2015 NHL Draft Thread Full of Hope and Optimism

[Heraldic]

Well, well... look at that.



Keeping #19 and adding #21 could be awesome too. Could Pulkkinen net a #21 pick?

Sabres already have Baptiste, Bailey, Fasching, Compher, Olofsson, Possler, Cornel and Rodrigues as potential 2-3 line RWs in their pipeline. Really no need for Pulkkinen, who still is a shot in the dark at NHL level.

If Murray is moving Islanders' first rounder, it most likely is going to be in a package for a lot more proven young player, or it is moved in order to trade up in the draft.

 

[snailderby]

We have talked a lot about drafting a D-man with our first pick. If all of these defensemen are available when we pick (whether we trade down or not), (1) how would you rank your top 5, and (2) why? I think we can assume that Noah Hanifin, Ivan Provorov, and Zach Werenski will already be gone by then.

1996/10/10 - Ryan Pilon - LH - 6'2" - 206 - THW +30 / ISS +30
Brandon Wheat Kings | WHL | 68 11 41 52 | 40 | 3

1996/10/27 - Rasmus Andersson - RH - 6'0" - 212- THW +30 / ISS +30
Barrie Colts | OHL | 67 12 52 64 | 88 | 14

1996/11/26 - Brandon Carlo - RH - 6'5" - 196 - THW 30 / ISS 21
Tri-City Americans | WHL | 63 4 21 25 | 90 | -15

1997/01/30 - Thomas Chabot - LH - 6'2" - 180 - THW 17 / ISS 16
Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | 66 12 29 41 | 62 | 6

1997/2/21 - Jakub Zboril - LH - 6'1" - 184 - THW 21 / ISS 22
Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | 44 13 20 33 | 73 | 2

1997/04/02 - Noah Juulsen - RH - 6'2" - 174 - THW +30 / ISS 29
Everett Silvertips | WHL | 68 9 43 52 | 42 | 22

1997/05/14 - Jeremy Roy - RH - 6'0" - 188 - THW 15 / ISS 23
Sherbrooke Phoenix | QMJHL | 46 5 38 43 | 37 | -2

1997/05/19 - Oliver Kylington - LH - 6'0" - 180 - THW 24 / ISS +30
Farjestads BK Karlstad | SweHL | 18 2 3 5 | 4 | -2
AIK Swe-1 | 17 4 3 7 | 6 | -2

This is a non-exhaustive list. Feel free to put Vince Dunn, Mitchell Vande Sompel, Nicolas Meloche, Gabriel Carlsson, Jacob Larsson, or any other D-man over one of these guys in your top 5.

 

[Debrincat93]

I definitely see us moving back 10-20 spots, gaining a pick or so and then drafting from there. That being said, I think this is a year where you kind of need to go out and draft 2 picks fairly early..

 

[InjuredChoker]

We have talked a lot about drafting a D-man in the first round. If all five of these are available when we pick (whether we trade down or not), (1) how would you rank them, and (2) why? I'm assuming Noah Hanifin, Ivan Provorov, and Zach Werenski will already be gone by then.

1996/11/26 - Brandon Carlo - RH - 6'5" - 196
Tri-City Americans | WHL | 63 4 21 25 | 90 | -15

1997/01/30 - Thomas Chabot - LH - 6'2" - 180
Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | 66 12 29 41 | 62 | 6

1997/2/21 - Jakub Zboril - LH - 6'1" - 184
Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | 44 13 20 33 | 73 | 2

1997/04/02 - Noah Juulsen - RH - 6'2" - 174
Everett Silvertips | WHL | 68 9 43 52 | 42 | 22

1997/05/14 - Jeremy Roy - RH - 6'0" - 188
Sherbrooke Phoenix | QMJHL | 46 5 38 43 | 37 | -2

1997/05/19 - Oliver Kylington - LH - 6'0" - 180
Farjestads BK Karlstad | SweHL | 18 2 3 5 | 4 | -2
AIK Swe-1 | 17 4 3 7 | 6 | -2

roy
kylington
chabot
zboril/juulsen (my juulsen bias here)











carlo.

 

[Frk It]

We have talked a lot about drafting a D-man in the first round. If all five of these are available when we pick (whether we trade down or not), (1) how would you rank them, and (2) why? I'm assuming Noah Hanifin, Ivan Provorov, and Zach Werenski will already be gone by then.

