Official 2018 NHL Amateur Entry Draft Discussion Thread

[krsmith17 7,191]

15 hours ago, Dabura said:

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.

I just wish these two guys had a little more size. I still haven't warmed up to the undersized defenseman movement... If we didn't already have Hicketts, Saarijarvi and Hronek in the pipeline, I may be a little more willing to take a smallish defenseman, but I think a blueline with four sub 6', 180lbs defensemen is a recipe for disaster. I know, I know, the chances of all three of those guys plus Boqvist or Hughes making the NHL (Red Wings) is slim to none, but even so, I'd prefer to draft defensemen with a little more size. It may be an outdated way of thinking, but whatever... If we take either of those guys I wouldn't complain too much, but I'd probably prefer Bouchard out of the three. If we do take one of the former two, I'd like to trade one or two of the three already in the system...

For what it's worth, NHL.com just released their 2018 mock draft, done by Adam Kimelman, Mike Morreale, Guillaume Lepage and they have us at 8th taking Boqvist (Kimelman), Hughes (Morreale), and Wahlstrom (Lepage).

https://www.nhl.com/news/2018-nhl-mock-draft-rasmus-dahlin/c-295263230

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

2 hours ago, krsmith17 said:

I just wish these two guys had a little more size. I still haven't warmed up to the undersized defenseman movement... If we didn't already have Hicketts, Saarijarvi and Hronek in the pipeline, I may be a little more willing to take a smallish defenseman, but I think a blueline with four sub 6', 180lbs defensemen is a recipe for disaster. I know, I know, the chances of all three of those guys plus Boqvist or Hughes making the NHL (Red Wings) is slim to none, but even so, I'd prefer to draft defensemen with a little more size. It may be an outdated way of thinking, but whatever... If we take either of those guys I wouldn't complain too much, but I'd probably prefer Bouchard out of the three. If we do take one of the former two, I'd like to trade one or two of the three already in the system...

For what it's worth, NHL.com just released their 2018 mock draft, done by Adam Kimelman, Mike Morreale, Guillaume Lepage and they have us at 8th taking Boqvist (Kimelman), Hughes (Morreale), and Wahlstrom (Lepage).

https://www.nhl.com/news/2018-nhl-mock-draft-rasmus-dahlin/c-295263230

Bouchard is 6'2" 193 lbs. That's not undersized. Also don't forget that all our elite players were "undersized"

Edited January 29, 2018 by Euro_Twins

[krsmith17 7,191]

30 minutes ago, Euro_Twins said:

Boqvist is 6'2" 193 lbs. That's not undersized. 

I'm not sure where you're getting those numbers from, but Adam Boqvist is 5"11, 170 lbs, http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=265684 and from what I seen of him in the WJC, I'd say that's being generous. Supremely talented kid though.

[krsmith17 7,191]

I noticed you edited from Boqvist to Bouchard after I responded. If you re-read my post, the undersized part was referring to Boqvist and Hughes, not Bouchard. I'm really high on Bouchard, and if the former two were a little bigger, I'd be high on them as well. Undersized defensemen can play in the modern NHL, but the best are predominantly guys > 6'1, 190lbs.

[kipwinger 8,756]

I'm intrigued by Ryan Merkley  as a later round steal.   Seems to have all the same pros and cons as guys like Boquist and Hughes, but will go later because of "attitude issues" which too often in Canadian hockey is what a kid get labeled if he isn't a robot.

[krsmith17 7,191]

2 minutes ago, kipwinger said:

I'm intrigued by Ryan Merkley  as a later round steal.   Seems to have all the same pros and cons as guys like Boquist and Hughes, but will go later because of "attitude issues" which too often in Canadian hockey is what a kid get labeled if he isn't a robot.

Merkley keeps dropping in most mock drafts, but I doubt he'll be available in the late 1st (24-31 range). I think he'll end up going in the mid 1st (16-23 range). But yeah, I'd love to take him with the pick from the Green trade, if he's still on the board.

[Jacksoni 418]

Looking at the state of the teams around the league, it's business as usual regarding injuries, unexpectedly.
I find it very likely that Green will go to a contending team, netting us a 'high' first round pick.

Willing to bet a lil something if someone strongly disagree, as usual.

[LeftWinger 5,132]

I too believe Green will garner us at least a 1st. He does control where he goes, I am sure he won't waive his ntc to go to a team that might make some noise. I can see Tampa and Vegas getting into a bid up in order to acquire him, and I am pretty sure he'd waive to go to either one. 

Either way, I expect 2 picks or a 1st and prospect in return. Anything less and Holland gets fleeced. 

That makes the 1st we get most likely 28-31 range.

With that pick, I'd take McCleod as a safe pick or take a long look at Serron Noel, if he's still there, then with our high 2nd, I'd take Samuelsson.

 

Edited January 29, 2018 by LeftWinger

[krsmith17 7,191]

2 hours ago, Jacksoni said:

Looking at the state of the teams around the league, it's business as usual regarding injuries, unexpectedly.
I find it very likely that Green will go to a contending team, netting us a 'high' first round pick.

Willing to bet a lil something if someone strongly disagree, as usual.

I'll take that bet because any contending team wouldn't have a "high" first round pick to trade...

[Jacksoni 418]

Just now, krsmith17 said:

I'll take that bet because any contending team wouldn't have a "high" first round pick to trade...

Hence the quotes. Bad wording, should have written late 1st round pick. Was in a bit of a rush.

With that out of the air, if you're still up for a wager I'm all game.

[krsmith17 7,191]

18 minutes ago, Jacksoni said:

Hence the quotes. Bad wording, should have written late 1st round pick. Was in a bit of a rush.

