Post by Jeff on Sept 12, 2012 17:25:24 GMT -5
Hello, and welcome to the SFHL DRAFT REVIEW 2012. I was surprise with the amount of goaltenders taken in the Entry Draft, Goaltending is one of the hardest to predict as they are still growing and learning there position. But if you can find the next Jonathan Quick, King Hernirk and P.Rinne guys that are elite goalies you have hit gold. Some gms have their own tetanises in the entry draft, taking “nhl players” or nhl ready in hopes that they get solid year from them at a very good cap hit and worry about their talent pool next season.
With talking with the 5th round, every team feels them have the next hidden gem…it takes years for most of these players to make it to the pro level…Scouts and geeks alike feel the World JR’s starts the process and then with different prospect reports coming out in the Spring this starts to show what type of player you might have here…
U.F.A draft works more like the NHL Summer Free Agency in that teams might be going after players that they can fill their 22 man roster. First round usually there are some good too above avg players. After that you get mix of hopeful comeback years, big ticket players, and sometimes an overage prospect. Teams go into the UFA with money to spent usually can find those big ticket players in the middle rounds and hope that they can turn it around in 2012-13.
Well I hope you enjoy the read, this is one of the greatest times for me to write about the draft and give you the reader’s insight on your fav team and what myself and scouts think about these players going forward. Peace and GoodSpeed !! * …
love to hear back feedback and any questions post and maybe your question will make it on air
Grade: Present Day Value or next season > is who you acquire be it trade/drafted and prospect at this stage of his career
Future Watch: is prospects in the draft or traded (upside and potential)
CCY Grade A+
Well Jase and the Flames Scouting Staff out did themselves with this year’s draft. WOW, with 5 picks in the top 25 (9 Total) Calgary insure they filled each position for the future at, G, D and Fwd. In Silverberg the Flames get a scoring winger that could help them this season. Justin Schultz whom could be a No.2 D-Men will get lots of ice this season and should be a +3 player for a long time. Next AHL-proven sniper in K.Palmieri is ready for nhl-duty as C2. Jase then goes the goalie route in grabbing both Maclom Subban and Oscar Dansk who are looking to be starting goalies down the road. Filling the rest of the picks is Larsson L3, T.Pearson and A.Athanisou L3+. WOW WOW, Flames didn’t stop there with two good picks in the UFA Draft taking OP Cervenka and S.Kostitysn 3-4 overall. Sleeper picks: P.Mueller and Eddie Lack. Lack should and will be a NHL Backup, so look for him to give some okay numbers to start his career
FW: 1st
STL: A-
Singing the Blues in Germany as Mitch had to send in a staff member to do the draft. But golly that was a fine list as Bubba and Blues made some great picks in the entry draft. 6th was Gustav Nyquist don’t forget to take your cold medicine as this guy has skill and is nhl-ready. Look for the is A- prospect to get some pts in a full year but yr 2 the sky is the limit. 1st rounder, 15th overall is Ryan Murray I think this is a good pick in this position you are again getting “nhl-ready” player (D) look for him to be a top 4 Fantasy Defender as when you skate like he does there will be chances coming. Mitch with two more picks in the second round took sniper-slow-foot Mark Stone (B-), and then went after Drew Shore who has NHL size and can score goals. Third round (38th) took ahler leading dmen in pts Mark Barberio was this is coming out party or career year in the minors, fantasy outlook B+.UFA- Blues get Brian Elliott back which just helps there overall team goaltending. Wasn’t aware shot blocking was a stat in are league, but blues went with Marc Staal 27th overall. Adding shit disturber Jordan Tootoo & Patrcik Kaleta, under use Yannik Weber supplies the team with nhl bodies that might help out in the cats.
FW: 3rd(mitch –entry pick rnd 5 and ufa pick rnd6,7, 8)
LAK B+
Kings made a deal to get up in the draft via the Entry and UFA. Los Angles feels that they need to draft 3 players in the first round in both the entry and ufa drafts. Let’s see how they did with their catch. In the Entry Draft they got three players that are nhl ready prospects. M. Folingo looks to be anywhere from a top 6, top 9 2way fwd. Andrew Shaw, I didn’t have him this high but King Tuna felt that having a player that could put up 50pts/pims was worth the high stakes, most will agree. Last was D-men Slava Voynov is a good No.4 dmen at the present and could be +2Dmen. In the 5th round they got playmaker in Tomas Hertl who was playing with men back home. Decent size and hands could be L2-. Dan then went with three picks in the 1st round of the UFA. Notching Erat, Hagelin and Dupuis, each player is top 6 or gets top 6 minutes in the NHL. P.Dupuis had a career year expect him to go back to 35pts, Erat and Hagelin should be able to add some offensive in the neighbourhood 45-50pts each.
