Prospect Info: Dallas Stars 2014 Draft Scouting Reports

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Prospect Depth Chart

Center

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Dickinson|Shore|Faksa|Dowling|Peters

Right Wing

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Ritchie|Troock|Stransky|Glennie

Left Wing

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Guptill|Ully|McKenzie|G. Smith
Remi|Paul|Molin|Paulovic

Defense

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Oleksiak|Nemeth|Klingberg|Bystrom

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Sinitsyn|Hansson|Jyokipakka|Lindell

Makela|Vance

Goal

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Campbell|Desrosiers
Kiviaho|Lagace

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[BigG44]

With the 14th Selection, The Dallas Stars Draft Julius Honka

Position: Defence
Shoots: Right
Height 5'11"
Weight 175 lbs.
Birthdate: 1995-12-03
Hometown: Jyaskyla, , Finland
2013-14 Team: Swift Current Broncos
2013-14 Stats: 62GP | 16G | 40A | 56PTS | +10 | 52 PIM
2013-14 Playoffs: 6GP | 2G | 0A | 2PTS | -5 | 6 PIM
@HonkaJulius

Jim Nill:

“That’s what we were looking for,” Nill said. “We don’t have a lot of that in our organization other than [John] Klingberg. Somewhere along the lines you’ve got to start addressing those needs, and he is a power play type of player.”

“He’s possibly going to play next year in the men’s league over in Finland. We are going to discuss that with him over the next couple days,” Nill said. “That would be great for his development. He is going to play against men. He is going to realize how important it is to get stronger. It’s a great league. It is really going to help his development. It will make him closer to making the American League in a couple of years and we’ll see how he develops.”

Joe McDonnell:

“He’s just a very heady hockey player,” said McDonnell. “He sees the ice very well. He’s a good skater. Down the road I believe he is someone who is going to be able to run the power play for you.”

“I think any defenseman at that age needs work in their own end, especially at the pro level. But he plays it fine. He competes,” McDonnell said. “Obviously he is not a 6-3 defenseman, but he plays bigger than he is. He goes into the corners to make plays to get the puck out of his zone. He makes a great first pass out. But all defenseman at that age need to learn how to play defense at the pro level.”

“He’s going to end up playing at 6-0, he’s around 5-11,” McDonnell said. “Our biggest concern was his height, but when he came to the door and we shook his hand, he’s not that small.”

Kyle Woodlief:

14. Dallas Stars - D Julius Honka

Elite offensive talent - far and away the best PP quarterback out west this season. Outstanding distributor and decision-maker on the PP, where he dances past the high defender to drop down into slot and let dangerous snap shots go. Combines offensive flash with a quietly steady defensive game. Will need to add bulk to play at the next level, but his quick adaptation to smaller ice is hard to ignore. Uses quick feet to reach pucks first and elude forechecking pressure, then makes quick decisions once he secures it. Not afraid to step up and make well-timed open ice hits. Great compete level down low in own end - never fazed by heavy contact in puck battles. Absorbs hits to ensure puck gets up to wingers. Calm demeanour; never gets rattled at either end of ice. Plays with head on a swivel and is great at navigating traffic.

ESPN's Cory Pronman:

"Honka hit the ground running in his first season in North America, looking substantially better as a prospect than when he played in Europe. The factor that's really elevated his play has been his improvement defensively, which has allowed him to be leaned on more in tough minutes (and will be pivotal to his having a big role in the NHL).

"His physical game remains a major liability, as he's small, not that strong, and not an intimidating guy when contact is initiated. Overall, he can play a risky style of game, but most of the time he doesn't get caught and knows how to make the most of his offensive gifts without giving up too much on the back end."

TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button:

Diminutive yet makes a big impact on game. He recognizes opportunity and is quick to take advantage yet is also a very patient player. Outstanding sense and poise and is very difficult to trap. Underestimate him at your peril!

ISS:

Honka's development in Swift Current was extremely beneficial to him individually. He earned significant minutes in crucial offensive situations early into the season and become a very reliable producer for the Broncos. While not the biggest player, Honka is very adept at getting in the way defensively and he does not need much time or space to turn the puck up ice and into a dangerous opportunity for his teammates. Honka excels with time and space on the line and while he can prove to be fairly elusive and poised under pressure, giving him space is asking for trouble. Honka has great vision and can find and create options when the puck is on his stick.

Red Line Report:

Julius Honka came over from Finland to play in the WHL this year, and instantly became the best power play quarterback out west. He's a terrific offensive talent with speed, great vision, and a heavy point shot who combines flash with a quietly steady defensive game. His size (5-10, 178) is the only issue that likely holds him out of the top 15 in this year's draft. But Honka is an aggressive battler who will go into the corners with much bigger opponents and step up to deliver big hits.

McKeen's:

When you come across a defensive prospect with speed, agility, heady passing and a lethal shot, you have a potential NHL power play quarterback. "He’s an elite offensive defenceman," noted one scout who has Julius Honka ranked in his top 20. "He controls play with his elusiveness, mobility and puck skills." Honka made a seamless adjustment to the North American game, leading all rookie WHL defencemen is scoring this season.

A stand out performance at the 2012-13 World U18 Championships helped Finland capture a bronze medal and followed that up with a gold medal performance at this year’s WJC .. delivered an immediate impact for the Broncos establishing himself from the beginning of the season as their most skilled blue liner .. smooth, talented skater with effortless and elegant figure-skater quality blade work .. light on his feet and stable, reaches top speed within two strides – skating is very natural and effortless .. can be a casual puck carrier but will suddenly pick up the pace once he realizes he can generate a scoring opportunity .. makes plays all in one swooping motion without breaking stride .. first passes can be too cute at times .. accurate shooter with a lethal one timer .. lacks the body strength to make much of an impact when he initiates contact; more of a finesse defender who relies on his skills and game-reading .. Honka needs to adopt a safer style of play .. a weakness exposed at the Top Prospects game with a handful of careless give aways .. named to the WHL 2nd All star team owns the athleticism and skill to thrive .. playing with controlled intensity would round out his game.

Hockey Prospect Black Book:

Honka is a very productive and athletic offensive-minded defenseman. He's a two-way type player with an excellent understanding of both sides of the puck. Combined with his tremendous skating ability and elite hockey sense, Honka is able to utilize his ability to read the play quickly and con- trol the tempo of the game. Honka is a gifted skater who possesses dynamic mobility and footwork.

Last Word on Sports:

Julius Honka projects as an offensive defenceman. He is a great skater who can both lead the rush or join in as a trailer. He has excellent speed and very good acceleration. He has good edgework, and excellent agility. In the offensive zone Honka is able to walk the line and open up shooting and passing lanes to create offence. Has great mobility, has very good pivots and is also extremely quick skating backwards. This and a quick stick help him to defend against the rush.

