Draft and UDFA Thread 2018-19

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Just bear with it for now. This is Canada’s best draft in years, so they’re gonna pump their own kids tires.

I expected that. I just think its a bad list. I think it looks like someone sloppily scribbled the 20 most well known names into 20 spots without regard for who goes in what spot.

 

[Edge]

I don't think it's as bad as Button's, but the Hlinka bias is still there. Gotta wonder, though, he compiles his lists from scouts. Do NHL scouts have Hlinka bias, too?

As for the list, Turcotte and Newhook are obviously low and they're overrating defensemen in this class. So far, the only one that can be considered for top 5 is Byram, IMO. Broberg and Robertson are good, but not that good. I think both are capable 1st round talents, but more so mid-later portion of the 1st. Broberg could wind up out of the 1st round. He's got some holes in his game.

Broberg is a bit on the raw side, not unlike how I view Lavoie, but they're almost different kinds of raw.

Broberg is on the younger side, anywhere from 6 to almost 10 months younger than some of the other talents. So you expect some holes, but I also think the upside is there.

Lavoie is on the older side, he might be the oldest of any of the top prospects. But I would've expected him to be further along at this stage. Right now I see a kid who can use his size to look better in what is arguably the weakest of the three Canadian major junior leagues. But I also a lot of stuff that is going to be harder to translate against competition that doesn't bounce off him.

 

[Edge]

I actually think Suzuki is under appreciated on this thread, too. He could be another one to push that center group!!

The skills are there to be one of the more interesting center prospects. I'd argue that when the pieces come together --- the slipperiness, the hands and shot accuracy, etc., he's as electric as anyone in this draft.

But he also scores a lot of "junior-style" goals from further out, exploiting weaker competition. He works well as the trailing player, getting himself into open ice, but I don't know if I see him carrying the puck and setting up the players as an NHL center. Maybe a wing?

 

[Mac n Gs]

I expected that. I just think its a bad list. I think it looks like someone sloppily scribbled the 20 most well known names into 20 spots without regard for who goes in what spot.

I agree, but it’s still really early and really not worth discussion just yet. It’s the same way every season

 

[Joey Bones]

Okay, so it is how I remembered it.

Personally, I'm not as enamored with some of the CHL players heading in this season as TSN seems to be.

I like Cozens, but I don't know if I view him as the second best prospect heading into the draft. He's an intriguing combination of skill/size, but is the top-end first line center ability there --- especially when he's not one of the bigger kids on the ice? I'm not sure yet.

Dach is a player who left me wanting more. A lot of the ingredients are there, but I never came away with the sense that he was a kid who I could envision as a driver at the NHL level.

Lavoie is in a similar boat. You notice him because he's big and he plays with an edge, and that stands out when looking at a number of players who enter the season in the 5'11, 170-180 range. But I also see a kid who could be benefiting from being older than a lot of the other top prospects in this draft, and being more physically developed. In some cases you're talking about a player who is a good 9 months older than some of the other kids.

Krebs is an intriguing kid who at times has looked at one of the best players heading into this draft, and at other times looked like a kid who might slip. Is the high-end skill NHL-level? Is he more of the "ultimate support player" type? He could rise or fall considerably in this draft.

Suzuki is a kid who is probably one of the better pure skill players in this class, but the results and on-ice product wasn't always quite the sum of the parts. When he's on, he's pretty electric. When he's not, he hasn't quite shown the ability to bring some of the other elements of the game.

But, by-and-large, I don't think there's a ton that feels incredibly out of line either. I'm probably slightly higher on Byram than they are, I do like Podkolzin more than some others might. I also like the inclusion of Boldy in the top 20, as well as the love for Robertson and Broberg --- two defenseman who are somewhat polar opposites for me.

I agree with everything you say here. I still think the clear cut No. 1 will be Hughes, Kakko at No. 2, and Byram in the top 5, for sure. Cozens is nice, but is he any more nice than Newhook? I don't think the physical aspect will hinder Newhook as much as most are making it out to be. I think Dach, also, has that speed/size combo that makes the top 10 even more interesting. Same with Suzuki, although he's not as physical.

I still think Krebs would drop for the same reason you've mentioned and I think the Broberg hype is a little overrated. I think he's got really good speed and shot, but the decisions he makes defensively and his stick handling when pressured hurts his stock a bit. Got to work on that.

Podkolzin is so intriguing with his ability to flat-out score. He's crazy good inside home plate, has silky hands and hits the body. Think he'll get some KHL action this year, but SKA is stacked up front. He'll primarily play in the MHL, maybe even some VHL games. I think the top 5, for him, isn't out of the question.

 

[Joey Bones]

The skills are there to be one of the more interesting center prospects. I'd argue that when the pieces come together --- the slipperiness, the hands and shot accuracy, etc., he's as electric as anyone in this draft.

But he also scores a lot of "junior-style" goals from further out, exploiting weaker competition. He works well as the trailing player, getting himself into open ice, but I don't know if I see him carrying the puck and setting up the players as an NHL center. Maybe a wing?

Position is subjective in juniors, IMO. I could very well see him on the wing in pro hockey, too. I think accuracy will be what sets him above. Most of his shots are junior-styled, in a way, but they come in a particular placement that even some NHL goalies can't fully read.

I'd be more worried about shot block attempts, instead. Will he have the capability to adjust an accurate shot, when maneuvering past a defensive block attempt? Or will he just put it on net? Both are fine for in-game scenarios, but we'll have to wait and see. He certainly has the skillset to do so.

 

[Joey Bones]

Broberg is a bit on the raw side, not unlike how I view Lavoie, but they're almost different kinds of raw.

Broberg is on the younger side, anywhere from 6 to almost 10 months younger than some of the other talents. So you expect some holes, but I also think the upside is there.

Lavoie is on the older side, he might be the oldest of any of the top prospects. But I would've expected him to be further along at this stage. Right now I see a kid who can use his size to look better in what is arguably the weakest of the three Canadian major junior leagues. But I also a lot of stuff that is going to be harder to translate against competition that doesn't bounce off him.

Broberg is raw, for sure. But say the Rangers pick is at No. 7. Would they gamble on raw ability? Or would they be better suited with a capable center?

Tough questions to depict, indeed, but they already gambled on K'Andre Miller. IMO, it would make more sense at a center, or a scoring winger like Boldy/Turcotte.

 

[Edge]

Position is subjective in juniors, IMO. I could very well see him on the wing in pro hockey, too. I think accuracy will be what sets him above. Most of his shots are junior-styled, in a way, but they come in a particular placement that even some NHL goalies can't fully read.

I'd be more worried about shot block attempts, instead. Will he have the capability to adjust an accurate shot, when maneuvering past a defensive block attempt? Or will he just put it on net? Both are fine for in-game scenarios, but we'll have to wait and see. He certainly has the skillset to do so.

I will say that I absolutely loved Suzuki's shot. It's like watching a cut fastball --- you can tell the goalie knows it's coming and is having a hard time picking it up.

 

[Fvital92]

I agree with everything you say here. I still think the clear cut No. 1 will be Hughes, Kakko at No. 2, and Byram in the top 5, for sure. Cozens is nice, but is he any more nice than Newhook? I don't think the physical aspect will hinder Newhook as much as most are making it out to be. I think Dach, also, has that speed/size combo that makes the top 10 even more interesting. Same with Suzuki, although he's not as physical.

I still think Krebs would drop for the same reason you've mentioned and I think the Broberg hype is a little overrated. I think he's got really good speed and shot, but the decisions he makes defensively and his stick handling when pressured hurts his stock a bit. Got to work on that.

Podkolzin is so intriguing with his ability to flat-out score. He's crazy good inside home plate, has silky hands and hits the body. Think he'll get some KHL action this year, but SKA is stacked up front. He'll primarily play in the MHL, maybe even some VHL games. I think the top 5, for him, isn't out of the question.

The fact he is a SKA prospect scares me. They won't play him in the KHL if he wants to come over sooner than later or they will sign him for 3+ years.
NHL teams will have to do their due diligence to know what is going on in the kid's mind.

 

[Joey Bones]

The fact he is a SKA prospect scares me. They won't play him in the KHL if he wants to come over sooner than later or they will sign him for 3+ years.
NHL teams will have to do their due diligence to know what the kid is going on on this kid's mind.

True, that's definitely a concern. Brings in that old "Russian-factor" again, in a way....

I feel if Podkolzin, himself, wants to come over, he will, but I would hope that he knows where he is on a KHL depth chart so he could develop correctly. A case for this can certainly be Rykov. A defender who can definitely play in the KHL (compete for NHL) and is playing in the minors. Hopefully that situation can be resolved and he can continue to develop. I just hope that doesn't happen to Podkolzin.

 

[Edge]

Broberg is raw, for sure. But say the Rangers pick is at No. 7. Would they gamble on raw ability? Or would they be better suited with a capable center?

Tough questions to depict, indeed, but they already gambled on K'Andre Miller. IMO, it would make more sense at a center, or a scoring winger like Boldy/Turcotte.

Personally, I would go with the centers in this draft. I'm higher on Broberg than most, but I also wouldn't have him in my top 10 at this time.

To me, there's such a huge drop after Byram. You can interchange some of the names (Broberg, Honka, Roberts, etc.), but the gap remains.

One thing I am curious about is how much the Rangers might be looking at the WHL this season.

While the smart money has them going with the US program or Europe, this is an organization that acquired a pair of WHL kids from Tampa and just hired Konowalchuk to beef up their scouting in the league. Then you factor in that you have Cozens, Dach, Byram, Krebs and maybe even Robertson all as viable top 10, or at least top 15 picks, and you have some intrigue.

 

[Joey Bones]

Personally, I would go with the centers in this draft. I'm higher on Broberg than most, but I also wouldn't have him in my top 10 at this time.

To me, there's such a huge drop after Byram. You can interchange some of the names (Broberg, Honka, Roberts, etc.), but the gap remains.

One thing I am curious about is how much the Rangers might be looking at the WHL this season.

While the smart money has them going with the US program or Europe, this is an organization that acquired a pair of WHL kids from Tampa and just hired Konowalchuk to beef up their scouting in the league. Then you factor in that you have Cozens, Dach, Byram, Krebs and maybe even Robertson all as viable top 10, or at least top 15 picks, and you have some intrigue.

Agreed, although I think Honka is better than Broberg, ATM....

I'm very anxious with that move, though. Although I'm ecstatic that they brought along Konowalchuk to beef up the WHL coverage, I hope that they don't shy away from the college-bound/European prospects. After those centers are gone, not really sure what's good enough to pick at. There are plenty of good soon to be NCAA players and European players that can be had at later on in the draft. Interesting times!!

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Broberg is raw, for sure. But say the Rangers pick is at No. 7. Would they gamble on raw ability? Or would they be better suited with a capable center?

Tough questions to depict, indeed, but they already gambled on K'Andre Miller. IMO, it would make more sense at a center, or a scoring winger like Boldy/Turcotte.

Broberg is the type of player the Rangers would pick. They just picked Miller, another guy some considered raw. I don't think Broberg is raw. I think he's just not that good at a lot of things. Great skater, big and can carry the puck. That'll get you a chance in the NHL, but it won't keep you there. Is there much more there than that in his game? We don't need to draft John Moore early in the first round. We need someone with quantifiable hockey skills. Broberg doesn't have that, in my opinion. I don't think Broberg is even close to being a top 10 guy right now. Maybe top 30.

Turcotte is definitely not a winger. I'm not sure I'd consider Boldy a scoring winger either. I have very little interest in drafting Boldy, unless its towards the end of the first or early second. I don't think he'll be in that range either. His point totals are going to be way inflated this year because of the team he plays on.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I will say that I absolutely loved Suzuki's shot. It's like watching a cut fastball --- you can tell the goalie knows it's coming and is having a hard time picking it up.

I'm going to disagree. I think he's a better skater and bigger than his brother, but doesn't have his goalscoring or defensive game. Definitely pass first. Doesn't look to shoot from what I've seen.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Edit

 

[Joey Bones]

Broberg is the type of player the Rangers would pick. They just picked Miller, another guy some considered raw. I don't think Broberg is raw. I think he's just not that good at a lot of things. Great skater, big and can carry the puck. That'll get you a chance in the NHL, but it won't keep you there. Is there much more there than that in his game? We don't need to draft John Moore early in the first round. We need someone with quantifiable hockey skills. Broberg doesn't have that, in my opinion. I don't think Broberg is even close to being a top 10 guy right now. Maybe top 30.

Turcotte is definitely not a winger. I'm not sure I'd consider Boldy a scoring winger either. I have very little interest in drafting Boldy, unless its towards the end of the first or early second. I don't think he'll be in that range either. His point totals are going to be way inflated this year because of the team he plays on.

We're on the same page with Broberg, but I disagree on rawness. He definitely looked raw in preseason with AIK, minus some highlight vids. I don't think he's top 10, but the later 1st, ATM, seems like a good possibility. Despite his defensive IQ and poise, his base speed along with his offensive awareness and powerful shot definitely is above most defenders in the draft class. It's still early, but he'll turn some heads. The defensive side will come.

