The Athletic Hockey Show - Which NHL prospects stood out this preseason?

Episode Date: October 4, 2024

Max, Corey, and Scott discuss this preseason’s standout prospects, the 2024 draftees still competing for jobs in training camp, and weigh in on the “preseason is too long” debate. Plus, the guys answer some great questions in the mailbag to close the show.Hosts: Max Bultman and Corey PronmanWith: Scott WheelerExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Chris Flannery Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the Athletic Hockey Show Prospect Series. Hey, everybody, Max Boltman here alongside the Athletic Scott Wheeler and Corey Pranman for another episode of the Athletic Hockey Show Prospect Series. Today we're going to be talking about some of the preseason standout so far, some of the young players making noise at camp. But I think before we get into this, Corey, we had Pierre LeBron on the Monday show with Mark Lazarus and I, and he was talking about the length of the preseason. It's obviously a topic every year seems to be even more of a topic this year, the idea of

potentially in the future, cutting that down, adding regular season games. And on that topic, I thought you would actually, you and Scott both really, would be good voices on this, not so much about the impact of the length of the preseason on the established guys and certainly on the viewers, but on the young developing players. Because we are going to talk about guys today who have made noise this preseason, who have improved their stock, who have probably helped their development path. And I wonder if the preseason were to get cut down, do you have any opinion, Corey on what that might mean for some of these young guys?

I think you can still cut it down and get a proper evaluation environment, but I think you may need to make some tweaks in how you do that. To start, I think rookie camps are going to need to be revamped in a way where it's not like a make-a-wish game for a lot of guys who have literally no chance at making the NHL, meaning that you can't have rosters that have, you know, even with the teams that don't have many draft picks, that can't be full of college-free agent and junior invites that aren't on NHL contracts.

You need to find a way to make these environments actually meaningful. Put them in NHL rinks with actual NHL talent on the roster. You know, I look at, especially if we're going to have a decentralized draft going forward. I think a great opportunity both to bring the league together and to forward the goal of evaluating young players would be something like how the NBA has their summer league. and you can implement it in the NHL in a way where maybe you make it shorter games, smaller rosters, but the rosters have all real players on them.

And you can actually evaluate the players in that kind of environment. And I still think even if you have a shorter preseason, you can get your two, three games really evaluating the key prospects. They may not, you don't know if you really, if you really have a meaningful rookie tournament, I don't think you need four, five, six preseason games to get that serious evaluation. Because, again, you guys are evaluated throughout camp. They have intrasquad games. They have practices.

Coaches are going to get the information they're going to want. And it would lessen the amount of times the veterans need to play. Like, there's no reasons for star players to have to play two, three, four, preseason games. Maybe two is the absolute maximum you want them playing just to get up, just to get their reps in. but I think you can execute it. But I don't know if we go from the current system and you just cut the preseason in half. Because I think those rookie tournament games

and over the year can be very difficult evaluation environments. I often come away from those games, not really learning anything, to be quite honest. Over the years, I've been to those. So I would be worried about if we just took away half of the preseason games and just kept everything else's status quo, I think it would be a little bit more difficult to evaluate young players

and make good decisions about those young players. All right. Well, for now we still have the long preseason, and we still have lots of time to evaluate these young guys, Corey. And I know you had a piece this week about some preseason thoughts on, you know, a decent handful of players. I think you had 13 or 14 players that you named in the article, certainly not an exhaustive list of everyone who's been good at these camps.

But there's a few names that I think we really want to hit here. And maybe most interesting of all, I think, are the collection of young players drafted in this most recent draft class, the 2024 draft, and a handful of them beyond Macklin Celebrity, who I think we all knew was going to make the San Jose Sharks, except perhaps for Chris Peters, have made a real run at making their team's roster. And what a coincidence, Chris Peters isn't here to hear that little shot at him. but yes the three other 24th of eligibles that are still here as we record this on october third is carter yakom chuck with ottawa jitlacchanko of philadelphia and harrison brunicke with pittsburg uh we'll talk we'll hit on those in reverse order uh brunuchy obviously a massive camp for him for a second round pick to be in the running to play nch l games i don't know if he's a guy's going to stick around all year but i because i think that's this is the kind of situation where

Eric Carlson is a little banged up and that could delay the decision to send Brunkey back to Junior. But his camp has been very good. He's earned it. The tools are outstanding. You know, a six three defenseman who can skate really well, who has legit offensive skills,

who can move pox well enough, who competes hard. I think when he was in junior last year, the concern among some scouts was the decision making at times. And you've seen that pop up every once in a while at camp. I think there was like one really bad goal against, for example, where he kind of tossed the puck away and it went right into the back of his net half a second later.

