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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 17, 2009 22:17:27 GMT -5
Good observation. Timmins is a really good scout and can find gems in the mid to late rounds and seems to be able to do it despite the perceived or reported depth of the draft. He is not infallible by any means as I would rank his first round abilities as "not bad". Of course, the first rounders since 2003 are still a collection of works in progress, but there are a few more potential question marks there than anywhere else in his drafts.
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Post by Patty Roy on Jun 22, 2009 12:15:22 GMT -5
Bob McKenzie has released his final list: www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=11891Typically Bob's lists are the most accurate out there, so i would think that this gives us a pretty good picture of what to expect this Friday. The more i look at it, the more likely i now think that Gainey might have to move up in the draft to get the guy he wants. Leblanc and Kassian are two guys i'd love to get, and they certainly seem to fit as needs, but there is a pretty good chance that both will be gone by the time #18 rolls around. Nothing wrong with a Kreider at #18, however i wouldn't be surprised if Gainey tried to move #18 along with one of our 3rd round picks to try and move up 2-3 spots to snag Leblanc. |
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Post by gy on Jun 22, 2009 16:25:03 GMT -5
Bob McKenzie has released his final list: www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=11891Typically Bob's lists are the most accurate out there, so i would think that this gives us a pretty good picture of what to expect this Friday. The more i look at it, the more likely i now think that Gainey might have to move up in the draft to get the guy he wants. Leblanc and Kassian are two guys i'd love to get, and they certainly seem to fit as needs, but there is a pretty good chance that both will be gone by the time #18 rolls around. Nothing wrong with a Kreider at #18, however i wouldn't be surprised if Gainey tried to move #18 along with one of our 3rd round picks to try and move up 2-3 spots to snag Leblanc. I'm not so sure Leblanc would be gone at #18 but I wouldn't object too strongly to the deal you suggest. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 22, 2009 21:35:54 GMT -5
I guess it is time for my annual stick-yer-neck-out, pull a rabbit from a hat, and make it up as you go along mock draft. I am assuming no trades on day one (and there should be quite a few) just to make things easier, or else I would concoct all sorts of fun trades and it would be Saturday already. I have also gone mainly with BPA rather than need, as that should be the trend for the most part in round one.
The scene: Friday night. The Bell Centre, Montreal QC. Lots of teenagers in suits down in the reds, lots of Molson products flowing in the whites, blues and greys. Chants of "Ole, Ole, Ole" and "We Want Vinny" are heard as the anticipation in the crowd builds. Bettman takes centre stage, to a humongous chorus of boos, and we're off...NYI are on the clock.
1. NYI - John Tavares, C, London - Sure there is lots of drama (let's call it made for TSN drama a la Garth Snow) about who they will pick, but they should pick Tavares if they want to get people out watching hockey games on Long Island again. Big John can step in and be a new, young face for this franchise with the kookiest owner in the business. He also is the consensus #1 amongst most hockey pundits...which is why there is still uncertainty brewing in Uniondale.
2. TB - Victor Hedman, D, Modo - A huge mobile defenseman with great two way skills. What's not to like, and Tampa could use some bolstering on the blue line to boot.
3. COL - Matt Duchene, C, Brampton - The complete forward of the draft. Speed, good size, work ethic, leadership...the whole package. Not bad for third place and Colorado could use a good prospect (or any prospect for that matter). Mile High Matt.
4. ATL - Evander Kane, C, Vancouver - Skill and grittyness in a fast moving and slick package. Will add some nice scoring depth to a team a little short on scoring depth after Ilya, who may or may not still be a Thrasher after this weekend. Dudley will do right by this kid.
5. LA - Brayden Schenn, C, Brandon - A power forward with decent skills and finesse. His last name does not hurt, but this kid has succeeded at all levels. He likely will be a great, gritty two way guy in the NHL in the not too distant future, as opposed to a pure scorer. LA gets another good young player, and one day the sum of the parts will be greater.
6. PHO - Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, LW, Timra - The kid has size, wheels and skills and projects to be a very effective NHL power forward. Already playing against men in Sweden this past season. After the Big Five, he is the "best of the rest". Too bad he will play hockey in Glendale in front of fewer fans than the letters on the back of his jersey.
7. TOR - Jared Cowen, D, Spokane - This is a Brian Burke type player less the mean and overly physical side. He lost a long stretch to injury, but he is still a huge defender who moves great for someone his size. Imagine him and Schenn patrolling the blueline for the Buds for years...I am sure Burkie can.
