Thought I'd start a thread for general NHL Draft discussion.
Date: 6/21
Where: Vancouver
The story of the draft so far is that American players are set to dominate the early portion of the draft.
Besides projected #1 Jack Hughes, I've seen as many as 6 of the top 10 projected as American players.
Who are they?
Hughes (C) projected #1, everyone knows him
Cole Caufield has been routinely called the "best goal scorer" in the draft. and he helped himself out in a major way at the U18's in April. I'm still leery of a 5' 7" NHL player, but Alex Debrincat (who Caufield is often compared to) maybe helped dissuade those concerns with his 40 G/76P season as a 21-year old.
Alex Turcotte, another American C, does everything IMO, he can score, play defensively, and is a good skater.
Trevor Zegras, has played W and C, not sure what he is in the NHL, oozes skill and manages to combine it with a hard nose style and good hockey IQ
Matthew Boldy, a LW, he might be my favorite non-Hughes American draftee, I see him as a Ryan O'Reilly type with how he approaches the game, so smart, so skilled, just not a C.
Spencer Knight, #1 rated goalie and if he goes this high would be a rarity, the NHL has moved away from 1st round goalies as a norm
other US notables:
Cam York (beast D, in the McAvoy mold)
Bobby Orr Brink (no shit that's his name) - maybe the sleeper of the bunch, loved his play at the U18's
Arthur Kaliyev, goal scorer? check. Not a great skater though. How then does he join Tavares, Stamkos, Skinner, and Debrincat as the only players to score 50 goals in the OHL in their 17/18 year old seasons? Can't argue with the stats, but he's a guy I'd really want to evaluate at the combone.
Alex Vlasic - a massive kid at 6' 6" at 18 years old and cousin to Marc-douard Vlasic, reminds me a little of the Samuelsson's last year (Ulf and Kjell's kids), need some work, but with that size it's not hard to envision.
Draft order, post Trouba trade:
2019 NHL DRAFT FIRST-ROUND ORDER
1. New Jersey Devils
2. New York Rangers
3. Chicago Blackhawks
4. Colorado Avalanche (from Ottawa Senators)
5. Los Angeles Kings
6. Detroit Red Wings
7. Buffalo Sabres
8. Edmonton Oilers
9. Anaheim Ducks
10. Vancouver Canucks
11. Philadelphia Flyers
12. Minnesota Wild
13. Florida Panthers
14. Arizona Coyotes
15. Montreal Canadiens
16. Colorado Avalanche
17. Vegas Golden Knights
18. Dallas Stars
19. Ottawa Senators (from Columbus Blue Jackets)
20. Winnipeg Jets (from New York Rangers)
21. Pittsburgh Penguins
22. Los Angeles Kings (from Toronto Maple Leafs)
23. New York Islanders
24. Nashville Predators
25. Washington Capitals
26. Calgary Flames
27. Tampa Bay Lightning
28. Carolina Hurricanes
29. Anaheim Ducks [or Buffalo Sabres] (from San Jose Sharks)
30. Boston Bruins
31. Buffalo Sabres [or Anaheim Ducks] (from St. Louis Blues)
Dan Kingerski
@TheDanKingerski
The Kris Letang chatter is getting heavy. Heres one team which made a serious inquiry:
Broberg. Should go top 10.
Quote:
who excelled in the recent IIHF Worlds in Slovakia, can't recall his name. Positionally sound, tough, good skater
Broberg. Should go top 10.
Sorry, you said Swiss. Broberg is Swedish.
Link - ( New Window )
and talk of you all farts (I'm waaayyy more farty) strapping them up again and going out for the late night games has me drooling....with envy...been a long time
and talk of you all farts (I'm waaayyy more farty) strapping them up again and going out for the late night games has me drooling....with envy...been a long time
The only Swiss draft eligible D that was at the worlds is Janis Jrme Moser. I don't remember him standing out, but I also don't remember watching any Switzerland games. He's ranked 101 by Central Scouting, he'll be drafted.
