Prospect Info: The 2018 Draft Thread

[bobbythebrain]

If his skating is bad howd he get 10 breakaway goals/goals in the paint.
(Bouchatd)

His skating isn't bad.

 

[AUAIOMRN]

With Bouchard, it might be conditioning. I saw the same thing with Draisaitl in the Memorial Cup run, and in his first 2 years as an Oilers. You could see he was gassed some shifts.

This is what people forget about Draisaitl. He'd get tired and by the end of his shift he'd look slow, which made it look like skating was the issue - but more so it was conditioning.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

I'd be very surprised if Kotkaniemi was even a consideration for them. Chia made it clear that he likes a cluster of Dmen (unless he was bluffing) and I'm fairly confident that Smith is in that cluster because of their preference of WHL players and the Yamamoto connection so if it's a choice of Kotkaniemi and Smith, I'd be shocked if they picked the Finn.

I disagree

I think Chia knows how thin we are at forward, hence signing Hebig and trading for Marody...plus he loves his centers

our defensive prospect depth isn't that bad..Bear, Jones, Berglund and Samorukov are all expected to play in the AHL and develop next year

not saying it's a "for sure" but our forward depth is really thin and the prospect level

 

[McDNicks17]

If his skating is bad howd he get 10 breakaway goals/goals in the paint.
(Bouchatd)

Basically "he's a good, but not great, skater" telephone gamed into "he's a bad skater".

 

[Jean Ralphio]

I disagree

I think Chia knows how thin we are at forward, hence signing Hebig and trading for Marody...plus he loves his centers

our defensive prospect depth isn't that bad..Bear, Jones, Berglund and Samorukov are all expected to play in the AHL and develop next year

not saying it's a "for sure" but our forward depth is really thin and the prospect level

Berglund is likely staying at least another year in Sweden, and Samorukov is not eligible for the AHL next year. Lagesson is likely coming over, however.

 

[Raab]

A lot of the speculation was that he was just conserving his energy. He played some games 40 minutes a night. That is a crap load of minutes. He was regularly around the 35 minute mark in most games and like I said some games he played 40 minutes.

If you are playing every 2nd shift in every game I think he should be given a break as it's hard to maintain your skating mechanics and energy playing that much.

And this is what worries me with his numbers. Played way to much. If he had normal ice time like Dobson do his numbers look more pedestrian. I'd think so.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

That's close, here's how I see it.

Buffalo: Dahlin
Carolina: Svechnikov
NYR: Zadina (Trade, #3 and Del la Rose for #9, Bos' 1st and Spooner)
Ottawa: Tkachuk
Arizona: Hughes
Detroit: Dobson
Vancouver: Wahlstrom
Chicago: Boqvist
Montreal: Kotkaniemi
Edmonton: Bouchard

Edit: Montreal gets value and a center, Arizona gets a marketable American defenseman and Vancouver gets a lineman(countryman) for Boesner

Huh, I could definitely see that trade going through. Montreal gets their center, and NYR get a sniper for Chytil/Andersson.

As for the draft order, I think Arizona picks Wahlstrom, who has arguably the best shot in the draft and would perfectly compliment Keller. They already have Chychrun as a small offensive LHD, and are close to locking up OEL long term. That leaves Detroit to pick hometown boy Quinton Hughes, and the Canucks pick Dobson, who they are apparently very high on.

The rest I agree with 100%. Really praying we draft Bouchard now

Here's another video demonstrating Bouchard's offensive ability:

 

[rambo97]

And this is what worries me with his numbers. Played way to much. If he had normal ice time like Dobson do his numbers look more pedestrian. I'd think so.

The counter argument to that is that he was exposed to every situation possible. And that could do wonders for his development down the road. I know one train of thought that believes getting as many minutes does wonders for your development at that age. The Knights are notorious for playing their horses big minutes over the years. Kane and Marner for example got huge minutes as well

 

[PKSpecialist]

Huh, I could definitely see that trade going through. Montreal gets their center, and NYR get a sniper for Chytil/Andersson.

As for the draft order, I think Arizona picks Wahlstrom, who has arguably the best shot in the draft and would perfectly compliment Keller. They already have Chychrun as a small offensive LHD, and are close to locking up OEL long term. That leaves Detroit to pick hometown boy Quinton Hughes, and the Canucks pick Dobson, who they are apparently very high on.

Say what? Chychrun is a) not small. B) not an offensive D.
He is two way. Going to be a stud defender, if he shows more offence he will be great. Calling him a small offensive D is way off as far as a scouting report goes.

 

[EDMOILERS9729]

The dmen in this draft that could be a 1d in the future imo are:
Dahlin (pretty much guaranteed)
Dobson
Bouchard

Hughes and Boqvist imo top out as very good offensive #2's because they dont have the size or defensive ability to play big minutes and all situations.

 

[McMozesmadness]

Berglund is likely staying at least another year in Sweden, and Samorukov is not eligible for the AHL next year. Lagesson is likely coming over, however.

Samorukov is AHL eligible. There hasn’t been any word on where he’ll play next year, but I hope he returns to the OHL.

I think another year with the Storm is best path. He seems committed to NA and committed to being patient with his own development.

 

[McDNicks17]

Samorukov is AHL eligible. There hasn’t been any word on where he’ll play next year, but I hope he returns to the OHL.

I think another year with the Storm is best path. He seems committed to NA and committed to being patient with his own development.

Is he in one of those weird situations where he's not considered NA because he was on loan?

If not, he isn't AHL eligible. Next year is his 19 year old season.

 

[McMozesmadness]

Is he in one of those weird situations where he's not considered NA because he was on loan?

If not, he isn't AHL eligible. Next year is his 19 year old season.

I thought that was the case, similar to Julius Honka in Dallas, but I can’t find where I read that. I may be wrong. Either way I hope he stays in the O.

