2014 NHL Draft Discussion

[542365]

From the Blues' perspective, there is nothing wrong with this draft. The players available at 21 and 33 are pretty comparable with the normal draft. The stigma around this draft comes from the lack of truly elite skill at the top. Teams like Florida and Buffalo don't have the chance to draft a true franchise changer like you expect at the top. I would say the top 4 from last year are better than anyone available in this draft, and at least the top 2 next year look better. Sucks for teams at the top, but doesn't really matter to the Blues. They aren't getting those players anyway.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Right. The true top isn't as good, and then through the early teens is debatable because you hear lots of different opinions, but after that, there is lots of depth. We can end up with someone that is just as good as someone drafted in the 10-15 range, which sucks for the teams that just missed the playoffs.

Trade wise, fans will think the late 1sts have low value, but in reality, I think someone like Murray will value the 21st pretty good in a deal for Spezza.

If Army pulls of Berglund+Vannelli+21st, then he gets his good GM card back. It's a fair deal, but a deal we do without thinking about it.

 

[Majorityof1]

From the Blues' perspective, there is nothing wrong with this draft. The players available at 21 and 33 are pretty comparable with the normal draft. The stigma around this draft comes from the lack of truly elite skill at the top. Teams like Florida and Buffalo don't have the chance to draft a true franchise changer like you expect at the top. I would say the top 4 from last year are better than anyone available in this draft, and at least the top 2 next year look better. Sucks for teams at the top, but doesn't really matter to the Blues. They aren't getting those players anyway.

Yeah, its really terrible for those teams. Poor GMs are stuck with Ekblad or Reihhart. I feel really bad for them getting punished for playing terrible hockey. We should be friendly and take Reinhart off of their hands. After all, we too played terrible hockey for a stretch.

 

[542365]

Yeah, its really terrible for those teams. Poor GMs are stuck with Ekblad or Reihhart. I feel really bad for them getting punished for playing terrible hockey. We should be friendly and take Reinhart off of their hands. After all, we too played terrible hockey for a stretch.

I was simply saying that Ekblad and Reinhart are not franchise changers. I would personally rank both guys behind Mackinnon, Barkov, Jones, Drouin, McDavid, and Eichel if they were all the same age in the same draft. That's what I meant. They're missing out on a truly elite player(or at least in most scout's opinion. Very, very good players, but probably not elite).

 

[Meatwagon]

The draft is called a down year every year there isn't a Crosby comparable at the top of the draft, which is funny because 05 was a pretty crappy draft.

I think the Blues could add 2 impact NHLers with their 2 picks at 21&33.

I REALLY hope the Blues can land one of Fabbri, HoSang or Barbashev with 21 and either Scmaltz, MacInnis or Pollock with pick 33. I wouldn't be mad is they took DeAngelo, but I think most would be pissed with another dman with a high pick. Would be a good Shattenkirk replacement for when we trade him for Spezza

 

[Majorityof1]

I was simply saying that Ekblad and Reinhart are not franchise changers. I would personally rank both guys behind Mackinnon, Barkov, Jones, Drouin, McDavid, and Eichel if they were all the same age in the same draft. That's what I meant. They're missing out on a truly elite player(or at least in most scout's opinion. Very, very good players, but probably not elite).

I know. I wasn't knocking what you were saying, just teasing how you said it. Just found it funny how we are drooling over guys that may make it to 20, when you were saying it sucks to have your choice of anyone. I agree that the top 2 are not the sure fire successes that last years top 4 and next years top 2 probably will be. I still think they are solid players teams will be lucky to have. As an example, most people think Jones will be the better player in 5-6 years; however, I don't think anyone would be extremely surprised if Ekblad is as good. Since the Blues rarely tank and yet never win, I cannot feel bad for any team getting a top pick, especially when we got ours and Eric Johnson was the consensus #1.

I really think the weakness of the draft is the high end after the top 2 (maybe 3 with Bennett), like 4-10. There are lots of good players, but everyone has questions. I have seen mock drafts and rankings that have a player 3rd in one on 9th in another. After that in 11-30, there is a lot of potential, but again, just potential with a lot of question marks. I don't know much about the back-end of the draft but that is always a crap shoot. I think this draft could turn out in retrospect to be pretty decent, but it could also turn out to be not so great. Its that uncertainty that has people calling it a down draft.

 

[Daley Tarasenkshow]

For all the talk about this being a bad draft, there seems to be quite a bit of good solid depth. Might not have truly elite talent except for a few at the top, but there are quite a few names that we'd all be happy with at 21, and 33. It's not like other years where you hope for a single name or 2.

I think that's just what happens when you have pre-draft write-ups. A player projected in the teens is similar to a player last year taken in the teens in terms of evaluations, but the difference lies in how they actually play.

After extensive research, this draft is significantly weaker than last years.

 

[jbron]

Here's a link to a recent mock draft out of Dallas that has a comment by each selection. www.defendingbigd.com Again, as most people have said pick a player after the first ten and anyone can go to almost any team in the next 30. If the draft went as this man predicted who would you take at 21? Scherbak would be mine.

