12'/13' Draft Thread: Offensive flash is a beauty but defensive presence rules.

[JSn0w93]

In regards to players we could potentially get in the 8 to 15 range we could get players like Shinkaruk, Pulock, Lazar, Erne, Nichushkin, Nurse, and Morrissey. Amongst others. What a draft.

 

[Badger Mayhew*]

Curtis Lazar is my choice for a pick around 15. Physical, two-way centre that plays very similar to Kesler (minus the diving). I'd love him on the Leafs.

 

[leugangen]

Curtis Lazar is my choice for a pick around 15. Physical, two-way centre that plays very similar to Kesler (minus the diving). I'd love him on the Leafs.

Yeah if he is available around there, I'd be happy.

An interesting player I have read about is Andre Burakowsky. I have seen him in the top 10 on some lists, and significantly lower on others. He could be in that 15 range as well.

I really hope that if we pick this low, Nichushkin falls into our laps because of the Russian factor. Absolutely love this kid. Power forward centre with Russian skill? Count me in.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

In regards to players we could potentially get in the 8 to 15 range we could get
Players like Shinkaruk, Pulock, Lazar, Erne, Nichushkin, Nurse, and Morrissey. Amongst others. What a draft.

Nurse, Pulock, Shinkaruk and Erne would be mine if we are around that range, the others i havne't seen as much to make an idea. I want a high skill pick, no matter what position.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

Whoever I was talking to before about Nischukin, you were right, he is a center. Seems like I was misinformed.

 

[leugangen]

Whoever I was talking to before about Nischukin, you were right, he is a center. Seems like I was misinformed.

T'was I. I'd love him in a Leafs jersey.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Whoever I was talking to before about Nischukin, you were right, he is a center. Seems like I was misinformed.

He is???

I swore he was a winger?

He'd be an awesome fit then, love his game, guys a tank. How is he on the draw?

 

[leugangen]

He is???

I swore he was a winger?

He'd be an awesome fit then, love his game, guys a tank. How is he on the draw?

Yes he is most definitely a centre. His faceoff% in the MHL in 9 games is 41.2%. Not so great, but you can teach him how to better in that area. Can't teach size and IQ, which he has.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Yes he is most definitely a centre. His faceoff% in the MHL in 9 games is 41.2%. Not so great, but you can teach him how to better in that area. Can't teach size and IQ, which he has.

Thanks for the info. He has lots of talent and is built like a bull as shown in the WJs.

I say (if we draft him) try him at C with Kess/Lupes. If that doesn't work let him play with Grabo/Kule on the wing

*assuming no major roster changes are coming

 

[Kyle93]

If we do get a top 10 pick I would be so ecstatic!

 

[TheMadHatTrick]

Right now I think our pick is going to be in the 7-10 range (barring injury or a hot streak).

Based on that range here are the players I'd be interested in from rounds 1-3.

Round 1 (7-10)

1) Elias Lindholm, C, 5'11 183
Shoots: Right
(SEL - 2012) 33gp 6g 16a 22pts 2pim EVEN

2) Valeri Nicushkin, C/LW, 6'4 194
Shoots: Left
(KHL - 2012) 9gp 1g 2a 3pts 0pim +2
(VHL - 2012) 15gp 8g 2a 10pts 4pim +8

3) Darnell Nurse, D, 6'5 192
Shoots: Left
(OHL - 2012) 41gp 6g 18a 24pts 82pim +7

4) Adam Erne, RW, 6'0 205
Shoots: Left
(QMJHL - 2012) 40gp 20g 33a 53pts 40pim +12

5) Anthony Mantha, LW, 6'3 200
Shoots: Left
(QMJHL -2012) 39gp 31g 26a 57pts 47pim +12

6) Nikita Zadorov, D, 6'5 228
Shoots: Left
(OHL - 2012) 37gp 3g 13a 16pts 32pim +29

7) Max Domi, C, 5'10 184
Shoots: Left
(OHL - 2012) 40gp 23g 31a 54pts 41pim +22

8) Curtis Lazar, C, 6'0 129
Shoots: Right
(WHL -2012) 41gp 15g 12a 27pts 25pim +9


Round 2 (37-40)

1) Ryan Hartman, C/RW, 5'10 182
Shoots: Right
(OHL - 2012) 32gp 12g 17a 29pts 87pim +4

2) Alexander Wennberg, C/LW, 5'11 181
Shoots: Left
(J20 - 2012) 29gp 10g 8a 18pts 10pim +9

