spfan
Registered User
- May 4, 2009
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- 434
It's tough beyond #1.
SJ - Celebrini
CHI - Demidov
AHM - Silayev
CBJ - Levshunov
MTL - Lindstrom
Utah - Dickinson
OTT - Parekh
SEA - Buium
CGY - Iginla
NJ - Eiserman
BUF - Yakemchuk
PHI - Helenius
MIN - Catton
SJ - Sennecke
DET - Brandsegg-Nygard
STL - Greentree
Celebrini is the only lock.
I personally wouldn't pick Silayev in the top 10. He's fine, but not worth that high of a pick, but because NHL GM's obsess over size, he's gonna go super high.
CHI - Could go with any of Demidov, Silayev or Levshunov. They have a bigger need for defense, but Demidov is the #2 ranked guy by Bob, who survey's scouts, so that does seem like the most likely. But Silayev and Levshunov are certainly possible.
AHM - Somewhat surprised last year by taking Carlsson over Fantilli. Albiet, Carlsson was seen as the next guy and both are big Centers. So different order than expected, but also not really going a different way or really reaching either. They really don't have a need for more LHD, but GM's overvalue size and Silayev might be the selection here. But Levshunov, Demidov are possible here too. And they do have more of a need for a RHD, so I think Parekh is even an option here. Especially if Levshunov is gone. Parekh would really be their Drysdale replacement.
CBJ - Could go a few more ways too. LHD I would say is the only thing that doesn't really make sense. But also wouldn't be shocked if they took Silayev if CHI, AHM do both actually pass on him. Lindstrom, Silayev, Levshunov all possibilites. If Demidov actually does slip a couple of spots, then he's likely.
MTL - Numerous ways they could. I don't see them needing a d-man, but I wouldn't rule that out. Maybe if you don't believe in Mailoux much, then Parekh could make sense. I don't see Levshunov being available. So Parekh is the best RHD available. With Hutson and Guhle as LHD, I don't see a LHD being an option. Supposedly they like Iginla, but who knows. But he's possible regardless. Lindstrom would be very likely if he's available. Catton and Helenius would make sense, but I think their size makes them the usual fallers. Eiserman's slipped on boards everywhere pretty much, but I wouldn't rule him out here. There was also a rumor of Sennecke, but that would be a reach, which MTL has done before, but I wouldn't say this crazy. Sennecke has had an amazing playoff run, but this would be a bit high.
Utah - A lot seem to be penciling in Silayev just cause they took the big Russian d-man early last year and then yeah took another big russian at 12th too, but I never really like these 1 off draft sample sizes. And like I said earlier, Silayev is probably gone already anyways because of the size bias. Utah really could go anywhere though. They aren't too strong at any position really. But defense is their biggest need. Buium, Parekh, Dickinson are all very likely. I wouldn't rule out Helenius here. Iginla possible too. Maybe Eiserman even. And Yakemchuk could go earlier than some expect too. Again, the size bias from NHL GM's.
OTT - They definitely don't need another Center. They've got plenty of LHD too. Even with Chychrun likely being sometime soon, they'd still have Sanderson and Chabot. RHD makes a lot of sense. They could use more scoring depth too. Parekh, Eiserman, Iginla make a lot of sense. Maybe you just see Catton as a winger, but he probably slips more anyways. Yakemchuk, Sennecke are possible here too.
SEA - They don't need more Centers. A high end winger is possible, but they have a bigger need at defense. Parekh, Dickinson, Buium very likely. Yakemchuk possible too. Eiserman, Iginla, Catton possible too if they go forward.
CGY - If Iginla is available, I feel very confident it'd him. It wouldn't be a reach and the connection with his father is a match made in heaven. If he's not available, they just the BPA. Helenius, Catton, Eiserman, Buium, Parekh, Dickinson, Yakemchuk all possible.
NJ - They don't need more Centers. They could make Catton a winger. Maybe even Helenius too or they just have him as a 3C for a really strong center core. Though the issue would be all small centers in their top 9. They're absolutely stacked at RHD. Another LHD would make sense. Eiserman, Dickinson, Buium, Catton, Sennecke, maybe even Helenius are possible.
BUF - Absolutely stacked with LHD and really every forward position. RHD the only clear need. Yakemchuk would make sense. I wouldn't rule out Jiricek here. Parekh is possibly available still. Or they just go BPA. Catton, Helenius, Sennecke possible.
PHI - They need everything, Big hole at Center though and 1 of Helenius or Catton are likely available. Would make a lot of sense. Sennecke, Yakemchuk, Eiserman possible.
MIN - They've got plenty of wingers, so it should be a D-man or Center. Yakemchuk, Helenius, Catton. But they do feel like a team that plays it safe too. Brandsegg-Nygard, Greentree, Sennecke are possible too.
SJ - They've got their 2 Centers of the future now. So they can check that need off now. Everything else is a big need though. They might want to go for a d-man this time. Yakemchuk, Jiricek. Or they just grab another forward. Catton, Helenius, Eiserman, Brandsegg-Nygard, Greentree, Sennecke are all possible.
DET - They need a top end Center, but Helenius, Catton probably don't slip this far. Greentree is close to home, he makes sense. They don't really need a d-man. Brandsegg-Nygard, Greentree, Sennecke, Connelly are most likely the picks.
STL - Bigger hole at defense. Jiricek possible. or any of these forwards Brandsegg-Nygard, Greentree, Sennecke, Connelly will probably be their pick.
Demidov is not a guarantee to go #2, but he's definitely the 2nd best player in the draft in my opinion. But really after that there's 10 pretty interchangeable players. Drafts are never very predictable, but this feels like a bigger range of similar level talents than usual.
