Prospect Info: 2014 Draft

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AimForTopCheddar

trust the yzerplan
Feb 7, 2012
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Watch quit some videos of McKeown, I see why he dropped, for a guy with such a bomb from the point and the ability to lead the rush the way he does his offensive numbers don't look good. A big part of that is obviously the consistancy issue, but the other thing is, he just seems to get his job done by only 90% of his talent. He lacks those last 10% that are needed to get the goal/point.
There is plenty of time to sort both problems out and if he has his offensive numbers will be much better. After all he just did not met the expecatitions the scouts had for this season.
If he does sort it out, we have Hedmans partner, if he doesn't he will be a bottom pairing guy, cause his own zone talent does not seem to be good enough to make him a really good shutdown defender.

Overall Honka has a little more upside, but also the higher risk to never be anything in the NHL, cause he will have to make it through the PP and offensive numbers.

Those are the two prospects I have taken by far the most time to look for imformation and I am really torn, especially cause a McKeown on top of his ceiling is IMO the more usfull player to this team, but Honka on top of his ceiling is the better player.
Nevermind as long as we take either of them, I am happy and if we are able to make him into a great defender I am happy no matter what the other will accomplish.

I'd prefer Honka to McKeown. Honka was very impressive to me during the WJC, he's actually pretty good defensively to pair with his strong instinctive offense.
 

Jakey43

Registered User
Aug 28, 2011
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And we come closer to the finish of the series as I have only two leagues left to make. However here is the OHL:

Jared McCann: More likely gone when we come anyways, but he is a good two-way center, that can do it all. However I don't see anything more in him than 2nd line center adn a good chance that he ends up on the third line, but he is a pretty safe pick (comparable to Frederik Gauthier last season upside, talent wise). Anyways I don't see much Lightning player in him.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=189369

Anthony DeAngelo: The bad boy of the draft, he seems to have major issues getting his feelings under control and is known to be selfish. He had a 8 game suspension due to an incidant with a team mate (his fault).
His skill set is great (better than Honka's), however his defensive play is far worse and Honka is also more willing to use his body.
DeAngelo might have the higher upside than Honka, but there are sooo many problems off the ice and in the defensive zone, that I really question if he can work on all that.
He will go in the first round, but I really hope it's not the us. If Honka is of the board, the defense options are thin, but I would take a forward before I take DeAngelo.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=89818

Nikolai Goldobin: Yet another great skilled Russian, however his frame is already pretty decent at 6'0 185lbs. He is one of the better goal scorers in the draft and with his frame, one could hope, he can get become a pretty good all around player, however his defensive game isn't
developed very well as of now. The frame is the thing that makes him more interesting than the other skilled guys available in the later first round. He is also dedicated to play better defense and play harder according to interviews-
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=160550

I am not a big fan of the other possible first round forwards out of the OHL. MacInnis has far to bad offensive stats that I would consider him as a forward in the first round, Ho-Sang and Fabbri are both small offensive dynamos, but they have shown no willingness to learn what it takes in the defensive zone, so I would prefer Nick Schmaltz as an offensive dynamo in the first round, cause he cares about it. And with Brayden Point there is another such guy, who is likely available in the 2nd round, has a little more well rounded game and is not that far behind skill wise.

Roland McKeown: The #2 defender on the Lightning list behind Honka (hopefully), he is another righty and has a decent frame (6'1-194lbs). He is a very well rounded defender that can do it all. Very high hockey IQ, bomb of a shot and decent skating. He is smart, but not physical in his own end, which is his main weakness right now.
After reading more about him, he is really no #2 behind Honka on my list anymore it's more like a 1a/1b situation and I am just happy if we can get either. Interesting to see is that he has fallen a little bit as he was considered as possible top10 pick last summer and is now more around 20 in mock drafts, but I can't see why other than his lack of physicality (which really shouldn't push him too far down) and consistency issues.
From a need point, McKeown is better suited to play next to Hedman than Honka is due to their defensive abilitiys, however we also lack a right handed QB. Honka would be that guy, but McKeown has played a lot on the powerplay as well.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=189364

