Pre-Game Talk: 2024 Draft Thread

[Blueston]

I went back and watched the last two games of the tourney. Was out of town for them. Freij was arguably the best player on the ice. Defensively and offensively he shined. The handling, passing, and shot selection. Net front (did well but surprised), closing gaps, and transition. I don’t see where a Greentree, Connelly, or Nygard are a better pick. He may produce more than they do. He was flying on the rush when he turned on the jets. See some Josi in his game.

After seeing Freij dominate the bronze medal game I rewatched the Canada-Sweden semi to make sure I wasn’t giving him too much credit for beating up on lesser team. He was great against Canada too. The ice was tilted when he was on it. He (and Petterson up front too) was able to get where he wanted and drive o from back end without allowing much against. I am tempted to move him into top 10. His upside is absurd, but with even normal progression I think he becomes top 4D. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is gone by our pick.

That’s a solid list. Not big on the Russian mid tier guys?

Thanks. After top few Russians I think you still downgrade them both because lack of international competition limits heads-up matchups to view and also because you have less control on their post-draft development so that adds to risk. There can be real value in some of those guys, but that is why I don’t rank them as high (it’s a risk adjustment).

 

[Blueston]

I wouldn’t have taken Hage to be a 3rd or 4th line center either for Canada. His defense is pretty poor. He is no Beaudoin for sure. New found respect for Coles future after WJCs.

Boisvert would have Greentrees problem of being too slow for the pace.

Beaudoin made huge impression. Love his game. I think his offensive skills/instincts run 3rd line more than 2nd but he is guy you want.

Hage and Boisvert I would have liked to see in u18 to get more accurate measuring stick. My sense is they have the upside to go higher, but are a bit further behind the guys ranked ahead of them. I struggled where to place them.

 

[bleedblue1223]

After seeing Freij dominate the bronze medal game I rewatched the Canada-Sweden semi to make sure I wasn’t giving him too much credit for beating up on lesser team. He was great against Canada too. The ice was tilted when he was on it. He (and Petterson up front too) was able to get where he wanted and drive o from back end without allowing much against. I am tempted to move him into top 10. His upside is absurd, but with even normal progression I think he becomes top 4D. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is gone by our pick.


Thanks. After top few Russians I think you still downgrade them both because lack of international competition limits heads-up matchups to view and also because you have less control on their post-draft development so that adds to risk. There can be real value in some of those guys, but that is why I don’t rank them as high (it’s a risk adjustment).

What sort of player do you see Freij comparable to?

 

[Blueston]

What sort of player do you see Freij comparable to?

I see some Luke Hughes. Someone mentioned Josi. He has some heiskanen about him, but don’t expect him to reach that level defensively. I see some Quinn Hughes in him but he is bigger and not quite as quick (nobody is) as Quinn.

 

[bleedblue1223]

I see some Luke Hughes. Someone mentioned Josi. He has some heiskanen about him, but don’t expect him to reach that level defensively. I see some Quinn Hughes in him but he is bigger and not quite as quick (nobody is) as Quinn.

That's what I was thinking too, thanks for confirming. I'm a bit more hopeful a defenseman like him can rise up or even force another dman to fall to us.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

I see some Luke Hughes. Someone mentioned Josi. He has some heiskanen about him, but don’t expect him to reach that level defensively. I see some Quinn Hughes in him but he is bigger and not quite as quick (nobody is) as Quinn.

I said Josi as he is really slick and calm but not overly physical but solid overall on both ends of the ice.

 

[jbron]

Totally agree with the recent comments on Freij. I think he would be a solid selection at # 16.
The key with him is his focus and skating ability. Further, it's the upside potential that he has that your drafting. In Freij, all the traits of a 2D are there. I just wish he was a RD. Alexander Steen is the European Consultant for the Blues and for sure he has evaluated Freij and others.
That's a real positive. A physical , solid D that can eat minutes can be added in the second.

As far as a reach, who really cares. Freij, Sennecke, and Beaudoin are all rising based on their recent performance. This draft, past the top 10 or 12 is wide open. I have always believed in best player available in the first round. But, you take the D over a forward unless it's really a top line player. Guys like MBN, Hage, Greentree all have some qualities, but most likely are middle six players at best. It's better economic value for the future to take the D. This is a defensive favored draft with a possibility that over 25 will be picked by the end of the second round.

With such a desperate need for D prospects, the Blues could certainly add a few for sure.
Spencer Gill , Lukas Fisher, and Will Skahen might be available in the second. Wish they could get Elick, Emery, or Brunicke but most likely these RD will be gone.

 

[AyeBah]

Totally agree with the recent comments on Freij. I think he would be a solid selection at # 16.
The key with him is his focus and skating ability. Further, it's the upside potential that he has that your drafting. In Freij, all the traits of a 2D are there. I just wish he was a RD. Alexander Steen is the European Consultant for the Blues and for sure he has evaluated Freij and others.
That's a real positive. A physical , solid D that can eat minutes can be added in the second.

As far as a reach, who really cares. Freij, Sennecke, and Beaudoin are all rising based on their recent performance. This draft, past the top 10 or 12 is wide open. I have always believed in best player available in the first round. But, you take the D over a forward unless it's really a top line player. Guys like MBN, Hage, Greentree all have some qualities, but most likely are middle six players at best. It's better economic value for the future to take the D. This is a defensive favored draft with a possibility that over 25 will be picked by the end of the second round.

With such a desperate need for D prospects, the Blues could certainly add a few for sure.
Spencer Gill , Lukas Fisher, and Will Skahen might be available in the second. Wish they could get Elick, Emery, or Brunicke but most likely these RD will be gone.

Interestingly although Freij is a lefty he has played the entire season on the right side. That's pretty impressive and obviously not a given he could do it in the NHL but would be interesting to test out in the coming years.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Interestingly although Freij is a lefty he has played the entire season on the right side. That's pretty impressive and obviously not a given he could do it in the NHL but would be interesting to test out in the coming years.

That’s what I had found out too as he takes advantage of one timers playing his opposite.

 

[Davimir Tarablad]

That’s what I had found out too as he takes advantage of one timers playing his opposite.

Takes a one timer at Blues prospect camp.

The coaches:

 

[bleedblue1223]

Sennecke probably goes before us, but if he's available, he's a forward I'd 100% draft.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

This is where I'm at ever changing....

Celebrini, Macklin	1​
Demidov, Ivan	2​
Levshunov, Artyom	3​
Dickinson, Sam	4​
Lindstrom, Caden	5​
Buium, Zeev	6​
Silayev, Anton	7​
iginla, Tij	8​
Parekh, Zayne	9​
Catton, Berkly	10​
Eiserman, Cole	11​
Helenius, Konsta	12​
Sennecke, Beckett	13​
Freij, Alfons	14​
Yakemchuk, Carter	15​
Emery, EJ	16​
Brandsegg-Nygard, Michael	17​
Hage, Michael	18​
Elick, Charlie	19​
Badinka, Dominik	20​
Hemming, Emil	21​
Pulkkinen, Jesse	22​
Surin, Yegor	23​
Pettersson, Lucas	24​
Luchanko, Jett	25​
Artamonov, Nikita	26​
Greentree, Liam	27​
Connelly, Trevor	28​
Beaudoin, Cole	29​
Jiricek, Adam	30​
Ericksson, Linus	31​
Chernyshov, Igor	32​
Misa, Luke	32​
Brunicke, Harrison	33​
Letourneau, Dean	34​
Marques, Miguel	35​
Shuravin, Matvei	36​
Fischer, Lukas	37​
Roberts, colton	38​
Gill, Spencer	39​
Stiga, Teddy	40​
Boisvert, Sasha	41​
Ritchie, Ryder	42​
Vanacker, Marek	43​
Basha, Andrew	44​
Parascak, Terik	45​
Zether, Simon	46​
O'Reilly, Sam	47​
Marrelli, Luca	49​
Smith, Tarin	50​
Skahan, Will	51​
Kleber, Adam	52​
Danford, Ben	53​
Sahlin Wallenius, Leo	54​
Fransen, Noel	55​
Traff, Herman	56​
Romani, Anthony	57​
Solberg, Stian	58​
Ralph, Colin	59​
Mews, Henry	60​
Battaglia, Jacob	61​
Ziemer, Brodie	62​
Fernstrom, Melvin	63​
Mustard, John	64​
Kol, Timur	65​
Berglund, Jack	66​
Wetsch, Carson	67​
Miettinen, Julius	68​
Korotky, Matvei	69​
Pikkarainen, Kasper	70​
Vuollet, Oskar	71​
Howe, Tanner	72​
Sterner, Karl	73​
josephson, Ollie	74​
Boilard, Raoul	75​
Pridham, Jack	76​
Caswell, Clarke	77​
Soini, Sebastian	78​
He, Kevin	79​
Villeneuve, Nathan	80​
Ustinkov, Daniil	81​
Taimazov, Arsen	82​
Saarelainen, Joona	83​
Masse, Maxim	84​
Burrows, Hagen	85​
Svensson, Joel	86​
Humphreys, Christian	87​
Fisher, Jake	88​
Sjoqvist, Gustav	89​
Bednarik, Kamil	90​
Ruohonen, Heikki	91​
Shokhrin, Roman	92​
Ashton, Luke	93​
Patterson, Riley	94​
Koivu, Aatos	95​
Kos, Ondrej	96​
Gridin, Matvei	97​
Sjodin, Svante	98​
Vaisenan, Veeti	99​
Muggli, Leon	100​

 

[MissouriMook]

Every time I see his name I always think of the song in Trading Places…

Alfons Freij
Alfons Freij
Any time you call
Alfons will fulfill your need
Winter Spring or Fall

 

[stl76]

Not sure where to post this exactly, but Stian Solberg just had a highlight reel assist in the WC Norway vs Czechia game. Will try to find a clip to post. He's also been on the PK for them and looked good overall IMO.

Very intriguing player, liked him a lot at the WJC as well.

 

[Blueston]

Not sure where to post this exactly, but Stian Solberg just had a highlight reel assist in the WC Norway vs Czechia game. Will try to find a clip to post. He's also been on the PK for them and looked good overall IMO.

Very intriguing player, liked him a lot at the WJC as well.

good call. he had their first goal and the sweet assist on 3rd. norway actually has 2 18 yo playing point on pp at wc, solberg and mbn (who is a forward that will go in 1st). solberg was fantastic at wjc initially, but he was by far their best d and got insane usage and seemed to mentally wear down over tourney where he made unforced errors. his floor is a bit lower than you'd like in 1st, but he has size and skill that i could see him sneaking into late 1st.

 

[stl76]

good call. he had their first goal and the sweet assist on 3rd. norway actually has 2 18 yo playing point on pp at wc, solberg and mbn (who is a forward that will go in 1st). solberg was fantastic at wjc initially, but he was by far their best d and got insane usage and seemed to mentally wear down over tourney where he made unforced errors. his floor is a bit lower than you'd like in 1st, but he has size and skill that i could see him sneaking into late 1st.

Yeah didn’t realize he was running PP1 for them as well. Turned on the game about half way thru the 1st so I missed the first goal.

I really like the player, great size/skill/IQ package and high ceiling. If he’s still around for our 2nd, could turn into a steal.

 

[Blueston]

i remember last year posting that ryan leonard seemed like guy that we would really like and if he was there at 10 i didn't think we would pass on him. based on video footage released by team, it seems like that i was right. i think there is a similar guy in this year's draft, michael brandsegg-nygard. as many of you know, mbn is a norwegian rs rw who has been playing in sweden the past couple years. he spent the majority of this season in hockeyallsvansken, the 2nd highest men's league (league where lindstein played all year this year).

mbn actually reminds me a good bit of alex steen. he's such a smart player. as i mentioned in earlier post, he is playing point on pp for norway's men's team. his movement is so fluid and he does great job in offensive zone putting himself in position to support the puck. as he grows more fully into his body i expect he will be plus skater who brings physical element. he can, like leonard last year, complement skilled guys in top 6, but he also displays the traits you would want in a middle 6 center. he hasn't played a ton of center, but i think he is well suited to provide the puck-winning-defensive-conscious center too. i think sam bennett is a good comp.

now there is lots to like about mbn, and the more i see of him the higher he rises in my rankings. he might not make it to the blues, but based on their recent draft history and tendencies, i can almost guarantee the blues love him and he will be ranked higher than 16 on their list.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Not sure where to post this exactly, but Stian Solberg just had a highlight reel assist in the WC Norway vs Czechia game. Will try to find a clip to post. He's also been on the PK for them and looked good overall IMO.

Very intriguing player, liked him a lot at the WJC as well.

That was a nice pass!

 

[STL fan in MN]

i remember last year posting that ryan leonard seemed like guy that we would really like and if he was there at 10 i didn't think we would pass on him. based on video footage released by team, it seems like that i was right. i think there is a similar guy in this year's draft, micael brandsegg-nygard. as many of you know, mbn is a norwegian rs rw who has been playing in sweden the past couple years. he spent the majority of this season in hockeyallsvansken, the 2nd highest men's league (league where lindstein played all year this year).

mbn actually reminds me a good bit of alex steen. he's such a smart player. as i mentioned in earlier post, he is playing point on pp for norway's men's team. his movement is so fluid and he does great job in offensive zone putting himself in position to support the puck. as he grows more fully into his body i expect he will be plus skater who brings physical element. he can, like leonard last year, complement skilled guys in top 6, but he also displays the traits you would want in a middle 6 center. he hasn't played a ton of center, but i think he is well suited to provide the puck-winning-defensive-conscious center too. i think sam bennett is a good comp.

now there is lots to like about mbn, and the more i see of him the higher he rises in my rankings. he might not make it to the blues, but based on their recent draft history and tendencies, i can almost guarantee the blues love him and he will be ranked higher than 16 on their list.

In terms of what he brings to the table, he’s about as “Bluesy” as they come.

I’m not quite sold on his offense translating above 3rd line caliber but he’s a player that brings all the intangibles and things that make for winning hockey. He’s also a winger which is probably what we need the least but at least he’s a righty. We have LWs out the wazoo in this org.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

In terms of what he brings to the table, he’s about as “Bluesy” as they come.

I’m not quite sold on his offense translating above 3rd line caliber but he’s a player that brings all the intangibles and things that make for winning hockey. He’s also a winger which is probably what we need the least but at least he’s a righty. We have LWs out the wazoo in this org.

I have to agree on the third line player, but a darn good one. I don’t know if it’s worth the first round pic though considering who else is still on the board.

 

[Blueston]

In terms of what he brings to the table, he’s about as “Bluesy” as they come.

I’m not quite sold on his offense translating above 3rd line caliber but he’s a player that brings all the intangibles and things that make for winning hockey. He’s also a winger which is probably what we need the least but at least he’s a righty. We have LWs out the wazoo in this org.

his offensive upside is the question, agreed. i just think he does so many things well you are going to want him in top 6 bc he drives possession (in actual sense, not just corsi sense) so i think with better players he will get a bunch of secondary assists. so maybe he doesn't have elite offensive skills, but i think he is guy you will want to play with those guys.

 

[STL fan in MN]

his offensive upside is the question, agreed. i just think he does so many things well you are going to want him in top 6 bc he drives possession (in actual sense, not just corsi sense) so i think with better players he will get a bunch of secondary assists. so maybe he doesn't have elite offensive skills, but i think he is guy you will want to play with those guys.

I can see that. He brings pretty much all of the intangibles, as well as size. I can’t recall if it was here or elsewhere but I said I see a lot of similarities between him and Neighbours. I see Luchanko in a similar light. Not elite skill but really smart, fast and works his butt off. And he’s a C so that’s a bonus. And an ‘06 whereas MBN is a late ‘05. But not like I don’t like MBN. On the contrary, I like him quite a bit. I have him penciled in at either 17 or 18 currently. So certainly in the conversation at pick 16.

I say penciled as my list is still quite a bit in flux. I probably won’t end up posting a list of 100 but I’ll eventually post something.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

I can see that. He brings pretty much all of the intangibles, as well as size. I can’t recall if it was here or elsewhere but I said I see a lot of similarities between him and Neighbours. I see Luchanko in a similar light. Not elite skill but really smart, fast and works his butt off. And he’s a C so that’s a bonus. And an ‘06 whereas MBN is a late ‘05. But not like I don’t like MBN. On the contrary, I like him quite a bit. I have him penciled in at either 17 or 18 currently. So certainly in the conversation at pick 16.

I say penciled as my list is still quite a bit in flux. I probably won’t end up posting a list of 100 but I’ll eventually post something.

Every time I post a list I realize I forgot somebody. This time Sebastian Soini. He should be in that 2nd 3rd round conversation.

 

[Blueston]

I can see that. He brings pretty much all of the intangibles, as well as size. I can’t recall if it was here or elsewhere but I said I see a lot of similarities between him and Neighbours. I see Luchanko in a similar light. Not elite skill but really smart, fast and works his butt off. And he’s a C so that’s a bonus. And an ‘06 whereas MBN is a late ‘05. But not like I don’t like MBN. On the contrary, I like him quite a bit. I have him penciled in at either 17 or 18 currently. So certainly in the conversation at pick 16.

I say penciled as my list is still quite a bit in flux. I probably won’t end up posting a list of 100 but I’ll eventually post something.

luchenko i like too. he really shone at u18. i wouldn't take him 16 but later in 1st somebody is getting nice player. the extra 2 inches and 15 lbs between them though is part of why i am more excited about mbn. just so many ways he can help you.

 

[Ranksu]

Hmm, could we move up and draft Helenius.

Konsta Helenius - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Konsta Helenius, 2006-05-11 Ylöjärvi, FIN Finland. Most recently in the undefined with Jukurit. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com