2015 NHL Draft

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Question from someone who doesn't follow junior hockey much if at all. Is McDavid so good that you simply have to take him given the chance, or could a team already stocked up on offensive prospects be better served to turn that first overall into 2 or 3 first round picks to stock up on defense? With this being the first year of every non-playoff team able to win the #1 pick, looking at the current non-playoff teams a very visible trend is teams that don't have much trouble scoring goals but a very hard time keeping them out of their own net. Toronto for example has the 2nd best offense in the league, would they really be better served with McDavid on the roster vs. filling out their weak defensive prospect pool if they won the lottery?

Considering Toronto doesn't have a #1 center they wouldn't trade him.

The big thing you look at is: you have an 18 year old generational talent center, do we draft and keep him for the next 2 decades or hold on to our older players who likely are not as good?

I think you draft him and move out a #2 center for help in your area of need.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Question from someone who doesn't follow junior hockey much if at all. Is McDavid so good that you simply have to take him given the chance, or could a team already stocked up on offensive prospects be better served to turn that first overall into 2 or 3 first round picks to stock up on defense? With this being the first year of every non-playoff team able to win the #1 pick, looking at the current non-playoff teams a very visible trend is teams that don't have much trouble scoring goals but a very hard time keeping them out of their own net. Toronto for example has the 2nd best offense in the league, would they really be better served with McDavid on the roster vs. filling out their weak defensive prospect pool if they won the lottery?

Well it depends on organization strategy (i.e BPA vs organizational need) and how much of a gap you see between McDavid and the defencemen in this draft. In particular Toronto would not pass up a #1 center.

From what I am getting as the feeling out there is that McDavid is not Crosby level, but more of a Tavares level prospect.

Hanifin is a prospect that many people thought would exceed Seth Jones about 6 months ago. He hasn't done that. He is right now projecting into more of a top pairing dman, with maybe elite potential. Closest comparable that seems to keep coming up is Ryan Suter.

If you were given the choice between John Tavares or Ryan Suter and maybe another top 4 defenceman. Which would you take?

Everyday we are getting closer to the draft, more and more people are starting to say this draft wasn't as deep as once thought.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Everyday we are getting closer to the draft, more and more people are starting to say this draft wasn't as deep as once thought.

I dunno... when you have a eligible CHL Center that's 17 years old, 6'3, and has put up 71 points in 38 games and he's not even a consensus top 5 pick... I find it hard to believe it's not a deep draft.

I think people are just getting nitpicky earlier then they usually do.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I dunno... when you have a eligible CHL Center that's 17 years old, 6'3, and has put up 71 points in 38 games and he's not even a consensus top 5 pick... I find it hard to believe it's not a deep draft.

I think people are just getting nitpicky earlier then they usually do.

They do still say the top end of the draft is deep, but there were people a few months ago claiming the top 50 of this draft would be really good.

Not so anymore.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

The thought of Toronto winning the lottery makes me physically ill

[Caged Great]

The top 10 this year is ridiculous, probably the deepest top 10 other than 2013 in the last decade. The 1-5 is better this year than in 2013, but the 6-10 was better then.

11-25 is good, but it depends on the player.

At the end of the day I think it'll be a coin flip which is better between 2013 and this year.

[#-3]

There are a few big right shooting Defenders in the middle of their list. It would be nice for the organizational depth chart if one of them turns out to be the right guy for the Flames.

Carlo Brandon 6’5’’ 198lbs WHL
Matthew Spencer 6’2” 201lbs OHL
Nicolas Meloche 6’3” 202lbs QMJHL

I honestly haven't specifically watched any of them, or read any scouting reports on them yet. But if the Flames scouts end up telling us, one of these guys was the right guy that's great.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by #-3

There are a few big right shooting Defenders in the middle of their list. It would be nice for the organizational depth chart if one of them turns out to be the right guy for the Flames.

Carlo Brandon 6’5’’ 198lbs WHL
Matthew Spencer 6’2” 201lbs OHL
Nicolas Meloche 6’3” 202lbs QMJHL

I honestly haven't specifically watched any of them, or read any scouting reports on them yet. But if the Flames scouts end up telling us, one of these guys was the right guy that's great.

I've been keeping my eye in Nicolas Meloche. He puts up some decent points in the Q & is pretty tough.

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=213821

A smooth skating defenceman who can put up points, utilizing his strength behind his shot, and plays with an edge. Has very good awareness on the ice, and notices possible scoring chances before they happen. Very intelligent defensively and makes high percentage decisions in his own end. When at the top of his game, Nicolas Meloche can be a game-changing, physical two-way defenceman. (Curtis Joe, EP 2014)

Yes please.

