HFNHL Columbus Draft Recap 2018

Ohio Jones

Game on...
Feb 28, 2002
8,257
201
Great White North
HFNHL Columbus Draft Recap 2018

Day 1 picks:

1/10: D Ty Smith

We were momentarily excited about all the mock drafts showing Evan Bouchard falling to us, and it looked like it might actually come to pass, but Vancouver selected him with the pick before, leaving us to pick the player we had always expected to select at 10 - Spokane defenceman Ty Smith.

Toronto offered 16th overall and their 2nd and 3rd in 2019 for this pick - we almost pulled the trigger, but balked at the last moment knowing we needed an impact D more than an extra pick or two next year. We thought they might be trading up to get Boqvist, who fell slightly, but they had their eyes on Kravtsov, who would have been my next pick after Smith as well.

In Smith, we believe we’re getting a top-pairing Duncan Keith-like player who defends bigger than his size, has superb skating, poise and hockey IQ, is equally effective at passing or skating the puck up ice, and can run the play effectively at both ends of the ice. We look forward to him earning a major role at the WJC next Christmas.

1/29: D Jett Woo

Woo is the first of five D taken in the next six picks between the first and second rounds, so he will inevitably be compared to the players taken after him: Samuelsson, Merkley, Addison and Alexeyev. While we would have been satisfied with one of Samuelsson or Alexeyev at 29, we were pleased that Woo was still on the board.

Most projections have Woo going inside the top 25, although some mocks have him dropping well into the second, presumably on injury concerns. Maintains gaps well and has the mobility to keep from getting turned by speedy forwards, but it’s his fierce physical game that is his calling card: he makes opponents pay in open ice and in the corners, without losing his positioning. Partners well, delivering a good first pass or carrying the puck up if needed. His offensive creativity has been on an upward trajectory, suggesting an intriguing upside, especially as a right-handed shot. (Having the best name in hockey has to count for something, too.)

Woo and Smith join Dante Fabbro, Nicholas Meloche and Cam Dineen to give Columbus at least a half-decent stable of blueline prospects, but it remains an area we need to improve.

2/40: LW Jakob Lauko

Surprise, surprise: Brock took our boy Liam Foudy at 39. Jerk. But we’re satisfied with Lauko as a consolation prize. Scouts are divided on the Czech winger - some don’t see the creativity - but we see a fast, hard-working 200-foot player with a playmaking touch who should be a solid contributor in a top-6 role.

Already playing against men since he was 16, Lauko’s game will develop as he gets stronger.

3/68: RW Kirill Marchenko

Was getting very nervous that Marchenko wouldn’t last, and even inquired about moving up. But didn’t like the cost with what felt like a dozen teams all trying to move up as well, so resigned ourselves that he would be gone.

Happily, patience paid off, as Marchenko was still on the board. So was goalie Lukas Dostal, and with netminders finally starting to move we had to think twice about it, but with another pick due shortly we decided to roll the dice.

We see Marchenko as a legit scoring threat with a diverse offensive toolkit whose tenacity makes him well suited to a possession style game. He just needs to lack some muscle into his long frame - and as a late birthday, he’s got time to build up his strength. Much like Lauko, he is already a fine skater, the added power should make him a force at both ends of the ice. The skills, work ethic and two-way mindset are already in place.

3/71: G Lukas Dostal

Once again we got lucky, as Dostal was still on the board at 71. We knew he wouldn’t last to our next pick, so selected the Czech international netminder - the top goaltender on our list (and on the lists of a few other GMs we heard from right after the pick as well).

Not ideal size for a modern goalie, but has the athleticism, poise and vision to keep his team in games despite seeing a ton of rubber, and his technique and competitiveness give him a strong foundation on which to build, and a decent shot at being one the of the few average-sized netminders to find a role in today’s NHL.

3/91: C Cole Fonstad

There were several approaches made to Columbus for our third round picks, including this one - but we were happy enough with the players available that we stuck to our list.

With our last pick in the third, we had to toss a coin between two players, the second of which survived the remaining picks in round three, prompting Columbus to put out a call on the trade wire for an early 4th round pick: our first day 2 selection doesn’t come until 119th overall.

Fonstad is a smooth, responsible two-way pivot with leadership qualities who reminds us of former Blue Jackets like Adam Henrique and Derek Stepan (although he stepped up to the wing on Jordy Stallard’s line in Prince Albert this season). Speed is above average, but it’s his superb anticipation and hockey sense that make him stand out, and his slight build should fill in well enough for him to compete in more physical contests. (It will need to, as time and space become more of a premium as he advances.)

We see him as a two-way third liner who could play up in the lineup and bring a lot of creativity to the table.

Our day 1 haul was therefore an entire starting lineup:

Lauko - Fonstad - Marchenko
Smith - Woo
Dostal

Bring on Day 2! (And seriously, anyone who wants to move an early 4th, hit us up!)
 

Fan.At

Registered User
Sponsor
Mar 2, 2002
2,847
86
HFNHL Preds
Impressive group you were able to snag here. Dostal will make you happy, i guess. I considered him late 2nd round, where you got him he is great value.
Lauko might end up one of the better forwards of this draft and i like the defensemen too - curious to see where Woo's development goes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MatthewFlames

Ohio Jones

Game on...
Feb 28, 2002
8,257
201
Great White North
UPDATE - Day 2 picks:

The Jackets went into day 2 planning to snag some of the high-upside gambles from Europe. So, naturally, we came away with a bunch of project Canadians... Nevertheless, we feel we landed prospects that have legit pro potential based on their assets and development arcs.

