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

[The Great Weal]

From the MAG report. Well, technically tied second but who still counts Dahlin anymore.

Whos is MAG? Drafting Bouchard at 3 would be catastrophic.

 

[Meat Wave]

If he doesn't improve his skating, he's a borderline NHLer. There is a certain level of risk there. Those that say he's fast and doesn't have skating issues are in denial.

If he doesn't improve his skating at all like you say, I think he's still an elite 3rd line center in 4-5 years at worst. He's just too smart a player.

Of course that's not what we're aiming for at 3rd overall, but JK has a tremendous hockey IQ. He won't be kept out of the NHL by his awkward skating style.

 

[Meat Wave]

Whos is MAG? Drafting Bouchard at 3 would be catastrophic.

Marc Antoine Godin, writes for The Athletic.

 

[G0bias]

Whos is MAG? Drafting Bouchard at 3 would be catastrophic.

Marc Antoine Godin (@MAGodin) | Twitter

 

[Redux91]

You mean a center comparable to prime Plekanec? I would want more from a 3rd overall pick, as much as I think prime Plekanec was a very good center.

20-40 is what we NEED, that does not mean its his ceiling. whatever that may be, could be 50, could be higher

 

[ProspectsFanatic]

Surprised the talk about Wahlstrom became inexistent here, to me he is right up there for 3rd overall considerations.

Elite shooter. Makes the right play almost every time the puck is on his stick: understand how to use his teammates to generates offensive chances (he is no Yakupov) ... smart, doesn't force play or try to do much, but can dangle around defensemen if the opportunity presents himself to him ... good set of hands/strong skater as well ... maximize his best asset by shooting the puck as much as he can, always looking to place himself in shooting position with an open lane, which by the law of average, factoring the quality of his shot, often leads to goals or otherwise sometimes will create 2nd chances on rebound opportunities. Surefire top6, PP specialist NHLer to me. Elite potential.

Did he benefited from playing with Hughes? Yes. But it is not like he benefited from Hughes to simply get good numbers, his numbers are unreal. 33 more USDP18 points than last year leader. He nearly has double the goals and points of Tkachuk USDP18+USHL season (Tkachuk was only 3 months younger during that year than Wahlstrom current age). On par with Eichel who also had pretty good linemates.

Why the hell is Tkachuk ranked at 3? Intangibles. Surname intangibles.

I simply don't get why he is usually placed behind guys like Tkachuk, Hughes & Bouchard who are riskier picks in many ways than Wahlstrom. I am still very high on Wahlstrom, but I am even higher on Kotka, it is very close for me though. Either way, I would be happy if Wahlstrom were to be our pick.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Surprised the talk about Wahlstrom became inexistent here, to me he is right up there for 3rd overall considerations.

Elite shooter ... makes the right play almost every time the puck is on his stick ... understand how to use his teammates to generates offensive chances (he is no Yakupov) ... smart, doesn't force play or try to do much, but can dangle around defensemen if the opportunity presents himself to him ... good set of hands/strong skater as well ... maximize his best asset by shooting the puck as much as he can, always looking to place himself in shooting position with an open lane, which by the law of average, factoring the quality of his shot, often leads to goals or otherwise sometimes will create 2nd chances on rebound opportunities. Surefire top6, PP specialist NHLer to me. Elite potential.

Did he benefited from Hughes? Yes. But it is not like he benefited from Hughes to simply get good numbers, his numbers are unreal. 33 more USDP18 points than last year leader. He nearly has double the goals and points of Tkachuk USDP18+USHL season (Tkachuk was only 3 months younger during that year than Wahlstrom current age). On par with Eichel who also had pretty good linemates.

Why the hell is Tkachuk ranked at 3? Intangibles. Surname intangibles.

I simply don't get why he is usually placed behind guys like Tkachuk, Hughes & Bouchard who are riskier picks in many ways than Wahlstrom. I am still very high in Wahlstrom, but I am even higher on Kotka, it is very close for me though. Either way, I would be happy if Wahlstrom were to be our pick.

No idea. He's going to be the first U19 to score 30 goals in the NCAA since Thomas Vanek.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Highest upside outside of Dahlin. The fact he can produce at his current rate and run an entire team playing a pro-style game (on the offensive side of the puck) is pretty impressive.

Lol. Boqvist clearly has higher upside than Bouchard.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Stopped talking Wahlstrom because they aren't gonna take him. Not because he wouldn't be in the conversation for me as he's 4 on my list behind Boqvist.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

Lol. Boqvist clearly has higher upside than Bouchard.

I get a John Slaney vibe from Bouchard (for anyone who remembers him)

Will end up a great AHL d-man once teams figure out he can't play on the other side of the puck

 

[HuGort]

Surprised the talk about Wahlstrom became inexistent here, to me he is right up there for 3rd overall considerations.