FW:9th
COL B+
Mr.Swat and Co. open up with a big trade, netting L1 Zetterberg and 1st/2nd round entry picks. As well getting some assets for the future in both entry/ufa. Picking up Forsberg who looks like he should be on the first line in a few years has a good nose for the net (Franzen/Perry). Joe Morrow scored 17 goals in Dub this past season and has decent size to be a good No/2-3 Dmen Christ this guy almost made the club last season. Peter Holland was in his pro-rookie season and looks like he could be lining up on the second line soon. Filling in the reminder picks for the Avs is K.Poulin whom has seen some NHL Time and looks to be B Level Prospect, small sniper B.Gallagner and 5th rounder Martin Frk who at the start of last year was a Top 5 pick. Swat took a chance in the UFA with Paajarvi who could still provide depth scoring. Old man Alfredson might not hit 59pts like last year but should still provide leadership and +45pts. Avs got there D-Men 62nd overall $$$ Ryan Suter $$$$.
FW: 2nd
PITT: B
Mark couldn’t make the draft which was a bit of a surprise but taking Radek Faksa 9th overall was a even bigger surprise. Don’t get me wrong this guy is Top-six Fwd, likely tally 40-50pts But at 9th? Plus when we say 40-50pts that’s likely in year 3-4. There next player Pontus Aberg “Skilled” he possess great off skill in a L1 type role. Another ace pick in the 3rd round with Sebastian Collberg same type of player as Aberg. Pens also took Christian Thomas, son of former NHLER Steve Thomas, at 5-9/170 B+ look for him down the road 3-4yrs. Pens did a good job in the later stages of the draft getting small/skilled players that are short-term prospects. Pens went right away to assist man Alex Tanguay who should help on the left side. Pens then build up there D-Core with 36th overall they took Kyle Quincey they will need more production then his 26pts last year to make up with the new contract 3.775M. Niskanen is a good 5-6 Dmen, Denis Wideman 11 goals and 45pts will help the ppp. They also picked up OP-D Chris Summers. Sleeper pick is Benoit Pouliot this guy will start bottom 6 but could lineup in tbay (nhl) with their great scorers.
FW: 6th
PHX: B
Chad Duster Little came into the draft looking to improve his team in 2012-13 and beyond. As Yotes fans have seen the basement a few seasons and want to see some changes from there club. As well see there owner appear a few more times this season in public. Matt Dumba picked 16th overall is a solid dmen, he’s fearless and can score this player needs to put on some weight but could be a NO.1-2D. Again Little went with another d in Griffin Reinhart big but still a little raw, this kids oozes potential (33rd overall). This is a great pick and a player some thought would be a 2nd rounder at the very least. PHX then added PWR FWD Thomas Wilson, short term 2-3yrs away (67th overall last pick). UFA Draft 2nd rounder’s Vinny Prospal and Steve Sullivan will add secondary scoring (+2players). Josh Bailey(52nd) seems to be the sleeper even though this kid was a first rounder not many years ago, but could still get into a top 6 role.
Little and the Coyotes like drafting good NHL ready D-Men, and we could see Reinhart this season but more likely him and Dumba will be patrolling the back end in 2013-14.
FW: 7th
HFD: B-The Whalers made a big splash in a trade for the 1st Overall Pick. Rumours had the Avs looking at dealing that pick and they found a partner in the Goat. Some members of the media felt the price was too much. But Hartford will say but a Nail in it, we got best player in the draft in Yakupov. This guy is a dynamic goal-scorer (Pavel Bure) playing on the wing. Look for him to make a dent right away. Also grabbing prospect Zach Phillips in the deal helps the Whalers Development system. That was she wrote in terms of the entry as they also trade 5th rounder to the Habs in exchange for PIM player K.Clifford. In the UFA they for the most part added 4th liners or depth players. But grabbing J.Hansen and C.Glencross should help the whalers.
