2024 NHL Draft Thread

[Saqe]

Helenius debuted for Finland in the WC centering the first line, didn't watch the game since it was super early but apparently he had a decent game( 0+1).It was also his birthday.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Yet Helenius just played the same tourney as Iginla and he had no goals and 7 apples, Iggy was 6 and 6, I like Helenius but I don't take as much stock playing against men in the finish league as I do with the KHL or the SEL, and Helenius has about as much chance of playing center in the NHL as Iginla.

I think you'll see Iginla play as the #1 center in Kelowna next season.

Are we allowed to compare quality of line mates in this evaluation solely based on a short tournaments production or is that in bad taste?

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Yet Helenius just played the same tourney as Iginla and he had no goals and 7 apples, Iggy was 6 and 6, I like Helenius but I don't take as much stock playing against men in the finish league as I do with the KHL or the SEL, and Helenius has about as much chance of playing center in the NHL as Iginla.

I think you'll see Iginla play as the #1 center in Kelowna next season.

Time will tell i guess on him playing center. Helenius has always been a center.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Sadly, as much as I love Lindstrom, I think his injuries might take him out of the top-10.

Thats the wildcard with him. Would really want doctors to have a look and see what the issue is before drafting him. Shame. His floor is bottom six Center.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Fan69

Time will tell i guess on him playing center. Helenius has always been a center.

From what I'm told he's played a lot at RW this year as well, like I said I like Helenius but I'm a little leery on his lack of explosiveness and size for an NHL center, he's not exactly a sniper either, obviously that could change but for now I don't see him any better than what we have now in Zary.

[dammage79]

I like Tij Iginla. He's a great player. I don't like him for the Flames. For his sake.

The craze about drafting him should be red flag enough about how things will go for him. Just unrealistic expectations.

Means nothing though I suppose. My hunch has been he's going to MTL at 5. Feels like the worst kept secret in hockey.

As for Lindstrom, I'm trying to figure out the risk assessment of drafting him at 9 if he falls away from Columbus at 4 as I don't see any other team taking him over D men or Iggy after the Blue Jackets.

Personally I make the pick for Lindstrom, he's still my number 1 player on my list. If the Flames do take him at 9 I'm confident that they've done the homework on his injury rumors to feel comfortable taking him.

Im still thinking it Helenius until Conny calls another name at the podium though. Just screams Flames M/O type player.

[Saqe]

I would be good with either Iginla or Helenius. Iggy 2.0 would be such a great story. But I'm biased towards Helenius since he would be the first high Finnish pick for Calgary ever and I would follow him much more closely.

Either way, thinking that one guy picked at 9th OA will be the savior is unrealistic. Need multiple guys.

[Fire]

I want the Flames to draft Tij Iginla if he is available at 9, but under no circumstances should they trade up to draft him.

[Royle9]

I posted before but there’s some significant chatter around Lindstrom’s injuries, rumour is it’s significant to the point where it may not be as repairable as once thought. I honestly feel like he drops out of the top 10.

[Royle9]

I challenge someone to do thorough research on Helenius, mostly video of course and show me where you see his comparable as Barkov/Rantanen. Not being facetious either, I’m genuinely curious because I’ve seen almost all of what I could find and don’t see any offensive dominant gameplay. I see a lot of positionally sound, 2 way play with a poor shot but decent vision.

Honestly from the flames perspective it screams a Topi Ronni pick, 2 way finish center with limited offense. Now I’d love to be wrong, but nothing to date from what I’ve seen shows any sort of Barkov comparison, more so a Lundell ceiling.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Royle9

I posted before but there’s some significant chatter around Lindstrom’s injuries, rumour is it’s significant to the point where it may not be as repairable as once thought. I honestly feel like he drops out of the top 10.

I think the hand surgery will heal fine over time but when it comes to the back issues one never knows. Too much of a risk at 9 IMO.

