Post by Jeff on Sept 30, 2013 19:38:19 GMT -5
Welcome to another review of the fall draft...Here we rate how your teams favourite gm did yesterday at the draft, as overall grade & fun stuff with power rankings for the entry and ufa drafts. Yes some teams have made transactions but this would be reflected in this process we are only looking at what each of the 16 gms did on draft day 2013. Enjoy the read, and reminder this is the author's view on the draft not that of the league....he's got big shoulders so if you disagree we would love to hear some rebuttal.
ANA * Absent for 98% of the draft
* Made deals prior to draft as he wasnt in attendance *
The ducks finally had a pick when the UFA Draft started, selecting 4th overall Dmen Luca Sbisa we have him as a solid #5D who will chip a few offf pts
with there 2nd rounder they grab another 4-5 Dmen in Nikita Nikitin, on there second go around in this round they grab a good top 9 fwd in Tomas Kopecky who will be playing on the right side if and when ducks clear some cap space. Adding Tyler Kennedy & Daniel Cleary will add some needed depth over a 82 game schedule, Sekera can be a decent d, but shouldnt be expected to play top 4 minutes...and rounding out is D.Roy 125 overall heres a guy that can put up 2nd line pts but again with the cap going down this season, GM Latti and Ducks have some work to do before tomorrows puck drop.
D+/font]
CGY (present)
Calgary started the day with the 19th overall pick (Entry acquire from Phi)by taking a prospect who should see game action this season in Tyler Johnson, next up 22nd overall young and up-comer JG Pageau who looks to be a top 9F. One that can produce a decent point toal and help in other stats. Next they took a OHLer that likes to light the lamp unsure if it will translate like that in the SFHL, but Vincent Trochek has Top 6 potential (20Goals). With there 3rd and reminding pick they went with Seattle Thunderbird Shea Theodore whom will be a long term project ( looking 3-4yrs NHL). This guy has that top 4 upside on the backend, of course his overall D game will need to change but he's still jr player and not a bad pick in the 5th round. This is where Jase and Co.came out to play as they had 3 picks in the top 10 (ufa draft)....and they went to work very quickly with adding Antoine Roussel (3rd Overall) here's a player that will get the games played and add PIMS, he might even add 15-20pts. Next up on there list was shootout wizard Jussi Jokinen who can still put the puck in the net and looks to a good 3rd liner going into season, and grabbing PTS/PIM/ secondary PPP Duncan Keith 8th overall was a nice touch yes a cap hit over 5M but this guy can move the puck and is still a good 2-3Dmen. Flames then were active in the crease in the 2nd round grabbing unorthodox Timmy Thomas who many still think is a decent NHL Starter. Nice touch with the 56th pick getting OP Goalie Rento Berra who with time could be a good backup/No.2 ... Y.Weber & D.Grebeshkov add good overall depth on the back end and both are 2way low salary players that should grab some TOI which results in better chances in getting stats/cats...Flames really did there damage in the UFA, they had some nice picks in the entry but non would be consider blue-chippers/impact players.
B-
CHI (online)
Good old melch started his draft with taking Tie's kid with the 8th overall pick, Max Domi will be a better offence player then old man Tie..Some feel this player will take some time but should be a good top 6 fwd in due time. The next pick had some ppl scratching there heads when they heard Dmitrij Jaskin's name being called in the first round dont get us wrong here's a player that has a again top 6 potential and a good frame, but some feel he wouldnt be much better then a top 9 fwd / 3rd liner when he gets to the SFHL. 3rd round saw them take pk specialist Casey Ciziakas this helps the present team as this player should get into most games this season and is a good 4th line Centre with some potential to grab a third line job down the road. Another move by hawks landed them a goalie in Tristan Jerry at this time looks to be a good No2. goalie in the long-term future. Chicago didnt get a spot in the UFA dance till the 3rd round with taking two good players one being Ben Smith who again will be getting into some action as good L3, and Daniel Paille whom seems to also grab some key pts throughout-out the season. Hawks again wait a few rounds and grab two players in the 5th one being left-unprotected fighter (stupid Habs GM) OP Tom Sestito and depth player Nock Spaling. After looking at the players the hawks grab in the 2013 Fall Draft only a few names stand out ala Max Domi and Ben Smith.....But they did add some overall depth this season with the players they selected. As always goalies are hard to read so one day we might hear the name T.Jerry or it might pass us by without a breeze.
