First post and a die hard Ice Dog fan! Like to get all posters views on how the Dogs did in the draft. Thanks in advance. Go Dogs Go!
Strong draft in my opinion - as with past teams, I'll pick a few names.
Philip Tomasino is a very strong offensive playmaker - he was the first kid who really stood out to me at the beginning of the year, had a fantastic Titans tournament and never looked back. Can score as well, good core strength to drive the net when needed, a very good get. Responsible in his own end, and if he puts on some size, he and Akil Thomas are going to be a hell of a 1-2 up the middle for the next few years.
Billy Constantinou is a riverboat gamble - he won MVP at Silver Stick with a great tournament, and has a ton of skill and great skating ability. The problem is his decision-making - he holds on to the puck far too long, and almost always tries to rush the puck up-ice instead of use his linemates, which I interpret as an inability to read the play.
Christian Sbaraglia is a very good goaltender - you'll know him to see him with his trademark bright red glove. Has a great glove hand to go with it (I think he uses the bright red so teams target his strength). He tended to struggle in high intensity situations when I saw him, but there is a lot of potential there.
Jalen Balbosa was a personal favourite all season. Not a tall player, but built thick and plays a heavy game to go with strong offensive abilities and puck skills. His shot could be heavier, and he can cross the line from time to time. His commitment in his own zone is up and down - he's got hustle, but he's inconsistent in his execution.
Daniel Nardi was a shocker to fall, as I instantly liked him when I saw him at the Dufton tournament in October. Plays a smart, cerebral game - can execute under pressure and thinks the game very well. The downside is that can occasionally lead to a bit of a laissez-faire approach where hungry forecheckers can get the better of him. I though he was a bit too soft early in the year, but he showed more sandpaper later in the season.
Mason Howard is big and mean, but skates like a rhino. A defensive defender who is as physical as they come, but if a player comes in with speed and agility, he's going to get beat - plain and simple. If he could improve his skating, he could be a steal, but there is an absolutely enormous gap between where he is and where he needs to be. I had a discussion with another OHL GM where we agreed he would be better suited converted to forward, particularly as a net-front presence on the PP.
Kyle Sullivan is a big body, and plays a physical game and has a hammer of a point shot, but he lacks the overall mobility and hockey smarts for me to really project him to be an OHL prospect. Good coaching could help him, but he's got a lot of work to do to even be considered a possible depth option.
AJ Cook was a move, in my mind, to draft a local kid. To me, he's not an OHL prospect - lacks the hockey IQ and offensive skillset to make a difference. I love his energy, and he's a competitor, but to me he will be out of his depth. I hope he proves me wrong, but at no point during the season did he strike me as more than a player with a Jr. A ceiling.
