Lays top 170 for March-2019 draft rankings

[Lays]

Kakko has surpassed Hughes for me for the 2nd time this year. My list for this year seems to be settling, earlier this year I wasn’t confident of my 1st round and was always shuffling around players but lately it’s pretty compact. I don’t see much changing soon unless I’m blown away by a prospect. At this point I think I can give a good scouting report for any prospect in my top 100 and a few past that. Haven’t had as much time lately to watch games

Anyways,

1. Kaapo Kakko
2. Jack Hughes
3. Kirby Dach
4. Alex Turcotte
5. Vasili Podkolzin
6. Bowen Byram
7. Peyton Krebs
8. Alex Newhook
9. Dylan Cozens
10. Pavel Dorofeyev
11. Trevor Zegras
12. Victor Soderstrom
13. Matthew Boldy
14. Cole Caufield
15. Philipp Tomasino
16. Jakob Pelletier
17. Cam York
18. Arthur Kaliyev
19. Nils Hoglander
20. Moritz Seider
21. Ville Heinola
22. Matthew Robertson
23. Thomas Harley
24. Raphael Lavoie
25. Ryan Suzuki
26. Jamieson Rees
27. Philipp Broberg
28. Samuel Fagemo
29. Ilya Nikolayev
30. Connor McMichael
31. Yegor Afanasyev
32. Samuel Bolduc
33. Mikko Kokkonen
34. Nicholas Robertson
35. Samuel Poulin
36. Albin Grewe
37. Nathan Legare
38. Bobby Brink
39. Tobias Bjornfot
40. Michal Teply
41. Ryder Donovan
42. Yegor Spiridonov
43. Brett Leason
44. Roman Bychkov
45. Maxim Cajkovic
46. Vladislav Kolyachonok
47. Lassi Thomson
48. John Beecher
49. Matias Maccelli
50. Alex Vlasic
51. Robert Mastrosimone
52. Artemi Knyazev
53. Kim Nousiainen
54. Ryan Johnson
55. Nikola Pasic
56. Nolan Foote
57. Graeme Clarke
58. Simon Holmstrom
59. Anttoni Honka
60. Kaedan Korczak
61. Alex Beaucage
62. Matvei Guskov
63. Patrik Puistola
64. Justin Bergeron
65. Daniil Gutik
66. Henri Thrun
67. Simon Lundmark
68. Dmitri Sheshin
69. Cole Moberg
70. Antti Tuomisto
71. Michael Vukojevic
72. Billy Constantinou
73. Tuukka Tieksola
74. Harrison Blaisdell
75. Blake Murray
76. Dillon Hamaliuk
77. Cole Schwindt
78. Sasha Mutala
79. Henri Nikkanen
80. Joe Carroll
81. Lucas Feuk
82. Marshall Warren
83. Daniil Misyul
84. Yegor Serdyuk
85. Liam Ross
86. Valeri Orekhov
87. Kalle Loponen
88. Alex Campbell
89. Adam Beckman
90. Luke Toporowski
91. Brayden Tracey
92. Oleg Zaitsev
93. Martin Hugo Has
94. Case McCarthy
95. Ben Brinkman
96. Leevi Aaltonen
97. Petr Cajka
98. Nikita Alexandrov
99. Valentin Nussbaumer
100. Vladislav Firstov
101. Mathieu Bizier
102. Shane Pinto
103. John Farinacci
104. Ethan Keppen
105. Iaroslav Likhachev
106. Drew Helleson
107. Jake Lee
108. Brady Meyer
109. Mitchell Brewer
110. Karl Henriksson
111. Xavier Simoneau
112. Nicholas Porco
113. Marcus Kallionkieli
114. Elmer Soderblom
115. Keean Washkurak
116. Gianni Fairbrother
117. Trevor Janicke
118. Kirill Slepets
119. John Malone
120. Georgiy Ivanov
121. Carter Berger
122. Ilya Mironov
123. Josh Nodler
124. Quinn Schmiemann
125. Josh Williams
126. Antti Saarela
127. Mikhail Abramov
128. Matthew Steinburg
129. Rhett Pitlick
130. Zac Jones
131. Brett Budgell
132. Jordan Spence
133. Patrick Moynihan
134. Martin Lang
135. Bryce Brodzinski
136. Logan Barlage
137. Maxim Shabanov
138. Judd Caulfield
139. Anthony Romano
140. Reece Newkirk
141. Andrei Pribylskiy
142. Matias Mantikivi
143. Albin Sundsvik
144. Christopher Merisier-Ortiz
145. Grant Silianoff
146. Kristian Tanus
147. Layton Ahac
148. Marcel Barinka
149. Max Guenette
150. Jacob LeGuerrier
151. Daniel D’Amico
152. Vojtech Strondala
153. Alex Gordin
154. Nikita Okhotyuk
155. Albert Johansson
156. Cole Mackay
157. Vladimir Alistrov
158. Max Wahlgren
159. Brooklyn Kalmikov
160. Semyon Chistyakov
161. Alexei Protas
162. Mason Primeau
163. Massimo Rizzo
164. Anthony Imbeault
165. Artem Galimov
166. Xavier Parent
167. Jacob Winterton
168. Wiljami Myllyla
169. Jack York
170. Arvid Costmar

