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

[Emerica]

Just stop ....Its ok to have a different opinion ,and just because mine is different from yours doesnt make it wrong ...Please try to remember this

Is this not a discussion board? If you’re going to take an unusal stance on a subject you should be willing to debate about it.

Pinning this atrocious season on the offence isn’t fair at all. We need help everywhere. IN MY OPINION(), you make sure you add the best talent on your team and then you work around him.

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

You know sad thing is I won't even be that excited if we get Dahlin or Svechnikov but lose Karlsson.

 

[aragorn]

I don't think it has been stated anywhere that Tkachuk would leave school early to play next yr. I would not be surprised at all if he stayed in school for another yr or two.

IMO Dahlin & Svechnikov could probably jump right into the NHL next season, they both have enough size & weight to deal with the gruel & the skill to be effective in the right situation.

 

[BondraTime]

It's also not a coincidence so many of our picks the last 3 years have ties to the Maritimes, take that as you will.

 

[topshelf15]

Is this not a discussion board? If you’re going to take an unusal stance on a subject you should be willing to debate about it.

Pinning this atrocious season on the offence isn’t fair at all. We need help everywhere. IN MY OPINION(), you make sure you add the best talent on your team and then you work around him.

Yep and iam of the opinion we need a physical shut down top 4 defender,and at least one elite forward..Added to the mix next season,for us to try and at least turn this team around

 

[Joeyjoejoe]

His skill level is unbelievable. Producing good numbers in the second best league worldwide as a teenager.

Seems like the type of player we should target with Pitts late first. Could be our Kuznetsov, Kucherov or Tolvenen or at worse a Burakovsky.

A big, skilled winger that can play up and down the lineup and provide scoring in a number of roles. He brings grit and physical size, but could be more assertive in throwing his weight around more. Displays excellent speed on the rush and in zone entry, but could backcheck quicker. Plays well in his own end and takes away lanes. Very good hands and awareness. Kravtsov has the potential to develop into a staple top six forward that can produce at the next level. [EP]

Too bad its a russian playing in russia -100% chance we even consider him.

 

[coladin]

In the grand scheme of how draft picks work, and how some prospects simply don't pan out, would it be so bad if Brady Tkachuk became a more skilled Mike Fisher? We don't have anyone who plays like that on this team. How about a 50-60pt player that crashes, bangs, irritates, fights. He could change the complexion of this team, which needs changing.

I don't think any of our prospects have the ultimate flashiness of Svech or Zadina, but I am not sure how they will play in a man's league, the rigors that go along with it. Could those guys end up like Filatov? Yakupov?

I think that while Tkachuk's ceiling may be lower, he may actually achieve his ceiling. I am not a fan of the pie in the sky evaluation, where some the sky seems to be the limit.

Batherson, Formenton getting the puck from Brown and Tkachuk. Sounds nice!

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

You would think so...But we need far better forwards for sure,they are one of the main reason as to why this team failed....

I’d say defense and goaltending are farrrrr bigger the reason we failed than forwards. Far bigger.

 

[BondraTime]

In the grand scheme of how draft picks work, and how some prospects simply don't pan out, would it be so bad if Brady Tkachuk became a more skilled Mike Fisher? We don't have anyone who plays like that on this team. How about a 50-60pt player that crashes, bangs, irritates, fights. He could change the complexion of this team, which needs changing.

I don't think any of our prospects have the ultimate flashiness of Svech or Zadina, but I am not sure how they will play in a man's league, the rigors that go along with it. Could those guys end up like Filatov? Yakupov?

I think that while Tkachuk's ceiling may be lower, he may actually achieve his ceiling. I am not a fan of the pie in the sky evaluation, where some the sky seems to be the limit.

Batherson, Formenton getting the puck from Brown and Tkachuk. Sounds nice!

Well yes, it would. It's the highest pick they have had in 2 decades. They need to get a game breaker.

If the think that Brady is that, perfect. If they think he's a 50-60 point guy in his prime, we should look elsewhere.

