I finished my review of players for the Flyers 12th pick. I did a long write up in a word doc. Naturally I assume most people don't feel like reading that much. So, I'm going to try to make this post a condensed version. If anyone is interested in the full review maybe I will post it in a new thread or something.
Before I list my rankings I want clarify the criteria behind the rankings. First and foremost this is specifically geared towards the Flyers and players I deem to have a chance to be available at 12. Second, in all my rankings I give more weight to difficult to improve skills than skills that have a high chance of improving through development. Skills I view as difficult to improve in order of importance/weight in my evaluation IQ, motor/compete, skating. Improvable skills vary in weight used based on the players overall play style. Third, in tandem with the first, the ranking is heavily influenced by projected roster construction. By that I mean the goal in drafting is to contruct a cup contending roster and that requires projecting a players potential impact in NHL playoff hockey as well as how a prospect's play style fits with other core player pieces(Michkov). To me the ideal complement to a player like Michkov both shares qualities with him, but also has an element of Ying to his yang. By that I mean the ideal addition needs to have some comparable offensive ability, but overall the prospects greatest strengths should be in areas that are consider weak points in Michkovs game. To put it in a more literal context the ideal compliment to Michkov is speedy 200 ft player with a Good enough IQ to consistently make the next pass and at least sometimes at least some goal scoring capability. Size doesn't normally factor into my evaluation, but I do think it would benefit Michkov to have it a player with decent size on his line.
Now, that this has been stated, I'll try to condense my rankings :
1. Tij Iginla:
Easiest to condense. Have you seen his dad play? Than you know how he plays. A couple weeks ago selecting him was super possible. Now? Maybe less likely. He stunted at the u18 WC. Center/power forward. High 3rd liner floor. Ceiling is his dad. Not personally a big "bloodline" guy, but top 10 talents with NHL dads have had a real solid track record lately(Matt and Brady Tkachuk, Will Nylander, Sam Reinhart, etc)
2. Michael Bransegg-Nygard
Some people may be puzzled by this. Craig button moved him down, I must be an idiot if I ranked him here, right? Ehhh, I'm not the brightest bulb, but I do go with my gut. Does he have the highest upside on paper? No. Does he have enough to justify being taken 12th? 100%. For one this kid has one of the highest floors in this draft. Good hockey IQ. Fantastic skater. Probably the best motor and compete level in the whole draft. He lines up on the wing, but I think his 200 ft playstyle, top tier skating, good IQ, good size, and Lethal shot would make a potentially elite center. He doesn't seem electric, but there is a subtle flash to his hands that makes me think there is a ankle breaking beast in him waiting to be unleashed. Motor is his best attribute. He has that dawg in him. He might be the best at controlling the puck through contact and winning puck battles with an added bonus that a lot of his tape shows him doing it against grown men already. My ultimate justification for ranking him here is this kid is made for playoff hockey and how amazing his game would compliment Michkov on the wing or at center. To be as effective as we hope Michkov needs to get the puck on his stick. Nygard ensures that happens a lot more. In terms of ceiling I think Mika Zibanejad is a great comp. Floor is tough to comp, but I guess prime Raffl. A 3rd line guy that plays the kind of hockey that wins you games.
3. Konsta Helenius :
Craig Button's list moved him up to 4th. I think that is a little bit of reach, only because I'm not sold that he hits his absolute ceiling to justify being so high. I'd love him at 12th though. Complete 200 ft center. Top tier IQ. High floor. In terms of comparables I would say his abosolute ceiling is Nick Backstrom. Floor is a smidge worse than Anton Lundell, which is still pretty darn good. Realistically I think he will be a top 6 center. If the flyers took him over either of the first 2, I wouldn't be mad. Great player that will help you win in regular and playoff hockey situations. Fantastic complimentary play style to Michkov.
4. Berkly Catton :
The full write up reads a little harsh for Catton. I don't think that it is fair as he is a kid, so hopefully it comes off better in this version. Offensively Cattom is the Highest IQ most electric player on the board. How does that sentence lead to him being ranked 4th? Well, he may take face offs, but he doesn't truly play the Center. By this I mean that the most important part of the center position is the ability to have a positive impact in all 3 zones, not just the one with the other teams goalie. In short, he is not a complete hockey player. My biggest concern is his motor. That concern snowballs into questions on how his development shakes out. It takes work develop your game. So, if I'm already concerned about his work ethic, how can I confidently project he will put in the work needed to become better? That's a tough question and the answer is I don't. I can't imagine a player with a motor like this is a difference maker come NHL playoffs. To win in playoffs you have to earn it and I'm not sold Catton can play the type of hockey needed to win in a 7 game series. Finally, while him and Michkov would make magic offensively and on the powerplay, the sheer number of goals against they'd rack up may negate the good feeling from that offensive magic. Perfect of example of a player I view as missing the yin element to blend with Michkov. The offense fits, but they share a similar weakness in the defensive end that in my opinion combines to creates a major weakness. Also Catton may pass the puck to Michkov effectively to Michkov, but if they are on D he will not create more opportunities to put the game on Michkov's stick... if that makes sense. To word it differently, he won't make a big play to win a puck battle(reach and ring turn probably) and he won't make a huge steal in the D-zone to get the puck(unless they toss it straight at him) regain possession putting the game back into the hands Michkov. That said as is the upside is still high enough that he gets the 4th spot.
5. Cole Eiserman
In traditional prospect ranking I would have him ahead of Catton. Specifically for the flyers I put him lower. Mainly because I think his play style is redundant in long term construction of the core. In my mind a playmaking 2 way player that score goals too is a better compliment for Michkov than a player that posts up and swings away. Eiserman's play making is underrated and his shot is lethal. That said, I have the exact same concerns with Eiserman as I did Cutter. Great passenger, a dude you want in the car, but don't expect him to drive. To put it differently, a solid player, but not close to the type of play driver I want at 12. 2 minutes left down 2-1, is he going to hit the ice and make sure this game goes past 60? I don't think so. Post up and pot one to send it past 60, while an actual play driver does their thing? Possibly. I think he is more promising than cutter so that is something. Maybe that is too harsh on Eiserman, I mean it is probably tough to drive play yourself when future 2025 1st overall James Hagens is there to drive play for you. To specifically compare him to Nygard who is also a sniper. Nygard is far more of a complete player and is willing to go to the dirty areas of the ice to make a play for his team. Eiserman has more electric talent, but their overall IQ in finding the next pass is really comparable. I would actually give the edge in ability to drive to play to Nygard, but the real difference maker is the confidence I have in Nygard to make a play defensively and put the game back onto the stick of Matvei Michkov, especially in a must score situation. I'd put Eiserman's ceiling at Kyle Connor his floor is 55 year old Ovie. Regardless, great player lethal shot. And if the other options are gone I'd take him regardless of fit. Aquiring good young NHL talent is never a negative, if a player needs to be moved for a talent that fits better, young assets have the highest value.
Players I have pinned for pick at 31/32(probably 32)
Cole Hutson
Nikita Artmanov
Teddy Stiga
Matevi Gridin
Trevor Connelly
Sacha Bosivert
Emil Hemming
Stian Solberg
Michael Hage
Leo Sahlin Wallinius
Ryder Ritchie
Beckett Sennecke
Henry Mews
Charlie Elick
Dominik Badinka