8. DAL - Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, Leksand - The Swedes are coming, the Swedes are coming. This kid's stock really boomed after the WJC, and all in all, his stock has risen the most and fastest of all prospects this past year. He is a really smooth skating defender with great passing and offensive abilities. Once he adds a little strength to his frame, this kid is going to be a good one. Look our Fabian, you will be the second best Swede in Big D shortly.
9. OTT - Dmitry Kulikov, D, Drummondville - If you just saw him at the Memorial Cup, you may wonder what all the fuss is about. Thankfully, scouts watch these kids a lot, and this dude has a cannon of a shot and great offensive skills from the back end. Being from Russia, he made the commitment to come over and play CHL hockey, which may calm some fears that he may bolt for the KHL. Ottawa can use an upgrade on the blueline as they keep losing their good defensemen. They will say Da and not Nyet with this pick.
10. EDM - Nazem Kadri, C, London - Highly skilled and slick player that would fit nicely into the mould of young forwards that they are accumulating in E-town. The big question is about his attitude, but that is where a veteran like Pat Quinn can pay dividends in developing this kid. Bottom line is he is still a top ten talent in this deep draft, and the Oil will not pass up on striking the mother lode on this kid.
11. NSH - Jordan Schroeder, RW, University of Minnesota - The top ranked NCAA player who showed off his slick offensive skills at the WJC. The big knock is his size (or lack thereof) and whether he can be effective in the pro game. One of the best playmakers in the draft. Methinks he Trotz off to Nashville Friday night.
12. MIN - Ryan Ellis, D, Windsor - The biggest draft fallacy is that the Wild favour local kids on draft day. They actually love picking kids from the CHL, moreso than the Habs like picking kids from Minnesota. Ellis is not the biggest guy, nor is he the best skater by any means. But he sure knows how to patrol that blueline on the PP and has a great shot. Top scoring Dman in the OHL, ahead of some guy named PK.
13. BUF - John Moore, D, Chicago - The top ranked kid out of the USHL can downright fly. Maybe the best skating defender in the draft. A kid who can start a rush effectively from his own end due to his superb skating and hockey abilities, so this is a good fit for a team that puts a lot of stock on skating and up tempo hockey (until they get cheap and have to resign their players).
14. FLO - Scott Glennie, C, Brandon - The other half of Brandon's big one-two punch along with Schenn, but he lost a lot of the season to injury. He has size and great offensive skills, a more offensive minded player than Schenn in comparison. Things are turning around on the ice down in Pantherland, so he would add another nice offensive element to this team. He should be able to easily secure tickets for all his family once he makes his NHL debut, as no matter when it happens, there should be some empty seats to be had.
15. ANA - Zach Kassian, RW, Peterborough - Even though Burkie is long gone, this kid just seems to be a good Anaheim fit and is my BPA with this spot anyway. The big power forward of the draft, who adds size and toughness to whomever he plays with. Not sure what the offensive upside will be in the NHL, but has the frame and attitude to fit right in.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 22, 2009 22:28:49 GMT -5
16. CBJ - Louis Leblanc, C, Omaha - The announcers from RDS and all sorts of fans in the crowd will go nuts when his name is selected, and not with the 18th spot. L'Antichambre will have new material for a whole month thanks to this new conspiracy. However, this is a kid with good size, great hockey skills and sense, and a great williness to do what it takes to win. Although many mocks have him falling to the Habs, I do not see Columbus letting him get by.
17. STL - Jacob Josefson, C, Djurgarden - The Blues got a great two way forward from Sweden in Berglund a few years ago and could get one of the best two way guys in this draft. JD will give two thumbs up to JJ.
18. MTL - Chris Kreider, C, Philips Andover - My actual BPA for this spot with all those other guys gone is David Rundblad, but I am taking some poetic licence to go with someone who looks so much like a Trevor Timmins pick and I also know the Habs will be looking to add big centremen and scoring to the team this draft. Kreider has NHL size and skating ability already, but it just remains to see how he does against real competition since he has only be gauged so far against prep school opponents. He has good hockey sense and skill, and is still a bit of a raw project with big time upside. He also fits the Habs mould of a kid going onto USHL/NCAA where they can develop at a slower pace, or be signed quicker if they progress quickly. It is a "home run" pick rather than a safe pick, but one that I can see the Habs giving some serious thought to on Friday night...unless this pick and other assets turn into a tall dude from Ile Bizard.
