Leafs sign undrafted NCAA prospect Spencer Abbott

[Champ Kind]

I thought Burke wanted a bigger group of forwards. I don't get this signing.

:

Not sure it's even worth answering you, but in the immortal words of our good Sarge, "BPA".

(Best Player Available)

 

[Erndog]

I thought Burke wanted a bigger group of forwards. I don't get this signing.

:

Good answer?

Dude, for the love of.... you need to stop with the chicken little act for every freaken thing they do.

So if Martin St. Louis and Mark Bell were available we should just immediately sign Mark Bell instead because we want bigger forwards?  We should forfeit every single player under 6'1 simply because we want to get bigger while completeling ignoring the skill factor?

Get your head out of your @ss.  You've grated on my last nerve here with this ridiculous comment.  I've never seen any fan bemoan a free prospect but somehow I knew, the almighty, the holier than thou CHAZZ MICHAEL LILES will find fault.  You must be a real hoot to hang out with. 

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

I thought Burke wanted a bigger group of forwards. I don't get this signing.

:

Good answer?

Dude, for the love of.... you need to stop with the chicken little act for every freaken thing they do.

So if Martin St. Louis and Mark Bell were available we should just immediately sign Mark Bell instead because we want bigger forwards?  We should forfeit every single player under 6'1 simply because we want to get bigger while completeling ignoring the skill factor?

Get your head out of your @ss.  You've grated on my last nerve here with this ridiculous comment.  I've never seen any fan bemoan a free prospect but somehow I knew, the almighty, the holier than thou CHAZZ MICHAEL LILES will find fault.  You must be a real hoot to hang out with.

I'm actually a delight to hang out with in person. Besides it's very unfair of you to compare one of the best smaller players to ever play the game with a total dud like Mark Bell. It's a complete straw man and you are better than this. The point is we traded for Ashton to get bigger. Burke himself always says he wants to get bigger up front all the time. It is a legitimate point to be skeptical of this signing. I am not just picking on this guy for a sake of picking on somebody.

 

[Erndog]

I thought Burke wanted a bigger group of forwards. I don't get this signing.

:

Good answer?

Dude, for the love of.... you need to stop with the chicken little act for every freaken thing they do.

So if Martin St. Louis and Mark Bell were available we should just immediately sign Mark Bell instead because we want bigger forwards?  We should forfeit every single player under 6'1 simply because we want to get bigger while completeling ignoring the skill factor?

Get your head out of your @ss.  You've grated on my last nerve here with this ridiculous comment.  I've never seen any fan bemoan a free prospect but somehow I knew, the almighty, the holier than thou CHAZZ MICHAEL LILES will find fault.  You must be a real hoot to hang out with.

I'm actually a delight to hang out with in person. Besides it's very unfair of you to compare one of the best smaller players to ever play the game with a total dud like Mark Bell. It's a complete straw man and you are better than this. The point is we traded for Ashton to get bigger. Burke himself always says he wants to get bigger up front all the time. It is a legitimate point to be skeptical of this signing. I am not just picking on this guy for a sake of picking on somebody.

Hey, I agree we need to get bigger and stronger.  I think everyone does.

But we can't lose sight of potentially good, useful players solely because of size.  If Abbott can play... if he can be a 20 goal, 50+ point player why wouldn't we?  KW Sluggo said it in another thread, "nothing ventured, nothing gained."

We can sit back and pray that we land some good players one way or another or we can go out and be proactive and allow the chips to fall where they may. 

This is an extremely low risk, potential high reward signing.  I can't see ANY fault or questioning of it. 

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

I thought Burke wanted a bigger group of forwards. I don't get this signing.

:

Good answer?

Dude, for the love of.... you need to stop with the chicken little act for every freaken thing they do.

So if Martin St. Louis and Mark Bell were available we should just immediately sign Mark Bell instead because we want bigger forwards?  We should forfeit every single player under 6'1 simply because we want to get bigger while completeling ignoring the skill factor?

Get your head out of your @ss.  You've grated on my last nerve here with this ridiculous comment.  I've never seen any fan bemoan a free prospect but somehow I knew, the almighty, the holier than thou CHAZZ MICHAEL LILES will find fault.  You must be a real hoot to hang out with.

