Prospect Info: The 2018 NHL Entry Draft Thread

[Patagonia]

I still don't think the Avs end up picking top 5 (I usually always assume the worst) but man I'd love to be wrong here. Joining the tank.

The rest of December is brutal PITx2, WSH, TBL, PIT, LA, TOR, NYI with FLAx2, ARZx2 sprinkled in.

I’m all for the tank, but the youth needs the experience on playing competitive. Although, they’re likely to get passed by every team except AZ, BUF and incredibly bad OTT. So being at a pre-draft Top 5 is high probability with the draft lottery odds from 2-5 being very close.

 

[Tweaky]

After today's games, Avs are sitting with pick 7th, with games in hand to bump that all the way to 12th, and nobody with games in hand on them (except BOS, but they are ahead anyways). That is a fair representation of where they will finish IMO.

Yes, they are a key injury away from falling off a cliff. But so are other teams. Calgary dies without Gaudreau, LA with Doughty and/or Quick, Chicago has a few guys that could cost they a spot (I still feel they will end up in), Anaheim is due to get healthy at some point and they will move up, VGK will hit a wall at some point I have to think...or are they going to pull a 13-14 Avs?

The only teams I could see passing the Avs are EDM if McJesus and the Apostles start lighting it up, and Ottawa if EK65 and Dutchy find their way out of the doldrums. But I could also see the Avs passing VAN, CGY, ANA (if they never get healthy), PHI, CAR, and MTL.

That all said, I think they end up with a pick in the 6-10 range, and should take...Wahlstrom as the most likely to be there that fits what I am looking for this time. I want a shooter up front. We have plenty of play-makers, and I think we need to add a finisher. None of the D after Dahlin interest me for a earlier than 15 at this time.

 

[BKarchitect]

Agreed, if we fall in that 5-10 range, Wahlstrom seems the best fit for what we lack in the system although if also be fine with baby Tkachuk, would be kinda cool to let him and Bowers develop a couple years together at BU.

There are so many good defenders this year, unless we end up at #1 and snag Dahlin I just assume wait to snag one with our second 1st (if we have it) or our early 2nd unless there is a clear cut of BPA with a guy falling into our laps.

I’m also intrigued by Skarek in net. I’m assuming he’ll start at the WJC for the Czechs, if he puts on a show there - he will be a very high pick especially for a goalie. I know people in general hate hate hate taking goalies high but if he’s worth it (and he seems like the guy who could be in this draft), im not opposed to taking a look at a goalie with our second 1st if we have it. We’ve got to stop farting around with 5th thru 7th round projects at some point and develop somebody. Kvaca is actually putting up great stats this season in the second tier Czech men’s league but I’m not sure how much that actually means.

 

[VikingAv]

After today's games, Avs are sitting with pick 7th, with games in hand to bump that all the way to 12th, and nobody with games in hand on them (except BOS, but they are ahead anyways). That is a fair representation of where they will finish IMO.

Yes, they are a key injury away from falling off a cliff. But so are other teams. Calgary dies without Gaudreau, LA with Doughty and/or Quick, Chicago has a few guys that could cost they a spot (I still feel they will end up in), Anaheim is due to get healthy at some point and they will move up, VGK will hit a wall at some point I have to think...or are they going to pull a 13-14 Avs?

The only teams I could see passing the Avs are EDM if McJesus and the Apostles start lighting it up, and Ottawa if EK65 and Dutchy find their way out of the doldrums. But I could also see the Avs passing VAN, CGY, ANA (if they never get healthy), PHI, CAR, and MTL.

That all said, I think they end up with a pick in the 6-10 range, and should take...Wahlstrom as the most likely to be there that fits what I am looking for this time. I want a shooter up front. We have plenty of play-makers, and I think we need to add a finisher. None of the D after Dahlin interest me for a earlier than 15 at this time.

What? I can somewhat understand Hughes/Boqvist, but not even Smith, Dobson or Wilde until #15?......

