I figured since most of Europe and a few junior leagues are well under way that it's time for the 2021 draft thread. It's looking likely that this draft may be delayed a bit depending on how the season goes but never the less it is likely to happen.
Normally we'd start out a draft thread with some preliminary rankings but since a good chunk of hockey is already underway I think it's more apt to start with a pre-season top 32. Yep that's right top 32, as Seattle will get their first taste of the draft, picking no later than 6th if the lotto balls don't fall their way.
As of now, I'm dubbing this draft the LHD Draft because there are a boat load of potential high end LHD's. So with that being said let's get on with it. I'll kick it off with my top 16 for tonight, I'll post my next 16 when I get a chance.
1. Owen Power - LHD - 6'5 - 214 - Chicago, USHL
The towering offensive defencemen finished the season as the highest scoring defencemen in the USHL last year. An absolute transition monster with a bomb of a shot from the point. Power skates extremely well and with plenty of.. power. He's committed to what is likely to be a "power"house for years to come at Univ. of Michigan. Players of his size, mobility and strength are a rare breed and he will likely command a lot of attention this year.
2. Brandt Clarke - RHD - 6'1 - 181 - Barrie, OHL
Clarke is an exceptional skater, passer and stickhandler. His end to end rushes are something to behold and the chances he creates for himself and teammates are innumerable. He plays a very similar style of game to Cale Makar and because he's a RHD he will likely be a coveted asset on draft day. He's also big enough to handle himself in his own end and can make some incredible breakout plays under pressure.
3. Carson Lambos - LHD - 6'1 - 201 - Winnipeg, WHL
Almost like he was seperated from Brandt Clarke at birth Lambos is a very similar breed to Clarke but on the left side. An incredible skater, who can rush end to end with the best of them. Where Clarke might be a little bit better on the offensive side of the puck, Lambos is a little bit better on the defensive side. He uses his size and stick to effectively shut down opposing players and likes to play more on the physical side not being afraid to make a hit to stop a play.
4. Simon Edvinsson - LHD - 6'4 - 185 - Frölunda, SHL
Edvinsson is another big but smooth skating defencemen that can cover a lot of ground quickly with his excellent 4 way mobility and reach. He is incrddibly tough to beat one on one and can shut opponents down with ease with how well he maneuvers the defensive zone. He has a big shot from the point but that isn't really where his bread and butter is at offensively. He is excellent in transition the puck on the breakout often threading tape to tape passes right in the bread basket. And even in the offensive zone he displays high end vision to create plays. For now he holds down my 4 spot we'll see if he can stay there.
5. Cole Sillinger - C - 6'0 - 187 - Medicine Hat, WHL
I met this lad when he was very young, my dad used to work with Cole's uncle. His dad was kind enough to give me a signed rookie card and poster I still have in my collection. If I would have known his son would be this good, I might have asked for his auto as well. Cole isn't the most gifted skater, but when you have the brain to process the game like he does you don't have to be. Skating isn't necessarily a weakness, but it does need work. His shot though is fantastic and his stick handling is already at a very high level. The way he can change the angle on his shooting combined with his stickhandling makes him a threat from anywhere to score. If he can stick at center going forward he could a strong candidate to go high in the draft.
6. Kent Johnson - C - 6'1 - 165 - Univ. of Michigan, NCAA
Probably the most technical and creative player in the entire class Johnson stood shoulders above his competition in the BCHL last year pacing the next high scoring player in the league by 30 points. A strong candidate to take that 1st overall position with his combination of speed, stickhandling, creativity and sheer will to score. I have him at 6 for now, but watch for him to climb the rankings with a strong season on... oh look the University of Michigan. Whoever is recruiting for them deserves a bonus. He's a bit slight so he may have find some troubles in his first NCAA season but look beyond that and watch whether he is able to create like he did in the BCHL and you might see someone who could one day rocket up re-draft lists.
7. Luke Hughes - LHD - 6'1 - 176 - U18, USDP
I wonder if the other two Hughes brothers are wondering why their brother is somehow already 6'1, 176 at 17 years old? No matter Luke is cut from the same cloth. An exceptional skater, who excels in transition and has incredible vision to go a long with it. What makes him even more special is his ability to use his size to separate defenders from the puck, something his brothers have had issues with. With a good season with the USDP he could look to really take off in the NCAA like his defender brother before him. Let's have a look where he is going... yup you guessed it the University of Michigan.