19. NYR - David Rundblad, D, Skelleftea - An offensive defender who can translate easily into a PP quarterback. Needs to get better in his own end, but has great vision and skill to start the offense from the blueline. A very under-rated defender by many, so the rags to riches to Rags story is about to take shape for young David.
20. CAL - Peter Holland, C, Guelph - A big skilled guy who can skate well and puts up points. The knock is his inconsistency. The best cure for inconsistency, getting to work for two Sutters. There may be no vikings in Holland, but there will be some Viking in Holland before the Sutters are done with him.
21. PHI - Simon Depres, D, Saint John - Big Simon has seen his stock drop a bit, but he is still a good two way guy with loads of size and good speed. The days of Philly pilons on defense may be slowly coming to an end.
22. VAN - Calvin de Haan, D, Oshawa - One of the best first passes in the draft, with great vision and puck movement capabilities. He needs to add size to be able to play at the NHL level against big forwards, but his skill set is impressive. Someone needs to be able to move the puck to the beaker twins if they resign for 12 years.
23. NJ - Carter Ashton, RW, Lethbridge - Size and strength and ability to score work in his favour, but he could improve in his quickness to be as effective at the pro level as his skating needs a bit of work. However, you need to be a big kid to get your own place in Newark, so that helps.
24. WSH - Jeremy Morin, LW, USNDP - Average size but plays physical. Has a great shot and gets where he needs to go with his choppy skating. The knock is consistency of effort, but he is a character guy who will complement a team that better get used to picking near the end of the draft for a while.
25. BOS - Jordan Caron, RW, Rimouski - A good combo of size, skill and skating ability. Has the consistency question as do many kids his age, but the package is there if he can keep it all together when moving up to the pro game. He'll be listening to the Dropkick Murphys before you know it.
26. NYI - Nick Leddy, D, Eden Prairie - The latest and greatest Mr. Hockey from the high schools of Minnesota. An undersized, but super skilled top-notch skating defender. The Habs have scouted this kid a fair bit, from all accounts. However, he will be a very nice complement to John Tavares on Long Island and can develop into a Mark Streit replacement down the road.
27. CAR - Kyle Palmieri, USNDP - A hard working solid leader who has good two way skills. Not sure how his offensive upside will translate at the pro level, but his work ethic sure will be of great interest to teams. He also fared very well at the combine, as he is in great shape. They are looking for a new lump of Cole in Raleigh.
28. CHI - Landon Ferraro, C, Red Deer - I think your stock and points stats take a bit of a hit when you are the best player on a bad team. Although not the biggest guy, he is a very dynamic player who makes things happen without a very good supporting cast. His hockey analyst dad will be his ray of light on Friday night when his name is called.
29. DET - Tim Erixon, D, Skelleftea - It may be a bit cliche to have the Wings going for another Swede, but he is pretty well the BPA here and he sounds a lot like a future Red Wing in many ways. A solid skater, good with the puck, skates well, smart hockey player, but not overly large by NHL standards. I have almost photoshopped the Detroit jersey on him already.
30. PIT - Dylan Olsen, D, Camrose - A big, tough defender who skates well and has decent offensive abilities to go along with his good physical side. Despite only playing in the AJHL, he has been noticed for Team Canada and has more than held his own on the international stage. If Calgary had this pick, I could see another hug fest with the Sutter brothers and him on the stage. He is their kind of guy, who actually looks a lot like what the Pens are turning into as well.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 22, 2009 22:40:55 GMT -5
Honourable Mention:
Stephan Elliott, D, Saskatoon - Dropped a bit from rankings a year ago when he was almost a consensus first rounder. It's a bit of a case of being good at a lot of things, but not blowing anyone away with any of them.
Drew Shore, C, USNDP - Has decent size and skills, but lacks the real top end speed. There are a few more emerging holes in his game that has seen his stock drop on a number of fronts. This is likely enough to keep him outside looking in on Friday night. Another restless night for Drew is my prediction.
Some teams may like these guys enough to go for it on Friday night:
Ryan O'Reilly, C, Erie- Captain Canada at the U-18s with loads of character, work ethic and hockey smarts. The skating is holding him back, but a team looking to add loads of character may forgo the skating and call his name on Friday night. At worst case, he will be named by early Saturday morning in round two.
