2019 Draft Discussion

[Ghetty Green]

Benn came out of the BCHL as well, yeah?

Honestly aside from Benn it seems like scouts have evaluated those guys pretty well lately, with Makar, Turris etc looking like good picks at their spots. So I wouldn't jump ahead for Newhook, take him where he's rated closer to 10.

Dont forget Fabbro and Jost

 

[Herby]

Any Canadian who chooses wisely to play in the NCAA is going to be drafted out of Junior A. Most decide to play in the CHL, but there are still some who decide to play in college and will be in the Top 10 range. I think you do a disservice to your team if you automatically exclude taking any of those players.

 

[Steve Zissou]

I am hoping for one of Caufield or Turcotte.

If Byram is already taken (which I'm assuming), I'm feeling like Turcotte or Caufield as well.

 

[King'sPawn]

Turcotte opens up the scoring for USA in the Bronze medal game. Great feed by Hughes. Canada looks awful; though they looked just as bad in yesterday's game, I'm not sure I'd attribute it to playing 2 games in less than 24 hours.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[Butch 19]

I am hoping for one of Caufield or Turcotte.

Wish the Kings had a piece they could use to move up and get both, they are going to school together. Let them play 2 years at Wisconsin and then join the Kings for the 2021 playoffs

Do you think there's no chance that any #5 pick makes the team?

 

[cyclones22]

I'm feeling better and better about that number five slot. Byram, Turcotte or Caufield at this point would make me happy. Assuming nothing horrible is discovered during the physicals Etc.

 

[AnThGrt]

It'd be sad if we took Caufield at 5. Seriously one tournament and now everyone is talking about taking him at #3-5... Everyone listing him now had him nowhere near #5 and would have balked just a week ago at the idea.

 

[Herby]

Do you think there's no chance that any #5 pick makes the team?

Jack Hughes will be the first player to ever make the jump directly from the NTDP to the NHL (If he makes it).

No trouble in letting Caufield and Turcotte go to Wisconsin for two years, play under a former NHL coach with access to world class weight rooms. And why waste years on an ELC when they are likely AHL bound this year anyways. Plus the Kings are probably going to be a disaster again next season, probably not something you want an 18 year old to walk into.

 

[Herby]

It'd be sad if we took Caufield at 5. Seriously one tournament and now everyone is talking about taking him at #3-5... Everyone listing him now had him nowhere near #5 and would have balked just a week ago at the idea.

He has been a big-time scorer before this tournament. The kid scored 29G in 28 games in the USHL as a 17 year old. That's mighty impressive. Most think of him as a slightly better version of DeBrincat. If the Hawks offered DeBrincat for the #5 would you turn it down?

 

[King'sPawn]

It'd be sad if we took Caufield at 5. Seriously one tournament and now everyone is talking about taking him at #3-5... Everyone listing him now had him nowhere near #5 and would have balked just a week ago at the idea.

I had him in the low teens. While 5 is a bit of a reach for me, I understand his performance shooting his draft stock up, and some team may want to reach since he's a bit of a wildcard prospect.

Easily, Caufield, Podkolzin, and Kaliyev are major wild cards. All are very polarizing.

 

[KopitarFAN]

It'd be sad if we took Caufield at 5. Seriously one tournament and now everyone is talking about taking him at #3-5... Everyone listing him now had him nowhere near #5 and would have balked just a week ago at the idea.

While I agree, not a fan at #5, it's not just one tournament, it's 202 goals in 201 games over 2 seasons playing with a number of different teams (mostly the same teammates, but the competition has varied). People are just getting to see for the first time and they are floored.

If they move down to #8-10 i'd be ok with it though.

 

[Herby]

I had him in the low teens. While 5 is a bit of a reach for me, I understand his performance shooting his draft stock up, and some team may want to reach since he's a bit of a wildcard prospect.

Easily, Caufield, Podkolzin, and Kaliyev are major wild cards. All are very polarizing.

I just feel like with a team like the Kings that has gone over a decade without drafting a top line forward or top pair d-man it's time to try and find a player like that. I don't see 1st line player out of any of the other guys around there. This draft is lacking high end skill.

 

[King'sPawn]

I just feel like with a team like the Kings that has gone over a decade without drafting a top line forward or top pair d-man it's time to try and find a player like that. I don't see 1st line player out of any of the other guys around there. This draft is lacking high end skill.

I think just like any other draft, there are players who have warts. Even the high end one.

This isn't singling you out, because I don't know how many games you've watched, so please don't misunderstand. I DO think that with higher exposure, some players are being over scouted. Either that or they fall on recency bias to change or confirm their opinion (like referencing DeBrincat comparing him to Caufield.

I do think there's a lot of first line potential, and some players may very well fall into the second round or beyond. It's always a combination of drafting and developing, in my opinion. I'm just not sure if the Kings will bring out the best of whomever they draft.

 

[Herby]

I think just like any other draft, there are players who have warts. Even the high end one.