Elite shooter. Makes the right play almost every time the puck is on his stick: understand how to use his teammates to generates offensive chances (he is no Yakupov) ... smart, doesn't force play or try to do much, but can dangle around defensemen if the opportunity presents himself to him ... good set of hands/strong skater as well ... maximize his best asset by shooting the puck as much as he can, always looking to place himself in shooting position with an open lane, which by the law of average, factoring the quality of his shot, often leads to goals or otherwise sometimes will create 2nd chances on rebound opportunities. Surefire top6, PP specialist NHLer to me. Elite potential.

Did he benefited from playing with Hughes? Yes. But it is not like he benefited from Hughes to simply get good numbers, his numbers are unreal. 33 more USDP18 points than last year leader. He nearly has double the goals and points of Tkachuk USDP18+USHL season (Tkachuk was only 3 months younger during that year than Wahlstrom current age). On par with Eichel who also had pretty good linemates.

Why the hell is Tkachuk ranked at 3? Intangibles. Surname intangibles.

I simply don't get why he is usually placed behind guys like Tkachuk, Hughes & Bouchard who are riskier picks in many ways than Wahlstrom. I am still very high on Wahlstrom, but I am even higher on Kotka, it is very close for me though. Either way, I would be happy if Wahlstrom were to be our pick.

Wingers traditionally have lesser value

 

[schnapshot]

I get a John Slaney vibe from Bouchard (for anyone who remembers him)

Will end up a great AHL d-man once teams figure out he can't play on the other side of the puck

Both have multiples red flags defensively... Boqvist just coasts in his zone a lot of the time.

 

[Fozz]

Stopped talking Wahlstrom because they aren't gonna take him. Not because he wouldn't be in the conversation for me as he's 4 on my list behind Boqvist.

Too many great options to not trade down and add a good asset.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Wingers traditionally have lesser value

Yet people freak out if we don't select Zadina.

 

[LastWordArmy]

the rest of round 2

2018 NHL Mock Draft – 2nd Round Part Two - Last Word on Hockey

 

[sandviper]

Surprised the talk about Wahlstrom became inexistent here, to me he is right up there for 3rd overall considerations.

Elite shooter. Makes the right play almost every time the puck is on his stick: understand how to use his teammates to generates offensive chances (he is no Yakupov) ... smart, doesn't force play or try to do much, but can dangle around defensemen if the opportunity presents himself to him ... good set of hands/strong skater as well ... maximize his best asset by shooting the puck as much as he can, always looking to place himself in shooting position with an open lane, which by the law of average, factoring the quality of his shot, often leads to goals or otherwise sometimes will create 2nd chances on rebound opportunities. Surefire top6, PP specialist NHLer to me. Elite potential.

Did he benefited from playing with Hughes? Yes. But it is not like he benefited from Hughes to simply get good numbers, his numbers are unreal. 33 more USDP18 points than last year leader. He nearly has double the goals and points of Tkachuk USDP18+USHL season (Tkachuk was only 3 months younger during that year than Wahlstrom current age). On par with Eichel who also had pretty good linemates.

Why the hell is Tkachuk ranked at 3? Intangibles. Surname intangibles.

I simply don't get why he is usually placed behind guys like Tkachuk, Hughes & Bouchard who are riskier picks in many ways than Wahlstrom. I am still very high on Wahlstrom, but I am even higher on Kotka, it is very close for me though. Either way, I would be happy if Wahlstrom were to be our pick.

I think there are a few here, including myself, who would prefer to see Wahlstrom picked by us, even at #3. While to this day, I still prefer Boqvist, my preferences in order:

Boqvist
Wahlstrom
Kotkaniemi
Zadina

Hence, I’d be fine trading down 3-4 spots because I am confident I’ll get the guy I want.

But agree with all your points about Wahlstrom. Kid is gonna be a beast.

 

[NotProkofievian]

 

[Tyson]

Kotkaniemi
Zadina
Tkachuk

In that order


And no, Kotkaniemi is not nhl ready.

 

[Garnet76]

the rest of round 2

2018 NHL Mock Draft – 2nd Round Part Two - Last Word on Hockey

I would be very happy if the first two rounds played out like this for the Habs.

 

[Sam I Am]

Surprised the talk about Wahlstrom became inexistent here, to me he is right up there for 3rd overall considerations.

Elite shooter. Makes the right play almost every time the puck is on his stick: understand how to use his teammates to generates offensive chances (he is no Yakupov) ... smart, doesn't force play or try to do much, but can dangle around defensemen if the opportunity presents himself to him ... good set of hands/strong skater as well ... maximize his best asset by shooting the puck as much as he can, always looking to place himself in shooting position with an open lane, which by the law of average, factoring the quality of his shot, often leads to goals or otherwise sometimes will create 2nd chances on rebound opportunities. Surefire top6, PP specialist NHLer to me. Elite potential.

