NHL Draft lottery III - Bruins locked into 5th before ping pong balls.

[CellyHard]

Eklund is speedy and one of the best forecheckers in class.

Speed, IQ, tenacity, passing. Eklund is the full offensive package.

I haven’t watched much outside of highlights but you have to consider he played on a line with Frondell and he drove it...Frondell has the better shot and capitalized on a lot of plays Eklund makes.

Eklund might actually be 4 for me after Hagens. I see a Jesper Bratt type of game to him. I get the need for center but I think the need for offense regardles of position is more important.

 

[bobber]

Just an observation? On the same PP as Nick Lardis I believe. They had 4 high scoring forwards, must have been fun.

Brantford drafts well..

 

[Fenian24]

He's not going to reach and there are what 9-10 acceptable picks where they will ultimately choose? We all have who we want but bottom line is they will add a very good prospect to the organization,

It really seems like 5 or 6.
Hopefully at minimum they don't fall, getting to 2nd would be tremendous

 

[Fenian24]

You say this like picking McQueen is some outrageous thing. I know for some reason he’s some kind of taboo on this board, but I definitely would be able to see the vision at 6 or 7.

Elite prospects has him as the 5th best player in the draft.

The spine injury he had is a major concern, healthy he is in my top 5, a slower Blake Wheeler.

 

[BadBruins]

Just an observation? On the same PP as Nick Lardis I believe. They had 4 high scoring forwards, must have been fun.

It's a fair observation. In both cases. I also did a bit of double take at the 41 PP assists. Also the quality of the Bulldogs roster seems to be pretty top heavy with all of the other seven scorers being NHL drafted. That and his low shot volume. Just observations looking at a stat sheet. Obviously eyes are better.

 

[dafoomie]

I believe 50 of his points were om the
pp

Yes and I think the next draft eligible player has about half his PP assists, it shows the playmaking ability he has in space on the cycle. 5v5, at 6-2 170 he doesn't have the strength to create space for himself and he doesn't have the speed to get separation. Putting on weight would solve the first problem and go a long way on the second along with better technique. I think it's easier to add that to a package that already includes the creativity, vision, and hands, than to ask a more straight line center to add that type of playmaking to his game.

 

[wintersej]

Yes and I think the next draft eligible player has about half his PP assists, it shows the playmaking ability he has in space on the cycle. 5v5, at 6-2 170 he doesn't have the strength to create space for himself and he doesn't have the speed to get separation. Putting on weight would solve the first problem and go a long way on the second along with better technique. I think it's easier to add that to a package that already includes the creativity, vision, and hands, than to ask a more straight line center to add that type of playmaking to his game.

I feel like you just described a taller Matt Poitras.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

I feel like you just described a taller Matt Poitras.

So in his draft year Poitras collected 50 points and O'Brien collected 98. Amazing what 3 inches does huh?

 

[bobber]

Yes and I think the next draft eligible player has about half his PP assists, it shows the playmaking ability he has in space on the cycle. 5v5, at 6-2 170 he doesn't have the strength to create space for himself and he doesn't have the speed to get separation. Putting on weight would solve the first problem and go a long way on the second along with better technique. I think it's easier to add that to a package that already includes the creativity, vision, and hands, than to ask a more straight line center to add that type of playmaking to his game.

You have top keep in mind these kids are 17-18. Coming into major junior at 15 they understand they have to put on muscle and speed because the players are bigger and faster. It's the same for draft prospects. They know to make pro they have to add weight and muscle and start the process over again. As an example Kitchener drafted Jacob Xu. A defenseman who came into the program midway through the season. He is 6'2" 192 pounds at 15-16. He hits like a truck already and has no fear of the older vets who could 20 years old. He has NHL size but knows he needs to add muscle to compete at a higher level. Some of these kids don't blossom until the 3rd or 4th year in junior.

 

[yazmybaby]

The spine injury he had is a major concern, healthy he is in my top 5, a slower Blake Wheeler.

His skating needs work, is not NHL ready yet.
Add that to his injury and I would stay far away from him.
He reminds me of Ryan Johansen.
He scored 35 goals in 127 junior games and one goal in 3 playoff games so far.
I hope the Bruins pass on this player as this is not the type of player we need with our first pick.
If we stick at 5, I would be elated to draft one of:
Eklund
Frondell
Martone

 

[8Neely8]

You have top keep in mind these kids are 17-18. Coming into major junior at 15 they understand they have to put on muscle and speed because the players are bigger and faster. It's the same for draft prospects. They know to make pro they have to add weight and muscle and start the process over again. As an example Kitchener drafted Jacob Xu. A defenseman who came into the program midway through the season. He is 6'2" 192 pounds at 15-16. He hits like a truck already and has no fear of the older vets who could 20 years old. He has NHL size but knows he needs to add muscle to compete at a higher level. Some of these kids don't blossom until the 3rd or 4th year in junior.

I totally agree… my son played with Jacob this past season and he will be a beast with a couple more years of seasoning.