This isn't singling you out, because I don't know how many games you've watched, so please don't misunderstand. I DO think that with higher exposure, some players are being over scouted. Either that or they fall on recency bias to change or confirm their opinion (like referencing DeBrincat comparing him to Caufield.

I do think there's a lot of first line potential, and some players may very well fall into the second round or beyond. It's always a combination of drafting and developing, in my opinion. I'm just not sure if the Kings will bring out the best of whomever they draft.

I see where you are coming from on the development thing being a factor. But I think for about a decade the Kings didn't even give themselves a chance to develop talent because they just so rarely drafted it. I can't really think of a player the Kings drafted that I can say "man another team would have developed him into a star". The Kings idea of adding skill was usually drafting smaller players in the later rounds. I mean maybe with any luck they could have found a Gaudreau or Arvidsson instead of an Azevado or Kozun but it sure would be nice to try and draft someone with a chance to score 35+ goals a year in the NHL.

I follow the USHL pretty closely, it is not an easy league to score in, for anyone, much less a 17 year old. Scoring at a goal-per-game is insane for that league.

 

[King'sPawn]

Podkolzin with a nice goal, his first of the tournament. Waived off on ice as they say it was goalie interference, but it looked good to me.

Edit: It's good; Sweden still leads 2-1.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

He has been a big-time scorer before this tournament. The kid scored 29G in 28 games in the USHL as a 17 year old. That's mighty impressive. Most think of him as a slightly better version of DeBrincat. If the Hawks offered DeBrincat for the #5 would you turn it down?

Herby,

Only “small” difference is that DeBrincat already has 68 goals in two seasons under his belt.

That is still a big IF with Caufield.

What have you eaten today ?

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

My Prediction:
1. NJD Hughes
2. NYR Kakko
3. CHI Podkolzin/Dach/Turcotte*
4. COL Dach/Turcotte**
5. LAK Byram***

*Chicago has used all their top picks on Dmen in the last two drafts:
2018 1st: Adam Boqvist (Defenseman)
2018 1st: Nicolas Beaudin (Defenseman)
2017 1st: Henri Jokiharju (Defenseman)
2017 2nd: Ian Mitchell (Defenseman)
After all those picks used on defense I think they'll draft a forward.

**Colorado will most likely take a forward. They want someone who can get to the NHL quickly as they think they can contend now (all thier core players are entering their prime). Plus they already have Makar so Byram could be redundant. I don't think they take Podkolzin because his path to the NHL could be longer.

***That means Byram falls to the Kings. He's the #2 ranked N.A. skater so he'd be BPA. I think in recent drafts the Kings focused on forwards because they wanted players who could get to the NHL fast and help our aging core make one last run. It sounds like management has given up on that, so drafting a Dman makes more sense now. Plus Byram is one of the youngest of the top prospects and the Kings have favored some younger players in recent drafts.

I like your thinking but don't get your hopes up too high on the Kings landing Byram. Want to see it happen too! Kings need to stay the hell away from Dach(too soft) and Cozens(bad skater)! In todays NHL Alex Turcotte son of Alfie and Grandson of Real Turcotte gets my vote!

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

Bowen Byram may be another Scotty Niedermayer! And both are from Cranbrook,BC,Canada!

 

[RocketKing]

So watching these guys elevate really makes me happy. If we got the Edm pick (not a small thing, but they are dealing) we might be able to end up with this: Caufield, Boldy, and York.

That would be very bad ass. If Byram is gone and I think he will be then take the goal scorer, then get Boldy to be the power forward, and then York who can really help run our PP from the LD spot.

Although with York's play he may not be there at 19 or 20 in the Leafs slot.

 

[AnThGrt]

He has been a big-time scorer before this tournament. The kid scored 29G in 28 games in the USHL as a 17 year old. That's mighty impressive. Most think of him as a slightly better version of DeBrincat. If the Hawks offered DeBrincat for the #5 would you turn it down?

I had him in the low teens. While 5 is a bit of a reach for me, I understand his performance shooting his draft stock up, and some team may want to reach since he's a bit of a wildcard prospect.

Easily, Caufield, Podkolzin, and Kaliyev are major wild cards. All are very polarizing.

While I agree, not a fan at #5, it's not just one tournament, it's 202 goals in 201 games over 2 seasons playing with a number of different teams (mostly the same teammates, but the competition has varied). People are just getting to see for the first time and they are floored.

If they move down to #8-10 i'd be ok with it though.

If you were offered Getzlaf/Thornton (Dach), Zetterberg/Toews (Turcotte), Point/Toews (Krebs), etc for #5 would you turn it down Herby? Difference all three of those (and just 3 in that range) are WAY WAY WAY safer, bring a lot more to the game, and hold similar or quite bit higher potential too. That couldn't have been a serious argument?

