The Never Too Early 2021 NHL Entry Draft Discussion

[hockeynorth]

Love to draft

Clutterbuck
Casey Cizikas
Coleman

Type of players

We need to draft some hard nis d players for bottom six roles.
Boys that love to hit

Yeah I wouldn't mind picking up more guys like Tverberg this year

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Love to draft

Clutterbuck
Casey Cizikas
Coleman

Type of players

We need to draft some hard nis d players for bottom six roles.
Boys that love to hit

I wouldn't focus on the hitting hard aspect. Cizikas is a higher end defensive 4C. Coleman can do a lot of things.

Not a huge fan of Clutterbuck, but I guess he is not much unlike Komarov when both were in their primes. Neither are very good anymore.

 

[Menzinger]

because we made a ton of picks last year and in all likely hood we will acquire more picks by then

Believe they made 12 selections last year.

 

[RomanianLeafs]

Lol at People hating Dubas for trading picks..i love the draft like crazy but i am very happy with Dubas regarding this, we made a lot of picks last year and have a huge pool of prospects, i am sure we will have at least 2 + more picks before or come draft time..

 

[Morgs]

Lol at People hating Dubas for trading picks..i love the draft like crazy but i am very happy with Dubas regarding this, we made a lot of picks last year and have a huge pool of prospects, i am sure we will have at least 2 + more picks before or come draft time..

I'd love him to find another sucker team like Ottawa and bait them into the trade he did last draft. Looked awful before they picked Klevin, looks even worse now.

 

[Nylander88]

Really hoping we can land one of Chase Stillman or Tyler Boucher in the 2nd round this year

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Really hoping we can land one of Chase Stillman or Tyler Boucher in the 2nd round this year

I'd want to see if anyone drops but they could be BPA.

 

[Morgs]

I'd want to see if anyone drops but they could be BPA.

I doubt Boucher drops, and that Stillman is BPA. I'd be pretty disappointed if we walked out of a draft with Stillman as our "headliner".

If we're grabbing him, I'd much prefer a trade-down to recoup some picks.

 

[Nylander88]

I doubt Boucher drops, and that Stillman is BPA. I'd be pretty disappointed if we walked out of a draft with Stillman as our "headliner".

If we're grabbing him, I'd much prefer a trade-down to recoup some picks.

If I'm not mistaken, Stillman is ranked higher than Boucher. More so hoping he's there, not moving down and taking him.

 

[hockeynorth]

I’ve watched Stillman a boat load as a Wolves season ticket holder:

• Good luck handling but can get himself into problems when he tried to do it alone too much
• Plays bigger than he is
• Skated hard all the time
• Can get lost in the defensive zone at times

Personally I’d find Stillman a 50-75 range guy

 

[Morgs]

If I'm not mistaken, Stillman is ranked higher than Boucher. More so hoping he's there, not moving down and taking him.

Boucher is just the type of guy that goes late 1st, early 2nd. Teams will hope there's improvement because of the injury prone season. He's also skilled and GMs are gonna see "Tom Wilson".

Stillman is good, but he's a guy you're hoping turns into a great 3rd/4th liner with realistic middling 4th line upside. I see what people see and I see the improvement, I just don't love drafting low ceiling guys in the top two rounds.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Boucher is just the type of guy that goes late 1st, early 2nd. Teams will hope there's improvement because of the injury prone season. He's also skilled and GMs are gonna see "Tom Wilson".

Stillman is good, but he's a guy you're hoping turns into a great 3rd/4th liner with realistic middling 4th line upside. I see what people see and I see the improvement, I just don't love drafting low ceiling guys in the top two rounds.

I would probably trade down for him, but I am not sure there will be many guys better than him short of someone dropping. Most of the guys available in that range have similar upside or are huge risks with only a tiny bit more upside.