But for the most part, I think his decisions have looked sharper than he did when he was in junior. And I said skill, skating, size, plays both ways really well. Like, there's a lot there to like. And this is a guy who, like I said, I don't know if he's actually going to stick in the NHL all season, but I think he's a guy who looks like a very promising young player for Pittsburgh and a guy who, quite frankly, I don't know,

I thought he might have been a world junior guy in another year from now, but I think maybe Scott disagrees. I think he's a guy you have to talk about being in the world junior picture right now. I think I was having that conversation with a staff member of the Penguins last night, or I guess two nights ago after he had that really standout performance

alongside Marcus Pedersen. I think he absolutely has to be in that conversation. You assume that the two returnees and Tanner Mullen, Dike and Oliver Bonker walks. I think Zane Porek. Presuming Mollendike's going back because he's still in Nashville right now. Yeah. Yeah.

Correct's probably the third guy just because Chris Lazarie's on that bench. And he's the natural to be a power play guy. I think Carter Yakumchuk with the way he's played has helped his case after a mediocre showing at the World Junior Summer Showcase. But that's only three or four guys. And after that, if you're talking about Harrison and the way he's performed versus Noah Chadwick, who didn't even. get a sniff with the Leafs or Gibson who played a couple of games with

Nashville and then went back Sawyer Minio with with the Canucks. I think he's if he continues to play like he has and it's not just this run of play in the preseason, he impressed big time at the rookie tournament in Buffalo. He looked at cut above Owen Pickering, who's obviously a first round pick for the penguins. And even going back to last spring at U18 Worlds, him and Kashon Aitchison really emerged as the go-to penalty kill. is the go-to-late defensive zone face-off guys on that Canadian blue line. And it's been a run of really strong play.

I know the Hockey Canada staff were in Buffalo for the rookie tournament and would have seen Harrison there. So if he's not on the team, I think he's at least in the conversation for a selection camp invite. And considering he wasn't even a part of the World Junior Summer Showcase process, that just speaks to the way he's played over the last month or so here. Yeah, I was thinking about his new 18s where, like you said, him and Kashon Aitchison really got the heavy minutes in the tough games,

the semifinal against Sweden and the gold medal game against the U.S. And the other player who got really heavy minutes in those games and was a critical part of why they wanted gold medal was Jet Lechenko, who's carried over his strong play into the Flyers camp. And I think as an inside track right now to being a top three line forward for them, as we record this right now, we talked about him on the show on Tuesday, just the super likable way he plays, just a fantastic skater.

John Tortorella has called out just how strong his pace has looked and he's able to create offense and play both ways at an NHL pace. He's super competitive. And we'll see how it goes when he gets to regular season games. It seems like he's going to get to regular season games

and it's going to be a really good test for him. You know, I think with Lachenko, my lean would still be for him to go back, not because I don't think he could play in the NHL right now. I think he could, but I don't think Philadelphia is trying to win this year. And I think with Lachenko, my big concern with him is making sure he gets his touches and making sure he has his chances to create offense and to make plays. And I don't think he's going to get those kind of opportunities in Philly. So I'd rather him go back to Guelph, you know, run their top power play, get his 80-90 points,

go to the world juniors and come into camp next year and really try and, you know, carve out a major role on the flyers. Corey, I'm not inviting you to do a victory lap here, but I will say that Carter Yakumchuk is another of these guys that seems to have a real chance at least starting the season with Otto, certainly with the way Travis Green is talking. He's alluding to the regular season when he talks about Carter Yakumchuk. and obviously he had a great goal the other night against Montreal. It's still very early in the arc of this player's career.

But I have to say he's not a guy that I would have thought coming into this camp would make a run at starting the season in Ottawa. Are you surprised at all that this kind of seems to be on the table for him with the senators? Well, to your first point, there's no victory laps being done because even though I really like the player going into the draft, he hasn't played one NHL game yet. And I've seen a lot of guys have really good camps and it doesn't translate. And guys who have bad weeks or two in camp and they get cut and they have very long successful careers. So we're not there yet. But it's still part of the evaluation process. And he's looked very good.

