preseason, but should get better with talent around him.
@charlieo_conn
Charlie O'Connor
2 months
Yes, it would be a total disappointment if Michkov merely wins the Calder, cracks the 90-pt plateau four times in nine years and scores 120 points in his best scoring season, produces at a 1.16 PPG clip, and is the offensive centerpiece of a Cup contender. That would be terrible.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
Nick Suzuki #9 has 8 points in his last 2 games and 13 in his last 5. He is back above 1.5 ppg. Here's all 3 of his points tonight.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
3 years
Caufield showed that there aren't only downsides to playing at a higher level. Teammates are more predictable and have better vision. He can count on them to make certain plays.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
The Kotkaniemi - Drouin chemistry.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
A few stats on Josh Brook: - He doubled his production of last season in 3 more games. - He is the top defenceman in the CHL in Points per Game (1.33). - He has points in 78% of his games and has contributed to 39% of his team's goals in the games he played.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Nick Suzuki turns on the jets and makes his way to the net. That's more speed than I remember.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
8 months
A play that shows both sides of the Jiricek debate. It's an impossible breakout. Multiple forecheckers. Almost everyone would seal or rim this, but not Jiricek. He beats two and finds the exit. It's not a good choice of play from a coach perspective, but... he did pull it off.
@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
8 months
Took the time to watch Jiricek a bit this morning and I do get the concerns. He continues to be hyper aggressive, confident, and creative in the NHL. No change in his style. Amazing plays; big mistakes. That's also the mark of top prospects who continue to improve.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
3 months
Luchanko over Buium? I don't see how the Flyers will come out ahead here.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
1 month
Weirdly, I was already working on a Patrik Laine article. I guess I'll release it immediately.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
At what point does Cayden Primeau stops being "that seventh round pick'' and just becomes ''one of the best goalie prospect in the world''.
@mikemorrealeNHL
Mike Morreale
6 years
Goalie Cayden Primeau ( @GoNUmhockey ), a 7th Rd pick of the @CanadiensMTL in 2017, to make his 3rd straight start and 4th of the WJC when the U.S. plays Russia in the semifinal round at Rogers Arena this afternoon.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Nick Suzuki also scores his 1st!
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 months
Every time I go to remake my draft board, I want to cram 14 players in my top-10. There's no Big Four in this draft, but there's a Pretty Big Fourteen.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Great season for Guelph and Suzuki. The team exceeded expectations and it was largely due to the performance of the Habs prospect. He has nothing left to prove in junior. Now on to start hopefully a great professional career.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
11 months
Sla(f)kovsky doesn't lack hockey sense. Not his main strength, but more than good enough. Too simple to reach for "matured early and dominated because of it" explanation. These players are easy to spot. He had way more going on for him in his DY. More of a development problem.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
3 years
Caufield has more time to make plays than he thinks.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 months
A team with two first-round picks could grab both Cayden Lindstrom and Andrew Basha of the Medicine Hat Tigers. They form a really dynamic duo.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
4 years
*Deletes Dawson Mercer highlights tweet*. Guhle is one of the best skaters in the class. Shuts down rushes with stick work and four-way mobility. Closes out on attackers rapidly in D-zone. Moves pucks with deception. Needs to refine his puckhandling to unlock more offence.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
Nick Suzuki has 5 (!) points tonight. He scores another goal by changing the angle of his shot.
@Storm_City
Guelph Storm
6 years
🚨 Yup, @nsuzuki_37 is really good at hockey. Holyyyyyyyy 🚀 #GUEvsFLNT
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
8 months
Took the time to watch Jiricek a bit this morning and I do get the concerns. He continues to be hyper aggressive, confident, and creative in the NHL. No change in his style. Amazing plays; big mistakes. That's also the mark of top prospects who continue to improve.
@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
8 months
I haven't watched Jiricek (yet) so I don't know how well he has played, but the point still stand. Nemec is performing well because he's allowed to play his activation game. Korchinski is struggling and still playing because the team understands where they are. Columbus doesn't.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
Here's all of #9 Nick Suzuki's points today (2G, 4A). Since joining Guelph, despite the ups and downs, he has been producing at 1.78 point per game. His 1.62 point pace over the full season is the best of his career as of now.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
Jesperi Kotkaniemi is definitely learning from Joël Armia.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
2 years
I really don't understand why there is a need to degrade Wright even more now that MTL selected Slafkovsky. Be happy with the player you got and wish the best for Wright. Every (normal) reaction is blown way out of proportion.
