Prospect Info: 2014 Draft Thread

[henchman21]

I figured it wouldn't be too early to start this thread, and I can't find where anyone else has (if there has been a thread, mods please move this post). Let's discuss this upcoming crop.

This year looks to me like it will be a pretty weak draft. Something on the level of the 2007 draft where there are a few really good players, some average, and a lot of bad. I expect it to actually be slightly worse than 2007.

Right now my Top 5 are:

1. Sam Reinhart 6'1" 186 lbs RC
2. Aaron Ekblad 6'4" 216 lbs RD
3. Kaspar Kapanen 5'11" 172 lbs RW
4. William Nylander 5'11" 169 lbs C/RW
5. Anton Karlsson 6'1" 203 lbs LW/RW

Players that could move up into the top 5:

Roland McKeown 6'1" 192 lbs RD - Could move into the top 5. Do it all defensemen that thinks the game at a very high level. Consistently makes the simple play, but has very good offensive tools when needed. May become the best defensemen in the draft.

Michael Dal Colle 6'2" 184 lbs LW/C - Power forward with soft hands, good work ethic, and a two way game... basically the type of player scouts drool over. He could put up big, big numbers this season and be in the conversation for the #1 pick.

Late 1st Round Sleepers:

Haydn Fleury - 6'3" 207 lbs LD - I can't understand why he is consistently low in rankings. Well maybe I can, maybe people don't see much offensive upside in him. Which I somewhat disagree with as the skills are there for a 30+ point defensemen. I have him as a player that should hover around the #10-13 spot, but he will probably be picked in the 20s or 30s. He skates really well, and is a really underrated passer.

Austin Poganski - 6'1" 190 lbs RW - He will probably be a player that slips into the early to mid 2nd round. I must admit I have only seen a couple games of his, but one of my scout friends for a USHL team just raves about this kid (in fact he won't shut up about him ). Plays a simple north-south game without the dangles that people love, but loves to go to the rough areas of the ice and use his body. Has a very quick release on his wrist shot and underrated hands. He doesn't have enough skill to be a 1st liner, but I could see him being a 25g power forward on a 2nd line.

Click to read more...

 

[Lonewolfe2015]

I would cry tears of joy if we somehow made the playoffs and landed Draisaitl.

 

[henchman21]

I would cry tears of joy if we somehow made the playoffs and landed Draisaitl.

I think that is possible, but unlikely. I think he goes in the top 10. He is the most impressive German prospect I have seen in a long time, but there have been slides larger than that.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

Do we have all our picks plus the 4th from the ROB trade for that draft?

 

[tucker3434]

I'm really hoping we're in a position to pick for need next draft. I do not want to end up in the position of having to take another center. Ekblad is the dream. Mckeown would be fine though.

 

[hockeyfish]

I'm really hoping we're in a position to pick for need next draft. I do not want to end up in the position of having to take another center. Ekblad is the dream. Mckeown would be fine though.

I want nothing to do with another lottery pick. I just can't take another season like that.

 

[tucker3434]

I want nothing to do with another lottery pick. I just can't take another season like that.

If we finish 20th but end up winning the lottery, I won't complain. I'd just hope we take ekblad or trade it if the bpa is a center.

I guess my big worry is finishing 3-5 and having everyone around that area be a center.

 

[S E P H]

Draisaitl is a top 10 finish with chances of being a top 5 finish (in terms of who finished in the bottom 10 or 5 at the end of season). Even though how much I love him for the sake of the Avs first and foremost lets hope we do not get a top 10 selection. Especially in a draft not as good as this one.

Here is my preliminary lists for both that I wrote a couple of months a go before the 2013 draft.

