2021 Draft

[GNick99]

Jul 14, 2021 19:15:13 GMT -5 folatre said:

Sportsnet (Cosentino) released a final draft ranking today and some of the names near the end of the first round are: Bolduc, Ceulemans, Raty, Robertssen, Dean, Pinelli, Johnston, L'Heureux, and Pastujov.

NWT, you ever watch Dean play? I am afraid I have not. Some fans say we may pick him. I do not know if we should or not?

[folatre]

I have only seen youtube videos. Dean has great wheels, good size, and a pretty nice offensive toolbox. Maybe clubs love him as a centre, I really don't know, but something about his game make me imagine he could become a solid wing at the NHL level. I would not be disappointed if Montreal selects Dean.

I would definitely take Pinelli over Dean, and frankly I am a little surprised so many mock drafts do not have Pinelli in the top 20-25. Maybe NW could hypothesize as to why. I really have no idea.

I would also take L'Heureux over Dean if they were both there at #30. I just think L'Heureux has a somewhat higher ceiling than Dean, though apparently there are questions about the kid's lack of discipline.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

From TVASports ...

Some Quebecers will be watching during the next draft of the National Hockey League (LNH) scheduled for July 23 and 24.

By the way, the Montreal Canadiens currently have a total of 11 picks for this annual session, including five in the first three rounds (31st, 63rd, 64th, 76th and 87th).

Xavier Bourgault

Forward Xavier Bourgault is the top ranked Quebecer among North American skaters by the NHL Central Recruitment, placing 13th overall. The 18-year-old Bourgault has registered 40 points, including 20 goals, in 29 games with the Shawinigan Cataractes this season.


Zachary Bolduc

Wearing the colors of the Rimouski Oceanic, Zachary Bolduc is another promising forward, as evidenced by his 17th place among the North American skaters for the draft. He completed the recent campaign with 29 points in 27 games.

Zachary L'Heureux

Fiery, Zachary L'Heureux could become the next plague in the NHL. Having suffered a few suspensions in the last season, the Halifax Mooseheads forward is no less talented. Author of 39 points in 33 games, he arrives at the 30th level in the famous list provided by the Central Recruitment.

Guillaume Richard

Defender Guillaume Richard has taken a particular course, he who plays in the United States, in the USHL, with the Tri-City Storm. In 46 games, he scored 16 points. His rank among North American skaters: 32nd. Richard also helped the Canadian team win the World Under-18 Championship last May in Texas.

Justin robidas

The NHL Central Recruiting places forward Justin Robidas of the Val-d'Or Foreurs 47th among skaters in North America. He will try to follow in his father Stéphane's footsteps and have a long professional career. His harvest in 2020-2021: 36 points, including 19 goals, in 35 games. He added 10 points in 14 playoff games.

[NWTHabsFan]

If I have a choice between Pinelli and Dean, I am likely going with Pinelli every time. He is a legit first rounder this draft and I see Dean as an early second rounder, with fringe first round potential. I think Pinelli’s struggles on the top line at the U18s when Wright was injured added some question about his offensive upside. I don’t think he should be knocked for two games. He does also need to get a bit quicker, but he is still a bit slight and it should improve as he adds strength. He has the skill and shot to be a solid second liner, and I would jump all over that at 31st.

[folatre]

Hopefully Bergevin and Timmins finalized the Habs' big board a week ago because with all the craziness of the expansion draft I doubt Bergevin has been sitting in full day meetings over the weekend with Timmins and scouts hashing things out.

[seventeen]

Jul 19, 2021 12:45:07 GMT -5 folatre said:

Hopefully Bergevin and Timmins finalized the Habs' big board a week ago because with all the craziness of the expansion draft I doubt Bergevin has been sitting in full day meetings over the weekend with Timmins and scouts hashing things out.

I don't think he plays a big role in the scouting. Exhibit A - Couldn't remember Spencer Knight's name in 2019. A bigger issue to me is the absence of Shane Churla.