FW: 10th
WPG: B-
Oh look everyone it’s the SFHL Champions !! The high flying jets took two nhl ready players in the second round of the entry draft. Roman Josi looks like a lock to get 30pts and Zac I am crazy Rinaldo was the top pim player with 232mins and plays most nights which doesn’t hurt the lineup card. Roach then selects in the UFA use to be pest Matt Cooke (30+ pts) and Jamie McBain who should chip in some pts on the backend and is a good 4-5D. Low Risk / High Reward is W.Wolski whom could get the jets 40 pts or play 5 games and never been seen again. Brian Bolye adds some size in the centre position and can range 10 goals and 50+ pims. Let’s see if Wellwood can match his 18 goals 40+ pts this season as he’s getting more money but still good price for the jets of prairies One thing you got to like about the jets and how they manage their ufa draft is they got two goalies in the 8th round that can fill in for the starters if they get hurt (115th) Biron and (127th) Budaj
FW: 13th
ANA: GRADE B-
Latti enter his second draft, and with the 3rd overall pick the Ducks took Alex Galchenyuk . This kid has skill to burn and should be ready next season some scouts peg skill level to (A.Kopitar). Brandon Pirri looks to be a good playmaker on the second line. Alex Killorn was a bit surprise pick just seeing how he’s 89BY his upside would be 2C, but some figure is going to be a good 3rd liner. Ducks also had three picks in the 5th round, taking PWR FWD S.Matteau, Mobile D-Men Slater Koekkeok, and Goaltender Anthony Stolarz who’s biggest asset is his 81-icnh wingspan. These players look like they will be more in the long-term prospect class. U.F.A Draft Ducks filled their roster with serviceable players in old time Milan Hedjuk and back end with Bieksa and Covro whom should provide some ppp and pims.
FW RNK: 4th
EDM:B-
Well City of Champs weren’t overly busy yesterday as they only had 3 selections in the entry and only handful in the UFA. Grass and his scouting department did find a guy with size and skill in M.Grigorenko. There player has been said to have the highest ceiling along 12’ draft players. Whenever you select a Russian there is some worry of that player going KHL. I don’t see it with this player(unless theres a lockout). Then Oilers took the CGY route and selected two goalies. For 16 picks in the 2nd round there weren’t many teams selecting…Anyhow A.Vaselievsk is a A Level Prospect and grabbing Petr Mrazek the crazy Cech will boost the overall depth in goal. Harding is a risk/reward type player that was drafted 15th overall in the UFA. In that he could become the starter this season or next or fall right off the map with a injury. Adding McDonald whom is a pt per game player but has been injured the past few season so again Oilers are throwing a high price dice, and lastly Johnny Boychuk was avg and cheap but know is avg and $$$.
FW: 8th
TOR: C+
TML surprisingly only made one minor trade in the draft. Leafs got a gift and didn’t have to think to much with the 4th overall pick as they selected Adam Henrique 50pts and 7 SHP wasn’t bad for the rookie, this the leafs hope is a stepping stone for to yet another productive season. Goalie Scott Wedgewood is a long-term prospect (B-) and will need time before he sees any action. Here’s a guy made for fantasy scoring Stanislav Galiev taken 47th overall. Moving onto the U.F.A draft kooch and the leafs took Marcus Johansson 2nd overall, this guy is a low contract and can put up 50pts/+2 player. Next with cap space to spare the took Rene Bourque who will score 28 goals just altogether then he’s done. Here as some good depth players for on the roster, Tyler Kennedy and Ryan Wilson. Pick 50 Tyler Myers is called the old risk/reward 5.5M player that isn’t a 5.5M player last yr. But has shown in the past he can be. Sleeper Pick if he is true to his word and plays in the AHL (first rounder so many years ago) OP Riu Helenuis (126th overall) has had the potential to be a good starter, but is given one more chance to prove he can in the AHL then NHL.
