Peter said:
I wouldn't consider it a "disappointment" at all. It certainly was not a stellar draft like it was for the Flyers but we hold our own.
1) Kesler: it doesn't matter who in the professional ranks you ask they all like Kesler. Some are even saying he will one of the many "studs" for Team USA in the next winter olympics. Safe pick? Hell yes, he made it to the NHL and will, one day soon, be our #2 centerman.
It is still highly questionable whether he has second line upside. A very good pick but not the best selected in his draft range.
2) Marc-Andre Bernier: Only in his first year of pro hockey and has split the year between the Moose and Inferno. Couldn't score at the AHL level but is doing fine in the ECHL. This kid has the hands to score...let's not write him off just yet.
He has too many issues to overcome-strength, skating, defensive play, consistency...sure there have been ECHL miracles like Ryder but he was a much better skater and natural playmaker then Bernier. Total bust.
3) Brandon Nolan: Having a stellar year in the ECHL on the Inferno but has struggled with keeping it up in the AHL. I think his time has passed for us.
Doesn't have the strength for pro game, and has his father's ego.
4)Ty Morris: Another one of those great WHL kids who are playing really well in the ECHL. Will struggle with the AHL let alone the NHL. He is done.
I don't think he is playing pro hockey, and he was a terrible selection regardless. After seeing one Giants game after we drafted him I knew he wasn't NHL material-very poor skater.
5) Nicklas Danielsson: Not even sure he is still playing hockey. Couldn't find any stats past 04/05. Stick a fork in him for us.
He is playing in the Swedish second division this season, and signed a 2 year contract to stay there. Doesn't appear to have NHL talent anyways.
6) Chad Brownlee: Good, stay at home d-man playing University hockey. Has a big frame. Not flashy but could make it in the NHL. I like this kid.
His puck skills are beyond atrocious for a pro prospect. Has very little hope of even being signed by the Canucks, let alone playing for them ever.
7) Francois-Pierre Guenet: Has gone from QMJHL to ECHL and playing well. It's his first year of professional hockey. Does he have the skills to progress? I think so but maybe not all the way to the NHL.
Tiny, weak, only average skater, not talented enough to play on a scoring line and not enough defensive awareness to be a checker. There had to be better undrafted free agents to sign than this guy.
8)Sergei Topol: Russian player finding it hard to find ice time in Russian league. Not in the Canucks plans.
Indeed becomes a free agent this summer.
9)Nathan McIver: Jumped from OHL to the AHL and playing very well. He is a great pick compared to where he was drafted. This kid has a chance to play in the NHL.
I wouldn't call it a
great pick, as that implies McIver has a very good chance of being an NHL player. I would say his chances are somewhere around 15-20% of playing in the NHL at all, and much lower at becoming an NHL regular. It was a solid pick.
10)Matthew Hansen: Still playing WHL hockey as an overager. Is he a late bloomer or is he a bust. Let's see next year.
Is he still playing in the WHL? The fact the Canucks weren't interested enough to invite him to Rookie Camp speaks volumes to me. He's not our property anymore so I feel confident stating he's done.
So...overall we have, IMO, Kesler who is obviously and NHL player. Bernier and McIver who will both likely see NHL time in the future. Brownlee and Hansen as potential guys who might make it one day. If we can land 3 guys in the NHL from each draft I don't think we should call them disappointments.
I will bet anything on Bernier never playing an NHL game. McIver may find time as an injury call-up, but anything more would be downright shocking. Hansen is not Canucks property and Brownlee is a longshot to even earn a pro contract. I agree that 3 solid NHL players would be a terrific draft, but that won't be happening with this group of draftees. Kesler is the only realistic NHL player of the bunch. To say otherwise is putting a pretty significant 'homer spin' on the situation.