Today, I wanted to see what hawks fans are thinking ahead of the 2020 draft, whenever it may happen. I wanna discuss a few of the prospects that are hopefully within our draft position as well. As such, I won’t be discussing lafreniere, byfield, stutzle, or Drysdale, cuz if the hawks lucked out and got a top pick this year, the devil has gotta he conspiring to keep Stan bowman employed. Also, with zero idea as to the actual draft lottery formula being used, let’s just assume they can only move up as far as #5.
To start: C Marco Rossi: leading point scorer of the OHL and an excellent playmaker. Brings everyone on the ice into the play and has great passing and shooting ability. Stick handling is exceptional. Smooth on his edges too and has a great first step. He is a bit undersized at 5’8’’ to 5’9’’, but the hope would certainly be to get stronger on his feet and have a good, low center of gravity. There are some who aren’t completely sold on him, but I just think it’s a matter of needing another year to simply grow. Nothing wrong with that whatsoever. 1B/2A potential.
LW Cole Perfetti: another fantastic point grabber who has excellent playmaking skills and a very solid shot. At 5’10’’ 185 lbs. he seems to have the build to be very strong on his skates. Skating is impressive, especially his elusiveness. Stick handling is very big plus, always keeping the puck close and able to draw defenders in. If I were to bet, I’d say he goes before Rossi. However, it all depends on the needs of the number 5 team, be it a center or a winger. Definite top 6 potential easy.
LW Alexander Holtz: easily my favorite player in the 5-9 range. Big selling point of praise for me is his two way game. He never quits on plays and is tenacious on the back check. Also, and I feel confident in saying this, he may have the best wrist shot in the class. Period. At 6’0’’ 185ish, he has some more body to him than Rossi or perfetti, or at least Rossi. His passing and playmaking are strong as well and his stick handling is what you’d expect of a Swede. Coming into this season, many pointed out that skating was a slight weakness. Over the course of the year, however, that has been greatly improved. His speed has always been solid, but his acceleration has needed work, and as of now, it is definitely improved. Anyone would be lucky to have a player with the work rate and scoring ability holtz has. Top six potential for certain.
LW Lucas Raymond: shifty Swede who is extremely fluid on his edges and moves around gracefully. Playmaking is the name of the game for Raymond. Could be one of the best passers in class. He creates so much offense and gets teammates involved. Stick handling is top class and his shot is good (i wouldn’t call it great). Size, however, is a small hit at 5’10’’ 165 lbs., however, he never lets it get in his way. He plays a strong two way game and is tenacious in his work ethic. I would gladly take Raymond if holtz is gone once it gets to us. Top six potential as well.
C Anton Lundell: this is where I may get some flack from people. Lundell has the best size and frame of everyone I’ve mentioned so far at 6’2’’ 195ish. Has a good two way like most Finnish players do these days, which speaks to the way Finnish hockey develops its young players. Has good scoring potential, especially with his shot. Skating is coming along, but is the poorest of the players being discussed. Needs to build his leg strength so he can use his size in a more efficient way. Projects as the kid who is “most ready” for the NHL by many. To me, his ceiling is no where near the others here, but his floor is probably higher. I definitely hate the “most ready” argument for picking someone, as most here know. As someone who loves European players of North Americans, I will say this: I don’t want this guy unless everyone else has been picked. Might be the only guy on this list who I’d call middle six or 2/3C potential. I’m just not sold on him yet.
I was thinking of discussing Jake Sanderson, but I just don’t see that happening. Moreover, Yaroslav Askarov speaks for himself as the best goalie in the class. What’s everyone think? Who should we go for? What’s your opinions on the players available at 5-9? I want holtz or Raymond, but as I stated I do love European trained players.
Actually One of Rossi biggest strength is is incredibly strong leg and low center of gravity. He is only 5’’9’ but at 190 pound he is extremely strong.
Actually One of Rossi biggest strength is is incredibly strong leg and low center of gravity. He is only 5’’9’ but at 190 pound he is extremely strong.