FW: 12th
CHI C+
When I first got to the draft, I was tired, beaten and just needed a beer. As commish I said my hello’s and was glancing at the draft board when I saw Craig Smiths name close to the top. I figure this must be in the later rounds. Boy was I wrong and surprise, this isn’t anything against the Blackhawks or Smith but he isn’t a top 3 pick , heavens be a first rounder. Yes Craig is nhler and put up 36pts, but is there any more upside then a good L3??? We will see …Okay here we go, in the third round Melcher and staff did a good job taking O.Klelbom who could surprise some folks in be a fantasy stud. Not sure about ECHLer Olivier Roy making it to the show. F.Hamilton is going to be a great bottom 6 fwd. Melcher did grab Cody Ceci and after talking to Ceci family and friends this could be a great steal in the 3rd round think off-dmen good No.3-4. Hawks did find a good mix of skill and potential in the UFA DRAFT. Leading them is J.Spurgeon D4, sleeper pick in Tedenby this guy could be 50pt guy, adding Legwand and Bolland beefs up the middle of the ice for the hawks going into 2012-13.
FW: 14th
DET: C
The Wings started the day off with a trade moving down in the draft, but adding extra pick in the entry and ufa draft. Rack made some nice picks in the early stages of round 2, with Cam Atkinson & T.Tervainen. Both players are small in stature but I think Tervianen is the player to watch for he has Patrick Kane-like skill. Torey Krug is a college draftee that has some offensive upside and could crack the top 4 in time. With a 4th rounder pick it’s a bonus pick so you see teams select a player that isn’t well know this year but could be down the road . Wings could care of business in the UFA Draft with two picks right beside each other in the 2nd round. Adding physical Centemen Zach Smith and QB Ehrhoff were nice additions. There could be two sleeper picks here with Backlund if can ever find what made him a first rounder so many years ago and Calder Goalie Steve Mason. Overall Detroit didn’t hold as many picks as in the past draft. But found a glem in Teuvo Teravainen.
FW: 11th
PHILLY: C
Flyers had dealt there 1st overall pick a couple weeks back in the Sedin Sisters trade as well moves some picks to grab the 1st overall in the UFA DRAFT. But Mur and the gang didn’t do anything other than drink Dr.Pepper till the 5th round. Taking Scott Laughton with the 54th overall pick potential is there be great 3rd line centre. Next was Phil Di Giuseppe has some skill that might allow him to crack a top 6 position in the long-term. Could this be the answer to the Flyers goalie problems, Niklas Backstrom still seems to have one strong year left in the tank. Talbot is a great 3/4th liner that can muck it up and add some pts.
Will Kyle Brodziak have another great season, or will he be better off as depth player. Shane O’Brien can add the pims on the back-end. Chris Kelly & Marc Andre Bergeron will help make this team better, but there needs to be more help coming from somewhere else…another trade???
FW: 16th
VAN: C
VanCam is entering his third season with the Expansion Canucks and over the past year has done a good job making his team better and fun to watch for the fans. There is first pick came in the 2nd round with Cory Conacher being selected whom is a 89 BY. He had a great pro-season last season with goals, pts and pims all career best on a powerhouse team. Fantasy Outlook C+. His next pick more people will know is Morgan Rielly (A) slotted in the 26th position who is a great skater, creative with the puck and high IQ. Long-term Prospect Mark Jankowski 36th overall will have lots of time but could figure to be a L2+ when he does get to the show. This is a great pick in the third round with Vancity getting Zemgus Girgensons 2 way centermen that can maybe put up Ryan Kesler numbers. Ivan(Telegin) the great, well no put the Russian Kid has size and skill but will he bolt to KHL or stay in N.A . With his last pick Cam took a PP QB in Derrick Pouloit don’t see him making the team anytime soon but this will give him time to hone in on other skills needed at the NHL Level. Cancuks waited till the 2nd round and draft big D-Men Ryan Whitney whom when healthy can add pts/pims/ppp. On other news they got depth dmen Cody Franson and op college scorer Spencer Abbott (112th) & Brian Flynn (113th)
FW: 5th
MTL: C
President and General Manager Virgo was out of town on other sports business. This left his team to be drafted in the UFA by their head Scout Trevor Timmons and Entry Picks were left for the end. Some in the media and league felt that wasn’t smart but the Habs have great eye for talent were never worried.
