Pre-Game Talk: 2019 NHL Draft, Pt. V: Got your ticket? (Mod note in pinned post)

[DFAC]

Why do a lot more people have cozens dropping (potentially out of top 10)? I’ve seen him ranked as high as 3 but not so much lately...

Not sure if its anything Cozens has done but more so those around him have risen their stock. Guys like Caulfield and Zegras have shot up the rankings after a great U18 showing

 

[docbenton]

Nice list, a few comments:

- I'm going from recall here, but I remember you saying that you did not like Zegras. That he wasn't as skilled as people thought. Was this you? If so, why the change?

- Boldy ahead of Byram and Cozens? Again, going from recall, I thought you had Cozens in the top5. If I'm wrong, my mistake.

- Big drop for Cozens.

- What makes Newhook better than Dach for you?

Hi, on Zegras yes I did say that, last year and even a bit at the start of this year, he seemed to have a hard time getting anything accomplished. As the year went on he began to look stronger and more confident and started winning battles and making plays at a much higher rate. Because of his outstanding vision and work ethic, the upside is enough for me to gamble on, despite deficiencies in his shot, strength and top end speed.

Boldy is just really well-rounded scoring winger, with the combination of size, elite shot, skill and vision, and without any deficiencies (really good defensively, skates well especially for his size). If you like Timo Meier or Filip Forsberg he's that kind of player. Cozens is good, it's just that I don't think there's any chance he's a top line type player. He's a skate and shoot player first and foremost but he's not as good at it compared to say Podkolzin, and probably has less playmaking ability as well. Byram I've never loved as a prospect, a lot of points come from being very aggressive positionally for someone who's not an elite skater, and he's porous defensively against junior players. Very good offensive skills and instincts however.

Newhook and Dach are close, I've just had very mixed viewings on Dach, I don't know if he is as high end a playmaker as some think, but has terrific hands. His engagement is also inconsistent. Seems to get injured a lot. So he could be a future Getzlaf but you're taking on some enigma there. Newhook showed his game is helped by playing with better players, seems to have a real quickness and creativity to his ability to make plays which you love for the next level. Great shot, great wheels, combined with his hands and mind I think he has top line upside even if there's a bit of sloppiness occasionally.

 

[McRobbiezyg]

I was hoping to come down for the draft from Edmonton, do you guys think they will be releasing more tickets? seems ridiculous that they're already all gone

 

[TruGr1t]

I missed Button's recently-updated mock last week, but he finally doesn't have us taking a defenseman: https://www.tsn.ca/kakko-closes-gap-on-hughes-in-tsn-hockey-s-mock-draft-4-0-1.1309174

Has us taking Podkolzin at 10 OA. I'm down with that if he falls.

 

[GetFocht]

Podkolzin will fall, he has confirmed he will be in the KHL for the next two years without any outclause.

 

[DownGoesMcDavid]

I was hoping to come down for the draft from Edmonton, do you guys think they will be releasing more tickets? seems ridiculous that they're already all gone

Sold out.

To be fair too alot of the tickets were reserved for players and their families.

You should still come down..there will be tplenty of festivities and I'm sure you can score a ticket for the 2nd day or even the 1st day if youre willing to pay top dollar.

 

[Fire Benning]

Heinola, Fagemo, and Puistola are my top targets as of now for the Canucks 2nd round pick.

 

[THE Green Man]

Heinola, Fagemo, and Puistola are my top targets as of now for the Canucks 2nd round pick.

I'd be surprised if Heinola is there at our 2nd pick, but it is interesting he is not listed in Button's mock posted above. Fagemo woulnd't be bad I suppose but I feel like he could even be there at our 3rd round pick. I still like Legare and Tracey a lot for forwards too but Tracey may be a late 1st rounder now. Same on the blueline I like Thomson or Korczak but the former may be a 1st now as well if we are holding much stock in Button's lists.

 

[DownGoesMcDavid]

Very interesting video the Canucks just released

Benning definitely leaning on players that can shoot the puck and has skills

Brackett: WHL and USNDT is strong this year . We focused on best available player last year..will do same this year

 

[Fire Benning]

I'd be surprised if Heinola is there at our 2nd pick, but it is interesting he is not listed in Button's mock posted above. Fagemo woulnd't be bad I suppose but I feel like he could even be there at our 3rd round pick. I still like Legare and Tracey a lot for forwards too but Tracey may be a late 1st rounder now. Same on the blueline I like Thomson or Korczak but the former may be a 1st now as well if we are holding much stock in Button's lists.

Tracey played with two 20 year old who put up 100+ points, I'd be a bit leery about picking him in the early 2nd round, maybe later in the draft if he's still there.

 

[DonnyNucker]

Podkolzin will fall, he has confirmed he will be in the KHL for the next two years without any outclause.

I think he will fall hard. Outside of the top 15 at least

 

[THE Green Man]

Tracey played with two 20 year old who put up 100+ points, I'd be a bit leery about picking him in the early 2nd round, maybe later in the draft if he's still there.

That's more or less why I want another 2nd rounder somehow. Get a USA forward at 10 (Boldy hopefully), Thomson or Korczac with our 2nd and Legare or Tracey later in the 2nd round.

 

[GetFocht]

Very interesting video the Canucks just released

Benning definitely leaning on players that can shoot the puck and has skills

Brackett: WHL and USNDT is strong this year . We focused on best available player last year..will do same this year

also another interesting tidbit, they ranked Quinn Hughes at 3rd overall last year.

