derbyfan
Registered User
Once upon a time, Tristan Llywellan (D, Tri-City Storm USHL) was considered a top prospect for this draft...Is he still ranked anywhere in the first 3 rounds?
JVR has the skills, but when you keep getting back disappointing reports from scouts you can't put him in the top five right now IMO. It's not like we have bums listed ahead of them; all have their strong points and weak points, just like JVR.
I talked to a head scout yesterday who told me he's watched van Riemsdyk four times this season, and he was a disappointment each time. ther's no way he's got him close to his top five at this point, but if he puts it together and plays up to his potential the next few times he sees him he may end up in his top five. The size/skill package is there.
I don't quite follow you with the O'Brien comment. He's 6-2..so size isn't a problem, and he managed a two-goal game against Michigan as a 17-year-old rookie in the NCAA playing against guys up to six years older than him. If you look strictly at the 'stats' he's a draftee without question.
Why does every other scouting service out there have JVR much higher then?
Does this alleged "head scout" realize that JVR is a 17 year old playing against mainly University Teams and he isn't going to score 3 pts a game like all these Junior type players.
Also, what does it matter what "Head Scout" says anyways. When did you or the folks from McKeen's go and check him out four yourself. Have you????? I live an hour from Ann Arbor, I've seen him play several times and he's looked good out there each time. Has not looked out of place playing against the likes of 3-4 even 5 years older than him.
Also, Espo at #1 is a complete farce. Why are these rankings so outdated all the time? What has Angelo done to be considered drafted #1 overall ahead of all the other fine prospects in this class. Surely his 2'nd World Junior snub didnt score him any points, did it? Keep him in the top 3 maybe, but having him at #1 at this date is VERY strange.
Also, Espo at #1 is a complete farce. Why are these rankings so outdated all the time? What has Angelo done to be considered drafted #1 overall ahead of all the other fine prospects in this class. Surely his 2'nd World Junior snub didnt score him any points, did it? Keep him in the top 3 maybe, but having him at #1 at this date is VERY strange.
Many great prospects have been cut from the Canadian World Junior team at the age of 17. It's hardly a damning indictment from Hockey Canada.
So there seems to be a big difference on how Mckeen's and ISS view Van Riemsdyk and Kane...I guess ISS is scared off by Kane's size,and Mckeen's just notes how he keeps putting up tons of points ...
Alzner is now consensus the best D-man in the draft and whether you see him as high as #2 overall or as low as #5 overall --it actually may depend on which team wins the lotto to draft#1 and whether they are already well stocked on D or not--if not,he might go #1 overall!
If he performs like today in the 5-2 Canada win over Finland in their pre-WJHC exhibition game (1G+2A)--he may very well go #1 !!!
Here is my own Dec. ranking of the top ten for the draft:
1. Logan Couture (he's back baby!)
2. Karl Alzner (safest pick in the draft--sure-fire blue-chip D-man).
3. Kyle Turris--electric highlight reel talent...
These 3 will have an impact as pros..I am certain about them..there are questions with the next tier that give some pause on their upside for potential impact in the
NHL...
-------------------------
2nd tier:
4. Pat Kane (size is an issue,but he puts up the points --Marty St. Louis can
do it--why not Kane?).
5. James Van Riemsdyk (on the other hand he does have size you love at wing).
6. Nick Petrecki--big mean D-man (who can't use one of those).
7. Sam Gagner ( good hockey sense--but I don't think he has 1st line potential)
stiil--he'll be a good solid NHl'er...on a 2nd or 3rd line...
8. Jakub Voracek--somehow I seem to be less impressed than the scouting services.
9. Angelo Esposito--again I seem to be less than impressed--I expected much more from him given the hype of the last 2 years...
10. Keaton Ellerby --still very raw--but with that size and skating ability,even if the offense doesn't come ,he could be a good stay at home d-man ...
So there seems to be a big difference on how Mckeen's and ISS view Van Riemsdyk and Kane...I guess ISS is scared off by Kane's size,and Mckeen's just notes how he keeps putting up tons of points ...
Alzner is now consensus the best D-man in the draft and whether you see him as high as #2 overall or as low as #5 overall --it actually may depend on which team wins the lotto to draft#1 and whether they are already well stocked on D or not--if not,he might go #1 overall!
If he performs like today in the 5-2 Canada win over Finland in their pre-WJHC exhibition game (1G+2A)--he may very well go #1 !!!
Here is my own Dec. ranking of the top ten for the draft:
1. Logan Couture (he's back baby!)
2. Karl Alzner (safest pick in the draft--sure-fire blue-chip D-man).
3. Kyle Turris--electric highlight reel talent...
These 3 will have an impact as pros..I am certain about them..there are questions with the next tier that give some pause on their upside for potential impact in the
NHL...
-------------------------
2nd tier:
4. Pat Kane (size is an issue,but he puts up the points --Marty St. Louis can
do it--why not Kane?).