3) Connor Hurley, C, 6'0 183
Shoots: Left
(USHS - 2012) 6gp 8g 7a 15pts 2pim Even

4) Ryan Kujawinski, C, 6'2 205
Shoots: Left
(OHL - 2012) 39gp 10g 22a 32pts 18pim +3

5) Bo Horvat, C, 6'0 198
Shoots: Left
(OHL- 2012) 42gp 19g 19a 38pts 19pim +4

6) Jacob De la Rose, C/LW, 6'2 183
Shoots: Left
(SEL - 2012) 27gp 4g 2a 6pts 29pim +4

7) Spencer Martin, G, 6'2 190
Glove: Left
(OHL - 2012) 25gp 12-9-1 3.08gaa .906sv%


Round 3 (67-70)

1) Samuel Morin, D, 6'7 203
Shoots: Left
(QMJHL - 2012) 38gp 3g 11a 14pts 96pim +8

2) Nick Moutrey, RW, 6'1 204
Shoots: Left
(OHL -2012) 38gp 12g 13a 25pts 30pim +3


3) Greg Chase, C, 6'0 195
Shoots: Right
(WHL - 2012) 40gp 12g 17a 29pts 30pim +6

4) Tristan Jarry, G, 6'2 172
Glove: Right
(WHL - 2012) 15gp 10-4-0 1.80gaa .930sv%

 

[GermanLeaf]

Our favourite feature of any draft thread (a definite hit last year, as I recall), It's time for a mid-season edition of Prospect Myth Busters!!

Last year, we went ahead and dispelled the nonsense foolishly made up by one of our resident posters on young American pivot, Alex Galchenyuk.

Let's take a look at this year's foreign target, Aleksander "Sasha" Barkov:

Interactif:
"he's also a perimeter player from my limited viewings"

Well, if by "perimeter", you mean perimeter of the crease....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tdFCl5_tvY

Yeah, he looks a lot like our old #13 out there.

Interactif:
" Barkov may be too slow to adjust playing in the NHL"
"his skating that reminds me of Barkov that prevented him from being an elite NHL fwd"

And then he asked: "Barkov's skating doesn't worry you, but Monahan's does?"

well, I never said Monahan's skating worried me, just that it needs work. Something that scouts agree with for both of them, but then there was this exerpt from The Hockey Writers:

"He has Mario Lemiuex-like speed, in that he looks like a lumbering giant, but is deceptively fast"

So then you were like...

Interactif:
"Good point." In response to a bolded quote about Kessel needing a guy to fish pucks out of corners...

so Goran Stubb, of NHL Central Scouting was all like:
""Barkov is big, strong and a hard worker in all areas of the ice," NHL Central Scouting's Goran Stubb told NHL.com.

And just for some other points of interest, let's look at some attitude and character notes, as we KNOW just how important these are, right?

"My parents' meaning to me is very great," Barkov said. "They both taught me to skate and spent time with me and they drove me to team practices."

Doesn't sound too much different than how most of us grew up playing the game, or how those CHL kids started...

“[Barkov] acknowledged that his defensive game needed to be better – saying he’s working on it every game and every practiceâ€

A smart, honest kid. Hardworking, and committed to improving his game

“I try not to concentrate on external factors during my games. What I aim for is to play my best game, and give everything that I got in favour of my team.â€

“For me, every goal I score is important because hopefully it could help my team to win.â€

A focused, team-first centerman. A kid who puts the good of the team before his personal accolades.

Goran Stubb then describes a 3-zone weapon:

"He's a sniper who can also set up scoring chances for teammates. I like the fact that he's a two-way center with a good understanding of his defensive duties."

Doesn't disappear in big games:

“It seems as if all the attention may have made him even stronger. In his final tuneup against the United States on Saturday, Barkov struck for a goal and two assists in a 5-1 win.â€

“In fact, Barkov, who was one of only four 1995-born players participating at the 2012 WJC, became the youngest Finnish player to score a goal at the Under-20 tournament. At 16 years and four months, the 6-foot-2, 209-pound center made history when he connected for the decisive goal in an 8-5 victory against Slovakia in the tournament's quarterfinal round.â€

A workhorse at 16/17:

“As we’ve seen, he’s fourth in the league in goals, and he’s averaging more than three shots per game, too. He has also emerged as a top option for Tappara (“Battle Axeâ€), playing more than 20 minutes per night regularly over the last stretch of games.â€

"He keeps his head calm in every situation and can be used in shorthanded situations too. "


Has had his share of big moments that impacted his team:

"Barkov has started the 2012/13 season on fire scoring seven goals and five assists in eight games."

