2021 NHL Draft Thread (All draft, lottery, and prospect talk)

[EDM]

If Jarmo wants center prospects, he should focus upon McTaich in the draft rather than a d-man at No. 5

 

[KJ Dangler]

If Jarmo wants center prospects, he should focus upon McTaich in the draft rather than a d-man at No. 5

Hope not .. his ceiling is most likely a #2c. Safe pick, but underwhelming at 5 .

 

[EDM]

I hope we would gladly take a "safe pick" second line center who plays with a mean streak and is strong around the net. He would fit in perfectly as Roslovic develops into a 1C. In fact, in a year or two we could be feeling very good with a young 1-2 punch of Roslovic and McTavich as our top centers.

 

[EDM]

And I will bet you $100 that Roslovic is working his arse off this summer trying to improve his face off techniques. Ros is living his dream playing in his home town. He will do everything possible to develop the very obvious potential he has. That is one of the reasons I hope we are not in an Eichel kind of mood. Whether we are in a rebuild or a reload we can take a year or two to allow a first line talent like Ros to develop into what he can be.

 

[EDM]

Remember Ros IS a former first round pick.

 

[Long Live Lyle]

I hope we would gladly take a "safe pick" second line center who plays with a mean streak and is strong around the net. He would fit in perfectly as Roslovic develops into a 1C. In fact, in a year or two we could be feeling very good with a young 1-2 punch of Roslovic and McTavich as our top centers.

I like Jack, but this team is never winning the Cup if he's the first-line center.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Getting a solid 2nd line center at 5 is pretty good value. Of course everyone wants to draft a star in the top 5-10, but its not always that easy.

I'm not convinced Mctavish is a 2nd line C. I think he has that potential, but I think I see more 3C in his upside. Valuable piece, but I'm not high on the offensive upside. I won't hate if we draft him, he's on my list after all, but I have him near the bottom.

(Asusming Beniers and Power are gone)
1. Hughes
2. Eklund
3. Clarke
4. Edvinsson
5. McTavish
6. Guenther
7. Johnson

 

[jacketman10]

The thought that this team is going to win a Stanley Cup anywhere close to a decade out is crazy, imo.

I want to hit on a star but McTavish could be a player a lot like Boone but with more goals. Just want Jarmo to pick right and Larsen to develop whoever it is.

 

[majormajor]

I want to hit on a star but McTavish could be a player a lot like Boone but with more goals.

That's his absolute floor. McTavish is going to be a beast in the NHL and score a lot of goals.

 

[Youngguns80]

That's his absolute floor. McTavish is going to be a beast in the NHL and score a lot of goals.

I admire your optimism but I don’t see it. A gifted grinder but not a top line center and a reach for a number 5 pick who is an average skater

 

[EDM]

Grinders are the ones who help skilled players win Cups.

 

[EspenK]

I've read comparisons of McTavish to Pavelski. Sign me up if that comes close to happening. Also he can play wing if the C thing doesn't work. He's my pick. I doubt he is Jarmo's.

 

[Youngguns80]

Grinders are the ones who help skilled players win Cups.

I agree. Every Team needs a grinder. A 1st line Center in my definition is usually a play driver, distributor and a 3rd defensemen. In order to do that the skating has to be on point. Remember this is ice hockey and not ball hockey. This is why is Eklund, Beniers, Johnson is there - I would take them in a minute over McTavish. Even though Eklund isn’t a Center - he has significantly higher upside and can find open players

From Hockey’s Black Book

His skating wasn’t the only area that we found faults though. McTavish had a natural release and a goal scorers release last season, but he had difficulty finding his teammates at the rate needed. We originally classified him as a sniper who was going to most likely be a complimentary piece on a line, who lacked the vision necessary to be anything more than a shooting specialist. Yet, this past season, Mason demonstrated from the first drop of the puck that he was a more comfortable and a more aware passer. Is he a dynamic passer like William Eklund or Kent Johnson? No, but he doesn’t have to be. The way that McTavish operates with his playmaking is to use short area passes, in order to set up the conditions on the ice necessary to get off his lethal wrist shot, during give-and-go sequences both off the rush and the cycle. Like Othmann, he also looks to incorporate his frame into his playmaking; guarding the puck on his backhand, and finding trailing options, drop pass options, or quick hook passes through out reached sticks in short areas. He can occasionally thread a high end pass while in motion, but he looks to conduct his playmaking primarily through safer, more efficient options.

Is he a good prospect -yes but not a 1st line talent. Which is what we should be thinking at #5

 

[KJ Dangler]

I agree. Every Team needs a grinder. A 1st line Center in my definition is usually a play driver, distributor and a 3rd defensemen. In order to do that the skating has to be on point. Remember this is ice hockey and not ball hockey. This is why is Eklund, Beniers, Johnson is there - I would take them in a minute over McTavish. Even though Eklund isn’t a Center - he has significantly higher upside and can find open players

From Hockey’s Black Book

His skating wasn’t the only area that we found faults though. McTavish had a natural release and a goal scorers release last season, but he had difficulty finding his teammates at the rate needed. We originally classified him as a sniper who was going to most likely be a complimentary piece on a line, who lacked the vision necessary to be anything more than a shooting specialist. Yet, this past season, Mason demonstrated from the first drop of the puck that he was a more comfortable and a more aware passer. Is he a dynamic passer like William Eklund or Kent Johnson? No, but he doesn’t have to be. The way that McTavish operates with his playmaking is to use short area passes, in order to set up the conditions on the ice necessary to get off his lethal wrist shot, during give-and-go sequences both off the rush and the cycle. Like Othmann, he also looks to incorporate his frame into his playmaking; guarding the puck on his backhand, and finding trailing options, drop pass options, or quick hook passes through out reached sticks in short areas. He can occasionally thread a high end pass while in motion, but he looks to conduct his playmaking primarily through safer, more efficient options.

Is he a good prospect -yes but not a 1st line talent. Which is what we should be thinking at #5

More of the same of what cbj fans are used to .. bypass skilled players , and playmakers for the comfort of heavy style , hard work type players . I’m not saying we don’t need more grit , but grit and skill can be found all over the draft . Highly skilled playmakers are usually not found later in draft . Mctavish is possibly a top 10-15 talent , but would be a massive reach at 5 . If Eklund is there , you take him . This team has nearly 0 playmakers . You want to improve the powerplay , you get guys that can create , see the ice , great passers . You have guys like Chinakov, Laine , Bemstrom that can snipe the puck . Aside from Roslovic , you have no one that can carry the puck , that can set these players up on a regular basis .

 

[KJ Dangler]

Getting a solid 2nd line center at 5 is pretty good value. Of course everyone wants to draft a star in the top 5-10, but its not always that easy.

I'm not convinced Mctavish is a 2nd line C. I think he has that potential, but I think I see more 3C in his upside. Valuable piece, but I'm not high on the offensive upside. I won't hate if we draft him, he's on my list after all, but I have him near the bottom.

(Asusming Beniers and Power are gone)
1. Hughes
2. Eklund
3. Clarke
4. Edvinsson
5. McTavish
6. Guenther
7. Johnson

I’d put Guenther and Johnson over Mctavish as well . From what’s leaked , we know we have interviewed Guenther multiple times.

 

[Youngguns80]

If we take a defensemen or settle for McTavish at #5. We have seriously missed and I have no idea what the front office is thinking. Scoring has been abysmal and the PP has been non-existent. Pick a playdriver/skill. Then pick a defensemen. We only have one puck carrier (Roslovic) and no dynamic passers to get the puck to our scorers (Bjork, Laine, Atkinson, Nyquist)

Notice a different Team with the Breadman (playmaker/skill). The engine as they say is an Eklund, Johnson type of player

 

[KJ Dangler]

If we take a defensemen or settle for McTavish at #5. We have seriously missed and I have no idea what the front office is thinking. Scoring has been abysmal and the PP has been non-existent. Pick a playdriver/skill. Then pick a defensemen. We only have one puck carrier (Roslovic) and no dynamic passers to get the puck to our scorers (Bjork, Laine, Atkinson, Nyquist)

Notice a different Team with the Breadman (playmaker/skill). The engine as they say is an Eklund, Johnson type of player

I may be ok with Hughes / Edvinsson if they nearly positive they can become Elite defenseman , just from standpoint next yr is loaded with Elite forwards , but totally agree that when bread left , he was a playmaker , and you see what that does for a team . Roslovic , same thing … other than that , you think back on this franchise , what playmakers have we really had ? We traded Voracek just when he was on the brink of becoming a great player .
So yeah , Eklund is a no brainer if not gone .. same with Beniers .. after that I would take Power, Hughes , and maybe entertain trading down a bit if those players are gone . Johnson I think will go no later than 10

 

[CBJWerenski8]

If we take a defensemen or settle for McTavish at #5. We have seriously missed and I have no idea what the front office is thinking. Scoring has been abysmal and the PP has been non-existent. Pick a playdriver/skill. Then pick a defensemen. We only have one puck carrier (Roslovic) and no dynamic passers to get the puck to our scorers (Bjork, Laine, Atkinson, Nyquist)

Notice a different Team with the Breadman (playmaker/skill). The engine as they say is an Eklund, Johnson type of player

You can’t force a square peg in a round hole. It’s not how it works. Ideally we would draft the next coming of McDavid at center or something but that’s just not happening with this draft.

The top 5 is loaded with defenseman. If a Beniers or Eklund falls to your lap, then sure, take one of them and be happy. But if they don’t (and they likely won’t) you have to take the best available player and most of them are defenseman. As T5L said, next years draft is littered with star forwards. We’re going to be in the lottery again next year, so take our D this year, and build the F core next year.

With our other picks we can try to fill out our depth F prospect pool or build up our D pool. You can go either way there. But I am strongly advocating a D at 5

 

[Youngguns80]

So yeah , Eklund is a no brainer if not gone .. same with Beniers .. after that I would take Power, Hughes , and maybe entertain trading down a bit if those players are gone . Johnson I think will go no later than 10

If we can’t trade to 1 or 2 to get Beniers then go after Eklund at #5 - if he is there. If not trade down to 7-9 to get Kent Johnson and pick up another pick this year in the 10-20 range or next year 1st round.

 

[Fro]

5 days to go...

 

[Youngguns80]

5 days to go...

Please no Brandt Clarke - He is ranked number 10 as a prospect in 2021 and his skating and defensive lapses drag him down.

Here is the conclusion of his evaluation -

There’s a lot of offensive upside, and plenty of drive and determination. He’s a player who’s learned to adapt his skating, to the point where we believe he can translate successfully to the NHL. We think that there is a chance that everything will need to go right in his development for him to log big minutes as a complete, top-pairing defenseman. Therefore our ranking reflects our evaluation on the likelihood of that outcome. We believe he could develop into an insulated second pairing defenseman who can rack up points for a team.

You don’t spend a #5 pick on a second pairing insulated defensemen. Trade down

 

[Fro]

Please no Brandt Clarke - He is ranked number 10 as a prospect in 2021 and his skating and defensive lapses drag him down.

Here is the conclusion of his evaluation -

There’s a lot of offensive upside, and plenty of drive and determination. He’s a player who’s learned to adapt his skating, to the point where we believe he can translate successfully to the NHL. We think that there is a chance that everything will need to go right in his development for him to log big minutes as a complete, top-pairing defenseman. Therefore our ranking reflects our evaluation on the likelihood of that outcome. We believe he could develop into an insulated second pairing defenseman who can rack up points for a team.

You don’t spend a #5 pick on a second pairing insulated defensemen. Trade down

I think he is a 1D, and have for a long time...he is ranked #2 in some pubs, and #6 over all by Bobby mac...

 

[majormajor]

More of the same of what cbj fans are used to .. bypass skilled players , and playmakers for the comfort of heavy style , hard work type players . I’m not saying we don’t need more grit , but grit and skill can be found all over the draft . Highly skilled playmakers are usually not found later in draft . Mctavish is possibly a top 10-15 talent , but would be a massive reach at 5 . If Eklund is there , you take him . This team has nearly 0 playmakers . You want to improve the powerplay , you get guys that can create , see the ice , great passers . You have guys like Chinakov, Laine , Bemstrom that can snipe the puck . Aside from Roslovic , you have no one that can carry the puck , that can set these players up on a regular basis .

I'm with you on valuing playmaking over finishing, given what we have. But to say we are used to "heavy style" is a bit misleading, considering that about the only heavy style guy we have on the roster right now was drafted in 2011 (Boone Jenner). We have a big shortage in several things right now:

heavy/grit
playmaking
strong centers
RD

McTavish hits 2 of the 4.

Edit: I'll also add that his goal scoring style isn't functionally redundant with the snipers we have, as he's more of a slot/netfront scorer, in the style of a bigger Pavelski.

For me I'd put Eklund ahead if I thought he'd be an elite winger but I don't see that with him. With what I'm imagining of their upsides, Eklund will be an easier kind of player to find than McTavish will be.

 

[Youngguns80]

No - D at the 5th pick. Again we have 2 fantastic D-men currently and the team is bad. Why because no play-drivers/playmakers/high-end skill.

No Brandt Clark, Luke Hughes, Simon Edvinson is going to change that. Add a Matt Beniers or a William Eklund will change that. Don’t settle for mediocrity. We need a puck carrier, set-up and skill guy (remember Panarin). Case and point. Laine, Nyquist, Bjork and others need this type of guy to free others to their strengths.

 

[majormajor]

If we take a defensemen or settle for McTavish at #5. We have seriously missed and I have no idea what the front office is thinking. Scoring has been abysmal and the PP has been non-existent. Pick a playdriver/skill. Then pick a defensemen. We only have one puck carrier (Roslovic) and no dynamic passers to get the puck to our scorers (Bjork, Laine, Atkinson, Nyquist)

Notice a different Team with the Breadman (playmaker/skill). The engine as they say is an Eklund, Johnson type of player

If you want PP help then grab a guy like McTavish when you can. That guy has rare goal scoring ability in the netfront and slot. We have good halfwall shooters and that's about it.

Of course if you see anyone with elite playmaking ability grab that first. But I think Eklund and Johnson are getting overrated in that regard just because they are currently the best playmakers in this draft, they're really nothing compared to the playmakers we see in some drafts. Johnson has to take some big steps or he won't even make the NHL, while with Eklund I just don't see that much upside.

Edit:

McTavish doesn't have plus vision, though he's fine. But when he wants to make a pass his touch is superb. His hands are great all around. Look at this little backhand pass.