Hamill
If ’08 first-round pick Joe Colborne and ’09 first-rounder Jordan Caron were overshadowed at this summer’s development camp by 2010 No. 2 overall pick Tyler Seguin, imagine how ’07 first-round pick Zach Hamill must be feeling about his pecking order in the organization.
With two-plus pro seasons now under his belt, the center looks like he has been leapfrogged on the depth chart.
Hamill, who’ll be 22 by opening night, has endured stops and starts since leaving Everett of the WHL for the pro ranks. Injuries have slowed him at times, and then there’s the matter of his “compete level” (a favorite Bruins term), which can fluctuate over the course of a season.
Hamill has always had great on-ice vision and excellent offensive instincts. He has gotten stronger since his initial venture into the pro game, but can still bulk up and pick up his physical play at both ends of the rink. Although he was rewarded at the end of the year with a one-game NHL stint, his first, he struggled to put up 44 points (just 14 goals) in 75 games with the Providence (AHL) farm club. Engagement might be Hamill’s biggest challenge night in and night out.
While Hamill has the most pro experience among Boston’s top forward prospects, it would seem that his position could be the biggest thing holding him back. While Colborne and Seguin can shift out to the wing, Hamill is truly a pure center. With four legit NHL centers ensconced in Boston, it’d take some major moves by general manager Peter Chiarelli to open up a job for Hamill.
Depending on how the job battles play out this fall, and how Chiarelli clears the required cap space, Hamill could be in the mix for the fourth center’s job, could be back honing his skills another year with the P-Bruins, or serve as trade bait in a swap of prospects or as a sweetener in a deal to get another team to take one of Boston’s cap-hogging contracts.
The ‘DUB’ is so watered down anymore you have to be leary of anyones offensive numbers. What did he lead the league with 80 points. Wow. He wouldn’t have led one team in the OHL. Wasted pick.
Trading Ryder in the final year of his contract is beneficial to whatever team he goes to. He’s gonna have to bust his ass this year for a new contract next year, plus the scenery change will help him.
Hamill could easily be in the NHL as a 4th liner on another team if he adds a few pounds and plays hard, the bruins are just too deep at the center position.
Hamill has amazing stick handling skills and vision to move the puck. A few more lbs and playing more aggressive at back-checking and he is on a NHL roster for sure.
Fiche,
Sounds great, but why would any team ever agree to that? If they know they are giving up a good young asset for another and a decent d-man and some deadweight, then why would they? I mean it would be ideal, but I really doubt anyone would actually agree.
I say package Hamill, Ference and Ryder and pick up a young stud defenseman and some later round draft picks. This will clear enough cap space and bring in a great D-man.
There isn’t a spot waiting for him in Boston anytime soon. And he does not seem likely to force the issue with his play or style. He’s not the big, physical center they could possibly use nor are his offensive talents superior to what they already have.
The only reason I see to intentionally keep him is the possible fragility of Boston centers. Savard (concussion), Krejci (wrist + him), and Bergeron (concussions) have all suffered fairly serious injuries in the recent past. Depth at the center position is a good thing until such time as it is clear that the recurrence of injuries need not be of great concern.
Otherwise, I’d say put him in a package to obtain prospects at other positions or to advance a trade of NHL roster flotsam and jetsam (hello Michael Ryder).
Beyond all that, the Bruins have other prospects such as Colbourne, Knight, Suave, Spooner, etc. Hamill is blocked above and being chased from below. Not an enviable position. Bottom line, year to year his stock is dropping rapidly.
Unlike Hamill, Seguin and Colborne can (and will) play wing. But I seriously doubt Hamill’s going to get the fourth-line center spot ahead of Campbell.
Keeping him in the AHL for another year, though, at his age isn’t going to kill him.
I like Anthony A’s line of thinking except that I don’t want to trade Thomas. I really want the Bruins to keep both Thomas and Savard for a “Blackhawks like” push this year. Worry about next year’s cap after the 2010 / 2011 season is completed.
I think he needs to be traded. He has zero chance breaking into the lineup if he only plays center. Even if Savard left, it would leave Seguin and Colborne ahead of him. They need to use him in a deal to get rid of a big contract like Ryder or Thomas. Get a dependable left winger that chips in 40 points and draft pick in return!
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2007 was just a terrible draft Perron and Simmonds are the only players contributing to there teams drafted after Hamill just a weak draft.
I say carry Zack as the extra forward this fall throw him out there on some shifts with pro talent around him to see what happens. Keeping him in Providence another year is a waste.
I know it is still a bit early to tell… but the 2007 draft looks like it will turn out to be one of the weakest NHL drafts in the last 20 years. So the majority of nhl teams are going through the same thing with there 1st round picks in 2007. Hamill=Bust