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

[NotProkofievian]

Bouchard is not relying on his skating or physical play to dominate. He's brilliant offensively because of exceptionally high IQ, a great shot, and really well developed passing ability. Honestly, if his skating improves (which I think it will as he develops and plays fewer +30min games) he might be end up as the best North American defenceman from this draft. He was essentially London's entire team. When you look at how well Mete has transitioned to the pros and how many great defenceman have come out of London in general, it's hard not to see real promise with Bouchard.

He's not talked about much here, but I'd keep an eye out for him.

I don't even think Bouchard's skating is an issue. The only issues I've ever seen with him were a lack of defensive awareness or effort. He can be really soft in his own zone sometimes. Some posters have argued that he might just be exhausted from playing 30 minutes per night. It's tough to tell. He's 9 for me for his reason. Love the offense, but I've never been ''sure'' about him.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

I have him at 14 as well, which is likely the peak of where he could go. He seems to have slipped under the radar on these boards somehow. Nobody talks about him, which is likely due to the fact that a lot of the conversation drivers aren't overly keen on him.

He's not talked about much because he's someone we're only likely to draft if we get another 1st rdr. He's not good enough for #3 & he's definitely going before 35.

Before his rise up the draft board he was very much discussed as a possible 2nd rd pick for us. Those dreams have died.

 

[WinterLion]

Anyone thinks that if Montreal passes on Zadina we might see a situation similar to 2012 with Forsberg? Where all the dmen get taken in front of him and he (along with Wahlstrom and Tkatchuk) falls to 8-10 ?

I really don't see that happening... it's not impossible, but those 3 guys are all very special... I can't see 5 teams passing.

 

[WinterLion]

He’s up there and I want us to pick him, not at 3 though. Aquire another first and select him

He's going top 10, and rightly so. How are we going to get another top 10 pick? Also even if we do, why not take him at 3 if we really want him?

 

[WinterLion]

Is Quinn Hughes Phil Housley ?

Housley was a brilliant skater with tremendous offensive ability. He was 5'10". More of a big guys game then, but slower.

However, defensively he was not that strong and his skating and skill did not make up for it in the D zone.

I much preferred Chelios to Housley.

I like the impact type of players, but PK kind, who can impact but also play strong defensively. Can be out in any situation.

Dobson doesn't have the offensive wizardry, but he could be an all around guy that produces good points.

Brian Leetch?

If I think he can become a better playmaker and use his teammates better... I take him 3rd. I'm not convinced.

I'm not worried about his D play... but maybe I'm naive.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

And I think Kotkaniemi is like 12th on TSNs list?

I wouldn't worry too much about player rankings via other websites. Mark Scheifele was ranked 14-16 on various sites and was taken 7th by Jets.

In fact at that 2011 draft there was a ton of discussion on this site surrounding Scheifele and Zibanejad.

Both were big centers who were definite risers through the second half. And, they both ranked around our spot at #17. The feeling was we could get one of them.

Instead, Zibanejad went shockingly 6th to Ottawa and Scheifele 7th to Winnipeg. It was the defensemen that fell. Beaulieu who had been ranked #9 fell to us at 17.

The only draft list teams care about are their own. Keller was ranked 10-11 in his draft year and he went 7th. Then there's the Dubois example.

Kotkaniemi ranked at 10 means he'll go higher. Historically, centers get drafted higher than their ranking & it's D & wingers that fall.

 

[Habs76]

Guess I'll drop my top 15 as well, which are about as set in stone as they can get:

1. Dahlin

2. Svechnikov

3. Boqvist
4. Zadina
5. Dobson
6. Kotkaniemi

7. Hughes
8. Wahlstrom (sorry WTK)
9. Bouchard (these three are basically ranked the exact same for me but I had to choose an order)

10. Smith
11. Tkachuk
12. Kravtsov
13. Farabee

14. Hayton
15. Kaut

HMs (aka the next few):
Thomas
Shafigullin
Wise
Berggren
Sandin

I agree with so many of these rankings. We didn't rank them in the same spots, but we're high on a lot of the same players.

 

[S Bah]

If the Habs trade Max for 1st rounder say 10th, then Zadina is the 3rd OV pick. Then move up with a couple of 2nd's & 10th OV to either take a defenceman or Kotkaneimi if he's available. The big question being can Kotkaneimi be a true #1 center, gambling with a 10th for him. The worst that can happen is being back picking Top ten next year when there is an abundance of good centers, while gaining a great winger(Zadina) and a possible 1st pairing Dman (Boqvist, Hughes, Bouchard, Dobson) with a yrs. experience. Probably the best option open to the Habs drive to a SCC window.

 

[jaffy27]

How are you gonna acquire another first in the top 10. Cause Chicago and Detroit ain't letting Montreal swoop in if Kotkaniemi is their guy, so your options are Arizona and Ottawa, don't see Ottawa helping a division rival and Chayka is an advanced stats darling who probably doesn't see value where we are coming from.

If Kotkaniemi is their guy then there’s nothing we can do. But if he isn’t then maybe there is a deal to be had. Kotkaniemi is not the sole player Detroit to our for dinner you know.

Maybe Zadina is Montreal’s guy........

Dahlin
Svechnikov
Zadina
Boqvist
Tkachuk
Bouchard
Wahlstrom
Dobson
Hughes

These are all players who could potentially go ahead of Kitkaniemi you know. I know you hate Tkachuk in the top 10 but there’s a good chance he’s picked here in this group

 

[jaffy27]

He's going top 10, and rightly so. How are we going to get another top 10 pick? Also even if we do, why not take him at 3 if we really want him?

