Post draft Wrap-Up

 

It is always interesting to see how the draft unfolds every year. Players get “hot” and teams feel a need to jump up and grab the player they want and desire. In this review we will examine the drafts jumpers, surprises and best value picks in the first five rounds. Gets too hard after that as often a crap shoot!

 

Round 1:

 

Jumper:  Tie - Sam Steel – late first round pick moved all the way to Ducks at 7. Was rumoured well before the draft, Steel was on fire this junior season leading his team to the WHL championship series. Elite offensive instincts but questions remain about his skating two way game. 66 gp 50 g 81 a well deserving of a first but move way up was the jumper of the first round.

            Taylor Raddysh – Raddysh was an elite two way forward for the OHL champion Erie Otters. Was a stand out in the WJC and it carried over through the year. Was a 2^nd round selection last year and vaulted up draft boards with most having in 15-30 range so not a huge surprise that drafted at 18.

 

Surprise: Two goaltenders, drafted in the NHL 2^nd round, were taken in the first. Very odd as goaltending often is thought of as secondary given delay to impact. And neither of these guys I would class as first round worthy such as recent first rounders Samsonov and pending first round selection Oettinger.

 

Value:  Tie – Matthews and Laine – Two franchise players picked where needed to be selected. High picks, but superstar rated players so remain the high value picks

 

 

 

Round 2:

 

Jumper: Victor Mete in the 2^nd round? Clearly also a jumper, many did not even have him rated in the top 4 rounds, and thus why a surprise, but the BJs saw enough value to jump on early.

 

Surprise:  ditto the jumper. I did not have Mete valued that highly. Have heard some question his skating.

 

Value: Bryce gets a rated player that jumps right into lineup at 5-6 dman in Matt Benning. Also has upside, though on young Oilers team, unclear how much development he will have in his game. Consolation to my Jets to stir some in the the league (Bryce!). Logan Stanley at 52 overall may be a steal in the future. He was oft injured, but skates well for a big man. Needs growth and development in his game, but if does show improvement, could be Big Buff 2.0.

 

Round 3:

 

Jumper:  Pick 120 NHL Otto Koivula  to 63 BRHL. I like this pick and also had highly rated.  Koivula put up 30 pts as a teenager in the Finnish Elite league. He is a big man at 6’4” and 220 pounds, this might be the pick of the entire draft for position and upside.

 

Surprise: Mike Vecchione. Diminuitive college forward had a cup of coffee at end of season in NHL with Flyers (to blow season off deal I am sure). I don’t see as more than AHL forward for future so to go in round 3 was a bit early to me.  Consolation to Bryce for Viktor Antipin who joins the NHL sabres this year. Smallish KHL dman can he make the transition to the NHL. Could have waited to round 4-6?

 

Value:  Pick 69 Yegor Korshkov (NHL 31). Big Russian who skates well. NHL Leaf pick always carry value. Was injured this season but in the KHL still scored well with 19 pts in 36 games in limited action with Lokomotiv. Rumour has him coming to the NHL after next season.

 

Round 4:

 

Jumper: Kirk’s selection of Tanner Laczynski from 6^th round NHL 169 to pick 91. Former USHLer graduated to NCAA and had a near pt per game season with 32 pts in 34 games. Also played at WJC with 2 pts in 7 games for gold medal team. Solid selection, despite jump.

 

Surprise: Jakub Jerabek pick 92 by the Lightning – Another KHL dman. 26 years of age has signed with Montreal of the NHL. I can’t justify a 4^th round pick on a veteran KHL dman. 34 pts in 59 games, he is a puck mover but at 5’11” does he have the speed and durability required in the NHL. Too high in my opinion.

 

Value: Paul Ladue. Another value pick by Bryce. 24 years of age but played 22 NHL games this past season with 8 pts after long AHL tenure.  Can he continue at the NHL level?

 

Round 5:

 

Jumper: David Bernhardt round 7 pick 199 to 127. Solid contributor to WJC Swedish team with 3 pts in 7 games. Played 27 games in the SHL with 7 pts. Good selection from Kirk again (can’t believe saying that again!)

 

Surprise: Michael McNiven – controversial pick that many felt ineligible but after quick review UFA signed by Montreal. Has been nothing short of outstanding in junior since being bypassed in draft. Will turn pro this year and the Jets will watch closely to see if have a future BRHL goaltender.

 

Value:  Josh Anderson pick 131 from 71 in NHL. Big defenseman at 6’2” and 225 pounds. Not a big offensive presence, but if can translate stay at home game to pros, is quality value. Project pick from NHL Avs and  BRHL Isles.