@mat_paradis
Mathieu Paradis
2 years
Désolant de voir toutes les théories comme quoi Wright est une vilaine personne depuis que le CH a repêché Slafkovsky. On ne peut pas juste se réjouir du choix ? Avant le draft, on plantait Wright et là, ca continue après... Désolant.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
If you need convincing that Caufield is a great pick, this is one of the best plays he made this season. Fake shot that opens the lane into snipe while falling down. All of that against one of the top goalie prospect in the world.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
2 years
They TIME themselves with the play and avoid overcommitting. When he joins the NHL, Wright's motor will increase, but he will still be managing his speed because that's what smart players do. They understand spacing better than you ever will.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
I am running out of ways to describe Suzuki at this point.
@Storm_City
Guelph Storm
5 years
. @nsuzuki_37 looks like he's playing NHL 19 on rookie mode today 😳😅 #GUEvsSAG
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
2 years
K'Andre Miller is a good model for Kaiden Guhle. Miller also started as an above-average shutdown guy with great tools in Junior. He refined his activation and puck-moving skills and now he's a legitimate offensive threat. Quite the evolution.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
2 years
Defence is not only effort. It's positioning and timing. Shane Wright's motor IS low (at times). But it's not a lack of effort. It's game and space management. Because Bergeron/Wright control their skating, they can survey the play and support teammates better on D and breakouts.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
8 months
It's way too early to redraft the 2022 class, especially with how close all these prospects were from each other. Enjoy what you have. Development tends to have its ups and downs.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
I don't think late first round picks can replace Jeff Petry. He probably still has a few years of value as a top-4 D -- if the org wants to compete -- they can only trade him for very high picks or a young D with top-4 potential. Hard to find at the TDL.
@BWildeMTL
Brian Wilde
5 years
My only takeaway from that is this.... He says he wants to build through the draft, but just passed on 4 top assets to hold on to vets in their 30s. That's a contradiction. If you wanted to build through the draft, you just had a chance for 4 elite draft players.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
1 year
About equal value here. I still like Newhook a lot. A lot of skills. Significantly above-average motor/skating combo. Showed a lot of anticipation in the NCAA. Didn't show it so far in the NHL, but players thrive when they get opportunities.
@CanadiensMTL
Canadiens Montréal
1 year
Les Canadiens acquièrent les droits de l'attaquant Alex Newhook de l'Avalanche du Colorado en échange des 31e (obtenu de la Floride) et 37e choix au total de Montréal en 2023 et du défenseur Gianni Fairbrother. #GoHabsGo
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Suzuki's pass on the tying goal was a throwback to some of his feeds in junior. He can perfectly sell a shot, misdirecting the defence, before pushing his top hand away from his body to transform it into a pass.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 years
Jordan Weal is a legitimately great find. There is not much he doesn't have. His offensive instinct separates him from the typical depth player.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
This is how Ryan Poehling will score goals in the NHL. He might be mostly a playmaker, but he attacks the net, finds rebounds and is pretty good at tipping shots.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
2 years
Joshua Roy ( @DrakeMT 's favorite) is showing another level at this tournament. He plays with more urgency and displays more physical and defensive abilities. If he keeps improving these 3 things, he will play, even if he doesn't change his skating.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Caufield #36 was a little less focused on scoring and more on creating for teammates when he didn't have a shooting lane available. It turned into good occasions for Red.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
4 years
I love how Kotkaniemi receives that puck. He knows he could get more space if he freezes the defender and dangles around, so he delays catching the puck to get it in his hip pocket. Thinking one move ahead.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
There's quite a few Canucks jersey at the Bell Centre.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
6 months
You shouldn't fear that NHL scouts are overvaluing bigger players (as much) in 2024. The game is shifting back toward size a bit and, due to skill development, bigger players can now often do what used to be the trademark of smaller players. They're elusive and very skilled.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
2 years
These are not the kind of plays that Dach made in previous years. Twice, he gets inside positioning on a puck: He seals it from an opponent (not for himself but for Suzuki) and then slips in between D and G at the net. He enabled that goal with physical skills. Clear progress.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
2 years
Jayden Struble's tools are all high-end. He improved his defence. He's a great project and absolutely worth a contract. I bet he breaks out next season. (Also what I said every off-season the last 3 years).
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Ben Chiarot is much better at engaging opponents and a much better skater than Karl Alzner.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Nick Suzuki has six points in his last six games.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
1 year
One of the most difficult thing for smaller NHL defencemen is defending net drives. They often lose battle for positioning, so the key is picking up attackers early (before they get to the net), slowing them down, and preventing access to the puck. Good indicator of development.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
1 year
If you want upside, Gracyn Sawchyn (!), Andrew Cristall, Gavin Brindley, Oscar Fisker Mølgaard, Beau Akey, Jayden Perron, Ethan Gauthier, Nick Lardis, Lukas Dragicevic, Luca Cagnoni, and Koehn Ziemmer are still on the board. There are many others, too.
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@DavidSt_Louis
David St-Louis
5 years
Nice steal and pass from Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
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