Thoughts?

Click to read more...

 

[Dominance]

Outstanding list! I really like the composition of your first round. I was going to comment that I’d have Cozens higher, but honestly 1-2 and your 3-9 are really getting to be freely interchangeable, although Byram has solidified his claim to the third slot for me.

I’ve seen people suggesting that this draft class has bad depth, but I don’t get it. Maybe not all-time great but as stated above, there’s a solid 10-strong group (add Dorofeyev or Soderstrom into the 9 mentioned above) that I think are truly elite prospects, and being able to pick a guy like McMichael at the end of the first round is pretty incredible to me.

 

[emptyNedder]

Wondering what you see in Graeme Clarke. Central Scouting has him at 56 for NA, which equates to 75-80. Most other rankings I have seen have him 90 or lower. From the clips I have seen he has flashy puck skills, but seem really inconsistent.

 

[16thOverallSaveUs]

Kakko has surpassed Hughes for me for the 2nd time this year. My list for this year seems to be settling, earlier this year I wasn’t confident of my 1st round and was always shuffling around players but lately it’s pretty compact. I don’t see much changing soon unless I’m blown away by a prospect. At this point I think I can give a good scouting report for any prospect in my top 100 and a few past that. Haven’t had as much time lately to watch games

Anyways,

1. Kaapo Kakko
2. Jack Hughes
3. Kirby Dach
4. Alex Turcotte
5. Vasili Podkolzin
6. Bowen Byram
7. Peyton Krebs
8. Alex Newhook
9. Dylan Cozens
10. Pavel Dorofeyev
11. Trevor Zegras
12. Victor Soderstrom
13. Matthew Boldy
14. Cole Caufield
15. Philipp Tomasino
16. Jakob Pelletier
17. Cam York
18. Arthur Kaliyev
19. Nils Hoglander
20. Moritz Seider
21. Ville Heinola
22. Matthew Robertson
23. Thomas Harley
24. Raphael Lavoie
25. Ryan Suzuki
26. Jamieson Rees
27. Philipp Broberg
28. Samuel Fagemo
29. Ilya Nikolayev
30. Connor McMichael
31. Yegor Afanasyev
32. Samuel Bolduc
33. Mikko Kokkonen
34. Nicholas Robertson
35. Samuel Poulin
36. Albin Grewe
37. Nathan Legare
38. Bobby Brink
39. Tobias Bjornfot
40. Michal Teply
41. Ryan Donovan
42. Yegor Spiridonov
43. Brett Leason
44. Roman Bychkov
45. Maxim Cajkovic
46. Vladislav Kolyachonok
47. Lassi Thomson
48. John Beecher
49. Matias Maccelli
50. Alex Vlasic
51. Robert Mastrosimone
52. Artemi Knyazev
53. Kim Nousiainen
54. Ryan Johnson
55. Nikola Pasic
56. Nolan Foote
57. Graeme Clarke
58. Simon Holmstrom
59. Anttoni Honka
60. Kaedan Korczak
61. Alex Beaucage
62. Matvei Guskov
63. Patrik Puistola
64. Justin Bergeron
65. Daniil Gutik
66. Henri Thrun
67. Simon Lundmark
68. Dmitri Sheshin
69. Cole Moberg
70. Antti Tuomisto
71. Michael Vukojevic
72. Billy Constantinou
73. Tuukka Tieksola
74. Harrison Blaisdell
75. Blake Murray
76. Dillon Hamaliuk
77. Cole Schwindt
78. Sasha Mutala
79. Henri Nikkanen
80. Joe Carroll
81. Lucas Feuk
82. Marshall Warren
83. Yegor Serdyuk
84. Liam Ross
85. Valeri Orekhov
86. Kalle Loponen
87. Alex Campbell
88. Adam Beckman
89. Luke Toporowski
90. Brayden Tracey
91. Oleg Zaitsev
92. Martin Hugo Has
93. Case McCarthy
94. Ben Brinkman
95. Leevi Aaltonen
96. Petr Cajka
97. Nikita Alexandrov
98. Valentin Nussbaumer
99. Vladislav Firstov
100. Mathieu Bizier
101. Shane Pinto
102. John Farinacci
103. Ethan Keppen
104. Iaroslav Likhachev
105. Drew Helleson
106. Jake Lee
107. Brady Meyer
108. Mitchell Brewer
109. Karl Henriksson
110. Xavier Simoneau
111. Nicholas Porco
112. Marcus Kallionkieli
113. Elmer Soderblom
114. Keean Washkurak
115. Gianni Fairbrother
116. Trevor Janicke
117. Kirill Slepets
118. John Malone
119. Georgiy Ivanov
120. Carter Berger
121. Ilya Mironov
122. Josh Nodler
123. Quinn Schmiemann
124. Josh Williams
125. Antti Saarela
126. Mikhail Abramov
127. Matthew Steinburg
128. Rhett Pitlick
129. Zac Jones
130. Brett Budgell
131. Jordan Spence
132. Patrick Moynihan
133. Martin Lang
134. Daniil Misyul
135. Bryce Brodzinski
136. Logan Barlage
137. Maxim Shabanov
138. Judd Caulfield
139. Anthony Romano
140. Reece Newkirk
141. Andrei Pribylskiy
142. Matias Mantikivi
143. Albin Sundsvik
144. Christopher Merisier-Ortiz
145. Grant Silianoff
146. Kristian Tanus
147. Layton Ahac
148. Marcel Barinka
149. Max Guenette
150. Jacob LeGuerrier
151. Daniel D’Amico
152. Vojtech Strondala
153. Alex Gordin
154. Nikita Okhotyuk
155. Albert Johansson
156. Cole Mackay
157. Vladimir Alistrov
158. Max Wahlgren
159. Brooklyn Kalmikov
160. Semyon Chistyakov
161. Alexei Protas
162. Mason Primeau
163. Massimo Rizzo
164. Anthony Imbeault
165. Artem Galimov
166. Xavier Parent
167. Jacob Winterton
168. Wiljami Myllyla
169. Jack York
170. Arvid Costmar