Brendan Lemieux: Agitator with skill, thats all you need to know about him. You love having guys like him on the team in the playoffs and hate to play against them as they get under your skin and can score, but his upside is limited (2nd line at best) which he makes up with being a pretty safe pick to get to the NHL.
I am not a fan of such picks in the first two rounds, as it should all be about potential there IMO and players like him can be find later in the draft as well (with some drafting skill and luck of course). And considering that he will hear his name in the 2nd round I don't see him as a fit, but he is still a likeable player and prospect.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=177647

Hunter Smith: The behemoth forward of the draft. 6'6, but only 209 lbs. He has some growing to do amd is already 2nd year draftee (only 4 days younger than the cut off), but he has made huge steps forward in every aspect this season and with his physicality he can become everything from 2nd liner (highly unlikely) to 4th liner. His speed seems okay for his height, but he once he adds weight that might change. I am torn wether he would be a good pick up or not, his upside is very questionable and many draftees this big don't go anywhere in the NHL, because their skill level is just not as big as themself (Aulie for example).
With the ove of some GMs for height, I don't see him falling to the point where we should consider him (late 3rd/4th round).
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=117017

You don't need a short bad boy dman
 
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Jacko95

Registered User
Sep 19, 2012
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And the series goes on.

Aaron Haydon: Big RD. Physical, but great skating shutdown defender. He has shown some glimpses of offensive potential and with the good skating he is primed to have an offensive breakout at some point in his career IMO. He loves to destroy people, but he is smat enough to know, wether he shoul go after the puck or after the people. If he doesn't get the offense, he is still a decent shutdown prospect.
Shoud go in the late 2nd or early third round
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=189374

Kyle Jenkins: Super thin (6'1 165 lbs) LD. Plays a great two-way game, but tends to get outmuscled and is prone to some really lazy plays here and there.
However could be interesting to see how he plays after a summer or two working hard in the gym. Might change, might not...
3rd or 4th rounder.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=205495

I will end the OHL right here. Can't find any info on the remaining guys and the OHL isn't overly deep in 2014 talent anyways.
 

Mikeaveli

Registered User
Sep 25, 2013
5,819
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Edmonton, AB
Just some guys I like in the early rounds.

1st
Julius Honka
Roland McKeown
Kevin Fiala
Nikita Scherbak
Alex Tuch

2nd and on
Jack Glover
Brayden Point
Ryan MacInnis
Ben Thomas
 

Jacko95

Registered User
Sep 19, 2012
2,971
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So our pick is at #16 right?

No it depends who else is going to exit in the first round.

We were at 23 prior to the playoffs.
For every team worser than us in the reg season that advances we move up a spot.
So:
-Dallas
-Detroit
-Lumbus
-Philly
-Rangers
-Minnesota
-LA
-Montreal

Considering that the Habs have beaten us and one of Philly and the Rangers will advance we are already #21 at worst.
 

Jacko95

Registered User
Sep 19, 2012
2,971
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The final league for my little draft series isthe QMJHL. The league was maybe the best represented in the 2013 draft, but this season they seem to be as bad as it get for a Canadian Major junior league.

Nikolai Ehlers: He would fit right in with the rest of our forward group, but he is a riser all year and rose to far :laugh: Most likely top10 player now.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=66581

Ivan Barbashev:If it wasn't for his name, many belief he would push for the top10. But he is not the classic russian. Yes he has talent and a lot of it, but he is physical, drives to the net and has already developed a decent defensive game. His defensive game is nothing special in the draft, but it is quit special for a 18 year old Russian. He is also descriped as a leader by example as he has a already an 'A' on his chest in Moncton.
He has not the exceptional natural talent some other russians in the last decade had, but he has a much better effort than those guys and is skill set is still amazing. His game is at his best in fast-paced hockey.
He is the forward I "fear" the most. He has everything the Bolts management is looking for and will go later than his true talent should go. Unless somebody else falls in love with him before we are at the stage I almost expect SY to call his name. We always draft BPA and I am pretty sure we have him around top10 on our list.
I will not be mad if we pick him, because he is perfectly suited for this team and his style, but I still want us to draft a defender in the first.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=108659

The next guys from the Q is all the way down to the 40s on CSS NA list. So they will be a 2nd/3rd round tweeners. And neither of those three guys (Aube-Kubel, karabacek and Nantel) do really interest me.