1996/11/26 - Brandon Carlo - RH - 6'5" - 196
Tri-City Americans | WHL | 63 4 21 25 | 90 | -15

1997/01/30 - Thomas Chabot - LH - 6'2" - 180
Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | 66 12 29 41 | 62 | 6

1997/2/21 - Jakub Zboril - LH - 6'1" - 184
Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | 44 13 20 33 | 73 | 2

1997/04/02 - Noah Juulsen - RH - 6'2" - 174
Everett Silvertips | WHL | 68 9 43 52 | 42 | 22

1997/05/14 - Jeremy Roy - RH - 6'0" - 188
Sherbrooke Phoenix | QMJHL | 46 5 38 43 | 37 | -2

1997/05/19 - Oliver Kylington - LH - 6'0" - 180
Farjestads BK Karlstad | SweHL | 18 2 3 5 | 4 | -2
AIK Swe-1 | 17 4 3 7 | 6 | -2

1.) Roy
2.) Kylington
3.) Chabot
4.) Zboril
5.) Juulsen
6.) Carlo

Roy and Kylington are 1-2 because they have the best offensive game, and we need that most. Roy gets the edge because he is RH, and Kylington seems more "boom or bust" IMO. Chabot and Zboril are both pegged more as two way guys, but the consensus seems to be Chabot has a better ceiling.

 

[snailderby]

roy
kylington
chabot
zboril/juulsen (my juulsen bias here)


carlo.

1.) Roy
2.) Kylington
3.) Chabot
4.) Zboril
5.) Juulsen
6.) Carlo

Roy and Kylington are 1-2 because they have the best offensive game, and we need that most. Roy gets the edge because he is RH, and Kylington seems more "boom or bust" IMO. Chabot and Zboril are both pegged more as two way guys, but the consensus seems to be Chabot has a better ceiling.

It's interesting that you two have almost exactly the same list.

 

[Frk It]

It's interesting that you two have almost exactly the same list.

Great minds think alike

In all honesty, I think most experts would have what we have too.

I posted it much earlier in the thread, but the average # of defenseman taken by our pick the last 5 years is 6. So we are most likely looking at Hanifin, Provorov, Werenski, Roy, Chabot, Kylington being gone by our pick.

 

[snailderby]

Great minds think alike

In all honesty, I think most experts would have what we have too.

I posted it much earlier in the thread, but the average # of defenseman taken by our pick the last 5 years is 6. So we are most likely looking at Hanifin, Provorov, Werenski, Roy, Chabot, Kylington being gone by our pick.

Haha. There you go.

1. Just looking at the D-men, would you be for or against trading out of the first round? E.g., hypothetically, would you pass on drafting one of Jeremy Roy/Thomas Chabot/Oliver Kylington (assuming one of those three is still available at 19), if that meant we could get two of Noah Juulsen, Rasmus Anderson, and Nicolas Meloche?

2. On another note, what are your thoughts on Nick Merkley? He's a right-handed shooting C/RW. His numbers in the WHL are good, and scouts say good things about his work ethic and hockey IQ. He is a bit on the short side at 5'10" or 5'11", but he's also about the same height and weight as Datsyuk/Zetterberg. Another team will probably pick him up in the 14-18 range, but if he falls to 19, would you take him over a defenseman (or trading down)?

 

[Tatar]

Great minds think alike

In all honesty, I think most experts would have what we have too.

I posted it much earlier in the thread, but the average # of defenseman taken by our pick the last 5 years is 6. So we are most likely looking at Hanifin, Provorov, Werenski, Roy, Chabot, Kylington being gone by our pick.

I think either Chabot, Roy or Kylington will still be available. If Those 6 are gone, then Holland will trade down

Good list though agree with your order.

My blackhorse picks are:

D Veeti Vainino
D Jesper Lindgren
F John Dahlstrom
F Denis Guryanov
F Antti Kalapaudas
F Julius Nattinen
F Sebastian Aho
F Michael Spacek
F Jonne Tammela
F Roope Hintz
F Jens Looke

 

[InjuredChoker]

I think either Chabot, Roy or Kylington will still be available. If Those 6 are gone, then Holland will trade down

Good list though agree with your order.