[NWTHabsFan]

Jul 19, 2021 14:36:24 GMT -5 seventeen said:

Jul 19, 2021 12:45:07 GMT -5 folatre said:

Hopefully Bergevin and Timmins finalized the Habs' big board a week ago because with all the craziness of the expansion draft I doubt Bergevin has been sitting in full day meetings over the weekend with Timmins and scouts hashing things out.

I don't think he plays a big role in the scouting. Exhibit A - Couldn't remember Spencer Knight's name in 2019. A bigger issue to me is the absence of Shane Churla.

Yeah, I noticed an uptick in talent of the kids drafted while Churla was here, so it will be interesting to see how much his absence is felt. Ken Morin (I think his name was) was another cross over scout who followed Churla. Now Boisvert is the cross over scout and I saw Lapointe and even Mellanby more involved this season (both were at the U18s with Timmins).

I have my draft board done, I just need to type it up and get it posted. Probably will do it in chunks a few days this week.

[NWTHabsFan]

Some personal and "just for kicks" musings about the draft. With my draft board, I have compiled some names that might be available when the Habs pick (I have gone with the existing 11 picks, knowing full well that will change by draft weekend as Berg will at least move picks to next year, etc). There are a bunch of other guys that I like and would put them on my draft board, but I am saving time and space by keeping a lot of guys that will likely fall in between the Habs picks. I have broken down the list by first round, second round, third round, middle rounds (4/5) and late rounds (6/7).

First Round (30th)

I am really hoping for some higher rated guys like Chibrikov or Rosén to fall, and my list could easily be over 10 players long due to the huge uncertainty of who will be available by the end of the first. It is going to be one of those drafts!

Francesco Pinelli, C, Kitchener (OHL) - With the OHL not playing this season, he was able to get games in over in Slovenia and also at the U18s for Canada. He is a great skater with super edge work, and has dynamic offensive skills. The knock is his skating could get a bit better and his U18s had mixed reviews, although he managed to put up good numbers in his role.

Xavier Bourgeault, C, Shawinigan (QMJHL) - another skilled offensive forward who is a very good puck handler and very good skater. I am not sure if one of the three big Q players will be available, but if so, they have to at least be in the conversation due to talent and not just their place of birth.

Matthew Knies, LW, Tri-City (USHL) - he was a big draft riser as the season progressed, especially considering a very strong playoff performance. He is a skilled playmaker with decent size and very good hands. A skilled power forward winger who drives the play is good value at this point.

Mackie Samoskevich, C, Chicago (USHL) - he missed part of the season with injury and was always in the shadow a bit of his fellow draft prospect Coronato who put up huge goal numbers this season, but he is a legitimate prospect on his own. He has very high IQ and a strong offensive awareness, he is an above average skater and is a dual threat with his passing and decent shot. He was a teammate of Farrell's this season, but played most of the second half of the season on the second line with Coronato and not with Farrell.

Oskar Olausson RW, HV71 (SweJ20) - with a late 2002 birthday he missed the U18s and the draft "bump" that it provided a whole bunch of other prospects. He did play as an underager at the WJC, but failed to get any points and that may have raised some concerns (whether fair of not for an undrafted kid playing with much older players). He is a very good skater, has good puck skills, has a strong shot and he also played some of the season in the second division Allsvenskan in Sweden against men.

[NWTHabsFan]

Second Round (62&63)

Prokhor Poltapov, LW, CSKA (MHL) - okay I may be hoping for him to drop due to the Russian factor, but it may happen! He is a very good skater with good offensive skills, a strong shot and good hands. He did play for Russia at the U18s.

Brett Harrison. C. Oshawa (OHL) - another OHLer who at least got a limited number of games in Finland (mainly J20 but one Mestis division 2 game) and he also suited up for Canada at the U18s and scored two goals in his checking line role. He has a great shot and is also very defensively responsible, with good hands and great work ethic.

Tristan Broz, C, Fargo (USHL) - another USHL forward that I noticed a lot while watching his games this year. He is skilled with good size and solid hockey IQ, he possesses a good shot and is also responsible in all zones on the ice.

Wyatt Johnston, C, Windsor (OHL) - he played a grand total of 7 games this year, putting up 4 points for Canada at the U18s. He is a great skater with high IQ, good hands and a good shot. He is still pretty lanky and has to fill into his body as he grows.

