Prospect Info: 2021 NHL Draft Thread Vol. 1

[landsbergfan]

Cant teach size

 

[Captain Dave Poulin]

Future Flyer Stank Oven at 44. Write it in permanent marker, friends.

 

[FLYguy3911]

That stinks. Had the most productive season in the USHL over the last 5 seasons. Likely in the Flyers range.

 

[IronMarshal]

That stinks. Had the most productive season in the USHL over the last 5 seasons. Likely in the Flyers range.

That does stink. I was looking forward to seeing him skating with the other higher end draft eligibles.

 

[CutOnDime97]

 

[CutOnDime97]

Interesting from EP Rinkside:

The EliteProspects Rinkside 2021 NHL Draft Ranking - EP Rinkside

View attachment 423450

So that article I posted before was from back in Jan. They just released new rankings before the U18s and have:

1. Power
2. Beniers
3. Eklund

The EliteProspects Rinkside pre-U18 2021 NHL Draft Ranking - EP Rinkside

 

[LegionOfDoom91]

I’d probably rather have Beniers over Power but even then the two of them are certainly two guys that are potentially surpassable by others moving forward.

If we get a somewhat normal cycle next year there might be a higher number of quality re-entries out of the OHL. A guy like Foerster probably has his stock change considerably without a season last year for example.

 

[IronMarshal]

I really hope we don't trade our number 1 pick this year (or next year, for that matter). I know that it is very possible given the need for a stud, preferably RH, defenseman. I also realize that this is a "down" year for the draft in that there are no consensus top 3 with superstar potential. That said, there are a bunch of intriguing draft eligibles, especially in the top 15.

The Flyers can draft anywhere from 16 down, to maybe 2 or 3, depending on how the season and lottery play out. Most likely, they will fall in the 10-14 range. With that in mind, there are 5 defensemen (all of whom should have a a good shot at being ready within a year or two). The forwards are a little light in pure centers, but several of the center/wing players have the ability to play center. Several of those have first line potential.

The top bunch of players include C/W William Eklund, C Matthew Beniers, RW Dylan Guenther, and C/W Kent Johnson, all of whom project as possible top 5 picks. On the defensive side, RHD Brandt Clarke, LHD Owen Power (who has played a lot of right side), LHD Luke Hughes (also has played a lot of right side), LHD Simon Edvinsson, LHD Carson Lambos, and just a notch below those is RHD Corson Cuelemans. Other forwards who will slot into that 10-15 ranges and C Aatu Raty, C Chaz Lucius, C/W Cole Sillinger, RW Fabian Lysell, and C/W Mason McTavish.

There are two goalies who are trending toward the 10-15 range in Jesper Wahlstedt and Sebastian Cossa.

The above amounts to 17 players, all of whom would be welcome additions to the Flyers stable of prospects. I am assuming that Power, Eklund, Beniers, Guenther, Johnson, Clarke, and Hughes will go inside the top 10 (provided Hughes' medical report comes back positive. He has torn ligaments in his foot) and that the Flyers would have to win one of the two lottery spots to land one of them.

Beyond that defensemen like Edvinsson (probably a top 10 guy as well), Lambos (who is similar stylistically to Provorov IMO), and Cuelemans (6'2 RHD who skates vey well and has a lot of offense, but is not as strong defensively and plays in an inferior league) will be the defensive possibilities have a chance to be there in the 10 -16 range where the Flyers are picking. Cuelemans is probably at the bottom of that list.
At least a couple of forwards from Raty (big, mobile talented center who started the year slowly), Lucius (really good offensive tool box, excellent shooter and passer, powerplay and faceoff specialist, but weaker defensively center), Sillinger (sniper, playmaker with decent skating), McTavish (terrific shooter, playmaker, but below average skater) and Lysell (5 '10.5" offensively talented) should be available in the 10-16 range.

One, perhaps both of the two goalies should fall into that range as well.

There are a few others who may sneak into that 12-16 area as well, but the 17 players I have listed are areally good sample of what will be available for that #1 pick.

The way the team has played, I am hoping for someone who has decent size (or Eklund), a high motor, intelligent, good skill, especially in the goal soring area, and preferably skates very well type of player. I am tired of arriving on the scene too late and losing the battle, shooting wide or into the logo etc.

