2019 Draft Thread

[JTToilinginToronto]

Always go BPA, but I hope the BPA is a center where we pick. We're in pretty desperate need of one.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Always go BPA, but I hope the BPA is a center where we pick. We're in pretty desperate need of one.

It's well-known that center is an organizational weakness.

It can be addressed in a number of ways.

I think as time goes by, and we experience more and more drafts, it becomes clearer and clearer that drafting for need, even slightly, and especially in the first few rounds, almost never leads to the best possible solution.

By the time most kids are ready, that need has usually changed.

But your hopes could be answered as there seem to be a number of centers of note throughout the first round.

 

[BarBeauWahlDobLok]

I want Connor McMichael, or I want Edmonton to get Connor McMichael.

 

[Sparksrus3]

Not a negative bump. Ha Ha

With the 31st pick in the 2019 NHL draft the Isles select who cares we won the Cup

 

[YearlyLottery]

Isles won't have a shot at him but man I would love to have Newhook in the system.

 

[SI90]

Isles won't have a shot at him but man I would love to have Newhook in the system.

Me too. I said the same a few weeks ago. Who knows. Maybe he drops. Reminds me of a goal scoring Barzal.

 

[YearlyLottery]

Me too. I said the same a few weeks ago. Who knows. Maybe he drops. Reminds me of a goal scoring Barzal.

The only reason he would drop that I can think of is because of the league that he plays in. I am not fully confident Lou holds onto the first rounder anyway.

 

[SI90]

The only reason he would drop that I can think of is because of the league that he plays in. I am not fully confident Lou holds onto the first rounder anyway.

There’s a few good centers I really would
Love.

Newhook Zegras and Turcotte.

I’m not against trading the first though.

 

[MattMartin]

I'm liking the Lavoie kid...

 

[MattMartin]

Mock Draft - 1st round - updated on Feb. 26th.


