2013 NHL Draft Thread III (6/30, 3PM EDT)

[gojacketsgo61]

Are there not some serious attitude questions with Mantha?

Some scouts believe he has some motivation issues (As stated previously), however, another scout said Mantha has good work ethic but it doesn't always show because since he's a big guy, it's sometimes hard to look like they're working hard. The scout then further stated that he could barely play in the league two years ago and has seen the biggest growth in Mantha's game than any other player in the draft. Scout ends off with saying he would take him in a heartbeat.

I'm liking Mantha. We need that scoring forward and Mantha can do that (Scored 50 this past year and put up 89p in 67gp) and also has a big body without being a guy who is slow (Something that some scouts fear about Zadorov). I do believe Mantha doesn't have bad motivation issues some scouts believe but I can definitely see him occasionally needing a kick since he was doing so well and was bigger than others in the QMJHL. The NHL (And even the AHL to an extent) would be a wake up call hopefully even if the motivation issues are there.

 

[Sore Loser]

Some scouts believe he has some motivation issues (As stated previously), however, another scout said Mantha has good work ethic but it doesn't always show because since he's a big guy, it's sometimes hard to look like they're working hard. The scout then further stated that he could barely play in the league two years ago and has seen the biggest growth in Mantha's game than any other player in the draft. Scout ends off with saying he would take him in a heartbeat.

I'm liking Mantha. We need that scoring forward and Mantha can do that (Scored 50 this past year and put up 89p in 67gp) and also has a big body without being a guy who is slow (Something that some scouts fear about Zadorov). I do believe Mantha doesn't have bad motivation issues some scouts believe but I can definitely see him occasionally needing a kick since he was doing so well and was bigger than others in the QMJHL. The NHL (And even the AHL to an extent) would be a wake up call hopefully even if the motivation issues are there.

A lot of what I've read/seen about Anthony Mantha reminds me a little bit of what was said about David Backes in his draft year. If he can turn into that type of player, he will silence all of his critics. He's a high risk/high reward type of guy, and with three first round picks, there's good reason to use one of them to take a shot on him. I don't use the 14th pick on him though, and wonder if he'll be there at 19.

 

[EspenK]

My favorite mock so far

http://hockeythisweek.com/hockey-this-week-2013-nhl-draft-mock-up-1-0-by-tony-stabile/#.UcWsM5wlmkx

Domi, Zykov, Hartman

So many mocks I've seen have us taking 2 D. One maybe but 2?

 

[Nanabijou]

My favorite mock so far

http://hockeythisweek.com/hockey-this-week-2013-nhl-draft-mock-up-1-0-by-tony-stabile/#.UcWsM5wlmkx

Domi, Zykov, Hartman

So many mocks I've seen have us taking 2 D. One maybe but 2?

Espen, your stance on this has been consistent, and I agree completely with you that our forward prospect pool is pretty weak.

But just keep saying these 3 letters over and over on draft day.... BPA.....BPA....BPA

I'm only ribbing you. But, except for a small handful, these kids aren't going to make an impact for a few years. The team could be completely re-made by then and forwards may not be an issue anymore. Look how much this team has changed from the playoff season a few short years ago.

 

[EspenK]

Espen, your stance on this has been consistent, and I agree completely with you that our forward prospect pool is pretty weak.

But just keep saying these 3 letters over and over on draft day.... BPA.....BPA....BPA

I'm only ribbing you. But, except for a small handful, these kids aren't going to make an impact for a few years. The team could be completely re-made by then and forwards may not be an issue anymore. Look how much this team has changed from the playoff season a few short years ago.

I agree that two three years down the road the roster will look differently but I'm all for balancing out the pipeline a bit now.

BPA? HMMM.B stands for Bo,A for Anthony,struggling with P

 

[Nanabijou]

I agree that two three years down the road the roster will look differently but I'm all for balancing out the pipeline a bit now.

BPA? HMMM.B stands for Bo,A for Anthony,struggling with P

Yes, I hear what you're saying and if all things are equal, it would be nice to stock some forward prospects. That said, I won't be disappointed if we end up with Zadarov and Pulock with our 14 and 19 picks. I expect both of those players to be gone earlier than those picks (respectively), so they would likely be BPA.

You then use trades and free agency to address position needs.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

Some scouts believe he has some motivation issues (As stated previously), however, another scout said Mantha has good work ethic but it doesn't always show because since he's a big guy, it's sometimes hard to look like they're working hard.

FWIW, I've heard the same things said about Rick Nash and look how that turned out for the CBJ.