 

[FLYguy3911]

LHD Owen Power (who has played a lot of right side)

Nitpicking as the Flyers won't have a shot at drafting him, but he played LD exclusively this year. I don't foresee him as a RD option at the next level. He's not very sudden or explosive to buy a ton of time and space necessary to excel on his offside as a 6'6 skater.

I will start digging in after u18s so I should probably not speak with much expertise, but I've seen enough of Clarke over the last 12 months to feel pretty good about him being the ideal target for the Flyers. He was a 100 point guy(!) in the GTHL. First overall OHL pick. He had the second most productive ES season ever by a CHL defensemen in his D-1 season (since 2008). Most productive season by a u18 defenseman in the Slovakian League (bad league but still impressive). The track record is about as good as it gets. I assume he'll cement his status next week which means he's not a realistic target barring a lottery win.

Hard not to see Luke Hughes being an impact player at the next level as well. Super young. Super productive. And I'm not the bloodlines guy but when your two older brothers are stars, I'm buying the genetics here.

 

[IronMarshal]

Nitpicking as the Flyers won't have a shot at drafting him, but he played LD exclusively this year. I don't foresee him as a RD option at the next level. He's not very sudden or explosive to buy a ton of time and space necessary to excel on his offside as a 6'6 skater.

I will start digging in after u18s so I should probably not speak with much expertise, but I've seen enough of Clarke over the last 12 months to feel pretty good about him being the ideal target for the Flyers. He was a 100 point guy(!) in the GTHL. First overall OHL pick. He had the second most productive ES season ever by a CHL defensemen in his D-1 season (since 2008). Most productive season by a u18 defenseman in the Slovakian League (bad league but still impressive). The track record is about as good as it gets. I assume he'll cement his status next week which means he's not a realistic target barring a lottery win.

Hard not to see Luke Hughes being an impact player at the next level as well. Super young. Super productive. And I'm not the bloodlines guy but when your two older brothers are stars, I'm buying the genetics here.

I read, I think it was Kournianos, that he played right side a lot with York on the left, but when I watched Michigan, I thought I saw him on the left.

Clarke would be perfect, but I agree the Flyers have to be one of those two lottery winners to have a shot at him at 6, 5, 4, or 3. Beniers and Eklund would both be good too, but again, the lottery would have to come into play.

If Hughes slid to 8-10, then a trade up could work there. Lambos may come into range as well, but I think the only D who will be there from 12 on is Cuelemans, who is risky, but has a nice tool kit and is RHD and 6'2.

 

[FLYguy3911]

I read, I think it was Kournianos, that he played right side a lot with York on the left, but when I watched Michigan, I thought I saw him on the left.

They'd skate the occasional late-period offensive zone shift together, but Power pretty much only played with Nick Blankenburg (a righty).

If Hughes slid to 8-10, then a trade up could work there. Lambos may come into range as well, but I think the only D who will be there from 12 on is Ceulemans, who is risky, but has a nice tool kit and is RHD and 6'2.

I can't see myself pounding the table for Lambos based on what I saw last year and now his premature ending to his season this year. Most likely a solid player, but if I'm targeting a LHD in the first round they should have a special skill set. I think Hughes fits that bill though.

I saw Ceulemans last year at the WJAC and he was fairly impressive as a 16 year old on a dysfunctional team. The AJHL has churned out its fair share of blueliners recently and Ceulemans is right there, if not better than everyone but Makar.

I think if the Flyers fall in that ~13ish range, barring a significant fall from someone, trading back in a draft with so much uncertainty will probably be the best option. Maybe we get more clarification at the u18s but I have no idea what to think of these OHL forwards atm.

 

[Embiid]

Delete

 

[BigToe]

These Swedish fwds are always nasty. What are they feeding them over there

 

[IronMarshal]

These Swedish fwds are always nasty. What are they feeding them over there

Meatballs

 

[Psuhockey]

Nitpicking as the Flyers won't have a shot at drafting him, but he played LD exclusively this year. I don't foresee him as a RD option at the next level. He's not very sudden or explosive to buy a ton of time and space necessary to excel on his offside as a 6'6 skater.

I will start digging in after u18s so I should probably not speak with much expertise, but I've seen enough of Clarke over the last 12 months to feel pretty good about him being the ideal target for the Flyers. He was a 100 point guy(!) in the GTHL. First overall OHL pick. He had the second most productive ES season ever by a CHL defensemen in his D-1 season (since 2008). Most productive season by a u18 defenseman in the Slovakian League (bad league but still impressive). The track record is about as good as it gets. I assume he'll cement his status next week which means he's not a realistic target barring a lottery win.