1 *
Jack Hughes
Ht/Wt:5'10"/160 lbs
Position:C

2
Kaapo Kakko
Ht/Wt:6' 2"/194 lbs
Position:RW

​

3
Kirby Dach
Ht/Wt:6' 4"/185 lbs
Position:C

​

4
Dylan Cozens
Ht/Wt:6' 3"/181 lbs
Position:RW

​

5
Trevor Zegras
Ht/Wt:5'11"/165 lbs
Position:C

​

6
Vasili Podkolzin
Ht/Wt:6' 0"/185 lbs
Position:RW

​

7
Matthew Boldy
Ht/Wt:6' 0"/175 lbs
Position:C/RW

​

8
Bowen Byram
Ht/Wt:6' 1"/191 lbs
Position:LHD

​

9
Peyton Krebs
Ht/Wt:5'11"/175 lbs
Position:C/LW

​

10
Alex Turcotte
Ht/Wt:5'11"/194 lbs
Position:C

​

11
Philip Broberg
Ht/Wt:6' 3"/200 lbs
Position:LHD

​

12
Alex Newhook
Ht/Wt:5'11"/185 lbs
Position:C

​

13
Arthur Kaliyev
Ht/Wt:6' 1"/165 lbs
Position:LW
Team: Hamilton (OHL)

​

14
Victor Soderstrom
Ht/Wt:5'11"/175 lbs
Position:RHD

​

15
Cole Caufield
Ht/Wt:5' 7"/165 lbs
Position:C/RW

​

16
Cam York
Ht/Wt:5'11"/165 lbs
Position:LHD

​

17
Moritz Seider
Ht/Wt:6' 4"/185 lbs
Position:RHD

​

18
Ryan Suzuki
Ht/Wt:6' 0"/175 lbs
Position:C

​

19 *
Thomas Harley
Ht/Wt:6' 3"/185 lbs
Position:LHD

​

20
Bobby Brink
Ht/Wt:5'10"/165 lbs
Position:C

​

21
Raphael Lavoie
Ht/Wt:6' 4"/190 lbs
Position:C/RW

​

22 *
Jakob Pelletier
Ht/Wt:5' 9"/160 lbs
Position:C/LW

​

23
Connor McMichael
Ht/Wt:5'11"/170 lbs
Position:C

​

24 *
Anttoni Honka
Ht/Wt:5'10"/170 lbs
Position:RHD

​

25
Nils Hoglander
Ht/Wt:5' 9"/185 lbs
Position:LW

​

26
Nicholas Robertson
Ht/Wt:5' 9"/160 lbs
Position:LW

​

27 *
Matthew Robertson
Ht/Wt:6' 3"/195 lbs
Position:LHD

​

28
Brett Leason
Ht/Wt:6' 5"/200 lbs
Position:C

29 *
Ville Heinola
Ht/Wt:5'11"/175 lbs
Position:LHD

​

30
Phillip Tomasino
Ht/Wt:5'11"/170 lbs
Position:C

​

31 *
Albin Grewe
Ht/Wt:6' 0"/175 lbs
Position:RW


Below is the one from August to see who moved where....

1 Jack Hughes

​

2 *Alex Newhook

3 Kaapo Kakko

​

4 Peyton Krebs

5 Alex Turcotte

​

6 Kirby Dach

7 Bowen Byram

​

8 Dylan Cozens

​

9 Raphael Lavoie

10 Anttoni Honka

​

11 Trevor Zegras

​

12 Matthew Robertson

​

13 Arthur Kaliyev

​

14 Ryan Suzuki

​

15 Blake Murray

16 Nolan Foote

​

17 * Cole Caufield

​

18 Cam York

​

19 Matthew Boldy

​

20 Victor Soderstrom

​

21 Vasili Podkolzin

​

22 Tobias Bjornfot

​

23 * Mikko Kokkonen

​

24 Marshall Warren

​

25 Nils Hoglander

​

26 Samuel Poulin

​

27 Valentin Nussbaumer

​

28 Artemi Knyazev

​

29 Alex Vlasic

​

30 Maxim Cajkovic

31 Albin Grewe

 

[dlawong]

Isles won't have a shot at him but man I would love to have Newhook in the system.

Me too.

 

[danteipp]

In what looks like a forward-heavy draft, it would be great if the BPA was a center either at the Isles pick or in a spot that they can reasonably get up to, if needed.

That said, who has any info to add on Thomas Harley? It sounds like he is expected to go in the 15-20 range right now? From what little I have seen and read, he sure looks like an interesting prospect.

A LHD with good size, speed, edgework and offensive instincts he needs to improve defensively (fairly reasonable expectation in a Trotz system) and add size to his lanky frame. It might be a "luxury pick", given the Isles depth on defense at the NHL and AHL levels plus Dobson and Wilde in the system (although both are RHDs), but I have no problem with continuing to accumulate quality players on defense and perhaps make a trade later.

Presumably he would be gone before the Isles draft, but you never know if the Isles slump a bit at the end and finish lower in the standings and/or other teams go forward heavy in the draft. What are others thoughts on Harley as a prospect?

 

[SI90]

In what looks like a forward-heavy draft, it would be great if the BPA was a center either at the Isles pick or in a spot that they can reasonably get up to, if needed.

That said, who has any info to add on Thomas Harley? It sounds like he is expected to go in the 15-20 range right now? From what little I have seen and read, he sure looks like an interesting prospect.

A LHD with good size, speed, edgework and offensive instincts he needs to improve defensively (fairly reasonable expectation in a Trotz system) and add size to his lanky frame. It might be a "luxury pick", given the Isles depth on defense at the NHL and AHL levels plus Dobson and Wilde in the system (although both are RHDs), but I have no problem with continuing to accumulate quality players on defense and perhaps make a trade later.

Presumably he would be gone before the Isles draft, but you never know if the Isles slump a bit at the end and finish lower in the standings and/or other teams go forward heavy in the draft. What are others thoughts on Harley as a prospect?

I love him!!! I said awhile ago I saw him play and he reminded me of Devon Toews. Good skater with size and good positioning.

He wasn’t even on my radar until I saw a steelheads game and he really stuck out. After that I started researching him and saw that he was a top prospect expected to go within the first 2 rounds. Probably a safer bet that he’s a first at this point.

 

[Bill Herlyn]

John Beecher could be a good late 1st round pick for the Islanders. Big, strong and good compete!

 

[Islesfan22]

This thread became popular all of a sudden.

 

[GrandmaSlices51631]

I sincerely hope we package the pick in a deal acquire a 2C , however, if we have the pick when we are on the clock I would love Lavoie , seems like a gamer

 

[Konk]

In what looks like a forward-heavy draft, it would be great if the BPA was a center either at the Isles pick or in a spot that they can reasonably get up to, if needed.

