Pre-Game Talk: 2024 Draft Thread

[bleedblue1223]

I do wish the rankings that scouts do would include for maybe just the top 60 or so, the typical round grade they would give that player, to sort of convey how strong or weak the draft is, what positions are strong/weak. When you really dig into reports, you can get a sense of how strong or weak the draft was, but would be nice to get a quick high-level view of it.

 

[Blueswin]

realistically it seems like we will be picking somewhere between 12-17 not top 7. Some of the teams around us like the Flames & Flyers will start unloading players.

 

[LogosBlue]

realistically it seems like we will be picking somewhere between 12-17 not top 7. Some of the teams around us like the Flames & Flyers will start unloading players.

Even if we look like we could make the playoffs, I expect us to be sellers at the TDL right along with them. (IF anyone has interest in some of our UFA's/Defense that is). I'm sure DA will unload someone.

 

[Celtic Note]

So if there are no potentially elite D in this draft, does that change how we feel about using our pick for other purposes? Like acquiring a D?

So if there are no potentially elite D in this draft, does that change how we feel about using our pick for other purposes? Like acquiring a D

 

[bleedblue1223]

So if there are no potentially elite D in this draft, does that change how we feel about using our pick for other purposes? Like acquiring a D?

So if there are no potentially elite D in this draft, does that change how we feel about using our pick for other purposes? Like acquiring a D

For me, it depends on where we end up. I don't think we were ever getting close to the top 5, unless we win the lottery. If we end up in a 12-15 spot, I'd be ok trading the pick if we got someone relatively young with term, I'd also be ok keeping it and taking someone like Jiricek or Yakemchuk or another one of those guys.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

I agree with Blueston. Let’s start with the defense. First off, this almost had NHL playoff energy as far as the forechecking and lack of space. These kids really came to play. Very entertaining game. With that in mind, you got to see what these defenseman can do with very little time in space.

Dickinson-Clearly, the most talented defenseman there. There is a lot of talent here, but I think in many situations he had better options. he will go top 5 to 7. yes but won't be there.
Yak-Played better day than expected. The announcers overplayed his offense as I think an NHL defenseman knocks him on his keyster ala Bedard. He does have top 15 tools though. I would pass.
Elick-This guy played some incredible D. Lots of odd rushes. Tried to carry the puck out but his partner was a liability, so that didn't work. I think he played himself in the first round. JBo like speed, but just needs to make a first pass and let it go. 2nd or later
Mews-It looked like he did alot, but I don't think it ever accomplished much. Looks very small, but plays with lots of heart. 3rd rounder? Below average size hurts him. Pass
Fischer-Did pretty well with the intense forecheck. More often than not he made a good transition pass. I see a bottom 4. 2nd rounder-3rd? I would take him.
Danford-He surprised me. Haven't been impressed with other viewings. Even though he scored a nice goal, he made some nice transitional plays. Worked well with Roberts. Late 2nd 3rd? fell to 4 I would consider it.
Gil-He did what he had to do. Expecting him to be a powerplay quarterback is not really his element. Handling the forecheck. Making a good first pass he did quite well. I would like him on our team late 2nd third.
Lavoie-very simple stay at home, net front, simple pass....maybe. 4th or later? Not sooner, bottom six guy.
Brunnicke-Did his job. Handled the forecheck. Some good transitions. Uneventful. 4th or later I would be fine with.
Marrelli-See Brunnicke but more skilled....3rd or later.
Roberts-I want this guy in a Blues uniform. Cool as a cucumber with the puck. Played heavy forecheck well. Just mean. played tough. Solid D. Great pass for Danford's goal. If we move back to 15 or later, then I would be very tempted to take him if none of the big guys fall. He will be a top 4 minutes eater for a long time.
Parekh-I didn't know he was Elicks defense partner the first part of the game. He was by his lonesome. Why he was outside by the boards and the offense was between him and the goalie regularly, I will never understand. shied from contact. Perimeter player. He did not show me that he belonged or will be able to handle NHL pressure. This will work....in the Swiss league. I have to think he was nursing an injury or something....even his body language to me was that he did not want to play in this game. Sorry. wouldn't draft him before the 3rd round as a CHANCE his skills and maybe some drive in his game might be there. He did not like getting hit and wanted no part of it. Watch the game and tell me different......