Now if Zach Dean was available, then Stillman would not be considered IMO. Even Gatineau teammate Manix Landry is not getting a ton of love. He was the captain this year as a late 02', plays an all-around game with a ton of IQ and work ethic, and does everything well. He screams Cirelli to me, yet he is ranked really low for whatever reason.

 

[Morgs]

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I heard about that. I am taking him off of my board entirely. He was already one of the biggest boom-busts in this draft based on his on-ice play and I was already hesitant about ranking him high because he has major IQ and QoC concerns despite a great skill package. I settled on putting him in the top 75 still, but I think I am putting him undrafted now. I don't think teams want to deal with another Miller.

 

[hockeywiz542]

NHL Draft: Who could the Maple Leafs target with their first draft pick at No. 57 - The Athletic

The safe bets

Sean Behrens, LHD, U.S. NTDP-USHL | March 31, 2003 | 5-foot-10 | 177 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 26

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 48

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 24 among North American skaters

Aleksandr Kisakov, LW, Dynamo Moscow-MHL | Nov. 1, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 150 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 46

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 46

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 7 among European skaters

Jack Peart, LHD, Fargo-USHL | May 15, 2003 | 5-foot-11 | 186 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 37

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 61

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 27 among North American skaters

Ville Koivunen, RW, Karpat-Finland Jr. | June 13, 2003 | 5-foot-11 | 161 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 43

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 70

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 20 among European skaters

Dylan Duke, LW, U.S. NTDP-USHL | March 4, 2003 | 5-foot-10 | 175 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 32

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 58

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 29 among North American skaters

Olen Zellweger, LHD, Everett-WHL | Sept. 10, 2003 | 5-foot-9 | 175 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 47

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 37

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 45 among North American skaters

Dmitri Kostenko, RHD, Togliatti-VHL | Sept. 25, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 187 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 52

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 41

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 17 among European skaters

The reaches

Ryder Korczak, C, Moose Jaw-WHL | Sept. 23, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 174 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 57

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 64

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 34 among North American skaters

Samu Salminen, C, Jokerit-Jr. A. Liiga | April 9, 2003 | 6-foot-2 | 186 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 29

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 39

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 12 among European skaters

Artyon Martino, LW, Omaha-USHL | Sept. 28, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 160 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 31

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 75

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 46 among North American skaters

Francesco Pinelli, C, Kitchener-OHL | April 11, 2003 | six-feet | 185 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 24

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 36

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 15 among North American skaters

Ryan Ufko, RHD, Chicago-USHL | May 7, 2003 | 5-foot-10 | 181 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 76

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 73

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 43 among North American skaters

Conner Roulette, LW, Seattle-WHL | May 13, 2003 | 5-foot-11 | 180 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 51

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 71

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 36 among North American skaters

 

[Fonzieleaf]

Since we only have 3 picks this year, we need to make all 3 of them count. We have to take the BPA for all 3 and not worry so much about immediate needs.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I missed this hiring earlier, but the Leafs hired Brandon Wheat Kings GM Darren Ritchie back in April.

RW Jake Chiasson (61st NA) and RD Vincent Iorio (71st NA) are the two notable Brandon Wheat Kings available this year. Neither are premier prospects in my eyes, but are solid mid-round options.

 

[FreeBird]

Lol at People hating Dubas for trading picks..i love the draft like crazy but i am very happy with Dubas regarding this, we made a lot of picks last year and have a huge pool of prospects, i am sure we will have at least 2 + more picks before or come draft time..