C+
COL (present-and sometimes way to involved in Bills game
Swat and the boys started off with a bang as they grabbed roto- fantasy Dmen Radko Gudas at 23rd. This guy can play look for 20pts/+10/150PIMS this might not happen in 2013-14, but soon so very soon if given the chance. After making a deal with MTL they got the 32nd pick and took little unknown Gabriel Bourque who scored 11 last yr. So could this translate into a 20 goal score this upcoming season maybe... 5th/54 overall Marko Dano was taken could be a good grinder down the road not much offence upside good 3rd liner that can chip in most of the stats/cats. Avs took Frans Nielson with there 1st pick in the UFA at 10th. here's a good centremen who has flirted as C2 but his more of a C3/Top 9 Fwd can put up pts/shp. Picking up a nice pair in round 4 saw first Matt Niskanen taken who is a good #5 and op goalie Anti Raanta look for some backup duty this season and fulltime backup in 2014. High Price and decline pt man Lubomir Visnosky was taken 79th overall with a still high cap hit unsure if this player will pan out for the avs or will he pancake it? Michael Raffi is a nice pick as with the 82 game sched I feel this guy will get his chance and become the next Matt Reid not the next Christan Hanson. Marc Methot rounds out the draft and who could be used as depth dmen. Again not many picks for your avs as like in years past.... The Radko Gudas pick is awesome i would consider him a "sfhl impact player" upside No.3-4 Dmen for years to come. OTHER then that a nice pick up on Nielson not much to see. Also my bad Mr.SWAT AND CO> i missed OP Carl Sodenbeg being selected 2nd overall, could be a scorer on the 3rd line
B-
DET (via online but kept getting kicked off)
As usual the Wings made moves on draft day completing three deals. Mr.Rack Attack and Co. started there draft with the 7th overall pick and took 2way Elias Lindholm a player that should reach his potential of a 2nd liner (40-50pts, and additional stats/cats). Next up at 21st was gifted skater Alex Wennberg, this player creates timely offensive chances and looks to be a Top 4 forward down the road. Wings then made a move and grab Dmen Kevin Connauton who might get into some action this season and could be a good power play player, most scouts had this guy as a good B prospect. Rack and the boys then went after Andre Burakovsky in the same round (3rd) incredible skater and scorer, bit of a puck hog but who cares this guy could be 30+ scorer in 2yrs time. Of course one more pick to talk about in the entry going 63rd was Pavel Buchnevich is a high skill russian who has the RF (russian factor) he is some circles is a primary prospect while others have him as good B level guy. UFA insight first would be 16th Overall Viktor Stalberg (boy oh boy the UFA DRAFT was kinda of a drag)...Stalberg is a good top 9 forward who might get top 6 minutes look for 40pts.
Filling in some depth will be shit disburser Nathan Gerbe, adding Neuvirth was decent move this guy could see some action or at the very least add some depth in the pipes...another guy that might be able to do that is Eric OP Hartzell this kid has a terrific glove and could one day be a backup in the nhl...Rack did such a good job in the entry that it didnt really matter who he did or didnt draft in the UFA...I count 3 blue-chip prospects that could one day be impacters in the SFHL.
A
EDM (via online in B.C - maybe one day we will see him again at the draft)
Well this makes sense to now chat about the Oilers, right after the wings as these two teams made the most deals and grab the most picks in the entry!! Um yah having 3 picks in the Top 10 should get you a great report card as long as you dont take plugs that will only be good rookie prospects not long-term all-stars/impact fantasy men.
