Our picks are in the correct wheel house for this draft. The talent really tails off at or around 100. I suppose that's true in any draft, but it seems awfully true this draft. We're scraping the barrel in the mock right now.
2018 NHL Entry Draft Thread (Less then 24 Hours Edition)
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Our picks are in the correct wheel house for this draft. The talent really tails off at or around 100. I suppose that's true in any draft, but it seems awfully true this draft. We're scraping the barrel in the mock right now.
WeThreeKings
Demidov is a HAB
There's some good goalies left right now but other than that, I agree that my assertion at the mid way point is holding up that there's just not a lot of talent in the late rounds this year. I used to be able to find a few guys from high school hockey or lesser leagues that have some qualities, but not this year. even the USHL doesn't have much outside the obvious
Habs Halifax
Loyal Habs Fan
Interesting. 10 picks from 3-128 is a big deal! I’m slacking at work today looking at prospects who might go in the late 1st or early 2nd.
O’Brien is a goal scoring center! Curious to see what he does in the NCAA next year and if he is available with the 35 and 38 picks
Another guy I noticed was Kacper Ryba.. why did he play Midget last year? The kid had 60 goals in 67 games with 36 assists (puck hog)! Anybody take him in the mock draft?
Sandin is a guy I would trade down for. Think he goes from 20-30
I want prospects that can shoot the puck!
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Yep. Goalies and over-agers. A lot of the first year eligibles just seem underdeveloped. Kind of like how Czech prospects look: talented but ''behind.'' Only, this describes Canadian prospects this year too.
I've warmed up to O'Brien. I first heard of him from Mark Edwards. In an interview he said he had him in the late first, ahead of Veleno. That made me pay attention. Then @G0bias posted some highlights, and there was a game posted of his. He's a serious prospect. I'd be pretty excited if we ended up with him in our system.
I actually didn't have the opportunity to select him in the mock, but I still would have taken David Gustafsson. He's in my top 31.
Habs Halifax
Loyal Habs Fan
There are a couple of guys I didn’t like a few months ago and I like today. Kupari is another.
Very curious to see how the 20-40 range picks end up. I think a lot of teams will want to trade down and we got the pieces to do it. 38 and 57 should get you a 25 (+/-) right? I wonder if those teams will trade down. Not sure if we should make a move like that or not
1 wouldn't. If anything, if we score another top 10 to 15 pick I would use 2nds to move up for the Finn.
Kupari is extremely raw in every aspect of playing the game. However, his tools are first rate. With Oulun Kärpät, and now with Joël Bouchard who might be responsible for his development it's worth the bet high in the draft. I have him at 17.
Habs Halifax
Loyal Habs Fan
If the Panthers are interested in trading their 1st and Mascherin for Patch, I’d take whoever is left from Kotkaniemi, Veleno, Kupari, Hayton at the 15th spot.
Not sure how desperate we need to be for one guy.. Kotkaniemi. Talked to a few Blackhawks fans and they said they prefer not to take him at 8th. Skating is a concern and he may slip to the 15 spot anyways because of it.
If he were available at 15, I would be flipping out if we didn't find a way to trade for that pick.
Habs Halifax
Loyal Habs Fan
I think Patch for the 15th pick and Mascherin is fair. Panthers would bite on that return IMO cause Patch seems to be a good fit with them.
If Kotkaniemi was available at 15, Hope Bergevin finds a way to make a deal. Panthers are not likely trading Borgstrom!
Both Zadina and Kotkaniemi would be wicket!
Dream scenario. I like Mascherin too. (drafted his team-mate Damiani in the mock)
Habs Halifax
Loyal Habs Fan
Mrb1p
PRICERSTOPDAPUCK
To be fair, hes really fast
montreal
Go Habs Go
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I'm very interested in O'Brien as I'd get to see a good bit of him next year while watching Hawkey and he's going to a well coached team that could be one of the better teams in the NCAA if their Sophomore class progresses as expected, Hawkey plays like he did in the 2nd half and O'Brien brings them solid production in the 30+ points range.
LastWordArmy
Registered User
Kotkaniemi biggest issue is his skating technique, he has the skating technique of a pee-wee player.
Terrible, you dont trade a your captain whos a 35 goal scorer for a midd round pick and a b prospect. Not saying Mascherin is a bad prospect but his value isn't there, Florida would have to add to that package. Also there's a big drop-off after #12 in this draft. I'm looking for a better prospect/young NHL'er + top 12 pick.
The Great Weal
Phil's Pizza
- Jan 15, 2015
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I answered that question? It's impossible to say because their skating issues are different, Vilardi's issue is speed and Kotkaniemi's issue is technique, it's like comparing apples to oranges.
Both players have desirable elements to their game which makes them good prospects but i've never seen a highly touted prospect like Kotkaniemi have such weak skating technique, it almost feels like he's never practiced it before which puts me on the fence with him (prospect-wise there's really no precedent).
At least with Vilardi there's other super high IQ/playmaker guys like Tavares and Getzlaf that you can look to as a successful model. Don't really see any player that is comparable to Kotkaniemi.
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- Jun 24, 2012
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I'm not trading him for a mid-round pick in that scenario. I'm trading him for Kotkaniemi and Mascherin. I'm also trading one year of Pacioretty for that, so no, not terrible.
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