The Devils need help at RW and Caufield is an exciting player to develop. He's also familiar with Hughes and showed nice chemistry with him.
The Devils made a similar move a few years ago when they took Michael McLeod in round 1 then took his teammate Bastian in round 2.
I'm not crying you're crying.
You can't go wrong with Hughes or Kakko. Kakko is the more NHL ready player but Hughes has a huge upside as well. Hughes can play in the NHL right away but he needs alot of time in the weight room.
Hischier was similar in terms of body type when he came out. Hughes is the star the Devils need to attract players in the future. Hughes and Hischier ould be one of the best 1-2 center duo's in the NHL for the next decade.
Who knows and it doesn't need to happen at the draft though teams generally get more active around now, it can happen any time before 7/1.
Letang, Mrazek, Dougie Hamilton (and every Hurricanes D), Subban, Ehlers, Kreider, Backes (hate to see someone bail the Bruins out on that contract)
NBC Sports is streaming it live.
NHL Draft Stream - ( New Window )
IMO this negates one of the advantages Kakko holds over Hughes at this time as long as you believe in Hughes work ethic which doesn't appear to have any doubters.
"Rangers going to have a guy named Kakko go number two on a stage in front of thousands of people and you dont have to think thats funny but me and my eight-year-old will be over here laughing until our faces hurt"
@MurphysLaw74
Just heard an interesting trade rumor via an NHL source that would involve #NYR goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Trying to get more info now, but not sure I can imagine the King anywhere else but in New York! Wow!
Rangers Trade rumors - ( New Window )
Harman Dayal
@harmandayal2
3h3 hours ago
After compiling tons of data and expected pick values, my latest for The Athletic analyzes every NHL team's drafting since 2014 as well as every prospect pool.
https://theathletic.com/1033678/2019/06/21/behind-the-numbers-an-analysis-of-every-nhl-teams-recent-draft-history/
Not sure if this will show up, it's on the Athletic site (but I think twitter too):
Rangers blurb, they're not even on here.
Here is the key:
All told, hopefully, the prospect pool data provides some added context for some of the results above. Among contending teams, Boston and Tampa Bay are irrefutably the kings of drafting during this span with the Predators as another competitive team thats not too far behind. The Stars, Red Wings and Rangers have had major issues although, in New Yorks case, theyve turned things around in recent times. Edmontons drafting leaves much to be desired beyond the Draisaitl pick, while similar sentiment can be expressed for the Sabres whove added little value outside of the first and second overall picks theyve owned in this time frame. Rebuilding teams that have drafted well include the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets and Philadelphia Flyers.
Link - ( New Window )
Ryan Hana
@RyanHanaWWP
52s53 seconds ago
Discussing the rumors surrounding Detroit's pick, and @BradKrysko joked that Yzerman just gave random names to some of his staff to find the leaker and fire them.
If Yzerman is #GoT seasons 1-4 Tyrion, give Detroit the Cup now.
If he's seasons 7-8 Tyrion...God help us all.
Adrian Dater
Verified account @adater
10s10 seconds ago
More buzz Im hearing about Barrie and Canucks. Tanev name has bubbled up. More rumblings as I hear them @ColHockeyNow
Unless the Devils surprise everyone and take Kakko 1st. Then Hughes is the greatest player of all time.
It's possible that a team takes his contract in exchange for a draft pick. There were rumors last week that the Devils had interest in trading for him in exchange for a draft pick or prospect. This would create much needed cap room for them to sign Point to an extension.
Darren Dreger
Verified account @DarrenDreger
Toronto Maple Leafs bracing for activity. Telling teams they will listen on Kapanen and Kadri. Would need a D back in a Kapanen trade and a centre back for Kadri. Strong sense Connor Brown could go as well.
2:10 PM - 20 Jun 2019
Pierre LeBrun
Verified account @PierreVLeBrun
Jun 20
Pierre LeBrun Retweeted Darren Dreger
Im told Carolina and Toronto recently had a chat about a deal involving Kapanen and Brown going to the Canes in a package involving Pesce. But I dont think Carolina wants to move Pesce at this point. That could change of course ...
