Prospect Info: The 2021 NHL Entry Draft Thread

[Daximus]

I don't disagree - Jets have been reluctant to draft smaller players ... but with the emergence of Cole Caufield (15th overall), Debrincat (2nd round), Braydin Point (3rd round), etc., there's a clear case that NHL teams shouldn't ignore the best *hockey* player in favour of a bigger body.

A couple more things about Logan Stankoven: He may be short (5'8) but not that *small*. He's listed at 170 lbs which is the same weight as Ehlers / Connor. He's got two more years to grow, so probably will end up being 5'10 - 190 lbs as his ultimate playing weight. This is more fire hydrant type build than *small*. He plays a fast, crafty game, but gets dirty too (can score like Gallagher). However, stylistically, with the puck on his stick, he's so much more dynamic than Gallagher. He's got deception, quick feet, great hands and that unbelievable release. He's scouted as a VERY good skater with excellent agility and top end acceleration.

Shoots RIGHT!

If Stankoven was 2-3 inches taller he'd no doubt be a top 10 pick. His stats are INSANE at every level his entire life:

* Keep in mind he's always the smallest kid on his team

- As a 14 year old playing CSSHL (highest league you can play): 30 games played - 57 Goals (1st place in western canada) ahead of Dylan Guenther and Cole Sillinger

* Went on to be drafted 5th overall in WHL bantam draft despite being amongst smallest players available.

- As a 15 year old playing U18 AAA Hockey in only 38 games- 49 G, 52A - 101 pts ... he led the entire BC AAA hockey circuit by 40 pts! The 2nd highest point producer had 61 pts and WAS TWO YEARS OLDER

* This broke Tyson Jost's record for most goals in BC AAA hockey and tied Matthew Barzal's record for most pts in BC AAA history as a 15 year old!

- As a 16 year old (draft -2 years), in 59 games, scores 29 G, 48 pts in the WHL against players as much as 4 years older than him

- As a 17 year old (turned 18 in Feb 26th) - in only 6 WHL games played, 7 goals, 10 pts - he was the ONLY WHL player to average more than 1 goal per game played (small sample size), was 4th in league pts/game (1.67) despite being up to 2 years younger than guys like Peyton Krebs

- U18 Team Canada - 7 games - 4G 4A - once again more points than Dylan Guenther

These rates of scoring are sometimes seen in the QMJHL or OHL but extremely rare in the lower scoring WHL. His stats are simply incredible. If available, the Jets should absolutely take him because on talent alone, he's a top 10 player. Given the right opportunity and linemates, he can be electric in the NHL. As a bonus, we get a dynamic, entertaining player that has the ability to bring us out of our seats. After all, hockey is supposed to be entertainment.

This kid was on pace to score 60-70 goals this year had the WHL played a full season. It's insanity to pass on him because of his 5'8 stature.

In summary, he scores at an elite rate like Cole Perfetti, except Stankoven's skating is rated as 'Elite'. Again, he's the total package except for his size.

Logan Stankoven should be our pick!

I will die on this hill, haha.

This is a decent summary of his skill set when we was drafted by Kamloops in the WHL:

He has a great shot for sure. But the last thing we need is more shooters, especially small shooters that aren't great defensively. If the Jets take him I won't have any issues with it but he wouldn't be my pick and I seriously doubt he will be theirs as well.

 

[surixon]

He has a great shot for sure. But the last thing we need is more shooters, especially small shooters that aren't great defensively. If the Jets take him I won't have any issues with it but he wouldn't be my pick and I seriously doubt he will be theirs as well.

Its still Ceulemans for me but that Logan kid won't play for 3 to 4 years so who knows what the team will need then. Ehlers contract will be up.so maybe that is what we'll need at the time.

Have you seen much of him? If so how would you describe his vision and playmaking?

 

[Whileee]

Although I think "best available" is the right strategy, all else being equal I think the Jets could use more RHD and talented R forwards in the pipeline. They have depth at LHD, and after acquiring PLD and drafting Perfetti and Gustafsson, they are strong at C. But with Wheeler aging, the Jets could use a top 6 RW who can add offense and drive play.

Stankoven might be fine, but Coronato or Bourgault might be better all around. Coronato sounds a bit like a Gallagher type, and the Jets could use a forward or two that has the skill and instinct to get to scoring areas and finish.

