Prospect Info: Devils select Graham Black (C-Swift Current WHL) 135th Overall

[Saugus]

Discuss this pick here.

Click to read more...

 

[NICO NICO PANIC]

http://thehockeywriters.com/graham-...n=Feed:+TheHockeyWriters+(The+Hockey+Writers)

 

[AfroThunder396]

Saugus has the thread starter role on lockdown, I like it.

So who is this kid?

 

[R S]

Pretty solid player. Don't see a ton of offensive upside.

He's got strong playmaking skills and enough size and reach to use his body to shield the puck from defenders. He's not the biggest of players at only 6'0 and 173 pounds, but it doesn't stop him from playing physical and being a very good defensive player.

On the offensive side of the puck he also has very good puck skills, showing off a hard and accurate wrist shot along with great passing. In my most recent viewing, he held off a defender with one hand while circling the net before dishing the puck in front for a one-timer goal. It was an impressive play that really makes you think about what could be possible once he gets more experienced, bigger and stronger.

http://whl-from-above.blogspot.ca/search/label/Graham Black

 

[R S]

More here too:

http://whl-from-above.blogspot.ca/2012/05/my-whl-player-rankings-for-2012-nhl_23.html

 

[NICO NICO PANIC]

Jared Ramsden ‏@CalDevil3219

Really came on offensively in the second half of the season. Late bloomer is a good skater, fantastic defensive player

 

[Marshal Rochambeau]

According to that:

Good skater, smart, good passer, good at face offs, and aggressive. Going with the trend.

Right wing next pick please.

 

[forceten]

Crap, I thought you were gone Saug as I refreshed like 10 times before creating the thread LOL... when I posted your thread was there. #sorry

Anyway, he's small at 5'11" but his rating was very good at the midseason (around #50) and dropped to #83. Might still be great value at #135.

All of these picks have Zubrus/Clarkson strength on boards/strength on puck attribute. Very good for a forechecking system, cycling the puck system that DeBoer favors. That sort of lunchpail hard work player is a Lamoriello favorite too.

Some of the guys you lot fancied are still on the board - Sleepyshev, Ebert... - but it looks like Lou and David are going a different direction this year.

 

[DatBoyJPP]

This pick is a gift from PL3. Can't complain at all

 

[The Great Dame]

http://thehockeywriters.com/graham-...n=Feed:+TheHockeyWriters+(The+Hockey+Writers)

I really like what that link says...sounds like a great pick

 

[Saugus]

This guy sounds like a good value pick. Rated much higher than where we took him, and he seems to be a late blooming skill forward. I have no problem with this pick.

 

[forceten]

Interestingly, Ottawa nabbed Game of Thrones-named Robert Baillargeon who was rated in the second round just after us. Bigger at 6'0". I wish I could spend a day at the draft table to understand why you'd take one guy vs another. Obviously physical attributes and stats/NHLCS rank aren't everything.

 

[CerebralGenesis]

Alex kerfoot

 

[OmNomNom]

Interestingly, Ottawa nabbed Game of Thrones-named Robert Baillargeon who was rated in the second round just after us. Bigger at 6'0". I wish I could spend a day at the draft table to understand why you'd take one guy vs another. Obviously physical attributes and stats/NHLCS rank aren't everything.

i wanted him too - this years my last year at BU and he's going there

i wish the devs would draft someone/pick someone up from my school

 

[Belizarius]

McKeen's :

 

[Marshal Rochambeau]

Second in scoring on the Broncos. Broncos are looking good next year and I expect 70-80 points out of him.

 

[Saugus]

I guess that makes him teammates with Scarlett? I wonder if we noticed him when we were checking up on Reece.

 

[Jared Ramsden]

There's an audio clip here with Black:

http://shawnmullin.wordpress.com/

 

[WeThreeKings]

Graham is a solid role player. You need these guys on your team, especially in the play-offs. Good selection for the Devils.

 

[Saugus]

There's an audio clip here with Black:

http://shawnmullin.wordpress.com/

I like his attitude in that clip. Willing to play any role, just happy and grateful to be drafted, eager to improve himself.

Kind of a high and quavering voice, but maybe he was just really excited.

 

[JerryGigantic]

Always bet on Black.

 

[R8Devs]

Roommate of Scarlett.

Reece Scarlett ‏@reecescarlett7
Apparently it's meant to be. First roommates, now drafted to the same team!! Congrats @GrahamBlack9 #greatorganization

 

[Saugus]

Roommate of Scarlett.

Reece Scarlett ‏@reecescarlett7
Apparently it's meant to be. First roommates, now drafted to the same team!! Congrats @GrahamBlack9 #greatorganization

That's got to be really cool for them, getting picked by the same organisation. Hopefully they will develop well together.

 

[Rob Nieds work ethic]

A Chris Kelly comparable? Nice.

 

[Billdo]

This pick just screams solid player.