He's been one of all it was better players in the preseason. And even compare some of the NHL players he's been on the ice with. I think when you look at the body, like the 6-3 frame, he's pretty bulky, he skates well enough. I thought there was always a chance you could get some games. I don't know if he can stick. I still don't know if he's going to stick. I don't know if that's like,

I guess for them, it's the question is like, is he going to be a power play guy? I think, you know, you have Jake Sanderson there, you have Tavashabot there. They have run the power play there

at various points. Like if Carter's got to run your first or second unit, otherwise there's really no point in keeping him around. Same idea with Lachenko. Like his, you want that guy to get, to get repetitions and to,

I mean, he's already great at the puck, but you want him to actually play real minutes. And I don't think if he's going to keep him for 17, 18 minutes, a night second power play, it's really in his best interest. But I definitely think he has at least proven he deserves an opportunity to try and show he belongs in the NHL regular season games. And as I think he looks kind of what I saw in junior, which is a very toolsy prospect, a guy with a lot of pro traits,

a guy who has some dynamic offensive qualities and could be a little bit of a risk taker that drives you crazy at times. And we'll see how it goes in the NHL. All right, we're going to go to Scott on this next player, but it appears that we have lost him to some technical difficulties. I know he's on the way to a rink right now. So we may just,

Cori, I think we're just you and me are going to take this home the rest of the way here. Lane Hudson is the next player I want to talk to you about and what you've seen from him this preseason. I mean, a lot of really good positives. I mean, as always the preseason, same thing with all those kids we just talked about earlier, that you want to make, it's great to be excited about their preseason games when the NHL players aren't giving it their best. And it's not a lineup full of NHL players yet.

And you want to be cautious and getting too high on how they've played until we see them in the real games. But Lane has looked really good alongside NHL players and playing against NHL players. And even when they, when the have had guys who have played NHL games, like Justin Barron or Arbor Jack High in their lineup, he's been able to stand out ahead of those guys, which is a significant positive in how you're projecting him into those regular season games. The offense, as always is dynamic,

you know, just the way he makes plays, walks the blue line, attacks with his skill, his vision, just, you know, it looks like the same guy you've seen in junior, the same guy you've seen in college for all these years. And then the issues are going to be defensively, It's hard to get past the fact that he's still a miniature defenseman out there who is not an elite skater for that size. And he can kind of be beaten with speed or beaten with power by a lot of NHL players. I like the way he competes.

And I think because of his brain, he's going to be able to get in the way of enough plays. And you still see him try to dig and get pucks and try to make the defensive plays he needs to. but it's going to be a lot of give and take and you hope with him it's just going to be that the offense is going to be so significant that you're okay living with the issues like you are, say with the name I've mentioned before on

this podcast in regards to Lane like a Samuel Gerard or something like that. Even I think Adam Fox at the beginning of his pro career was given up a lot defensively. So we'll see how it goes with Lane but I think so far it's very positive. Almost a miracle, Corey, that we've gotten this

long into this topic. without talking about Mottwe Mitchkov, because I think for a lot of people, he's been maybe the story of the preseason here. I think it was six points in his first three games with the Flyers as preseason. Obviously, we know that those stats can mean different things for different players in different contexts,

but it's exactly what you'd want to see as a Flyers fan from him. Yeah, I think we haven't talked about it because while it's great, it's almost like when I've watched him, it's like, oh, that's the player I've been watching him for the last. last five, six years. This is not new. This is a guy who's scored all of his life and he's scoring in the preseason. So what's the news here? I feel like if he had no points, that would be the news. I feel like if he came in and it looked like he hit a wall and it's not working and you're

wondering if he's going to actually going to play or if he's going to need some time in the American League or something like that, that would have been the noteworthy thing. But that hasn't been the case. I mean, I still think when you watch him, you're a little worried, like is that skating, you'll lead enough for that size? Is he going to get pushed around? But honestly, when you watch Mitchkov, in the camp so far, at least, we'll see how it is in regular games. But in the camp, it's just every time he touches the puck, he makes a play. His hockey senses among the best I've seen in a forward. What I've been doing this over the last five, six, seven, eight years.

So it's extremely intelligent, extremely skilled. It knows how to create offense in ways that 99% of forwards don't, which is why. given that he's, even though he's not that big and not that fast, is why he just creates so much offense. Because he has, he's a really special player in certain ways. And I think he's going to be a top six four right away out of the gates. And, you know, we'll see exactly how many points come in the H.L. It's not going to be two points per game. I would be even, I would probably stop short of saying is even going to be point per game. That would probably be, you know, off the charts exceptional for Flyers fans. But I think he's going to be really good for them this season. in Mitchcove's same 2023 class there was a very steep divide I would say on Andrew Crystal and what he could become in the NHL. There was obviously gaudy production numbers in the Western Hockey League. He was right up there with some players that went much, much higher than him in that draft.

