Prospect Info: 2017 Draft

[Ennui]

I seriously doubt he is near NHL ready or that he would be any kind of a difference maker in 2017-18. He lacks strength, defensive game needs work and based on what I've heard from a few HIFK fans recently he has struggled since the WJC, which is probably at least partly due to fatigue.


Not surprised if they pick him, Pettersson is someone I could see HÃ¥kan pushing hard for.

If the Wings are lucky enough to pick 1st or 2nd I have a very hard time imagining a scenario where they don't pick Hischier. The Wings organization has scouted and selected from the Mooseheads before, Hischier has been very vocal about the player he models his game after, and his combination of speed, skill, creativity and explosiveness at the position of center is exactly what the Wings need to solidify the center position and, most importantly, put butts in seats at the LCA in very short order.

 

[ChadS]

If the Wings are lucky enough to pick 1st or 2nd I have a very hard time imagining a scenario where they don't pick Hischier. The Wings organization has scouted and selected from the Mooseheads before, Hischier has been very vocal about the player he models his game after, and his combination of speed, skill, creativity and explosiveness at the position of center is exactly what the Wings need to solidify the center position and, most importantly, put butts in seats at the LCA in very short order.

I agree Hischier would be fantastic, but picking at #1 or #2 doesn't look very likely right now. More like #6 or #7 assuming no lottery win.

 

[Marky9er]

I agree Hischier would be fantastic, but picking at #1 or #2 doesn't look very likely right now. More like #6 or #7 assuming no lottery win.

Patrick would be just as fantastic. His playoff MVP performance (while injured) shows what he's made of. That combination of size, skill, and fortitude is exactly what we need. And it's what it takes.

Those guys are fantasy prizes, though. For us we likely pick 7th, and the 6 players gone are Patrick Hischier Tippett Liljegren Mittelstadt Vilardi. Sigh. I'd be happy with Heiskanen at that point, just collecting some nice pieces while patiently waiting for Jack Hughes.

 

[Birko19]

If we're not drafting in the top 5, what do you guys think of Lias Andersson? I got to watch a few clips and you can tell the kid has so much poise and is very smart, he's not flashy like Pettersson, but does have very solid puck control and is also playing in the top league in Sweden.

 

[Wings4Life]

Patrick would be just as fantastic. His playoff MVP performance (while injured) shows what he's made of. That combination of size, skill, and fortitude is exactly what we need. And it's what it takes.

Those guys are fantasy prizes, though. For us we likely pick 7th, and the 6 players gone are Patrick Hischier Tippett Liljegren Mittelstadt Vilardi. Sigh. I'd be happy with Heiskanen at that point, just collecting some nice pieces while patiently waiting for Jack Hughes.

Liljegren has been falling, if he finishes reasonably strong yet falls to us at #6 or so we could definitely start building with a base of him and Larkin.

 

[drwings40]

I had an absurd dream last night.
I don't know how but we had three picks in the 1st round:
#4 - Vilardi
#6 - Makar
#28 - Ruzicka

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

If we're not drafting in the top 5, what do you guys think of Lias Andersson? I got to watch a few clips and you can tell the kid has so much poise and is very smart, he's not flashy like Pettersson, but does have very solid puck control and is also playing in the top league in Sweden.

I like his game, but his skating and lack of pace concerns me a little. He didn't really have a ton of jump at the WJC, and he reminded me a lot of a rich man's Joakim Andersson: good hockey sense, good two-way play, a good amount of skill, but very risk-averse defensively and a bit slow of foot. I should emphasize that he's not nearly as bad in those problem areas as Andersson was, and a lot more skilled, but stylistically they seemed kind of similar to me. I don't necessarily have a problem with that, especially if he can find some more offense. The Wings are a really speedy, slightly reckless team, and a high end two-way center could be a nice addition.

 

[Frk It]

If we're not drafting in the top 5, what do you guys think of Lias Andersson? I got to watch a few clips and you can tell the kid has so much poise and is very smart, he's not flashy like Pettersson, but does have very solid puck control and is also playing in the top league in Sweden.

Could see the Wings liking him for his complete game.

