Official 2018 NHL Amateur Entry Draft Discussion Thread

[LeftWinger 5,153]

2 hours ago, Neomaxizoomdweebie said:

His name makes it sound like he's a speedy, offensive, right handed D. He's not. There are too many better D ahead of him.

Just going by one of the last mocks I saw. They had us at 7 picking Boqvist and then Woo was picked 8th. Just saying that his rise is intriguing along with his awesome name. Woo!

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

19 minutes ago, LeftWinger said:

Just going by one of the last mocks I saw. They had us at 7 picking Boqvist and then Woo was picked 8th. Just saying that his rise is intriguing along with his awesome name. Woo!

Boqvist would be a great pick. Woo at 8 would be a reach.

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

3 hours ago, Neomaxizoomdweebie said:

Boqvist would be a great pick. Woo at 8 would be a reach.

So basically we end up picking 3rd and draft woo?

[AtlantaHotWings 1,135]

13 hours ago, ChristopherReevesLegs said:

14 hours ago, Andy Pred 48 said:

ok so here's my thinking after looking at the way we are looking at ending up in the lottery. i think the first 2 picks will be out of our reach but anything after is in play. One of these 4 will be picked by the Wings in the first round.

 

Geeze they look barely old enough to drive. 

 

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

Gordon Bombay trained them well.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

16 hours ago, ChristopherReevesLegs said:

Andy, you forgot to label your pictures     -10 points

D+      See me after class

id def stop behind class for some detention with her! 

anyhow, i thought all you hockey buffs would be upto date on the '18 draft prospects. 

well, its Boqvist, Quinn Hughes, Grigori Denisenko and Brady Tkachuk

[ChristopherReevesLegs 7,022]

15 minutes ago, Andy Pred 48 said:

id def stop behind class for some detention with her! 

anyhow, i thought all you hockey buffs would be upto date on the '18 draft prospects. 

well, its Boqvist, Quinn Hughes, Grigori Denisenko and Brady Tkachuk

[krsmith17 7,191]

2 hours ago, Andy Pred 48 said:

id def stop behind class for some detention with her! 

anyhow, i thought all you hockey buffs would be upto date on the '18 draft prospects. 

well, its Boqvist, Quinn Hughes, Grigori Denisenko and Brady Tkachuk

Most would know 3 of the 4, but Denisenko is pretty random. I haven't seen him in the top 10-15 on any reputable draft lists. I'd be thrilled with any of the other three though.

[Dabura 12,232]

https://www.nhl.com/news/chlnhl-top-prospects-game-what-we-learned/c-295329436?tid=277729154

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

13 hours ago, Andy Pred 48 said:

id def stop behind class for some detention with her! 

anyhow, i thought all you hockey buffs would be upto date on the '18 draft prospects. 

well, its Boqvist, Quinn Hughes, Grigori Denisenko and Brady Tkachuk

 

 

Like the time "we weren't hardcore hockey fans"  because we weren't up to date on who Loik Léveillé was? lol

Damn us only knowing names and numbers!

 

[LeftWinger 5,153]

from Sportsnet.

1. Rasmus Dahlin, D, 6-foot-2, 183 pounds (Frolunda, SHL): After the WJC there is zero doubt who the top draft pick should be in June. Dahlin has everything you want in a defenceman in 2018. Can help turn a franchise around.

2. Andrei Svechnikov, RW, 6-foot-2, 187 pounds (Barrie Colts, OHL): Didn’t get as much ice time at the WJC as many scouts would have liked, but his skills are undeniable.

3. Filip Zadina, RW, 6-foot-1, 192 pounds (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL): Zadina had a great tournament in Buffalo with seven goals and eight points. Was a threat every time he was on the ice.

4. Brady Tkachuk, LW, 6-foot-3, 196 pounds (Boston University, NCAA): Raised his stock immensely for those who doubted him due to a sluggish start at BU.

5. Adam Boqvist, D, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds (Almtuna, Allsvenskan): Loaded with talent. As one NHL scout recently told me “there’s a lot of Karlsson in him.”

6. Noah Dobson, D, 6-foot-3, 179 pounds (Acadie-Bathurst Titan, QMJHL): Scouts go out of their way to make sure they see Dobson. This season’s big riser.

7. Rasmus Kupari, C, 6-foot-1, 183 pounds (Hermes, Mestis Finland): Would have been nice to see more of him at the WJC, but his skill very much keeps him in the top 10 mix.

8. Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, 6-foot-1, 205 pounds (USNDTP): Has outstanding skill and is an effective player with a high hockey IQ.