 

[nobody imp0rtant]

If they really like Stankoven, I'd think they'd just take him at #17. Not a huge stretch, and this is a team that took Scheifele at #7.

You'd hope they would learn from past mistakes.

 

[surixon]

Although I think "best available" is the right strategy, all else being equal I think the Jets could use more RHD and talented R forwards in the pipeline. They have depth at LHD, and after acquiring PLD and drafting Perfetti and Gustafsson, they are strong at C. But with Wheeler aging, the Jets could use a top 6 RW who can add offense and drive play.

Stankoven might be fine, but Coronato or Bourgault might be better all around. Coronato sounds a bit like a Gallagher type, and the Jets could use a forward or two that has the skill and instinct to get to scoring areas and finish.

I worry a bit about the small pit bull types. For every Gallager/Marchand there are many who cant translate that same type of game to the pro ranks.

 

[Whileee]

I worry a bit about the small pit bull types. For every Gallager/Marchand there are many who cant translate that same type of game to the pro ranks.

Coronato has a lot of skill.

 

[surixon]

Coronato has a lot of skill.

Same could be said for a guy like Brule who couldn't play that incredibly physical game he played as a junior. I don't know much about the kid but at that size his physicality may not translate. If it doesn't would you take his skill over say a guy who's more known for it and may have more of it?

Interesting choices in this draft. I prefer to take the RD if he's still there though over a skilled winger.

 

[Daximus]

Its still Ceulemans for me but that Logan kid won't play for 3 to 4 years so who knows what the team will need then. Ehlers contract will be up.so maybe that is what we'll need at the time.

Have you seen much of him? If so how would you describe his vision and playmaking?

He's like a Caufield-lite. Great shooting ability, gets it off quickly, changes direction on his shots well and has good stickhandle to shoot ability. Finds the soft space in the ice really well and can sneak in past defences. He can make some good passes and has decent vision to make some really solid plays in tight but he's always going to fire the puck at the net if he has a lane, sometimes even if he doesn't. He's just always thinking shoot so it's better to pair him with a passer. I don't think he'll ever be a high end playmaker but he has some potential to develop that aspect of his game more. If you draft him your drafting him as a scorer though. He's also very much so a top 6 or bust kind of guy. He doesn't play a very well tuned defensive game and he's not overly physical so he won't fair as well in that tight checking atmosphere.

 

[jimsabo21]

I'm going to keep pumping Logan Stankoven's tires!

Regarding size, there are just as many 'misses' for big players. For every small player busts (Hunter Shinkaruk), there are MORE drafting size type busts. Between 2013-2017 in the 1st round alone, we have:

Samuel Morin (6'6) - 11th overall - 15 NHL games in 8 years
Micheal McCarron (6'6) 20th overall - 75 NHL games in 8 years
Micheal Dal Colle (6'3) - 4th overall - 8 NHL goals since 2014
Jake Virtanen (6'2) - 6th overall - huge bust for Vancouver (Nylander / Ehlers next picks)
Nic Ritchie (6'2) - 9th overall - averages less than 20 pts per season
Zac Seneshyn (6'2) - 15th overall - 15 games played
Logan Brown (6'6) - 11th overall - 1 NHL goal
Michael McLeod - (6'3) 12th overall - 9 NHL goals
Julien Gauthier - (6'4) - 17th overall - 2 NHL goals
Henrick Borgstrom (6'4) - 21st overall - 9 NHL goals
Riley Tuft (6'6) - 25th overall - NO NHL GAMES PLAYED
Cody Glass (6'4) - 6th overall - 9 NHL goals
Gabe Vallardi (6'3) - 11th overall - 11 NHL goals
Kristian Vesalainen (6'3) - 24th overall - 0 NHL goals

For the most part, *smaller* high octane forwards seem to work out better than *big* average scoring players.

Logan Stankoven isn't just a *high scoring forward*. Unlike Nic Petan and Hunter Shinkaruk who both were flagged as *below average* skaters, Stankoven has elite skating ability and speed. That tends to translate better at the NHL level. Lots of guys put up big numbers. Stankoven breaks records. Not just any record, Matt Barzal's record. Nobody knows what he would have done with a full WHL season ... but based on:

a) setting the all time record for goals at the BC AAA level
b) breaking Tyson Jost's goal record
c) Tying Matt Barzal's point record as a 15 year old
d) scoring 7 goals / 10 pts in 6 WHL games played this year
e) 8 pts in 7 games for Team Canada u18s

It's reasonable to assume he could have kept his pace and scored 60+ WHL goals / 100 pts.

