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-Édouard 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)
I still want NJ to trade for Subban but I would prefer to keep the 34th pick to grab either Lavoie, Brink, Kaliyev, or Vlasic.
If Subban is dealt and its not to the Devs I'm gonna start getting on Shero just a bit. The Trouba thing I totally get. As a guy just 1 year away from UFA he was clearly in more of a position to call the shots and wanted to go to the NYR. With Subban its just about what we're giving up, and why can't we beat a Toronto package especially since Nashville wouldn't have to eat a dollar with us?
Link - ( New Window )
and Subban doesn't need to be traded today.
like I mentioned above. Pacioretty was traded in September last year, and the Habs got picks in this draft (and players).
So, if it doesn't happen today it doesn't mean it's not going to happen.
He's still a god in Montreal, I'd love to see him back there, but there are rumors every time his name comes up he's going to play with his buddy Tavares. Or Stamkos. I think the three of them group playing together and against each other.
but reality is I don't see TOR or TBL having the right mix of prospects and space to acquire him.
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but there are rumors that the Leafs are interested in Subban. Even with Nashville willing to eat approximately 3 million of Subbans AAV I'm assuming Marleau or Kadri would be part of the package to free up money to extend Marner.
I still want NJ to trade for Subban but I would prefer to keep the 34th pick to grab either Lavoie, Brink, Kaliyev, or Vlasic.
If Subban is dealt and its not to the Devs I'm gonna start getting on Shero just a bit. The Trouba thing I totally get. As a guy just 1 year away from UFA he was clearly in more of a position to call the shots and wanted to go to the NYR. With Subban its just about what we're giving up, and why can't we beat a Toronto package especially since Nashville wouldn't have to eat a dollar with us?
I would be happy with Subban but i would rather try to grab Kapanen. I'd even be willing to take on a contract just not Zaitsev. Marleau would be ideal but I think the leafs want to move Kadri more.
Kapanen would be a very similar acquisition to Palmieri and Johansson. Obviously Palmieri worked out much better but Kapanen would fill a hole on the second line. I'd offer Wood, the Bruins 2nd, Mirco Mueller, and John Quenneville for Kapanen and Marleau.
Hall Hischier Palmieri
Kapanen Hughes Bratt
Boqvist Zajac McLeod
Coleman Zacha Anderson
I like him. He had some injuries. Every time I watched them it was usually to see someone else like dahlin but I noticed him. Only complaint I heard is he’d have been available later.
The Isles have done an excellent job drafting recently so I would give them the benefit of the doubt.
Top 10-15 prospect if he didn’t have health issues. The bigger question is did we really need a gamble on a skilled RW when we are so thin at C in the system and you had a “safer” player in Tomasino. Personally I think the bust rate is so high in NHL that you stockpile the best talent and if you end up with a surplus in one area then trade from your depth for a comparable player at a weaker position. Talent will always be in demand in a trade.
Most of us do similar things in both drafts, I imagine -- maybe see a couple of guys on TV a couple of times and curate all the opinions of those who see them more often watch video, talk to scouts etc.
Albin Grewe (RW/LC, Sweden, Djurgardens J20)
Ilya Nikolayev (LC, Russia, Loko Yaroslavl MHL)
Robert Mastrosimone (LC, USA, Chicago USHL)
Antti Saarela (LC/LW, Finland, Lukko Liiga)
Shane Pinto (RW, USA, Tri-City USHL)
Maxim Cajkovic (RW/LW, Slovakia, Saint John QMJHL)
Ryder Donovan (RC/RW, USA, Duluth-East U.S. High School)
Nathan Legare, RW, Baie-Comeau-QMJHL =
Boom Boom Geoffrion?
- booth on divining why Kaliyev dropping, think that was context, and Pavel Brendl selection came up, another big oops
- and Kaliyev, as choice after choice went by, his mug so sour, thinking there was a read of his head and will that may have dropped him, rank speculation
- contrast between selection aftermaths of Hughes and Kakko, where the former was engaged, effusive, articulate (what an attractive family, two bros to go) with Catherine, whereas NHL Network (apparently) didn't even try to bring KK to a live interview: makes me think language may have been an issue and, more broadly, assimilation to North American and NYC will be a challenge, can't ignore how challenges for a teenager who has lived his hockey life in a comfort zone; also, the jocularity between Hughes and the Devils' brass and what to me seemed a bit of stiffness, maybe awkwardness is a better word, between Rangers' brass and KK
- speaking of the interviews, I thought Catherine (with a K?) was very, very good: articulate, asked candid questions, but sensitive to the selection and where it came. What is her last name, please?
- speaking of the run on d-men, was anyone else bothered by the fact that 90% of the highlights shown were of their goal scoring prowess and zippo on their play in their own end. The one exception was of the choice the primary comp to whom was beloved McDonough, was it Bowen or York?
- loved Seider's reaction to his 'surprise' selection at 6: whooaahhh, didn't see that coming, lol. And, pj, my bad, it was Seider I was thinking of, obviously not Swiss.
- smh at all the talent from Sweden, took the Fins to knock them out last month
- as the draft wound down toward the later picks and highlights were shown of the Cs and Ws, I said, wow, impressive, and then the consensus from the booth, 'a year or two away from the NHL, yup', a certainty. Lesson: gotta take the league, i.e., level of play into account big time in forming opinions
- congrats to Habs and pj on Caulfield, bit bummed as he waited: I said to wife, just wait, they're going to talk about Henri, the Pocket Rocket (doh, but she was impressed (: ): And very classy reaction by him and his mom when Catherine (K?) brought up the NTDP kids selected ahead of him, no animosity, they love each other, all for each other, and then Hughes going to the stage to congratulate Caulfield, a special group.
