Crzy's Final Entry Draft Rankings, 2017

[Crzydrvr]

Part 1: 1st Time Eligible Skaters, 1-15

Part 2: 1st Time Eligible Skaters, 16-31

Part 3, 1st Time Eligible Skaters, 32-93, and 1st Time Eligible Goalies, 1-10

2017 Mock Draft: 1st Round

 

Part 1:

 

1. C Nolan Patrick, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) [19/09/98]

[6'2", 199 lbs][Righty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[33 GP, 20 G, 26 A, 46 Pts, 36 PIM, +9][NHL Comparable: Ryan Johansen]
Potential Peak: Elite, All-Star two-way center
Projection: 1st line Center, perennial 60+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Low; fairly safe player on the ice, but with some injury concerns
Offense: 9.0
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 8.5
Skating: 8.5
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 8.5
Potential: 9.0

Aggregate Score: 59.5

Draft Archetype: The Big Power Center with Skill

 

Report: The incumbent, and still probably the best choice to go first. Patrick has everything you’d want in a center prospect. He might not have the same upside as the top players from previous draft years (keyword being “might”, as he’s still got another gear to give), but he’s very projectable as an NHL player and is this draft’s best bet to be an impact player immediately.

 

Patrick has the full package of offensive tools; he’s got a heavy, accurate shot with a good release, is an excellent puck distributor and has high-end hockey sense that allows him to make the right plays at the right time. He’s got good puck control and stickhandling but doesn’t often need to use it for highlight reel plays, preferring instead to use it to protect the puck in tough areas of the ice; shows very good use of his size, and should improve as he becomes more comfortable at the NHL level. He’s such a threat offensively in the WHL; when he’s on, he’s almost unstoppable because he can score as well as he makes plays, and he doesn’t make mistakes often in his decision-making. Add to that his well-rounded defensive game (he’s a responsible backchecker and shows an understanding of positioning through the neutral and defensive zones) and you have that big center that all teams crave for their top line.

 

It’d be nice if he developed more of a mean streak; he’s good with the boardwork but can be passive and less aggressive with and without the puck if you hit him hard enough and often enough. He could also use some increased development on his footwork and acceleration; he’s not going to be confused for an elite speedster, although he is more than fast enough to play the NHL game. He does lose a few marks on the intangible side due to his lengthy list of injuries over the years, including some new ones that were discovered at the combine interviews (old injuries from previous years that went unpublicised until now). But overall, he’s one of the few names in this draft with can’t miss status, and he’ll make an NHL team very happy.

 

I should also note that when I say “perennial”, I mean a decade or longer. Some prospects will take some time to hit their peaks, and that peak will be shorter (maybe 2-3 years or so) but exceptional. Others will take less time to reach their top end, but that top end will last through their prime years. I think Patrick and Hischier will be exact opposites on the scale, and at the end of the day who you’d prefer depends on what kind of team you want to build, when and how long your window of opportunity is, and how well either prospect matches that window.
 

2. C Nico Hischier, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) [04/01/99]

[6'1.5", 179 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[57 GP, 38 G, 48 A, 86 Pts, 24 PIM, +20][NHL Comparable: Patrik Elias]
Potential Peak: Elite, All-Star playmaking center
“Safe” Projection: 1st line center, 60+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Low; has the smarts to be an elite energy forward if it comes to that
Offense: 9.0
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 8.0
Skating: 9.0
Intangibles: 8.5
NHL-Readiness: 8.0
Potential: 9.0

Aggregate Score: 59.5

Draft Archetype: The Savvy, Skilled All-Rounder

 

Report: In terms of pure upside and weighing risk vs. reward, I don’t think there’s a single player who has the potential of Nico Hischier in this draft. The lack of abnormally exceptional players makes him a possible 1^st overall selection.

 

By far his biggest assets are his skating and his hockey sense. Hischier is probably the best skater in this draft among the top prospects as a whole and definitely the cleanest to watch out of the top group, with an outstanding top speed and excellent mobility to go along with a very silky smooth stride. He doesn’t often use that top speed, which leads to strength #2; he’s such a smart and shifty player. He’s got the uncanny ability to play the rush at multiple speeds, which creates gaps where none existed and confuses defenses who are trying to predict his next move. He’s got great edgework and balance which allow him to play the boards excellently despite not being a big bruising type, and his speed and smarts make him an excellent backchecker and defensive stopper. He’s just such a smart player, he has that pro attitude where he recognizes that not every shift will be a grade A opportunity, so he’ll adapt and work around and cover his tasks defensively until he sees an opening.

 

He still has some physical growth to do and it would be nice to see him improve his first few steps, but overall Hischier is a complete talent with the full arsenal of skills (he’s got a tricky release on his shot, excellent vision and passing abilities, and great puck control) and the mind to use it. He’s not necessarily flashy in terms of his playstyle, and will never be confused for the kind of raw talent that guys like Nathan MacKinnon were coming out of the Mooseheads program, but he represents what I feel is the modern offensive player, with talent needing to find other ways to create defensive gaps thanks to the increased speed and skill of lower-line NHLers. A personal favorite.

 

3. D Miro Heiskanen, HIFK Helsinki (Liiga) [18/07/99]

[6'0.75", 172 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[37 GP, 5 G, 5 A, 10 Pts, 4 PIM, -1][NHL Comparable: Hampus Lindholm]
Potential Peak: Elite, All-Star two-way defenseman
“Safe” Projection: Top pairing two-way defenseman, 35-45 point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Low; hockey sense and mobility should serve him well in a depth role
Offense: 8.5
Defense: 8.5
Physicality: 7.5
Skating: 9.0
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 9.0

Aggregate Score: 58.0

Draft Archetype: The Savvy, Skilled All-Rounder

 

Report: Finland’s developing a certain style of game for their defensemen from a young age, seemingly taking pages right out of the Nicklas Lidstrom School of Fine Defending. Heiskanen is another who fits that mold as the best of many young talented Finnish defenders in this year’s draft.

 

Heiskanen’s an excellent passer, with the vision to make long outlet passes accurately and efficiently. He’s a great skater even by pro standards, good speed with tremendous footwork and agility that makes him an excellent defender both off the rush and off the cycle as well as an offensive threat. Heiskanen is a high-IQ player with excellent poise and a high panic threshold and has been reliable enough to earn major minutes as a true 17-year old on the first squad of a storied European franchise. Unlike a guy like Juolevi, who I find tends to play a more passive style, Heiskanen is more proactive in challenging the opponent both defensively and offensively. This does occasionally lead to mistakes, but as a whole he’s just a difficult player to play against with his skating and his two-way play.

 

Heiskanen might be the best defenseman to be drafted out of Finland’s top league in over a decade, and might be one of the best Finnish defensemen ever at his current age; whether that is the case moving forward will depend on his development here on out. He’s already a top defenseman on one of the Liiga’s best teams. He’s a latebloomer physically and a bit of a liability along the boards right now, but he isn’t soft and even lays out a few good hits here and there. His biggest weakness is his need for physical strength, which would improve his tough-areas defense and his shot power, but beyond that he’s a tantalizing player who will be a large part of his NHL franchise for the next decade.

 

4. C/W Casey Mittelstadt, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) [22/11/98]

[5'11.5", 199 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[24 GP, 13 G, 17 A, 30 Pts, 2 PIM, +3][NHL Comparable: Mitch Marner]
Potential Peak: Elite, All-Star playmaking forward
“Safe” Projection: Top line scoring winger, 60+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Moderate; will need time to adjust to higher levels of competition
Offense: 9.5
Defense: 7.5
Physicality: 7.5
Skating: 9.0
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 9.0

Aggregate Score: 58.0

Draft Archetype: The Dynamic Forward

 

Report: Mittelstadt is a super-talented offensive prospect out of Minnesota. His ability to make smart plays and his competitive edge suggest that he could be a future NHL scoring threat.