5. James Van Riemsdyk (on the other hand he does have size you love at wing).
6. Nick Petrecki--big mean D-man (who can't use one of those).
7. Sam Gagner ( good hockey sense--but I don't think he has 1st line potential)
stiil--he'll be a good solid NHl'er...on a 2nd or 3rd line...
8. Jakub Voracek--somehow I seem to be less impressed than the scouting services.
9. Angelo Esposito--again I seem to be less than impressed--I expected much more from him given the hype of the last 2 years...
10. Keaton Ellerby --still very raw--but with that size and skating ability,even if the offense doesn't come ,he could be a good stay at home d-man ...
Also, Espo at #1 is a complete farce. Why are these rankings so outdated all the time? What has Angelo done to be considered drafted #1 overall ahead of all the other fine prospects in this class. Surely his 2'nd World Junior snub didnt score him any points, did it? Keep him in the top 3 maybe, but having him at #1 at this date is VERY strange.
I'm sure then, since you live in Michigan, you have frequent opportunities to go see Esposito play?
And if it's plausible in your mind to keep Espo in the Top 3, why is it so offensive to believe that he could go #1?
Just chill out man. You'll hear many different opinions from people who get paid to watch hockey for a living on who they think will be #1.
If you get this worked up from every ranking you don't like before the draft, you'll blow a fuse by June.
If you're going to put Semin and i on a line then you're morally obligated to sign Corey Pecker and put him on there too.
Pecker-i-Semin
Those three on HNIC with Bob Cole calling the game would be unbelievable.
Remember the Patrick Stefan draft? It's a bit like that, where no one knew who would be the top pick.
Nice list. I like Logan as he plays for my 67's, but the skating issue is going to keep him from the top slot I'm afraid no matter how productive he is.
We strongly considered ranking Alzner number one actually; he's just such a solid prospect. At the end of the day tho, scouts still like Esposito's offensive skills/potential a little more than Alzner's 'safer' package.
QUOTE]
I personally would pick Alzner over Espo or JVR (but I only saw JVR once last year) When I saw Alzner this year (to watch Ryan White play) I had no idea he was considered such a high pick. He was really impressive though, so I can see why he's getting such high ranks, although I think it also speaks to the top end talent in this draft. Too bad cause I was hoping Alzner would be more of a top 15 pick cause I would have liked to see the Habs try and move up to get him.
Nice list. I like Logan as he plays for my 67's, but the skating issue is going to keep him from the top slot I'm afraid no matter how productive he is.
We strongly considered ranking Alzner number one actually; he's just such a solid prospect. At the end of the day tho, scouts still like Esposito's offensive skills/potential a little more than Alzner's 'safer' package.
QUOTE]
I personally would pick Alzner over Espo or JVR (but I only saw JVR once last year) When I saw Alzner this year (to watch Ryan White play) I had no idea he was considered such a high pick. He was really impressive though, so I can see why he's getting such high ranks, although I think it also speaks to the top end talent in this draft. Too bad cause I was hoping Alzner would be more of a top 15 pick cause I would have liked to see the Habs try and move up to get him.
Well put, and you're exactly right about it not being a great high-end draft, although Alzner is starting to show more and more offensive upside. Alzner has 23 assists in 33 games in the WHL, and added three points today in the game versus Finland. He ends up playing on the power play in the WJC and a regular shift, goes back to Calgary and continues at a point per game pace while playing well defensively, he'll be a strong consideration for first overall.
Believe me - We are aware that Esposito has some warts; he doesn't always get his nose dirty and compete as hard as we'd like (especially in his own zone), he's skinny and needs to add quite a bit of muscle for the NHL game. If he were in last year's draft we'd be debating whether he's a top ten pick probably. But he does have an extra gear, has superior vision and hands and he knows how to score. He learns the defensive game, puts on some weight and works on his intensity, and he's a first-line center in the NHL someday. At the end of the day, there likely won't be too many of those from this draft, perhaps Gagner.
OK, folks - we get it, let's drop this line of discussion and move along.Shouldn't it be Pecker + i + Semen?
Keven Veilleux is sickly overrated, at #25 on the mckeens list, he's talented but is a slow skater will will keep him out of the top 2 rounds i have been told by scouts i have talked to... and where is David Stich, David Skokan and Logan MacMillian they should be considered for the first round ahead of Veilleux ?
What about Mayorov and Bachkirov?I did it Langway? Funny.
We have Cherepanov 18th. Russian scouts are raving about his play this season; highly skilled.
What about Mayorov and Bachkirov?
Who said I lived in Michigan? I said I'm an hour away from Ann Arbor, I'm actually in Ontario.
I have also watched Angelo on TV many a time. I have Rogers and have seen him play at least 5 times on there and I've also seen him play live.
He wouldnt even be in my Top 5. I mearly stated that if someone had him third it would be a little more understanable.
You'll see in June.