Entry Draft the players were selected * 64,65,66, and 67. Les Canadiens grab a Top Goalie Prospect in John Gibson whom has size and whom will have some time to develop. MTL took 3 players in the 5th round two d-men and 1 fwd all heading to college this season. Look for these players more in the long-term with all having good size, IQ and speed. Habs finally got there man in top 4 dmen Ryan McDonagh, adding players like C.Greening, M.Lapierre and C.Higgins will add depth in the system with only a few dollars to spend to fill there 22man roster.
FW: 15th
With talking with the 5th round, every team feels them have the next hidden gem…it takes years for most of these players to make it to the pro level…Scouts and geeks alike feel the World JR’s starts the process and then with different prospect reports coming out in the Spring this starts to show what type of player you might have here…
U.F.A draft works more like the NHL Summer Free Agency in that teams might be going after players that they can fill their 22 man roster. First round usually there are some good too above avg players. After that you get mix of hopeful comeback years, big ticket players, and sometimes an overage prospect. Teams go into the UFA with money to spent usually can find those big ticket players in the middle rounds and hope that they can turn it around in 2012-13.
Well I hope you enjoy the read, this is one of the greatest times for me to write about the draft and give you the reader’s insight on your fav team and what myself and scouts think about these players going forward. Peace and GoodSpeed !! * …
love to hear back feedback and any questions post and maybe your question will make it on air
Grade: Present Day Value or next season > is who you acquire be it trade/drafted and prospect at this stage of his career
Future Watch: is prospects in the draft or traded (upside and potential)
CCY Grade A+
Well Jase and the Flames Scouting Staff out did themselves with this year’s draft. WOW, with 5 picks in the top 25 (9 Total) Calgary insure they filled each position for the future at, G, D and Fwd. In Silverberg the Flames get a scoring winger that could help them this season. Justin Schultz whom could be a No.2 D-Men will get lots of ice this season and should be a +3 player for a long time. Next AHL-proven sniper in K.Palmieri is ready for nhl-duty as C2. Jase then goes the goalie route in grabbing both Maclom Subban and Oscar Dansk who are looking to be starting goalies down the road. Filling the rest of the picks is Larsson L3, T.Pearson and A.Athanisou L3+. WOW WOW, Flames didn’t stop there with two good picks in the UFA Draft taking OP Cervenka and S.Kostitysn 3-4 overall. Sleeper picks: P.Mueller and Eddie Lack. Lack should and will be a NHL Backup, so look for him to give some okay numbers to start his career
FW: 1st
STL: A-
Singing the Blues in Germany as Mitch had to send in a staff member to do the draft. But golly that was a fine list as Bubba and Blues made some great picks in the entry draft. 6th was Gustav Nyquist don’t forget to take your cold medicine as this guy has skill and is nhl-ready. Look for the is A- prospect to get some pts in a full year but yr 2 the sky is the limit. 1st rounder, 15th overall is Ryan Murray I think this is a good pick in this position you are again getting “nhl-ready” player (D) look for him to be a top 4 Fantasy Defender as when you skate like he does there will be chances coming. Mitch with two more picks in the second round took sniper-slow-foot Mark Stone (B-), and then went after Drew Shore who has NHL size and can score goals. Third round (38th) took ahler leading dmen in pts Mark Barberio was this is coming out party or career year in the minors, fantasy outlook B+.UFA- Blues get Brian Elliott back which just helps there overall team goaltending. Wasn’t aware shot blocking was a stat in are league, but blues went with Marc Staal 27th overall. Adding shit disturber Jordan Tootoo & Patrcik Kaleta, under use Yannik Weber supplies the team with nhl bodies that might help out in the cats.
FW: 3rd(mitch –entry pick rnd 5 and ufa pick rnd6,7, 8)
LAK B+
Kings made a deal to get up in the draft via the Entry and UFA. Los Angles feels that they need to draft 3 players in the first round in both the entry and ufa drafts. Let’s see how they did with their catch. In the Entry Draft they got three players that are nhl ready prospects. M. Folingo looks to be anywhere from a top 6, top 9 2way fwd. Andrew Shaw, I didn’t have him this high but King Tuna felt that having a player that could put up 50pts/pims was worth the high stakes, most will agree. Last was D-men Slava Voynov is a good No.4 dmen at the present and could be +2Dmen. In the 5th round they got playmaker in Tomas Hertl who was playing with men back home. Decent size and hands could be L2-. Dan then went with three picks in the 1st round of the UFA. Notching Erat, Hagelin and Dupuis, each player is top 6 or gets top 6 minutes in the NHL. P.Dupuis had a career year expect him to go back to 35pts, Erat and Hagelin should be able to add some offensive in the neighbourhood 45-50pts each.
