1st round - 2007 draft

[Kramy]

Post your 1st round as you see it now, here's mine :

1. Angelo Esposito
2. Alexei Cherepanov
3. Patrick Kane
4. Karl Azner
5. Jakub Voracek
6. Logan Couture
7. James Van Riemsdyk
8. Kyle Turris
9. Sam Gagner
10. Luca i
11. Billy Sweatt
12. Nick Petrecki
13. Tyson Sexsmith
14. Dana Tyrell
15. Jonathan Blum
16. Keaton Ellerby
17. Colton Gillies
18. Keven Veilleux
18. Brandon Sutter
20. Mark Katic
21. Zach Hamill
22. Oscar Moller
23. Sergei Korostin
24. Jim O'Brien
25. Alex Plante
26. Trevor Cann
27. Akim Aliu
28. Kevin Shattenkirk
29. Thomas Hickey
30. John Negrin

Click to read more...

 

[Hunter Gathers]

I ONLY have a top 15 right now:

1. Karl Alzner
2. James vanRiemsdyk
3. Logan Couture
4. Kyle Turris
5. Pat Kane
6. Sam Gagner
7. Luca i
8. Jakub Voracek
9. Sergei Korostin
10. Alexei Cherepanov
11. Bill Sweatt
12. Nick Petrecki
13. Keaton Ellerby
14. Angelo Esposito
15. Mark Katic

HM: Dana Tyrell, Patrick White, Kevin Shattenkirk, Brandon Sutter, Keven Veilleux, Tyson Sexsmith

 

[Jeffrey]

I ONLY have a top 15 right now:

1. Karl Alzner
2. James vanRiemsdyk
3. Logan Couture
4. Kyle Turris
5. Pat Kane
6. Gagner
7. Luca i
8. Jakub Voracek
9. Sergei Korostin
10. Alexei Cherepanov
11. Bill Sweatt
12. Nick Petrecki
13. Keaton Ellerby
14. Angelo Esposito
15. Mark Katic

HM: Dana Tyrell, Patrick White, Kevin Shattenkirk, Brandon Sutter, Keven Veilleux, Tyson Sexsmith

I know your probably one of the posters that beleive that esposito is overrated ...
but dont you think that his skating and determination alone should help him make the NHL and that a team will take him higher just for those factors...
just sayin'

 

[Hunter Gathers]

I know your probably one of the posters that beleive that esposito is overrated ...
but dont you think that his skating and determination alone should help him make the NHL and that a team will take him higher just for those factors...
just sayin'

Well, I wouldn't have him as a 1st round, top 15 pick if I didn't think his skills could "help him make the NHL". I think that being a top 15 pick is a tremendous thing. I just don't think Esposito is as good as the players ahead of him or will have as good an NHL career as they will.

 

[Kramy]

Esposito at 14!!?? Do you hate him that much!!??

I can't believe he's not top 3 on everybody's list, IMO he's the best Quebecer prospect at draft time since Vincent Lecavalier, and he would also be the greatest prospect to come out from the Q since Lecavalier if it wasn't of Sidney Crosby. Patrice Bergeron doesn't count since it was a revelation few months after the draft.

 

[MM425]

It's such a crapshoot... I can only put together a top 10.

1. Patrick Kane
2. Karl Alzner
3. Logan Couture
4. Jakub Voracek
5. Alex Cherepanov
6. Sam Ganger
7. James Van Reimsdyk
8. Kyle Turris
9. Angelo Espositio
10. Nick Petricki

Talent like Cuniti, Ellerby, and Korostin have a real shot at getting into the top ten aswell.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Esposito at 14!!?? Do you hate him that much!!??

I can't believe he's not top 3 on everybody's list, IMO he's the best Quebecer prospect at draft time since Vincent Lecavalier, and he would also be the greatest prospect to come out from the Q since Lecavalier if it wasn't of Sidney Crosby. Patrice Bergeron doesn't count since it was a revelation few months after the draft.

Esposito couldn't even make the Canadian WJC team this year.

He's a great junior player, but ALL he has is his offense. His defense is nowhere near up to par with the likes of Bergeron, Crosby, and Lecavalier. NOWHERE NEAR.

He's not a bad prospect, I just don't see enough of him to warrant taking him that high.

I'm sure some team probably does, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him selected anywhere from 1st to 15th depending where he's ranked on team's lists.

 

[Rise from the Ashes]

I havent seen the ability in Espo that he can change a game. He is sometimes invisible.

 

[chaosrevolver]

Ill put 10 together,

1.Alzner
2.Kane
3.Cherepeanov
4.Voracek
5.Esposito
6.Gagner
7.Couture
8.Van Riemsdyk
9.Turris
10.Katic

And my homer pick...............Bryan Cameron #29

 

[chaosrevolver]

I havent seen the ability in Espo that he can change a game. He is sometimes invisible.

reminds me of Kessel, as in he was very highly touted but the following year dropped his draft status a little

 

[Rise from the Ashes]

Yeah but even when i watched the Canadian WJC camp, he was totally invisible. I think he understands now that if he isnt physical and beefs up, the pro game will eat him up.

 

[VanW27]

Esposito couldn't even make the Canadian WJC team this year.
He's a great junior player, but ALL he has is his offense. His defense is nowhere near up to par with the likes of Bergeron, Crosby, and Lecavalier. NOWHERE NEAR.

He's not a bad prospect, I just don't see enough of him to warrant taking him that high.

I'm sure some team probably does, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him selected anywhere from 1st to 15th depending where he's ranked on team's lists.

Only 1 draft eligible forward made the team, and plenty of players who go very highly in the draft dont make the canadian team (Staal last year for one). I dont see how not making the WJC team will be seen that negatively by NHL scouts.

I agree though he could go anywhere from 1-15 (1-10 IMO) depending on the team picking

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Only 1 draft eligible forward made the team, and plenty of players who go very highly in the draft dont make the canadian team (Staal last year for one). I dont see how not making the WJC team will be seen that negatively by NHL scouts.

I agree though he could go anywhere from 1-15 (1-10 IMO) depending on the team picking

By all accounts he was VERY mediocre to even bad at the camp, though. That WILL hut his stock.

 

[Buffalo87]

1) Kane
2) Couture
3) Alzner
4) Cherepanov
5) Voracek
6) Turris
7) Esposito
8) Gagner
9) Van Reimsdyk
10) Ellerby
11) i
12) Sweatt
13) Hamill
14) Sutter
15) Mayorov
16) Blum
17) Aliu
18) O'Brien
19) Veilleux
20) Katic
21) Korostin
22) Petrecki
23) Backlund
24) Shattenkirk
25) Moller
26) Cross
27) Tyrell
28) Gillies
29) Hickey
30) Plante

 

[Bam Beet*]

Sounds like Billy Sweatt will be drafted somewhere where the Avs will pick most likely mid round. Seems like an obvious pick for them if he is still available.

 

[McNasty]

If the Flyers are picking they will likely select Cherepanov. They won't select a Center because they are loaded with young natural centers.

 

[leafmon]

Esposito at 14!!?? Do you hate him that much!!??

I can't believe he's not top 3 on everybody's list, IMO he's the best Quebecer prospect at draft time since Vincent Lecavalier, and he would also be the greatest prospect to come out from the Q since Lecavalier if it wasn't of Sidney Crosby. Patrice Bergeron doesn't count since it was a revelation few months after the draft.

Why do you say if it wasn't for Crosby? Shouldn't he be No. 1 on your list?

 

[Rise from the Ashes]

Im a large fan of Sweatt

 

[Kramy]

The Team Canada argument is insignificant to me; Claude Giroux couldn't make the cut as an 18 years old (turning 19) this year, did his stock fall for that reason? I don't think so. It's not like if cracking Team Canada's roster was a piece of cake, especially when there are already 6 returning forwards from an undefeated gold-medalled squad. Last year on HFBoards Carey Price was known as the worst pick of the 2005 draft because he couldn't make the team at 18; where are these claims now?

Lots of people seem to look at Esposito as an underachiever this year, like if he wasn't living up to expectations. IMO he still is the same player with the same upside; the kid is a constant threat in the offensive zone, has excellent skating and playmaking skills; he is showing flashes of an elite talent. Part of the problem is that the whole Quebec Remparts are struggling this year, it's been a very tough and disappointing season after a fantastic Memorial Cup quest, and I'm confident they will bounce back next year.

Would the HF community agree to say that Esposito has the best upside in this draft?

On a side note, if he does fall to #10 - 15 in june, I hope the Habs will move up to get him.

Why do you say if it wasn't for Crosby? Shouldn't he be No. 1 on your list?

Read again.

 

[Tb0ne]

Why is Luca i so high? not saying he isn't as I havn't seen him play I'm just curious because it seems he's going to be the highest drafted Swiss player yet and I'm curious what type of player he is.

 

[Gags1288]

If the Flyers are picking they will likely select Cherepanov. They won't select a Center because they are loaded with young natural centers.

The Flyers will select whoever they think is the best prospect in the draft. Lots of players make the transition seemlessly between center and wing and that's always an option if they draft yet another center in the first round. It could be Kane, Voracek, Couture, Cherepanov, Gagner, Turris, Esposito, JVR or even Alzner, but I will assure you they won't pass up a guy they think is the better player available because he plays center in junior hockey.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

The Flyers would take Alzner if the draft were today, IMO. He's perfect for their team.

 

[#66]

1) Kane
2) Couture
3) Alzner
4) Cherepanov
5) Voracek
6) Turris
7) Esposito
8) Gagner
9) Van Reimsdyk
10) Ellerby
11) i
12) Sweatt
13) Hamill
14) Sutter
15) Mayorov
16) Blum
17) Aliu
18) O'Brien
19) Veilleux
20) Katic
21) Korostin
22) Petrecki
23) Backlund
24) Shattenkirk
25) Moller
26) Cross
27) Tyrell
28) Gillies
29) Hickey
30) Plante

IMO thats the best list I've seen yet. I'll agree with JP on Espo but I think that he'll still see top 10. I like him more than Kessel but he'll have some of the same problems and like Kessel, he's not even close to a Crosby level.

 

[MM425]

Why is Luca i so high? not saying he isn't as I havn't seen him play I'm just curious because it seems he's going to be the highest drafted Swiss player yet and I'm curious what type of player he is.

I haven't seen him play... but from what I've read, he seems to be a European version of Rod Brind'Amour. Great skater, good offensive touch, excellent in all three zones, and isn't afraid to mix it up with anyone. His stock is rising because he appears to be very NHL ready... I'm crossing my fingers that people pass on him because he's from a non-traditional hockey country a la Kopitar and my Habs nab him with their first rounder ...

Doubtful that will happen though

 

[VanW27]

Why is Luca i so high? not saying he isn't as I havn't seen him play I'm just curious because it seems he's going to be the highest drafted Swiss player yet and I'm curious what type of player he is.

The leafs took Luca Cereda 24th overall in '99, it was later found out he had a serious heart problem derailing his hockey career (although it wasnt progressing very well to that point), is he the highest ever drafted swiss player?

Also Sweatt is a guy that had been overlooked in previous lists, good to see people taking notice of him.