Thoughts?

I like your list a lot and like some of the players you have going later in the draft. My only question is: what has moved the needle on kakko for you? I know he’s having a great season, but I haven’t seen a single credible analyst list him over Hughes. I’m not saying that’s right, I’m just intrigued.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Kakko has surpassed Hughes for me for the 2nd time this year. My list for this year seems to be settling, earlier this year I wasn’t confident of my 1st round and was always shuffling around players but lately it’s pretty compact. I don’t see much changing soon unless I’m blown away by a prospect. At this point I think I can give a good scouting report for any prospect in my top 100 and a few past that. Haven’t had as much time lately to watch games

Anyways,

1. Kaapo Kakko
2. Jack Hughes
3. Kirby Dach
4. Alex Turcotte
5. Vasili Podkolzin
6. Bowen Byram
7. Peyton Krebs
8. Alex Newhook
9. Dylan Cozens
10. Pavel Dorofeyev
11. Trevor Zegras
12. Victor Soderstrom
13. Matthew Boldy
14. Cole Caufield
15. Philipp Tomasino
16. Jakob Pelletier
17. Cam York
18. Arthur Kaliyev
19. Nils Hoglander
20. Moritz Seider
21. Ville Heinola
22. Matthew Robertson
23. Thomas Harley
24. Raphael Lavoie
25. Ryan Suzuki
26. Jamieson Rees
27. Philipp Broberg
28. Samuel Fagemo
29. Ilya Nikolayev
30. Connor McMichael
31. Yegor Afanasyev
32. Samuel Bolduc
33. Mikko Kokkonen
34. Nicholas Robertson
35. Samuel Poulin
36. Albin Grewe
37. Nathan Legare
38. Bobby Brink
39. Tobias Bjornfot
40. Michal Teply
41. Ryan Donovan
42. Yegor Spiridonov
43. Brett Leason
44. Roman Bychkov
45. Maxim Cajkovic
46. Vladislav Kolyachonok
47. Lassi Thomson
48. John Beecher
49. Matias Maccelli
50. Alex Vlasic
51. Robert Mastrosimone
52. Artemi Knyazev
53. Kim Nousiainen
54. Ryan Johnson
55. Nikola Pasic
56. Nolan Foote
57. Graeme Clarke
58. Simon Holmstrom
59. Anttoni Honka
60. Kaedan Korczak
61. Alex Beaucage
62. Matvei Guskov
63. Patrik Puistola
64. Justin Bergeron
65. Daniil Gutik
66. Henri Thrun
67. Simon Lundmark
68. Dmitri Sheshin
69. Cole Moberg
70. Antti Tuomisto
71. Michael Vukojevic
72. Billy Constantinou
73. Tuukka Tieksola
74. Harrison Blaisdell
75. Blake Murray
76. Dillon Hamaliuk
77. Cole Schwindt
78. Sasha Mutala
79. Henri Nikkanen
80. Joe Carroll
81. Lucas Feuk
82. Marshall Warren
83. Yegor Serdyuk
84. Liam Ross
85. Valeri Orekhov
86. Kalle Loponen
87. Alex Campbell
88. Adam Beckman
89. Luke Toporowski
90. Brayden Tracey
91. Oleg Zaitsev
92. Martin Hugo Has
93. Case McCarthy
94. Ben Brinkman
95. Leevi Aaltonen
96. Petr Cajka
97. Nikita Alexandrov
98. Valentin Nussbaumer
99. Vladislav Firstov
100. Mathieu Bizier