Offensively Honka, has good stickhandling ability, excellent vision and passing skill. Honka is excellent in the role of powerplay quarterback and can create a ton of chances when he is given time and space. He has a booming slapshot and very good one-timer from the point. Has the knack to get this shot through and on net around the defenders that defend high to try and prevent it. He also has effective wrist and snaps shots and a very good release on both. Honka has good offensive hockey sense and can pick the right time to pinch in for an offensive chance. Even when he makes a poor decision his quick skating can often help him to recover.

However Honka’s lack of size limits his defensive game. His lack of size and strength means that he can be beaten in board battles and struggles to clear the front of the net. He will need to add some muscle to his frame going forward in order to play at the NHL level. He also could use some work on basic fundamentals of zone coverage and can make bad giveaways at times. Don’t take this report too harshly, he’s not terrible defensively and is actually average in his own zone for a player his age, but his weaknesses are what keep him from being a top 10 prospect in my mind, despite the great offensive potential.

Honka plays a similar style to Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators. This isn’t to say that his talent is at the same level as the NHL leader in defenceman points and former Norris winner, it is merely a stylistic comparison. In terms of potential, Honka has some things to work on, but he could become a top-pairing player and a power play quarterback if he reaches his ceiling.

NHL Draft War Room:

Power play quarterback – Watch the Swift Current power play and it all starts with Julius Honka. He reads the ice, choreographs the play and makes it happen – shot, pass, deke, feint. He is also very good as the trailer on the rush and has a good shot with a quick release.

Offensive defenseman – With Julius, there seem to be a calmness of presence at either end of the ice. He seems to able to use his excellent skating and stickhandling abilities to move the puck up the ice at will.

Size – He has that Tobias Enstrom vibe where size doesn’t seem to matter even though he is only 5’11, 178 lb. Of course, he will have to add strength to improve upon his board battles and net clearing.

Draft placement – In the late teens on most lists. This is the area of the draft where general managers start to see so many little guys or not-so-big guys on their lists that you wonder if some of them may drop. However, I am betting that Julius will not be one of them as effective power play QB’s are pretty rare as well. And yes, he did win a gold medal with Team Finland at the U20 WJC.

Favourite player: No surprise – Erik Karlsson

Future Considerations via Elite Prospects:

Honka is a small offensive-minded blueliner who skates very well with strong lateral movements and agility. He's extremely elusive and hard to contain or catch. He possesses good recovery speed and quick on the

Former Dallas Coach Mark Lamb; Honka's Current Head Coach:

"He's got the most skill on our team," Lamb told NHL.com. "You watch him in practice, his 1-on-1 moves, how he scores in practice on breakaways. We do the shootout, we practice the shootout, and he was our go-to guy. He didn't score on it, but he's our most skilled guy."

...

"He's been as good as advertised," Lamb said. "He was just so good in training camp. His skating and his puck handling and his shot, he was way ahead of everybody. … You wonder, can he take it into the regular season and do it, but the biggest thing is how he practices and what he can do in practice, that's where you really get a good look at this kid. He's got some God-given talent that a lot of kids don't have. He's very high end.

"What he's done offensively, the points are one thing, but he creates so many chances. He's got that amount of points, he could have had a heck of a lot more."

...

"He's a very high offensive player and he's weighted toward the offensive side, but he's very gritty," Lamb said. "He's like a North American. He's not a one-way player. He has an edge to his game which I think has really helped him on the small ice and North American game.

"You catch yourself watching this kid because he can do so many things with the puck. He really wants to be a player and that's why he's over here. The details of the game and playing defense is where he really has to concentrate on, and that's why he's come over."

NHL Director of European Scouting Goran Stubb:

"Julius Honka is smallish but an excellent skater with great balance," NHL Director of European Scouting Goran Stubb told NHL.com. "He's an offensive-minded defenseman with good vision and a high skill level. Quick moves, reads the game very well and loves to join the offensive rush. Used in all game situations."

NHL Central Scouting's Peter Sullivan:

“Let’s just say that when you go to a game and you see his name in the lineup, you’re excited to watch the game because he’s got about four or five different gears. You think he’s just skating normally and he puts it in another gear, then another gear. Excellent vision and on-ice awareness. He reads the play so well sometimes he’s two or three steps ahead of his own teammates.”

Finland's WJC Coach:

"He's good offensively but he has to learn and concentrate more on defense," Finland WJC coach Karri Kivi told NHL.com. "That's the biggest thing for him."

Former Teammate Kasperi Kapanen:

"He's amazing with the puck," Kasperi Kapanen, a teammate on the World U-18 team, told NHL.com. "When he gets the puck he's so calm. He knows how to get that first good pass and score the goal too, from the point. He's dangerous with the puck and he's also a good defender. He got some size over the summer and he's a pretty good skater and sees the ice well."

The Hockey News Hot List in January:

Julius Honka, D – Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
Honka arrived in Swift Current this fall and immediately went to work, piling up points from the blueline thanks to his puckhandling skills and excellent skating ability. His vision and escapability make him a prototypical offensive defenseman and his 12 goals and 39 points through 38 games put him second among all Western League rookies. Needless to say, the move from Finland has worked out.

“It’s been great, the culture is awesome,” Honka said. “It’s a little bit different, Swift Current is a small town but it doesn’t matter: I play hockey there. There’s a lot of nice people there.”

A newly-minted gold medalist thanks to his Finnish team’s shocking victories over Canada and Sweden at the world juniors, Honka was more of a depth player on the squad, but will be key to any chance of a repeat next year. In the meantime, heading over to the ‘Dub’ for his draft year has opened his eyes and helped his study of the game.

“I’ve learned about how to play Canadian hockey, like North American style,” he said. “The rink is a little different from Europe so that’s the biggest thing. But it hasn’t affected my game. I try to play my game no matter what kind of rink I’m in.”

And that’s a high skill game. Expect to see Honka taken in the first round of a draft that isn’t flush with blueliners. His physicality is a work in progress, but playing over in Canada has at least given him some basics to go off.

“Maybe a little,” Honka said. “But I still keep my focus on my strengths and how I can play hockey.”

That tends to be with a lot of skill and confidence. When the defensive side of the game catches up, he’ll be a load to handle. Draft eligible in 2014.

3rd ranked Defender in Draft per CSN Philly:

This offensive defenseman shined in Swift Current and in international competition. He’s a consistent point producer. He skates well and his sneakiness has him darting in and scoring like a forward with great stick precision. He possesses a quick wrist shot and is gifted on the power play because of his excellent puck distribution and a great right-handed shot. The Finn can take a hit, too. He’s got a slick one-timer as well.