Colton Dach, C, Saskatoon (WHL) - Kirby's younger brother is a two way skilled forward with decent size and a good shot. He could gain an extra gear and explosiveness to improve his skating speed, although it did improve from last year by all reports.

Vincent Iorio, RD, Brandon (WHL) - most of the D on my list are RHD as this is an area in which the draft pool could drastically improve. He is a strong, good skating two way defender with a good shot who plays a strong physical game as well.

Daniila Klimovich, RW, Minskie Zubty (Belarus 2) - count me in as jumping on the bandwagon after his explosive goal scoring performance for Belarus at the U18s. Quite the coming out party for the skilled, strong skating forward with a great arsenal of shots.

Dmitri Kostenko, RD, Lada Togliatti (VHL) - he is a good skating, two way defender with a great shot. He also kept down a roster spot in the second men's division VHL as an undrafted player, which is quite impressive. He will be playing with Spartak in the KHL next season. As a late birthday, he played on the Russian U18 team a year ago.

Sean Tschigerl, LW, Calgary (WHL) - he is a fast two way winger who is a skilled puck handler with a decent shot who is also known as a hard worker.

[NWTHabsFan]

Third Round (75&86)

Josh Doan, RW, Chicago (USHL) - he is entering his second draft and will not get passed over this year. He really took off offensively when moved onto Farrell's line on a regular basis for the second half of the season. He has great vision, goes hard to the net, has a decent shot and is hard working. He can improve his overall skating, but he does get around the ice alright. Yes, he does have a famous Dad and so he is related to Carey Price as well.

Dylan Duke, LW, USNTDP (USHL) - a quick skater with decent offensive skills who always drives hard to the net. Put up nice numbers with the NTDP (49 points in 50 games) and also saw action in the U18s (4 points in 5 games).

Kirill Kirsanov. LD, SKA (KHL) - he played in all three levels in Russia this year, but by far most of his games were in the KHL which is impressive for an underager. He also suited up as a 17 year old for the WJC last year. He is a good skating defender with good offensive instincts, a heavy shot and who plays a strong defensive game. Yeah, he is left handed, but he has a lot to like.

Olivier Nadeau, RW, Shawinigan (QMJHL) - a big forward who plays a strong power game. He has a heavy shot, high IQ and can cause havoc in front of the net. He big knock is his skating.

Kyle Masters, RD, Red Deer (WHL) - there are a number of draft eligible players from the Rebels this year, so I am featuring this talented RD. He is a mobile puck moving defender with a good first pass who is also strong in his own end.

Matvei Petrov, RW, Krylja Sovetov (MHL) - he put up decent numbers in the MHL and had one assist in four games for Russia at the U18s in a secondary role. He is a very competitive player with a great shot and decent size and strength.

James Malatesta, LW, Quebec (QMJHL) - he may only be 5'9" but he plays much bigger due to his tenacious and high energy forechecking style of play. He tends to generate his offense from his aggressive puck pursuit and style of play rather than elite talent. He is another hard working play who gives it out of the ice.

Joshua Roy, RW, Sherbrooke (QMJHL) - one of the enigmatic players in the draft due to his talent level and the questions about whether he will tap into said talent on a consistent enough basis. He is an offensive winger who is a dual threat with good passing and vision and a good shot. He does lack the quickness that you would like to see though.

[seventeen]

NWT, I'm always amazed at the amount of work you put into these lists. Must be retired

Here are my comments based only on what I can see from hockeydb.

Pinelli. Yeah, like him a lot. Not just the decent numbers from the Czech league, but the previous year, 41 points in 59 games as a 16 year old in the OHL and plus 15. I saw him at the U18's and liked him. Can't recall his skating.

Xavier Bourgault - Improved his ppg from 1.13 to 1.38. Dislikes - as you mentioned, he was 18 the full draft year, with an October birthday and his playoff points were 4 assists in 5 games. Not all that impressive.

Matthew Knies - Plateaued from the previous year. Dropped 3 points in fact, and also an October birthday.