Turcotte is currently playing wing in the development program with Hughes at center and Cole Caufield on the other wing so.... my view on him stands as an all-position forward.

Boldy is a playmaking winger with a very good first pass and offensive awareness. He's a little slippery on his skates, too. I don't think his point totals will be inflated by others, as he currently is on the wing with Zegras at center and Moynihan on the other wing. If anything, that's going to be USNDTP's energy line and am intrigued to see more going forward. I think Boldy could push for top 10, but he's got a lot of competition between all those centermen. Likely he stays in the 11-20 range.

 

[Joey Bones]

Cam York quitely above PPG, ATM!! One game, but still really interesting....

 

[Joey Bones]

I'm going to disagree. I think he's a better skater and bigger than his brother, but doesn't have his goalscoring or defensive game. Definitely pass first. Doesn't look to shoot from what I've seen.

I agree on pass first, but how is he not a goal scorer?

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

For whatever reason, in my mind I mix up the Suzuki and McLeod brothers every time they’re brought up

 

[Joey Bones]

For whatever reason, in my mind I mix up the Suzuki and McLeod brothers every time they’re brought up

Oh just wait.... there's gonna be another Hughes brother!!

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

Oh just wait.... there's gonna be another Hughes brother!!

I mean like, when people are talking about the Suzuki’s and people are just throwing ‘his brother’ around I think they’re talking about the McLeods and vise versa. Maybe I just think they’re all in the ok-good prospect range and both Hughes brothers are way above that for me

 

[Joey Bones]

I mean like, when people are talking about the Suzuki’s and people are just throwing ‘his brother’ around I think they’re talking about the McLeods and vise versa. Maybe I just think they’re all in the ok-good prospect range and both Hughes brothers are way above that for me

I understand that. That gif was partly sarcastic, lolol....

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I mean like, when people are talking about the Suzuki’s and people are just throwing ‘his brother’ around I think they’re talking about the McLeods and vise versa. Maybe I just think they’re all in the ok-good prospect range and both Hughes brothers are way above that for me

It's simple for me.

Is the player awesome? If yes, then its a Hughes.

Is the player good? If yes, then its a Suzuki.

Is the player meh? If yes, then its a McLeod.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

We're on the same page with Broberg, but I disagree on rawness. He definitely looked raw in preseason with AIK, minus some highlight vids. I don't think he's top 10, but the later 1st, ATM, seems like a good possibility. Despite his defensive IQ and poise, his base speed along with his offensive awareness and powerful shot definitely is above most defenders in the draft class. It's still early, but he'll turn some heads. The defensive side will come.

Turcotte is currently playing wing in the development program with Hughes at center and Cole Caufield on the other wing so.... my view on him stands as an all-position forward.

Boldy is a playmaking winger with a very good first pass and offensive awareness. He's a little slippery on his skates, too. I don't think his point totals will be inflated by others, as he currently is on the wing with Zegras at center and Moynihan on the other wing. If anything, that's going to be USNDTP's energy line and am intrigued to see more going forward. I think Boldy could push for top 10, but he's got a lot of competition between all those centermen. Likely he stays in the 11-20 range.

I think often times players are labeled raw when they have "athletic" skill-sets, but struggle with some of the more technical or tactical aspects of hockey. With Broberg, there are hockey IQ questions there, questions with how he moves the puck and questions about his ability to take over a shift offensively. His shot looks good and I don't think he's terrible defensively, but I don't know if what's keeping him from being a top flight defenseman is being raw as opposed to not being as good as those top flight defensemen prospects.

Turcotte was listed as playing winger during one preseason game. I wouldn't make much of it. When you have three top 10 talents, all of whom are playing center in junior hockey, it would be dumb to not move them around to get them as much ice time as possible. You don't want Zegras playing 3rd line minutes, like he got last season. No way Turcotte doesn't play center in the NHL. He's too good in all zones not to stick in the middle of the ice. I think Boldy is more of a two way forward than a real offensive guy. His point totals were way inflated last year. He played on a line with Hughes for a lot of last year, like Caufield. Both are overrated due to that. A guy like Zegras, who didn't get to play with Hughes, is a better prospect than either.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

I understand that. That gif was partly sarcastic, lolol....

My fault, I’m half asleep but still up and posting because I’m all excited hockey’s back