Ethan Werek, C, Kingston - A hard worker with decent skating, although not the fast jump that some like to see. A big kid with great work ethic who does things that help teams win. He did not have the best supporting cast this season, so some teams will take that into consideration and may want the intangibles that he brings to the table.
There are a ton of players between 20-50 that could jockey up and down teams' lists. Too bad we do not have a second rounder, as there are a lot of good hockey players to be had in that range.
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Post by seventeen on Jun 23, 2009 1:09:08 GMT -5
I keep looking more and more at Scott Glennie. I really like what I've read about him, except for the fact he'll probably be drafted higher than #18. Not so hard for Gainey to move up 6 spots or so, as compared to 15 spots.
TSN has a fairly different set of ratings than THN. Ellis for example is #18 on THN but # 12 on TSN. Quite a difference and I suspect #12 is much closer to reality. Despite his size, Ellis is an amazing d-man. Always thinking 2 moves ahead, and a cannon of a shot, that seems to get through a lot. I especially love that it's really hard to get the puck past him at the blue line.
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Post by franko on Jun 23, 2009 6:01:36 GMT -5
d-man . . . Always thinking 2 moves ahead . . . cannon of a shot . . . hard to get the puck past him at the blue line.  |
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Post by BadCompany on Jun 23, 2009 9:44:07 GMT -5
 We have, like, 10 players going in the same spots, you and I, including Leblanc and Kreider!! | Pick | Player | Team | Notes | | 1 | John Tavares, C | New York Islanders | I think they’re trying to fake the Lightning into trading up, by pretending that they’re leaning towards Hedman, knowing that Tampa has no “need” for Tavares… but the Lightning won’t bite. | | 2 | Victor Hedman, D. | Tampa Bay Lightning | They need defensemen. This is a good one. | | 3 | Matt Duchene, C | Colorado Avalanche | The consensus #3 pick. Let the Joe Sakic comparisons begin. | | 4 | Brayden Schenn, C | Atlanta Thrashers | Bloodlines mean something. They do. Toronto may not be able to get to #1, but they may be able to get to #4… | | 5 | Evander Kane, C | Los Angeles Kings | Dean Lombardi is my favorite GM. Why? Because he drafts defensemen like they’re last year’s fashion mistakes (Get it? Going out of style?). If Jared Cowan hadn’t missed most of the year with a serious knee injury, I think Lombardi would have picked him here, despite already having a cupboard full of elite blueline prospects. He still might anyways. Or he could trade this pick in a Lecavalier package. | | 6 | Magnus PaajarviSvensson, LW | Phoenix Coyotes | Not hugely fond of Europeans, but this is too good to pass up. | | 7 | Jared Cowen,
D | Toronto Maple Leafs | ”His knee is fine!” Burkie will say with a blustery wave of his hand… (I still think they’re going to try and move up to get Little Schenn though). If Burke is right, and the knee is fine, this is a great pick. A shut-down duo of Schenn and Cowen will be murder to play against… | | 8 | Nazem Kadri, C | Dallas Stars | Mike Ribeiro’s heir-apparent. | | 9 | Jordan Schroeder, RW | Ottawa Senators | Small, but an offensive dynamo. I am tempted, very tempted, to call a stunner here and say Louis Leblanc. Very tempted. | | 10 | Scott Glennie, C | Edmonton Oilers | Speed baby, speed. That’s what the Oilers do. “Not another center!” they’ll howl… Yes, another center. The Oilers have not drafted a defenseman in the first round since 1996. | | 11 | Oliver Ekman Larsson, D | Nashville Predators | A nice, Rafalski-type puck mover. The Predators do a very nice job when drafting defensemen. | | 12 | Ryan Ellis, D | Minnesota Wild | Pierre McGuire’s monster of the draft., I can see them trading down; they have neither a 2nd round pick, nor a third round pick, and are rumored to be interested in Nick Leddy, who may not even be drafted in the first round at all. I can see them trading this pick to Montreal for an extra third, and then trading their newly acquired 18th overall pick for say something in the 20-25th range, plus a second rounder. That would give them a shot at Leddy (the guy they want anyways), plus picks in the second and third round. Or maybe that’s just too cute. | | 13 | Dmitry Kulikov, D | Buffalo Sabres | Unlike a lot of teams they like drafting out of the QMJHL. He fits the Buffalo bill (not the football team) in that he is a quick puck mover with natural offensive instincts. You take your chances with the Ruskies though, and with Marek Zagrapan just announcing his plans to play in the KHL maybe they’ll shy away… | | 14 | John Moore, D | Florida Panthers | You can never have too many defensive prospects. Never. | | 15 | Zack Kassian, RW | Anaheim Ducks | They go big and strong, like they always do. The next Milan