2018 NHL Entry Draft Thread (Less then 24 Hours Edition)

[Tyson]

I think Noah Dobson will be an absolute star. I would have no issue picking him.

 

[Mrb1p]

I hate that Dobson didnt have much tournament, I really struggle with ranking him.

Anyway, its probably time to lay my list down tomorrow I think. I still have some tape to see on Dobson and Hughes and a few other late rounders.

 

[The Great Weal]

I hope people know that Kotkaniemis speed isn't the issue

 

[Habby Gilmore]

I hope people know that Kotkaniemis speed isn't the issue

Is not his speed, it’s his agility(edgework) and lateral movement that I see as an issue in the NHL and his hands. He might be playing against men there but what quality of men? Less than AHL quality? Less than ECHL?

 

[Goldenhands]

I hate that Dobson didnt have much tournament, I really struggle with ranking him.

Anyway, its probably time to lay my list down tomorrow I think. I still have some tape to see on Dobson and Hughes and a few other late rounders.

cant wait to see where you rank Bode Wilde...

 

[Saxon]

I hope people know that Kotkaniemis speed isn't the issue

Nope they don't lol. It's actually Zadina's issue.

 

[Goldenhands]

Is not his speed, it’s his agility(edgework) and lateral movement that I see as an issue in the NHL and his hands. He might be playing against men there but what quality of men? Less than AHL quality? Less than ECHL?

his hands?? he actually has really really good hands...

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Zadina is certainly the better skater between the two...

 

[Habby Gilmore]

Nope they don't lol. It's actually Zadina's issue.

Zadina is a better skater the Kotkaniemi all day long.

 

[Mrb1p]

Is not his speed, it’s his agility(edgework) and lateral movement that I see as an issue in the NHL and his hands. He might be playing against men there but what quality of men? Less than AHL quality? Less than ECHL?

Lol... his hands? Jesus he has some of the softest mitts out there....

 

[Habby Gilmore]

his hands?? he actually has really really good hands...

I guess I have high standards, they didn’t impress me too much.

 

[Mrb1p]

cant wait to see where you rank Bode Wilde...

I know this is a dig/joke but I actually really struggle to rank him. I recognise the risk but i cant deny the skills. Theres also the coaching issue, every single Dman from the US squad had real JJ Daigneault moment, really makes me wonder whats up.

 

[Habby Gilmore]

Lol... his hands? Jesus he has some of the softest mitts out there....

Zadina just seems to control the puck much more fluently, especially in tight spaces. Of course this is all just the opinion of a guy who never got past Junior B lol.

 

[Goldenhands]

Bokk, Ragnarsson and Fehervary unranked due to lack of viewings.

1. Dahlin
2. Svechnikov
3. Kotkaniemi
4. Boqvist
5. Dobson
6. Wahlstrom
7. Zadina
8. Kravtsov
9. Smith
10. Hughes
11. Tkachuk
12. Farabee
13. Denisenko
14. Alexeyeev
15. Lundkvist
16. Berggren
17. Wise
18. Hayton
19. Bouchard
20. Zhuravlyov
21. Shafigullin
22. Sandin
23. Fonstad
24. Ylonen
25. Lundestrom
26. Hallander
27. Kaut
28. McLaughlin
29. Dellandrea
30. Woo
31. Topping

Round 2
32. Miller
33. Foudy
34. O'brien
35. Adddison
36. Iskhakov
37. Tychonick
38. Noel
39. Morozov
40. Olofsson
41. Thomas
42. Veleno
43. Wilde
44. Marchenko
45. Andersson
46. Johansson
47. Hillis
48. Durzi
49. Beaudin
50. McIsaac
51. Bernard-Docker
52. McShane
53. Khovanov
54. Kurashev
55. Kovalenko
56. Demin
57. Kupari
58. Jenik
59. Regula
60. Stastney
61. Emberson
62. Gustafsson

Thats it for the top 62. Had 120 players ranked, cut it down to 85. Merkley is 75.

I have Miller over Lundkvist Alexeyeev and Sandin...

 

[Meat Wave]

Galchenyuk is the proof that no matter how good you are footspeed can be an issue

Yet we are big on kotkaniemi

When it's the only downside in a prospect's pedigree, you take the gamble that he will improve upon that.