My blackhorse picks are:

D Veeti Vainino
D Jesper Lindgren
F John Dahlstrom
F Denis Guryanov
F Antti Kalapaudas
F Julius Nattinen
F Sebastian Aho
F Michael Spacek
F Jonne Tammela
F Roope Hintz
F Jens Looke

good list, not a fan of hintz though.

i'd add kase, schemitsch, brad morrison, frederik forsberg (filip's little bro), garland (my favorite), timashov, malgin and so on..

 

[Frk It]

Haha. There you go.

1. Just looking at the D-men, would you be for or against trading out of the first round? E.g., hypothetically, would you pass on drafting one of Jeremy Roy/Thomas Chabot/Oliver Kylington (assuming one of those three is still available at 19), if that meant we could get two of Noah Juulsen, Rasmus Anderson, and Nicolas Meloche?

2. On another note, what are your thoughts on Nick Merkley? He's a right-handed shooting C/RW. His numbers in the WHL are good, and scouts say good things about his work ethic and hockey IQ. He is a bit on the short side at 5'10" or 5'11", but he's also about the same height and weight as Datsyuk/Zetterberg. Another team will probably pick him up in the 14-18 range, but if he falls to 19, would you take him over a defenseman (or trading down)?

If Roy, Kylington, Chabot, or Merkley is there at 19 I hope we just draft them and don't mess around.

In your scenario I would possibly trade down if I could get both Meloche and Juulsen, but that seems like a gamble to me.

 

[Tatar]

good list, not a fan of hintz though.

i'd add kase, schemitsch, brad morrison, frederik forsberg (filip's little bro), garland (my favorite), timashov, malgin and so on..

Kase, Timashov and Malgin are all great players but they're on the small side. Forsberg and Morrison are interesting.

 

[InjuredChoker]

Kase, Timashov and Malgin are all great players but they're on the small side. Forsberg and Morrison are interesting.

garland is too. boom/bust types. so skilled that i'd gamble on them. maybe they become next johnson/gaudreau or light version of them.

 

[Frk It]

I think either Chabot, Roy or Kylington will still be available. If Those 6 are gone, then Holland will trade down

Good list though agree with your order.

My blackhorse picks are:

D Veeti Vainino
D Jesper Lindgren
F John Dahlstrom
F Denis Guryanov
F Antti Kalapaudas
F Julius Nattinen
F Sebastian Aho
F Michael Spacek
F Jonne Tammela
F Roope Hintz
F Jens Looke

good list, not a fan of hintz though.

i'd add kase, schemitsch, brad morrison, frederik forsberg (filip's little bro), garland (my favorite), timashov, malgin and so on..

Could either of you give an opinion on Vainio, Lindgren, or Guryanov?

 

[Tatar]

garland is too. boom/bust types. so skilled that i'd gamble on them. maybe they become next johnson/gaudreau or light version of them.

Garland's numbers are insane, but he's also 19 years old. If I had to take a short player, Bracco, Timasov and Beauviller stand out. I agree they're worth the risk, but we haven't drafted any short players in a real long time. I doubt Holland and Co. change their minds this year. I'd love to be wrong.

Now that you mentioned Forsberg, if you look at Kovacs's numbers, they're really similar to that of Forsberg's, minus the international experience.

 

[InjuredChoker]

Garland's numbers are insane, but he's also 19 years old. If I had to take a short player, Bracco, Timasov and Beauviller stand out. I agree they're worth the risk, but we haven't drafted any short players in a real long time. I doubt Holland and Co. change their minds this year. I'd love to be wrong.

Now that you mentioned Forsberg, if you look at Kovacs's numbers, they're really similar to that of Forsberg's, minus the international experience.

yeah. bracco and beauvillier are late 1st or mid 2nd rounders though.

 

[Tatar]

yeah. bracco and beauvillier are late 1st or mid 2nd rounders though.

Yeah. Doubt they'll slide. We need to stop trading picks

 

[Anchor Town*]

I don't understand that, either. You're trading a player that's further along in his development for a low first. The chances of a pick at that point turning into a player that has pulks potential is extremely slim.

Who cares about potential. Results are what matter. Pulkkinen is a 23 year winger that still hasn't caught on at the NHL level. Lots of players can dominate lower leagues like the AHL then not translate their game to the NHL.

 

[Syckle78]

Who cares about potential. Results are what matter. Pulkkinen is a 23 year winger that still hasn't caught on at the NHL level. Lots of players can dominate lower leagues like the AHL then not translate their game to the NHL.

Still hasn't caught on in the NHL. You act like he's been up and down. Next year will be his first full time opportunity. But hey he's 23,must be washed up. Especially in our system that promotes players so young.