I think nearly 100 points in his draft season in the Western Hockey League. But there was the big question around his skating. What have you seen from Crystal here? Because he makes your list and I know you're happy with what you're seeing. Yes, I think he's actually going to stick around a little bit with Washington into the regular season. I don't know if he's actually going to stick in a lineup all season, but I could see him get a game or two or just stick around and be around the team as they get their year going. I think he's earned it with the camp he's had. I still don't think his skating is amazing, but like it's a similar conversation we had with Ivan Demadov all last season, where it's awkward looking, but, you know, in terms of how he uses his edges.

constantly, but it's good enough to be elusive and to give himself at least enough space to make all the skilled plays he can make with the puck. I mean, unlike Ivan, I don't think he's as competitive as Ivan, and he's definitely not as big. But I think skating, I think, can be good enough to play in the NHL, which I wasn't 100% convinced on when I saw him in his draft year. I think the question with Andrew is going to be, can he bring it every night in terms of the compete level he's going to need to play in a top nine or a top six at that size. That's something I've never been convinced of before when I've watched him in Jr.

But the camp he's had has definitely been promising and I'm open to changing my opinion. How much does preseason matter in answering that question for you? Because obviously there are NHL players in preseason, but it is not an NHL game. It matters. and it could be a significant variable if I were to change my stance, I don't try to change my stance too often based on a preseason.

The only times I would do that is if it's just wildly off. Like if some 19 or 20-year-old who I thought was barely a prospect comes in and makes the team all of a sudden, which I try to not do that often for someone in my position. But if that one, to happen. I'd be like, oh, okay, I might have been dramatically off here. But I think this is just information. It's good information. It could be a strong case in his favor that maybe he shouldn't have been a second round pick, but I'm not going to sit here and say, oh, the team's got a wrong.

Should have been a top 20 pick, yada, yada. We're not there yet, but we might be trending in that direction. Stick him with that 2023 class, Samuel Hansick, another guy who, you know, and he missed a lot of time last year. So I think it would have been more than fair for Samuel Hansik to come into his camp and need some ramp. He has not needed it. No, and I think there was some concern about the year he had after coming back from the injury. He didn't really produce a significant clip there in the Western Lakes. You're like, oh, man, did we overreact? Maybe just a really good half year in his draft year. Is there really any offense in this player? Is he just a big guy who skates well? And he comes into the flames camp and he says, I'm a real player. There's going to be a lot of competition on the wings there

for jobs, you know, with, they have Matt Coronado there. They have a waiver's decision to make on Jacob Peltier there. And I think you can argue that Hansik was their best young player in camp. And we see a big guy who could skate. He works really hard. He can play on both special teams. And his scoring numbers in camp have been really significant. That's a player to be really excited about it.

And that's a player you think can be middle six, top six, and really help your team for a long time. And the last guy I wanted to hit, this is another one from the article here. This is a player that I have felt like has made. maybe the toughest path to making a big splash in the NHL because of the team that they're on and the type of players that team has. It's Seamus Casey for the New Jersey Devils. He's a really gifted puck mover, smaller offensive defensemen, had great college career.

But New Jersey is rich in offensive blue liners, and specifically young offensive blue liners. And I felt like he, you know, even in signing, he put himself in a tricky spot. But so far, from what it sounds like in your article, he's making the absolute most of the chance he's getting. And there were people I talked to in the summer in the league who thought there was a decent chance he was going to get traded. It seemed like it's and then this wasn't like I'm breaking some news, some of that.

It was just an obvious observation that people on the league were making that basically what you were just saying there. And that Luke Hughes got injured, definitely helped create an opportunity here for for Casey, even on a team that has an image and Duggy Hamilton that he can play right away and he had a very good camp. I don't think there's any been dispute that Casey is a good player and is a legitimate NHL prospect.

The question is, you know, given that he is 5'10 and I wouldn't call him this premier defender, he skates really well, but I wouldn't call it his defensive play would get you excited about his player. It's the skill, it's the hockey sense, it's the way he attacks with his feet. Those are the things that get you excited about him.

And, you know, coaches aren't going to play that guy unless he's your power play. And if he's not your power play, then why is he in your lineup? So I think those are the difficulties with Casey. But at a minimum, listen, he had a really good cap, played well in the preseason, earned his spot to play NHL games to start the year. When Hughes comes backs, that could create some difficult questions there for New Jersey. But at a minimum, I think Seamus Casey is trying to show that he could play in the NHL at his size. And even if he loses his job when the injury situation clears up in New Jersey, he could make a case to other

NHL teams to pay the price to go after him and guarantee him some ice time. The article is preseason thoughts and standouts on the athletic from Corey Prondman. We're going to take a quick break, come back with a lengthy mailbag this week. All right, Corey, let's go now to the mailbag in a really good set of mailbag questions this week. So shout out to the listeners as always. first one is from Maxwell, great name. Our team's really valuing a goalie.