Mackie Samoskevich - Love the name. Improved from .72 ppg to 1.03 ppg and in the playoffs, pushed that to 1.25. I like guys who pick up their production in the playoffs. Also, I saw a lot of his highlights (which are obviously the best parts of his game) from the previous year and he looked smallish to me. He must have put on a growth spurt though, because he's listed as 5'11", 191 Lbs. No disappointments with picking him from my perspective. Coronato had 1.67 ppg and he and Samoskevich both 18 year olds most of the hockey season, born a day apart in November 2002.

Prokhor Poltapov - Always a mystery, these Russian guys. No points in 1 game for CSKA Moscow of the KHL. Thats eye opening. Did he get at least one shift in?

Brett Harrison - Interesting. Picked up .64 ppg the previous year with Oshawa. One of our former picks, Allen McShane was on that team and garnered 1.08 ppg. McShane probably had more ice time and better scoring opportunities. He was also 19 years old and Harrison was 16 with a June birthday. Could be decent pick.

Wyatt Johnston - 30 points in 53 games the previous year as a 16 year old. .57 ppg for those without a handy calculator.

Won't go any further. Take the above with several shakers of salt. Always go with NWT on these lists.

[GNick99]

Jul 19, 2021 21:47:18 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Some personal and "just for kicks" musings about the draft. With my draft board, I have compiled some names that might be available when the Habs pick (I have gone with the existing 11 picks, knowing full well that will change by draft weekend as Berg will at least move picks to next year, etc). There are a bunch of other guys that I like and would put them on my draft board, but I am saving time and space by keeping a lot of guys that will likely fall in between the Habs picks. I have broken down the list by first round, second round, third round, middle rounds (4/5) and late rounds (6/7).

First Round (30th)

I am really hoping for some higher rated guys like Chibrikov or Rosen to fall, and my list could easily be over 10 players long due to the huge uncertainty of who will be available by the end of the first. It is going to be one of those drafts!

Francesco Pinelli, C, Kitchener (OHL) - With the OHL not playing this season, he was able to get games in over in Slovenia and also at the U18s for Canada. He is a great skater with super edge work, and has dynamic offensive skills. The knock is his skating could get a bit better and his U18s had mixed reviews, although he managed to put up good numbers in his role.

Xavier Bourgeault, C, Shawinigan (QMJHL) - another skilled offensive forward who is a very good puck handler and very good skater. I am not sure if one of the three big Q players will be available, but if so, they have to at least be in the conversation due to talent and not just their place of birth.

Matthew Knies, LW, Tri-City (USHL) - he was a big draft riser as the season progressed, especially considering a very strong playoff performance. He is a skilled playmaker with decent size and very good hands. A skilled power forward winger who drives the play is good value at this point.

Mackie Samoskevich, C, Chicago (USHL) - he missed part of the season with injury and was always in the shadow a bit of his fellow draft prospect Coronato who put up huge goal numbers this season, but he is a legitimate prospect on his own. He has very high IQ and a strong offensive awareness, he is an above average skater and is a dual threat with his passing and decent shot. He was a teammate of Farrell's this season, but played most of the second half of the season on the second line with Coronato and not with Farrell.

Oskar Olausson RW, HV71 (SweJ20) - with a late 2002 birthday he missed the U18s and the draft "bump" that it provided a whole bunch of other prospects. He did play as an underager at the WJC, but failed to get any points and that may have raised some concerns (whether fair of not for an undrafted kid playing with much older players). He is a very good skater, has good puck skills, has a strong shot and he also played some of the season in the second division Allsvenskan in Sweden against men.

You not that high on Salminen or Dean with our first pick? Surprised you never had Korczak as a possibility also. I like what you said about Knies, will check him out more.

[BadCompany]

Good stuff NWT!

No love for Zachary L'Heureux? I would think that being a complete wing-nut there is a greater chance that he'll be available when we pick. More so than Bourgeault,no? L'Heureux seems like a more unhinged-but-more-talented version of Andrew Shaw, and we know how much Bergevin loved Andrew Shaw.

[NWTHabsFan]

Jul 20, 2021 7:42:05 GMT -5 BadCompany said:

Good stuff NWT!