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I agree with Blueston. Let’s start with the defense. First off, this almost had NHL playoff energy as far as the forechecking and lack of space. These kids really came to play. Very entertaining game. With that in mind, you got to see what these defenseman can do with very little time in space.

Dickinson-Clearly, the most talented defenseman there. There is a lot of talent here, but I think in many situations he had better options. he will go top 5 to 7. yes but won't be there.
Yak-Played better day than expected. The announcers overplayed his offense as I think an NHL defenseman knocks him on his keyster ala Bedard. He does have top 15 tools though. I would pass.
Elick-This guy played some incredible D. Lots of odd rushes. Tried to carry the puck out but his partner was a liability, so that didn't work. I think he played himself in the first round. JBo like speed, but just needs to make a first pass and let it go. 2nd or later
Mews-It looked like he did alot, but I don't think it ever accomplished much. Looks very small, but plays with lots of heart. 3rd rounder? Below average size hurts him. Pass
Fischer-Did pretty well with the intense forecheck. More often than not he made a good transition pass. I see a bottom 4. 2nd rounder-3rd? I would take him.
Danford-He surprised me. Haven't been impressed with other viewings. Even though he scored a nice goal, he made some nice transitional plays. Worked well with Roberts. Late 2nd 3rd? fell to 4 I would consider it.
Gil-He did what he had to do. Expecting him to be a powerplay quarterback is not really his element. Handling the forecheck. Making a good first pass he did quite well. I would like him on our team late 2nd third.
Lavoie-very simple stay at home, net front, simple pass....maybe. 4th or later? Not sooner, bottom six guy.
Brunnicke-Did his job. Handled the forecheck. Some good transitions. Uneventful. 4th or later I would be fine with.
Marrelli-See Brunnicke but more skilled....3rd or later.
Roberts-I want this guy in a Blues uniform. Cool as a cucumber with the puck. Played heavy forecheck well. Just mean. played tough. Solid D. Great pass for Danford's goal. If we move back to 15 or later, then I would be very tempted to take him if none of the big guys fall. He will be a top 4 minutes eater for a long time.
Parekh-I didn't know he was Elicks defense partner the first part of the game. He was by his lonesome. Why he was outside by the boards and the offense was between him and the goalie regularly, I will never understand. shied from contact. Perimeter player. He did not show me that he belonged or will be able to handle NHL pressure. This will work....in the Swiss league. I have to think he was nursing an injury or something....even his body language to me was that he did not want to play in this game. Sorry. wouldn't draft him before the 3rd round as a CHANCE his skills and maybe some drive in his game might be there. He did not like getting hit and wanted no part of it. Watch the game and tell me different......

looks like we are seeing things similarly. I think my 2 favorite defensemen at this point are roberts and emery. not that they are 2 best, but they are 2 who i think i like them higher than consensus (danford too, but he isn't a 1st rounder.) i think either of those 2 are good enough that if we end up picking 12-20 we could likely grab 1 and feel like we got future 23 minutes a night partner for lindstein.

yak is the one i like least compared to consensus. i just can't see wanting to take him in top 20, let alone top 10.

parekh is the one i like much more than you and many others. not based on last night, but based on what i have seen from hi in other viewings. i think for blues it's like a moot point as he doesn't seem like our kind of player, but i think he ends up a housely-type for someone.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

looks like we are seeing things similarly. I think my 2 favorite defensemen at this point are roberts and emery. not that they are 2 best, but they are 2 who i think i like them higher than consensus (danford too, but he isn't a 1st rounder.) i think either of those 2 are good enough that if we end up picking 12-20 we could likely grab 1 and feel like we got future 23 minutes a night partner for lindstein.

yak is the one i like least compared to consensus. i just can't see wanting to take him in top 20, let alone top 10.

parekh is the one i like much more than you and many others. not based on last night, but based on what i have seen from hi in other viewings. i think for blues it's like a moot point as he doesn't seem like our kind of player, but i think he ends up a housely-type for someone.