He's talking about Ravensburg in here, this high, or is everyone just eager to break the no first round goalie streak we have going, especially with a Canadian goalie. Last Canadian goalie wasn't that long ago. It was only like three drafts ago. COSA was a first rounder out of Canada. But nonetheless, you buy in the Ravensburg in hype. I mean, I like the player.

Obviously, I haven't read 11th on my board right now. It's going to change probably as the season goes on. terms of whether the league actually thinks this, I would say yes. I mean, I can't say they have them quite as high as I do, but I think most scouts I talk to have him as a solid first round pick, a guy who they think could be a top 20 pick, top 15 pick, 20s, and we'll see how his year goes, but I would say more scouts than not that I talk to think he's a first round prospect. Really athletic, intelligent, really nice underage year last year in Prince George. not like a perfect year, some ups and downs, but those ups were really high, some dominant

performances. And then he comes into camp this year in Prince George. And he's almost an inch and a half taller than he was last season. I think he's over six foot five now when combined with the traits and the performance. I mean, that's a lot of really good positives. We're going to get to him, I think, very soon in this list of questions. But you compare him to say Sebastian Kosa, and you can argue that's a very, similar set of traits to what COSA had and COSA went in the top 15. So I don't think it's unreasonable

to suggest Ravensburg and belongs in this area. Is there that big a difference? Like if I've always kind of felt that if a goalie was like at least six three or above, it was all kind of the same. So you think there's like a big advantage to be in six five and a half to six four? Yeah, I think so. I think with goalies, I think skaters are this way a little bit too, but definitely with goalies. I think every inch changes the evaluation significantly. I think talking to NHL people, there's a lot of teams that simply won't let you draft a goalie at 6-2 or shorter. Or, sorry, under 6-2, I think.

I think 6-2 for a lot of teams is the limit unless the goalie is just special in certain areas. But I think, and there's probably a point where they, I think this is the way with skaters do. I think there's a point where they get too tall to where their mobility gets limited. I think any goalie, it's like 7, 6, 8, 6, 9. you wonder how they're going to be able to move in the net. But I think a 6-5 goalie, 6-4-66, I think that is a very significant positive for a lot of NHL teams. All right.

Next one's from Dr. Kelly Truba Respector. It says more of a statement than a question, but Lenny Haminajo. Yeah, New Jersey prospect off to a really strong year start, sorry. In Finland, I mean, he's a good skater. he can score. He works hard enough. He's got some skill. Seems like a really nice pro prospect. I think he's going to play in the NHL. I do think Liga's been watered down a little bit in recent years, so I try not to get too excited about Liga scoring numbers. But he's a good prospect and definitely someone who looks at a minimum

like a top two round pick as he was. Retire 91, oh, I know what fan base that is, says, would you rather have the combination of COSA and Augustine in your pipeline or Jeremy Swayman today and whatever his cap hit is going to be for eight years. I don't think he's proposing a trade here, but I think he's saying who's got the better, like which of those would be the better long-term goalie situation to have? Well, I'll get into this. I have some swaying thoughts, but what do you think about that question? I think, especially with goaltending, you're going with the burden of the hand. I know, I know that those are two top, you know, five to ten goalie prospects in the NHL right now in COSA and Augustine, and I think there is reason for some excitement

with both of them. Jeremy Swayman is the guy that you're hoping either of those can become. He's actually probably better than you could confidently project either of those two to become at this stage. So while you don't mind the variability, you've got to love knowing that you have it. Yeah, and I think you can argue that stylistically in terms of the way he plays, the frame, the production, that Augustine has some similarities to Swamen at the same age. But there's a lot of players who have similarities to Swamen at the same age, who don't become what Swayman became. It's why he was a mid-round pick.

And I think that's what's making, you know, when I see all the discussions, and all the day, I know Swayman's contract negotiations has become a very contentious thing and the public manner as well as that, which the team and the agent is negotiating now, in regards to this.

I do, like I think Swayman's, you know, just been outstanding between college, the pros, the NHL, recently in the NHL playoffs, you know, big numbers. He's a really good goalie. way outperformed what scouts thought he was going to be when he was a junior player, even if they were high on the player.