FW:9th
COL B+
Mr.Swat and Co. open up with a big trade, netting L1 Zetterberg and 1st/2nd round entry picks. As well getting some assets for the future in both entry/ufa. Picking up Forsberg who looks like he should be on the first line in a few years has a good nose for the net (Franzen/Perry). Joe Morrow scored 17 goals in Dub this past season and has decent size to be a good No/2-3 Dmen Christ this guy almost made the club last season. Peter Holland was in his pro-rookie season and looks like he could be lining up on the second line soon. Filling in the reminder picks for the Avs is K.Poulin whom has seen some NHL Time and looks to be B Level Prospect, small sniper B.Gallagner and 5th rounder Martin Frk who at the start of last year was a Top 5 pick. Swat took a chance in the UFA with Paajarvi who could still provide depth scoring. Old man Alfredson might not hit 59pts like last year but should still provide leadership and +45pts. Avs got there D-Men 62nd overall $$$ Ryan Suter $$$$.
FW: 2nd
PITT: B
Mark couldn’t make the draft which was a bit of a surprise but taking Radek Faksa 9th overall was a even bigger surprise. Don’t get me wrong this guy is Top-six Fwd, likely tally 40-50pts But at 9th? Plus when we say 40-50pts that’s likely in year 3-4. There next player Pontus Aberg “Skilled” he possess great off skill in a L1 type role. Another ace pick in the 3rd round with Sebastian Collberg same type of player as Aberg. Pens also took Christian Thomas, son of former NHLER Steve Thomas, at 5-9/170 B+ look for him down the road 3-4yrs. Pens did a good job in the later stages of the draft getting small/skilled players that are short-term prospects. Pens went right away to assist man Alex Tanguay who should help on the left side. Pens then build up there D-Core with 36th overall they took Kyle Quincey they will need more production then his 26pts last year to make up with the new contract 3.775M. Niskanen is a good 5-6 Dmen, Denis Wideman 11 goals and 45pts will help the ppp. They also picked up OP-D Chris Summers. Sleeper pick is Benoit Pouliot this guy will start bottom 6 but could lineup in tbay (nhl) with their great scorers.
FW: 6th
PHX: B
Chad Duster Little came into the draft looking to improve his team in 2012-13 and beyond. As Yotes fans have seen the basement a few seasons and want to see some changes from there club. As well see there owner appear a few more times this season in public. Matt Dumba picked 16th overall is a solid dmen, he’s fearless and can score this player needs to put on some weight but could be a NO.1-2D. Again Little went with another d in Griffin Reinhart big but still a little raw, this kids oozes potential (33rd overall). This is a great pick and a player some thought would be a 2nd rounder at the very least. PHX then added PWR FWD Thomas Wilson, short term 2-3yrs away (67th overall last pick). UFA Draft 2nd rounder’s Vinny Prospal and Steve Sullivan will add secondary scoring (+2players). Josh Bailey(52nd) seems to be the sleeper even though this kid was a first rounder not many years ago, but could still get into a top 6 role.
Little and the Coyotes like drafting good NHL ready D-Men, and we could see Reinhart this season but more likely him and Dumba will be patrolling the back end in 2013-14.
FW: 7th
HFD: B-The Whalers made a big splash in a trade for the 1st Overall Pick. Rumours had the Avs looking at dealing that pick and they found a partner in the Goat. Some members of the media felt the price was too much. But Hartford will say but a Nail in it, we got best player in the draft in Yakupov. This guy is a dynamic goal-scorer (Pavel Bure) playing on the wing. Look for him to make a dent right away. Also grabbing prospect Zach Phillips in the deal helps the Whalers Development system. That was she wrote in terms of the entry as they also trade 5th rounder to the Habs in exchange for PIM player K.Clifford. In the UFA they for the most part added 4th liners or depth players. But grabbing J.Hansen and C.Glencross should help the whalers.