101. Shane Pinto
102. John Farinacci
103. Ethan Keppen
104. Iaroslav Likhachev
105. Drew Helleson
106. Jake Lee
107. Brady Meyer
108. Mitchell Brewer
109. Karl Henriksson
110. Xavier Simoneau
111. Nicholas Porco
112. Marcus Kallionkieli
113. Elmer Soderblom
114. Keean Washkurak
115. Gianni Fairbrother
116. Trevor Janicke
117. Kirill Slepets
118. John Malone
119. Georgiy Ivanov
120. Carter Berger
121. Ilya Mironov
122. Josh Nodler
123. Quinn Schmiemann
124. Josh Williams
125. Antti Saarela
126. Mikhail Abramov
127. Matthew Steinburg
128. Rhett Pitlick
129. Zac Jones
130. Brett Budgell
131. Jordan Spence
132. Patrick Moynihan
133. Martin Lang
134. Daniil Misyul
135. Bryce Brodzinski
136. Logan Barlage
137. Maxim Shabanov
138. Judd Caulfield
139. Anthony Romano
140. Reece Newkirk
141. Andrei Pribylskiy
142. Matias Mantikivi
143. Albin Sundsvik
144. Christopher Merisier-Ortiz
145. Grant Silianoff
146. Kristian Tanus
147. Layton Ahac
148. Marcel Barinka
149. Max Guenette
150. Jacob LeGuerrier
151. Daniel D’Amico
152. Vojtech Strondala
153. Alex Gordin
154. Nikita Okhotyuk
155. Albert Johansson
156. Cole Mackay
157. Vladimir Alistrov
158. Max Wahlgren
159. Brooklyn Kalmikov
160. Semyon Chistyakov
161. Alexei Protas
162. Mason Primeau
163. Massimo Rizzo
164. Anthony Imbeault
165. Artem Galimov
166. Xavier Parent
167. Jacob Winterton
168. Wiljami Myllyla
169. Jack York
170. Arvid Costmar

Thoughts?

I really like this list. Only thing that stands out to me is McMichael seems pretty low.

 

[Dominance]

I really like this list. Only thing that stands out to me is McMichael seems pretty low.

He’s tapered off a bit since his long hot stretch that had me certain he would break into the top-10, but I agree that he should be in the 15-20 range.

Who to bump down, though? It’s getting to the time of year where that question is a lot harder to answer. For me, the easy answer is to slide him in front of Kaliyev. McMichael’s a pretty great goal scorer in his own right, and not so reliant on a single spot on the powerplay. He’s also good to great in all of the areas that are concerns with Kaliyev. I know if I’m picking in that spot, as a team that just stayed afloat the playoff race, I’m taking the sure-fire middle-6er with considerable top-6 upside over wildly swinging at a potential home run.

 

[Get North]

Once again, I don't know how Poulin isn't ranked in the top 15, he's on par with Boldy and Krebs, much better player than Kaliyev. He's wearing an A for his team in his 2nd year, that already tells you everything about the kids character and work ethic. Pelletier is a fair ranking, but seeing Poulin almost 20 picks away is just wrong.

