Official 2018 NHL Amateur Entry Draft Discussion Thread

[krsmith17 7,191]

14 minutes ago, Neomaxizoomdweebie said:

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.

I don't see Veleno or Wilde dropping back that far. I wouldn't mind trading up to the middle of the first if someone we really like drops. But yeah, we should get at least a couple very good prospects in this draft. I just hope we manage to get a steal or two, ala Barzal / Boeser. Maybe Veleno could be that player this year...

[krsmith17 7,191]

 

[Dabura 12,207]

45 minutes ago, Neomaxizoomdweebie said:

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.

Plus, there's always next year's draft, which is shaping up to be just as deep as this year's draft, possibly even deeper.

Jack Hughes (brother of Quinn) is phenomenal.

[Dabura 12,207]

13 minutes ago, krsmith17 said:

 

Mrazek is a drama magnet, lol.

[LeftWinger 4,953]

So the best we can do is #1, the worst is #8.  Here are the top 8 from the March list above. Outside of not knowing much about Barret Hayton, who jumped up 3 spots to penetrate the top 10 for the first time, I say we have a REAL GUD shot at getting a legit NHL'er...

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)

OH! and this:

That looks good! 7 picks in the first three rounds! Again, we've said it before, that 2nd round is basically 2 late first rounders! #32 and #35. I am going to conservatively put us at #23 with VEG's pick.(hopefully it goes a bit higher into the teens!)

Within #23 to #35 are some good players as well! 

Jett Woo, K'andre Miller, Serron Noel, Mattias Samuelsson, Dominic Bokk, Ryan McLeod, Akil Thomas. Some of those names would have to fall a bit short, but we can really get loaded up with those 4 picks.

If we didn't get #1 or top 3 and our 4 picks were: Bouchard, Noel, Miller and Samuelsson. I would be elated! Not sure what our new GM is thinking we need, but in all honesty, these 4 big guys, if they develop they way they are projected to, will fit our needs perfectly!

Edited July 23, 2018 by LeftWinger

[krsmith17 7,191]

45 minutes ago, LeftWinger said:

So the best we can do is #1, the worst is #8.  Here are the top 8 from the March list above. Outside of not knowing much about Barret Hayton, who jumped up 3 spots to penetrate the top 10 for the first time, I say we have a REAL GUD shot at getting a legit NHL'er...

OH! and this:

That looks good! 7 picks in the first three rounds! Again, we've said it before, that 2nd round is basically 2 late first rounders! #32 and #35. I am going to conservatively put us at #23 with VEG's pick.(hopefully it goes a bit higher into the teens!)

Within #23 to #35 are some good players as well! 

Jett Woo, K'andre Miller, Serron Noel, Mattias Samuelsson, Dominic Bokk, Ryan McLeod, Akil Thomas. Some of those names would have to fall a bit short, but we can really get loaded up with those 4 picks.

If we didn't get #1 or top 3 and our 4 picks were: Bouchard, Noel, Miller and Samuelsson. I would be elated! Not sure what our new GM is thinking we need, but in all honesty, these 4 big guys, if they develop they way they are projected to, will fit our needs perfectly!

Minor correction: Our two 2nd rounders are 33 and 36. You're forgetting there are now 31 teams.

Also, just curious, which site are you getting your rankings? They seem a little off from most mock drafts I've seen...

I'm still kind of hoping we make a trade to move up to the middle of the 1st, to have two picks in the top half of the 1st round.

[LeftWinger 4,953]

I included the link in the 31 name list up top, Hockey Writers.  I don't look for mock drafts, that is more or less someone's opinion, unless its a McKenzie Mock, then I'd check it out. I look for draft rankings. I am sure mock drafts are done by looking at rankings, but I don't like when people tend to draft on their own opinoin. ex,. Detroit is #4, looking at Tkachuk, Zadina, Hughes, etc... but they have us drafting Rasmus Kupari, because, you know, Liiga. I tend to value TSN, Sportnet, Hockeywriters and any of the 3 or 4 on Elite Prospects (ISS, NHL Central Scouting) Here is ISS's April Top 31:

ISS HOCKEY TOP 31 - APRIL RANKING
1		Rasmus Dahlin (D)	Frölunda HC	SHL	41	7	13	20	20
2		Andrei Svechnikov (RW)	Barrie Colts	OHL	44	40	32	72	67
3		Filip Zadina (LW)	Halifax Mooseheads	QMJHL	57	44	38	82	36
4		Brady Tkachuk (C/LW)	Boston Univ.	NCAA	40	8	23	31	61
5		Oliver Wahlstrom (C/RW)	U.S. National U18 Team	USDP	54	40	43	83	38
6		Evan Bouchard (D)	London Knights	OHL	67	25	62	87	54
7		Quinn Hughes (D)	Univ. of Michigan	NCAA	37	5	24	29	26
8		Noah Dobson (D)	Acadie-Bathurst Titan	QMJHL	67	17	52	69	52
9		Adam Boqvist (D)	Brynäs IF J20	SuperElit	25	14	10	24	18
10		Joseph Veleno (C)	Drummondville Voltigeurs	QMJHL	33	16	32	48	22
11		Ty Smith (D)	Spokane Chiefs	WHL	69	14	59	73	30
12		Barrett Hayton (C)	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds	OHL	63	21	39	60	32
13		Grigori Denisenko (LW)	Loko Yaroslavl	MHL	31	9	13	22	30
14		Rasmus Kupari (C)	Kärpät	Liiga	39	6	8	14	12
15		Isac Lundeström (C/LW)	Luleå HF	SHL	42	6	9	15	14
16		Joel Farabee (LW)	U.S. National U18 Team	USDP	54	27	37	64	38
17		Martin Kaut (RW)	HC Dynamo Pardubice	Czech	38	9	7	16	14
18		Jesperi Kotkaniemi (C)	Ässät	Liiga	57	10	19	29	20
19		Jared McIsaac (D)	Halifax Mooseheads	QMJHL	65	9	38	47	86
20		Bode Wilde (D)	U.S. National U18 Team	USDP	53	11	25	36	59
21		Serron Noel (RW)	Oshawa Generals	OHL	62	28	25	53	61
22		Alexander Alexeyev (D)	Red Deer Rebels	WHL	45	7	30	37	29
23		Jacob Bernard-Docker (D)	Okotoks Oilers	AJHL	49	20	21	41	34
24		Ryan McLeod (C)	Mississauga Steelheads	OHL	68	26	44	70	26
25		Adam Ginning (D)	Linköping HC	SHL	28	1	1	2	10
26		Akil Thomas (C)	Niagara IceDogs	OHL	68	22	59	81	36
27		Benoit-Olivier Groulx (C)	Halifax Mooseheads	QMJHL	68	28	27	55	100
28		Dominik Bokk (RW)	Växjö Lakers HC J20	SuperElit	35	14	27	41	12
29		Jonny Tychonick (D)	Penticton Vees	BCHL	48	9	38	47	34
30		K'Andre Miller (D)	U.S. National U18 Team	USDP	50	7	17	24	22
31		Jacob Olofsson (C)	Timrå IK	Allsvenskan	43	10	11	21	10

Just an FYI for everyone, here are the top 5 scorer in the OHL, note the only D-Man. I think Bouchard should probably go Top 5, if we are around 4-5, I say we take him. Unless Holland really wants Tkachuk!

OHL

#	PLAYER	GP	G	A	TP
1.	Morgan Frost (F)	67	42	70	112
2.	Jordan Kyrou (F)	56	39	70	109
3.	Nick Suzuki (F)	64	42	58	100
4.	Jason Robertson (F)	68	41	46	87
5.	Evan Bouchard (D)	67	25	62	87

[Dabura 12,207]

Unless we're picking 2nd overall (Svechnikov), I think it's almost a given that we'll be taking a defenseman with our first pick. The consensus top defensemen not named Dahlin are pretty much set: Hughes, Boqvist, Bouchard, Dobson. Maybe also Ty Smith, depending on who you ask.

For what it's worth (not much), Draper didn't mention Hughes when he rattled off names in his recent interview with HSJ:

HSJ: Is the defense position a priority?

