NHL Entry Draft 2018 Draft - Prospect Discussion (Poll added)

[Joeyjoejoe]

I don't think there is a team that needs Tkachuk more than the Ottawa Senators. Such a soft, easy team to play against up front. I would be happy with a flashy forward, but I like our prospects on their way up, and none of them have any jam up front.

Yeah no, we need a game breaking forward than some goon that gives you 40-50 points. This is isn't 2007 anymore.

 

[aragorn]

If you don't think Dobson has game breaking talent I don't know what to say...

He's the best defensive D in the Q, by quite a bit, at 17 years old, while putting up more than a point a game on a team without any high point scorers.

He's a 6-3 mobile Defenceman who has elite IQ, great vision, great puck skills and shuts down the best offensive guys night in night out.

He's going to be a 6-3, 205, all situations 25+ minute a game #1 D.

But no, not flashy like Hughes

Why do you rank Dobson higher than Bouchard when Bouchard is ranked higher on almost every pole I have seen? They are similar in size, Bouchard has more pts, plays QB on the PP, can also shut down other team's best players & is a pretty good skater too. Why would you pick Dobson over Bouchard?

Good thing we're paying almost 6M next year for Smith and Burrows. Need that jam.

Hopefully we stay away from any game breaking skilled forwards. It would be such a shame if we were better than 27th overall on the PP, 25th overall in total offense, and 30th in shot attempt differential.

We're 7th in hits for though. Gotta break into that top 5 and challenge Montreal and Edmonton for the top spot.

Why the sarcasm? Ottawa had most of these same players a few yrs ago when they were ranked 5th highest scoring team in the NHL but that would have been before GB came along & implemented his defence first system. I blame him for a lot of Ottawa's troubles. And why can't we have both scorers & hitters on this team, a number of teams have pushed this team around & when they do this team seems to wilt under tougher or rougher competition.

Of course, they could use more goal scorers, I bet every team would like more but we need to get more scoring from the guys we have as well. Adding more goal scorers would help & we have some coming with our prospects but so would adding some more toughness to this lineup to help out some of these soft scorers who seem to disappear every time the going gets tough. Some one has to make room for them out there, they don't seem able to do it themselves. I'd be happy with Svechnikov or Tkachuk in this coming draft or Bouchard for that matter, if we drop to 5th.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

I don't think there is a team that needs Tkachuk more than the Ottawa Senators. Such a soft, easy team to play against up front. I would be happy with a flashy forward, but I like our prospects on their way up, and none of them have any jam up front.

The Sens can use more skill up front, they can use a down low physical player like Tkachuk, they can use an upgrade at the 2C position, they can use a whole host of better defensemen, and they can use better goal tending... making a case based on need is not hard at any position , or any type of player that can excel.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Why do you rank Dobson higher than Bouchard when Bouchard is ranked higher on almost every pole I have seen? They are similar in size, Bouchard has more pts, plays QB on the PP, can also shut down other team's best players & is a pretty good skater too. Why would you pick Dobson over Bouchard?

Things I have heard or read .. I have only seen these players twice, so too small a sample size. Both played really well in my viewings.
1. Dobson is better defensively
2. Dobson skates better; better edges, better acceleration and speed
3. Dobson has better overall IQ .. (Both ends of the rink)

Bouchard and Dobson are both big minute eaters .. Bouchard arguably edge offensively. I think playing and excelling for London in the OHL also gets him noticed more by a lot of the people posting their rankings ..

 

[SPF6ty9]

The Sens can use more skill up front, they can use a down low physical player like Tkachuk, they can use an upgrade at the 2C position, they can use a whole host of better defensemen, and they can use better goal tending... making a case based on need is not hard at any position , or any type of player that can excel.

I'm with you, best player available. It's hockey. Unless you've got Nashville's defense then you can really make room for a good player anywhere.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

I don't know if I have stated this yet. its an irrational fear based on a crazy comparison that jumped in my head when watching him.. but I see rundblad in dahlin. that nonchalantness and wavy stickhandling/movement that looks great on big ice but much harder to get away with on small ice against man-beasts.

