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

[Belial]

You scout them? I mean if Kotkaniemi is TTs top prospect at 3, then ya, take him. I just hope we don't pass on someone better because we are desperate for a center.

Of course you scout them but I mean, scouting is one thing but the most important thing right now is adequately projecting their development and that's really tough.

 

[WinterLion]

I worry about this. If he turns out to be a solid second line center, it's a failure in my opinion. Second line center can be found in the second rd and we are giving up a sniper at 3 that is also in need.

I know that is the perception, but actually 2nd line C's are pretty hard to find anywhere in the draft. Have a look at past drafts. Guys like Turris, Khadri, Gagner etc... were top 10 picks. Having 2nd rounders even become 3rd liners is a pretty good result in many cases.

 

[WinterLion]

You scout them? I mean if Kotkaniemi is TTs top prospect at 3, then ya, take him. I just hope we don't pass on someone better because we are desperate for a center.

Agreed, but I'm not worried about that. Timmins will draft the best player on his list. Position does play a factor in determining the upside and value of picks.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Of course you scout them but I mean, scouting is one thing but the most important thing right now is adequately projecting their development and that's really tough.

Ya but that's how it always is. To be clear, I'm just not advocating the reaching for Kotkaniemi at 3 because he looks like he can be an NHL center. But if we draft him at 3, and TT comes out and says he was 3rd on our board, I'll put my faith in his abilities. If others think he's truly a top 3 guy in this draft, that's their opinion, I just don't see how you can look at him and then look at Zadina and make that argument from a pure talent level.

 

[WinterLion]

Of course you scout them but I mean, scouting is one thing but the most important thing right now is adequately projecting their development and that's really tough.

Isn't that what scouting is?? And yes it is very hard...

 

[Habs Halifax]

Draft re-dos prove that there are a lot of players that end up getting undervalued and drafted too late and the opposite, with several players selected too soon. It's not an exact science but there are scouts who clearly have a better success ratio and ... we need to poach those people from other organizations so that we can maximize our chances.

Habs should throw some money at Mark Hunter to be our Assistant GM to replace Dudley. He is upset with the Leafs for getting passed over for the GM job and he has connections and valuable scouting in the OHL.

 

[Belial]

Ya but that's how it always is. To be clear, I'm just not advocating the reaching for Kotkaniemi at 3 because he looks like he can be an NHL center. But if we draft him at 3, and TT comes out and says he was 3rd on our board, I'll put my faith in his abilities. If others think he's truly a top 3 guy in this draft, that's their opinion, I just don't see how you can look at him and then look at Zadina and make that argument from a pure talent level.

My point was that I would take a center over a winger any day of the week even if he's slightly more talented.

I mean if they think Zadina is a lot better then go for it but if it's close go for the center.

Isn't that what scouting is?? And yes it is very hard...

Sure, that's why it's quite a lottery sometimes, it's really tough to predict.

 

[Yoshidas Island]

Pronman has Jett Woo, Bulat Shafigullin and Nils Lundkvist on his ND list lol

 

[WeThreeKings]

Pronman has Jett Woo, Bulat Shafigullin and Nils Lundkvist on his ND list lol

Pronman is an idiot..

 

[NotProkofievian]

Pronman has Jett Woo, Bulat Shafigullin and Nils Lundkvist on his ND list lol

Lmfao.

 

[NotProkofievian]

So, here's why I think Jesperi Kotkaniemi sucks at skating. Or, more specifically, why does he suck in the way he does at skating: out of the gates



Just look at his legs in this video. This is a strength issue that both has an explicit cause, and is easily fixed. Jesperi Kotkaniemi missed time in multiple seasons, including most of an off-season during the summer of 2016 to knee injuries. That means no squats. That means no power skating.

Along the way here's what he's accomplished: he was the 6th best 15 year old ever to play in Finnish Jr. A, after slaughtering Finnish Jr B. Now, because of his age, keep in mind, this was 2 years ago. 2 years ago, he was 15 for the entire season, contributing in a U20 league, keeping pace with one Sasha Barkov's 15 year old season. After missing an off-season and the lion's share of his D-1 season to surgery, he puts up 15 points in 17 Jr. A games, before producing 6 pts in 7 U18 games, outproducing our very own Ryan Poehling (who is 1 year and 7 months older than Jesperi) in the process. This year he was completely healthy, and as we saw he produced an all-time top 7 U18 Liiga season, put up 9 pts in 7 U18 games as the gold medal winning team's lead pivot, and made substantial progress through the entire year.

I'll say it now: Jesperi Kotkaniemi is a wunderkind who's being undervalued because of an injury plagued development. We won the right to select 3rd and the 3rd best prospect available in this draft is Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

 

[Habs Halifax]

So, here's why I think Jesperi Kotkaniemi sucks at skating. Or, more specifically, why does he suck in the way he does at skating: out of the gates



Just look at his legs in this video. This is a strength issue that both has an explicit cause, and is easily fixed. Jesperi Kotkaniemi missed time in multiple seasons, including most of an off-season during the summer of 2016 to knee injuries. That means no squats. That means no power skating.

