What did you think of the Czech goalie Dostal and the captain Lauko? I had both those guys in my most recent rankings, along with Jenik who I think could be a big riser later in the season. Jenik is one of the 2018 draft's youngest players.
Also, do you know if Jake Wise is injured? He's not played in months for the NTDP team. He's going to fall down lists if he's not playing during his draft year.
Goalies are tough to assess at such a young age but Dostal was great yesterday. So was the Swiss kid Schmid. They gobbled up everything, tracked well, and both were quick with their blockers. I have a feeling scouts love Schmid because he's got the size and he's super rigid.
Lauko is one of the fastest kids in the draft. He gets at least one breakaway a game. Sometimes he looks like a Grabner in that all he does is shoot and skate, but he's looked way more generous and smart playing with adults than he does when he's a top dog on a U18 team. One thing I really like about Lauko is he's very active on every shift. He plays hard every shift and is always involved in something. He got clocked in the nuts by a Kokkonen slapper but was back on the ice in 5 minutes.
And Jenik is a great kid to watch. All-around two-way player and a throwback. At the Hlinka he was the net-front presence on the power play, yesterday he centered and ran it from the wall. Plus he's 6'1 so he will grow a little more.
I'd say both Lauko and Jenik will be no worse than high 3rds but at this rate they could both sneak into the late 1st.
As for Wise, it certainly appears he's hurt. I'll ask Pete Krupsky (their PBP guy) tomorrow what the deal is. Wise is smallish but a deadly playmaker. They have been winning without him and it gave kids like Hain and Pivonka an expanded role. I like Pivonka as a mid-round pick for the Rangers -- skilled, fast center with a great shot.
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