NHL 2014 Pre-ranking

NHL 2014 Draft
1. Sam Reinhart, C (CAN) Kootenay Ice, WHL
2. Aaron Ekblad, D (CAN) Barrie Colts, OHL
3. William Nylander, C/RW (SWE) Sodertalje, SEL
4. Roland McKeown, D (CAN) Kingston Frontenacs, OHL
5. Nick Ritchie, RW (CAN) Peterborough Petes, OHL
6. Ivan Barbashev, LW (RUS) Moncton Wildcats, LHJMQ
7. Leon Draisaitl, C/LW (GER) Prince Albert Raiders, WHL
8. Blake Clarke, LW (USA) Brampton Battalion, OHL
9. Josh Ho-Sang, C (CAN) Windsor Spitfires, OHL
10. Nick Schmaltz, C (USA) Green Bay Gamblers, USHL
11. Jakub Vrána, W (CZE) Linköping, SEL
12. Jake Virtanen, LW (CAN) Calgary Hitmen, WHL
13. Nikolai Goldobin, RW (RUS) Sarnia Stings, OHL
14. Sonny Milano, C/LW (USA) USNTDP, USHL
15. Jared McCann, C (CAN) Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL
16. Anthony DeAngelo, D (USA) Sarnia Sting, OHL
17. Jayce Hawryluk, C (CAN) Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL
18. Chase De Leo, C (USA) Portland Winterhawks, WHL
19. Brandon Robinson, LW (CAN) Brampton Battalion, OHL
20. Hayden Fleury, D (CAN) Red Deer Rebels, WHL
21. Oskar Lindblom, RW (SWE) Brynas, SEL
22. Brayden Point, C (CAN) Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL
23. Michael Dal Colle, C (CAN) Oshawa Generals, OHL
24. Keegan Iverson, C (USA) Portland Winterhawks, WHL
25. Robbie Fabbri, C (CAN) Guelph Storm, OHL
26. Shane Eiserman, LW (USA) USNTDP, USHL
27. Kasperi Kapanen, LW (FIN) KalPa, SM-Liiga
28. Josh Thrower, D (CAN) Calgary Hitmen, WHL
29. Tyson Baillie, C (CAN) Kelowna Rockets, WHL
30. Jacob Middleton, D (CAN) Ottawa 67s, OHL

31. Jack Glover, D (USA) USNTDP, USHL
32. Patrik Koys, RW (SLO) Shawinigan Cataractes, LHJMQ
33. Conner Bleackley, C (CAN) Red Deer Rebels, WHL
34. Anton Karlsson, W (SWE) Frolunda, SEL
35. Jordan Thompson, D (CAN) Kamloops Blazers, WHL
36. Rihards Bukarts, LW (LAT) HK Riga, MHL

Others to watch
Ryan MacInnis
Eric Cornel
Spencer Watson
Brycen Martin
Alexis Pepin

Tyler Sandhu
Reid Duke
Devin Williams
Adrian Kempe
Olivier Leblanc
Brendan Perlini


WHL 2014 Spring List
1. Sam Reinhart, C [Kootenay Ice]
2. Leon Draisaitl, C/W [Prince Albert Raiders]
3. Brayden Point, C [Moose Jaw Warriors]
4. Jake Virtanen, LW [Calgary Hitmen]
5. Chase De Leo, C [Portland Winterhawks]
6. Haydn Fleury, D [Red Deer Rebels]
7. Jayce Hawryluk, C [Brandon Wheat Kings]
8. Joe Hicketts, D [Victoria Royals]
9. Tyson Baillie, C [Kelowna Rockets]
10. Arvin Atwal, D [Vancouver Giants]
11. Connor Bleackey, C [Red Deer Rebels]
12. Keegan Iverson, C [Portland Winterhawks]
13. Ty Mappin, C [Everett Silvertips]
14. Jordan Thomson, D [Kamloops Blazers]
15. Tyler Sandhu, C [Everett Silvertips]

HM
Dominic Turgeon, C [Portland Winterhawks]
Reid Duke, C [Lethbridge Hurricanes]
Brycen Martin, D [Swift Current Broncos]

Darkhorse Forward: Matt Revel [Saskatoon Blades] & Luke Philp [Kootenay Ice]
Darkhorse Defenseman: Josh Thrower [Calgary Hitmen] & Dysin Mayo [Edmonton Oil Kings]
Darkhorse Goaler: Justin Paulic [Moose Jaw Warriors] & Payton Lee [Vancouver Giants]

Here I am missing Martin and Honka in the top 15 who both had insane preseasons and starts to regular seasons. Sadly Swift Current is the team I am able to watch the least so I really don't know too much about them :/ Also I am not fan of the goaler selection from the dub this year. Only Giant fans like Payton Lee, but I see a lot of weaknesses in his game.

