Loading summary
Transcript65 lines
- [00:01]
Max Bultman
Old school security kicks in after the break in. Too late. SimpliSafe rewinds the story. Stopping crime before it starts Active Guard Outdoor Protection uses AI powered cameras to detect intruders, alert live monitoring agents, and can deter intruders before they reach your door. It's proactive protection plus a 60 day money back guarantee and no contracts. To get 50% off your new system, go to SimpliSafe.com podcast that's SimpliSafe.com podcast. There's no safe like SimpliSafe.
- [00:30]
Scott Wheeler
We will answer your call as soon as we can.
- [00:33]
C
Are you still running your business? With one creaky old phone system, missing calls, losing track of messages, and scrambling to keep up with your team, it's time to break up with the past and say hello to Quo. Quo is the number one business phone system with 4.7 stars across 3,000 reviews on G2. Quo brings all your business phone calls and texts into one app for your team. No more juggling devices or being tied to a landline. Quo's built in AI logs calls, creates summaries, automates follow ups, and can even answer and route calls so you never miss an opportunity. Whether you're a solo operator or leading a growing team, Quo keeps you connected and helps you deliver standout customer experiences. Join over 90,000 businesses using Quo and see why it's the one business phone system for customer satisfaction. Level up your workflow with quo. Get started free plus get 20% off your first 6 months at quo.comtech that's quo spelled q u-o.com tech and if you have existing numbers with another service, quo will port them over for free. Quo no missed calls, no missed customers.
- [01:43]
Babbel Advertiser
Par le tu francais, hablas espanol par l'.
- [01:46]
Max Bultman
Italiano.
- [01:47]
Babbel Advertiser
If you've used Babbel, you would Babbel's conversation based technique teaches you useful words and phrases to get you speaking quickly about the things you actually talk about in the real world. With lessons handcrafted by over 200 language experts and voiced by real native speakers, Babbel is like having a private tutor in your pocket. Start speaking with Babbel today. Get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription right now at babbel.com acast spelled B-A B-B-E-L.com acast rules and restrictions may apply.
- [02:22]
Corey Pronman
Foreign.
- [02:35]
Max Bultman
This is the Athletic Hockey Show Prospect Series. Hey everybody. Max Bultman here alongside Scott Wheeler and Cory Promman for another episode of the Fox A Cocky Show Prospect Series. It is our Calder Trophy preview Episode and guys right at the top. I think there's. There's two names, but really, there's one name that we're really zeroed in here as we go into the season, and that's Ivan Demidov.
- [03:07]
Scott Wheeler
Corey. Yeah. And we were recording this on. On Wednesday. He. He got his wrist slash Tuesday night in that preseason game against Ottawa. Early indications are it's going to be nothing serious, and we think he's going to be ready to go for the start of the year. I think with Montreal, the situation is fascinating. It reminds me a little bit of when, like, LA Frontier went into the Rangers in his rookie year. And then you look at this team and you look at the power play, and they had obviously a really functioning power play last season. Obviously, you know, even more so after Hudson became the permanent PP1 guy there. You know, where you have. Where you have Hudson, Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield, and Nick Suzuki as four of the prime pieces there. I think the ultimate question is going to be, is, does Demidov fit on that power play as the fifth piece, or do they put Patrick line A there? And I could see that kind of, obviously, towards the end of last year, line, it was a healthy scratch, and Demidov was the first power play right flank there. And he. And you've seen it in the preseason, he's had some really good moments there running the power play. But I think that's going to be a question. I think they want to get more out of line A. You know, we have watched Demidov in this preseason. You know, probably between him and the other favorite, which is Z. Boyhum, I think Demidov has looked better. I've watched two of his games. One I thought he was excellent, and one I thought he was just okay. But, you know, the Calder is always a combination of talent plus opportunity, and both of these players are going to get opportunity. But definitely, if in Montreal, if Demidov ends up edging out line A, or maybe they take Slafkovsky out or whatever, you know. Well, I'm sure they'll experiment with these, with this power play over the course of the season. Season, presuming all these players are healthy. But I think that's going to be the key thing to watch in Montreal.
