Kent Hughes caused a stir last week in Buffalo during the NHL Prospects Evaluation Camp by comparing American Ryan Leonard’s style of play to that of the Tkachuk brothers.
It was enough for some to already draw conclusions about the fifth-ranked choice of the Canadian and for fans to start dreaming about this Leonard.
The name Tkachuk is obviously evocative in Montreal. Not only is the eldest, Matthew, one of the hottest players in the National Hockey League this spring with the Florida Panthers, but many still regret Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s choice of third overall in 2018 ahead of Brady, 83 points in 82 regular season games with the Senators, and dog to spare.
It doesn’t matter if defenseman Quinn Hughes, drafted seventh overall by the Vancouver Canucks, has as much, if not more, value – didn’t he get 76 points in 78 games this season – or that the people initially wanted Filip Zadina in third place, the name Tkachuk resonates very strongly in Montreal.
However, do not believe that general manager Kent Hughes prioritizes transparency towards his public of his strategy in anticipation of the draft. The GM of the Canadian knew very well by associating Leonard with Tkachuk that he was going to light a fire. But it would be surprising if he offered his rivals such clear clues in this way.
Ryan Leonard is not a bad player, however. The 5-foot-11, 193-pound right-handed winger had 94 points, including 51 goals, in 57 games in the American development program, forming a line with Will Smith and Gabriel Perreault.
On the other hand, his production decreased in games in the USHL, the American junior circuit, with 20 points, including 11 goals, in 17 games, an average of 1.17 points per game, compared to 1.65 points overall.
The American development program faces seasoned teams from the NCAA when it does not play against teams from the USHL, but also several third division clubs and young international teams that it pulverizes almost every time.
His center Will Smith kept the same pace in all circumstances: 127 points, including 51 goals, in 60 games, including those of the USHL, and 42 points, including 15 goals, in 20 USHL games, for a average of 2.11 points versus 2.10 points.
The third member of this trio, Gabriel Perreault, son of former Canadiens hockey player Yanic, also exploded this winter: 45 points, including 19 goals, in 23 USHL games and 132 points, including 53 goals, in 63 games overall .
Despite extraordinary offensive instincts, opinions are divided on Perreault due to his poor skating. But we have already seen poor skaters improve or even overcome this weakness with good positioning and regular production.
At the World Under-18 Championship recently, Smith had 20 points, including 9 goals, in seven games, Perreault 18 points and Leonard 17 points, 8 goals, including three winners.
Kent Hughes isn’t lying when he talks about the boldness of Ryan Leonard. The young man is a born competitor and does not back down from any opponent, while possessing good scoring qualities.
But like many young players, he needs to improve his balance on skates, even if many recognize his physical strength. At 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds, some also wonder if he can be as effective as a power forward at the highest level, but several players with such a size have done it before him.
Leonard also had a tendency within his line to be towed by the other two, especially Smith, and to let his partners dictate the game. He will have to break this dynamic since he should play with these two again at Boston College next year.
Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli and Leo Carlsson will likely be the first three players drafted in a few weeks. The choice of San Jose at the fourth place will be decisive.
Two players among Will Smith, Austrian right-handed defender David Reinbacher and Russian striker Matvei Michkov will be available in the fifth tier. It would be surprising if Michkov were chosen because of contractual fears with the KHL and the young man’s somewhat too individualistic character, despite his incredible talent. It could play out between the first two…unless there’s a surprise of course!
After Pierre-Luc Dubois, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has expressed his intention to test the free agent market in a year, theathletic.com site revealed this weekend.
Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will have a defining summer. Three of its headliners, Dubois, Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele, who also have only one year left on their contract before obtaining full autonomy, would like to leave Winnipeg.
Fallen captain Blake Wheeler, 36, is in the same situation, but he’s started his decline and he won’t fetch as much as the others.
Cheveldayoff will have to decide whether to rebuild by amassing the prospects and draft picks for his three stars or, like Brad Treliving in Calgary, whether to acquire experienced players back from that quartet to keep the ship afloat.