If the 2006 draft were tomorrow, pick Top 10

[monster_bertuzzi]

Ty Wishart for those who want to know is a mamoth at 6'5" and plays a steady defensive game. Really is a rock in his own end. He has decent offensive skills but nothing spectacular you would expect from a guy rated so high. Think of a 'B' version of Braydon Coburn at the same age.

 

[Cush]

any thoughts on Backstrom? Who would you compare him to?

 

[Habsfan 32]

1.Phil Kessel
2.Eric Johnson
3.Michal Frolik
4.Johnathan Toews
5.Peter Mueller
6.Jordan Staal
7.Niklas Backstrom
8.Kyle Okposo
9.James Sheppard
10.Claude Giroux (Homer pick)

 

[borro]

His ceilling is sky high and his raw skill level is incredible. Silky soft hands, I mean he can dangle. Heavy and accurate slap shot, still seems to shy to use it though. He's also a very smooth skater in all directions with a good top end speed and an explosive first stride, powerful long stride. He's pretty lanky but does have a competive side and is physical, but is still just blossuming.... defensively he's fine and played his man well.

I saw him play vs. Wisconsin this year and judging from that game, the upsides of Nigel and Eric Johnson aren't that big of a difference.

Thanks Sharkie-Can you give me an update on Frolik? I have no idea why anyone includes him in the Top 10 other than projection. Why is everyone Top 10 on this guy? I just can't figure a top 10 guy on all projection. looks like Marcinko would be a better pick than him.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

Something makes him a lot better than Joensuu in most of user opinions. Still Joensuu has more points at the same level (and in a league which has mostly been less scoring), but most of the users are underestimating Joensuu now...

Watch the two of them player. You don't draft players on current results, you draft based on projected results and Frolik has all the tools to be an NHL star.

 

[Lars]

1. Phil Kessel
2. Eric Johnson
3. Johnathan Toews
4. Michal Frolik
5. Niklas Backstrom
6. Jordan Staal
7. Peter Mueller
8. Bryan Little
9. Joensuu
10. Kyle Okposo

Forgot Joensuu! ... Added..

 

[Rather Gingerly 1*]

Ty Wishart for those who want to know is a mamoth at 6'5" and plays a steady defensive game. Really is a rock in his own end. He has decent offensive skills but nothing spectacular you would expect from a guy rated so high. Think of a 'B' version of Braydon Coburn at the same age.

X-Sharkie, would you put Wishart ahead of Komisarek in his draft year? How about Williams?

 

[Pipeandin]

Sharkie, are you judging Williams on one game vs. Wisconsin? He is going there next year I believe to. Was that the only game you have seen? Yes he is a good player who has a cannon shot can skate and is developing at a mind boggling rate, he could be a good pro without question. But he is no where near the level of Johnson or Bob Sangunetti for that matter IMO. I have seen all these guys many time over the past couple years and its not very close IMHO.

 

[borro]

Isn't it reasonable to say a guy who has a great shot will score goals, a great passer will get assists, and a gritty guy will rack up PIM's and maybe show a good +-? This is not to say there are not exceptions, like Russians sometimes seem to score more etc. A guy like Little does everything he can, shows performance, heart, grit and gets downgraded like a Brule because he is smaller? Meanwhile, Frolik shows 2Goals and 7 Assists in 44 games and gets into some top 5 lists? Little might not project well, but isn't Frolik totally a projection? He hasn't played well in tournaments, hasn't put up numbers, but seems revered. I'd take a Sheppard, Little, or Okposo over that guy any time. Seems like the risk of bust is greater than the reward. These other guys might only be second liners but they seem more impressive.

 

[J17 Vs Proclamation]

Isn't it reasonable to say a guy who has a great shot will score goals, a great passer will get assists, and a gritty guy will rack up PIM's and maybe show a good +-? This is not to say there are not exceptions, like Russians sometimes seem to score more etc. A guy like Little does everything he can, shows performance, heart, grit and gets downgraded like a Brule because he is smaller? Meanwhile, Frolik shows 2Goals and 7 Assists in 44 games and gets into some top 5 lists? Little might not project well, but isn't Frolik totally a projection? He hasn't played well in tournaments, hasn't put up numbers, but seems revered. I'd take a Sheppard, Little, or Okposo over that guy any time. Seems like the risk of bust is greater than the reward. These other guys might only be second liners but they seem more impressive.

When will you listen, Frolik IS IN A MANS LEAGUE GETTING 3RD LINE MINUTES! Its as simple as that. Whta do you expect from him, a ppg? Jagr was in the same position to Frolik, and he only posted slighty better figures. Frolik also was mis-used in the tourney, and if your using that arguement against him then you always saying the samething about Toews. Frolik has about as much potential as anyone in this draft, and i dont think hes that much of a project either. How is Little a safe pick anyway? To me he is a very risky pick.
I have serious doubts about Little, and Brule is far more talented than Little anyway. The only issue with Brule isnt because of his size, but his injuries and the way he throws himself around. If Brule stays healthy, he'll be elite ... something IMO Little never will.