If anything, I feel like the Jets might have lucked out that the WHL season was mostly cancelled. NCAA / USHL / USNDT guys are dominating the draft board because they were able to play. WHL / OHL guys are undervalued because of lack of game play.

Don't overthink this. Pick the best player.

 

[Daximus]

I'm going to keep pumping Logan Stankoven's tires!

Regarding size, there are just as many 'misses' for big players. For every small player busts (Hunter Shinkaruk), there are MORE drafting size type busts. Between 2013-2017 in the 1st round alone, we have:

Samuel Morin (6'6) - 11th overall - 15 NHL games in 8 years
Micheal McCarron (6'6) 20th overall - 75 NHL games in 8 years
Micheal Dal Colle (6'3) - 4th overall - 8 NHL goals since 2014
Jake Virtanen (6'2) - 6th overall - huge bust for Vancouver (Nylander / Ehlers next picks)
Nic Ritchie (6'2) - 9th overall - averages less than 20 pts per season
Zac Seneshyn (6'2) - 15th overall - 15 games played
Logan Brown (6'6) - 11th overall - 1 NHL goal
Michael McLeod - (6'3) 12th overall - 9 NHL goals
Julien Gauthier - (6'4) - 17th overall - 2 NHL goals
Henrick Borgstrom (6'4) - 21st overall - 9 NHL goals
Riley Tuft (6'6) - 25th overall - NO NHL GAMES PLAYED
Cody Glass (6'4) - 6th overall - 9 NHL goals
Gabe Vallardi (6'3) - 11th overall - 11 NHL goals
Kristian Vesalainen (6'3) - 24th overall - 0 NHL goals

For the most part, *smaller* high octane forwards seem to work out better than *big* average scoring players.

Logan Stankoven isn't just a *high scoring forward*. Unlike Nic Petan and Hunter Shinkaruk who both were flagged as *below average* skaters, Stankoven has elite skating ability and speed. That tends to translate better at the NHL level. Lots of guys put up big numbers. Stankoven breaks records. Not just any record, Matt Barzal's record. Nobody knows what he would have done with a full WHL season ... but based on:

a) setting the all time record for goals at the BC AAA level
b) breaking Tyson Jost's goal record
c) Tying Matt Barzal's point record as a 15 year old
d) scoring 7 goals / 10 pts in 6 WHL games played this year
e) 8 pts in 7 games for Team Canada u18s

It's reasonable to assume he could have kept his pace and scored 60+ WHL goals / 100 pts.

If anything, I feel like the Jets might have lucked out that the WHL season was mostly cancelled. NCAA / USHL / USNDT guys are dominating the draft board because they were able to play. WHL / OHL guys are undervalued because of lack of game play.

Don't overthink this. Pick the best player.

I don't think listing big men who never made it will really make his case. I can show you an equally large list of smaller players that never made it. Most of which were prolific junior and bantam scorers. Many of which were great skaters too. The major difference with them is teams usually didn't expend such high draft capital on them.

 

[irunthepeg]

I want the Stank!

 

[SM]

In Pronman’s mock he has us taking Zachary Bolduc, but gives Lambos an honorable mention. He picked Ceulemans immediately before (St Louis)

 

[Whileee]

In Pronman’s mock he has us taking Zachary Bolduc, but gives Lambos an honorable mention. He picked Ceulemans immediately before (St Louis)

Interesting. Bolduc is highly ranked in a number of lists. Profile is a fast, skilled forward. Not sure if he'll play C at the NHL level, though. But, if he's the best available...

 

[Gil Fisher]

I want the Stank!

Get the Stank out of the Oven!

 

[jimsabo21]

I don't think listing big men who never made it will really make his case. I can show you an equally large list of smaller players that never made it. Most of which were prolific junior and bantam scorers. Many of which were great skaters too. The major difference with them is teams usually didn't expend such high draft capital on them.

That's a fair comment. I genuinely think that had the WHL season not been (mostly) cancelled, the conversation would be very different today. In watching nearly every U18 game by all teams, outside of Connor Bedard, Shane Wright and Michkov - I thought Stankoven was the most noticeable player in the tournament. He ended with 4G 4A, but was legitimately snakebit and could have easily scored more. He seemed to generate dangerous opportunities every time he was on the ice. That's when I really started paying attention to him.

What more can you do but compare at that point. You have #13 overall Seth Jarvis, (5'10 170lbs) and he had a very similar development path.

CSSHL U15
Jarvis - 30GP - 42G 24A - 66pts
Stankoven -30GP - 57G 33A - 90pts

WHL as 16/17 year old
Jarvis - 61 GP - 16G - 23A - 39 pts
Stankoven - 60 GP - 29G - 19A - 48 pts

WHL Draft Eligible Year
Jarvis - 58GP - 42G - 56A - 98pts
Stankoven - 6 GP - 7G - 3A - 10pts * COVID CANCELLED

Team Canada U18
Jarvis - 2G 2A - 4pts
Stankoven 4G 4A - 8pts

Again, with his entire season cancelled due to Covid, I'm not sure what else we could have done with his 10 games played. Between the WHL and Team Canada, the poor kid only got 10 games played, 11G 7A - 18 PTS. You look at his previous seasons, and he's always above or same realm as Jarvis / Barzal / Guenther, etc. etc. etc ...

Speed, agility, high end shot, tenacity, deception, skill and flat out has that ability to score goals.

These are my top 10 Forward Rankings:

Beniers
Eklund
Guenther
Stankoven
K. Johnson
Sillinger
McTavish
Lysell
Lucius
Rosen

 

[lanky]

My stupidly simple process for drafting by position (F BPA).

-Draft a C in round 1
-Draft a RHD in round 2
-Draft whoever you want in rounds 3-7 but make sure to get a RHF and a G every year.

I'm ok with deviating from steps 1 and 2 on the occasion where a big time faller is available (I'm thinking Connor is a great example).

 

[surixon]

I'm getting the itch to go watch the U18 games and do some prospect break downs like I did last year.

 

[BoneDocUK]

Does he shoot right?

No, sadly. Though he's good on the off-wing. I suspect the Jets would think they have a higher-end version already in Cole P., and are likely looking for a different mix of talent this year, but he is set to become a lethal finisher on his present trajectory, IMO.

Here's a quick comparo of Cole "The Shootist" Sillinger and Logan "Tha Big Stank" Stankoven:

The Arsenal: Comparing Sillinger and Stankoven - FCHockey

 

[Huffer]

I'm going to keep pumping Logan Stankoven's tires!

Regarding size, there are just as many 'misses' for big players. For every small player busts (Hunter Shinkaruk), there are MORE drafting size type busts. Between 2013-2017 in the 1st round alone, we have:

Samuel Morin (6'6) - 11th overall - 15 NHL games in 8 years
Micheal McCarron (6'6) 20th overall - 75 NHL games in 8 years
Micheal Dal Colle (6'3) - 4th overall - 8 NHL goals since 2014
Jake Virtanen (6'2) - 6th overall - huge bust for Vancouver (Nylander / Ehlers next picks)
Nic Ritchie (6'2) - 9th overall - averages less than 20 pts per season
Zac Seneshyn (6'2) - 15th overall - 15 games played
Logan Brown (6'6) - 11th overall - 1 NHL goal
Michael McLeod - (6'3) 12th overall - 9 NHL goals
Julien Gauthier - (6'4) - 17th overall - 2 NHL goals
Henrick Borgstrom (6'4) - 21st overall - 9 NHL goals
Riley Tuft (6'6) - 25th overall - NO NHL GAMES PLAYED
Cody Glass (6'4) - 6th overall - 9 NHL goals
Gabe Vallardi (6'3) - 11th overall - 11 NHL goals
Kristian Vesalainen (6'3) - 24th overall - 0 NHL goals

For the most part, *smaller* high octane forwards seem to work out better than *big* average scoring players.

Logan Stankoven isn't just a *high scoring forward*. Unlike Nic Petan and Hunter Shinkaruk who both were flagged as *below average* skaters, Stankoven has elite skating ability and speed. That tends to translate better at the NHL level. Lots of guys put up big numbers. Stankoven breaks records. Not just any record, Matt Barzal's record. Nobody knows what he would have done with a full WHL season ... but based on:

a) setting the all time record for goals at the BC AAA level
b) breaking Tyson Jost's goal record
c) Tying Matt Barzal's point record as a 15 year old
d) scoring 7 goals / 10 pts in 6 WHL games played this year
e) 8 pts in 7 games for Team Canada u18s

It's reasonable to assume he could have kept his pace and scored 60+ WHL goals / 100 pts.

