595 replies to this topic

[thefiestygoat]

Does merril look better than Trouba?

I'd love to hear someone like Jas0n MacIsaac or any of the other people here that get to follow prospects chime in on this. I've only seen Merrill play a handful of games last year between the WJC and Michigan and just Trouba in the most recent WJC. I don't feel qualified to compare them based on viewings that limited but I'd say both their ceilings are really high with Trouba more likely to get there.

[SMantzas]

I'm telling you guys, Severson looks to be the real deal

[SterioDesign]

I'd love to hear someone like Jas0n MacIsaac or any of the other people here that get to follow prospects chime in on this. I've only seen Merrill play a handful of games last year between the WJC and Michigan and just Trouba in the most recent WJC. I don't feel qualified to compare them based on viewings that limited but I'd say both their ceilings are really high with Trouba more likely to get there.

damn i really don't want minnesota to become "too good" i want to see Zach and Sutter fail miserably... but truth is they'll have a pretty good team in the next few years with all their top prospects coming in... granlund, coyle, trouba, philips, larsson, Brodin... adding to the young core they have parise, koivu, setogochi, cullen...etc

Edited by SterioDesign, 10 January 2013 - 09:32 AM.

[Triumph]

damn i really don't want minnesota to become "too good" i want to see Zach and Sutter fail miserably... but truth is they'll have a pretty good team in the next few years with all their top prospects coming in... granlund, coyle, trouba, philips, larsson, Brodin... adding to the young core they have parise, koivu, setogochi, cullen...etc

trouba was drafted by the winnipeg jets - the wild drafted matthew dumba.

Edited by Triumph, 10 January 2013 - 10:54 AM.

[thefiestygoat]

Thursday 1/10
QMJHL
Blainville-Boisbriand lost to PEI 5-2
Stefan Matteau LW: -1, 5 PIM (Fighting), 4 Shots, 1/2 Faceoffs
Season: 34 GP 18-10-28 +19 70 PIM 15.0 SH% 3.53 SH/GP 44 Hits 50.81 FO%

OHL
Windsor defeated Brampton 3-0
Ben Johnson LW: Goal (PP), E
Season: 40 GP 10-8-18 -11 16 PIM
Half of his points have come from December on: 6-3-9 in 12 games.

Kitchener lost to Peterborough 3-2 (SO)
Ben Thomson LW: -1, 5 PIM (Fighting)
Season: 40 GP 8-8-16 -10 88 PIM

Owen Sound lost to Niagara 3-2 (SO)
Artur Gavrus F: DNP (1st game Saturday)

[SterioDesign]

trouba was drafted by the winnipeg jets - the wild drafted matthew dumba.

godamnit youre right i ALWAYS mix up those 2

[thefiestygoat]

Big Ten Network will have Minnesota (Helgeson) vs Alaska-Anchorage at 9 tonight.

[brickwall30]

I'd love to hear someone like Jas0n MacIsaac or any of the other people here that get to follow prospects chime in on this. I've only seen Merrill play a handful of games last year between the WJC and Michigan and just Trouba in the most recent WJC. I don't feel qualified to compare them based on viewings that limited but I'd say both their ceilings are really high with Trouba more likely to get there.

I have seen a lot of Trouba and Merrill because I have watched ever Michigan game the last 3 years. In my opinion they are both going to end up being solid NHL players, but Merrill is going to be a much better all around defenseman that can anchor a blueline.

Trouba looks to me to be very similar in style to someone like Del Zotto. He can put up some points and every once in a while he makes some good physical plays, but he gets caught out of position to much to be relied upon for big minutes. That could change with coaching and if it does that would make him a good bet for at least a mid pair defenseman or better, but that is a pretty big if.

Merrill, on the other hand, is an absolute wizard with his stick. It seems like he has range like Chara at times because players just can't get around him without him breaking up the play with a good stick check or blocking the shooting lane with perfect positioning. On top of his great stick work, he is also very well suited to QB a powerplay because he makes very good decisions with the puck knowing when to dish it and when to shoot it. He does a very good job of getting shots through to the net as well. On the negative side, he really needs to work on foot speed because on those occasions where he does make a bad decision, he has a hard time getting back in the play in time. He also doesn't use his size as much as he could. I'm not sure of his exact size, but he definitely has more than enough size to warrant some additional physical play, but i'm sure Scotty can work on that one with him. I would say he is almost a lock for mid pairing spot, and if his offensive abilities can translate possibly a top pairing guy. I hate to use another Ranger player as a comparison, but I could see Merrill being similar to Ryan McDonagh.

Overall I would say Trouba has a higher offensive ceiling but with noticable defensive drawbacks while Merrill has the potential to be a big time minutes eater who can produce some good offensive numbers as well.

[ghdi]

Matteau is attending camp according to McKenzie. I gueess thats a good thing and not surprising.

