2021 Draft

[LeftWinger 5,152]

Not saying this to be unsympathetic, and I am sorry to hear about this tragedy, but does this play into whom Columbus drafts now? This could mean Wallstedt isn't even there at 6.

https://www.tsn.ca/columbus-blue-jackets-goalie-matiss-kivlenieks-dead-at-24-1.1663959

I admit, I don't know where he was on their G depth chart, this may not even impact their pick. 

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

12 hours ago, Hookersarethefuture said:

Cause teams historically are chicken s*** such as you and your minions and afraid of taking goalies in the first round nevermind early in the top 5. But as evidence would dictate with the last few seasons when its an exceptional talent teams are jumping in . Wouldnt surprise me if someone took him in the top 5 but very doubtful unless seattle acquires a bunch of talent off teams and have aging goalie tandems and decide to add him. Outside that cant see it not cause wallstedt isnt worthy

Buffalo Is trading eichel and possibly reinhart/ristolainen so they got nothing at C and only dahlin at d ... everyones saying itll be powers but i think they might go for beniers cause they might have literally nothing down the middle

seattle is a wildcard cause they have nothing at all

anaheim has gibson who’s one of the best goalies + dostal

nj is said to be very happy with blackwood who had 2 previous good numbers and is only 24 . This is where i expect hughes to fall

cbj had merzlikins whos a good goalie + no C after the dubois trade and theyll possibly be losing werenski in 2 yrs as well as seth jones so theyll have no C and no dman in the organization

Redwings at least have seider and some nice pieces at d  who granted we still have wait to see what happens but for all we know whoever we get at 6 might be a bust as well. At C we still have larkin , he isnt the #1 C we need and very likely neither will the guy at 6 we can land ... we can also land svechkov at 22 if we really wanted to add another #2 C so badly

The expansion draft will also make some interesting younger forwards/dmen potentially available through trade , cant say much for the goaltenders . We will see what yzerman’s plans will be soon enough but i expect some more bad contracts for picks , a young player or 2 acquired through trades and #6 pick ill leave it up to all your imaginations

You're avoiding the issue. If Waldo is the next Lundquist, then he will be clearly better than any of the goalies I listed, and those teams would be foolish not to take him. Unless of course they think they can win with less than elite goaltending and find building other positions more important. Hmmm.

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

6 hours ago, LeftWinger said:

Not saying this to be unsympathetic, and I am sorry to hear about this tragedy, but does this play into whom Columbus drafts now? This could mean Wallstedt isn't even there at 6.

https://www.tsn.ca/columbus-blue-jackets-goalie-matiss-kivlenieks-dead-at-24-1.1663959

I admit, I don't know where he was on their G depth chart, this may not even impact their pick. 

I don't think it does. They have 2 less than stellar goalies on the roster now. If they weren't interested before, I don't think this changes anything because both their current guys are younger. If they were wanting him, just more reason to draft him now.

[LeftWinger 5,152]

11 hours ago, LeftWinger said:

Not saying this to be unsympathetic, and I am sorry to hear about this tragedy, but does this play into whom Columbus drafts now? This could mean Wallstedt isn't even there at 6.

https://www.tsn.ca/columbus-blue-jackets-goalie-matiss-kivlenieks-dead-at-24-1.1663959

I admit, I don't know where he was on their G depth chart, this may not even impact their pick. 

Quick follow up after autopsy. Novi, mi. 

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31764017/columbus-blue-jackets-goalie-matiss-kivlenieks-24-dies-tragic-accident?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=news_tab&utm_content=curated

[F.Michael 4,590]

19 minutes ago, LeftWinger said:

Quick follow up after autopsy. Novi, mi. 

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31764017/columbus-blue-jackets-goalie-matiss-kivlenieks-24-dies-tragic-accident?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=news_tab&utm_content=curated

What a $hitty way to go...Enjoying yourself with some drinks in a hot tub - minutes later you get a firework mortar round burying itself in your thoracic cavity.

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

They have military grade fireworks in MI?

[F.Michael 4,590]

21 minutes ago, Neomaxizoomdweebie said:

They have military grade fireworks in MI?

Had to work last night - hospital is on the south side of Milwaukee...I kid you not there were dozens of mortar shells going off from the surrounding neighborhoods...Many were event quality that you'd see put on by local communities...People must've spent thousands for this since it went on for hours.

Long story short - yeah - the stuff they were shooting off would def remove your head from your shoulders...I'm pretty sure most states here in the Midwest have firework stands/stores that sell this stuff - especially in rural areas or just off the freeway outside city limits.