Like, you love the hockey sense. It's really good. He's very technically sound. But you can sense there's a little bit of hesitating in my voice. Because I do watch this player. And I'm not sure what you think, Max,

I've never gotten like the tingleys watching him. Like this is like some special elite athlete. He's, you know, a differentiating goalie when I watch him. I think he's a really good goalie. But I can understand. understand at least a little bit, not completely, especially not the whole press conference,

the Neely did or whatever, but I understand at least a little bit why Bruins manager were playing hardball and why they were at least somewhat hesitant to do out the big money, long-term contract for this guy, because it does seem to be something in the water here in Boston, where for the last 10, 12, 15 years, they just seem to get an elite goaltending every single season. Is that something in their coaching? Is it something in how they track save percentage? or is it just the fact that they evaluate goalies better than anybody else by a significant magnitude? I don't know what the answer is, but there are some variables in my mind where I would still

pay Swayman a lot of money for a long time. He looks like a really good goalie, who I think could be a legitimate starting goalie for the NHL for a long time. But I can at least understand a little bit playing a hardball with him. Do you think of out of my mind? No, and I also don't like the number that is out there, right? And I know it's not the literal eight times eight, but that that would be, I would have thought that that would be like the top end of what Swayman could get.

And I know that the cap is going to go up. But what I'd say about the Boston thing is I don't think it's something in the water. I think it's just they've had some of the best defensive hockey players in the NHL for so long now. Like it was Patrice Bergeron, you know, Zadano Char, Charlie McAvoy. Hampas Lindholm is in there. I think Brandon Carlos is a team that's always been committed to defense across coaches. It's not just coaching. It's an organization that's been committed to that.

And it's a really hospitable environment for goalies. We'll see what happens with Linus Allmark now that he's in Ottawa. But with that being said, I'm still willing to pay a goalie, a big number to just know that, you know, he meshes well with that. And, you know, yeah, you might think you can put kind of anybody in there. But I'm taking the success that I know I have. I don't mind paying $8 million at the goaltending position if I know that they're really good. And I think you've seen enough from Jeremy Swayman to be comfortable enough there. I don't think I would go above that.

That's higher than some really good players. Yeah, I was going to say, obviously, we're entering an era right now with the tandem's becoming more regular and goalies don't play as much as they used to. But I think what's his career high in games is like 45 something? I don't think he's ever gotten to 50, yeah. So, and which is reasonable given that he had to play with Linus O'Mark for a few years. He was a really good goalie who also kind of, I would never have called him a Norris can. and then he became a Norris Canada.

We'll see how it goes in Ottawa. But I think that's a variable for me. When I'm looking at that, I'd say that I don't think it's everything when it comes to goalies, but I think being able to play regularly is a skill and do so at a higher level. And that would worry me a little bit. I think there's a lot of variables that point toward him being a really good goalie for a really long time. But there's these varying risk factors in the evaluation. that would, like I said, make me a little understanding why they're playing hardball,

not hardball to the point where you're publicly humiliating the guy either. All right, so let me give you a few goleys and let me ask you if you'd rather, would you rather have Swamen or Sorokin? Sorokin's 8.25. Probably Sorokin, but I'm not offended by that question. Okay. Would you rather have, and I'm trying to find ones that are recent enough contracts, that they can actually be somewhat meaningful of comparables?

Because I know Shasturkin is a thing in the news right now. Like those two players should not be paid close. Shusirkin is dramatically better. And it sounds like Shastrkin is going to clear the carry price number. And so that puts him comfortably ahead. Like that puts him over 10.5. But like, okay, Jordan Bittington makes $6 million on a long-term contract. You're taking Swimming over Bittington, yeah or no?

Yes. Yeah. So I think we're talking like in the right ballpark here about Swateman. But I can understand, to your point, why the Bruins would be like, hey, we felt like, you know, I think the number that's out there right now is 7.8. I think that's a perfectly reasonable offer. I don't think that's anything to sneeze at. I tend to agree.

All right. So we talked about, you know, the question of COSA and Augustine versus Swain. And there's a follow-up question here from another reader or listener, Stephen Glansberg, he says, do you think COSA projects to be ready for the Red Wings next season? I actually kind of wanted to gut check myself here on this one, Corey, because my thought is, after the year Cosa had in the AHL last year, he's certainly expected to get the, the workhorse role in Grand Rapids's year. You could argue he kind of already had the lion's share of those games last season,

had a slightly higher save percentage than Ascarov and Walsh. If he does that again and he does it in like a workload of 50 plus games, I wouldn't have a problem with Detroit throwing him in a game at the end of this season. And then having to plan for him on the roster next season. Is that a reasonable? That's where I'm at, but I wanted to kind of gut check with you. I think it is reasonable. I think with young goalies, outside of the most special.

once, even them, maybe not as much. I think teams are really hesitant to just pencil guys into the lineup to just not, they say, okay, you're our guy for next year, even though he only played five NHL games or, oh, we're going to give you 30, 40 games next year. That's the plan, even though we've only played you in the NHL five times. So I think there's probably going to be a point this year where he's going to get an opportunity to come up, and that will be important. And then, again, it depends on the year he has the American League.