No love for Zachary L'Heureux? I would think that being a complete wing-nut there is a greater chance that he'll be available when we pick. More so than Bourgeault,no? L'Heureux seems like a more unhinged-but-more-talented version of Andrew Shaw, and we know how much Bergevin loved Andrew Shaw.

I like him and would gladly see a guy like him in the fold, I just think he will be picked before 30 for all those reasons.

[NWTHabsFan]

Jul 20, 2021 7:16:30 GMT -5 GNick99 said:

You not that high on Salminen or Dean with our first pick? Surprised you never had Korczak as a possibility also. I like what you said about Knies, will check him out more.

Salminen had a very good U18s, but I really struggled figuring where he should get picked as his reviews are quite varied. In the end, I just felt he would likely fall in between our picks so I left him off my list. I had lots of guys like that. I also really like Tuomaala for his great shooting ability and considered him at 30, but there are some reports of his immaturity at the U18s that made me think TT and company would ding him a bit and prefer someone else. Personally, I would be fine with him there too.. My initial list at 30 was huge!

Dean is a good option at 30. I just kept my list shorter, but I think he is in the mix for sure.

Korczak had such a great rookie season last year, but there are concerns about his skating and size (strength of the puck and ease of knocking him off). I would see him a viable option with one of our third rounders if TT and team think he can add the strength as he grows and matures.

[NWTHabsFan]

Jul 19, 2021 23:52:41 GMT -5 seventeen said:

NWT, I'm always amazed at the amount of work you put into these lists. Must be retired

Here are my comments based only on what I can see from hockeydb.

Pinelli. Yeah, like him a lot. Not just the decent numbers from the Czech league, but the previous year, 41 points in 59 games as a 16 year old in the OHL and plus 15. I saw him at the U18's and liked him. Can't recall his skating.

Xavier Bourgault - Improved his ppg from 1.13 to 1.38. Dislikes - as you mentioned, he was 18 the full draft year, with an October birthday and his playoff points were 4 assists in 5 games. Not all that impressive.

Matthew Knies - Plateaued from the previous year. Dropped 3 points in fact, and also an October birthday.

Mackie Samoskevich - Love the name. Improved from .72 ppg to 1.03 ppg and in the playoffs, pushed that to 1.25. I like guys who pick up their production in the playoffs. Also, I saw a lot of his highlights (which are obviously the best parts of his game) from the previous year and he looked smallish to me. He must have put on a growth spurt though, because he's listed as 5'11", 191 Lbs. No disappointments with picking him from my perspective. Coronato had 1.67 ppg and he and Samoskevich both 18 year olds most of the hockey season, born a day apart in November 2002.

Prokhor Poltapov - Always a mystery, these Russian guys. No points in 1 game for CSKA Moscow of the KHL. Thats eye opening. Did he get at least one shift in?

Brett Harrison - Interesting. Picked up .64 ppg the previous year with Oshawa. One of our former picks, Allen McShane was on that team and garnered 1.08 ppg. McShane probably had more ice time and better scoring opportunities. He was also 19 years old and Harrison was 16 with a June birthday. Could be decent pick.

Wyatt Johnston - 30 points in 53 games the previous year as a 16 year old. .57 ppg for those without a handy calculator.

Won't go any further. Take the above with several shakers of salt. Always go with NWT on these lists.

I put these lists and names out to generate conversation and interest in the draft and our picks. Shared knowledge and differing viewpoints are the hallmark of many great conversations on this board. In the end, Timmins often goes off the board a few times each draft or guys drop in his lap, so the real names picked will likely be so different after all. I just do this for kicks.

The OHL guys are so hard to predict this year due to lack of real comparable action this season. I actually thought both Harrison and Johnston has great ppg numbers for their D-2 season (their 16 y/o rookie season) as they played bottom six minutes with lesser line mates. Harrison for example, was behind the top line of Neumann and Tomasino and the second line of McShane and Suni/Tullio, so he gets less ice time and no PP time to pad those stats. His stats with a limited number of games in Slovenia are hard to project if he has improved this season and both guys had bottom six roles at the U18s. They both should enjoy top six roles for their next two years after being drafted, in which I think their ppg numbers go way up. Heck, I watched all of Canada’s U18 games so I saw Johnston’s entire body of work this year. That is just weird to me.