I like his game, but his skating and lack of pace concerns me a little. He didn't really have a ton of jump at the WJC, and he reminded me a lot of a rich man's Joakim Andersson: good hockey sense, good two-way play, a good amount of skill, but very risk-averse defensively and a bit slow of foot. I should emphasize that he's not nearly as bad in those problem areas as Andersson was, and a lot more skilled, but stylistically they seemed kind of similar to me. I don't necessarily have a problem with that, especially if he can find some more offense. The Wings are a really speedy, slightly reckless team, and a high end two-way center could be a nice addition.

I think one of the biggest differences is Lias has a much better shot.

 

[Birko19]

I like his game, but his skating and lack of pace concerns me a little. He didn't really have a ton of jump at the WJC, and he reminded me a lot of a rich man's Joakim Andersson: good hockey sense, good two-way play, a good amount of skill, but very risk-averse defensively and a bit slow of foot. I should emphasize that he's not nearly as bad in those problem areas as Andersson was, and a lot more skilled, but stylistically they seemed kind of similar to me. I don't necessarily have a problem with that, especially if he can find some more offense. The Wings are a really speedy, slightly reckless team, and a high end two-way center could be a nice addition.

I'm not too sure of the Joakim Andersson comparison, Lias seems to have an elite IQ and his puck control seems very solid, also his shot is amazing. What you call lack of pace is actually patience as he sees the ice to make plays, something this team seriously lacks *cough**Larkin**cough*. Also I did not see any major issues with his skating, I mean he's not fast but he's not bad either.

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

I'm not too sure of the Joakim Andersson comparison, Lias seems to have an elite IQ and his puck control seems very solid, also his shot is amazing. What you call lack of pace is actually patience as he sees the ice to make plays, something this team seriously lacks *cough**Larkin**cough*. Also I did not see any major issues with his skating, I mean he's not fast but he's not bad either.

His skating might be more like Sheahan's, where it looks like he's a bad skater, but it's just because he's so damn content to stay in position, which means he's flat-footed a lot when he has to accelerate quickly. It's been a while since the WJC, but I definitely noticed his skating.

But I also didn't see elite IQ, either. The guy I saw was rarely involved in the offense. He would get the puck to Pettersson, and that was about the extent of it. He bailed on the zone early a lot to support his defense. Almost never went near the net.

I saw a good shot, but nothing like a Mantha or a Pulkkinen or something.

Maybe those games weren't really indicative of his play? I'd love for that to be the case.

 

[Marky9er]

Getting into the 10 range my attention would turn to Heiskanen, Makar or trading down a few spots and taking Suzuki and the bonus pick.

 

[Vatican Roulette]

Getting into the 10 range my attention would turn to Heiskanen, Makar or trading down a few spots and taking Suzuki and the bonus pick.

I'd be ok with that...not a huge Makar fan per se.

 

[Frk It]

Really wondering what is keeping Timmins from being a 1st rounder in this weaker draft? Thinking he will start to be a riser soon.

 

[Number1RedWingsFan52]

Getting into the 10 range my attention would turn to Heiskanen, Makar or trading down a few spots and taking Suzuki and the bonus pick.

Wouldn't mind Heiskanen, Not really all that high on Makar though.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

His skating might be more like Sheahan's, where it looks like he's a bad skater, but it's just because he's so damn content to stay in position, which means he's flat-footed a lot when he has to accelerate quickly. It's been a while since the WJC, but I definitely noticed his skating.

But I also didn't see elite IQ, either. The guy I saw was rarely involved in the offense. He would get the puck to Pettersson, and that was about the extent of it. He bailed on the zone early a lot to support his defense. Almost never went near the net.

I saw a good shot, but nothing like a Mantha or a Pulkkinen or something.

Maybe those games weren't really indicative of his play? I'd love for that to be the case.

