Cam Robinson, Director of Film Scouting – EP Rinkside:
>Hot take: Gabe Perreault is a better player than Will Smith
>And Ryan Leonard is demonstrably better than both.
>https://twitter.com/Hockey_Robinson/status/1742237537999945804
J.D. Burke, PHWA, Editor-in-Chief – EP Rinkside:
>Going to piggyback on Cam’s take here and add that, at the very least, the Ryan Leonard part isn’t actually much of a scorcher.
>He’s the play-driving force every time that line takes the ice. I know the boxcars don’t scream future star, but the tape sure does. He special.
>https://twitter.com/JDylanBurke/status/1742238367230661028
Mitchell Brown:
>Ryan Leonard is showcasing the full game at the World Juniors. Inside play, playmaking, scoring chance generation, etc.
>He’s racked up more chances than both of his linemates combined, more entries than either (with fewer turnovers than both), and matched Smith’s playmaking.
>https://twitter.com/MitchLBrown/status/1741872043950473459
Brown’s tweet includes [this chart](https://i.imgur.com/BjJJ7dL.png) showing advanced stats for Leonard’s tournament performance up until Jan. 1.
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High praise from people who aren’t just ***amateur scouts***. Hopefully Leonard lives up to his potential
by Thiamine
9 Comments
Heās gonna be a stud for the Caps. Very similar game to Mathew Tkachuk. He has the potential to be a ppg winger, PP and PK player, potential #1 player in the org once Ovi is gone. And teams/players will hate to play against him, heās as tough as they come. Love this pick so much and Iām just hoping the org handles his development correctly (aka donāt let him play in Hershey for 5 years, get him with the big boys asap lol)
Thats actually really reassuring. Im trying not to take too much stock in a single tournament, but couldnt help but feel a little discouraged at all these players racking up big points and him not being one of them.
least reactionary wjc takes.
ofc itās jd burke and cam robinson.
Also don’t overlook Ryan Chesley whos looking solid
Remember he is playing on the 3rd line which makes it even more impressive.
> more entries than either [of his linemates] with fewer turnovers than both
This is what the Caps desperately need. We have guys who can create and finish scoring chances if they get the puck in good areas, but we get held up at the blue lines and pushed to the boards too much. Leonard is a player who can get the puck to those good areas.
He seems to have a lot of jump AND skill. So many times our prospects are hopeful but not quite great (at least GMGM era ones) , but having seen him in person , he seems like the real deal.
Where’s the poster who claims to be an amateur scout and posits Leonard was a wasted draft pick with no upside?
You love to see it. The Caps have not yet completely committed to a rebuild, but guys like Leonard are going to be the future core of the team.
It will be interesting to see if he leaves college after this NCAA season ends in the spring and joins the Caps or takes a 2nd year. I don’t think the Caps have an open roster spot for him at the moment so the best path may be staying another year at school and continuing to develop physically.