[thefiestygoat]

Friday 1/11
QMJHL
Blainville-Boisbriand lost to Halifax 4-2
Stefan Matteau LW: E, 1 Shot, 0/1 Faceoff

OHL
Sarnia lost to Kitchener 5-1
Reid Boucher LW: -3, 4 PIM (Interference on Goalie x2)
Ben Thomson LW: E, 2 PIM (Cross Checking)

WHL
Swift Current defeated Prince Albert 3-1
Reece Scarlett D: +3
Graham Black C: Goal, Assist, +1* 1st Star
Black breaks a 6 game goal-less drought. Also 1st back to back point games since 12/16-18 and he has tied his goal output from last year (17).

Kelowna defeated Tri-City 6-3
Damon Severson D: +1

NCAA
Michigan lost to Alaska 5-4
Jon Merrill D: Assist, E, 1 Block

Minnesota defeated Alaska-Anchorage 4-3
Seth Helgeson D: -1, 2 PIM (Elbowing), 3 Shots, 1 Block

Wisconsin defeated Minnesota State 4-3 (OT)
Joe Faust D: Goal, +2, 1 Shot
First goal since 10/22/2011 vs. North Dakota!

Ohio State defeated Ferris State 3-1
Curtis Gedig D: E, 1 Shot, 3 Blocks

Miami lost to Northern Michigan 2-1
Blake Coleman C: E, 2 Shots, 1 Block, 7/17 Faceoffs

Michigan Tech lost to Minnesota Duluth 1-0
Blake Pietila LW: E, 2 PIM (Interference)

Edited by thefiestygoat, 12 January 2013 - 01:48 AM.

[vadvlfan]

thanks fiesty for the updates

[thefiestygoat]

thanks fiesty for the updates

Your welcome! MSG+ will have Michigan (Merrill) vs. Alaska.at 7:30 tonight according to the guide.

[SterioDesign]

Reid Boucher with 2 goals already in the 1st period tnight, leading the league in goals with 35 in 44 games and 57 pts * i think * so far

also good to see he's really producing a lot without Galchenyuk

Edited by SterioDesign, 12 January 2013 - 07:29 PM.

[Jerseydevils0324]

Reid Boucher 4 goal night

ADevs win! Teddy nets a goal, (career high in the AHL with 9 this season), Gelinas starting to pick it up, Urbom +3, Larsson gets an assist!

Not a bad night!

[thefiestygoat]

Hockey Prospectus Midseason Top 50 Drafted Prospects (Merrill is at 34)

Saturday 1/12
OHL
Sarnia defeated Ottawa 5-1
Reid Boucher LW: 4 Goals (1 PP), +2* 1st Star
Season: 43 GP 35-22-57 +13 38 PIM

Windsor lost to Belleville 4-3 (SO)
Ben Johnson LW: Assist, E, 2 PIM (Hooking)
Last 5 games: 5 goals, 2 assists

Owen Sound defeated Kingston 7-0
Artur Gavrus RW: E

WHL
Swift Current defeated Calgary 4-3
Reece Scarlett D: Assist (PP), E, 2 PIM (Tripping)
Graham Black C: Goal, -1* 1st Star
Last 3 games: 2 goals, 2 assists

Kelowna lost to Vancouver 4-3 (OT)
Damon Severson D: +1

NCAA
Michigan lost to Alaska 4-1
Jon Merrill D: Assist (PP), -1, 2 Shots, 3 Blocks

Minnesota defeated Alaska-Anchorage 7-1
Seth Helgeson D: +1, 14 PIM (Roughing x2, Misconduct)

Wisconsin defeated Minnesota State 2-1 (OT)
Joe Faust D: -1, 2 PIM (Hooking), 1 Shot

Ohio State lost to Ferris State 3-1
Curtis Gedig D: -1, 1 Shot, 2 Blocks

Miami tied Northern Michigan 3-3
Blake Coleman C: -1, 2 PIM (Interference), 3 Shots, 2 Blocks, 3/10 Faceoffs

Michigan Tech lost to Minnesota Duluth 5-4
Blake Pietila LW: -2, 1 Shot

[thefiestygoat]

Sunday 1/13
QMJHL
Blainville-Boisbriand defeated Cape Breton 7-0
Stefan Matteau LW: DNP (Devils Camp)
Season: 35 GP 18-10-28 +19 70 PIM 14.88 SH% 3.46 SH/GP 44 Hits 50.4 FO%

OHL
Windsor defeated Oshawa 3-1
Ben Johnson LW: Goal, +1
Season: 42 GP 12-9-21 -10 18 PIM
6 game point streak: 6 goals, 2 assists

Kitchener defeated Niagara 5-3
Ben Thomson LW: +1
Season: 42 GP 8-8-16 -9 90 PIM

[thefiestygoat]

No games tonight but I have updated the season stats here: https://docs.google....RCSTBYUWc#gid=0

[devlman]

Dude, thanks for these reports!

[EdgeControl]

Watched some of that that wolverine/alaska game and merril looks very rusty, obviously and tenative which is to be expected
btw, that michagan team is playing horrible

[thefiestygoat]

Tuesday 1/15
WHL
Swift Current defeated Moose Jaw 4-3 (SO)
Reece Scarlett D: 2 Assists, +3
Season: 42 GP 6-20-26 +5 28 PIM

Graham Black C: Assist (SH), -1, Scored in SO* 1st Star
Season: 45 GP 18-17-35 -5 12 PIM