I'm actually a delight to hang out with in person. Besides it's very unfair of you to compare one of the best smaller players to ever play the game with a total dud like Mark Bell. It's a complete straw man and you are better than this. The point is we traded for Ashton to get bigger. Burke himself always says he wants to get bigger up front all the time. It is a legitimate point to be skeptical of this signing. I am not just picking on this guy for a sake of picking on somebody.

Hey, I agree we need to get bigger and stronger.  I think everyone does.

But we can't lose sight of potentially good, useful players solely because of size.  If Abbott can play... if he can be a 20 goal, 50+ point player why wouldn't we?  KW Sluggo said it in another thread, "nothing ventured, nothing gained."

We can sit back and pray that we land some good players one way or another or we can go out and be proactive and allow the chips to fall where they may. 

This is an extremely low risk, potential high reward signing.  I can't see ANY fault or questioning of it.

Let's assume he does the remarkable and ideally turns into that 20 goal, 40-50pts guy. Do you make your top 6 that much smaller and play him? I don't think Carlyle will use him on the checking lines being that tiny.

 

[Redleaf]

I thought Burke wanted a bigger group of forwards. I don't get this signing.

:

Good answer?

Dude, for the love of.... you need to stop with the chicken little act for every freaken thing they do.

So if Martin St. Louis and Mark Bell were available we should just immediately sign Mark Bell instead because we want bigger forwards?  We should forfeit every single player under 6'1 simply because we want to get bigger while completeling ignoring the skill factor?

Get your head out of your @ss.  You've grated on my last nerve here with this ridiculous comment.  I've never seen any fan bemoan a free prospect but somehow I knew, the almighty, the holier than thou CHAZZ MICHAEL LILES will find fault.  You must be a real hoot to hang out with.

I'm actually a delight to hang out with in person. Besides it's very unfair of you to compare one of the best smaller players to ever play the game with a total dud like Mark Bell. It's a complete straw man and you are better than this. The point is we traded for Ashton to get bigger. Burke himself always says he wants to get bigger up front all the time. It is a legitimate point to be skeptical of this signing. I am not just picking on this guy for a sake of picking on somebody.

Hey, I agree we need to get bigger and stronger.  I think everyone does.

But we can't lose sight of potentially good, useful players solely because of size.  If Abbott can play... if he can be a 20 goal, 50+ point player why wouldn't we?  KW Sluggo said it in another thread, "nothing ventured, nothing gained."

We can sit back and pray that we land some good players one way or another or we can go out and be proactive and allow the chips to fall where they may. 

This is an extremely low risk, potential high reward signing.  I can't see ANY fault or questioning of it.

Let's assume he does the remarkable and ideally turns into that 20 goal, 40-50pts guy. Do you make your top 6 that much smaller and play him? I don't think Carlyle will use him on the checking lines being that tiny.

Then he becomes an asset in trade.

 

[Erndog]

I thought Burke wanted a bigger group of forwards. I don't get this signing.

:

Good answer?

Dude, for the love of.... you need to stop with the chicken little act for every freaken thing they do.

So if Martin St. Louis and Mark Bell were available we should just immediately sign Mark Bell instead because we want bigger forwards?  We should forfeit every single player under 6'1 simply because we want to get bigger while completeling ignoring the skill factor?

Get your head out of your @ss.  You've grated on my last nerve here with this ridiculous comment.  I've never seen any fan bemoan a free prospect but somehow I knew, the almighty, the holier than thou CHAZZ MICHAEL LILES will find fault.  You must be a real hoot to hang out with.

I'm actually a delight to hang out with in person. Besides it's very unfair of you to compare one of the best smaller players to ever play the game with a total dud like Mark Bell. It's a complete straw man and you are better than this. The point is we traded for Ashton to get bigger. Burke himself always says he wants to get bigger up front all the time. It is a legitimate point to be skeptical of this signing. I am not just picking on this guy for a sake of picking on somebody.

Hey, I agree we need to get bigger and stronger.  I think everyone does.