Lucic? Or the next Terry Ryan? | | 16 | Louis Leblanc, C | Columbus Blue Jackets | Curses, I say, curses! I wanted this kid. In fact, I would be willing to trade up to 12-15 to get him. But alas… | | 17 | Carter Ashton, LW | St. Louis Blues | Nice sleeper pick. Good size, and a willingness to use it, but the knock against him is skating. | | 18 | Chris Kreider, LW | Montreal Canadiens | Knock on him is that he plays in a vastly inferior league, and that it looks like he is going to do at least two-three more years of school before even thinking about turning pro. Mind you, who really likes school all that much? Scored 33 goals last year… next closest guy on his team had 32 points. Like Benoit Pouliot he has appeared seemingly out of nowhere… will he disappear like Pouiliot? Or will his size (6’2, 200+lbs), determination and apparently elite-level skating take him to the next level? Could be a steal, but then we always say that, don’t we? Some will wonder why we passed on the much higher ranked Josefson, but Gainey doesn’t draft Europeans, and Timmins doesn’t draft Swedes. So there. | | 19 | Jacob Josefson, C | New York Rangers | THEY actually have a history of drafting Swedes. | | 20 | Landon Ferraro, RW | Calgary Flames | Bloodlines mean something. They do. | | 21 | Simon Despres, D | Philadelphia Flyers | Long history of drafting defensemen from the Q… big, mobile, may not be all that smart… | | 22 | Peter Holland, C | Vancouver Canucks | Isn’t there a large Dutch community in Vancouver? (I don’t know if there is or not, I’m trying to be clever – leave me alone). | | 23 | Drew Shore | New Jersey Devils | Big, American center. | | 24 | Calvin de Haan, D | Washington Capitals | Smooth, puck moving defenseman. | | 25 | David Runblad, D | Boston Bruins | Another smooth, puck moving defenseman. | | 26 | Nick Leddy, D | New York Islanders (from San Jose) | I think they would have preferred Rundblad. | | 27 | Kyle Palmieri, C | Carolina Hurricanes | The Hurricanes do not draft Europeans. Ever. | | 28 | Ethan Werek, C | Chicago Blackhawks | Doesn’t “Ethan” sound like a name that should be playing for the Hawks? | | 29 | Jeremy Morin, C | Detroit | If they don’t take Morin let’s say they trade down for a young, backup goalie. Yes, let’s say that. | | 30 | Jordan Caron, C | Pittsburgh | Big… but slow… reminds me a little bit of Guillaume Latendresse… Listed as a center, he’s really a winger. Trust me. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 23, 2009 9:44:57 GMT -5
I keep looking more and more at Scott Glennie. I really like what I've read about him, except for the fact he'll probably be drafted higher than #18. Not so hard for Gainey to move up 6 spots or so, as compared to 15 spots. TSN has a fairly different set of ratings than THN. Ellis for example is #18 on THN but # 12 on TSN. Quite a difference and I suspect #12 is much closer to reality. Despite his size, Ellis is an amazing d-man. Always thinking 2 moves ahead, and a cannon of a shot, that seems to get through a lot. I especially love that it's really hard to get the puck past him at the blue line. Glennie is the guy I hope falls to us, but I have to be realistic that someone is going to scoop him before we get a chance. To me, he will be a prospect that is "just out of reach" for us at 18th. But as you say, moving up a few spots may very well be worth it (unless Bob has other plans for that first round draft pick). As for Ellis, I personally think that THN is the one that is a bit out of synch with their rankings. ISS has him at 13, Future Considerations at 14, McKeens at 11, Red Line at 13, TSN at 12, and The Hockey News at 17. As a 17 year old he led all junior defensemen in scoring and was a great addition to a Team Canada at the same tender age. He is a good one, despite his size and skating. His hockey sense and vision are off the charts. That's why I have him at 12th. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 23, 2009 10:05:47 GMT -5
We have, like, 10 players going in the same spots, you and I, including Leblanc and Kreider!! Nice job by the way. I would be happy with Kreider if we went that route, but we would have to be a bit patient as he needs a lot of grooming at the higher level of play. He could end up being a fast learner like Pacioretty, but the Habs have to stop rushing their prospect before they are ready. A little peek at Detroit may be in order. The funny thing is there are always a few GMs who go off the charts and mess up all our best guesses. Then of course the trades will happen and change a lot of the team names on that list, but I stick by where the players "should" get picked based on my little armchair research (and a few live games and TV viewings thrown in). Kreider may be the only one on that list that I have not seen at least one game live or on TV, so I am going on third hand reports only....however he has been heavily scouted and there are lots of reports out there. |
