2021 NHL Entry Draft

[Bertuzzipunch]

19 minutes ago, Eddie said:

Hey everyone - I've been closely following the drafts for the last 10 years and as there has been almost nothing to do for the last year thanks to our old friend Corona I watched a lot of footage, and read a lot of reports. 

So, As my first post on these here forums I wanted to provide a slightly different take on a draft list which doesn't so much describe and rank the players but takes the Range I feel they are predicted to go in taken from many many sources while adding my own personal bias - From there i have added some theories on how likely they are to rise of fall around or beyond that range. 

Given our draft position and the many many variables of this years draft I thought it could be an interesting take and while its a long old story I hope some people might find it interesting : 

Range : 1-3. Owen Power, LHD, Michigan Wolverines (NCAA)
Does he drop ?  Small chance of dropping to 2 but no further. Seems consensus number 1 amongst scouts. Has the tools and the toolbox which make him as close to a sure thing as this draft is gonna see. Having a big mobile D certainly seems to be a thing this playoffs. He is likely to have a more Ekblad level career than Hedman tho so not the most exciting #1, and questions around fit in Buffalo along with commitment to a college route might cause a small place drop.
 

Range : 1-3. Matthew Beniers, C/W, Michigan Wolverines (NCAA)
Does he move up ? Low chance he goes #1.  If Buffalo really feel they are going to lose both Reinhart and Eichel then maybe they choose the center over the D where they already have Dahlin. If not then likely they do go with Power who is the consensus better player
Does he drop ? Unlikely to drop below three. High motor, character, all round game and the value of playing the center position makes him a very appealing pick. That being said, there are not many truly elite aspects of his game with scouts feeling he is more likely ultimately a 2nd center, again making him not the most exciting top 2 pick.  It could be a team or two that prefers the higher ceiling of one of the big D in this position. 

Range : 3-5. William Eklund, C/W, Djurgårdens IF (SHL)
Does he move up ? Highly unlikely. Too many good players at more important positions ( based on the feeling he will play W in the NHL). 
Does he Drop ? Very unlikely he drops below 5. Due to already being a proven talent in the SHL Eklund is a very safe bet to be a high impact scoring forward at NHL level. His final position will depend on how the teams picking in this range value the other D or really believe in one of the other high skill cap forwards.
 
 
Range : 3-11. Dylan Guenther, C/W, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Does he move up ? Scouts were very high on him earlier in the year after posting some impressive numbers. He could move up as high as 3 if a team in need of high scoring potential coupled with an all round game really likes the player.
Does he drop ? I think Guenther is one of the largest wildcards in the top 11. He has high IQ and a great motor but his skill level is lower than you would like for a top 5 pick. Sample size is lower and against weaker opposition. Projects to wing which is a less favourable position. Was outshined by other prospects at the U18’s.

Range : 2-9 . Brandt Clarke, RHD, HC Nove Zamky (Slovakia) – on loan from Barrie Colts (OHL)
Does he move up ? Clarke has a good chance of moving as high as 2. Tho I think 3-5 is more likely. His Offensive talents are exactly what many teams are looking for in an offensive D /  Powerplay quaterback. He has good size and great I.Q. He is also Right Handed and has at least a developing defensive game.
Does he Drop ? He could drop as far as Vancouver at 9 where he would feel a huge organizational need - but I think that’s highly unlikely… He struggled defensively when playing against men this season. His skating is not great and it would seem still affected by a prior knee injury that could scare teams off. I’m telling u there is a chance ;-) 

Range : 5-12. Luke Hughes, LHD, USNTDP Juniors (USHL)
Does he move up ? I feel Luke could be a bit more of a wild card than some people think. I think it's possible he moves as high as 4. His bloodline seems to imply that he is a sure bet to make the show.  He has a lot of good looking tools and I feel you could make an argument for him being the 3rd best offensive D in the draft.
Does he drop ? Once you add in season ending foot surgery, a below average defensive game and the odd murmurings of some attitude problems. Then look at his offensive tools that are way less developed than Quinn who I also feel had a better defensive game in his draft year (and still dropped to our extreme benefit!). If you're banking on his larger frame making up for those short falls - closer inspection of his game proves he hardly uses that size to good effect.  He could drop outside the top 10 - but i do think the upsides will out weigh the downsides when it comes to Luke and someone will take him in the middle of the top 10 region.

