Prospect Info: 2017 NHL Draft Discussion

[BarDownBobo]

Craig Button just released his september rankings: http://www.tsn.ca/craig-s-list-nolan-patrick-stands-above-the-rest-1.566071

Would be nice to get some actual draft/prospects discussion going as it is now september and most leagues are starting up.

Really surprising that he doesn't have Vaakanainen or Valimaki in the first round. Tippett at 29 seems really low to me too. But it is early so it's really a crapshoot right now.

 

[Zaddy]

Really surprising that he doesn't have Vaakanainen or Valimaki in the first round. Tippett at 29 seems really low to me too. But it is early so it's really a crapshoot right now.

Yeah, most finns aren't too happy about it. Tippett is a bit weird too, but maybe Tippett is Craigs "Jake Virtanen" of this year. I can see a case for him being outside the top10, but having him all the way down at 29th at this point in time doesn't make much sense. But Craig always seem to put a lot of weight into international tournaments for some reason and Tippett didn't have a strong Hlinka. At the same time you have Poehling at #4 who most people have outside the 1st round right now but he had a strong Hlinka so...

Anyway, there's many interesting guys to follow this year and the rankings are very up in the air at the moment. Someone I like a lot is russian LHD Dmitri Samorukov who's suiting up for Guelph Storm this year. He's raw but he checks a lot of boxes for me in terms of what I like in a defenseman. Big, calm, smart, strong defensively and has some offensive upside. Will be interesting to see how he adapts to North American hockey and how he progresses throughout the year.

Both Finland and Sweden are having good draft crops this year too and there's many guys to keep an eye on. Can't wait for the season to start.

 

[Zaddy]

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=2126823

A really early 2017 3 round mock draft if anyone wants to join. Need GM:s.

 

[lakai17]

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=2126823

A really early 2017 3 round mock draft if anyone wants to join. Need GM:s.

2018 would be early, this ones right on schedule.

 

[McGhostbuster]

I'll be following Cal Foote a lot this year. He'll be a top-10ish pick which is ideally where we land at the draft. RHD, developing in Kelowna, father is Adam Foote.

 

[Zaddy]

2018 would be early, this ones right on schedule.

Well considering the season has barely started yet not many people are all that informed about the 2017 draft class as of yet.

I'll be following Cal Foote a lot this year. He'll be a top-10ish pick which is ideally where we land at the draft. RHD, developing in Kelowna, father is Adam Foote.

Yeah, he's probably the guy most Oilers fans are watching this year in terms of a player that fills a need and is projected to go somewhere around the range where the Oilers might have their pick.

 

[lakai17]

Its awesome what Nolan Patrick is doing coming from Manitoba.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Draitsatl - McDavid - Patrick
Pulju - RNH - Eberle

Some years from now...

 

[Stud Muffin]

Its awesome what Nolan Patrick is doing coming from Manitoba.

Well I'm sort of offended by that

 

[Gone]

Craig Button just released his september rankings: http://www.tsn.ca/craig-s-list-nolan-patrick-stands-above-the-rest-1.566071

Would be nice to get some actual draft/prospects discussion going as it is now september and most leagues are starting up.

Only 1 D-man in the top 15.

 

[BB88]

Only 1 D-man in the top 15.

Miro Heiskanen should change that soon.
Playing for HIFK in Liiga, +20mins right from the start.

He's one of the youngest from this draft but he's LD.

 

[McHaNugYakEbNurDra]

I'm hoping against hope that somehow the Oilers draft Cale Fleury in 2017. Right now it seems doubtful as he is projected as an early 2nd round pick (and the Oilers don't have a 2nd round pick) so either both Fleury and the Oilers have an amazing season and they take him late in the first round, or they find a way to get a second round pick before the draft . (I'm not sure which of these I consider less likely)

I've been watching Fleury for a couple of years now (younger brother of Hayden Fleury of the Carolina Panthers) and believe that the younger brother will one day be better than his older brother.

 

[Zaddy]

Only 1 D-man in the top 15.

You shouldn't be fooled by that as there are many good d-men in this draft. It's just that one of them is elite and the others, well, haven't really shown that just yet. There's many of these guys that have the potential to sky rocket up the lists as the season goes on. It's a lot easier to project forwards a year ahead of the draft than defensemen. Guys like Samorukov, Hague, Foote, Paquette could all climb drastically. Then there's the three finns Heiskanen, Jokiharju and Vaakanainen as well.