 

[pete goegan]

FWIW, I've heard the same things said about Rick Nash and look how that turned out for the CBJ.

If they draft him and he averages 30+ goals over the first nine years of his career with the CBJ, I won't complain.

 

[EspenK]

Yes, I hear what you're saying and if all things are equal, it would be nice to stock some forward prospects. That said, I won't be disappointed if we end up with Zadarov and Pulock with our 14 and 19 picks. I expect both of those players to be gone earlier than those picks (respectively), so they would likely be BPA.

You then use trades and free agency to address position needs.

I'm not sure anyone knows who BPA is at any spot in the draftjust look at #1- many say Jones, some say MacKinnon - much less at 14,19 & 27. To me this BPA stuff is a misnomer because it isn't very clear cut at all. If it were, then no one below the early 2nd rd or so would ever make it to the NHL. I get the theory but I think it really comes down to team's preference.

 

[Jackets16]

My favorite mock so far

http://hockeythisweek.com/hockey-this-week-2013-nhl-draft-mock-up-1-0-by-tony-stabile/#.UcWsM5wlmkx

Domi, Zykov, Hartman

So many mocks I've seen have us taking 2 D. One maybe but 2?

Wouldn't be my favorite, but I would be happy if we drafted those 3 guys.

 

[Jackets16]

I'm not sure anyone knows who BPA is at any spot in the draftjust look at #1- many say Jones, some say MacKinnon - much less at 14,19 & 27. To me this BPA stuff is a misnomer because it isn't very clear cut at all. If it were, then no one below the early 2nd rd or so would ever make it to the NHL. I get the theory but I think it really comes down to team's preference.

Of course it does. The point is the team needs to draft their BPA with each pick.

For example, let's say Ristolainen is the best defenseman and Zykov is the best forward available (based on the Blue Jackets rankings) when they pick. Columbus has Ristolainen ranked 8th overall and Zykov 16th overall. They should take their BPA (Ristolainen) even though they need, and would like, a forward.

 

[EspenK]

Of course it does. The point is the team needs to draft their BPA with each pick.

For example, let's say Ristolainen is the best defenseman and Zykov is the best forward available (based on the Blue Jackets rankings) when they pick. Columbus has Ristolainen ranked 8th overall and Zykov 16th overall. They should take their BPA (Ristolainen) even though they need, and would like, a forward.

Just to be picky then BPA=highest ranked player? I can agree to that except that if Columbus had Ristolainen 8th & Say Domi or Horvat 9th then I think need should dictate.

 

[Jackets16]

Just to be picky then BPA=highest ranked player? I can agree to that except that if Columbus had Ristolainen 8th & Say Domi or Horvat 9th then I think need should dictate.

Yes, BPA means best player available, so the player COLUMBUS has ranked the highest would be BPA. Yes, if they have 2 guys ranked equal then they should go with need, but that wasn't the example I gave.

 

[Nanabijou]

Just to be picky then BPA=highest ranked player? I can agree to that except that if Columbus had Ristolainen 8th & Say Domi or Horvat 9th then I think need should dictate.

Every team will have their own list - so there is going to be variability in who each team thinks is the BPA for any given pick. Scouting is not an exact science, so there are going to be late rounders that end up being better than some of the first round picks. These lists are obviously not fail-safe.

You make your list, which is based on your scout's assessments over the last year. If it's really close, you may let positional need be the tiebreaker. For example, if you have a D ranked #13 and a forward ranked #14 (and the difference between the two is deemed small) and both are available, there may be a last-minute modification to the list.

However, if a defenseman that is ranked by the CBJ as #8 is available at 14, while the best available forward is 13 on the list, I think they should trust the list and the work of their scouts and take the D.

Need should be a predominant driver in trades and free agency but should have a minor role (that of tiebreaker) in drafting, IMO.

 

[Jackets16]

Every team will have their own list - so there is going to be variability in who each team thinks is the BPA for any given pick. Scouting is not an exact science, so there are going to be late rounders that end up being better than some of the first round picks. These lists are obviously not fail-safe.

You make your list, which is based on your scout's assessments over the last year. If it's really close, you may let positional need be the tiebreaker. For example, if you have a D ranked #13 and a forward ranked #14 (and the difference between the two is deemed small) and both are available, there may be a last-minute modification to the list.

However, if a defenseman that is ranked by the CBJ as #8 is available at 14, while the best available forward is 13 on the list, I think they should trust the list and the work of their scouts and take the D.

