Revisiting NHL Prospects: 2023 Edition and Admitting My Mistakes – Corey Pronman Reflects

Annual Exercise: Revisiting My Prospect Misevaluations

Here at The Athletic, I’m highlighting and admitting to some major misevaluations regarding prospects I’ve made. This annual exercise is not only about accountability but also about sharing the lessons learned, hopefully making it an interesting learning exercise for readers.

Jack Quinn – Buffalo Sabres

Initially, I had doubts about Quinn’s future abilities despite his solid performance in the OHL draft. Although I recognized his skill and hockey sense, I misjudged his potential ability to translate his game to the professional level. When looking back, his dominance with the Ottawa 67’s should have been a clear indicator of his high-end skill.

Matthew Poitras – Boston Bruins

Poitras is a unique situation. He was a late second-round pick, often indicative of various risk factors. However, his very strong individual skill and vision, although inconsistent in scoring, suggest a different level of talent. I underestimated his skill, hockey sense, and competitiveness and should have rated him higher.

Mason McTavish – Anaheim Ducks

While McTavish exhibited a standard skill set at an early age, it was clear that his performance surpassed my initial expectations. I misevaluated his skating, which was a critical misjudgment that contributed to his success as one of the top young players in the NHL.

Samuel Fagemo – Los Angeles Kings

I once believed Fagemo had a good chance of being a top NHL prospect, but his waiver claims this season prove my misjudgment. Despite his successful performances in lower leagues, I failed to recognize that something special is required to thrive in the NHL.

Adam Boqvist – Columbus Blue Jackets

Boqvist displayed remarkable offensive capabilities, but his struggles with defensive play should have been a critical consideration for his NHL projection. The lack of premium athletic tools and his defensive issues left him falling short of expectations.

These cases serve as a lesson that prospects often exceed or fall short of initial evaluations, making the business of predicting the future of NHL prospects a challenging endeavor. Nonetheless, acknowledging and learning from these misevaluations continue to be an essential part of the process.

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Sarah Anderson

Sarah Anderson dives into the fast-paced world of NHL hockey. Her coverage includes game analysis, player spotlights, and the latest news from the ice. Sarah’s dedication to the sport ensures that hockey enthusiasts stay informed about the NHL’s thrilling action.