2016 NHL Draft

[Cinephile]

I understand that there isn't a need to draft NHL ready prospects but are there any outside of the top 3 that are considered NHL ready?

[Vulcan]

Jost scores short handed. He's the straw that stirs the drink on Team Canada.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

I don't believe skating is a weakness for Nylander. What are you basing that on?

http://thehockeywriters.com/is-alex-...y-of-the-hype/

"he is not one of the fastest skaters. His propensity to be caught by opposing players on their back-check is troubling"

That article does praise his edgework/agility mind you.

Stylistic comparison, you can't equate their numbers. And even if you could Hartnell has scored 30, 37 and 28 goals at the NHL level too, with three 60 point seasons. I'd happily take a 30g, 30a power forward out of this draft if we're drafting outside the top 3, who wouldn't? A 30g, 30a power forward is a more useful player a finesse forward who scores slightly more.

I didn't "equate" their numbers, 45-55 is what I see out of Tkachuk. But I have compared Tkachuk to be closer to a Landeskog type 50 point grinder-winger, and Hartnell is another guy who is the third wheel on his line. You can acquire third wheels, yes even physical ones, later in the draft than top 6-7. This early in the draft it's a waste of a pick to not get a 1A/1B forward.

I don't expect a 30/30/60 power forward out of Tkachuk. I see a 20/25/45 skilled grinder with only the occasional 30/30/60 career year.

Also Hartnell didn't hit 30 goals until he was in his 8th NHL season despite being a 6th overall pick. And this is a guy who played his younger years in the 06-09 era of good stats. Harnell also has a bigger frame than Tkachuk to play a power game in the NHL. His career averages point to a 22G / 26A / 48P winger. His age 34 year was actually a goal ahead of his career averages.

And what's more important is not aesthetics. Teams win playing a power game, teams win playing a skill/speed game. What matters is being able to defend and create and you can do that different ways. The biggest grinder on the Lightning is a washed up Ryan Callahan, and the Lightning are pretty damn good. The Sharks are up 3-1 on Lucic and the Kings right now, and while Joel Ward is a good power player he's their...seventh best forward. We still need our fourth best forward.

[Vulcan]

3-0 for Canada now with Jost having 2 goals and I believe 1 assist. The Canadian goalies have been good to terrific this whole tournament as well.

[Finger Cookin]

Haha, wrong thread.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Jost and Howden impressing again. Howden looks like a top two line centre with skating, size, creativity, passing, vision and finishing, how is he not rated in the 1st? McLeod is showing some overpassing tendencies, not shooting after receiving on a 2 on 1 and then not shooting right in front of the net but dishing it back. Right after I type that he finally scores one on a nice backhand. McLeod has looked better today I'll give him that.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

I didn't "equate" their numbers, 45-55 is what I see out of Tkachuk. But I have compared Tkachuk to be closer to a Landeskog type 50 point grinder-winger, and Hartnell is another guy who is the third wheel on his line. You can acquire third wheels, yes even physical ones, later in the draft than top 6-7. This early in the draft it's a waste of a pick to not get a 1A/1B forward.

I don't expect a 30/30/60 power forward out of Tkachuk. I see a 20/25/45 skilled grinder with only the occasional 30/30/60 career year.

I think that is underrating Tkachuk's skill and offensive upside. And Landeskog in his young career already has a 65 point season and 59 point season. So Landeskog is a 60+ point player himself. He may not have peaked yet either.

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Harnell also has a bigger frame than Tkachuk to play a power game in the NHL.

No, not really. Hartnell is listed at 6'2 214. Tkachuk isn't that far off those dimensions at age 17. He'll add some strength/weight before peaking.

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

And what's more important is not aesthetics. Teams win playing a power game, teams win playing a skill/speed game. What matters is being able to defend and create and you can do that different ways. The biggest grinder on the Lightning is a washed up Ryan Callahan, and the Lightning are pretty damn good. The Sharks are up 3-1 on Lucic and the Kings right now, and while Joel Ward is a good power player he's their...seventh best forward. We still need our fourth best forward.