Need should be a predominant driver in trades and free agency but should have a minor role (that of tiebreaker) in drafting, IMO.

Well said.

 

[Sore Loser]

Every team will have their own list - so there is going to be variability in who each team thinks is the BPA for any given pick. Scouting is not an exact science, so there are going to be late rounders that end up being better than some of the first round picks. These lists are obviously not fail-safe.

You make your list, which is based on your scout's assessments over the last year. If it's really close, you may let positional need be the tiebreaker. For example, if you have a D ranked #13 and a forward ranked #14 (and the difference between the two is deemed small) and both are available, there may be a last-minute modification to the list.

However, if a defenseman that is ranked by the CBJ as #8 is available at 14, while the best available forward is 13 on the list, I think they should trust the list and the work of their scouts and take the D.

Need should be a predominant driver in trades and free agency but should have a minor role (that of tiebreaker) in drafting, IMO.

A nice understanding of how things work.

Reality is, after the first 5-7 picks in any draft (and even then there are sometimes guys picked higher than expected ... like Johansen or Thomas Hickey) ... BPA doesn't really apply anymore, unless there is a faller (like Cam Fowler). So really, picking at 14, 19, and 27, our version of the "BPA" will be vastly different than some of the other teams, because there are simply players that our scouts have seen more or less of, or have greater or lesser feeling for. This year is especially true, because it's a draft that's full of character, grit, and talent. You have some people rating Rasmus Ristolainen in the top 8, and others rating him down as far as 20 ... and some guys with Bo Horvat in the top 10.

I personally think that the scouting staff we have in place will lay heavily on character first, skill second, and we will draft at least three forwards with our first four picks. I see us selecting a defenseman if one "falls" to us at 19 ... or at 14, if the forwards have been picked through ahead of us. The "mock draft" on this board that has us landing Horvat, Pulock, and Klimchuk would be an absolutely incredible draft for us. I don't see Pulock falling to 19, but that's an example of a guy that, if he's there, you cannot pass up.

Character first, then skill, then positional need. That's how this draft should be approached, in my opinion.

 

[Sore Loser]

8 Days Out

With eight days to go until the draft, there isn't any time left to watch the kids play hockey. So all that's left is speculation, trade talk, and debate about who's the best. Now that we know the entire draft order (with the exception of the Hawks and Bruins), here's my final projection at how the first 44 picks in the draft may pan out. Why 44? Because the Jackets pick at 44th, naturally .