Usually young defenders who display strong two way game don't come with a full package and toolbox. Not so here. He is player who is strong positionally but also displays mobility and strong physicality. Already mature in his understanding of his position. He takes attackers to the outside, with good gaps and timing. Retrieves many of those pucks and quickly advances them with quick outs. Reads the outlets and is precise in his passes, causing odd-man breaks at the other end. Is developing as pointman on the PP. Will walk in along the wall to open things, and is also starting to walk the blue line to set up the attack on the PP. A big man with excellent mobility. Looks destined to go early.
--Bill Placzek--

Hallelujah, our saviour has arrived!

http://www.mckeenshockey.com/prospec...015-nhl-draft/

Another smart, heady defensemen, Meloche played in all situations as a rookie on a competitive Baie-Comeau team.

He’s not a strong skater and often has trouble controlling his gaps off the rush but he’s smart enough and strong enough to make up for it, at least at the junior level. If his skating can improve, his got the ability to be considered as a later pick in the first round.

Hrrrrm...

[Hart50]

For what it's worth the following is from Craig Button's notes on his latest 2015 draft list:

"The New Year begins with the countdown to the draft and if there is anything I know for certain, we can expect players to step up their games and continue to show that this draft class could be very special, not just at the top but throughout."

[dammage79]

I've been stat watching a few players with interest in this draft class and Nikita Korostelev has slipped considerably in Craigs new list.

IIRC Korostelev was ranked in the 20's earlier but maybe because he's under 1.5 ppg. Meaning his production has slowed a bit. Still keen on watching him as I think he sounds like a great fit for the Flames. If they could nab him with their 2nd rounder even better.

Another player I've been tailing since the initial list release has been Rasmus Andersson of the Barrie Colts. No Idea why he's fell off of the map but for a D man in his draft year a ppg pace is pretty solid. Haven't read any slights on his skating or his hockey IQ so maybe he could be another decent 2nd round grab if they Flames manage to get another one through trade.

[Bingo]

Latest prospect rankings from THN

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/20...les-the-roost/

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Question from someone who doesn't follow junior hockey much if at all. Is McDavid so good that you simply have to take him given the chance, or could a team already stocked up on offensive prospects be better served to turn that first overall into 2 or 3 first round picks to stock up on defense? With this being the first year of every non-playoff team able to win the #1 pick, looking at the current non-playoff teams a very visible trend is teams that don't have much trouble scoring goals but a very hard time keeping them out of their own net. Toronto for example has the 2nd best offense in the league, would they really be better served with McDavid on the roster vs. filling out their weak defensive prospect pool if they won the lottery?

As most people, I also think you have to pick McDavid. If you have a wealth of centers, then you can trade one for defensive help

Also, this is not the first year all non playoff teams can pick first overall by winning the lottery. I beleive 2013 was the first year.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

As most people, I also think you have to pick McDavid. If you have a wealth of centers, then you can trade one for defensive help

Also, this is not the first year all non playoff teams can pick first overall by winning the lottery. I beleive 2013 was the first year.

This is the first year. 2013 was still just move up max 4 spots, 2014 was the changed percentages, and this year is changed percentages and the lottery winner gets 1st overall regardless of their original spot.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by nik-

This is the first year. 2013 was still just move up max 4 spots, 2014 was the changed percentages, and this year is changed percentages and the lottery winner gets 1st overall regardless of their original spot.

?

2013 was the first year that any non-playoff team could win 1st overall.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=658503

The 2013 NHL Draft Lottery, to be held this year on Monday, April 29, will be the first in NHL history where all 14 clubs not qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, or the clubs that have acquired the first-round drafting positions of those non-playoff clubs, will have a chance at winning the right to the first overall selection. Under the previous lottery system, only the five teams with the fewest points in the standings had the opportunity to win the first overall selection as rules dictated no team could move up more than four spots.

2015 is the first year they changed percentages from 2013.

[nik-]

wow, I thought it was still four spots back then.

[lanny9]

Erie vs London on now on Sportsnet East, Ontario and Pacific.

[cral12]

Hot off the presses, 2015 NHL Mock Draft: The Next Ones New Year’s Edition

- Includes Prospect Profiler Notes

Not sure this guy is on the board in June when Flames pick, but...

Go ahead, mock the mock...

[Vulcan]

Buffalo with another three first round picks, so far. In five years they should be a top team.

[Freeway]

Conroy and Treliving at the Dome tonight, watching Pilon and Provorov.
The Russian with a three point night and a sick dangle goal on the PP. He's got size.
Left-handed shot, but otherwise he ticks all the boxes for the Flames.

[cral12]

^He (Provorov) was fantastic - great to interview after the game as well - came away impressed. Never would I have projected or advised Flames to draft a Russian in the 1st rnd (in recent yrs), but in this case, I don't think I'd hesitate with what I know now.

My tweet post-game:

@ChrisRalphTHW · Jan 11
#NHLdraft eligible Ivan Provorov told me post gm he patterns his gm after Nik Lidstrom but realistic about; today his play Lidstrom-esque.