I assume virtually all teams choose the BPA with the possible exception of teams that have been making multiple high picks for years and have stocked their prospect cupboards with more high end players at a certain position.
Chicago and San Jose need everything despite picking high for a few years. I don’t really have a read on if they need forwards more than defencemen. They have both gone scorched earth in their rebuild so every position is a need for them. So I think these teams will go BPA.
Anaheim has also gone scorched earth over the years as well but I think they need defence more than anything. They are pretty loaded up front with skilled centers and they traded Drysdale this season so they could really use a defenceman to replace him. I would expect them to go with a defenceman unless they end up at 1st overall.
Columbus is a bit of a strange one because… out of all the bad teams in the top 5 of the draft, they are the one that is there “by accident” more than the rest IMO. The moves they have made over the last few years have not been really typical of a team trying to rebuild (like Chicago, San Jose and Anaheim). Makes it tough to read what they will go for. Overall, I think they could use a center and/or a defenceman. I think they would be a threat to take Lindstrom or Catton, personally.
Montreal is one of the more likely teams to draft by position. They have a lot of great young defencemen in their system so I think they are likely to take a forward… they could definitely use a center with size. Others have speculated on this thread that they are high on Iginla. I think I recall someone speculating Montreal’s list (outside of Cellebrini) as 1. Demidov 2. Lindstrom 3. Iginla. I think they are the biggest threat to take Iginla in the top 8 of the draft.
Utah is a wild card. They are loaded with picks/prospects from being a bad team for years. I doubt they will trade their pick away and not make a first round pick in their first draft. But I do wonder if they would be a team willing to trade to either drop down or move up in their selection… a way to “make a splash” at their first draft. They have the pieces to afford to do either. Can’t speak to what they need though. They made of a bit of a reach at last years draft to take a big, skilled Russian defenceman. I wonder if they would be a team to double-down on that and take another big, smooth-skating Russian defenceman. Although, I could see them as a threat to take Iginla as well. They could use the name recognition with their pick and Shane Doan (good friends with Jarome) is part of their management group. Hoping he is good enough friends to let Jarome call Tij’s name in the draft for Calgary.
Ottawa needs right-handed defencemen desperately. Don’t have much within their prospects or on their roster so I could see them making that their target at the draft. I’ve mentioned before that I think Ottawa (along with maybe New Jersey) might be the most willing (though still a long shot) team picking in the top ten that would consider trading the pick for immediate help. A legit top pairing defenceman with term could be the centerpiece Ottawa would consider in a trade for their 7th overall pick.
Seattle could use a centermen or a defenceman with offensive skill. Could see them taking Helenius or one of the top defencemen to quarterback a powerplay in the NHL.
I really hope the flames take Iginla but I could understand if they don’t or if he is already gone by 9th overall. It will be BPA for Calgary IMO… but I also think Iginla will the be the BPA for Calgary at their spot (if he is not picked by then).
New Jersey will likely take BPA if they don’t trade their pick to solve their goalie troubles. No specific need - they are a good team outside of goaltending.
Assuming no changes in draft position after the lottery and assuming no trades in the top ten picks, here’s my predictions for each team:
1. San Jose - Celebrini
2. Chicago - Demidov
3. Anaheim - Dickinson
4. Columbus - Catton
5. Montreal - Lindstrom
6. Utah - Silayev
7. Ottawa - Levshunov
8. Seattle - Buium
9. Calgary - Iginla
10. New Jersey - Helenius
Last edited by stemit14; 04-28-2024 at 08:04 PM.
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