Alexandre Goulet: 5'11 190lbs center that had a huge breakout rookie season in the Q. Gets into the dirty areas and creates some confusion in front of the net. He chips in the dirty goals but does it incredible effective (26g in 66games as rookie). Decent defensive game and is playing in every situation. Hard worker that leads by example.
He seems to be good at nothing, but good enough at everything to be very effective and successfull. I doubt he will ever become more than a third liner, but if he makes it to the NHL he is the 3rd liner everybody wants. Should go at some point in the third, but IMO we can do better than him in the third.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=151108

Daniel Audette: Has the potential to be one of the huge steals in the draft. Your classic undersized forward (5'8), however he has already decent weight for a 5'8 18 year old (168 lbs). His skill set is off the chart and some belief that he would be a top20 pick if he would be two or three inches taller.
His offensive numbers are even better than they look if you consider that he has 32 points more than the 2nd best player in Sherbrooke.
If we want him we should take him in the third, but chances are good he is still there in the 4th round.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=128505

Alexis Pepin: Huge (6'2, 229lbs) winger that combines a hulking stature and decent skill. However there are two huge problems. He is a really bad skater and to heavy. He reported to the Ivan Hlinka last summer at 240 lbs!! His skating should improve much once he gets down to 210-220 lbs. Those are obviously fixable problems, but he needs to work much much harder in the offseason than he did before. Many question wether he has the work ethic to do so.
After all he is one of the biggest disappointments of this draft class. Many beliefed he would go in the first round after last season.
Chances are high that somebody that loves size goes for him in the late 2nd/early 3rd. If that doesn't happen he should be on the watch list for our third rounder.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=128459

Alexis Vanier: Just the 2nd Q defender ranked by CSS (the other is Daniel Walcott at 102) he is more likely a 2nd or 3rd rounder than the 4th/ 5th rounder CSS sees in him. I have seen him in the 2nd round on various reports now.
The first thing you notice about the LD is his size. He is 6'5 225 at just 18 !!
Has a heavy slap shot, can fight and destroy people with hits. Obviously skating is not so good with such a body and he needs to work on his positioning and transition game as he is prone to give aways.
He started the season on fire, but has gotten worse over the year.
I don't think he has high potential, but it could be enough to become a 2nd pairing guy if he fixes his problems.
With his body I doubt he gets past the 2nd and in no way past the 3rd. I like him, but others will value his size to much, so I doubt he will be the BPA for us at some point.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=128447

Matt Murphy: 2nd year eligible defender that seems to have taken is play to the enxt level (2 goals last season 10 this). He is from Halifax so our scouts should have seen plenty of him. Unfortunatly I can't find much about him, but definitly an interesting guy for the later rounds. Decent size (6'2 198lbs)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=99201
 

Jacko95

Registered User
Sep 19, 2012
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This will be the final part of my draft series. I will do a ranking of my personal favorites per round with some explanations the next few days, but this is the final part with prospects. It will show some goalies that caught my eyes and a few dark horse picks for the later round out of the CHL, as it is almost impossible to find write ups about those guys. Thats also the reason you find much more interesting guys for the later rounds out of Europe or lower level leagues in my series. Those guys tend to get covert much better than the later round guys out of the CHL.

Goalies:

Hayden Hawkey: 2nd year eligible from the USHL. Was a USHL rookie this season, but was by far the best goalie in the league with a 1.99 GAA and a 0.926 sv%.Considering he is neither udersized (6'2) or anything it really surprises me that he is not ranked by CSS at all. He will head to Providence for next season.
Will not go before the 5th as well, could be really good value in the 7th.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=190163

Igo Shesterkin: I don't know what to think about this guy. He has far better numbers than Vasya had as 18-year old in the MHL and has already played 9 games in the KHL (yes he is 18!!!). I don't know anything about his techniques or anything and he is only 6'0, but damn those stats alone should get some hype going.
Not sure at all where he will go but if he i still available in the 5th round we gotta consider drafting him, just for those stats.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=195577

Elvis Merzlikins: Yet another 20 year old Latvian. He already plays in the top Swiss league (NLA) and has pretty good stats for Lugano already. He is a 6'3 athletic butterfly goalie (you know that Gudlevskis kid? Sounds similar ;) ) with a good rebound control.
After the success with Gudlevskis so far, I sure wouldn't mind yet another Latvian as their style seems to suit the NA game. Not sure where he should go, but if he is there in 5th/ 6th round he must be considered.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=66584