@KopitarFAN you nearly re-iterated exactly what I wrote so glad we agree that he belongs in the teens or after this tournament ~10 maybe. Where did I say he is bad, wouldn't be solid if moving down, etc? I said it would be insanely disappointing not just lightly if we took him at 5. Also if I may ask who are those "most think of him slightly better version of DeBrincat" as there is a thread in prospect section and maybe a select few believe that. He is far from an elite skater, worse passer than DeBrincat, isn't anywhere even remotely as feisty or likely to go to dirty areas, has on his best day a shot on par with DeBrincat. For those loving his numbers too.... How has Wahlstrom (better shot and actually universally ranked and seen as a better prospect than Caufield) looked away from Hughes? Remember when we were lucky enough to be able to draft Crosby's winger with great numbers Roussin?!?!

Here is something fun before anyone retorts to this... No doubt the NHL is and continues to change. We saw how round 1 went for the small/skilled/soft teams. Now anyone loving Caufield at #5 name and planning to rebutal this list me 3, 5, 10, etc guys who were 5'9> yet alone 5'6 (on a nice listing) to be drafted in the first round. Now beyond that list the ones that panned out? Hint it is an impossible task to achieve even with the entire draft history of the NHL. Caufield would literally be the single smallest player on any team in the entire NHL. The closest players with better talent DeBricant, Zuccarello, and Gaudreau are all exceptional-elite skaters and 1-3 inches taller respectively.

 

[Herby]

@AnThGrt ,

I think we just fundamentally disagree on what type of player the Kings should be taking at 5. I just feel like taking many of these guys in that range is like going to a restaurant and ordering a burger. You know it's not going to be terrible, but it probably has little chance to be excellent. It's been 14 years since the Kings drafted a 1st line forward. I would like to swing for the fences here, there is some risk involved but this kids ability to score goals means he probably has a floor in the league as a PP specialist with a chance to produce like no one other than Hughes and KK. If the Kings choose to go with the d-man or even Turcotte I am ok with that, but some of these other guys just really seem like they have lower ceilings.

And as far as trading down, as we saw with the NFL draft, it's just tough because you don't know what other teams are doing. If you think CC is your guy is it worth it to trade down to 8 or 9 to get a couple of picks and hope no one takes him, remember it only takes 1 team to like him and kill the plans.

It's probably not even worth arguing anyways, Mark Yanetti is still the Kings director of amateur scouting so Blake would have to go against everything his scouting director stands for to take Caufield at 5. It's quite possible Caufield isn't even on the Kings board.

 

[King'sPawn]

I still think there's good talent, and some have size.

Dach, for example, reminds me of Kopitar, not just his size, but how he opts to pass more despite his great shot. He is a better skater than he gets credit.

But I am really high on Turcotte, as has been stated. Boldy also has high upside as a two-way playmaking winger. He's 6'2, which is pretty big.

I understand the concern of the Kings being obsessed with size, but there is a lot of potential even for bigger players.

 

[kingsfan28]

If you were offered Getzlaf/Thornton (Dach), Zetterberg/Toews (Turcotte), Point/Toews (Krebs), etc for #5 would you turn it down Herby? Difference all three of those (and just 3 in that range) are WAY WAY WAY safer, bring a lot more to the game, and hold similar or quite bit higher potential too. That couldn't have been a serious argument?

@KopitarFAN you nearly re-iterated exactly what I wrote so glad we agree that he belongs in the teens or after this tournament ~10 maybe. Where did I say he is bad, wouldn't be solid if moving down, etc? I said it would be insanely disappointing not just lightly if we took him at 5. Also if I may ask who are those "most think of him slightly better version of DeBrincat" as there is a thread in prospect section and maybe a select few believe that. He is far from an elite skater, worse passer than DeBrincat, isn't anywhere even remotely as feisty or likely to go to dirty areas, has on his best day a shot on par with DeBrincat. For those loving his numbers too.... How has Wahlstrom (better shot and actually universally ranked and seen as a better prospect than Caufield) looked away from Hughes? Remember when we were lucky enough to be able to draft Crosby's winger with great numbers Roussin?!?!

Here is something fun before anyone retorts to this... No doubt the NHL is and continues to change. We saw how round 1 went for the small/skilled/soft teams. Now anyone loving Caufield at #5 name and planning to rebutal this list me 3, 5, 10, etc guys who were 5'9> yet alone 5'6 (on a nice listing) to be drafted in the first round. Now beyond that list the ones that panned out? Hint it is an impossible task to achieve even with the entire draft history of the NHL. Caufield would literally be the single smallest player on any team in the entire NHL. The closest players with better talent DeBricant, Zuccarello, and Gaudreau are all exceptional-elite skaters and 1-3 inches taller respectively.

Every pro scout and message board poster knew his numbers were elavated because of Sid...except Al Murray and Dave Taylor!

 

[Herby]

Why does everyone suddenly say speed and skill are dead and it's back to grind it out. Because of one round? Really?

The last four Stanley Cup champs were all skill based teams.

This decade the cup champs have been 3rd, 8th, 29th, 2nd, 25th, 14th, 3rd, 1st, 9th in GF.
The runners-up have been 2nd, 1st, 11th, 11th, 18th, 1st, 4th, 11th, 4th

I don't think Barry Melrose style hockey is returning based on 1 round.