Like I said, teams tend to preach patience with goalies more than he. other way around. So if there's opportunity that they have to go out and get a real NHL goalie, then I would not guarantee he's on the team next year. But if, as they've had at times trouble finding reliable goaltending, if that continues to be an issue, then I think you definitely have to look to him as a realistic option. All right, JP Claremont says, hey, Corey, I'm here to ask about Lane Hudson. He's kidding. He wants to know if your S. Levkovsky is living up to your evaluation of him ranking number one. And if not, what would you want to see more of in his play? see him, or do you think him reaching his physical maturity will significantly improve his game?

Physical maturity in that, that guy's like built like a rock. He's pretty physically mature. I mean, how much more is he, is that guy going to put on that frame there? But, I mean, I think to me, he was the best player of the draft two years ago. I maintain he's the best player in the draft. I don't think it's by a significant margin. I would not be offended if somebody told me that Logan Cooley was a superior player, For example, I would not be offended if someone told me, Pavel Mitchikov was a superior player.

But I think he is the best player. Just the combination of traits are pretty unique with that size, skating, skill, scoring combination. And, you know, I think, you know, it wasn't the sexiest first overall pick. I think, you know, he's not a Connor Bardard-level prospect. But he's still a pretty special player who I think is going to have a very good energy. career with some significant star upside and how it could go. Patrick McConnell says, can I get a special shout out for my wedding on October 6th as a longtime listener and

question submitter? Patrick, of course you can. Congratulations, first of all. And yes, you have been a very frequent submitter, recognize your name, and wishing you a wonderful life to come. Yep. Mazel tov, Patrick, and thanks for listening. Sumeyer says, are we seeing more up?

side with Artamanov than his draft position would suggest. So he's bringing up that question because Nikita Artamadov, a second round pick by Carolina in the most recent draft. I think it's about a point per game. I think 11.6 goals and 12 games so far to start as KHL season. And it's a very promising start. I try not to overreact or underreact to the first couple of weeks of the European seasons because you can see some aberrations in the numbers that are not going to maintain

as the year goes along, you know, both good and bad. But, you know, this is a guy who did score versus men at a significant pace last year, and he's backed it up to start this year, scoring more goals, too, than he did last year, too. I think he might have matched his goal total already from the previous year already by the time we hit October. So that's impressive. You know, he's super skilled, super intelligent. The one thing I will say, that could make me say that he might be somebody who's trending in a significant positive direction. And as you look at where all that office is coming from, all those points, all those goals, all the scoring chances, and it's all at the net front area.

And that's a really interesting thing to see for a 510, 511 winger, that he's been able to create a lot of high-trafficed scoring chances and goals. So we'll see how it goes the rest of the year. But I'm open to the argument that he could be a guy who can raise his prospect. Stock significantly, just like we've had with the Andrew Kristol debate. Not going to change my opinion based on a couple of weeks, but it's trending in a really positive direction. All right. Svines says, who becomes the Sharks' future power play one quarterback, Kagnoni, Mukumadoulin,

Thrun, or Sam Dickinson? Is it, okay, let me amend the question here. Is the Sharks future power play quarterback one of those four, or is it someone yet to be in this organization? I mean, anybody could be the guy. you could play any of those guys in the first power play. I think the question should be reframed. If any of these guys are our first power play quarterback,

are we going to score any goals? And I would say probably not. I think Keknoen can be a power play in the NHI. I don't know about first power play. Like, he might be. But like, I think he could be that in the way Kailen Addison was coming out of the Western League, which is like he could do that. But your coach might just be pulling his hair out when he's out there and even strength.

and he might just lose his job eventually. I don't think the Sharks have that guy yet in the organization. A true, you know, scoring, power play type who you can rely on and even strength play significant minutes. They don't have that piece yet. They have a lot of pieces. I think this organization is building in a really promising manner. And I know they're going to have another year or two or three here

where they're going to be real bad and they have the opportunity to add that kind of player. But it's not there yet. And that's obviously, I think, the most significant thing they need in their organization right now. Jamie says, where is the episode for the last mailbag question I sent about Sandusville Manus and his ceiling? I haven't seen anything on it yet. Jamie, that's because we haven't answered it yet, but we will answer it here, Corey.

What is Sandusville Manus's ceiling? He's been really good for Florida's camp. I think he's always liked the skating. He's got some scoring ability. I think that, you know, his scoring numbers in junior were always good. I think you did wonder, though, like, is this guy smart enough? Is there enough creativity there for him actually score as a pro? I don't know the answer to that question yet.

