<p>A guy who got a cup of coffee with the Oilers last year, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/07/09/the-edmonton-oilers-prospect-report-james-hamblins-2022-23-season-review/">James Hamblin</a> finds himself at #6 in the Edmonton Oilers Prospect Countdown.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong class="text-lg font-bold">Position: Centre</strong><br />
<strong class="text-lg font-bold">Shoots: Left</strong><br />
<strong class="text-lg font-bold">Nationality: Canada</strong><br />
<strong class="text-lg font-bold">Date of Birth: April 27, 1999</strong><br />
<strong class="text-lg font-bold">Drafted: Undrafted</strong><br />
<strong class="text-lg font-bold">Height: 5&#8217;9″ / 175 cm</strong><br />
<strong class="text-lg font-bold">Weight: 176 lbs / 80 kg<br />
Ranking last year: #11</strong></p>
<p>Yanni Gourde went undrafted. So did James Hamblin. Yanni Gourde is 5&#8217;9&#8243;. So is James Hamblin. Yanni Gourde is 174 pounds. James Hamblin is roughly the same weight. Yanni Gourde played his first serious NHL games as a 25 year old. James Hamblin did so at the age of 23. Yanni Gourde has played a total of 465 NHL games.</p>
<p>Why am I talking about Yanni Gourde? Well, it&#8217;s to counter the narrative that James Hamblin had his shot and he&#8217;s not going to make it. That might be right. He played ten games without scoring a point. No question that was not a good outcome. Indeed, if you wanted to see a major difference between Yanni Gourde and James Hamblin. Yanni Gourde exploded in his first full season with 25-39-64 in 82 games. Can James Hamblin do that if he makes the Oilers? Well his career stats suggest he has a chance.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-138412" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-10-133528.png" alt="" width="641" height="383" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-10-133528.png 641w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-10-133528-300x179.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 641px) 100vw, 641px" /></p>
<p>Let&#8217;s start with what James Hamblin is always going to offer to his team. This is a very high hockey sense player who reads the game incredibly well and has good skating ability which allows him to make plays off his reads.</p>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Hamblin R&amp;R" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JlkUdyi3qio?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>Hamblin plays on the right side of the puck consistently and he will do anything to ensure that offence is prevented at his end of the ice.</p>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Hamblin Block, Exit and Entry" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Aea-YQexKYM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>Now let&#8217;s focus on the two issues that will need to be stronger for Hamblin to make an NHL career. First, his size. Yes, he is roughly the same size as Gourde, but Gourde plays a hard, greasy game in order to create space for himself. Hamblin has not really developed that element to his game. What you want to see from Hamblin is more plays where he attaches to bigger players getting inside their hands and using his lower leverage to push these players off balance and separate them from the puck. He also needs to keep moving his feet so he doesn&#8217;t get pinned by larger, stronger players. Here is a subtle clip that shows what Hamblin needs to keep doing.</p>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Hamblin Battle Wins" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e8oT47uBQxE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>As for creating offence, I think Hamblin can do it. He has an excellent range of physical attributes to create offence. The biggest element to it is that he is quite willing to start deep in his own zone and has the tools to move the puck into offensive opportunities.</p>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Hamblin Mid Lane Support" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oiLXzaem6oU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>When he gets a chance, James Hamblin flashes really nice hands and quick puck skills even in uneven circumstances.</p>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Hamblin Pass Receipt and Net Drive" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DnHNLmNPMS8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>Watch this quick read and great pass execution from Kemp to Hamblin to Lavoie.</p>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Hamblin and Kemp Passing" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DNn3W3Nbxqs?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>James Hamblin can also score the puck. He again displays quick hand speed and decision-making in close-quarter attacks against goalies.</p>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Hamblin Goal #10" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LZkLtJ8rN_k?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Hamblin Goal #4" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8CDz1q-fLg?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Hamblin Goal #6" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TJ6RAQ7r_Y0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>Now I do not think Hamblin will be a big goal scorer at the NHL level because his shot lacks some power and isn&#8217;t really quick off the stick. However, Hamblin seems to know what he wants to do with the puck before it gets on his stick and that quick decision-making takes goalies by surprise. If he can keep doing that, James Hamblin might just surprise some of the people who have already written him off as an NHL prospect.</p>
<h1>Previously in the countdown</h1>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilersnations-2022-prospect-countdown-the-complete-list">2022 list</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-20-carl-berglund">#20 — Carl Berglund</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-19-filip-engaras">#19 — Filip Engaras</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/08/13/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-18-joel-maatta/">#18 — Joel Määttä</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/08/19/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-17-ryan-fanti/">#17 — Ryan Fanti</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/08/20/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-16-shane-lachance/">#16 — Shane Lachance</a></strong></li>
<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-15-olivier-rodrigue"><strong>#15 — Olivier Rodrigue</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-14-maxim-beryozkin"><strong>#14 — Maxim Beryozkin</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/09/02/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-13-nikita-yevseyev/"><strong>#13 — Nikita Yevseyev</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/09/02/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-12-jake-chiasson/"><strong>#12 — Jake Chiasson</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/09/03/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-11-luca-munzenberger/"><strong>#11 — Luca Munzenberger</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/09/03/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-10-carter-savoie/"><strong>#10 — Carter Savoie</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/09/04/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-9-jayden-grubbe/"><strong>#9 — Jayden Grubbe</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/09/08/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-8-maximus-wanner/"><strong>#8 — Maximus Wanner</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/09/09/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-7-tyler-tullio/"><strong>#7 &#8211; Tyler Tullio</strong></a></li>
</ul>

A guy who got a cup of coffee with the Oilers last year, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/07/09/the-edmonton-oilers-prospect-report-james-hamblins-2022-23-season-review/">James Hamblin</a> finds himself at #6 in the Edmonton Oilers Prospect Countdown.



