jandro8alsaker
Registered User
- Jan 30, 2008
- 9
- 0
1. NEW JERSEY DEVILS/ NICO HISCHIER/ C (HALIFAX MOOSEHEADS/ QMJHL)
New Jersey nabs the most electric offensive centre in the draft. Hischier will flourish with finishers like Taylor Hall and Pavel Zacha flanking him on a regular basis.
2. PHILIDELPHIA/ NOLAN PATRICK/ C (BRANDON WHEATKINGS/ WHL)
The Broad Street Bullies cash in on this years draft lottery to select the big centre from Brandon. Patrick and his game have earned comparisons to that of a young Eric Staal.
3. DALLAS STARS/ MIRO HEISKANEN/ D (HIFK HELSINKI/ SM LIIGA)
Dallas adds to their impressive stable of Finnish rearguards by selecting the poised and skilled Heiskanen.
4. COLORADO AVALANCHE/ GABRIEL VILARDI/ C (WINDSOR SPITFIRES/ OHL)
As Colorado transistions out of a dismal campaign, they will be looking to add a player who will have a prompt impact at the NHL level. Vilardi is physically ready, though another OHL season could be in the cards.
5. VANCOUVER CANUCKS/ CODY GLASS/ C (PORTLAND WINTERHAWKS/ WHL)
Jim Benning finds his playmaking/ posession driving centre at long last. Glass sees the play 2 steps ahead and knows when to finish. Has the potential to be a player a team can build around.
6. VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS/ MARTIN NECAS/ C (HC KOMETA BRNO/ CZECH EXTRALIGA)
When given a fresh slate and a whad of cash with which to build a hockey club, where better to start than a number one centre in the making.
7. ARIZONA COYOTES/ CASEY MITTELSTADT/ C (GREEN BAY GAMBLERS/ USHL)
With a stacked young defensive corps that already boasts names like Ekman-Larsson, Chychrun, Murphy and DeAngelo, an offensive dynamo like Mittelstadt seems to be the right fit here.
8. BUFFALO SABRES/ CALE MAKAR/ D (BROOKS BANDITS/ AJHL)
After Rasmus Ristolainen the Sabres depth on defense declines rapidly. Makar will help to remedy that sooner rather than later. This young defense prospect can glide through entire teams at times. Fun to watch.
9. DETROIT RED WINGS/ CALLAN FOOTE/ D (KELOWNA ROCKETS/ WHL)
Young solid defensemen is clearly the biggest need in hockey town right now, and the son of famed Avalanche legend Adam Foote is a big and mature defenseman who could jump into their top 4 in short order.
10. FLORIDA PANTHERS/ MICHAEL RASMUSSEN/ C (TRI-CITY AMERICANS/ WHL)
Dale Tallon is back in charge of the cats and Rasmussen is his type of prospect. Big, fast, skilled, smart. The only knock on Rasmussen is he could stand to exploit his size better, but age and confidence should help out there.
11. LOS ANGELES KINGS/ OWEN TIPPETT/ RW (MISSISSAUGA STEELHEADS/ OHL)
The Kings have seen their top wingers lose their touch and begin to decline with age. A youngster like Tippett can supply offense from the wing with his lethal snapshot and explosive speed. Could Tippett be Gaborik 2.0?
12. CAROLINA HURRICANES/ ELIAS PETTERSSON/ C (TIMRA IK/ ALLSVENSKAN)
The Canes have been lucky with their group of young swedish talents Elias Lindholm, Victor Rask and Joakim Nordstrom. Pettersson is a chip off the old Swedish block. Skilled but reliable defensively. He could be the top line middle man Carolina has been needing since Eric Staal skipped town.
13. WINNIPEG JETS/ JUUSO VALIMAKI/ D (TRI-CITY AMERICANS/ WHL)
Winnipeg is in need of a left shooting rearguard to balance out their defense pairings. Valimaki will likely be able to make the jump as soon as 2018-2019.
14. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING/ KLIM KOSTIN/ RW (DYNAMO MOSCOW/ KHL)
Steve Yzerman satisfies his Russian prospect fetish once again. Kostin is a gem and has flown under the radar as a result of a surgery which wiped out portions of his season. This young muskovite projects as a top six power forward presence with solid vision and puck protection skills.
