Prospect Info: 2018 NHL Draft

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Rzombo4 prez

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May 17, 2012
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I hear you. The offensive package and the skating is not something you are going to come across often, though. I think it would take a coach "getting through" to this kid, but he has played for 2 different coaches in Guelph and the same problems are still there.

Realistically, I could see him being someone like Yandle or Barrie. A pure offensive specialist type. But even to get to that he is going to have to improve quite a bit. What I could see happening is he gets a reality check at maybe the AHL level, and then puts in some work because then he realizes that's the only way he will make it. I'm not sure he is going to work on it until he gets knocked on his ass a bit.

Which begs the question whether it will be too late at that point. I agree though that a lot of players do not change until they are forced to. Maybe I just think Quinn, Smith and Wilde are better than they actually are and that the upside you would give up is smaller than Merkley's downside risk.
 

Frk It

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Which begs the question whether it will be too late at that point. I agree though that a lot of players do not change until they are forced to. Maybe I just think Quinn, Smith and Wilde are better than they actually are and that the upside you would give up is smaller than Merkley's downside risk.

I'd probably take those guys ahead of him as well.

In other news, someone mentioned Dellandrea earlier. I think he is perfect for a late first-round pick if we can move Green for one.

I really want to like one of these centers. I like Wahlstrom, but not sure he will be a center. I'll hold my breath on us picking up another 1st.

There's a couple kids flying under the radar in the WHL that are interesting. Cole Fonstad and Eric Florchuk.
 

Tatar Shots

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Someone just needs to tell me why his defensive game/awareness is going to materially improve. TS argues that it will improve simply because he is young. No other reason is given. I would buy that sort of argument for attributes such as strength or even skating but defensive play is a totally different ball of wax. If you don't really want to improve, you aren't going to improve. I need to see something that shows that he wants to improve before I am willing to invest a high pick in him. Lack of year-over-year improvement is a massive red flag for me. While I hate hearing the organization throw around the term "character" I do want them taking kids who are self-aware enough to know what their weaknesses are and what they need to do to improve. Worst of all the kid doesn't even need to turn into an above average defensive player to be effective at the NHL level.

In other news, someone mentioned Dellandrea earlier. I think he is perfect for a late first-round pick if we can move Green for one.

Players improve defensively as they age. It just happens from experience. I'm not saying he will become great defensively, just that I believe the risk is worth the reward. I doubt Merkley is against getting better defensively, he is still just very young and on the slighter side. We're talking about a kid who was 16 years old a couple weeks ago. The potential with Merkley is incredibly high. I'm far from an expert, but when was the last time a 15/16 year old Dman was so good in the OHL? Yes, he can certainly not pan out, but there is so much time for him to improve.

How often did we hear about Mantha's terrible effort level? We are certainly reaping the rewards of getting him at 20 now. And Mantha was a year older than Merkley when he was drafted.
 

Martinez

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Where's the guy that watches my boy Jett woo, how's he looking? I see he's got 9 points in 9 games +7. Does he still not look like he can be a top pairing defensemen? I'm not good at finding chl streams
 

ChadS

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Jun 30, 2009
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Couple of less known d-men I've been tracking so far in Sweden:

Jacob Ragnarsson - Son of a NHLer, Gustav Lindström's cousin and d-partner... Too many factors not to think the Wings are in on him. And he's pretty good too, strong two-way d with above average playmaking IMO. I've only seen a few clips from his Allsvenskan games this year, mainly J20 games this and last year. Could be a big riser, I haven't really heard anyone mention him.

Christian Lindberg - Real long shot, but he looked intriguing in the few games I saw. Was on their Allsvenskan roster a few days ago but didn't get to play. Good size & skill combo for a younger, but need to watch more to get a better picture.

Other interesting Swedes (outside the big names) I've been watching for those interested: Jonatan Berggren, Albin Eriksson, David Lilja, Gabriel Seger, Linus Karlsson, Magnus Eisenmenger
 

TCNorthstars

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Jan 5, 2009
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Couple of less known d-men I've been tracking so far in Sweden:

Jacob Ragnarsson - Son of a NHLer, Gustav Lindström's cousin and d-partner... Too many factors not to think the Wings are in on him. And he's pretty good too, strong two-way d with above average playmaking IMO. I've only seen a few clips from his Allsvenskan games this year, mainly J20 games this and last year. Could be a big riser, I haven't really heard anyone mention him.

Strong Viking name so sign me up!
 
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Voodoo Glow Skulls

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Couple of less known d-men I've been tracking so far in Sweden:

Jacob Ragnarsson - Son of a NHLer, Gustav Lindström's cousin and d-partner... Too many factors not to think the Wings are in on him. And he's pretty good too, strong two-way d with above average playmaking IMO. I've only seen a few clips from his Allsvenskan games this year, mainly J20 games this and last year. Could be a big riser, I haven't really heard anyone mention him.

Christian Lindberg - Real long shot, but he looked intriguing in the few games I saw. Was on their Allsvenskan roster a few days ago but didn't get to play. Good size & skill combo for a younger, but need to watch more to get a better picture.

Other interesting Swedes (outside the big names) I've been watching for those interested: Jonatan Berggren, Albin Eriksson, David Lilja, Gabriel Seger, Linus Karlsson, Magnus Eisenmenger

Thanks for the write-ups.

They are appicated.
 

gretskidoo

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Nov 26, 2011
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Ezekial

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Lil Svech has broken his hand, surgery next week. Looking like he could miss 8 weeks.
 

Frk It

Mo Seider Less Problems
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I guess Akil Thomas transitioned to center this season and has looked good as a center so far. That makes him a pretty damn good option for us, he’s got skill for sure.

Davis Levin in one of the later rounds would be an intriguing option, he has some crazy good puck skills.

Something like

Rd1- Akil Thomas
Rd2- Calen Addison/Noah Dobson
Rd3- David Levin

Would be a draft emphasizing skill like the Wings talked about going into this year.
 
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Rzombo4 prez

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May 17, 2012
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I guess Akil Thomas transitioned to center this season and has looked good as a center so far. That makes him a pretty damn good option for us, he’s got skill for sure.

Davis Levin in one of the later rounds would be an intriguing option, he has some crazy good puck skills.

Something like

Rd1- Akil Thomas
Rd2- Calen Addison/Noah Dobson
Rd3- David Levin

Would be a draft emphasizing skill like the Wings talked about going into this year.

Dobson would be great at the top of the 2nd but something tells me he will be one of the notable risers this year.
 
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