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

[G0bias]

Just pick the guy who can't do one pull-up. Seemed to have worked for Buffalo.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Noel at 14
Ginning at 17
Kotkaniemi at 16
Smith at 19

Yes, like I said, at Veleno it falls apart.. but that top 9 is especially good for ISS, who are generally f***ing stupid size lovers.

 

[G0bias]

Berggren, Marchenko shooting up big time. This both pleases me and saddens me.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Berggren, Marchenko shooting up big time. This both pleases me and saddens me.

What? On ISS? Who cares.

 

[G0bias]

What? On ISS? Who cares.

Mmyeah. But the less they're known, the better.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Mmyeah. But the less they're known, the better.

Like, how you gonna put Marchenko ahead of Shafigullin?

 

[S Bah]

Just pick the guy who can't do one pull-up. Seemed to have worked for Buffalo.

Actually that was Calgary's Sam Bennett(C) 4th OV in 2014, 2017 - 2018 11g. + 15asst. = 26pts., he is now 6'1" & 200lbs. hasn't really worked for them so far. Far too early to give up on his talent & desire though. Matt Tkachuk has been a very good choice for them at LW, Flames fans rave about his intangibles.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Like, how you gonna put Marchenko ahead of Shafigullin?

If we are gonna talk about skating boogeyman.. Marchenko.....

 

[G0bias]

Like, how you gonna put Marchenko ahead of Shafigullin?

The same way you put Veleno and Noel ahead of Jesperi.

Though not as much of a stretch.

 

[Mrb1p]

Like, how you gonna put Marchenko ahead of Shafigullin?

Marchenko has a much better shooting potential than Bulat, here I said it.

 

[L4br3cqu3]

Actually that was Calgary's Sam Bennett(C) 4th OV in 2014, 2017 - 2018 11g. + 15asst. = 26pts., he is now 6'1" & 200lbs. hasn't really worked for them so far. Far too early to give up on his talent & desire though. Matt Tkachuk has been a very good choice for them at LW, Flames fans rave about his intangibles.

Actually, you're both right, Mittelstadt couldn't do 1 pull-up either.

I'd still take both on the Habs.

 

[G0bias]

The kinks in Marchenko's skating can atleast be worked on. He's got above average to good speed but his first step needs work. Keep in mind he's also among the youngest in the draft.

 

[Mrb1p]

The kinks in Marchenko's skating can atleast be worked on. He's got above average speed but his first step needs work. Keep in mind he's also among the youngest in the draft.

There's a few things that never get substantially better

Shot
First steps
Physical implication
Size

Hughes is always going to be a 5'5 manlet.
Veleno's shot is Veleno's shot, he's never going to get a NHL worthy shot.
Kovalenko's skating isn't that bad, but his first step isn't going to be a strength in the NHL, ever.
Wahlstrom's never going to be implicated, he is what he is.

If you draft players with these flaws, the expectation is that they will remain unless theres some kind of miracle.

 

[G0bias]

There's a few things that never get substantially better

Shot
First steps
Physical implication
Size

Hughes is always going to be a 5'5 manlet.
Veleno's shot is Veleno's shot, he's never going to get a NHL worthy shot.
Kovalenko's skating isn't that bad, but his first step isn't going to be a strength in the NHL, ever.
Wahlstrom's never going to be implicated, he is what he is.

If you draft players with these flaws, the expectation is that they will remain unless theres some kind of miracle.

He'll never be mistaken for a speedster but I don't think it's bad enough to be a deal-breaker in his case, he finds ways to generate offense. But I tend to agree you'll rarely see a player's skating change drastically. Though some have improved their first steps in the past, Galchenyuk and Rantanen come to mind.

 

[Mrb1p]

He'll never be mistaken for a speedster but I don't think it's bad enough to be a deal-breaker in his case, he finds ways to generate offense. But as a genereal rule I tend to agree you'll rarely see a player's skating change drastically. Though some have improved their first steps in the past, Galchenyuk and Rantanen come to mind.

Galchenyuk is still slow as molasse most of the time, Rantanen, I haven't watched as much to form an opinion, my eyes are on Mack whenever his line is out.

 

[WeThreeKings]

It depends on what part of the skating is an issue. Marchenko to me, has heavy feet, and I've never seen someone with heavy feet get better.

If a mechanical shift can happen, that's tough to do, but it can be corrected.

Sometimes it's a matter of a skater getting stronger physically that propels them with more force off the blocks.

I don't think Marchenko can fix his skating, that's why I have him lower than most of you guys do, not that I have him super far down, he's talented and finds a way to produce.

 

[G0bias]

Galchenyuk is still slow as molasse most of the time, Rantanen, I haven't watched as much to form an opinion, my eyes are on Mack whenever his line is out.

5 years ago Chucky used to rarely get to pucks first, now he can atleast keep up.

 

[Janne Niinimaa]

I know ISS is irrelevent but if by any chance in hell Kotkaniemi is there at 16 and Smith at 19, Bergevin better be offering a mix of 2nds and 3rds for those 2 picks.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I know ISS is irrelevent but if by any chance in hell Kotkaniemi is there at 16 and Smith at 19, Bergevin better be offering a mix of 2nds and 3rds for those 2 picks.

if someone takes Veleno at 10, I will laugh until my sides split.

 

[ProspectsFanatic]

if someone takes Veleno at 10, I will laugh until my sides split.

You dislike Veleno that badly? I see people pretty low on him recently. I don't have him at 10, but not that far from it. To me he is a surefire NHLer with fair top6 upside. Excellent skater, strong in puck possession and solid 2-way game, I think his game will translate fine at the NHL level.

 

[Tutu to]

if someone takes Veleno at 10, I will laugh until my sides split.

I don’t get the hate. He’s got good size, excellent skating and a very well rounded game. Also his numbers since coming to Drummondville are on par with Zadina.

 

[WeThreeKings]

You dislike Veleno that badly? I see people pretty low on him recently. I don't have him at 10, but not that far from it. To me he is a surefire NHLer with fair top6 upside. Excellent skater, strong in puck possession and solid 2-way game, I think his game will translate fine at the NHL level.

He's a late first for me. Exactly where Poehling went last year. It's a fair area for centers who can skate well and pass the puck but can't put pressure on defenses or goalies with the ability to score .

 

[WeThreeKings]

I don’t get the hate. He’s got good size, excellent skating and a very well rounded game. Also his numbers since coming to Drummondville are on par with Zadina.

Drummondville is a mirage. He was back to being the same Veleno at the u-18.

 

[Tutu to]

Drummondville is a mirage. He was back to being the same Veleno at the u-18.

I thought he was Canada’s best forward against the Czech Republic.(only game I watched)

 

[WeThreeKings]

Simply put, I don't value Centers who aren't a threat to score as potential first line centers. I don't know of one legitimate first line center in the league that doesn't have the ability to beat a goalie from distance. I know of plenty who are reluctant to shoot or are pass first but they still possess an above average to lethal shot.

If you don't have that, I rate you lower and it hasn't failed me yet. 2nd line upside C's aren't going in my top 10. If you're gambling on a C, I would have Hayton higher simply because he can shoot the puck. But Kotkaniemi is the top guy. If Kupari wasn't so dumb I think he would be challenging for the top C in the draft.