- [04:55]
Max Bultman
It's hard, Scott, for a player to come in, I think, as the prohibitive Calder favorite and live up to some of those expectations. I mean, I thought Celebrini actually did that last year, and he didn't get the Calder right, because I think when you. When you have all that build up. It's, it's really hard to be that player that everyone expects you to be. How do you think Demidov, what do you think would be a Calder worthy season? I guess I should say from demidovation.
- [05:17]
Corey Pronman
The barometer for forward seems to have, have been set at that sort of 60 point plateau. 50, 55 doesn't typically get it done. You have to have a big, a big year. You have to be one of your team's two or three leading scorers. You have to be a go to guy. I think he's going to be that though based off everything we've seen in this preseason. Like I think he's a clear cut above Zeve William in terms of the stages that they're at and, and the impact that they're ready to make. I was in Montreal over the weekend, went for a little family vac kids and brought the kids to their first Leafs game and I was at that game. It was a blowout 72 Leafs on, on the Friday night there or Thursday night there. But it was just, it was just so clear that he was ready for it and that the talent is there and I think that's been true in all of the games that he's played this, this preseason. Like he just looks like a natural on the power play. I think it's fascinating what they're going to see, what they're going to do with their power plays. But he, I think he's a cut above this class in terms of skill level and I think we're going to see him have a comparable year to the one that Matt Bay MKOV had a year ago. I think he's going to be a, a go to guy for them offensively. I think he's going to stir the drink on the power play that it's all going to fall into place eventually. These things tend to with players of that talent and I think he is a truly sort of premium upper echelon talent here. I think the, the just the poise on the puck, the skill that we've seen on the puck. It's, it's pretty clear that he's, he's going to be a Dyn player in the league and I think that's going to start right away.
- [06:50]
Max Bultman
Now Mavi Mitchkov also did not win the Calder last year despite having to your point like he kind of hit all those benchmarks that you look to see from a guy to be in that conversation. It was a really good field last year. But if there is a challenger A clear challenger. Ivan Demidov, Corey. It's a guy who's a little bit in the lane Hudson mold. He's a little bit bigger, maybe a little bit more of a natural defender. But in Z Boyam there is the dynamic potential for a guy who could make a serious run at that just like Hudson did.
- [07:17]
Scott Wheeler
And in terms of opportunity, I think there's no doubt at least to start the year that Zeve Boyhum is going to run the first power play unit in Minnesota. His camp was just okay to date, although he was very good last night, you know, in his most recent preseason game. And I think he has that high end skill, the high end hockey sense to put up significant points even as a rookie in the NHL. I think the big question with him will be whether he holds up at even strength, whether he, they can trust him to be reliable and you know, play, you know, basically, you know, play every game and you know, does the coach at some point default to Jared Spurgeon or Brock favor, but presuming they don't, then I think he's going to have a very good year. He's going to put up a lot of points and I think he absolutely has a chance to, to be in a conversation and quite frankly I think he's, he doesn't have the same level as offense as Demidov. So I, it'd be hard for me to sit here and say I think he's going to have more offense over the course of his career than Demidov. But again all comes down to opportunity. If Demidov entrenches himself right away in Montreal as the first power play flank guy, then I think he's probably the favorite. If he doesn't, it might even be bomb to be quite honest.
- [08:29]
Corey Pronman
And I think the X factor with, with Boham isn't, is less the power play. I, I think they, they, they, they kind of see that there's a natural sort of role for him there and that he can overtake that power play from Brock and that it allows Brock to play harder those sort of really hard minutes. I think the other, the, the big thing for Bo for me is just going to be can he play enough at, at 5 on 5 like you have to be a go to guy and it looks like they might well start him on a pairing with Brock Faber. Like that might be the pairing to start the year. Whether he can stick in a true, true sort of number two, number three, number four kind of usage on that team at five on five I think will be the determining factor for him because he's going to get his cookies at 5 at on the power play. But at 5 on 5, can he defend? Can he be counted upon for 82 games at the NHL level right away to play big minutes? I think that's going to be the barometer for him. That's going to be the test for. For Z.
