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2018 NHL Entry Draft Thread (Less then 24 Hours Edition)

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TT1 said:
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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I was actually asking if you had Vilardi at 3rd overall, because I don't remember precisely. I just thought it was germane to the discussion of Kotkaniemi, since Vilardi is also a terrible skater, but a highly touted prospect. I don't really think it's apples to oranges: they both move like pregnant yaks compared to a lot of other top prospects.

There are aspects of Kotkaniemi's skating which are actually assets, however. He has good top speed, and good lateral agility, but his speed out of the blocks is...egregious. I'm willing to work with that.

I'm also not sure what to make of the high IQ playmaker comment. That's what Kotkaniemi is. He's very clever, and very pass fixated. He just also happens to be capable of putting a tonne of rubber on net, too.

Runner77 said:
If Kotkaniemi is so flawed as a skater, why do some here still lump him into the same tier as Zadina? Is it only on account of his potential to play center? And even that is not a sure thing, he could end up being a winger too.
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It's because he's really good at hockey.
 
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NotProkofievian said:
I was actually asking if you had Vilardi at 3rd overall, because I don't remember precisely. I just thought it was germane to the discussion of Kotkaniemi, since Vilardi is also a terrible skater, but a highly touted prospect. I don't really think it's apples to oranges: they both move like pregnant yaks compared to a lot of other top prospects.

There are aspects of Kotkaniemi's skating which are actually assets, however. He has good top speed, and good lateral agility, but his speed out of the blocks is...egregious. I'm willing to work with that.

I'm also not sure what to make of the high IQ playmaker comment. That's what Kotkaniemi is. He's very clever, and very pass fixated. He just also happens to be capable of putting a tonne of rubber on net, too.



It's because he's really good at hockey.
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Yea i had Vilardi at 3 cus i saw a lot of him in his draft year and i pretty much liked everything about his game minus his skating. It's harder to tell with guys like Pettersson (and the other EU prospects) for me because i only see them play in international tourneys, it makes it way harder to get a clear picture of them.

For Kotkaniemi in particular i'd really like to see way more of his games (other than his international games), i can't which is why i can't be as high on him as others are. His talent makes him a good pick for me at 10-12 but i can't justify picking him over a surefire stud like Zadina, it's way too risky imo. The top 12 in this draft is stacked tho.

I'd move Pacioretty for #12 + someone good and pick any 1 of the big 12 prospects (Zadina/Bouchard/Svechnikov/Dobson/Boqvist/Hughes/Smith/Wahlstrom/Tkachuk/Dahlin/Farabee/Kotkaniemi, Kravtsov looks intriguing as well but i haven't seen him play enough).
 
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TT1 said:
Yea i had Vilardi at 3 cus i saw a lot of him in his draft year and i pretty much liked everything about his game minus his skating. It's harder to tell with guys like Pettersson (and the other EU prospects) for me because i only see them play in international tourneys, it makes it way harder to get a clear picture of someone.

For Kotkaniemi in particular i'd really like to see way more of his games (other than his international games), i can't which is why i can't be as high on him as others are. His talent makes him a good pick for me at 10-12 but i can't justify picking him over a surefire stud like Zadina, it's way too risky imo.
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That's fair. I've seen a lot more of him and so I feel safer putting him at 6. But Zadina is still firmly ahead for me. I think he gets really underrated around here. But to me, these prospects aren't cut from different cloths. Only Dahlin and Svechnikov are in this draft, IMO. But I basically expect Zadina to be a top line winger. Kotkaniemi's just a good bet.
 
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Its much easier to teach technique than it is to make a technically sound but slow skater, fast. Technique is always the attribute that is easiest to acquire, all it needs is teaching and practice. Getting faster because youre not predisposed physically to be fast is pretty much a lost cause at 18.

Plus Kotkaniemi aint even a bad skater, hes good in tight, he has great edge work and his top end is good. Hes like Galchenyuk if he had better edgework.
 
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I've watched enough of Kotkaniemi to claim that skating is not an issue at all with him and it won't hold him back in the NHL. He has good strenght, balance, edge work, agility and enough straight line speed to succeed. He is just a very ugly looking skater. His hockey IQ and shot is making me think he has top line potential. He does look a bit like Kopitar in term of style.
 
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JeffreyLFC said:
I've watched enough of Kotkaniemi to claim that skating is not an issue at all with him and it won't hold him back in the NHL. He has good strenght, balance, edge work, agility and enough straight line speed to succeed. He is just a very ugly looking skater. His hockey IQ and shot is making me think he has top line potential. He does look a bit like Kopitar in term of style.
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Does he project as a center? I've seen several comments here saying that he could just as well be a winger.
 