[NHL]626955[/NHL]









[NHL]626866[/NHL]

[NHL]626585[/NHL]

[NHL]626583[/NHL]​

 

[BigG44]

With the 45th Selection, The Dallas Stars Draft Brett Pollock

Position: C/LW
Shoots: Left
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 183 lbs.
Birthdate: 1996-03-16
Hometown: Sherwood Park, AB, CAN
2013-14 Team: Edmonton Oil Kings
2013-14 Stats: 71 GP | 25G | 30A | 55 PTS | +18 | 36 PIM
2013-14 Playoffs: 20 GP | 11G | 8A | 19 PTS | +11 | 10 PIM
2014 Memorial Cup: 5 GP | 0G | 2A | 2 PTS | 0 | 4 PIM
@BrettPollock54

Jim Nill:

His game really improved the last half of the season,” said Nill. “Anytime you’re on a winning team, it’s a great experience. I had an opportunity to go watch him play in the Memorial Cup and he played very well. He plays center ice. He plays wing. He puts up good points, so we’re excited about his potential.”

Stars director of amateur scouting Joe McDonnell:

“Brett Pollock has a high offensive upside. He has real good hands, makes real smart plays in tight down below the circles. I’ll say this about all these kids at this age, but they are all lacking strength at this stage. If he needs to add one thing, he needs to bulk up and that’s just part of the process with him.”

TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button:

Very good scoring instincts and finds the right path and right timing to be in the dangerous areas to take advantage. Very good release and can score multiple ways. Quick mind and with improved skating, can be an offensive threat.

Kyle Woodlief in October:

The other pleasant surprise is forward Brett Pollock, who managed to make the club last year, but sat on the bench most of the season. Red Line liked him in a very limited energy role last year, as he used his big frame to spark the team with an up-tempo forecheck. But the fact that he has already eclipsed his offensive numbers from last year in this campaign's first four games has drawn our attention. Pollock seems to
have come back with a much smoother and improved skating stride, and a new-found confidence in his puckhandling.

International Scouting Services:

“Pollock is a great example of a player who took advantage of increased opportunity this year with a good team and was able to really showcase what he can do. He benefited greatly from getting minutes with Curtis Lazar during the season. Pollock has good size with a ton of room left to build on his frame. He is a strong and smooth skater who always seems to have his feet in motion and because of this seems to dictate the pace of play from shift to shift.”

Hockey Prospect Black Book:

Pollock is a big, rangy forward with good skills. He plays up and down the ice and can be used in a variety of situations. He worked his way onto the top line this year and has found success despite being matched up against the league's best players on a regular basis. He works hard away from the puck and is able to create space for his linemates.

Future Considerations:

Pollock is a big forward who does everything pretty well, but nothing elite. He is an average skater with short strides, but that doesn't seem to stop him from getting to his offensive position. Can get a little behind the play when he is pinned down low, and currently does not have the speed to catch up and cover his defensive responsibility.

McKeen's:

highly coordinated, oozing athleticism while wielding a great stick .. able to corral errant pucks through stick resistance, showing good resolve in traffic and 1 on 1's .. pursues direct routes to the net improving upon his physical consistency to work the puck in the offensive zone

Last Word on Sports:

Brett Pollock looks the part of a power forward. He has the great size (though he could add muscle to his frame before going to the pro game) and the type of powerful skating stride that is ideal for this game. He has very good top end speed, and the acceleration to go wide on a defender and then take him to the net. The edgework and agility is decent. The best thing about Pollock’s skating though is the power and balance. He can fight through checks and is perfectly willing to bowl over a defender on his way to the net.

Once he gets to the front of the net, Pollock has the soft hands to score in tight, and the quick reflexes to tip in shots, or pounce on rebounds. He can also score goals from further out with a good wrist shot and release and excellent one timer. His passing game is solid, and he works it well both off the rush, or in the cycle game. Pollock is quick to get on defencemen on the forecheck and loves to use his body to create pressure and turnovers. He also wins his fair share of board battles. He’s shown a mean streak and a willingness to drop the gloves to protect teammates when necessary

Pollock has also shown that he is decent defensively, though he hasn’t been matched against the top player in the WHL much due to the fact that such assignments usually go to Curtis Lazar, last year’s Senators first rounder, and one of the best two-way guys in Junior hockey. Still that isn’t Pollock’s fault, and he has shown a willingness to back check and strong defensive instincts.
Brett Pollock’s game is reminiscent of Erik Cole of the Dallas Stars. This isn’t a talent comparison, but rather a look at style. He could develop into a physical second line forward with some secondary scoring if he reaches his full potential.

The Hockey Guys:

Strengths – Pollock is a power forward who excels when cycling the puck and generating offense from down low. He’s strong on the puck, and does a good job of protecting it. Pollock wins his fair share of battles along the wall, and likes to take the puck to the net and cause havoc in front. Pollock has a good wrist shot that’s very heavy, so he can do damage from a distance as well. He’s a physical guy who likes to get in on the forecheck, finish his checks and wear you down, but he’s smart and doesn’t take many bad penalties. His skating is more than adequate for a player his size, and he generates good speed going north south. He back checks hard, and does a good job of forcing turnovers in the neutral zone. Pollock has shown good hands at times, and sees the ice well. He’s more creative than he gets credit for, and I think he is an underrated playmaker.

Weaknesses – Pollock’s skating is good for his size, but he could use some more explosiveness in his stride. If he were able to generate a little more speed in his first three steps, I think it’d help him with his neutral zone play and on the rush. Pollock forces passes when pressured in the offensive zone at times, as he’ll throw it at a covered teammate to get rid of it. He does this most frequently when breaking off a cycle and driving towards the middle of the ice. If he’s contested or a shot isn’t there, he tends to turn it over a little too frequently.

Career Projection – Pollock projects to be a middle-six forward, who can chip in offensively and contribute on the power play. He’s best in the cycle game and around the net.

The Hockey Writers:

As a young player on a stacked Oil Kings team, Pollock’s had the ability to be brought along slowly. After playing 40 games in a shielded role last year, he was given a bit more rope this season and really blossomed, amassing 55 points in 71 games. More important was the depth role he played, basically being willing to chip in wherever he could to help his team win games. Pollock also improved many aspects of his game over the season.

There’s upsides and downsides to being a youngster on the Oil Kings. On one hand, your ice time gets shielded and you get brought along slowly – this approach has happened at every position, and has paid dividends. However, an ambitious player may try to find ways to work himself out of his older teammates’ shadows. Pollock’s done that this year, particularly in the playoffs. He’s scored timely goals, played a strong complementary role, and used his speed and aggressiveness on puck pursuit to create turnovers and scoring chances. He’s definitely made the most of his draft eligible year, including winning a WHL title and a Memorial Cup. The challenge will be to follow it up.

