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LeftWinger

Official 2018 NHL Amateur Entry Draft Discussion Thread

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I too would select Bouchard over Hughes, but either would help our D tremendously!

Here's what I do, if this scenario happens:  

We get #4, Philly gets #8 (which then St. Louis would have the option to take that pick back and give them their 2019 1st, which in my scenario happens) St. Louis Claims that pick back, we make a deal with St. Louis to trade them the #4 OA for the #8 AND the Winnipeg 1st they have, we draft Bouchard at 8 and then STILL have 2 more 1sts PLUS those two EARLY 2NDS!

Imagine having the 8th, 23rd, 24th, 33rd, and 37th picks! St. Louis gets Tkachuk, Zandina or Boqvist and we get a haul of players with serious NHL potential!

(of course it is noted that while they are out at the moment, St. Louis could still make the playoffs, screwing this scenario up! :lol: )

IMO BOTH Hughes and Bouchard will be available after 7 anyhow, there is always that team or two that selects a kid that is a surprise pick!

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2 hours ago, krsmith17 said:

https://www.nhl.com/news/rasmus-dahlin-draws-nhl-comparisons-to-victor-hedman/c-297657256

The more I see and hear about Bouchard, the more I want us to take him with our first pick. Being compared to Pietrangelo, who has been one of my favorite non-Wing players for quite some time. Yes please!

Obviously the prize is Dahlin, but if we don't win the lottery, Bouchard is the player I'd be gunning for. I'd probably still take Svechnikov if we move up to 2, but I'd consider trading back in that spot. If we move up to 3, I'd move back a couple spots to take Bouchard, which would also give us another late 1st / early 2nd.

 

Bouchard is the other early first D-man I’ve been liking more and more as I keep hearing about him too. I’d be stoked to get him. 

I’d be pretty happy with any of these scinerios really. But if we get second(or third and he’s still there), I’d prefer to take Svech over trading back. At the same time I see the logic of moving back though. 

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15 minutes ago, LeftWinger said:

I too would select Bouchard over Hughes, but either would help our D tremendously!

Here's what I do, if this scenario happens:  

We get #4, Philly gets #8 (which then St. Louis would have the option to take that pick back and give them their 2019 1st, which in my scenario happens) St. Louis Claims that pick back, we make a deal with St. Louis to trade them the #4 OA for the #8 AND the Winnipeg 1st they have, we draft Bouchard at 8 and then STILL have 2 more 1sts PLUS those two EARLY 2NDS!

Imagine having the 8th, 23rd, 24th, 33rd, and 37th picks! St. Louis gets Tkachuk, Zandina or Boqvist and we get a haul of players with serious NHL potential!

(of course it is noted that while they are out at the moment, St. Louis could still make the playoffs, screwing this scenario up! :lol: )

IMO BOTH Hughes and Bouchard will be available after 7 anyhow, there is always that team or two that selects a kid that is a surprise pick!

Hughes could possibly slip, maybe even outside of the top 10, but I'd be shocked if Bouchard slips, and wouldn't be surprised to see him go top 5.

 

7 minutes ago, amato said:

Bouchard is the other early first D-man I’ve been liking more and more as I keep hearing about him too. I’d be stoked to get him. 

I’d be pretty happy with any of these scinerios really. But if we get second(or third and he’s still there), I’d prefer to take Svech over trading back. At the same time I see the logic of moving back though. 

I agree. And yeah, I'd still take Svechnikov at 2, or if he happened to slip to 3, but I don't see that happening. A lot of people are pretty high on Zadina, but I don't think he's close to Svech.

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1 hour ago, krsmith17 said:

For me it's Bouchard, and it's not even close.

Yeah, I'd have to go with Bouchard. Hughes and Boqvist are both outstanding prospects, though, and either one would be a major addition to our pipeline.

If we're picking in the top seven or eight, I think we'll be ok. Right around 8th or 9th...there could be a dropoff starting there.

But then, Matthew Barzal went 16th overall, so who really knows. It's all a crapshoot.

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http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2018/04/04/sabres-clinch-top-odds-in-2018-nhl-draft-lottery/

NO

Odds to win the 2018 NHL Draft lottery

Points vs. No. 1 overall % vs. top three %

Buffalo Sabres 60 points 18.5% 49.4%
Arizona Coyotes 63 points 13.5% 38.8%
Ottawa Senators 63 points 11.5% 33.9%
Vancouver Canucks 63 points 9.5% 28.8%
Detroit Red Wings 67 points 8.5% 26.1%
Montreal Canadiens 68 points 7.5% 23.3%
Chicago Blackhawks 72 points 6.5% 20.4%
New York Islanders 74 points 6.0% 19.0%
Edmonton Oilers 74 points 5.0% 16.0%
New York Rangers 74 points 3.5% 11.4%
Carolina Hurricanes 79 points 3.0% 9.9%
New York Islanders (via Flames) 80 points 2.5% 8.2%
Dallas Stars 86 points 2.0% 6.6%
Florida Panthers 85 points 1.5% 5.0%
Los Angeles Kings 91 points 1.0% 3.3%
Edited by Neomaxizoomdweebie

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6 minutes ago, kipwinger said:

I've heard Bouchard's skating isn't great.  Gives me a ton of pause if true.

