This draft didn't exactly go according to script for me. At 19 I had a shortlist of players I liked, and despite the fact one of the guys I had hoped would be available (Harley) was still on the board, I traded the pick away. I felt the value of falling to 25 and moving up from 53 to 36 was too good to pass on as I had a few players I liked in each spot. In the end I landed one true target, a couple guys who were at the bottom of short lists for each of my 2nds, and a straight value pick in the 3rd.
1.25 - Matthew Robertson, D - 6'3, 201 lbs - Edmonton, WHL
Robertson brings a very unique package of size, skating and skill. Perhaps not a pure offensive talent he shows the ability contribute on the rush and pinching in the offensive zone and has a heavy shot. In the defensive zone shows good shutdown ability and has the size to play a physical game. What ties it all together is really strong skating for a player his size giving him hopefully a strong chance at making it to the NHL if either the offense or defense can continue to develop even a little bit. This was a player in consideration at 19 so I was happy to land him at 25.
2.36 - Pavel Dorofeyev, W - 6'1 167 lbs - Magnitogorsk 2, MHL
After the trade to drop to 25 and move up to 36 in the 2nd round I had a list of 6 guys in the range I was hoping to land, and as it often works, 4 of them were gone by the time I was up leaving me deciding between my last two options in Dorofeyev and Pelletier.
In the end my love for Mother Russia pushed me to selecting Dorofeyev, a highly skilled winger. On skill alone he could be a 1st round pick but I also wouldn't be surprised if he fell in the NHL draft as can happen when talking Russian prospects. He's great with the puck on his stick and is able to control the pace of the play to set up scoring chances. Not a speedster but is a generally effortless skater with good agility. Needs to add some strength of course if he hopes to withstand the NHL game. Killed it in the MHL this season and one of a handful of teenagers to get regular time in the KHL after a mid-season call up.
2.50 - Maxim Cajkovic, W - 5'11 185 lbs - Saint John, QMJHL
I was hoping for a break at this pick but my initial targets went between 36 and here. The short list for this pick was Cajkovic, Legare and Fagemo. Time will tell if I picked right as Legare and Fagemo were selected in the next 5 picks.
Cajkovic was actually a bit of a disappointment (and that might be an understatement to some) as the 1st overall pick in the CHL Import Draft this season. He struggled badly early on and was even a healthy scratch at points. He eventually figured things out and managed to improve his play on a weak Saint John team. He's an excellent skater with a high hockey IQ that allows him to make things happen in the offensive zone. More of a shooter than passer and might need to play with some better linemates to get the best out of him. We will see next season if it was simply a first half slump or if he's just that inconsistent.
3.79 - Shane Pinto, C - 6'2 192 lbs - Tri-City, USHL
My initial target for this pick was Yegor Spiridonov who went at 73. By the time I was up at 79 I picked someone I hadn't put much serious thought into but represented the 50th ranked skater on my draft board so I just couldn't pass despite not being a real target at any point.
Pinto brings good size and strength to the Center position. Started out on a weaker team and produced at a PPG rate before being traded to a top Tri-City team and sustained his production. Some doubt his overall skill and think he's just good at using his size against smaller players but others see someone with good puck skills and a decent shot. Either way, if he can develop the offensive skills a little and continue to use his size to his advantage I like what I have. Committed to North Dakota next season so we'll get a look at what he can do against older/stronger kids.
1.25 - Matthew Robertson, D - 6'3, 201 lbs - Edmonton, WHL
Robertson brings a very unique package of size, skating and skill. Perhaps not a pure offensive talent he shows the ability contribute on the rush and pinching in the offensive zone and has a heavy shot. In the defensive zone shows good shutdown ability and has the size to play a physical game. What ties it all together is really strong skating for a player his size giving him hopefully a strong chance at making it to the NHL if either the offense or defense can continue to develop even a little bit. This was a player in consideration at 19 so I was happy to land him at 25.
2.36 - Pavel Dorofeyev, W - 6'1 167 lbs - Magnitogorsk 2, MHL
After the trade to drop to 25 and move up to 36 in the 2nd round I had a list of 6 guys in the range I was hoping to land, and as it often works, 4 of them were gone by the time I was up leaving me deciding between my last two options in Dorofeyev and Pelletier.
In the end my love for Mother Russia pushed me to selecting Dorofeyev, a highly skilled winger. On skill alone he could be a 1st round pick but I also wouldn't be surprised if he fell in the NHL draft as can happen when talking Russian prospects. He's great with the puck on his stick and is able to control the pace of the play to set up scoring chances. Not a speedster but is a generally effortless skater with good agility. Needs to add some strength of course if he hopes to withstand the NHL game. Killed it in the MHL this season and one of a handful of teenagers to get regular time in the KHL after a mid-season call up.
2.50 - Maxim Cajkovic, W - 5'11 185 lbs - Saint John, QMJHL
I was hoping for a break at this pick but my initial targets went between 36 and here. The short list for this pick was Cajkovic, Legare and Fagemo. Time will tell if I picked right as Legare and Fagemo were selected in the next 5 picks.
Cajkovic was actually a bit of a disappointment (and that might be an understatement to some) as the 1st overall pick in the CHL Import Draft this season. He struggled badly early on and was even a healthy scratch at points. He eventually figured things out and managed to improve his play on a weak Saint John team. He's an excellent skater with a high hockey IQ that allows him to make things happen in the offensive zone. More of a shooter than passer and might need to play with some better linemates to get the best out of him. We will see next season if it was simply a first half slump or if he's just that inconsistent.
3.79 - Shane Pinto, C - 6'2 192 lbs - Tri-City, USHL
My initial target for this pick was Yegor Spiridonov who went at 73. By the time I was up at 79 I picked someone I hadn't put much serious thought into but represented the 50th ranked skater on my draft board so I just couldn't pass despite not being a real target at any point.
Pinto brings good size and strength to the Center position. Started out on a weaker team and produced at a PPG rate before being traded to a top Tri-City team and sustained his production. Some doubt his overall skill and think he's just good at using his size against smaller players but others see someone with good puck skills and a decent shot. Either way, if he can develop the offensive skills a little and continue to use his size to his advantage I like what I have. Committed to North Dakota next season so we'll get a look at what he can do against older/stronger kids.
