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)
Should be up within the next 3-7 minutes
Devils pick 55 and 61
Devils trade - ( New Window )
@AdamZHerman
The Rangers take defenseman Matthew Robertson. Not a sexy pick, but a robust one. Good shutdown defenseman (actually) who moves the puck out of his zone quite well. Not much offense but enough to push him through pro hockey.
Aaron Vickers
@AAVickers
Matthew Robertson finally gets called by the New York Rangers at No. 49. That'll be a pick to keep an eye on three years down the road. #NHLDraft
Steve Kournianos
@TheDraftAnalyst
Rangers at 48 take big defenseman Matthew Roberston. Mobile and clean. Lefty.
Jess Rubenstein
@TheProspectpark
I wanted Robertson as the 20th pick because this kid is the perfect compliment to Fox. Has a cannon of a shot, got some snarl to his game and has excellent vision on the ice. Doesn't make mistakes in coverage
Yeah, but the Devils' draft party crowd was small. So why get excited about this?
Damn that was Nicholas. MAtthew he had at 35
I wanted Nils Hoglander
The defenceman likes to rush the puck when he sees an opening. He has very solid balance, and it is very hard for an opposing forechecker to knock him off possession when he decides to take the puck out of the zone. He handles back-pressure well with strong edges, and protects the puck by dropping one shoulder and using his reach.
He is capable of some great skating moves to shake off opponents. Watch him switch the direction of his skates rapidly as he retrieves the puck, confusing forecheckers to escape.
Link - ( New Window )
80
82
91
Russian factor and issue with compete level
I dunno -- I'd like some size and guys that are good in their zone, but apparently not the way the game is going.
Daniil Misyul 6'3 176 lbs
He is an excellent skater and a gifted puck rusher , McKeen's Hockey 2019
He cleans the crease effectively to let his goalie see the puck and doesn’t let anyone jump on rebounds , Future Considerations 2019
He is a smooth skater, especially for his size. He can show some speed and quickness, but he is also quite agile. His fluid pivots help him keep up with opposing attackers and break their plays while defending off the rush. He also uses his stick effectively in those situations to cut off passing lanes, angle attackers to the boards, and take the puck away.
What he currently lacks in defensive awareness — something that should improve thorough his career — he makes up for with strong man-to-man defence. He closes in on his coverage, takes away attempts in front of the net by neutralizing opposing sticks, and is generally quite physical despite his relatively slight build. He competes hard and doesn’t let other players walk over him, even when he was defending against much older players in his stint in the KHL.
Link - ( New Window )
“The puck flies off his blade. He doesn’t need much of a windeup to pick his spot. He also fires deceptively at times”...”He has quick hands and can elevate” And some limitations: “needed to be set up for many of his chances this season”...”wasn’t creatively moving the defence around and creating shooting or passing lanes”...”his skating holds him back”...”he lacks the explosiveness or the speed necessary to make his stickhanding moves that much more effective.” In the end, St. Louis predicts that he will not hear his name called until at least the third round, but does have potential to become a top six player one day if the chips fall the right way.
https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/nhl-entry-draft-picks-2019/2019/5/12/18537717/graeme-clark-2019-nhl-draft-prospect-profile-video-highlights-stats-scouting-report-analysis
at 82 they take another Defenseman Michael Vukojevic 6'3 212 lbs
Vukojevic is best known for his defensive game. He is solid in his own zone, with the size to play a physical game and clear the front of the net. He reads the play well and is rarely out of position. Vukojevic uses his long stick to cut down passing lanes, especially while killing penalties. His skating ability allows him to play a solid two-way game, especially his strong lateral mobility. He has a decent slap shot but must work on getting it through traffic and on the net. He also shows a good first pass out of the zone. Vukojevic improved offensively this past season, putting up 29 points in 68
games.https://lastwordonhockey.com/2019/06/20/2019-nhl-draft-scouting-reports-prospects-81-90/
I dunno -- I'd like some size and guys that are good in their zone, but apparently not the way the game is going.
Oops, looks like the other Robertson is one!
Yes I do too.
Bill Placzek of Draft Site had this to say about Misyul:
Tall lean attacking defenseman who is fluid on his pins, very patience and fearless in his carries down low. Fits in the definition of a new age attacker who picks his spots and activates into the mix, looking at the best option while carrying strong with puck, causing coverage problems while keeps moving before passing or shooting. Displays a hard point shot, solid set-ups and smart offensive vision and activation. I am sure there are negatives we can cobble from his defensive end work, but is difficult to not be excited at the the prospect’s playmaking and scoring abilities.
