1 | | - | | Sickens me to see him in Chicago |
2 | | - | | The next 3 players are not as clear and evident as folks may think. There is a ton of talent to parse between |
3 | | - | | Jarmo can likely afford to wait for Michkov, but hard to pass on Leo who has looked great against men and incredibly strong in the WC playing 1st line for Sweden |
4 | | - | | Grier can wait -- the Sharks will be in the lottery for a few years so no rush to build a winning squad (a la Columbus with Gaudreau) |
5 | | - | | Good consolation prize for Montreal, although I expect teams 5-10 to be salivating if Michkov is there. He is a #1 pick, and a 3 year arrival time isn't that bad when (A) most top-10 players still take 1-2 years and (B) he is a first overall talent in most drafts |
6 | | - | | Solid defenseman in a decent league. He's well rounded but still sometimes doesn't get enough credit for puck movement and decision making |
7 | | - | | Willander was fantastic in national tournaments to end the year and ate minutes for Rogle. He is so solid and deservedly rising. I think he ends up Top-10. |
8 | | - | | A BIG swing and surprise for Washington. Simashev is a great skater and puck mover for his size and is a high-upside pick. Think Simon Edivinsson style draft profile with a bit higher floor but bit lower ceiling than Ed had at the time of his drafting. He improved throughout the year and was very strong in the MHL playoffs and I think folks will be surprised how high he goes |
9 | | - | | Two-way player who, with improved skating, should go higher. Showed well against peers after spending the year against tougher pro comp than most picks. A bit more variability in outcome, but a classic Stevie Y pick |
10 | | - | | Leonard has a bit of bite and grit on top of a solid two way game. Feels highly projectable and STL is thrilled if he falls to here. |
11 | | - | | His skating leaves something to be desired but he also played against faster competition in the NCAA than peers. He has good vision and shooting and I think showed well given his age |
12 | | | | Coyotes pair Benson with Geekie. He is very small and I worry about his projection, but the offense is certainly there. I personally would avoid drafting but could see PHX being a landing spot, especially given their success with Keller in a similar profile, so 'Yotes take that risk |
13 | | - | | Danielson was a high skill, highly reliable player on a weak Brandon team. He drove their offense and progression from D to O zone, even if his point totals 5 on 5 don't reflect the numbers of peers. I think he could go higher. |
14 | | - | | Penguins take the swing on Sandin-Pellikka, who I think falls a bit given defensive zone issues he'll need to work out. But the offensive upside is superb. |
15 | | - | | Nashville adds C-depth with a very strong skater who needs to work on playmaking. But with his stride he'll be able to separate and can take a couple development years to work on his passing and shooting |
16 | | - | | I think Calgary wishes there were better D prospects here but in lieu of that goes with a slightly controversial pick due to consistency, but a borderline top-10 talent with high ceiling |
17 | | | | This is a bread and butter wings pick as they continue to look for offensive depth. He again is a solid two-way player who looked good for the junior Swedish team as captain. I think he may end up on the wing in the pros, but his floor is quite high in my view. A good puck mover with strong shooting, passing as well |
18 | | - | | But is an incredibly talented player without an evident pro comparison. But he skates well, has great vision, and works his ass off (watch him backcheck) like nobody in the draft. He's my highest-variance projection, but top-10 upside in this draft. |
19 | | | | Strong, scrappy, good shooter to pair on Chicago's future top line or two. There aren't clear defensemen here so it's Honzek. |
20 | | - | | Ron Francis has valued production in his recent drafts and this is no exception. A bit hard to project at the NHL level as I think he'll suffer with less time and space, but has produced wto this point. |
21 | | - | | A bit of a surprise given the D-men left on the board, but I think his defensive game and stature are better than a couple of the offense-first guys left on the board. I believe in general the Bonk, Gulyayev, Dragicevic's of the world may go even higher than I have given the needs of several teams and cost to get them in FA / trades -- teams will be willing to take a shot on D-men |
22 | | | | Speaking of, Gulyayev goes next to Columbus. I think they would have loved Bonk and need some size in their defensive pipeline, but still a worthwhile pick |
23 | | - | | The Rangers hope to end their talent development draught (relative to expectation) by taking a small skill forward who has produced well, but will require developmental help to adjust to the show |
24 | | | | This may seem like a reach to some, but he was a top D player in the class who has been riddled with what I think should be non-chronic injuries (collarbone stuff). With more opportunities to grow and prove himself this season, I think this would've looked like a no-questions-asked pick |
25 | | | | St Louis adds the high-offensive upside Dragicevic and will look to develop on his defensive concerns. Despite the need for D, his question marks on the defensive end prevents him from going higher |
26 | | | | San Jose is pleased to see a natural scorer fall a bit as folks look to bolster their defenses |
27 | | - | | Colorado happily takes the strong, good shooting Musty. The OHL was weak this year, and some will say Barlow is the better in this archetype, but I have musty for reasons to be discussed on Barlow |
28 | | | | Edstrom made some noise in the SHL this year and I think will look like a steal in time |
29 | | | | St Louis doubles down on future Top-4 defenseman with a highish-floor Price |
30 | | - | | Barlow finally goes; in a weak OHL year, Barlow's totals weren't crazy, and I also found him to be the third man in on too many opportunities -- important goals and not necessarily a bad thing, but I think he'll have to work on driving play a bit more to make it in the middle six at the next level |
31 | | | | Montreal keeps up with the Slovaks with a guy who can add some defensive composure to a team looking to cut down on its goals against |
32 | | - | | A high ceiling, low floor pick. He has to pick up the pace and improve his stride, but has the other offensive tools of a real contributor |