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ThinkTank posted:I got beaten to the punch on the draft thread this year but I was gonna make the op just this gif A brief refresher of Hockey's unique draft rule compared to other domestic leagues: Amateur players can declare for the draft and be selected by a professional team but still attend and play in collegiate leagues. The team retains their rights until the end of their collegiate career in a process known as "draft and follow". Should a player decide not to sign with the team that drafted them, they become college free agents, free to sign their entry level contract with any team. I'm fascinated to see how this intersects with the NIL evolution, but that's neither here nor there, the most notable effect this year is Minnesota pocketing #47 after trading Jack McBain's rights to Arizona when he expressed an unwillingness to sign (Arizona had 12,000 picks and the trade enabled them to burn a year of McBain's ELC, as opposed to being on a level playing field with all other interested teams had he become a college FA). Also the details of everything above are probably Link to post w/ Athletic Mock Draft Round 1 1. Montreal Canadiens 2. New Jersey Devils 3. Arizona Coyotes 4. Seattle Kraken 5. Philadelphia Flyers 6. Columbus Blue Jackets (from CHI) 7. Ottawa Senators 8. Detroit Red Wings 9. Buffalo Sabres 10. Anaheim Ducks 11. San Jose Sharks 12. Columbus Blue Jackets 13. New York Islanders 14. Winnipeg Jets 15. Vancouver Canucks 16. Buffalo Sabres (from VGK) 17. Nashville Predators 18. Dallas Stars 19. Minnesota Wild (from LA) 20. Washington Capitals 21. Pittsburgh Penguins 22. Anaheim Ducks (from BOS) 23. St. Louis Blues 24. Minnesota Wild 25. Toronto Maple Leafs 26. Montreal Canadiens (from CGY) 27. Arizona Coyotes (from CAR via MTL) 28. Buffalo Sabres (from FLA) 29. Edmonton Oilers 30. Winnipeg Jets (from NYR) 31. Tampa Bay Lightning 32. Arizona Coyotes (from COL) Round 2 33. Montreal Canadiens 34. Arizona Coyotes 35. Seattle Kraken 36. Arizona Coyotes (from PHI) 37. New Jersey Devils 38. Chicago Blackhawks 39. Ottawa Senators 40. Detroit Red Wings 41. Buffalo Sabres 42. Anaheim Ducks 43. Arizona Coyotes (from SJ) 44. Columbus Blue Jackets 45. Arizona Coyotes (from NYI) 46. Washington Capitals (from WPG) 47. Minnesota Wild (from VAN via ARI) 48. Vegas Golden Knights 49. Seattle Kraken (from NSH) 50. Dallas Stars 51. Los Angeles Kings 52. Detroit Red Wings (from WSH) 53. Anaheim Ducks (from PIT) 54. Boston Bruins 55. Winnipeg Jets (from STL via NYR) 56. Minnesota Wild* (compensatory for not signing former 24th overall pick Filip Johansson) 57. Chicago Blackhawks (from MIN) 58. Seattle Kraken (from TOR) 59. Calgary Flames 60. Carolina Hurricanes 61. Seattle Kraken (from FLA via CGY) 62. Montreal Canadiens (from EDM) 63. New York Rangers 64. Ottawa Senators (from TB) 65. New York Islanders (from COL) Paracaidas fucked around with this message at 02:41 on Jul 7, 2022 |
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1. Juraj Slafkovsky, LW, Tps (FINLAND) Mar. 30, 2004 | 6′ 3.5″ | 218 pounds | Shoots left Tier: Projected bubble NHL All-Star and top of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: Above NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Player comparable: Rick Nash Background: Slafkovsky was a regular player for a top Liiga club in TPS this season albeit without great production overall. He was named MVP of the Olympics where he played a huge role in Slovakia earning a bronze medal. He was named a top three played for Slovakia at the World Championships. He played a notable role on Slovakia’s U20 team which outshot Sweden by a 2:1 margin in a world juniors game. He played for Slovakia’s national team in the World Championships as a U17 player. He was a top player for the Slovakian U20 team as a 16-year-old and a top player for a top Finland junior team in 2021. Analysis: Slafkovsky has all the assets you’re looking for in a top NHL forward. He’s a 6-foot-4 winger who can beat opponents with speed and skill. He posseses outstanding puck skills, and can put pucks through legs and sticks at a very high rate. Slafkovsky can use finesse, or power and quickness to get around defenders. Slafkovsky can also set up and finish plays well. Physically, he won’t run over guys but his compete is good enough. He projects as a top-line winger with the potential to pop and become be a true star in the NHL. 2. Shane Wright, C, Kingston (OHL) Jan. 5, 2004 | 6′ 0.25″ | 191 pounds | Shoots right Tier: Projected bubble NHL All-Star and top of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: Above NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Player comparable: Mika Zibanejad Background: Wright was the captain and a top player for Kingston. He finished 8th in OHL scoring. He was a top two-line center for Canada’s U20 team at the world juniors. He scored nine goals and 14 points in five games at the U18 worlds as a U17 player, leading Canada to gold. He was granted exceptional status to play in the OHL as a 15-year-old where he scored 39 goals and 66 points in 58 games. Analysis: Wright is a very well-rounded center who has no noticeable flaw in his skill set but there also isn’t a ton about his game that gets you overly excited. He can skate and handle the puck like an NHLer. Wright’s game translates because of his compete and direct style of play. He takes pucks to the net and plays quick. He can pull up to make a tough pass but can take pucks to the interior too. He has the high-end vision to run a power-play unit and make tough plays with pace. His shot is very good, showing the ability to pick corners from long range consistently. Off the puck he’s competitive and responsible, showing maturity beyond his years. He projects as a No. 1 center in the NHL due to his all-around play with a chance to be a star, but probably won’t be an elite scorer in the league. 3. Logan Cooley, C, Usa U-18 (NTDP) May. 4, 2004 | 5′ 10.25″ | 174 pounds | Shoots left Tier: Projected top of the lineup player Skating: Above NHL average Puck skills: Above NHL average Hockey sense: Above NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Player comparable: Brayden Point Background: Cooley has been the leading player in the 2004 age group for the USNTDP the last two years, although his pure production doesn’t blow you away. He made the USA world junior team as a 17-year-old in a significant role as their No. 2 center with power play time. He was a top forward at the U18 World Championships. He was a top player for the U18 team as a 16-year-old as well. He’s committed to the University of Minnesota. Analysis: Cooley is a dynamic player. When he has the puck on his stick you instantly notice him because of his high-end speed, skill and offensive IQ. He can make highly creative dekes and passes at full speed. The pace of his game is why I think he will be a top NHL player. He takes pucks up the ice and to the net often. Cooley lacks size, but he plays hard. He can drive play at even strength while also having the vision and shot to be a power-play threat running a unit from the walls. He projects as a first-line forward; as a center, he would be a low-end first-line center in the NHL. 4. David Jiricek, D, Plzen (CZREP) Nov. 28, 2003 | 6′ 3.0″ | 189 pounds | Shoots right Tier: Projected top of the lineup player Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Player comparable: Alex Pietrangelo Background: Jiricek was playing a notable role on a good Czechia league team and looking very good versus men, before a knee injury at the world juniors knocked him out for the second half. He has since started practicing again and was invited to Czechia’s national team camp. He played games for the senior Czechia team at the Karjala Cup and World Championships. He was also named one of Czechia’s best players at the 2021 world juniors despite being one of the youngest players in the tournament. Analysis: Jiricek is a big, right-shot defenseman who makes an impact at both ends of the rink. He has great individual skill to make opponents miss. You combine that with very good vision and a hard point shot, and inside the offensive zone he can make a lot happen and be dangerous on a power play. His skating won’t dazzle, but for his size he gets around well enough. What his skating looks like post-knee surgery is something to monitor. He shows some shiftiness to pull away from checks, but lacks ideal speed and burst for the NHL level. Despite that, he defends well due to his reach and a high level of physical play, often punishing opposing forwards with his body. He projects as a top-pair defenseman. 5. Simon Nemec, D, Nitra (SLOVAKIA) Feb. 15, 2004 | 6′ 0.0″ | 190 pounds | Shoots right Tier: Projected top of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: Above NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Player comparable: Mackenzie Weegar Background: Nemec played significant minutes versus men in Slovakia for the last two seasons. He has immense international experience. He scored 17 points in 19 games for his club team in Slovakia. He’s already played in two world juniors, and was among Slovakia’s best players both times. He has been in two World Championships including 6 points in 8 games at this year’s tournament. He was the best defenseman at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this summer and in the Olympics this season. Analysis: Nemec is a very well-rounded defenseman. His puck game is great. He has the high-end brain to make a lot of tough plays often. Nemec can hit seams, make plays under pressure and makes a great outlet pass. He also shows individual skill which, when combined with good speed, allows him to be dangerous in transition too. Defensively he’s solid due to his skating, compete and brain, even though he’s not imposing physically and can be trusted with tough responsibilities. Nemec projects as a top pair defenseman. 6. Cutter Gauthier, LW, Usa U-18 (NTDP) Jan. 19, 2004 | 6′ 2.25″ | 189 pounds | Shoots left Tier: Projected bubble top and middle of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Shot: High-end Player comparable: J.T. Miller Background: Gauthier was a versatile and important player for the U.S. NTDP this season, playing often on both special teams, lining up at wing and center for full games depending on their roster. He became a go-to player as the season went along, lining up on Cooley’s wing and playing PP1. He’s committed to Boston College. Analysis: Gauthier has the tools that can make you easily envision him in the NHL. He has a thick 6-foot-2 frame and can skate like an NHL player. With his size and speed he can overpower opponents to force turnovers or in how he attacks the net and it makes him an asset on the PK. Gauthier can create with his skating and skill, but his main offensive weapon is his shot. He can pick corners from distance with a powerful wrist shot. I didn’t love his playmaking early on but that part of his game grew on me as the season went on especially how he made passes on the move. I see a potential very good top-six forward whether at center or the wing with a chance to pop and become a true top of the lineup type. 7. Joakim Kemell, RW, Jyp (FINLAND) Apr. 27, 2004 | 5′ 10.75″ | 171 pounds | Shoots right Tier: Projected bubble top and middle of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Player comparable: Viktor Arvidsson Background: Kemell came out of the gates flying in Liiga but slowed down in the second half when he returned from injury. He played a top-six role on Finland’s U20 team, and scored a goal a game at the Hlinka Gretzky and at the U18 Worlds. As an underage, he scored at a high rate as well in Finland’s U20 league and was a solid player for Finland’s U18 team as a 16-year-old. Analysis: Kemell is a well-rounded winger who has almost every NHL attribute you want other than size at 5-foot-11. He brings skill and speed to his shifts, showing the ability to carry the puck up ice and create chances for himself and his teammates. Kemell can pass the puck very well, but his shot is his main weapon. You can set him up from mid-range and he can finish. He lacks size, but he plays hard, showing no fear of engaging physically to win back pucks or to take a hit to make a play. He projects as a very good top-six winger who will score a lot of goals in the NHL. 8. Matthew Savoie, C, Winnipeg (WHL) Jan. 1, 2004 | 5′ 9.0″ | 175 pounds | Shoots right Tier: Projected bubble top and middle of the lineup player Skating: Above NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: Above NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Player comparable: Jaden Schwartz Background: Savoie was one of the top forwards in the WHL as a 17-year-old, helping lead Winnipeg to the top of the standings and ending the season 7th in league scoring. He was a point-per-game player in the USHL as a 16-year-old. Savoie was the top pick in his WHL Bantam Draft after applying for and being denied exceptional status to play at the age of 15. He played at the U17 Challenge for Canada as a 15-year-old and was a top player. Analysis: Savoie is a very talented scorer. He stands out with the puck on his stick and can attack in a variety of ways. Savoie is an excellent passer, who can run a power play, hit seams at a high rate and make tough plays under duress. He has very good hands to maneuver in traffic. He has good speed to beat opponents wide and he has a shot that can score from range. Savoie lacks ideal NHL size, but he competes hard and wins a surprising amount of battles for his size. He doesn’t have incredible speed and skill for a 5-foot-9 player so he may be moved to the wing in the NHL, but regardless I see him as a very good top-six forward. 