15. NEW YORK ISLANDERS/ EELI TOLVANEN/ RW (SIOUX CITY MUSKETEERS/ USHL)
New Yorks other hockey team is in need of a pure goal scorer to play with Johnny T. All Eeli Tolvanen does is snipe. His shot is accurate and powerful with a quick release. He moves laterally and unleashes snipes like Vladimir Tarasenko. Tavares will find Tolvanen with some soft feeds out there, and when he does Tolvanen will convert.
16. CALGARY FLAMES/ LIAS ANDERSSON/ C (HV71 JONKOPING/ SHL)
With a stable young core already assembled in Cowtown, Brad Treliving and the gang look to shore up depth in their top 9 by selecting the low risk swedish pivot known as Lias Andersson. Andersson's simple and feisty net driving game has already reminded some of Leafs speedster Leo Komarov.
17. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS/ TIMOTHY LILJEGREN/ D (TIMRA IK/ ALLSVENSKAN)
The Buds are overflowing with youthful snipers these days. Time to balance it out with a legit D prospect. Tim Liljegren's stock has taken a hit this season due to surgery and inconsistent play but his ceiling remains high.
18. BOSTON BRUINS/ KAILER YAMAMOTO/ LW (SPOKANE CHIEFS/ WHL)
The big bad Bruins have embraced some change in recent years. Drafting for skill rather than size has become a trend and a prospect like Yamamoto personifies this new direction. Regardless of his dimunitive stature, Kailer is a dynamite skater with good senses and a potential steal of the 2017 class.
19. SAN JOSE SHARKS/ KRISTIAN VESALAINEN/ LW (FROLUNDA INDIANS/ SHL)
You have to feel for the veteran group over in the Bay Area. Just when it seemed like it was their time another Phenom ejected them from Lord Stanley's tournament. But life goes on and declining skaters like Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau will need replacements. At this spot the Sharks can do a lot worse than Vesalainen, who boasts speed soft hands and a sturdy frame for a draft eligible player.
20. ST. LOUIS BLUES/ RYAN POEHLING/ C (ST. CLOUD STATE/ NCAA)
A playmaking pivot with the size that western conference teams covet down the middle would seem like a logical direction for the Blue Notes, who have lacked a true number one centre for ages. Ryan Poehling is raw but has displayed impressive athleticism and upside playing with his brothers in the college ranks.
21. NEW YORK RANGERS/ NICOLAS HAGUE/ D (MISSISSAUGA STEELHEADS/ OHL)
Marc Staal and Dan Girardi are not getting younger and with a six foot six defenseman like Hague sitting on the board the Blue Shirts make the easy choice and solidify their defense core for the next decade with the giant yet suprisingly mobile and offensively savvy Hague.
22. EDMONTON OILERS/ URHO VAAKANAINEN/ D (ESPOO BLUES/ SM LIIGA)
A confident puck moving defenseman is just what the doctor ordered in the city of champions. This seasons improved defense core and transistion game helped end a lengthy playoff drought for the Oil and Vaakanainen will do nothing but solidify these areas of growth. Smart two-way play and smooth outlet passes are his calling card.
23. ARIZONA COYOTES/ IVAN LODNIA/ RW (ERIE OTTERS/ OHL)
Ivan Lodnia is a prospect that has flown under the radar for the better part of this season. In Erie he is overshadowed by names like Strome and DeBrincat. But a quick peek at his game suggests he is an offensive juggernaut waiting to blossom. His speed is electric and he gets faster with the puck on his stick. His hockey smarts will shine when working alongside the Max Domis and Clayton Kellers of the world.
24. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS/ MAXIME COMTOIS/ LW (VICTORIAVILLE/ QMJHL)
Under John Tortorella the Jackets have found regular season sucess while forging an identity which includes relentless forechecking, depth and team toughness. Comtois is'nt the flashiest guy out there but he's effective and is easy to imagine crashing into the end boards and finishing garbage goals like a Brandon Dubinsky or Boone Jenner would.
25. MONTREAL CANADIENS/ OSTAP SAFIN/ RW (HC SPARTA PRAHA/ CZECH EXTRALIGA)
Remember the name Ostap Safin. The kid is a beast and a major sleeper on draft day. Five tool players usually don't slip through the cracks, but limited viewings and slight bouts of inconsistency leave this future star ripe for the picking, and at 25 The Habs would be wise to bite. With size, speed, hands, vision, a wicked release and a willingness to finish checks, Safin is found money in a prospect group lacking in the late first round and beyond.
26. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS/ ERIK BRANNSTROM/ D (HV71 JONKOPING/ SHL)
Stan Bowman is King of the salary cap era pump and dump routine. Free agents from Europe or the college ranks have helped the Hawks stay competitive but late round steals have also aided every now and then. If Erik Brannstrom could join Gustav Forsling on a young Swedish puck moving defense tandem in Chicago, it could help Bowman restock the cupboards once again.
27. ST. LOUIS BLUES/ MASON SHAW/ C (MEDICINE HAT TIGERS/ WHL)
With Ryan Poehling already in tow, why not take a chance on an undersized yet prolific centre? Another first line centre lottery ticket couldnt hurt. It only takes one guy to break through, why not Mason? His ridiculous 94 points in 71 games is nothing to scoff at and his highlight reel shows a patient and crafty producer. Time will tell if his offense translates to the pro ranks.
28. OTTAWA SENATORS/ NIKITA POPUGAEV/ RW (PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS/ WHL)
The Sens are at it again making draft magic look like a hobby. Popugaev is a slight project, but the six foot five power winger from Russia oozes potential with his combination of size, reach, soft touch and bullet wrist shot. Imagine this kid flanking six foot six Logan Brown. Can you say twin towers?
29. DALLAS STARS/ ROBIN SALO/ D (VASSAN SPORT/ SM LIIGA)
The stars need defensemen. Salo is a solid one. Simple as that. Has some filling out to do but looked good playing against men in Finlands top league this year.
30. NASHVILLE PREDATORS/ JOSH NOORIS/ C (USA/ NTDP)
Norris' name has been grabbing attention as a result of his dominating results at the draft combine. Josh is an elite athlete who has honed his high energy game with the US NTDP program. This responsible two way centre projects as a second or third line contributor at the next level.
31. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS/ JAKE OETTINGER/ G (BOSTON COLLEGE/ NCAA)
With veteran tender Marc-Andre Fleury likely taking up a new address this upcoming fall, The Burgh looks to NCAA stopper Oettinger, the top ranked goalie for this years draft, for future relief and depth in their goaltending pipeline.
New Jersey nabs the most electric offensive centre in the draft. Hischier will flourish with finishers like Taylor Hall and Pavel Zacha flanking him on a regular basis.
2. PHILIDELPHIA/ NOLAN PATRICK/ C (BRANDON WHEATKINGS/ WHL)
The Broad Street Bullies cash in on this years draft lottery to select the big centre from Brandon. Patrick and his game have earned comparisons to that of a young Eric Staal.
3. DALLAS STARS/ MIRO HEISKANEN/ D (HIFK HELSINKI/ SM LIIGA)
Dallas adds to their impressive stable of Finnish rearguards by selecting the poised and skilled Heiskanen.
4. COLORADO AVALANCHE/ GABRIEL VILARDI/ C (WINDSOR SPITFIRES/ OHL)
As Colorado transistions out of a dismal campaign, they will be looking to add a player who will have a prompt impact at the NHL level. Vilardi is physically ready, though another OHL season could be in the cards.
5. VANCOUVER CANUCKS/ CODY GLASS/ C (PORTLAND WINTERHAWKS/ WHL)
Jim Benning finds his playmaking/ posession driving centre at long last. Glass sees the play 2 steps ahead and knows when to finish. Has the potential to be a player a team can build around.
6. VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS/ MARTIN NECAS/ C (HC KOMETA BRNO/ CZECH EXTRALIGA)
When given a fresh slate and a whad of cash with which to build a hockey club, where better to start than a number one centre in the making.
7. ARIZONA COYOTES/ CASEY MITTELSTADT/ C (GREEN BAY GAMBLERS/ USHL)
With a stacked young defensive corps that already boasts names like Ekman-Larsson, Chychrun, Murphy and DeAngelo, an offensive dynamo like Mittelstadt seems to be the right fit here.
8. BUFFALO SABRES/ CALE MAKAR/ D (BROOKS BANDITS/ AJHL)
After Rasmus Ristolainen the Sabres depth on defense declines rapidly. Makar will help to remedy that sooner rather than later. This young defense prospect can glide through entire teams at times. Fun to watch.