FW: 10th
WPG: B-
Oh look everyone it’s the SFHL Champions !! The high flying jets took two nhl ready players in the second round of the entry draft. Roman Josi looks like a lock to get 30pts and Zac I am crazy Rinaldo was the top pim player with 232mins and plays most nights which doesn’t hurt the lineup card. Roach then selects in the UFA use to be pest Matt Cooke (30+ pts) and Jamie McBain who should chip in some pts on the backend and is a good 4-5D. Low Risk / High Reward is W.Wolski whom could get the jets 40 pts or play 5 games and never been seen again. Brian Bolye adds some size in the centre position and can range 10 goals and 50+ pims. Let’s see if Wellwood can match his 18 goals 40+ pts this season as he’s getting more money but still good price for the jets of prairies One thing you got to like about the jets and how they manage their ufa draft is they got two goalies in the 8th round that can fill in for the starters if they get hurt (115th) Biron and (127th) Budaj
FW: 13th
ANA: GRADE B-
Latti enter his second draft, and with the 3rd overall pick the Ducks took Alex Galchenyuk . This kid has skill to burn and should be ready next season some scouts peg skill level to (A.Kopitar). Brandon Pirri looks to be a good playmaker on the second line. Alex Killorn was a bit surprise pick just seeing how he’s 89BY his upside would be 2C, but some figure is going to be a good 3rd liner. Ducks also had three picks in the 5th round, taking PWR FWD S.Matteau, Mobile D-Men Slater Koekkeok, and Goaltender Anthony Stolarz who’s biggest asset is his 81-icnh wingspan. These players look like they will be more in the long-term prospect class. U.F.A Draft Ducks filled their roster with serviceable players in old time Milan Hedjuk and back end with Bieksa and Covro whom should provide some ppp and pims.
FW RNK: 4th
EDM:B-
Well City of Champs weren’t overly busy yesterday as they only had 3 selections in the entry and only handful in the UFA. Grass and his scouting department did find a guy with size and skill in M.Grigorenko. There player has been said to have the highest ceiling along 12’ draft players. Whenever you select a Russian there is some worry of that player going KHL. I don’t see it with this player(unless theres a lockout). Then Oilers took the CGY route and selected two goalies. For 16 picks in the 2nd round there weren’t many teams selecting…Anyhow A.Vaselievsk is a A Level Prospect and grabbing Petr Mrazek the crazy Cech will boost the overall depth in goal. Harding is a risk/reward type player that was drafted 15th overall in the UFA. In that he could become the starter this season or next or fall right off the map with a injury. Adding McDonald whom is a pt per game player but has been injured the past few season so again Oilers are throwing a high price dice, and lastly Johnny Boychuk was avg and cheap but know is avg and $$$.
FW: 8th
TOR: C+
TML surprisingly only made one minor trade in the draft. Leafs got a gift and didn’t have to think to much with the 4th overall pick as they selected Adam Henrique 50pts and 7 SHP wasn’t bad for the rookie, this the leafs hope is a stepping stone for to yet another productive season. Goalie Scott Wedgewood is a long-term prospect (B-) and will need time before he sees any action. Here’s a guy made for fantasy scoring Stanislav Galiev taken 47th overall. Moving onto the U.F.A draft kooch and the leafs took Marcus Johansson 2nd overall, this guy is a low contract and can put up 50pts/+2 player. Next with cap space to spare the took Rene Bourque who will score 28 goals just altogether then he’s done. Here as some good depth players for on the roster, Tyler Kennedy and Ryan Wilson. Pick 50 Tyler Myers is called the old risk/reward 5.5M player that isn’t a 5.5M player last yr. But has shown in the past he can be. Sleeper Pick if he is true to his word and plays in the AHL (first rounder so many years ago) OP Riu Helenuis (126th overall) has had the potential to be a good starter, but is given one more chance to prove he can in the AHL then NHL.
FW: 12th
CHI C+
When I first got to the draft, I was tired, beaten and just needed a beer. As commish I said my hello’s and was glancing at the draft board when I saw Craig Smiths name close to the top. I figure this must be in the later rounds. Boy was I wrong and surprise, this isn’t anything against the Blackhawks or Smith but he isn’t a top 3 pick , heavens be a first rounder. Yes Craig is nhler and put up 36pts, but is there any more upside then a good L3??? We will see …Okay here we go, in the third round Melcher and staff did a good job taking O.Klelbom who could surprise some folks in be a fantasy stud. Not sure about ECHLer Olivier Roy making it to the show. F.Hamilton is going to be a great bottom 6 fwd. Melcher did grab Cody Ceci and after talking to Ceci family and friends this could be a great steal in the 3rd round think off-dmen good No.3-4. Hawks did find a good mix of skill and potential in the UFA DRAFT. Leading them is J.Spurgeon D4, sleeper pick in Tedenby this guy could be 50pt guy, adding Legwand and Bolland beefs up the middle of the ice for the hawks going into 2012-13.