SJ - Celebrini
CHI - Demidov
AHM - Silayev
CBJ - Levshunov
MTL - Lindstrom
Utah - Dickinson
OTT - Parekh
SEA - Buium
CGY - Iginla
NJ - Eiserman
BUF - Yakemchuk
PHI - Helenius
MIN - Catton
SJ - Sennecke
DET - Brandsegg-Nygard
STL - Greentree
Celebrini is the only lock.
I personally wouldn't pick Silayev in the top 10. He's fine, but not worth that high of a pick, but because NHL GM's obsess over size, he's gonna go super high.
CHI - Could go with any of Demidov, Silayev or Levshunov. They have a bigger need for defense, but Demidov is the #2 ranked guy by Bob, who survey's scouts, so that does seem like the most likely. But Silayev and Levshunov are certainly possible.
AHM - Somewhat surprised last year by taking Carlsson over Fantilli. Albiet, Carlsson was seen as the next guy and both are big Centers. So different order than expected, but also not really going a different way or really reaching either. They really don't have a need for more LHD, but GM's overvalue size and Silayev might be the selection here. But Levshunov, Demidov are possible here too. And they do have more of a need for a RHD, so I think Parekh is even an option here. Especially if Levshunov is gone. Parekh would really be their Drysdale replacement.
CBJ - Could go a few more ways too. LHD I would say is the only thing that doesn't really make sense. But also wouldn't be shocked if they took Silayev if CHI, AHM do both actually pass on him. Lindstrom, Silayev, Levshunov all possibilites. If Demidov actually does slip a couple of spots, then he's likely.
MTL - Numerous ways they could. I don't see them needing a d-man, but I wouldn't rule that out. Maybe if you don't believe in Mailoux much, then Parekh could make sense. I don't see Levshunov being available. So Parekh is the best RHD available. With Hutson and Guhle as LHD, I don't see a LHD being an option. Supposedly they like Iginla, but who knows. But he's possible regardless. Lindstrom would be very likely if he's available. Catton and Helenius would make sense, but I think their size makes them the usual fallers. Eiserman's slipped on boards everywhere pretty much, but I wouldn't rule him out here. There was also a rumor of Sennecke, but that would be a reach, which MTL has done before, but I wouldn't say this crazy. Sennecke has had an amazing playoff run, but this would be a bit high.
Utah - A lot seem to be penciling in Silayev just cause they took the big Russian d-man early last year and then yeah took another big russian at 12th too, but I never really like these 1 off draft sample sizes. And like I said earlier, Silayev is probably gone already anyways because of the size bias. Utah really could go anywhere though. They aren't too strong at any position really. But defense is their biggest need. Buium, Parekh, Dickinson are all very likely. I wouldn't rule out Helenius here. Iginla possible too. Maybe Eiserman even. And Yakemchuk could go earlier than some expect too. Again, the size bias from NHL GM's.
OTT - They definitely don't need another Center. They've got plenty of LHD too. Even with Chychrun likely being sometime soon, they'd still have Sanderson and Chabot. RHD makes a lot of sense. They could use more scoring depth too. Parekh, Eiserman, Iginla make a lot of sense. Maybe you just see Catton as a winger, but he probably slips more anyways. Yakemchuk, Sennecke are possible here too.
SEA - They don't need more Centers. A high end winger is possible, but they have a bigger need at defense. Parekh, Dickinson, Buium very likely. Yakemchuk possible too. Eiserman, Iginla, Catton possible too if they go forward.
CGY - If Iginla is available, I feel very confident it'd him. It wouldn't be a reach and the connection with his father is a match made in heaven. If he's not available, they just the BPA. Helenius, Catton, Eiserman, Buium, Parekh, Dickinson, Yakemchuk all possible.
NJ - They don't need more Centers. They could make Catton a winger. Maybe even Helenius too or they just have him as a 3C for a really strong center core. Though the issue would be all small centers in their top 9. They're absolutely stacked at RHD. Another LHD would make sense. Eiserman, Dickinson, Buium, Catton, Sennecke, maybe even Helenius are possible.
BUF - Absolutely stacked with LHD and really every forward position. RHD the only clear need. Yakemchuk would make sense. I wouldn't rule out Jiricek here. Parekh is possibly available still. Or they just go BPA. Catton, Helenius, Sennecke possible.
PHI - They need everything, Big hole at Center though and 1 of Helenius or Catton are likely available. Would make a lot of sense. Sennecke, Yakemchuk, Eiserman possible.
MIN - They've got plenty of wingers, so it should be a D-man or Center. Yakemchuk, Helenius, Catton. But they do feel like a team that plays it safe too. Brandsegg-Nygard, Greentree, Sennecke are possible too.
SJ - They've got their 2 Centers of the future now. So they can check that need off now. Everything else is a big need though. They might want to go for a d-man this time. Yakemchuk, Jiricek. Or they just grab another forward. Catton, Helenius, Eiserman, Brandsegg-Nygard, Greentree, Sennecke are all possible.
DET - They need a top end Center, but Helenius, Catton probably don't slip this far. Greentree is close to home, he makes sense. They don't really need a d-man. Brandsegg-Nygard, Greentree, Sennecke, Connelly are most likely the picks.
STL - Bigger hole at defense. Jiricek possible. or any of these forwards Brandsegg-Nygard, Greentree, Sennecke, Connelly will probably be their pick.
Demidov is not a guarantee to go #2, but he's definitely the 2nd best player in the draft in my opinion. But really after that there's 10 pretty interchangeable players. Drafts are never very predictable, but this feels like a bigger range of similar level talents than usual.