- [09:30]
Scott Wheeler
Well, I think to start, they don't really have many options. I mean, you look at that depth chart right now, like, he has to play on that team. When Jonas Brodin comes back, presuming they have full health, that might be a different question. But I feel like they're just gonna let him seeker swim right now.
- [09:44]
Max Bultman
But there is a little difference in, like, their ability to turn him loose compared to, like, what Montreal had last year. And maybe it's different in Montreal for Demidov this year where there is these expectations, there's real stakes for Minnesota to make the playoffs this year. Whereas I think Montreal last year could just say, hey, let's see what happens.
- [10:00]
Scott Wheeler
Yeah, I completely agree. And obviously we're recording this right after Minnesota just handed out that completely preposterous contract. Capers off. I mean, good God. But that's a whole other issue. But. But you're right that they need to make the playoffs or at least be competitive to make the playoffs this season.
- [10:20]
Max Bultman
All right, so if those are our top two, I think we would all say that, like, there is still a very real chance someone other than those two wins this trophy. That's just the history of the award. So we're going to get into some dark horses right after this break.
- [10:34]
BetterHelp Advertiser
Today's episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. World Mental Health Day is coming up October 10th. And this year, better help is shining the spotlight on therapists, people who truly make the world a better place. BetterHelp therapists have helped over 5 million people worldwide on their mental health journeys. That's millions of stories, millions of journeys. And behind everyone is a therapist who showed up, listened, and helped someone take a step forward. Moments in therapy, like the right question, a safe space to cry, or a small win can change lives. This World mental health day, BetterHelp is honoring those connections and the therapists who make them possible, while showing how easy it is to get guidance from a licensed therapist online with BetterHelp. If something is keeping you up at night, talking to someone can help. And we want to help people realize that the right therapist can change everything. BetterHelp therapists work according to a strict code of conduct and are fully licensed in the US This World Mental Health Day. We're celebrating the therapists who've helped millions of people take a step forward. If you're ready to find the right therapist for you, BetterHelp can help you start that journey. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com TheAthletichockey that's betterhelp.com TheAthLetichockey.
- [12:04]
Robert Mays
Hi, this is Robert Mays from the Athletic the new Peloton Cross Training Tread plus is built to take your training to the next level. I've had a peloton for the past five years. It has completely changed the way that I work out. It's completely retrained my relationship to exercise. It's in our basement. I use it virtually every single day. I'm a huge fan of the platform. I'm a huge fan of the library of classes that are offered. I cannot recommend the program enough. If you're looking for a way to change your workout routine and really lock in to improving yourself physically. Powered by Peloton iq, it plans your workouts, tracks your progress, corrects your your form, and gives you real time coaching so you can push harder and see real results. And with a swivel screen, you can go from running to strength training with one smooth spin. Keeping your routine balanced and your body ready for anything. Let yourself run, lift, flex, push and go. Explore the new peloton cross training tread plus@1peloton.com.
- [13:02]
Grainger/Other Advertisers
If you're a custodial supervisor at a local high school, you know that cleanliness is key and that the best place to get cleaning supplies is from Grainger. Grainger helps you stay fully stocked on the products you trust, from paper towels and disinfectants to floor scrubbers. Plus, you can rely on Grainger for easy reordering so you never run out.
- [13:21]
Corey Pronman
Of what you need.
- [13:22]
Grainger/Other Advertisers
Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.
- [13:35]
Max Bultman
All right, we're back and we talked about the top two guys in the first segment, Ivan Demidov and Z. Bouilliam. But besides Booam, there are also some more defensemen in this group who you know for an award that it was pretty tough for a defenseman to win for a while there. Voters seem very willing to to honor the defenseman here and Chicago. Corey arguably has two real candidates for this award.
