Zack22
Registered User
- Dec 6, 2016
- 136
- 102
With almost a week left I thought I'd give my thoughts on how I see this draft going.
1. New York Rangers (Via PHI Via DAL) – Alexis Lafreniere
After moving from 4th pick all the way up to number 1 GM Sean Gaffney is sprinting to the podium to take the consensus number 1 overall player Alexis Lafreniere, who will be the centre of NYR’s rebuild.
2. Philadelphia Flyers (Via NYR Via DET) – Quinton Byfield
Trading down one pick to get the guy they wanted, Philly selects the big mobile centreman in Byfield. Strong skating and great puck control is just some of the many talents of Byfield. With comparisons to guys like Getzlaf and Malkin, Byfield projects to be a first line centre.
3. Edmonton Oilers – Tim Stutzle
This pick could go in so many different directions, Drysdale for defence or maybe a playmaker like Raymond or even a centre in Rossi, but in the end it’s the German Stutzle. Stutzle is first of three German players in this draft with the chance of being selected in the first round. Stutzle has elite skating and playmaking ability, putting up 34 points in the DEL a league starting to become more noticeable for having strong competition. Putting up those numbers in a league full of men is the reason to pick him here.
4. Detroit Redwings (Via NYR) – Jaime Drysdale
After trading down from 2 and having the likes of Jack Hughes, Joe Veleno and Gabe VIlardi it seems that GM Zac Niece is looking for a franchise defender for his rebuild. Drysdale is an explosive skater with high IQ. His explosiveness is perfect for rushes to the offensive zone, however he is barley caught trying to pinch thanks to his great IQ. One knock on him is his size but considering he is on the younger side of this draft he still has plenty of time to bulk up.
5. Boston Bruins – Marco Rossi
The Austrian destroyed the OHL this year putting up 120 points in 56 games. He doesn’t have the size of Byfield or the speed of Stutzle but he is a gifted playmaker with high IQ. His vision is exceptional always being able to see the ice and find the open man. He can also run a powerplay from the half wall.
6. Columbus Blue Jackets – Cole Perfetti
I debated going with Sanderson here as Columbus has lots of fire power up front and could use a big reliable defenceman, but Perfetti’s shot is too good to pass up. Pairing his sniping abillity with kakko would be lethal. Although Perfetti is known for his shot he proved this year that he is an above average playmaker as well. Only downside is he has average speed for someone of his size.
7. Toronto Maple Leafs – Yaroslav Askarov
Personally, I don’t think the Leafs are in a rebuild stage. They have some good prospects coming up to compliment a decent number of good players in their prime. That being said why not use this pick on someone people are saying is one of the best goalie prospects in while. Even if he takes 4+ years to develop the Leafs will still be in contention during that time period.
8. Arizona Coyotes – Lukas Raymond
Raymond has loads of brains and skill. Even though he had a down year in Frolunda partially because of his 10 minutes per game he is still worth a top 10 pick. He is a pass first winger with soft hands and is always looking for the open man. He also has a good shot that is underutilized. With his offensive upside he also isn’t a big liability on defence because of his high IQ.
9. St. Louis Blues – Alexander Holtz
I also considered Sanderson here but went with the other Swedish forward. Holtz is known for his shot, but also has decent playmaking ability. He had a decent amount of playing time in the SHL putting up 16 points in 35 games.
10. Montreal Canadians – Anton Lundell
Lundell is a big beast. A two-way forward that will grind in the corners and bruise up the competition. Sure, he’s not the fastest but he makes up for that with his great puck control. He also puts in tons of effort in both sides of the game.
11. Calgary Flames – Rodion Amirov
Kershaw loves two things, Russin’s and Unicorn’s. Amirov is both. Amirov is a big winger who is also an above average skater. He’s got good hands and has an eye for loose pucks. Also has some experience on the PK.
12. Minnesota Wild (Via CHI) – Jake Sanderson
Minnesota is one first round pick away from drafting a full line. That being said with the first pick they take Jake Sanderson. Sanderson is probably the best defensive sound defenceman in this draft. He was the best defenceman for the USNDTP and also has offensive talent and room to grow in that section of his game.
13. Minnesota Wild (Via NJD) – Seth Jarvis
With their second pick they take a speedy forward out of the WHL. Probably the biggest riser this year. He is an offensive superstar with 98 points in 58 games for the winterhawks.
