Prospect Mailbag - December Edition

[Crazy Joe Davola]

Hey hey!

Back again for another round of questions for this month's fantasy prospect mailbag. Feel free to fire away with any and all prospect related questions and I'll do my best to answer them.

Ready. Set. Question!

[lucafen4]

One that's intriguing me quite a bit is Mangiapane. Seems to have adjusted to the AHL smoothly... who can we compare him to and how does he project in the NHL. In my mind I keep thinking PA Paranteau & C. Brown type ??

[Crazy Joe Davola]

One that's intriguing me quite a bit is Mangiapane. Seems to have adjusted to the AHL smoothly... who can we compare him to and how does he project in the NHL. In my mind I keep thinking PA Paranteau & C. Brown type ??

You're definitely getting your question answered this month!

We need more, people. Let's hear those questions!

[Eskimo Brother]

Would love to hear your thoughts on the goalies in the Hurricanes system. Mainly looking at Nedeljkovic and Helvig. Thanks!

[Jouko-Pouko]

Which 'D' prospect do you like more, Casey Fitzgerald or David Quenneville? And could you please share your thoughts about both those prospects because there's not much information available about them.

[Sherpa]

What are your thoughts on arrival times for:
Tufte
Juulson
J Roy
Nedeljkovic

Thanks for this!

[Tfan5211]

Who are your players to watch in this year's U20 world jr.'s? With regards to future in the NHL fantasy wise. (Points only)

[Crazy Joe Davola]

Now we're cookin'! Great Q's thus far, team.

[Yonald]

What upside do you think Guentzel has?

I grabbed him off waivers earlier this year and have been following him. He's put up good AHL stats as well

[Crazy Joe Davola]

I answered a question on Guentzel last month.. so he might not make it into this column.

Question: “What's your thoughts on Jake Guentzel and what do you see for upside with him?”

Answer: I’m quite high on Guentzel. While he doesn’t possess the most intimidating stature, he has shown an ability to not only survive in transitioning to higher leagues, but thrive.
One season in the USHL netted him Rookie of Year honours; in his first NCAA campaign as an 18/19-year-old, The Minnesota native produced close to a point-per-game (34 in 37) while weighing just 150lbs. Last season he got his feet wet in the AHL – a league typically known for stifling young offensive players, yet Guentzel was terrific producing 14 points in 10 playoff games and 20 points in 21 combined regular season and playoff contests overall.
And course, in his first NHL contest earlier this week, he scored a goal on his first shift, on his first shot on net and two goals in the first period. Not too shabby.
Guentzel is lightning quick, possesses tantalizing hands and has shown to be equally adept at setting up his teammates or scoring himself. His issue will be finding a home within a healthy Pittsburgh top six soon as there are many players in front of him already. That said, the cream always rises and as he continues to produce at a point-per-game clip in the AHL, working on his defensive positioning and hopefully adding some bulk to his slight frame, his time will come.
He will likely bounce back and forth with the Pens and baby Pens all season and I expect him to be an impact performer as early as 2017-18; especially if he can harness that early chemistry with Evgeni Malkin."


I'm very high on Guentzel and think he will be a locked in top six forward with the Pens starting next year. Big potential.

[lucafen4]

Who are your players to watch in this year's U20 world jr.'s? With regards to future in the NHL fantasy wise. (Points only)

a sort of piggy back on this one... Korshkov, #31 in this years draft by the Leafs... many thought this was 20 picks earlier than expected for him (late 2nd). He's floating .514 pt/gm at 20 in the KHL for Lokamotiv. He's a tall lanky kid...

a. when will he arrive in north america
b. how does he project moving forward (NHL time frame, player comparison/ceiling projection)

[Potatoeman]

Thoughts on Kirill Kaprizov : what kind of upside does he have and how good are the odds he gets there with the Wild?

[Happy Hour]

Been keeping an eye on Alex Debrincat and Madison Bowey for the last while. Thoughts on their NHL ETA and current NHL players they would be similar to from an offensive standpoint.

[plug]

Not sure if these guys are young enough but what the hay...

Who do you like better in a keeper
Larkin vs Konecny?

I think this is a decision I'll have to make going into next year.

[STONE.]

College guys are often the toughest to gauge -- how's Colin White been? His #s aren't amazing, but he has picked it up.