9. Bode Wilde, D, 6-foot-2, 197 pounds (USNTDP): Big, strong, can move his feet and competes hard. Stands guys up in the neutral and defensive zone and hits hard. Moves pucks quickly to the best option. Has a bomb of a shot.

10. Evan Bouchard, D, 6-foot-2, 193 pounds (London Knights, OHL): A smart player who never panics and has a cannon from the point. With his London Knights in rebuild mode it will be challenging for Bouchard to stand out on a weaker squad, but make no mistake, he is legit.

11. Barrett Hayton, C, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL)

12. Joel Farabee, LW, 6-foot, 164 pounds (USNTDP)

13. Jared McIsaac, D, 6-foot-1, 195 pounds (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL)

14. Ty Smith, D, 5-foot-11, 176 pounds (Spokane Chiefs, WHL)

15. Joe Veleno, C, 6-foot-1, 195 pounds (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

16. Quinn Hughes, D, 5-foot-10, 174 pounds (U of Michigan, NCAA)

17. Jet Woo, D, 5-foot-11, 205 pounds (Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL)

18. Grigori Denisenko, LW, 5-foot-11, 175 pounds (Yaroslavl, MHL)

19. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C, 6-foot-2, 190 pounds (Assat, Liiga)

20. Benoit-Olivier Groulx, C, 6-foot-1, 192 pounds (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL)

21. Isac Lundestrom, C/LW, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds (Lulea, SHL)

22. Rasmus Sandin, D, 5 foot-11, 190 pounds (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL)

23. Jack McBain, C, 6-foot-3, 196 pounds (Toronto Junior Canadiens, OJHL)

24. Alexander Khovanov, C, 5-foot-11, 179 pounds (Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL)

25. Ryan McLeod, C, 6-foot-2, 200 pounds (Mississauga Steelheads, OHL)

26. Serron Noel, RW, 6-foot-5, 201 pounds (Oshawa Generals, OHL)

27. Ryan Merkley, D, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds (Guelph Storm, OHL)

28. Jacob Olofsson, C, 6-foot-1, 192 pounds (Timra, Allsvenskan)

29. Calen Addison, D, 5-foot-10, 179 pounds (Lethbridge Hurricanes, WHL)

30. Mattias Samuelsson, D, 6-foot-4, 217 pounds (USNTDP)

31. Akil Thomas, C, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds (Niagara Ice Dogs, OHL)

 

Lets say we get a #23-31 for Green. Who do you take? I like Samuelsson, but he just may be there early 2nd if we finish in the bottom 7.

[kickazz 5,459]

10 hours ago, Son of a Wing said:

 

 

Like the time "we weren't hardcore hockey fans"  because we weren't up to date on who Loik Léveillé was? lol

Damn us only knowing names and numbers!

 

Who the hell is that. Sounds like a loser. 

14 minutes ago, LeftWinger said:

from Sportsnet.

1. Rasmus Dahlin, D, 6-foot-2, 183 pounds (Frolunda, SHL): After the WJC there is zero doubt who the top draft pick should be in June. Dahlin has everything you want in a defenceman in 2018. Can help turn a franchise around.

2. Andrei Svechnikov, RW, 6-foot-2, 187 pounds (Barrie Colts, OHL): Didn’t get as much ice time at the WJC as many scouts would have liked, but his skills are undeniable.

3. Filip Zadina, RW, 6-foot-1, 192 pounds (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL): Zadina had a great tournament in Buffalo with seven goals and eight points. Was a threat every time he was on the ice.

4. Brady Tkachuk, LW, 6-foot-3, 196 pounds (Boston University, NCAA): Raised his stock immensely for those who doubted him due to a sluggish start at BU.

5. Adam Boqvist, D, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds (Almtuna, Allsvenskan): Loaded with talent. As one NHL scout recently told me “there’s a lot of Karlsson in him.”

6. Noah Dobson, D, 6-foot-3, 179 pounds (Acadie-Bathurst Titan, QMJHL): Scouts go out of their way to make sure they see Dobson. This season’s big riser.

7. Rasmus Kupari, C, 6-foot-1, 183 pounds (Hermes, Mestis Finland): Would have been nice to see more of him at the WJC, but his skill very much keeps him in the top 10 mix.

8. Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, 6-foot-1, 205 pounds (USNDTP): Has outstanding skill and is an effective player with a high hockey IQ.

9. Bode Wilde, D, 6-foot-2, 197 pounds (USNTDP): Big, strong, can move his feet and competes hard. Stands guys up in the neutral and defensive zone and hits hard. Moves pucks quickly to the best option. Has a bomb of a shot.

