Guys who do we target at round 2 and 3 ? I think we have the top 15 pretty figured out for now
I personally like Tomas Lavoie (RD) for our Colorado pick in 2nd round. He's a huge RHD who plays for Cape Breton. He plays a pro-style & has shut down D written all over him. He's got a huge wingspan and knows how to use his stick to defend.
I also like Spencer Gill (RD), of Rimouski. He's another big RHD, who brings more offense than Lavoie.
I don't want a D in 1st round because I think there's some decent ones later that project well.
In 3rd round, Will McIsaac of Spokane Chiefs is another big, RHD who plays a physical competitive game and has some offensive upside - not a ton, but he's decent enough with the puck & is a good
transition D.
Matvei Gridin is a talented Russian playing in USHL. He's putting up terrific numbers. But, he's got a lot to work to do on his overall game and his skating. He's a seriously one dimensional player. He's going to University of Michigan, so you just hope they can convince him to play a more team oriented game and that he works on his strength and skating. A real boom or bust player. He's either top 6 or not signed.
Miguel Marques (C), Lethbridge Hurricanes, is a really complete player when he wants to be. He drives the middle, plays well defensively and is a quality playmaker with really quick hands. He has issues with consistency and can get frustrated with tight checking. Montreal's sports psychologist could do wonders for this kid. He's got sweet upside if he can pull it together.
Alexandre Blais, Rimouski again. A smaller forward (5'10), he plays the kind of high energy game that I like. He keeps his feet moving on the boards while having the hand skills to control the puck. He's competitive and skilled. Definitely worth a shot with one of our two 3rds.
Ondrej Kos, Czech playing in Finnish 2nd division. He hasn't played a lot due to injury. High, high compete with pure speeeeeeeeeeed. Offensive upside is unknown, but he has decent playmaking skills. He hasn't shown much this year in that regard, although he was good in D -1 year. Good height, but badly needs to gain weight.
I'll leave it at 5 with one honorable mention: Justin Poirier. Super small goal scoring forward. And he scores in every way possible: off the rush, off the forecheck, off steals, off quick transition plays, off give & goes, his shot explodes off his stick.
Off his goal scoring alone he should probably be a 1st rounder, but he's 5'8. I've seen rankings for him from late 1st to late 3rd round, so who knows. Even though he's short, he's pretty stocky. He has a stumpy build - not unlike Steve Thomas. He has a really, really late birthday (September 4th), so he's one of the youngest players in this draft too. It'll be interesting to see where he goes. I like him much, much more than I did Dumais, who was a DND for me last year.