- [13:55]
Scott Wheeler
Yeah, I mean it was only a couple years ago we were talking about the more cider Hype train, as I'm sure Max Vividly recalls how he was going to win a bunch of Norris trophies and, and, and whatnot in, in the coming years. But I think in Chicago it's probably the most interesting situation where it looks like Sam Renzel is going to start running the first power play unit. A power play is going to have a lot of very young players, a lot of skill on it, but I wouldn't say he's a guarantee to do that either. Like I, I think everyone here probably could foresee a scenario where either he falters a little bit or has a really nice start to the year and they kind of experiment a little bit between those two players and you know, they are both very skilled players. I'd argue a little bit more skill, although Renzel is a little bit more seasoned, so we'll see how that shakes out. But I think either of those guys, if they're the one making the 10 foot pass to the left to Connor Bedard all season, they will have a lot of opportunity to get their points.
- [14:58]
Corey Pronman
Based off of what we, we saw last spring too, the excitement around Renzel seemed to reach this sort of fever pitch. He just jumped in and was so good right away. He was playing 24, 25 minutes a night. Like significant, significant minutes. He was running their first power play right away. He was making impact and I think that gives Renzel the head up to start the year because he's shown them that he can do it. They seem to view him as Vlasic's natural partner, which means that he's bas first pairing to. He's playing first pairing minutes again. So we'll see how it all shakes out. But that to Corey's point about Z boyam where they don't really have a choice, they don't really have a choice in Chicago either. Connor Murphy has is dealing, seems to be dealing with constant groin issues and it's kind of anybody's job to play with Vlasic and to run PP1. And it seems like it's going to be Renzel's over Arties to start. I can see why. Frankly, I think Arty still has a lot of learning to do. The talent is there. The upside is there. We're all big believers in Arty here, but it's, it's going to be hectic. I think not just this season but for the next couple of years for, for Arty as he figures it out. He's going to make a lot of mistakes early on in his career. That's just the style of game that he plays. He doesn't always think it all that well and it's just going to take reps and practice and, and games to figure that out before he's off and running. And for now, Renzel looks like if he looks like he did last year, if he's playing 24, 25 minutes a night, I see no reason why with if he's PP1, whether he's the sexy name or not, I see no reason why he can't be in the conversation here and have the kind of season that Moritz Cider had or that, that Owen Power had or that Luke Hughes had, where he puts up 30 to 45 points and is playing big minutes. And by default, if you're doing that, you're in the conversation.
- [16:48]
Max Bultman
I think it's a little tricky though for Chicago because on one hand you want to give Renzel the Runway to surprise, right? To continue to surprise. He's already, I think, outperformed what any of us from when he was drafted and you want to give him the Runway to keep seeing how, just how far he can take it. On the other hand, this is not a team that needs to make the playoffs and this is frankly a team that could give Artem Levshinov the leeway to make those mistakes and have the, the power play, one room to operate.
- [17:12]
Scott Wheeler
And like Brazil, kind of struggled running the power play in his last preseason game. For what it's worth, you know, one really bad turnover led to a goal, etc.
- [17:20]
Corey Pronman
The minuses are going to pile up for both of them in Chicago too. Like regardless of how much they're playing, that team is going to be bad again this year and that will impact voting.
- [17:29]
Max Bultman
How about a forward Corey, in this next tier? Like who would your next forward be?
- [17:34]
Scott Wheeler
I would say from what I've watched in this preseason, there's been only a handful of guys who have really stood out and grabbed me with like some of their high end plays they've made. One would have been Demidov in Montreal, the other would have been Yakimchuk in Ottawa. And then the third one who I think is a legit called or candidate is Jimmy Snugglerod in St. Louis. He's looked excellent throughout this camp process. He look like he's ready to be a top six forward in the NHL. He looks like he's ready to score in the NHL. He can win battles versus men. I think the only minor issue with him has been Pace, but honestly when I've watched him in the camp, I think pace has not been an issue for him at all. I think this is absolutely a guy who's going to step in right away and make an impact for the Blues. And it would not surprise me if he is absolutely in the race from beginning to end to win the Calder Trophy.