9. DETROIT RED WINGS/ CALLAN FOOTE/ D (KELOWNA ROCKETS/ WHL)
Young solid defensemen is clearly the biggest need in hockey town right now, and the son of famed Avalanche legend Adam Foote is a big and mature defenseman who could jump into their top 4 in short order.
10. FLORIDA PANTHERS/ MICHAEL RASMUSSEN/ C (TRI-CITY AMERICANS/ WHL)
Dale Tallon is back in charge of the cats and Rasmussen is his type of prospect. Big, fast, skilled, smart. The only knock on Rasmussen is he could stand to exploit his size better, but age and confidence should help out there.
11. LOS ANGELES KINGS/ OWEN TIPPETT/ RW (MISSISSAUGA STEELHEADS/ OHL)
The Kings have seen their top wingers lose their touch and begin to decline with age. A youngster like Tippett can supply offense from the wing with his lethal snapshot and explosive speed. Could Tippett be Gaborik 2.0?
12. CAROLINA HURRICANES/ ELIAS PETTERSSON/ C (TIMRA IK/ ALLSVENSKAN)
The Canes have been lucky with their group of young swedish talents Elias Lindholm, Victor Rask and Joakim Nordstrom. Pettersson is a chip off the old Swedish block. Skilled but reliable defensively. He could be the top line middle man Carolina has been needing since Eric Staal skipped town.
13. WINNIPEG JETS/ JUUSO VALIMAKI/ D (TRI-CITY AMERICANS/ WHL)
Winnipeg is in need of a left shooting rearguard to balance out their defense pairings. Valimaki will likely be able to make the jump as soon as 2018-2019.
14. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING/ KLIM KOSTIN/ RW (DYNAMO MOSCOW/ KHL)
Steve Yzerman satisfies his Russian prospect fetish once again. Kostin is a gem and has flown under the radar as a result of a surgery which wiped out portions of his season. This young muskovite projects as a top six power forward presence with solid vision and puck protection skills.
15. NEW YORK ISLANDERS/ EELI TOLVANEN/ RW (SIOUX CITY MUSKETEERS/ USHL)
New Yorks other hockey team is in need of a pure goal scorer to play with Johnny T. All Eeli Tolvanen does is snipe. His shot is accurate and powerful with a quick release. He moves laterally and unleashes snipes like Vladimir Tarasenko. Tavares will find Tolvanen with some soft feeds out there, and when he does Tolvanen will convert.
16. CALGARY FLAMES/ LIAS ANDERSSON/ C (HV71 JONKOPING/ SHL)
With a stable young core already assembled in Cowtown, Brad Treliving and the gang look to shore up depth in their top 9 by selecting the low risk swedish pivot known as Lias Andersson. Andersson's simple and feisty net driving game has already reminded some of Leafs speedster Leo Komarov.
17. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS/ TIMOTHY LILJEGREN/ D (TIMRA IK/ ALLSVENSKAN)
The Buds are overflowing with youthful snipers these days. Time to balance it out with a legit D prospect. Tim Liljegren's stock has taken a hit this season due to surgery and inconsistent play but his ceiling remains high.
18. BOSTON BRUINS/ KAILER YAMAMOTO/ LW (SPOKANE CHIEFS/ WHL)
The big bad Bruins have embraced some change in recent years. Drafting for skill rather than size has become a trend and a prospect like Yamamoto personifies this new direction. Regardless of his dimunitive stature, Kailer is a dynamite skater with good senses and a potential steal of the 2017 class.
19. SAN JOSE SHARKS/ KRISTIAN VESALAINEN/ LW (FROLUNDA INDIANS/ SHL)
You have to feel for the veteran group over in the Bay Area. Just when it seemed like it was their time another Phenom ejected them from Lord Stanley's tournament. But life goes on and declining skaters like Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau will need replacements. At this spot the Sharks can do a lot worse than Vesalainen, who boasts speed soft hands and a sturdy frame for a draft eligible player.
20. ST. LOUIS BLUES/ RYAN POEHLING/ C (ST. CLOUD STATE/ NCAA)
A playmaking pivot with the size that western conference teams covet down the middle would seem like a logical direction for the Blue Notes, who have lacked a true number one centre for ages. Ryan Poehling is raw but has displayed impressive athleticism and upside playing with his brothers in the college ranks.