Kevin Reich: A nobody till midseason. He is a German that started the year in the MHL for Salzburg and moved to the USHL early in January. His numbers are not super impressive, but he got much better once he was settled in and plays pretty strong playoffs right now.
Should not go earlier than the 5th round, but as a German I would obviously like if we go after him. Is by far the best German goalie prospect since Grubauer (WSH).
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=65855


There are obviously better goalies out there, but we don't need to go for one before the 5th round, if at all. However all the goalies above show lots of promise and seem to fly under the radar for various reasons. If I have to say who I would prefer, I guess it would be the two Euro goalies, especially the Latvian as he just screems so much Gudlevskis to me. And we all know we can never have enough almost Canada upsetting goalies in the system :naughty:

Now to some potential late round steals:

Blake Clarke: Last summer he was considered as a potential top15 player, now he will be happy to hear his name at all. His game has fallen off a cliff and the cliff was high (19g, 51p last season, 2g, 12p this season). However he has shown the talent last season.
He had lots of injury problems this season and according to regular viewers he had big effort problems. In the first 7 or so games after his trade he scored 5 points, but after that he fell right back to a invisible nobody. If somebody can get his confidance and effort level back on track, that team hits a homerun.
He was a great power forward with a booming shot last season and has shown a hell lot of skill last season. What he did this year? Nobody knows, cause nobody noticed him on the ice. Is also a great skater.
Somebody should take a flyer on him just due to the performance of last season and I really hope it's us. Obviously not before the 5th round, but if nobody has taken a flyer by than or even the 6th round, we should take it. He is the most extreme boom-or-bust player in this draft and is obviously looking more like a bust than anything right now, but if he gets himself back on track, he is the steal of the draft and has first line upside. And I sure don't want to miss out on that upside.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=121997

Reid Duke: A 6'0 center that played for a really bad Lethbridge team. He is starting to develop a strong two-way game, but his main asset is still his skill up front. If it wasn't for his really bad team he would most likely have much better stats , but thats not the reality and the reality is he is the only Lethbridge player worth watching right now, which could lead to much less scout attention for him.
He has shown the ability to take over a game the way few draftees can, but that has only happen a couple of times this season. However if he can build upon that talent, he could develop into a highly skilled forward with some two-way ability.
For me thats enough to keep an eye on him going into the draft. Could be a very good option in the 5th round, if he is available even later, very few players should stand between him and becoming a Lightning pick (at least I hope so)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=62308

Yannik Rathgeb: Offensive minded defender, who moved from Switzerland to the OHL last summer. He had some problems adjusting to the NA game and rink, but is due for a brakout season. Has no problem to throw his weight around, but is not seaching for opportunities. Has decent skating abilities and a good mobility. Another interesting option in the later rounds.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=95055

Edgars Kulda: 20 year old Lativan, that has put his offensive stats to a whole new level as he scored 30 goals and 60p, compared to 6goals and 17 points the season before. At 6'0 he has decent height. Can battle hard for the puck, but is mostly a skilled player. Was forced to play 4th line duties last season two to a very deep Oil Kings team, which should have helped his defensive game a lot. He took every opportunity for more ice time by storm and never looked back.
Definitly a decent 6th/7th round option, which would offer great depth to Syracuse for next season. Might develop into something decent.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=52421

Alexei Sleptsov: Offensive defender, who nobody had on the draft boards prior to the season. He is pretty skinny (6'0 165 lbs) and had just 3 assists in 45 MHL games last season. However he still moved to NA and has made huge progress getting 4 goals and 25 points in 66 games in the WHL this season. He is a great skater and due to a high understanding of the game he reads his opponents very well and uses a limited, but effective defensive tool box to get the puck.
Once he puts on more weight, his game should flourish. I like his potential a lot, because he could become a whole different player once he adds muscle. As most of the guys today, he will go in the late rounds, but is one of the defenders with higher potential that late.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=211771
 

Vasilevskiy

The cat will be back
Dec 30, 2008
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We moved up in the draft thanks to Avs and Sharks losing.