Btw, you want to ignore potential to trade for a draft pick that would be a. Potential or b. Proven?

 

[RedWingzz]

good list, not a fan of hintz though.

i'd add kase, schemitsch, brad morrison, frederik forsberg (filip's little bro), garland (my favorite), timashov, malgin and so on..

Timashov is a good little player. Very skilled, but he is small. I would gamble with a 4th or 5th on him.

Another potential late round steal could be Jeremiah Addison of the 67s. Saw him play a few times live this yer, and every time he stood out as one of the better players on the ice. He really elevated his game in the playoffs. I'm interested to see where he goes, I would again consider a 4th/5th round pick if hes available.

Who cares about potential. Results are what matter. Pulkkinen is a 23 year winger that still hasn't caught on at the NHL level. Lots of players can dominate lower leagues like the AHL then not translate their game to the NHL.

Datsyuk was a rookie at 24. 23 is still young, Pulkkinen just needs an opportunity which Blash should give him.

We have talked a lot about drafting a D-man with our first pick. If all of these defensemen are available when we pick (whether we trade down or not), (1) how would you rank your top 5, and (2) why? I think we can assume that Noah Hanifin, Ivan Provorov, and Zach Werenski will already be gone by then.

1996/10/10 - Ryan Pilon - LH - 6'2" - 206 - THW +30 / ISS +30
Brandon Wheat Kings | WHL | 68 11 41 52 | 40 | 3

1996/10/27 - Rasmus Andersson - RH - 6'0" - 212- THW +30 / ISS +30
Barrie Colts | OHL | 67 12 52 64 | 88 | 14

1996/11/26 - Brandon Carlo - RH - 6'5" - 196 - THW 30 / ISS 21
Tri-City Americans | WHL | 63 4 21 25 | 90 | -15

1997/01/30 - Thomas Chabot - LH - 6'2" - 180 - THW 17 / ISS 16
Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | 66 12 29 41 | 62 | 6

1997/2/21 - Jakub Zboril - LH - 6'1" - 184 - THW 21 / ISS 22
Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | 44 13 20 33 | 73 | 2

1997/04/02 - Noah Juulsen - RH - 6'2" - 174 - THW +30 / ISS 29
Everett Silvertips | WHL | 68 9 43 52 | 42 | 22

1997/05/14 - Jeremy Roy - RH - 6'0" - 188 - THW 15 / ISS 23
Sherbrooke Phoenix | QMJHL | 46 5 38 43 | 37 | -2

1997/05/19 - Oliver Kylington - LH - 6'0" - 180 - THW 24 / ISS +30
Farjestads BK Karlstad | SweHL | 18 2 3 5 | 4 | -2
AIK Swe-1 | 17 4 3 7 | 6 | -2

This is a non-exhaustive list. Feel free to put Vince Dunn, Mitchell Vande Sompel, Nicolas Meloche, Gabriel Carlsson, Jacob Larsson, or any other D-man over one of these guys in your top 5.

I do like Vince Dunn a lot, but not enough to pick at 19. If we did manage to acquire a 2nd though I would be all for taking Dunn there. He has good potential as an offensive defenceman.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

We have talked a lot about drafting a D-man with our first pick. If all of these defensemen are available when we pick (whether we trade down or not), (1) how would you rank your top 5, and (2) why? I think we can assume that Noah Hanifin, Ivan Provorov, and Zach Werenski will already be gone by then.

1996/10/10 - Ryan Pilon - LH - 6'2" - 206 - THW +30 / ISS +30
Brandon Wheat Kings | WHL | 68 11 41 52 | 40 | 3

1996/10/27 - Rasmus Andersson - RH - 6'0" - 212- THW +30 / ISS +30
Barrie Colts | OHL | 67 12 52 64 | 88 | 14

1996/11/26 - Brandon Carlo - RH - 6'5" - 196 - THW 30 / ISS 21
Tri-City Americans | WHL | 63 4 21 25 | 90 | -15

1997/01/30 - Thomas Chabot - LH - 6'2" - 180 - THW 17 / ISS 16
Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | 66 12 29 41 | 62 | 6

1997/2/21 - Jakub Zboril - LH - 6'1" - 184 - THW 21 / ISS 22
Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | 44 13 20 33 | 73 | 2