Knies is a case of context. He had a good rookie season, and his stock them plummeted when he struggled for the start of this season. He seemed to get it together later in the second half and found his “tool box” so to speak. He was very good to end the season and in the playoffs. In the games I saw he was noticeable in a good way. I came away thinking he was much better than some of those early season negative reports. Some decent mix of size, skill and skating is always interesting to me.

[folatre]

Good insights regarding Knies. I was not following him. I see McKenzie has him ranked #62, but given what you are saying about the late season push from the kid, then I will not get my hopes up that he could be sitting there for one of Habs second round selections.

[NWTHabsFan]

Jul 20, 2021 12:17:44 GMT -5 folatre said:

Good insights regarding Knies. I was not following him. I see McKenzie has him ranked #62, but given what you are saying about the late season push from the kid, then I will not get my hopes up that he could be sitting there for one of Habs second round selections.

Tristan Broz is a bit of a similar style of player I like with our late seconds. He lead Fargo in scoring by a wide margin. He and Peart were great in the playoffs. Peart is a funny story. He won the Mr Hockey award for Minnesota high school player of the year. He started his season with Fargo, had a top pairing spot for a dozen or so games, and left to rejoin his high school team, and then finished up the season and playoffs with Fargo and fit in seamlessly. I like Peart.

[NWTHabsFan]

Middle Rounds (112, 125, 126, & 141)

Kyle Kukkonen, C, Maple Grove HS (USHS) - the fast and skilled offensive centre lead Minnesota high school in ppg this past season. He combines a great shot and passing ability. I did manage to watch one game of his and he looked good.

Manix Landry, C, Gatineau (QMJHL) - he was captain of Gatineau this past season and he is a hard working two way centre who does not mind going to the dirty areas of the ice.

Aleksi Malinen, LD, JYP (Liiga) - okay I broke from my RHD preference as I really like this player. He has a good first pass, is mobile and strong, and is a good overall two way defender who plays against men. Played for Finland at the U18s.

Ethan Cardwell, RW, Surahammers (Swed-3) - the OHLer was passed over last draft and went to Sweden to get games in this year with the cancelled OHL year. He is a speedy winger with good finishing ability who is also sound in his own end.

Redmond Savage, C, USNTDP (USHL) - the son of Mr October is a hard working two way centre who often drives the play for his line. He put up good numbers as a secondary scorer on the NTDP team this past season.

Hunter Strand, C, Tri-City (USHL) - he has good hockey IQ who has decent offensive skills and is strong in his own end. Not explosive speed, so he can improve there are get stronger.

Simon Knak, LW, Portland (WHL) - another guy passed over last year who really improved his game this season. He plays internally for Switzerland and was their Captain at the recent WJC and last Ivan Hlinka tournament. He is a skilled winger with playmaking skills and a good shot.

Ty Gallagher, RD, USNTDP (USHL) - a good skating two way defender who also plays strong along the boards. He really stepped up his game at the U18s in the absence of injured stud D Luke Hughes, despite the fact the US team serious underachieved overall at the tourney.

Jake Martin, RD, USNTDP (USHL) - this year's NTDP have a lot of defenders who can move the puck, but none who can also defend as well as Martin can. He is a reliable shutdown defender who also has good puck skills and is effective in transitioning the puck out of his zone.

Cameron Berg, C, Muskegon (USHL) - another guy entering his second draft who definitely should get picked this time (and arguably should have last year like a few of the others I have listed). He is a forward with good size and strength who is hard working and creates offense.

Oscar Plandowski, RD, Charlottetown (QMJHL) - he is part of a very offensively dynamic D pairing at Charlottetown. He is a very mobile two way defender who is a great skater and acts as the PP QB for the team.

Carson Latimer, RW, Edmonton (WHL) - of course I will find an Oil King to talk about! He is a great skater with solid IQ and vision who possesses good puck skills.

William Trudeau, RD, Charlottetown (QMJHL) - he is another mobile puck moving defender with a very good first pass.

