Prospect Info: The Adolescent 2019 Draft Thread

[CycloneSweep]

My top 15

1. Hughes
2. Kakko
3. Podkolzin
4. Dach
5. Dylan Cozens
6. Broberg
7. Boldy
8. Suzuki
9. Byram
10. Krebs
11. Lavoie
12. Zegras
13. Kaliyev
14. Newhook
15. Robertson

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

I'm still a pretty big fan of this draft.

Maybe it's my OHL bias, but when a guy like Kaliyev is being talked about in the teens and you've got guys like Tomasino, McMichael, Harley, etc. being talked about later in the 1st, it seems pretty strong to me.

Lots of guys seemingly going under the radar. Take Thomas Harley, for example. I think he projects almost exactly the same as Noah Dobson does, but most people probably haven't even heard his name.

I think the problem is that it was labelled as a weak draft early and those labels can be tough to shake. A lot of guys in the back half of the first round are exciting risers in this draft that the average fan isn't aware of.

 

[CycloneSweep]

I'm still a pretty big fan of this draft.

Maybe it's my OHL bias, but when a guy like Kaliyev is being talked about in the teens and you've got guys like Tomasino, McMichael, Harley, etc. being talked about later in the 1st, it seems pretty strong to me.

Lots of guys seemingly going under the radar. Take Thomas Harley, for example. I think he projects almost exactly the same as Noah Dobson does, but most people probably haven't even heard his name.

Dobson had a higher pedigree due to his offensive production and his right handed shot.

Bob Mackenzie had him at 22 and Central Scouting has him at 9 for NA skaters

 

[McDNicks17]

Dobson had a higher pedigree due to his offensive production and his right handed shot.

Bob Mackenzie had him at 22 and Central Scouting has him at 9 for NA skaters

Dobson definitely had earlier hype and was ahead developmentally, but Harley is 7 months younger and has all the tools Dobson does.

6'3'', arguably the best skating defenseman in the CHL, still putting up solid numbers on a worse team and I'd say he's even more natural in the offensive zone than Dobson is.

I realize he jumped up to 22 in McKenzie's rankings, but I'm meaning more in public circles. He's a guy that I and some scouts think compares favorably to one of the most hyped D prospects last year and he's basically unknown outside hardcore draft fans. The guy has all of eight posts on his thread on the prospects board and it hasn't been bumped since the beginning of December.

Just seems like a weird draft as far as media coverage goes. Lots of guys like Harley who are getting zero publicity.

 

[CycloneSweep]

Dobson definitely had earlier hype and was ahead developmentally, but Harley is 7 months younger and has all the tools Dobson does.

6'3'', arguably the best skating defenseman in the CHL, still putting up solid numbers on a worse team and I'd say he's even more natural in the offensive zone than Dobson is.

I realize he jumped up to 22 in McKenzie's rankings, but I'm meaning more in public circles. He's a guy that I and some scouts think compares favorably to one of the most hyped D prospects last year and he's basically unknown outside hardcore draft fans. The guy has all of eight posts on his thread on the prospects board and it hasn't been bumped since the beginning of December.

Just seems like a weird draft as far as media coverage goes. Lots of guys like Harley who are getting zero publicity.

Fair enough.
I think looking at the draft I think Oilers are probably going to end up drafting Krebs. Just a gut instinct....him or Lavoie

 

[McDNicks17]

Fair enough.
I think looking at the draft I think Oilers are probably going to end up drafting Krebs. Just a gut instinct....him or Lavoie

I'm usually hesitant with WHL forwards, but I think he'd be a great pick.

I wonder if he has a bit of a growth spurt left in him too. Just saw that his 19 year old brother(who plays for the Hitmen) is 6'4'' 209lbs.

 

[CycloneSweep]

I'm usually hesitant with WHL forwards, but I think he'd be a great pick.

I wonder if he has a bit of a growth spurt left in him too. Just saw that his 19 year old brother(who plays for the Hitmen) is 6'4'' 209lbs.

Nah he is still pretty small. He is the best guy and Captain of a horrible team, just like Bouchard was. With the team talking about character, I see that as a guy they would be interested in

 

[PKSpecialist]

Dobson definitely had earlier hype and was ahead developmentally, but Harley is 7 months younger and has all the tools Dobson does.

6'3'', arguably the best skating defenseman in the CHL, still putting up solid numbers on a worse team and I'd say he's even more natural in the offensive zone than Dobson is.

I realize he jumped up to 22 in McKenzie's rankings, but I'm meaning more in public circles. He's a guy that I and some scouts think compares favorably to one of the most hyped D prospects last year and he's basically unknown outside hardcore draft fans. The guy has all of eight posts on his thread on the prospects board and it hasn't been bumped since the beginning of December.

Just seems like a weird draft as far as media coverage goes. Lots of guys like Harley who are getting zero publicity.