8. Dylan Guenther - LW/RW - 6'1 - 170 - Edmonton, WHL
With silky smooth hands, great skating and the ability to finish both in close and at a distance Guenther is my pick for the best pure scorer of this class so far. His ability to get puck to the front of the net is uncanny and I think that's really his main goal when stepping onto the ice. He can sometimes over stickhandle himself into bad areas though and his play away from the puck when he's not looking to score could use some work. But he already has all the tools to be a scorer at the NHL level.
9. Fabian Lysell - RW/LW - 5'10 - 176 - Frölunda, SHL
Lysell is a dynamic and quick moving forward always pushing the pace to the offensive zone. Somewhat of a north-south player he tends to drive straight to the net which for good or bad seems to work for him. He has quick hands, quick feet, a quick shot and a never quit motor.
10. Logan Stankoven - RW - 5'8 - 170 - Kamloops, WHL
Speaking of kids with a never quite motor, Stankoven should rank just as high on that list. The diminutive forward with the absolutely filthy release. His ability to weave through traffic looks effortless and his relentlessness on forechecking and stripping pucks from players that seem like they are twice his size is something to watch in person.
11. Matthew Beniers - C - 6'1 - 176 - Univ. of Michigan, NCAA
The only 2021 eligible to play on the U18 squad all year last season. An excellent two-way center who skates well and displays a high IQ in all zones. Beniers is the prototypical USDP center. His ceiling might not be as high as many of the other centers in this class but his floor seems to scream NHLer in some capacity. Will be interesting to see where he goes as players of this type are often times passed over for flashier forwards. Make no mistake though Beniers has plenty of flash and speed to his game. He'll be able to showcase that flash at... the University of Michigan next year. The only question is, is there enough ice time for all these kids over there?
12. Samu Tuomaala - RW/LW - 5'10 - 165 - Kärpät, Liiga
Some may consider it sacrilegious that I have Samu ahead of Kärpät teammate Raty but I have to say I've been a little bit more impressed with his game in recent viewings. A shoot first winger with probably the best pure shot out of any Euro in the class. Tuomaala is a force when he can find open space to get his shot off. He works hard on the cycle to keep possession in the offensive zone and boasts a myriad of shooting tools to get the puck by defenders and the netminder.
13. Aatu Räty - C - 6'1 - 181 - Kärpät, Liiga
Raty is projected by many to be the #1 ranked player heading into this season but I have to say I don't quite see it. He has great offensive and defensive instincts with an NHL ready shot to go along with it. But there just seems to be something missing in his game. Maybe it was the pressure of being a consensus #1 early that got to him or maybe he's battling through something right now but it just seems like he's fighting the game a little bit recently.
14. Zachary L'Heureux - C - 5'11 - 196 - Moncton, QMJHL
L'Heureux is a fiesty player who often finds himself in the thick of it both before and after whistles. He's very strong for his size and uses that strength to his advantage along with his skating to be a force to be reckoned with in a small package He has the potential to be one of those pain in your butt forwards that seems to find a way to get the puck in the net for his team.
15. Jesper Wallstedt - G - 6'3 - 215 - Luleå, SHL
Not many goaltenders make their SHL debut at 17 and provide the results that Wallstedt has. He's already made the jump this season and it's safe to say he isn't looking back now. His compsure is incredible and he rarely end up out of position. There aren't many weaknesses in this 17 year olds game and it's only looking up from here. In a time where drafting goalies high is cause for fear, Wallstedt makes a case for people having nothing to fear with his game at all.
16. Mason MacTavish - C - 6'1 - 196 - Peterborough
Rounding out the top 16 is the OHL sniper. Very likely would have finished this season with 30+ goals before the stoppage. MacTavish boasts a hard and heavy NHL ready shot along with great on ice vision and adept offensive instincts. Centered the Petes 3rd line last year but it's very likely he could take on 1C duties there. He's very strong along the boards and protects the puck extremely well. Look for him to climb the rankings with a strong scoring season.