Okay so yah makes sense #2 overall they take winger in Jonathan Drouin this guy is going to be awesome as soon as you finds out he cant deke the whole team. Next #3 was a great pick up in Russian Valeri Nichushkin here's a impact style player that reminds me of a Rick Nash style of play, look for both him and Drouin to put up the goals, and with this league being a heavy on positions grabbing a left winger and right winger was a good move on grassers part. Next Up #9 Seth Jones, I feel this guy isnt going to be Erik Johnson but a true impact #1 Dmen (PTS, PIM , PPP and +) and what hell the grass and co. felt why not have another 1st rounder and took a bit of surprise in Rasmus Ristolanien I dont mind the pick as they already grab some great A talent but felt this player could of split closer to the end of the draft. But this hulking finn will be a good #4-5 next season but more on the Defensive stats. 2nd rounder Patrick Wiercioch might grab the No.4-5 slot on the backend he can put some secondary offensive with pts/ppp. Yes finally with there last pick 5/53 they took powerful winger Valentin Zykov whom will be a top6 fwd in a few years. Then the Oilers had nap time and showed back up in the 3rd round of the UFA Draft, grabbing PIM Player Matt Martin, also grabbing 8th round John Scott for the pims...rounding out the rest of the UFA Edmonton took some depth d-men both of the op's and fwd Leblanc and Biron all players will add depth throughout the season and could/should put up some timely pts ...um yah same thing look at the talent Grass and Co. got in the entry and some may say HOLY COW, i want some of that beef !! 3 players that are blue-chip and maybe 2 franchise style players then the other 3 gents arent bad themselfs who all could either be impact-good prospects in the short/long term
A+
HFD (some guy name goat)
First player to go to the Whalers was Goalie Zachary Fucale, lots of scouts and gm's were a tad surprise with this pick so early in the 2nd round...Zucale looks to be a good B level prospect but is he a sure-thing? We wouldnt be seeing this guy for aleast 4-5yrs....A nice pickup with the 41st pick in Curtis Lazar I dont believe hes the scorer he is right now in the WHL, but more of all-round player pegging him as 3rd line Centre. But I talk to other scouts and some think hes a Dustin Brown type. Finishing off in the 5th round back to back was Dmen Micro Mueller who could reach Top 4 or more in line as a good #5D and PWR FWD in the making Michael McCarron pwr fwds take time but I feel he has a gem in McCarron....Yah good ufa draft, 2nd round Ryan Carter? Drayson Bowman was a highly touted prospect but at best can he stay in the NHL? nice pick up in the 4th grabbing K.Aulie (PIMS) um thats about it of course they added some players for depth but we arent going to waste are time and yours talkin about it here...what help Hartford not getting a D grade was having some decent picks in the entry + Aulie
C
LAK (whats the pin number?)
Here is what Tuna and Kings did on draft day other then not have a computer that worked..and FYI not many players were taking off of Dans Top 60 List, so pegs the question where does King Tuna get his reports from..ahha first up was 2/26th R.Panik a bit of streaking scorer both in JR and AHL but can be a Top 6 F, but more likely a good top 9 on the wing... LAK took Ty McGiin in the winners round (4th) but is this pick really a winner? Well Ty will be a good pro-player/regular nhler that might help out on the score sheet ( C+ prospect) not a bad depth/roster piece. Okay it took till the 5th round but I love this pick Ryan Hartman 61st is a great pick in the 5th round heart of a lion, never takes a shift of and should be good for 30pts & +100 PIMS. Kings then grab two players in the first round of the UFA first Josh something missing Bailey and Jannik Hansen both should help the team on the 3rd line. 81st they decided to pick up Alfredson and his $$ cap hit, but I still think this guy is 50pt player in the mould of a good Top 4F...and as he was the last player 128th overall A.Stralmann...yah as you notice are write ups wouldnt be some in depth when dealing with the UFA Pool unless there's something to really talk about...Um LAK and Dan did okay nothing special here Hartman & Alfredson help the grade stay above a D.
C-
MTL
I dont really like to write about Les Canadiens but here's a quick review. After a great finish 2yrs back last year f**k**g sucked for the Habiats. As they drafted 4th overall (thats a lottery pick and you never want to be consider a lottery).... Alexander "Sasha" Barkov is a blue-chipper who has being playing with men the past few years in Finland. Look for a modest 35pts but aiming closer to 45-50pts in a couple of years... Habs had 3 picks in the 2nd round but moved one for help in the UFA, grabbing PWR FWD Ritchie and Mobile Dmen Jon Merril will help the team in the short-term as both are almost nhl ready...Zucker on the left side should help later this season and more in 2014-15..One player we do really like is a "Chris Pronger" type in big russian Nikita Zadorov and high risk/high reward in Anthony Duclair. The Canadiens added 6 dmen in the ufa head line by Jake Muzzin as good 4-5, and can Shawn Matthias be L2 or more in line of a good top 9...one hopes and wonders as GM Virgo always says (since wednesday night at the wiz) I like my wings cold and my women hot...that pretty much says it there...