With that out of the air, if you're still up for a wager I'm all game.

Well since I'm one of the few that has thought we will get a first, possibly more, I don't think I'll be taking that bet.

[Dabura 12,232]

22 hours ago, krsmith17 said:

I just wish these two guys had a little more size. I still haven't warmed up to the undersized defenseman movement... If we didn't already have Hicketts, Saarijarvi and Hronek in the pipeline, I may be a little more willing to take a smallish defenseman, but I think a blueline with four sub 6', 180lbs defensemen is a recipe for disaster. I know, I know, the chances of all three of those guys plus Boqvist or Hughes making the NHL (Red Wings) is slim to none, but even so, I'd prefer to draft defensemen with a little more size. It may be an outdated way of thinking, but whatever... If we take either of those guys I wouldn't complain too much, but I'd probably prefer Bouchard out of the three. If we do take one of the former two, I'd like to trade one or two of the three already in the system...

I hear ya.

Hughes and Boqvist are extremely undersized, but I feel their strengths outweigh that concern.

[krsmith17 7,191]

18 minutes ago, Dabura said:

I hear ya.

Hughes and Boqvist are extremely undersized, but I feel their strengths outweigh that concern.

Yeah, for sure. If we do take one of them though, I'd like to shop one or two of the other three undersized guys in the system. I'm not sure if we'd get much interest in any of them, but we have a huge log jam of similar type, smallish, offensive defensive prospects.

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

22 hours ago, krsmith17 said:

I noticed you edited from Boqvist to Bouchard after I responded. If you re-read my post, the undersized part was referring to Boqvist and Hughes, not Bouchard. I'm really high on Bouchard, and if the former two were a little bigger, I'd be high on them as well. Undersized defensemen can play in the modern NHL, but the best are predominantly guys > 6'1, 190lbs.

Ya I meant bouchard but was thinking boqvist when I typed it. 

[ChristopherReevesLegs 7,022]

I want all the Tkachuks to become mines

[Andy Pred 48 337]

ok guys,abit of inside info for you all to discuss. Alot of attention surrounding the English kid in the draft. Remember the name, Liam Kirk. Various NHL teams have been scouting him lately and our very own HA flew in from Sweden to watch him last week. Seen him myself, and the kid can play, needs to fill out but that will come. Old Redwing draft pick and current team mate, Andreas Jamtin alerted Hakan to come and have a look at Kirk. Will wait and see as Detroit are the only NHL team to have drafted an English player maybe lightning strikes twice.

 

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

2 hours ago, Andy Pred 48 said:

ok guys,abit of inside info for you all to discuss. Alot of attention surrounding the English kid in the draft. Remember the name, Liam Kirk. Various NHL teams have been scouting him lately and our very own HA flew in from Sweden to watch him last week. Seen him myself, and the kid can play, needs to fill out but that will come. Old Redwing draft pick and current team mate, Andreas Jamtin alerted Hakan to come and have a look at Kirk. Will wait and see as Detroit are the only NHL team to have drafted an English player maybe lightning strikes twice.

 

Future "Captain"

[ChristopherReevesLegs 7,022]

15 hours ago, Andy Pred 48 said:

ok guys,abit of inside info for you all to discuss. Alot of attention surrounding the English kid in the draft. Remember the name, Liam Kirk. Various NHL teams have been scouting him lately and our very own HA flew in from Sweden to watch him last week. Seen him myself, and the kid can play, needs to fill out but that will come. Old Redwing draft pick and current team mate, Andreas Jamtin alerted Hakan to come and have a look at Kirk. Will wait and see as Detroit are the only NHL team to have drafted an English player maybe lightning strikes twice.

 

I don't care for the British

[LeftWinger 5,132]

 

14 points in 5 games? He's not ranked, but I'd be down for a 6h or 7th round gamble.  It's not like we've never tried a gamble before...hell, sometimes we gamble with 1st round picks.

https://thehockeywriters.com/liam-kirk-uk-prospect-nhl-draft/

 

He does have a helluva snap shot. This could be the annual Hakan pick, and with 6th or 7th rounders, you never know. He reminds of the type of player that would come in and be a harder worker than most higher round picks because he has more to prove.  As long as our first 5-6 picks (in rounds 1-3) shake out good, I am all for this kid getting drafted and making history.

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

British Hampus Melen

Edited January 31, 2018 by Neomaxizoomdweebie

[kickazz 5,459]

2 hours ago, F.Michael said:

Pierre McGuire was on the NHL Radio yesterday morning...Says the 2019, and 2020 NHL drafts should be as good - if not better than 2018.

 

So it's the perfect time to continue sucking. But what happens to this website then?

[ChristopherReevesLegs 7,022]

18 minutes ago, kickazz said:

So it's the perfect time to continue sucking. But what happens to this website then?

We transition to a cute animal image board

[kickazz 5,459]

3 minutes ago, ChristopherReevesLegs said:

We transition to a cute animal image board

Why not an adult website? I feel like with @Euro_Twins looks, my attitude and your lean posture we could bring in respectable revenue. 

[ChristopherReevesLegs 7,022]

13 minutes ago, kickazz said:

Why not an adult website? I feel like with @Euro_Twins looks, my attitude and your lean posture we could bring in respectable revenue. 

wHy NOt aN aDuLT WeBsiTe?

I said...

Cute

Animals

 

[kickazz 5,459]

1 minute ago, ChristopherReevesLegs said:

wHy NOt aN aDuLT WeBsiTe?

I said...

Cute

Animals

Subjective: