Here's part 2 on who to pick, the defensive edition!
"My Maple Leafs need an offensive-stud from the back-end dude!"
Top Rounds (1-2): Who doesn't like an offensive-stud on the point? Oskar Klefbom, if he sneaks to you, would be a great addition. He's big, has strong offensive instincts and projects very well at the next level as a top-four!
Others to watch: Joe Morrow (Portland - WHL), Ryan Sproul (Sault Ste. Marie - OHL), Adam Clendening (Boston - NCAA)
Mid Rounds (3-5): Xavier Ouellet (Montreal - QMJHL): A big enigmatic at times, but he has the tools to be a good offensive contributor from the back-end. Could stand to produce even bigger offensive numbers next season. Potential to be a 2nd rounder too.
Late Rounds (6-7): Frank Corrado (Sudbury - OHL) A Rolling the dice on this second-year defender wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. Strong skater who plays a high-risk game.
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"I want my Maple Leafs defensemen to ya know, play defense? Give me a shut-down guy!"
Top Rounds (1-2): Rock solid D can make you a championship squad. Look no further than David Musil if you want that steady influence on the back-end. Has hockey bloodlines as dad played almost 800 career NHL games.
Others to watch: Joel Edmundson (Moose Jaw - WHL), Tyler Wotherspoon (Portland - WHL)
Mid Rounds (3-5): Jonathan Racine (Montreal - QMJHL): Tough and defensive minded define Racine. He'll protect team mates, block shots, and is strong 1-on-1.
Late Rounds (6-7): Samuel Noreau (Baie-Comeau - QMJHL): Feared combatant. Noreau punishes opposing players. Like most his size (6'5) he'll need to focus on improving his footwork.
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"I want the best of both worlds! Find me a Maple Leafs defender who can do it all!"
Top Rounds (1-2): The two-way defender is a much sought after commodity. If all the pieces fall into place Scott Mayfield may be the best of the bunch. At 6'4 he has the tools to be physically imposing, but also can jump into the rush. Big season for him next year.
Others to watch: Stuary Percy (Mississauga - OHL), Connor Murphy (USA U-18), Brendan Kitchon (Spokane - WHL)
Mid Rounds (3-5): Mike McKee (Kent - USHS): Mammoth defender who has intriguing upside. Solid at both ends of the ice, most would like to see him vs. better competition.
Late Rounds (6-7): Colin Miller (Sault. Ste. Marie - OHL): Like teammate Sproul, he's a developing defender who's raw, but has interesting potential. Good at both ends of the ice, next year will be big for him. He was a rookie this past season.
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Tuesday, June 21, 2011
NHL Draft 2011: Who to pick!? (Part 1: Forwards Edition)
With the amount of depth through this draft, it can get a bit nuts trying to figure out who to pick (imagine how the scouts feel!). I'm going to try and give an overview of players who may be available that fit certain criteria and in what round they may go.
First up, the Forward talent:
"I'd love my Leafs to snag a sniper in this draft!":
Top Rounds (1-2): If you are looking for a sniper in this draft, Matt Puemple is probably the player to pick. He's not a big guy, and has a similar Jeff Skinner type ability to score. Doesn't blow you away, but he just gets the job done! Arguably the most gifted sniper in the draft!
Others to watch: Tomas Jurco (Saint Johns - QMJHL), Rocco Grimaldi (USA-U18), Nikita Kucherov (RUS)
Mid Rounds (3-5): Reid Boucher (USA-U18): small forward with big time offensive instinct
Late Rounds (6-7): Pathrik Westerholm (Malmo - Allsvenskan): magic with twin brother Pontus, but the goalscorer of the two. re-enters the draft this year. Should garner a selection this time around.
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"The Maple Leafs need a play-making forward!"
Top Rounds (1-2): Ty Rattie is your man if you are looking for a creative play-making forward. He can dish the puck and has great hands! Sees the ice very well, but needs to add some bulk over the next few years.
Others to watch: Zach Phillips (Saint Johns - QMJHL), Alexander Khoklachev (Windsor - OHL),
Mid Rounds (3-5): T.J. Tynan (Notre Dame - NCAA): Was not just a top rookie scorer in the NCAA, but a top offensive player in the nation. Passed over last year, won't be this time.
Late Rounds (6-7): Zack O'Brien (Arcadie-Bathurst - QMJHL) : Arguably, he's more sniper than play-maker, but he's the total offensive package. Size is an issue, but he's a strong skater, strong first year in QMJHL
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"Size baby! Bring on those character power forwards!"
Top Rounds (1-2): Looking for someone big? Why not try Tyler Biggs. The captain of the USA U-18 team is a power-forward in the truest sense. He projects well at the next level and should be a player in some capacity.
