Hello, Heroes! Welcome back to another round of draft talk.
Last time, I promised you guys a top-100 ranking which you can find in the images below.
Additionally, an early mock lottery draft was promised and here that is, as well. Thanks to the folks at tankathon.com for providing a draft simulator – in which: San Jose, Montreal, and Anaheim moved up into the top-3 spots, respectively.
1. Ottawa Senators (San Jose Sharks) – Alexis Lafreniere (LW) – Rimouski, QMJHL
This couldn’t have worked out better for Ottawa who are in need of a quick rebuild with a big ol’ Band-Aid to cover up their scars. While teams are always looking to build down the middle, Lafreniere’s potential as a franchise-level talent matches, if not exceeds, that of a first-line center.
BLH’s Pick: No doubt, the Sens take the elite goal-scoring Lafreniere here and hope he doesn’t turn out like the last one they picked 1st overall… I don’t even know who to compare this guy to. He shoots like Stamkos, handles the puck like Nugent-Hopkins, sees the ice like Crosby, and hits like Tkachuk. He’s also got that “it” factor so many people respect Jonathan Toews for. He’ll be an impact player immediately.
2. Montreal Canadiens – Quinton Byfield (C) – Sudbury, OHL
Montreal have been looking for a new face of their club and a true #1-Centerman to anchor their top-6, and Byfield is the godsend they’ve been praying for. With ideal NHL size and skill, already, I’d expect Montreal wouldn’t waste time getting him into the line-up – possibly alongside Max Domi.
BLH’s Pick: If this is how the draft lottery played out, I wonder how hard Marc Bergevin would work to try and get to 1st overall? That said, he has to go with the next Evgeni Malkin here in Byfield. The way that this behemoth controls the ice when he has the puck will leave Habs fans with mouths agape on a nightly basis. Montreal would surely be a team to reckon within three years having Byfield, Suzuki, and Kotkaniemi as part of their spine.
3. Anaheim Ducks – Tim Stutzle (C/LW) – Mannheim, DEL
I don’t know why but the Ducks seem to always select the player I’d like the Kings to select. Anywho, Stutzle has risen in many rankings and holds a solid billing as a top-5 selection. Anaheim adds another offensive, playmaking, dynamo into their system – a strong 1-2-punch with Trevor Zegras.
BLH’s Pick: I’m not sold Stutzle will get taken this high nor would Anaheim take him. They’ve got lots of talent coming at forward but nothing really on defense. Jamie Drysdale makes a lot of sense here for the Ducks in my opinion. A slick puck-moving defender whose hockey IQ is off the charts. Anybody else reminded of ex-Duck Scott Neidermayer here?
4. Detroit Red Wings – Yaroslav Askarov (G) – St. Petersburg, MHL
Detroit is still in the midst of a full-on rebuild and it likely won’t be another 3-5 seasons until they’re back to being the club that made the playoffs 25 years in a row. Goaltenders take a bit longer than skaters to develop and, by the time Detroit’s ready to make a run, Askarov will fit in nicely like a custom fit glove.
BLH’s Pick: Now here I could see Steve Yzerman going with another German. Stutzle is flashy and clever like Stevie Y used to be and the Red Wings will be envisioning a 1-2 punch of Zadina and Stutzle driving them to future Stanley Cups. Throw Joe Veleno in there and someday Detroit might have a line that could remind folks of who they’ve got running the show in Boston right now.
5. Los Angeles Kings – Lucas Raymond (RW) – Frolunda, SHL
The Kings end up with the worst scenario, again, falling from the 2nd-overall slot down to the 5th. But, with Raymond still on the board, the Kings may have found their final piece to their future-forward puzzle. LA hasn’t been shy about their affinity with Swedish-born prospects and Raymond seems like a natural fit.
BLH’s Pick: I agree with Keith here. Raymond terrorizing defenses on the wing alongside Alex Turcotte will provide maximum entertainment for years to come. This guy should probably be a top-3 pick to be honest, but for whatever reason, he’s not been able to stick. He doesn’t get a lot of TOI with his team in the SHL mind you. So I would say that has something to do with it but he sure impresses on the international stage. Such a smart and talented hockey player.
6. New Jersey Devils – Jamie Drysdale (D) – Erie, OHL
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Devils continue to build up their prospect pool with as much forward talent as they can get their hands on, but Drysdale’s offensive skillset from the backend could prove to be the point producer that New Jersey is seeking.
BLH’s Pick: Alexander Holtz would give the Devils a ridiculous youth core and NJ a bonafide scoring threat from the wing and a target man for Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. If you like Filip Forsberg, you’re going to love Holtz.
7. Ottawa Senators – Marco Rossi (C) – Ottawa, OHL
It doesn’t matter who Ottawa picks on day two as both the selections of Alexis Lafreniere and Marco Rossi should be enough to reward the Senators with an A+ draft grade. In my early number run, both are leading ALL prospects in points. That should sound like a symphony to the Ottawa contingency.
BLH’s Pick: I can’t argue with taking Rossi here. Last time they had the chance to pick a hometown boy, it was Cody Ceci. Even with centers like Logan Brown, Josh Norris, and Filip Chlapik on the brink of making the team, you can never have enough high-end pivots but none of the aforementioned have the vision and playmaking abilities that Rossi has. Lafreniere will need someone of equal intelligence and skill to be feeding him the puck too.
