Speculation: The 2019 Draft Thread - Sabres pick 7th

[NotABadPeriod]

I'm still impressed with Sogaard. Yes, yes... UPL. But hey... why not?

UPL being the only goalie prospect in the pipeline really concerns me. He's still many years away and far from a sure thing. We really need to draft a pair of goalies this year to replenish the pipeline, so the fact we have UPL should not deter us from taking one early if the right player is available.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Turcotte reminds me of Mittelstadt. Of course, last year Mittelstadt was the World Juniors MVP. I can see similar career development paths. Turcotte may play one year at Wisconsin, dominate at the World Juniors and then get signed to his NHL club. He may struggle during his first full year in the NHL, but then establish himself as a good #2 center.

Our center depth will look solid with Eichel, Mittelstadt, Asplund, Davidsson, Pekar and Turcotte.

I kind of see Jost when I watch Turcotte.

 

[dkollidas]

I want Newhook. Hoping we either St. Louis goes on a tear, or Newhook slips because other guys rise after WJC and playoffs in their leagues, etc etc

 

[Der Jaeger]

I want Newhook. Hoping we either St. Louis goes on a tear, or Newhook slips because other guys rise after WJC and playoffs in their leagues, etc etc

Newhook is more pure offensive than Turcotte, and could project to wing easily. I prefer Turcotte because of the two way play, but won't shed any tears if Botterill takes Newhook. He's off to BC in the fall.

 

[Chainshot]

Maybe one of the overagers.

Nyman remains a guy I still like a lot as a change of pace scoring winger. He's small but crafty and creative with the puck. He's a +2.

 

[Chainshot]

I forgot that Eggenberger was also passed over, he's another OA I'd look at.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I forgot that Eggenberger was also passed over, he's another OA I'd look at.

Yep. Plays a bit of a net front game. bigger player too.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I despise when a player I wanted gets passed over for a scout's pick, and then that player ends up killing it.

In the 2018 draft, it was taking Cronholm over Kurashev.

 

[Goathead]

What’s the deal with Brett Leason? He’s 19 so I guess he got passed over last draft. Lighting up the WHL this year and has looked pretty damn good for Team Canada so far. Worth a late pick?

 

[Der Jaeger]

What’s the deal with Brett Leason? He’s 19 so I guess he got passed over last draft. Lighting up the WHL this year and has looked pretty damn good for Team Canada so far. Worth a late pick?

He might not make it out of the first round.

 

[Goathead]

He might not make it out of the first round.

Really? As an OA? Well that sucks.

 

[MackAttack26]

Really? As an OA? Well that sucks.

I would take him with the SJ 1st. Late bloomer...but he is a beast.

 

[Goathead]

I would take him with the SJ 1st. Late bloomer...but he is a beast.

I don’t know about a first but I would love him. At 6’4” he’d be the perfect power forward for Eichel’s right side. Over 2 points per game in the W is pretty impressive though.

 

[MackAttack26]

Age doesn't matter as much to me. I see him following a similar path to Drake Batherson of Ottawa.

Pretend Batherson wasn't selected in the 4th round by Ottawa in 2017...he would have been a 1st rounder likely in 2018. In his 19 year old year, he put up terrific numbers in junior including an amazing WJC. Now this year, he is dynamite in the AHL and already making his break into the NHL. That is a player worth taking a shot on.

Leason is having a similar breakout 19 year old campaign. Overager or not, he is proving he has great talent and has overcome some of his weaknesses. If you don't use a 1st on him, you won't get him. I want him.

 

[Jim Bob]

Age doesn't matter as much to me. I see him following a similar path to Drake Batherson of Ottawa.

Pretend Batherson wasn't selected in the 4th round by Ottawa in 2017...he would have been a 1st rounder likely in 2018. In his 19 year old year, he put up terrific numbers in junior including an amazing WJC. Now this year, he is dynamite in the AHL and already making his break into the NHL. That is a player worth taking a shot on.

Leason is having a similar breakout 19 year old campaign. Overager or not, he is proving he has great talent and has overcome some of his weaknesses. If you don't use a 1st on him, you won't get him. I want him.

How often do overaged players get selected in the first round?

It seems like it has happened less often recently than 1st round goalies.

 

[Chainshot]

How often do overaged players get selected in the first round?

It seems like it has happened less often recently than 1st round goalies.

I can't think of one OA who has gone in the first round.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I can't think of one OA who has gone in the first round.

Agree. I also don’t remember an OA with Leason’s talent. He reminds me of Wheeler. Center game from the wing.

 

[Woodhouse]

IIRC Tanner Pearson's the last OA to go in the 1st. They typically start coming off the board mid-second or later, like Perunovich last draft, depending on the draft class.

 

[Der Jaeger]

As for this draft, wow. I've never heard team scouts rip a draft class more than this class...not even close. I even heard guys starting to get negative on the USNTDP players last week. For me, it's the weakness of the OHL that really stands out. I keep hoping for some players to impress but so far it's been a struggle. It's forced me to travel a bit more and even that has led to some disappointment in the QMJHL and WHL.

Above is a quote from Mark Edwards, who runs Hockey Prospects and publishes the Black Book. Some of his lists are a bit off, especially early on, but he's well connected with scouts. His publication includes quotes (anonymous) from scouts on the road. He doesn't think it's that deep outside the first round.

For me, that explains why Leason might be up on draft boards a bit. I'm also ok with trading the 3rd and 4th rounders, and banking on the first round.

 

[Jim Bob]

IIRC Tanner Pearson's the last OA to go in the 1st. They typically start coming off the board mid-second or later, like Perunovich last draft, depending on the draft class.

And Pearson was the last pick of the 1st round in 2012.

 

[Reddawg]

What’s the deal with Brett Leason? He’s 19 so I guess he got passed over last draft. Lighting up the WHL this year and has looked pretty damn good for Team Canada so far. Worth a late pick?

He was draft eligible in 2017 as well. I wouldn't use a pick on him, it's not at all unusual for overagers to beast in the WHL. Happens every single year with 20yo guys making mincemeat of younger, smaller, weaker competition.

Last year it was Jayden Halbgewachs and Glenn Gawdin tearing it up. Dryden Hunt and Brayden Burke in 15-16. Huge numbers from a 19-20 year old playing against 16 and 17 year olds doesn't make a guy who has been passed over twice suddenly draftable.

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[sabresEH]

Just to clarify Pearson and Leason weren’t drafted in their OA season. Next year would be Leason’s OA season. This is his 19yo year.

 

[Chainshot]

Just to clarify Pearson and Leason weren’t drafted in their OA season. Next year would be Leason’s OA season. This is his 19yo year.

Semantics of the difference of a draft OA year vs. a junior OA year.

 

[dotcommunism]

Just to clarify Pearson and Leason weren’t drafted in their OA season. Next year would be Leason’s OA season. This is his 19yo year.

I don't think people are talking about players being drafted after their overage season in juniors. Such players wouldn't be draft eligible anymore (with the possible exception, I suppose, of import players only coming over for their overage year).