C+
PHI (murcat or murman join the fun day and night/always fun drinking with mur on sundays)
When will the Flyers raise to New Philly? Nice pick up in 5th overall Sean Monahan some have him tag as a light-Jonthan-Toews, but here's a blue-chipper that philly nees to save this chip as this guy can be a first liner 60 pts ..not bad...Flyers made another deal and some had this player going 2nd round he still looks like a good pickup for murman Alex Chiasson pwr fwd type players are hard to find B+ prospect. Here flyers took a #4D in Danny Dekeyser not sure if he will be any better then #4 but man thats good as they are hard to find and at low cap hit. 40th overall 3rd hard shooting point man Ryan Pulock upside is #4, but will settle into top 6 maybe next season
UFA Adam McQuaid 26th will add some snarl on the backend and his a good 5-6 dmen, next is the cookie monster unsure if he has any true fantasy value as he once did but should be good for 25pts/50pims...another big cap hit pickup in the 6rd was Ryan Suter woo almost one the norris so if he can put up those numbers this will be a great pickup for the philly flyers....Finally we feel that the Flyers made some job judgements in the entry and took players that will help them in the next couple of years but also players that could be good fantasy players in the long term. So with that
B-
PHX (Mr.Chad Duster Little)
another 1st overall pick for the Yotes Franchise, taking Nathan Mackinnon who is a elite talent/franchise style player who will put up 40pts this season and in year 3 closer to 60. With there 17th overall pick they went between the pipes for Darcy Kuemper who many feel could be playing some strong minutes next season, and could be a good No.1-starter. Shutdown Dmen was selected with there 3rd round pick Samual Morin could maybe some day find some offensive, but should be good in the PIMs, +/- and whatever new stat/cat gets introduce next season but will be no better then 4-5D. Laslty they select Regina Pat Morgan Klimchuk who has quick hands and feet a very nice pickup with the last pick at 67. Backup Goalie Dan Ellies was there first pick in the UFA, Pennercakes gets the knob and maybe the shaft if he cant find has scoring powers. a good Little pickup in PK/SHP M.Frolik (baby jagr) Lets see if the Yotes can get out of the basement this year? When you draft the best player in the draft you cant fail...
B-
PITT (Marko Pollo we hardly see you anymore)
Pens, Pens, Pens...had two selections in the first round ,#14 beauty pick in Tyson Barrie a player that some feel should of been selected a few years back well thats not the case and Mark gets a true #4 Dmen to start the season who could become #2-3 so what we mean is this guy will put up PTS (30 range, add in some key goals) and PPP.
Next pick I love as we had him rank #4 for fwds, reminder its not today but tomorrow 3-5yr window this guy could be a player (HUNTER SHINKARUK) some peg him as either top4-top6 creative player...Here is a perfect pick in the 3rd round were this player should be taking Reid Boucher is a sniper can he get there this season unlikely but 20 goals isnt out of the question in couple years. Top 6F but could sneak in the Top 4 Impact style player..Grabbing Xavier Ouellet will help the point in the future as they guy is seen as Top 4 PPP player... Matt Calvert OP was taking 13th overall with Pens first pick, a guy that has scored at the AHL level...will it translate to SFHL? Could be a decent player but really 21st overall Andre Benoit (nothing against player or team -just a very weak ufa with the cap going down this season). One thing Pens did do good in the ufa draft was select low cap hit/TIO dmen....well Mark added some key players in the entry and got some good depth in the ufa overall a good draft..so checking off the boxes will always help your grade !
A-
STL (Hendus first draft, and man the guy has a good handshake)
First up with the 13th overall pick was Darnell Nurse who will take time but could be impact player. We love his game nice and steady with size...great two-way potential.