S.O.S.

So you don't like Wahlstrom, you don't seem very high in Zadina, and now you are putting out an SOS on Dahlin... So Who do you like , in what order?

 

[Hale The Villain]

If you don't think Dobson has game breaking talent I don't know what to say...

He's the best defensive D in the Q, by quite a bit, at 17 years old, while putting up more than a point a game on a team without any high point scorers.

He's a 6-3 mobile Defenceman who has elite IQ, great vision, great puck skills and shuts down the best offensive guys night in night out.

He's going to be a 6-3, 205, all situations 25+ minute a game #1 D.

But no, not flashy like Hughes

Very high praise.

Interesting that you say he's the best defensive D in the Q, as in my viewings of him his defensive game has been hit and miss. I'm sure you've seen him more often than me though.

When I watched him most of his struggles in the D zone had to do with compete level, which can be taught out of his game. Chabot had the same problem in his draft year as I recall.

I see him developing into a very good defensive player though with his size, speed and smarts. Hard to struggle defensively with all the tools in the world and a toolbox to match.

 

[aragorn]

The Sens can use more skill up front, they can use a down low physical player like Tkachuk, they can use an upgrade at the 2C position, they can use a whole host of better defensemen, and they can use better goal tending... making a case based on need is not hard at any position , or any type of player that can excel.

Of course you are right & let's look at the whole picture & where we are now & where this team could be in the future. Today we are in 30th place, we could get one position worse but chances are they will improve with some of the proposed changes that are coming. The 2C position you mentioned could & likely will eventually be filled by Brown, would you agree? The 3C & 4th line centre could be filled internally eventually by either the guys they have now or their prospects, no need to trade or draft a 3C or 4C, would you agree? Who knows how long it will take our prospects or anyone we draft this yr to contribute in any kind of meaningful way next yr? It may take a couple of yrs, if not monger.

Svechnikov would give Ottawa another goal scorer on the right side to compliment Stone, Ryan does now, if he isn't playing with Stone & isn't injured. Tkachuk would give Ottawa some much needed jam to compliment or support Hoffman's scoring ability on the left side in the top 6, Dzingel has done that this yr. Add to that some of the other prospects who should be able to increase scoring on this team in White, Chlapik, Batherson, Formenton & maybe Gagne & Luchuk, who knows really? On defence Chabot should increase his scoring potential each yr & maybe one of or a couple of Wolanin, Lajoie, Harpur, Jaros or even Pokka help to add some scoring from the back end. Again who knows, we can only hope one or two become elite? What it looks like to me is that we need to get rid of a number of players on the roster sooner rather than later to get these prospects in there to replace them & hope they do better.

The most important position is where this team needs to improve the most & quite frankly that is the one position where we may not see a change soon enough. Who knows how long it will take for Gustavsson or Hogberg to play in Ottawa & whether it will be before Anderson & Condon's contracts expire? If Ottawa gets the same kind of goaltending next yr that they got this yr, then I don't see much improvement with this team. Those two have to be better for this team to be better or replaced sooner rather than later too.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Evan Bouchard Scouting Report: 2018 NHL Draft #10

take it or leave it ... its some more info on Bouchard.
More of their scouting reports here... NHL Draft Archives - Last Word on Hockey

They have Bouchard 10, Tkachuk 9, Smith 8, Dobson 7, Hughes 6, Wahlstrom 5, Boqvist 4...

I think the top 3 are more universally ranked and there is quite a bit of variance in the 4-10 spots. For those that have watched Boqvist , its easy to really like him.. I think the same for Hughes, other than at the WJC this year.. He is easy to like if you like skill and offensive qb play from your D. Someone on the main boards said... you'd never have to worry about your zone entries again ... Dobson can move ahead of those two based on his size and his defensive play; while having very good skating, IQ, and offensive play. Both Boqvist and Hughes are excellent skaters and have excellent offensive IQ. If we are not in the top 3 (assuming Zadina is 3rd),. I think I would go Wahlstom but ... I am not glued to it and I can see the case for any of these guys. I want to watch the U18 wc to have a chance to see quite a few of these prospects including Wahlstom, Smith, Boqvist, Olofsson, Kotkaniemi and more. Good chance to get a glimpse of some of the talent that will be in next years draft as well. Tychonick , Noel and McBain possible later 1sts are also playing.