9. Marco Kasper, C, Rogle (SWEDEN) Apr. 8, 2004 | 6′ 1.0″ | 183 pounds | Shoots left Tier: Projected bubble top and middle of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Player comparable: Sam Bennett Background: Kasper has played a lot of games for one of the best SHL teams in Rogle over the last two seasons and got a regular shift this season. He scored 6 points in 13 SHL playoff games this season as well. He captained Austria’s U20 team at the world juniors. He also played very well for Austria’s senior team, including a four points in three games performance at a tournament in November and a major role for their World Championship team. Analysis: Kasper was easy to spot even in SHL games because of how powerful an athlete he is. He would often be the guy to wind it up in his own end to carry the puck due to his great speed and skill. Kasper has a strong 6-foot-1 frame, isn’t afraid to attack the hard areas, and can win some battles versus men as a 17-year-old. Kasper attacks with speed and skill, and while he can pull up to make a play or use his hard shot, his direct style of play will translate to the NHL. He projects as a quality top two line center. 10. Danila Yurov, RW, Magnitogorsk (RUSSIA) Dec. 22, 2003 | 6′ 1.0″ | 178 pounds | Shoots left Tier: Projected bubble top and middle of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: Above NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Player comparable: Troy Terry Background: Yurov played limited minutes on one of the best KHL teams, often lining up as a 12th or 13th forward for Magnitogorsk. Later in the season he played more junior games where he was very good for a top MHL team. He scored three goals and four points at a U20 Four Nations tournament which helped him make Russia’s U20 team in a lower role. He was a point-per-game player in Russia’s junior league the previous season, and scored 11 points in seven games at the U18 world championship. Analysis: Yurov’s skill stands out when you watch him. His stick skills and overall creativity with the puck are high end. He’s a good skater and shows excellent ability to beat defenders with speed or with dekes. He also shows great skill in tight spaces to maintain possession. Yurov can make plays but I wouldn’t call his playmaking as dynamic as his stickhandling. He’s not overly physical but Yurov works hard to create turnovers and can kill penalties. He projects as a quality top-six winger. 11. Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW, Djurgarden (SWEDEN) Jul. 24, 2004 | 5′ 10.5″ | 165 pounds | Shoots right Tier: Projected bubble top and middle of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: Below NHL average Shot: High-end Player comparable: Jordan Eberle Background: Lekkerimaki put up big numbers in Sweden’s J20 league showing significant goal-scoring ability in league and international play. He came up to the big club in Djurgarden in the second half where he played a notable role in SHL games and scored at a high rate for a 17-year-old. He scored for Sweden’s U20 team at a November tournament and led the U18 Worlds in scoring. Analysis: Lekkrimaki is a skilled winger who has various offensive elements in his game, but the clear strength of his game is his shot. He is a goal-scoring threat from the faceoff dots with a hard, accurate wrist shot and one-timer that projects to be a weapon in the NHL. He has good speed, hands and vision to generate clean entries and make plays but those aspects don’t pop like his shot. Like a lot of shooters, he leans too much on his best asset and play too much on the perimeter which isn’t ideal for a player who lacks size. Lekkerimaki projects as a quality top-six winger. 12. Nathan Gaucher, C, Quebec (QMJHL) Nov. 6, 2003 | 6′ 2.75″ | 207 pounds | Shoots right Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Player comparable: Nicolas Roy Background: Gaucher was an important all-situations center for a top QMJHL club in Quebec. He didn’t post big scoring totals this season after scoring a point per game in the prior season. He was invited to Canada’s U20 camp in the summer as an injury replacement. Analysis: Gaucher is a skilled and competitive center. He possesses a bulky 6-foot-3 frame and is a physical player which allows him to win a lot of puck battles. Gaucher creates a lot of offense around the net due to his physical tools. He’s a responsible two-way player who can PK well. Offensively he’s not flashy, but he has the hands to make plays inside the offensive zone and shows flashes of good playmaking. I think his point totals would have been higher on a different QMJHL team this season but Quebec was quite deep up front. He creates a lot around the hard areas of the ice. He has a fluid stride, but lacks top-end speed and doesn’t make a ton of plays. Gaucher projects as a second line two-way center. 13. Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW, Omsk Krylia (RUSSIA-2) Feb. 4, 2004 | 6′ 1.0″ | 185 pounds | Shoots right Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Shot: High-end Player comparable: Gabriel Landeskog Background: Miroshnichenko played all season up versus men in Russia’s second-tier league in a regular role before his season ended in January due to being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He scored 1 goal and 2 points at the U20 4 nations in November. He was the captain and a leading player for Russia’s U18 team when they won Hlinka Gretzky gold. He scored 6 goals and 8 points in 7 games at the U18 World Championships the previous season. He originally intended to play in Muskegon of the USHL instead of Russia the past two seasons but ran into visa issues. Analysis: Miroshnichenko is a player with all the attributes you want in a top NHL winger. He’s got good size and strength. He’s a strong skater. He’s highly skilled. He can make plays and he’s highly competitive. His shot is a bullet and can be a weapon from the flank on a pro power play. He can beat defenders with speed, he can put pucks through legs, he can create at evens and on the power play. He has a bulky frame and can play a powerful style of game. He has the tools and track record of a projected top line winger, but given his diagnosis he is being placed several tiers below that due to the significant uncertainty in his future projection — despite positive developments since the initial diagnosis. 14. Denton Mateychuk, D, Moose Jaw (WHL) Jul. 12, 2004 | 5′ 10.75″ | 188 pounds | Shoots left Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: Above NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Player comparable: Shayne Gostisbehere Background: Mateychuk played a ton for Moose Jaw this season, often playing half the game and was one of the best 17-year-olds in the WHL. He was also very good as a 16-year-old in the CHL and was invited to represent Canada at the U18s. He was the 11th pick in his WHL Bantam Draft. Analysis: Mateychuk is an undersized but dynamic defenseman. His skating pops, showing very quick feet that can easily transition pucks up ice with speed or evade pressure easily. Mateychuk attacks with the puck using his skill, skating and vision, making him a threat off the rush and blue line to create chances He can play with pace, but can also make passes off the point and use his hard shot to create offense. He defends well in the WHL due to his feet but at 5-foot-11 the concern for scouts is how well he’ll be able to check in the NHL. It’s a reasonable concern but I think he’s so talented and the skating is so good that he will find a way to succeed and become a top four defenseman. 15. Brad Lambert, C, Pelicans (FINLAND) Dec. 19, 2003 | 6′ 0.5″ | 175 pounds | Shoots right Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: Above NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: Below NHL average Player comparable: Andre Burakovsky Background: Lambert split this season between JYP and Pelicans in Liiga where his production rate dipped from his great underage season. He was having a monster world juniors before it was abruptly cancelled and was great at the tournament the previous season, too. His U18 and U17 games with Finland were not as impressive. Analysis: Lambert is a high-end athlete. His skating ability is explosive. He has great speed and edgework, allowing him to cut away from pressure easily. You combine his skating with strong hands and he’s a go-to guy for zone entries. He can make tough plays in motion and shows O-zone creativity. He can use his skating to circle too much at times but this season showed more willingness to attack directly. He’s full of potential, even though I’ve seen him take a lot of nights off. I think he will be a top-six winger in the NHL but he may frustrate coaches. 16. Reid Schaefer, LW, Seattle (WHL) Sep. 21, 2003 | 6′ 3.0″ | 213 pounds | Shoots left Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Player comparable: Alex Killorn Background: Schaefer was an important player for Seattle playing on both special teams and scoring a lot of goals for the T-Birds. He was top 10 in scoring in the WHL playoffs. He was an eighth-round pick in his WHL bantam draft who has developed quite well since then. Analysis: Schaefer’s NHL appeal is due to being a 6-foot-3 winger with legit skill, scoring touch and tenacity. He’s able to use his size and hands to create offense around the net, while also having an excellent wrist shot to score from range.He has value away from the puck, with a strong work rate, good physicality and can PK. He’s never historically been a big scorer, but his puck game and playmaking kept impressing me as the season went along and his role elevated. He looks like a future middle-six power winger with the potential to play high in a lineup if he really hits. 17. Lian Bichsel, D, Leksand (SWEDEN) May. 18, 2004 | 6′ 5.0″ | 216 pounds | Shoots left Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: Below NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Player comparable: K’Andre Miller Background: Bichsel played very well in Sweden’s junior ranks and got extended time with Leksands SHL team. He made Switzerland’s world juniors team in a notable role and was a top player for their U18 team. He was also named one of Switzerland’s best players at the U18 worlds the prior season. A concussion ended his season in the spring. Analysis: Bichsel’s physical tools are quite evident. He’s a 6-foot-5 defenseman who skates well for his size, is physical and has some offensive touch. He can carry and create through the neutral zone due to his feet and skills and shows some creativity from the offensive blue line. He has good hands but there isn’t much playmaking or poise in his puck play. Defensively he’s quite good due to his reach, feet and physicality. He closes gaps like a pro and can be trusted to play hard minutes as he advances levels. Bichsel projects top four defenseman with the potential to play higher in a lineup if the offense translates. 