 

Mittelstadt has excellent hands and vision, and is a more than capable playmaker and dangler as a result. He is a truly dynamic offensive talent, a potential gamebreaker able to use his elite hockey sense and hands to create openings. At the same time, he doesn’t often overplay the puck, and is very capable of making quick relay passes. This multifaceted offense makes him a legitimately dangerous threat, as he doesn’t fall into the same patterns of attack that many other talented forwards can be guilty of. His shot is pretty good with a quick release, but he scores most of his goals with good positioning rather than a laser of a shot. A battler, Mittelstadt has good footwork and excellent agility, and while he isn’t the fastest straight line skater his edgework suggests that with increased strength and development he could have an excellent first few steps at the NHL level.

 

The biggest concern is that he plays some average competition at the Minnesota high school level. This concern was alleviated somewhat due to his excellent showing in the USHL, but at the same time the majority of his points there were on the powerplay; his defensive game should continue to improve as he gets exposed to higher levels of competition, but you wonder sometimes about his play and effort at the high school level, as he doesn’t dominate there to the level normally associated with elite level players. If nothing else the low level of play has built some bad habits in terms of his team game. If you buy into his skillset, then he’s a well-rounded gamer who can be an integral part of your franchise’ core group.
 

5. C/RW Gabriel Vilardi, Windsor Spitfires (OHL) [16/08/99]

[6'2.75", 203 lbs][Righty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[49 GP, 29 G, 32 A, 61 Pts, 12 PIM, +13][NHL Comparable: Vincent Lecavalier]
Potential Peak: All-star playmaking center
“Safe” Projection: Borderline 1st line scoring forward, 55+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Moderate; barring injuries, will spend at least a decade in the NHL
Offense: 9.0
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 8.5
Skating: 7.5
Intangibles: 8.5
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 9.0

Aggregate Score: 58.0

Draft Archetype: The Big Power Center with Skill

 

Report: Whether he ends up as a center or a winger at the NHL level, there’s no denying Vilardi’s all-around ability to create offensively. A guy with an NHL frame and the prerequisite talent to be a difference maker at the NHL level.

 

Vilardi is a dual offensive threat, capable of playing the playmaker as well as the sniper. He’s got a good shot, great hands and puck control, and is an excellent passer and distributor of the puck. He also has strong basics in terms of how to use his size to his advantage offensively, making full use of a wide wingspan and big body to shield the puck until a lane opens up. He can also create space with his stickhandling, and is very good off the rush with his ability to shoot or pass. Relatively capable defensively, shows effort on the backcheck and is generally good positionally, Vilardi is engaged on the ice and shows a level of boardwork and ability to use his strength that even Patrick doesn’t match.

 

His first steps need improvement, and skating speed is generally poor to average (at best) for a top prospect, but he’s a very likable person according to the people around him and is a great teammate and character guy. He needs to bulk up into his frame to better handle defenders, but at his peak could be one of those big centers like a Ryan Johansen. An advanced stats darling, coach has been on record as acknowledging the possession metrics boost that he provides regardless of linemates. Time will tell whether he’s a likeable kid who can put it all together or ends up falling short of expectations despite his personal qualities. Might take a bit of a hit for his inability to stay healthy this season.
 

6. C Cody Glass, Portland Winterhawks (WHL) [01/04/99]

[6'1.75", 178 lbs][Righty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[69 GP, 32 G, 62 A, 94 Pts, 36 PIM, +31][NHL Comparable: Mark Scheifele]
Potential Peak: All-Star playmaking center
“Safe” Projection: 2nd line two-way Center, 50+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Low; smarts and size give him a very solid floor as an NHL player at worst
Offense: 8.5
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 8.0
Skating: 8.5
Intangibles: 8.5
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 58.0

Draft Archetype: The Fast Riser

 

Report: A potentially elite two-way center out of the prospect factory that is Portland. Cody Glass is a very well-rounded player, but his elite hockey sense stands out and pushes him from being a good prospect to a potential top 10 pick.

 

Offensively, Glass has good enough tools to score at the pro level. He’s got a quick release on his shot, soft hands and great vision. He knows what to do, where to go and when to make a move; that’s a highly sought after trait by NHL GMs, and Glass has on-ice intelligence in spades. He’s a good skater, with great edgework and mobility; doesn’t quite have that elite top speed to make him an elite skater, but it’s more than good enough to make him a threat on the rush. He’s a very good defender, using his skating, effort and sense of positioning to cover all his bases.

 

At this point in time, Glass might be the best transition forward in the draft outside of Hischier. He’s just so smart about where and when to distribute the puck and he’s very consistent and relentless shift to shift. As he grows into his body (he’s still thin for his height) he has the opportunity to develop into a cornerstone player up the middle for a team looking to contend. I think he’s very likely to outplay his projection, and I’d be willing to gamble on him early-early in the draft a la Ryan Johansen/Mark Scheifele. He’s got so much more room for potential growth compared to some of the other players in this range that it’s actually a little difficult to peg exactly what Glass will be at the NHL level. A personal favorite.
 

7. C Martin Necas, HC Kometa Brno (Czech) [15/01/99]

[6'1", 178 lbs][Righty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[41 GP, 7 G, 8 A, 15 Pts, 6 PIM, -2][NHL Comparable: Matt Duchene]
Potential Peak: All-Star playmaking center
“Safe” Projection: Borderline top line Center, 55+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Moderate; barring injuries, will spend at least a decade in the NHL
Offense: 9.0
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 7.5
Skating: 9.0
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 9.0

Aggregate Score: 58.0

Draft Archetype: The High-Potential Speedster

 

Report: Necas started the year somewhat off the radar, but has emerged as arguably the best Czech prospect in the draft in over a decade. How far off my radar? Well, I rated him as a D (potential 4th-6th rounder) in the list of names to watch. A dynamic player who has as much potential as any player in this draft.

 

Like Hischier, Necas doesn’t necessarily overwhelm with his physical attributes. He’s got a deceptively fast and accurate wrister, is an excellent playmaker with great vision and is able to play with the puck well and hold onto it in tight areas. He does shine with his hockey sense, and is a consistent offensive threat due to his ability to find holes and create plays with his offensive awareness. His skating is excellent, with good acceleration, mobility, top speed and a smooth skating stride. As well, Necas is a capable defensive player for his age, showing an understanding of where to be and backchecking hard into the defensive zone. He can sometimes get predictable and fall into a pattern; Necas is at his best when he’s using his skating and mind to stay one step ahead of opposing defenses.

 

If it wasn’t for his wire-thin frame, he’d be much better at battling in the corners, and he can get stuck playing a perimeter game. I firmly believe that on upside alone Necas is a top 5 prospect in this draft as of this moment. Like many prospects who find themselves high in the rankings, he needs to bulk up (there’s a fair number of those types which is unusual) but overall he’s the type of player who can be a difference maker. Is he a top 5 pick in a stronger draft at the top? Maybe not. But it is what it is, and he’s one of few players who could be stars at the NHL level out of 2017.

 

8. LW/C Elias Pettersson, Timra IK (AllSvenskan) [12/11/98]

[6'1.75", 165 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[43 GP, 19 G, 22 A, 41 Pts, 14 PIM, +15][NHL Comparable: Kristian Huselius]
Potential Peak: All-Star playmaking winger
“Safe” Projection: Borderline 1st line scoring forward, 55+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Moderate; needs to continue to develop strength and balance
Offense: 9.5
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 7.0
Skating: 8.5
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 9.0

Aggregate Score: 57.5

Draft Archetype: The Dynamic Forward

 

Report: Possibly the most talented forward in the draft just on sheer offensive tools. Pettersson is a lanky dynamo out of Sweden who is dominating the second league at an outstanding pace.

 

A quick release on his shot makes him a threat to score, and his soft hands and ability to stickhandle in a phone booth make him an all-around offensive threat. Pettersson’s vision is excellent and his team uses him as the powerplay quarterback because of his ability to create. Not the prettiest skater, bit of an awkward stride and lacks in top end speed, but with some development has room to become a more dynamic skater. Fairly responsible defensive player, although he can get caught puckwatching and occasionally thinks offense-first busting out of the zone on breakouts rather than playing the relay game effectively. That being said, he has a lot of smarts and is somewhat ingenious when using his stick to steal the puck. Not necessarily soft, but with his wiry frame is often prone to losing puck battles against bigger, more experienced defensemen.

