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About This Page: This is a discussion on LA Kings Talk within the LetsGoKings.com forums, at Los Angeles Kings Hockey Fan Forum. Originally Posted by ryan
Joey Ryan is a defensive defenseman so you can't look at his offensive numbers to determine whether to drop him off the list or not.
Joey Ryan is a defensive defenseman so you can't look at his offensive numbers to determine whether to drop him off the list or not. He's an aggressive and tenacious defender willing to stand up for his teammates and drop the gloves -- traits that don't really show up in the stat columns outside of PIM.
My fault. I didn't word that as well as I should have. He wasn't getting too much playing time in Quebec because of the number of over-aged defensemen they had on the team. He gets traded to a better team, Gatineau, and his +/- gets worse. As crappy as that statistic can be at times, that's the "numbers" I was referring to. And that's probably unfair, since I'm stuck here in LA and unable to watch many QMJHL games. I seem to recall the evaluations of him as having to work on his skating so, if you've watched him play, does that still seem to be a concern? Don't remember him being signed to an entry-level contract, so will be curious to see if he's in Manchester next season.
admittedly, I know nothing about Anderson? Where is he playing?
Niclas Andersen is a defensive defenseman playing over in Sweden with Brynäs. You can see his stats by going here.
He was also part of an article featured on NHL.com talking about some promising Swedish prospects still playing overseas.
Quote:
Another junior-aged Brynäs player, defenseman Niclas Andersén, also has come along nicely for the team this season. A fourth-round pick (114th overall) by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2006 draft, Andersén has moved up this season from the Allsvenskan level.
Andersén, 19, had three assists and a plus-12 rating last season for the Leksand Stars. So far this year, he’s held his own at the Elitserien level, with three assists and a plus-2 rating in 11 games for Brynäs. The defensive-minded Andersén will never be measured by the points he points up. The 6-foot, 210-pounder’s NHL candidacy ultimately will be determined by his play in his own end of the ice. He possesses above-average mobility, and just as importantly, will take or dish out a body check. s a result of his aggressive, physical play, Andersén racked up 217 penalty minutes in 36 J20 games for Leksand during the 2005-06 season (once again, keep in mind that referees in Swedish hockey, especially at the junior level, often penalize plays that would not result in calls in North American games).
Andersén’s style of play has been compared to that of Dallas Stars defenseman Mattias Norstrom at the same age. Andersén is considered the superior skater, but Norström emerged as a potential NHL shut-down defenseman at an even younger age.
That's definitely Ryan's game but the guy was a routine scratch in Quebec before being traded to Gatineau. He has been scratched a few times in Gatineau but he seems to have found his role on the team.
From the outside looking in, it seems like this season has been a step back for the 20 year old.
Right. I was just trying to point out that offensive numbers (which is what it sounded like he was trying to use to gauge whether he was a good prospect or not) wouldn't be a good barometer for defensive defensemen. He clarified his statement later, but at the time that was the impression I was getting.
Here's my ranking based on what I've seen in the past and what little I know. Note, with Johnson playing basically a full season now, I've removed him from the list; my list is based on upside and likeliness to make an impact in the NHL:
1. Jonathan Bernier (upside + apparent likeliness to make an impact are both near the top)
2. Teddy Purcell (Showed he was a good 2nd liner)
3. Brian Boyle (Impressed with his showings, highest upside of all)
4. Thomas Hickey (Amazing poise for an 18 year-old, shows very good skating fundamentals and puck control)
5. Oscar Moller (Honestly, I have worries he'll bust, but he does have the skills and creativity)
6. Jeff Zatkoff (He'll either be a good back up or an average starter one day, IMO... though he is blessed with a strong defensive team)
7. Wayne Simmonds (High upside, but not likely to reach it unless he continues to bulk up. I hope he continues his developmental path)
8. Joe Piskula (He looked like a young Aaron Miller when he played here. Not a huge impact, but a steady player)
9. Peter Harrold (I like him; he's competitive, and is second to Hickey in terms of puck control at full speed)
10. Jonathan Quick (Good, just not as good as Bernier or Zatkoff, IMO)
11. Patrick Hersley (Has good upside, but nothing in my viewings of him gives me the impression he'll make an impact).
12. Trevor Lewis (The Madden comparison seems rather lofty at the moment, but he still has a chance)
13. David Meckler (I know it seems like forever ago, but he had the most deceptive shot of all the prospects in the last camp. Even better than O'Sullivan's)
14. Drew Bagnall (I feel uncomfortable ranking him since I've not seen him, but based on what I've heard, he could be a diamond in the rough).
15. Lauri Tukonen (I always hope I get proved wrong with rankings like this, but even if he never gets injured again, the amount of injuries he's had just makes me worry he missed too much time).
16. Matt Moulson (I like his play, but ultimately, I don't think he'd be more than a 3rd/4th liner on a good team. Should be an NHL regular though, which is a plus for him).
17. Joe Ryan (Hoping he's unleashed as he continues his development in the AHL, since he loves the physical play and I've not had much of a chance to see it).
18. Josh Turnbull (I like this guy, though not too many seem to agree. He has amazing speed; at the risk of inducing some people vomiting, he could be like Craig Johnson)
19. Bud Holloway (I know this will bring a lot of WTF remarks, considering how many points he has... I just don't think it'll translate to anything meaningful in the NHL).
20. Alec Martinez (Like Simmonds, he needs to bulk up. Unlike Simmonds, he doesn't have the highest upside, but he still could be an NHL regular someday).
Good overall assessment. I agree with you in regards to most of it, but actually have the exact opposite opinion on Oscar Moller. I think he is going to turn out to be better than expected. I'd probably move Trevor Lewis up a couple ranks and really don't know what to think of Tukonen at this point. As good as Purcell and especially Boyle have been this season, I think Hickey still warrants the #2 spot mainly due to overall potential.
this thread has the potetntial to be quite the painful read
I can see why you're saying that with the Kings ranked 5th and the Ducks ranked 21st. I really don't feel sorry for you. On top of that the gene pool is going to get much deeper with this up coming draft.
Rob2716
