Official 2018 NHL Amateur Entry Draft Discussion Thread

[LeftWinger 4,961]

Gotta like this!

 

 

[amato 3,210]

I want Jett Woo with that Vegas pick off of name alone  

I just want to hear all of LCA yell “WOOOO!” Rick Flair style. 

[LeftWinger 4,961]

On 1/25/2018 at 4:11 PM, LeftWinger said:

I am getting a bit intrigued with the rise of Jett Woo. In a mock draft I seen him going 8th. I admit I don't know too much about him except he has a cool ass name and I can see each time he scores this would play on the scoreboard:

 

@amato too funny! I said the same thing last month! I can imagine a sold out LCA saying WOOOOO as the Flair soundbyte is played after he scores!

[amato 3,210]

1 hour ago, LeftWinger said:

@amato too funny! I said the same thing last month! I can imagine a sold out LCA saying WOOOOO as the Flair soundbyte is played after he scores!

Haha! Exactly. Would be fantastic. 

[LeftWinger 4,961]

Here's a list of January rankings of #20-#40, with three picks in that range, lets see what we can do!

20. Grigori Denisenko / LW / 5’10 165lbs / 06-24-00 (MHL)

A creative player with the puck who can dart in and out of the lanes with expert edgework, quick acceleration and creative lines. Slight stature but enjoys engaging. Lack of exposure may see him slide on draft day, but it won’t be due to a lack of skill.

 

 

 

21. Ryan McLeod / C / 6’2 190lbs / 09-21-99 (OHL)

Speed runs in the family. Isn’t as hard-nosed as older brother, Michael but plays a similar game. Missed the 2017 cut-off by a week so developmental arc is a little clearer.

 

 

22. Jared McIsaac /LHD / 6’2 209lbs / 03-27-00 (QMJHL)

Big, strong and capable at both ends of the ice. A safe top four future.

 

 

23. Akil Thomas / C / 5’11 165lbs / 01-02-00 (OHL)

A buzz-saw of a player. Needs to add strength, but moves as quick with the puck as he does without. Having a strong year with Niagara.

 

 

24. Jett Woo / RHD / 6’ 201lbs / 07-27-00 (WHL)

Calm and collected are his trademarks. Is being leaned on heavily in Moose Jaw this season. Unlikely to be a big producer at the next level but offers quality skills across the board.

 

 

25. Calen Addison / RHD / 5’9 179lbs / 04-11-00 (WHL)

Small, dynamic right-shot defender needs to thicken up and improve positioning to handle stronger players but knows how to create offense.

.

 

26. Benoit-Olivier Groulx / C / 6’1 176lbs / 02-06-00 (QMJHL)

Strong two-way player who can chip in on the scoresheet and play all-situations. Likely destined for a bottom six role.

 

 

27. Jonny Tychonick / LHD / 5’11 165lbs / 03-03-00 (BCHL)

Terrific skating, awareness and offensive instincts. Needs to build strength but heading to a great program at North Dakota and from a great program with the Penticton Vees.

 

 

28. Serron Noel / RW / 6’5 201lbs / 08-08-00 (OHL)

A long, fluid stride generates loads of power and speed for such a big man. A goal scorer first and foremost, he also offers underrated playmaking ability. Quite young for this crop.

 

 

29. Philipp Kurashev / C / 6’ 183lbs / 10-12-99 (QMJHL)

The Swiss forward is having a strong second season in the QMJHL after a terrific rookie campaign. Was relied on to do a great deal of heavy lifting at the WJHC. Versatile and owns good puck skills.

 

 

30. Vitali Kravtsov / C/W / 6’2 170lbs / 12-23-99 (MHL)

Smooth skater with skill to burn has managed to produce a few points in the KHL as a 17-year-old – no easy feat. Lacks exposure due to not being selected for Russia’s international squads. Highly talented player.

 

 

31. Alexander Alexeyev / LHD / 6’3 200lbs / 11-15-99 (WHL)

Big, powerful left-shot defender creates serious power in his stride and makes pro-level passes. Suffered a nasty knee injury late last season but looks fully healed this year.

 

 

32. Jacob Olofsson C / 6’2 193lbs / 02-08-00
33. Alexander Khovanov / C / 5’11 179lbs / 04-12-00
34. Martin Kaut / RW / 6’1 175lbs / 10-02-99
35. Jack McBain / C / 6’3 183lbs / 01-06-00
36. Rasmus Sandin / LHD / 5’11 190lbs / 03-07-00
37. K’andre Miller / LHD /6’3 192lbs / 01-21-00
38. Adam Ginning / LHD / 6’3 192lbs /01-13-00
39. Ty Dellandrea / C / 6’1 181lbs / 07-21-00
40. Filip Hallander / RW / 6’ 180lbs / 06-29-00
41. Milos Roman / C / 5’11 194lbs / 11-06-99

[ChristopherReevesLegs 7,022]

I don't normally like to cast opinion on young players we hardly know a thing about. But the Isles scout I know talks very highly of McIsaac at 21. And the thing is, he's a western scout, covering mostly British Columbia. So when he starts to recommend guys I know he hasn't watched extensively, I start to think... ahhhh this is a guy he's probably hearing a lot about internally from the Isles organization and from their French-Canadian scouts.