 

He’s a little all over the draft rankings because of his style of game, which is somewhat unorthodox and unpredictable, and his body frame, which will need a lot of work (at 6’2” and just 160 pounds, he’s about 35 pounds under the lower-end of the weight scale for his height). At the end of the day, Pettersson is one of the few players with elite-level potential. He’ll need some adjustment time compared to other top prospects but his gamebreaking potential makes him a justifiable, if somewhat risky, horse to bet on in the top 10.
 

9. D Cale Makar, Brooks Bandits (AJHL) [30/10/98]

[5'11.25", 187 lbs][Righty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[54 GP, 24 G, 51 A, 75 Pts, 18 PIM][NHL Comparable: Shayne Gostisbehere]
Potential Peak: Elite, All-Star offensive defenseman
“Safe” Projection: 2nd pairing offensive defenseman, 40+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: High; quality of competition wasn’t great, and some warning signs exist
Offense: 9.0
Defense: 7.5
Physicality: 7.5
Skating: 9.0
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 9.0

Aggregate Score: 57.5

Draft Archetype: The High-Risk, High-Reward Talent

 

Report: Possibly the biggest riser in the entire draft. Makar started the year as a virtual unknown for most of the public domain, but after torching the AJHL and showing well at the WJACs, he’s become the hot choice for those looking for that “it” factor in a player.

 

The first thing you’ll notice about Makar is his skating; he’s an outstanding lateral skater and his 4-way mobility is the best in this draft class. His speed and acceleration are good too, allowing him to weave through the neutral zone with ease. Once he gets to the offensive zone, his skating allows him to cover the points well and hold the puck in the zone. He’s a great passer and a very creative player, with great hands and touch. Makar’s slapshot could be stronger but he’s got an accurate, deceptive wrister and with improved strength he’ll be able to threaten from the point at the NHL level. Defensively, he’s solid, but inconsistent, and like many young gifted offensive talents playing on defense he can take some unorthodox routes or make some soft decisions that limit his impact defensively.

 

A major boom or bust pick, Makar has all the tools to be one of the best players in this draft class, period. His defensive game, boardwork and decision making (both speed and play selection) will all need to improve in order to earn minutes at the NHL level. I like him a lot for the excitement factor alone, if he hits his potential you’re looking at a 60 point gamebreaker from the backend, but I’m uncertain as to whether he’s got elite hockey sense which is so crucial for success with his type of playstyle, and those concerns probably knock him down a little on the draft board for me compared to other people. That being said, the talent is undeniable and he could make me look very stupid very quickly, because he’s easily one of the most exciting defensemen to watch coming out of the draft in the last decade.

 

10. C Robert Thomas, London Knights (OHL) [02/07/99]

[5'11.5", 193 lbs][Righty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[66 GP, 16 G, 50 A, 66 Pts, 26 PIM, +41][NHL Comparable: Mats Zuccarello]
Potential Peak: Top line playmaking forward
“Safe” Projection: 2nd line two-way forward, 50+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Low; skilled forward coming out of the London factory? Not likely to happen
Offense: 8.5
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 7.5
Skating: 9.0
Intangibles: 8.5
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 57.5

Draft Archetype: The Savvy, Skilled All-Rounder

 

Report: The Knights forward is one of the sneaky-best players in the entire draft. An interesting mix of polish and potential, this slick forward is a hard worker and one of the smartest players in the entire draft.

 

Thomas’ game is predicated on excellent decision-making in transition. Whether it’s with a good link-up pass or a smooth rush, Thomas is absolute insanity on the breakout and entry; I’ve watched him a few times and not once have I felt he made a mistake in judgment, he was that smart. He’s an accurate passer and his stickhandling allows him to hold onto the puck until lanes open up. His shot needs to be used more; he’s a pass-first guy which makes him a little predictable. At the same time, it’ll need some work on release in order to threaten, as his goals tend to be in close. His agility and acceleration are great, and with improved top speed and more polish on his stride he’d be one of the top skaters in all of the junior leagues. He’s not necessarily afraid to get into scoring areas, but he needs work along the boards and will need to develop more lower body strength and he doesn’t exactly look for battles if he can help it.

 

He can play both center and wing, and his versatility helped get him major minutes on another strong Knights team. His two-way game is good, with room to grow, and he already sees time on both special teams. I don’t know if he’s got the offensive game to dominate on the scoresheet, but he plays a very modern, shot-based analytics approach and would fit in real well alongside similarly skilled players on a line that can shut down opposing talents while still pushing play up the ice. The kind of player that makes the players around him better, and pushes the play in the right direction consistently. A personal favorite.

 

11. C Lias Andersson, HV71 (SHL) [13/10/98]

[5'11", 201 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[42 GP, 9 G, 10 A, 19 Pts, 18 PIM, +21][NHL Comparable: Chris Drury]
Potential Peak: Top line two-way forward
“Safe” Projection: 2nd line two-way Center, 50+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Low; should be able to translate into a solid depth grinder at worst
Offense: 8.5
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 8.5
Skating: 8.5
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 57.5

Draft Archetype: The High-Energy Competitor

 

Report: Andersson is a stocky two-way forward who plays with a lot of jam. A very well-rounded prospect who was playing big minutes for Tomas Monten’s entry at the 2017 WJCs, he lacks the pure upside that other players have, but makes up for it with a fairly high floor.

 

Andersson has good hockey sense and offensive awareness, allowing him to play off his linemates well and find scoring positions. He’s got a good shot, but is at his best mucking it up and getting to the front of the net. A good puckhandler, Andersson can tip pucks with his netfront presence and has the hands and playmaking vision to open up space elsewhere. He’s responsible defensively, and knows where to be nearly all the time. In addition, his grit and aggressiveness make him a pain to play against, and his stocky build gives him an edge in puck battles. His skating is good, with good top speed and all-around mobility and footwork, but lacks a high-end burst that makes it truly exceptional.

 

Lias Andersson will never be considered a gamebreaking player, but his high level of two-way abilities and drive will make him a valuable asset for NHL teams. He’s flying under the radar a little bit, but if Andersson in his prime is your 2nd line center, you are going to be doing very well for yourself.
 

12. D Timothy Liljegren, Rogle BK (SHL) [30/04/99]

[5'11.25", 190 lbs][Righty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[19 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 Pts, 4 PIM, -3][NHL Comparable: Wade Redden]
Potential Peak: All-Star offensive defenseman
“Safe” Projection: 2nd pairing offensive defenseman, 40+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: High; can make some odd decisions at times that might cap his potential
Offense: 8.5
Defense: 7.5
Physicality: 8.0
Skating: 9.0
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.0
Potential: 9.0

Aggregate Score: 57.0

Draft Archetype: The High-Risk, High Reward Talent

 

Report: Liljegren has had a tough season to date, but his potential remains high enough that in a draft class like this, he’s still juuuust within the pack enough to remain a top 15 draft pick in my opinion.

 

He’s a dynamic offense generator from the back end; Liljegren has excellent passing abilities in terms of accuracy, and his ability to control the puck allow him to make rushes up the ice himself. This is compounded by his skating, which is top notch. He’s got strong edgework and overall, his footwork and 4-direction mobility make him a modern defenseman who can toe the offensive line, pinch when needed, and get back defensively. His slapshot is so-so in terms of power, but he’s got a great snap and wrister, excellent quick release, deceptively fast and incredibly accurate; he plays a little like Jay Bouwmeester in his prime offensively, not having the big booming shot but pinching into the offensive zone for a snapper from the slot in order to generate chances and goals.

 

He isn’t a soft player, but will need to grow into his body more before he’s ready to handle NHL forwards. Defensively, he’s at his best when he plays it simple, letting his skating give him the edge in 1 on 1 confrontations and using the stick to attack the opposing player when he gets too close. At his worst, he starts running around and can get confused; while technically skilled, he lacks poise defensively. He also makes some strange decisions with the puck both offensively and transitionally and will need to improve his sense of timing. Not as polished a player as other top defensive prospects were in other years, but with development has as much upside as any defender drafted in the last 7 years. I think he’s probably a major dropper from what I know, but I also believe that what he showed this year was his worst and I think I have seen enough of his best to believe that he’s genuinely still got major upside. I will fully admit that I have no rational basis to believe this though, and a lot of this fairly high ranking is based on a hunch.
 

13. C/RW Nick Suzuki, Owen Sound Attack (OHL) [10/08/99]

[5'11", 183 lbs][Righty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[65 GP, 45 G, 51 A, 96 Pts, 10 PIM, +45][NHL Comparable: Robby Fabbri/Logan Couture]
Potential Peak: Top line complementary two-way forward (Joe Pavelski?)
“Safe” Projection: 2nd line two-way forward, 45+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Low; not ideal size-wise, but smarts suggest a depth role is possible
Offense: 8.5
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 8.0
Skating: 8.5
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 57.0

Draft Archetype: The Hardworking Skill Player

 

Report: The hottest player on what was the hottest team in the OHL. Suzuki was a true catalyst for a very average team; he’s a smart player with great hands and hockey sense and that makes him an intriguing prospect in the middle of the 1^st round.

 

Suzuki knows where to go to score; he finds holes and openings real well. Sees the ice well, good neutral zone passer and relay man and should have more assists than he does based on his ability in the offensive zone. A solid skater with excellent balance, and with some work on his stride, footwork and overall speed it should not be a problem at the NHL level. Suzuki also works hard defensively, can cover lanes and backchecks hard; he’s not big, but he’s built solid and can dish and take out punishment pretty well for a teenage prospect. While he’s a relatively dynamic player in juniors, I don’t think he’ll be a gamebreaker at the next level. He’s a plus player in most every skill, but is more jack-of-all-trades than sublime genius at any one skill in particular.

 

The development path he’s taken over the last 2 years is quite something. As far as pure physical talent goes, he’s probably one of the least athletically gifted players available in the first round to be completely honest. But what he might lack in pure speed, or shot, or power, he more than makes up for with his effort and ability to find the puck with space. A mildly safe pick with a good mix of floor and upside.

 

14. LW/RW Eeli Tolvanen, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) [22/04/99]

[5'10.5", 190 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[36 GP, 24 G, 22 A, 46 Pts, 6 PIM, +16][NHL Comparable: Mike Cammalleri]
Potential Peak: Top line scoring winger
Projection: 2nd line scoring winger, 50+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Moderate; still needs to polish skating and two-way game
Offense: 9.0
Defense: 7.5
Physicality: 8.0
Skating: 8.5
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 57.0

Draft Archetype: The Pure Sniper

 

Report: The best sniper in the draft, and possibly the purest shooter in the draft. Tolvanen is a very good player in other areas of the game, but it’s his ability to score that sets him apart and makes him a potential lottery prospect.

 

Tolvanen’s got an uncanny ability to sneak and slide into scoring areas. He’s got really good offensive awareness and is very good at playing off the puck offensively, taking advantage of opposing defenders who may get caught being too interested in the carrier. Tolvanen also has no problem taking a beating to get into said scoring areas if he has to, and plays bigger than his size. His shooting abilities are elite; he has an excellent one-timer with a quick release and a powerful yet accurate wrister with a sneaky release. His ability to shoot from anywhere and in any body position make him a constant threat to score. While Tolvanen may not necessarily be an elite skater, he’s got good acceleration and can be a threat off the rush just fine. His ability to make plays and set up his teammates is pretty good too, so he can’t be keyed in as just a shooter without opening up other lanes for him to take advantage of.

 

Defensively, he’s average; he shows a good understanding of positioning and playing a system defense, but is also prone to leaving the zone early for an offensive break. This is not a player who will be a full-time NHLer right out of the draft. But at the same time, Tolvanen’s upside is such that he’s worth his draft ranking; he’s the only player who shows 40+ goal potential at this point in time out of this draft. Give him some time and a good development program and he might be a big part of your top line a few years from now.
 

15. D Juuso Valimaki, Tri-City Americans (WHL) [06/10/98]

[6'1.5", 211 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[60 GP, 19 G, 42 A, 61 Pts, 34 PIM, +2][NHL Comparable: Andrej Sekera]
Potential Peak: Top pairing two-way defender
“Safe” Projection: 2nd pairing two-way defenseman, 35+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Moderate; very vanilla player, might be an NHL/AHL tweener at worst
Offense: 8.5
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 8.0
Skating: 8.5
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 57.0

Draft Archetype: The Puckmover

 

Report: A quiet defenseman with an excellent first pass, Valimaki has been a consistent contributor for his Tri-City Americans all year long, logging big minutes and playing a key role on what was one of the WHL’s stronger defense corps overall. Valimaki’s ability to play all 3 zones has him poised to be one of the top defensemen off the board.

 

Valimaki is an excellent transition player; he can rush the puck or send it up with a good first pass. A good skater with solid all-around mobility, he has the skating and body to make him a difficult player to play against. Not the smartest decision-maker, but he’s far from dumb; he will need to adjust as he plays a very junior-esque style of game, making full use of time to make a play (time that won’t exist in the pros). On the PP, Valimaki is a great shooter with his ability to get pucks on net hard, low and accurately. While he isn’t as dynamic as a Makar or a Liljegren, his consistent passing and simple-ish game seem to make him an easier player to play with. A solid defensive player with a good grasp of the fundamentals in terms of body positioning and stick placement, he can nevertheless improve on his ability to read plays with more experience.

 

While he may not be the sexiest player to draft, Valimaki has the potential to fill a role at the 3 spot in an NHL team’s defensive lineup, with a little more max upside than that to boot. He’s not the kind of guy to rush the puck up the ice himself, and he isn’t likely to be the kind of elite two-way player like his fellow countryman Heiskanen has the potential to be, but his well-rounded game suits the modern NHL just fine.

[Flyerfan52]

Dang! Stopped just short of the Flames pick.

[Crzydrvr]

2 hours ago, Flyerfan52 said:

Dang! Stopped just short of the Flames pick.

 

Aren't I just the worst tease?  

 

On a serious note I'll try and find time for an actual mock draft before draft day, but no promises.

[Flyerfan52]

BTW, if you got time I haven't seen how badly I did in the predictions thread.

[Crzydrvr]

1 hour ago, Flyerfan52 said:

BTW, if you got time I haven't seen how badly I did in the predictions thread.

 

I would love to check it out, is there a link? I can't seem to find it on my own.

 

"Bad" is subjective in any case, though, so it's all good in the end.

[Flyerfan52]

8 minutes ago, Crzydrvr said:

 

I would love to check it out, is there a link? I can't seem to find it on my own.

 

"Bad" is subjective in any case, though, so it's all good in the end.

It was just a thread titled "Predictions" under Flames Talk.

[Crzydrvr]

Part 2:

 

16. LW/C Filip Chytil, HC Zlin (Czech Extraliga) [05/09/99]

[6'2.25", 192 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[38 GP, 4 G, 4 A, 8 Pts, 16 PIM, -5][NHL Comparable: Patrick Marleau]
Potential Peak: Top line scoring forward
Projection: 2nd line scoring winger, 45+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Moderate; shows good two-way responsibility and could be a good depth guy
Offense: 8.5
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 8.0
Skating: 8.5
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 57.0

Draft Archetype: The Fast Riser

Report: Czech sniper has blown me away with his play this year. Very good skater, very smooth, excellent acceleration and with added lower-body muscle should have the top speed to be a ++ speedster. Shoot-first player who can use his body effectively in order to position himself in front of the net, but also has the puck skills and creativity to play off the rush or along the walls. A good defensive player with his positioning and active stick, who’s trusted by his national team coaches to help anchor the PK. Late riser, really young birthdate who started the year with no attention but is quickly becoming a darkhorse favorite among some scouts; a personal favorite.

