Where can I find your draft rankings? Would love to read them.
I'll repost them here.
Back due to popular demand...
Holden Caulfield's 2013 NHL Draft List
Link to 2012 edition
Too early to tell, but I think I did a good job calling Trouba (I had him as #2 D), Frk (many had him out of first round, I had him #20 and he has had a great season), Nieves (had him as a 1st rounder, great season this year), and McCabe (I was a big fan of that guy last year, was a beast this year). Maybe a little high on Faksa (not a great season this year, offensive upside questioned), Collberg (I let popular rankings influence me too much unfortunately), and Sutter (bought the hype too much as well).
I am not going to let the popular ranking effect me so much this year, so I expect many will not like this list. Note this is NOT a mock draft, it is merely a ranking based on future career. Here I go.
Tier 1
1. C Nathan MacKinnon (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL) - Yes, I know Jones has taken over #1 on most lists. However MacKinnon still has the top end skill, and it is much safer to reach his upside. Fast, great hands, this guy is going to be a #1 C in this league for a long long time.
2. D Seth Jones (Portland Winterhawks, WHL) - We all know about this guy, he is big, skates really well, got a cannon, can hit. He can really do it all. This guy has the potential to be the best defenseman in the game no doubt. However we have seen other big tools defensemen not put it all together at the NHL level (Hedman, Victor). Not saying he will be a bust by any means, at worst he will be a hugely valuable player but I went with the "safer" MacKinnon for #1.
3. C Sasha Barkov (Tappara, SML) - I think you all know me by now, that I have a huge weakness for big strong center icemen. Barkov does it all. This guy wins battles, plays 200 feet, got slick hands, good skater, not afraid to be physical, I would absolutely drooling to add a player like this. He has shown dominance in a very strong men's league, something nobody else in this draft can boast. His skating is pretty damn good as well.
4. LW Jonathan Drouin (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL) - Dynamic scoring winger, he has Pat Kane type upside. He is masterful in the offensive zone, great skater, has perhaps the highest straight offensive upside in this draft. The guy will bring offense. Slots in at #4 due to the fact that he is a winger and is not as much of a twoway guy as MacKinnon and Barkov.
Tier 2
5. C Valeri Nichushkin (Chelyabinsk, KHL) - Reports are kinda split on this guy, but his talent level simply cannot be denied. This guy skates like the wind, loves to mix it up physically, very good hands a true dynamic player. Consistancy is an issue and well likely fall somewhat due to uncertainaty with regards to coming over to NA, but his skills are as good as anyone in the draft.
6. C Elias Lindholm (Brynas, SEL) - Not blessed with the natural skill of the forwards rated above him, Lindholm plays a very mature pro style game already. He is a very smart player that plays 200 feet of the rink, should have no trouble adjusting to NA. Very nice playmaker, but some questions might remain with just how high his offensive upside is.
Tier 3
7. D Rasmus Ristolainen (TPS, SML) - Perhaps the first one where people will scratch their heads, but I love the game Ristolainen plays. He is a very smart defenseman, real solid positionally and makes a real smooth first pass. His positioning, skating, and passing are already NHL level. The real question is how high his offensive upside is, and how effective he will be using his size, but he is a safe bet to be a real strong NHL defenseman for a lot of years.
8. C Sean Monahan (Ottawa 67's, OHL) - Mini slide for Monahan here, since I question his offensive upside. Plays a mature NHL game no doubt, has good vision, works hard, however his skating is not top end, and he lacks the top end skill of the other players. Makes up for it with intelligence though, still a real good player to land in this draft.
Tier 4
9. C Frederik Gauthier (Rimouski Oceanic, QMJHL) - This tier will be crowded. There are many players starting here at #9 that can slide in here. I went with Gauthier due to his salivating upside. He has more than the size coveted at the NHL position combined with real good skating and smart offensive plays. Plays a twoway game as well and wins board battles. Would like to see more consistancy and use his size more effectively, but that is a common concern with young big forwards.
10. D Ryan Pulock (Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL) - Smooth skating Pulock is an offensive specialist with a surprisingly sound defensive game. He has a great shot, great skater, and moves the puck real well. Still does need work on positioning and defensive play, but it's well ahead of say a Morgan Reilly from last year.
11. LW Anthony Mantha (Val D'Or Foreurs, QMJHL) - Big strong power forward, Mantha has all the tools to be power forward in the NHL. Strong skater, wins battles, great offensive skills. Concerns with consistency as with many young power forwards, but strong upside.
12. D Nikita Zadorov (London Knights, OHL) - I know he is a bit lower here, but I have serious concerns about his offensive game. I would describe him as a physical defenseman right now. Needs work on his defensive game, and his offensive game has not shown a whole lot to date. Unlike Trouba last year, who was much smarter and player a safer game, Zadorov gets caught out of position going for hits. Fantastic upside, but stronger possibility of not reaching that upside.
13. RW Adam Erne (Quebec Ramparts, QMJHL) - Doesn't possess ideal size for a power forward (although not terrible) Erne is a physical guy that loves to mix it up with solid offensive skills to go with it. He is a player I certainly would not mind at #13, that's for sure. Plays a two way game, some character concerns, but as the saying goes I'd rather tame a tiger than paint stripes on a Kitty Cat.
Tier 5
14. RW Valentin Zykov (Baie-Comeau Drakkar, QMJHL) - A player that has come out of nowhere this year after a dissapointing season in MHL in 11-12, Zykov has shown that he is more suited to the small rink. He is a strong physical forward, likes to mix it up, loves playing physical. Concerns about upside though.