Edited July 6, 2021 by F.Michael

[LeftWinger 5,152]

speaking of Seattle, I'm guessing they'll get a pretty good G in the expansion draft, but IF Wallstedt is truly a franchise goalie, it might make sense for Seattle to draft him, no? I mean, IF he is all that he is said to be, why not draft yourself a goalie that may be on your team for 20 years? Doesn't matter who they pick in the expansion draft really, they could draft themselves a the rock that will keep their franchise in contention for years and years once he jumps to the NHL and getts the starting position.  Especially with this draft not really having a stud, franchise D or F. Even though Power seems to be the #1 pick, I wouldn't be surprised if Buffalo went with a C, especially if they trade Eichel. Beniers and Wallstedt going 1 and 2 would really mix things up! As a matter of fact, this mock shows Buffalo doing just that.

https://thehockeywriters.com/2021-nhl-draft-the-hockey-writers-mock-draft/

also, I like this:

 

...I really hope Yzerman does this instead of the G. If Hughes is off the board, and they aren't that high on Edvinsson, I say get that impact 2 way C.

Edited July 22, 2022 by LeftWinger

[The 91 of Ryans 3,019]

Pronman surveyed 20 NHL scouts about the top players in this years draft

https://theathletic.com/2667152/2021/07/06/nhl-draft-confidential-inside-what-scouts-and-executives-really-think-about-the-top-prospects/

Here's the three comments Pronman posted about Wastepick. 

Quote

Jesper Wallstedt, G, Lulea-SHL: Wallstedt is a potential top half of the first-round pick who was a regular in the SHL, a rarity for a draft-eligible goalie.

“I worry that the hype on him has exceeded what he really is. He’s such a structured, technical goalie (who’s) always been so far ahead of his peers in that regard, but as a pure NHL athlete the tools don’t really blow you away.”

“There is something special about him. His hockey sense is among the best I’ve ever seen in a draft-eligible goaltender.”

“He’s very smart, technically refined, but he may just be a finished product that developed ahead of schedule. I think he plays, he starts, but I don’t see a sky-high projection you’d like for a potential top half of the first-round goaltender.”

 

[LeftWinger 5,152]

1 minute ago, The 91 of Ryans said:

Pronman surveyed 20 NHL scouts about the top players in this years draft

https://theathletic.com/2667152/2021/07/06/nhl-draft-confidential-inside-what-scouts-and-executives-really-think-about-the-top-prospects/

Here's the three comments Pronman posted about Wastepick. 

 

I certainly hope Yzerman takes a skater. On D, hoping for Hughes, on F, I am gonna go with the rumored McTavish. Obviously I will trust the pick, but I really hope we solidify the D and or the C positions first.

[The 91 of Ryans 3,019]

10 minutes ago, Hookersarethefuture said:

The C position gets solidified in 22 or 23  regardless who we pick this draft cause we wont find our #1C in this one no matter how much ppl want it so

I'm thinking the Wings find their #1 G in 22 or 23........

Edited July 6, 2021 by The 91 of Ryans

[marcaractac 3,963]

2 minutes ago, The 91 of Ryans said:

I'm thinking the Wings find their #1 G in 22 or 23........

... in rounds 3+

[krsmith17 7,191]

11 minutes ago, Hookersarethefuture said:

The C position gets solidified in 22 or 23  regardless who we pick this draft cause we wont find our #1C in this one no matter how much ppl want it so

We have a 1C. His name is Dylan Larkin. The only way we get a center that slots above Larkin, is if we luck out in next year's draft lottery, and land Shane Wright (unlikely). There are 1B's to Larkin's 1A available in this draft, much like any other draft. I trust Yzerman to take the best player available, regardless of position. Even if it's another small, skilled (winger?) in William Eklund...

[marcaractac 3,963]

Just now, krsmith17 said:

 I trust Yzerman to take the best player available, regardless of position. Even if it's another small, skilled (center!) in William Eklund...

Fixed

[LeftWinger 5,152]

16 minutes ago, Hookersarethefuture said:

The C position gets solidified in 22 or 23  regardless who we pick this draft cause we wont find our #1C in this one no matter how much ppl want it so

Yes, but you're betting on us winning the draft lottery in one of those years. Like I said, I'll trust the pick no matter what, but if we're talking odds, I am thinking that McTavish has better than the 18% odds (of us winning the #1 pick) of becoming a top 2 C. Yzerman cannot hedge his draft on that. Even if he picks a C at #6 then ALSO wins next years lottery, he is still taking Shane Wright. Why "hope" you get to draft Wright or Bedard and pass up on a top 2 C? Dunno, like I said, I there with Yzerman whomever he drafts, but I don't see us winning the lottery next year, and we just may not even be a lottery team in 2023.