Ryan St Louis, LW, USNTDP (USHL) - Marty's kid is a fast shifty skilled winger. He is a bit bigger than his Dad, and played a secondary role for the NDTP team and was noticeable with his work effort in the games that I saw of his.

Henry Nelson, LD, Maple Grove HS (USHS) - I saw one of his games and came away more impressed with him than the other higher ranked high school defender Mittlestadt (yes younger brother) of Eden Prairie. He is a good mobile puck moving defender. He went on to play 6 games with Lincoln in the USHL and scored two points in six games and integrated very well into junior hockey, which does not happen all the time with graduating high schoolers. He is committed to Notre Dame next year.

[NWTHabsFan]

Late Rounds (190 & 222)

Zakhar Bardakov, C, Vityoz Podolski (KHL) - we know Timmins likes overagers, especially Russian guys, that he can draft and get their rights so the Habs don't have to compete on the free agency market for said players. This 20 year old passed through two drafts but has now earned a full time roster spot in the KHL and is producing decent numbers. He is a hard nosed forward with a great shot and he has a lot of power in his skating.

Theo Rochette, C, Quebec (QMJHL) - I usually avoid naming CHLers at the late stage of the draft since you have to sign them within the two year window, but Theo could be an intriguing late round pick. He is an agile skater who drives the play and is a good puckhandler. He is a bit undersized, but that is one reason why he could still be available late on Saturday.

Charles-Alexis Legault, RD, Lincoln (USHL) - there were a number of QC born kids playing in the USHL this past season as they have plans to commit to NCAA programs, and I like this guy. He is a big, physical, strong two way defender.

Pavel Tyuynev, RW, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL) - he was not drafted last year (another bit of a surprise) but he ended playing at all three levels in Russia this past season (KHL, VHL and MHL). He is also a late July birthday so he is still only 18 years old for a week or so. He plays with high effort and is a skilled playmaking centre who is responsible in all zones of the ice. He is a bit undersized at 5'10" but this is huge value in the late rounds of the draft based on his skill level.

Joel Nyström, RD, Farjestad (SHL) - another kid who is entering his second draft, but he seems to have really improved to the point where he should be drafted this year after a strong year in the SHL as a young player. He is a puck moving defender who is a good skater with a good shot. Perhaps Norlinder Light?

Connor Kurth, RW, Dubuque (USHL) - he put up decent numbers and is a solid power forward with good IQ and a hard shot. He needs to get quicker, but there is inherent skill there.

Daniil Lazutin, C, SKA-1946 (MHL) - he came into this year with a bit of hype and promise, but was very inconsistent and did not secure a regular spot on SKA's junior team (they have a ton of prospects, so there is competition for sure). He was a teammate of Alexander Gordin so I was able to watch a number of his games. He played mainly of the fourth line when they inserted him, but he did get better later on and secured a regular spot leading up to and including the playoffs. He is skilled and talented with the puck, is a decent faceoff guy, but has been inconsistent throughout the year. He did have a better U18s to end the year though.

Oskar Jellvik, LW, Djurgården (J20) - every draft I find some write up on a kid that I have never heard of and say, "what the heck", he sounds interesting to let's add him to my list lol. He is a good puckhandler with a decent shot and good hockey IQ. He did suit up for Sweden at the U17s in the past and he was called up for three games in the SHL. but held without a point (who knows how much ice time he got on a strong and deep SHL team).

[NWTHabsFan]

I did not list any goalies, but I fully expect the Habs may pick one if they pick 8-9 players, as I see Berg moving some picks out to next year with the Habs hosting the draft. I don’t see them picking one early, so the two first round studs in Wallstedt and Cossa will be long gone when we pick anyway. Gaudreau likely got his name on second round lists with a very strong performance winning gold at the U18s, so I expect he goes before our two late seconds anyway. Timmins tends to pick obscure goalies like Dobeš and Dichow, so I have no idea what he might do this year. I just won’t be shocked if one netminder ends up Habs property by the end of the weekend.

19 year old Kolosov from Belarus looks interesting as does Gerasimyuk from Russia, one of the youngest players in this draft class with a late August birthday.

