Nice write up! so a double overager, thats why I didnt see a game on prospect shifts lol. I certainly love that tool set though and I think Attard is the kind of picks were going to have to make in order to get those big physical dfensmen were looking for here.
As much as I would LOVE M.Robertson and Bjornfot at #34 its looking more and more like they may go in the 20's.
After those two, I feel like there is a drop off in the defensemen (depending on how you feel about Ryan Johnson and Kolyachonok) so My guess is the BPA at #34 is likely a forward like Hoglander or N. Robertson, Rees etc. etc. Like discussed the other day.
So my strategy would be to wait until #55,61 and see if theres a Korczak or Vlasic still there or whomever (Thrun, Helleson?). Plus there are lots of similar types that should be there even later Like Attard, Vjukoevic, Mccarthy, Tuomisto, Bolduc
Love this time of year, time to start looking at some forwards not named hughes...
Here's some draft capsules on the players you highlighted:
Ryan Johnson: I would wait on him. He has big-time upside and jets in his skates, but the Devils are not exactly starving for all-offense LD. I think he can go anywhere in the #30-#60 range, since he's a bit of a project.
Vyacheslav Kolyachonok: He really raised his stock at the U18 tourney for Belarus. He often got caught trying to do too much for a woeful Flint Firebirds squad during the season, but playing with a stronger supporting cast he showed terrific defensive maturity and his high-end skating/size (6'1-185) combo really shone through. His puck skills and shot may not be as high-end as a future top-pairing D would warrant, but he's a solid bet to be a minute munching mid-pair kind of player who can be relied on in all situations.
Alex Vlasic: I'm not as high on him as most. He's a big kid who skates well and occasionally shows flashes of offensive upside, but he also gets beaten one-on-one and in his own zone with far greater frequency than you would hope for a 6'6 defensive-minded rearguard. I'd go so far as to say he was the 7th best D on the US-NTDP this past season behind my top 6 of (in order) York, Helleson, McCarthy, Warren, Thrun & Fensore. His size will likely see him taken in the first 35 picks, and I would not risk it there in the finger-crossing hope that he will turn out to be Tyler Myers with more physicality. That being said, his size and athleticism gives him the hope of proving me wrong -- there is certainly upside here.
Kaeden Korczak: Love this kid, and there's no way he's still on the draft board at #55. If the Devils want him, they'll have to nab him at #34 --big, physical, mobile RD with shut-down capability and underrated offensive skill do not grow on trees and are extremely coveted by several NHL organizations. He'd be an absolutely perfect pairing with Ty Smith for the foreseeable future.
Henry Thrun: Smart and quietly effective two-way LD, but so quiet he will likely be available well into the third-round. Not a #34 pick, but a smart and safe pick thereafter.
Drew Helleson: combines size (6'3-200), strength and high-level smarts with and without the puck. More physical and better shooter than Thrun, though slightly less quick on his skates. Has the upside of a future, mid-pairing shut down RD, and in that sense would also make a great future pairing with Ty Smith. Very difficult to beat one-on-one. Helleson might be a bit of a reach at #34 due to lack of offensive upside -- he plays a simple, smart game and plays it extremely well. I'd say he's likely to go in the 45-75 range, and the Devils have three picks there which would all be well-used on him.
In sum, the Devils should not use #34 on Thrun or Helleson, simply because they are more likely to be found later in the draft. Vlasic and Johnson I would say are to be avoided there too -- Johnson has great upside but the Devils organization does not lack for his type of player, while Vlasic has some red flags which obscure a vague at best talent ceiling. Korczak and Kolyachonok, in my mind, would both be very good picks at #34 and, as such, both are extremely unlikely to be available when the Devils pick again at #55.