If anything, I feel like the Jets might have lucked out that the WHL season was mostly cancelled. NCAA / USHL / USNDT guys are dominating the draft board because they were able to play. WHL / OHL guys are undervalued because of lack of game play.

Don't overthink this. Pick the best player.

He looks like a good pick as well jimsabo21. What are the thoughts on him possibly being able to play C in the NHL?

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

I'm guessing they like him but I'm also guessing they like Scott Morrow even more. He's got good size, he's from Minnesota and he's going to U.S. college to play hockey (just like Samberg).

Just like Samberg, Morrow is a likely 2nd rd pick.

 

[surixon]

Just like Samberg, Morrow is a likely 2nd rd pick.

Yeah grab him in the second if he's still there. He'd be a major reach at 17.

 

[Whileee]

Yeah grab him in the second if he's still there. He'd be a major reach at 17.

Or trade down and pick up an extra pick or two, then draft him late in the 1st or early 2nd.

That hasn't been the Jets usual approach, mainly because they like many teams usually see a player available that they have high on their draft board. At #17, I expect that there will be one or two players available that the Jets have high on their list, especially if both goalies go in the top 16.

 

[surixon]

Or trade down and pick up an extra pick or two, then draft him late in the 1st or early 2nd.

That hasn't been the Jets usual approach, mainly because they like many teams usually see a player available that they have high on their draft board. At #17, I expect that there will be one or two players available that the Jets have high on their list, especially if both goalies go in the top 16.

Yeah I didn't mention that approach as the Jets have never utilized that strategy so didn't feel it was worth bringing up.

 

[jimsabo21]

He looks like a good pick as well jimsabo21. What are the thoughts on him possibly being able to play C in the NHL?

My take on all things hockey is far from traditional. I think the emphasis on 'Centre' is perhaps the most exaggerated aspect of hockey. In the O-Zone, the attack sets up as F1, F2 AND F3 regardless of position. In the D zone, the same rule applies, F1, F2 and F3. Once structured, they'll often switch to have the Centre back down low and wingers more perimeter.

Montreal might advance to the Stanley Cup finals with 5'10 (21 year old) Nick Suzuki as their #1 Centre. Tampa might advance with 5'10 Braydin Point as their #1 Centre. All to say, I don't buy the 'size down the middle' narrative that's continuously thrown at us.

This is what I do buy into: Have the best hockey players. Have more better hockey players on the ice than the other team. Regardless of position, be better.

Nik Ehlers tilts the ice in the Jets favour at an elite level REGARDLESS of who his Centre is. He makes Stastny better. He makes Scheifele better. He makes Copp better. He makes PLD better. So, why so much emphasis on the Centre?

My opinion on if Stankoven can play Centre? I don't see why not - it's pretty much all he's played his entire life. That said, there are biases against smaller players and they often get pushed to the wing, so that's likely what teams will view him as ...

 

[surixon]

My take on all things hockey is far from traditional. I think the emphasis on 'Centre' is perhaps the most exaggerated aspect of hockey. In the O-Zone, the attack sets up as F1, F2 AND F3 regardless of position. In the D zone, the same rule applies, F1, F2 and F3. Once structured, they'll often switch to have the Centre back down low and wingers more perimeter.

Montreal might advance to the Stanley Cup finals with 5'10 (21 year old) Nick Suzuki as their #1 Centre. Tampa might advance with 5'10 Braydin Point as their #1 Centre. All to say, I don't buy the 'size down the middle' narrative that's continuously thrown at us.

This is what I do buy into: Have the best hockey players. Have more better hockey players on the ice than the other team. Regardless of position, be better.

Nik Ehlers tilts the ice in the Jets favour at an elite level REGARDLESS of who his Centre is. He makes Stastny better. He makes Scheifele better. He makes Copp better. He makes PLD better. So, why so much emphasis on the Centre?

My opinion on if Stankoven can play Centre? I don't see why not - it's pretty much all he's played his entire life. That said, there are biases against smaller players and they often get pushed to the wing, so that's likely what teams will view him as ...

I agree it's yet another outdated concept in this league.

All you need to do is look at the success of players like Aho, Point, Suzuki, Patterson etc to know that skill trumps size.

It's why I am encouraged that the Jets are developing Perfetti as a center. He's a natural there do to how well he thinks the game and his skill set. I see him as our number 1 center down the line.