Next season, Pollock’s role will expand. Reid Petryk and Riley Kieser are aging out of junior. Henrik Samuelsson and Mitch Moroz are heading to the professional ranks. The proverbial safety net Pollock had for his first season and change in Edmonton will be gone. How well the Oil Kings do may depend primarily on how he plays. We’ve found out a lot about how well Pollock’s talents fare on the ice in a relatively safe environment. Next season will probably tell the tale of his mental fortitude.

[NHL]626976[/NHL]



With the 75th Selection, The Dallas Stars Draft Alex Peters

Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 205 lbs.
Birthdate: 07-02-96
Hometown: Blyth, ON, CAN
2013-14 Team: Plymouth Whalers
Stats
@alpeters96

Stars director of amateur scouting Joe McDonnell:

“He’s one of the guys I could say doesn’t need to bulk up too much. He’s a fitness fanatic. He’s a big kid already. He moves really well. He can make the simple play, and what he has to do now is start working on his overall puck skill game. He has no problem with that other than maybe a little bit fancier type thing. He’s very capable of making that first outlet pass.”

TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button:

Big, good mobility, reads plays well and can defend with authority. Hard to break down and opponents have to really work to gain an advantage on him. Good poise with puck and an effective passer. Doesn't panic under pressure.

Dan Marr, NHL Director of Central Scouting

“Peters is learning that less is better. By that, I mean he’s learned to simplify his game. He starting to put himself in positions where he’s not going to get burned or give the puck away. Defensively, he’s always been pretty sound. I think he’s a pretty reliable guy that the coach can put out in any given situation.”

Brock Otten's OHL Rankings

16. Alex Peters - Defense - Plymouth Whalers
Peters has to be considered one of the top shutdown defensive prospects available for this draft. At 6'4, 200lbs, and with good mobility, he's very difficult to get around off the rush. He keeps attacking forwards in front of him and picks his spots well when using a stick or body check. Peters is also already very strong in the corners and comes away with the puck in the vast majority of his loose puck battles. As he matures, I look for him to become even more of a menacing presence in front of the net, utilizing his size just a bit more than he currently does. The best thing about Peters is that he's very capable at handling the puck and does a great job with getting the puck out of his zone by pass or rush. As he gains confidence, I look for him to try to jump up in the rush a bit more and to try pushing those rushes deeper into the offensive zone. While he does a great job of skating the puck out of trouble, he's quick to dish it off once outside of his blueline. The offensive numbers aren't necessarily there, but I can tell you that he has more offensive potential than those numbers would indicate. Bottom line is that Peters looks like a guy who could play 10+ years in the NHL in some capacity, but who also has the potential to impact the game on more than just a defensive level.

ISS Hockey @ISShockey

http://ISStop30.com #30 Alex Peters @alpeters96

Elite shutdown upside for next level... mobility, size & physical play. Veteran presence

Mike Vellucci, Plymouth GM/Head Coach:

"He plays really hard, he makes good first passes, he's playing a lot," Whaler coach-GM Mike Vellucci says of Peters, who scored his first OHL goal on Oct. 1. "It's great for him and Josh Wesley, two young guys who are going to learn quite a lot as the season goes on. Petey played a lot for us last season and he got a great experience. He was one of our top penalty killers last year, so he already knows that coming into this year."

Future Considerations via Elite Prospects:

Peters is a defensive minded blue liner who makes smart decisions at both ends and possesses the ability to move the puck with a sharp outlet pass. He is a physical defenseman who finishes his checks, has an active stick and reads the defensive game well.

Last Word on Sports:

Alex Peters is a very good skater for his size (6’4″). His first step and his acceleration in both directions are very good, however an awkward stride can take away some of top his speed when going forwards for long distances. This makes him susceptible to quick forecheckers when the puck is dumped in his corner. However he doesn’t have the same issue going backwards and has very good agility and edgework, which he combines with a long active stick to be very difficult to beat one-on-one. Solid balance on his skates makes him very good in board battles. That said, there is room to pack on more muscle to his frame which will make him even better.

Peters is a staunch defender who blocks a ton of shots, and is extremely good at reading the play, anticipating, and being in the right position. Peters doesn’t seem to throw big checks that often, but he does use his size effectively to clear the crease and to win battles on the boards. He can play the body to smother the cycle game but, it is more about controlling his opponent and taking him out of the play than it is to physically punish.

Offensively, Peters has a big slapshot, but he does have some issues with getting it through on net. If challenged, he doesn’t have the poise and patience to make a play in the offensive zone, instead taking the safe outlet if one is available or dumping safely into the corners. He does make hard, crisp passes out of his own zone, and can get the rush started, but is not likely to join it, preferring to play a stay at home style.

Alex Peters game is reminiscent of a mix between Bryan Allen and Nick Hjalmarsson. This is a style comparison and not a talent one. If he develops he could become a top 4 shut down defensive defenceman with plenty of penalty killing minutes in the NHL.

The Hockey Writers:

Peters may not have the dynamic appeal that some players do in this draft, but he’s the type of player all teams need. He’s a big, strong defensive minded defenseman who loves to clear the front of the net.

He is also a very good skater for his size which makes him very difficult to beat on the rush for opponents.

There’s not a lot of flash to his game, just rock solid consistency. He doesn’t throw big open ice hits, but he wins his one on one battles and is rarely caught out of position.

He shows great poise and makes a good first pass out of the zone, but he certainly won’t wow you with offensive numbers.

With Peters, what you see is what you get.

The Hockey Writers:

The Rock – He has the size, physicality, defensive acumen and skating skills to be that shutdown defenseman that you are looking for, the rock of your defense.

Genes – Younger brother of Justin Peters, goalie for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Defense – Size, skating ability, hockey sense, temperament for defense. Add a willingness to clear the net, a willingness to do the dirty work in the corners, a willingness to play the game with physicality and an active stick and you have potential rock on your blueline. Add a good outlet pass and then you have yourselves a good defenseman, like Alex Peters.

Offense – Yes, Alex has the big slapshot, but offense is never likely to be his bread and butter.

Draft placement – A rock solid big defensive defenseman, like Alex, should give good value, early to mid second.

Sean Lafortune @SeanLafortune

Peters smart, safe, minute eating defender who thrives when the play collapses down low. Understands his size advantages and plays to them

Bill Meltzer @billmeltzer

Stars select Alex Peters (Plymouth, OHL)... big and mobile but raw defenseman.