Did he benefited from playing with Hughes? Yes. But it is not like he benefited from Hughes to simply get good numbers, his numbers are unreal. 33 more USDP18 points than last year leader. He nearly has double the goals and points of Tkachuk USDP18+USHL season (Tkachuk was only 3 months younger during that year than Wahlstrom current age). On par with Eichel who also had pretty good linemates.

Why the hell is Tkachuk ranked at 3? Intangibles. Surname intangibles.

I simply don't get why he is usually placed behind guys like Tkachuk, Hughes & Bouchard who are riskier picks in many ways than Wahlstrom. I am still very high on Wahlstrom, but I am even higher on Kotka, it is very close for me though. Either way, I would be happy if Wahlstrom were to be our pick.

Agreed.

If the Habs surprise by selecting Wahlstrom, I will assume they have picked the player with the highest upside in an attempt to replace some of the goals that have been traded out the door. If there is knock against Wahlstrom (beyond the advantages of being Jack Hughes' winger), it's that he is a one-season wonder. But what a season! You alluded to his USDP and USHL production but don't forget his 5 goals in 4 games at the U18s. (Of course, Zadina had 7 goals in as many games in the U20s but I digress.) One must bear in mind that Wahlstrom is one of the youngest players in his draft year, which goes a long way to explain why he seemingly burst onto the scene this year.

The older Zadina who lit the Q on fire in his rookie season, his first in North America, and starred against older competition in the WJC? Or the younger Wahlstrom, who absolutely killed in his draft year. One shoots left, the other right. How do you choose between these two?

 

[Habs76]

I hope we get a few more late picks

 

[Andrei79]

Who here is fairly high on Hughes (i.e. ranked him 3 or 4) ?

I always feel he's the biggest wildcard as in a high floor but likely the highest upside too.

Id be damn happy if we trades Max for the pick to draft him.

 

[Andrei79]

No idea. He's going to be the first U19 to score 30 goals in the NCAA since Thomas Vanek.

Yep. Watching the frozen four and some of the goals there, hes going to murder those goalies with that shot.

 

[Mrb1p]

Surprised the talk about Wahlstrom became inexistent here, to me he is right up there for 3rd overall considerations.

Elite shooter. Makes the right play almost every time the puck is on his stick: understand how to use his teammates to generates offensive chances (he is no Yakupov) ... smart, doesn't force play or try to do much, but can dangle around defensemen if the opportunity presents himself to him ... good set of hands/strong skater as well ... maximize his best asset by shooting the puck as much as he can, always looking to place himself in shooting position with an open lane, which by the law of average, factoring the quality of his shot, often leads to goals or otherwise sometimes will create 2nd chances on rebound opportunities. Surefire top6, PP specialist NHLer to me. Elite potential.

Did he benefited from playing with Hughes? Yes. But it is not like he benefited from Hughes to simply get good numbers, his numbers are unreal. 33 more USDP18 points than last year leader. He nearly has double the goals and points of Tkachuk USDP18+USHL season (Tkachuk was only 3 months younger during that year than Wahlstrom current age). On par with Eichel who also had pretty good linemates.

Why the hell is Tkachuk ranked at 3? Intangibles. Surname intangibles.

I simply don't get why he is usually placed behind guys like Tkachuk, Hughes & Bouchard who are riskier picks in many ways than Wahlstrom. I am still very high on Wahlstrom, but I am even higher on Kotka, it is very close for me though. Either way, I would be happy if Wahlstrom were to be our pick.

All you said is in point considering Wahlstrom, theres some weakness here and there you havent touched but thats fine.

The biggest drawback to me is expected value at the pick vs expected value in the 2nd round. Theres a few guys that could give Wahlstrom, Brady and Zadina a run for their money later. Guys that are super talented like Ylonen, Bokk, Denisenko, McLaughlin, Kaut, Hallamder, Berggren... meanwhile what is going to be there at C and D is a lot worse IMO. The expected value of Kotkaniemi compared to Wise/McBain and Dobson/Boqvist/Hughes compared to Sandin/Miller/Tychonick compared to the wingers seems huge.

Theres also NHL readiness and ceiling distance that plays a factor, not for every team, not for us, but for some it does. Zadina and Tkachuk have him beat there.

 

[Mrb1p]

Who here is fairly high on Hughes (i.e. ranked him 3 or 4) ?

I always feel he's the biggest wildcard as in a high floor but likely the highest upside too.

Id be damn happy if we trades Max for the pick to draft him.

Its a great gamble to take. Im hard on Hughes but im actually ready for him to make me look like a fool.