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#7 Ryan Sproul
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Pos: D
D.O.B.: 1/13/93
From: Mississauga, Ont
Height: 6'3
Weight: 205
Shoots: Right
Drafted: 2011 draft 2nd rnd, 55th overall by Detroit (NHL)
Acquired: Signed to ATO contract by Grand Rapids (AHL) 3/27/12 |
| Personal: |
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| Plus: Heavy, Accurate shot... Good Offensive Instincts... Great Skater...
| | Minus: Needs to work on lateral agility and quickness... Does not play up to his size... A project player, very raw... Needs to show more grit.. |
| Organizational Comments: Red Wings Asst GM Jim Nill: He's got good size - 6-4 - kind of a late bloomer. In the first half last year, he didn't do a lot, but in the second half he had 14 goals, the second most by a defenseman last year. He came on late. We like his combination of size and offensive ability. |
What GRC says: 2015-16 Sproul finally put all of the pieces together and had a solid if not spectacular second half. First and foremost was the return of his offensive game, using his booming right hand shot to score 9 goals down the stretch to set new career highs, and then following up a point per game in the postseason where he sits in the top 3 in defensive scoring. He did this while still maintaining a solid level of play in his own end, logging a ton of ice time. He seemed to rise to the occasion, playing bigger in the big games, and had a couple of big nights with the house full of the brass from the parent club. His strong play may have leapfrogged him to the top of the depth chart and he could turn a strong preseason into an NHL opportunity.
2014-15 The big defenseman with the booming shot has all of the tools; he has just not been able to put them all together. He has a great shot when he uses it, but hasn't provided enough offense to overcome his defensive shortcomings. He seemed to regress as the year went on, becoming a frequent healthy scratch towards the end of the season and into the playoffs. One of the few players not to excel under Coach Blashill, Sproul's development has stalled and he appears to have lost a lot of his confidence and swagger. Coming into the last season of his entry level contract, Sproul will need to rebound in a big way.
2013-14 Much has been said about the perceived shortcomings of Sproul's defensive game, but suffice it to say he has made improvements, and it is not as bad as advertised. The offensively gifted rearguard went through a stiff learning curve in the second half, but really picked up his play the last 20 games and into the playoffs. His booming right-handed shot, skating and size may give him the inside track to see some time in Detroit early. He probably would still benefit from another season in the AHL.
Fall 2013 A lock to find a spot on the crowded Griffins blueline this year, Sproul should see some time on the powerplay and provide offense from the backend. The reigning CHL defenseman of the year, Ryan is a top flight offensive defenseman with size and great wheels to go along with a heavy accurate shot. He will need to up his compete level and keep working on his defensive game to keep moving up the development chart.
Spring 2013 Sproul was a late bloomer, but continues to get better every game. He has a cannon of a shot and NHL upside with his size and skill. He has some work to do on the defensive side of the game, but should get a taste of AHL action, to know what to work on.
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| Role: Offensive Defenseman |
| Projection: NHL Top 4 Defenseman |
| Transactions |
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| 3/26/12 | Signed to 3-yr contract by Detroit (NHL) |
| 3/27/12 | Signed to ATO contract by Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 4/3/13 | Reassigned from Sault Ste Marie (OHL) |
| 9/22/13 | Assigned by Detroit (NHL) |
| 9/28/13 | Recalled by Detroit (NHL) |
| 9/29/13 | Assigned by Detroit (NHL) |
| 2/25/14 | Recalled by Detroit (NHL) |
| 2/26/14 | Assigned by Detroit (NHL) |
| 4/12/14 | Recalled by Detroit (NHL) |
| 4/17/14 | Assigned by Detroit (NHL) |
| 10/2/14 | Assigned by Detroit (NHL) |
| 10/4/15 | Assigned by Detroit (NHL) |
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