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

I’m also intrigued by Skarek in net. I’m assuming he’ll start at the WJC for the Czechs, if he puts on a show there - he will be a very high pick especially for a goalie. I know people in general hate hate hate taking goalies high but if he’s worth it (and he seems like the guy who could be in this draft), im not opposed to taking a look at a goalie with our second 1st if we have it. We’ve got to stop farting around with 5th thru 7th round projects at some point and develop somebody. Kvaca is actually putting up great stats this season in the second tier Czech men’s league but I’m not sure how much that actually means.

Eh not a whole lot. He put up this exact performance last season in the Czech2 league so we know he's capable in the Czech2 league. Right now we're waiting to see if Kvaca gets loaned to a top tier Czech team and see how he does there.

 

[AvsCOL]

I don't want anything to do with Merkley. Offensive stats are nice, but he seems totally unwilling to play defense. Barrie, in my opinion, will never be a great defender for this reason, so I wouldn't be spending a first on Merkley.

Kind of sucks that Ottawa is struggling. That additional 1st would've been great to have, seeing as it's so deep with defensemen.

 

[Piestany88]

Agreed, if we fall in that 5-10 range, Wahlstrom seems the best fit for what we lack in the system although if also be fine with baby Tkachuk, would be kinda cool to let him and Bowers develop a couple years together at BU.

There are so many good defenders this year, unless we end up at #1 and snag Dahlin I just assume wait to snag one with our second 1st (if we have it) or our early 2nd unless there is a clear cut of BPA with a guy falling into our laps.

I’m also intrigued by Skarek in net. I’m assuming he’ll start at the WJC for the Czechs, if he puts on a show there - he will be a very high pick especially for a goalie. I know people in general hate hate hate taking goalies high but if he’s worth it (and he seems like the guy who could be in this draft), im not opposed to taking a look at a goalie with our second 1st if we have it. We’ve got to stop farting around with 5th thru 7th round projects at some point and develop somebody. Kvaca is actually putting up great stats this season in the second tier Czech men’s league but I’m not sure how much that actually means.

I'm for Skarek too with one of our 2nds

 

[BKarchitect]

I'm for Skarek too with one of our 2nds

I'm thinking if he lives up to his billing at the WJC's, he'll probably be gone by our second round pick. Oettinger didn't make it out of the first round last year.

 

[Tweaky]

What? I can somewhat understand Hughes/Boqvist, but not even Smith, Dobson or Wilde until #15?......

Smith is would be yet another offense first defender, and I think we have enough of those for now...rather go for a 2WD. Dobson might climb up enough to be in that range, but I want more than just the great start this year for him to slot in a top half round 1 pick. Wilde is one that I probably should have listed as one that could be in that range....oversight on my part. I suppose names like McIssac and Miller should be in that conversation as well. But for a top 10 pick, given what the Avs need, Dahlin is the only D I would be happy with right now. That could and likely will change as the kids develop over this season, and I get more views of them. But for now, I want a sniper if I can't have Dahlin.

 

[Piestany88]

I'm thinking if he lives up to his billing at the WJC's, he'll probably be gone by our second round pick. Oettinger didn't make it out of the first round last year.

Yes very true, I'm used to thinking our 2nd would automatically be 32 lol

 

[Piestany88]

Smith is would be yet another offense first defender, and I think we have enough of those for now...rather go for a 2WD. Dobson might climb up enough to be in that range, but I want more than just the great start this year for him to slot in a top half round 1 pick. Wilde is one that I probably should have listed as one that could be in that range....oversight on my part. I suppose names like McIssac and Miller should be in that conversation as well. But for a top 10 pick, given what the Avs need, Dahlin is the only D I would be happy with right now. That could and likely will change as the kids develop over this season, and I get more views of them. But for now, I want a sniper if I can't have Dahlin.

He can really skate though , could be a two-way defender .

 

[Tweaky]

Possibly, and I did vote for him in the poll. A lot of it is my rather fickle preferences....change weekly at this point of the year.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Ottawa now bottom 3 in the league. The only two teams they're ahead of are the train wreck Sabres and the Yotes.


Since coming back from Sweden I think they have won 1 game.