Normally we'd start out a draft thread with some preliminary rankings but since a good chunk of hockey is already underway I think it's more apt to start with a pre-season top 32. Yep that's right top 32, as Seattle will get their first taste of the draft, picking no later than 6th if the lotto balls don't fall their way.
As of now, I'm dubbing this draft the LHD Draft because there are a boat load of potential high end LHD's. So with that being said let's get on with it. I'll kick it off with my top 16 for tonight, I'll post my next 16 when I get a chance.
1. Owen Power - LHD - 6'5 - 214 - Chicago, USHL
The towering offensive defencemen finished the season as the highest scoring defencemen in the USHL last year. An absolute transition monster with a bomb of a shot from the point. Power skates extremely well and with plenty of.. power. He's committed to what is likely to be a "power"house for years to come at Univ. of Michigan. Players of his size, mobility and strength are a rare breed and he will likely command a lot of attention this year.
2. Brandt Clarke - RHD - 6'1 - 181 - Barrie, OHL
Clarke is an exceptional skater, passer and stickhandler. His end to end rushes are something to behold and the chances he creates for himself and teammates are innumerable. He plays a very similar style of game to Cale Makar and because he's a RHD he will likely be a coveted asset on draft day. He's also big enough to handle himself in his own end and can make some incredible breakout plays under pressure.
3. Carson Lambos - LHD - 6'1 - 201 - Winnipeg, WHL
Almost like he was seperated from Brandt Clarke at birth Lambos is a very similar breed to Clarke but on the left side. An incredible skater, who can rush end to end with the best of them. Where Clarke might be a little bit better on the offensive side of the puck, Lambos is a little bit better on the defensive side. He uses his size and stick to effectively shut down opposing players and likes to play more on the physical side not being afraid to make a hit to stop a play.
4. Simon Edvinsson - LHD - 6'4 - 185 - Frölunda, SHL
Edvinsson is another big but smooth skating defencemen that can cover a lot of ground quickly with his excellent 4 way mobility and reach. He is incrddibly tough to beat one on one and can shut opponents down with ease with how well he maneuvers the defensive zone. He has a big shot from the point but that isn't really where his bread and butter is at offensively. He is excellent in transition the puck on the breakout often threading tape to tape passes right in the bread basket. And even in the offensive zone he displays high end vision to create plays. For now he holds down my 4 spot we'll see if he can stay there.
5. Cole Sillinger - C - 6'0 - 187 - Medicine Hat, WHL
I met this lad when he was very young, my dad used to work with Cole's uncle. His dad was kind enough to give me a signed rookie card and poster I still have in my collection. If I would have known his son would be this good, I might have asked for his auto as well. Cole isn't the most gifted skater, but when you have the brain to process the game like he does you don't have to be. Skating isn't necessarily a weakness, but it does need work. His shot though is fantastic and his stick handling is already at a very high level. The way he can change the angle on his shooting combined with his stickhandling makes him a threat from anywhere to score. If he can stick at center going forward he could a strong candidate to go high in the draft.
6. Kent Johnson - C - 6'1 - 165 - Univ. of Michigan, NCAA
Probably the most technical and creative player in the entire class Johnson stood shoulders above his competition in the BCHL last year pacing the next high scoring player in the league by 30 points. A strong candidate to take that 1st overall position with his combination of speed, stickhandling, creativity and sheer will to score. I have him at 6 for now, but watch for him to climb the rankings with a strong season on... oh look the University of Michigan. Whoever is recruiting for them deserves a bonus. He's a bit slight so he may have find some troubles in his first NCAA season but look beyond that and watch whether he is able to create like he did in the BCHL and you might see someone who could one day rocket up re-draft lists.
7. Luke Hughes - LHD - 6'1 - 176 - U18, USDP
I wonder if the other two Hughes brothers are wondering why their brother is somehow already 6'1, 176 at 17 years old? No matter Luke is cut from the same cloth. An exceptional skater, who excels in transition and has incredible vision to go a long with it. What makes him even more special is his ability to use his size to separate defenders from the puck, something his brothers have had issues with. With a good season with the USDP he could look to really take off in the NCAA like his defender brother before him. Let's have a look where he is going... yup you guessed it the University of Michigan.
