2017 HFNHL Entry Draft Review
Round 1, #22 D Urho Vaakanainen
NHL: Boston Bruins, Round 1, #18 overall
I traded down from 16 gaining the #53 pick which ended up Eemeli Rasanen and still was lucky enough to get the player i wanted. Vaakanainen is a smooth skating finish defenseman with untapped offensive upside. He has already two seasons of pro hockey in the top finish league under his belt and might be on the fast lane to the NHL.
Round 1, #29 G Jake Oettinger
NHL: Dallas Stars, Round 1, #26 overall
I knew i would pick Oettinger with my second first round pick if he was still available, but risked a pick swap with Arizona moving down from #26 to #29 - while at the same time moving up to #33 which got me Callan Foote.
Oettinger was the 2nd youngest player in D1 College Hockey last season and one of the best goalies. He has lots of qualities NHL goaltenders need to succeed and might be one of my future cornerstones.
Round 2, #33 D Callan Foote
NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning, Round 1, #14 overall
Ditched my list for this pick as I expected Foote to be gone much higher - but I had him ranked even lower due to skating issues and my personal Colten-Teubert-syndrome.
Foote is big, smart and uses his size well while having very good offensive upside. His only issue might be slow feet, but thats probably a matter of strength and training.
Round 2, #47 D Dylan Samberg
NHL: Winnipeg Jets, Round 2, #43 overall
Big and rangy high school defenseman who might even go to the USHL for a season before entering college - so he has a lot of time to develop. Does have a lot of upside, but has a lot to work on as well.
Round 2, #53 D Eemeli Rasanen
NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs, Round 2, #59 overall
Another project pick, but also with upside. 6'7 defenseman with very good offensive instincts, Rasanen will first have to grow into his body before his absolute potential can be gauged.
Round 3, #73 F Evan Barratt
NHL: Chicago Blackhawks, Round 3, #90 overall
I was not surprised when the Hawks picked Barrat, who is on the small side, but smart and skilled. And as the Hawks like it, he is going to college.
Round 4, #109 G Dylan Ferguson
NHL: Dallas Stars, Round 7, #194 overall
Backup to Connor Ingram last season, Ferguson had a great season himself. His true test will come this season when Ingram goes pro.
Round 5, #135 D Johnny Kovacevic
NHL: Winnipeg Jets, Round 3, #74 overall
Might have been one of the best kept secrets in the draft, as he is a late bloomer who had a breakout season for Merrimack College. Kovacevic is a 6'5 defenseman with a big shot, strong skating and a very good two-way game.
Round 6, #171 D John Nyberg
NHL: Dallas Stars, Round 6, #165 overall - 2014
Older defenseman who had a strong season in the SHL and is already under contract with the NHL's Dallas Stars. 6'3 with good skating and offensive upside.
Round 7, #212 F Micah Miller
NHL: undrafted
A bit suprised Miller was not drafted, but he too has a lot of time to develop. He falls in line with recently drafted smaller forwards as he is quick and speedy and despite his height is a strong kid who likes to use his body.
Round 1, #22 D Urho Vaakanainen
NHL: Boston Bruins, Round 1, #18 overall
I traded down from 16 gaining the #53 pick which ended up Eemeli Rasanen and still was lucky enough to get the player i wanted. Vaakanainen is a smooth skating finish defenseman with untapped offensive upside. He has already two seasons of pro hockey in the top finish league under his belt and might be on the fast lane to the NHL.
Round 1, #29 G Jake Oettinger
NHL: Dallas Stars, Round 1, #26 overall
I knew i would pick Oettinger with my second first round pick if he was still available, but risked a pick swap with Arizona moving down from #26 to #29 - while at the same time moving up to #33 which got me Callan Foote.
Oettinger was the 2nd youngest player in D1 College Hockey last season and one of the best goalies. He has lots of qualities NHL goaltenders need to succeed and might be one of my future cornerstones.
Round 2, #33 D Callan Foote
NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning, Round 1, #14 overall
Ditched my list for this pick as I expected Foote to be gone much higher - but I had him ranked even lower due to skating issues and my personal Colten-Teubert-syndrome.
Foote is big, smart and uses his size well while having very good offensive upside. His only issue might be slow feet, but thats probably a matter of strength and training.
Round 2, #47 D Dylan Samberg
NHL: Winnipeg Jets, Round 2, #43 overall
Big and rangy high school defenseman who might even go to the USHL for a season before entering college - so he has a lot of time to develop. Does have a lot of upside, but has a lot to work on as well.
Round 2, #53 D Eemeli Rasanen
NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs, Round 2, #59 overall
Another project pick, but also with upside. 6'7 defenseman with very good offensive instincts, Rasanen will first have to grow into his body before his absolute potential can be gauged.
Round 3, #73 F Evan Barratt
NHL: Chicago Blackhawks, Round 3, #90 overall
I was not surprised when the Hawks picked Barrat, who is on the small side, but smart and skilled. And as the Hawks like it, he is going to college.
Round 4, #109 G Dylan Ferguson
NHL: Dallas Stars, Round 7, #194 overall
Backup to Connor Ingram last season, Ferguson had a great season himself. His true test will come this season when Ingram goes pro.
Round 5, #135 D Johnny Kovacevic
NHL: Winnipeg Jets, Round 3, #74 overall
Might have been one of the best kept secrets in the draft, as he is a late bloomer who had a breakout season for Merrimack College. Kovacevic is a 6'5 defenseman with a big shot, strong skating and a very good two-way game.
Round 6, #171 D John Nyberg
NHL: Dallas Stars, Round 6, #165 overall - 2014
Older defenseman who had a strong season in the SHL and is already under contract with the NHL's Dallas Stars. 6'3 with good skating and offensive upside.
Round 7, #212 F Micah Miller
NHL: undrafted
A bit suprised Miller was not drafted, but he too has a lot of time to develop. He falls in line with recently drafted smaller forwards as he is quick and speedy and despite his height is a strong kid who likes to use his body.