HFOil Mock Entry Draft 2017 | Draft Complete

PKSpecialist

Registered User
Feb 6, 2010
1,750
838
Well, did I ever have a decision to make. I considered about 5 players seriously for this pick, but ultimately I sat down and really thought about who I thought the best player remaining was - who I had seen the most often with my own eyes, and who I thought I could really see filling a huge void for this team going forward.

With these things in mind, the Edmonton Oilers are very pleased to select - from the Spokane Chiefs, right shot C/RW Kailer Yamamoto.

Yamamoto's most common draft comparables are Johnny Gaudreau and Tyler Johnson, and is praised for his lethal shot, offensive IQ, playmaking, skating, and even strength production - indeed, Yamamoto is one of the best even strength point producers available in the entire draft. He had 30% more points than the next best player on his team, and produced better at even strength than both Hischier and Patrick. This kid is a gamer.

In my viewings of him, and in reading scouting reports about him, things that kept coming up were 'plays bigger than his size, feisty forechecker, not afraid of the dirty areas'. Honestly this kid reminds me of a cross between a Gaudreau and a Gallagher.

I believe that the Oilers have the size, meat, and snarl in the lineup now, but I feel like the skill needs to be beefed up as well. That's where Yamamoto comes in. I believe he will prove a quality asset (and Eberle replacement) in the coming years.

Commence the yelling - my body is ready.

Straight up, Yamamoto is the BPA as far as junior hockey players go (with a strong challenge from a certain undersized but ultra-skilled Swedish defender). Now it's all about projecting whether he can translate his game to the next level. You're a believer, and that's great. The thing that scares me the most about Yamamoto though, is that even in a thin top end draft like this, he is still ranked in the 20's by most. Which to me, means he has his doubters. Time will tell.
 

Soli

Supervision Required
Sep 8, 2005
21,690
10,934
Well, did I ever have a decision to make. I considered about 5 players seriously for this pick, but ultimately I sat down and really thought about who I thought the best player remaining was - who I had seen the most often with my own eyes, and who I thought I could really see filling a huge void for this team going forward.

With these things in mind, the Edmonton Oilers are very pleased to select - from the Spokane Chiefs, right shot C/RW Kailer Yamamoto.

Yamamoto's one of two, maybe three players I would have considered here.
 

BarDownBobo

Registered User
Oct 19, 2012
6,436
3,069
City of Champions
I'm really not sure what to think of Yamamoto as I've never seen him play. The stats are there, but the size and being one of the oldest first time eligible definitely do worry me a bit. I wouldn't hate taking him depending how the draft went, maybe with a trade down, but as it's gone in this one there's one guy who's still available that jumps out to me as a much better choice than Yamamoto(won't say who till he's actually picked). In fact I'm not sure this guy will still be available at 22 on draft day.
 

Vide

Registered User
Mar 2, 2015
641
111
:cbj are proud to select, from London Knights, OHL, Robert Thomas.

ThomasRobert27-001_09_10_15CA-730x520.jpg


Next GM has been notified.
 

Zaddy

Registered User
Feb 8, 2013
13,058
5,850
Well, did I ever have a decision to make. I considered about 5 players seriously for this pick, but ultimately I sat down and really thought about who I thought the best player remaining was - who I had seen the most often with my own eyes, and who I thought I could really see filling a huge void for this team going forward.

With these things in mind, the Edmonton Oilers are very pleased to select - from the Spokane Chiefs, right shot C/RW Kailer Yamamoto.

Yamamoto's most common draft comparables are Johnny Gaudreau and Tyler Johnson, and is praised for his lethal shot, offensive IQ, playmaking, skating, and even strength production - indeed, Yamamoto is one of the best even strength point producers available in the entire draft. He had 30% more points than the next best player on his team, and produced better at even strength than both Hischier and Patrick. This kid is a gamer.

In my viewings of him, and in reading scouting reports about him, things that kept coming up were 'plays bigger than his size, feisty forechecker, not afraid of the dirty areas'. Honestly this kid reminds me of a cross between a Gaudreau and a Gallagher.