KD: “A major priority. You have Dahlin. You have Boqvist, you have Evan Bouchard playing in London, you have Noah Dobson in Acadie-Bathurst. You have Ty Smith playing out west. There’s a pretty good crew of defensemen that are going to be available in the top 20.

Our second 1st, I don't know, because Vegas's postseason fate is totally up in the air at this time and, as far as I'm concerned, there really isn't a whole lot of separation in the rough consensus 16-31 range anyway. I assume the Wings would like a defenseman or centerman as opposed to a winger, but there should be some pretty sexy wingers available in that range, e.g. Joel Farabee (not sure he slides that far, but we'll see), Serron Noel, Dominik Bokk.

I agree with @LeftWinger that having those two early 2nds is a really big deal. People are focused on our first 1st, and rightfully so, but that cluster of picks -- Vegas's 1st and the two early 2nds -- could be where we really make bank.

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

On 4/6/2018 at 8:03 PM, krsmith17 said:

I don't see Veleno or Wilde dropping back that far. I wouldn't mind trading up to the middle of the first if someone we really like drops. But yeah, we should get at least a couple very good prospects in this draft. I just hope we manage to get a steal or two, ala Barzal / Boeser. Maybe Veleno could be that player this year...

I am basing that on the hope that VGK get upset in the first round. That would put the 2nd pick around the late teens I think? I could see one of those guys dropping. Every year, there's a guy who drops that noone expects. That's good for us.

[krsmith17 7,191]

16 minutes ago, Neomaxizoomdweebie said:

I am basing that on the hope that VGK get upset in the first round. That would put the 2nd pick around the late teens I think? I could see one of those guys dropping. Every year, there's a guy who drops that noone expects. That's good for us.

I don't think that's right though. I'm pretty sure because Vegas won their division, the highest that pick will be is 24. If they don't make the Conference Finals, the pick is between 24-27. If they lose in the Conference Finals, that pick is 28 or 29. If they lose in the Finals, the pick is 30, and if they win the Cup, the pick is 31. So yeah, the way I understand it, best case scenario, we get pick 24 from Vegas.

That's why I'd like to trade up to get another pick in the middle of the first. I'd love for a big name to drop to us, but I don't see it. I'd prefer to draft quality over quantity. But hey, maybe there's a guy we really like, that we know will drop to the 2nd round.

[Dabura 12,207]

1 hour ago, krsmith17 said:

I'm pretty sure because Vegas won their division, the highest that pick will be is 24.

Aw crap, I'd forgotten that's how it works.

[Wheelchairsuperhero 1,453]

If we take a defensemen not named Rasmus Dahlin I really hope it's Evan Bouchard. The way this kid plays looks legit, huge amount of poise with the puck.

[LeftWinger 4,953]

On the D, it's still not out of the question Kronner hangs it up, or sees significantly less games. Green is a huge question for sure. I agree XO will be dealt, probably for a 5th at the draft.

Open - Daley

DD - Open

Ericsson  - Jensen

Kronner may play all season, maybe not, so he could pick up 7th man duties or 2nd pairing. 

I believe if we draft any of the top 4 D, Dahlin, Bouchard, Boqvist or Hughes, they could make the team. It still leaves a spot for Hicketts and if Kronner calls it quits, another kid.

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

1 hour ago, LeftWinger said:

On the D, it's still not out of the question Kronner hangs it up, or sees significantly less games. Green is a huge question for sure. I agree XO will be dealt, probably for a 5th at the draft.

Open - Daley

DD - Open

Ericsson  - Jensen

Kronner may play all season, maybe not, so he could pick up 7th man duties or 2nd pairing. 

I believe if we draft any of the top 4 D, Dahlin, Bouchard, Boqvist or Hughes, they could make the team. It still leaves a spot for Hicketts and if Kronner calls it quits, another kid.

some of you guys are going to be disappointed when the defense next year is exactly the same as this year. Unless we draft Dahlin, or Green can't play, I don't see anyone new on the blueline next year.

