What’s everyone think a reasonable expectation for Eduard Šalé? Top 6? Bottom 6?
Seems like his season started off slow but he put up 12 points in 10 OHL playoff games. Finished strong. I’m hoping he can get some time in CV this year and see how he performs.
What do ya’ll think?
ghostxvoices
Too early to tell. Most picks past 10 are a crapshoot.
Antilock049
Gonna be a few years to tell Imo.
He does have the raw talent. He’s also fast as fuck. But there’s a lot of things at the pro level that require more than just talent.
Getting him time in the AHL and working towards giving him shots is about all we can do. It’s not super unrealistic to see him hit a couple years+ in the ahl before putting it together.
TheoverlyloadTuba
Sale I think has the best chance of being a top line winger, the only other prospect of ours that has that shot is rehkopf. Next season will tell us alot. He’s gonna be on a good kitchener team likely all season, and he’s gonna be settled into America allready
peleyoda
Most scouts have been pretty down on him this season. Entered the draft as a projection on traits, but hasn’t looked like he belongs when he’s moved up in competition level.
>*Eduard Sale’s draft-minus-one year (at age 17) was immensely productive in the Czech U20 league. And he flashed dominant skills in international tournaments too. However, his draft year production in the top-level Czech professional league was mediocre.*
>
>*He has now followed that up with mediocre production playing against junior competition in the OHL this year.*
>
>*As Kraken general manager Ron Francis has repeatedly said, player development is not a straight line. There is reason to reserve judgment and allow Sale additional time to see if he can get his production up to the level of his ample on-puck skills.*
>
>*That said, so far, Sale is looking like a scouting miss. Drafted at No. 20 overall, he was 25th in my 2023 Draft NHLe ranking, and his post-draft-year production sees him fall to the 329th overall prospect in hockey. The team bypassed players with obviously superior data profiles in the first round in 2023 to draft Sale. The choice was surprising at the time. And, while the jury is still out, the early signs are not good.*
>*It was tricky evaluating and contextualizing Sale pre-draft, first when he was above two points per game (99 in 44) in Czechia’s top junior league two years ago doing things that had never been done and smashing (and even doubling in some cases) the production of recent top Czech players at the same age (including first-rounders like Jakub Voracek and Tomas Hertl) and then as he struggled with the transition to the pro game and played to some real highs and lows internationally, which included looking like one of the most talented players at three international events (Germany for the U18 worlds, Red Deer for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and Switzerland for a second U18 worlds), but also coming and going at the world juniors in Halifax. The Kraken bet on the individual skill level, hoping that the consistency, competitiveness, habits and style could be worked upon. I saw the talent and the risk, too, and I would have taken the same chance at about the same point in the draft as well. Those concerns have continued this season, though. He flashed but frustrated in Barrie, resulting in a move to Kitchener where the same story has so far played out. In between, he played to seven points in seven games at the world juniors but rose and fell and rose again in that lineup, too (coaches just can’t seem to trust him).*
>
>*He’s a smooth skater who is noticeable in transition for both his ability to weave up ice and facilitate and also his ability to create breakaways for himself and beat goalies one-on-one. He’s got superb vision and grades highly at dissecting coverage as a passer. I love him on the half-wall/point on the PP with his ability to hit east-west seams (he just seems to see every lane and opening). He can slow it down and pick things apart or hurry up his passes through holes. He has shown a knack for making big plays at big moments and can really shoot it, whether with a quick-release wrister or his dangerous one-timer. He’s also a dexterous player who has good size (which will fill out). He can beat you on the perimeter with his skill (highlighted by excellent one-on-one hands-on defenders).*
>
>*But he lacks competitiveness and everyone would like to see him play with a little more effort both on (going to the guts of the ice more) and off the puck (cutting down on his gliding and puck-watching/keeping his feet moving and involving himself). When he does go to the inside, I’ve seen him get sticks on tips and redirects. He’s prone to drifting at five-on-five but his eyes light up and his head swivels when the puck lands on his stick, and he can make skill plays against the grain. He’s got poise and patience on the puck (sometimes too much so). He’s got a multi-dimensional shot. He just needs to involve himself in the play more than he does.*
>
>*The talent level is clear but it doesn’t work in practical hockey terms like it shows in flashes, and the result is a player who fades in games and comes with a boom or bust profile. I’m a firm believe that not all 12 forwards on an NHL team need to be worker types but he still has a lot of work to do if he wants to get there as a skill guy and there’s some real doubt at the moment.*
>
>*Here’s a coach who has worked with Sale: “The pleasant thing with Sale is he’s unbelievably accountable. He knows he’s got to learn the game, he wants video, he’s in your coaches room a lot, he’s hard on himself, and I like that about him. There is talent there, there’s a work ethic, and he should be fine. (Right now) I’d be worried about this guy being a first-round pick to the NHL but if he improves then the conversation could shift to: ‘He’s pretty special.’”*
priority_inversion
He really seems like a guy that plays well when he’s comfortable. I hope he starts the year in the AHL next year. The sooner he gets comfortable here, the sooner he’ll make strides towards joining the NHL roster.