- and even though this will end on a sour note, you gotta, or I gotta, love the Bruins for all the young, home grown (MA and RI even) talent at their core
Team: HV71 Jr. (Sweden Jr.)
Ranking: 37 | Nationality: SWE
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 193 | Shot: L
Stats: 21 GP, 7 G, 13 A
Scouting report: Good size and hockey sense have helped Holmstrom lift his draft stock throughout the season. He has a very good shot that he can get off from anywhere. The puck really zips off his stick. His puck skills are OK, and pretty average in terms of one-on-one stick skills, but he gets himself into good positions and helps create space for his linemates. Holmstrom has good physical strength which helps him protect the puck well, and he has a little power element to his game. But does he have enough skill to create on his own? -- Peters
Team fit: Holmstrom has been projected all over the place during the draft process. The Isles have really bolstered their defensive pipeline, so Lou Lamoriello & Co. taking a forward here was not much of a surprise. Holmstrom has been a hard guy on whom to get a read, but he finished the season strong and the Isles won't need him for a few more years anyway. -- Peters
Where Holmstrom is most likely to play in 2019-20: SHL
An offensively skilled player who competes hard. Holmström is a good skater and stands out with really good hands and impressive puckhandling skills. Quite shifty and a player that can do the unexpected offensively. Has a good wrister and his two-way game is underrated. Great character and team player.
He is trusted to be on the ice in all situations and he is just as good on the box play as he is on the powerplay, Hockeyprospect.com 2019
He has elite acceleration and top speed and he can handle the puck and stickhandle his way through traffic while maintaining high speed, Future Considerations 2019
With the puck on his stick, he can be dazzling, whether deking past defenders, or fooling them with passes from the behind the net, McKeen's Hockey 2019
A deft skater with some explosiveness to his game.. has remarkable passing ability and likes to set up teammates from below the goal line, Draftin Europe 2018
I wish the Devils made this trade. The Canes acquire a 2020 1st and a 7th and Marleau for a 6th in 2020. The 1st is only top 10 protected. If it's a top 10 they get a 2021 1st.
-Everyone thought this may signal PK to the Leafs
-But it sounds like PK was just dealt to the Devs!!!
Even if it's the 34th that's a steal. Nashville is not retaining any salary which helped lower the return. Now we see if Hall is true to his word. He said he wanted the Devils to add talent before he will talk extension.
They added Hughes, Subban plus signed their top two prospects to ELC's D Ty Smith and C Jesper Boqvist
Ty Smith Damon Severson
Andy Greene Sami Vatanen
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depends on which 2nd, but if its not 34 that is a friggen steal
Even if it's the 34th that's a steal. Nashville is not retaining any salary which helped lower the return. Now we see if Hall is true to his word. He said he wanted the Devils to add talent before he will talk extension.
They added Hughes, Subban plus signed their top two prospects to ELC's D Ty Smith and C Jesper Boqvist
yep even if its #34 I'd do it 100 times out of 100. They are now in a commanding position with Hall. Id give him till the mid/end of July to let the market shake out to see if he'll talk extension #'s. Otherwise I'd trade him
yep even if its #34 I'd do it 100 times out of 100. They are now in a commanding position with Hall. Id give him till the mid/end of July to let the market shake out to see if he'll talk extension #'s. Otherwise I'd trade him
I couldn't agree more. The last thing they want to do is wait until the deadline so that they only get a late 1st and and 2nd or 3rd for Hall. That's assuming he is healthy at the deadline. If he isn't then they risk losing him for nothing.
Correct, If he doesn't want to be here then this is Hughes and Hischier's team. Build around them and Palmieri, Ty Smith, Damon Severson, Jesper Boqvist, Will Butcher, Mackenzie Blackwood, Blake Coleman, and Pavel Zacha.
JT Miller - ( New Window )
I watch "foreign" hockey, whatever that means and for curiosity sake - why are you on the thread if you no nothing about the players or have any belief in what takes the boards posters have on the players and other insight?
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what channel carries high school hockey?
I watch "foreign" hockey, whatever that means and for curiosity sake - why are you on the thread if you no nothing about the players or have any belief in what takes the boards posters have on the players and other insight?
Exactly great point. Not to mention if anyone had been on hockey threads all year they'd realize how much PJ, Jay etc...know and follow these amateur guys.
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In comment 14479856 XBRONX said:
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what channel carries high school hockey?
I watch "foreign" hockey, whatever that means and for curiosity sake - why are you on the thread if you no nothing about the players or have any belief in what takes the boards posters have on the players and other insight?
Exactly great point. Not to mention if anyone had been on hockey threads all year they'd realize how much PJ, Jay etc...know and follow these amateur guys.
I am no expert, I know 1/1000th of what pj knows. I do follow these tournaments though. Over the years I've invested more time in following young prospects as I enjoy watching prospects grow almost as much as watching the professional teams. Perhaps that's from the Braves and Devils sucking recently so the only hope I had was from the prospects.
Somebody drafted the walrus? Lol
Picks 48 and 59 this round.
He's a monster. On the other end of the spectrum is U.S. Dustin Wolf. I'm a fan of his but he is only 6'0 160lbs. He is projected to go in rounds 5-7 due to his lack of size but he is a very good goaltender. The Devils system is in desperate need of more goalie prospects. I hope they roll the dice on Wolf especially if he is still on the board in round 6.
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Make second round picks yet?
Picks 48 and 59 this round.
*49, 58