 

[Majorityof1]

Here's a link to a recent mock draft out of Dallas that has a comment by each selection. www.defendingbigd.com Again, as most people have said pick a player after the first ten and anyone can go to almost any team in the next 30. If the draft went as this man predicted who would you take at 21? Scherbak would be mine.

I'd probably take Kempe at 21 if the draft unfolded that way. I don't like taking another Swede who may develop late though. However he seems like Berglund if Berglund actually used his size and had confidence. That is a good thing to me. Scherbeck is intriguing due to his offensive skills. His D needs work but he is great on O. I passed because he is a RW. I know its BPA, but its also a crap shoot who is BPA. We have Rattie, Jaskin, Tarasenko and Oshie all on the RW. That is a lot of youth and skill there. I'd rather improve the LW/C. Bleackley, who the article picked, is interesting as well. Don't know as much about him I'm afraid. He seems to be further down the list in most expert rankings.

 

[R S]

My take on the Blues draft.

21. St. Louis Blues - Roland McKeown - Kingston Frontenacs - RD

Reports are mixed on what McKeown might be at the next level as he doesn't wow you as either an offensive or defensive defenceman. He's just a well-rounded two-way guy that projects as a middle-pairing defenceman. The Blues have noted prospect depth at all areas and therefore add a fairly safe pick in a kid who might be able to make the jump to pro somewhat sooner than his counterparts.

If not McKeown: Nick Schmaltz

http://whl-from-above.blogspot.ca/2014/06/nhl-mock-draft-2014-edition.html

 

[bleedblue1223]

Another RHD, I'm partly expecting that to happen, but praying it doesn't.

 

[Majorityof1]

I'd definitely pass on McKeown. we don't need RHD as that is about all we do have. Even by BPA, that is a reach. He is ranked mid to late 20s in all prospect rankings I have seen. Schmaltz is better. He's a positional need. I've seen him ranked anywhere from late teens to super early 2nd round. He would be a guy I'd love to drop to our 2nd round, pick although its highly doubtful. I wouldn't be upset with him at 21. Could be a reach, but he could also be BPA. The late first of this draft is such a crap shoot.

 

[KirkOut]

The Blues have noted prospect depth at all areas

Might want to take a look at our center pool.

 

[Majorityof1]

My take on the Blues draft.



http://whl-from-above.blogspot.ca/2014/06/nhl-mock-draft-2014-edition.html

I looked at the draft he posted. McCann, Ho-sang, Bleakley, Kempe and Schmaltz were all available and vastly superior picks to McKeown. I'd be happy with any at of those. Probably go McCann myself, but any are fine.

 

[Oberyn]

My take on the Blues draft.



http://whl-from-above.blogspot.ca/2014/06/nhl-mock-draft-2014-edition.html

This is actually a very smart prediction when you consider our scouting staff. They seem to be infatuated with RHD.

 

[Captain Creampuff]

If we draft another RHD and miss out on Stastny, Spezza, or Thornton I'd say Armstrong needs to go.

 

[thedustman]

Since there is a lot of talk of top 5 OA picks being moved this year (apparently the 5th OA is almost certainly being moved by the islanders), I'm wondering if the blues could benefit from moving up to grab a center with a player/1st round pick combo...

 

[Pop147258]

Would you guys move up?
How about 15th overall for 21 overall and 33 overall

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Would you guys move up?
How about 15th overall for 21 overall and 33 overall

I wouldn't. Not much difference in players between 15 and 45 from what I understand. Maybe if the right guy fell.

 

[Lord Helix]

Would you guys move up?
How about 15th overall for 21 overall and 33 overall

Not with the 33rd...If it was a later pick, sure...But the players that should be available at 33 are what this team needs to start restocking the pipeline.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Only reason to move up in this draft is if we think there is a can't miss top 6 center, otherwise, just keep the picks we have and we'll likely end up with prospects of the same level or similar level as the 15th pick.

 

[Majorityof1]

Would you guys move up?
How about 15th overall for 21 overall and 33 overall

Whose available at 15? Did Nylander or Dal Colle drop? Then yes. Are the top 10 guys gone and all the second tier centers like Kempe, Fabbri, Tuch, McCann, and Smaltz still available? Then no. Most pure draft pick trades to move up depend on the flow of the draft. Whether its a good trade or not depends on how the draft goes.

 

[jbron]

After the top 7, there seems to be a group of 30 or so players that could go in the first round. Most look at it like someone will be available when they select, but most teams tend to covet a guy that they might move up or back for.
Barbahev might be a good pick for the Blues. Would they trade up to 12 or so to get him probably not ,but maybe if he was there at 19 they might
depending on the cost. With this draft you might see a lot of movement with traded picks before it starts and a fair amount of movement as it progresses because of the closer rating of players past the top 7.

 

[SweetyV]

Can't believe there's like 10 days until the draft

 

[SweetyV]

Is Kempe a centre?