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Post by BadCompany on Jun 23, 2009 10:26:32 GMT -5
We have, like, 10 players going in the same spots, you and I, including Leblanc and Kreider!! Nice job by the way. I would be happy with Kreider if we went that route, but we would have to be a bit patient as he needs a lot of grooming at the higher level of play. He could end up being a fast learner like Pacioretty, but the Habs have to stop rushing their prospect before they are ready. A little peek at Detroit may be in order. The funny thing is there are always a few GMs who go off the charts and mess up all our best guesses. Then of course the trades will happen and change a lot of the team names on that list, but I stick by where the players "should" get picked based on my little armchair research (and a few live games and TV viewings thrown in). Kreider may be the only one on that list that I have not seen at least one game live or on TV, so I am going on third hand reports only....however he has been heavily scouted and there are lots of reports out there. I wasn't sure about the table format... not sure if it enhances readability, or makes it more difficult. But in the end I spent so much time just trying to get the rows to appear right that I decided to leave it... What really messes up the mock drafts is all the jockeying for position that goes on... up, down, all around... never mind getting the picks right, it would be a job and a half just getting the teams in the right order... As for Kreider, I must confess I have never seen him play. But he *sounds* good. Big, great skater, determined, destroyed his league offensively... of course, that's the big caveat with him - "his league." If he didn't destroy it you would be worried, and you have to ask yourself "if he is so good, how did he end up in that league, and not a better one?" I'm always a little bit wary of kids who suddenly explode in their draft years. I don't want to call them one-year wonders, as I don't think that is fair, but guys like Benoit Pouliot and Chad Kilger come to mind, guys who only ever had one great season, but it just so happened to be at the right time... |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 23, 2009 14:19:59 GMT -5
I wasn't sure about the table format... not sure if it enhances readability, or makes it more difficult. But in the end I spent so much time just trying to get the rows to appear right that I decided to leave it... What really messes up the mock drafts is all the jockeying for position that goes on... up, down, all around... never mind getting the picks right, it would be a job and a half just getting the teams in the right order... As for Kreider, I must confess I have never seen him play. But he *sounds* good. Big, great skater, determined, destroyed his league offensively... of course, that's the big caveat with him - "his league." If he didn't destroy it you would be worried, and you have to ask yourself "if he is so good, how did he end up in that league, and not a better one?" I'm always a little bit wary of kids who suddenly explode in their draft years. I don't want to call them one-year wonders, as I don't think that is fair, but guys like Benoit Pouliot and Chad Kilger come to mind, guys who only ever had one great season, but it just so happened to be at the right time... Yeah, he truly fits into that high risk high reward, but I also like that his development took a nice spike upwards. Scouts always like to see this in kids as they do not all develop at the same pace. I guess you cannot teach size and speed, and he has both. You can teach players to get better as the competition increases and you can no longer cheat because you are so much more talented than everyone else. If the Habs go with a safer option, then Swedes like centreman Josefson and defenseman Rundblad fit the bill nicely...if they are around (but at least one should be). Some of these Swedish prospects have already been playing against men in the SEL so scouts will have seen how they handle themselves against that higher level of opposition. In many ways, as you drop out of the top, top prospects, many of these Swedish kids have fewer question marks than a lot of the North American kids. It will be a banner year for Sweden this draft. Timmins did just say that he spent more time in Sweden this past year than he ever has before. |
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Post by Patty Roy on Jun 23, 2009 14:35:35 GMT -5
LeBlanc is my pick, and i do believe that he is the Habs as well (unless someone REALLY slips). However i am more and more convinced that he is going to go in the 3-4 slots ahead of us. Bob McKenzie has him as THE sleeper of the first round; he thinks its unlikely that anyone is really going to go off the charts in the top 10, but if they do they will most likely do it with either LeBlanc or to a lesser extent Kreider.