Others to watch: Brett Ritchie (Sarnia - OHL), Dmitri Jaskin (Cze), Seth Ambroz (Omaha - USHL)
Mid Rounds (3-5): Michael Mersch (Wisconsin- NCAA): Big body winger who plays a physical game. Won't produce much in offensive numbers, but he's a valuable mid-round commodity. Needs to improve skating. Will have time to round game in college.
Late Rounds (6-7): Thomas Spelling (Denmark) Another sizable winger who's playing in the mens league in Denmark. Putting up good numbers too. Needs to add weight.
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"I want the complete package forward on my Maple Leafs!"
Top Rounds (1-2): Jonathan Miller is your guy if you can manage to land him. He's a Ryan Kesler type who can play in a number of situations. While offensive contribution has been questioned, he did a great job displaying offensive talent at the U-18s for USA.
Others to watch: Boone Jenner (Oshawa - OHL), Stefan Noesen (Plymouth - OHL), Rickard Rakell (Plymouth, OHL)
Mid Rounds (3-5): Ryan Tesink (Saint John - QMJHL): Keeps the motor going at all times even though he's very thin at the moment. Has overall ability and should round out strongly as he matures.
Late Rounds (6-7): Blake Coleman (Indiana - USHL) Blew away the competition this year in the USHL. Great overall offensive skill and a hard-worker. Could even go mid-round on draft day. Another re-entree. Heading to Miami next year.
First up, the Forward talent:
"I'd love my Leafs to snag a sniper in this draft!":
Top Rounds (1-2): If you are looking for a sniper in this draft, Matt Puemple is probably the player to pick. He's not a big guy, and has a similar Jeff Skinner type ability to score. Doesn't blow you away, but he just gets the job done! Arguably the most gifted sniper in the draft!
Others to watch: Tomas Jurco (Saint Johns - QMJHL), Rocco Grimaldi (USA-U18), Nikita Kucherov (RUS)
Mid Rounds (3-5): Reid Boucher (USA-U18): small forward with big time offensive instinct
Late Rounds (6-7): Pathrik Westerholm (Malmo - Allsvenskan): magic with twin brother Pontus, but the goalscorer of the two. re-enters the draft this year. Should garner a selection this time around.
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"The Maple Leafs need a play-making forward!"
Top Rounds (1-2): Ty Rattie is your man if you are looking for a creative play-making forward. He can dish the puck and has great hands! Sees the ice very well, but needs to add some bulk over the next few years.
Others to watch: Zach Phillips (Saint Johns - QMJHL), Alexander Khoklachev (Windsor - OHL),
Mid Rounds (3-5): T.J. Tynan (Notre Dame - NCAA): Was not just a top rookie scorer in the NCAA, but a top offensive player in the nation. Passed over last year, won't be this time.
Late Rounds (6-7): Zack O'Brien (Arcadie-Bathurst - QMJHL) : Arguably, he's more sniper than play-maker, but he's the total offensive package. Size is an issue, but he's a strong skater, strong first year in QMJHL
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"Size baby! Bring on those character power forwards!"
Top Rounds (1-2): Looking for someone big? Why not try Tyler Biggs. The captain of the USA U-18 team is a power-forward in the truest sense. He projects well at the next level and should be a player in some capacity.
Others to watch: Brett Ritchie (Sarnia - OHL), Dmitri Jaskin (Cze), Seth Ambroz (Omaha - USHL)
Mid Rounds (3-5): Michael Mersch (Wisconsin- NCAA): Big body winger who plays a physical game. Won't produce much in offensive numbers, but he's a valuable mid-round commodity. Needs to improve skating. Will have time to round game in college.
Late Rounds (6-7): Thomas Spelling (Denmark) Another sizable winger who's playing in the mens league in Denmark. Putting up good numbers too. Needs to add weight.
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"I want the complete package forward on my Maple Leafs!"
Top Rounds (1-2): Jonathan Miller is your guy if you can manage to land him. He's a Ryan Kesler type who can play in a number of situations. While offensive contribution has been questioned, he did a great job displaying offensive talent at the U-18s for USA.
Others to watch: Boone Jenner (Oshawa - OHL), Stefan Noesen (Plymouth - OHL), Rickard Rakell (Plymouth, OHL)
Mid Rounds (3-5): Ryan Tesink (Saint John - QMJHL): Keeps the motor going at all times even though he's very thin at the moment. Has overall ability and should round out strongly as he matures.
Late Rounds (6-7): Blake Coleman (Indiana - USHL) Blew away the competition this year in the USHL. Great overall offensive skill and a hard-worker. Could even go mid-round on draft day. Another re-entree. Heading to Miami next year.
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