If anything, Galchenyuk is proof that no matter how crazily talented you are, if the brains aren't on par with your skills, you're not guaranteed to be an impact player.

 

[aresknights]

Ill be happy with Kotkaniemi, Tkachuk, Zadina, Dobson with 3 OA but would love to move down 2-4 spots if at all possible as 1 of the 4 would still be avail. (prefer the C but can live with any of them)
Would love Montreal to find another mid/late 1st or a couple more 2nd rd picks in trades leading up to draft (then flip a couple 2nds to move up around #20 OA pick)
Being a London Knight STH Ive seen a bit of Dellandrea and would love if they could pick him up around #20 OA.
Then go with Cs n Ds that BPA at their positions in rd 2. Load up.
Montreal has to hit on this draft.

 

[Goldenhands]

I know this is a dig/joke but I actually really struggle to rank him. I recognise the risk but i cant deny the skills. Theres also the coaching issue, every single Dman from the US squad had real JJ Daigneault moment, really makes me wonder whats up.

just kidding you...

 

[Meat Wave]

Is not his speed, it’s his agility(edgework) and lateral movement that I see as an issue in the NHL and his hands. He might be playing against men there but what quality of men? Less than AHL quality? Less than ECHL?

Have you watched Liiga hockey games lately? I'm guessing not.

 

[Habby Gilmore]

Have you watched Liiga hockey games lately? I'm guessing not.

If I had, why would I be asking? And if the players there are better than AHL quality why are they not playing in the AHL or NHL?

 

[Goldenhands]

Zadina is a better skater the Kotkaniemi all day long.

Zadina isnt a very good skater either, Kotkaniemi isnt an elegant skater but it gets the job done..

 

[G0bias]

1. Dahlin
2. Svechnikov
3. Kotkaniemi
4. Boqvist
5. Dobson
6. Wahlstrom
7. Zadina
8. Kravtsov
9. Smith
10. Hughes
11. Tkachuk
12. Farabee
13. Denisenko
14. Alexeyeev
15. Lundkvist
16. Berggren
17. Wise
18. Hayton
19. Bouchard
20. Zhuravlyov
21. Shafigullin
22. Sandin
23. Fonstad
24. Ylonen
25. Lundestrom
26. Hallander
27. Kaut
28. McLaughlin
29. Dellandrea
30. Woo
31. Topping

Round 2
32. Miller
33. Foudy
34. O'brien
35. Adddison
36. Iskhakov
37. Tychonick
38. Noel
39. Morozov
40. Olofsson
41. Thomas
42. Veleno
43. Wilde
44. Marchenko
45. Andersson
46. Johansson
47. Hillis
48. Durzi
49. Beaudin
50. McIsaac
51. Bernard-Docker
52. McShane
53. Khovanov
54. Kurashev
55. Kovalenko
56. Demin
57. Kupari
58. Jenik
59. Regula
60. Stastney
61. Emberson
62. Gustafsson

Thats it for the top 62. Had 120 players ranked, cut it down to 85. Merkley is 75.

I like the boldness on some of these. Good stuff.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Zadina isnt a very good skater either, Kotkaniemi isnt an elegant skater but it gets the job done..

Zadina isn't a speedster, but his stride and edge work is excellent-Kotkaniemi not so much.

 

[Habby Gilmore]

Zadina isn't a speedster, but his stride and edge work is excellent-Kotkaniemi not so much.

This is basically what I was getting at.

 

[Meat Wave]

If I had, why would I be asking? And if the players there are better than AHL quality why are they not playing in the AHL or NHL?

In terms of quality of play, it's a decent step down from the KHL and a slight one from the SHL. The top teams from the SM-Liiga are pretty good caliber.

As for the other question, it's pretty obvious : for a European to be willing to make the plunge and travel to North America, he has to pretty darn certain that he's going to get the call and be an NHLer at some point. Otherwise it's pointless for him.

Coming over to play in the AHL just for the sake of it is not an enticing proposition for a skater who has financial security and good life conditions with his team in Europe.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Kotkaniemi has already stated his biggest dream is to win a championship in Liiga so he definitely ain't leaving for anything less than the NHL.