THE MUIR IMAGE
By Lowetide
10 years ago
Aidan Muir isn’t scoring. Muir (just getting up in photo after scoring a brilliant goal) plays in the USHL, and the scouting report is interesting. Except he isn’t scoring. And that’s bad.
Aidan Muir scored a brilliant goal earlier this season, but he hasn’t scored enough of them. Let’s start with a description of the player.
Chris DilksMuir is a 6’3″ 180 lbs. power forward.
He’s a decent skater for his size, though there is still some room for
improvement. With his frame, there’s also the potential to add a little
more strength. His biggest attribute is his grit and toughness in the
dirty areas of the ice along the boards and in front of the net, and
that he has the hands to make plays in tight spaces. He’s also a very
high energy player and a tireless worker. I’d begin looking at selecting
Muir somewhere in the late third to early fourth round of the draft,
though wouldn’t be shocked a team was interested in him even earlier
than that.
He’s a decent skater for his size, though there is still some room for
improvement. With his frame, there’s also the potential to add a little
more strength. His biggest attribute is his grit and toughness in the
dirty areas of the ice along the boards and in front of the net, and
that he has the hands to make plays in tight spaces. He’s also a very
high energy player and a tireless worker. I’d begin looking at selecting
Muir somewhere in the late third to early fourth round of the draft,
though wouldn’t be shocked a team was interested in him even earlier
than that.
Muir was selected 113th overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. I’m of the opinion that anyone chosen outside the first three rounds (90 picks) should be considered an extreme long shot for NHL employment. The information above is interesting—it tells us about the player and his speed, size and toughness.
There’s not a thing about his offense. That’s why this season is so interesting for Muir. Scott Reynolds at Copper and Blue tells us that a USHL player should bring 27% of his offense with him to the NHL (should he make it). That’s about the same as NHLE allows for the QMJHL, so we know it’s a good league.
- Muir’s boxcars: 36GP, 11-11-22
Hmmm. That’s not a terrific number. Muir is tied for 75th in USHL scoring. Greg Chase, drafted 75 spots later than Muir, is 20th in WHL scoring (the dub is considered a better league).
- Muir’s NHL equivalency: 82GP, 7-7-14
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
Scouting is a helluva tough thing to do, and we know this because history teaches us as much. One thing I’ve observed over the years is when NHL teams go ‘walkabout’ from established leagues and draft lists things can go sideways in a hurry.
Aidan Muir is not tracking as a legit NHL prospect. The Oilers selected him outside the top 90, and that’s progress. The Troy Hesketh/Cameron Abney picks are best saved for after the first three rounds each draft.
Recent articles from Lowetide