Hard not to see Luke Hughes being an impact player at the next level as well. Super young. Super productive. And I'm not the bloodlines guy but when your two older brothers are stars, I'm buying the genetics here.

One of the most annoying things about NHL GMs is how they are not as aggressive as NFL GMs regarding trading up. The hard cap structure and free agency rules create a huge importance on drafting young talent in both leagues. Clarke is such a clear need for the Flyers that they should blow the doors off of someone to move up. If he hits, you have solidified a top pair for close to a decade enjoying all of his best years much like trading up for a QB but the Flyers won’t do it. They would rather spend a ton of assets to get an older player on a bigger contract towards the end of his prime years instead. What Fletcher will likely spend to get Ellis he could have Clarke instead and for probably cheaper.

I keep expecting NHL GMs to catch up the NFL GMs with how to work in a flat cap league but they are still far behind.

 

[FLYguy3911]

I don't think it's an aggression problem. You still see teams giving up way too much to trade up for non-impact players like Ratcliffe, Schneider, Kleven, etc. I think teams at the top just fall in love with the idea of drafting a particular player and put an unreasonable price on the pick. There's also no real precedent for trading top 5 picks in the NHL. The NFL has the most important position in sports. It's pretty much a general rule if you are picking in the top 5 and don't need a QB, trading out of that pick is the high percentage play and it happens every year.

As good as I think Clarke is, I'm not sure I'd give up the moon for him. Especially in a draft year like this. He's probably not stepping right into the NHL next year so he's not immediately filling a need. If he falls within striking range? Sure.

 

[Psuhockey]

I don't think it's an aggression problem. You still see teams giving up way too much to trade up for non-impact players like Ratcliffe, Schneider, Kleven, etc. I think teams at the top just fall in love with the idea of drafting a particular player and put an unreasonable price on the pick. There's also no real precedent for trading top 5 picks in the NHL. The NFL has the most important position in sports. It's pretty much a general rule if you are picking in the top 5 and don't need a QB, trading out of that pick is the high percentage play and it happens every year.

As good as I think Clarke is, I'm not sure I'd give up the moon for him. Especially in a draft year like this. He's probably not stepping right into the NHL next year so he's not immediately filling a need. If he falls within striking range? Sure.

I just think NHL GMs are too short sighted. There is a difference I guess between stepping right in the NFL and having to wait on NHL prospects but I also think that’s NHL GMs being overly cautious with their prospects. If a player is physically mature enough, he should be ready to go especially the guys at the top half of the first round. But I do think the resources that the Flyers will dump for a 30 year Ellis would be about what it would take to go and grab Clarke, probably a little less to move up, but Fletcher or other GMs would never think to use that package to move up. Yes for the can’t miss franchise guys in the top 2 but as you said teams aren’t likely to move out of those spots. I would rather take a chance on a guy like Clarke than on someone like Ellis especially where the Flyers are as an organization.

 

[FLYguy3911]

I'd rather pay for Clarke than pay for Ellis but a GM in Win-now mode like Fletcher is going to have no interest in a guy that isn't helping him next year.

I was wondering if Clarke could possibly play in the league next year and then I took a look at Drysdale getting his doors blown off.

I think Clarke is a better prospect but Drysdale is an unbelievable skater that I thought might be able to keep his head above water on that asset alone. It's really hard to make an impact as an 18 year old defenseman.

 

[Psuhockey]

I'd rather pay for Clarke than pay for Ellis but a GM in Win-now mode like Fletcher is going to have no interest in a guy that isn't helping him next year.

And this is why this franchise is going to be stuck in the mud for a very long time.

 

[Appleyard]

 

[Larry44]

The write-ups are excellent, Alexander!

Putting you on the spot. Who would you take for the Flyers at 15 (maybe a range of 4-5 players) and who at 1 and 2?

 

[RonHextall27]

Is it too early to start the "2023 Fail hard for Bedard" campaign?

 

[FLYguy3911]

Michkov is 2023 also.

 

[CutOnDime97]

Is it too early to start the "2023 Fail hard for Bedard" campaign?

Don't put up a fight for Wright

Don't try hard for Bedard

 

[Starat327]

Michkov is 2023 also.

Keep Vigneault for Michkov?

I think it works if you pronounce it right.