I agree with that Roberts and Emery I definitely would feel comfortable with. Yak has lots of work to do in using his tool kit though impressive. Parekh showed some of the worst positioning and gap control that I have seen in a long time. Too timid for me. Some interesting D prospects here.

If this was my 30 day no hassle return look at Parekh with little time and space against an NHL caliber forecheck, then I’m returning him.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

CHL Top Prospects - the Forwards
I can't emphasize enough the tight NHL style forechecked game these kids played. I see many guys that will at least get a cup of coffee in the NHL playing this hard and intense game. Worth the watch.

Catton-You can see the talent. He simply got robbed by the goalie on a pass from I believe Tarascek. It seemed Dickinson was watching him the entire game as well as he took him down later in the game on a breakaway. He is a top 10 talent.

Iginla-Little over hyped in the game by the announcers, but he does have first round tools. He was clearly in his element playing this type of game.

Greentree-He was impressive all game and took advantage of opportunities when he got them. I saw a ranking of him leapfrogging Parekh and putting the two against each other most of the game, it was pretty clear why. He couldn't stop him or handle him.

Jecho-He had some nice runs with the puck, but he didn't accomplish much. I see a 4th line player not a maybe 1st or 2nd round pick.

Bouillard-He did get 3 points and the MVP. I could see 30 other guys do the same thing, if they played the game over. I just see a bottom six guy that plays hard.

Villeneuve-I thought I was watching Nathan Walker. Challenging Yak. Maybe got under everyone's skin more than the rest. Be fun on a 4th line. Some skill and finished every check.

Misa-I normally just pass on smaller players and look past them (or over them...) This kid is really good. Very fast and high paced. Made some passes that I think surprised his teammates. Played solid D and won his faceoffs. He is smallish, but his heart makes him 6'2". If he has truly fallen to the 2nd round as some rankings suggest or if we have a late first, then I would definitely consider taking him. He will be a top 6 center in the NHL. Not my type of player, but I can't overlook how much talent he has. He had no problem playing this hard hitting tight spaced game as he made his own room.

Wetsch-Just seemed to see his jersey everywhere even if he didn't have the puck. He can really skate and forecheck. Maybe an interesting pick in the late rounds to see if offense develops.

Luchanko-I tried to focus a bit on him as he is getting some first round hype. I didn't see anything in his game that impressed me other than being very fast and shifty. I would take Misa, if they are both sitting there.

Howe-I was not impressed with. Not his game. I don't see a first rounder or really a 2nd.

Sennecke-He did some nice things, but nothing came out of it. See the talent, but I don't know if I necessarily see a top six in this viewing?

The rest I can say played hard and maybe made some plays, but I can't say they separated themselves from the pack.

In summary....You have all of these highlight reels of top picks with lots of time and space doing great things, but when they don't have it....what do they do? This game showed us a lot. My thoughts anyway.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

CHL Top Prospects - the Forwards
I can't emphasize enough the tight NHL style forechecked game these kids played. I see many guys that will at least get a cup of coffee in the NHL playing this hard and intense game. Worth the watch.

Catton-You can see the talent. He simply got robbed by the goalie on a pass from I believe Tarascek. It seemed Dickinson was watching him the entire game as well as he took him down later in the game on a breakaway. He is a top 10 talent.

Iginla-Little over hyped in the game by the announcers, but he does have first round tools. He was clearly in his element playing this type of game.

Greentree-He was impressive all game and took advantage of opportunities when he got them. I saw a ranking of him leapfrogging Parekh and putting the two against each other most of the game, it was pretty clear why. He couldn't stop him or handle him.

Jecho-He had some nice runs with the puck, but he didn't accomplish much. I see a 4th line player not a maybe 1st or 2nd round pick.

Bouillard-He did get 3 points and the MVP. I could see 30 other guys do the same thing, if they played the game over. I just see a bottom six guy that plays hard.

Villeneuve-I thought I was watching Nathan Walker. Challenging Yak. Maybe got under everyone's skin more than the rest. Be fun on a 4th line. Some skill and finished every check.

Misa-I normally just pass on smaller players and look past them (or over them...) This kid is really good. Very fast and high paced. Made some passes that I think surprised his teammates. Played solid D and won his faceoffs. He is smallish, but his heart makes him 6'2". If he has truly fallen to the 2nd round as some rankings suggest or if we have a late first, then I would definitely consider taking him. He will be a top 6 center in the NHL. Not my type of player, but I can't overlook how much talent he has. He had no problem playing this hard hitting tight spaced game as he made his own room.

Wetsch-Just seemed to see his jersey everywhere even if he didn't have the puck. He can really skate and forecheck. Maybe an interesting pick in the late rounds to see if offense develops.

Luchanko-I tried to focus a bit on him as he is getting some first round hype. I didn't see anything in his game that impressed me other than being very fast and shifty. I would take Misa, if they are both sitting there.

Howe-I was not impressed with. Not his game. I don't see a first rounder or really a 2nd.

Sennecke-He did some nice things, but nothing came out of it. See the talent, but I don't know if I necessarily see a top six in this viewing?

The rest I can say played hard and maybe made some plays, but I can't say they separated themselves from the pack.

In summary....You have all of these highlight reels of top picks with lots of time and space doing great things, but when they don't have it....what do they do? This game showed us a lot. My thoughts anyway.

Agreed. 3 1st rounders and some depth guys. I think folks are sleeping on how shallow this years forward pool is.

 

[Blueswin]

Hard to imagine taking Roberts and Emery if we are picking 18-20 when they can be had in the 2nd round when someone like Brandsegg-Nygard or Connelly are sitting there. Coming back to best player or picking for need? Better to move back into the 1st round if targeting either defenseman.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Hard to imagine taking Roberts and Emery if we are picking 18-20 when they can be had in the 2nd round when someone like Brandsegg-Nygard or Connelly are sitting there. Coming back to best player or picking for need? Better to move back into the 1st round if targeting either defenseman.

I’d be shocked if both those d last to 2nd round. Now, if best guy on board is a forward and we can get d we like a bit later I’m not opposed to moving back a few spots for an extra 2nd.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

I’d be shocked if both those d last to 2nd round. Now, if best guy on board is a forward and we can get d we like a bit later I’m not opposed to moving back a few spots for an extra 2nd.

Is a middle six winger more valuable than a top 4 d man? What has more value?

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Is a middle six winger more valuable than a top 4 d man? What has more value?

I would say middle 6 winger has less value than 2nd pairing defenseman, but middle 6 center would be as or more valuable than 2nd pair d.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

I would say middle 6 winger has less value than 2nd pairing defenseman, but middle 6 center would be as or more valuable than 2nd pair d.

I agree.

 

[sfvega]

I would say middle 6 winger has less value than 2nd pairing defenseman, but middle 6 center would be as or more valuable than 2nd pair d.

I think center is our strongest position by far going forward, and D is our weakest. At this point I'd take a 2nd pairing D over a middle 6 center. Not in a vacuum, but on this team for sure.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I think center is our strongest position by far going forward, and D is our weakest. At this point I'd take a 2nd pairing D over a middle 6 center. Not in a vacuum, but on this team for sure.

that is interesting question. i actually have significant questions about our organizational depth at center. thomas is great and will be here for years. i'm huge dvo fan and while he is no guarantee, i feel good about likelihood of him being (at minimum) good middle 6 center. but after that?

dean is our next best c prospect, but he is having abysmal rookie year in the ahl. that doesn't mean he won't be really good 3c, as we thought 4 months ago he would be, but it does add some more doubt.

and then i don't see that we have anyone who projects as a good nhl center. we have lots of guys who have played some center who i think can be good nhl players, but i don't think any of stenberk or kaskimaki or stancl project as centers in the nhl. i don't think peterson projects as more than 4th liner if he ever makes nhl and alexandrov has given no indication that he will be any good.

am i missing someone? obviously if guy like stenberg sticks at center it could be different, but his size and skills just seem like much better fit at wing in nhl. now that doesn't mean that we should take prioritize c over d this year, but i don't think we are as deep there as it may seem.

 

[sfvega]

that is interesting question. i actually have significant questions about our organizational depth at center. thomas is great and will be here for years. i'm huge dvo fan and while he is no guarantee, i feel good about likelihood of him being (at minimum) good middle 6 center. but after that?

dean is our next best c prospect, but he is having abysmal rookie year in the ahl. that doesn't mean he won't be really good 3c, as we thought 4 months ago he would be, but it does add some more doubt.

and then i don't see that we have anyone who projects as a good nhl center. we have lots of guys who have played some center who i think can be good nhl players, but i don't think any of stenberk or kaskimaki or stancl project as centers in the nhl. i don't think peterson projects as more than 4th liner if he ever makes nhl and alexandrov has given no indication that he will be any good.

am i missing someone? obviously if guy like stenberg sticks at center it could be different, but his size and skills just seem like much better fit at wing in nhl. now that doesn't mean that we should take prioritize c over d this year, but i don't think we are as deep there as it may seem.

I mean, in terms of projecting we have Thomas, DD, and Dean. In terms of D, we'll probably still have Parayko through a rebuild barring something unforeseen. And Lindstein. Past that, hard to really rely on anyone. So 3/3 at center and only 2/4 at D, and it's harder to find a playable, reasonably aged D (under 30) where as even if Dean continues to not progress we can find someone like Hayes to play behind Dalibor. If we still had Dunn or Petro, I think it'd be a wash on the positions and then C has more value. But as is, we have a lot of talent at C and almost none at D.

And that is again the issue. The FO sets us up for failure on D. Someone will bail us out. We could find someone in the 2nd or next draft or the next draft. Make some more deals that largely underwhelm, And doing that has us with the cupboard pretty bare year after year on D. And this is the position we KNOW takes longest to develop. It's way easier to find a Bozak or Berglund than it has been for us to find a 2nd pairing D who wasn't being carried by a partner.

 

[PJJJP]

Wheeler's midseason rankings just came out. Here are his top 3 tiers of players
1. Celebrini

2. Levshunov
3. Eiserman
4. Demidov

5. Silyayev
6. Parekh
7. Buium
8. Dickinson
9. Catton
10. Helenius
11. Lindstrom

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I mean, in terms of projecting we have Thomas, DD, and Dean. In terms of D, we'll probably still have Parayko through a rebuild barring something unforeseen. And Lindstein. Past that, hard to really rely on anyone. So 3/3 at center and only 2/4 at D, and it's harder to find a playable, reasonably aged D (under 30) where as even if Dean continues to not progress we can find someone like Hayes to play behind Dalibor. If we still had Dunn or Petro, I think it'd be a wash on the positions and then C has more value. But as is, we have a lot of talent at C and almost none at D.

And that is again the issue. The FO sets us up for failure on D. Someone will bail us out. We could find someone in the 2nd or next draft or the next draft. Make some more deals that largely underwhelm, And doing that has us with the cupboard pretty bare year after year on D. And this is the position we KNOW takes longest to develop. It's way easier to find a Bozak or Berglund than it has been for us to find a 2nd pairing D who wasn't being carried by a partner.

i agree with need on d, my point was that we need c depth too. we have lots of exciting winger prospects though, so we will see where this goes. i expect to see some of our good winger prosepcts dealt in next few years to address organizational needs.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Wheeler's midseason rankings just came out. Here are his top 3 tiers of players
1. Celebrini

2. Levshunov
3. Eiserman
4. Demidov

5. Silyayev
6. Parekh
7. Buium
8. Dickinson
9. Catton
10. Helenius
11. Lindstrom

I hope someone overdrafts Parekh. Move somebody down.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

My initial draft list. Please note that this isn't order I want Blues to pick, as some guys rated highly don't seem like great fit for us.

1. Celebrini
2. Silayev (D)
3. Levshunov (D)
4. Demidov
5. Eiserman
6. Lindstrom
7. Dickinson (D)
8. Helenius
9. Catton
10. Parekh (D)
11. Buium (D)
12. Greentree
13. Iginla
14. Connelly
15. Emery (D)
16. Boisvert
17. Brandsegg-Nygard
18. Hemming
19. LSW (D)
20. Roberts (D)

Other D to watch (in alphabetical order):

Danford
Elick
Fischer
Freij
Gill
Kleber
Mews
Shuravin
Yakemchuk

There are obviously other interesting forwards, but I don't have strong enough feeling on any of remaining forwards to note. As season goes on I will build out list to 32 or more.

 

[STL fan in MN]

My initial draft list. Please note that this isn't order I want Blues to pick, as some guys rated highly don't seem like great fit for us.

1. Celebrini
2. Silayev (D)
3. Levshunov (D)
4. Demidov
5. Eiserman
6. Lindstrom
7. Dickinson (D)
8. Helenius
9. Catton
10. Parekh (D)
11. Buium (D)
12. Greentree
13. Iginla
14. Connelly
15. Emery (D)
16. Boisvert
17. Brandsegg-Nygard
18. Hemming
19. LSW (D)
20. Roberts (D)

Other D to watch (in alphabetical order):

Danford
Elick
Fischer
Freij
Gill
Kleber
Mews
Shuravin
Yakemchuk

There are obviously other interesting forwards, but I don't have strong enough feeling on any of remaining forwards to note. As season goes on I will build out list to 32 or more.

My list would look very similar to this, except with Eiserman and Lindstrom a bit lower. Eiserman is such a one-trick pony. But man is that one trick elite…and it’s probably the most valuable trick in the game. There will always be a market for goal scorers but he’s polarizing to me. There was talk in the prospect thread about if Dvorsky was dominating Jrs because of his size. That’s Lindstrom IMO. He has good skills and I like him but I think a solid chunk of his success is because of his size and physical brand of hockey that will be at least somewhat neutralized at the next level.

Probably Parekh a bit lower too - after the grouping of Greentree, Buium, Connelly and Iginla.

I think I value Helenius more than most. Really like how he thinks the game. Hemming doesn’t get as much hype but he’s also quite good.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

My list would look very similar to this, except with Eiserman and Lindstrom a bit lower. Eiserman is such a one-trick pony. But man is that one trick elite…and it’s probably the most valuable trick in the game. There will always be a market for goal scorers but he’s polarizing to me. There was talk in the prospect thread about if Dvorsky was dominating Jrs because of his size. That’s Lindstrom IMO. He has good skills and I like him but I think a solid chunk of his success is because of his size and physical brand of hockey that will be at least somewhat neutralized at the next level.

Probably Parekh a bit lower too - after the grouping of Greentree, Buium, Connelly and Iginla.

I think I value Helenius more than most. Really like how he thinks the game. Hemming doesn’t get as much hype but he’s also quite good.

Don’t disagree with your assessment. I have the 3-6 forwards in same tier and I am not super confident in order amongst them.

 

[joe galiba]

My list would look very similar to this, except with Eiserman and Lindstrom a bit lower. Eiserman is such a one-trick pony. But man is that one trick elite…and it’s probably the most valuable trick in the game. There will always be a market for goal scorers but he’s polarizing to me. There was talk in the prospect thread about if Dvorsky was dominating Jrs because of his size. That’s Lindstrom IMO. He has good skills and I like him but I think a solid chunk of his success is because of his size and physical brand of hockey that will be at least somewhat neutralized at the next level.

Probably Parekh a bit lower too - after the grouping of Greentree, Buium, Connelly and Iginla.

I think I value Helenius more than most. Really like how he thinks the game. Hemming doesn’t get as much hype but he’s also quite good.

is Eiserman the 2nd coming of Laine?