I believe that the Oilers have the size, meat, and snarl in the lineup now, but I feel like the skill needs to be beefed up as well. That's where Yamamoto comes in. I believe he will prove a quality asset (and Eberle replacement) in the coming years.

Commence the yelling - my body is ready.

I don't mind it at all. I feel like it's very hard to seperate the guys in the late 1st round and just from a strict BPA point of view, Yamamoto is the guy here. None of the other guys in this range are particularly safe picks, they all have big flaws. I rather bet on a guy who has all the skill but lack the size, than a guy who is bigger but lacking in high-end skills. Yamamoto checks a lot of boxes and him being right-handed is a big bonus. I think if everything goes well he could be a Cam Atkinson type guy, but he'll need to hit the gym and put on some pounds first.
 

BarDownBobo

Registered User
Oct 19, 2012
6,436
3,069
City of Champions
I'm really not sure what to think of Yamamoto as I've never seen him play. The stats are there, but the size and being one of the oldest first time eligible definitely do worry me a bit. I wouldn't hate taking him depending how the draft went, maybe with a trade down, but as it's gone in this one there's one guy who's still available that jumps out to me as a much better choice than Yamamoto(won't say who till he's actually picked). In fact I'm not sure this guy will still be available at 22 on draft day.

Thomas is the guy I was alluding to here. I think he is a much safer bet than Yamamoto, as his style of play makes him a very safe bet to be at least a 3C in the NHL. But at the same time his skill level makes his ceiling comparable imo.
 

ChaoticOrange

Registered User
Jun 29, 2008
50,527
29,143
Edmonton
Thomas is the guy I was alluding to here. I think he is a much safer bet than Yamamoto, as his style of play makes him a very safe bet to be at least a 3C in the NHL. But at the same time his skill level makes his ceiling comparable imo.

I strongly considered Thomas, but 16 goals over a full season of junior scared the bejesus out of me. I like everything else about his game.

Very tough decision. I wouldn't be opposed to trading down to, say, 28 or 29 and picking up a late 2nd in the process.
 

BoldNewLettuce

Esquire
Dec 21, 2008
28,125
6,967
Canada
I'm not sure I like Thomas I think I'd take.......others.....over him.

'member the other small right draw center we drafted from London? I 'member.
 

PKSpecialist

Registered User
Feb 6, 2010
1,750
838
I'm not sure I like Thomas I think I'd take.......others.....over him.

'member the other small right draw center we drafted from London? I 'member.

My top three list for that pick based on who was available is still there. Like I said though, if you believe Yamamoto's skills translate, it's a homerun....I'm just not 100% sold. Late first round is not a bad spot to gamble on potential. Can Yamamoto become the Guentzel/Sheary to Connor? Perhaps.
 

bzur

Registered User
Feb 11, 2007
2,305
69
With the 25th pick the Canadiens select C Ryan Poehling.

EDIT : Wrong gm notified... ha

#25 - C - Ryan Poehling
#54 -
#58 -
#85 -
#147
 
Last edited:

BarDownBobo

Registered User
Oct 19, 2012
6,436
3,069
City of Champions
I strongly considered Thomas, but 16 goals over a full season of junior scared the bejesus out of me. I like everything else about his game.

Very tough decision. I wouldn't be opposed to trading down to, say, 28 or 29 and picking up a late 2nd in the process.

That's fair. I've been highly critical of Mat Barzal for the same thing, so I should probably have the same concerns about Thomas. I guess I just feel his overall game will translate so well that he can overcome that.

I'm definitely of the opinion that trading down could be a good course of action this year, but at the same time I feel like Chia could catch a good player who slides a few spots just because teams like other players more. I think teams could fall in love with a few players who will go after our pick in this mock, and a guy like Tolvanen could fall to us.
 

Teemu

Caffeine Free Since 1919
Dec 3, 2002
28,752
5,227
:nashville

The Nashville Predators select Erik Brannstrom, defenseman, HV71

ebrannstrom_hv71.jpg


PM sent
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad

-->