Along the way here's what he's accomplished: he was the 6th best 15 year old ever to play in Finnish Jr. A, after slaughtering Finnish Jr B. Now, because of his age, keep in mind, this was 2 years ago. 2 years ago, he was 15 for the entire season, contributing in a U20 league, keeping pace with one Sasha Barkov's 15 year old season. After missing an off-season and the lion's share of his D-1 season to surgery, he puts up 15 points in 17 Jr. A games, before producing 6 pts in 7 U18 games, outproducing our very own Ryan Poehling (who is 1 year and 7 months older than Jesperi) in the process. This year he was completely healthy, and as we saw he produced an all-time top 7 U18 Liiga season, put up 9 pts in 7 U18 games as the gold medal winning team's lead pivot, and made substantial progress through the entire year.

I'll say it now: Jesperi Kotkaniemi is a wunderkind who's being undervalued because of an injury plagued development. We won the right to select 3rd and the 3rd best prospect available in this draft is Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

Your making a good case! Send the info to the Habs and let them factor it in. I wonder if they are even considering the option of taking JK with the 3rd pick.

Also, said this before but we had the larger % to get the 5th or 6th pick before we won the 3rd pick. Would we even doubt drafting JK at that spot?

 

[LastWordArmy]

A look at Jack Drury, son of Ted Drury and nephew of Chris Drury.

Jack Drury Scouting Report: 2018 NHL Draft - Last Word on Hockey

 

[NotProkofievian]

Your making a good case! Send the info to the Habs and let them factor it in. I wonder if they are even considering the option of taking JK with the 3rd pick.

Also, said this before but we had the larger % to get the 5th or 6th pick before we won the 3rd pick. Would we even doubt drafting JK at that spot?

Obviously, I wouldn't hesitate. Before I did this digging about his injury history and pre-injury performance relative to his peers, I had him 6th, and really only because of his skating. He has so much room to grow, and still he was exceptional.

It reminds me of Chytil last year who was excellent on his own, but every little thing broke his way. He had the benefit of every doubt. ''Will he improve this or that?'' Well, if anyone's going to do it, it's going to be one of the youngest players in the draft who is still growing.

 

[S Bah]

It is actually very rare that the 3rd overall becomes a franchise player.

Chicago has done really well with #3 OV picks Johnathan Toews & the Bulls #3 Michael Jordan, definitely fall into franchise type #3 OV in one city off the top of my head.

 

[The Great Weal]

As exciting it is to have 4 2nds, we absolutely should try to move up from 3 to 2, and do our best to ensure Kotkaniemi using Pacioretty.

 

[Mrb1p]

So, here's why I think Jesperi Kotkaniemi sucks at skating. Or, more specifically, why does he suck in the way he does at skating: out of the gates



Just look at his legs in this video. This is a strength issue that both has an explicit cause, and is easily fixed. Jesperi Kotkaniemi missed time in multiple seasons, including most of an off-season during the summer of 2016 to knee injuries. That means no squats. That means no power skating.

Along the way here's what he's accomplished: he was the 6th best 15 year old ever to play in Finnish Jr. A, after slaughtering Finnish Jr B. Now, because of his age, keep in mind, this was 2 years ago. 2 years ago, he was 15 for the entire season, contributing in a U20 league, keeping pace with one Sasha Barkov's 15 year old season. After missing an off-season and the lion's share of his D-1 season to surgery, he puts up 15 points in 17 Jr. A games, before producing 6 pts in 7 U18 games, outproducing our very own Ryan Poehling (who is 1 year and 7 months older than Jesperi) in the process. This year he was completely healthy, and as we saw he produced an all-time top 7 U18 Liiga season, put up 9 pts in 7 U18 games as the gold medal winning team's lead pivot, and made substantial progress through the entire year.

I'll say it now: Jesperi Kotkaniemi is a wunderkind who's being undervalued because of an injury plagued development. We won the right to select 3rd and the 3rd best prospect available in this draft is Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

His legs are hella small

One thing Ive noticed is that hes still strong regardless, Ive seen him brush off older players easily, so I wouldn't care for it. The issue to me really is in his stride, he often gets his feet tangled when trying to accelerate, his strides are erratic and his skating posture is awful. Like, literally a week of coaching and hes a good skater.

Edit: On skating upright, it's also a result of his style of play. He likes to go for the one on one on defenders, he likes to go in traffic and he likes to look for heads up passes, all of which requires great vision of the ice. Its another one of the reason why I don't mind him being "slower".

 

[Runner77]

Chicago has done really well with #3 OV picks Johnathan Toews & the Bulls #3 Michael Jordan, definitely fall into franchise type #3 OV in one city off the top of my head.

Yes and no. If we can get add something to Pacioretty and keep our 2nds, I'd be for that moreso than moving any of them. If anything, I would prefer to move a late 2nd for another 2nd and a 3rd next year, say a team is really after it.