I haven’t watched Harley in about a month, but what sets Dobson apart from him is defensive decision making. Harley makes awful gaffes in his zone. I don’t mind Harley, and actually have him ranked in the teens, but I had Dobson top 5 last year....is Dobson still undefeated with his new team????

 

[Aerrol]

I guess I'm wrong here. Still don't like this draft

Yeah you're so wrong I'm piling on late to the party to tell you how wrong you are. Draft risers not only are common but are actually more often than not BETTER picks than guys picked high 'just cause they started there'. Some more draft risers that come to mind: Tyler Seguin and Nico Hirschier. Some guys who stayed high based in part on pre draft year: Jesse Puljujarvi, Nolan Patrick and Erik Gudbranson.

As for this draft, I think it looks middling. It looks better to me on paper than 2014, and 2014 looks a lot better now than it did at the time.

 

[CycloneSweep]

Yea you're so wrong I'm piling on late to the party to tell you how wrong you are. Draft risers not only are common but are actually more often than not BETTER picks than guys picked high 'just cause they started there'. Some more draft risers that come to mind: Tyler Seguin and Nico Hirschier. Some guys who stayed high based in part on pre draft year: Jesse Puljujarvi, Nolan Patrick and Erik Gudbranson.

As for this draft, I think it looks middling. It looks better to me on paper than 2014, and 2014 looks a lot better now than it did at the time.

Good for you.

 

[Raab]

I like the way Peyton Krebs plays. Would be my pick around 10.

 

[Canovin]

I like the way Peyton Krebs plays. Would be my pick around 10.

Just based on highlights, Krebs looks like he could be better than Hughes

 

[Raab]

Just based on highlights, Krebs looks like he could be better than Hughes

I dunno about that, the last two seasons whenever I saw Hughes he's looked outstanding. I think Krebs if things go right is a guy like Keller. Wont be surprised if he's picked higher then 10.

 

[Stud Muffin]

Yeah you're so wrong I'm piling on late to the party to tell you how wrong you are. Draft risers not only are common but are actually more often than not BETTER picks than guys picked high 'just cause they started there'. Some more draft risers that come to mind: Tyler Seguin and Nico Hirschier. Some guys who stayed high based in part on pre draft year: Jesse Puljujarvi, Nolan Patrick and Erik Gudbranson.

As for this draft, I think it looks middling. It looks better to me on paper than 2014, and 2014 looks a lot better now than it did at the time.

Puljujarvi’s draft year he was basically identical to Laine in PPG and even had a higher PPG than Laine in the playoffs.
He didn’t just stay ranked high for no reason.

 

[Pass the Saitl Sauce]

Puljujarvi’s draft year he was basically identical to Laine in PPG and even had a higher PPG than Laine in the playoffs.
He didn’t just stay ranked high for no reason.

I think some people have short memory, pulujarvi was talked of being a lock as a top 3 pick all year with everyone knowing Columbus was set on a center that draft one way or another

 

[Aerrol]

Puljujarvi’s draft year he was basically identical to Laine in PPG and even had a higher PPG than Laine in the playoffs.
He didn’t just stay ranked high for no reason.

This is true, but he also didn't really clean up any of his deficiencies during his draft year - I didn't see his puckhandling improve very much, for instance and remained skeptical all year that he'd be as good as Laine in the NHL. To get off of the OT, I think Pulju is an interesting case where I learned to trust what I see in terms of translatable skills in a top prospect even more. Every time I watched him, I thought "there's no way these goals are going in at the NHL level" and "there's no way he's going to be able to get the puck around defenders that way". I get similar vibes watching Cozens this year, and would much prefer getting any of Dach, Boldy, Krebs, Turcotte, Newhook, for that reason, despite their smaller size and/or less gaudy numbers. I also am very curious to see what Kaliyev turns into at the NHL level. Those goal scoring instincts are unreal, but the compete and defensive ability is certainly worrying.

I'm going to need to watch more Suzuki myself I suppose, since no one here seems to have an opinion on him. I really like the skills and skating he seems to show, but the reports of his issues with compete and driving into the hard areas are worrying.

 

[CycloneSweep]

This is true, but he also didn't really clean up any of his deficiencies during his draft year - I didn't see his puckhandling improve very much, for instance and remained skeptical all year that he'd be as good as Laine in the NHL. To get off of the OT, I think Pulju is an interesting case where I learned to trust what I see in terms of translatable skills in a top prospect even more. Every time I watched him, I thought "there's no way these goals are going in at the NHL level" and "there's no way he's going to be able to get the puck around defenders that way". I get similar vibes watching Cozens this year, and would much prefer getting any of Dach, Boldy, Krebs, Turcotte, Newhook, for that reason, despite their smaller size and/or less gaudy numbers. I also am very curious to see what Kaliyev turns into at the NHL level. Those goal scoring instincts are unreal, but the compete and defensive ability is certainly worrying.

