Heading into this draft I had a dozen picks with the bulk of them landing in the top 3 rounds. My goal going in was to be active trading up & out, leaving myself in position to draft a few key players I liked, mixed with a few randoms, while setting myself up with something in 2016 as well. I'm quite happy with the result so far so lets see how it all played out...
In the week leading up to the draft I made a few trades to move up. The biggest was Michael Stone & 43 going to Florida for 20 & 112. I wanted that mid/late 1st to give me a chance to get a second pick in the top 10. I also traded a couple 3rds to Ottawa for the 46 pick and moved up from the 4th to 3rd in a deal with Edmonton. Heading into draft day I held 14 total picks with 8 of them falling on Day 1.
After fairly weak attempts to land the #1 or #2 picks, my focus heading into Draft Day was a much discussed deal involving #5 (Hi Tom!
). My apologies to everyone that attended the draft, but once it got going, the fun really started at Tampa HQ. In total 5 trades were made during the draft, which lead to many delays, including a monster with the Stars for #5.
Pick 1.5: C - Dylan Strome, OHL 6'3 187lbs
Technically selected by the Stars on my behalf, this was a mere formality while we finalized our trade. Once Strome was available at the 5 pick the much discussed trade was submitted for approval. Along with Strome I acquired the 79 pick, the Stars 2016 2nd and a 7th. Heading to Dallas was Tomas Hertl, Eddie Lack, the 20th pick and $1M cash. While it was tough to see Hertl & Lack go, the potential of Strome was too much to pass.
Strome has a very projectable frame that teams covet in their top line C. Not the strongest at this point but that should come as he fills out. His ability with the puck is what will get him drafted high as he's extremely skilled at both setting up his teammates and finishing himself. Skating should improve a little as he adjusts to his size.
NHL Potential: 1st line scoring C
Pick 1.6: D - Ivan Provorov, WHL 6'1 201lbs
I bounced back and forth between Provorov and Barzal from the moment the lottery was over. In the end I stuck with what I felt to be the safer pick as Provorov was much more consistently ranked by the different scouting services. He's a high hockey IQ, smooth skating, defensively solid while still being great offensively defenseman. He can do it all. Could make it to the NHL next year but I'm hoping he sticks it out in the WHL.
NHL Potential: Top pairing minute eating D
After my targets at 36 disappeared I traded it along with 72 & 96 for the Wings 1st in 2016 with the hopes of landing a 14-20 pick. I was comfortable making that trade as D was target and there was a glut of them available leading to...
Pick 2.46: D - Jacob Larsson, Swe Jr 6'2 191lbs
Larsson wasn't a specific target at this spot but he was the best left on my board at the time and am happy to have him. He's another good all around defenseman with decent size but will need to add some bulk & strength. Strong skater can move the puck well but isn't super creative. Slightly mixed reviews with some people thinking he could go in the late 1st next week.
NHL Potential: Top 4 play in all situations D
There was a flurry of action leading up to the next pick. I held 65 where he was a potential pick but traded it along with 79 to the hated Flames for their 2016 2nd. Of course the Flames used both 65 & 79 to draft potential targets of mine...thus the hated part (Hi Matthew!
)
Pick 3.69: LW - Erik Foley, USHL 5'11 185lbs
With 65 gone my next pick was 71. As we hit pick 69 I realized the Coyotes had the 2 picks in front of me and feared Foley would be his target as he was highly ranked in the Black Book (produced in part by said Coyotes GM!). I jumped up to 69 at the cost of a 2016 5th to grab my target, and much to my relief, found out Foley likely would have gone before me if I hadn't.
In Foley I get a player that doesn't possess the highest skill level but makes up for it with his hard work. Not big but strong and plays very aggressive. If he finds a little offensive game he could be a gem but should have a decent shot at a bottom 6 role as one of those players every team needs, someone who will do what it takes to win.
NHL Potential: 3rd line energy player that can score a few
Pick 3.89: C - Julius Nattinen, Fin Jr 6'2 194lbs
After the hated Flames picked one of my two targets at 79 I made another deal with the Stars, trading down from 80 for 89 & 95. Nattinen was my secondary option at 80 so I was pleased to see he was still on the board at 89.
Nattinen is a strong playmaker who's good with the puck on his stick in space or on the PP. Not an explosive skater, he lacks great speed, but is able to control the pace of play. If his skating and strength improve he could make a good complimentary scorer.
NHL Potential: 2nd line offensive C
After starting Day 1 with 8 picks I only ended up making 5. It was mission accomplished however as I was able to get a second pick in the top 10 to draft Strome, draft some of my targets (Provorov, Foley) and added picks in 2016. On top of the remaining picks this year I was able to add another 1st and two 2nds.