“Aleksander Barkov leads Tappara with 14 goals and sits among the top ten scorers in the Finnish SM-liiga – and padded a whirlwind month by taking home MVP honours at the U-20 4-Nations Tournament last month in Sundsvall, Sweden (3-0-3-3).â€

And lastly, here are just a few snippets of what the experts have to say about this fine young man:

"Very untypical for Finnish prospects, Barkov is big and strong and uses his size very well"

From Edmonton's head of Amateur Scouting:

“[Barkov] was very good. A big, strong, centerman that is very smart with the puck and strong with the puck and works hard at both ends of the ice.â€

“He’s 6’2†at least, maybe a little more and very close to 200 pounds as a 17-year old. He skates well, very good first step, gets off the mark well. Passes the puck very well, good hands, controls the puck using his puck skills and his body to protect. More of a setup guy than a shooter but he does possess a very good shot.â€

Why do we need a hometown kid? We have a budding star who LOVES playing in the spotlight, and thrives on the challenge:

“It seems as if all the attention may have made him even stronger."

OH! And those player comparisons......:

“He has Mario Lemiuex-like speed"

From Barkov:

“I follow (Evgeni) Malkin and (Pavel) Datsyuk because they are amazingly skillful players, and can dominate in every situation.â€

"His style has been compared a lot to Pavel Datsyuk. "

And before we close, let's leave off with some buzzwords and phrases for you to use:

"He has also emerged as a top option"

"Barkov is big, strong and a hard worker in all areas of the ice"

"He's a sniper"

"he's a two-way center"

"A big, strong, centerman " "is very smart with the puck" "strong with the puck "

"but is deceptively fast, to go with tremendous hands" " a high compete level"

“Barkov is mature beyond his years on the ice, and plays with the confidence and swagger of a savvy veteran. He is a hyprid of pure ability, skill, power and strength, and simply can create something out of nothing in an instant.â€


And finally, for some fun videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgZDaxZHxoM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYiSFRj5yiQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmz-nxuYaqo

So there's your perimeter player.

Proof is in the pudding, right?

And if people cared to watch, You can catch Tappara games on firstrowsports.

Best post I've ever had the pleasure to read on this board.

I mean, you look at a young lad who has all the necessary tools to be a number one center at the NHL-level.
-elite Hockey-IQ and instincts
-elite two-way game
-a good and accurate shot
-brilliant passing
-although he won't lay out huge hits, he is very effective at using his size and body offensively and defensively
-excellent puck-skills
-high effort and hard work
-the very important ability to fill his coach given systematical task almost perfectly, which demonstrates his great discipline and tactical competence

Interactif misjudged Grigo last year and displays an even worse evaluation of Barkov's talent this time.

 

[613Leafer]

I mean, you look at a young lad who has all the necessary tools to be a number one center at the NHL-level.
-elite Hockey-IQ and instincts
-elite two-way game
-a good and accurate shot
-brilliant passing
-although he won't lay out huge hits, he is very effective at using his size and body offensively and defensively
-excellent puck-skills-high effort and hard work
-the very important ability to fill his coach given systematical task almost perfectly, which demonstrates his great discipline and tactical competence

I think those are all VERY good signs. I would LOVE to get an elite two-way centre. What are the playing styles of the other top centres? MacKinnon/Monahan/others?

Obviously if you have the top pick, I'm assuming you go MacKinnon (or Jones), because he has that top top end skill that only a few players in the league possess.

But if we end up with a pick in the ~3-6 range, I'd love to get a two-way centre. Toews for example is my favourite player in the league. It sounds like Barkov is a top two-way prospect, what about the other centres?

 

[Oan]

Maybe Leafs will now consider Barkov then since Burke isn't GM anymore

 

[The Winter Soldier]

I was flattered by Ernie that he was such a fan of mine, and that my opinion means so much by him to quote Barkov's feelings on his favorite players. Never knew saying Malkin is his favorite player boosted his draft rankings here.

By the way when you post quotes, links are usually provided. Where are they? Ok I get it, Gordon Stubb has a crush on Barkov.

Wonder what his thoughts are now after seeing how disappointing in proportion to Barkov's hype Barkov was at The WJC and Team Finland's hype(for some) was in the WJC.

Debunking, supposed myth Debunkers.