 

[bobber]

I totally agree… my son played with Jacob this past season and he will be a beast with a couple more years of seasoning.

The crowd at the Aud was chanting his name couple nights ago after a big hit in a playoff game against the Spitfires. Something you don't usually see with a rookie.

 

[LJReborn]

It really seems like 5 or 6.
Hopefully at minimum they don't fall, getting to 2nd would be tremendous

If they fall to 6 or 7, Martone, O'Brien, Eklund and McQueen are all good picks. Like I said we all have our favorites, but they will get a stud with their first pick.

 

[DKH]

If we stay 5th fingers crossed gotta go haggens frondell or desnoyers.

it’s going to work out well

As for Eklund ~ watch video and read people that watch him. He’s really good - if we had a center I’d be very good with him.

His brother is a stud with Sharks - he’s on that level

 

[ODAAT]

if Sweeney and company simply stick to the BPA at the draft table, they will get a solid prospect to add to a now growing prospect pool, just don`t go "off the board" if you will Sweens

 

[bme44]

if Sweeney and company simply stick to the BPA at the draft table, they will get a solid prospect to add to a now growing prospect pool, just don`t go "off the board" if you will Sweens

Every team drafting are taking who they feel is the Best player Available .The problem with this, is this varies so great depending on who you ask. As fans all we can ask ,is the Bruins scouting staff to do there job well.

 

[DKH]

He’s not Brady Tkachuk. He is really slow like Tkachuk, but he’s more in the Matthew archetype but doesn’t play with the antics of either of them. He doesn’t just plant his ass in front of the net - much better passer than Brady and better through the NZ. But he’s not a Tom Wilson type. Hes like a dirt poor man’s Rantanen but slower.

To me, he has the highest bust potential of the guys in this range.

I like Eklund but he’s on the smaller side - he’s rated just outside top 6

I take it you would take him over Martone?

His brother lobbying the Sharks take him with their pick

 

[The don godfather]

if Sweeney and company simply stick to the BPA at the draft table, they will get a solid prospect to add to a now growing prospect pool, just don`t go "off the board" if you will Sweens

If he does I'll drive him to the airport and he can pack his bags this is a no brainer. There is no way he can mess this up . Can he ?

 

[The don godfather]

If they fall to 6 or 7, Martone, O'Brien, Eklund and McQueen are all good picks. Like I said we all have our favorites, but they will get a stud with their first pick.

If they fall to 6 they can get a martone desnoyers or frondell 7 is where it gets sketchy.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

I like Eklund but he’s on the smaller side - he’s rated just outside top 6

I take it you would take him over Martone?

His brother lobbying the Sharks take him with their pick

At this time no I wouldn’t. Martone is still a very good player, people are projecting their wants and desires on him but he’s really not the kind of player they seem to think (hope) he is.

 

[BruinDust]

If they fall to 6 or 7, Martone, O'Brien, Eklund and McQueen are all good picks. Like I said we all have our favorites, but they will get a stud with their first pick.

McQueen should be a on a "do not draft" list. Using a high pick on a 6'5 18-year old with back problems is just asking for it.

They have to get a player here. Even if he's not a eventual superstar. They cannot afford for this pick to end up a big load of nothing.

 

[Patdud]

If they fall to 6 or 7, Martone, O'Brien, Eklund and McQueen are all good picks. Like I said we all have our favorites, but they will get a stud with their first pick.

If they stay at 6 and hes there, O'Brien is probably who they take.

 

[NeelyDan]

At this time no I wouldn’t. Martone is still a very good player, people are projecting their wants and desires on him but he’s really not the kind of player they seem to think (hope) he is.

I think you project other people's projections, lol - this is what a quick search uncovered for me which, surprise, aligns with what I like about his potential:

This season alone, Martone has continued to improve his stock as a prospect as he always has that knack for having a strong balance of skill, physical play and a winning mentality. That is his trademark as he leads by example, doing whatever it takes to have a significant impact for his team. He plays a physical and intense brand of hockey, always playing a great amount of pace in the offensive zone, getting under opponents’ skin, mixing it up and making a living in front of the net. Whenever he has the chance, he won’t pass up laying the body as he can make heavy, punishing hits as he has that mean side and edge to his game.

 

[bme44]

If they fall to 6 they can get a martone desnoyers or frondell 7 is where it gets sketchy.

These three will not all be there at sixth ,not sure any of them will be

 

[JoeIsAStud]

I think you project other people's projections, lol - this is what a quick search uncovered for me which, surprise, aligns with what I like about his potential:

This season alone, Martone has continued to improve his stock as a prospect as he always has that knack for having a strong balance of skill, physical play and a winning mentality. That is his trademark as he leads by example, doing whatever it takes to have a significant impact for his team. He plays a physical and intense brand of hockey, always playing a great amount of pace in the offensive zone, getting under opponents’ skin, mixing it up and making a living in front of the net. Whenever he has the chance, he won’t pass up laying the body as he can make heavy, punishing hits as he has that mean side and edge to his game.

He has a chance to be a beast when he grows up and puts 30 pounds of muscle on him