Mark Stepneski @StarsInsideEdge

Red Line Report on Stars 3rd round pick Alex Peters: "Shutdown d-man with great wingspan & surprising agility."

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[BigG44]

With the 105th Selection, The Dallas Stars Draft Michael Prapavessis

Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 180 lbs.
Birthdate: 01-07-1996
Hometown: Oakville, ON, CAN
2013-14 Team: Toronto Lakeshore (OJHL)
Stats
@mpraps27

Stars director of amateur scouting Joe McDonnell:

“He ran the power play on his Tier 2 team and the thing we really liked about him is not only his offensive upside, but we’ve got four years of college with him. He’s going to go and develop, get bigger and stronger and get a lot of practice time. We see a real good upside with him.”

Seth Appert, RPI Head Coach:

"Michael joins us after leading his team to the Royal Bank Cup in Canada. He is an elite offensive defenseman who will add intelligence, mobility and offensive production from our back end. He also earned valuable experience representing Canada East at the World Junior Challenge."

General Manager and Head Coach Mike Tarantino:

“His intelligence on the ice is top end. It's what separates him from everyone else,” says Tarantino, who coached the 6-foot-1, 180-pound blueliner last season. “His physical abilities are good, but it’s his poise, the mental aspect, his ability to read plays. He just thinks the game better than the average player.”

“You see a play he makes, outwaiting a guy before throwing it to the weak side,” Tarantino said. “He makes some plays, it just shocks you when you see it out there.”

Mark Edwards of Hockey Prospect:

“Mike is excellent with his stick, he’s really effective using it defensively and tends to rely on those stick skills more often than using the body. I’d like to see him add a physical element to his game but there is no denying how effective he’s able to matchup right now using that stick, smarts and positioning. He’s impressive on 1 on 1 rushes. His gap is very good and he anticipates and uses his feet well to matchup on players going wide. His stick is well positioned. Offensively he can skate the puck and makes good outlet decisions. He mans the blueline on the Patriots 1-3-1 powerplay. He’s solid, making good decisions but not what I would call a powerplay stud. His is shot is probably his biggest weakness right now although it has improved. My favorite thing about his game is simple, he’s a very smart hockey player.”

The Hockey News:

Michael Prapavessis, D –Toronto Lakeshore Patriots (OJHL)
A two-way blueliner with decent size, Prapavessis is a deft playmaker, particularly on the power play. The RPI commit leads the Ontario Jr. A League in scoring by a defenseman with three goals and 41 points in 38 games and has six points in his past five appearances. Draft eligible in 2014.

The Scouting Report:

The spotlight has definitely been pointed in Walman’s corner this year but travelling no more than 20 minutes west in Toronto will bring you to the home of another OJHL draft hopeful, Michael Prapavessis. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound defenseman has a lanky frame and an awkward stride but he’s burst onto the scene himself as the league’s top defensive scorer with 41 points in only 38 games.

Prapavessis, who calls the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots home, was ranked 137th amongst North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting and should have a legit chance at being selected in the mid-to-late rounds. After committing to RPI last season, he saw his OHL rights traded to the London Knights this season but all signs seem to indicate that he will make his way to Troy’s RPI campus, which is probably for the best.

As mentioned, Prapavessis is a bit more raw and should benefit from the extended development period that college hockey will afford him. There’s no denying his hockey IQ, vision, and overall passing ability, but he still shows signs of struggling against bigger forwards in defensive zone assignments. For an NHL team that sees enough upside in the way he reads the game, he could be a nice player to monitor if he continues to fill out and add another step to his stride.

Bill Placzek:

With the lack of high-end sure thing rushing offensivemen in the draft class, this long term project has superb feel and hockey sense, a good feeling for the attack, and makes tape to tape passes. His shot is fairly weak, and his defensive game is far from poised and his physicality is nonexistent. Has the tools but needs development to his body and his game.

The Hockey House:

Overview:

Michael Prapavessis had a fantastic season while playing under the OJHL’s Toronto Lakeshore Patriots banner this past season. While posting 5 goals and 54 points in 47 games, the talented defenseman went on to twin the OJHL Championship, Ontario National Jr. A Championship, OHA Top Prospect honors, the OJHL Best Defenseman award and more at the young age of 18. In terms of play making skill, Prapavessis comes in as one of the biggest potential steals in the draft, as some people, including Craig Button, think he could go as high as the second round in the draft, while others believe he could be a late round gem waiting to blossom into an effective two way defender one day.

Pros:

All the Oakville, Ontario native did this year was win. Prapavessis, who is committed to RPI, won the OJHL Top Defenseman award this year after averaging over 20 minutes of ice time a game and leading the league in defensive scoring. Not known for using the body on a play, Prapavessis has very solid stick work and can skate around opposing players similar to PK Subban with great ease. The young blue liner has always been very solid defensively and makes very limited mistakes in his own zone. His poise, the mental aspect of his game and his ability to read plays makes him one of the smartest players on the ice in each and every game. He took his game to an all new level when it counted most with the Patriots this year, becoming one of the most dominant players on the ice during the OJHL playoffs, Dudley Hewitt Cup and RBC Cup this past spring. While not as strong as some other NHL draft prospects when it comes to playing with the extra man, Prapavessis was the backbone of the league’s second best power play unit (25.76%) and would end up finishing second among all skaters with 25 power play assists. In addition to his offensive ability,Prapavessis has a great ability to stay out of the box, having taken just 4 PIM in over 70 OJHL contests over two years. Those don’t tend to be the numbers you see from a defenseman logging the numbers he does, but it makes sense for the OJHL’s Most Gentlemanly Player.

Cons:

Prapavessis stands at just 6’1” and 180 lbs, so he’ll need to grow out his frame and work on his physical play to raise his stock. While he is a fast skater, he tends to look awkward when going for a stride and could be knocked down quite easily. For an offensive defenseman, his shot could still use some work as it appears to be the weakest trait about his game at this point.

Projected draft round:

While some believe he could go in the top 60, a sixth round projection would likely be the more realistic expectation. Regardless, you’re getting a solid defender no matter what round he goes.

NHL projection:
If he continues to excel when he heads off to the College level, Prapavessis could develop into a very solid two way defenseman.

Sean Lafortune ‏@SeanLafortune

Michael Prapavessis - Significant growth over the past 24 months. Good feet, smart, controlled and cerebral. Tools are impressive.

