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

[WeThreeKings]

Drouin would be much better on the wing with a legitimate C.

 

[Mrb1p]

I'm not a fan of Drouin so I might be biased in these scenarios lol. But it's hard to pass up a beastly center line.

The idea of targeting a 19' 1st with Pacioretty is something I've also been advocating for a while. Though sadly about close to null are the chances of it happening.

The only problem with the 2019 first is that theres an extra developpement year lost.


Which begs the question, at which point is a 1st next year worth more than a first this year?

 

[Mrb1p]

Drouin would be much better on the wing with a legitimate C.

He would.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Trade downs very rarely happen. When was the last top 10 trade down?

Correct. It's rare. Doesn't mean it won't happen though. And I also doesn't mean that I am hoping for it. I'm just not appose to the idea of trading down for a 5-10 pick range if the offer was solid. There will be many interested in Zadina and maybe we can get another significant piece if we trade down while we are still able to take one of Boqvist, Wahlstrom, Hugues, Smith, Tkachuk, Bouchard, Dobson from the 5-10 range.

Centers ranked in the top 10: Not many have Veleno or Kotkaniemi ranked in the top 10

Goal scores ranked in the top 10: Zadina and Wahlstrom

LD ranked in the top 10: Dahlin & Hughes. Smith is a fringe top 10 guy IMO.

RD ranked in the top 10: Boqvist, Dobson, Bouchard.

Lets say a team in the 5-10 range wants a goal scoring forward... That's Zadina and Wahlstrom. A team in the 5-10 range might want to make a move on Zadina as the selection for goal scoring forwards in the top 10 are limited.

 

[WeThreeKings]

The only problem with the 2019 first is that theres an extra developpement year lost.


Which begs the question, at which point is a 1st next year worth more than a first this year?

Once all of Boqvist-Wahlstrom-Kotkaniemi-Dobson are gone.

 

[G0bias]

Why would Kotkaniemi not develop into a PPG 2way beast while Wahle becomes an unidimensional 20g scorer?

Wanted to come up with a scenario where they meet expectations but don't necessarily exceed them.

For all we know Kotkaniemi could become a PPG two-way jumala.

 

[CapSpace]

Would be awesome to trade Pacioretty for NYI's 1st then draft Zadina AND Kotkaniemi.

 

[Mrb1p]

Once all of Boqvist-Wahlstrom-Kotkaniemi-Dobson are gone.

I dont think Dobson has enough potential to be over the other Ds personally. He probably has the least offensive upside of the 6 top rated D. Nice tools and all but aside from the way he gains the zone, i dont see anything elite.

 

[417]

Drouin would be much better on the wing with a legitimate C.

Or he'd be a much better C with a legitimate C playing ahead of him.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Or he'd be a much better C with a legitimate C playing ahead of him.

Nah, he's just not a center. He's much better as a possession winger, flying the zone when he anticipates a rush chance.

 

[417]

Nah, he's just not a center. He's much better as a possession winger, flying the zone when he anticipates a rush chance.

I think he made strides towards the end of the year, albeit small strides, in his ability to play the position. I think he's got more than enough hockey sense to get it, but it's a lot to ask to adjust to that role while simultaneously being the only true offensive option down the middle, if the Habs could somehow find a more accomplished center to take the load off, I think you'd see the transition happen a lot more smoothly.

It's going to be difficult enough acquiring ONE center, forget TWO...so for me, they stuck with Drouin as a center all year, unless they can find 2 top 6C's, they have to see this experiment through and do a better job of ensuring it works.

 

[Habs76]

Double overage dman Marcus Bjork won HockeyAllsvenskan dman of the year. I wonder who snaps him up at the draft

 

[Yoshidas Island]

If Martin Kaut is still there in the 25 range, would anyone be willing to part with 2 seconds (the first two) for the opportunity to draft him?

Absolutely

 

[Habs Halifax]

Would you do it?

Panthers are up at pick 15. One of Kotkaniemi or Veleno (or both) are available. Panthers make the call and offer their 15th pick and a conditional pick for Patch. Would you make the trade? Also, would you make the trade if Kotkaniemi and Veleno are already taken? If you still make the trade, who do you pick? Would you take Sandin at 15?