Edited July 6, 2021 by LeftWinger

[krsmith17 7,191]

3 minutes ago, marcaractac said:

Fixed

Yup, I definitely believe Eklund could be a center at the NHL level. Question is, does Yzerman and co. believe he can... He's definitely one of the most skilled players in the draft...

[marcaractac 3,963]

7 minutes ago, krsmith17 said:

Yup, I definitely believe Eklund could be a center at the NHL level. Question is, does Yzerman and co. believe he can... He's definitely one of the most skilled players in the draft...

He definitely has all the tools you can ever want in your top center. The only thing I can see GMs question whether he is a capable center or not is his size. But we all know Yzerman doesn't give a s*** about that with Point's production in Tampa. I cross my fingers every day this kid falls to #6, because I cannot picture any player in this draft being better. 

He's also likely the closest to NHL-ready. He is Crosby-lite. Don;t get me wrong, I'm not saying he is anywhere near Crosby's level. He simply plays a very similar style. 

Edited July 6, 2021 by marcaractac

[F.Michael 4,590]

Anyone else think of that rumor mill site 'Hockeybuzz' that's nearly extinct when hearing/reading the name 'Eklund' ?

[F.Michael 4,590]

7 minutes ago, marcaractac said:

He definitely has all the tools you can ever want in your top center. The only thing I can see GMs question whether he is a capable center or not is his size. But we all know Yzerman doesn't give a s*** about that with Point's production in Tampa. I cross my fingers every day this kid falls to #6, because I cannot picture any player in this draft being better. 

He's also likely the closest to NHL-ready. He is Crosby-lite. Don;t get me wrong, I'm not saying he is anywhere near Crosby's level. He simply plays a very similar style. 

Aren't many 'smallish' wingers being compared to the likes of Kane/Marner these days?

[krsmith17 7,191]

5 minutes ago, marcaractac said:

He definitely has all the tools you can ever want in your top center. The only thing I can see GMs question whether he is a capable center or not is his size. But we all know Yzerman doesn't give a s*** about that with Point's production in Tampa. I cross my fingers every day this kid falls to #6, because I cannot picture any player in this draft being better. 

Yeah, I have 3 or 4 guys I'm really high on, and he's definitely at the top of that list. Everyone knows how high I was on Raymond last year, and I think Eklund is in that same mold, but potentially at center. Granted, I also think Raymond would make a hell of a center, but that's a whole other conversation...

[marcaractac 3,963]

Just now, krsmith17 said:

Yeah, I have 3 or 4 guys I'm really high on, and he's definitely at the top of that list. Everyone knows how high I was on Raymond last year, and I think Eklund is in that same mold, but potentially at center. Granted, I also think Raymond would make a hell of a center, but that's a whole other conversation...

I think Power and Berniers are safe bets at 1 and 2. I'm hoping the Ducks go with Guenther and that the Devil's take Hughes. Columbus I think is the team that will likely f*** us over on the Eklund-front. Let's hope we see a big Jones/Eichel swap before the draft haha.  

2 minutes ago, F.Michael said:

Aren't many 'smallish' wingers being compared to the likes of Kane/Marner these days?

Eklund is a natural center

[krsmith17 7,191]

4 minutes ago, marcaractac said:

I think Power and Berniers are safe bets at 1 and 2. I'm hoping the Ducks go with Guenther and that the Devil's take Hughes. Columbus I think is the team that will likely f*** us over on the Eklund-front. Let's hope we see a big Jones/Eichel swap before the draft haha.  

Eklund is a natural center

I can see Columbus taking McTavish.

[F.Michael 4,590]

3 minutes ago, marcaractac said:

I think Power and Berniers are safe bets at 1 and 2. I'm hoping the Ducks go with Guenther and that the Devil's take Hughes. Columbus I think is the team that will likely f*** us over on the Eklund-front. Let's hope we see a big Jones/Eichel swap before the draft haha.  

Eklund is a natural center

Well does it really matter?

Grand Master Y is selecting Wallstedt anyways ...

[marcaractac 3,963]

3 minutes ago, F.Michael said:

Well does it really matter?

Grand Master Y is selecting Wallstedt anyways ...

If Eklund and Hughes are off the board, that's perfectly fine. We have three holes in the pipeline: Top six C, top four LHD, and a goalie (in order of importance to fill).

[krsmith17 7,191]

3 minutes ago, marcaractac said:

If Eklund and Hughes are off the board, that's perfectly fine. We have three holes in the pipeline: Top six C, top four LHD, and a goalie (in order of importance to fill).

I agree, but I wouldn't rule out McTavish becoming that top six C or even Edvinsson becoming that top four LD...