 

[DonnyNucker]

also another interesting tidbit, they ranked Quinn Hughes at 3rd overall last year.

That’s what I assumed. They really liked Zadina but confirmed he was lower than Hughes. Their top 4 was: Dahlin- Svechnikov- Hughes-Zadina

 

[BeardyCanuck03]

Where are you gathering this?

I've never heard/read that.

The gripe seems to almost be 100% based on his club statistics or lacktherof.

After talking with Cam Robinson about Podkolzin, I would say the issue with Podkolzin is that he is focused too much at being a strong two way / defensively strong forward. Which is holding his point production back.

Also, what is the difference of Podkolzin playing 2 years in the KHL vs a NCAA player 2+ years or waiting 2 years for a CHL player? Is it just because he's Russian and we as NHL fans are irrationally scared he's not going to come over (when has a top pick not come over?).

 

[GetFocht]

After talking with Cam Robinson about Podkolzin, I would say the issue with Podkolzin is that he is focused too much at being a strong two way / defensively strong forward. Which is holding his point production back.

Also, what is the difference of Podkolzin playing 2 years in the KHL vs a NCAA player 2+ years or waiting 2 years for a CHL player? Is it just because he's Russian and we as NHL fans are irrationally scared he's not going to come over (when has a top pick not come over?).

its a legitimate concern for Russian born players that stay in Russia, you cannot control their development or be able to check in as easily as an NCAA or CHL player when they're in the KHL. KHL also has enough money that they can pay certain players high salary if they become successful and entice them to stay.

 

[BeardyCanuck03]

Tracey played with two 20 year old who put up 100+ points, I'd be a bit leery about picking him in the early 2nd round, maybe later in the draft if he's still there.

That concern got lessened when he was a big play driver at the U18 tournament.

 

[bandwagonesque]

After talking with Cam Robinson about Podkolzin, I would say the issue with Podkolzin is that he is focused too much at being a strong two way / defensively strong forward. Which is holding his point production back.

Also, what is the difference of Podkolzin playing 2 years in the KHL vs a NCAA player 2+ years or waiting 2 years for a CHL player? Is it just because he's Russian and we as NHL fans are irrationally scared he's not going to come over (when has a top pick not come over?).

The "Russian factor" doesn't exist. Virtually all highly drafted Russians capable of playing in the league come to the NHL and play. Podkolzin will probably be there at 10 and I don't see any way Boldy makes it past Edmonton.

 

[BeardyCanuck03]

its a legitimate concern for Russian born players that stay in Russia, you cannot control their development or be able to check in as easily as an NCAA or CHL player when they're in the KHL. KHL also has enough money that they can pay certain players high salary if they become successful and entice them to stay.

It's a concern for Russian players who aren't top prospects. Show me a top Russian prospect who didn't come over? The NHL is still the strongest league and the league every player wants to play in.

Podkolzin just wants to fulfil his current contract. Nothing wrong with that. I think his opinion could change next summer if he has another year like this past season where he gets bounced around between leagues and teams.

Is it a concern? Yes, just not as big as a lot of people are making it out to be.

 

[duplo]

Very interesting video the Canucks just released

Benning definitely leaning on players that can shoot the puck and has skills

Brackett: WHL and USNDT is strong this year . We focused on best available player last year..will do same this year

lol, within seconds of the video starting Benning's like " GRUHHH JUST TELL ME WHO RIPS THE PUCK"

 

[bandwagonesque]

lol, within seconds of the video starting Benning's like " GRUHHH JUST TELL ME WHO RIPS THE PUCK"

No, he didn't. He asked who of three players, who they were already discussing for other reasons, has the best shot. It's possible to criticize Benning, and to construct a negative opinion of him overall, without exaggerating or lying.

 

[UK Canuck]

I think he will fall hard. Outside of the top 15 at least

if that actually happens we should be looking to acquire another pick and snatch him

 

[TruGr1t]

lol, within seconds of the video starting Benning's like " GRUHHH JUST TELL ME WHO RIPS THE PUCK"

This would concern me if there was some Virtanen analog in our range, but Benning's fetish for guys who can "rip the puck" should be relatively harmless given the basket of players we're looking at with the 10 OA. Interesting comments from Brackett, but I don't see anyone from the USNTDP being available to us in that range outside of Caufield. Turcotte, Boldy, and Zegras will likely be gone. If anyone of them are available it's a no brainer pick. Sprint up and make it.

In terms of the WHL, it sounds like they like Cozens and Krebs. Dach is an interesting one given the reported focus on skating.

 

[Snatcher Demko]

Being able to "rip the puck" is a desirable trait given that time and space are always hard to come by, especially in the playoffs, and goal-scoring is obviously at a premium. While there is the potential for misses (with any draft by any scout) it's a reasonable thing to prioritize IMHO. Of course if ripping the puck is all a guy can do (can't skate or has tunnel vision) that would drop him.

Q. Hughes is a good example of an exception. The Canucks had him at #3 but he can hardly shoot (nor has size). But has IQ in spades. Clearly the Canucks value that as well.

 

[bandwagonesque]

Dach is an interesting one given the reported focus on skating

When a reporter attributes a vague sentiment to the front office, it probably shouldn't be used to extrapolate with supposed near-certainty about what management plans to do or what their priorities are.