I'm like kind of in between. But I'm open to the argument he could. Like I always, the eye test, I always like this player. And I think he's looked good in camp. So it wouldn't surprise me honestly if he became a legitimate bottom six four in the NHL. Going back a second to the shark's question there, Max, you know, we got a draft here that's really forward heavy. For example, you know, maybe the sharks get Matthew Schaefer in the upcoming draft. But let's presume they get a four because it's really forward heavy job.

Let's say they draft Anton Frundell with their, with their, with the, their first pick. Now you've got Salbrini, you've got Will Smith, you've got Frondell. Does that create a potential situation where you've got like some really exceptional center depth? We haven't even gotten to guys like, say, I feel a B-stead or whatever. Could you see a scenario there where you're like, you d d. Smith and say, does anybody want to give me a premier D prospect? Yes, it's rare. We haven't like seen a true prospect for prospect hockey trade of that magnitude since like Seth John, Ryan Johansson. I was literally going on that one.

But that was a unique circumstances because Nashville had a ton of defensemen and they needed to get rid of one. So who's the compromise? I feel like there's not a system right now that is just stacked on defense. Is there one that you think of? No, but I think there is some concern in Ottawa, for example, if the Akimchuk hits and they become comfortable with him, are they going to be able to get Shabok done? Maybe New Jersey. Maybe if, like, Seamus Casey was really good, could you trade Nemich and Smith? You're not getting Smith from Casey.

But if they loved Casey, they're like, okay, well, now we can trade Demich. Yeah, those are a lot of Ips, obviously. So they don't have to make the decision right now. We got to make this decision in a year or two years from now or even longer. But that is a situation that I could see developed just because I don't think there's a lot of really good premier D-Men in this upcoming draft. although we are recording this at the start of the season at the end of the year, so we'll see where we get to do by the end of the year. The only other thing I would say about it is San Jose, I don't think, is in that much of a rush.

Like, they're going to have two or three more drafts to find that guy, right? And those guys, they're not playing. A guy like a front deal, for example, it's not going to play it right away. So I agree with you, no rush, but it's something we're thinking about. Yeah. All right. Blackhawks Fanatic says, what do you see in Oliver Moore, best case scenario, points-wise? Is there a chance he never ends up in the end?

NHL. Blackhawks fanatic is worried about Oliver Moore. Yeah, I don't know about that. That seems a little harsh with God. I think anybody who skates that well. Yeah. There's a role in that guy, for sure. Well, I say this as I watch Liam Foodie bounce from team to team. No, Oliver Moore can play on somebody's PK. Oliver Moore can play. I think that's a third line minimum. I was just, I was just to say, there's no way a guy who skates that well, can't play on a team. And I was going to say, well, I've seen this movie before and Foodie went right around the same spot in the draft. But I think he has a little bit more brain than Fuji did. And I think he will play. I don't know if I think like 40-ish points, maybe 50 in his best year is probably what I'm thinking,

because I don't think he's a natural playmaker. But that's kind of what I see. Good shot. He can score a little bit. He could be a 20 goal guy. He just might not have that many assists. Yeah, I think like 2020 might be his best years or his average years. All right. And then we'll close with this one from NHL. in Atlanta, who says, was Barrett Hayton merely unlucky last year with awesome play driving metrics but terrible on-ice shooting percentage? Or is he just destined for a middle six role? Feels like it could be both on that one.

Destined for middle six, is he not like their first line center to open up the season or second line center? I know they're not a great team, but... I think in two to three years he's absolutely in their middle six. Yeah, I think Kooley will pass up. I understand. But I think he's a second line player. Like, I think his skating isn't the best, but he's really, really skilled,

and he can play both ways and kill penalties and chipping offence. He was overdraft, and nobody's disputing. He was overdrafted. That situation has passed us by already. But he's a good player. Yeah, I think he'll get his points. Like, I'm not worried by that. He's a good hockey player, just not a special hockey player by any means.

So basically what Corey is saying here is when we talk about middle six and top six, I think people realize that sometimes half of that overlaps are actually always half of that overlaps in something called the second line. Yeah, I mean, you know, we use all these labels, whatever, middle six, top six, number four, top four, middle of the lineup. At the end of the day, is the guy a good player or not? Is he a really good player or not? Is he a difference maker?

Is he just holding on? And I think Barrett's a good player. I think that's the best way I say it. I don't think he's a great player, but I think he's a good hockey player. All right. Let's leave it there. Thanks for listening to this episode of the Athletic Hockey Show Prospect Series. You can read all of Corey and Scott's work at The Athletic.

I'll be back on the show with Las and Chris Johnson on Monday. We'll talk to you then.