- [18:23]
Corey Pronman
Snuggie's another one who last spring, like Renzel was very good in his introduction to the NHL. Not just in the regular season, like Renzel too in the playoffs as well for them. And it looks like he's going to play at right wing. There was sort of one right wing job open in the top six for the Blues and it looks like he's going to not just take that job, but play alongside Robert Thomas who is their first line center there. So the opportunity to play with Thomas, to play on their PP1, they have him on the flank on their PP1. He played the bumper at times over the course of his career, but he's going to play the flank there. It's. He, he looks like he's sort of firmly entrenched in the conversation to me.
- [19:03]
Scott Wheeler
Go to Chicago back for one more second. I know Kevin Korchinski got cut recently, but I actually thought he looked solid when I watched him skating. Definitely stands out. And I still think he's going to be a really useful player. Maybe more of a second pair defenseman, but I think he's going to be good. But I think you look at Chicago's rebuild right now and if, if Renzel is really taking these positive steps where he could be a really quality top four defenseman and you have him, Korchinski, Renzel and Lev Chunov as your top 4D of the future, who you could really foresee just building around for a decade given how young all them are. That's a really, really exciting top four defenseman. You can talk about the periphery guys like Wyatt Kaiser, Nietho Del Maestro and all those guys, but those four core guys, to me like that's a, that's a contending caliber top four. Even if like depending on how high left Shunov goes with, with his projection and, and what he ultimately becomes. But I think like just if Renzel's progress is legitimate and when Korchinski eventually gets there, that blue line's going to be really exciting.
- [20:04]
Max Bultman
Yeah, Vlasic as the shutdown guy really I think helps round that out. And you have, you know, you think Renzel and Levshinov can both be two way types and, and you'll see what, what it looks like ultimately out of Kevin Korchinski. I will. On the forward, you said Jimmy Snuggerood I wondered if you might have said Ryan Leonard. Is there any reason that you went Snuggerood over Leonard?
- [20:24]
Scott Wheeler
Just because I think he's getting more opportunity. You know, Washington's got a little bit deeper of an offensive talent pool there, at least for this year. Obviously when Oveshkin leaves, things are going to change there a lot. But for right now, I think like Leonard's a better player than Snug Rude is. You know, he's definitely a better skater. Like you saw some of the, you know, you see some of the ways he can one way 1v1 guys on, on the rush. Like he's got some very distinct characteristics that make him a better prospect. But in terms of this season, projecting point totals for this season, because ultimately what the call to trophy comes down to is who gets more points, not who is a better player. I think Snugger is going to be in just better situations to score. I would, I would, I would guess worth noting too.
- [21:06]
Corey Pronman
I agree. I think because Snuggerood's playing with Thomas, because he's on PP1, the opportunity in front of him is greater than Ryan Leonard's. But Leonard has played his way up the lineup a little bit here. They started him as a quote unquote, third line guy. That's where he played in the playoffs last year and in the right briefly in the regular season last year when he first arrived as well. But they've now got him playing with Alexei Protas and Pierre Luc Dubois on what is considered their second line. So a strong camp from Leonard has, I think, increased his odds. I still think he's a sort of step behind Snug Rood in a quote unquote Calder Race. But Leonard's. Leonard seems to be trending in the right direction with the Capitals and if he can stick on that second line, that. That's huge for that team.
- [21:49]
Scott Wheeler
He's a great player. So funny anecdote. I hate to bring up everyone's favorite article, the U23 ranking, but you know, we get. I get a lot of criticism on it over, over the course of. When I publish it and, and when he sent it around, probably the most interesting take I heard from an NHL person was so I had like that top group with the forwards there, you know, where it was like Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlson, Matvey Mitchkov, Ivan Demidoff and I think the four, the defenseman there were Schaefer and Luke Hughes. I think that was the top, top group. I might be mistaken, but I think that was. Those are the Names in some order. And Boyen was in there. I had one head scout tell me he thought Ryan Leonard deserved to be in that same tier. He thought he's gonna be like a superstar in this league. And there are. It's. That's a minority opinion. But there are corners of the league who think this guy is just gonna tear up the NHL. Who's gonna. He's gonna be like, you know, he's going to be a good Chuck and we'll see whether that's true or not. But it wouldn't surprise me or people in the league if he has a Calder type of season this year.
