2018 Sleeper Picks

[Jamie]

I was wondering which prospects people see as potential sleeper picks. No one that will be drafted in the first round, but those that might not be noticed with great upside. Prospects that had a good 2nd half, or playoffs, or some other reason to believe in their skills. Your favourite sleeper picks for the 2018 NHL draft?

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[Finster8]

Jake Goldowski had 11G +10A in 40 games on a weak team. Big kid with good hands and played his best hockey when the team was slumping.

 

[Teemu]

I really like Tyler Weiss. I think his numbers are a little deceiving because the NTDP was so stacked this year. Needs to add weight but brings big speed and is creative in the offensive zone.

 

[gifted88]

Adam Thilander looked good this year. He would be a good pick-up for someone.

 

[ProspectsFanatic]

Used to be Bulat Shafigullin, but he is now well known in the community. The biggest sleeper to me now is Carl Wassenius, I have him late 2nd round, while he is rarely included in other lists.

 

[landy92mack29]

Chase Wouters, Igor Morozov, Xavier Bouchard and Kyle Topping.

Wouters+Morozov are similar in that they are extremely hard working 2-way C's who take great pride in the defensive zone but both have great offensive upside that people are sleeping on. Wouters is the heart and soul of Saskatoon and should be their next C who I'd take in the 2nd but will likely go late 3rd-early 5th and Morozov is starting to get some attention but likely goes early 3rd-mid 4th with russian factor. Bouchard didn't have a great year but I still believe in him and what I saw in him his rookie year. Has every physical tool you'd want in a d-man just lost his swagger for some reason. Think he bounces back in a big way. Then Topping is an extremely smart player but gets knocked for his skating and linemates which I don't buy. He was just as important to Lind's season as Lind was to his and his skating is more than passable currently which should improve.

 

[BigRangy]

Toni Utunen is someone that I hope is available around 100

 

[Dux917]

Mikael Hakkarianen - overager, the Finn played in the USHL this season, and when he was healthy - put up big numbers. Maybe somebody takes a chance in the 6th or 7th round

 

[Kase]

Trey Fix-Wolansky in the 6th or 7th round. He is no doubt going to be the next Marchand.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Chase Wouters, Igor Morozov, Xavier Bouchard and Kyle Topping.

Wouters+Morozov are similar in that they are extremely hard working 2-way C's who take great pride in the defensive zone but both have great offensive upside that people are sleeping on. Wouters is the heart and soul of Saskatoon and should be their next C who I'd take in the 2nd but will likely go late 3rd-early 5th and Morozov is starting to get some attention but likely goes early 3rd-mid 4th with russian factor. Bouchard didn't have a great year but I still believe in him and what I saw in him his rookie year. Has every physical tool you'd want in a d-man just lost his swagger for some reason. Think he bounces back in a big way. Then Topping is an extremely smart player but gets knocked for his skating and linemates which I don't buy. He was just as important to Lind's season as Lind was to his and his skating is more than passable currently which should improve.

Bouchard is definitely a good choice. First round type package of talent that could easily get back on track next season.

 

[LeProspector]

Liam Foudy, 33pts in 32 games to finish off the season after scoring 7 in the first 32 games.

 

[Tube Skates]

Zachary Bouthillier is every bit as good or better than Alexis Gravel and Kevin Mandolese. Take it for what it's worth.
I've watched Spencer Stastney a few games and he doesn't make mistakes.
Gabriel Fortier looks like he's ready to kick some in the Q next year

 

[herbst20]

Nathan Smith from Cedar Rapids Roughriders. He is a late '98 that grew up playing Florida High School hockey and AAA with Tampa Scorpions. Made the Cedar Rapids team as a Free Agent last year and led them in scoring at almost a point per game. He isnt showing up on many lists, but NHL teams have been talking to him.

 

[North Country]

Nathan Smith from Cedar Rapids Roughriders. He is a late '98 that grew up playing Florida High School hockey and AAA with Tampa Scorpions. Made the Cedar Rapids team as a Free Agent last year and led them in scoring at almost a point per game. He isnt showing up on many lists, but NHL teams have been talking to him.

I could see a few teams worrying about the other team grabbing him and Smith going fairly early. You might be bringing more in to the battle. This kid is the definition of a sleeper.

 

[SI90]

Alec Regula for me. I don’t think he will become a top pair Defensman or an all star but I think he definitely has nhl potential

 

[robertmac43]

Riley Damiani from Kitchener.

Played well in a shut down roll against Sarnia and the SOO in the playoffs. Also has raw skill and good technical skating to complete the package. Should go mid to late rounds and who ever gets him can be confident he will get more ice time and a bigger role on the Rangers this coming year with both the 1 and 2 Cs likely graduating

 

[Maplebeasts]

Lilja and Morozov for me.

 

[McMozesmadness]

I'll do my top 5 Sleepers. They're from all over the draft:

1) Eric Florchuk
2) Filip Johansson
3) Angus Crookshank
4) Logan Hutsko
5) Adam Ginning

I'll add Simon Johansson and Jasper Weatherby as super sleepers.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I really like Tyler Weiss. I think his numbers are a little deceiving because the NTDP was so stacked this year. Needs to add weight but brings big speed and is creative in the offensive zone.

I agree with this. He played on lower lines later in the season, but he’s not a grinder. If he makes the NHL, it’s as a skill guy.

 

[schnapshot]

Adam McCormick and Xavier Bernard

 

[Kevin Musto]

Hutsko all the way.

Also not many people are talking about Jonnhy Gruden. He's good.

 

[emptyNedder]

The biggest sleeper to me now is Carl Wassenius, I have him late 2nd round, while he is rarely included in other lists.

Agree. I had Wassenius when I discussed 5 sleepers on Feb. 1.

From that list, Kaut has moved up to the point where he can't be called a sleeper anymore.

Besides, Wassenius I still really like Nyman. He is going in the 4th or 5th in most mock drafts. In a re-draft in 2023 I expect he will be high second round.

 

[HasbeenHallzy]

I've said this so many times, Kody Clark

 

[Gospel of Prospal]

After reading that Hockey Writers article, I'm on the Matt Struthers bandwagon.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

Dunno if he's sleeper but I'd be really happy if any of the teams i root for got Niklas Nordgren.