So I know it's not just his opinion but a probably a greater conversation going on in the NYI organization.

I'll say he's my pick for our Vegas selection.

[amato 3,210]

My thoughts with our first pick are: if we get second or third, we take Svech or Tkachuk. Otherwise, best defenseman available. 

Best defense available for Vegas, and our two seconds too, if we get Svech or Tkachuk. If we get a defenseman with our first, I think a center with one of the next three picks makes sense. 

McIsaac at Vegas’ pick sounds great. I feel like I keep seeing his name more and more.. he could climb up in the draft or be a late first steal. Jett Woo seems like he may climb a little more too.. I think he’d be a good target with Vegas’ pick too. 

[kickazz 5,459]

I’m liking the description for Jared McIsaac

8 minutes ago, amato said:

McIsaac at Vegas’ pick sounds great. I feel like I keep seeing his name more and more.. he could climb up in the draft or be a late first steal.

Jinx

[The Datsyukian Deke 127]

12 minutes ago, kickazz said:

I’m liking the description for Jared McIsaac

Me2. Big, strong...he could protect Dahlin for their entire careers, spent together in Detroit.

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

I am not that high on Woo. If he doesn't do anything particularly well now, whats he going to do at the NHL level. I would rather draft a guy who has good skills in at least one part of his game who you can develop into a more rounded player.

[krsmith17 7,191]

Rasmus Dahlin.

[ChristopherReevesLegs 7,022]

16 hours ago, amato said:

My thoughts with our first pick are: if we get second or third, we take Svech or Tkachuk. Otherwise, best defenseman available. 

Best defense available for Vegas, and our two seconds too, if we get Svech or Tkachuk. If we get a defenseman with our first, I think a center with one of the next three picks makes sense. 

McIsaac at Vegas’ pick sounds great. I feel like I keep seeing his name more and more.. he could climb up in the draft or be a late first steal. Jett Woo seems like he may climb a little more too.. I think he’d be a good target with Vegas’ pick too. 

 

16 hours ago, kickazz said:

I’m liking the description for Jared McIsaac

Jinx

 

16 hours ago, The Datsyukian Deke said:

Me2. Big, strong...he could protect Dahlin for their entire careers, spent together in Detroit.

Just know, I have never seen this kid play. Only repeating what I've heard.

[amato 3,210]

4 hours ago, ChristopherReevesLegs said:

 

 

Just know, I have never seen this kid play. Only repeating what I've heard.

Yeah, I understand. Won’t hold it against you toooo much if we get him and he’s a bust  

[LeftWinger 4,961]

Still hoping that one of our 3 picks from 24-40 is Serron Noel. There are so many quality players in this range, I believe we are going to have 3 very good picks either way!

[krsmith17 7,191]

@LeftWinger

Rourke didn't accomplish much after that (1 goal, 5 points in 55 NHL games).

Great accomplishment for your boy Hague nonetheless.

[amato 3,210]

1 hour ago, krsmith17 said:

@LeftWinger

Rourke didn't accomplish much after that (1 goal, 5 points in 55 NHL games).

Great accomplishment for your boy Hague nonetheless.

 

Nice!

When I first saw Tatar was traded to Vegas, I hoped Hague was coming our way. Obviously can't complain about the package we got though. 

[LeftWinger 4,961]

3 hours ago, krsmith17 said:

@LeftWinger

Rourke didn't accomplish much after that (1 goal, 5 points in 55 NHL games).

Great accomplishment for your boy Hague nonetheless.

Ya, he's a great player in Juniors, we will see what happens in the Bigs.  Would've been nice to have him, but oh well. We didn't get the chance to draft him, and he wasn't a top 10 (neither was Ras, but meh) so Holland probably didn't even look at him before the 2nd. if at all, then it was too late...

[LeftWinger 4,961]

So, if the draft were today (and we didn't get #1) we'd be hovering around #7, then Vegas' #29-ish then #34 and #38. Not too bad even if we didn't move anywhere:

#7, 29

#34, 38, 53 (if Petr wins 6 PO games, gets to ECF)

#69, 81, 84 (see below)

#100, 115 (if Petr wins 5 and into playoffs will be #84))

#161, 162

#193 (McCullom is not going to get 20 minutes in 15 NHL games.

We just don't have Holland's favorite 5th round choice! Honestly, with one of those 6th round picks or even the 7th, I'd give that Liam Kirk kid a go at the NHL! I hope someone gives him a chance, from what I understand, he has that work ethic that comes with always being considered the underdog. You can't teach that! If anything you know he'll be giving it his all, 100% of the time!

