4: C Sam Bennett - A+
34: G Mason McDonald - B
One of the best goalies, if not the best goalie in the draft from what I've been reading. I definitely like that we picked the first goalie this year and considering the other reactions around the league (6 goalies in the 2nd was it?) I felt like we did it at the right time. I did want a goalie somewhere along the way, just didn't expect him to go so high.
I'll admit I wanted McKeown with this pick but I'm content with a solid goalie in case Ortio or Gillies don't pan out. McDonald's got a few years to patiently develop and apparently he's a goalie that sees a lot of shots in junior, which should be great for his development. I see him taking over the Alaska Aces starting job from Gillies when Ortio is NHL ready and Gillies is AHL ready.
54: RW Hunter Smith - B
Big giant right-handed winger, and big is good!
I actually selected Smith with CGY's 3rd in CP's multi-round mock, just after the 54th. He seems to be a project but already he's showing big signs of trending upward - this tells me he's readily coachable and willing to identify the weaknesses in his game. Any time a guy jumps steadily up the rankings all year is a good sign.
Besides that he's showing more finish in his draft year, decent hands, needs work on skating (like all the giants do though) and he can drop the mitts. And big. Maybe we have our Lucic - but if not I'm perfectly happy to accept him as a bottom 6 giant who can occasionally chip some offense in.
64: D Brandon Hickey - B-
Finally! A defenceman! Seems to be an offensive guy, smart and a great skater too. Projects to be similar to Gio's playstyle. I gave him a B- because he's a leftie - and Thomas was on the board and they let the scumbag Lightning get their filthy claws on him in the next round. Still miffed.
83: traded for LW Brandon Bollig - B+
I love this move. Bollig's a great locker room guy, knows how to win, and is good enough as a face puncher to play some double digit minutes on a championship team without being scratched once. With this move I think Westgarth is sure to walk next week but I feel that Bollig's a big step up from Westgarth.
The only reason why this didn't get an A from me is because we could've used the pick on Thomas - but to get Bollig is a perfectly acceptable price.
175: D Adam Ollas Mattson - C
Basically a poor man's Niklas Kronwall. Big and strong but sadly a left shot. Defensive defenceman with massive reach.
184: LW/RW Austin Carroll
Who?