1. Colorado - D Seth Jones ... in spite of the fact that they are mentioning picking a forward, I believe that Jones is their guy. Why? Because he's the best defense prospect to come along since Drew Doughty, and could step into their lineup and be an immediate upgrade on defense.
2. Florida - C Nathan MacKinnon ... he proved at the Memorial Cup that he is a game breaker when it matters, and separated himself from the rest of the pack in doing so. Very good in all aspects of the game, and has that special touch that makes good players great. Could be a franchise player.
3. Tampa Bay - LW Jonathan Drouin ... The reigning CHL player of the year, Drouin could be the perfect fit on a line with Steven Stamkos. Dazzling hands, great passer, may be their own answer to Backstrom and Ovechkin.
4. Nashville - C Aleksander Barkov ... Barkov immediately becomes the best forward prospect Nashville has had since Radulov, and is exactly what they need going forward. May play in the NHL next year.
5. Carolina - LW Valeri Nichushkin ... big, but with a lanky frame, hugely skilled, but the Russian factor weighs. If he were Canadian, this guy goes top-3 in this draft. Carolina can gamble because they are set for a few years up front, and this guy is a huge reward type of pick.
6. Calgary - C Elias Lindholm ... already with Sven Baertschi in the system, Lindholm gives the Flames a talented center to play alongside him. The best player available at this point in the draft, could project as an 80+ point guy.
7. Edmonton - D Darnell Nurse ... with a new GM at the helm and plenty of young talent, the Oilers need a can't-miss prospect, and Nurse is as close as it gets here. Exactly what they need to play alongside Justin Schultz in 2-3 years.
8. Buffalo - C Sean Monahan ... ecstatic that this player falls to them, the Sabres now have three huge centers in their system (Grigorenko, Girgensons), all with top-6 potential. Exactly how they want to start their rebuild.
9. New Jersey - LW Hunter Shinkaruk ... it's my belief that Lou Lamoriello will mention that they had Shinkaruk in their top-5, and he will not be lying. Shinkaruk can fill the void left by Zach Parise, and again makes Lou look like a genius at the draft.
10. Dallas - LW Alexander Wennberg ... thin on forward prospects, Wennberg is a high reward type of player, with somewhat limited risk. With solid young centers in the system, the talented wing is a nice fit.
11. Philadelphia - G Zachary Fucale ... huh? The more I think about it, the more I can see the Flyers taking the Memorial Cup winning goaltender. Paul Holmgren hopes that in 3-4 years, Fucale finally puts their goaltending question to rest. They may also be a prime candidate to trade down.
12. Phoenix - F Max Domi ... with a bevy of talented young defensemen, the 'Yotes take the best forward left on the board.
13. Winnipeg - D Rasmus Ristolainen ... this pick paves the way for the Jets to finally move Zach Bogosian, and they have the luxury of letting him grow for a couple of years. Solid pick.
14. Columbus - C Bo Horvat ... Jarmo Kekalainen's first pick as an NHL GM is a skilled center with grit, solid two way play, and leadership qualities. Horvat has second line potential.
15. New York - D Ryan Pulock ... another team that can't believe a player fell to them, the Islanders land a guy that could play with Griffin Reinhart on their top pair in a couple of years. Things start really looking up for the Isles.
16. Buffalo - D Nikita Zadorov ... safe and steady, huge defenseman Zadorov will make for a nice future shutdown defenseman for the Sabres. After landing Monahan, things are starting to look up for the Sabres as well ... literally.
17. Ottawa - C Frederik Gauthier ... one of the top forwards left on the table, often overlooked Frederik Gauthier is a nice find for the Sens, who need all the help up front they can get.
18. Detroit - Adam Erne ... needing to refill the cupboards, the Wings go with a guy who can score and plays the game both ways. A Mike Babcock type of player.
19. Columbus - LW Morgan Klimchuk ... wait ... isn't Mantha still on the board? I went with Klimchuk here because he's a Jarmo type pick; a guy that has high hockey IQ and can flat out score. I think this guy's a sleeper, and I think he's gone before we pick again... Klimchuk has top-6 potential.
20. San Jose - C Kerby Rychel ... with a history of finding goal scorers in this range, the Sharks pick another one. Rychel has a quick release and needs to develop, and the Sharks have the luxury of time to let him do so.
21. Toronto - LW Anthony Mantha ... deep on defense for the foreseeable future, the Leafs find a guy that is a high risk/high reward type of player. Only question is, can Mantha's game translate to the NHL?
22. Calgary - D Josh Morrissey ... after landing a potential top line forward at sixth, the Flames take a potential powerplay quarterback here. A long-term prospect, Morrissey could be a nice find for a team willing to be patient.
23. Washington - LW Ryan Hartman ... a future leader and gritty middle-six type of player, Hartman fills a huge void for the Caps up front. May be the kick in the pants the team needs to keep working hard and make them playoff performers. Think Dustin Brown.
24. Vancouver - C Curtis Lazar ... with Ryan Kesler to tutor him, Lazar could develop into a big time player in the NHL. The Canucks are ecstatic to land a guy that was once thought of as a top-10 player in this draft.
25. Montreal - LW Valentin Zykov ... a year after drafting Alex Galchenyuk third overall, the Canadiens land a guy who could play alongside him on their top line in a few years.
26. Anaheim - D Mirco Mueller ... needing prospects on defense, the Ducks land a guy with top-4 shutdown potential. The perfect guy to play alongside any of their bevy of offensive defensemen, Mueller could play for them as early as 2014.
27. Columbus - C Jimmy Lodge ... adds size to the prospect pool, and immediately reminds Jacket fans of recent pick Boone Jenner. Lodge has the potential to develop into a top-6 center, but may be best suited in a secondary role in the NHL. A solid pick after swinging hard at Morgan Klimchuk.
28. Calgary - D Madison Bowey ... a perfect pick for the Flames rebuild, Bowey is a no-nonsense defender that gives them credibility and honesty on the back end. Their fans will love this kid from the moment he steps on Saddledome ice.
29. Dallas - D Robert Hagg ... the player they covet at this spot, Hagg is a reliable, safe pick; one that should make the team in 2-3 years and be a steady player for many years to come.
30. Chicago - LW Artturi Lehkonen ... after hoisting the Cup , the Hawks find a solid all-around forward with the last pick in the first round. Lehkonen has time to develop and can play alongside great players, exactly what the Hawks need.
31. Florida - LW Pavel Buchnevich ... simply adding to an impressive prospect pool, the Panthers don't need this player immediately. Buchnevich can develop and make up his mind about his future, while the Panthers only add another potential star to their prospect depth.
32. Colorado - LW JT Compher ... a forward that could turn into a steal for the Avalanche, Compher is too good to pass up. If he develops, he could be a scoring forward for their second line.
33. Tampa Bay - D Ian McCoshen ... McCoshen gives the Lightning a real presence on the backend ... a solid all-around defender.
34. Montreal - C Laurent Dauphin ... the Canadiens take a French player with the Preds' pick in the second round, and hope he develops into something useful down the road. Becomes an immediate fan favorite for the Habs.
35. Carolina - D Steven Santini ... with Justin Faulk turning into a gem, the Canes take a similar player here and look smart for doing so. Santini is a heck of a player.
36. Montreal - LW Jacob de la Rose ... suddenly, Montreal has a gluttony of big, talented forwards at their disposal. May be the steal of the second round, here.
37. Edmonton - C Jason Dickinson ... size, skill, and shutdown potential. Exactly the center the Oilers covet so desperately, but he's a few years from making an impact.
38. Buffalo - G Eric Comrie ... in spite of his injury woes, Comrie is the second best goaltender at the draft, and a player that Buffalo has time for. Immediately brings up questions about a Ryan Miller trade.
39. New Jersey - C Nic Petan ... going to the WHL for their second straight pick, the Devils land the league's reigning scoring champ in the second round. Is he another Brian Gionta, or do they miss completely?
40. Dallas - RW Justin Bailey ... the hope for the Stars is that Bailey develops into another James Neal type of steal in this range of the draft. It's possible.
41. Philadelphia - D Shea Theodore ... a potential powerplay quarterback for the Flyers, Theodore is a project pick.
42. Phoenix - C Connor Hurley ... a US high school player, Hurley's a guy whose future is hard to project ... but the Coyotes think they land a quality piece.
43. Winnipeg - RW JC Lipon ... the Jets go to the WHL with the hopes that they get a talented forward that everyone else missed. 19 year old Lipon had a huge year in the WHL ... but is he a late bloomer, or just a good junior player?
44. Columbus - LW Andre Burakovsky ... have I mentioned middle-6 potential yet? Burakovsky fits right into the mold that Columbus has followed so far at the draft; talented, but somewhat limited upside. A nice - if not overly exciting - pick.