 

[S Bah]

The Habs are moving Max, Bergy should be talking with Lou the NYI's new boss about acquiring their two 1st rounders, IMHO!!!... The NYI's are definitely positioned for a run at the SCC, not in rebuild mode with their team. Giving Timmins 3 picks in the top 12, with 4 - 2nd's to move up a notch or two, certainly would speed up the Habs rebuild overnight. Possibly allowing them the opportunities of drafting Zadina, Kotkaneimi, & Dobson or Bouchard, using their abundant 2nd rounders to move up from 11th & 12th(NYI's picks). The Habs are very well positioned to improve their future, IMHO. Possibly trading down from 3rd OV while gaining another 2nd, presuming Ottawa will undoubtedly be after Boqvist. Who knows Carolina might take Zadina(Necas has great chemistry with him) Habs getting Svechnikov(RW) with #4, while having 5 -2nd's. Perhaps using a couple of 2nd's to sweeten the pot for the NYI's, in a trade for Max.

The positive possibilities are certainly there for what can be a memorable 2018 Entry Draft. All Habs fans that have been immersed in finding the best prospects throughout the last year, will indeed enjoy the festivities on June 22nd & 23rd from Dallas, Texas.(2nd & 3rd days of summer 2018, looking forward to great things for our Habs.)

 

[S Bah]

I'm All In for the Habs throwing Bags full of Cash @ Mark Hunter to sign him on in any capacity, just sign him 25th SCC written all over that signing IMHO!!!...

 

[NeptunesTrident]

The buzz at the Memorial Cup is Noah Dobson. Wow has he looked good. He definitely peaked at the correct time.

 

[le_sean]

I've said it earlier, maybe in January, but Wahlstrom I think can be developed into a center with the right coaching staff and complimentary wingers due to his skating ability, vision and hockey IQ. I say it this way though because I don't have the confidence in the Habs doing this, and maybe other teams can. Heck, with the changes in staff now, maybe we can also.

However, I do think he'll be a winger at the NHL level and while Kotkaniemi is a center, I would not be surprised if he ends up a winger as well depending on his development path.

Anyhow, I've made it clear in the past I like Wahlstrom more than Zadina, but I don't see Wahlstrom being an option as he doesn't seem to be the type of player the team typically favours. I've also been high on Boqvist (he's my #3), but same reasoning as I have with Wahlstrom in that I don't see him on the Habs' radar also. Despite the fears and jokes, I don't think we'll draft Tkachuk either (though I am certain he is in their top-6). I am expecting us to call out Zadina on draft day, but would not be shocked at all to hear Kotkaniemi's name.

Wahlstrom is not a centre whatsoever. He's too lackadaisical. He'll be a great winger though.

As for others saying Kotkaniemi could be a 2C, well the Habs are still having trouble acquiring a player like that. So much so that they will probably overpay for a 32 year old Paul Stastny. I see Kotkaniemi being a possible Ryan O'Reilly. 65 point centre that can be used in all situations. Not a 1C on a contender, but a hell of a player regardless.

 

[le_sean]

The buzz at the Memorial Cup is Noah Dobson. Wow has he looked good. He definitely peaked at the correct time.

He's not flying under the radar anymore and I'd say he's likely the 2nd defender taken at this point. All of the other defencemen have some question marks, he doesn't seem to have any.

 

[jaffy27]

So, here's why I think Jesperi Kotkaniemi sucks at skating. Or, more specifically, why does he suck in the way he does at skating: out of the gates



Just look at his legs in this video. This is a strength issue that both has an explicit cause, and is easily fixed. Jesperi Kotkaniemi missed time in multiple seasons, including most of an off-season during the summer of 2016 to knee injuries. That means no squats. That means no power skating.

Along the way here's what he's accomplished: he was the 6th best 15 year old ever to play in Finnish Jr. A, after slaughtering Finnish Jr B. Now, because of his age, keep in mind, this was 2 years ago. 2 years ago, he was 15 for the entire season, contributing in a U20 league, keeping pace with one Sasha Barkov's 15 year old season. After missing an off-season and the lion's share of his D-1 season to surgery, he puts up 15 points in 17 Jr. A games, before producing 6 pts in 7 U18 games, outproducing our very own Ryan Poehling (who is 1 year and 7 months older than Jesperi) in the process. This year he was completely healthy, and as we saw he produced an all-time top 7 U18 Liiga season, put up 9 pts in 7 U18 games as the gold medal winning team's lead pivot, and made substantial progress through the entire year.

I'll say it now: Jesperi Kotkaniemi is a wunderkind who's being undervalued because of an injury plagued development. We won the right to select 3rd and the 3rd best prospect available in this draft is Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

Nice take.....I don’t believe he’s 3rd.....I’d say 4th best forward. Having said that, I believe habs should do all they can to aquire this guy

 

[Mrb1p]

Its crazy cause Kotkaniemi is literally the type of player that guys like Jaffy, DGS, etc love. Hes a heart and soul type of kid, like karakter and attitude thing. Hes a true finn.