1997/04/02 - Noah Juulsen - RH - 6'2" - 174 - THW +30 / ISS 29
Everett Silvertips | WHL | 68 9 43 52 | 42 | 22

1997/05/14 - Jeremy Roy - RH - 6'0" - 188 - THW 15 / ISS 23
Sherbrooke Phoenix | QMJHL | 46 5 38 43 | 37 | -2

1997/05/19 - Oliver Kylington - LH - 6'0" - 180 - THW 24 / ISS +30
Farjestads BK Karlstad | SweHL | 18 2 3 5 | 4 | -2
AIK Swe-1 | 17 4 3 7 | 6 | -2

This is a non-exhaustive list. Feel free to put Vince Dunn, Mitchell Vande Sompel, Nicolas Meloche, Gabriel Carlsson, Jacob Larsson, or any other D-man over one of these guys in your top 5.

1. Kylington
2. Juulsen
3. Roy
4. Chabot
5. Vande Sompel
6. Dunn

I think if everything goes absolutely according to plan, Kylington will be the best of them. Juulsen seems to be a great combo of offensive skill and defensive know- how. I like the fact that he is a real riser and would have no problem spending 19 on him. I like Roy but am a little worried about his skating (more so explosiveness than anything else). His hands, passing and head are all first rate. He just doesn't strike me as being a super dynamic player though.

I am also interested in some random guys for later rounds like Lindgren, Wotherspoon, Guhle, Capobianco, Gilbert, Bouramman and Diffley,

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

We have talked a lot about drafting a D-man with our first pick. If all of these defensemen are available when we pick (whether we trade down or not), (1) how would you rank your top 5, and (2) why? I think we can assume that Noah Hanifin, Ivan Provorov, and Zach Werenski will already be gone by then.

1996/10/10 - Ryan Pilon - LH - 6'2" - 206 - THW +30 / ISS +30
Brandon Wheat Kings | WHL | 68 11 41 52 | 40 | 3

1996/10/27 - Rasmus Andersson - RH - 6'0" - 212- THW +30 / ISS +30
Barrie Colts | OHL | 67 12 52 64 | 88 | 14

1996/11/26 - Brandon Carlo - RH - 6'5" - 196 - THW 30 / ISS 21
Tri-City Americans | WHL | 63 4 21 25 | 90 | -15

1997/01/30 - Thomas Chabot - LH - 6'2" - 180 - THW 17 / ISS 16
Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | 66 12 29 41 | 62 | 6

1997/2/21 - Jakub Zboril - LH - 6'1" - 184 - THW 21 / ISS 22
Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | 44 13 20 33 | 73 | 2

1997/04/02 - Noah Juulsen - RH - 6'2" - 174 - THW +30 / ISS 29
Everett Silvertips | WHL | 68 9 43 52 | 42 | 22

1997/05/14 - Jeremy Roy - RH - 6'0" - 188 - THW 15 / ISS 23
Sherbrooke Phoenix | QMJHL | 46 5 38 43 | 37 | -2

1997/05/19 - Oliver Kylington - LH - 6'0" - 180 - THW 24 / ISS +30
Farjestads BK Karlstad | SweHL | 18 2 3 5 | 4 | -2
AIK Swe-1 | 17 4 3 7 | 6 | -2

This is a non-exhaustive list. Feel free to put Vince Dunn, Mitchell Vande Sompel, Nicolas Meloche, Gabriel Carlsson, Jacob Larsson, or any other D-man over one of these guys in your top 5.

1. Roy
2. Chabot
3. Kylington
4. Zboril
5. Larsson
6. Juulson
7. Carlo
8. Meloche
9. Pilon
...
...
144. Andersson

 

[Frk It]

One way or another, I think there will be a really good center or defenseman left for us at 19. I am pretty excited, to be honest

 

[Syckle78]

One way or another, I think there will be a really good center or defenseman left for us at 19. I am pretty excited, to be honest

Me too after landing Mantha and Larkin in the same vicinity the last couple drafts. Really hope we don't trade back.

 

[Frk It]

Me too after landing Mantha and Larkin in the same vicinity the last couple drafts. Really hope we don't trade back.

Even trading back COULD be alright, with the depth there seems to be in this draft. But it's more of a gamble, IMO.

It almost seems like someone really good HAS to be left still at #19. If not a defenseman, than a forward. Or vice versa. If it goes heavy at one position, than someone has to slide at another. But the 19th best player in this draft should be really good.