FW: 14th
DET: C
The Wings started the day off with a trade moving down in the draft, but adding extra pick in the entry and ufa draft. Rack made some nice picks in the early stages of round 2, with Cam Atkinson & T.Tervainen. Both players are small in stature but I think Tervianen is the player to watch for he has Patrick Kane-like skill. Torey Krug is a college draftee that has some offensive upside and could crack the top 4 in time. With a 4th rounder pick it’s a bonus pick so you see teams select a player that isn’t well know this year but could be down the road . Wings could care of business in the UFA Draft with two picks right beside each other in the 2nd round. Adding physical Centemen Zach Smith and QB Ehrhoff were nice additions. There could be two sleeper picks here with Backlund if can ever find what made him a first rounder so many years ago and Calder Goalie Steve Mason. Overall Detroit didn’t hold as many picks as in the past draft. But found a glem in Teuvo Teravainen.
FW: 11th
PHILLY: C
Flyers had dealt there 1st overall pick a couple weeks back in the Sedin Sisters trade as well moves some picks to grab the 1st overall in the UFA DRAFT. But Mur and the gang didn’t do anything other than drink Dr.Pepper till the 5th round. Taking Scott Laughton with the 54th overall pick potential is there be great 3rd line centre. Next was Phil Di Giuseppe has some skill that might allow him to crack a top 6 position in the long-term. Could this be the answer to the Flyers goalie problems, Niklas Backstrom still seems to have one strong year left in the tank. Talbot is a great 3/4th liner that can muck it up and add some pts.
Will Kyle Brodziak have another great season, or will he be better off as depth player. Shane O’Brien can add the pims on the back-end. Chris Kelly & Marc Andre Bergeron will help make this team better, but there needs to be more help coming from somewhere else…another trade???
FW: 16th
VAN: C
VanCam is entering his third season with the Expansion Canucks and over the past year has done a good job making his team better and fun to watch for the fans. There is first pick came in the 2nd round with Cory Conacher being selected whom is a 89 BY. He had a great pro-season last season with goals, pts and pims all career best on a powerhouse team. Fantasy Outlook C+. His next pick more people will know is Morgan Rielly (A) slotted in the 26th position who is a great skater, creative with the puck and high IQ. Long-term Prospect Mark Jankowski 36th overall will have lots of time but could figure to be a L2+ when he does get to the show. This is a great pick in the third round with Vancity getting Zemgus Girgensons 2 way centermen that can maybe put up Ryan Kesler numbers. Ivan(Telegin) the great, well no put the Russian Kid has size and skill but will he bolt to KHL or stay in N.A . With his last pick Cam took a PP QB in Derrick Pouloit don’t see him making the team anytime soon but this will give him time to hone in on other skills needed at the NHL Level. Cancuks waited till the 2nd round and draft big D-Men Ryan Whitney whom when healthy can add pts/pims/ppp. On other news they got depth dmen Cody Franson and op college scorer Spencer Abbott (112th) & Brian Flynn (113th)
FW: 5th
MTL: C
President and General Manager Virgo was out of town on other sports business. This left his team to be drafted in the UFA by their head Scout Trevor Timmons and Entry Picks were left for the end. Some in the media and league felt that wasn’t smart but the Habs have great eye for talent were never worried.
Entry Draft the players were selected * 64,65,66, and 67. Les Canadiens grab a Top Goalie Prospect in John Gibson whom has size and whom will have some time to develop. MTL took 3 players in the 5th round two d-men and 1 fwd all heading to college this season. Look for these players more in the long-term with all having good size, IQ and speed. Habs finally got there man in top 4 dmen Ryan McDonagh, adding players like C.Greening, M.Lapierre and C.Higgins will add depth in the system with only a few dollars to spend to fill there 22man roster.
FW: 15th