 

[G0bias]

I think he made strides towards the end of the year, albeit small strides, in his ability to play the position. I think he's got more than enough hockey sense to get it, but it's a lot to ask to adjust to that role while simultaneously being the only true offensive option down the middle, if the Habs could somehow find a more accomplished center to take the load off, I think you'd see the transition happen a lot more smoothly.

It's going to be difficult enough acquiring ONE center, forget TWO...so for me, they stuck with Drouin as a center all year, unless they can find 2 top 6C's, they have to see this experiment through and do a better job of ensuring it works.

Chicago also tried this experiment with Kane, it went horribly bad. And he had prime Toews to do all the heavy lifting in front.

Sometimes players as good as they are or may have been in juniors, are only suited for a certain fit. Which is fine.

 

[Mrb1p]

Would you do it?

Panthers are up at pick 15. One of Kotkaniemi or Veleno (or both) are available. Panthers make the call and offer their 15th pick and a conditional pick for Patch. Would you make the trade? Also, would you make the trade if Kotkaniemi and Veleno are already taken? If you still make the trade, who do you pick? Would you take Sandin at 15?

Yes for Kotkaniemi no for veleno

 

[JeffreyLFC]

How about trading one of our 2nd to trade up to 2nd overall and select Svechnikov?

 

[Mrb1p]

How about trading one of our 2nd to trade up to 2nd overall and select Svechnikov?

The hurricanes would not do it.

 

[The Great Weal]

The hurricanes would not do it.

What if we toss is Rick Dudley?

 

[Habs Halifax]

If Martin Kaut is still there in the 25 range, would anyone be willing to part with 2 seconds (the first two) for the opportunity to draft him?

So the 35th and 38th pick for 25th? I would not make that trade. I would trade one of the 35th or 38th pick with one of our late 2nd's though (56th and 57th). However, I think we can get very good quality players with the 35th and 38th picks and the talent difference from 20-40 is not that much difference. We should not trade them unless we are getting a Center or LD PMD prospect in the later part of the 1st round. Someone with a lot of upside. Trading two picks for 1 is risky... not matter how much we might like a player. Prospects from the 20+ range can bust... even in this deep draft.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Yes for Kotkaniemi no for veleno

I think most would feel the same. I was not high on Veleno earlier in the year but after the trade to Drummondville, he started to put up points. I think he's a future middle 6 center IMO. My problem is the lack of goal scoring ability with him. I rather the Habs target centers who can play center but also score and not pass in shooting opportunities.

As far as Kotkaniemi, he is an interesting prospect. Never saw him play too much but from what I read, I like his upside and he can shoot the puck!

Will be interesting to see who is drafted as the first center prospect.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Would be awesome to trade Pacioretty for NYI's 1st then draft Zadina AND Kotkaniemi.

This is what I want, I think Edmonton is a better target though.

 

[BB88]

I apologize for posting here but I keep seeing all these skating comments on Kotkaniemi so I went back to watch last nights game and just focus on him when he's on the ice.

I just don't see any massive problems with his skating, he doesn't fly like McDavid/Mackinnon but he can skate, and is only 17y(still).
I'm sure like other top Finnish prospects before him he will focus on improving his skating more. Barkov was seen as a bad skater on draft day and today he's a beautiful skater.


edit, I also consider comparisons to ROR a bit unfair. Healthy ROR is a beast and someone every team wants to have on their team come playoffs. He's just had a ton of injury issues.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Veleno and Kotkaniemi are similar grades IMO. I know Kotkaniemi has improved his skating somewhat, but he still is a bit of a slug out there and that concerns me. I think he'll be tremendous on the PP, but 5v5 I don't think he'll be creating much.

Both guys should be viewed as 2 way #2s if they work out, and not guys that I think are going to be a cut above a Poehling by any means.

 

[le_sean]

The pick is pretty much a lay-up and people are debating picking based on NEED, which is essentially the #1 rule of what not to do when drafting.

I like Kotkaniemi, but come on. If you're so desperate for him, trade Max for a 1st and then trade up. The Top 3 players literally haven't changed all year, we are gifted a Top 3 pick and we are debating taking another player.

You are all so impressed by Kotkaniemi's U18. Maybe you should take a gander at Zadina's U18s at the ages of 16 and 17. Then take a look at his U20. Everywhere he's gone, he's been productive. No, the Habs don't have a centre like Kotkaniemi, but they also don't have a sniper like Zadina.