Pearlo's House Of players to watch frolic

These are a couple of players who have been fairly highly touted by many to eventually be exceptional players in the NHL that I have some concerns about and need to see more before I am bought in.

It is tough to rate a guy in 29 games in the NHL, but Howard has been a guy I have been watching as much as I can since he won the Hobey Baker award in 2024/25. It is great that he earned the award but the problem is he won it on the third year after being drafted, there are not too many players that have won the Hobey on their 3D as they call it and have had successful careers and did that. The last on was Jimmy Vesey in 2016 and he has had a decent career with over 600 games and 200 points but nothing spectacular.

Every time I see Howard play, I see a guy with good speed and skills, but not a very high hockey I.Q. that will translate well to the N.H.L, He looks lost on the ice in all three zones. He has the skills to put up numbers if he can just rely on his hands and net drive ability like he does in the A.H.L. but if forced into decision making or playing positioning to survive he sorrily lacks. I see a poor man's Jack Roslovic and I am not a big fan of Roslovic for the same reasons.

I do not think Misa will be a bust, but he may end up being perceived that way simply because of the hype of being a 2nd overall pick behind Matthew Schaefer in the 2025. Misa is a beautiful skater and to watch him he gives you the impression that he could be a 100-point player in the N.H.L. I really do not see it though. Maybe 60–70-point guy but he does a lot of skating with accomplishing much, mostly because his on-ice vision is on the below average side. At 20 years old he could certainly prove me wrong but there will have to be a pretty big jump in that part of his game for me to get there. I will be watching and rooting for him though.

Simon Nemec is the sexy pick by many it seems to have a breakout year for the Flames after being acquired from New Jersey in the off season. I suppose he could do alright offensively but that will be really dependent on how much coach Huska lets him roam and does not try to reign Nemec in defensively. Nemec kind of goes where he wants when he wants so far in his career and can look impressive doing so if you do not pay attention to his lack of detail or even concern it seems for his defensive positioning in all three zones. Simon has a booming shot and great physical tool to be a very good player. However, roaming every play and taking high risk low reward plays all game could be very frustrating for the Flames this year. With maturity and proper persuasion, he would be a very good defensemen, but if he stays stubborn in his approach as he seems to be, this could be a long year for him and the Flames. 

I did every team during a live on my You Tube channel here