 

17. D Conor Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) [18/09/98]

[6'1.5", 183 lbs][Righty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[67 GP, 7 G, 54 A, 61 Pts, 69 PIM, +53][NHL Comparable: Mark Giordano]
Potential Peak: Top pairing two-way defenseman
Projection: 2nd pairing two-way defenseman, 35+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor:  Moderate; not the biggest name, but could be a very valuable asset
Offense: 8.5
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 8.5
Skating: 8.0
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 57.0

Draft Archetype: The Jack-of-all-Trades

Report: Didn’t even have him on the preliminary list of names to watch, but boy does he have game. Skates well, bit of a choppy stride and something that should continue to improve as it’s grown leaps and bounds compared to last year; his current abilities allow him to hold pucks in the zone and weave through traffic. Defensively, is a sheer pain to play against; will box you out of scoring areas and hits well above his weight class. Likes to skate with the puck, not the type to go for the low-percentage long bomb stretch pass unless he sees an opportunity, but he’s a very good passer in all situations and plays a good short game. Has a high panic threshold, can make good support plays in the face of aggressive defenses. Shoots well, but isn’t likely to be a main triggerman on the PP without more power. In general, shows smarts and the kind of well-rounded game that earns minutes with coaches.

 

18. RW Owen Tippett, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) [16/02/99]

[6'0.5", 203 lbs][Righty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[60 GP, 44 G, 31 A, 75 Pts, 36 PIM, +24][NHL Comparable: Evander Kane]
Potential Peak: Top line scoring winger
Projection: 2nd line scoring winger, 45+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Moderate; has a lot of physical tools, but needs more guidance away from the puck
Offense: 8.5
Defense: 7.5
Physicality: 8.0
Skating: 9.0
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 57.0

Draft Archetype: The High-Potential Speedster

Report: An energetic scoring winger. Excellent skater with explosive acceleration and top speed, and decent agility and all-around mobility. Powerful shooter with sick hands. Not a smart player, makes odd decisions and has a bit of a case of tunnel vision offensively. Plays a hard physical game which helps create space for himself and his teammates. Needs to improve his sense of positioning, but the upside based on his speed and shot alone is incredible.
 

19. LW/RW Kailer Yamamoto, Spokane Chiefs (WHL) [29/09/98]

[5'7.5", 146 lbs][Righty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[65 GP, 42 G, 57 A, 99 Pts, 46 PIM, +14][NHL Comparable: Johnny Gaudreau]
Potential Peak: Top line playmaking winger
Projection: 2nd line playmaking winger, 50+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: High; size and some injury concerns (concussions, etc.)

Offense: 9.0
Defense: 7.5
Physicality: 7.5
Skating: 9.0
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 57.0

Draft Archetype: The Dynamic Forward

Report: Small, offense-first winger. Complete offensive arsenal, accurate wrister with some sizzle, excellent playmaker and hands of silk that enable him to break down defensive schemes. Quick, agile skater with shifty moves, but could use some more strength to improve balance when being leaned on. Can be feisty and gets to scoring areas, but his lack of size is a major detriment to retrieving the puck. Has good stick defensively and backchecks, but he can burst out of the zone early and will need to continue development on that side of his game.
 

20. LW/RW Kristian Vesalainen, HPK (Liiga) [01/06/99]

[6'3.75", 209 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[9 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 Pt, 0 PIM, -1][NHL Comparable: Rick Nash]
Potential Peak: Top line power forward
Projection: 2nd line two-way winger, 40-50 point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Moderate; could be a good depth player with his size and skating if he is willing to grind
Offense: 8.0
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 8.0
Skating: 9.0
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 57.0

Draft Archetype: The High-Energy Competitor

Report: Another toolsy project pick of a big man. Elite skater, top speed and acceleration are good and he’s pretty mobile to boot. Gives effort on the backcheck and is a solid two-way player. Protects the puck well for his age, although he could use more muscle mass and a mean streak. Offensively, has good hands and a hard shot, but needs to improve accuracy and release. Pretty good at using his teammates, but not a pure playmaker. Concerning lack of killer instinct, isn’t a natural finisher, but gets involved and tries to contribute in other ways. Could be a home run pick or a bust, some similarities to a Magnus Paajarvi type that keeps him from being a surefire star player, but no complaints about the work ethic.

 

21. D Nicolas Hague, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) [05/12/98]

[6'5.5", 207 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[65 GP, 18 G, 28 A, 46 Pts, 107 PIM, +22][NHL Comparable: Pavel Kubina]
Potential Peak: Top pairing two-way defenseman
Projection: 2nd pairing two-way defenseman, 30+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: High; will need a lot of polish in order to acclimatize to the pro-style game
Offense: 8.5
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 8.5
Skating: 8.0
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 57.0

Draft Archetype: The Big Body

Report: What scouts wished Logan Stanley was, at least in the offensive zone. A two-way blueliner with ridiculous wingspan. A bomb of a shot from the point and good passing abilities make him an offensive threat. Could use a bigger mean streak, but his size makes him a tough customer and he’s a ***** to play against in the corners. Skating is above average for a big man, but still needs work on his footwork and acceleration. Not bad defensively, has great reach and an active stick, but needs to improve his sense of positioning and his panic threshold. Hands need work, not going to be a puckhandler. Not going to be an elite transition player, probably excels more when the puck is already in the offensive or defensive zone. A very intriguing player with some holes but a lot of upside.
 

22. C Michael Rasmussen, Tri-City Americans (WHL) [17/04/99]

[6'5.5", 221 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[50 GP, 32 G, 23 A, 55 Pts, 50 PIM, -13][NHL Comparable: James van Riemsdyk]
Potential Peak: Top line power forward
Projection: 2nd line power forward, 45+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Moderate; heavily reliant on PP production thus far
Offense: 8.5
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 8.5
Skating: 8.0
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 57.0

Draft Archetype: The Big Body

Report: Absolutely massive; nobody can consistently defend someone of that size and he knows it. A very vanilla player offensively, and not super creative, but he’s got a good shot and he parks himself in the crease where he can pop in the tough goals. Very good skater, especially for his size, and plays a well-rounded game. Will not be an offensive dynamo or a gamebreaker, but NHL GMs salivate over that blend of size and scoring ability. The jury is out in terms of whether he’s the next Brian Boyle or a legitimate offensive threat, at least in my opinion, but he shows a lot of interesting qualities.
 

23. D Henri Jokiharju, Portland Winterhawks (WHL) [17/06/99]

[5'11.75", 188 lbs][Righty][PROSPECT GRADE: A-]
[71 GP, 9 G, 39 A, 48 Pts, 38 PIM, +14][NHL Comparable: T.J. Brodie]
Potential Peak: Complementary top pairing two-way blueliner
“Safe” Projection: 2nd pairing two-way defender, 30+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Moderate; needs to build muscle to make himself more of a threat at both ends
Offense: 8.5
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 7.5
Skating: 8.5
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 56.5

Draft Archetype: The Puckmover

Report: Underrated Finnish blueliner is one of the best transition players in the draft. Great skater with excellent agility can escape forecheckers and lead the rush. Great vision and passing abilities allow him to hit streaking forwards from distance. Good positional defender and should continue to improve in his own zone as he builds more strength to handle forwards. Has lots of puck poise and isn’t afraid to challenge players when he has the puck. Shot is a muffin which keeps him from threatening offensively, will need to improve his upper body strength, but has a lot of good tools for the modern game. A personal favorite.

 

24. C/LW Maxime Comtois, Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL) [08/01/99]

[6'1.75", 207 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[64 GP, 22 G, 29 A, 51 Pts, 88 PIM, -7][NHL Comparable: Andrew Ladd]
Potential Peak: Complementary top line power forward
Projection: 2nd line power forward, 40+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Moderate; could potentially translate into a good depth player
Offense: 8.5
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 8.5
Skating: 8.0
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 57.0

Draft Archetype: The Question Mark

Report: A very toolsy project player; fits the same kind of “big player with skill” mold of Quebecois players like Pierre-Luc Dubois and Nicolas Roy. A well-rounded player, plays the body and cycle game really well. A relatively strong defensive player who uses his strength to win puck battles and is generally where he needs to be. Skating speed is good, although he could be even more dynamic with better footwork and acceleration. Massively snakebitten this year; a major candidate to bounce back next year, but also a major candidate to disappoint production-wise.
 