8. Dylan Guenther - LW/RW - 6'1 - 170 - Edmonton, WHL
With silky smooth hands, great skating and the ability to finish both in close and at a distance Guenther is my pick for the best pure scorer of this class so far. His ability to get puck to the front of the net is uncanny and I think that's really his main goal when stepping onto the ice. He can sometimes over stickhandle himself into bad areas though and his play away from the puck when he's not looking to score could use some work. But he already has all the tools to be a scorer at the NHL level.
9. Fabian Lysell - RW/LW - 5'10 - 176 - Frölunda, SHL
Lysell is a dynamic and quick moving forward always pushing the pace to the offensive zone. Somewhat of a north-south player he tends to drive straight to the net which for good or bad seems to work for him. He has quick hands, quick feet, a quick shot and a never quit motor.
10. Logan Stankoven - RW - 5'8 - 170 - Kamloops, WHL
Speaking of kids with a never quite motor, Stankoven should rank just as high on that list. The diminutive forward with the absolutely filthy release. His ability to weave through traffic looks effortless and his relentlessness on forechecking and stripping pucks from players that seem like they are twice his size is something to watch in person.
11. Matthew Beniers - C - 6'1 - 176 - Univ. of Michigan, NCAA
The only 2021 eligible to play on the U18 squad all year last season. An excellent two-way center who skates well and displays a high IQ in all zones. Beniers is the prototypical USDP center. His ceiling might not be as high as many of the other centers in this class but his floor seems to scream NHLer in some capacity. Will be interesting to see where he goes as players of this type are often times passed over for flashier forwards. Make no mistake though Beniers has plenty of flash and speed to his game. He'll be able to showcase that flash at... the University of Michigan next year. The only question is, is there enough ice time for all these kids over there?
12. Samu Tuomaala - RW/LW - 5'10 - 165 - Kärpät, Liiga
Some may consider it sacrilegious that I have Samu ahead of Kärpät teammate Raty but I have to say I've been a little bit more impressed with his game in recent viewings. A shoot first winger with probably the best pure shot out of any Euro in the class. Tuomaala is a force when he can find open space to get his shot off. He works hard on the cycle to keep possession in the offensive zone and boasts a myriad of shooting tools to get the puck by defenders and the netminder.
13. Aatu Räty - C - 6'1 - 181 - Kärpät, Liiga
Raty is projected by many to be the #1 ranked player heading into this season but I have to say I don't quite see it. He has great offensive and defensive instincts with an NHL ready shot to go along with it. But there just seems to be something missing in his game. Maybe it was the pressure of being a consensus #1 early that got to him or maybe he's battling through something right now but it just seems like he's fighting the game a little bit recently.
14. Zachary L'Heureux - C - 5'11 - 196 - Moncton, QMJHL
L'Heureux is a fiesty player who often finds himself in the thick of it both before and after whistles. He's very strong for his size and uses that strength to his advantage along with his skating to be a force to be reckoned with in a small package He has the potential to be one of those pain in your butt forwards that seems to find a way to get the puck in the net for his team.
15. Jesper Wallstedt - G - 6'3 - 215 - Luleå, SHL
Not many goaltenders make their SHL debut at 17 and provide the results that Wallstedt has. He's already made the jump this season and it's safe to say he isn't looking back now. His compsure is incredible and he rarely end up out of position. There aren't many weaknesses in this 17 year olds game and it's only looking up from here. In a time where drafting goalies high is cause for fear, Wallstedt makes a case for people having nothing to fear with his game at all.
16. Mason MacTavish - C - 6'1 - 196 - Peterborough
Rounding out the top 16 is the OHL sniper. Very likely would have finished this season with 30+ goals before the stoppage. MacTavish boasts a hard and heavy NHL ready shot along with great on ice vision and adept offensive instincts. Centered the Petes 3rd line last year but it's very likely he could take on 1C duties there. He's very strong along the boards and protects the puck extremely well. Look for him to climb the rankings with a strong scoring season.