<strong class="text-lg font-bold">Position: Centre</strong>
<strong class="text-lg font-bold">Shoots: Left</strong>
<strong class="text-lg font-bold">Nationality: Canada</strong>
<strong class="text-lg font-bold">Date of Birth: April 27, 1999</strong>
<strong class="text-lg font-bold">Drafted: Undrafted</strong>
<strong class="text-lg font-bold">Height: 5'9″ / 175 cm</strong>
<strong class="text-lg font-bold">Weight: 176 lbs / 80 kg
Ranking last year: #11</strong>

Yanni Gourde went undrafted. So did James Hamblin. Yanni Gourde is 5'9". So is James Hamblin. Yanni Gourde is 174 pounds. James Hamblin is roughly the same weight. Yanni Gourde played his first serious NHL games as a 25 year old. James Hamblin did so at the age of 23. Yanni Gourde has played a total of 465 NHL games.

Why am I talking about Yanni Gourde? Well, it's to counter the narrative that James Hamblin had his shot and he's not going to make it. That might be right. He played ten games without scoring a point. No question that was not a good outcome. Indeed, if you wanted to see a major difference between Yanni Gourde and James Hamblin. Yanni Gourde exploded in his first full season with 25-39-64 in 82 games. Can James Hamblin do that if he makes the Oilers? Well his career stats suggest he has a chance.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-138412" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-10-133528.png" alt="" width="641" height="383" />

Let's start with what James Hamblin is always going to offer to his team. This is a very high hockey sense player who reads the game incredibly well and has good skating ability which allows him to make plays off his reads.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlkUdyi3qio

Hamblin plays on the right side of the puck consistently and he will do anything to ensure that offence is prevented at his end of the ice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aea-YQexKYM

Now let's focus on the two issues that will need to be stronger for Hamblin to make an NHL career. First, his size. Yes, he is roughly the same size as Gourde, but Gourde plays a hard, greasy game in order to create space for himself. Hamblin has not really developed that element to his game. What you want to see from Hamblin is more plays where he attaches to bigger players getting inside their hands and using his lower leverage to push these players off balance and separate them from the puck. He also needs to keep moving his feet so he doesn't get pinned by larger, stronger players. Here is a subtle clip that shows what Hamblin needs to keep doing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8oT47uBQxE

As for creating offence, I think Hamblin can do it. He has an excellent range of physical attributes to create offence. The biggest element to it is that he is quite willing to start deep in his own zone and has the tools to move the puck into offensive opportunities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiLXzaem6oU

When he gets a chance, James Hamblin flashes really nice hands and quick puck skills even in uneven circumstances.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnHNLmNPMS8

Watch this quick read and great pass execution from Kemp to Hamblin to Lavoie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNn3W3Nbxqs

James Hamblin can also score the puck. He again displays quick hand speed and decision-making in close-quarter attacks against goalies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZkLtJ8rN_k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8CDz1q-fLg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ6RAQ7r_Y0

Now I do not think Hamblin will be a big goal scorer at the NHL level because his shot lacks some power and isn't really quick off the stick. However, Hamblin seems to know what he wants to do with the puck before it gets on his stick and that quick decision-making takes goalies by surprise. If he can keep doing that, James Hamblin might just surprise some of the people who have already written him off as an NHL prospect.
<h1>Previously in the countdown</h1>
<ul>
 	<li><strong><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilersnations-2022-prospect-countdown-the-complete-list">2022 list</a></strong></li>
 	<li><strong><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-20-carl-berglund">#20 — Carl Berglund</a></strong></li>
 	<li><strong><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-19-filip-engaras">#19 — Filip Engaras</a></strong></li>
 	<li><strong><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/08/13/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-18-joel-maatta/">#18 — Joel Määttä</a></strong></li>
 	<li><strong><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/08/19/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-17-ryan-fanti/">#17 — Ryan Fanti</a></strong></li>
 	<li><strong><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/08/20/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-16-shane-lachance/">#16 — Shane Lachance</a></strong></li>
 	<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-15-olivier-rodrigue"><strong>#15 — Olivier Rodrigue</strong></a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-14-maxim-beryozkin"><strong>#14 — Maxim Beryozkin</strong></a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/09/02/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-13-nikita-yevseyev/"><strong>#13 — Nikita Yevseyev</strong></a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/09/02/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-12-jake-chiasson/"><strong>#12 — Jake Chiasson</strong></a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/09/03/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-11-luca-munzenberger/"><strong>#11 — Luca Munzenberger</strong></a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/09/03/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-10-carter-savoie/"><strong>#10 — Carter Savoie</strong></a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/09/04/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-9-jayden-grubbe/"><strong>#9 — Jayden Grubbe</strong></a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/09/08/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-8-maximus-wanner/"><strong>#8 — Maximus Wanner</strong></a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/09/09/edmonton-oilers-prospect-countdown-7-tyler-tullio/"><strong>#7 - Tyler Tullio</strong></a></li>
</ul>

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