Sean Lafortune @SeanLafortune

Prapavessis has developed into a power play distributor, one who can read the play, make smart, cerebral assessments in quick time periods

Mark Edwards @MarkEdwardsHP

Love the Prapavessis pick by @DallasStars we had him 82nd overall. One of the smartest players in the draft. Great stick, not physical enuff

With the 115th Selection, The Dallas Stars Draft Brent Moran

Position: Goal
Shoots: Right
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 190 lbs.
Birthdate: 07-05-1996
Hometown: Orleans, ON, CAN
2013-14 Team: Niagara Ice Dogs
Stats

Bmoran31

Stars director of amateur scouting Joe McDonnell:

“He sort of took the ball and ran with it in Niagara. He’s a big kid, he’s just kind of got to grow into his body. He carried the Niagara team into the playoffs and was the single reason why they were competitive.”

International Scouting Services:

A big goalie who fits the mould of recent trending young puckstoppers, Moran is ahead of where bigger goaltenders are at this point in their careers. With that being said, his major appeal is his long term potential. He shows fluid movement for his size already and has very quick and controlled recoveries.

Hockey Prospect Black Book:

He had to wait for his opportunity to take the starting role but did eventually accomplished this early on this season allowing him to get viewed regularly by scouts. Brent's size in goal is about as ideal as you could possibly ask for. He does a good job getting into position to make the initial save but looked shaky at times and would sometimes fight pucks, even on strong nights when he was having a good game.

McKeen's Hockey:

sizeable goalie who addressed his positioning throughout the year staying more centred in his crease .. does an adequate job of challenging shooters but needs to improve upon his overall agility and skating .. learned to stay on his feet more and not surrender the top portion of his goal

Future Considerations:

Moran is a quick, reflexive goalie who plays out at the top of his crease. He is quick laterally when in the butterfly, but lacks speed going side to side when upright. Mo- ran covers the net well in all areas except for his five hole. His low and wide stance opens up his five hole considerably, and gives shooters a target to shoot at. In the butterfly, his five hole is closed off more, but when he stretches out to make a save, he leaves this area exposed.

Al Jensen, NHL Central Scouting

"He has a very big presence, especially on initial shots. He's very quick for his size and his technical ability is very good. He has strong legs which allow him to push off his post and move laterally very quickly. He plays most of his game in the paint, and with his size you don't see many holes; he gets his body in front of a lot of shots."

Sean LaFortune:

“Moran is now the starter in Niagara with Chris Festarini leaving the team, and should get better with more work. He’s not a guy you’ll be able to judge on numbers, he won’t be insulated well on a rebuilding Niagara squad, however the size, mobility and raw tools impress.”

Brock Otten:

“When overager Chris Festarini left the IceDogs, it opened up the doors for Moran to take the starter’s job and run. The club’s 2ndrounder in 2012 is the goaltender of the future…and present for Niagara, which has to be an incredibly exciting thought for the Orelans, Ontario native. After a slow start to the year where he was trading starts with Festarini, Moran has responded well to the new challenge, posting an above .900 save percentage in 5 of his last 6 starts (including 4 victories). He has everything scouts want in an NHL netminder these days; a mix of size and athleticism. Alex Nedeljkovic seems to be the clear top netminder for North America this year but the 2nd spot is up for grabs. With a strong finish to the season (and maybe an Under 18 invite?), Moran could really elevate his draft status.”

Brock Otten's OHL Rankings

25. Brent Moran - Goaltender - Niagara IceDogs
Moran started the year in a platoon with veteran Chris Festarini, but eventually took over the starter's job when Festarini left the team. It wasn't until then that Moran's play really improved noticeably. With more consistent playing time, his confidence grew and he began stringing consistently strong appearances together. By the time the playoffs rolled around, Moran was playing some terrific hockey, and continued that into the first round against North Bay, where he was excellent. He's got great size and that's going to lure in the scouts. His ability to track the play and cut down angles really improved as the year went on. As did his ability to control his rebounds. He can still give up some bad goals low when teams get him moving. And he still has a tendency to be beat high from overplaying angles. BUT, he has terrific potential and is a real moldable kid. He probably ends up going off the boards earlier than where I have him in my rankings.

The Last Word on Sports:

At 6’3″ already and not yet 18 years old, Brent Moran has good size for a goalie prospect. He takes advantage of that with good positioning and getting out of his net to challenge shooters. He also stays in position until after the puck is shot, not getting down into his butterfly too early and giving away the top of the net. He is quick with his legs to take away low shots and has a good glove hand to take away the top of the net.

Some areas that Moran could stand to work on are his lateral movement and getting across the crease faster on cross-ice passes. He helps himself out though with strong puck tracking and anticipation. He also could stand to be more aggressive in playing the puck. He’s not bad at it, but he doesn’t seem to get out of his net when he should help his defence. Like many young goalies Moran could also improve his rebound control, but its not that bad for a 17 year old either.

Moran has matured as the season has gone on. After a rough stretch early in the year, he is now a lot less likely to get rattled by a bad goal and is ready to bounce back by the time the puck is dropped again at centre ice. He also took on a leadership role with the Ice Dogs young blue line and became the steady presence that they could lean on at the back of the net.

Brent Moran’s goaltending style is reminiscent of Ben Bishop of the Tampa Bay Lightning. This isn’t a talent comparison, but a stylistic one. While there are some areas of his game that need refinement, he does have good athleticism, and some raw talent, and if he can refine those areas he could become an NHL starter down the road.

The Hockey Writers:

One might look at Brent Moran’s peripheral statistics from the ’13-’14 OHL season (40 GP, 3.85 GAA, .891 Save Percentage) and not be overly impressed with what they see. While Moran’s stats could lead one to believe that the goalie didn’t have an impressive second campaign in the OHL, one must also factor in the fact that Moran was playing on an IceDogs team that was going through a rebuilding phase.

Not only did Moran hold down the fort for Niagara, he illustrated that stability between the pipes could help a rebuilding team as the IceDogs made it to the OHL playoffs where they played in seven games. Despite losing in a seven game series to North Bay in the ’13-’14 playoffs, Moran stepped his game up during the postseason run as he played to the tune of a 2.86 GAA and .921 Save Percentage in all seven of Niagara’s postseason contests.

Seeing as how Moran took over starting goaltending duties this season after the departure of Christopher Festarini, there is certainly some merit to be given to a netminder that undertook his duties and responsibilities with such diligence. Improving upon his GAA by nearly half of a goal this past season, Moran demonstrated that he has the pedigree necessary to be successful as he progresses in his hockey career.

Of course, some might look at the fact that Moran is aided by his height (6’3.5″) as a tall goaltender, but there is more to the goalie than the amount of space that he takes up in the net. For one of the bigger North American goalies available at the 2014 NHL Draft, Moran is definitely one of the more mobile netminders – so NHL teams won’t have to worry about sacrificing mobility when thinking about selecting someone like Moran.