Harley is 2nd best dman in the draft.

Newkirk, Keppen, Fairbrother should also be higher. Skill players with a lot of heart and grit are rare breeds nowadays.

 

[57special]

Just talking about what I know, here. Brink is pretty low on your list, compared to others. What he is doing as a 17yo in the USHL is pretty crazy. Leads in PPG, USNDP guys aside.

Not a big deal, but Brodzinski and Pitlick should be flipped, at the very least. Pitlick has great skill and speed, but Brodzinski has speed, a shot, skill, and is already 6'1", 200lb. He also played a harder schedule, outpointed Pitlick by a good bit, and won "Mr. Hockey" for best MN player.

I don't know what to make of Brinkman. NCAA is a better league than the USHL, which is better than MNHS. I know Brinkman didn't produce much with the Gophers, but he looked solid, and I can't help but feel that he would've destroyed MNHS if he had stayed this year. I'll be curious to see how he pans out next year. I don't know that I can argue with your ranking of him...but him being the youngest player in college has to count for something.

 

[UNITEDSTATESOFHOCKEY]

Who's Ryan Donovan?!?

 

[UNITEDSTATESOFHOCKEY]

Just talking about what I know, here. Brink is pretty low on your list, compared to others. What he is doing as a 17yo in the USHL is pretty crazy. Leads in PPG, USNDP guys aside.

Not a big deal, but Brodzinski and Pitlick should be flipped, at the very least. Pitlick has great skill and speed, but Brodzinski has speed, a shot, skill, and is already 6'1", 200lb. He also played a harder schedule, outpointed Pitlick by a good bit, and won "Mr. Hockey" for best MN player.

I don't know what to make of Brinkman. NCAA is a better league than the USHL, which is better than MNHS. I know Brinkman didn't produce much with the Gophers, but he looked solid, and I can't help but feel that he would've destroyed MNHS if he had stayed this year. I'll be curious to see how he pans out next year. I don't know that I can argue with your ranking of him...but him being the youngest player in college has to count for something.

I agree with you on Brinkman... I think he'd be among the point leaders for defenseman in the USHL this year and probably would have won Mr. Hockey had he played High School.

I disagree on Brodzinski, he can't skate good enough for me, he has a shot but I think he's a bottom 6 forward if he ends up making it to the NHL at all.... i'm sure some team will grab him but i don't think it will be very high....

 

[57special]

I agree with you on Brinkman... I think he'd be among the point leaders for defenseman in the USHL this year and probably would have won Mr. Hockey had he played High School.

I disagree on Brodzinski, he can't skate good enough for me, he has a shot but I think he's a bottom 6 forward if he ends up making it to the NHL at all.... i'm sure some team will grab him but i don't think it will be very high....

I was impressed by BB's speed. Edgework I didn't pay too much attention to. Isn't Koster (same team as Pitlick) a 2019, or is he an overager? If the former, he might be worth noting.

This is kind of obscure stuff, I know, and probably of little interest to most out there.

 

[UNITEDSTATESOFHOCKEY]

I was impressed by BB's speed. Edgework I didn't pay too much attention to. Isn't Koster (same team as Pitlick) a 2019, or is he an overager? If the former, he might be worth noting.

This is kind of obscure stuff, I know, and probably of little interest to most out there.

He looks fast in High School, not so much in USHL, I think he will be a good college player for Minneosota tho.... pitlick and koster are both 2019's, not overagers... I'm not sure koster has the brain but he has some physical tools that are eye catching...

 

[Lays]

Wondering what you see in Graeme Clarke. Central Scouting has him at 56 for NA, which equates to 75-80. Most other rankings I have seen have him 90 or lower. From the clips I have seen he has flashy puck skills, but seem really inconsistent.

I know a lot won’t agree with this but I think Clark is a smart player. Always knows where to be and where to pass to. Great stick handler and a wicked shot. He has a lot to work on such as skating and consistency but if he can put it together his tools suggest a complimentary top winger. He’s not a safe pick but an enticing one

I like your list a lot and like some of the players you have going later in the draft. My only question is: what has moved the needle on kakko for you? I know he’s having a great season, but I haven’t seen a single credible analyst list him over Hughes. I’m not saying that’s right, I’m just intrigued.