I'm going to need to watch more Suzuki myself I suppose, since no one here seems to have an opinion on him. I really like the skills and skating he seems to show, but the reports of his issues with compete and driving into the hard areas are worrying.

Suzuki might be the smartest forward in the draft. His phsycial ability isn't the best but kid knows how to play and what to do.

 

[Canovin]

Suzuki might be the smartest forward in the draft. His phsycial ability isn't the best but kid knows how to play and what to do.

Probably this year's Veleno?

 

[CycloneSweep]

Probably this year's Veleno?

Without the alleged personality issues, yeah

 

[Aerrol]

Probably this year's Veleno?

I don't understand what you mean by this? A guy who goes surprisingly low and then does well the next year? I feel like they're pretty different prospects otherwise. Veleno is much more of your responsible 2-way guy with less impressive wheels, better size, more of a shooter. Suzuki is going to be an offensive dynamo if he reaches his potential, otherwise he'll be an aggravatingly inconsistent offensive 3rd liner (or straight up bust).

Suzuki might be the smartest forward in the draft. His phsycial ability isn't the best but kid knows how to play and what to do.

It's not just the smarts I like. He's got pretty damn good hands, edgework, speed, and a surprisingly strong shot. From a bit of shift-by-shift watching, I do see what others mean when they say he doesn't drive into the hard areas of the ice though. I wonder how badly that'll hurt him when the time and space disappears.

P.s. Sorry for the snarky post earlier. Was rather uncalled for, even if I disagree with you about risers in a draft.

 

[CycloneSweep]

I don't understand what you mean by this? A guy who goes surprisingly low and then does well the next year? I feel like they're pretty different prospects otherwise. Veleno is much more of your responsible 2-way guy with less impressive wheels, better size, more of a shooter. Suzuki is going to be an offensive dynamo if he reaches his potential, otherwise he'll be an aggravatingly inconsistent offensive 3rd liner (or straight up bust).



It's not just the smarts I like. He's got pretty damn good hands, edgework, speed, and a surprisingly strong shot. From a bit of shift-by-shift watching, I do see what others mean when they say he doesn't drive into the hard areas of the ice though. I wonder how badly that'll hurt him when the time and space disappears.

P.s. Sorry for the snarky post earlier. Was rather uncalled for, even if I disagree with you about risers in a draft.

It's fine dude, I respond to snark with snark lol. I was super wrong too so I half deserved it.

 

[PKSpecialist]

Suzuki might be the smartest forward in the draft. His phsycial ability isn't the best but kid knows how to play and what to do.

I know people are enamoured with hockey IQ because apparently the Oilers are the dumbest team in the league, but hockey IQ without physical ability just doesn't do it for me. Suzuki is a fairly good skater, but not elite. He is an exceptional passer, but his shot isn't strong. He avoids contact, sometimes in evasive fashion, sometimes because he just doesn't go to those areas of the ice. In the end, I have Suzuki in the mid-20's. I think he can be an effective 2nd line center in the NHL, but he's not going to be in the Ryan Kesler mold. I still have a lot of hockey to watch to really narrow in my rankings and solidify my opinion of Suzuki, but I'm just going to leave this quick scouting report of a different player here:

"Offensive dynamo who won’t scare anyone with his physical attributes. But the savvy forward has the kind of on-ice intelligence that makes him a dangerous weapon just the same."- Matthew Bugg

If you've read anything about Ryan Suzuki, you'd know that scouting report sounds just like him....but that my friends is a scouting report of Ryan Spooner. Again, I need to watch Suzuki more, and from what I've seen, he's certainly smarter than Ryan Spooner on the ice, and he has a little more size, but I'd like to see more from him than just being a smart hockey player.

 

[TheGhost]

Having watched him live on a few occasions, I’m not sure why people have Newhook slated to be a mid-high first round pick. He has the point totals you’d expect from someone in that league, but he doesn’t truly dominate the league the way someone ranked that high should. From my watching, a lot of his points have come in games against teams in the bottom half of the league that are absolutely terrible, and in games against teams with Junior A quality d-men, he hovers on the perimeter a lot and allows himself to be a non-factor in the game

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Regarding fallers vs risers, I prefer the risers 90% of the time.

Fallers are usually guys that dominated early based on physical superiority and early maturation, and don't translate to the NHL as often. Risers are guys that were overlooked or not given a chance. I almost always prefer those guys.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Having watched him live on a few occasions, I’m not sure why people have Newhook slated to be a mid-high first round pick. He has the point totals you’d expect from someone in that league, but he doesn’t truly dominate the league the way someone ranked that high should. From my watching, a lot of his points have come in games against teams in the bottom half of the league that are absolutely terrible, and in games against teams with Junior A quality d-men, he hovers on the perimeter a lot and allows himself to be a non-factor in the game

Interesting. I've loved what I've read about him and the highlights I've watched, but I haven't had the chance to watch him live (or even shift-by-shift videos).