Pre-Lottery Mock Drafts

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Stuzle was way better net driver before the draft, much better physical player, Catton is trying to avoid of physical contact often. A lot if what he is doing with puckhandlimg will not work against nhl defensemen. And his legs are weak. Both Hughes and Stuzle are better skaters, Hughes is much better skater, both were better positionally, both did controlling a lot of center zone and defensive zone even without contact, Stuzle played in the wing in draft year a lot and did it with more physicality. Catton is controlling center too, just not on the same level. As I said I think as perimeter playmaker with his playmaking game and combo of very good skating, hands and accuracy he has real big potential.

I don’t agree. Hughes was flat out bad defensively pre-draft. Also was awful against players his own age on faceoffs. Weaker too, I believe he weighed less and was listed as shorter. Bedard was definitely shorter too with worse defensive play.

Catton will have to adjust, but the NHL is now different. If you were a junior center and can score points, you will stay at center. I think his defensive effort is more than good enough and so is his skating. He will have to get better at defensive details, playing more on the inside, and putting on weight. I think he will.

 

[Goldenhands]

I have

You might have to re-watch him quite a bit because his skating was above average in liiga, one of the top men skating leagues in the world. He skates better than Catton IMO and the motor, off puck game much better.

Playing the U18 will give the fans the opportunity to see his talent level and enjoy his tools more. You will see that the skating is really impressive too, his agility, edges particulary are fantastic.

 

[Chainshot]

OTT take another LHD?

Buffalo taking another defenseman...

 

[Junohockeyfan]

You think those 2 things are comparable? Detroit can buyout Holl tomorrow, Montreal f***ed up passing on Michkov and they cannot fix that.

They can fix by developing a top pairing dman in Reinbacher. And not have to live in holl with Holl!

 

[BLNY]

Reinbacher was BPA with the fifth selection, if you disagree, lets revisit it in 2 yrs. Michkov had huge red flags.

And I don't draft a kid that is cagey about who he'll grant interviews to.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

If I were to guess, our board would have Helenius > Catton = Iginla. Francis is unlikely to have a one-dimensional player like Eiserman very high on our board.

Seattle is one of the teams I struggled to think how they would go went with high potential as I think seattle could use a legit goal scorer up and coming

 

[57special]

Buffalo taking another defenseman...

Didn't even think of that, though a RD over there sure wouldn't hurt, though they need a rock solid RH defender rather than a point scoring machine with suspect D like Parekh or Levshunov. In some respects, BUF might one of the few teams that would be better off trading down for two late firsts, where they can take a 6'3+" RHD with solid D(Elick, Emery, Badinka?), AND a forward with decent size like Boisvert, or even a Connelly, if he drops that far. Buffalo might be a place that he can develop out of the limelight.

 

[Jared Dunn]

Assumed order remains the same. If Chicago picks Levshunov which I think is the most likely possibility, I could realistically see a swap between Anaheim and Montreal as the Ducks should be able to get whichever of the next two RD at #5 while getting an asset or two, I just don't think they'll go for Demidov or Lindstrom. If Chicago takes Demidov, scrap everything that follows lol

1. SJ- Celebrini
2. CHI- Levshunov
3. MTL- Demidov
4. CBJ- Lindstrom
5. ANA- Yakemchuk/Parekh
6. UTA- Silayev
7. OTT- Parekh/Yakemchuk
8. SEA- Buium
9. CGY- Iginla (could and probably should be Dickinson but I don't think they'll resist the temptation for the storyline, they'll use the late 1st on a D)
10. NJ- Catton
11. BUF- Dickinson
12. PHI- Eiserman
13. MIN- Helenius
14. SJ- Jiricek
15. DET- Greentree

Edit: Completely forgot Catton initially

 

[Chainshot]

Didn't even think of that, though a RD over there sure wouldn't hurt, though they need a rock solid RH defender rather than a point scoring machine with suspect D like Parekh or Levshunov. In some respects, BUF might one of the few teams that would be better off trading down for two late firsts, where they can take a 6'3+" RHD with solid D(Elick, Emery, Badinka?), AND a forward with decent size like Boisvert, or even a Connelly, if he drops that far. Buffalo might be a place that he can develop out of the limelight.

I can't see them touching Connelly.

 

[Xirik]

Didn't even think of that, though a RD over there sure wouldn't hurt, though they need a rock solid RH defender rather than a point scoring machine with suspect D like Parekh or Levshunov. In some respects, BUF might one of the few teams that would be better off trading down for two late firsts, where they can take a 6'3+" RHD with solid D(Elick, Emery, Badinka?), AND a forward with decent size like Boisvert, or even a Connelly, if he drops that far. Buffalo might be a place that he can develop out of the limelight.

It would be slightly early but Jiricek would probably be available. He's a more well rounded Defenseman with a killer shot.

 

[Jared Dunn]

1. SJ C. Celebrini - Duh
2. CHI C/RW C. Lindstrom - Power forward to play on Bedards wing for years to come instead of waiting for Demidov to arrive in the future.
3. ANH RD A. Levshunov - Plays in Michigan so wait factor isn't there and he's the best RD available
4 CLB W I. Demidov - The Jackets have a deep prospect pool, Their fans might want a player that can help the team fast but I think Columbus can risk the wait time in order to eventually get a player who might be the 2nd best player in the draft.
5 MTL LD S. Dickinson - BPA, Whats better then one Reinbacher? two of them! if they want a center or winger they should trade down.
6 ARI LD A. Silayev - the Coyotes like drafting Russians so they get the 6'7 defenseman Silayev,
7 OTT RD C. Yakemchuk - The Sens need an RD and one that is good on both sides of the puck.
8 SEA LD Z. Buium - BPA and While the the Kraken's Defense is good I think their backend isn't that great at setting up their forwards. Buium should help that greatly.
9 CGY W T. Iginla - I don't need to explain this
10 NJ Brantsegg-Nygard - I call him Slafkovsky-lite, Just in Smaller packaging.
11 BUF RD Z. Parekh - The Sabres need RD might as well take the BPA
12 PHI RW L. Greentree - With Cutter Gauthier traded away GreenTree is the closet thing to a top 6 powerforward they can get.
13 MIN C/RW K. Helenius - High compete level and great IQ, Just seems like a Wild type of player. Could definitely see him playing Center or Wing.
14 SJ (from PIT) I. Chernyshov - Since Grier became GM he's focused more on bigness over the smaller skilled guy. Takes the bigger all rounder that is easily projectible to be a solid NHL'er and still has a high enough ceiling that he could be the steal of the draft.
15 DET W B. Catton - One of the better goal scorers of the draft and Yzerman doesn't seem to be a GM to be concerned about size.
16 STL RD A. Jiricek - BPA

I think Montreal is more likely to reach for Iginla than take another D honestly, maybe they'll trade back to 7 if there's a specific D Ottawa likes, probably still get Tij there

 

[Golden_Jet]

OTT takes another LHD?

They should be taking one of the RD on the list.

 

[Xirik]

I think Montreal is more likely to reach for Iginla than take another D honestly, maybe they'll trade back to 7 if there's a specific D Ottawa likes, probably still get Tij there

I guess it depends on if Chychrun is going to be a long term Senator, Otherwise I don't see them drafting another LD.

 

[Jared Dunn]

I guess it depends on if Chychrun is going to be a long term Senator, Otherwise I don't see them drafting another LD.

Isn't Utah deeper at LD though as well? I think they take the big Russian but maybe Ottawa would see them as a threat to take the last remaining RD if the other two are scooped. Ultimately though doubt they want to trade more assets when they have to forfeit a first in the next couple years

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Assumed order remains the same. If Chicago picks Levshunov which I think is the most likely possibility, I could realistically see a swap between Anaheim and Montreal as the Ducks should be able to get whichever of the next two RD at #5 while getting an asset or two, I just don't think they'll go for Demidov or Lindstrom. If Chicago takes Demidov, scrap everything that follows lol

1. SJ- Celebrini
2. CHI- Levshunov
3. MTL- Demidov
4. CBJ- Lindstrom
5. ANA- Yakemchuk/Parekh
6. UTA- Silayev
7. OTT- Parekh/Yakemchuk
8. SEA- Buium
9. CGY- Iginla (could and probably should be Dickinson but I don't think they'll resist the temptation for the storyline, they'll use the late 1st on a D)
10. NJ- Eiserman
11. BUF- Dickinson
12. PHI- Helenius
13. MIN- Greentree
14. SJ- Jiricek

No Catton in your top-14? I am pretty sure a lot of teams in the 6-10 range would be thrilled to have him.

 

[Jared Dunn]

No Catton in your top-14? I am pretty sure a lot of teams in the 6-10 range would be thrilled to have him.

