2019 Draft

[Dabura 12,232]

While there's an unusually high number of high-end centermen in this draft class, Alex Turcotte is the only one who strikes me as a total lock to be a full-time pivot at higher levels. I'm probably the only person with this opinion, which probably means I'm probably way off. But it's some food for thought.

[Jonas Mahonas 1,872]

2 hours ago, Dabura said:

While there's an unusually high number of high-end centermen in this draft class, Alex Turcotte is the only one who strikes me as a total lock to be a full-time pivot at higher levels. I'm probably the only person with this opinion, which probably means I'm probably way off. But it's some food for thought.

Yes.  You are way off.  Hughes, Dach, and Cozens will all play center exceptionally well in the NHL.  No doubt.

[Dabura 12,232]

2 minutes ago, Jonas Mahonas said:

Yes.  You are way off.  Hughes, Dach, and Cozens will all play center exceptionally well in the NHL.  No doubt.

Just to be clear, I'm not saying they won't be centermen. I'm saying Turcotte is the only one I can point to and say, "He's absolutely not going to become a winger. No chance."

[kickazz 5,459]

2 hours ago, Dabura said:

Just to be clear, I'm not saying they won't be centermen. I'm saying Turcotte is the only one I can point to and say, "He's absolutely not going to become a winger. No chance."

What makes you think Hughes might not stay a center 

[Dabura 12,232]

2 minutes ago, kickazz said:

What makes you think Hughes might not stay a center 

Smallish, not physical, not especially good on the defensive side of the puck. Playing wing would, in theory, free him up to do what he does best: attack, attack, attack, score, score, score.

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

21 hours ago, Dabura said:

Nah, they were just going on the standings at the time.

Like I said...

[Dabura 12,232]

2 minutes ago, Neomaxizoomdweebie said:

Like I said...

I have to admit, it's much harder to attain Absolute Worst Team in the League status than I'd thought. Wings probably finish outside the bottom three again, because Wings.

[kickazz 5,459]

2 hours ago, Dabura said:

I have to admit, it's much harder to attain Absolute Worst Team in the League status than I'd thought. Wings probably finish outside the bottom three again, because Wings.

Can’t wait till we get Yzerman and tank the right way 

[Jonas Mahonas 1,872]

3 hours ago, Dabura said:

Smallish, not physical, not especially good on the defensive side of the puck. Playing wing would, in theory, free him up to do what he does best: attack, attack, attack, score, score, score.

Sounds like you are describing Gretzky or pre-Bowman Yzerman.

[kipwinger 8,770]

10 hours ago, Dabura said:

While there's an unusually high number of high-end centermen in this draft class, Alex Turcotte is the only one who strikes me as a total lock to be a full-time pivot at higher levels. I'm probably the only person with this opinion, which probably means I'm probably way off. But it's some food for thought.

I've read about as much as a person can on the top 10ish draft picks and I've seen that suggested about Hughes and Cozens, but not the rest of the pack (Dach, Zegras, Turcotte, Krebs, and Newhook).  Hence why I've never been all that excited about Hughes to begin with and why I've cooled a bit on Cozens.  At the end of the day I'd expect most of those guys to end up down the middle. 

[Dabura 12,232]

1 hour ago, kipwinger said:

I've read about as much as a person can on the top 10ish draft picks and I've seen that suggested about Hughes and Cozens, but not the rest of the pack (Dach, Zegras, Turcotte, Krebs, and Newhook).  Hence why I've never been all that excited about Hughes to begin with and why I've cooled a bit on Cozens.  At the end of the day I'd expect most of those guys to end up down the middle. 

I agree that most will probably end up in the middle. I guess I'm just cautioning against putting too much stock in position.

Zegras's defensive game needs some work and, to me, he's sometimes looked more comfortable on the wing. Granted, when you're flanking Jack Hughes, it's easy to look good.

Newhook reminds me a lot of AA; speed for days, skill for days, but there isn't much in his game that screams center, IMO. Also, he's beating up the BCHL, which warrants an asterisk.

Krebs has played some wing. He's a great two-way player, so I think he probably should become a centerman's center, but I could also see him being a terror as a winger.

I'll be surprised if Dach doesn't stay in the middle. It wouldn't shock me, though.

Just my two cents.

Edited February 2, 2019 by Dabura

[kipwinger 8,770]

1 hour ago, Dabura said:

I agree that most will probably end up in the middle. I guess I'm just cautioning against putting too much stock in position.

Zegras's defensive game needs some work and, to me, he's sometimes looked more comfortable on the wing. Granted, when you're flanking Jack Hughes, it's easy to look good.

Newhook reminds me a lot of AA; speed for days, skill for days, but there isn't much in his game that screams center, IMO. Also, he's beating up the BCHL, which warrants an asterisk.

Krebs has played some wing. He's a great two-way player, so I think he probably should become a centerman's center, but I could also see him being a terror as a winger.

I'll be surprised if Dach doesn't stay in the middle. It wouldn't shock me, though.

Just my two cents.