He flashes all the skills necessary to be an NHLer, except consistency. It might be worth bringing in some Czech players to CV to get him more comfortable.
MAHHockey
« Too early to tell, but not a good first season in North America for him »
Any first rounder you expect to end up at least a regular roster player, if not a regular contributor. #20 is a bit far down to expect a star, but I think some folks were worried after this season that he might be a bust. I think that’s a bit pessimistic, but we’ll definitely have to see how he rebounds this season. I’m ready to give him the benefit of the doubt, having to completely uproot and move to the other side of the world and play a totally different style of game. Hopefully with a summer to prepare and a year of experience under his belt, he’s ready to tear it up this season.
A realistic analog would be an Oliver Bjorkstrand. 50pts/season, 20g/season kind of guy.
BayAreaKrakHead
It’s a tough transition for anyone to move from their home country to another. Let alone an 18 yr old that played on multiple teams. He turned 19 this year so I’d be surprised if he plays with CV. Probably will return to the OHL. I hope he can find some stability this year. I think being comfortable will help in his development. Hopefully he ignores these articles saying he’s a bust already when he’s still juniors. He’s going to become a top 6 player. It’s just going to take some time.
SiccSemperTyrannis
Everything I’ve read suggests he had a rough last season as he transitioned to North American ice and play style. TBD whether he can take a big jump next season as he gets more comfortable.
Right now it’s looking like the Kraken may have whiffed on this pick as the Rangers took Gabe Perrault a few picks later. He had an excellent last season.
Still, we won’t know until these guys get into the NHL and show what they can and cannot do.
9 Comments
What’s everyone think a reasonable expectation for Eduard Šalé? Top 6? Bottom 6?
Seems like his season started off slow but he put up 12 points in 10 OHL playoff games. Finished strong. I’m hoping he can get some time in CV this year and see how he performs.
What do ya’ll think?
Too early to tell. Most picks past 10 are a crapshoot.
Gonna be a few years to tell Imo.
He does have the raw talent. He’s also fast as fuck. But there’s a lot of things at the pro level that require more than just talent.
Getting him time in the AHL and working towards giving him shots is about all we can do. It’s not super unrealistic to see him hit a couple years+ in the ahl before putting it together.
Sale I think has the best chance of being a top line winger, the only other prospect of ours that has that shot is rehkopf. Next season will tell us alot. He’s gonna be on a good kitchener team likely all season, and he’s gonna be settled into America allready
Most scouts have been pretty down on him this season. Entered the draft as a projection on traits, but hasn’t looked like he belongs when he’s moved up in competition level.
Sound of Hockey had Sale 13th in their [data-backed prospect rankings](https://soundofhockey.com/2024/05/14/a-data-only-ranking-of-2023-24-seattle-kraken-prospects/amp/):
>*Eduard Sale’s draft-minus-one year (at age 17) was immensely productive in the Czech U20 league. And he flashed dominant skills in international tournaments too. However, his draft year production in the top-level Czech professional league was mediocre.*
>
>*He has now followed that up with mediocre production playing against junior competition in the OHL this year.*
>
>*As Kraken general manager Ron Francis has repeatedly said, player development is not a straight line. There is reason to reserve judgment and allow Sale additional time to see if he can get his production up to the level of his ample on-puck skills.*
>
>*That said, so far, Sale is looking like a scouting miss. Drafted at No. 20 overall, he was 25th in my 2023 Draft NHLe ranking, and his post-draft-year production sees him fall to the 329th overall prospect in hockey. The team bypassed players with obviously superior data profiles in the first round in 2023 to draft Sale. The choice was surprising at the time. And, while the jury is still out, the early signs are not good.*
The Athletic [ranked](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5269926/2024/02/19/kraken-nhl-prospect-pool-rankings-2024/?source=user_shared_articleSeattleKrakenareNo.12in2024NHLprospectpoolrankings) him 5th in our current prospect pool (behind Wright, Rehkopf, Firkus, and Goyette) and had this to say about him:
>*It was tricky evaluating and contextualizing Sale pre-draft, first when he was above two points per game (99 in 44) in Czechia’s top junior league two years ago doing things that had never been done and smashing (and even doubling in some cases) the production of recent top Czech players at the same age (including first-rounders like Jakub Voracek and Tomas Hertl) and then as he struggled with the transition to the pro game and played to some real highs and lows internationally, which included looking like one of the most talented players at three international events (Germany for the U18 worlds, Red Deer for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and Switzerland for a second U18 worlds), but also coming and going at the world juniors in Halifax. The Kraken bet on the individual skill level, hoping that the consistency, competitiveness, habits and style could be worked upon. I saw the talent and the risk, too, and I would have taken the same chance at about the same point in the draft as well. Those concerns have continued this season, though. He flashed but frustrated in Barrie, resulting in a move to Kitchener where the same story has so far played out. In between, he played to seven points in seven games at the world juniors but rose and fell and rose again in that lineup, too (coaches just can’t seem to trust him).*
>
>*He’s a smooth skater who is noticeable in transition for both his ability to weave up ice and facilitate and also his ability to create breakaways for himself and beat goalies one-on-one. He’s got superb vision and grades highly at dissecting coverage as a passer. I love him on the half-wall/point on the PP with his ability to hit east-west seams (he just seems to see every lane and opening). He can slow it down and pick things apart or hurry up his passes through holes. He has shown a knack for making big plays at big moments and can really shoot it, whether with a quick-release wrister or his dangerous one-timer. He’s also a dexterous player who has good size (which will fill out). He can beat you on the perimeter with his skill (highlighted by excellent one-on-one hands-on defenders).*
>
>*But he lacks competitiveness and everyone would like to see him play with a little more effort both on (going to the guts of the ice more) and off the puck (cutting down on his gliding and puck-watching/keeping his feet moving and involving himself). When he does go to the inside, I’ve seen him get sticks on tips and redirects. He’s prone to drifting at five-on-five but his eyes light up and his head swivels when the puck lands on his stick, and he can make skill plays against the grain. He’s got poise and patience on the puck (sometimes too much so). He’s got a multi-dimensional shot. He just needs to involve himself in the play more than he does.*
>
>*The talent level is clear but it doesn’t work in practical hockey terms like it shows in flashes, and the result is a player who fades in games and comes with a boom or bust profile. I’m a firm believe that not all 12 forwards on an NHL team need to be worker types but he still has a lot of work to do if he wants to get there as a skill guy and there’s some real doubt at the moment.*
>
>*Here’s a coach who has worked with Sale: “The pleasant thing with Sale is he’s unbelievably accountable. He knows he’s got to learn the game, he wants video, he’s in your coaches room a lot, he’s hard on himself, and I like that about him. There is talent there, there’s a work ethic, and he should be fine. (Right now) I’d be worried about this guy being a first-round pick to the NHL but if he improves then the conversation could shift to: ‘He’s pretty special.’”*
He really seems like a guy that plays well when he’s comfortable. I hope he starts the year in the AHL next year. The sooner he gets comfortable here, the sooner he’ll make strides towards joining the NHL roster.
He flashes all the skills necessary to be an NHLer, except consistency. It might be worth bringing in some Czech players to CV to get him more comfortable.
« Too early to tell, but not a good first season in North America for him »
Any first rounder you expect to end up at least a regular roster player, if not a regular contributor. #20 is a bit far down to expect a star, but I think some folks were worried after this season that he might be a bust. I think that’s a bit pessimistic, but we’ll definitely have to see how he rebounds this season. I’m ready to give him the benefit of the doubt, having to completely uproot and move to the other side of the world and play a totally different style of game. Hopefully with a summer to prepare and a year of experience under his belt, he’s ready to tear it up this season.
A realistic analog would be an Oliver Bjorkstrand. 50pts/season, 20g/season kind of guy.
It’s a tough transition for anyone to move from their home country to another. Let alone an 18 yr old that played on multiple teams. He turned 19 this year so I’d be surprised if he plays with CV. Probably will return to the OHL. I hope he can find some stability this year. I think being comfortable will help in his development. Hopefully he ignores these articles saying he’s a bust already when he’s still juniors. He’s going to become a top 6 player. It’s just going to take some time.
Everything I’ve read suggests he had a rough last season as he transitioned to North American ice and play style. TBD whether he can take a big jump next season as he gets more comfortable.
Right now it’s looking like the Kraken may have whiffed on this pick as the Rangers took Gabe Perrault a few picks later. He had an excellent last season.
Still, we won’t know until these guys get into the NHL and show what they can and cannot do.