Given his ability to improve upon his game – be it in bantam, midget, or juniors – Moran has displayed that he has the desire to work on whatever it is that will make him a better goaltender down the line. Although numbers and statistics might not offer the most flattering picture of Moran, his story and draft stock won’t be written based on his stats. After all, there is a reason that Moran wound up being ranked so highly by scouts – which is a testament to the goalie’s work ethic and abilities as a goaltender.

Sean Lafortune @SeanLafortune

Moran has Quick natural reactions, allows his reflexes to take over, doesn’t simply rely on his technical ability. Stepped up his game

Brendan Ross @RossyYoungblood

Again, @DallasStars go back to the #OHL grabbing Brent Moran (@OHLIceDogs). He has as high an upside as any G in this #NHLDraft

[NHL]627053[/NHL]



With the 135th Selection, The Dallas Stars Draft Miro Karjalainen

Position: Defense
Shoots: Right
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 205 lbs.
Birthdate: 05-23-1996
Hometown: Flinland
2013-14 Team: Jokerit
Stats​

Stars director of European scouting Kari Takko:

“You can see that the size is there. This guy is mean, he is big and there is something special there. If he turns out to be a player, he is going to be a good shutdown defenseman. He has a good shot. The coordination is still a little off because of the size and he is just learning to train. What we liked most about him is the heart and the willingness to play for the team.”

Hockey's Future:

Miro Karjalainen, Jokerit U18
6'5", 205, 5/23/96
Espoo, Finland

Purely a defender for the most part this season, Karjalainen dominated the smaller players at the U18 level for B Junior champion Jokerit and continued to show improvement in his skating and stick handling/passing skills through the season. His coaches loved his attitude on and off the ice.

Karjalainen was ranked 139th amongst European skaters in the CSS final rankings

 

[BigG44]

With the 154th Selection, The Dallas Stars Draft Aaron Haydon

Position: Defense
Shoots: Right
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 200 lbs.
Birthdate: 01-06-1996
Hometown: Plymouth, MI
2013-14 Team: Niagara Ice Dogs
2013-14 Stats: 61 GP | 5G | 11A | 16 PTS | -39 | 112 PIM
2014 Playoffs: 7 GP | 0G | 0A | 0 PTS | -4 | 10 PIM
@_Haydon_​

Stars director of amateur scouting Joe McDonnell:

“He’s a big, strong, physical guy that skates pretty well. He is a simple player. He’s not an offensive threat by any means, but he is going to make you pay in your own end. He’s got to fill out and get stronger, but he’s just got that attitude that he doesn’t like people standing alone in his own end. He’s going to make sure they know that he is there.”

International Scouting Service:

Haydon is a very physical defenseman who will throw his weight around liberally. His foot speed and skating have notably improved over the course of the season but still has lots of room for improvement to go. More of a stay at home defensive defenseman role suits him well.

Hockey Prospect Black Book:

Aaron is a hulking defenseman who loves to take the body and assert himself along the wall. He fights for pucks and uses his upper body strength to his full advantage in these situations. He never passes up an opportunity to hit and has delivered some crushing hits this year. His skating is OK in general and has shown clear improvements from last season.

Future Considerations:

Haydon is great skater; he is very mobile and it is difficult for oppo- nents to knock him over. He has top-end speed when he gets going, but his first step lacks a quick burst. Haydon possesses good puck skills, being able to deke around defenders and control the puck very well.

The Hockey News:

Aaron Haydon, D – Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
A tough, defense-first blueliner who kills penalties and moves well for a big guy, Haydon was more than happy to thrown down this season in honor of his young IceDogs team. Look for him and his heavy right hand to be selected in the second or third round on Saturday.

Brock Otten's OHL Rankings

22. Aaron Haydon - Defense - Niagara IceDogs
Haydon's offensive game really didn't develop as I anticipated it would this year. That part of his game really improved as a 16/17 year old during the 2012/2013 season, so an expectation of continued growth wasn't far fetched. In reality, I think his offensive game actually regressed. Haydon is a terrific skater, especially for a bigger defender, and he needs to take advantage of that more in order to jump up or lead the rush. He can be prone to turnovers in his own end because of some poor decision making. His first pass will definitely need to improve. But there's definitely potential there and I think a lack of confidence in that area really hurt his game this year. Defensively, the -39 isn't indicative. Haydon is a solid defensive prospect. With his skating ability, size, and aggression, he has the potential to develop into a top quality shut down guy. He can get lost in coverage at times, but he's already terrific off the rush and is adept at winning battles in the corners and near the crease. Basically, Haydon's game is all about projection. He's a big kid with a lot of redeeming qualities. He's not polished, but as he matures, he could be a terrific two-way guy, or at the very least a solid stay at home. I do continue to have faith in his offensive capabilities moving forward though.

Last Word on Sports:

At 6’3″, Aaron Haydon has ideal size for a defender. He skates extremely well for a big man, with good speed in both directions and strong edgework and pivots. This gives him the mobility to cover large areas of the ice, and it is difficult to beat him one on one. He has good core strength, and this gives him very good balance, which is useful in clearing the front of the net and winning board battles.

Don’t let the statistics fool you. Yes, Haydon was a -39 this season. However that number is largely due to being tasked with playing against the other team’s top lines, and playing for a rebuilding Ice Dogs team. He was actually a solid defensive defender with a good physical game. Haydon loves to hit and throw his weight around in the defensive end. While he can sometimes get out of position looking for a big hit, he has become better at picking his spots as the year went on. He also showed a good ability to contain his man in the cycle game with his good footwork and mobility. Haydon is not afraid to block shots. He’s also been known to drop the gloves, including fighting Jacob Middleton in the Top Prospects game.

Offensively, Haydon is a stay at home defender. He isn’t likely to join the rush very often. His passing skills, including his first pass could use some work in starting the transition game. He can be forechecked into making mistakes and giveaways and needs to develop his stickhandling as well. He does have a hard slap shot though, and with his mobility its possible that his offense could develop.

Haydon’s game resembles Chris Phillips of the Ottawa Senators. This is a stylistic comparison and not a talent comparison though. He could develop into a solid second pairing defensive defender if he reaches his full potential.

Sean Lafortune @SeanLafortune

Haydon is a smothering defensive defender, effective down low, using his thick frame to stifle the cyle cand eliminate any opportunities

The Hockey Writers:

If you’re looking for a heavy duty physical defensive defenseman, the Niagara IceDogs of the OHL have one that should be available in the higher rounds of the draft. Aaron Haydon stands 6’3 and shows no fear against the OHL’s best forwards. He has great lateral movement and throws hipchecks like it’s nobody’s business. His height allows for him to have the ability to break up plays using his pokecheck and reach. Haydon goes toe-to-toe with some of the baddest players and fighters. This season he had 112 PIM’s to show for his efforts.

