Over the next month I will be taking a look at current prospects in the system. The hope is to inform you about the players and give some insight into what fans should expect from them this season and where they should play during the 2012-2013 season. Most of the articles will cover the big name kids, but also a couple will be done on members of the organization that I believe people should keep an eye on. Over the weekend our first prospect was Jamie Oleksiak (click here to see the article), today we will continue with Scott Glennie, and up next will be Alex Chiasson on Thursday!
Scott Glennie – RW/Forward
It’s his time. That is what keeps being said about Scott Glennie this year. The former first round pick knows the clock is now ticking, and this could be his season to finally break out. The Dallas Stars drafted the young Canadian forward with the 8th overall pick back in 2009 and it has since become one of the more questioned picks in recent memory. While Glennie looked like a first rounder and potential top-six forward at the time, the journey since has been less than stellar. Since that draft, many of the top picks from 2009 have gone pro and left impressions with their respective teams. Scott on the other hand has suffered through some injuries and a slow development that has produced a lot of second-guessing about his selection. But judging a pick only three years later is tough, and Glennie has been under scrutiny because of the organizations need for big and talented prospects.
But now Stars fans could definitely see him make the jump to the NHL. The right-handed forward has played both center and right wing, and could provide a nice boost if he can find some of the offensive punch that he was known for during his junior years with the Brandon Wheat Kings (91 points in his final season). While he looks more like a potential 2nd-liner, he could definitely go into camp fighting for a spot playing right wing on the third line. Glennie looked noticeably more filled-in this summer and he has added a little more strength and weight heading into what could be his rookie season in Dallas. It helped. At development camp he shrugged off some plays and defensive efforts that in the past slowed him down, and he still showed the strong stick and offensive skills that made him a high pick.
A big step forward that reassured some that he could become a good NHL forward was his effort last season with the Texas Stars. He had another rough start to a year while coming back from a wrist injury over the summer, but by mid-season he was starting to produce and saw an increased role within the team. He ended the season with 12 goals and 23 assists over 60 games, with much of that offense coming over the second half of the season. But jumping from juniors to the AHL is still a jump up and a transition should have been expected.
Now at 6’1″ and 205 lbs, Glennie looks ready for the big club. It is expected for him to fight for a spot (whenever the season does start), and fans should finally have expectations for him this fall: to make the NHL roster and provide some offense along with the two-way game that has improved a little since he was drafted. Jaromir Jagr and Michael Ryder should be the two right-wingers playing on the top lines, but with Adam Burish gone and the bottom six really a wide open competition for playing time, the opportunity is there for him to take. It finally does look like it is Scott Glennie’s time to break out, and it appears he is ready to do so now.
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