 

[X-SHARKIE]

Sharkie, are you judging Williams on one game vs. Wisconsin? He is going there next year I believe to. Was that the only game you have seen? Yes he is a good player who has a cannon shot can skate and is developing at a mind boggling rate, he could be a good pro without question. But he is no where near the level of Johnson or Bob Sangunetti for that matter IMO. I have seen all these guys many time over the past couple years and its not very close IMHO.

I caught him twice in a stretch, where he also played against MSOE. I like Saguinetti as well....nothing against him or Eric Johnson. I think you missed the part where I said upside. At the moment yeah Eric is way ahead of him, but several years from now they both could be top pairing defenseman IMO. I'm just speaking in projection. Just going by what i've seen.

The Czech Republic has weird way of developing their best young talent. Frolik is falling in the same trap that Michalek & Olesz were put in. As 16-18 year olds they're asked to play against men as 3rd & 4th liners. They're not asked to perform offensive roles, plus the Elite league is a very soft and defensive league and it's difficult to put up big numbers. Jiri Hudler however did break through and astounded me with his output years back. Frolik is going through that now. He still has performed badly at the last U-18 & WJC's...so that scares me off, while Backstrom is consistantly breaking through and forcing his coach to play him in all situations, all the while being great for Sweden at every tournament. Even watching them side by side at the U-20's I came away Backstrom > Frolik..but Frolik is very intriguing and will likely go top 10 because of his Havlat like upside.

Komisarek was a stud in his draft year and was furthur along then Wishart and Williams. Mike would've been ahead of both of them if they would be in the same draft. I like Monster Bertuzzi's comparison of a Coburn esq player for Wishart, how ever...I think we're just seeing the tip of the ice berg for Wishart and with small development in a few areas he could be a dominating defenseman. He has caught my eye.

 

[bigd]

I caught him twice in a stretch, where he also played against MSOE. I like Saguinetti as well....nothing against him or Eric Johnson. I think you missed the part where I said upside. At the moment yeah Eric is way ahead of him, but several years from now they both could be top pairing defenseman IMO. I'm just speaking in projection. Just going by what i've seen.

The Czech Republic has weird way of developing their best young talent. Frolik is falling in the same trap that Michalek & Olesz were put in. As 16-18 year olds they're asked to play against men as 3rd & 4th liners. They're not asked to perform offensive roles, plus the Elite league is a very soft and defensive league and it's difficult to put up big numbers. Jiri Hudler however did break through and astounded me with his output years back. Frolik is going through that now. He still has performed badly at the last U-18 & WJC's...so that scares me off, while Backstrom is consistantly breaking through and forcing his coach to play him in all situations, all the while being great for Sweden at every tournament. Even watching them side by side at the U-20's I came away Backstrom > Frolik..but Frolik is very intriguing and will likely go top 10 because of his Havlat like upside.

Komisarek was a stud in his draft year and was furthur along then Wishart and Williams. Mike would've been ahead of both of them if they would be in the same draft. I like Monster Bertuzzi's comparison of a Coburn esq player for Wishart, how ever...I think we're just seeing the tip of the ice berg for Wishart and with small development in a few areas he could be a dominating defenseman. He has caught my eye.

I'm willing to bet that by the end of the U18 World Championships Williams stock will drop. He won't see much playing time because of his defensive play.

 

[Porn*]

Johnson
Kessel
Staal
Backstrom
Mueller
Toews
Frolik

etc...


who has the highest offensive upside/potential?

 

[J17 Vs Proclamation]

Johnson
Kessel
Staal
Backstrom
Mueller
Toews
Frolik

etc...


who has the highest offensive upside/potential?

Kessel and Frolik to me probably have the most offensive upsides, with Backstrom and Staal pretty close behind. Backstrom might be the sfaest bet to reach his potential, and i really hope he falls out of the top 5.
Johnson is a defenseman, so obviously his offensive upsides cant be compared to the others. He is very comparable to Chris Pronger so he does have Offensive upsides.
Toews has the least upsides out of the fowards in that group. He wont be a PPG player IMO.

 

[Porn*]

who would you guys take fantasy wise...

cause its VERY likely... almost a lock that i'll have a top 3 pick.

