Who will bust from 2018 NHL Draft

[TT1]

Never been a big fan of Veleno, don't think he has any offensive upside for the NHL.

 

[Thebesthockey]

because habs have a a knack for f***ing up prospects

kotka busts

 

[ViktorBaeArvidsson]

I don't like the fact that 2 guys were only drafted in the Top 5 just because their centers. Not saying that Kotkaniemi, and Hayton aren't good, but I mean the fact that Zadina dropped out of the Top 5 is crazy IMO, dude looks like a solid Top 6 Winger.

 

[rambo97]

Bouchard imo

His skating and defensive play need a lot of work.

Flame away

He very well could disappoint but I’m not sure if he will outright bust. I’ve watched him lots and I think at worst he will be a J. Faulk clone (bottom pairing elite PP guy with huge defensive gaffs). His ceiling I think is definitely questionable with his defensive game and average skating. He needs to work on those aspects. Luckily for him he’s part of the best organization (London) for spitting out NHL talent and helping develop prospects and their weaknesses. Hopefully the Oilers don’t interfere and rush him

 

[FlyTimmo]

Never liked Bouchard, Hayton or Veleno that much.

 

[Peeps]

Have you seen him play?

Yes at the U18. I saw good things. He's a good d-man in his own zone. Aware of where the puck is going. Also can start the offence from his zone. And can contribute when he's in the o-zone.

I don't like his skating but it's not the end of the world. Not a fan of his agility also. Like when he has to turn quick, take fast decision.

But overal there is potential in this kid. I see top 4 2 way d for him. But with the way he takes the PIM, it's just killing him imo. If he can takes half of is PIM I love him.

 

[Macky]

Kotkaniemi

Good player, but pick 3 overall......is very high for a 3 Line center

 

[Archangel]

Each draft class on average has about 7-8 players drafted in the first round that end up as busts. Who do you think will be the busts of this draft class?

Bouchard. NO matter who drafted him he would bust. Just too slow for the NHL.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

Bouchard. NO matter who drafted him he would bust. Just too slow for the NHL.

this is the first time I've ever heard someone call him "slow"
his skating needs work as he's average but he's not slow at all

as for busting, I think Kravtsov was picked much too high and won't fulfill expectations

 

[ProspectsSTC]

Kotkaniemi

Good player, but pick 3 overall......is very high for a 3 Line center

That's a fine crystal ball there, do you do palm readings too?

 

[Habs76]

Bernard Docker is flying under the radar but has killed in many ways at the combine from what I read. He could surprise positively.

Yeah he's an absolute stud, was well within my first round

 

[ijuka]

a lot of Canucks fans are saying he is standing out for USA, and the absolute worst is a 3rd line guy, and that's his floor.

A u20 player standing out at u20s? Nothing new there. Even random undrafted u20 players can stand out.


Relative to draft rankings(Indeed, I don't think #1OA and #31OA should have the same requirements to be a bust), my top 5 busts for 2018 first round:

Barrett Hayton
Brady Tkachuk
Filip Johansson
K'Andre Miller
Ryan Merkley

 

[Habs76]

I'll say Kupari, Lundestrom, Veleno, Beaudin, Bokk, Denisenko

I also think Hayton, Tkachuk won't be as good as where they were drafted.

On the flip side, I think Dobson, Miller, Alexeyev, Lundkvist will exceed expectations

 

[WingsMJN2965]

That's a fine crystal ball there, do you do palm readings too?

The basis for this entire thread is literally to provide predictions based on your opinions...

 

[ProspectsSTC]

The basis for this entire thread is literally to provide predictions based on your opinions...

Yeah, fair, I was in the wrong

 

[Devils Dominion]

I don't think Hayton will play like a 5th overall pick

 

[FinlandPanther]

See a lot of Denisenko from people who for sure have never seen him play. Weird.

 

[David Bruce Banner]

Aside from the more obvious late 1st round guys that has the highest risk of busting it'll be very interesting to see if any of Dobson, Bouchard or Boqvist busts. Wouldn't surprise me if at least one of them ends up not making it to the 200 NHL GP mark.

Barring injury, I think it’s unlikely Dobson busts. I think his baseline projection is a #3 D. The other top defensemen, outside of Dahlen, all have more bust potential...
Boqvist (concussions)
Bouchard (skating)
Hughes (size)

 

[HOPE]

if i had to chose one only.

Bouchard.

 

[CodeE]

Ty Dellandrea.

Dallas seems to have a habit of not developing their 1st round picks well... Heiskanen might be the rare example but that was a can't-miss pickup at #3.

You look at Tufte, Gurianov, Honka, Nuke, Dickinson, Faksa, Oleksiak, Campbell, Glennie - then you reach for a center who a lot of the mocks had going in the early 2nd? In a draft class notoriously weak at center? Very very risky.

 

[WingsMJN2965]

I don't think Hayton will play like a 5th overall pick

More like a 12th overall pick, where he should've been.

 

[Grub]

Also would like to add Bouchard. His defensive game and skating needs a lot of work.

 

[DieTomi]

Wahlstrom, Dobson, Smith, Farabee

Lol. Rangers fan?

 

[Holymakinaw]

Quinn Hughes.

 

[thelittlecoon]

Rasmus Sandin.