10. Evan Bouchard, D, 6-foot-2, 193 pounds (London Knights, OHL): A smart player who never panics and has a cannon from the point. With his London Knights in rebuild mode it will be challenging for Bouchard to stand out on a weaker squad, but make no mistake, he is legit.

11. Barrett Hayton, C, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL)

12. Joel Farabee, LW, 6-foot, 164 pounds (USNTDP)

13. Jared McIsaac, D, 6-foot-1, 195 pounds (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL)

14. Ty Smith, D, 5-foot-11, 176 pounds (Spokane Chiefs, WHL)

15. Joe Veleno, C, 6-foot-1, 195 pounds (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

16. Quinn Hughes, D, 5-foot-10, 174 pounds (U of Michigan, NCAA)

17. Jet Woo, D, 5-foot-11, 205 pounds (Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL)

18. Grigori Denisenko, LW, 5-foot-11, 175 pounds (Yaroslavl, MHL)

19. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C, 6-foot-2, 190 pounds (Assat, Liiga)

20. Benoit-Olivier Groulx, C, 6-foot-1, 192 pounds (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL)

21. Isac Lundestrom, C/LW, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds (Lulea, SHL)

22. Rasmus Sandin, D, 5 foot-11, 190 pounds (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL)

23. Jack McBain, C, 6-foot-3, 196 pounds (Toronto Junior Canadiens, OJHL)

24. Alexander Khovanov, C, 5-foot-11, 179 pounds (Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL)

25. Ryan McLeod, C, 6-foot-2, 200 pounds (Mississauga Steelheads, OHL)

26. Serron Noel, RW, 6-foot-5, 201 pounds (Oshawa Generals, OHL)

27. Ryan Merkley, D, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds (Guelph Storm, OHL)

28. Jacob Olofsson, C, 6-foot-1, 192 pounds (Timra, Allsvenskan)

29. Calen Addison, D, 5-foot-10, 179 pounds (Lethbridge Hurricanes, WHL)

30. Mattias Samuelsson, D, 6-foot-4, 217 pounds (USNTDP)

31. Akil Thomas, C, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds (Niagara Ice Dogs, OHL)

 

Lets say we get a #23-31 for Green. Who do you take? I like Samuelsson, but he just may be there early 2nd if we finish in the bottom 7.

No I dont want Mikael Samuelsson ffs it’s not 08 anymore

[krsmith17 7,191]

29 minutes ago, LeftWinger said:

.....

Lets say we get a #23-31 for Green. Who do you take? I like Samuelsson, but he just may be there early 2nd if we finish in the bottom 7.

Merkley is dropping on pretty much everyone's draft list. He was considered top 10 on most a few months ago. I think he could be a steal if he drops that low. 

The more I read up on Tkatchuk, the more I want us to take him with our first pick. If we don't win the lottery, and Tkatchuk and Svechnikov are gone, I think we should definitely explore the possibility of trading back a few spots to add another pick to the pile...

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

21 minutes ago, kickazz said:

Who the hell is that. Sounds like a loser. 

No I dont want Mikael Samuelsson ffs it’s not 08 anymore

No joke, we don't need another shine guard assassin.

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

There's always that guy that's drops in the first round like Chychryn or Mantha. Don't know who its going to be, but that's who you take.

[Dabura 12,232]

Is Oliver Wahlstrom this draft's Owen Tippett?

[ShanahanMan 473]

You guys seems to forget the fact our director of scouting, Tyler Wright, said we draft mostly on character and size. Since you know, these are the things that = success. 

 

 

[Dabura 12,232]

55 minutes ago, ShanahanMan said:

You guys seems to forget the fact our director of scouting, Tyler Wright, said we draft mostly on character and size.

I don't remember him saying that. I do remember him saying they considered the last draft class to be low on truly high-end talent and that's why they drafted the players they drafted. I also recall him saying they'd be approaching this draft differently, given how deep the draft class is. I trust they understand how big this draft could be for the organization and are planning accordingly.

[Dabura 12,232]

4 hours ago, krsmith17 said:

The more I read up on Tkatchuk, the more I want us to take him with our first pick. If we don't win the lottery, and Tkatchuk and Svechnikov are gone, I think we should definitely explore the possibility of trading back a few spots to add another pick to the pile...

I have some concerns about Tkachuk:

• He was literally one day off from being eligible for the last draft, so he's older than all of his draft class peers
• It's not necessarily settled that he's going to be a centerman at the next level, with some saying he plays more like a winger
• His numbers this season aren't unimpressive, but they aren't stellar either
• He's a Tkachuk

There's a lot to like about him and I wouldn't complain if we got him. But, right now, he isn't solidly in my top five.

