Prospect Info: 2024 NHL Entry Draft Discussion

[rt]

I’m going to put Stian Solberg in the mid to late teens on my list. I know what everyone is going to say and I don’t care.

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

Yeah...difficult comp, because he doesn't move like MacKinnon, but better than Barzal...and he does play defense.

I think your Barzal / Horvat combo is pretty decent though

I’m going to put Stian Solberg in the mid to late teens on my list. I know what everyone is going to say and I don’t care.

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I like Stan, Stan's the man. He will be top 15 for me for sure. I like him miles better than Pulkinnen

 

[rt]

Yeah...difficult comp, because he doesn't move like MacKinnon, but better than Barzal...and he does play defense.

I think your Barzal / Horvat combo is pretty decent though

There you go.
Q: “What’s Celebrini’s NHL comp?”
A: “The New York Islanders”

I like Stan, Stan's the man. He will be top 15 for me for sure. I like him miles better than Pulkinnen

Let’s just pick him. Who doesn’t want a half JJ Moser half Radko Gudas hybrid?

 

[Jakey53]

I don't have a good comp for Celebrini...maybe a higher skilled Barzal

So he should be our 1C after we win the lottery?

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

So he should be our 1C after we win the lottery?

Man, that would be great...because I think we're going to get caught by both Minny & Edmonton, and would be great to get Celebrini. But everyone knows we're never going to win the lottery.

We'll probably finish in the 15th spot win the lottery and only be able to move up 10 spots...haha!

 

[rt]

So he should be our 1C after we win the lottery?

10 spot move up maximum, unfortunately.

Man, that would be great...because I think we're going to get caught by both Minny & Edmonton, and would be great to get Celebrini. But everyone knows we're never going to win the lottery.

We'll probably finish in the 15th spot win the lottery and only be able to move up 10 spots...haha!

Gets us whichever our favorite is out of Silayev. Dickinson, Yakemchuk or Buium. And we all know that’s Silayev. Lol.

 

[Jakey53]

10 spot move up maximum, unfortunately.


Gets us whichever our favorite is out of Silayev. Dickinson, Yakemchuk or Buium. And we all know that’s Silayev. Lol.

We end up in the 11th position.

 

[rt]

We end up in the 11th position.

We’re in the 18th slot today. So 25% of the teams in the NHL would need to pass us in the standings in the 2nd half.

 

[AZviaNJ]

We’re in the 18th slot today. So 25% of the teams in the NHL would need to pass us in the standings in the 2nd half.

Celebrini will be a Blackhawk.

 

[AZviaNJ]

Darryl Plandowski say they feel even now and can take bpa (paraphrasing). Do you think that’s draft speak? RD is still a need imo and you can never have too many centers.

Not feeling as desperate for a RD after seeing MavLam this week. He was dynamite on the Canada (Geekie) 5 min PK. May neve me be a top pair guy but he’s solid. Durzi is only 25 and likely in the team’s long term plans. Soderstrom has been solid in Tucson.

Yeah, still need more RD depth….but the position’s in a lot better shape than I thought in October.

 

[Heldig]

I think Mack is a lot more committed to defense and details. But I can see your Barzal point on offense. And that’s where my Horvat comp was actually really bad. Maybe he’s Barzal red-line-in and Horvat red-line-back?

I might be the worst person at comps.

I’ve heard people say that what makes Crosby really unique among the generational legends of the game is that he plays like a 3rd line plumber. Except with elite skill.

Whatever THAT is, I think also defines Celebrini for me. Obviously he’s nothing like Crosby. But that’s why I thought of MacKinnon and Point and Larkin and Horvat.

McKinnon is a good comparable IMO.

Celebrini will be a Blackhawk.

Stupid lottery rules. Should not be able to win 2 years in a row.

 

[rt]

 

[rt]

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

Yeah, not sure who's writing these things up...Solberg looks really good, much better than Pulkinnen in my opinion. Just like RT said, Pulkinnen had a tremendous first game, but I didn't like games 2 & 3. He was better than average in game 4, but I've liked Solberg in all his games.

We've got some gems to pick when our draft pick comes around #15-19

 

[Dead Coyote]

I'd be really happy to get one of the overagers with a 2nd. I don't think we should put a 1st on them. At least one will be available at our 2nd I think. Maybe move up in the 2nd if we need to. Or in the first. Not necessarily the guys I'm talking about here mind you.

Been watching all the tournament games. For once my WJC pool draft has absolutely exploded. Picked 2nd in a snake and got Celebrini, Mesar, Petrovsky, Lamoreaux and Mateychuk. Last two were Dionicio and Vilmanis who have been okay for me so far.

In this tournament on draft eligibles I'm really high on MBN. Not only playing in an advanced league but looks really good against comparable players too and clearly has tons of skill. Not to mention Norway isn't the best and he's been a big part of why they're doing pretty good.

Three overagers I'm looking at that I don't think have been mentioned:

Veit Oswald, 19, German, big 6'2 player who is solid at both ends of the ice and seems to have matured a lot. He was eligible in 2022 which means this is draft +2 year, and he has limited upside at best but I could see him being drafted as a 3rd/4th tweener who could play up and down the line up. He definitely does have some skill and is a pretty big, defensively responsible bruising forward already playing in a mens league. It's possible he could mature into something even better, but unlikely.

Jere Lassila 19, Finnish, team captain, undersized somewhere between 5'10 and 5'11, decent to above average skills across the board but nothing particularly elite, his skating is pretty good, he's much more of a complimentary player and won't bring crazy offense but he's solid all around and has some leadership qualities as well, pretty good defensively, despite being small he protects the puck pretty well because he plays with a really good center of mass, reminds me a little of jagr or crosby that way because his legs are what really help him out. He has a pretty sneakily good shot although he thinks pass first. There's probably a lot of players like him and he's also in his draft +2 so like Oswald he probably won't end up being drafted high but he feels to me like one who's going to be a good player down the road if he develops well and gets opportunities. Just a sense to me that he has all the abilities to play in a top 6 role, he just needs to refine those abilities a bit. He also lost some time to injuries in his draft year so I wonder if that had any part in it.

Matyas Melovsky, 19, Czechia, pretty big guy but not overly physical. Elite playmaker who has some pretty flashy offensive skills. This is probably one of the few d+2 guys I think may make a splash depending on how his season goes, he has a fairly rare combination of size and skill and he's showing it off to great effect at the WJC this year. One of the leading scorers in the tournament too. He's definitely primarily a playmaker but his stickhandling and shot aren't awful either. Boom or bust though. Missed multiple months to injury in his draft year much like the other guys.

There's a few otherse like Repcik, who I believe is only in his d+1 but I wanted to focus on the d+2 guys.

 

[rt]

Yeah, not sure who's writing these things up...Solberg looks really good, much better than Pulkinnen in my opinion. Just like RT said, Pulkinnen had a tremendous first game, but I didn't like games 2 & 3. He was better than average in game 4, but I've liked Solberg in all his games.

We've got some gems to pick when our draft pick comes around #15-19

I thought he was really good in Games 1 and 4. And just good in game 3. Game 2 wasn’t good.

I'd be really happy to get one of the overagers with a 2nd. I don't think we should put a 1st on them. At least one will be available at our 2nd I think. Maybe move up in the 2nd if we need to. Or in the first. Not necessarily the guys I'm talking about here mind you.

Been watching all the tournament games. For once my WJC pool draft has absolutely exploded. Picked 2nd in a snake and got Celebrini, Mesar, Petrovsky, Lamoreaux and Mateychuk. Last two were Dionicio and Vilmanis who have been okay for me so far.

In this tournament on draft eligibles I'm really high on MBN. Not only playing in an advanced league but looks really good against comparable players too and clearly has tons of skill. Not to mention Norway isn't the best and he's been a big part of why they're doing pretty good.

Three overagers I'm looking at that I don't think have been mentioned:

Veit Oswald, 19, German, big 6'2 player who is solid at both ends of the ice and seems to have matured a lot. He was eligible in 2022 which means this is draft +2 year, and he has limited upside at best but I could see him being drafted as a 3rd/4th tweener who could play up and down the line up. He definitely does have some skill and is a pretty big, defensively responsible bruising forward already playing in a mens league. It's possible he could mature into something even better, but unlikely.

Jere Lassila 19, Finnish, team captain, undersized somewhere between 5'10 and 5'11, decent to above average skills across the board but nothing particularly elite, his skating is pretty good, he's much more of a complimentary player and won't bring crazy offense but he's solid all around and has some leadership qualities as well, pretty good defensively, despite being small he protects the puck pretty well because he plays with a really good center of mass, reminds me a little of jagr or crosby that way because his legs are what really help him out. He has a pretty sneakily good shot although he thinks pass first. There's probably a lot of players like him and he's also in his draft +2 so like Oswald he probably won't end up being drafted high but he feels to me like one who's going to be a good player down the road if he develops well and gets opportunities. Just a sense to me that he has all the abilities to play in a top 6 role, he just needs to refine those abilities a bit. He also lost some time to injuries in his draft year so I wonder if that had any part in it.

Matyas Melovsky, 19, Czechia, pretty big guy but not overly physical. Elite playmaker who has some pretty flashy offensive skills. This is probably one of the few d+2 guys I think may make a splash depending on how his season goes, he has a fairly rare combination of size and skill and he's showing it off to great effect at the WJC this year. One of the leading scorers in the tournament too. He's definitely primarily a playmaker but his stickhandling and shot aren't awful either. Boom or bust though. Missed multiple months to injury in his draft year much like the other guys.

There's a few otherse like Repcik, who I believe is only in his d+1 but I wanted to focus on the d+2 guys.

I don’t want a winger but I wouldn’t be anything but thrilled if we drafted MBN. I wouldn’t care about position if we got him. He’s such an impressive prospect.

 

[rt]

Yeah, not sure who's writing these things up...Solberg looks really good, much better than Pulkinnen in my opinion. Just like RT said, Pulkinnen had a tremendous first game, but I didn't like games 2 & 3. He was better than average in game 4, but I've liked Solberg in all his games.

We've got some gems to pick when our draft pick comes around #15-19

The thing with Pulkkinen for me is that I think he’s got an amazing floor.

There’s really solid offensive upside if he can be coached on better decision making. A big man moving like that in the offensive zone is really jaw dropping. But at least half the time with Pulkkinen it’s also just plain head scratching. In those moments he Reminds me of Cooley in the NHL this season, in terms of the decision making and puck management. But that’s only half the time. Otherwise I’m saying shut up and take my money.

But that floor is good because of his play in his own zone. I like that he’s big and mean and finishes his hits. I like that he closes on guys quick, gaps up in a flash and is smothering. But what’s really stood out is that 80” stick that he gets on absolutely EVERYTHING - dude interferes with or breaks up plays at an astounding rate. Which why I’m guessing the fancy stars love him so much. I think it’s those break ups.

I remember a very frustrated Coyote telling a broadcaster once that Marek and his long stick were like playing against a giant octopus. He could reach out and grab you anywhere in the zone. I see that in Pulkkinen.

If he can stop being the cause of odd-man rushes based on mistakes starting in the offensive zone, he could be killer defensively. He’s great when he’s in front of opposing forwards where he’s supposed to be.

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

Well, after most of our draft picks are absolutely killing it...I'll trust the scouts to make the pick, that is for sure. If they feel Pulkinnen is the guy, I'm on board.

 

[Bonsai Tree]

I like him very much but I'd be disappointed with him or even Dickinson. Any LD is gonna be a letdown for me.

There's really only 3 LD slots on a hockey team and I'd be happy if Moser, Simashev, Szuber, Kolyachonok, Duda and Valimaki fill those slots.

I'm on the Letourneau bandwagon.

Yea, BPA. As long as it's a RW.

edit: I meant RD. I don't know what's gotten into me today.

 

[rt]

Yea, BPA. As long as it's a RW.

Your 1st choice is a right winger?

 

[hbk]

Your 1st choice is a right winger?

D or C always my preference. My biggest concern last year with But was he wasn't a C.

 

[rt]

D or C always my preference. My biggest concern last year with But was he wasn't a C.

I want a RD or C, if BPA is close in our zone. LD is 3rd. And wingers are last. But if we’re drafting 16th and MBN is there and we pick him, I’m still gonna be pumped even though he’s a winger. I’ll take a diet-Landeskog any day.

 

[Bonsai Tree]

Your 1st choice is a right winger?

Shit. I meant RD.

 

[rt]

Shit. I meant RD.

Unless we get a lot worse, I’m not sure I see that happening. Maybe Jiricek falls? He’s had a really bad year with some very unsettling injuries. He might drop. Big risk. Zayne Parekh has some big holes in his game but man is he producing. He’s scoring goals like nobody’s business. Not sure he drops as far as 15th-ish. Maybe, mayyyyyybe 12th-ish.

I wouldn’t reach on Elick. I don’t think he’s that good. I think Emery is a pretty big reach there too. I’d definitely look at those guys in the 2nd. Maybe Henry Mews? I haven’t watched him lately. Early in the season he was really disappointing when I watched him. Same category as Elick for me. Maybe I need to watch these two again.

 

[Dead Coyote]

Jiricek and Kiviharju are still two of the guys I want bad who I think have a very solid chance of dropping into our laps. If we drafted another Chychrun I'd be extremely excited. I mean, I still want a forward. But still.