- [22:57]
Max Bultman
Has there been an NHL team that has gotten more out of its young players recently than the Washington Capitals? Like, in terms of, like, relative to status? I mean, Leonard obviously very high status guy, but they've been a really good development environment.
- [23:10]
Scott Wheeler
Absolutely. We thought it would have been progressing in the wrong direction. They'd be heading for a full scale rebuild, but. But they've stayed very relevant.
- [23:16]
Corey Pronman
I would say that it's taken. It took McMichael and it has taken. We don't even know what Lapierre will be like. There have been some guys there who, who it's taken some real time with, but protest, I mean, protest changed everything for them.
- [23:30]
Scott Wheeler
I think the second round was, was a great, you know, pick for them. They kind of pick up Rasmus Sandin, who was kind of a throwaway there from, from Toronto, and he. And he becomes something useful for them. Dylan Strom, you know, recovers his career there in Washington. There's been a lot of positives lately for them on the development front.
- [23:58]
Grainger/Other Advertisers
If you're a custodial supervisor at a local high school, you know that cleanliness is key and that the best place to get cleaning supplies is from Grainger. Grainger helps you stay fully stocked on the products you trust, from paper towels and disinfectants to floor scrubbers. Plus, you can rely on Grainger for easy reordering, so you never run out of what you need. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done. We all love our pets, but we love to travel too. And sadly, they can't always come along for the ride. Don't stress. Trusted House Sitters connects you with verified sitters who will stay in your home and care for your pets, all in exchange for a place to stay on their travels. So while you're off exploring, your pets get to stay safe and happy at home, right where they belong. Find a loving in home pet sitter today@trustedhousesitters.com Emoji moment from Mark, who writes, I just want to thank you for making GLP1s affordable. What would have been over $1,000 a month is just $99 a month with Mochi. Money shouldn't be a barrier to healthy weight. Three months in and I have smaller jeans and a bigger wallet. You're the best. Thanks, Mark. I'm Mayra Amit, founder of Mochi Health. To find your mochi moment, visit joinmochi.com Mark is a Mochi member compensated for his story.
- [25:32]
Max Bultman
All right, so if that's our main pool of candidates, I want to go around everybody. Give me a long shot here. Corey, you want to start?
- [25:38]
Scott Wheeler
Yeah. I think the guy that comes to mind for me is a guy who's been really good versus men the last few years and looks on track to potentially be the starting goalie for the San Jose Sharks this fall. And that's Yaroslav Eskarov. Obviously, that team's going to lose a lot of games and he's going to get a lot of goals scored on him, but I think he's going to have success. I think he's going to make a lot of high quality saves. I think he has the potential to steal games even at the NHL level. He's one of the most athletic and dynamic goalies I can remember, and I don't think he reaches this level of talent, but he. It's just almost kind of interesting that when we see Marc Andre Fleury leaving the league, the guy who, quite frankly most resembles to me, Mark Andre Fleury as a prospect is coming in with the. With the. Just the tremendous athleticism Escarov has. And it would not surprise me. I think it's a really high bar for a goalie to win the Calder, but it wouldn't surprise me if he has a year that gets him top three, top five votes.
- [26:36]
Max Bultman
Scott, how about you? Who's your long shot?
