With the 2019 NHL draft only days away, Max from TPE Hockey has let us in on a few late round picks who could actually be diamonds in the rough. As Oilers fans, we know that Edmonton has a history of poor picks in the later rounds but Max here has five players that he thinks would be good picks.
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Harrison Blaisdell
Blaisdell is a versatile center playing for the Chilliwack Chiefs in the BCHL. He has a combination of offensive skills allowing him to be a tough threat to contain in the offensive zone. His shot shows you everything you want to see from an 18-year-old: quick release, high velocity, and solid accuracy. His shot pairs well with his quick thinking. While he can move the puck to dangerous areas very well while his shot must be respected too.
His two-way play is also quite intriguing. He creates turnovers at an impressive rate from my viewings and turned many of those turnovers into offense. Blaisdell’s strong transition game allows him to turn his d-zone steals into offensive opportunities. Much of this strong transition play comes from his skating abilities. Blaisdell’s east to west skating is phenomenal and his north-south movement is above average.
In the BCHL, he was the 3rd U18 player in scoring this year. He put up 33 goals and 58 points over the course of his 51 game BCHL season. He made big strides from his draft minus one season where he struggled to produce and compete at the junior level. Now, after his acclimation, he’s become a strong competitor and all-around threat.
Blaisdell is slated to be heading to the University of North Dakota in the 20-21 season. Although after his explosion this season he could be NCAA bound for this coming season. Blaisdell can be expected to be off the board in the 3rd or 4th round.
Jayden Struble
Struble, like the next player on this list, is a bit of a wildcard as a prep schooler in his draft year. He’s a favorite of many on Hockey Twitter after his feature by Andy Lehoux (below) and his strong performance at the Combine. Struble spent last season on the blueline for St. Sebastian’s School in Massachusetts. He scored 10 goals and 40 points over 28 games against the toughest competition in the US prep school scene.
Struble became more widely known after his sheer dominance at the NHL Combine. He was by far the leading performer, winning multiple events. While many of the Combine’s results are often put off as nearly useless in the general scheme of things, Struble’s off ice prowess translates well. His power is clearly seen in his skating ability. He cuts through the neutral zone with speed and is impossible to contain. He can utilize his puck skills and make decisions at high speeds which makes him as dangerous as he is.
The 6’0” defender also plays a strong defensive game. He’s as physical as you’d expect a big, strong defenseman to be, but doesn’t go out of the way to be physical. He closes lanes, shuts down rushes, and holds the blueline very well.
Next season Struble will play for the Victoria Grizzlies in the BCHL before heading off to Northeastern University. Struble can be expected to get picked anywhere from the late 2nd to the 4th round.
Jackson LaCombe
Another wildcard prep school blueliner Is Jackson LaCombe. LaCombe put on a show with the prestigious Shattuck St. Mary’s program scoring 89 points in just 54 games in Minnesota’s top prep school league. His name might be familiar from his Hlinka Gretzky Cup appearance, although he was fairly invisible at on stage.
LaCombe became a more widely known prospect a bit of a ways into this season when he started to rack up points. He turned down an offer to play this season with Chicago in the USHL, opting to only play a few games with them.
Like Jayden Struble, LaCombe is a strong skating, puck moving defensemen. He has a fluid stride, great transition play, and a creative playmaker.
The concern is not only that LaCombe played in prep school, but struggled in his short times at high levels in his quick stints with Team USA and the Chicago Steel. LaCombe is a high upside, low floor player who is probably off the board in the 3rd to 5th rounds.
Patrick Moynihan
When asked who the most underrated USNTDP player was, all of his teammates at the combine said Patrick Moynihan.
Moynihan plays a well-rounded game in all three zones. As a center, he fills defensive and offensive assignments perfectly. He’s good at getting to open areas and finishing or getting pucks to dangerous areas. He’s not the most skilled player, but he gets the job done.
His stats don’t jump off the page with only 22 points in 28 USHL games, but he was pushed down the lineup on one of the strongest U18 teams ever assembled. He will play for Providence in the NCAA next year. Expect Moynihan to be a 4th rounder on draft day.
Domenick Fensore
A 5’7” NHL defenseman is something not seen in a long, long, long time. Although if one player is going to appear on an NHL blueline at that height it will be Dom Fensore. He is known for his dynamic skating and offensive skill. He’s no doubt a top 5 skater in this draft. I don’t need to list out his strengths in skating because every aspect of it is top notch. His edges are so good that it allows him to be able to play both sides. As a left-handed defensemen, he is commonly seen on the right side and thriving. He also loves to jump into the play below the tops of the circles and is able to get back into position after he does it.
Fensore, while primarily an offensive threat, he still has great defensive instincts. He plays a great defensive game, he does everything right. It’s just that lacks the size. As a 3rd pairing d-man, he was over a PPG in the USHL and is bound for Boston University in the NCAA. Fensore could go anywhere from the 2nd to 7th round due to debates over his size.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PvJ1UC1RHs