I've definitely heard that Zegras needs to improve his defensive game, but a couple of sources I've seen have been more positive on Newhook's all around game. The Athletic's Pronman said of Newhook...

"He’s not the biggest forward at 5-foot-10 but has a lot of offensive tools. His skating, hands and vision all get plus grades. He can push the pace with his speed, while also being able to pull up and make a play at pace. Newhook isn’t just a skill guy; he competes well, which, combined with his great speed, allows him to always be around the puck. I don’t know if he’ll be a true defensive center in the NHL, but I like that he battles and doesn’t get pushed around without taking penalties."

NHL Draft Central ranked him 5 out of 5 for speed, shooting, stickhandling. 4/5 for passing and hockey IQ, 3/5 competitiveness and physicality, and 2/5 for defense. 

But I agree with you on the BCHL thing for sure.

 

Edited February 2, 2019 by kipwinger

[Dabura 12,232]

11 hours ago, kipwinger said:

I've definitely heard that Zegras needs to improve his defensive game, but a couple of sources I've seen have been more positive on Newhook's all around game. The Athletic's Pronman said of Newhook...

"He’s not the biggest forward at 5-foot-10 but has a lot of offensive tools. His skating, hands and vision all get plus grades. He can push the pace with his speed, while also being able to pull up and make a play at pace. Newhook isn’t just a skill guy; he competes well, which, combined with his great speed, allows him to always be around the puck. I don’t know if he’ll be a true defensive center in the NHL, but I like that he battles and doesn’t get pushed around without taking penalties."

NHL Draft Central ranked him 5 out of 5 for speed, shooting, stickhandling. 4/5 for passing and hockey IQ, 3/5 competitiveness and physicality, and 2/5 for defense. 

But I agree with you on the BCHL thing for sure.

Oh, yeah, don't get me wrong -- I certainly don't think we should rule out Newhook and the others staying at center and ultimately becoming NHL centermen. It's just that, for a number of these guys, there's a possibility that they aren't future centerman. If we feel we badly need a centerman and we really don't need more wingers, it's something to consider.

[Dabura 12,232]

 

[F.Michael 4,590]

On 2/1/2019 at 12:40 PM, Dabura said:

Smallish, not physical, not especially good on the defensive side of the puck. Playing wing would, in theory, free him up to do what he does best: attack, attack, attack, score, score, score.

My #1 fear is that his stature (or lack thereof) will see him being prone to injury at the NHL level.

 

[krsmith17 7,191]

2 hours ago, F.Michael said:

My #1 fear is that his stature (or lack thereof) will see him being prone to injury at the NHL level.

There isn't, nor has there ever been any correlation between the size of a player and proneness to injury.

[F.Michael 4,590]

34 minutes ago, krsmith17 said:

There isn't, nor has there ever been any correlation between the size of a player and proneness to injury.

This is Hughes with his shirt off...

[krsmith17 7,191]

20 minutes ago, F.Michael said:

This is Hughes with his shirt off...

That was also Gretzky with his shirt off...

[F.Michael 4,590]

15 minutes ago, krsmith17 said:

That was also Gretzky with his shirt off...

So Hughes = Gretzky ?

THE TANK IS ON !!!

LOSE FOR GRETZKY HUGHES !!!

Edited February 6, 2019 by F.Michael

[krsmith17 7,191]

9 minutes ago, F.Michael said:

So Hughes = Gretzky ?

No.

10 minutes ago, F.Michael said:

LOSE FOR HUGHES !!!

Yes.

[Wheelchairsuperhero 1,453]

4 hours ago, F.Michael said:

My #1 fear is that his stature (or lack thereof) will see him being prone to injury at the NHL level.

 

I'd list all of the tiny players currently in the league this hasn't been a problem for, but I feel like it's already been done a 100 times. 

[Jonas Mahonas 1,872]

4 hours ago, F.Michael said:

My #1 fear is that his stature (or lack thereof) will see him being prone to injury at the NHL level.

 

Me too.  Don't want to see a toothpick snap.

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

31 minutes ago, Wheelchairsuperhero said:

I'd list all of the tiny players currently in the league this hasn't been a problem for, but I feel like it's already been done a 100 times. 

I dont want to know how you know this.

[Dabura 12,232]

12 hours ago, F.Michael said:

My #1 fear is that his stature (or lack thereof) will see him being prone to injury at the NHL level.

Nyquist never gets hurt and Hughes is/will be ten times the skater and player Nyquist is. Matthews and Ekblad are big and they're hurt all the time.

Size doesn't really matter re: injuries. It's more about how you play the game.

[F.Michael 4,590]

8 minutes ago, Dabura said:

Nyquist never gets hurt and Hughes is/will be ten times the skater and player Nyquist is. Matthews and Ekblad are big and they're hurt all the time.

Size doesn't really matter re: injuries. It's more about how you play the game.

 

10 hours ago, krsmith17 said:

There isn't, nor has there ever been any correlation between the size of a player and proneness to injury.

 

8 hours ago, Wheelchairsuperhero said:

I'd list all of the tiny players currently in the league this hasn't been a problem for, but I feel like it's already been done a 100 times.