We will have the #18 pick

I would like us to to go for Tuch, Honka or Fiala
 

LTIR Trickery

Plz stop pucks
Jun 27, 2007
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Just remember - this is the same management as before. They're not always enamored with size, they'll take the undersized but far more intelligent player over the kid thats 6'6 and might pan out.
 

chasespace

Registered User
Jul 19, 2010
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Just remember - this is the same management as before. They're not always enamored with size, they'll take the undersized but far more intelligent player over the kid thats 6'6 and might pan out.

I would prefer drafting a Tyler Johnson to a Vladmir Mihalik but thankfully there are guys there in the first round(both forwards and defensemen) who have shown to be intelligent players with upside and size.
 

Coopers Gum

Extend Andrej Sustr
Mar 6, 2012
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Can we please draft a defenseman? If the forward is barely better than the dman, take the dman. Such a position of weakness for us. I understand BPA, but come on. We need some organizational D. But if the forward is miles better, take him I guess.
 
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DFC

Registered User
Sep 26, 2013
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I feel like we're in Barbashev territory.

Ivan is a determined and spirited player. Excellent leader who does so by example and has a focus on the team's best interests in all regards. Excellent hockey IQ in all regards and there is not a situation in the game that he can't make a difference in. Has the ability to 'step up' his game when necessary. Very good skills and can score as well as set up a play and is always in the 'guts of the action.' Off-the-charts character.
- Bob McKenzie

We're also now in a spot where trading up becomes a realistic option, and even more realistic if NYR wins 4 more games. Only happens, of course, if Yzerman/Murray/etc really have their eye on someone. But it's a possibility.

18th + Teddy Purcell for 15th? :p
 

HoseEmDown

Registered User
Mar 25, 2012
17,452
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Can we please draft a defenseman? If the forward is barely better than the dman, take the dman. Such a position of weakness for us. I understand BPA, but come on. We need some organizational D. But if the forward is miles better, take him I guess.

I disagree that D is a position of weakness. We are pretty young at the NHL level with D, Barberio/Hedman/Gudas/Sustr are all 24 or under, Carle is 29. That's 5 of our 7 D so we just have room for 2. We have Koekkoek coming (top pair potential) Blujus (top 4) Nesterov/Sergeev/Witkowski/Dotchin(bottom pair but possibly can make it to the top 4).

At forward we have Drouin/Namestnikov with top 6 potential besides that we have only bottom 6 potential guys and even those are longshots. We need to keep grabbing BPA and develop properly.
 

DFC

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Sep 26, 2013
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I disagree that D is a position of weakness. We are pretty young at the NHL level with D, Barberio/Hedman/Gudas/Sustr are all 24 or under, Carle is 29. That's 5 of our 7 D so we just have room for 2. We have Koekkoek coming (top pair potential) Blujus (top 4) Nesterov/Sergeev/Witkowski/Dotchin(bottom pair but possibly can make it to the top 4).

At forward we have Drouin/Namestnikov with top 6 potential besides that we have only bottom 6 potential guys and even those are longshots. We need to keep grabbing BPA and develop properly.

Drafting defensemen is finicky business too. I feel like forwards should be drafted at 18 and defensemen at 20 (kidding, obviously, but it would help). I think we can sneak good defensemen out of the later rounds a lot easier than in the first, so I'm all for going strictly BPA. If that's a defenseman, so be it. But defensemen are always riskier picks than forwards in the first round.
 

Coopers Gum

Extend Andrej Sustr
Mar 6, 2012
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water spicket
I disagree that D is a position of weakness. We are pretty young at the NHL level with D, Barberio/Hedman/Gudas/Sustr are all 24 or under, Carle is 29. That's 5 of our 7 D so we just have room for 2. We have Koekkoek coming (top pair potential) Blujus (top 4) Nesterov/Sergeev/Witkowski/Dotchin(bottom pair but possibly can make it to the top 4).

At forward we have Drouin/Namestnikov with top 6 potential besides that we have only bottom 6 potential guys and even those are longshots. We need to keep grabbing BPA and develop properly.

Drafting defensemen is finicky business too. I feel like forwards should be drafted at 18 and defensemen at 20 (kidding, obviously, but it would help). I think we can sneak good defensemen out of the later rounds a lot easier than in the first, so I'm all for going strictly BPA. If that's a defenseman, so be it. But defensemen are always riskier picks than forwards in the first round.