21. NEW YORK RANGERS/ NICOLAS HAGUE/ D (MISSISSAUGA STEELHEADS/ OHL)
Marc Staal and Dan Girardi are not getting younger and with a six foot six defenseman like Hague sitting on the board the Blue Shirts make the easy choice and solidify their defense core for the next decade with the giant yet suprisingly mobile and offensively savvy Hague.
22. EDMONTON OILERS/ URHO VAAKANAINEN/ D (ESPOO BLUES/ SM LIIGA)
A confident puck moving defenseman is just what the doctor ordered in the city of champions. This seasons improved defense core and transistion game helped end a lengthy playoff drought for the Oil and Vaakanainen will do nothing but solidify these areas of growth. Smart two-way play and smooth outlet passes are his calling card.
23. ARIZONA COYOTES/ IVAN LODNIA/ RW (ERIE OTTERS/ OHL)
Ivan Lodnia is a prospect that has flown under the radar for the better part of this season. In Erie he is overshadowed by names like Strome and DeBrincat. But a quick peek at his game suggests he is an offensive juggernaut waiting to blossom. His speed is electric and he gets faster with the puck on his stick. His hockey smarts will shine when working alongside the Max Domis and Clayton Kellers of the world.
24. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS/ MAXIME COMTOIS/ LW (VICTORIAVILLE/ QMJHL)
Under John Tortorella the Jackets have found regular season sucess while forging an identity which includes relentless forechecking, depth and team toughness. Comtois is'nt the flashiest guy out there but he's effective and is easy to imagine crashing into the end boards and finishing garbage goals like a Brandon Dubinsky or Boone Jenner would.
25. MONTREAL CANADIENS/ OSTAP SAFIN/ RW (HC SPARTA PRAHA/ CZECH EXTRALIGA)
Remember the name Ostap Safin. The kid is a beast and a major sleeper on draft day. Five tool players usually don't slip through the cracks, but limited viewings and slight bouts of inconsistency leave this future star ripe for the picking, and at 25 The Habs would be wise to bite. With size, speed, hands, vision, a wicked release and a willingness to finish checks, Safin is found money in a prospect group lacking in the late first round and beyond.
26. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS/ ERIK BRANNSTROM/ D (HV71 JONKOPING/ SHL)
Stan Bowman is King of the salary cap era pump and dump routine. Free agents from Europe or the college ranks have helped the Hawks stay competitive but late round steals have also aided every now and then. If Erik Brannstrom could join Gustav Forsling on a young Swedish puck moving defense tandem in Chicago, it could help Bowman restock the cupboards once again.
27. ST. LOUIS BLUES/ MASON SHAW/ C (MEDICINE HAT TIGERS/ WHL)
With Ryan Poehling already in tow, why not take a chance on an undersized yet prolific centre? Another first line centre lottery ticket couldnt hurt. It only takes one guy to break through, why not Mason? His ridiculous 94 points in 71 games is nothing to scoff at and his highlight reel shows a patient and crafty producer. Time will tell if his offense translates to the pro ranks.
28. OTTAWA SENATORS/ NIKITA POPUGAEV/ RW (PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS/ WHL)
The Sens are at it again making draft magic look like a hobby. Popugaev is a slight project, but the six foot five power winger from Russia oozes potential with his combination of size, reach, soft touch and bullet wrist shot. Imagine this kid flanking six foot six Logan Brown. Can you say twin towers?
29. DALLAS STARS/ ROBIN SALO/ D (VASSAN SPORT/ SM LIIGA)
The stars need defensemen. Salo is a solid one. Simple as that. Has some filling out to do but looked good playing against men in Finlands top league this year.
30. NASHVILLE PREDATORS/ JOSH NOORIS/ C (USA/ NTDP)
Norris' name has been grabbing attention as a result of his dominating results at the draft combine. Josh is an elite athlete who has honed his high energy game with the US NTDP program. This responsible two way centre projects as a second or third line contributor at the next level.
31. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS/ JAKE OETTINGER/ G (BOSTON COLLEGE/ NCAA)
With veteran tender Marc-Andre Fleury likely taking up a new address this upcoming fall, The Burgh looks to NCAA stopper Oettinger, the top ranked goalie for this years draft, for future relief and depth in their goaltending pipeline.
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