GDT: 2018 NHL Draft

[docbenton]

I don't know why people think Smith and Dobson are great defensively. They're not any more so that the other top prospects. Sometimes guys get that label because they're not dynamic or don't gamble as much. That doesn't make them great at actually defending. They are more flawed in their defensive play than Hughes or Boqvist IMO.

Another take: Bouchard has more puck skills than he gets credit for, he's more than just a great shot.

 

[ShouldveDraftedFiala]

Rankings I hope Jimbo uses:

1 Dahlin
2 Boqvist
3 Hughes
4 Dobson
5 Bouchard

 

[lawrence]

Rankings I hope Jimbo uses:

1 Dahlin
2 Boqvist
3 Hughes
4 Dobson
5 Bouchard

wouldn't be surprised of this. wouldn't mind it either. Huge fan of Boqvist. 96% primary points.

 

[polarbearcub]

Gotta think jimbo won't touch svechnikov because of the Russian thing

 

[Addison Rae]

Rankings I hope Jimbo uses:

1 Dahlin
2 Boqvist
3 Hughes
4 Dobson
5 Bouchard

oh man

 

[elitepete]

Rankings I hope Jimbo uses:

1 Dahlin
2 Boqvist
3 Hughes
4 Dobson
5 Bouchard

lol what the f*** is this

 

[DownGoesMcDavid]

lol what the **** is this

I think he means rankings of Dmen

 

[GetFocht]

wouldn't be surprised of this. wouldn't mind it either. Huge fan of Boqvist. 96% primary points.

Dahlin or Boqvist and I would be ecstatic

 

[Jack Burton]

They are more flawed in their defensive play than Hughes or Boqvist IMO.

Bwahahahahahahaha!

You obviously haven't watched any of these players before.

Boqvist is by far the worst defender ranked in the top 10 and Hughes is not that far behind. Boqvist is a better prospect than Hughes because he can actually put the puck in the net where Hughes can't...never has and never will with that inaccurate pea shooter of a shot.

Smith, Dobson and Wilde are probably the best defensive prospects behind Dahlin.

 

[ShouldveDraftedFiala]

I think he means rankings of Dmen

Nope, I mean its what Jimbo's rankings should look like. We need D!

 

[MarkusNaslund19]

Nope, I mean its what Jimbo's rankings should look like. We need D!

That's how you get Juolevi instead of Keller.

If we get 2nd or 3rd and don't take Zadina or Svechnikov I will be crestfallen. And I'm almost certain it will go that way too.

 

[Icebreakers]

Gotta think jimbo won't touch svechnikov because of the Russian thing

All depends on how he does on the interview imo.

 

[F A N]

Drafting a Dman is usually not the sexy pick (unless it's a clear cut BPA like Dahlin), but it's hard to argue that D isn't the bigger need. With that said, you draft the BPA or trade down to select for need.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

Gotta think jimbo won't touch svechnikov because of the Russian thing

Is the russia thing a thing for a player playing in the OHL?

 

[Bleach Clean]

I don't know why people think Smith and Dobson are great defensively. They're not any more so that the other top prospects. Sometimes guys get that label because they're not dynamic or don't gamble as much. That doesn't make them great at actually defending. They are more flawed in their defensive play than Hughes or Boqvist IMO.

Uuhhh, no. They are not more flawed in their defensive play than Hughes or Boqvist. The rationale that because they don't take as many chances, and are not as dynamic overall, somehow is an indictment on their actual play in the defensive zone is illogical. Smith and Dobson are better in their own zone.

I understand what you're saying. Sometimes a more aggressive, gambler type of Dman gets known as being risky defensively because of that nature. His mistakes are more apparent, even though he may push play forward more than a defensive Dman. This is not that. It's OK to recognize that Dobson and Smith make better reads, eliminations and stick checks in their own zone.

 

[docbenton]

Uuhhh, no. They are not more flawed in their defensive play than Hughes or Boqvist. The rationale that because they don't take as many chances, and are not as dynamic overall, somehow is an indictment on their actual play in the defensive zone is illogical. Smith and Dobson are better in their own zone.

I understand what you're saying. Sometimes a more aggressive, gambler type of Dman gets known as being risky defensively because of that nature. His mistakes are more apparent, even though he may push play forward more than a defensive Dman. This is not that. It's OK to recognize that Dobson and Smith make better reads, eliminations and stick checks in their own zone.

I understand your point as well but having seen those players they just don't. Hughes are Boqvist are superior stick checkers, have superior balance (esp Hughes) in physical confrontations and better at taking the puck away and transitioning. If they weren't good defensively as smaller Dmen they wouldn't be so highly rated anyway no matter how talented offensively they are, as many past examples have shown.

Smith and Dobson both cough up the puck too much under heavy forecheck. They can lose coverage in zone defense. They also aren't aggressive enough defensively. Not saying they are bad overall but they need work like everyone. Wilde is aggressive but makes bad reads. Of course it's nice to have more size and strength and Wilde certainly has that, among other qualities.

 

[DownGoesMcDavid]

That's how you get Juolevi instead of Keller.

If we get 2nd or 3rd and don't take Zadina or Svechnikov I will be crestfallen. And I'm almost certain it will go that way too.

I disagree, i think Boqvist should definitely be considered in the top 2-5

 

[polarbearcub]

Besides dahlin.. svechnikov excites me the most. He's goals per game rate is ridiculous. Comparisons to Hossa due to his goof game away from the puck. He's 6"3 180.. he could turn in to an absolute beast

 

[M2Beezy]

Wilde is the guy I like ... bomb of a shot with good size

Yeah im kinda torn i think him and Keptoniemi and Farabee are not underrated but potential gems in the top 10 who wont go top 5 like Nylander or Keller who in hinesight really should HAVE

 

[Horse McHindu]

Besides dahlin.. svechnikov excites me the most. He's goals per game rate is ridiculous. Comparisons to Hossa due to his goof game away from the puck. He's 6"3 180.. he could turn in to an absolute beast

I second this (+1).

I hope Benning ignores "The Russian factor" in this instance and simply takes Svechnikov if we land the 2nd overall (Dahlin goes first obviously).

Canucks win big if they walk away from this draft with one of the two aforementioned.

I'll be mildly happy with Tkachuk and Zadina. Out of those two, I'd take BT because BT has some two-way grit to his game and can also play Center if need be.

I know some people on here are high on Zadina and Boqvist, but they're kind of 'meh' for me. I think Zadina will be a good 2nd line player at best. Boqvist does have terrific upside but his defensive game is a red flag for me.

..................and here's the part where I get flamed! D ).

If the Canucks don't land in the Top 3 for the draft and miss out on Dahlin/Svech/Tkachuk, I would consider the following:

To Buffalo: 4th overall + ???
To Vancouver: Rasmus Ristolainen

To Toronto: Chris Tanev
To Vancouver: Timothy Liljegren.

 

[GetFocht]

If we get 1st overall, would you trade Dahlin for Karlsson?

 

[M2Beezy]

If we get 1st overall, would you trade Dahlin for Karlsson?

No

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I was reading somewhere that Svechnikov has the 4th best goals/gm for a 17 yr old in the OHL since the year 2000. Guys ahead of him are in order: Tavares, Stamkos, Mcdavid.

That's almost impossible to pass on at #2 imo. I'd go as far as to say there's 2 legit #1 guys in this draft. Not that i'd take him over Dahlin (obviously).

 

[Horse McHindu]

If we get 1st overall, would you trade Dahlin for Karlsson?

Absolutely not.

 

[DanCloutiers5hole]

If we get 1st overall, would you trade Dahlin for Karlsson?

Absolutely not