Hockey Canada announces training camp roster for IIHF U18 World Championship
U.S. National Under-18 Team - 2017-18 Regular Season - Roster
Sweden U18
Finland U18 (all)

 

[Blarginator]

Since we probably end up picking between 1 and 6, I'd be happy with Dahlin, Svechnikov, Dobson or Zadina. Don't know enough about the rest to form an opinion about them. I think I'd prefer a dman since we don't have much coming up in that area.

 

[Cosmix]

Evan Bouchard Scouting Report: 2018 NHL Draft #10

take it or leave it ... its some more info on Bouchard.
More of their scouting reports here... NHL Draft Archives - Last Word on Hockey

They have Bouchard 10, Tkachuk 9, Smith 8, Dobson 7, Hughes 6, Wahlstrom 5, Boqvist 4...

I think the top 3 are more universally ranked and there is quite a bit of variance in the 4-10 spots. For those that have watched Boqvist , its easy to really like him.. I think the same for Hughes, other than at the WJC this year.. He is easy to like if you like skill and offensive qb play from your D. Someone on the main boards said... you'd never have to worry about your zone entries again ... Dobson can move ahead of those two based on his size and his defensive play; while having very good skating, IQ, and offensive play. Both Boqvist and Hughes are excellent skaters and have excellent offensive IQ. If we are not in the top 3 (assuming Zadina is 3rd),. I think I would go Wahlstom but ... I am not glued to it and I can see the case for any of these guys. I want to watch the U18 wc to have a chance to see quite a few of these prospects including Wahlstom, Smith, Boqvist, Olofsson, Kotkaniemi and more. Good chance to get a glimpse of some of the talent that will be in next years draft as well. Tychonick , Noel and McBain possible later 1sts are also playing.

Hockey Canada announces training camp roster for IIHF U18 World Championship
U.S. National Under-18 Team - 2017-18 Regular Season - Roster
Sweden U18
Finland U18 (all)

Sometimes I think the “best” pick at any draft position is most likely going to be the player who is available at the time of the pick who is identified by several different prospect rating services as the best pick available at that point in time (i.e., the consensus pick).

Last year, using this criteria, the best pick for the Senators at their draft position would have been Tolvainen, not Bowers.

I have not seen an assessment done by any analytics service that would prove this out, but I do not think you would sacrifice much from following that approach.

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

I would have to agree. This team is shy to gamble on gamebreaking talent. Tkachuk/Wahlstrom in that spot would be great. They both would make an impact next year.

what about Tkachuk is game breaking?

I'm more worried about Bouchard than Dobson.

Dobson has plus skating and Bouchard doesn't.

 

[branch]

what about Tkachuk is game breaking?

I'm more worried about Bouchard than Dobson.

Dobson has plus skating and Bouchard doesn't.

Tkachuk can finish. He is a freak down low and has an elite shot. I like Dobson way better than Bouchard too.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

That's what worries me about this draft. There seems to be little distinguishing picks 4 to around 11 or so. Picking 3-5th could end up with the worst player in the top 10 a few years down the line. The way things are going this year, it feels like we'll drop to 4/5th, then select the "Dylan McIlrath" of the top 10.

 

[DJB]

I still really like E Bouchard . He's overworked , over player and exhausted. But his passing and ability to make plays, wonderful fakes then dishes the puck is a treat to watch. Also has an absolute cannon from the point and loves to shoot.

I really like him

 

[Que]

We've already drafted Tkachuck 5th overall.