That said, who has any info to add on Thomas Harley? It sounds like he is expected to go in the 15-20 range right now? From what little I have seen and read, he sure looks like an interesting prospect.

A LHD with good size, speed, edgework and offensive instincts he needs to improve defensively (fairly reasonable expectation in a Trotz system) and add size to his lanky frame. It might be a "luxury pick", given the Isles depth on defense at the NHL and AHL levels plus Dobson and Wilde in the system (although both are RHDs), but I have no problem with continuing to accumulate quality players on defense and perhaps make a trade later.

Presumably he would be gone before the Isles draft, but you never know if the Isles slump a bit at the end and finish lower in the standings and/or other teams go forward heavy in the draft. What are others thoughts on Harley as a prospect?

Harley is a great skater, his offensive skills are good, not great, and his defense needs some work. I don't think he has top pairing potential from what I've seen over the past few years, but he could be a top four guy if given the right amount of time to develop. His size and skating alone will take him to the show.

A guy I like a bit more, granted only from my limited viewing at the WJC, but I really like Ville Heinola. His IQ really sticks out and while he's undersized, his offensive capabilities are very impressive. All reports from his Liiga play seem to bring Heiskanen comparisons. I would take a chance on him if he's still there in the 20s, wherever we pick.

 

[Konk]

Another guy I love who reminds me a lot of Zach Parise is Jakob Pelletier. High IQ speedster from the Q can score goals and plays with a really high motor. Smallish at 5'9'', but he plays with Cizikas-like tempo. I think he's the type of player you win with, regardless of his size. He's a 'battler'.

 

[Barzy96]

I don't really understand the hype around Lavoie. I saw him live earlier this season and I honestly wasn't impressed at all. He has a very odd skating stride that definitely slows him down. I'd stay away.

 

[Newsworthy]

The bad part is the players we need to make the team better will be taken by the time we select. The Islanders are coming down to earth so maybe that changes but missing the playoffs barely and losing out on a top prospect is a recipe for disaster.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

I sincerely hope we package the pick in a deal acquire a 2C , however, if we have the pick when we are on the clock I would love Lavoie , seems like a gamer

I sincerely hope we deal for a #2 center AND keep our 1st round pick.

Such things are possible... you'd be surprised!

Lou, you're our boy!

 

[saintunspecified]

The bad part is the players we need to make the team better will be taken by the time we select. The Islanders are coming down to earth so maybe that changes but missing the playoffs barely and losing out on a top prospect is a recipe for disaster.

Unless the team absolutely tanked it from the start, it is extremely unlikely that NYI would get a consensus impact blue-chip prospect. From what I read NYI should get someone like Tomasino, who seems a safe bet to be a top-9 player, but could turn out to be better. And that sounds like a lot of players outside of the top 8 or so in this draft.

 

[danteipp]

Harley is a great skater, his offensive skills are good, not great, and his defense needs some work. I don't think he has top pairing potential from what I've seen over the past few years, but he could be a top four guy if given the right amount of time to develop. His size and skating alone will take him to the show.

A guy I like a bit more, granted only from my limited viewing at the WJC, but I really like Ville Heinola. His IQ really sticks out and while he's undersized, his offensive capabilities are very impressive. All reports from his Liiga play seem to bring Heiskanen comparisons. I would take a chance on him if he's still there in the 20s, wherever we pick.

Ironically, The Sporting News just put out a mock draft today and had Harley and Heinola going in the two picks right before the Isles select John Beecher at #29.

Outside of his size, Beecher at #29 seems too high to me. Maybe early-to-mid second. If the Isles slide a bit in the standings (ideally staying at #2 in the Metro), perhaps they get lucky and make the playoffs with home ice in the first round AND get a nice prospect.

Here is the link to their mock draft: NHL mock draft 2019: Senators, Rangers, Ducks gain stock in post-trade deadline edition

 

[seafoam]

Brent’s second son and another Friar (when Lou started his career). Right handed center with decent frame.

 

[CREW99AW]

The only reason he would drop that I can think of is because of the league that he plays in. I am not fully confident Lou holds onto the first rounder anyway.

That close to July 1st, I expect Lou to keep the 2019 1st and make a run at Panarin or Duchene. Big name players he pushed for during the regular season.