So there you have it. Horvat, Klimchuk, Lodge, and Burakovsky. Two centers, two left wings in first four picks. While I know the Klimchuk pick will get me flack, I'm willing to stand by it for the reasons I listed. Fact of the matter is, I like Mantha, but I think Klimchuk's game is more desirable, safer to build upon, and he is a work horse. He fits in our system, and he's a Jarmo/JD type of player.

Thoughts?

 

[Xoggz22]

If Lindholm was available at #7 would any of you do the following:

To EDM: Johansen, #27 OA
To CBJ: #7 (Lindholm) and PRV

I'm not sure I would want to give up the big center, however, Anisimov appears to be a very solid center in his own right and Lindholm could play another year in Sweden and be brought along slowly. We'd give up size but may ultimately get a better player and adding PRV to the forward group would help in my opinion.

Just brainstorming and maybe it's fried....

 

[Xoggz22]

With eight days to go until the draft, there isn't any time left to watch the kids play hockey. So all that's left is speculation, trade talk, and debate about who's the best. Now that we know the entire draft order (with the exception of the Hawks and Bruins), here's my final projection at how the first 44 picks in the draft may pan out. Why 44? Because the Jackets pick at 44th, naturally .

14. Columbus - C Bo Horvat ... Jarmo Kekalainen's first pick as an NHL GM is a skilled center with grit, solid two way play, and leadership qualities. Horvat has second line potential.
19. Columbus - LW Morgan Klimchuk ... wait ... isn't Mantha still on the board? I went with Klimchuk here because he's a Jarmo type pick; a guy that has high hockey IQ and can flat out score. I think this guy's a sleeper, and I think he's gone before we pick again... Klimchuk has top-6 potential.
27. Columbus - C Jimmy Lodge ... adds size to the prospect pool, and immediately reminds Jacket fans of recent pick Boone Jenner. Lodge has the potential to develop into a top-6 center, but may be best suited in a secondary role in the NHL. A solid pick after swinging hard at Morgan Klimchuk.
44. Columbus - LW Andre Burakovsky ... have I mentioned middle-6 potential yet? Burakovsky fits right into the mold that Columbus has followed so far at the draft; talented, but somewhat limited upside. A nice - if not overly exciting - pick.