At this point, if we still have the pick on Friday, we will be looking at the following players (ie. guys that are likely still going to be available and of some interest):
Chris Kreider (C/LW): Probably my 2nd pick behind LeBlanc...i am resigned to the fact that Kassian will be long gone at #18. Sounds like Pacioretty but with a bit more upside. Prototypical high risk/high reward.
Jacob Josefson (C): On paper sounds like a Swedish version of Leblanc. I actually think that he will be the Habs personal backup plan. I guess the question with him is whats his ultimate offensive upside. I've read comparisons to Zetterberg.
Carter Ashton (RW): Another high risk/high reward. Big guy...some have him listed at 6'4" or 6'5" and 30 goals cannot be ignored, but i've also read that he is far from a natural with the puck and not always very willing to use his frame.
Simon Despres (D): This guy is all over the map...McKenzie still seems high on him so i have to assume he's back in play in the 20 range. His style is said to be similar to Jay Bouwmeester, however i have also read that there are some serious concerns about his hockey sense. I'd stay away from him personally, but its not like i've actually ever seen him play.
David Rundblad (D): Highly skilled Swedish defenceman...Timmins spent alot of time in Sweden this year so im sure he will have a good read on guys like Rundblad and Erixon.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Jun 24, 2009 11:28:23 GMT -5
Just pulled this up from the New England Sports Network. ============================================================ Habs need to make a splashWhile Timmins pointed out that there is always pressure on the Habs and every move they make, he did admit that there will be even more this weekend, with the draft being in Montreal. Combine that with the fact that the Habs recently reached an agreement in principle to sell the team to the Molson brothers and many in NHL circles think it is imperative that GM Bob Gainey, Timmins and company make a huge splash at the draft and then in free agency. Of course, just as he was at the NHL trade deadline, the native son Lecavalier will be the center of most trade discussions concerning the Habs. With a recent story out of Tampa claiming owners Len Barrie and Oren Koules are bickering over whether or not to trade the superstar pivot and his $85 million contract, the rumors are starting to boil again. This story claiming Gainey is holding off on negotiations with his impending free agents — such as forward Alex Kovalev, captain Saku Koivu and Mike Komisarek — until after the draft could mean a huge deal is pending and he doesn’t want to commit any money until such a trade either goes through or doesn’t. When the Lecavalier trade talks first surfaced right before the All-Star Game in Montreal, Komisarek was mentioned as part of a package that would bring Lecavalier back to play for the Habs. On Monday, Tony Marinaro of The Team 990 reported that Komisarek had cleaned out his Montreal area condo as if he was moving. Is he moving to another Montreal locale, is he part of an impending deal, or does he know he will be signing elsewhere when he becomes a UFA July 1? The Habs may finally get the big fish in Lecavalier this weekend, but that won’t be all they do. Expect Gainey to be very proactive, both with picks at the draft and via trades for current NHLers and then in free agency. The Molson Brothers will want to start their reign as owners with a buzz. This is Montreal, after all! Concerning the draft, keep an eye on the Habs taking Quebec native and Harvard-bound Louis Leblanc if he is still available at the 18th pick — and if the Habs don’t trade up. (link) www2.nesn.com/boston-bruins/2009/06/23/bruins-fans-can-expect-some-predraft-excitement/ |
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Post by CrocRob on Jun 24, 2009 12:53:18 GMT -5
I am usually against drafting for need -- especially in the higher rounds -- but it's getting to the point where we need to pass up a player or two to draft a center. If that means trading up to get the best player at a different draft position, so be it.