Btw it wasn't posted in here but here's Bob McKenzies pre-season draft list: http://www.tsn.ca/mckenzie-s-pre-season-ranking-the-nolan-patrick-draft-1.567410

 

[Zaddy]

Some lists that have come out the past few weeks:

Sportsnet: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juni...l-draft-prospect-rankings-october-jeff-marek/

NHL Central Scouting: https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-centra...ry-players-to-watch/c-282354178?tid=277729156

HockeyProspect: https://www.hockeyprospect.com/hockeyprospect-com-2017-nhl-draft-rankings-top-50-september-edition/

 

[PKSpecialist]

I'm hoping against hope that somehow the Oilers draft Cale Fleury in 2017. Right now it seems doubtful as he is projected as an early 2nd round pick (and the Oilers don't have a 2nd round pick) so either both Fleury and the Oilers have an amazing season and they take him late in the first round, or they find a way to get a second round pick before the draft . (I'm not sure which of these I consider less likely)

I've been watching Fleury for a couple of years now (younger brother of Hayden Fleury of the Carolina Panthers) and believe that the younger brother will one day be better than his older brother.

Wrong sport bro!!!!

 

[Zaddy]

Wrong sport bro!!!!

Nah man.

Anyway, have you made a draft list yet? What are some guys you like this year? Would love to get some more discussion going in this thread. It's basically only me posting

 

[PKSpecialist]

Nah man.

Anyway, have you made a draft list yet? What are some guys you like this year? Would love to get some more discussion going in this thread. It's basically only me posting

I have lots of notes, but haven't even begun a ranking yet. I haven't even looked at a mainstream ranking yet. Thought I might give it a try to rank these prospects with no help at all from a consensus.

Tough not to hear anything tho, frequenting these sites and watching games, there is always some mention of it.

 

[Zaddy]

I have lots of notes, but haven't even begun a ranking yet. I haven't even looked at a mainstream ranking yet. Thought I might give it a try to rank these prospects with no help at all from a consensus.

Tough not to hear anything tho, frequenting these sites and watching games, there is always some mention of it.

Hm, that's an interesting idea. I would like to try that too but I'm too much of a prospects junkie so I can't help but look at every list out there Seems this year like most lists look more or less the same though and not a lot of variety, which is kinda boring.

 

[PKSpecialist]

Hm, that's an interesting idea. I would like to try that too but I'm too much of a prospects junkie so I can't help but look at every list out there Seems this year like most lists look more or less the same though and not a lot of variety, which is kinda boring.

I hear ya....I'm going to refrain from looking at any until I come up with my preliminary top 60. Should be able to have something by the end of November.

I really like this year's goaltending class. Think it may be one of the best from the CHL in some time.

 

[suddeninterest]

So what are people's thoughts on Cal Foote? I know he got an invite to the summer WJC camp for Canada. I feel like we will end up in the 10-18 range and it looks now like he will be available in that area although obviously that can change over the season. Big RD from the W, already something like 6'4 and 210, future 2nd pair of him and Nurse could be nasty. I have a feeling Chia will draft the best available D in this draft in the 1st round.

 

[Soli]

With it still being early in the season and the uncertainty around draft positions, players draft stock, and the seemingly wide-openness of this years draft class, I like to look at areas where our prospect cupboard is thin and see what the Draft has to offer to replenish those shelves.

When I look at out prospect depth, areas that I think we could strengthen include:

- Taller, bigger bodied centermen. Yakimov has Yeti status (we may never see him again across the pond).
- Offensively gifted wizards amongst the forwards.
- Right handed defensemen.
- Upper echelon defensive prospects of either handedness (I suppose every prospect pool has room to add a stud)

So with that in mind, some prospects that have piqued my interest so far that are projected throughout the 1st round.

• Michael Rasmussen - 6'5 left handed centerman for the Tri-City Americans. The Canadian is a big bodied center that uses his size and frame around the boards and the front of the net. In 8 GP this season, he's posted 10 goals & 3 apples for 13 points.
  
  
• Nico Hischier - The Swiss product left Bern to play for the Mooseheads of the QMJHL. He matched Ehler's point totals in junior leagues. Could rise into the Top-10 by the end of the year. He's the kind of dynamic offensive wizard our prospect pool would welcome.
  
  
• Nic Hague - Liljegren doesn't have anything to worry about, he's leaps and bounds the top defenseman in this draft. Runner up is up for grabs IMO, and Hague may rocket himself up the standings with his drool-worthy size, physicality, skating and howitzer. To be honest, these kids of defenseman scare me. I don't think these big hulking defenseman that go in the 1st round really pan out (McIlrath, Oleksiak, etc.). The benefit though, he may push Callan Foote down.
  
  
• Callan Foote - I think he'll be the overwhelming favorite prospect that the collective Oiler fans pine for. Jason Smith is the new Kelowna Rockets head coach and perhaps Gator will give us insights into Foote like Rocky Thompson did on Sergachev and Stanley. 6'3 all around solid RHD with bloodlines.
  
  
• Matthew Strome - 6'3 left handed power forward type. The youngest and biggest of the Strome brothers. Besides providing some beef along the wings, his name has some cache.
  
  
• Stuart Skinner - Seems like theres a bunch of top flight goalies from all nations (Oettinger, Luukkonen, etc.). I dont pretend to know much about them, but 6'4 Edmonton native Stuart Skinner will get some press around here. Wouldn't use a 1st rounder, but I imagine a lot of these goalies will go in the second round.