Not really sure what you're on about here. Tkachuk is more skilled than Callahan. Tkachuk is more skilled than Ward.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by New Era

See Griffin Reinhart for an example of the skill not translating.

Griffin Reinhart looked like he was skating in mud at the junior level. I've always had huge red flags on him due to his lack of mobility. I don't see how he relates to Nylander at all.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Griffin Reinhart looked like he was skating in mud at the junior level. I've always had huge red flags on him due to his lack of mobility. I don't see how he relates to Nylander at all.

He doesn't. Skill concerns being a possible roadblock do.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Jost with 3 goals and 2 assists to tie McDavid's record for most points ever (14 points) by a Canadian in the U18s. Hmmm.

McLeod gets a tap in shortly thereafter.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by New Era

He doesn't. Skill concerns being a possible roadblock do.

Other than maybe the first three picks, you're going to find some weakness with every player.

So you found one player who hasn't lived up to their billing because of their skating. Monahan isn't known as the best skater either but has excelled. There are probably hundreds of examples on either side of the equation.

Jost scores again for his 14th point.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Wow Howden with a 5 point game too. I'd love to get him with the DAL 1st should we be lucky enough to receive it.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Cinephile

I understand that there isn't a need to draft NHL ready prospects but are there any outside of the top 3 that are considered NHL ready?

I think Chychrun may start in the NHL on a team with weak NHL depth who likes to rush prospects (see EDM). I think he'd probably go back to junior if the Flames picked him.

I think Dubois could start in the NHL if the team that takes him want to play him at wing. Wing is the easiest position to break into and Dubois has NHL size and skating.

Tkachuk I think has a chance to start in the NHL next year as well. He plays an NHL style game, he's fairly filled out for his age and plays wing which is the easiest to break into it.

Just my opinions. A lot depends on what kind of shape the kids would show up to camp in. And then of course on their performance in camp.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Other than maybe the first three picks, you're going to find some weakness with every player.

So you found one player who hasn't lived up to their billing because of their skating. Monahan isn't known as the best skater either but has excelled. There are probably hundreds of examples on either side of the equation.

Jost scores again for his 14th point.

There are weaknesses in every player. You have to weigh those and figure if thos deficiencies are going to hold the player back in your particular context. Hopefully the player has other skills that make him more likely to find success in the NHL on your team. Three killers for players are skating, size and smarts. You can get by without one, but you can't get by without two. All other qualities are trumped by these three in this era. So if you're going to be small, be fast and smart. If you're not overly bright, be fast and have size. If you are a poor skater, be big and know how to play your position better than anyone else. That's the point here. Nylander is very likely to make it and will probably be a pretty good offensive player. He's got decent size and is very smart. That doesn't mean you ignore his weaknesses and think twice about if he fits in your team. That is where the BPA argument falls apart, because every team's list is different, so BPA is strictly dependent on what team is at the podium and the emphasis they have placed on their draft list. Nylander will be ranked top 15 on almost every list. The big question is where he will be listed when each team takes to the podium?

This Jost kid sure seems intriguing. I have not seen him play. Any insights since you're a BC guy and may have come across him?

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by New Era

This Jost kid sure seems intriguing. I have not seen him play. Any insights since you're a BC guy and may have come across him?

From what I've caught of the U18s he is tenacious and aware. Reminds me of Mike Richards in his prime, probably a better skater. If he can play wing I'm starting to think he's one of the BPA at 5/6/7

[Vulcan]

Button just compared Jost to Jonathan Toews, stylistically.

I'm really impressed with him as he's just a great all round player. I could see us or someone else taking him in the top 8.

[hockey.modern]

If I recall to a previous interview, Conroy said they don't think Chychrun is NHL ready yet.

[Vulcan]

Here's a link to Button's review of Jost.

http://www.tsn.ca/hockey-canada

[Flames Draft Watcher]

USA-CZE now on TSN GO. #19 is Keller, #22 is Bellows and #27 is Brown

[bucksmasher]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Here's a link to Button's review of Jost.

http://www.tsn.ca/hockey-canada

Is there a danger of "one great tourney" here?