So there you have it. Horvat, Klimchuk, Lodge, and Burakovsky. Two centers, two left wings in first four picks. While I know the Klimchuk pick will get me flack, I'm willing to stand by it for the reasons I listed. Fact of the matter is, I like Mantha, but I think Klimchuk's game is more desirable, safer to build upon, and he is a work horse. He fits in our system, and he's a Jarmo/JD type of player.

Thoughts?

This would be a home run in my opinion. Do you really think Burakowsky has a chance of falling that far? I don't but I think he's got top line potential.

Seriously, I think I would crap my pants. I was just thinking if we could land Lindholm, Pulock and Lodge out of our 1st 4 picks I would be pretty happy (granted that means trades and I think we can still hold a 4th pick in the top 44 to do this...

 

[Sore Loser]

This would be a home run in my opinion. Do you really think Burakowsky has a chance of falling that far? I don't but I think he's got top line potential.

Seriously, I think I would crap my pants. I was just thinking if we could land Lindholm, Pulock and Lodge out of our 1st 4 picks I would be pretty happy (granted that means trades and I think we can still hold a 4th pick in the top 44 to do this...

There's definitely a chance that Burakovsky falls, but if he doesn't, it means one of the other forwards taken ahead on my list does. Either way, I think we win.

 

[candyman82]

If Lindholm was available at #7 would any of you do the following:

To EDM: Johansen, #27 OA
To CBJ: #7 (Lindholm) and PRV

I'm not sure I would want to give up the big center, however, Anisimov appears to be a very solid center in his own right and Lindholm could play another year in Sweden and be brought along slowly. We'd give up size but may ultimately get a better player and adding PRV to the forward group would help in my opinion.

Just brainstorming and maybe it's fried....

No. I'm not convinced that Lindholm will ever be better than Johansen

 

[Xoggz22]

No. I'm not convinced that Lindholm will ever be better than Johansen

I agree, there is that chance. I'm just throwing some thoughts out there since we're rehashing all the old stuff.

 

[Jackets16]

If Lindholm was available at #7 would any of you do the following:

To EDM: Johansen, #27 OA
To CBJ: #7 (Lindholm) and PRV

I'm not sure I would want to give up the big center, however, Anisimov appears to be a very solid center in his own right and Lindholm could play another year in Sweden and be brought along slowly. We'd give up size but may ultimately get a better player and adding PRV to the forward group would help in my opinion.

Just brainstorming and maybe it's fried....

That is an interesting offer. I am not sure if I would do it, but the value is there and I really like Lindholm.

14. Columbus - C Bo Horvat ... Jarmo Kekalainen's first pick as an NHL GM is a skilled center with grit, solid two way play, and leadership qualities. Horvat has second line potential.
19. Columbus - LW Morgan Klimchuk ... wait ... isn't Mantha still on the board? I went with Klimchuk here because he's a Jarmo type pick; a guy that has high hockey IQ and can flat out score. I think this guy's a sleeper, and I think he's gone before we pick again... Klimchuk has top-6 potential.
27. Columbus - C Jimmy Lodge ... adds size to the prospect pool, and immediately reminds Jacket fans of recent pick Boone Jenner. Lodge has the potential to develop into a top-6 center, but may be best suited in a secondary role in the NHL. A solid pick after swinging hard at Morgan Klimchuk.
44. Columbus - LW Andre Burakovsky ... have I mentioned middle-6 potential yet? Burakovsky fits right into the mold that Columbus has followed so far at the draft; talented, but somewhat limited upside. A nice - if not overly exciting - pick.

So there you have it. Horvat, Klimchuk, Lodge, and Burakovsky. Two centers, two left wings in first four picks. While I know the Klimchuk pick will get me flack, I'm willing to stand by it for the reasons I listed. Fact of the matter is, I like Mantha, but I think Klimchuk's game is more desirable, safer to build upon, and he is a work horse. He fits in our system, and he's a Jarmo/JD type of player.

Thoughts?

That would be a pretty good draft. Not my favorite, but right up there.

 

[EspenK]

SL- You're right. Could be some flak for taking Klimchuk at 19 but he's a good player and from what I have read a Jarmo type so why not. And best part of your picks is no D.


And Lodge needs to gain 35 lbs or so.

 

[Sore Loser]

And Lodge needs to gain 35 lbs or so.

Lodge is a guy that, once he fills out, could be a pretty good player. I'd be happy with that choice.