14. Minnesota Wild (Via OTT Via ANA) – Connor Zary
The Wild go back to the WHL with Zary. Zary has tons of skill and is one of the most fun players to watch in the WHL. He’s also very smart and can play a decent two-way game.
15. Philadelphia Flyers (Via WAS) – Noel Gunler
Gunler has exceptional upside, a great shot, good IQ, decent skating. His numbers were down this year because he did not play much. There were games he only played the last 2 mins of a game. Also for some reason the Swedish hockey federation doesn’t like him which is why he wasn’t selected for the world juniors. Philly having many picks in the first round take the gamble on him.
16. Minnesota Wild (Via SAN) – Hendrix Lapierre
With their last pick they take the biggest gamble in the draft Lapierre. He started off having an exceptional Hilinka-gretsky tournament and then the injuries came. Looked like he was picking it back up near the end of the year as well. He is now known for his head injuries and concussion concerns but if he stays healthy he could be the biggest steal in this draft.
17. Los Angeles Kings – Jack Quinn
As everyone knows Quinn has a wicked shot and scored 50 goals this season. Some people think that him playing on the stacked Ottawa 67’s was a big reason why. I think no matter which team he is on 50 goals is impressive.
18. Nashville Predators – Dawson Mercer
Mercer is a puck mover, can see the ice well and makes plenty of creative plays. Mercer is also good defensively and can play valuble PK minutes. One knock on him is his average speed. If he can improve his skating mercer will be a very helpful player.
19. Nashville Predators (Via VEG) – Brendon Brisson
The son of an NHL agent has very high IQ and lots of upside. His high IQ is noticed as he can make the easy play under pressure and seems to always have a sense for where the defenders are. One thing he could work on is his skating especially for someone his size.
20. Philadelphia (Via BUF) – Jacob Perrault
Philly goes with a pure offensive player for their next pick in Perrrault. He has a great shot, using to have back to back 30 goal season 1 off of 40 this year. Not the best defensively but worth it for the value he brings on offence.
21. Ottawa Senators - Jeremie Poirier
Ottawa has an aging defence core. Porier is an above average skater with good hockey sense and good playmaking ability. With his good vision he can find outlets to get the puck out of his zone. He may need a bit of work on his defensive game but he is a player with loads of offensive potential.
22. Carolina Hurricanes (Via PIT) – Dylan Holloway
Holloway is someone who seems like a lock to make the NHL whether its as a 3rd line centre or better is not known. He is someone who never gives up on a play, and willing to grind in the corners for the puck.
23. New York Islanders - William Wallinder
With their first pick in the first round the Islanders reach a bit for Wallinder. He has a great combination of size and speed, something you look for in a NHL defenceman. He also has great vision.
24. Vancouver Canucks – Kaiden Guhle
Guhle is a good defender, playing for one of the best defensive teams in the WHL. One thing he struggles with is creating offense and getting his shots to the net from the blue line.
25. Ottawa Senators (Via MIN) – Mavrik Bourque
He is pure skill. Bourque is a very creative playmaker, making your jaw drop with some of his passes. One thing that he lacks is consistency, during a losing streak getting 2 points then turning it up and getting 12 in a win streak.
26. Philadelphia Flyers – Ryan O’Rourke
After taking 3 forwards with their first three picks Philly decides to go with the speedy offensive defenseman. He has great vision and has the potential to QB an NHL power play. He also has good positioning on defence.
27. Florida Panthers – John-Jason Peterka
GM Brock Otten had the success in Germany last yeat with Seider so why not go back and pick another one in JJ Peterka. Peterka is very good at almost everything but there is nothing about his game that stands out.
28. Winnipeg Jets – Jan Mysak
Took the hockey world by storm when he came to the OHL and just exploded. Hes got good playmaking skills with soft hands and has worked on his two-way play.
29. Carolina Hurricanes – Braden Schnider
Big safe defenceman. Why not go safe on both picks for the hurricanes. Schnider is a very good defender with size and speed. I don’t think he will have much offensive upside but he will be a rock on defense.
30. New York Islanders (Via Col) – Lukas Reichel
Who doesn’t love the German’s this year? Reichel has lots of skill and IQ. He kind of came out of nowhere and had a great season in the DEL scoring 24 points in 42 games.
31. Tampa Bay Lightning – Vasili Ponomaryov
Ponomaryov has loads of IQ and is a very good two-way centre. He is someone that you can trust in the defensive zone and still has the potential to put up some points. The one concerning thing is his production putting up only 49 points in 57 games in the QMJHL.