 

[landy92mack29]

Smith is would be yet another offense first defender, and I think we have enough of those for now...rather go for a 2WD. Dobson might climb up enough to be in that range, but I want more than just the great start this year for him to slot in a top half round 1 pick. Wilde is one that I probably should have listed as one that could be in that range....oversight on my part. I suppose names like McIssac and Miller should be in that conversation as well. But for a top 10 pick, given what the Avs need, Dahlin is the only D I would be happy with right now. That could and likely will change as the kids develop over this season, and I get more views of them. But for now, I want a sniper if I can't have Dahlin.

So you havent seen Smith I take it. He's actually a defense 1st guy despite his numbers and size, same goes for Woo. Other than having the odd issue with a huge forward Smith is a defensively sound complete D-man in the mold of a slightly smaller Duncan Keith

 

[Pokecheque]

Since coming back from Sweden I think they have won 1 game.

Yep, dropped 11 of 12. Stunning.

 

[McMetal]

Evan Bouchard is starting to push his way into the top 15 as well. Lots of IQ and general all-around ability as well as size, there's a hell of a lot to like about him so far this year.

Smith is one of those defenders where his skating is so good that his size barely hinders him. I can certainly see concerns about his size translating well to the NHL being valid, but his agility and IQ are so off the charts that I wouldn't feel bad about taking him. Besides, remember Makar was listed at 5'10 for most of his draft year before the combine put him at 5'11.75, so maybe he'll have a late growth spurt. Even an inch of growth would make his size perfectly acceptable for NHL play given the other tools at his disposal.

 

[tigervixxxen]

Dobson and EBouchard have a lot of hype now. Could easily see them go ahead of McIsaac too.

Shoutout ^

 

[StayAtHomeAv]

Evan Bouchard is starting to push his way into the top 15 as well. Lots of IQ and general all-around ability as well as size, there's a hell of a lot to like about him so far this year.

Smith is one of those defenders where his skating is so good that his size barely hinders him. I can certainly see concerns about his size translating well to the NHL being valid, but his agility and IQ are so off the charts that I wouldn't feel bad about taking him. Besides, remember Makar was listed at 5'10 for most of his draft year before the combine put him at 5'11.75, so maybe he'll have a late growth spurt. Even an inch of growth would make his size perfectly acceptable for NHL play given the other tools at his disposal.

5'11.25"

 

[Patagonia]

Realistically drafting bottom Top 10.

AVs are much better than last year, but are still a few seasons away. Unlikely the Sens will send their 2018 Pick, so looking at the players available with our pick.

Forward

vs

Defence

Choose the BFA or position of need?

 

[McMetal]

Realistically drafting bottom Top 10.

AVs are much better than last year, but are still a few seasons away. Unlikely the Sens will send their 2018 Pick, so looking at the players available with our pick.

Forward

vs

Defence

Choose the BFA or position of need?

If we do only get one pick, it needs to be an LD. Girard is not looking like a top pair answer right now, and Z either. I'd settle for a rightie to maybe replace EJ someday, but top pair horse is still by far the biggest need the team has.

Still, I expect to have two picks in '18 when all is said and done. Ottawa will recover enough to break out of the bottom 10.

 

[Pokecheque]

Realistically drafting bottom Top 10.

AVs are much better than last year, but are still a few seasons away. Unlikely the Sens will send their 2018 Pick, so looking at the players available with our pick.

Forward

vs

Defence

Choose the BFA or position of need?

Best Player Available no matter what. I'm of the mind you never draft based on need, never. Needs should be addressed via trade or free agency.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Yeah BPA for me as well. If the Avs think Merkley is the BPA when we're on the clock, you go up on stage and select Merkley.


I hope BPA for us works out to be fortunate enough to land Zadina though Or better yet Dahlin.

 

[StayAtHomeAv]

Best Player Available no matter what. I'm of the mind you never draft based on need, never. Needs should be addressed via trade or free agency.

That hasn't worked out too well for us the past decade.

 

[tigervixxxen]

BPA is so subjective it doesn't exist.

 

[Patagonia]

Zadina or Wahlstrom will be my choice with Forwards, but you can never have enough DMen and McIsaac or Wilde are so tempting.

BPA is subjective and tends to lean on Forwards until the last draft. It could very well come down to either Wahlstrom or McIsaac/Wilde.