25. D Erik Brannstrom, HV71 (SHL) [02/09/99]

[5'9", 179 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[35 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 6 Pts, 2 PIM, +10][NHL Comparable: Kimmo Timonen]
Potential Peak: Complementary top pairing two-way defenseman
Projection: 2nd pairing two-way defenseman, 35+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: High; size will limit him severely at the NHL level, but skill and smarts are there
Offense: 8.5
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 7.5
Skating: 9.0
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 57.0

Draft Archetype: The High-Risk, High-Reward Talent

Report: Small defenseman with a lot of talent. Elite skater with excellent mobility allows him to toe the blueline and play aggressive defense. Strong lower body allows him to play even against bigger players. Good puck poise and reads allow him to dodge forecheckers and start the breakout. All the tools offensively except a threatening, powerful shot; can pass, stickhandle and get the puck on net with precision. Not great on puck battles for obvious reasons, but is solid defensively and if all else fails can contribute defensively by making the breakouts with speed and precision. Huge risk pick but if he works out he’s a real gem of a player.

 

26. D Callan Foote, Kelowna Rockets (WHL) [13/12/98]

[6'4", 215 lbs][Righty][PROSPECT GRADE: A]
[71 GP, 6 G, 51 A, 57 Pts, 41 PIM, +39][NHL Comparable: Aaron Ekblad]
Potential Peak: Complementary top pairing defensive defenseman
Projection: 2nd pairing two-way defender, 25-35 point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Moderate; smart player but can’t skate well and isn’t a great puck handler
Offense: 8.0
Defense: 8.5
Physicality: 8.5
Skating: 7.5
Intangibles: 8.5
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 57.0

Draft Archetype: The Big Body

Report: Massive blueliner from a noted prospect/defenseman factory in Kelowna. Has a good, hard shot, but needs to use it more. Can make an accurate first pass and is pretty smart on the breakout selection, and plays on the powerplay well all things considered. Has a wide defensive range and plays a physical, if unintimidating, brand of defensive hockey. Good active stick and positioning, the most polished defensive player in the draft out of the WHL and possibly the entire draft. Not a great puckhandler. Hangs high and needs to start moving before other players in order to keep up, speed is ok but the lack of mobility and acceleration are issues, thanks to his huge and still growing feet. Skating needs a lot of work, but the mind is there and the bloodlines are excellent.
 

27. C Joshua Norris, USA-U18s (USNTDP) [05/05/99]

[6'0.5", 189 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: A-]
[61 GP, 27 G, 34 A, 61 Pts, 36 PIM, +18][NHL Comparable: Ryan O’Reilly]
Potential Peak: Complementary top line two-way center
Projection: 2nd line two-way center, 45+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Moderate; will need to get stronger to defend bigger opponents
Offense: 8.0
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 8.0
Skating: 8.5
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 56.5

Draft Archetype: The High-Energy Competitor

Report: Gritty center has quick feet and a nose for the net. Good playmaker, but lacks a real threatening shot. Shows a lot of smarts, doesn’t tend to overplay the puck but just makes good reads. More quick than fast but gets around well and forechecks with attitude. Has an active stick and blocks shots. With his smarts and his workmanlike effort, he could be a sleeper pick for a major breakout next year.

 

28. C Shane Bowers, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) [30/07/99]

[6'1.5", 178 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: A-]
[60 GP, 22 G, 29 A, 51 Pts, 20 PIM, +14][NHL Comparable: Derick Brassard]
Potential Peak: Complementary top line two-way winger
Projection: 2nd line two-way forward, 45+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Moderate; strength and consistency need to improve
Offense: 8.5
Defense: 8.0
Physicality:7.5
Skating: 8.5
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 56.5

Draft Archetype: The Savvy, Skilled All-Rounder

Report: Well-rounded talent performed very well offensively on a very defense-oriented team. Former top Q prospect is a quick skater with good jump, and plays a very solid defensive game with an emphasis on good backchecking and pressure. Still needs to fill out, but is a competitor and takes the puck to the net. Solid shooter from a distance and has the hands and skill to make plays in tight spaces, as well as score goals from in close. Intriguing skillset with another gear that has yet to be shown.

 

29. LW/C Marcus Davidsson, Djurgardens IF (SHL) [18/11/98]

[6'0", 192 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: A-]
[45 GP, 5 G, 4 A, 9 Pts, 6 PIM, -4][NHL Comparable: Nick Bonino]
Potential Peak: Complementary top line two-way forward
Projection: 2nd/3rd line two-way Center, 35-45 point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Low; should make for a good depth player at worst
Offense: 8.0
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 8.0
Skating: 8.5
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 56.5

Draft Archetype: The Jack-of-all-Trades

Report: Well-rounded prospect with some jump in his step. Quick acceleration allows him to drive the net and win races to loose pucks. Good positional player defensively who can pressure the puck carrier and transition the puck up the ice. Gets most of his goals through being a good netfront presence with quick hands. Not going to be a gamebreaker, but his well-roundedness makes him suitable to be a defensive stopper on one of the middle 6 spots.

 

30. D Urho Vaakanainen, JYP (Liiga) [01/01/99]

[6'1.25", 188 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: A-]
[41 GP, 2 G, 4 A, 6 Pts, 12 PIM, +5][NHL Comparable: Gabriel Landeskog]
Potential Peak: Complementary top pairing two-way defender
Projection: 2nd pairing two-way defender, 25-35 point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Moderate; should be able to fill a role on the bottom pairing at worst
Offense: 8.0
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 8.0
Skating: 8.5
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.0
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 56.0

Draft Archetype: The Question Mark

Report: Talented defenseman with good skating plays a very safe game. Good transitional player with an accurate pass and the mobility to escape forecheckers. Not a creative or dynamic player, prefers to make the safe play and isn’t one to hold the line with pressure. Strong sense of balance. Plays a very solid defensive game based around good body positioning; doesn’t chase players. A very vanilla player, but his skills suggest more potential that he hasn’t quite tapped into.
 

31. C Alexei Lipanov, Dynamo Balashikha (VHL)* [17/08/99]

 [6'0.25", 168 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: A-]
[21 GP, 3 G, 5 A, 8 Pts, 8 PIM, +5][NHL Comparable: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins]
Potential Peak: Complementary top line playmaking center
Projection: 2nd line playmaking center, 45+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Moderate; Russian factor, lack of strength are all issues
Offense: 8.5
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 7.5
Skating: 8.5
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.0
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 56.0

Draft Archetype: The Hardworking Skill Player

Report: Rail-thin center has the skills to be a top-6 player on an NHL team. Primarily a playmaker, who uses his puck skills and vision to extend possession time until an opening is found. Good speed, acceleration and mobility but his lack of strength makes him prone to losing balance when leaned on. A good defensive player, strong positioning and an active stick, who anchors his national team’s PK whenever he’s available. A personal favorite.

 

*Limited viewings

[Crzydrvr]

Part 3:

 