 

[Freudian]

I hope it's a year I'm not overly focused on the draft because it means Avs pick outside the top 10.

 

[DominicT]

This goaltender is going to open a lot of eyes, not that he already hasn't: Alex Nedeljkovic

http://ohlwriters.com/articles/alex-nedeljkovic-plymouth-whalers-player-profile

 

[InjuredChoker]

Wow you have Kapanen in top 3? I don't think even biggest Finnish homers expect that.. though I might be wrong as we can take homerism to all new levels

Thoughts Henchman why you have him so high?

 

[henchman21]

Wow you have Kapanen in top 3? I don't think even biggest Finnish homers expect that.. though I might be wrong as we can take homerism to all new levels

Thoughts Henchman why you have him so high?

First, I think after the top 2 this draft is pretty open until about ~15 ATM. Just not a lot of sure bets for top end players, they all have their issues.

With Kapanen specifically:
+His skating and hands are near the top of this class. He isn't quite MacKinnon fast, but is very close to that.
+He has a very solid shot that he isn't afraid to use, but it will never be an elite shot... though he seems to be able to get into great scoring areas to rack up his goals. I'm not sure if that is competition or ability at this point.
+He isn't big (at this point), but plays with a lot of jam to his game. He will not shy away from physical contact.
+Rumors are out there that he is about 6'0"+ now (5'11" is still listed) and still growing, by the time he does fill out he might be 6'0/1" 205 lbs.
+He thinks the game at a pretty high level especially in the offensive zone
+His confidence in himself is through the roof, the kid knows he is good

-Can be a bit cocky at times
-Has been sheltered by his dad and given plenty of opportunities because of Sami
-Can be very inconsistent
-His defensive games leaves some to be desired at this point

IMO after Reinhard and Ekblad, Kapanen has the next best chance (meaning a combination of skill and likely hood that it will translate) to be a gamebreaking talent. He is a safer pick than somebody like Dal Colle, who has better pure skill, but a lot more risk.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

Virtanen would be pretty sick, at the same time, don't want to be in a position to draft him (unless he falls).

 

[Ambisextrous]

I'm a huge fan of Niklas Ehlers, the Danish forward on the Mooseheads this year. He's been the best player by far in their early season, and shows great vision and a great shot.

Should be a late first rounder, early second rounder, but could see his stock rise the more exposure he gets.

Also a fan of Barbashev of the Moncton Wildcats, he's a big smart player, doesnt make too many mistakes in his game, and could turn to be a top 6 winger, with some center experience.

 

[S E P H]

First, I think after the top 2 this draft is pretty open until about ~15 ATM. Just not a lot of sure bets for top end players, they all have their issues.

With Kapanen specifically:
+His skating and hands are near the top of this class. He isn't quite MacKinnon fast, but is very close to that.
+He has a very solid shot that he isn't afraid to use, but it will never be an elite shot... though he seems to be able to get into great scoring areas to rack up his goals. I'm not sure if that is competition or ability at this point.
+He isn't big (at this point), but plays with a lot of jam to his game. He will not shy away from physical contact.
+Rumors are out there that he is about 6'0"+ now (5'11" is still listed) and still growing, by the time he does fill out he might be 6'0/1" 205 lbs.
+He thinks the game at a pretty high level especially in the offensive zone
+His confidence in himself is through the roof, the kid knows he is good

-Can be a bit cocky at times
-Has been sheltered by his dad and given plenty of opportunities because of Sami
-Can be very inconsistent
-His defensive games leaves some to be desired at this point

IMO after Reinhard and Ekblad, Kapanen has the next best chance (meaning a combination of skill and likely hood that it will translate) to be a gamebreaking talent. He is a safer pick than somebody like Dal Colle, who has better pure skill, but a lot more risk.

You listed some overrated players in this post, Dal Colle and Kapanen are the biggest (E: actually OHL has some really overrated prospects in this draft). The Fin you're thinking of, who will give "some" challenge towards McDavid is Saarela. Saarela has had 2 points in 3 games as a 15 YEAR OLD in Liiga (these points where huge GTG and GWG points) and had 18 points in 22 games playing in the highest junior league with players 4-5 years old than him as a 15 YEAR OLD. This kid will be better than Granlund. I would be completely shocked if Kapanen somehow finished in the top 3-4, maybe 5 when the year is said and done.

