2017 NHL Draft Discussion

[Reclamation Project]

"This draft isn't as awful as everyone thinks." - Ron Hextall earlier today.

 

[LAKings88]

"This draft isn't as awful as everyone thinks." - Ron Hextall earlier today.

Especially when picking 2cd overall.

 

[damacles1156]

Easy for Hextall to say.

He is getting one of the legit prospects out of it, right up front.

After the first four selections, you might as well play Russian Roulette, talent wise.

 

[AnThGrt]

Easy for Hextall to say.

He is getting one of the legit prospects out of it, right up front.

After the first four selections, you might as well play Russian Roulette, talent wise.

Top four? There is Patrick/Hischier/Heiskanen than it greatly opens up. Vilardi/Mittlestadt who I guess you are referring to are as low as 10 or later on various top scouting lists/mock drafts. Not a lot, but don't think anyone would remotely be shocked if neither were in the top 5.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I'm not even sold Heiskanen is that high. Regardless, for Hextall, it's Patrick or Hischer. They have enough d-men in the system. Then after that? It's gonna be an interesting draft from the standpoint of "whoa, #11 went at #4" and "wow Owen Tippett at 12 what a steal".

 

[LAKings88]

I'd be happy with Pettersson, Necas, or Suzuki.

I know you take BPA but I think LA needs to come out of the first round with a skilled forward.

 

[KopitarFAN]

I'd be happy with Pettersson, Necas, or Suzuki.

I know you take BPA but I think LA needs to come out of the first round with a skilled forward.

Under old management that would never happen (undersized), but with a new emphasis on a need for scoring, can't rule out Suzuki or Yamamoto, especially if they were to trade back.

 

[LAKings88]

Under old management that would never happen (undersized), but with a new emphasis on a need for scoring, can't rule out Suzuki or Yamamoto, especially if they were to trade back.

Probably. I am high on Suzuki. My gut tells me LA picks Rasmussen tho.

 

[KopitarFAN]

Probably. I am high on Suzuki. My gut tells me LA picks Rasmussen tho.

Not the worst thing in the world.

 

[deeshamrock]

Probably. I am high on Suzuki. My gut tells me LA picks Rasmussen tho.

Nice write this week on Suzuki, currently ranked in the Kings range (10-14) on most lists.

https://www.fanragsports.com/nhl/young-nick-suzuki-climbing-nhl-prospect-rankings/

Suzuki has more than just numbers, as his offensive instincts are top notch. He has great vision, which leads him to make plays in the tightest spots, and he’s smart both when he has the puck and when he’s away from it. Creating plays and scoring chances is his strong suit, but as a goalscorer he has a quick release that can fool goaltenders and his hand-eye coordination is great.

He plays well in in all three zones, and his defensive game is strong, with his high-level hockey sense allowing him to be smart about positioning and knowing when to transition to offense. He’s not afraid to play physically despite his size, and he will battle along the boards for the puck or for position at the front of the net.

I like Rasmussen, and I think he'd be a good fit. But I don't think he'll be there at 11. Depending on the scouting list, he's anywhere from 5 to 8.
But as we've seen in past years, that doesn't always mean that is where the player goes. You never know what a GM does and his pick affecting the rest.
I know they need a center, so I would go center first. But I wonder if Blake /Luc go for best player available or best player available from their own draft list (need)

 

[pled]

how many second pick would you take to swap from 11 to 24 ?

 

[KopitarFAN]

how many second pick would you take to swap from 11 to 24 ?

May only take the one 2nd rounder (in the Top 40), or two 3rd rounders.

 

[pled]

May only take the one 2nd rounder (in the Top 40), or two 3rd rounders.

detroit fan wouldn't take 3 second for the 9th. 2 outside the top 40 would be ok for you ?

 

[Kingsfan1]

I really want Suzuki after doing some research. His numbers are incredible , he is one of the youngest in the draft and his defensive game is even being praised even though he is a goal scorer. Please make it happen Blakey

 

[pled]

I really want Suzuki after doing some research. His numbers are incredible , he is one of the youngest in the draft and his defensive game is even being praised even though he is a goal scorer. Please make it happen Blakey

I would do anything to go up in the draft and draft him so good luck

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I get the feeling he's going to be one of the 'surprise' risers due to oozing skill. There are a plethora of big two-way guys available but not so many skill guys

 

[palffytofrovlov]

Futa is still very connected to Owen Sound, Kings have 2 prospects there have probably seen and know everything about Suzuki

 

[KopitarFAN]

detroit fan wouldn't take 3 second for the 9th. 2 outside the top 40 would be ok for you ?

I would at least consider 24th, 68th & 78th for 11th, would certainly do 24th & 34th for 11th.

Picking where they are to begin with, they aren't getting an elite talent, might do better to have a greater volume of picks and restock.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Thanks for posting the article on Suzuki, Ziggy.

I can get on board for making him a King. What's not to like, except his size?
he's only 17 and may be 6' 195 in 2 years. Even if not, he sounds tenacious,
smart, plays physical and has great instincts, so size will not hold him back.
His game keeps improving, lots of skill, assistant cpt, scored 23 pts in 17 playoff games. Can play ctr or rw. 'smartest player on the ice' quote by his coach - Yannetti highly values hockey IQ.

He seems to be moving up charts, is #10 on Button's list in March (I can't find a more recent one for Button) but Button has Heiskanen at 11 and Tippett at 20. Both of them should be gone by the Kings pick. Mynhldraft has Suzuki at 18 and ISS has him at 17.
A good chance Suzuki will be available at 11. If not, that means a top 7-10 will fall to #11.

Button has Poehling at 9, so his list is a bit whack, it seems. Plus, he probably has Heiskanen higher now.

 

[Basilisk]

Thanks for posting the article on Suzuki, Ziggy.

I can get on board for making him a King. What's not to like, except his size?

Wasn't this the same rationale with Oscar Moller? Then he got hit. And then Oscar was never the same.


No thanks. I'll pass on the small fries. Too much risk of extreme breakability.

 

[King'sPawn]

Wasn't this the same rationale with Oscar Moller? Then he got hit. And then Oscar was never the same.


No thanks. I'll pass on the small fries. Too much risk of extreme breakability.

He's 5'11. The same size as Claude Giroux, Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, and other highly skilled and successful players. In fact, Suzuki reads a lot like Giroux to me.

And he's bigger than Andrew Cogliano, who hasn't missed a single game in his NHL career, and the current ironman.

 

[damacles1156]

BPA,

No one really sticks out, It's just a giant crap shoot.

 

[Legionnaire]

BPA,

No one really sticks out, It's just a giant crap shoot.

If it's a crap shoot, how do you know who is BPA?

If it's relatively equal, do you fill a need?

If they're equal do you draft size over skill? Rasmussen over Suzuki?

This will be and interesting draft.

 

[Mattias]

If it's a crap shoot, how do you know who is BPA?

If it's relatively equal, do you fill a need?

If they're equal do you draft size over skill? Rasmussen over Suzuki?

This will be and interesting draft.

Just rely on your scouting department to make the best possible choice on who they feel is the best player available.