Edited January 27, 2018 by Dabura

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

6 hours ago, Dabura said:

Is Oliver Wahlstrom this draft's Owen Tippett?

Ask Leftwinger.

 

4 hours ago, Dabura said:

I have some concerns about Tkachuk:

• He was literally one day off from being eligible for the last draft, so he's older than all of his draft class peers
• It's not necessarily settled that he's going to be a centerman at the next level, with some saying he plays more like a winger
• His numbers this season aren't unimpressive, but they aren't stellar either
• He's a Tkachuk

There's a lot to like about him and I wouldn't complain if we got him. But, right now, he isn't solidly in my top five.

Yeah but he has a hockey name like Turgeon, Bertuzzi, Holmstrom, or Li(n)dstrom. Kenny wants him.

Edited January 28, 2018 by Neomaxizoomdweebie

[krsmith17 7,191]

6 hours ago, Neomaxizoomdweebie said:

There's always that guy that's drops in the first round like Chychryn or Mantha. Don't know who its going to be, but that's who you take.

... or Vilardi... 

5 hours ago, Dabura said:

I have some concerns about Tkachuk:

• He was literally one day off from being eligible for the last draft, so he's older than all of his draft class peers
• It's not necessarily settled that he's going to be a centerman at the next level, with some saying he plays more like a winger
• His numbers this season aren't unimpressive, but they aren't stellar either
• He's a Tkachuk

There's a lot to like about him and I wouldn't complain if we got him. But, right now, he isn't solidly in my top five.

Fair points except the fact that he's a Tkatchuk is a big reason I'd like to draft him. He's solidly in my top 3. Dahlin, Svechnikov, Tkatchuk for me.

[Dabura 12,232]

Tkachuks are dinguses. This is canon!

[krsmith17 7,191]

24 minutes ago, Dabura said:

Tkachuks are dinguses. This is canon!

Dinguses you'd love to have on your team... I'd take Matthew in a heartbeat, and Brady is supposed to be even more skilled and tougher...

Also, regarding whether or not he's a center or a winger. He's played both, and I think he's skilled and headsy enough that he could play either at the NHL level. It's just a matter of developing him as a center (if that's where we want him to play). Do we need another top 6 center though? Larkin is a legit top 6 center (hopefully number 1), so it just depends on whether or not Rasmussen develops into a 2C or tops out as a 3C. Athanasiou is still an option as a middle 6 center (although I prefer him on the wing). And it's also possible that Turgeon could develop into a legitimate 3rd line center. Point is, while I would prefer to take a center over a winger, I don't think it's that crucial. I just want to take best player available with what should be our highest pick since 1990 when we drafted Primeau 3rd overall...

[LeftWinger 5,153]

13 hours ago, Neomaxizoomdweebie said:

Ask Leftwinger.

 

Yeah but he has a hockey name like Turgeon, Bertuzzi, Holmstrom, or Li(n)dstrom. Kenny wants him.

There is only ONE Owen Tippett.

[Dabura 12,232]

5 hours ago, krsmith17 said:

Dinguses you'd love to have on your team... I'd take Matthew in a heartbeat, and Brady is supposed to be even more skilled and tougher...

Also, regarding whether or not he's a center or a winger. He's played both, and I think he's skilled and headsy enough that he could play either at the NHL level. It's just a matter of developing him as a center (if that's where we want him to play). Do we need another top 6 center though? Larkin is a legit top 6 center (hopefully number 1), so it just depends on whether or not Rasmussen develops into a 2C or tops out as a 3C. Athanasiou is still an option as a middle 6 center (although I prefer him on the wing). And it's also possible that Turgeon could develop into a legitimate 3rd line center. Point is, while I would prefer to take a center over a winger, I don't think it's that crucial. I just want to take best player available with what should be our highest pick since 1990 when we drafted Primeau 3rd overall...

All good points!

I actually don't mind the dingus factor at all, I just like hating on good players who played in the '90s and probably should've joined the Wings at some point in their careers (because there was that stretch of time where pretty much everyone played for the Wings at one point or another) but never actually did, e.g. Jagr, Roenick, Selanne.

Brady Tkachuk is obviously a top-tier talent who probably deserves to be a top-five selection, but I'm just not quite feeling the same HYPE! that everyone else seems to be feeling about him. *shrug* If you put a gun to my head right now, I think I'd take Hughes or Boqvist or Bouchard over him. I friggin' love those three defensemen.