I rate Lindolm or Nichuskin over Barkov at this time, Gordon Stubb and all. Bet he has nice things to say about them too, probably Monahan too.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Interactif misjudged Grigo last year and displays an even worse evaluation of Barkov's talent this time.

Grigorenko averaged 1.44 PPG last year, 1.66 PPG this year. Logical progression with a year's maturity.

What has he done to make your statement true, if he makes the Sabres, we will see. But again I said, just to correct the record, I see him as more of a 2C than a #1C Malkin franchise Center type.

So unless he becomes Malkin 2.0, what in my analysis is wrong 7 months after the draft.

If anything, nothing is proven, and if he becomes a 65-70 point center on the 2nd line, I was right. Right?

 

[613Leafer]

If anything, nothing is proven, and if he becomes a 65-70 point center on the 2nd line, I was right. Right?

How has your projection of Dumba vs Galchenyuk turned out? You were vehemently opposed to drafting Galchenyuk, and actually quite condescending about it. And out of all the D you were very pro Dumba.

Galchenyuk has 61 points in 33 games to go along with his solid two-way/physical game. A 1.85 PPG pace right now. He was also a main player on team USA which won gold at the World Juniors.

Dumba? Didn't make Team Canada and had a poor series this summer, though he is doing reasonably well right now, he's not nearly at the level that Galchenyuk is at the moment. Not saying Dumba is terrible, but considering how condescending you were about the Galchenyuk idea, I think you should maybe rethink the way you talk to people on HFBoards.

 

[Smif]

Right now I think our pick is going to be in the 7-10 range (barring injury or a hot streak).

Based on that range here are the players I'd be interested in from rounds 1-3.

Round 1 (7-10)

1) Elias Lindholm, C, 5'11 183
Shoots: Right
(SEL - 2012) 33gp 6g 16a 22pts 2pim EVEN

2) Valeri Nicushkin, C/LW, 6'4 194
Shoots: Left
(KHL - 2012) 9gp 1g 2a 3pts 0pim +2
(VHL - 2012) 15gp 8g 2a 10pts 4pim +8

3) Darnell Nurse, D, 6'5 192
Shoots: Left
(OHL - 2012) 41gp 6g 18a 24pts 82pim +7

4) Adam Erne, RW, 6'0 205
Shoots: Left
(QMJHL - 2012) 40gp 20g 33a 53pts 40pim +12

5) Anthony Mantha, LW, 6'3 200
Shoots: Left
(QMJHL -2012) 39gp 31g 26a 57pts 47pim +12

6) Nikita Zadorov, D, 6'5 228
Shoots: Left
(OHL - 2012) 37gp 3g 13a 16pts 32pim +29

7) Max Domi, C, 5'10 184
Shoots: Left
(OHL - 2012) 40gp 23g 31a 54pts 41pim +22

8) Curtis Lazar, C, 6'0 129
Shoots: Right
(WHL -2012) 41gp 15g 12a 27pts 25pim +9


Round 2 (37-40)

1) Ryan Hartman, C/RW, 5'10 182
Shoots: Right
(OHL - 2012) 32gp 12g 17a 29pts 87pim +4

2) Alexander Wennberg, C/LW, 5'11 181
Shoots: Left
(J20 - 2012) 29gp 10g 8a 18pts 10pim +9

3) Connor Hurley, C, 6'0 183
Shoots: Left
(USHS - 2012) 6gp 8g 7a 15pts 2pim Even

4) Ryan Kujawinski, C, 6'2 205
Shoots: Left
(OHL - 2012) 39gp 10g 22a 32pts 18pim +3

5) Bo Horvat, C, 6'0 198
Shoots: Left
(OHL- 2012) 42gp 19g 19a 38pts 19pim +4

6) Jacob De la Rose, C/LW, 6'2 183
Shoots: Left
(SEL - 2012) 27gp 4g 2a 6pts 29pim +4

7) Spencer Martin, G, 6'2 190
Glove: Left
(OHL - 2012) 25gp 12-9-1 3.08gaa .906sv%


Round 3 (67-70)

1) Samuel Morin, D, 6'7 203
Shoots: Left
(QMJHL - 2012) 38gp 3g 11a 14pts 96pim +8

2) Nick Moutrey, RW, 6'1 204
Shoots: Left
(OHL -2012) 38gp 12g 13a 25pts 30pim +3


3) Greg Chase, C, 6'0 195
Shoots: Right
(WHL - 2012) 40gp 12g 17a 29pts 30pim +6

4) Tristan Jarry, G, 6'2 172
Glove: Right
(WHL - 2012) 15gp 10-4-0 1.80gaa .930sv%

Wanna double check Lazar's weight? I don't know anything about him but that stuck out big time...