[GNick99]

Yeah I know NWT I am probably too high on Salminen based on his U18. I Andre Kostitsyned him. Bringing him up too far too fast based on a small sample size. That's what Timmins did in '03 draft and it costs us a star player. But that was 10th overall, this is 30th? Part of me wants to go for the homerun, risk take a bit more. I wanted to take Salminen because of center. I noticed in previous drafts centers who played well at both ends of ice have high chance of making NHL. Hockey sense or something it takes more of to play center well. I see hockey sense, size and offense in him. If they don't make it at center, can swing to wing. Heimosalmi I liked based on U18 also. Chance he may slide until our 2nd round pick thought. There is another Finn I liked NWT but for life of me cannot remember his name. I remember he was a winger, small but fast with hands.

But I know I should take the safer pick. Pinelli is my pick as of now.

Like to see one of Salminen or Heimosalmi slide til our 2nd round picks. Be picking one of them for sure. Probably Heimosalmi if I took Pinelli in first round. With our other 2nd, like to roll the dice if a Kisakov or Peart if still there? With Hawks pick in 3rd round, I am eyeing Dach. I see 6'4, 200lbs, a ppg center in WHL. A '03 birthyear. Many tangibles there I like.

All I can remember off top of head. But will study it more before this weekends draft

[NWTHabsFan]

GNick, Salminen is a good pick. He had a great start to the season and a great U18s. Big skilled centre who can score and wore the C for his country. Lots to like. Grant McCagg has him at #27 on his list. He is a viable, albeit not much talked about, option. This draft is so wide open by the end of the first.

I really like both Heimosalmi and Peart. If the Habs like them enough though, they would have to pick them at 30 as they won’t be around by the two late seconds IMO.

The Finnish winger you are talking about probably is Koivunen. He is Tuomaala’s set up man both at the club level and at the U18s. I really like him, but expect he is gone in the second long before our two late picks show up.

[Skilly]

I want Mackie Samoskevich just for his name alone ....everyone loves a good Mackie Sammich!

[GNick99]

Jul 21, 2021 8:50:51 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

GNick, Salminen is a good pick. He had a great start to the season and a great U18s. Big skilled centre who can score and wore the C for his country. Lots to like. Grant McCagg has him at #27 on his list. He is a viable, albeit not much talked about, option. This draft is so wide open by the end of the first.

I really like both Heimosalmi and Peart. If the Habs like them enough though, they would have to pick them at 30 as they won’t be around by the two late seconds IMO.

The Finnish winger you are talking about probably is Koivunen. He is Tuomaala’s set up man both at the club level and at the U18s. I really like him, but expect he is gone in the second long before our two late picks show up.

If McCagg likes Salminen I think I will change my vote. In fact, I have 4 or 5 I like around 30, I likely will pick whichever one McKeen's has ranked lowest. McCagg twice before has swayed me wrong. Once with McCarron another with Sergechev. I wanted Theodore, sent McCagg an email saying going by his stats Hayden could be better player than McCagg, solid chance we can draft him in 2nd round. We had 3-2nd round picks that year. He sent me back this email saying how stupid Habs fans were. So, I decided on McCarron. Based on McCagg being former Hab scout. Another time I wanted Sergechev he said no, was crazy about McLeod kid the Devils took. I wrote him back saying he has no hands. He wrote back saying he was 6-2 200lbs with speed and nastiness.

[NWTHabsFan]

So, could Zach Dean be on the radar tomorrow? The young man who was born in AB but grew up in Mount Pearl, NL is definitely in the mix at or around when Berg will waltz up to the podium. He wears #14 for a young and exciting Gatineau team.

[NWTHabsFan]

Or the talented super pest from Halifax, number 66 Zach L’Heureux?

[NWTHabsFan]

Or big #19 from Tri-City, Matthew Knies? This is a really long highlight package, but you get an idea early on of his skill and how he uses his size out there.

[NWTHabsFan]

Or the big Swede Olausson with the good shot?

[NWTHabsFan]

Or Kitchener Rangers and Team Canada’s dynamic centre, Francesco Pinelli?