 

[Doomsday Device]

1. Johnson
2. Kessel
3. Staal
4. Toews
5. Mueller
6. Sheppard
7. Frolik
8. Joensuu
9. Backstrom
10. Wishart

 

[insider]

not often a thread like this is mentionned without a goalie

1. Kessell
2. Johnson
3. Backstrom
4. Teows
5. Mueller
6. Bernier
7. Staal
8. Sheppard
9. Okposo
10. Brassard

 

[c-carp]

It was in the STL paper ehich generally has ****** hockey coverage so this probably isnt worth much but one of their columnists in the Sat Paper said they were looking heavily at the Stall kid. (This isnt meant to be read as a shot at the Stall kid everyone rates him high I was just saying this paper is pretty unreliable.)

 

[Rather Gingerly 1*]

Toews has the least upsides out of the fowards in that group. He wont be a PPG player IMO.

Who would you compare Toews to? Shayne Corson?

 

[Rather Gingerly 1*]

Komisarek was a stud in his draft year and was furthur along then Wishart and Williams. Mike would've been ahead of both of them if they would be in the same draft. I like Monster Bertuzzi's comparison of a Coburn esq player for Wishart, how ever...I think we're just seeing the tip of the ice berg for Wishart and with small development in a few areas he could be a dominating defenseman. He has caught my eye.

Sounds like Wishart is something like Brendan Witt

 

[borro]

Just for reference, Milan Michalek put up 3-5-8 in 46gp in his draft year. Havlat was 2-3-5 in 24 games. Were they also not first round material? It is extremely difficult to put up good stats in top European leagues as 17 year olds. Neither of these guys have had mindblowing WJC's prior to their draft either.

Iasn't michalek being thought of as a disappointment? Havlat seems like a reasonable late bloomer but not Michalek.

 

[Vic Rattlehead*]

Im going on reports and what ive heard from other people. For some strange reason i dont get much hockey in england.



Little in 5 years time will be passed by alot of guys in this draft IMO. He is one of the most overated guys in this years draft.

So, you don't get a lot of hockey in England, yet you think that Little is one of the most overrated players in the draft, and that Towes has low upside. Have you even seen both of them play?

 

[GKJ]

For a draft that is supposedly weak, a lot of different top 10 lists

 

[Jaded-Fan]

For a draft that is supposedly weak, a lot of different top 10 lists

That does not necessarily indicate strength. You basically have the same top two in almost all the lists though. After that, some quality for a handful of picks, then meh.

 

[God Bless Canada]

1. Erik Johnson: A No. 1 defenceman in the making. Really elevated his status with a stellar performance at this year's WJC, one of the best by a draft-eligible defenceman in a long time.
2. Phil Kessel: Yeah, he had his struggles at the WJC, but you can't deny the kid's skill. A potential top-20-25 scorer. Just don't expect him to make an immediate jump to the show.
3. Jonathan Toews: May not have a strong fantasy value, may only reach 50-60 points, but he's the type who elevates his play in the post-season and captains your team to the Stanley Cup. Very, very smart.
4. Jordan Staal. The third member of the vaunted Staal family won't be as good as older brother Eric, but he still has the potential to be a solid, all-round first line forward.
5. Niklas Backstrom. Likely the most impressive undrafted forward at this year's WJC. The Swedish development system has struggled in recent years, but Backstrom may be their best since Zetterberg and the Sedins in 1999.
6. Peter Mueller. The most dangerous offensive rookie in the WHL this year Mueller has a strong skill set and good size to boot. Another top prospect from the U.S. mid-west.
7. Bryan Little. The last name is somewhat applicable, but all this guy does is score. 40 goals and 103 points, and hasn't even been drafted yet. 33 points more than the No. 2 scorer on his team.
8. Michael Frolik. Keep in mind he's playing against men, so his numbers won't be that impressive. His fall is more reflective of his play at the WJC. Still, there's a lot of skill, and decent size.
9. Derrick Brassard. Will need to put on weight, but that's not that uncommon for a player at that age. Has great chemistry with Latendresse, but he's more than just Latendresse's lackey.
10. James Sheppard. Not as much offensive upside as Brassard, but he's bigger, he's already 205 pounds, and has good skill in his large frame.

Other notables:
*Ty Wishart: One of the fastest rising players of this year's draft. Again, not much future fantasy value, but he's big, strong, with good mobility and an ability to move the puck.
*Kyle Okposo: Rare to see a player currently in the USHL ranked so high. I'm not a big USHL fan, and the Viking Cup lost its credibility a few years ago, but he's sixth in league scoring at 18, and he has good size.
*Bob Sanguinetti: Third in OHL scoring at age 18. Decent size. Looked good at prospects game.
*Codey Burki: Hasn't had eye-popping numbers in the very defensive-minded WHL, but caught everyone's attention with a stellar performance at the Top Prospects game. Couldn't choose a better time to have the game of his life.
*Chris Stewart: Florida prospect Anthony's little brother has his sibling's stocky build and a good measure of skill to boot.