 

[Zaddy]

With it still being early in the season and the uncertainty around draft positions, players draft stock, and the seemingly wide-openness of this years draft class, I like to look at areas where our prospect cupboard is thin and see what the Draft has to offer to replenish those shelves.

When I look at out prospect depth, areas that I think we could strengthen include:

- Taller, bigger bodied centermen. Yakimov has Yeti status (we may never see him again across the pond).
- Offensively gifted wizards amongst the forwards.
- Right handed defensemen.
- Upper echelon defensive prospects of either handedness (I suppose every prospect pool has room to add a stud)

So with that in mind, some prospects that have piqued my interest so far that are projected throughout the 1st round.

• Michael Rasmussen - 6'5 left handed centerman for the Tri-City Americans. The Canadian is a big bodied center that uses his size and frame around the boards and the front of the net. In 8 GP this season, he's posted 10 goals & 3 apples for 13 points.
  
  
• Nico Hischier - The Swiss product left Bern to play for the Mooseheads of the QMJHL. He matched Ehler's point totals in junior leagues. Could rise into the Top-10 by the end of the year. He's the kind of dynamic offensive wizard our prospect pool would welcome.
  
  
• Nic Hague - Liljegren doesn't have anything to worry about, he's leaps and bounds the top defenseman in this draft. Runner up is up for grabs IMO, and Hague may rocket himself up the standings with his drool-worthy size, physicality, skating and howitzer. To be honest, these kids of defenseman scare me. I don't think these big hulking defenseman that go in the 1st round really pan out (McIlrath, Oleksiak, etc.). The benefit though, he may push Callan Foote down.
  
  
• Callan Foote - I think he'll be the overwhelming favorite prospect that the collective Oiler fans pine for. Jason Smith is the new Kelowna Rockets head coach and perhaps Gator will give us insights into Foote like Rocky Thompson did on Sergachev and Stanley. 6'3 all around solid RHD with bloodlines.
  
  
• Matthew Strome - 6'3 left handed power forward type. The youngest and biggest of the Strome brothers. Besides providing some beef along the wings, his name has some cache.
  
  
• Stuart Skinner - Seems like theres a bunch of top flight goalies from all nations (Oettinger, Luukkonen, etc.). I dont pretend to know much about them, but 6'4 Edmonton native Stuart Skinner will get some press around here. Wouldn't use a 1st rounder, but I imagine a lot of these goalies will go in the second round.

For me, the two biggest needs in the prospect pool are high-end goalies and more skilled wingers. Our wing depth has improved a lot over the past year or so with Benson, Caggiula (who might be a C going forward), Russell, Sallinen, Puljujärvi, Maroon, Lucic and Kassian but there's still a distinct lack of skilled wingers aside from Pulju and, possibly, Benson.

We've adressed D pretty well the last two drafts as well as some college signings and even though it doesn't hurt adding more defensemen, and epsecially RHD, it's not as big of a need anymore. Same with C, with Drai, RNH, McDavid and possibly Caggiula all being very young we look squared away, but obviously the more C's the merrier.

Anyway, I'd like to use two picks on goalies this year as a) it's a position of need and b) the goalie depth in this years draft class looks amazing. You probably have a very good chance of finding a future starter if you spend a couple of picks on goalies here.

As for the 1st round pick, lets say the Oilers draft in the 8-16 range this year. There should be plenty of skilled wingers available here, many of them with size too. Kostin, Vesalainen, Tippett, Popugayev all fit the bill. If we go C then Elias Pettersson is a personal favorite of mine, he should be a top10 pick, maybe even top5. If we go D there is plenty to choose from. I like Samorukov a lot but Foote, Hague, Heiskanen are all interesting. Liljegren too obviously if he were to fall.

About Hague, I don't think you can really compare him to the Oleksiaks and McIlraths of the draft as Hague is actually a good skater and is putting up points (PPG in 8 games so far). I haven't watched him a lot but he looks to have a bright future.

 

[McDNicks17]

Nick Suzuki and Mackenzie Entwhistle are a couple of right-handed centers out of the OHL that I like.

Suzuki is average sized(5'11'' 185lbs), but a great skater. Poised playmaker. Solid two-way player and great on the forecheck too. August birthday. Will put up points this year as Owen Sound's #1C.

Entwhistle has size(6'3''), skill, skating and physicality. Should be a solid potential power forward in the first round.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeSHbb2sUrQ
Whether this kid suitable for Oilers prospect pool.

Eemeli Räsänen 6'6 and 205 lbs ( 199cm and 93 kg) Finnish defenseman with Right-Handed shot.
Projected to go somewhere 2-3 rounds ( B rated) based on NHL central scouting's players to watch list.

He's not any relation of Aapeli Räsänen.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QZXX42irRc
Henri Jokiharju another Finnish right-handed shot dman for 2017 draft.

Here's Henri Jokiharju's hightlights of U18 WJC's in Grand Forks this past April.
Jokiharju has projected to go somewhere 2-3 rounds ( B rated as Eemeli Räsänen)