A few thoughts:
-I fully expected Parekh to have a regression in numbers, as he was always going to have to learn to play a more well-rounded game- and give the kid credit, it seems he's heading in that direction. In a recent interview that I quoted in the CHL Prospects thread, he acknowledged that he was drafted for what he can do with the puck, but admitted that he wouldn't make it far in the NHL if he can't be trusted by the coaches on the ice.
-There were whispers about a month ago about Gridin mailing it in a little bit in the Q, but I believe now that he was just getting acclimated to a new situation- something that seems to plague new players to the CHL. In the last few weeks, he's been more productive and it seems that he's named to the 3 stars every night, even when there's players that have much better numbers in the game- and there was even one instance in the past week where he was named 3rd star in a game where he had no points. Last season, in his draft year, he led the USHL in scoring- which is a pretty amazing feat, and he led his team in scoring by 15 points. I thought taking him in the first was a bit of a reach though, as I had him early second, but I wasn't mad either.
-I'm not worried at all about Basha. In fact, I'm much more worried about Parekh and Gridin than Basha, especially if he truly has been dealing with injuries. He was one of the best youngsters at camp this year.
-I wrote about how much I liked Battaglia long before we drafted him. I was more excited about this pick than I was about the first three (I can't help being crazy).
-I was most excited about snagging Mews in the third round, as most (including myself) had him going in the late first-early second rounds. I'm very familiar with this kid, and I've watched him a lot- he's a good one. The Hockey Gods gave us this one.
-I knew nothing about Zarubin when we drafted him, but there were a few draft-watchers who picked him as the best goalie available in his draft. I guess we'll see...
-Thought there was better players available where Hoskin was picked, but we'll see. His numbers in the NCAA are good, but he's 20 yo and plays in a weak division.
-Drafting Misa in the 5th round might have been another gift from the Hockey Gods, in a year that saw a trend emerge of smaller players being snubbed. Misa started down the lineup in Brampton and his offensive numbers suffered as a result, but since being elevated to the top line he's putting up points at a nearly 2 ppg pace. This kid literally has everything you want in a player except size, and most had him in the 2nd round.
-Eric Jamieson was loved by the scouts and coaches at camp, and he might be the best shutdown D in the WHL- placing in the top-5 for plus/minus in the league.
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