I'm a huge fan of Niklas Ehlers, the Danish forward on the Mooseheads this year. He's been the best player by far in their early season, and shows great vision and a great shot.

Everyone including me keeps forgetting that Ehlers is a 2014 prospect and not 2015 which I always mix up. As of now I would rate him in the early 20s, but don't be shocked if he climbs somewhere after 10th, maybe around 11th to 14th. In this draft there isn't a sure #1 overall player and after the first three (Reinhart, Ekblad, and Nylander) it is VERY close from freakin 4th all the way to like 25th. There will still be solid players to pick up, but this draft is probably the weakest since Yakupov's and probably a bit weaker than his.

 

[henchman21]

You listed some overrated players in this post, Dal Colle and Kapanen are the biggest. The Fin you're thinking of, who will give "some" challenge towards McDavid is Saarela. Saarela has had 2 points in 3 games as a 15 YEAR OLD in Liiga (these points where huge GTG and GWG points) and had 18 points in 22 games playing in the highest junior league with players 4-5 years old than him as a 15 YEAR OLD. This kid will be better than Granlund. I would be completely shocked if Kapanen somehow finished in the top 3-4, maybe 5 when the year is said and done.

I know the difference between Kapanen and Saarela.

Saarela is going to be unreal good.

We will just have to disagree on evaluations, but it should be said this is all very early. A lot can change in a year. For instance,De la Rose was considered a possible top 10 pick at this point last year, and he fell to the 2nd round. Nick Ebert was considered a top 5 pick and a near lock top 10 guy, he fell to the 7th? round in 2012. Drouin was a 10-20 player at this point last year, and he ended up at #3. There are players that rise and fall every year. It is still very early in the evaluation process.

 

[S E P H]

Oh I understand that and I know there is always a Gabriel Landeskog/Jonathan Drouin effect (a player somewhere around the 2nd-3rdish rounds that makes his way in a top 5 position), I just do not think Kapanen will be that player.

 

[MikeC]

Seph, I do not know if you had the chance to see him play but can you give me your opinion on :

Julius Honka: Defence (Broncos Swift Current)

Shoots/Catches: Right
Height : 5'11"
Weight: 175

Gp: 2 ; G:1; A: 4; Pts: 5

 

[S E P H]

Seph, I do not know if you had the chance to see him play but can you give me your opinion on :

Julius Honka: Defence (Broncos Swift Current)

Shoots/Catches: Right
Height : 5'11"
Weight: 175

Gp: 2 ; G:1; A: 4; Pts: 5

Nice to see you Mike! Sadly Swift Current is the team I watch the least and I will never tell anyone about a prospect I do not know about. Though! What I have heard is his hockey IQ and how he reads the game is top notch, like in the range of Subban or Letang top notch. Cody will have a much more detailed report if he sees this post and thread!

I do have a question for you Mike, what is the scouting report on Olivier Leblanc and where do you see him going in June 2014?

 

[henchman21]

I haven't checked on TSN in a while, but when I did I found this:

http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=31165

It was surprising to me to not even see Clarke in the top 15 + HM, and this is the highest I have seen Bennett.

 

[Jeff_Dyck_#1]

 

[Emppu]

Seph, I do not know if you had the chance to see him play but can you give me your opinion on :

Julius Honka: Defence (Broncos Swift Current)

Shoots/Catches: Right
Height : 5'11"
Weight: 175

Gp: 2 ; G:1; A: 4; Pts: 5

I expected him to play some games this year with JYP (Liiga) but he decided to go to the Broncos. He is a fast D, great skating abilities, nice stickhandling and a good shot. You will see Honka scoring some goals this years and creating dangerous plays from the blue line.

 

[henchman21]

Watched the Generals vs Petes game from last night this morning... Oshawa is going to be a really good team this year with Laughton back.

I think I might have a new sleeper player... Josh Sterk. I was really impressed with his game (he was also really good against Kitchner on Sunday as well). He probably won't keep up this pace, but if he plays well (he should next to Dal Colle if that sticks) he could climb into to the 2nd/3rd round area. He is an overager by the way.

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

So who's projected in the 30th overall position

 

[Bubba Thudd]

So who's projected in the 30th overall position

Whomever we choose to take.