8. Buffalo Sabres – Alexander Holtz (LW) – Djurgardens, SHL
Like LA, Buffalo has a lot of love for the Swedes and is looking to fill the last hole (or two) in their forward core of the future. Holtz would apply to both categories and, as arguably this draft’s best sniper, could bolster Jack Eichel, Casey Mittelstadt, and Dylan Cozens’ points when they hit a scoring slump.
BLH’s Pick: I reckon center Anton Lundell would be a good pick for the Sabres here. In my opinion, he’s going to be a great two-way forward when he achieves his potential and Buffalo will need someone reliable on the 2nd line. On the other hand, it wouldn’t shock me if they traded this pick for immediate help given the disaster they’ve got on their hands right now.
9. Minnesota Wild – Dylan Holloway (C/LW) – Univ. Wisconsin, NCAA
I don’t need to elaborate much further… This just sounds right, doesn’t it?!
BLH’s Pick: Charlie Coyle much, Keith? I’m not sure Holloway goes this early. That said, they like their College boys there. I see them taking Cole Perfetti here though. They’ve already had plenty of looks at him since he’s a teammate of Wild prospect Damien Giroux, so it’ll be a comfortable pick for them. Perfetti will give them a player who’s positionally flexible and can contribute with the shot or the pass. A very smart player here who could help transform this team.
10. New York Rangers – Noel Gunler (RW) – Lulea, SHL
Every year, you’ll hear/see the word “polarizing” appear next to various prospects’ names and such is the case for Gunler. Still, this offensively gifted Winger has some grit and bite in his game, a solid combination of skills that should make him a favorite amongst the blue shirt faithful.
BLH’s Pick: Here’s a team that seems tailor-made for forward Dylan Holloway. He’s not as strong and powerful as Chris Kreider right now, but he could get there. I really feel like he could give New York a twin threat with him and Kakko. Now, if Kreider decides to re-sign with the Rangers, he’ll be a perfect mentor for Holloway.
11. Chicago Blackhawks – Anton Lundell (C) – HIFK, SM-Liiga
Having fallen much further than he should have, the Blackhawks select Lundell in what could be the steal of this draft. The solid, two-way, Centerman’s upside is as high as he wants it to be. With both Lundell and Kirby Dach as their future anchors down the middle, Chicago’s future looks very, VERY, bright.
BLH’s Pick: With Corey Crawford and Robin Lehner offering more question marks than exclamation marks, I think they’ll should take uber-goalie Yaroslav Askarov here and solidify their netminding future. If he can be as good as that guy over in Tampa, the Hawks could return to domination sooner than later.
12. Winnipeg Jets – Jan Mysak (C/LW) – Hamilton, OHL
The Winnipeg Jets seem to be a cultural melting pot and their winning ways are reflected in their decisions to draft the best player available, in each draft class. Mysak (arguably) is the best player on the board and will be a solid gear to put into the machine once it’s in need of repairs.
BLH’s Pick: Connor Zary, one of the WHL’s top-scoring centers, would be a dazzling pick for the Jets here. Winnipeg have a nice future set for them down the middle with Scheifele, Roslovic, and Gustafsson, but I think that Zary has a higher offensive ceiling than the latter two gentlemen and he’ll be an NHL player sooner than later.
13. Nashville Predators – Zion Nybeck (RW) – HV71, SHL
The Predators have established themselves as one of the NHL’s high-powered offenses and Nybeck fits the mold of their play. He can distribute the puck as well as he can bury it – the kind of offensive flexibility that will serve Nashville, well. A country-singer might even write a song about him…
BLH’s Pick: The Predators are finally heading into a rebuild after years of being one of the leagues best teams thanks to its spectacular goaltending and unbelievable defense. Pekka Rinne has slowed down and its defense isn’t what it used to be. For that reason, I see them taking USNTDP blueliner Jake Sanderson. His skating and ability to defend and recover is amongst the best in this draft class.
14. Carolina Hurricanes (Toronto Maple Leafs) – Roni Hirvonen (C) – Assat, SM-Liiga
If there’s one team in the NHL that the country of Finland roots for, it’s undisputedly the Carolina Hurricanes. They continue to add another highly-skilled Finnish-born prospect to their pool – a legit playmaker with top-6 potential.
BLH’s Pick: As if Carolina needs another draft pick… LOL! I don’t share Keith’s sentiment that they’ll take another Finn though. Knowing how much they rely on analytics, I think it’s winger Noel Gunler for the Canes here. Fact is, this guy scores at will against his peers and when he’s ready to do so in North America, he’ll provide the Hurricanes with some sublime secondary scoring to complement that of Andrei Svechnikov’s.
15. Philadelphia Flyers – Cole Perfetti (C/LW) – Saginaw, OHL
Like last year, a sniper named “Cole” falls to the 15th-overall slot for reasons that should leave you scratching your head. While the Flyers have been known as the “Broad Street Bullies” and a bunch of rabble-rousers, Perfetti’s scoring touch could be the catalyst for a change on identity, in Philly.
BLH’s Pick: To me, the Flyers should be looking at defender Jeremie Poirier. His skating and edgework is amazing to watch and the way he moves the puck reminds me a bit of Kris Letang. Shit, if there’s a team who’s seen a lot of that guy over the years, it’s Philly. At some point, they’re going to move on from Shane Gostisbehere and one of Morin, Hagg, and Myers is going to be a miss too. If they’ve got Cam York and Poirier ready to go, they’ll be sorted.
That’s it for me this week, Heroes. Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @BeerLeagueHeroe/@keithfries and don’t forget to tip your waitresses. Until next time… Cheers!