1. New York Rangers (Via PHI Via DAL) – Alexis Lafreniere
After moving from 4th pick all the way up to number 1 GM Sean Gaffney is sprinting to the podium to take the consensus number 1 overall player Alexis Lafreniere, who will be the centre of NYR’s rebuild.
2. Philadelphia Flyers (Via NYR Via DET) – Quinton Byfield
Trading down one pick to get the guy they wanted, Philly selects the big mobile centreman in Byfield. Strong skating and great puck control is just some of the many talents of Byfield. With comparisons to guys like Getzlaf and Malkin, Byfield projects to be a first line centre.
3. Edmonton Oilers – Tim Stutzle
This pick could go in so many different directions, Drysdale for defence or maybe a playmaker like Raymond or even a centre in Rossi, but in the end it’s the German Stutzle. Stutzle is first of three German players in this draft with the chance of being selected in the first round. Stutzle has elite skating and playmaking ability, putting up 34 points in the DEL a league starting to become more noticeable for having strong competition. Putting up those numbers in a league full of men is the reason to pick him here.
4. Detroit Redwings (Via NYR) – Jaime Drysdale
After trading down from 2 and having the likes of Jack Hughes, Joe Veleno and Gabe VIlardi it seems that GM Zac Niece is looking for a franchise defender for his rebuild. Drysdale is an explosive skater with high IQ. His explosiveness is perfect for rushes to the offensive zone, however he is barley caught trying to pinch thanks to his great IQ. One knock on him is his size but considering he is on the younger side of this draft he still has plenty of time to bulk up.
5. Boston Bruins – Marco Rossi
The Austrian destroyed the OHL this year putting up 120 points in 56 games. He doesn’t have the size of Byfield or the speed of Stutzle but he is a gifted playmaker with high IQ. His vision is exceptional always being able to see the ice and find the open man. He can also run a powerplay from the half wall.
6. Columbus Blue Jackets – Cole Perfetti
I debated going with Sanderson here as Columbus has lots of fire power up front and could use a big reliable defenceman, but Perfetti’s shot is too good to pass up. Pairing his sniping abillity with kakko would be lethal. Although Perfetti is known for his shot he proved this year that he is an above average playmaker as well. Only downside is he has average speed for someone of his size.
7. Toronto Maple Leafs – Yaroslav Askarov
Personally, I don’t think the Leafs are in a rebuild stage. They have some good prospects coming up to compliment a decent number of good players in their prime. That being said why not use this pick on someone people are saying is one of the best goalie prospects in while. Even if he takes 4+ years to develop the Leafs will still be in contention during that time period.
8. Arizona Coyotes – Lukas Raymond
Raymond has loads of brains and skill. Even though he had a down year in Frolunda partially because of his 10 minutes per game he is still worth a top 10 pick. He is a pass first winger with soft hands and is always looking for the open man. He also has a good shot that is underutilized. With his offensive upside he also isn’t a big liability on defence because of his high IQ.
9. St. Louis Blues – Alexander Holtz
I also considered Sanderson here but went with the other Swedish forward. Holtz is known for his shot, but also has decent playmaking ability. He had a decent amount of playing time in the SHL putting up 16 points in 35 games.
10. Montreal Canadians – Anton Lundell
Lundell is a big beast. A two-way forward that will grind in the corners and bruise up the competition. Sure, he’s not the fastest but he makes up for that with his great puck control. He also puts in tons of effort in both sides of the game.
11. Calgary Flames – Rodion Amirov
Kershaw loves two things, Russin’s and Unicorn’s. Amirov is both. Amirov is a big winger who is also an above average skater. He’s got good hands and has an eye for loose pucks. Also has some experience on the PK.
12. Minnesota Wild (Via CHI) – Jake Sanderson
Minnesota is one first round pick away from drafting a full line. That being said with the first pick they take Jake Sanderson. Sanderson is probably the best defensive sound defenceman in this draft. He was the best defenceman for the USNDTP and also has offensive talent and room to grow in that section of his game.
13. Minnesota Wild (Via NJD) – Seth Jarvis
With their second pick they take a speedy forward out of the WHL. Probably the biggest riser this year. He is an offensive superstar with 98 points in 58 games for the winterhawks.
14. Minnesota Wild (Via OTT Via ANA) – Connor Zary
The Wild go back to the WHL with Zary. Zary has tons of skill and is one of the most fun players to watch in the WHL. He’s also very smart and can play a decent two-way game.