I'm biased though, never wanted him in the first place.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Royle9

I challenge someone to do thorough research on Helenius, mostly video of course and show me where you see his comparable as Barkov/Rantanen. Not being facetious either, I’m genuinely curious because I’ve seen almost all of what I could find and don’t see any offensive dominant gameplay. I see a lot of positionally sound, 2 way play with a poor shot but decent vision.

Honestly from the flames perspective it screams a Topi Ronni pick, 2 way finish center with limited offense. Now I’d love to be wrong, but nothing to date from what I’ve seen shows any sort of Barkov comparison, more so a Lundell ceiling.

Not sure who brought up a Barkov comparison, the kid is 5'11 180lbs

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Sadly, as much as I love Lindstrom, I think his injuries might take him out of the top-10.

Could be but I am still hearing lots of love for the player out there. Mainly because of his skill for a guy his size is pretty extreme. I think a lot depends on medical reports.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Not sure who brought up a Barkov comparison, the kid is 5'11 180lbs

I brought it up because I watched a Youtube scouting report about Helenius and they made the comparison, but also acknowledged the size difference doesn't make it a perfect comparison. I think it was more about being a 200' player with playmaking skill. There are probably better comparisons out there.

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Not sure who brought up a Barkov comparison, the kid is 5'11 180lbs

Sebastian Aho is a better comparison from what I've seen.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Royle9

I challenge someone to do thorough research on Helenius, mostly video of course and show me where you see his comparable as Barkov/Rantanen. Not being facetious either, I’m genuinely curious because I’ve seen almost all of what I could find and don’t see any offensive dominant gameplay. I see a lot of positionally sound, 2 way play with a poor shot but decent vision.

Honestly from the flames perspective it screams a Topi Ronni pick, 2 way finish center with limited offense. Now I’d love to be wrong, but nothing to date from what I’ve seen shows any sort of Barkov comparison, more so a Lundell ceiling.

I've done the thorough research. I've not made any such comps to Barkov. That's unfair to Helenius.

But is equally disengenuous to put him around Ronni or Lundell for that matter. That's a pretty significant chasm of talent spanning between Barkov and Lundell.

I've said it before. The brain and skills are there, he just needs the body to catch up. I've got Helenius #3 overall in the draft for hockey IQ. You can't teach that. What can be taught is what he lacks.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Not sure who brought up a Barkov comparison, the kid is 5'11 180lbs

Originally Posted by Saqe

Sebastian Aho is a better comparison from what I've seen.

I was going to say both of these things almost exactly. Thanks gents.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by Royle9

I challenge someone to do thorough research on Helenius, mostly video of course and show me where you see his comparable as Barkov/Rantanen. Not being facetious either, I’m genuinely curious because I’ve seen almost all of what I could find and don’t see any offensive dominant gameplay. I see a lot of positionally sound, 2 way play with a poor shot but decent vision.

Honestly from the flames perspective it screams a Topi Ronni pick, 2 way finish center with limited offense. Now I’d love to be wrong, but nothing to date from what I’ve seen shows any sort of Barkov comparison, more so a Lundell ceiling.

I've seen a fair amount of video on him. There is offensive upside there. He's a playmaker before scorer but still has a decent shot/release.

His current projection is high end 2 way 2nd line center . Not sure where you got Barkov/Rantannen compariables other then maybe just comparing Liiga stats in the draft year.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

I've seen a fair amount of video on him. There is offensive upside there. He's a playmaker before scorer but still has a decent shot/release.

His current projection is high end 2 way 2nd line center . Not sure where you got Barkov/Rantannen compariables other then maybe just comparing Liiga stats in the draft year.

The historical Liga comps is definitely where it's coming from. Helenius is up there. Which is a positive base Statline comparable but not physically or stylistically.

Long and Short, he's a good player. Just not a eye popping whizz that's gonna make you jump out of your seat.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Saqe

Sebastian Aho is a better comparison from what I've seen.

Yeah that's been brought up but I'm not so sure Helenius will ever be the skater that Aho is though.

For comparison I'll pick another Fin in Mikael Granlund, if you want another Aho I think Berkly Catton has a better chance of that.