While we're here, this is ISS top 31 for February:

ISS HOCKEY TOP 31 - FEBRUARY RANKING
1		Rasmus Dahlin (D)	Frölunda HC	SHL	37	6	11	17	18
2		Andrei Svechnikov (RW)	Barrie Colts	OHL	37	32	24	56	54
3		Brady Tkachuk (C/LW)	Boston Univ.	NCAA	34	7	19	26	53
4		Filip Zadina (LW)	Halifax Mooseheads	QMJHL	50	39	32	71	32
5		Adam Boqvist (D)	Brynäs IF J20	SuperElit	25	14	10	24	18
6		Evan Bouchard (D)	London Knights	OHL	60	21	56	77	46
7		Oliver Wahlstrom (C/RW)	U.S. National U18 Team	USDP	45	35	31	66	22
8		Quinn Hughes (D)	Univ. of Michigan	NCAA	32	4	21	25	20
9		Joseph Veleno (C)	Drummondville Voltigeurs	QMJHL	25	11	27	38	18
10		Noah Dobson (D)	Acadie-Bathurst Titan	QMJHL	60	14	45	59	48
11		Rasmus Kupari (C)	Kärpät	Liiga	35	6	6	12	8
12		Isac Lundeström (C/LW)	Luleå HF	SHL	38	6	9	15	10
13		Barrett Hayton (C)	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds	OHL	57	20	34	54	30
14		Ty Smith (D)	Spokane Chiefs	WHL	61	13	55	68	24
15		Joel Farabee (LW)	U.S. National U18 Team	USDP	45	22	27	49	32
16		Bode Wilde (D)	U.S. National U18 Team	USDP	45	9	22	31	51
17		Jared McIsaac (D)	Halifax Mooseheads	QMJHL	59	8	35	43	75
18		Grigori Denisenko (LW)	Loko Yaroslavl	MHL	29	8	13	21	26
19		Ryan McLeod (C)	Mississauga Steelheads	OHL	61	19	40	59	24
20		Adam Samuelsson (D)	U.S. National U18 Team	USDP	45	4	14	18	53
21		Akil Thomas (C)	Niagara IceDogs	OHL	61	20	51	71	32
22		Martin Kaut (RW)	HC Dynamo Pardubice	Czech	37	9	7	16	14
23		Alexander Alexeyev (D)	Red Deer Rebels	WHL	45	7	30	37	29
24		Serron Noel (RW)	Oshawa Generals	OHL	55	25	19	44	57
25		Benoit-Olivier Groulx (C)	Halifax Mooseheads	QMJHL	61	24	25	49	92
26		Jonny Tychonick (D)	Penticton Vees	BCHL	48	9	38	47	34
27		Jesperi Kotkaniemi (C)	Ässät	Liiga	53	8	18	26	18
28		Jacob Bernard-Docker (D)	Okotoks Oilers	AJHL	47	20	20	40	32
29		Adam Ginning (D)	Linköping HC	SHL	24	0	1	1	10
30		Dominik Bokk (RW)	Växjö Lakers HC J20	SuperElit	33	14	26	40	10
31		Jacob Olofsson (C)	Timrå IK	Allsvenskan	42	9	11	20	10

 

 

Edited March 3, 2018 by LeftWinger

[LeftWinger 4,961]

I was catching some highlights from the Five Nations Tourney. A lot of these kids were there. Some good highlights!

[The Datsyukian Deke 127]

Just to mention....Bokk is the first german kid ranked in (or around) first round since Draisaitl.

And I like the kid..last summer, half a year ago, when he was 17, his club in Cologne didnt offer him a spot on the mens roster in the first divison in Germany. What did he do? Went to Sweden, played in the Under18 team for Vaxjo. Quickly jumped to their U20 team, still thrived, they moved him up to their Pro Team, which is in the highest swedish league. All in one season, still 17 at the time.

Hope he makes it...no doubt he has the mindset that it takes.

[TLGTrico 627]

I just ran the lottery simulator on Tankathon, and my first try gave the Wings the 1st overall pick.

[kickazz 5,459]

43 minutes ago, TLGTrico said:

I just ran the lottery simulator on Tankathon, and my first try gave the Wings the 1st overall pick.

Yea, right now I think were officially #7

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

Guess Woo was "Jett-ed" from the first round. I think I was on to something.

The only guy listed in the top 10 I am not crazy about is Wahlstrom. I would pick Kupari before him. Other than that, I can honestly say that I would be happy with any of those other guys listed in the top 10. Holland can't really mess it up this year.

Edited March 6, 2018 by Neomaxizoomdweebie

[LeftWinger 4,961]

3 hours ago, Neomaxizoomdweebie said:

Guess Woo was "Jett-ed" from the first round. I think I was on to something.

The only guy listed in the top 10 I am not crazy about is Wahlstrom. I would pick Kupari before him. Other than that, I can honestly say that I would be happy with any of those other guys listed in the top 10. Holland can't really mess it up this year.

"Hold my beer..." - Ken Holland

 

[krsmith17 7,191]