18. Rutger McGroarty, RW, Usa U-18 (NTDP) Mar. 30, 2004 | 6′ 0.75″ | 200 pounds | Shoots left Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: High-end Shot: Above NHL average Player comparable: Tyler Toffoli Background: McGroarty was a top forward for the U.S. NTDP this season, often lining up in a premier scoring role and wore the ‘C’ for that age group. He scored 8 goals in 6 games at the U18 Worlds this season. He represented Team USA at the U18 Worlds as a U17 player. He is from the Lincoln, Nebraska area and is committed to Michigan. Analysis: McGroarty is a highly-skilled winger who is a threat inside the offensive zone because of his very good puck skills, shot and vision. He can make a lot of plays with finesse, but also is highly competitive. He forces a lot of turnovers, wins a good number of battles and can create around the hard areas of the offensive zone. The knock on McGroarty historically has been his skating. He has an awkward stride that lacks ideal balance and mechanics, but he has enough quickness to be able to play in the NHL. He projects as a top nine winger with the potential to play much higher in a lineup if the skating holds up well enough. 19. Kevin Korchinski, D, Seattle (WHL) Jun. 21, 2004 | 6′ 2.25″ | 185 pounds | Shoots left Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Player comparable: Justin Schultz Background: Korchinski was a top player for a good WHL team in Seattle this season and one of the best 17-year-old defensemen in the CHL. He was the 10th pick in his WHL Bantam Draft and invited to Canada’s U18 camp. Analysis: Korchinski has a clear NHL toolkit. He’s a 6-foot-2 defenseman who can skate and has offensive abilities. He’s able to carry pucks up ice well with his skating, and has excellent edgework to evade pressure. Korchinski shows touch and vision with the puck to run a power play and create off the blue line due to his skill and feet. Despite his size and skating, he’s mediocre defensively. He doesn’t compete that hard on that side of the ice and is overly aggressive offensively. That’s a concern, but he generates so much offense that it makes up for those issues to an extent. Korchinski projects as a top-four defenseman. 20. Jiri Kulich, C, Karlovy Vary (CZREP) Apr. 14, 2004 | 5′ 11.5″ | 172 pounds | Shoots left Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Player comparable: Ross Colton Background: Kulich got a regular shift vs. pros in Czechia this season with power-play time. He captained their U18 team and made their world junior team in a notable role. He led the U18 world championships in goals and was named MVP of the tournament. Analysis: Kulich is a well-rounded prospect. He has a fluid, powerful skating stride that can generate clean entries and beat defenders wide. He has slick 1v1 skills and combined with his speed is a threat off the rush. He can make plays but is more of a threat when he’s in motion than picking apart defenses as a playmaker. Kulich has a great shot, showing a one-timer and wrist shot threat from range. Kulich doesn’t show fear from attacking the net or taking a hit to make a play. He projects as a top nine forward, whether at wing or center with the potential to play higher in a lineup. 21. Pavel Mintyukov, D, Saginaw (OHL) Nov. 25, 2003 | 6′ 1.25″ | 197 pounds | Shoots left Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Player comparable: Brandon Montour Background: Mintyukov played a ton of minutes for Saginaw this season and was a top scoring defenseman in the OHL as a first-year draft-eligible player. He missed all of 2020-21 due to the OHL not playing. Previously, he was a top player at the World U-17 Challenge where Russia won gold, scoring five points in six games. Analysis: Mintyukov is an exciting defenseman. He plays with pace and is aggressive as a rusher. His skating allows him to evade pressure easily and transition pucks up ice with his feet. Mintyukov is also highly skilled and can make plays through legs and sticks. He shows good offensive IQ, knowing when to activate and how to make plays with the puck. He also has a hard point shot, making him dangerous on the PP with his skating and vision. Defensively he’s solid, showing an ability to use his long reach, mobility and physicality to kill plays. He can be a little too aggressive at times trying to create offense when he leaves his defensive position. He projects as a top-four defenseman with the potential to play high in the lineup. 22. Frank Nazar, C, Usa U-18 (NTDP) Jan. 14, 2004 | 5′ 9.75″ | 175 pounds | Shoots right Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: Above NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: High-end Player comparable: Alex Kerfoot Background: Nazar was a significant player for the US program, often lining up as a top-two-line center.. He was highly productive as an underage player, scoring over a point a game. He’s committed to Michigan. Analysis: Nazar brings a lot of speed and energy to his shifts. He lacks ideal NHL size, but he makes up for it with his effort. He is hard on pucks, and shows no fear in how he attacks the interior third of the offensive zone. He can make an occasional flashy deke or pass, but most of his offense comes from the high percentage areas. Nazar’s great speed helps him get to the net and turn around a lot of defenders. He projects as a third-line center with a chance to be a No. 2 center. 23. Conor Geekie, C, Winnipeg (WHL) May. 5, 2004 | 6′ 3.25″ | 196 pounds | Shoots left Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Player comparable: Dylan Strome Background: Geekie was a top player on one of the best teams in the CHL this season, following up a great 16-year-old season where he was a point per game. He was the No. 2 pick in his WHL Bantam Draft right before his teammate Matthew Savoie. His brother Morgan Geekie plays for the Seattle Kraken. Analysis: Geekie has drawn a lot of interest from NHL teams because he’s a 6-foot-3 center with a high skill level. With his hands and reach he’s able to consistently maneuver pucks through sticks and legs to create chances. He’s a big man who doesn’t shy away from physical contact, which combined with his skill makes him tough to deal with down low and strip the puck from in general. Geekie can make plays and run a power play, showing good vision and finish from the perimeter. His main flaw, like his brother Morgan’s was, is his skating. He’s a better skater than his brother and can separate occasionally at the WHL level but doesn’t project to do so in the NHL. Geekie projects as middle-six center with a chance to play higher in the lineup. 24. Lane Hutson, D, Usa U-18 (NTDP) Feb. 14, 2004 | 5′ 8.5″ | 148 pounds | Shoots left Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: High-end Compete: NHL average Player comparable: Torey Krug Background: Hutson was a top four defenseman for the U.S. NTDP all season and generated a lot of offense. He was invited to the U18 team as an underage player where he was a top player for that team as well, being named one of the top three players at the U18 World Championships in 2021 for USA. He was named top defenseman of the 2022 U18 Worlds. He’s committed to Boston University. Analysis: Hutson is a constant threat with the puck on his stick. He’s the smartest player in the draft. He makes so many seam passes to generate chances. Hutson is also a highly-skilled puckhandler who shows great creativity off the offensive blue line. He makes a lot of crafty fakes and dekes to evade pressure. He’s not the fastest skater, but his edgework is quite good and allows him to use his skating to attack. The offense is clear NHL quality. Whether a barely 5-foot-9 defenseman who isn’t an elite skater can defend in the NHL is the question with Hutson. He’s a competitive, quality defender versus juniors and college opponents but that will need to be a test he’ll need to clear down the line. I think he plays in the NHL, and projects as an offensive-tilted top-four defenseman, but I realize the odds are against a player who looks like him becoming that. I stamp him this high because he’s the smartest player in the draft and I see just enough to the rest of his game to be able to elevate at higher levels. 25. Mattias Havelid, D, Linkoping Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) Jan. 1, 2004 | 5′ 9.0″ | 165 pounds | Shoots right Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: Above NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: High-end Player comparable: Sami Vatanen Background: Havelid has been a very good junior defenseman and got a good chunk of SHL games this season. He was MVP of the J20 playoffs in Sweden. Havelid has been an important part of Sweden’s U18 team over the last two seasons, including scoring nine points in five Hlinka Gretzky games and 12 points in six games at the U18 championship. He’s the twin brother of fellow draft eligible Hugo Havelid. Analysis: Havelid is a talented offensive player from the back end. He has the skating ability to jump into attacks and activate off the blue line to create offense with his skill. Havelid can find seams and create with his playmaking consistently. He also has a hard point shot and scored a lot of goals this season. The major drawback on Havelid is his frame. Not many 5-foot-9 defensemen play in the NHL. He defends well and has been great at retrievals in junior but whether he will versus men is the debate. Due to how well he skates I think he will make it as a top four defenseman who can help a power play. 26. Owen Pickering, D, Swift Current (WHL) Jan. 27, 2004 | 6′ 4.0″ | 178 pounds | Shoots left Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: Below NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Player comparable: Travis Sanheim Background: Pickering played major minutes for Swift Current this season and put up solid scoring totals for a defenseman his age. He was named one of Canada’s top 3 players at the U18 World Championships. He was a ninth round pick in his WHL Bantam draft but experienced a significant growth spurt since then. Analysis: Pickering’s tools are evident to anyone who watches a game or two. He’s a 6-foot-4 defenseman who skates quite well for his size and has offense. He can carry through the neutral zone to create controlled exits/entries and is good on retrievals. He can also pull up to make a good outlet or seam pass in the O-zone. He can use his size and feet to close on checks efficiently. Pickering’s ascent has been quick, and thus there are some raw aspects with his play with the puck and overall consistency. He projects as a second or third pair defenseman depending on how much the offense translates. 27. Luca Del Bel Belluz, C, Mississauga (OHL) Nov. 10, 2003 | 6′ 0.5″ | 175 pounds | Shoots left Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Player comparable: Ryan Donato Background: Del Bel Belluz had a productive season playing all situations for a strong Steelheads team, being one of the top scorers in the OHL early in the season but that production tailed off in the second half. His production trended way up after only scoring six points in his first OHL season in 2020. He was a third-round pick in his OHL Draft. Analysis: Del Bel Belluz is a very skilled center with decent size. He has the crafty puck skills to manipulate the puck in tight areas and often shows he can beat defenders one on one. He can run a power play off the flank due to his very good vision and shot although I don’t see that as his role in the NHL. He lacks foot speed for the higher levels, but he works hard enough and provides some two-way value down the middle. He projects as a top-nine forward. With his feet he may struggle to stick at center but if he does it’s on the third line. 28. Liam Ohgren, LW, Djurgarden Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) Jan. 28, 2004 | 6′ 0.0″ | 187 pounds | Shoots left Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Player comparable: Alex Iafallo Background: Ohgren was a goal per-game player and top scorer in Sweden’s J20 league while also playing limited minutes in the SHL. He was a top player for Sweden’s U18 team and played for the U20 team in November. Analysis: Calling Ohgren a goal scorer isn’t a novel observation given his stats this season but he’s shown he can score goals in a variety of ways. He has great hands and can create offense through his skill. He generates a lot of offense around the high-percentage areas because of his strength and compete. Ohgren also has a shot that can score from range. He’s smart enough with the puck to move it well but is more of a shooter and worker than a playmaker. His skating is OK. I’ve heard from scouts who like it but I’ve never seen a player who can separate with speed. He projects as a top-nine winger. 29. Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, Usa U-18 (NTDP) Jun. 1, 2004 | 6′ 1.25″ | 186 pounds | Shoots right Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Player comparable: Tanner Pearson Background: Snuggerud was a top-six forward for the U.S. NTDP this season and one of the most improved players on the program from the previous season. He’s committed to Minnesota. Analysis: Snuggerud’s a talented winger who can be dangerous with the puck on his stick. He has one-on-one skill, good vision, and his best asset is his shot. He is a long-range shooting threat with a one-timer you can build a power-play unit around. Snuggerud has good size, competes well and is responsible defensively. The only issue is he has heavy feet which could impede him as he advances levels. The rest of his game is strong enough though that I think he could be a top-nine forward. 30. Noah Ostlund, C, Djurgarden Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) Mar. 11, 2004 | 5′ 11.0″ | 163 pounds | Shoots left Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: Above NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Below NHL average Player comparable: Tyson Jost Background: Ostlund has been a highly productive junior player in Sweden the last two seasons. He got time in the SHL with Djurgarden in limited minutes. He was a top forward for Sweden’s U18 team this season and played for their U18 team as an underage as well. Analysis: Ostlund posseses impressive speed and skill. He’s able to be an asset in transition due to his abilty to create controlled entries and make defenders miss. He has a pass-first mentaility but can make difficult plays at a high rate. Ostlund has the poise to run a power-play unit and find seams but he’s not much of a shot threat. Ostlund isn’t the biggest, but he works hard enough and has shown as a junior he can reliable defensively. He looks like a potential third line center in the NHL. 31. Ryan Chesley, D, Usa U-18 (NTDP) Feb. 27, 2004 | 6′ 0.25″ | 195 pounds | Shoots right Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: Below NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Player comparable: Ryan Lindgren Background: Chesley was a top-four defenseman for the U.S. NTDP this season, often playing on both special teams units. He represented team USA’s U18 team as an underage. He’s committed to the University of Minnesota. Analysis: Chesley has some physical assets that pop off the page from a pro projection. He’s a NHL-caliber skater who can transition pucks up ice very well with his speed. He has average size, but he’s quite strong and physical. With his mobility he’s able to close on checks well, and often uses his body to land hard hits to separate pucks from players. He has good individual skill, with the hands to beat checks one-on-one and generate a lot of power off his one-timer. Chesley isn’t a gifted puck-mover though and can struggle at times with his puck distribution. He projects as a full-time second- or third pair defenseman depending on how much the offense translates to higher levels. 32. Jagger Firkus, RW, Moose Jaw (WHL) Apr. 29, 2004 | 5′ 9.75″ | 153 pounds | Shoots right Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: High-end Player comparable: Eeli Tolvanen Background: Firkus has scored at a strong rate in the WHL over the past two seasons, being a big part of Moose Jaw’s offense. He’s trended up significantly after being the 82nd pick in his WHL Bantam Draft. He was named player of the game for the CHL Top Prospects Game. Analysis: Firkus’ skill and creativity stand out consistently. He shows great ability to beat defenders one-on-one with his stickhandling. He can make tough passes at a high rate through seams and under pressure. He is a shot-and-pass threat which makes him a major asset on a power play and often scores from range with a release that will beat NHL goalies. Firkus is quick, but not fast, showing good enough skating and compete to win battles but he’s not going to beat NHL defenders wide. The scoring ability is significant enough that I think he can be a middle-six winger. 33. Isaac Howard, LW, Usa U-18 (NTDP) Mar. 30, 2004 | 5′ 10.0″ | 182 pounds | Shoots left Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: Above NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Player comparable: Jonathan Dahlen Background: Howard has been a highly productive forward for the U.S. NTDP over his two seasons. He was called up to the U18 team as a 16-year-old where he played a significant role at the U18 world championships with four points in five games. He was a top scorer in the tournament overall at this year’s U18’s. He also scored seven goals in four games at the Youth Olympics. He’s committed to Minnesota-Duluth. Analysis: Howard is a player defined by his skill level. His stick skills are among the best in the draft. He can make quick and creative dekes consistently. He’s known as a goal-scorer, but he can make creative passes and make difficult plays in small areas. Howard is a good enough skater for the NHL, but for a 5-foot-10 guy you’d like to see a little more burst. His goal scoring is more a product of his skill and willingness to attack the middle than an elite shot. He projects as a top-nine winger. 34. Filip Mesar, RW, Poprad (SLOVAKIA) Jan. 3, 2004 | 5′ 10.0″ | 167 pounds | Shoots right Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player Skating: Above NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Player comparable: Alexander Barabanov Background: Mesar has played pro hockey in Slovakia the last two seasons. He was a top forward at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in the summer. He made Slovakia’s world junior team in a scoring role and also played well in games for Slovakia’s senior team. Analysis: Mesar’s game is defined by speed and pace. He’s one of the better skaters in this draft, with the ability to burn up the neutral zone to create clean entries with speed. He has good skill and playmaking ability, and shows he can make tough plays with the puck with pace. Mesar lacks size at 5-foot-10 and isn’t an overly physical player. His compete is good enough for me but probably not where you want for an undersized player. I think with his speed, skill and scoring ability he can carve out a career as a top-nine winger though. 35. Jani Nyman, RW, Koovee (FINLAND-2) Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average 36. Ryan Greene, C, Green Bay (USHL) Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average 37. Danil Zhilkin, C, Guelph (OHL) Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average 38. Filip Bystedt, C, Linkoping Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) Skating: NHL average Puck skills: Below NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average 39. Cameron Lund, C, Green Bay (USHL) Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: Below NHL average Shot: Above NHL average 40. Tristan Luneau, D, Gatineau (QMJHL) Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average 41. Viktor Neuchev, LW, Yekaterinburg 2 (RUSSIA-JR.) Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: Above NHL average Hockey sense: Below NHL average Compete: Below NHL average Shot: High-end 42. Mats Lindgren, D, Kamloops (WHL) Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: Above NHL average Compete: NHL average 43. Miguel Tourigny, D, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL) Skating: Above NHL average Puck skills: Below NHL average Hockey sense: Above NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Shot: Above NHL average 44. Maveric Lamoureux, D, Drummondville (QMJHL) Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: Below NHL average Hockey sense: Below NHL average Compete: Above NHL average 45. Julian Lutz, LW, Munchen (GERMANY) Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: Below NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average 46. Arseni Koromyslov, D, Ska St. Petersburg 2 (RUSSIA-JR.) Skating: NHL average Puck skills: Below NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: Above NHL average 47. Jack Hughes, C, Northeastern (H-EAST) Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: Above NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average 48. Bryce Mcconnell-Barker, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average 49. Seamus Casey, D, Usa U-18 (NTDP) Skating: Above NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: Above NHL average Compete: NHL average 50. Sam Rinzel, D, Chaska (HIGH-MN) Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: Below NHL average Compete: NHL average 51. Gleb Trikozov, LW, Omsk 2 (RUSSIA-JR.) Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average 52. Owen Beck, C, Mississauga (OHL) Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average 53. Kasper Kulonummi, D, Jokerit Jr. (FINLAND-JR.) Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average 54. Elias Salomonsson, D, Skelleftea Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) Skating: NHL average Puck skills: Below NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: High-end 55. Tomas Hamara, D, Tappara Jr. (FINLAND-JR.) Skating: NHL average Puck skills: Below NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average 56. Simon Forsmark, D, Orebro (SWEDEN) Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: Below NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: Above NHL average 57. Cruz Lucius, RW, Usa U-18 (NTDP) Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average 58. Rieger Lorenz, LW, Okotoks (AJHL) Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: Below NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average 59. Alexander Perevalov, LW, Yaroslavl 2 (RUSSIA-JR.) Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average 60. Topias Leinonen, G, Jyp Jr. (FINLAND-JR.) Skating: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average 61. Tyler Brennan, G, Prince George (WHL) Skating: Below NHL average Hockey sense: Above NHL average 62. Jordan Gustafson, C, Seattle (WHL) Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average 63. Adam Sykora, LW, Nitra (SLOVAKIA) Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: Above NHL average 64. Fraser Minten, C, Kamloops (WHL) Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: Below NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average 65. Dylan James, LW, Sioux City (USHL) Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average 66. Connor McClennon, RW, Winnipeg (WHL) Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average 67. David Goyette, C, Sudbury (OHL) Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: Below NHL average Paracaidas fucked around with this message at 02:33 on Jul 7, 2022 |
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Jul 5, 2022 17:35
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Big board is up, writeups trimmed as soon as we get to his "could play, I guess?" guys. I'll fix formatting when not phonepostingThinkTank posted:There is only one worthwhile draft pick this year: Rutger McGroarty. Hunch is Lambert has the most precipitous fall compared to Pronman's big board while Luneau or Beck is most overdrafted (I'm not counting Geekie as he acknowledges he's the lowest on him by a mile)
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Jul 5, 2022 19:33
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Done(ish)
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Jul 5, 2022 21:08
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Scaramouche posted:Snuggerud has to make it just for the nicknames. What'll it be, Snuggy? Dank Snug? If draft night breaks this way, I really hope the Wild come away with one of Yurov (KHL), Lambert (became post hype during draft year, somehow), or Miroshnichenko (hodgkins lymphoma) and then one of Nazar, Snugg, or McGroarty. Just not a Dman, really. I'll post the mock when I'm home tonight if nobody beats me to it.
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Jul 6, 2022 21:24
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Athletic 'final' Mock 1. Montreal Canadiens: Juraj Slafkovsky, LW, TPS (Finland) The slight majority of my information from league sources is Montreal will take Slafkovsky with the top pick, but there are still quite a few league personnel who believe it will be Shane Wright. In my experience with the draft, when players start trending in one direction late in the process, they tend to keep trending, and right now a majority of the league sources I talk to are discussing Slafkovsky as the best player in the draft. I don’t believe Montreal’s positional needs play a large factor in this decision even if obviously NHL teams prefer centers and defensemen. The Canadiens lost 60 games last season — they have needs everywhere. 2. New Jersey Devils: David Jiricek, RHD, Plzen (Czechia) If Slafkovsky is available at this pick, I believe he’s the Devils guy. If he isn’t, it gets complicated. I could see Shane Wright here. There is obviously a ton of speculation about the Devils trading the pick in this scenario, too. Should they remain at No. 2, my best guess is they pick one of the top two defensemen, David Jiricek or Simon Nemec, with my best intel of late being they lean toward Jiricek. One name I’ve also been told not to rule out with New Jersey at No. 2 is Marco Kasper. 3. Arizona Coyotes: Logan Cooley, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL) If Wright goes 1, then Slafkovsky 2, then I believe Arizona will be debating between Cooley, Nemec and Cutter Gauthier for this pick. If Wright is available, it makes it more interesting. My best information is Arizona prefers Cooley, but I could absolutely see Wright being picked here as well, and my information on their preference from league sources is a near coin flip. 4. Seattle Kraken: Shane Wright, C, Kingston (OHL) If Wright starts to slip a little, my bet is this is his floor. If it goes Wright, Slafkovsky, Cooley 1-2-3, then I believe Seattle will be down to one of the top two defensemen, Jiricek and Nemec, Joakim Kemell or Gauthier, with my money being on them taking Nemec. 5. Philadelphia Flyers: Cutter Gauthier, LW/C, U.S. NTDP (USHL) I’ve been hearing a lot about Gauthier and the Flyers as we get closer to draft day. I imagine this is a floor for Cooley if something surprising happens before this pick, such as Gauthier going at 3 or both defensemen being picked. 6. Columbus Blue Jackets: Simon Nemec, RHD, Nitra (Slovakia) While I think it’s possible someone like Kasper or Jonathan Lekkerimaki can break up the somewhat consensus group of six at the top of this draft, I still project Columbus to be in on whichever of the top six rated prospects in Slafkovsky, Wright, Cooley, Jiricek, Gauthier and Nemec are there. In this scenario it is Nemec. 7. Ottawa Senators: Joakim Kemell, RW, JYP (Finland) Kemell and Matthew Savoie are the two players I’ve heard speculated to Ottawa in the draft leadup. They’re both highly talented and compete well, but smaller wingers in the top 10 don’t tend to jibe with what Ottawa has prioritized in the draft of late so a part of my brain worries I’m missing something and this pick ends up being someone like Kasper, Conor Geekie or Kevin Korchinski. 8. Detroit Red Wings: Marco Kasper, C, Rogle (SHL) I’ve had Kasper to Detroit pretty much since my first mock draft, so I apologize for the lack of creativity here. I just see so much that makes sense from a talent, positional and stylistic fit. If they went in a different direction my best bet would be for either Savoie, Joakim Kemell or Korchinski. 9. Buffalo Sabres: Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW, Djurgarden (SHL) I expect Buffalo to use the first of its three first-round picks primarily to add offense and skill to the organization. I’ve heard Savoie and Kemell speculated here but the best guess from my information is they will pick either Lekkerimaki or Kasper. 10. Anaheim Ducks: Kevin Korchinski, LHD, Seattle (WHL) Unless someone falls unexpectedly, my best information is Anaheim ends up taking Korchinski or Pavel Mintyukov at this spot, adding a new top defenseman prospect to the organization that just traded away Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson. I have heard Denton Mateychuk’s name mentioned here too by team sources. 11. San Jose Sharks: Matthew Savoie, C/RW, Winnipeg (WHL) Savoie would fit into the types of highly skilled and competitive players the Sharks have targeted in recent years. If either Kemell, Lekkerimaki or Korchinski make it this far I believe they would all be in serious consideration for the Sharks too. 12. Columbus Blue Jackets: Pavel Mintyukov, LHD, Saginaw (OHL) As we’ve approached the draft I’ve heard less “Russian factor” concerns on Mintyukov, who played all year in North America and didn’t go home to Russia to train this offseason. My current expectation is he will go somewhere in the top 12-13 based on what I’m hearing in the industry. Adding him and Nemec would be a huge boost to the defensive depth in Columbus. 13. New York Islanders: Nathan Gaucher, C, Quebec (QMJHL) I realize this looks like a way off consensus pick at 13, but I keep hearing Gaucher is more highly valued in team circles than his public perception might be due to his being a 6-3 two-way center who some teams believe has legit skill. I could buy the Islanders going Geekie or Mintyukov here instead though. 14. Winnipeg Jets: Conor Geekie, C, Winnipeg (WHL) Geekie is a highly divisive name in the scouting community. I could see him going much higher or much lower. I do think he’ll be a name in the Jets mix, along with Mintyukov, Gaucher and Noah Ostlund. 15. Vancouver Canucks: Noah Ostlund, C, Djurgarden (Sweden) Gaucher and Ostlund are the two names I’ve heard the most with Vancouver in the runup to the draft. Both would be significant upgrades to their young center depth, but Ostlund plays a more dynamic skill and speed game. I’ve also heard Liam Ohgren speculated here too. 16. Buffalo Sabres: Jiri Kulich, LW/C, Karlovy Vary (Czechia) Kulich’s name continues to rise, and I think he has a strong chance to be a top-20 pick on draft day. I’ve mocked Danila Yurov here consistently and I do think he could be in play, but Kulich offers far less risk and is still quite a talent. I’ve also heard Ostlund speculated here if he’s still available. 17. Nashville Predators: Owen Pickering, LHD, Swift Current (WHL) My expectation throughout the draft process would be that Nashville would add a defenseman at 17. Whether it’s Pickering, Denton Mateychuk or Lian Bichsel, I believe they will try to help their depth at that position with this pick. 18. Dallas Stars: Lian Bichsel, LHD, Leksands (SHL) Dallas has quite a few strong forward prospects coming through the pipeline, but there isn’t a ton coming on the blue line. Thus, I expect them try to add a defense prospect whether it be Bichsel, Pickering or Mateychuk. 19. Minnesota Wild: Frank Nazar, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL) I know Nazar is an internet favorite, but based on conversations around the league, it’s around the late teens that I expect teams to start debating him seriously. His style of play would mesh with that of fellow Wild prospect Marat Khusnutdinov. I could see Reid Schaefer as another possibility here if they want size. 20. Washington Capitals: Reid Schaefer, LW, Seattle (WHL) Schaefer’s name has been trending with teams after his great WHL playoffs. I fully expect him to be a first-round pick, and I don’t think him going as high as 20 is unreasonable. There isn’t a lot in the Capitals pipeline that looks like Schaefer as a big winger with some skill and sandpaper. I could see Pickering here too if he gets to 20. 21. Pittsburgh Penguins: Danila Yurov, RW, Magnitogorsk (KHL) As we’ve gotten to draft week, I’m getting the sense around the league that teams are getting cold feet on picking players with KHL contracts like Yurov, whom many scouts rate top 10 on talent. The Penguins would likely prefer a top center or defense prospect here, but at this point in the draft the obvious ones are gone. Rutger McGroarty and Jimmy Snuggerud are names I’ve heard speculated here, but I think at 21 Yurov may be too enticing to pass up. 22. Anaheim Ducks: Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, U.S. NTDP (USHL) I could see Snuggerud go before 22, but right around this range is where I expect him to become a serious consideration for clubs. He’s a strong, skilled winger who competes well and can score goals. You can see him complementing someone like Trevor Zegras or Mason McTavish quite well. I could also see Kulich as the pick here. 23. St. Louis Blues: Ryan Chesley, RHD, U.S. NTDP (USHL) Chesley makes a lot of sense for the Blues in terms of his highly competitive play style, while also addressing a clear organizational need for some quality young defensemen. If either Pickering or Bichsel last to 23, I have to imagine they would be very much in the Blues mix as well. 24. Minnesota Wild: Denton Mateychuk, LHD, Moose Jaw (WHL) Minnesota would know Mateychuk well after he played so much with fellow Wild pick Daemon Hunt. With expectations that keeping Matt Dumba will be difficult, Mateychuk can be the dynamic skating/skillful puck-mover to replace him long-term even though he lacks size. Alternatively, I could see Kulich as the pick here. 25. Toronto Maple Leafs: Rutger McGroarty, LW, U.S. NTDP (USHL) McGroarty is a highly talented and competitive winger who would add to the type of forwards Toronto has drafted in recent years. I could see Isaac Howard, Mateychuk or Liam Ohgren being in the mix here. 26. Montreal Canadiens: Liam Ohgren, LW, Djurgarden (Sweden) Ohgren could be gone by this pick, but if he’s here I think he would be a great addition to the Habs forward group due to his mixture of skill, scoring ability and grind in his game. I’ve heard his name connected to the Habs through the draft process as well. 27. Arizona Coyotes: Sam Rinzel, RHD, Chaska (U.S. High School) Rinzel is a player I’ve heard speculated as a late first for a large part of the season. As we’ve gotten to draft day and the defense crop doesn’t look overly deep, I think it could become reality for a team to swing on a high school kid who is playing USHL next season due to his fantastic toolkit. League sources believe Arizona wants to get bigger at this draft and picking a 6-4, mobile defenseman with some offense would be a good place to start. 28. Buffalo Sabres: Brad Lambert, RW, Pelicans (Finland) I’ve heard a little more Lambert love from NHL sources in the last few days than I did in June. I think it’s still possible he’s picked in the teens, but my current bet is he goes somewhere in the 20s. Lambert for Buffalo at 28 would be a big swing on the dynamic speed/skill combination with a hope he becomes more consistent. 29. Edmonton Oilers: Filip Bystedt, C, Linkoping (Sweden) Bystedt feels like a perfect fit to boost the Oilers center depth, because of his large frame and the pace at which he plays. This could be a possible Brad Lambert landing spot too. If they go for defense, I could see both Chesley and Rinzel as options here if either are available. 30. Winnipeg Jets: Isaac Howard, LW, U.S. NTDP (USHL) Howard was once considered a lock to be a first-round pick, but I’m not getting that sense from scouts in the last few weeks. I still think he squeaks into the first due to his very high skill level and ability to put pucks in the net. 31. Tampa Bay Lightning: Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW, Avangard (Russia) Despite Miroshnichenko making some positive progression is his fight against his Hodgkin’s lymphoma, as we get closer to the draft, I’ve started to sense more skepticism among teams about a player many scouts had rated in the top five six months ago. I’m guessing he goes closer to 30 than 20 as I had previously mocked. Tampa could be in position here to add a type of talent they’ve drafted very little of in recent years due to their lack of draft capital. 32. Arizona Coyotes: Tristan Luneau, RHD, Gatineau (QMJHL) Luneau’s stock has gone up and down over the past year but I still think he’ll be a tail-end first or a very early second-round pick. He has flaws particularly in his skating, but 6-2 defensemen who can move the puck aren’t easy to find and could be appealing to the Coyotes even if they already picked Rinzel.