15. LW Kerby Rychel (Windsor Spitfires, OHL) - A true goalscoring prospect, Rychel knows how to put the puck in the net. He has a great shot, and great offensive positioning. Wins battles, does the little things right. Probably projects as a complementary goalscoring forward though, not somebody to lead a line.
16. D Mirco Mueller (Everett Silvertips, WHL) - Rangy Swiss defender has very high upside. Smooth skater, very smart positionally, makes a nice first pass. The offense has not materialized just yet, but he has upside as a twoway defender.
17. D Josh Morrissey (Prince Albert Raiders, WHL) - A smart safe player with good skating and passing ability, Morrissey is a traditional puck moving defenseman. Makes good decisions with the puck, and plays a decent positional game away from the puck. Safe pick to be an NHLer, but what is his upside?
18. D Darnell Nurse (Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds, OHL) - If anybody is still reading, they probably thought I forgot him. Nope, I just don't like tools only defensemen. That's what Nurse is. He skates real well, hits like a truck, has top end upside. However he is not a smart player, makes gaffes and does not understand the game as well as I would like. For every PK Subban we have so many guys like Ty Wishart, Brian Lee and AJ Thelen that never put the skills together.
19. LW Hunter Shinkaruk (Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL) - Small dynamic forward has plenty of offensive upside, but he will be a 2nd line scoring winger ala David Perron or never be an NHL regular, IMO. Has the talent, but does not play a two way game, does not possess any real definable top end skill.
Tier 6
20. LW Alexander Wennberg (Djurgarden, ALK) - Older player, but after a real dissapointing 11-12 had a fanatastic rookie season in the Allsvenskan this year, posting similiar numbers to Filip Forsberg. Smart player with good offensive instincts.
21. RW Ryan Hartman (Plymouth Whalers, OHL) - Really love the way this guys plays hockey. His motor never stops, works his ass off each and every shift. Likes to mix it up, skates well, wins battles, got good offensive skills. Questions about his offensive upside prevent him from moving higher.
22. C Max Domi (London Knights, OHL) - Been discussed here ad nauseum. Has the offensive skills, and battles hard, but is really small and likely projects to the wing at the NHL level. His skills are solid, but he will need to adjust to play in NHL at his size.
23. D Robert Hagg (MoDo, SEL) - A true defensive defenseman with little to no offensive upside, Hagg is a real smart player that plays real solid positional game. Needs more development, but could be a shutdown defender.
24. C Bo Horvat (London Knights, OHL) - A strong twoway player, he has serious concerns about offensive upside. His skating is not top notch, and his offensive skills are not top notch.
25. C JT Compher (USNDTP, USHL) - Showed some top end offensive skills in the USHL this year combined with a strong motor, he is a potential sleeper if he is still available in the last 10 picks of the 1st round. Needs to add strength though.
26. C Connor Hurley (Edina, USHS) - Absolutely dominating Minnesota High School hockey, he has great vision and puck potection, he has high upside. However he is a long term project needing to add strength and play a higher level.
Tier 7
27. LW Arturri Lehkonen (KalPa, SML) - Small elusive forward has plenty of offensive upside. He is a deceptive skater that knows where to go on the ice. Concerns about how he will transition to NA.
28. LW Marko Dano (Slovan Bratislava, KHL) - People will probably make fun of me for this one, but I really like this guy. He is a very deceptive skater, slick slick hands, good shot, and although smaller not afraid to battle for pucks. High end potential.
29. C Jacob de la Rose (Leksand, ALK) - Plays a heavy twoway game, de la Rose is a strong defensive player with concerns about offensive upside. I like his game though, and was solid in a men's league this year.
30. D Shea Theodore (Seattle Thunderbirds, SEA) - Compares to last year's D Derrick Pouliout, Theodore is a very good skater and moves the puck well, but has serious concerns about defensive awareness.
The next 30
31. D Keaton Thompson (USNDTP, USHL)
32. D Ian McCoshen (Waterloo, OPJHL)
33. C Jimmy Lodge (Saginaw, OHL)
34. D Samuel Morin (Rimouski, QMJHL)
35. LW William Carrier (Cape Breton, QMJHL)
36. C Jason Dickinson (Guelph, OHL)
37. G Zachery Fucale (Halifax, QMJHL)
38. C Curtis Lazar (Edmonton, WHL)
39. D Chris Bigras (Owen Sound, OHL)
40. G Tristan Jarry (Edmonton, WHL)
41. C Pavel Buchnevich (Cherepovst 2, MHL)
42. C Lucas Wallmark (Skelleftea, SEL)
43. G Eric Comrie (Tri-City, WHL)
44. D Eric Roy (Brandon, WHL)
45. C Marc-Olivier Roy (Armada, QMJHL)
46. RW Nick Sorenson (Quebec, QMJHL)
47. C Morgan Klimchuk (Regina, WHL)
48. D Alex Coulombe (Stanstead College, CAHS)
49. LW Peter Cehlarik (Lulea, SWE JR)
50. LW Andre Burakowsky (Malmo, SEL)
51. D Thomas Vannelli (USNDTP, USHL)
52. C Nicolas Petan (Portland, WHL)
53. D Dillon Heatherington (Swift Current, WHL)
54. LW Myles Bell (Kelowna, WHL)
55. C Bogdan Yakimov (Nizhnekamsk, MHL)
56. G Spencer Martin (Mississauga, OHL)
57. RW Justin Bailey (Kitchener, OHL)
58. C Laurent Dauphin (Chicoutimi, QMJHL)
59. RW Michael McCarron (USNDTP, USHL)
60. G Patrik Bartosak (Red Deer, WHL)
HM: D Mitchell Wheaton, LW Adam Tambellini, C Martin Reway
There you have it. Flame away people. I welcome all comments, please do respond. Thanks, hope you guys (and gals?) let me know what you think.