But we can't lose sight of potentially good, useful players solely because of size.  If Abbott can play... if he can be a 20 goal, 50+ point player why wouldn't we?  KW Sluggo said it in another thread, "nothing ventured, nothing gained."

We can sit back and pray that we land some good players one way or another or we can go out and be proactive and allow the chips to fall where they may. 

This is an extremely low risk, potential high reward signing.  I can't see ANY fault or questioning of it.

Let's assume he does the remarkable and ideally turns into that 20 goal, 40-50pts guy. Do you make your top 6 that much smaller and play him? I don't think Carlyle will use him on the checking lines being that tiny.

God forbid we have a 20 goal, 50 points guy on the roster.

Much rather stick with Joey Crabb, an undeveloped prospect like a Carter Ashton, Jay Rosehill, Colby Armstrong and the like. 

Seriously, why is getting a decent player for nothing a bad thing?  At worst he (or someone else) becomes a trade chip. 

 

[Tigger]

Burke himself always says he wants to get bigger up front all the time.

I think you've answered your own question/concern right there.

 

[bustaheims]

Let's assume he does the remarkable and ideally turns into that 20 goal, 40-50pts guy. Do you make your top 6 that much smaller and play him? I don't think Carlyle will use him on the checking lines being that tiny.

Well, it's not like that's likely to happen for next season, and, who knows what the team will look like if/when it does? This wasn't a short-term, next season based signing. This is a longer-term project.

 

[cw]

Let's assume he does the remarkable and ideally turns into that 20 goal, 40-50pts guy. Do you make your top 6 that much smaller and play him? I don't think Carlyle will use him on the checking lines being that tiny.

Well, it's not like that's likely to happen for next season, and, who knows what the team will look like if/when it does? This wasn't a short-term, next season based signing. This is a longer-term project.

Bozak, who was the same age at the time and in the NCAA, got a 2 year entry level deal. So did Hanson. Abbott's deal has been reported as a one year deal.

He's from Hamilton so maybe it's a close to home thing. The one year deal may be a cute way of getting the Marlies some offensive depth for the playoffs ??

To sign the guy for just one year and reconcile that with "long term project" struck me as a touch odd.

Maybe not. Just a thought.

Maybe a quick look is all they thought he merited.

OI: since I mentioned Hanson, I saw that he's played the entire season in the AHL. So much for that hand wringing.

 

[bustaheims]

To sign the guy for just one year and reconcile that with "long term project" struck me as a touch odd.

Maybe not. Just a thought.

The 1 year thing wasn't a choice. Because of his age (he's considered to be 24 for CBA purposes), that's all he qualified for - no matter where he signed, he had to sign a 1 year ELC.

 

[Bender]

What I find interesting is he crushed H-East in the stats department. All of our previous NCAA signings had much worse numbers compared to this guy.

 

[cw]

To sign the guy for just one year and reconcile that with "long term project" struck me as a touch odd.

Maybe not. Just a thought.

The 1 year thing wasn't a choice. Because of his age (he's considered to be 24 for CBA purposes), that's all he qualified for - no matter where he signed, he had to sign a 1 year ELC.

Ah, I missed on the birthdays - got distracted with work. Thanks.

I read somewhere that Burke himself scouted him so he didn't just rubber stamp something which reflects well on Abbott.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

What I find interesting is he crushed H-East in the stats department. All of our previous NCAA signings had much worse numbers compared to this guy.

Not just H-East, I'm pretty sure he was the leading point scorer in the entire nation.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Just named one of the 3 finalists for the Hobey Baker:

From a recruited walk-on four years ago to a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, Spencer Abbott has had a remarkable four-year collegiate career.  Already recognized as the Player of the Year in Hockey East as well as a First Team all-star, the Black Bear assistant captain leads the nation in scoring and in assists.  In 39 games this season, Abbott scored 21 goals, assisted on another 41 for 62 total points.  His unselfish scoring exploits earned him the conference scoring title and he was named player of the month twice while piling up 18 multiple-point games.  Abbott is a Family Relations major and has been on the Dean?s List three times.  Spencer is active in the community helping with Special Olympics, assisting at youth hockey clinics and participating in charity games.  Abbott, a pro hockey free agent, just signed a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

http://www.hobeybakeraward.com/news_article/show/142086?referrer_id=191323

 

[Zee]

You can't help some fans for being a bit underwhelmed given the current state of the Leafs.  We get a guy from college in the midst of a terrible finish to the season and the reaction is "great another college bust upcoming".  Had the Leafs been in a playoff position I'm sure the reaction would have been something like "great, another asset for nothing, Leafs success is attracting potential talent!"