Due to this relativity stuff, we just don't realize it yet.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

So you don't like Wahlstrom, you don't seem very high in Zadina, and now you are putting out an SOS on Dahlin... So Who do you like , in what order?

Svechnikov, Hughes. List end.

 

[coladin]

Good thing we're paying almost 6M next year for Smith and Burrows. Need that jam.

Hopefully we stay away from any game breaking skilled forwards. It would be such a shame if we were better than 27th overall on the PP, 25th overall in total offense, and 30th in shot attempt differential.

We're 7th in hits for though. Gotta break into that top 5 and challenge Montreal and Edmonton for the top spot.

Those players jam are well past their the date. There is fungus growing on that jam.

Need a fresh jar of jam that won' expire until 2028

 

[coladin]

I don't know about zadina.. from what I saw at the wjcs to what I saw in 2 games in the Q (obviously miniscule sample) to what now Bondratime is saying about scouts getting a liiiiiiiittttttllle more cold on him (or at least getting a lot warmer on other players more so than zadina) im not sure I was be ecstatic with zadina.... its just been too much wjc hype, a couple slappers on the PP and a few goals that the goalies should have had.

Same . Zadina would be the last I would pick in that group. I don't think he will translate well into the NHL.

Tkachuk I think will. He was raised around it... his brother is in it and he can figure it out quite early what it takes to play in the NHL.

 

[Tnuoc Alucard]

The Sens can use more skill up front, they can use a down low physical player like Tkachuk, they can use an upgrade at the 2C position, they can use a whole host of better defensemen, and they can use better goal tending... making a case based on need is not hard at any position , or any type of player that can excel.

Sounds like the Senators need a lot of upgrades at a lot of positions.

If only there was a way to trade for all these players/prospects in one big trade

 

[Mingus Dew]

Sounds like the Senators need a lot of upgrades at a lot of positions.

If only there was a way to trade for all these players/prospects in one big trade

I’m sure that trading our 1D will result in no holes and will not diminish our already league-worst defence, right?

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Same . Zadina would be the last I would pick in that group. I don't think he will translate well into the NHL.

Tkachuk I think will. He was raised around it... his brother is in it and he can figure it out quite early what it takes to play in the NHL.

Tkatchuk was a guy I actually saw dominate at the wjcs. Every shifts he was a factor. I wouldn’t mind him at 4.

 

[BondraTime]

The only disappointment anyone should feel is that "your" guy never got picked.

There should be no disappointment with the guy we actually choose, there is a tier from 3-8 that are interchangeable.

I feel more than safe deferring to Mann and Dorion on the draft floor, whoever we choose is going to be a gamer.

 

[Mingus Dew]

The only disappointment anyone should feel is that "your" guy never got picked.

There should be no disappointment with the guy we actually choose, there is a tier from 3-8 that are interchangeable.

I feel more than safe deferring to Mann and Dorion on the draft floor, whoever we choose is going to be a gamer.

You’ve got me kind of hyped of Dobson tbh. A back end of Chabot, Dobson and Karlsson (please God) makes me giddy.

 

[SAK11]

Tkachuk can finish. He is a freak down low and has an elite shot. I like Dobson way better than Bouchard too.

I don't think he has an elite shot. He can shoot hard but not exceptionally hard, and he doesn't put it where it needs to go nearly enough, just 8 goals in 40 games. Most of the highlights I watched showed him scoring down low near the net- he uses his size well. A lot of his better highlights were passes, actually.

This sort of reminds me of when Crouse got top 5 hype. That's not to say he'll struggle as much as Crouse has early, but they were both seen as well rounded, big strong forwards with great intangibles. Tkachuk plays a more abrasive style but I think both of them lack the offensive instincts and creativity that you'd want from a highly drafted forward. Formenton is like this as well- he plays fast and physical and typically makes the right play, but not necessarily the great/best play available. I don't think it's right to assume that with Brady, you're essentially getting a player at the level of his brother. Matthew has better offensive instincts. I don't think Brady will be as productive as his brother in the NHL.