His straight-line speed isn't anything special, but he's a great skater overall. Very agile, very mobile.

Hughes is the best skater in this draft class and he's definitely a creative playmaker. Kind of like Larkin, if Larkin were a 5'9 defenseman.

Some highlights, if anyone's unfamiliar with any of Hughes, Bouchard, Boqvist:

 

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Bouchard just seems like another of these lower ceiling higher floor kind of guys to me. I'm not going to pretend like I've watched a bunch of his game or anything, I haven't.  But nothing about him stands out to me (aside from his stat line).  The fact that he's been compared to Larry Murphy scares the living crap out of me.  Larry Murphy is not an ideal for a modern hockey player in my opinion. 

Again, I don't know.  I fluctuate a ton on all these prospects, but right now I'm looking at Boqvist or Hughes if I'm Detroit. 

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Our lottery odds will be determined on Saturday.  

Wings win and Canucks lose-6th best odds

Canucks win and Habs and Coyotes both lose-5th best odds

Wings lose and 1 of Habs or Yotes win-4th best odds

Wings lose and Habs and Yotes both win-3rd best odds.

Edited by TLGTrico
add something

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3 hours ago, TLGTrico said:

Our lottery odds will be determined on Saturday.  

Wings win and Canucks lose-6th best odds

Canucks win and Habs and Coyotes both lose-5th best odds

Wings lose and 1 of Habs or Yotes win-4th best odds

Wings lose and Habs and Yotes both win-3rd best odds.

Unfortunately, I doubt the Habs will beat the Leafs, I doubt the Coyotes will beat the Ducks, and I think we'll end up beating the Islanders... But hey, there's a chance. I don't care what happens, I'm just anxiously awaiting the draft lottery on the 28th...

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31 minutes ago, krsmith17 said:

Unfortunately, I doubt the Habs will beat the Leafs, I doubt the Coyotes will beat the Ducks, and I think we'll end up beating the Islanders... But hey, there's a chance. I don't care what happens, I'm just anxiously awaiting the draft lottery on the 28th...

We just gotta hope the Leafs and Ducks rest players for the playoffs

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20 minutes ago, marcaractac said:

We just gotta hope the Leafs and Ducks rest players for the playoffs

Yeah, but it's all for not if we beat the Islanders, which I could see happening... I have a feeling we're going to get a top 3 pick this year though... Here's to hoping.

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4 minutes ago, amato said:

Knowing our luck; wings will lose, habs and yotes will both win, nucks will lose, and whoever ends up with the 6th best odds will win the lottery :scared:

Yeah, pretty much what I've been saying. "Be careful what you wish for"...

I've still been kind of hoping we fall in the standings to improve our odds, but I'm aware that in the end, it's all going to come down to where those lottery balls fall...

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1 minute ago, krsmith17 said:

Yeah, pretty much what I've been saying. "Be careful what you wish for"...

I've still been kind of hoping we fall in the standings to improve our odds, but I'm aware that in the end, it's all going to come down to where those lottery balls fall...

 

Basically my thoughts as well. And I understand wanting better odds, it makes sense. But I don’t understand why people (not as frequently on here as other friends of mine who are fans) get SO upset over wins. A lot of wings fans around me have become very annoying. :glare: 

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10 hours ago, kipwinger said:

Bouchard just seems like another of these lower ceiling higher floor kind of guys to me. I'm not going to pretend like I've watched a bunch of his game or anything, I haven't.  But nothing about him stands out to me (aside from his stat line).  The fact that he's been compared to Larry Murphy scares the living crap out of me.  Larry Murphy is not an ideal for a modern hockey player in my opinion. 

Again, I don't know.  I fluctuate a ton on all these prospects, but right now I'm looking at Boqvist or Hughes if I'm Detroit. 

That's the nice thing about the top portion of this draft class -- lots of choices. Dahlin, Svechnikov, Zadina, Tkachuk, Hughes, Bouchard, Boqvist, Dobson, Smith, Wahlstrom, Veleno...even if someone doesn't like some of the top names, there's still a lot be excited about.

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45 minutes ago, Dabura said:

That's the nice thing about the top portion of this draft class -- lots of choices. Dahlin, Svechnikov, Zadina, Tkachuk, Hughes, Bouchard, Boqvist, Dobson, Smith, Wahlstrom, Veleno...even if someone doesn't like some of the top names, there's still a lot be excited about.

Yeah it’s exciting for sure. Boqvist is another I’m more excited about the more I hear about him too. He sounds like the perfect defenseman for the style and speed of today’s game; incredible skater, dangerous with the puck on his stick, isn’t afraid to shoot, etc etc. We need more guys who aren’t afraid to shoot. He’s the style of defenseman i really like, so I’d be stoked to got him. 

His play is supposedly a little lacking in his own end though, which is always concerning.. but sounds like he’s making progress there. 