 

[cw]

You can't help some fans for being a bit underwhelmed given the current state of the Leafs.  We get a guy from college in the midst of a terrible finish to the season and the reaction is "great another college bust upcoming".  Had the Leafs been in a playoff position I'm sure the reaction would have been something like "great, another asset for nothing, Leafs success is attracting potential talent!"

5'9" 170lbs on hockeydb
5'10" 175lbs on U Maine site.

We've got plenty of smurfs/waterbugs/non-physical players. We need some forwards with size/grit. That's what discouraged me.

Having said that, signing the top scorer in the NCAA and a Hobey Baker top 3 finalist isn't terrible either.

 

[drummond]

Good signing and you never know what that kid may develop into.

 

[Frank E]

You can't help some fans for being a bit underwhelmed given the current state of the Leafs.  We get a guy from college in the midst of a terrible finish to the season and the reaction is "great another college bust upcoming".  Had the Leafs been in a playoff position I'm sure the reaction would have been something like "great, another asset for nothing, Leafs success is attracting potential talent!"

5'9" 170lbs on hockeydb
5'10" 175lbs on U Maine site.

We've got plenty of smurfs/waterbugs/non-physical players. We need some forwards with size/grit. That's what discouraged me.

Having said that, signing the top scorer in the NCAA and a Hobey Baker top 3 finalist isn't terrible either.

I know that you also know that he can be used as currency as well.

 

[cw]

You can't help some fans for being a bit underwhelmed given the current state of the Leafs.  We get a guy from college in the midst of a terrible finish to the season and the reaction is "great another college bust upcoming".  Had the Leafs been in a playoff position I'm sure the reaction would have been something like "great, another asset for nothing, Leafs success is attracting potential talent!"

5'9" 170lbs on hockeydb
5'10" 175lbs on U Maine site.

We've got plenty of smurfs/waterbugs/non-physical players. We need some forwards with size/grit. That's what discouraged me.

Having said that, signing the top scorer in the NCAA and a Hobey Baker top 3 finalist isn't terrible either.

I know that you also know that he can be used as currency as well.

Yep. I wouldn't grade him as a found wallet with a first round pick but if they flipped him, they'd get more than future considerations right now.

With Abbott's Maine center signed, these other guys mentioned by HF interested me maybe a little more:
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/13844/top_collegiate_free_agents_drawing_nhl_interest/

Dan DeKeyser, D
Sophomore, Western Michigan University

With 30 NHL teams pursuing him, Dan DeKeyser has become the hottest commodity on the collegiate free agent market this season. And it's not hard to see why. Two NHL teams that have shown some of the greatest interest in the Broncos rearguard are the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Clay Township, MI native began making a name for himself with Western Michigan last season as an excellent mobile, puck-moving defenseman. This season, he has taken his development to a whole new level and that has had NHL teams clamoring to get glimpses of him.

DeKeyser's combination of size (6'3, 190 lbs), great feet and terrific shot has made NHL teams take notice. His skating is very good, but it is his footwork that separates DeKeyser from many collegiate defensemen and it's really something to marvel at. He moves exceedingly well both in the defensive and offensive zones. The 10 or so pounds that he added over the summer has simply enhanced that attribute, making DeKeyser not only a stronger skater, but also heightening his fundamentally sound positional play as well. Where this is particularly evident is in his ability to contain players and limiting spaces on the ice.

Another attribute that has gotten the attention of NHL teams is DeKeyser's shot. He possesses a very powerful and remarkably accurate shot. It isn't often that his shots miss the net. While he can score goals himself, DeKeyser's shots aren't always to score but rather to create rebounds that can be difficult to control.