That’s good! That was really my only question mark on him.
That’s good! That was really my only question mark on him.
I saw him play a lot this year with Ottawa and he is extremely solid on is skate. Just like Crosby when he protect the puck with is leg, Rossi does that in a similar fashion. He is 5’’9’ but definitely not look like a small guy. He is built like Gallagher small but incredibly strong.
From a Flyers fan, any interest in Ghost and our first for ur first?
Given how deep the draft is, and how we really don’t need any more LHDs, I’d say no honestly. It’s a good idea, but I’m one of the fans who doesn’t mind waiting for potential to grow.
You like Holtz's 2 way game? He seems pretty garbage defensively to me tbh. Nice shot but terrible possession numbers even on a strong team
Possession numbers may be poor, but he definitely has growing to do. He’ll be back in Sweden next year for sure. But yes, I like his two way game and I love his tenacity!
You like Holtz's 2 way game? He seems pretty garbage defensively to me tbh. Nice shot but terrible possession numbers even on a strong team
Yeah, I haven't liked his defensive side much and both the guys I talked to agree, he's solid, great shot (I'd like to see him be a bit more picky with his shot selection but 🤷♀️)
Where did you found those numbers? I would like to check a few prospect in Sweden.
Will Scouch (Scouching) does good prospect analysis and has tons of data available but its behind a paywall. He has free YouTube videos for some prospects though (including Holtz which outlines some defensive issues)
Will Scouch (Scouching) does good prospect analysis and has tons of data available but its behind a paywall. He has free YouTube videos for some prospects though (including Holtz which outlines some defensive issues)
Yeah, I haven't liked his defensive side much and both the guys I talked to agree, he's solid, great shot (I'd like to see him be a bit more picky with his shot selection but 🤷♀️)
I’ll put it this way, he has showed his ability to backcheck and provide support to teammates on defense. A good deal of that comes from his good speed. However, I will grant that he does need to work on his ability to strip picks and maybe lay the body. However, he shows a desire to at least play a two way game, that’s the hardest part to teach young players.
Someone whos not a fan of that team and doesnt know the org well. Picks are always based on what that gm and scouts think so we cant really ever predict it unless we know them well
Someone whos not a fan of that team and doesnt know the org well. Picks are always based on what that gm and scouts think so we cant really ever predict it unless we know them well
I want Askarov. I think he's gonna be the next Vasilevskiy. A goalie is something we need in like 2-3 years, and now is a great time to get a young Russian goalie stud. The other guys that will probably fall to the Hawks (Lundell, Quinn, Holloway, maybe Sanderson/Holtz/Perfetti) just don't excite me the way Askarov does. I think he's the smart pick.
I want Askarov. I think he's gonna be the next Vasilevskiy. A goalie is something we need in like 2-3 years, and now is a great time to get a young Russian goalie stud. The other guys that will probably fall to the Hawks (Lundell, Quinn, Holloway, maybe Sanderson/Holtz/Perfetti) just don't excite me the way Askarov does. I think he's the smart pick.
Nah, taking a goalie this high up is way too big of a risk and what I mean by that is, goalies take 3+ years to develop and the large majority of the top goalies aren't 1st round picks whereas the best forwards and defensive players are way higher probability to be first round picks.
Nah, taking a goalie this high up is way too big of a risk and what I mean by that is, goalies take 3+ years to develop and the large majority of the top goalies aren't 1st round picks whereas the best forwards and defensive players are way higher probability to be first round picks.
Vasilevskiy joined the Lightning two years after being drafted, and Askarov has drawn many comparisons to him. Askarov is dominating the Russian leagues just like Vasi, Samsonov, Sorokin, and Shestyorkin have done recently. Normally I wouldn't pick a goalie in the first round, but Russian goalies are in a different class right now, and Askarov has much more potential than a guy like Lundell or Sanderson.
HatterTParty and exo2769 liked this.
Reply
CapFriendly
CapFriendly