Has Hudon become the next Corey Locke?

[Willie Dog]

Good article discussing what's been happening to Hudon and how it somewhat reflects what Corey Locke went through.

www.habseyesontheprize.com/st-johns-icecaps/2017/2/10/14559234/bad-luck-chuck-charles-hudon-not-getting-opportunities-st-johns-icecaps-ahl

[blny]

I believe this quote from the piece sums it up:

"His skating was also not the best. In a competitive five-on-five play in the NHL, Locke was easily picked off as the weak link. The Canadiens were not the only ones to have this evaluation of their high-scoring prospect."

I truly believe the 'size' stigma is waning. While outright hockey sense and scoring prowess may not be prevalent, speed is. Speed is more and more important. If a team has a choice between a big, slow, player and a smaller, fast, one they're taking the smaller player in today's game.

Obviously, the ones who possess size AND speed will go high in the draft. When you're picking in the middle to late rounds it's often one or the other. If Hudon doesn't have the speed to make time and space for himself, he won't make it. At the lower levels, Locke could use his mind to beat his opponents. The guys he was playing against weren't likely to be any better at skating. Get to the NHL and you're up against the best skaters, not just the best players.

[seventeen]

Hudon has a very high hockey IQ, though and today's NHL is not so focused on big players. IMO that makes his a different situation. He's actually produced for the big team, despite limited opportunity. I think what holds him back more than anything is his propensity to get hurt. You wonder how much is bad luck at times, but he has been injured at inopportune moments. I like his on-ice game. I think when he was inured at the WJC, it hurt Canada's chances of winning, a lot. I haven't gotten a good feel for his speed yet though as I haven't seen him in a footrace at the NHL level against someone I can benchmark him to. I think he's good enough for the NHL, maybe not the Habs, though. I still think he's an improvement on DD, but that's me.

[Willie Dog]

Imo a guy like Hudon can make guys around him better because he is smart, has real good hockey sense and can handle the puck.

Below is the talent analysis from Hockey's Future


Talent Analysis
Known as a prolific scorer in the QMJHL, Hudon's first full season in the AHL was a smooth transition. He continues to be a scoring threat, utilizing his mix of crafty stick-work and ability to manoeuvre around traffic with ease. His array of different shots makes it hard for goaltenders to figure him out, and his ability to change speeds creates openings for both himself and his linemates. His defensive game has improved as well, making him a more dynamic, two-way player who is just as defensively responsible. His character and leadership qualities put his stock over the top.


Read more at www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/charles_hudon/#bJ30XkGFh3lZfMcU.99