- [26:39]
Corey Pronman
I'm not even sure he's a long shot, but I think Zane Perez, we talked off the top about how points win the Calder, and I think Zane Parekh, if he sticks in Calgary, and that's the measurement, right, is whether he sticks around, whether he goes to the world juniors, whether he goes back to Saginaw or maybe Saginaw trades him to a Brantford or a team that's contending. And he does a little bit what Brandt Clark did in Brant Clark's rookie season, where Brant Clark stayed in the NHL for the first 30 or 40 games, then played at the World Juniors and then went back to the Barry Colts for the second half. I do think that's a potential outcome for Zane Parek. They've also got him starting, by the looks of it, on PP2 with MacKenzie Weiger holding his spot as the PP1 quarterback there. But Parek is going to start the year there. And we also talked off the top about Lane Hudson taking over for Mike Matheson pretty quickly in Montreal last season. And I think if Zane does stick, it is a matter like it's not, it's not if it's when, right? It's only a matter of time before Mackenzie Weger hands over the reigns on PP1 or they go to a 2D power play on PP1 and Zane Parek is, is truly running that unit. And if he, if that does happen and it happens quickly, then I think Zayn has every opportunity to get into the conversation and stay in the NHL and by result stay in the conversation because he's going to make plays. We talked about the dynamic quality of Ivan Demidov off the top of the show. I think that from a pure skill standpoint, from a pure offense standpoint, that Zayn Parekh is number two in this class of rookies to Ivan Demidov. And if he sticks around for all 82, I think Zane has a real chance to put up the points that, that he needs. And then if he's playing a regular shift at 5 on 5 and holding his own at 5 on 5, he'll be in the mix.
- [28:26]
Scott Wheeler
There's a decent chance he's going back to junior though. Like at least mid season. Like I think that's been the release I've got is like I think it's going to. We'll see how it starts. But there between him and Hudson is he's 19 as opposed to Hudson being 20 last year and no longer world junior eligible. So I think that's the minor difference here in that situation.
- [28:46]
Max Bultman
We've talked about how points win the Calder. I do think there is a little bit more movement though in general towards some of the underlying numbers and the importance of them and there's no better environment to put up great underlying numbers than in Carolina and Alexander Nikishan is going to be probably in a significant role there for a good team. It's not the biggest market, but I do think as people kind of get to know his game, he may not have kind of the power play one and all that stuff that, that A Brock Faber had. But if he is like a really impactful two way force, you know, he's one of these older players, you don't know exactly how voters are going to react to that. I, I think I would put him closer to the tier above than even a long shot. But the points will be his biggest limiting factor.
- [29:26]
Corey Pronman
Yeah, with, with Gostis Bear running the first power play there, I think that's the barrier more than anything for Nikitian. They have Gostas Bear on that team for one reason and one reason only. And it seemed a lot like with, with Tony. I'm sure we'll get to Schaefer, but a lot like with Tony d' Angelo on Long island. As great as Schaefer is and Maybe that becomes a 2dpp if Schaefer excels there and sticks around, I just don't think that that is in the cards for Nikishin out of the gate or even at the midway point in the way that it would be for a player like a Zane Parek. So it, it might be hard but to your point, if he's rocking guys and playing physically and cranking eight to 10 goals from the point with that shot of his and he's. He's got the underlying numbers in Carolina, I think you're right that even, even with P maybe Nikishan becomes. Becomes relevant, it'd be really tough.
- [30:18]
Scott Wheeler
Like I almost think like Charlie McAvoy's rookie year, how just how good he was. But if you don't have the offense, they're not going to give you the votes. You know, a couple of guys that come to mind in terms of offense will be whoever's riding shotgun there at Edmonton. I don't really love Isaac Howard or Matt Savoy as pro prospects, but if either of them gets to play next to McDavid early on, dry Seidel, I can't imagine either the first power play. But with Hyman out, you never know. You know, those are definitely guys who are going to have opportunities to score a lot this season.
- [30:48]
Corey Pronman
Savoy's played better there through rookie tournament and into the preseason too. So I'd give, I'd give Savoy the leg up on Howard to start the year. I think if you want to go.
- [30:57]
Scott Wheeler
Like extremely off the radar here, guys you'd probably expect me to name here. There's been one player in Colorado who's had a really nice camp and I think it's going to be a bottom six center for them right away and that is our old friend from Nordo, Juniors, Zhakar Bardikov. I think he's going to be the third or fourth line center there in Colorado to start. He's going to. The offense isn't going to be significant there, but I think he's a guy slate have a very important role for them as a rookie right out of the gates.