32.   C Morgan Frost, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

33.   C Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

34.   C Ryan Poehling, St. Cloud State Huskies (NCAA)

35.   RW Jesper Boqvist, Timra IK (Allsvenskan)

36.   RW Kole Lind, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

37.   RW Joni Ikonen, Frolunda HC (SHL)

38.   RW Klim Kostin, Dynamo Balashikha (VHL)

39.   D Josh Brook, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

40.   F Grant Mismash, USA-U18s (USNTDP)

41.   RW Lukas Elvenes, Rogle BK (SHL)

42.   D Pierre-Olivier Joseph, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)

43.   LW Jason Robertson, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

44.   LW Isaac Ratcliffe, Guelph Storm (OHL)

45.   D Robin Salo, Vaasan Sport (Liiga)

46.   C Evan Barratt, USA-U18s (USNTDP)

47.   RW MacKenzie Entwistle, Hamilton Bulldogs

48.   C Alex Formenton, London Knights (OHL)

49.   C Vanya Lodnia, Erie Otters (OHL)

50.   LW Ostap Safin, HC Sparta Praha (Extraliga)

51.   RW Nick Henry, Regina Pats (WHL)

52.   D Artem Minulin, Swift Current Broncos (WHL)

53.   C Alex Chmelevski, Ottawa 67s (OHL)

54.   D David Farrance, USA-U18s (USNTDP)

55.   F Ivan Chekhovich, Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)

56.   C Scott Reedy, USA-U18s (USNTDP)

57.   D Dylan Samberg, Hermantown High Hawks (USHS-MN)*

58.   D Cale Fleury, Kootenay Ice (WHL)

59.   F Jonah Gadjovich, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

60.   LW Matt Strome, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)

61.   D Reilly Walsh, Chicago Steel (USHL)

62.   RW Aleksi Heponiemi, Swift Current Broncos (WHL)

63.   LW Rickard Hugg, Leksands IF (SHL)

64.   C Antoine Morand, Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL)

65.   C Ben Jones, Niagara Icedogs (OHL)

66.   LW Yaroslav Alexeyev, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)

67.   D Filip Westerlund, Frolunda HC (SHL)

68.   F Jesse Koskenkorva, Karpat Oulu (FIN-U20)

69.   D Max Gildon, USA-U18s (USNTDP)

70.   D Jakub Galvas, HC Olomouc (Extraliga)

71.   C Austen Keating, Ottawa 67s (OHL)

72.   C Emil Bemstrom, Leksands IF J20 (SWE-J20)

73.   C Mason Shaw, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

74.   F Kirill Slepets, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)*

75.   F Pavel Shen, Mamonty Yugry (MHL)*

76.   F Kalle Miketinac, Frolunda HC (SWE-J20)

77.   D Michael Anderson, Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL)

78.   D Brady Lyle, North Bay Battalion (OHL)

79.   D Dmitri Samorukov, Guelph Storm (OHL)

80.   C Brady Gilmour, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

81.   C Zach Gallant, Peterborough Petes (OHL)

82.   F Denis Mikhnin, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)

83.   F Alexandre Texier, Grenoble (France)*

84.   F MacAulay Carson, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

85.   C Jake Leschyshen, Regina Pats (WHL)

86.   D Thomas Miller, USA-U18s (USNTDP)

87.   D Tyler Inamoto, USA-U18s (USNTDP)

88.   D Ian Mitchell, Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL)

89.   D Brendan De Jong, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

90.   D Jarret Tyszka, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

91.   D Adam Thilander, North Bay Battalion (OHL)

92.   F Joel Teasdale, BlainvilleBoisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

93.   D Gustav Lindstrom, Almtuna IS (SWE-2)

 

Goalies

1.       G Jake Oettinger, Boston University Terriers (NCAA)

2.       G Daniil Tarasov, Tolpar Ufa (MHL)*

3.       G Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, HPK U20 (FIN-U20)

4.       G Michael DiPietro, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

5.       G Keith Petruzelli, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

6.       G Dayton Rasmussen, Tri-City Storm (USHL)

7.       G Maxim Zhukov, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)

8.       G Stuart Skinner, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)

9.       G Olle Eriksson Ek, Farjestad BK J20 (SWE-J20)

10.   G Tomas Vomacka, Corpus Christi Ice Rays (NAHL)

 

*Limited Viewing Player

 

*****

 

Unfortunately I wasn't able to get everything done before it was too late, so if you'd like my thoughts on a particular player(s), please ask! I do have the profiles even if they aren't here right now, but it would take too long to put them all down at once so the prospects from the 2nd round and onwards will have to be more of a case by case basis as people make requests.

[Crzydrvr]

2017 Mock Draft:

 

1. NJD: Nico Hischier: This one's gonna be tight, but word is there's a bit of a split among NJ staff; scouts supposedly like Hischier while some members of management like Patrick more. I still think they pick Hischier, he fits what they're trying to build towards, with the speed and transition game, more than Patrick does.

2. PHI: Nolan Patrick: Easy one for Philly, they just take whoever NJ doesn't. Patrick gives them more size and strength up the middle and will help move Schenn to the wing on a permanent basis, where he's been very good.

3. DAL: Miro Heiskanen: Arguably the best defenseman available, it's rare that the potential BPA this high perfectly matches a team's need; Dallas could use a potential franchise LHD and Heiskanen is exactly that, bringing some two-way gumption to a very offense-oriented group of young D in Dallas.

4. COL: Gabriel Vilardi: Plays both C and RW, which could be a plus for an Avalanche team ready to move on from Matt Duchene. More importantly, Vilardi acquitted himself well in the Memorial Cup and plays a heavy game, which could make him a strong tandem with the likes of Tyson Jost and Mikko Rantanen in the near future.

5. VAN: Cale Makar: Benning wants a PP QB? Well, here ya go; Makar is the consensus best offensive defenseman in the draft.

6. VGK: Cody Glass: The Knights have a lot of ties to the WHL among their staff (Kelly Kisio from the Hitmen, Kelly McCrimmon from the Wheat Kings....) and they'll be awfully familiar with Glass. If he can be their top matchup center in the NHL they've made out like bandits.

7. NYR (via ARZ): Elias Pettersson: The Rangers have needed some bluechip talent in their pipeline for years, and Pettersson could be a real homerun pick witth their need for offensive creativity.

8. BUF: Casey Mittelstadt: Combine results aside, Mittelstadt is a dynamic talent, and with him Buffalo is building a strong arsenal of right-handed talents (Eichel, Reinhart, Nylander etc.) and a potent top-6 moving forward.

9. DET: Martin Necas: Looking for some more punch up the middle, the Wings have a number of options at play here. I believe they're looking at a Euro more than a North American skater and Necas' skill and speed could help act as a complement to Larkin as future top-6 centers.

10. FLO: Owen Tippett: Steelheads' winger brings some needed high-end skill, and perhaps more importantly a tendency to shoot wherever possible. For an org. lacking in skilled RH shooters, Tippett has a chance to crack the roster immediately.

11. LAK: Kristian Vesalainen: Will the Kings move away from size and skill with a new GM? Stay tuned. Vesalainen checks off a lot on the Kings' old list of skills to look for and he was dominant at the U18s against his peers.

12. CAR: Nick Suzuki: Word is that the Hurricanes staff are high on the little engine that could; Suzuki could slot in at center or wing with his right-handed shot and his ability to produce offensively.

13. VGK (via WPG): Michael Rasmussen: Biggest body ranked in the top 10 by McKenzie's scouts; he's got some skill and can skate, and if he can fill out the Knights have a hell of a forward to play with.

14. TBL: Klim Kostin: Lots of smoke here regarding the Lightning and Kostin, who's trying to get out of his contract in Russia to play NA pros. He would be a high-reward pick for a team that could use some bluechip talent at wing with the loss of Drouin.

15. VGK (via NYI): Juuso Valimaki: The Tri-City defender is a teammate of Rasmussen, and has done a tremendous job as a big minutes guy. Vegas could really like the two-way play, and with a need for young talent at all positions it wouldn't be a bad idea to grab him at this point.

16. CGY: Robert Thomas: Calgary has gone to the London Knights well recently; Thomas is a right-handed shot, plays well at both ends of the ice, has tremendous playmaking skills and can play multiple positions.

17. TOR: Timothy Liljegren: Liljegren's upside and skill are somewhat overshadowed by his poor play this year, but the talent level makes him a strong pick at this point in the draft and with the Leafs' interest in defensemen, this seems like an easy pick to make.

18. BOS: Ryan Poehling: The lanky project center has some upside in addition to his ability to play a reliable two-way game. Could he be in play with Boston's trust in their U.S. scouts?

19. SJS: Filip Chytil: The Sharks reach on a skilled winger, but there's some solid reasons to do so considering the skill, the fit (potential replacement for Marleau) and the nationality. The Sharks aren't afraid to reach either.

20. STL: Nic Hague: Really acquitted himself well playing top pairing minutes for the Steelheads. His size and mobility make him a real threat with St. Louis' big, mobile and skill blueline.

21. NYR: Cal Foote: The Rangers now have a need for skill at the defense position, and Cal Foote brings bloodlines and some beef to the table.

22. EDM: Lias Andersson: The stocky center isn't likely to be a big scorer, but he's gritty and can play hard minutes against top players and still come out on top.

23. ARZ (via MIN): Henri Jokiharju: The right-handed defenseman can move the puck and skate well. He might have the most upside of any player left at this point.

24. WPG (via VGK-CBJ): Josh Norris: The U.S. center really rose quietly over the year, but he's got a lot of jam and the development curve is intriguing.

25. MTL: Eeli Tolvanen: The elite sniper has supposedly slid down draft boards. We shall see, but I don't see him falling even farther with his skill.