You really need to stop telling yourself this lie about Sheahan and his skating. Riley has legitimately heavy feet and a super short, inefficient stride. While he is hyper conservative, he has legitimate skating issues. I am guessing in your world no one ever has skating issues or can't overcome their skating issues. Thus, skating is no reason to pass on Vilardi

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

You really need to stop telling yourself this lie about Sheahan and his skating. Riley has legitimately heavy feet and a super short, inefficient stride. While he is hyper conservative, he has legitimate skating issues. I am guessing in your world no one ever has skating issues or can't overcome their skating issues. Thus, skating is no reason to pass on Vilardi

On the other hand, I bet you think Mantha is slow simply because he never puts a ton of effort into moving his feet.

But I don't even think Vilardi's skating is bad. He's not going to turn on the afterburners or anything, but he's more of an average skater than a bad one. It's unremarkable, and he keeps up with the play just fine. Not everyone has to be Larkin or AA. And given the way both of them outskate the play at times, maybe not everyone should be.

 

[Marky9er]

I'd be ok with that...not a huge Makar fan per se.

If we can't get a Mittelstadt / Liljegren / Vilardi.....I'm seriously interested in Heiskanen I think he'd be a quality player. Makar would be a gamble, but maybe Suzuki is too intriguing for me if we're rolling dice. To put in perspective he's 10 months younger, 25 pounds heavier, and more likely to project at center at the pro level than Pettersson. He's 7 months younger than Hischier and putting up similar numbers. The difference there is the top gear. Smart player and excellent vision, he's a top 10 player in the draft I think.

 

[AD1066]

Really wondering what is keeping Timmins from being a 1st rounder in this weaker draft? Thinking he will start to be a riser soon.

He's 21st in the DraftBuzz ranking FWIW.

 

[Wings4Life]

Liljegren or Valimaki for me, if we're going for D. Makar is boom/bust IMO, otherwise there are no surefire top pairing guys in this draft.

 

[Vatican Roulette]

If we can't get a Mittelstadt / Liljegren / Vilardi.....I'm seriously interested in Heiskanen I think he'd be a quality player. Makar would be a gamble, but maybe Suzuki is too intriguing for me if we're rolling dice. To put in perspective he's 10 months younger, 25 pounds heavier, and more likely to project at center at the pro level than Pettersson. He's 7 months younger than Hischier and putting up similar numbers. The difference there is the top gear. Smart player and excellent vision, he's a top 10 player in the draft I think.

Oh don't get me wrong, I would love Suzuki. If Mittelstadt, Liljegren and Heiskanen are gone, I want the Wings to trade back.

Suzuki would be a great pick in that scenario. Or Cody Glass.

 

[Vatican Roulette]

Really wondering what is keeping Timmins from being a 1st rounder in this weaker draft? Thinking he will start to be a riser soon.

IMO Timmons will be a 1st rounder. I can see him going between 17-25.

 

[Marky9er]

Oh don't get me wrong, I would love Suzuki. If Mittelstadt, Liljegren and Heiskanen are gone, I want the Wings to trade back.

Suzuki would be a great pick in that scenario. Or Cody Glass.

Yeah I think he's right up there for me if we pick further down around 10. I was just looking at the rest of the schedule, though. I kind of have to think points will be scarce from here on. I could see an 0-8-2 stretch like NJ just snapped.

 

[Marky9er]

I had an absurd dream last night.
I don't know how but we had three picks in the 1st round:
#4 - Vilardi
#6 - Makar
#28 - Ruzicka

Last night I dreamt I flew to Calgary for a corporate meeting that was an outdoor shinny match. (We do event ticket work there.)

 

[Vatican Roulette]

Yeah I think he's right up there for me if we pick further down around 10. I was just looking at the rest of the schedule, though. I kind of have to think points will be scarce from here on. I could see an 0-8-2 stretch like NJ just snapped.

I was hoping Suzuki would slide to the 2nd, but I don't feel he will anymore.

TBH, I'd like the Wings to lose more than they do this year.

 

[ginner classic]

I was hoping Suzuki would slide to the 2nd, but I don't feel he will anymore.

TBH, I'd like the Wings to lose more than they do this year.

Suzuki in the 2nd? 0 chance that happens. He's easily worthy of top 10. I personally have him 7th.

Patrick
Hischier
Vilardi
Glass
Mittlestadt
Liljegren
Suzuki