Schenn kaupasta muiden kanssa samoilla linjoilla. Itsehän olen jo pidempään ollut miehen laukkuja pakkaamassa, joten ei jää ikävä. Oli ihan monikäyttöinen yleishöylä, muttei kuitenkaan todellinen core-palanen. Lisäksi Schennerin kokonaisvaltainen pelikäsitys ei vain ole sitä, mitä haluaisin sen kärkijätkien osalta olevan, joka taas näkyi mm. puutteellisena reagoimisena ja tilanteiden tunnistamisena. Teki vain liikaa vääriä ratkaisuja pelin sisällä. Kun vielä kaverin markkina-arvo oli vahvan kauden ja YV-osumien myötä tapissaan, niin tarjoitui hyvä hetki irtautua. No hard feelings, mutta kuitenkin. Oikea liike kun hintakin oli kohdillaan.
Lehterän kohdalla tuntuisi, ettei liike vain riitä pelin evoluution mukana, mutta pidän siitä, että pelaaja saa toisen mahdollisuuden, eiköhän Jori nyt pari kautta mene joukon jatkona. Vallen kanssa voisivat vaikkapa muodostaa toimivan Suomi-duon, joka piristäisi hetkellisesti molempien laskusuuntaisia uria. Monien tulokassopimusten myötä Jorin cappikin mahtuu kuvioihin mukaan ilman hampaiden kiristelyä. Hirveän suuria odotuksia ei nyt ole, mutta katsellaan.
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Morgan Frost on puolestaan pelaaja, jonka varaamisesta olen iloinen ja varsinkin siis rohkeudesta tähän, ei ollut mikään konsensusnimi ensimmäisen lopulle. En nyt järisyttävän paljon Saultin pelejä kauden aikana nähnyt, mutta aina kun näin, Frost erottui kunnolla edukseen. Saatoin toki nähdä tältä juuri sopivasti ne kauden parhaat matsit, mutta yhtä kaikki pidin näkemästäkin. Hieman ihmettelin kun ei löytynyt moneltakaan listalta sen korkeammalta, osalla oli povattu vasta kolmannen kierroksen varauseksi, kun itselleni oli selvä ensimmäisen loppu/toisen alku tapaus, mutta näinhän ne mielipiteet eroavat.
Onhan tällä selviä puutteita fysiikassa/voimassa kun habitus on enemmän yläasteen liikuntatunnilta kuin ammattikaukaloista eli ainakin se pari kautta menee ennen kuin voi ruveta NHL:ään nousua miettimään, mutta onhan pojassa samalla sitä puhdasta talenttia, joka istuu somasti nykypäivän NHL:ään eli paljon peliälyä, taitoa ja nopeutta, joista ei voi olla pitämättä. Uskon, että kauden-parin päästä ei enää ihmetellä miksi Flyers varasi pojan jo ensimmäisen lopulla. Saa ottaa talteen. Oli tammikuisen CHL Top-prospect ottelun taitokilpailun nopein kaveri 30 metrin matkalla paikaltaan lähdettäessä, niin kiekon kanssa kuin ilman, mikä kertoo juurikin siitä räjähtävyydestä, millä etenkin pienessä kaukalossa tehdään tulosta.
Tässä taas muiden mietteitä:
McKeen’s Hockey (41st overall):
”A smart and skilled playmaker, Frost was quietly effective for Sault Ste. Marie in a twoway capacity this year. Although undersized and not very aggressive, he has the skating acumen to play an elusive game. A high-end scorer in the minor midget ranks, the Barrie, Ontario native made great strides in his offensive game in his sophomore campaign for the Greyhounds.
Watching him in action, it may sometimes seem that the puck is always on his stick, and he has been called a puck hog in the past. That said, his hands are very fast, and the puck is safer on his stick than it is with most of his peers. He is also prone to attempting the fancier play instead of something simpler and less inherently risky. While he has a decent wrist shot, he definitely prefers to create plays for his teammates to convert from and he is also more effective that way.
His skating is a bit of a mixed bag. He has a change of pace that he can use to avoid a defender, something helped by his strong edges, but he does not always use it in a timely fashion, a trait which has occasionally hurt him during zone exits, as he can take his time getting out of the neutral zone. His effectiveness as a penalty killer should help NHL teams see that he is not an offense-only, top-six or bust prospect. While he lacks the size and physicality many teams still prefer in a bottom six role, his hockey IQ is enough to allow him to contribute there. He may come off the board as high as the middle of the second round.”
Future Considerations (55th overall):
”Frost is extremely gifted, and possesses a high hockey IQ. He is a better playmaker than a goal-scorer but can do both. He makes difficult passes look extremely simple, is very gifted with the puck on his stick, and has the ability to pick corners and bury the puck with ease. He is agile on his skates and possesses excellent edgework, enabling him to cut in and out of defenders quickly to create and finish plays. His superior vision serves him well as he dishes the puck, combined with his slick hands, it can be a deadly blend. He has an incredibly accurate stick that he uses to poke the puck off of opponents sticks, dig out of piles of players, and picks off passes. Part of his turnover ability comes from speedy skating and solid positioning. He never stops skating, allowing him to generate speed quickly and get to where the puck is going to be or where the play is beginning to develop. He also has improved his skating ability over the course of the season, and has turned into a true threat every time he steps out on the ice. Smart and tenacious are the two best ways to describe Frost’s game. Defensively, he has sound positioning and is rarely static on the ice. Frost has great potential as a small but very skilled player.”
ISS Hockey (72nd overall):
”Smart, skilled forward who can play a 200-foot game. What he lacks in size he makes up in hockey sense and competitiveness. With some more development, he can become a valuable role player who can contribute to both offense and defense.”
Hockey Prospects (61st overall):
”Morgan was selected in the fourth round of the 2015 OHL Draft by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He made the Greyhounds out of camp as a 16 year old and contributed very well, playing a bottom six role. He returned for his second season and did a great job doubling his numbers from last year, while playing a much more critical role for the Greyhounds in all game situations.
Morgan is a little on the small side, but his quick decision making helps him create chances for his team offensively. Morgan has good hockey sense and he reads plays quickly in all three zones and reacts accordingly. He has good passing ability which allows him to create offense for his linemates. His shot isn't overly powerful but it is pretty accurate and he is dangerous when in alone going to the net. He also has good positional awareness. Defensively, Frost works equally as hard and uses his hockey sense to put himself in good positioning. He's not a tough physical type of player but he has a good stick in the defensive zone to intercept passes and put pressure on the puck carrier.
Morgan has a wide range in his potential. He has smarts and skill. He will at the very least become a very successful player in the junior ranks. With increased development, both on ice and physically, Frost could become a solid player at the NHL level in complimentary forward role.”