26. CHI: Urho Vaakanainen: The Finnish defenseman was once hyped as what Heiskanen is now, and could still have that upside in the right system.

27. STL (via WSH): Shane Bowers: The hockey sense and ability to make plays is intriguing, and he's already used to playing in a defense-first system.

28. OTT: Maxime Comtois: The big body has gone from a favorite to a sleeper in the span of one year. The multi-tool forward could be a rael treat in the nation's capital.

29. DAL (via ANA): Jason Robertson: Odds are that this pick is gone by the end of the night to another team, but Jason Robertson looks like a fit for almost any franchise.

30. NSH: Jesper Boqvist: The winger is a bit of a one-dimensional player, but his electric speed could make him a future premier asset on the wings in Nashville.

31. PIT: Pierre-Olivier Joseph: The defenseman can make plays and could be a steal for Pittsburgh at the end of the 1st with his ability to move the puck.

[Pyromancer]

Excellent job on the Draft Rankings.

A tonne of thought must go into your work! Love the format.

I am using it as a reference as the players are being picked.

Thanks a bunch!

[Flyerfan52]

2 minutes ago, Pyromancer said:

Excellent job on the Draft Rankings.

A tonne of thought must go into your work! Love the format.

I am using it as a reference as the players are being picked.

Thanks a bunch!

I'm using it as I follow along too.

[Pyromancer]

5 hours ago, Crzydrvr said:

Unfortunately I wasn't able to get everything done before it was too late, so if you'd like my thoughts on a particular player(s), please ask! I do have the profiles even if they aren't here right now, but it would take too long to put them all down at once so the prospects from the 2nd round and onwards will have to be more of a case by case basis as people make requests.

Maybe you could post the players picked in the 1st round whom aren't detailed above:

Joseph (ARI 1-23), Poehling (MTL 1-25), Oettinger (DAL 1-26), Frost (PHI 1-27), Kostin (STL 1-31)

You nailed the other 26 players to go in the 1st round.

[Crzydrvr]

On 6/23/2017 at 8:11 PM, Pyromancer said:

Maybe you could post the players picked in the 1st round whom aren't detailed above:

Joseph (ARI 1-23), Poehling (MTL 1-25), Oettinger (DAL 1-26), Frost (PHI 1-27), Kostin (STL 1-31)

You nailed the other 26 players to go in the 1st round.

 

Besides Oettinger (who's a goalie and unfortunately I'm not a goalie expert), here's the other 4. Frost and Poehling had late-1st round grades but fell just outside my top 31, Klim Kostin would have been as well were it not for other factors, and Joseph was an early 2nd in my opinion:

 

32. C Morgan Frost, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) [14/05/99]

[5'10.75", 173 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: A-]
[67 GP, 20 G, 42 A, 62 Pts, 36 PIM, +15][NHL Comparable: Tyler Johnson]
Potential Peak: Complementary top line playmaking center
"Safe" Projection: 2nd line playmaking center Center, 45+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Moderate; needs to bulk up to handle bigger defenders
Offense: 8.5
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 7.5
Skating: 8.5
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.0
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 56.0

Draft Archetype: The Savvy, Skilled All-Rounder

Report: A highly underrated pivot who can do it all. A really slick player, finds openings well and can skate through the neutral zone with his stickhandling and mobility. good playmaker who can hit passes with accuracy. A good defensive player, likes to cover passing lanes. Needs to improve his shot, but he's not afraid to take a beating to get to the net. Will need to bulk up a bit, gets thrown around against stronger players, but he has a lot of potential and he's got underrated hockey sense. A personal favorite.

 

 

34. C Ryan Poehling, St. Cloud State Huskies (NCAA) [03/01/99]

[6'1.75", 177 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: A-]
[35 GP, 7 G, 6 A, 13 Pts, 12 PIM, -8][NHL Comparable: Brandon Dubinsky]
Potential Peak: Complementary top line two-way center
"Safe" Projection: 2nd/3rd line two-way center, 35-45 point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Low; will take some time but looks like a solid bottom 6er at worst
Offense: 8.0
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 8.0
Skating: 8.0
Intangibles: 8.5
NHL-Readiness: 7.0
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 56.0

Draft Archetype: The Grinder

Report: Skilled pivot fast tracked his way into the NCAA with solid results. Good skater, form is a little awkward but the speed is good and with more development he should improve his acceleration. A pass first player who does his best work along the boards, but has the offensive chops to finish off opportunities. Battles hard, supports his defenders in the defensive zone and in general is a tough player to play against; lacks a mean streak, just plain gritty. Not a huge amount of upside, but with development could be that shutdown middle 6 center who can play heavy minutes.

 

38. RW Klim Kostin, Dynamo Balashikha (VHL) [05/05/99]

[6'2.5", 207 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: B+]
[9 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 Pt, 4 PIM, -1][NHL Comparable: Nino Niederreiter]
Potential Peak: Top line power forward
"Safe" Projection:2nd line power winger, 45+ point player in his prime

Bust Factor: High; huge upside, but his play was lackluster/inconsistent and the Russian factor plays a role
Offense: 8.0
Defense: 7.0
Physicality: 8.5
Skating: 8.5
Intangibles: 7.5
NHL-Readiness: 7.5
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 55.5

Draft Archetype: The Question Mark

Report: Power winger has the skating, strength and shot to make a difference at the NHL level. Strong skater who can beat defenders with his speed. Strong on the puck and can work the boards real well. Good hands and a hard shot make him a threat inside the offensive zone, and his passing abilities are good too. Needs to work on his decision-making and effort, but when he's on he's good and borderline unstoppable. Needs work defensively, especially against the setup; inconsistent backchecker and positioning will need to improve to get prime minutes offensively. Lots of upside but lots of risk.

 

 

42. D Pierre-Olivier Joseph, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL) [01/07/99]

[6'2.25", 163 lbs][Lefty][PROSPECT GRADE: B+]
[62 GP, 6 G, 33 A, 39 Pts, 54 PIM, +14][NHL Comparable: Calvin de Haan]
Potential Peak: Complementary top pairing two-way defender
"Safe" Projection: 2nd pairing two-way defenseman, 25-35 point player in his prime

Bust Factor: Moderate; tall and lanky, but works hard and plays a responsible game
Offense: 8.0
Defense: 8.0
Physicality: 7.5
Skating: 8.5
Intangibles: 8.0
NHL-Readiness: 7.0
Potential: 8.5

Aggregate Score: 55.5

Draft Archetype: The Project

Report: Mobile modern defenseman plays a very good two-way game. Skating and smarts allow him to maintain gaps and cover a wide area of ice. With the puck, has good vision and hands and can make the breakout pass. Has good puck poise and patience, and uses it to move the puck up the ice or control offensive play from the point. Not going to be a big offensive producer, but with improvement to his shot power could be a secondary point option on the PP at the NHL level. Skinny kid, needs to grow out quite a bit in order to handle NHL forwards, but the work is there along the boards.

[conundrumed]

On 6/23/2017 at 4:57 PM, Crzydrvr said:

14. TBL: Klim Kostin: Lots of smoke here regarding the Lightning and Kostin, who's trying to get out of his contract in Russia to play NA pros. He would be a high-reward pick for a team that could use some bluechip talent at wing with the loss of Drouin.

Interesting now that all Dynamo contracts have been annulled, including Kostin's. I thought Dynamo was a league anchor, apparently not. They fulfilled zero obligations and currently have zero players under contract.

Would he have been selected higher if he weren't under contract?

I liked our selection, but I was hoping we'd take Kostin as he was available.

Surprised he dropped so far, but how easy for St. Loo to trade Reaves for Kostin...

I'll be watching this one with great interest, as I think this is yet another player that fell in the draft that shouldn't have. So much hyperbole is thrown around regarding one season, the players' draft years. I don't pretend to understand why most scouts don't stay reticent going into draft years. Media, I guess. Follow the pack. If I were a scout, I definitely wouldn't last with that pack. I know a few, they tell me the same thing, lol. A lot of arrogance permeating out of one section in an arena near you, like an old boys club. It's hard to talk to people that know everything about hockey in one common voice of self-importance.

Big reason why many walked away thinking the Blues "won" the draft. It's pretty clear Army knows the games being played.