Capitals Select Caleb Herbert

by J.P. on Jun 26, 2010 3:23 PM EDT

With the 142nd pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Washington Capitals have selected Caleb Herbert, C, Bloomington-Jefferson (High - MN). From the team's release:

Herbert recorded 55 points (26 goals, 29 assists) in 25 games for Bloomington-Jefferson High School in Minnesota in 2009-10. He expects to play in the United States Hockey League next season before attending college.

Some more info on the newest Cap:

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Quotes from the WCHB post:

Caleb Herbert was a little late to the NHL Draft radar after missing most of his sophomore season of high school hockey with a broken leg. But that summer, he returned to the ice and was extremely impressive at USA Hockey’s Select 17, earning an invite to the US Select team that traveled to the Ivan Hlinka tournament.

The following winter, he returned to Bloomington Jefferson and helped return the Jaguars to prominence, by going undefeated until losing to powerhouse Edina in the section final. In his senior year, he was the leading scorer in the fall Elite League, and was a finalist for Minnesota’s Mr. Hockey award.

Herbert is a very gifted offensive player. He’s got an excellent burst of speed, and great instincts in the offensive zone. He’ll likely play a year in the USHL next season, where he’ll refine his offensive skill against older, tougher competition, before heading to the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2011

Herbert definitely seems like a boom-or-bust type of prospect, whose future will depend on his ability to keep scoring lots of goals, something that may be tougher as he faces better, and perhaps more importantly at his size, bigger, more physical competition. But there is certainly enough talent there to justify using a mid-to-late round draft pick on him.

He’ll get a year in the USHL, and four years at Minnesota-Duluth which should help him develop into a more well-rounded, complete player. If he adds that dimension to his game, along with speed and ability to contribute offensively, he could develop into a solid second or third line forward for some NHL team

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by Steck It Out on Jun 26, 2010 3:26 PM EDT reply actions

from the Western College Hockey blog...

Strengths: Offensive instincts, goal-scoring ability

Needs to Improve: Size, discipline with penalties, defensive play

OK, I get it. Draft for skill, use other means to fill roles.

But this team is developing a disturbing trend to forsake the other stuff.

If you've read this far...seek help.

by ThePeerless on Jun 26, 2010 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

Needs to improve: size

Hahahahaha

by DrinkingPartner on Jun 26, 2010 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

And sure, but did you have someone else in mind? Is Kitsyn still on the board?

by DrinkingPartner on Jun 26, 2010 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I see the concern but we are at the point where every pick is a long shot anyway. He has drafted guys like SDR and Mitchell in these picks, and it’s definitely easier to find grit on the FA market than it is to find skill. I’m pretty neutral about this. If he pans out, great, but he probably won’t. At least the kid can skate, so that’s a good start.

I waited all year for this?

by Rob Parker on Jun 26, 2010 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions

True. At the same time, though, things like offensive instincts and goal-scoring ability are harder to teach, aren’t they? Start with the basics, work on the rest, and he could be anywhere from a first line guy to a third/fourth liner (in which case he’d need to develop more grit anyway(.

by Becca H on Jun 26, 2010 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions