Is this the beginning of a new era for 7th round draft picks by the Canucks? McDonough and Arvid Costmar look like they might actually be able to play.
Seventh rounders from the past like Mackenze Stewart; Matt Brassard; Brett McKenzie; Miles Liberati; Matt Beattie; Tate Olson; and Henrik Tommernes; not so much.
You could look at that list and say that at one point in time or another, there was some promise or reason for cautious optimism with Matt Brassard, Brett McKenzie and Tate Olson.
Off of the top of my head:
Tate Olson took a big step forward in his D+1 season...and then fizzled.
Brett McKenzie got off to a great start in his season after being drafted, and played a strong 2-way game...but then fizzled as well.
Brassard had good size and I believe he went through a really extended point scoring streak in his season after being drafted, showing some promise...but that was it for him too.
Yes, some of those picks mentioned above showed nothing at all, but I actually think the last few years we’ve seen some promise from most of them; we just need those guys to build upon that promise.
Matt Beattie actually seemed to me like a good player to roll the dice on in the 7th round.
Liberati was supposed to be a tremendous skater and I’d guess management was rolling the dice that if he finds another aspect to his game that he can develop, he could see some NHL time.
In general I’m all for gambling on a player in the real late rounds. The little midget Russian kid we drafted a couple seasons back...he sucks, and isn’t much of a prospect now, but I thought it was a great gamble with a late pick.