 

[The Winter Soldier]

How has your projection of Dumba vs Galchenyuk turned out? You were vehemently opposed to drafting Galchenyuk, and actually quite condescending about it. And out of all the D you were very pro Dumba.

Galchenyuk has 61 points in 33 games to go along with his solid two-way/physical game. A 1.85 PPG pace right now. He was also a main player on team USA which won gold at the World Juniors.

Dumba? Didn't make Team Canada and had a poor series this summer, though he is doing reasonably well right now, he's not nearly at the level that Galchenyuk is at the moment. Not saying Dumba is terrible, but considering how condescending you were about the Galchenyuk idea, I think you should maybe rethink the way you talk to people on HFBoards.

I would take Murray, Rielly, or Dumba over Gally, that hasn't changed. And really Gally was not at all dominant in the WJC, he is scoring for Sarnia, he will probably score in the NHL, but will he be a dominant player that impacts his team and game? Unknown, judging by his contribution to gold for USA. If anyone watched the tourney and not solely read boxscores, they would know he didn't, in this small sample, abeit an important weighted sample.

 

[613Leafer]

I would take Murray, Rielly, or Dumba over Gally, that hasn't changed. And really Gally was not at all dominant in the WJC, he is scoring for Sarnia, he will probably score in the NHL, but will he be a dominant player that impacts his team and game? Unknown, judging by his contribution to gold for USA. If anyone watched the tourney and not solely read boxscores, they would know he didn't, in this small sample, abeit an important weighted sample.

Yea, and consider his age. How much of an impact did the other players from the 2012 draft have?

Was Rielly a dominant force to be reckoned with? Reinhart? Yakupov? Grigorenko? Forsberg? Etc.

Galchenyuk played as well or better than almost all of them, and is currently player the best out of those that are in Junior at the moment.

 

[SprDaVE]

Jacob De la Rose always stuck out for Sweden for me.

He took some bad penalties but I really liked his game. Good speed to go along with his size. If he can develop his offensive game further, he could be a gem.

I could see him rise in the first round depending on how he finishes the season in the SEL.

Another player I would love to draft is Max Domi. He always sticks out every time I watch London.

 

[Rockinz]

I would take Murray, Rielly, or Dumba over Gally, that hasn't changed. And really Gally was not at all dominant in the WJC, he is scoring for Sarnia, he will probably score in the NHL, but will he be a dominant player that impacts his team and game? Unknown, judging by his contribution to gold for USA. If anyone watched the tourney and not solely read boxscores, they would know he didn't, in this small sample, abeit an important weighted sample.

Gally is Grabo 2.0

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Yea, and consider his age. How much of an impact did the other players from the 2012 draft have?

Was Rielly a dominant force to be reckoned with? Reinhart? Yakupov? Grigorenko? Forsberg? Etc.

Galchenyuk played as well or better than almost all of them, and is currently player the best out of those that are in Junior at the moment.

Grigorenko looked better than Gally or Yakupov, He was more a force on the Russian team, I did give him credit for this mind you. Rielly in my opinion, and it is not homer based showed me the most potential to make an impact on his team.

 

[613Leafer]

Grigorenko looked better than Gally or Yakupov, He was more a force on the Russian team, I did give him credit for this mind you. Rielly in my opinion, and it is not homer based showed me the most potential to make an impact on his team.

I do think Rielly had a fairly good tournament. Was hard to tell since they kept him in a relatively limited role. Would have been nice to see the coach not so blatantly play favourites, and take Murphy (who is pretty weak defensively) off of the top pairing and also off the top PP since he didn't produce anything except in the final game.

Anyways, I am happy with Rielly. If I had the choice between him and Galchenyuk it would be a pretty tough decision, so I'm not trying to say Galchenyuk would absolutely have been the best choice. Just that he absolutely should be up there with the top players from his draft.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Though I didn't put Trouba in with Dumba, Murray or Rielly last draft, but more in the Reinhart next best list, bet the Jets would take Gally over him now also.

Also of note Jones and Drouin looked better than any of the 11 draft class save Trouba.

My point last draft was it was a Defence strong draft, I didn't see a franchise fwd in the draft and this is why I wanted a D man.