Can’t really explain it but I see Kakko translating a bit better. I do think Hughes will translate just fine but he turns the puck over a lot and I think he’ll have to simplify his game a bit. It’s not a specific thing that happened to make me move Kakko to 1 it’s just it was a feeling I’ve had for a while, Kakko has seriously impressed me as of late while Hughes hasn’t elevated his game

Once again, I don't know how Poulin isn't ranked in the top 15, he's on par with Boldy and Krebs, much better player than Kaliyev. He's wearing an A for his team in his 2nd year, that already tells you everything about the kids character and work ethic. Pelletier is a fair ranking, but seeing Poulin almost 20 picks away is just wrong.

Harley is 2nd best dman in the draft.

Newkirk, Keppen, Fairbrother should also be higher. Skill players with a lot of heart and grit are rare breeds nowadays.

Poulin doesn’t have the offensive upside to be top 15. He’s definitely not close to Boldy or Krebs right now. I don’t agree that Harley is the 2nd best either, I’ve said it before but his defensive effort and his lack of dynamic offensive ability scare me a bit. He’s a great puck mover but his IQ has been lacking in my viewings. He does have good tools though

Just talking about what I know, here. Brink is pretty low on your list, compared to others. What he is doing as a 17yo in the USHL is pretty crazy. Leads in PPG, USNDP guys aside.

Not a big deal, but Brodzinski and Pitlick should be flipped, at the very least. Pitlick has great skill and speed, but Brodzinski has speed, a shot, skill, and is already 6'1", 200lb. He also played a harder schedule, outpointed Pitlick by a good bit, and won "Mr. Hockey" for best MN player.

I don't know what to make of Brinkman. NCAA is a better league than the USHL, which is better than MNHS. I know Brinkman didn't produce much with the Gophers, but he looked solid, and I can't help but feel that he would've destroyed MNHS if he had stayed this year. I'll be curious to see how he pans out next year. I don't know that I can argue with your ranking of him...but him being the youngest player in college has to count for something.

Brodzinski and Pitlick are newer additions to my list so that may explain their ranking. I’ve only seen one game of each and I’m basing that ranking over what I’ve seen and read of those two. I don’t think Brodzinski has Pitlick’s offensive upside though. I’m looking to catch more games of them though and hopefully will soon

Who's Ryan Donovan?!?

Meant to put Ryder Donovan, must be auto correct. Got his name right on my other lists lol

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Haven’t seen Fagemo > Leason too often... don’t necessarily disagree though. In your opinion, who arrives in the NHL sooner between those two?

 

[Killerjas]

No Leufvenius?

 

[Lays]

No Leufvenius?

I think I like him better than most but nope

Haven’t seen Fagemo > Leason too often... don’t necessarily disagree though. In your opinion, who arrives in the NHL sooner between those two?

I think they have the same arrival date, after next year. I don’t recall Fagemo’s plans for next season but if he goes the AHL him and Leason have chances to get callups for a few games

 

[Shmookpup]

I was surprised to see Bolduc at 32, what's the rationale behind him being that high? I don't disagree that he's in the B-level prospect range, just a little surprised to see him be the very first pick of the 2nd round

 

[Get North]

Poulin doesn’t have the offensive upside to be top 15. He’s definitely not close to Boldy or Krebs right now. I don’t agree that Harley is the 2nd best either, I’ve said it before but his defensive effort and his lack of dynamic offensive ability scare me a bit. He’s a great puck mover but his IQ has been lacking in my viewings. He does have good tools though

We see different players. I don't think Boldy and Krebs are anything special with their hands and dynamic offensive ability. They just make a lot of super smart plays with the puck and are strong skaters. Poulin has better hands than Boldy and Krebs IMO, he can be more dangerous if he reaches his ceiling. I don't see how he lacks the offensive upside those players do, production and pedigree is all there. Leads his team in scoring by over 10 points.

 

[Dominance]

We see different players. I don't think Boldy and Krebs are anything special with their hands and dynamic offensive ability. They just make a lot of super smart plays with the puck and are strong skaters. Poulin has better hands than Boldy and Krebs IMO, he can be more dangerous if he reaches his ceiling. I don't see how he lacks the offensive upside those players do, production and pedigree is all there. Leads his team in scoring by over 10 points.

I like Poulin. I think he should sit in the last third of the first round for everyone right now, and he has potential going forward.

That said, he and Boldy have pretty similar tools - maybe a couple edges one way, and another few the other. But Poulin’s higher level of aggression doesn’t overcome the IQ/vision gap that has Boldy in the 10-15 tier. Krebs is a completely different animal but is just the significantly superior player in such a vast number of areas. He’s in the 5-10 tier.

The gaps between Poulin and these guys aren’t monumental, but they are very clearly present.