I would mix second and third lines. Vansaghi-Baker-McMorrow line is one of NTDP's least impactful fourth lines I've seen over the years but it is what it is.
I would much rather see Lapointe than Laurila. I don't understand this decision.
My own assessments of the tournament's effects on players' draft status at the moment:
Hagens +++
Stiga +++
Connelly ++
Ziemer ++
Hutson ++
Emery +
Kempf +
Mooney +
Whipple +
Skahan -
Plante -
Bednarik -
Hensler -
Rheuame-Mullen -
Eiserman --
Humphreys --
Van Vilet --
Vansaghi --
- Hagens would be a top 3 pick now. Definitely a candidate for 1st overall.
- Stiga and Ziemer benefit from playing with Hagens. However, I really like the game of both of them. I think it is very possible that Stiga will be selected at the end of the first round and Ziemer even in the second round. At least a third round guy.
- Connelly has proven himself to be a top 15 pick.
- I've always said that Lane has been overrated and Cole has been underrated. I'm not saying that Cole is a better player. However, he is a more balanced package and I still think a first round pick is entirely possible.
- Emery hasn't done anything amazing, but at least I don't think he's made his chances worse. Years ago he would have been a sure top 15 pick. Now in around 20-32, someone may roll a dice with him.
- Humphreys has been the biggest disappointment for me in this age group. I expected much more from him. I've got him around the third round, but I'd say he'll be a 4-5 rounder.
- At least Eiserman has not been able to silence his critics. Maybe even the opposite. By far the most interesting thing about the draft is where he is selected. He needs to get rid of the excessive need to set records and score goals from every position. He could take a lesson from Hagens and just focus on playing his best game. Then he would also be on the score sheet more. I think BU will be good for him. In NTDP, he may have been given too much slack.
- Second line has not worked very well. It might be rude to say that when everyone is more than a point per game. Bednarik and Plante are second rounders for me, but neither has been able to raise their stock. I even considered Bednarik as a possible riser, but I expected a little more from his game.
- Hensler and Skahan haven't been bad, but not particularly good either. Hensler has a year to go, but has Skahan done enough to get into the first round? I don't think so. He is an early to mid second rounder.
- Rheaume-Mullen has been the Aram Minnetian of this team for me. I think he has much more potential than what he is able to show. However, I have not been convinced of his game in this tournament.
-Kempf and Whipple have been solid. Nothing less, nothing more. I don't expect anything more from them either. 5-6 rounders.
- Mooney has been able to show very good things from time to time as a underager. I like his game.
- Vansaghi is a bit of a frustrating case. He has size and some good elements, but just not enough skill. He won't be eligible for the draft until a year from now and will hopefully play a season in the USHL before going to college.
- Some people like Van Vilet more, but there is a reason why he is a 13th forward. However, a year in the USHL can still take his career in the right direction. 5-7 rounder for me.
- Baker, Laurila, and McMorrow are anyway seventh rounders at best.
-Heil and Parsons. Heil is 6-7 rounder. Parsons is not going to be drafted.
Of course, this tournament is only a few games but thought I write down some of my thoughts.