Prior to that Gordie Clarks 1st round selections were Skjei(#28), JT Miller(#15), McIlrath(#10- his only significant 'miss') and Chris Kreider(#19) dating back through the 2009 draft.
As I've said before Gordie Clark has done a good job for the organization as head scout given that he made only 4 mid to late Round 1st round selections in eight years prior to 2017 and 9 total selections through two rounds in the same time frame.
Sather was the problem not Clark.
Though, he now says CHI is leaning KIrby Dach at #3
Link - ( New Window )
Darren Dreger
Verified account @DarrenDreger
Toronto Maple Leafs bracing for activity. Telling teams they will listen on Kapanen and Kadri. Would need a D back in a Kapanen trade and a centre back for Kadri. Strong sense Connor Brown could go as well.
2:10 PM - 20 Jun 2019
I want no part of Kadri. Kapanen on the other hand would fill a big hole for NJ. Vatanen and John Quenneville for Kapanen?
Quote:
I wouldn't give up much for him.
Darren Dreger
Verified account @DarrenDreger
Toronto Maple Leafs bracing for activity. Telling teams they will listen on Kapanen and Kadri. Would need a D back in a Kapanen trade and a centre back for Kadri. Strong sense Connor Brown could go as well.
2:10 PM - 20 Jun 2019
I want no part of Kadri. Kapanen on the other hand would fill a big hole for NJ. Vatanen and John Quenneville for Kapanen?
I like Kapanen but Leafs should be more desperate than that. They need to sign Marner.
I don't think his linemates carry him like whoever plays wing with Crosby gets carried, but you play with Auston Matthews you will get an uplift in production.
I like Kapanen though and very little of his points came on the PP.
I think just one goal.
I think he's a 60-point player in the right situation, who is not a defensive liability.
Quote:
what do you think about Kapanen? Is he going to be a solid player like he was last year or was that just a product of playing with all those stars? Could his career be similar to Palmieri where he just needed a change of scenery and a bigger role to produce.
I don't think his linemates carry him like whoever plays wing with Crosby gets carried, but you play with Auston Matthews you will get an uplift in production.
I like Kapanen though and very little of his points came on the PP.
I think just one goal.
I think he's a 60-point player in the right situation, who is not a defensive liability.
Sounds like a Devils type then. It wouldn't surprise me if Shero pulls a trade for him tonight. It's unlikely the Devils use all three of their 2nd round picks.
Shero traded a 2nd for Palmieri and a 2nd and 3rd for Marcus Johnansson. Kapanen is very similar to those two in terms of draft position and production.
but I went to the draft when it was in Hartford, CT (1994) and it was maybe the most boring sporting event I have ever been to and second place (a pre-season NFL game) is not even remotely close.
but I went to the draft when it was in Hartford, CT (1994) and it was maybe the most boring sporting event I have ever been to and second place (a pre-season NFL game) is not even remotely close.
With how long they take between picks, I cant see how going to the draft is fun, unless your team has a top 10 pick
Quote:
it might be different now. Maybe more fan friendly.
but I went to the draft when it was in Hartford, CT (1994) and it was maybe the most boring sporting event I have ever been to and second place (a pre-season NFL game) is not even remotely close.
With how long they take between picks, I cant see how going to the draft is fun, unless your team has a top 10 pick
It was free then, I guess in an effort to keep the Whalers, but holy shit it was boring. No idea if there is a fee now, or if it's more fan friendly.
they had the Stanley Cup there, so that was cool to see the cup up close, but otherwise I don't advise attending it to anyone.
Adam Herman
Verified account @AdamZHerman
3m3 minutes ago
Vesey & BUF still look like "A Thing." Doesn't mean a deal is happening or even close, but that campfire is still burning.
Alex Nylander has been linked, and makes plenty of sense. Buffalo doesn't have a 2nd-round pick this year. Would they move 31st overall? Wouldn't bet on it.