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If we stay 5 or 6, I am all in for Bouchard! He fits our bill nicely, PLUS he's RH'd!

https://thehockeywriters.com/nhl-draft-ranking-march-2018/

Rank

+/- Player Position Current Team
1 Rasmus Dahlin D

Frölunda HC (SHL)

2

Filip Zadina LW Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
3 Andrei Svechnikov RW

Barrie Colts (OHL)

4

Adam Boqvist D Brynäs IF J20
5 Brady Tkachuk C/LW

Boston University (NCAA)

6

+1 Evan Bouchard D London Knights (OHL)
7 -1 Quinn Hughes D

University of Michigan (NCAA)

8

+3 Barrett Hayton C Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
9 Noah Dobson D

Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL)

10

-2 Oliver Wahlstrom C/RW U.S. National U18 Team (USDP)

11

-1 Ryan Merkley D

Guelph Storm (OHL)

12

+2 Joe Veleno C

Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)

13

Bode Wilde D

U.S. National U18 Team (USDP)

14

-2 Rasmus Kupari C

Kärpät (Liiga)

15 +1 Joel Farabee LW

U.S. National U18 Team (USDP)

16

+8 Grigori Denisenko LW Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)

17

Serron Noel RW

Oshawa Generals (OHL)

18

+5 Akil Thomas C Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
19 -1 Jared McIsaac D

Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

20

+1 Ty Smith D Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
21 -1 Benoit-Olivier Groulx C

Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

22

Jett Woo D Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

23

-8 Ryan McLeod C

Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

24

-5 Jesperi Kotkaniemi C Assät (Liiga)
25 +2 Allan McShane C

Oshawa Generals (OHL)

26

Isac Lundeström C/LW Luleå HF (SHL)

27

-2 Mattias Samuelsson D

U.S. National U18 Team (USDP)

28

Aidan Dudas C Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
29 Jacob Olofsson C

Timrå IK (Allsvenskan)

30

Calen Addison D Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
31 Jack McBain C

Toronto Jr. Canadiens (OJHL)

 

Canada’s Bludgeoning Blueliner

Ranked as the third-best defenceman in this month’s ranking, Bouchard of the London Knights has continued to take substantial steps in his personal development.

Throughout the 2017-18 OHL campaign, Bouchard has continued to reinforce his stellar and enviable two-way game. Seemingly unsurpassable in his defensive end and a lethal playmaker in the opposing zone, Bouchard’s all-around game has earned him a wealth of praise ahead of the draft, and deservingly so.

London Knights, Evan Bouchard, OHL

Bouchard has been an exceptional force in London this season. (Photo by Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

A native of Oakville, Ontario, Bouchard’s unique ability to read and understand plays before they develop have made him an astute defender of ample potential. Capable of dismantling plays devised by his opposition before jumping into the rush himself, Bouchard’s on-ice awareness and excellent positional play should allow for a smooth transition to the NHL-level.

Perhaps the scariest fact of all is that Bouchard and his game have continued to mature consistently this season, making his absolute potential of the sky-high variety.

Edited by LeftWinger

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3 hours ago, amato said:

Yeah it’s exciting for sure. Boqvist is another I’m more excited about the more I hear about him too. He sounds like the perfect defenseman for the style and speed of today’s game; incredible skater, dangerous with the puck on his stick, isn’t afraid to shoot, etc etc. We need more guys who aren’t afraid to shoot. He’s the style of defenseman i really like, so I’d be stoked to got him. 

His play is supposedly a little lacking in his own end though, which is always concerning.. but sounds like he’s making progress there. 

I love Boqvist and would be absolutely thrilled if we got him.

Every high-end Swedish D prospect gets compared to Erik Karlsson, but, to me, Boqvist is maybe the first case where the comparison is genuinely appropriate. Like, straight-up: he has all the tools and natural ability that a defenseman needs to become the next Karlsson. And it should be noted that he's only a month away from being eligible for next year's draft, so he's one of the youngest players in this draft class -- point being: he's an extremely promising prospect.

He's going to need to get much stronger. And, like Karlsson, his defensive game leaves something to be desired. But you don't want a Karlsson for his defensive game, you want him for his offense. My only concern there is that he's probably more likely to become something like a second-pairing PP specialist than he is a bona fide cornerstone defenseman. Arguably a higher ceiling than Bouchard, but also arguably a lower floor.

But if we're looking for someone who could, potentially, become a Karlsson/Doughty/Klingberg-caliber defenseman, Boqvist would be my pick.

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1 hour ago, TLGTrico said:

The problem with Boqvist for me is that we don't have a shutdown guy to pair with him.

I'd say he's probably two or three years away from full-time NHL duty, so I wouldn't worry too much about the makeup of our current D group and our current pipeline.

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I'm not worried about this draft at all. Obviously, I would love to get Dahlin or even Svechnikov, but even if we pick 3-7, we are still getting a really good player. I would be thrilled with any of Boqvist, Hughes, Zadina, Tkachuk, Bouchard. And I don't see Holland going off board if any of those guys are available. 

Even better is the possibility that we could still snag a Veleno, Kupari, or Wilde with the second first rounder. No reason to trade up this year at all. 

I mean, I just wouldn't be that upset if we don't get Dahlin. We're still getting at least one, and probably 2 solid prospects. I'm stoked.

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