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Jul 7, 2022 02:40
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AsInHowe posted:Gut says Brad Lambert or Kasper, if available though. Lambert is the biggest swing on potential, Kasper is the most logical fit. I'm really curious (and wholly inequipped to judge myself) if Lambert has earned his falling stock, or if it's a herd safety thing right now. Once he drops past 15 or so (arguably past 10), it's tough for a scout or GM to defend taking him if he turns out to be a bust: Look at all these teams who realized he was overrated, hell, he might not have gone in the first at all if you weren't so bad at your job. That's a much less comfortable position to be in than going to the owner, pointing to everyone else letting him slide, and using that to justify missing on him when someone grabs him in the late 20s and he turns into the stud folks expected a year ago. "Look boss, it wasn't just me who got this wrong!"
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Jul 7, 2022 06:38
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eXXon posted:That list can get hosed, there are not three better names than Rutger McGroarty. I will accept arguments for Jagger and Jagger only.
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Jul 7, 2022 17:16
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I got drunk and missed the draft (a shameful OP!) but overall, I'm pretty drat happy with the Wild's showing! Ohgren wasn't high on my list, but I've got full confidence in Brackett. Sounds like a post-Moose fit on the GREEF line. https://mobile.twitter.com/RussoHockey/status/1545225861611327489 Love the Yurov pick, too. Also deeply jealous of the Winnipeg draft, which is basically precisely what I wanted coming in.
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Jul 8, 2022 14:24
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Happy to repost any of The Athletic summaries of any teams if folks would like. Mostly just a centralized version of their pre-draft reports with minimal new insight (which is the happy medium of contentmill as gently caress but also useful?).
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Jul 8, 2022 21:48
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mcmagic posted:Post the Devils unless you have me on ignore lol Draft grade: B+ New Jersey added a true top-flight defense prospect in Simon Nemec, someone they can envision running their power play one day. They also added Seamus Casey, who I think will play games on their back-end. Only two picks in the top 102 prevents this class from being overly deep, and it will likely come down to just how good Nemec can be. Currently the answer to that, I think, is a legit top-of-the-lineup guy. Draft Class 2. Simon Nemec, RHD, NITRA (SLOVAKIA) February 15, 2004 | 6′ 0″ | 199 pounds Tier: Top of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: Above NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Player comparable: Mackenzie Weegar Background: Nemec played significant minutes versus men in Slovakia for the last two seasons. He has immense international experience. He scored 17 points in 19 games for his club team in Slovakia. He’s already played in two world juniors, and was among Slovakia’s best players both times. He has been in two World Championships including 6 points in 8 games at this year’s tournament. He was the best defenseman at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this summer and in the Olympics this season. Analysis: Nemec is a very well-rounded defenseman. His puck game is great. He has the high-end brain to make a lot of tough plays often. Nemec can hit seams, make plays under pressure and makes a great outlet pass. He also shows individual skill which, when combined with good speed, allows him to be dangerous in transition too. Defensively he’s solid due to his skating, compete and brain, even though he’s not imposing physically and can be trusted with tough responsibilities. Nemec projects as a top pair defenseman. Thoughts on the pick: Simon Nemec is the best puck mover in the class, displaying high-end hockey sense and the ability to make plays with pace. He played very well versus men this season and has the potential to be a PP1 defenseman in the NHL for New Jersey while playing top four minutes. He complements a more explosive skating Luke Hughes well with a different style and gives the Devils a much needed boost at defense in the pipeline. 46. Seamus Casey, RHD, USA U-18 (NTDP) January 8, 2004 | 5′ 10″ | 173 pounds Tier: Projected to play NHL games Skating: Above NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: Above NHL average Compete: NHL average Background: Casey was a top-four defenseman for the U.S. NTDP this season, lining up on both special team units consistently. He is a rare NHL prospect to come out of the Miami, Florida area and play youth hockey for the Florida Alliance program. He’s committed to Michigan. Analysis: Casey has NHL caliber skating and skill. His ability to skate pucks out of trouble and up the ice is quite noticeable. He has good hands to maneuver in tight areas and make skilled rushes. On the power play he displays good poise and vision to make plays and can make strong outlets too. I wouldn’t call him truly dynamic with the puck though, which leaves some scouts wondering, as a small defenseman, what his NHL role will be. He defends well enough in junior due to his skating, but for a 5-foot-10 defenseman his defending will be the question as he advances levels. I project him as a full-time third pair defenseman. . 102. Tyler Brennan, G, PRINCE GEORGE (WHL) September 27, 2003 | 6′ 4″ | 185 pounds Tier: Projected to play NHL games Skating: Below NHL average Hockey sense: Above NHL average Background: Brennan’s performance was up and down this season. He represented Canada at the U18 World Championships in 2021 as their No. 3 goalie. He was the 21st pick in his WHL Bantam Draft. Analysis: Brennan is a goalie with great size, sense and overall poise in the net. He can make tough saves look easy due to how well he reads the play, is efficient with his movements and takes away angles with his frame. He moves well enough, but lacks the explosive pushoffs with his lower body to make the highlight lateral saves, which will be a concern versus better players. Brennan is very good at saving the high-percentage shots, but gives up too many goals from range that he’ll need to cut down on. He projects as a backup goalie in the NHL. 110. Daniil Orlov, LHD, YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK 2 (RUSSIA-JR.) December 21, 2003 | 6′ 2″ | 180 pounds Tier: Has a chance to play games Skating: NHL average Puck skills: Below NHL average Hockey sense: Below NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Background: Orlov has played a large role for his junior team, logging minutes in all situations although his team was one of the lesser teams in the MHL’s Western Conference the last two seasons. Analysis: Orlov’s physical tools gives him a chance to make it. As a 6-foot-2 defenseman who skates well there is some pro appeal there. He has some offense, showing a good shot, ability to use his feet to jump into attacks and flashes of skill. I wouldn’t call his puck play overly inspiring though and I have a hard time seeing him be a true puck-mover at higher levels. The size and skating allows him to defend well but the lack of skill and sense will push him as he advances to the pros. 126. Charles Leddy, RHD, USA U-18 (NTDP) January 11, 2004 | 6′ 0″ | 186 pounds Analysis: Leddy is a competitive defenseman with decent size and mobility who can make some stops, but doesn’t really have that much puck-moving ability. 141. Petr Hauser, RW, SPARTA JR. (CZREP-JR.) September 19, 2003 | 6′ 3″ | 200 pounds Analysis: Hauser is a big winger with very good hands and some scoring touch but I don’t see him make that many plays, and his footspeed is an issue for higher levels. 166. Josh Filmon, LW, SWIFT CURRENT (WHL) March 18, 2004 | 6′ 2″ | 157 pounds Tier: Has a chance to play games Skating: NHL average Puck skills: Below NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Background: Filmon is a player whose stock has risen considerably after being a fourth-round pick in his WHL Bantam Draft. He was part of Canada’s U18 team. Analysis: Filmon’s athletic tool kit is the main draw. He’s 6-foot-2, he skates quite well, and has room to fill out in his frame too. He can carry pucks through the neutral zone to create controlled entries. He has some offense, with good flashes of individual skill and creating for his teammates, but I wouldn’t consider him a true driver of offense. He’s good but not great offensively or defensively so he may be a tweener between the NHL and AHL, but his size and speed will give him a chance to make it. 198. Artem Barabosha, RHD, CSKA 2 (RUSSIA-JR.) March 18, 2004 | 6′ 2″ | 189 pounds Background: Barobosha is a 6-2 defenseman who had four points and 11 points in 47 MHL games this season on a good junior club.
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Jul 8, 2022 23:07
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Mind_Taker posted:Capitals please! The Capitals’ draft is a complicated one to grade. I think Ryan Chesley is a good player and will help the Caps down the line. This all comes down to Ivan Miroshnichenko. If he recovers as a player and person due to his health concerns and gets back to who he was a year ago the Capitals could easily have one of the better draft classes. If not, it’s hard to see too many NHL games from this group. Draft Class 20. Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW, OMSK KRYLIA (RUSSIA-2) February 4, 2004 | 6′ 1″ | 185 pounds Tier: Middle of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Shot: High-end Player comparable: Gabriel Landeskog Background: Miroshnichenko played all season up versus men in Russia’s second-tier league in a regular role before his season ended in January due to being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He scored one goal and two points at the U20 4 nations in November. He was the captain and a leading player for Russia’s U18 team when they won Hlinka Gretzky gold. He scored six goals and eight points in seven games at the U18 World Championships the previous season. He originally intended to play in Muskegon of the USHL instead of Russia the past two seasons but ran into visa issues. Analysis: Miroshnichenko is a player with all the attributes you want in a top NHL winger. He’s got good size and strength. He’s a strong skater. He’s highly skilled. He can make plays and he’s highly competitive. His shot is a bullet and can be a weapon from the flank on a pro power play. He can beat defenders with speed, he can put pucks through legs, he can create at evens and on the power play. He has a bulky frame and can play a powerful style of game. He has the tools and track record of a projected top-line winger, but given his diagnosis he is being placed several tiers below that due to the significant uncertainty in his future projection — despite positive developments since the initial diagnosis. Thoughts on the pick: Miroshnichenko was one of the most debated players in the draft this season. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the middle of the season, and that was a major risk factor to debate along with his passport. If anyone would do it though, I always had Washington circled. Miro, when healthy, is a top-end prospect, a potential top-3-to-5 pick who plays with speed, power and skill and can score a lot of goals. If he finds his game back and is healthy, he can help extend the Capitals’ contention window that is likely dwindling. 37. Ryan Chesley, RHD, USA U-18 (NTDP) February 27, 2004 | 6′ 0″ | 201 pounds Tier: Middle of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: Below NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Player comparable: Ryan Lindgren Background: Chesley was a top-four defenseman for the U.S. NTDP this season, often playing on both special teams units. He represented Team USA’s U18 team as an underage. He’s committed to the University of Minnesota. Analysis: Chesley has some physical assets that pop off the page from a pro projection. He’s an NHL-caliber skater who can transition pucks up ice very well with his speed. He has average size, but he’s quite strong and physical. With his mobility, he’s able to close on checks well, and often uses his body to land hard hits to separate pucks from players. He has good individual skill, with the hands to beat checks one-on-one and generate a lot of power off his one-timer. Chesley isn’t a gifted puck-mover though and can struggle at times with his puck distribution. He projects as a full-time second- or third-pair defenseman depending on how much the offense translates to higher levels. 70. Alexander Suzdalev, LW, HV 71 JR. (SWEDEN-JR.) March 5, 2004 | 6′ 2″ | 177 pounds Analysis: Suzdalev is a Russian-born player of dual ancestry who came up playing in Sweden and suited up for Sweden internationally this season while also being a productive scorer in the Swedish junior league. Suzdalev’s skill and creativity are what will interest NHL teams. He shows excellent puck skills to create offense in unique ways. Suzdalev is a strong passer but his IQ shows up both in terms of vision and his overall creativity with the puck. The talent is highly intriguing, especially in a 6-foot-2 frame, but Suzdalev’s game can lack pace and effort which he’ll need to improve to have success versus pros. 85. Ludwig Persson, LW, FROLUNDA JR. (SWEDEN-JR.) October 8, 2003 | 6′ 0″ | 178 pounds Tier: Has a chance to play games Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: NHL average Background: Persson was a highly productive player in Sweden’s junior league this season and has played SHL games over the past two seasons for Frolunda. He played in a tournament for Sweden’s U20 team this past summer and in April, and was a notable part of their U18 team in the 2020-21 season. Analysis: Persson is quite dangerous inside the offensive zone. He’s a highly-skilled winger who can make crafty plays through defenders. He shows very good vision to make tough plays off the perimeter and combined with a strong shot he’s able to run a power play. Persson is a great junior player, but given his average size and footspeed there are questions on how his game translates to the pros. 149. Jake Karabela, C, GUELPH (OHL) March 7, 2004 | 5′ 10″ | 172 pounds Analysis: Karabela was an important player for Guelph who played all situations for them and was a big part of their power play. Karabela’s skill is the thing that stands out the most when you watch him. He has slick puck skills, showing great ability to control the puck under pressure and beat defenders with his hands despite not possessing great speed or reach. Inside the offensive zone, due to his creativity, he can generate quite a few chances and moves the puck around well on a power play. He lacks size but works hard, can PK and doesn’t shy from battles. Karabela’s major issue for the NHL will be his skating as he lacks the ability to separate versus better players. 181. Ryan Hofer, RW, EVERETT (WHL) May 10, 2002 | 6′ 3″ | 181 pounds Analysis: Ryan Hofer is a re-entry prospect with good size and compete and some skill but whether the pure talent level is high enough for the NHL is the debate in his game. 213. David Gucciardi, LHD, MICHIGAN STATE (BIG10) October 9, 2002 | 6′ 1″ | 185 pounds Analysis: Gucciardi has intriguing talent. He’s a strong skater with a good skill level and has a hard point shot. On his best shift he can pop and make an impact. His decision-making is questionable though, and he needs work on the defensive side of the puck. Spelling Mitsake posted:I'd be curious to hear their take on the habs picking Slafkovsky 2022 Draft Grade: A+ The host team brought in the most talent into their organization at the draft floor in my eyes. They started off by grabbing the best player in the draft in Juraj Slafkovsky. They then added highly skilled players in winger Filip Mesar and defenseman Lane Hutson, a two-way forward in Owen Beck, and with a high quantity of picks they selected various guys later on who I believe at least have a chance to play. I think this is a draft that could produce at least two or three NHL players for the Habs — and ones who can make a difference. Draft Class 1. Juraj Slafkovsky, LW, TPS (FINLAND) March 30, 2004 | 6′ 4″ | 229 pounds Tier: Bubble NHL All-Star and top of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: Above NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Player comparable: Rick Nash Background: Slafkovsky was a regular player for a top Liiga club in TPS this season albeit without great production overall. He was named MVP of the Olympics where he played a huge role in Slovakia earning a bronze medal. He was named a top three played for Slovakia at the World Championships. He played a notable role on Slovakia’s U20 team which outshot Sweden by a 2:1 margin in a world juniors game. He played for Slovakia’s national team in the World Championships as a U17 player. He was a top player for the Slovakian U20 team as a 16-year-old and a top player for a top Finland junior team in 2021. Analysis: Slafkovsky has all the assets you’re looking for in a top NHL forward. He’s a 6-foot-4 winger who can beat opponents with speed and skill. He posseses outstanding puck skills, and can put pucks through legs and sticks at a very high rate. Slafkovsky can use finesse, or power and quickness to get around defenders. Slafkovsky can also set up and finish plays well. Physically, he won’t run over guys but his compete is good enough. He projects as a top-line winger with the potential to pop and become be a true star in the NHL. Thoughts on the pick: In Slafkovsky, the Montreal Canadiens get the best player in the 2022 NHL Draft, and the player with the best chance to become a star. He showed this due to his unique skill set, being a high-end athlete with high-end offensive skills and showing unique flashes of elite play this season even if it wasn’t consistent. He becomes a key part of their rebuild, with at least a chance to become a 40 goal/40 assist winger in his prime. 26. Filip Mesar, RW, POPRAD (SLOVAKIA) January 3, 2004 | 5′ 10″ | 174 pounds Tier: Middle of the lineup player Skating: Above NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Player comparable: Alexander Barabanov Background: Mesar has played pro hockey in Slovakia the last two seasons. He was a top forward at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in the summer. He made Slovakia’s world junior team in a scoring role and also played well in games for Slovakia’s senior team. Analysis: Mesar’s game is defined by speed and pace. He’s one of the better skaters in this draft, with the ability to burn up the neutral zone to create clean entries with speed. He has good skill and playmaking ability, and shows he can make tough plays with the puck with pace. Mesar lacks size at 5-foot-10 and isn’t an overly physical player. His compete is good enough for me but probably not where you want for an undersized player. I think with his speed, skill and scoring ability he can carve out a career as a top-nine winger though. Thoughts on the pick: Filip Mesar played opposite Slafkovsky’s power play flank on Slovakia’s U18 team. He’s a player who brings a lot of speed and skill to the table and has the potential to score goals and help an NHL power play down the line. 33. Owen Beck, C, MISSISSAUGA (OHL) February 3, 2004 | 5′ 11″ | 187 pounds Tier: Projected to play NHL games Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Background: Owen Beck played a significant role on a good OHL team. He was a regular in every important situation. He was the 29th pick in his OHL draft. Analysis: Beck brings an intriguing amount of speed and skill to his shifts. He has NHL-level skating, and is able to make highly-skilled plays through checks at full speed. He shows the ability to be able to set up his teammates well while also being able to finish in tight or from the circles. Beck isn’t the biggest forward, but he competes well, can PK and doesn’t shy from getting inside by using his speed. He projects as a bottom six forward, likely on the wing. 62. Lane Hutson, LHD, USA U-18 (NTDP) February 14, 2004 | 5′ 8″ | 158 pounds Tier: Middle of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: High-end Compete: NHL average Player comparable: Torey Krug Background: Hutson was a top four defenseman for the U.S. NTDP all season and generated a lot of offense. He was invited to the U18 team as an underage player where he was a top player for that team as well, being named one of the top three players at the U18 World Championships in 2021 for USA. He was named top defenseman of the 2022 U18 Worlds. He’s committed to Boston University. Analysis: Hutson is a constant threat with the puck on his stick. He’s the smartest player in the draft. He makes so many seam passes to generate chances. Hutson is also a highly-skilled puckhandler who shows great creativity off the offensive blue line. He makes a lot of crafty fakes and dekes to evade pressure. He’s not the fastest skater, but his edgework is quite good and allows him to use his skating to attack. The offense is clear NHL quality. Whether a barely 5-foot-9 defenseman who isn’t an elite skater can defend in the NHL is the question with Hutson. He’s a competitive, quality defender versus juniors and college opponents but that will need to be a test he’ll need to clear down the line. I think he plays in the NHL, and projects as an offensive-tilted top-four defenseman, but I realize the odds are against a player who looks like him becoming that. I stamp him this high because he’s the smartest player in the draft and I see just enough to the rest of his game to be able to elevate at higher levels. 