A bunch of SMURFS

 

[Morgs]

NHL Draft: Who could the Maple Leafs target with their first draft pick at No. 57 - The Athletic

The safe bets

Sean Behrens, LHD, U.S. NTDP-USHL | March 31, 2003 | 5-foot-10 | 177 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 26

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 48

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 24 among North American skaters

Aleksandr Kisakov, LW, Dynamo Moscow-MHL | Nov. 1, 2002 | 5-foot-10 | 150 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 46

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 46

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 7 among European skaters

Jack Peart, LHD, Fargo-USHL | May 15, 2003 | 5-foot-11 | 186 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 37

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 61

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 27 among North American skaters

Ville Koivunen, RW, Karpat-Finland Jr. | June 13, 2003 | 5-foot-11 | 161 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 43

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 70

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 20 among European skaters

Dylan Duke, LW, U.S. NTDP-USHL | March 4, 2003 | 5-foot-10 | 175 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 32

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 58

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 29 among North American skaters

Olen Zellweger, LHD, Everett-WHL | Sept. 10, 2003 | 5-foot-9 | 175 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 47

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 37

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 45 among North American skaters

Dmitri Kostenko, RHD, Togliatti-VHL | Sept. 25, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 187 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 52

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 41

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 17 among European skaters

The reaches

Ryder Korczak, C, Moose Jaw-WHL | Sept. 23, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 174 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 57

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 64

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 34 among North American skaters

Samu Salminen, C, Jokerit-Jr. A. Liiga | April 9, 2003 | 6-foot-2 | 186 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 29

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 39

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 12 among European skaters

Artyon Martino, LW, Omaha-USHL | Sept. 28, 2002 | 5-foot-11 | 160 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 31

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 75

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 46 among North American skaters

Francesco Pinelli, C, Kitchener-OHL | April 11, 2003 | six-feet | 185 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 24

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 36

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 15 among North American skaters

Ryan Ufko, RHD, Chicago-USHL | May 7, 2003 | 5-foot-10 | 181 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 76

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 73

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 43 among North American skaters

Conner Roulette, LW, Seattle-WHL | May 13, 2003 | 5-foot-11 | 180 pounds

• Wheeler’s final ranking: No. 51

• Pronman’s draft board: No. 71

• Central Scouting ranking: No. 36 among North American skaters

Zellweger as I've said 100 times is my favourite.

I have both Behrens and Kisakov in the 30's. Ecstatic if we walked away with either.

I've been digging further into Koivunen and I might have been too low on him. Might be a early-mid 2nd rounder for me so I'd be happy.

Duke, Peart, and Kostenko I'd be okay with. I feel like there's better options.

As for the "reaches", i don't see Pinelli as a reach at all. Martino is ranked low but hed be a great pick. The rest I'm ok with but I'd much prefer a lot more guys.

Good list.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Zellweger as I've said 100 times is my favourite.

I have both Behrens and Kisakov in the 30's. Ecstatic if we walked away with either.

I've been digging further into Koivunen and I might have been too low on him. Might be a early-mid 2nd rounder for me so I'd be happy.

Duke, Peart, and Kostenko I'd be okay with. I feel like there's better options.

As for the "reaches", i don't see Pinelli as a reach at all. Martino is ranked low but hed be a great pick. The rest I'm ok with but I'd much prefer a lot more guys.

Good list.

I am not that high on Kisakov. Huge boom-bust, and I don't think his upside is as high as people are making it out to be.

 

[Morgs]

I am not that high on Kisakov. Huge boom-bust, and I don't think his upside is as high as people are making it out to be.

Production was great in a decent league. Good skater, IQ, puck skills, shot. The age is the only real downside I've seen.

 

[Maplebeasts]

Pinelli at 57 would be great. Certainly not a reach. As I was saying earlier with so few picks in this draft and things being as uncertain as they are we should be choosing guys with the highest upside possible.

 

[hockeynorth]

Pinelli has the potential to be Point-esque

also Arcuri later would be a fantastic pick

 

[Maplebeasts]

Pinelli has the potential to be Point-esque

also Arcuri later would be a fantastic pick

Agreed on Arcuri. His playmaking skills are quite impressive and he showed his game can translate against men. Wish we got to see his progress at something like the U-18's though.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Is it true that RD Matt Fusco had 22 points in 10 games at Dexter Southfield this year? I have him in my top 125, but he seems to be flying under the radars for the most part.

He's also the brother of Leafs' 2020 7th round pick John Fusco.