15. Philadelphia Flyers (Via WAS) – Noel Gunler
Gunler has exceptional upside, a great shot, good IQ, decent skating. His numbers were down this year because he did not play much. There were games he only played the last 2 mins of a game. Also for some reason the Swedish hockey federation doesn’t like him which is why he wasn’t selected for the world juniors. Philly having many picks in the first round take the gamble on him.
16. Minnesota Wild (Via SAN) – Hendrix Lapierre
With their last pick they take the biggest gamble in the draft Lapierre. He started off having an exceptional Hilinka-gretsky tournament and then the injuries came. Looked like he was picking it back up near the end of the year as well. He is now known for his head injuries and concussion concerns but if he stays healthy he could be the biggest steal in this draft.
17. Los Angeles Kings – Jack Quinn
As everyone knows Quinn has a wicked shot and scored 50 goals this season. Some people think that him playing on the stacked Ottawa 67’s was a big reason why. I think no matter which team he is on 50 goals is impressive.
18. Nashville Predators – Dawson Mercer
Mercer is a puck mover, can see the ice well and makes plenty of creative plays. Mercer is also good defensively and can play valuble PK minutes. One knock on him is his average speed. If he can improve his skating mercer will be a very helpful player.
19. Nashville Predators (Via VEG) – Brendon Brisson
The son of an NHL agent has very high IQ and lots of upside. His high IQ is noticed as he can make the easy play under pressure and seems to always have a sense for where the defenders are. One thing he could work on is his skating especially for someone his size.
20. Philadelphia (Via BUF) – Jacob Perrault
Philly goes with a pure offensive player for their next pick in Perrrault. He has a great shot, using to have back to back 30 goal season 1 off of 40 this year. Not the best defensively but worth it for the value he brings on offence.
21. Ottawa Senators - Jeremie Poirier
Ottawa has an aging defence core. Porier is an above average skater with good hockey sense and good playmaking ability. With his good vision he can find outlets to get the puck out of his zone. He may need a bit of work on his defensive game but he is a player with loads of offensive potential.
22. Carolina Hurricanes (Via PIT) – Dylan Holloway
Holloway is someone who seems like a lock to make the NHL whether its as a 3rd line centre or better is not known. He is someone who never gives up on a play, and willing to grind in the corners for the puck.
23. New York Islanders - William Wallinder
With their first pick in the first round the Islanders reach a bit for Wallinder. He has a great combination of size and speed, something you look for in a NHL defenceman. He also has great vision.
24. Vancouver Canucks – Kaiden Guhle
Guhle is a good defender, playing for one of the best defensive teams in the WHL. One thing he struggles with is creating offense and getting his shots to the net from the blue line.
25. Ottawa Senators (Via MIN) – Mavrik Bourque
He is pure skill. Bourque is a very creative playmaker, making your jaw drop with some of his passes. One thing that he lacks is consistency, during a losing streak getting 2 points then turning it up and getting 12 in a win streak.
26. Philadelphia Flyers – Ryan O’Rourke
After taking 3 forwards with their first three picks Philly decides to go with the speedy offensive defenseman. He has great vision and has the potential to QB an NHL power play. He also has good positioning on defence.
27. Florida Panthers – John-Jason Peterka
GM Brock Otten had the success in Germany last yeat with Seider so why not go back and pick another one in JJ Peterka. Peterka is very good at almost everything but there is nothing about his game that stands out.
28. Winnipeg Jets – Jan Mysak
Took the hockey world by storm when he came to the OHL and just exploded. Hes got good playmaking skills with soft hands and has worked on his two-way play.
29. Carolina Hurricanes – Braden Schnider
Big safe defenceman. Why not go safe on both picks for the hurricanes. Schnider is a very good defender with size and speed. I don’t think he will have much offensive upside but he will be a rock on defense.
30. New York Islanders (Via Col) – Lukas Reichel
Who doesn’t love the German’s this year? Reichel has lots of skill and IQ. He kind of came out of nowhere and had a great season in the DEL scoring 24 points in 42 games.
31. Tampa Bay Lightning – Vasili Ponomaryov
Ponomaryov has loads of IQ and is a very good two-way centre. He is someone that you can trust in the defensive zone and still has the potential to put up some points. The one concerning thing is his production putting up only 49 points in 57 games in the QMJHL.