If we really want him, then by all means, knock ourselves out......but if not, then it’s up to the brass to figure how to get both of they want these players at all

 

[MonkeyBusiness]

I'm warming up to the idea of taking Kotkaniemi at #3. His young age compared to other top prospects, production in a pro league and that he seems to have great upside have me intrigued. If his name gets called on draft day I won't be disappointed at all.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

I wouldn't worry too much about player rankings via other websites. Mark Scheifele was ranked 14-16 on various sites and was taken 7th by Jets.

In fact at that 2011 draft there was a ton of discussion on this site surrounding Scheifele and Zibanejad.

Both were big centers who were definite risers through the second half. And, they both ranked around our spot at #17. The feeling was we could get one of them.

Instead, Zibanejad went shockingly 6th to Ottawa and Scheifele 7th to Winnipeg. It was the defensemen that fell. Beaulieu who had been ranked #9 fell to us at 17.

The only draft list teams care about are their own. Keller was ranked 10-11 in his draft year and he went 7th. Then there's the Dubois example.

Kotkaniemi ranked at 10 means he'll go higher. Historically, centers get drafted higher than their ranking & it's D & wingers that fall.

I wasn't the one who mentioned draft lists...

 

[S Bah]

The Habs have had two #3 OV picks in 40yrs., & traded for Drouin another #3 OV. So acquiring the BPA is imperative, getting a Top Ten pick say Edmonton's for Max might get Kotkaneimi using our 2nd's. This eventuality will not improve the SCC drive next season, unless of course Evans, Vejdemo, McCarron or Poehling provide surprises for the team at center. Otherwise Habs fans look forward to another year in the cellar for the chance at a possible #1 center next year. Either way the Habs aren't going to win a SCC next season, unless Price has a Hart Trophy season & Weber has a Norris trophy worthy season, alongside great rookie yrs. from our Top Ten picks. This is truly idealism IMHO, positive action is required not just trying to make the playoffs. But trading for picks while keeping our young star players. Hard watching Eller & Smith-Pelly playing for a SCC though. Might be nice to watch Max winning in Edmonton for a couple of yrs. though. By the way I've been wrong before, maybe the Habs can repeat the success Las Vegas has had, next season with some of our drafted centers joining the team in the fall. Go Habs Go!!!...

 

[TT1]

Kotkaniemi will go between 10-12 unless guys like Hughes (size)/Wahlstrom (winger, bit of a floater)/Bouchard (skating) fall.

Dahlin/Svechnikov/Zadina/Dobson/Boqvist/Tkachuk will all go ahead of Kotkaniemi, then you also have guys like Smith and Farabee who might also get picked within the top 10 + the 3 players i named above.

 

[S Bah]

Kotkaniemi will go between 10-12 unless guys like Hughes (size)/Wahlstrom (winger, bit of a floater)/Bouchard (skating) fall.

Dahlin/Svechnikov/Zadina/Dobson/Boqvist/Tkachuk will all go ahead of Kotkaniemi, then you also have guys like Smith and Farabee who might also get picked within the top 10 + the 3 players i named above.

New Jersey is trading their 17th OV, possibly getting that pick with 2nd's can get Kotkaneimi(LHC/18th) or Dellandrea(RHC)ranked 16th or Bode Wilde(RHD)15th

 

[Janne Niinimaa]

Not going to lie if there is a Tom Wilson type player coming up in an upcoming draft available in the mid to late 1st, i want him.

 

[The Great Weal]

Not going to lie if there is a Tom Wilson type player coming up in an upcoming draft available in the mid to late 1st, i want him.

Id rather be targeting a Kuznetsov

 

[Mrb1p]

Id rather be targeting a Kuznetsov

Id rather be targeting an Ovechkin

 

[Janne Niinimaa]

Id rather be targeting a Kuznetsov

I'm in the belief that teams smartened up and wouldn't let a Kuznetsov drop that low anymore. But yes I agree.

 

[The Great Weal]

Id rather be targeting an Ovechkin

Ovechkin didn't go late 1st

 

[Habs76]

Not going to lie if there is a Tom Wilson type player coming up in an upcoming draft available in the mid to late 1st, i want him.

Yeah, I love those players too. I just don't want to spend a top ten pick on one, damnit. I say we take Curtis Douglas, who actually improved his skating a lot this year and stick him in intensive power skating lessons all summer. Comes to camp 6'9", 240-250lbs and as long as he's not a horrible skater and can win faceoffs... future 4C.

 

[Habs76]

I'm still trying to find full combine results, they seem to be non-existent. I wish the NHL shared a stream or something of the event.

 

[TT1]

New Jersey is trading their 17th OV, possibly getting that pick with 2nd's can get Kotkaneimi(LHC/18th) or Dellandrea(RHC)ranked 16th or Bode Wilde(RHD)15th

Kotkaniemi isn't gonna be available that low, you want top 12 picks in this years draft.

 

[lamp9post]

I really don't see that happening... it's not impossible, but those 3 guys are all very special... I can't see 5 teams passing.

Agreed. Anything is possible, but I think it's more likely we see a run on forwards (e.g. Zadina-Tkachuk-Wahlstrom taken 3-5) than seeing them drop out of the top 10.

 

[Janne Niinimaa]

Yeah, I love those players too. I just don't want to spend a top ten pick on one, damnit. I say we take Curtis Douglas, who actually improved his skating a lot this year and stick him in intensive power skating lessons all summer. Comes to camp 6'9", 240-250lbs and as long as he's not a horrible skater and can win faceoffs... future 4C.

The thing I like about Wilson is that he has quite a bit of skill. He is what Therrien tried to make Prust on the Prust - Galchenyuk - Gallagher line.