4/107: LD Xavier Bernard

Columbus sent two 2019 picks to Florida in the hopes of grabbing Bernard with this selection. Happy he was still on the board. Bernard is a big, strong and mobile blueliner from the Q who stepped up his play significantly with Drummondville this season once he adjusted to a big growth spurt. He focuses on his defensive responsibilities, clearing bodies, and can be counted on to make the simple play to clear the zone.

Offensively Bernard’s confidence is developing, but with mobility, smooth passing and a heavy shot in his arsenal, he has upside as a bruising second-pairing defender who sees occasional second-unit PP duty, making him a potential high value selection in the fourth round.

4/119: C/LW Eric Florchuk

Florchuk was the second player on our day 2 list, so we’re immensely pleased he was still available at 119. The versatile two-way forward has a balanced set of tools that allow him to play any role depending on his team’s needs. He’s the reliable sort of player coaches love, but needs more offensive consistency, along with more strength - he’s stretched up but has yet to fill out.

The flip side of his balanced tools is that he doesn’t have any one standout ability, which may limit his upside. He did show significant progress offensively as the season went on, though, and we should see a breakout year next year with the Blades, so we’ll watch with interest. Dark horse potential.

Florchuk joins Smith and Woo as Dub products selected by the Jackets this year.

5/133: C/LW Nathan Dunkley

Dunkley is a hard-working energy winger who plays bigger than his 5’ 11” frame. Strong on his skates rather than quick, but with great vision and soft hands. Relentless on the puck, highly competitive, a natural agitator with great defensive commitment and a willingness to get dirty.

His offensive upside is still to be determined (he shown a scoring knack at times, but was inconsistent this season), but he’s the sort of player who could carve out a role as a pro on his smarts and work effort. Will have to work on his initial burst and foot speed, however, and show that he can develop his offensive touch with a full season in London - maybe some skating and conditioning tips from Liam Foudy would help.

6/164: RD Seth Barton

Columbus traded their two seventh round picks to Boston for the rights to former Blue Jacket pivot Travis Zajac, who promptly signed a three-year extension. That makes Barton, a late bloomer playing with Trail in the BCHL, our final selection of the 2018 draft.

Barton showed good two-way instincts and growing confidence throughout the season. Because of his August birthday he’s just a little older than many first-time eligible players this year. The U Mass-Lowell commit has a strong showing at the world Jr A championships, but needs experience at the next level to further develop his game. His set of tools and right hand shot make him an intriguing long-term project.

With the Jackets finding success with another late selection of a college-route long-term D project in Boston’s Rob O’Gara, there’s lots of incentive to be patient here. Between Smith, Woo, Bernard and Barton, we feel we’ve added significant depth and quality on the blueline this draft.

With that, the Blue Jackets’ 2018 Entry Draft nets out as follows:

1/10: LD Ty Smith
1/29: RD Jett Woo
2/40: LW Jakob Lauko
3/68: RW Kirill Marchenko
3/71: G Lukas Dostal
3/91: C Cole Fonstad
4/107: LD Xavier Bernard
4/119: C/LW Eric Florchuk
5/133: C/LW Nathan Dunkley
6/164: RD Seth Barton

Now to see who goes where in the NHL!
 
  • Like
Reactions: MatthewFlames

MatthewFlames

Registered User
Jul 21, 2003
4,678
812
'Murica
Great draft Douglas. As we've discussed, Fonstad and Florchuk were fave's of mine out of the 'Dub this year - underrated forwards with tons of potential. Gotta love that Xavier Bernard pick too, I think there is some justified hype about him.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ohio Jones

Ohio Jones

Game on...
Feb 28, 2002
8,257
201
Great White North
Great draft Douglas. As we've discussed, Fonstad and Florchuk were fave's of mine out of the 'Dub this year - underrated forwards with tons of potential. Gotta love that Xavier Bernard pick too, I think there is some justified hype about him.

One can only hope, Matthew. (May just mean we read the same scouts...). But weird as it was, I’m glad with where I netted out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MatthewFlames

MatthewFlames

Registered User
Jul 21, 2003
4,678
812
'Murica
One can only hope, Matthew. (May just mean we read the same scouts...). But weird as it was, I’m glad with where I netted out.

I'm looking forward to the Woo vs Alexeyev debate in the future, as well as the J. Larsson vs Alexeyev debate I'll have with Jon.
 

Ohio Jones

Game on...
Feb 28, 2002
8,257
201
Great White North
Nathan Dunkley was our only draft selection not to be picked in the NHL this year. None of our four undrafted guys from last year got picked.

1/10: LD Ty Smith - NJD 1/17: -7
1/29: RD Jett Woo - VAN 2/37: -8
2/40: LW Jakob Lauko - BOS 3/77: -37
3/68: RW Kirill Marchenko - CBJ 2/49: +19
3/71: G Lukas Dostal - ANA 3/85: -14
3/91: C Cole Fonstad - MTL 5/128: -37
4/107: LD Xavier Bernard - NJD 4/110: -3
4/119: C/LW Eric Florchuk - WAS 7/217: -98
5/133: C/LW Nathan Dunkley - Undrafted
6/164: RD Seth Barton - DET 3/81: +83
-204 +102 = -102

We had a much more successful day on the blueline. All four defenders were taken in the first four rounds: Smith and Bernard to the Devils, Woo to the Canucks, and Barton went almost three rounds earlier to Detroit, putting them all in fairly good situations with their clubs.

Up front was another story. Lauko and Fonstad each went more than a round later, to Boston and Montreal respectively. Florchuk was our big faller on the day, going 98 picks later to Washington as the last player drafted in the 2018 Entry Draft.

London’s Nathan Dunkley went undrafted, So we’ll see if he can carve out some respect in the coming season.

All in all, not a home run draft just yet, but still lots of potential to watch in the coming seasons.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MatthewFlames

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad

-->