75. Vinzenz Rohrer, C, OTTAWA (OHL) September 9, 2004 | 5′ 10″ | 167 pounds Tier: Has a chance to play games Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Background: Rohrer played a big role for the 67’s, lining up on both special teams. He was also an important player for Austria’s U20 team. He’s one of the youngest players that I rate as a prospect in this class. Analysis: Rohrer is a very skilled and intelligent forward. He has the slick hands to beat defenders at a high rate. He shows great vision to find seams and create off the perimeter. Rohrer isn’t that big and won’t run guys over, but he works hard off the puck. His skating, especially for his size, could use a few extra steps for the pros but he’s not slow. It’s why it’s hard to slot him onto an NHL team as of now, but his skill gives him a chance. 92. Adam Engstrom, LHD, DJURGARDEN JR. (SWEDEN-JR.) November 17, 2003 | 6′ 2″ | 185 pounds Tier: Has a chance to play games Skating: NHL average Puck skills: Below NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Background: Engstrom played all situations for a top junior team in Sweden in Djurgarden this season. Analysis: Engstrom has a lot of qualities that make him an interesting NHL prospect. He’s a 6-foot-2, fluid, powerful skater that can transition pucks up ice and close well on oncoming forwards. Offensively he doesn’t stand out, but he can make a decent outlet pass and has a hard point shot. Whether he excels enough at either end of the rink to carve out an NHL role is the debate with Engstrom, but his tool kit gives him a chance. 127. Cedrick Guindon, LW, OWEN SOUND (OHL) April 21, 2004 | 5′ 10″ | 170 pounds Tier: Has a chance to play games Skating: Above NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: Below NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Background: Guindon was a productive player for Owen Sound, scoring 30 goals in 68 OHL games. He was the 10th pick in his OHL draft and was a summer U18 camp invite for Canada. Analysis: Guindon is a very good skater. He’s strong in transition due to his speed and skill and has a good shot as well. He lacks ideal NHL size, though, and while he has some offense he’s not a true driver of play with his skill and playmaking. What his NHL role would be is questionable but the talent is intriguing enough. 130. Jared Davidson, C, SEATTLE (WHL) July 7, 2002 | 5′ 11″ | 179 pounds Background: Jared Davidson played a big role as an older player on Seattle and was a big reason why they went to the WHL finals. He’s highly skilled, can make plays and competes well enough but isn’t the best skater and has average size. 162. Emmett Croteau, G, WATERLOO (USHL) December 7, 2003 | 6′ 3″ | 195 pounds Analysis: Croteau is a good-sized goaltender who moves well enough in the crease to have some pro intrigue. He was quite inconsistent this season, though, mostly due to iffy decision making at times per scouts I talked to about him. 194. Petteri Nurmi, LHD, HPK (FINLAND) January 12, 2002 | 6′ 0″ | 167 pounds Analysis: Nurmi is a mobile defenseman who is smart and defends well. I don’t see much puck-moving in his game or much overall upside for the NHL other than a potential depth piece. 216. Miguel Tourigny, RHD, ACADIE-BATHURST (QMJHL) February 9, 2002 | 5′ 8″ | 168 pounds Tier: Projected to play NHL games Skating: Above NHL average Puck skills: Below NHL average Hockey sense: Above NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Background: Tourigny was one of the top defensemen in the CHL and scored both goals and points at a very high rate for a defenseman, even accounting for the fact he’s a 19-year-old. He was also invited to Canada’s U20 camp in the summer. Analysis: Tourigny is a dynamic player. His skating pops, with the top-end speed to beat checkers wide and lead a rush in transition. He’s an elusive skater with good edgework and is very hard to check on retrievals, despite his diminutive frame. He’s a very smart puck-mover who can make tough, skilled plays with pace and from a standstill, showing ability to hit seams from the offensive blue line. Tourigny is a great passer, but also had a great shot as evidenced by his goal totals the last two seasons. The one obvious drawback is his frame, he’s a tiny defenseman by NHL standards at 5-foot-8. He competes well and defends well enough in junior but whether he can take a regular NHL shift is the question. He’s so talented, and the skating is so good I think he has a very good chance to play games and help an organization, but I can’t just yet stamp him as a guy who is going to have a legitimate NHL career. Nissin Cup Nudist posted:The Avs would be really funny since they picked 2 dudes Colorado didn’t have much to do on the draft floor, with only a sixth- and seventh-round pick, the byproduct of many deals made to make their NHL team better. Flags Fly Forever, so I imagine there are no regrets on that front. But there’s an obvious reality that the Avs added very little to their prospect pool this week. Draft Class 193. Chris Romaine, RHD, MILTON ACADEMY (HIGH-MA) February 21, 2004 | 6′ 0″ | 190 pounds Analysis: Romaine is a good skater. He can move the puck well enough but the offense doesn’t pop off the page with him. 225. Ivan Zhigalov, G, SHERBROOKE (QMJHL) April 30, 2003 | 6′ 3″ | 167 pounds Analysis: Zhigalov is a talented right-glove goaltender. He’s quite athletic and can make a lot of tough stops. He’s a little too erratic in net with his movement and scrambles a lot. He can also be too prone to the soft goal. Cocaine Bear posted:Dallas, baby! Tell me how good my good big boi is! The Ontario defensemen Dallas drafted in Christian Kyrou and George Fegaras have some shot to make it, but this class for me is all about their first pick: Lian Bichsel. I love his upside, and if he hits, you could get an impactful top-four defenseman. If he doesn’t and he’s a low-offense PK type, you’re not as excited about this group. Draft Class 18. Lian Bichsel, LHD, LEKSAND (SWEDEN) May 18, 2004 | 6′ 6″ | 225 pounds Tier: Middle of the lineup player Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: Below NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Player comparable: K’Andre Miller Background: Bichsel played very well in Sweden’s junior ranks and got extended time with Leksands SHL team. He made Switzerland’s world juniors team in a notable role and was a top player for their U18 team. He was also named one of Switzerland’s best players at the U18 worlds the prior season. A concussion ended his season in the spring. Analysis: Bichsel’s physical tools are quite evident. He’s a 6-foot-5 defenseman who skates well for his size, is physical and has some offensive touch. He can carry and create through the neutral zone due to his feet and skills and shows some creativity from the offensive blue line. He has good hands but there isn’t much playmaking or poise in his puck play. Defensively he’s quite good due to his reach, feet and physicality. He closes gaps like a pro and can be trusted to play hard minutes as he advances levels. Bichsel projects top four defenseman with the potential to play higher in a lineup if the offense translates. Thoughts on the pick: Bichsel adds a much needed element to the Stars system. He’s a big, mobile, nasty defenseman to play against who provides secondary offense. Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley to a lesser extent are the puck-movers of the future for Dallas, but Bichsel will be a nightmare for top forwards to match up with in the mold of players like Erik Cernak and K’Andre Miller. 50. Christian Kyrou, RHD, ERIE (OHL) September 16, 2003 | 5′ 10″ | 172 pounds Tier: Has a chance to play games Skating: NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average Background: Kyrou was one of the top scoring defensmen in the OHL this season. He is the brother of Blues forward Jordan Kyrou and was the 84th pick in his OHL draft. Analysis: Kyrou is a very skilled defenseman with a good point shot. He can make plays through opponents routinely and shows great creativity as a handler and passer. He is overall a threat on the man advantage. He projects to provide offense as a pro, but whether he can provide all-around value is the question. Unlike his brother Jordan who is an explosive skater, Christian’s skating is just fine, but for a 5-foot-10 defenseman it’s not the kind of mobility you’d like for the NHL. 83. George Fegaras, RHD, NORTH YORK (OJHL) April 26, 2004 | 6′ 1″ | 188 pounds Analysis: Fegaras drew scout intrigue this season as a 6-foot-1 right-shot defenseman who can skate well and showed a little offense. Whether he has the natural puck-moving ability for higher levels is my big question with him. 115. Gavin White, RHD, HAMILTON (OHL) November 12, 2002 | 6′ 0″ | 185 pounds Background: Gavin White scored 56 points in 66 OHL games as a re-entry prospect. He’s known more for his puck-moving than his all-around game. 147. Maxim Mayorov, G, TOGLIATTI 2 (RUSSIA-JR.) June 13, 2004 | 6′ 6″ | 196 pounds Background: Maxim Mayorov is a large goalie who shows good hockey sense and poise in net and performed quite well at the junior level this season. 179. Matthew Seminoff, RW, KAMLOOPS (WHL) December 27, 2003 | 5′ 11″ | 180 pounds Tier: Has a chance to play games Skating: Below NHL average Puck skills: NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: Above NHL average Background: Seminoff has become an important all-situations player for a top WHL team over the last two seasons. He’s been a riser after being a fifth-round pick in his WHL bantam draft. Analysis: Seminoff is a talented winger who can make plays. He’s not the most dynamic undersized player you’ll ever see in terms of speed or skill, but he plays hard. Seminoff can create off the rush and around the net. The overall package may not be enough to have a long career but because he works I think he plays some games.
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Jul 9, 2022 01:40
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