Willy Myers Scouting Report

[Willy Myers 24]

Expected time of making VHL = 2-3 Seasons

Risk-Reward Analysis: Risk = 4/5   Reward = 4.5/5

NHL Potential: Top line scoring forward

Strengths

-  Phenomenal puck-handling

- Athleticism

-  Dynamic offensive ability

- Great size and frame

-  Fantastic skater

-  Elite shooting and playmaking skillset

 

Flaws/Aspects He Needs To Work On

-  Become more mature and disciplined.

-  Continue to train to increase strength and mass.

-  Consistency

 

Pros: Smooth Skating, Playmaking ability, Heavy shot, Elite offensive skills
Cons: Off-Ice character issues, Consistency issues, Lack of strength

Skillset comparison: Poor Mans Evgeni Malkin
Submitted by: Bob Mckenzie NHL.com

Fantasy Hockey Potential: Offensive = 9/10   Defensive = 6.5/10

NHL Player(s) Comparison: Ilya Kovalchuk

Interesting Note(s): “His long time hockey idol was Pavel Bure, “There never has been nor ever will be a player with the skill and IQ like Bure, he is truly a living hockey god” quoted Myers – as a tribute to Pavel, Myers wears No. 10 and has X tattooed on his left wrist.”

Player Profile: Throughout the regular season, fans heard of reports from VSN Insiders that Willy Myers was looking forward to joining the VHL sooner rather than later. Various stories from Russian Media outlets corroborated this excitement with reports where Myers was quoted saying much of the same and that to make things more dramatic he was even offered a rather lucrative contract to stay in the KHL, but he rejected to sign to join the VHLM.

So what’s the holdup?

In short, the pandemic. However, the situation is a bit more complicated than that. If 2020 were a normal year, Willy would have been able to sign to his Entry-Level Contract and playa full 72 game season. There are debates to be had if the Saskatoon Wild would still be in their season with there story book of a season on their own, but the novel continues and the Coronavirus has changed everything.

With the pause allowing Myers and his family an ample amount of time to think, some began to wonder if Willy actually would be able to join the a league in North America , if the league were to return to play. His KHL contract did officially expire November 30th, he’s yet to sign a new KHL deal.

“His long time hockey idol was Pavel Bure, “There never has been nor ever will be a player with the skill and IQ like Bure, he is truly a living hockey god” quoted Myers – as a tribute to Pavel, Myers wears No. 10 and has XVII tattooed on his left wrist.”

Suffice to say, his draft stock has fallen from being a consensus 1^st round pick, to maybe not even going in the first round. VHL teams will have to consider his character in the ever important interview opportunities they have, because there is no doubt that he still has blue-chip talent. He’s lanky, but his size is very enticing. Offensively, when he’s on his game, he can simply dominate. He sees the ice well and has a very impressive shot, but can also utilize his teammates very effectively. Consistency and intensity are some question marks, and Willy has been labelled in Russia as a prima donna numerous times, but the sheer skill he possesses can’t be questioned. In recent interviews however Willy has gone out of his way to apologize for the way he acted when he was younger and how much he has learned from playing with older players and how much his growth as a teammate has come along.

Wherever he ends up going in the draft will be among the biggest storylines in Russia come draft day, if not more interesting then the draft stock debate. While his mistakes on and off the ice in his past have certainly hurt him, he’s matured immensely being still so very young and will have plenty of time to prove that he has what it takes to be a professional who can be an impact and most importantly team player at the next level.