- [31:25]
Max Bultman
We're about 25 minutes into this show and Jakar Bartikov has gotten more airtime in a Calder discussion than the reigning number one overall pick, Matthew Schaefer. That is interesting to me.
- [31:35]
Scott Wheeler
Well, because Schaefer's 18. Like it's just so hard like for an 18 year old defenseman to.
- [31:39]
Corey Pronman
And barely.
- [31:41]
Scott Wheeler
Yeah, like we all love Schaefer, like everyone on this podcast, we all love Schaefer. We think he's a fantastic pro prospect and I think he's gonna, I think he deserves to stay up. I don't think he should go with the junior. I think he's gonna play all year. He's gonna be a good player. But you think of like almost like Rasmus Darling's first year. He and Darling's way more like offensively minded than Schaefer is just, you know, higher skill level. Like that's just gonna be a really tough bar for an 8 year old defenseman to step into the league and put up the 50, 60 points he's going to need to do to be in this conversation legitimately.
- [32:18]
Max Bultman
Any other names that anyone wants to throw out so that we, you know, insulate ourselves from a fan base saying we didn't even mention, for example, Michael Misa in our Calder preview episode. Any other names that we want on the record? We said it was possible. We said it was possible. Possible.
- [32:32]
Corey Pronman
Evgeny Malkin isn't the Evgeny Malkin of old, but Villi Koivonen played really well for the Penguins in the spring and I know the Penguins and their fans are high on him and it looks like he's going to start on the second line with, with Malkin.
- [32:45]
Max Bultman
I liked him. The Penguins were in Detroit for a preseason game a couple nights ago and he stood out for me. So I like that call.
- [32:50]
Scott Wheeler
Scott, you gotta at least mention Michael Misa. I don't think he's gonna be good enough. Same arguments like with, with Schaefer as 18 and I don't know if he's gonna be the go to guy right there out of the gate, but you gotta at least mention him. I'm a little surprised by how good Jesper Walset has been in camp given how disastrous his year was last year. But looks like he's slated to start the year in Minnesota and be it, you know, gonna, he's gonna get games and if you're a goal and you're getting games, he has, you have a chance to make an impact. A lot of not a lot of rookie goalies in the NHL in a given year, especially one with that level of talent. So I think you at least got to give him a mention.
- [33:30]
Max Bultman
All right, well, that is going to.
- [33:31]
Scott Wheeler
Do it for us.
- [33:32]
Max Bultman
Thanks for listening to this episode of the Athletic Hockey Show Prospects series. We'll talk to you soon.
- [33:52]
Grainger/Other Advertisers
Hey, this is Paige from Giggly Squad. If you haven't checked out Banana Republic's new fall pieces, then you're really missing out. Obviously, they're known for heritage and their high quality wool sweaters. They have archive inspired jackets from premium leather and shearling lined suede. They have the best clothes, especially for the fall because that's the time where you want to layer things, make it more yourself. I love adding a leather jacket to an outfit that just like, like doesn't look like you're gonna put on a leather jacket, but they also have classic pieces that you absolutely need. Just like basic long sleeves and T shirts. Explore the fall edit from banana republic@bananarepublic.com if you're a custodial supervisor at a local high school, you know that cleanliness is key and that the best place to get cleaning supplies is from Grainger. Grainger helps you stay fully stocked on the products you trust from from paper towels and disinfectants to floor scrubbers. Plus, you can rely on Grainger for easy reordering so you never run out of what you need. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.
- [35:00]
Babbel Advertiser
Par le tu francais, hablas espanol par le Italiano. If you've used Babbel, you would Babbel's conversation based technique teaches you useful words and phrases to get you speaking quickly about the things you actually talk about in the real world. With lessons handcrafted by over 200 language experts and voiced by real native speakers, Babbel is like having a private tutor in your pocket. Start speaking with Babbel today. Get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription right now at babbel.com acast spelled B A B B E L.com acast rules and restrictions may apply.