Most scouts had this guy right after Seth Jones, or at worst Top 5 D-List. Blues in the 2nd round went with another good size 2way Dmen in Hampus Lindholm look to maybe play some games this season and could become a good 4D Men. Blues always seem to make good picks in the 3rd as they select back to back picks 45 & 46 goalie Phillip Grubauer B level prospect, and Michael Sgarbossa B level prospect as well...Adding Nic Petan in the 5th round is a good move as they player has not the size but the work ethic and get notch a few..1/15 was Patrick Berglund in the UFA who has started to become a decent pt producer in a secondary role. Stempniak could add depth on the wing and taking Dmen Jamie McBain can and could become a decent 4-5 both players were 2nd rounders..Insurance goalie pick was Nik Khabibuilin. Hendu and blues did very well in the entry draft getting key dmen for the future and adding some decent depth that can be inserted in the lineup when its time
B+
T.O (kooch of course made the trip up and was so OVing it)
After watching TSN Draft kooch went with Michael Johnson's pick and took #10 Sami Vatanen who is undersized finn but looks to be a lock at #5D putting up secondary power play pts. Kooch and Staff went off the board for some and took Czech winger Ondrej Palat who put up a pt per game in the AHL last year, some think he can do some damage in the nhl this season others have this guy at best 3rd liner just out of reach as a top 9. Leafs with there last pick took a goalie in E.Comrie who is a long-term prospect but thats what you do in the 5th...It always seems like the Leafs try to grab a Fwd, D and Goalie when draft and most times "nhl ready" prospects...After doing a deal with LAK they selected with the First Overall Pick took Goalie Steve Mason leafs and fans hope the past-calder goalie can regain some form of his old self. And oh yah another (NHL-PHI) gets taken 1st overall.... Jamie McGinn can add some depth offence, Thomas Vokoun looked like a good pick but this guy is out for most the season...ouchie ...as well leafs added some pim style dmen so that could help them out this season...adding off-dmen prospect Josh Morrisey in the entry draft gives kooch and the boys a +
C+
VAN (CAMJAM Dr.Pepper)
Geez almost done missed my f**k**g lunch...okay CamVanCity has done some great deals before the draft, and is on the cusp of something special...Canucks first pick wasnt till the 3rd round when they had two first taking a off-dmen in Matt Donovan and PP QB in Adam Clendening both could see some action either this season or next both solid prospects (B Level)...I am not sold on the is guy but many others so vancity in the 5th round took Emile Poirier Nifty hands, speedy but awkward style (see DanTiffin - running with skates on the ice
UFA 2nd Round Pick Paul Ranger will add some experience and overall depth on the backend. Paajarvi could be 30 pt guy or get a ticket to the minors. Nice pick up on OP Nilkas Svendberg who will be NHL Backup next season....With all the dealing before the draft Canucks didnt have as many picks as other teams but did a fine job with what they had.C+
WPG (MR.COACH)
Mr. Coach had some special assistant help with the draft as he was preoccupied with more important things then the SFHL Draft this year...But came away looking better then Dan Heatly, first pick for the Jets was Bo Horvat at #12 which is a perfect spot for this heart-and-soul-player....You ask 5 scouts and each one has different projections for Bo, some see L3 Checker with some off, others have a good second liner, to Patrice Bergeon...but this guy can be a A Level prospect today. Jeepers Creekers getting 50 goal scorer Anthony Mantha 28th was good to go ...again this player needs time but can be a Michael Ryder style 30 goal player...3rd round jets went different path and took good soul to the earth grinder style players first in Dmen Brendan Dillion and winger Kerby Rychel.and small sniper in John Gaudreau all could be B+ prospects ..Adam Erne taking 5th/58 will help the pipe system and looks to be a good Top9... WPG get 20 goal scorer Curtis Glencross 14th overall in the UFA, Can Boyes get 20 goals if so Mike will be happy like a duck on a overcast day...Niki Kulemin is another good top 9 fwd ... in the last few rounds Jets check off the boxes, getting a backup in Budaj, adding some toughness both on the back end and fwd positions.
B+