To be continued after Day 2...
In the week leading up to the draft I made a few trades to move up. The biggest was Michael Stone & 43 going to Florida for 20 & 112. I wanted that mid/late 1st to give me a chance to get a second pick in the top 10. I also traded a couple 3rds to Ottawa for the 46 pick and moved up from the 4th to 3rd in a deal with Edmonton. Heading into draft day I held 14 total picks with 8 of them falling on Day 1.
After fairly weak attempts to land the #1 or #2 picks, my focus heading into Draft Day was a much discussed deal involving #5 (Hi Tom!
). My apologies to everyone that attended the draft, but once it got going, the fun really started at Tampa HQ. In total 5 trades were made during the draft, which lead to many delays, including a monster with the Stars for #5.Pick 1.5: C - Dylan Strome, OHL 6'3 187lbs
Technically selected by the Stars on my behalf, this was a mere formality while we finalized our trade. Once Strome was available at the 5 pick the much discussed trade was submitted for approval. Along with Strome I acquired the 79 pick, the Stars 2016 2nd and a 7th. Heading to Dallas was Tomas Hertl, Eddie Lack, the 20th pick and $1M cash. While it was tough to see Hertl & Lack go, the potential of Strome was too much to pass.
Strome has a very projectable frame that teams covet in their top line C. Not the strongest at this point but that should come as he fills out. His ability with the puck is what will get him drafted high as he's extremely skilled at both setting up his teammates and finishing himself. Skating should improve a little as he adjusts to his size.
NHL Potential: 1st line scoring C
Pick 1.6: D - Ivan Provorov, WHL 6'1 201lbs
I bounced back and forth between Provorov and Barzal from the moment the lottery was over. In the end I stuck with what I felt to be the safer pick as Provorov was much more consistently ranked by the different scouting services. He's a high hockey IQ, smooth skating, defensively solid while still being great offensively defenseman. He can do it all. Could make it to the NHL next year but I'm hoping he sticks it out in the WHL.
NHL Potential: Top pairing minute eating D
After my targets at 36 disappeared I traded it along with 72 & 96 for the Wings 1st in 2016 with the hopes of landing a 14-20 pick. I was comfortable making that trade as D was target and there was a glut of them available leading to...
Pick 2.46: D - Jacob Larsson, Swe Jr 6'2 191lbs
Larsson wasn't a specific target at this spot but he was the best left on my board at the time and am happy to have him. He's another good all around defenseman with decent size but will need to add some bulk & strength. Strong skater can move the puck well but isn't super creative. Slightly mixed reviews with some people thinking he could go in the late 1st next week.
NHL Potential: Top 4 play in all situations D
There was a flurry of action leading up to the next pick. I held 65 where he was a potential pick but traded it along with 79 to the hated Flames for their 2016 2nd. Of course the Flames used both 65 & 79 to draft potential targets of mine...thus the hated part (Hi Matthew!
)Pick 3.69: LW - Erik Foley, USHL 5'11 185lbs
With 65 gone my next pick was 71. As we hit pick 69 I realized the Coyotes had the 2 picks in front of me and feared Foley would be his target as he was highly ranked in the Black Book (produced in part by said Coyotes GM!). I jumped up to 69 at the cost of a 2016 5th to grab my target, and much to my relief, found out Foley likely would have gone before me if I hadn't.
In Foley I get a player that doesn't possess the highest skill level but makes up for it with his hard work. Not big but strong and plays very aggressive. If he finds a little offensive game he could be a gem but should have a decent shot at a bottom 6 role as one of those players every team needs, someone who will do what it takes to win.
NHL Potential: 3rd line energy player that can score a few
Pick 3.89: C - Julius Nattinen, Fin Jr 6'2 194lbs
After the hated Flames picked one of my two targets at 79 I made another deal with the Stars, trading down from 80 for 89 & 95. Nattinen was my secondary option at 80 so I was pleased to see he was still on the board at 89.
Nattinen is a strong playmaker who's good with the puck on his stick in space or on the PP. Not an explosive skater, he lacks great speed, but is able to control the pace of play. If his skating and strength improve he could make a good complimentary scorer.
NHL Potential: 2nd line offensive C
After starting Day 1 with 8 picks I only ended up making 5. It was mission accomplished however as I was able to get a second pick in the top 10 to draft Strome, draft some of my targets (Provorov, Foley) and added picks in 2016. On top of the remaining picks this year I was able to add another 1st and two 2nds.
To be continued after Day 2...
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) and when the dust settled I was left with only 4 picks after trading out to 2016.
