Coming in at #14 on the Prospect Pond is 2021 4th Round selection, Josh Pillar. The Warman, Saskatoon native is a right shot Right Wing for the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL. Pillar has also received time at Center while with Kamloops. Pillar was first eligible in the NHL draft in 2020, but went undrafted after putting up 44 points in 63 games. After a shortened COVID season, Pillar had put up 29 points in 22 games. This led the Wild to selecting him in the 4th round of the most recent draft, a pick they traded up for. At the time of publishing, Pillar has 19 points in 11 games this season. While Pillar is slightly above the league average in age, this is a very impressive number.
The WHL is a defensive minded league, and putting up nearly 2 points per game is very impressive. While the WHL is known for producing top tier D-men, they have also produced star NHL forwards such as Ryan Getzlaf. Josh Pillar is currently playing on the Right Wing of Wild 2021 3rd round pick, Caedan Bankier (stay tuned).
The Pond Report
Josh Pillar is an all around wing that is pretty good at everything. There isn’t one part of Pillar’s game that stands out as elite, but also nothing that he is awful at. Pillar is a pretty good skater, has a decent shot with good release, and is smart in his own zone. Physicality is by no means foreign to Pillar as he likes to play the body to regain control for his team. At 5’11, 172 lbs, Pillar will need to put on some mass to be able to use his body the way he can against smaller Junior players, but this is something that anyone can do.
Pillar is poised with the puck on the right side of the ice, and sticks to his position in both ends. It is rare to see Pillar make a bad turnover, or try to force a play that isn’t there. There is no problem with letting a play develop, and Pillar has shown the ability to circle in the opponent’s zone with the puck to let a passing or shooting lane open.
Despite not being terrible at anything, Pillar’s current issue is that there is not one part of his game that jumps off the page. Often times to make an NHL you have to be elite with at least one thing in lower leagues to catch the eye of management. Pillar’s speed in the WHL is good, but he will need to work on it to compete at the AHL. And he will certainly need to make a jump in that department if he ever wants to be an Nhl’er. While Pillar has potential, and his point totals are exciting, it is important to again note that junior leagues have top 10 scorers every season that never crack an NHL roster.
Analysis
Dean Evason and Bill Guerin expect players to play well in all three zones, this should bode well for Pillar. Pillar seems like the type of player that Guerin likes, and trading up to pick him is proof that Guerin sees something. With the point total that Pillar is putting up this season, it is beginning to look like this 4th round selection could be a late round steal for the Wild.
Nonetheless, Pillar has never faced professional players, or played at the International U20 level. Pillar also was not invited to Canada’s summer Junior camp, where most of the U20 team is picked from. If Pillar continues to score at nearly 2PPG in the WHL through November and early December, I personally believe he should get invited to Canada’s training camp, but it is by no means a sure thing as he is relatively unknown and may be passed up by younger, higher round prospects. At this point we have no way of knowing whether Pillar’s game will translate to the bigger, faster pro game. Pillar will almost certainly be given a chance to prove himself in Iowa next season.
As with #15 prospect Pavel Novak, Pillar’s position increases his chances with the Wild. If Pillar was a Center or LW, there wouldn’t be much of a path for him to the Wild. The team is stacked with young players at these positions. But with the future of Right Wing looking completely uncertain for the Wild, Pillar will carve out a roster opportunity if he transfers his game to the AHL. Now, let’s take a look at how Pillar projects for the NHL.
Projections
Chances of becoming NHL regular: 45%
It will be a surprise if Pillar isn’t given a chance with the Wild at some point. Nevertheless, he will have to prove himself to stay up at the highest level in the world. Pillar has a lot of development to get to this point.
Chances of becoming star NHL’er (Top 50): 1%
Pillar does not show enough ability in any one area to be a star in the NHL. He can hopefully develop into a strong 3rd or 4th liner, but a future on an NHL 1st line doesn’t look realistic at this time.
NHL arrival: 2024-25 season.
Despite the lack of future depth at RW for the Wild, it is going to take Pillar a few years to develop his game to the point of being an NHL player. Pillar will turn 23 in 2025 and can hopefully have developed the strength, speed, and confidence to compete in the NHL.
Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to read the Prospect Pond. What are your thoughts on the future of the Wild at Right Wing. Are you excited for Josh Pillar, or will he be a name the average fan doesn’t know? I look forward to your comments, see you on Tuesday.