[LeftWinger 4,953]

3 minutes ago, Neomaxizoomdweebie said:

some of you guys are going to be disappointed when the defense next year is exactly the same as this year. Unless we draft Dahlin, or Green can't play, I don't see anyone new on the blueline next year.

Sadly, you will be correct.

[Dabura 12,207]

2 minutes ago, Neomaxizoomdweebie said:

some of you guys are going to be disappointed when the defense next year is exactly the same as this year. Unless we draft Dahlin, or Green can't play, I don't see anyone new on the blueline next year.

*solemn agreement nod*

We'll be lucky if Hicketts is on the opening night roster, never mind Hronek or Cholowski or Hughes/Boqvist/Bouchard.

The team we watched last week is more or less the team we'll be watching next season. Drafting Dahlin, acquiring Tavares, acquiring Karlsson -- it'd take something of this magnitude for us to see a genuine roster shakeup over the coming summer.

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

1 hour ago, Dabura said:

*solemn agreement nod*

We'll be lucky if Hicketts is on the opening night roster, never mind Hronek or Cholowski or Hughes/Boqvist/Bouchard.

The team we watched last week is more or less the team we'll be watching next season. Drafting Dahlin, acquiring Tavares, acquiring Karlsson -- it'd take something of this magnitude for us to see a genuine roster shakeup over the coming summer.

Aside from Dahlin, I don't think any of those other high end prospect dmen will be ready for the NHL next season. Hronek and Cholowski are both probably at least a year away. Kronwall will probably be retired and Ouellet will probably be gone by the end of next season. So there should be room for them then. Daley is off the books the year after that to make room for another kid. Hicketts is really the only one i could see on the roster next year. He's NHL ready at this point, although in a reduced role. If Green is signed though, I don't see how there's room for him.

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

2 hours ago, LeftWinger said:

Sadly, you will be correct.

 

2 hours ago, Dabura said:

*solemn agreement nod*

[Dabura 12,207]

Nice mock draft:

https://www.diebytheblade.com/2018/4/8/17213402/end-of-season-1st-round-mock

The author brings up an interesting fact (assuming it's true): the Senators haven't drafted a Russian in over a decade and the Hurricanes haven't drafted a Russian since 2001. If that's true, and if it's because they have a rule about not drafting Russians, maybe neither of them would take Svechnikov at #2 or #3. Also, Peter Chiarelli is a moron.

[LeftWinger 4,953]

Dang, I sure would love one of K'Andre or Serron. But if they're gone, Akil is a good one! Especially if Holland has plans to deal AA.

Edited April 16, 2018 by LeftWinger

[Dabura 12,207]

8 minutes ago, LeftWinger said:

Dang, I sure would love one of K'Andre or Serron. But if they're gone, Akil is a good one! Especially if Holland has plans to deal AA.

It's gonna be really interesting seeing how the second half of the 1st round and the first half of the 2nd round play out. Does a guy like Serron Noel go in the middle of the 1st? Near the end of the 1st? Does he slide into the 2nd? I honestly don't know. There's so much to like in the top two or three tiers of this draft class that it seems wide open once you get past the top 12 or so.

[Dabura 12,207]

Y'know what'd be funny? Us not getting Andrei Svechnikov and being sad because no bro teamup but ultimately ending up with an even better bro teamup in Quinn and Jack Hughes.

I know I'm looking too far ahead, but imagine having Jack Hughes and Dylan Larkin as your 1-2 punch at center. So much HYPE! Soooooo much HYPE!

[Dabura 12,207]

https://thehockeywriters.com/jack-hughes-nhl-prospect-2019/

[LeftWinger 4,953]

The Hughes bros. would be great! The problem is, we can get Quinn with a top 6 pick, we will absolutely need to win the lottery next year to get Jack. Not unless 3 or 4 other players can knock him down a few for us...

[Dabura 12,207]

57 minutes ago, LeftWinger said:

The Hughes bros. would be great! The problem is, we can get Quinn with a top 6 pick, we will absolutely need to win the lottery next year to get Jack. Not unless 3 or 4 other players can knock him down a few for us...

Oh, I know. Just sayin'.