Damn it - when I got to around 10 it felt like I was forgetting someone lol. I think he goes around the 8-10 range. Honestly I would probably put him in the NJ pick and slide everyone else back one, Jiricek stays at 14 SJ could use a D.

Seattle or Calgary could also potentially take him

 

[Tryamkin]

7 OTT RD C. Yakemchuk - The Sens need an RD and one that is good on both sides of the puck.

If the Sens need someone good on both sides of the puck, Yakemchuk is not the pick. He needs work defensively for sure despite having the frame and physicality to be a good defensive player.

 

[Jared Dunn]

Buffalo taking another defenseman...

I mean it's not like they're hurting for forward prospects either to be fair

If the Sens need someone good on both sides of the puck, Yakemchuk is not the pick. He needs work defensively for sure despite having the frame and physicality to be a good defensive player.

None of the top RD are particularly good defensively to be honest so I don't think it'll be the deciding factor

 

[Chainshot]

I mean it's not like they're hurting for forward prospects either to be fair

I would think they are looking for forwards or centers with size or application of it, RHD who project more as 2-way if there is a push between two players. Too many of their forward prospects are below average sized and they have some balance they need in their pipeline with more grunt and less glam. Right shot forwards also seem like a missing.

But all-offense guys like Parekh seem like not their need at all.

 

[57special]

I can't see them touching Connelly.

Why not? I would think that BUF would be less of a "hot button" type place compared to either coast, or in the spotlight of Montreal.

 

[Jared Dunn]

I would think they are looking for forwards or centers with size or application of it, RHD who project more as 2-way if there is a push between two players. Too many of their forward prospects are below average sized and they have some balance they need in their pipeline with more grunt and less glam. Right shot forwards also seem like a missing.

But all-offense guys like Parekh seem like not their need at all.

In that case they should trade up and try to get Iginla. He and Cozens would be a handful

 

[Chainshot]

Why not? I would think that BUF would be less of a "hot button" type place compared to either coast, or in the spotlight of Montreal.

The owner sits in on the interviews and is known for being concerned about character questions. I can't see him being okay with Connelly's past.

 

[57special]

The owner sits in on the interviews and is known for being concerned about character questions. I can't see him being okay with Connelly's past.

Ah, ok. I don't want him anywhere my team, either. Despise bullies, and that seems to be what he is, though I can't see him making that work in a NHL, or even a AHL locker room.

 

[RainyCityHockey]

1) San Jose Sharks - Macklin Celebrini
2) Chicago Blackhawks - Ivan Demidov
3) Anaheim Ducks - Artyom Levshunov
4) Columbus Blue Jackets - Zeev Buium
5) Monteal Canadiens - Sam Dickinson
6) Utah .... - Zanye Parekh
7) Ottawa Senators - Cole Eiserman
8) Seattle Kraken - Cayden Lindstrom
9) Calgary Flames - Tij Iginla
10) New Jersey Devils - Anton Silayev
11) Buffalo Sabres - Berkly Catton
12) Philadelphia Flyers - Kostas Helenius
13) Minnesota Wild - Michael Brandsegg-Nygard
14) San Jose Sharks - Carter Yakemchuk
15) Detroit Red Wings - Igor Chernyshov
16) St. Louis Blues - Adam Jiricek

 

[Guadana]

I don’t agree. Hughes was flat out bad defensively pre-draft. Also was awful against players his own age on faceoffs. Weaker too, I believe he weighed less and was listed as shorter. Bedard was definitely shorter too with worse defensive play.

Catton will have to adjust, but the NHL is now different. If you were a junior center and can score points, you will stay at center. I think his defensive effort is more than good enough and so is his skating. He will have to get better at defensive details, playing more on the inside, and putting on weight. I think he will.

Sorry but its not true. He wasn't very good in defensive firecheck against the cycling but he covered a lot if ice and it worked really well situationally even if his first year in nhl.

Catton isn't there yet. He isn't good in defensive positioning, he us avoiding physical battles and his lower body positioning without the puck us an issue. Stuzle and Hughes were two body ahead of him in positioning without the puck. Stuzle was very good forechecker. And both were and are much better net drivers. Catton is perimeter playmaker. And he is worser skater than both. He isn't on the level of high pace as Stuzke and he isn't as 4 way mobile from the start as Hughes.

It's just not the same level now. But I easily can imagine he will continue to play center. Especially for Jackets or Montreal. I just don't see good enough 200 foot impact. But I velieve he should be very productive. He is better skater than Rossi and Perfetti. He shouldn't have any problem in nhl with his skating.