Haydon is excellent at moving players out of his goalie’s line of sight and plays the game very basic. He sometimes gets out of position leading to fast breaks the opposite way. He’s also not a fan of pressure. When he has to make rash decisions, it usually doesn’t end up well for Haydon and his team. However, he remains one of the most menacing blueliners available in the draft.

Bill Placzek:

“He is never going to be recognized as a puck carrying dee-man, he nonetheless does have a good shot and some up-ice ability. He is better off when he sticks to the things he excels in, like being the large mobile defender who gets to the attackers and takes them out with aggression, big hits, and downright challenges. Unafraid to knock on the door of the other team’s toughest guy and ask him to come out and play. Has decent range of his skates, good balance and a nice reach to break things up. Big defenseman who plays a solid defensive game by keeping it simple. Uses his size and clears the front. Can be pressured into mistakes when rushed, and is working to improve his puck handling ability. Was named to the USA Developmental team playing in the Ivan Hlinka Tournament.“

[NHL]627104[/NHL]



With the 165th Selection, The Dallas Stars Draft John Nyberg

Position: Defense
Shoot: Left
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 185 lbs.
Birthdate: 1996-07-14
Hometown: Sweden
2013-14 Team: Frölunda
2013-14 U-18: 38 GP | 13G | 27A | 40 PTS | +24 | 34 PIM
2013-14 U-20: 19 GP | 1G | 3A | 4 PTS | +8 | 0 PIM
@JohnNyberg52​

Stars amateur scout Rickard Oquist:

“He’s a two-way defenseman. He has some offensive tools, can move the puck, good first pass and has a bomb for a shot. He’s pretty good on the power play and has put up decent points in the Under-18 league this year. Really excited about him.”

With the 195th Selection, The Dallas Stars Draft Patrick Sanvido

Position: Defense
Shoot: Left
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 219 lbs.
Birthdate: 1996-06-28
Hometown: Guelph, ON, CAN
2013-14 Team: Windsor Spitfires
2013-14 Stats: 60 GP | 0G | 6A | 6 PTS | -16 | 40 PIM
2014 Playoffs: 4 GP | 0G | 0A | 0 PTS | -2 | 7 PIM
@PatrickSanvido​

Stars director of amateur scouting Joe McDonnell:

Stars director of amateur scouting Joe McDonnell: “For his size he moves really well. He’s not an offensive threat at all, but he is going to be hard to play against. He has the wing span of, you know, big. He’s just going to be a guy that is tough to play against. We really loved his size and skating. He’s a real character kid.”

Brock Otten's Honorable Mention List:

Patrick Sanvido - Defense - Windsor Spitfires
Started the year off pretty poorly and had a tough time keeping up with the pace of the OHL game. But he got better as the season went on and seems to have regained the trust of Windsor's brain trust as a core piece of this team's future. Still needs to work on his skating and decision making in his own end, but you can't teach the size he has (6'5). Big stay at home guys who actually play up to their size aren't as common as you think.

 

[BigG44]

So apparently there's a limit on the number of photos in a post ... that was a waste of time.

Feel free to help out and link anything you find on the picks tonight or in the next few days.

 

[Primetimey*]

Best thread of the year. Love these.

 

[BigG44]

The mismatched photo sizes are annoying ...... does anyone know where you can smaller stock photos that are similar to the team photos?

 

[Satan]

The mismatched photo sizes are annoying ...... does anyone know where you can smaller stock photos that are similar to the team photos?

I wouldn't worry about it since I was giggling at players skulls looking larger than others.

 

[Mr Misty]

Trook's pic is the same size as the others, his head is just much bigger than anybody else's.

 

[BigG44]

Trook's pic is the same size as the others, his head is just much bigger than anybody else's.

So you're saying we might have drafted an injury prone caveman? That would be .... awesome.

 

[Satan]

Faksa looks very diabolical

 

[BigG44]

OH and if anyone cares ... I used HF's rankings and then tried to slide in the rest.

 

[Mr Misty]

So you're saying we might have drafted an injury prone caveman? That would be .... awesome.

I'm saying we should start a big and tall helmet supply company.

 

[BigG44]

I'm saying we should start a big and tall helmet supply company.

Instead of Jofa we can call it Jabba.

 

[BigG44]

 

[Rune Forumwalker]

Dowling is considered a prospect?

 

[BigG44]

OK guys. Check out the first post

I've added a ton of stuff.

Anything new. I'll post here before throwing it up in the mix.

 

[BigG44]

Dowling is considered a prospect?

Why wouldn't he? He's the same age as many of them.

Was Brenden Dillon or Matt Fraser not a prospect because they were undrafted?

He's 23 years old ... the same as Glennie, Chiasson, and McKenzie.

 

[Rune Forumwalker]

Guess i didn't realize he was the same age as them. HF/Farkas doesn't have him listed though.

 

[BigG44]

NHL Draft War Room:

Power play quarterback – Watch the Swift Current power play and it all starts with Julius Honka. He reads the ice, choreographs the play and makes it happen – shot, pass, deke, feint. He is also very good as the trailer on the rush and has a good shot with a quick release.

Offensive defenseman – With Julius, there seem to be a calmness of presence at either end of the ice. He seems to able to use his excellent skating and stickhandling abilities to move the puck up the ice at will.

Size – He has that Tobias Enstrom vibe where size doesn’t seem to matter even though he is only 5’11, 178 lb. Of course, he will have to add strength to improve upon his board battles and net clearing.

Draft placement – In the late teens on most lists. This is the area of the draft where general managers start to see so many little guys or not-so-big guys on their lists that you wonder if some of them may drop. However, I am betting that Julius will not be one of them as effective power play QB’s are pretty rare as well. And yes, he did win a gold medal with Team Finland at the U20 WJC.

Favourite player: No surprise – Erik Karlsson

 

[BigG44]

Guess i didn't realize he was the same age as them. HF/Farkas doesn't have him listed though.

He was signed about a month ago ... maybe slightly more. That's likely why.

 

[txomisc]

Really surprised to see so many people disappointed in this big. We just drafted big time potential in an area of need.

 

[BigG44]

Hey Lobo ... I don't know how to embed the NHL.com video. Could you put it in a post below, and I'll copy and paste the correct code?

Thanks.

http://video.stars.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=1305&id=626585&lang=en

 

[BigG44]

Really surprised to see so many people disappointed in this big. We just drafted big time potential in an area of need.

People were expecting forward which is understandable, but I guess a lot are going back on their word to just trust Nill.

If they aren't concerned about his size ... I'm not going to worry about it. He's a right shot big time offensive talent.

Sounds good ...