NCAA Championship Tonight / Cale Makar

[TheGriceBoys]

UMass vs Minnesota Duluth tonight for the whole burrito.

I believe it is UMass' first trip to the title game which surprised me as that region seems to be a hockey hotbed? Almost every year it seems like you count on either the Denver Pioneers, ND Sioux, BC/BU, or a Minnesota college team winning the NCAA Championship or being in the title game?

As far as individual story lines, the spotlight falls on Avs top prospect Cale Makar who could have himself quite a few days. This kid was the Avs "consolation prize" in 2017 when, ironically, they fell from the best odds of getting the #1 pick, to the 4 slot, the furthest they could fall in the draft order.

Hobey Baker winner last night, potential NCAA National Champ tonight, and then could debut against his hometown Calgary Flames on Monday. Wow!

https://dailycollegian.com/2019/04/cale-makar-claims-2019-hobey-baker-memorial-award/

 

[frankiefives]

Better hope he becomes a heck of a player seeing as the Avs passed on Pettersson at #4

 

[TheGriceBoys]

Better hope he becomes a heck of a player seeing as the Avs passed on Pettersson at #4

The Hobey Baker wasn't always a good barometer of talent, though, neither was the #1 overall pick. (See Alexandre Daigle, etc)

But like the scouting, times have changed and things are a lot closer to the predictor of success with the aforementioned.

Pettersson came in pre-draft ranked top 10 if remember correctly, Makar was top 5? They say take the best player available, both are obviously good players, but comparing a forward to a defenseman is tough. The Avs needs are still on the blueline so I think with his ranking and the need, Makar was the right pick for them, Based solely on his college career, it was a good pick at that. Pettersson has definitely become a guy that has exceeded his expectations, and quickly. Also its a different grading curve for defenseman versus forwards.

That all said, I think the Avs are overall in a much better place than Vancouver currently, but both are continuing to build.

 

[TheGriceBoys]

Better hope he becomes a heck of a player seeing as the Avs passed on Pettersson at #4

It's not everything, but being the first NHL defenseman to score a goal in his NHL debut in the playoffs is something I guess? And he made some silky smooth moves to score it as well.

He looked a little lost out there at times and behind the pace at even strength, but he'll find his way. Stepping in against the #1 seed in the West is no easy task.

 

[Bossy22]

Better hope he becomes a heck of a player seeing as the Avs passed on Pettersson at #4

I remember watching the draft. No one was surprised at Makar but everyone was surprised at Pettersson, he was not only skinny back then but down right scrawny and most people had him as a midround pick. No one (except maybe Vancouver) would of picked him over Makar. On that day they made the better pick, today, who knows!!!

 

[Bossy22]

Better hope he becomes a heck of a player seeing as the Avs passed on Pettersson at #4

I remember watching the draft. No one was surprised at Makar but everyone was surprised at Pettersson, he was not only skinny back then but down right scrawny and most people had him as a midround pick. No one (except maybe Vancouver) would of picked him over Makar. On that day they made the better pick, today, who knows!!!

 

[TheGriceBoys]

How are we all feeling about this topic these days?

 

[TheGriceBoys]

How are we all feeling about this topic these days?

I imagine still crickets after last night? In fact I bet many naysayers decided to stock up on ol’ Cale!

 

[cygnusx1]

Pretty sure he was expected to be great and has been great since he started.

 

[will-411]

There weren't many had him pegged in the top 4 in his draft year... top 10 based on a late season surge... But even then, the level of skill he exhibits is generational for a d-man... I'm don't think many saw his ceiling being as high as it currently looks.

I'd pay money to watch him play now, and take in MacK, Raantanen and Landeskog as a bonus.

Cory

 

[TheGriceBoys]

Pretty sure he was expected to be great and has been great since he started.

Not true according to many pundits around the hobby. Plus, by the logic of “supposed to be great” and being such just because someone says so is silly. And Oleg Tverdovsky is holding on Line 2 for you.

There weren't many had him pegged in the top 4 in his draft year... top 10 based on a late season surge... But even then, the level of skill he exhibits is generational for a d-man... I'm don't think many saw his ceiling being as high as it currently looks.

I'd pay money to watch him play now, and take in MacK, Raantanen and Landeskog as a bonus.

Cory

He’s the reason the Edmonton Oilers actually have a decent puck moving defenseman in Tyson Barrie. The Sakic led brass have done a incredible overhaul and rebuild of the current iteration of the Avs.