I maintain that defensemen are more valuable commodities in the NHL but you still need players coming up at other positions.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 24, 2009 13:42:55 GMT -5
I am usually against drafting for need -- especially in the higher rounds -- but it's getting to the point where we need to pass up a player or two to draft a center. If that means trading up to get the best player at a different draft position, so be it. I maintain that defensemen are more valuable commodities in the NHL but you still need players coming up at other positions. The Habs pick BPA, with every pick. However they develop their list and add certain weightings to rank players that are relatively equal. Timmins mentioned that they weight starting goalies, PP quarterbacks and true centremen higher since they are harder to find. They also factor in if the kid is from Quebec. It's not enough to have them pick someone who is not the BPA with any pick, but it does help to break some ties!! But first, the kids have to have skating, skill, hockey sense and intangibles like the desire to win, work ethic and character. Do I expect centremen and a bit of size to be a theme this weekend for the Habs draft? I would say so. They made similar moves a few drafts ago when they went hog wild to stockpile defensemen when the cupboard was quite bare there too. But as Timmins often says, they don't draft for current needs because unless you are picking a top 5 or so guy, their impact won't be felt with the Habs for two or three years at the earliest. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 27, 2009 0:47:07 GMT -5
Well, I only managed to get six picks right on this year (player and exact position in which he was drafted - regardless of the team drafting). The consolation is that 28 of my first round list did get picked in the real first round. Bobby Mac only had 27, so I feel pretty good about my guesses!! Probably not time yet to convert that into lottery numbers though. I get lucky every now and then.
Onto day two tomorrow morning.
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Post by CrocRob on Jun 27, 2009 10:34:52 GMT -5
Rajala finally goes at 101 to Edmonton. That's a huge drop for what many thought was a borderline first rounder. Scouts must not like his size/frame, because it's hard to deny he has talent. He broke Ovechkin's points record at the world under 18's.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 27, 2009 10:48:50 GMT -5
Rajala finally goes at 101 to Edmonton. That's a huge drop for what many thought was a borderline first rounder. Scouts must not like his size/frame, because it's hard to deny he has talent. He broke Ovechkin's points record at the world under 18's. That was a great pick for them. They are scooping a lot of Scandanavians this draft...you can tell Kevin Lowe is no longer calling the shots and Tambellini has his fingers on this draft. |
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Post by CrocRob on Jun 27, 2009 11:10:05 GMT -5
Edmonton sends Brodziak and a 6th to the Wild for their 4th and 5th round picks. The Wild made out like bandits on this one, getting an actual NHL player who's young and improving for picks that likely won't turn out anything.
Edmonton just took Olivier Roy. haha. Nothing like drafting on pedigree, I guess.
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Post by Lord Bebop on Jun 27, 2009 11:23:24 GMT -5
Tough draft for Olivier Roy. He was a shoe in for the first round at one point but after seeing himself drop he left the building...wasn't there to hear his name being called by Edmonton in the fifth round.
Note: Who else went in the fifth round if Nicola Riopel's name rings a bell he was invited to our developement camp last year. He had a huge season and got himself drafted by the Flyers.
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Post by Lord Bebop on Jun 27, 2009 11:30:04 GMT -5
Will Anders Lee or Erik Haula be around for our 6th pick?
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Post by CrocRob on Jun 27, 2009 11:38:20 GMT -5
LA took Michael Pelech, who in the EHM hockey management games is one of the guys who always turns into a superstar.
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Post by CrocRob on Jun 27, 2009 11:46:16 GMT -5
Will Anders Lee or Erik Haula be around for our 6th pick? Anders Lee was already taken I believe. 152 to the Islanders |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 27, 2009 12:05:46 GMT -5
Will Anders Lee or Erik Haula be around for our 6th pick? Haula just taken by Minny with the first pick in the 7th. They got both him and Fallstrom from Shattuck's. Good job. |
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Post by Lord Bebop on Jun 27, 2009 12:16:52 GMT -5
Will Anders Lee or Erik Haula be around for our 6th pick? Haula just taken by Minny with the first pick in the 7th. They got both him and Fallstrom from Shattuck's. Good job. He was projected 2nd or 3rd by some. Minny may have gotten lucky there. |
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Jun 27, 2009 15:21:22 GMT -5
Good observation. Timmins is a really good scout and can find gems in the mid to late rounds and seems to be able to do it despite the perceived or reported depth of the draft. He is not infallible by any means as I would rank his first round abilities as "not bad". Of course, the first rounders since 2003 are still a collection of works in progress, but there are a few more potential question marks there than anywhere else in his drafts. Reality check! Putting things back in perspective! Timmins attended hundreds of games in Canada, the US and Europe. He talked to lots of kids and their parents. He observed their height and weight firsthand, not in a McKeens magazine of stats. He has experience projecting development and growth in 18 year olds. Gainey has GM experience, NHL playing experience, insight to contracts, agents, KHL. It's fine for me to post my personal opinions, but in reality I trust Bob to run the CH more than myself. Our draftees have not turned out as well as other teams, it's easy to point out mistakes made, but at the end of the day, "in Gainey we trust!" |
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