NotProkofievian said:
Let's see...

I wouldn't say that he's not the greatest at ice based athletic contests.
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Runner77 said:
If Kotkaniemi is so flawed as a skater, why do some here still lump him into the same tier as Zadina? Is it only on account of his potential to play center? And even that is not a sure thing, he could end up being a winger too.
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Kotkienemi is a very well rounded offensive threat and he really looks like a C to me (and others I think). He definitely can play with elite players and he is able to create off the rush, off the cycle and on the PP. He's got good size and really good hockey sense... he's gritty and steps up his play at key times. There is a lot to like. I think he projects as a top C... if things don't work out great he ends up as Turris... if they go very well maybe Schiefele...? Centres take a little longer as we know very well here in Montreal... he's not as polished as Zadina, but if the Habs believe in him I don't mind them taking him at 3.
 
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montreal said:
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.
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O’Brien seems like a solid pick. Not sure he will be available at 35 or 38. Hope we can get a talent like this with those picks
 
It’s just way too hard to predict how good Katkaniemi will be in 1 to 2 years from now. So I think we still need to take Zadina but boy will it ever sting if he turns into a Kopitar.

Funny.. imagine if we didn’t win the 3rd lottery and we got the 6th pick. Kotkaniemi for sure at that point right?
 
ToLegitToQuit said:
It’s just way too hard to predict how good Katkaniemi will be in 1 to 2 years from now. So I think we still need to take Zadina but boy will it ever sting if he turns into a Kopitar.

Funny.. imagine if we didn’t win the 3rd lottery and we got the 6th pick. Kotkaniemi for sure at that point right?
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Id rather get a chance at getting a top 6 C that could turn out to be a top 6 W rather than a top 6 W. Its just not a debate imo
 
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You should go on the main board to read the comments about Quinn Hughes.

That guy is amazing......honestly I think he is the second best player in this draft easily.

He was unbelievable against the men in the world championship and he is by far the smartest and the best skater of this draft.

He would give a hell of a show at the bell center.
 
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Plus, yeah, JK looks like a C, plays like a C, has the pro frame of a C, attributes a C needs, etc. Theres just no reason he cant play C.

Kotkaniemis production, his tools, his frame, his feistiness, his age and his versatility all play in favor of him. Hes the perfect prospect for the Habs
 
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ToLegitToQuit said:
Fair. You take Kotkaniemi with the 3rd pick? If so, that’s a bold move.

I’m undecided but leaning towards Zadina
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I still have Boqvist ahead of him but id be really tempted. Hes a pro player through and through
The type of player coaches and fans love, hes basically what people hoped Eller would become, in fact he has really similar tools to Eller, hes just a lot smarter and has a better finishing touch.
 
Mrb1p said:
I still have Boqvist ahead of him but id be really tempted. Hes a pro player through and through
The type of player coaches and fans love, hes basically what people hoped Eller would become, in fact he has really similar tools to Eller, hes just a lot smarter and has a better finishing touch.
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Draft day will be very entertaining. I got a golf tournament that weekend :( ! I’m not happy about it! Lol

As far as the rankings and who is high on who. I’m just conservative with it cause the story changes so much with these guys 1 or 2 years from now
 
Mrb1p said:
I dont expect the Habs to be this bold, 2000% aware that their pick is Zadina
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Understood. And nobody will criticize you later for saying we should of taken Kotkaniemi if he turns into that center we need. Your making your opinion be known.

I like Kotkaniemi too. Just don’t know how much over other guys. Laughable statement but who knows... Veleno could end up better at center.

Habs have a huge decision to make in this draft. Zadina is certainly the safe pick
 
ToLegitToQuit said:
Understood. And nobody will criticize you later for saying we should of taken Kotkaniemi if he turns into that center we need. Your making your opinion be known.

I like Kotkaniemi too. Just don’t know how much over other guys. Laughable statement but who knows... Veleno could end up better at center.

Habs have a huge decision to make in this draft. Zadina is certainly the safe pick
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Zadina is fine if they expect to a) compete right away (which isnt fine) or b) go for a longer rebuild
 
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Taking Kotkaniemi at 3 would be a desperate and firable offence. We're desperate for a center, but there are other ways to get it done. trading Pacioretty for a pick in the 8-12 range makes way more sense.
 
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