They're riskier because they usually pan out later than forwards. You must admit, our D, as a whole organization, Tampa to Syracuse, is not that good. Our forward depth on the other hand, is. We need more Koekkoeks. Blujus in the top 4 is a bit of a stretch, and so are the others you listed.
 

DFC

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Sep 26, 2013
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They're riskier because they usually pan out later than forwards. You must admit, our D, as a whole organization, Tampa to Syracuse, is not that good. Our forward depth on the other hand, is. We need more Koekkoeks. Blujus in the top 4 is a bit of a stretch, and so are the others you listed.

They pan out later, yes, and a lot of times that means when they're 18, we have no real idea how close they are to their ceiling.

Koekkoek isn't a bad example of why they're risky too.

Here's a better example: Who are the best forwards in the league? Crosby(1st), Stamkos(1st), Malkin(2nd), Toews(3rd), Ovi (1st) (?), and on and on down the line. But aside from the rare guy like Datsyuk, they're all top picks. At the very least, they're first rounders (Getzlaf, Giroux).

Who are the best defensemen in the league? Well, here are the Norris finalist: Keith (54th), Chara (56th), Weber (49th).

Sure, you'll find a lot of great defensemen who were drafted earlier. But for every Drew Doughty (2nd), there's a PK Subban (43rd).

It's a whole lot harder for scouts to figure out which ones are going to be the real gems until they get a little older. And those gems come as often as not in the later rounds, which isn't true with forwards. Scouts are definitely getting better at it, but I still don't think they're at a point where we can get away from BPA.
 

HoseEmDown

Registered User
Mar 25, 2012
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They're riskier because they usually pan out later than forwards. You must admit, our D, as a whole organization, Tampa to Syracuse, is not that good. Our forward depth on the other hand, is. We need more Koekkoeks. Blujus in the top 4 is a bit of a stretch, and so are the others you listed.

We said the same thing about our forwards just a few seasons ago. We then signed Johnson/Conacher our draft picks panned out and now we have quality in the forwards. It still took a couple years but it's quicker for forwards.

On D we signed Sustr who's looking good, Barberio/Gudas panned out and a few of our other draft picks have just hit the A or about to so we can't tell yet. It's a slower process to see results from them. Blujus isn't some slouch, he's got good size, good skater, his defensive game has improved dramatically but as a result his offensive numbers went down but he's more complete now. He's a bigger right handed Carle with a better shot. He can be a top 4 if he keeps improving, Gudas seemed like he'd be lucky to ever make the NHL and if he did as a #7 who's physical, he developed well and became a top 4 D.
 

MattM92

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Dec 8, 2010
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We said the same thing about our forwards just a few seasons ago. We then signed Johnson/Conacher our draft picks panned out and now we have quality in the forwards. It still took a couple years but it's quicker for forwards.

On D we signed Sustr who's looking good, Barberio/Gudas panned out and a few of our other draft picks have just hit the A or about to so we can't tell yet. It's a slower process to see results from them. Blujus isn't some slouch, he's got good size, good skater, his defensive game has improved dramatically but as a result his offensive numbers went down but he's more complete now. He's a bigger right handed Carle with a better shot. He can be a top 4 if he keeps improving, Gudas seemed like he'd be lucky to ever make the NHL and if he did as a #7 who's physical, he developed well and became a top 4 D.

I feel the same way. Blujus could develop into a top 4 D who is solid in all 3 zones. It's not that much of a stretch. And I could see Dotchin as a good, physical, defensive 3rd pairing guy.
 

Lord Stan 2020

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New Port Richey Fl
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D simply takes longer impact at 23-24 usually whereas a forward at 20? Might have a big impact.

I think our D is very weak in minors at this point. We need to keep building it and find some studs as we have in the forward rankings. Good news is we can band aid and wait on these guys.

I dont see much in top 30 picks of D guys that are gonna be that great but have faith in murray and staff to find some second and third round gems!!
 

AimForTopCheddar

trust the yzerplan
Feb 7, 2012
2,411
59
Calgary
I agree with CoopThereItIs normally but look @ this draft and the defenseman available..they aren't exactly all too promising. The forwards at our pick is much more promising.

Hopefully we pick up Fiala or Goldonbin.
 
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