GDT: 2024 NHL Draft Thread
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The way people have been talking about him lately, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see him land in the top 5. Late bloomer that recently hit a big growth spurt with great hands. Might as well interview him.
I have him at the bottom of a tier that I would be happy with as our pick. He seems about as sure of a well-rounded 2nd line center as you can draft, and the idea of having a smart, responsible, creative player as the 2 to Fantilli’s 1 is an interesting thought. The question with him has been upside but even if he isn’t a swing for the fences type pick, he seems like he will play a lot of games in the top half of an NHL lineup throughout his career. But he’s been slipping a little bit from his performance at the last couple international tournaments and if he’s the CBJ pick, I would advise trying to trade down at leeeast 4-5 slots.
We've covered the all-around a lot, suffice it to say that Buium is currently by far the best player of the 6, and I think he probably will still be the best in the NHL.
As far as physicality goes, Carter Yakemchuk is very big, strong, and violent. Silayev is the strongest but he'll go whole games without hitting, it seems sporadic for him. Sam Dickinson held up well in the OHL playoffs but is generally a soft player. Buium is filling out well for a 6 footer but isn't physical. Parekh is weak. Levshunov is built, and can wipe out opponents with his skating and size, but isn't overly physical by nature.
I believe Solberg is often rated around the #6/7th top D now. He had a star turn at the Worlds. I didn't see him there so no comment on his overall rating from me. But I can confirm that he is one tough mf'er. Not a tall player but he hits like Kronwall.
I could almost see it based on his Liiga play. Such a smart player, I don't think we can rule out #1C for him. Something in the Suzuki and Hischier vein. But I still wouldn't take him ahead of Lindstrom, Buium, or Demidov, so #4 is still too high.
And then there's the fact that Helenius wasn't as convincing in his international play, he didn't look like a top 10 prospect at the U18s or worlds.
I'm all in on Lindstrom if they can give him a clean bill of health. Without the injuries, it's a no brainer.
Just like you can't have too many D, you can't have too many centers either.
I have probably spent all of ten seconds thinking about whether Lindstrom is a center.
In the small part because he looks like a center to me, superficially. But mostly because it's not the most important attribute of the player. We spend all day debating c vs w and not enough time talking about how much rarer it is to get this level of power forward.
If we draft him he might end up being Fantilli's winger, or vice versa, and it really doesn't matter that much. Not compared to the player's attributes.
Jovavic
boohoo, Pens "fans", BOOHOO
I agree, but eventually we'll need someone to replace Jenner as our go-to faceoff guy and Lindstrom went 315/575 in his short season last year. Yes it's not the end all be all, but if we want to make some noise in the playoffs, that means we gotta be able to win those crucial face-offs. And yes, it's a team effort, but having a 6'4 power forward taking a draw is a pretty big advantage.
Lindstrom is a natural power forward, no one has to tell him to play mean. Great shot.
Byfield is a much silkier player with soft hands and great playmaking. He's big but doesn't impose himself on opponents.
Thanks, that was quite an impressive showing, it erased some doubts I had about Buium's defensive abilities. A lot of great stuff while defending 2-0 lead at the end of third (positioning, defensive stick, physical engagement):
1:44:10-1:44:27
1:48:30-1:48:48
1:50:14-1:50:35 (the pass block on Gauthier where he goes down and gets up quickly is a type of defensive play I'd like to see more of from Mateychuk)
Btw here Buium reveals that improving defensive play was a specific goal for him going into the season:
That said, I still feel like I can't tell how well he can keep bigger and faster forwards outside while defending rushes at NHL level because his reach isn't that long and the top speed doesn't seem to be his greatest quality.
Vision/hands/agility-combo though looks better than in any D in the Jackets' system, I'm sure he could QB the 1PP already and be a difference maker. When I think about his complete toolset and hockey IQ, I might have to agree with a lot of you who think he should be the first D taken at the draft. But I'm not finished evaluating yet, there are still other guys I have to study more.
Double-Shift Lasse
Just post better
Then we should definitely draft Lindstrom, to cover all the attributes of Boone, including his back!
(Look, it’s just a joke. I’m pretty settled that this is the guy unless their docs can’t clear him.)
CBJWerenski8
Rest in Peace Johnny
- Jun 13, 2009
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Fantilli/Lindstrom/Voronkov down the middle is starting to sound awfully tempting…
I think at the end of the day it's going to be really hard to pass up, that's 3 big bodied, tough to play against guys who can put up points and play well defensively (at least we hope Fantilli and develop some better defensive habits)
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Top 25 in each category
Lindstrom finished 4th in bench press, 2nd in left hand grip, 2nd in right hand grip. While having 12th widest wingspan, 21st in body fat %
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koteka
Registered User
Meanwhile in Anaheim someone is thinking “Carlsson, McTavish, Lindstrom down the middle is starting to sound awfully tempting.”