And where is this myth that Svechnikov is flashy? He scores his goals in pretty much every possible way, and he drives the net like/better than Tkachuk. The only thing he doesn't do that Tkachuk "does" (he hasn't, it's just assumed he does) is fight and irritate.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

In the grand scheme of how draft picks work, and how some prospects simply don't pan out, would it be so bad if Brady Tkachuk became a more skilled Mike Fisher? We don't have anyone who plays like that on this team. How about a 50-60pt player that crashes, bangs, irritates, fights. He could change the complexion of this team, which needs changing.

I don't think any of our prospects have the ultimate flashiness of Svech or Zadina, but I am not sure how they will play in a man's league, the rigors that go along with it. Could those guys end up like Filatov? Yakupov?

I think that while Tkachuk's ceiling may be lower, he may actually achieve his ceiling. I am not a fan of the pie in the sky evaluation, where some the sky seems to be the limit.

Batherson, Formenton getting the puck from Brown and Tkachuk. Sounds nice!

That's what being a good amateur scout is all about. Looking at specific aspects of a player and projecting them 1,2,3 or more years out. I hope they take Svechnikov at 2 if their pick falls there, but at 3 to 7 or 8 ... Picking any one of Zadina, Dobson, Wahlstrom, Boqvist or Tkachuk is fine by me and I will trust Dorion and Mann to make the choice based on their scouting abilities. IMO Svechnikov is a tier above those players and Dahlin is a tier above Svechnikov. Maybe not quite as strong in the top 10 but to me its like 2015 with McDavid at the top, then Eichel, then the rest of the top 10.

 

[branch]

I don't think it has been stated anywhere that Tkachuk would leave school early to play next yr. I would not be surprised at all if he stayed in school for another yr or two.

IMO Dahlin & Svechnikov could probably jump right into the NHL next season, they both have enough size & weight to deal with the gruel & the skill to be effective in the right situation.

For sure. I think you could also extend that to Tkachuk (who I don't think will be in the NCAA next year if he makes the show), Zadina, and Wahlstrom quite easily.

@BondraTime how does Zadina compare to Hischier and do you see Dobson being ready to play in the NHL next year?

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

I don't think it has been stated anywhere that Tkachuk would leave school early to play next yr. I would not be surprised at all if he stayed in school for another yr or two.

IMO Dahlin & Svechnikov could probably jump right into the NHL next season, they both have enough size & weight to deal with the gruel & the skill to be effective in the right situation.

Zadina is 6' 200lbs good size
Wahlstrom 6'1" 200 lbs good size
Tkachuk 6'3" 200 lbs good size

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

These Drafting Europe guys have not been too kind to Boqvist in their rankings
2018 Draft April Top 10 – Draftin Europe
These rankings are from Europe only, no north american players here

RANK	PLAYER	POSITION	NATION	TEAM	VALUE
1	Rasmus Dahlin	D	SWE	Frolunda (SHL)	1st overall
2	Jesperi Kotkaniemi	W/C	FIN	Assat (Liiga)	top 8
3	Grigori Denisenko	LW	RUS	Loko (MHL)	top 15
4	Vitali Kravtsov	RW	RUS	Traktor (KHL)	top 15
5	Jacob Olofsson	C	SWE	Timra (Allsvenskan)	Top 20
6	Adam Boqvist	D	SWE	Brynas (J20)	Top 20
7	Martin Kaut	W/C	CZE	Pardubice (CZE)	Top 20
8	Jesse Ylonen	RW	FIN	Espoo (Mestis)	1st
9	Filip Hallander	LW/RW	SWE	Timra (Allsvenskan)	1st
10	Dominik Bokk	RW	GER	Vaxjo (J20)	1st

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

I am hoping for Oloffson or Akil Thomas with the Pens pick... but I have heard good things about Kaut as well.