 

[belair]

I thought that was the case, similar to Julius Honka in Dallas, but I can’t find where I read that. I may be wrong. Either way I hope he stays in the O.

Guelph fans seem to think he's coming back next season. They also seem to think they'd be better off if they moved Ryan Merkley. So that shows you a bit about where his draft stock might fall.

 

[McDNicks17]

Small sample size, but good stuff.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Say what? Chychrun is a) not small. B) not an offensive D.
He is two way. Going to be a stud defender, if he shows more offence he will be great. Calling him a small offensive D is way off as far as a scouting report goes.

Yeah I just realized. IDK what I was thinking.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Small sample size, but good stuff.

If I'm understanding this correctly, Miller is a far more consistent and well rounded, but Wilde is much flashier. So Miller might be like Vlasic and Wilde might be like Jack Johnson if we were comparing draft comparable?

 

[rambo97]

Miller is very raw. Great tools. Not sure he has necessary hockey IQ to succeed. He is a converted forward and it's quite obvious at times when you watch him.

I saw the info graphic above as well.....but I don't know if Miller is actually going to pan out as a dman at the NHL level. Looks fantastic at times. Brutal reads at other times. Very inconsistent. Just doesn't appear to have the natural instincts for the defense position.

Can he get that with more experience? That is I guess the big question with him. Will need quite a bit of development, nurturing and teaching. But that is just one man's opinion. Could be completely out to lunch on him as well.

 

[McDNicks17]

Brock released his Final OHL Top 10 today.

Here's Bouchard's blurb:

Have to admit, I thought Bouchard should have won the Max Kaminsky trophy this year as the league's top defenseman (and that's not meant to be offensive to Nic Hague who also had a terrific year). I just look at what Bouchard was able to do with such a young team through the 2nd half, as the captain, and think it deserved more respect. His 87 points were the most for a first time draft eligible defender since Ryan Ellis put up 89 in his. His ability to start the breakout is his best asset, with his vision off the rush and his booming point shot a close 2nd and 3rd. Bouchard just has unreal vision from the defensive end and pinpoint accuracy with his stretch passes. When he's on the ice, the Knights can go from being under attack in the defensive end to a 3 on 1 within a matter of seconds thanks to Bouchard's ability to get the puck out. While he does lack the top end speed you'd like to see from a dynamic puck rusher in the NHL, his agility and puck protection ability (thanks to his 6'2 frame) are top notch and allows him to evade forecheckers and carve through the neutral zone extremely effectively. Bouchard also is a terrific powerplay QB, because he is a duel threat. Defenders have to respect his booming point shot and his vision and passing ability, which is a dangerous combination. Do you overplay him to take away his shot at risk of him exploiting a hole in coverage, or do you give him the shot and have trust in your goaltender? Defensively, Bouchard is solid positionally and in getting his stick in passing lanes. But he definitely needs to increase his intensity level in the defensive end, particularly below the hash marks. He can be too soft on forwards near the crease and needs to do a better job taking away space from the opposition and winning more tough battles behind the net. Is he going to be a top notch #1 defender? I'm not entirely sure he has that skill set. But can he be a solid #2 or #3 who can lead your powerplay and eat big minutes? Absolutely.

 

[VainGretzky]

Hmm choices this draft

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Brock released his Final OHL Top 10 today.

Here's Bouchard's blurb:

Have to admit, I thought Bouchard should have won the Max Kaminsky trophy this year as the league's top defenseman (and that's not meant to be offensive to Nic Hague who also had a terrific year). I just look at what Bouchard was able to do with such a young team through the 2nd half, as the captain, and think it deserved more respect. His 87 points were the most for a first time draft eligible defender since Ryan Ellis put up 89 in his. His ability to start the breakout is his best asset, with his vision off the rush and his booming point shot a close 2nd and 3rd. Bouchard just has unreal vision from the defensive end and pinpoint accuracy with his stretch passes. When he's on the ice, the Knights can go from being under attack in the defensive end to a 3 on 1 within a matter of seconds thanks to Bouchard's ability to get the puck out. While he does lack the top end speed you'd like to see from a dynamic puck rusher in the NHL, his agility and puck protection ability (thanks to his 6'2 frame) are top notch and allows him to evade forecheckers and carve through the neutral zone extremely effectively. Bouchard also is a terrific powerplay QB, because he is a duel threat. Defenders have to respect his booming point shot and his vision and passing ability, which is a dangerous combination. Do you overplay him to take away his shot at risk of him exploiting a hole in coverage, or do you give him the shot and have trust in your goaltender? Defensively, Bouchard is solid positionally and in getting his stick in passing lanes. But he definitely needs to increase his intensity level in the defensive end, particularly below the hash marks. He can be too soft on forwards near the crease and needs to do a better job taking away space from the opposition and winning more tough battles behind the net. Is he going to be a top notch #1 defender? I'm not entirely sure he has that skill set. But can he be a solid #2 or #3 who can lead your powerplay and eat big minutes? Absolutely.

Well that doesn't do anything to dispel my desire for this player in Oilers silks.

 

[lakai17]

Ty Dellandrea. Ty Dellandrea. We may have to squeeze a later first for him.

 

[Hockey Nightmare]

Actually, word on the street is Bouchard's skating is bad. Very bad. So bad he might fall to 10. Spread the word.

 

[McDNicks17]

Actually, word on the street is Bouchard's skating is bad. Very bad. So bad he might fall to 10. Spread the word.

I've heard he actually can't skate.

His D partner has to push him around the ice.

 

[MoneyGuy]

I've heard he actually can't skate.

His D partner has to push him around the ice.

I've heard McDavid can do two full laps of the ice in the time it takes him to skate from blueline to blueline.