Link - ( New Window )
wow I didn't realize we get Lindsey Vonn at the Rock too! Damn I'd have even been ok throwing in another 2nd rounder for that...
Lot of production with the USNTDP this season, didn't really play with Hughes or Caufield.
Draft Analyst: 72
FC: 99
Craig Button: 79
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) June 22, 2019
Lot of production with the USNTDP this season, didn't really play with Hughes or Caufield.
Draft Analyst: 72
FC: 99
Craig Button: 79
I like the pick as well. Should I make a Devils discussion thread?
Quote:
Patrick Moynihan at 158 might be my favorite #NJDevils pick of the day.
Lot of production with the USNTDP this season, didn't really play with Hughes or Caufield.
Draft Analyst: 72
FC: 99
Craig Button: 79
I like the pick as well. Should I make a Devils discussion thread?
Yep go for it. The crazy thing is they probably aren't finished yet. its only June 22. I doubt they'll be in on the top tier UFA's, but I could see them signing a guy from that next tier. Especially a top 6 fwd. They probably don't sign MOJO, and Eberle obviously re-upped but that type of guy.
Yep go for it. The crazy thing is they probably aren't finished yet. its only June 22. I doubt they'll be in on the top tier UFA's, but I could see them signing a guy from that next tier. Especially a top 6 fwd. They probably don't sign MOJO, and Eberle obviously re-upped but that type of guy.
I'll get it up a little later. I read that after the Subban trade the Devils are still approximately $5 million UNDER the cap floor. They will be players in free agency IMO. Adding Subban to a healthy Hall and Hughes will make the Devils an attractive destination.
Must be a goal keeper thing (where I played too)
JP thanks for the Rangers' deep dives and steering me straight here yesterday afternoon
3 Round Mock - 5 NYR selections - ( New Window )
puck luck dyslexia
I apologize. You were right and I was wrong. It was that one angle. There were tons of Devils fans at the Draft party.
I was wrong
NJ just trumped Rangers on Trouba who a) isn’t as good and b) isn’t yet signed ... impressive (damnit)
NJ just trumped Rangers on Trouba who a) isn’t as good and b) isn’t yet signed ... impressive (damnit)
Agree with your take. As an isles fan, I'm not happy with either of these moves. Def would have liked either on our team
If Victor Mete is Weber's D pair partner again, MTL will be in the lottery again.
I like him, but he's a PP puck mover, maybe.
At first blush I thought we picked the wrong Robertson but I've been wanting a strong D-first D man that can keep the goal area enemy-free for a while. Maybe he's that guy.
At first blush I thought we picked the wrong Robertson but I've been wanting a strong D-first D man that can keep the goal area enemy-free for a while. Maybe he's that guy.
I liked the draft. They need an NHL-ready top 4 D. Very few of them outside the top part of the 1st round come from the draft though.
There were more Americans drafted than that, like Kaliyev, who played Canadian Juniors, but that is pretty amazing.
There were more Americans drafted than that, like Kaliyev, who played Canadian Juniors, but that is pretty amazing.
I hope this is a sign of things to come. The more big name American's in the NHL the more popular it will get IMO. I hate to admit it but I actually prefer to see the Rangers have a good season because it's better for the league. Obviously I don't want them to be better than Devils.
Quote:
with 17 players drafted (every single eligible player drafted).
There were more Americans drafted than that, like Kaliyev, who played Canadian Juniors, but that is pretty amazing.
I hope this is a sign of things to come. The more big name American's in the NHL the more popular it will get IMO. I hate to admit it but I actually prefer to see the Rangers have a good season because it's better for the league. Obviously I don't want them to be better than Devils.
I believe 2014 was the first time Canadians did not make up more than 50% of the league.
Canada was 44% last year, US almost 30%, it's steadily climbing - as are Europeans countries like Sweden, Finland, and Russia.
And if he gets selected for main training camp he might go.
If a player goes to the main training camp (not dev camp) they lose their eligibility. He was drafted in the juniors, so like Nick Suzuki he could go to main camp get cut and play juniors a year or two.
I still think he goes to Wisco at least a year, but it was interesting to hear him say that. Confident kid.