 

[BondraTime]

These Drafting Europe guys have not been too kind to Boqvist in their rankings
2018 Draft April Top 10 – Draftin Europe
These rankings are from Europe only, no north american players here

RANK	PLAYER	POSITION	NATION	TEAM	VALUE
1	Rasmus Dahlin	D	SWE	Frolunda (SHL)	1st overall
2	Jesperi Kotkaniemi	W/C	FIN	Assat (Liiga)	top 8
3	Grigori Denisenko	LW	RUS	Loko (MHL)	top 15
4	Vitali Kravtsov	RW	RUS	Traktor (KHL)	top 15
5	Jacob Olofsson	C	SWE	Timra (Allsvenskan)	Top 20
6	Adam Boqvist	D	SWE	Brynas (J20)	Top 20
7	Martin Kaut	W/C	CZE	Pardubice (CZE)	Top 20
8	Jesse Ylonen	RW	FIN	Espoo (Mestis)	1st
9	Filip Hallander	LW/RW	SWE	Timra (Allsvenskan)	1st
10	Dominik Bokk	RW	GER	Vaxjo (J20)	1st

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

I am hoping for Oloffson or Akil Thomas with the Pens pick... but I have heard good things about Kaut as well.

It really doesn't surprise me, Boqvist or Kotkaniemi.

Though it's only one ranking, doesn't mean all that much.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

It really doesn't surprise me, Boqvist or Kotkaniemi.

Though it's only one ranking, doesn't mean all that much.

I noticed Kotkaniemi.. Video from the 5 nations 2018 but the voice over seems to be from before that

 

[topshelf15]

I’d say defense and goaltending are farrrrr bigger the reason we failed than forwards. Far bigger.

The forwards outside of 2 or 3 are pretty terrible,we have no scoring depth ...Our forwards cant maintain offensive zone pressure,and are weak in the defensive zone,lots of things are wrong with this team but the forwards are a major reason as to why

 

[TheBradyBunch]

The Draft Analyst | 2018 NHL Draft Rankings: Top 250 Overagers

Anyone, in particular, we should be looking at? We've had decent good luck with overage players recently: Batherson, Wolanin, Jaros. Some misses, too, but that's somewhat expected in the late rounds.

 

[BondraTime]

The Draft Analyst | 2018 NHL Draft Rankings: Top 250 Overagers

Anyone, in particular, we should be looking at? We've had decent good luck with overage players recently: Batherson, Wolanin, Jaros. Some misses, too, but that's somewhat expected in the late rounds.

Joel Teasdale

 

[Burrowsaurus]

I liked the highlight pack of Denisenko. Will predictably probably be the steal of the first round.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

The Draft Analyst | 2018 NHL Draft Rankings: Top 250 Overagers

Anyone, in particular, we should be looking at? We've had decent good luck with overage players recently: Batherson, Wolanin, Jaros. Some misses, too, but that's somewhat expected in the late rounds.

I noticed Daniel Kurovsky at the WJC .. He is a big Czech Left winger 6'4 214 Right hand shot.
also Kristien Rychel another Czech from the WJC played in Red Deer this year 34 goals in 63 games

 

[TheBradyBunch]

I noticed Daniel Kurovsky at the WJC .. He is a big Czech Left winger 6'4 214 Right hand shot.
also Kristien Rychel another Czech from the WJC played in Red Deer this year 34 goals in 63 games

Kristian Reichel* is actually Robert Reichel's son. Seems like he will be drafted in the 3rd or 4th round, most likely. Could definitely be worth a look.

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

His skill level is unbelievable. Producing good numbers in the second best league worldwide as a teenager.

He has IT.

 

[derriko]

Would someone like to tell me about Wahlstrom? Out of the top 9, he’s the only one I know nothing about. I had to google his name to make sure I even spelled it correctly haha.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Would someone like to tell me about Wahlstrom? Out of the top 9, he’s the only one I know nothing about. I had to google his name to make sure I even spelled it correctly haha.

start with this

Oliver Wahlstrom
Oliver Wahlstrom Scouting Report: 2018 NHL Draft

 

[DJB]

So Pens pick is 21 unless they go to Conference finals. (Which they will but we can only hope they wont).