DeKeyser can be seen playing on the Broncos' top defensive pairing, alongside junior Luke Witkowski (TB). He logs upwards of 25-30 minutes per game, playing in all situations. He has played in all 36 games for Western Michigan to date, posting 13 points (five goals, eight assists). DeKeyser's plus-11 currently ranks third on the Broncos roster.

DeKeyser projects to be more of a two-way defenseman due to his great offensive ability and equally stellar defensive ability.
...
Jeremy Welsh, C/W
Junior, Union College

Union College recently captured their second consecutive Cleary Cup as the ECAC's regular season champion and one reason behind their success can be attributed to the stellar play of junior power forward Jeremy Welsh. The Bayfield, ONT native began getting the attention of numerous NHL teams last season. Since then, they have kept a close watch on Welsh. He has been on the Chicago Blackhawks' radar having attended their prospects camp last summer and the New York Rangers are among the other teams that have also reportedly expressed interest in Welsh.

Welsh currently leads the Dutchmen with 22 goals and ranks second on the team with 35 points in 33 games to date. His nine power play goals co-lead Union College. Welsh began his collegiate career as a winger, but he has played center for the last two seasons and plays equally well at both positions. His ability to move pucks quickly and success on face-offs (roughly 60% thus far) have made Welsh a very effective centerman. This season, he centers one of the best lines in the ECAC that includes sophomores Daniel Carr and Josh Jooris.

Welsh is a player that has the ability to dominant a game. He has size (6'3, 210 lbs); a pro-style shot, great net presence, and can finish plays exceedingly well. And it is those attributes that have gotten the attention of NHL teams. What makes Welsh so dangerous is his ability to capitalize on rebounds and deflections, where many of his goals have been scored. He utilizes his size, strength and reach to great advantage, particularly in tight areas.

One notable improvement that Welsh has made in his development is in utilizing his large frame to gain separation. He uses his size, strength, and reach quite effectively in being able to not only gain or maintain puck possession, but also in creating space for himself and his teammates.

While Welsh hasn't quite generated the buzz that some other players around college hockey have, his excellent skill set and contributions to Union College's success have made it very difficult for NHL teams to ignore him. Whichever team ultimately signs Welsh will get a player that possesses a tremendous upside whose pro potential is just beginning to be realized.


Mark Zengerle, C
Sophomore, University of Wisconsin

Mark Zengerle may not be drawing as much attention as defensive teammate Justin Schultz (ANA), but he's been equally impressive this season. The Rochester, NY native has become one of the WCHA's best and most consistent playmaking centers, and the numbers he has put up thus far reflect that. Zengerle currently leads the Badgers in points (44) and assists (33) playing in all 32 games to date. His 33 assists currently rank third nationally and he's averaging better than one assist per game. While his numbers have caught the attention of a growing number of NHL teams, it's how he's getting it done that has them really taking notice. Among the teams who have taken an interest in Zengerle is the Toronto Maple Leafs, whose prospects camp he attended over the summer.

Zengerle possesses really nice hands and has the ability gets pucks to teammates consistently. It is these two attributes that have not only made him so successful, but has made NHL teams take a closer look at the sophomore center. What makes Zengerle such as a superb playmaker is his tremendous patience and ability to find open spaces. His passes are crisp with great precision. This is evident on both the Badgers' power play and even strength situations. He has also become one of the WCHA's best players on face-offs as well, winning roughly 55 percent of his draws.

Another attribute that has NHL teams taking notice of Zengerle is in how he uses his terrific skating ability. Because of his excellent foot speed, he not only transitions well, but he can often beat opposing players to loose pucks and open spaces as well.

One area where Zengerle has made nice strides in is shooting the puck. He possesses a remarkably accurate shot and the shots that he has taken this season are of higher quality than those of last season. While Zengerle will likely continue to rack up more assists than goals as his career moves forward, his ability to score goals shouldn't be underestimated.


More based upon our needs than anything else. I don't know lots about them. The forwards have better size, play center and you can always use another puck moving dman.