Range : 3-11. Simon Edvinsson, LHD, Frölunda HC (SHL)
Does he move up ? I have seen a lot of people compare Edvinsson to Philip Broberg from the 2019 draft. While they are stylistically a little different they are very similar on the risk Vs reward front.  If a team likes him as much as Edmonton did Broberg I could see him going as high as 3. And if he can put all the aspects of his game together coupled with his size he could very well be the best D in this draft.
Does he drop ? Edvinsson has all the tools to be a Norris level D - he also has all the risk of being a Gudbransson level bust. His decision making can be terrible. Sbisa pizza level passing plagues his breakout game and routine mistakes indicate IQ problems. There may just be too much risk here for team to take a gamble in the top 10 and he could end up in free fall. I still think it's likely he goes top 11 - probably top 8 just like Broberg.

Range : 2-11. Kent Johnson, C, Michigan Wolverines (NCAA)
Does he move up ? Johnson has the highest skill ceiling of any forward in the top 10. The kid has a crazy offensive toolbox with some highlight reel plays on show. He could have Petey / Barzal level potential if he can put it all together. If a team believes he has the drive and IQ to put it together i can see him going 2-6 no problem.
Does he drop ? Johnson does have a small frame and an underdeveloped defensive game. He also has some IQ problems that lead to holding onto the puck for too long and ultimately making a bad decision. He at times reminds me of Drouin in his draft year and could follow his career path if he is unable to pull things together.  Still, i think his upside is too much to pass up on. I can still see him going 5-10.

Range : 9-15. Jesper Wallstedt, G, Luleå HF (SHL)
Does he move up ? The only way I really see Wallstedt moving up is one of the teams in the top 10 see this pick as the only way of shoring up the position. Some noise coming out of Detroit and San Jose that adding this player could be just what they need and could play sooner rather than later for a G prospect given his already impressive numbers in the SHL. I think the overall upside is not there to justify taking Wallstedt in the top 5-7. 
Does he drop ? I think unless he really fits a teams needs he will ultimately go 10-17 range. His upside looks lower than some recent first round pick Gs who went lower than his projection range and picking a G top 10 can always be a risky proposition. I feel he goes to Det / SJ or he drops 12-15.

Range : 3-15  Mason McTavish, C, EHC Olten (SL) – on loan from Peterborough Petes (OHL)
Does he move up ? The C factor coupled with the compete, bloodline and shot could well see McTavish go top 5-10. He could be this year's Hayton or KK for sure. He looked good at the U18’s, not out of his depth against men in the Swiss league and he brings the game teams win with in the playoffs. He seems mature and intelligent in all interviews i have seen.
Does he drop ? I think there is no chance he drops below 12. However I do think people are now over hyping Mason. While he has compete and character, he doesn’t have the pace and skill of other players around him and If you want a pure goal scoring center both Sillinger and Lucius are better options. I think he would be a perfect fit for Vancouver as his pretty safe floor of competitive 3rd line center who can chip in 20 goals would fill a big organizational need. He looks very similar to Bo in his draft year. Most likely goes 5-10.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I really feel the above is the top 9 (+ 1 G) that Benning was talking about - the drop off from here is a bit larger - tho there are a few interesting prospect who could jump up depending on scouting / interviews who i will briefly cover next

Top 20. Fabian Lysell, RW, Luleå HF (SHL)
Strong motor with a tenacious game and a high skill ceiling to boot. Very much could be a Ehlers / Nylander type of pick due to his current size (tho he plays a more complete game with less offensive IQ that those players).Small frame who struggled a bit against men and his trade request raised concerns about attitude. If a team with strong Sweedish scouting like Detroit or Vancouver picks him I think he turn out to be a great pick - otherwise likely goes 12-20.

Top 20. Chaz Lucius, C/W, U.S. National U18 Team (USDP)
Huge potential to be highly skilled scoring forward. He is defensively responsible and has good hands, reasonable size with a scary array of deadly shots in his arsenal. Only his skating is suspect. An injury hit season has enabled scouts to only get a short look at him so likely he now goes outside the top 10 however he could end up being a Barzal like pickup for some lucky team in the mid teens - if someone in the top 10 doesn’t take a small reach to snag him.

Top 20. Cole Sillinger, C, Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
Another good goal scoring prospect whose stock has probably been affected badly by the pandemic. I do think he is a tier below Lucius with even worse staking. So baring his bloodline or other insider scouting knowledge i find it hard to believe he would go before Lucius, Johnson and McTavish

Top 20. Carson Lambos, LHD, Winnipeg ICE (WHL)
Lambos could be one of if not the best all round D of this draft and a perfect fit for Vancouver's blueline baring the small issue of handedness. He is a great powerful skater with a large body and most importantly for us, a killer shot from the point. Biggest concerns seem to be around his season ending injury which is still largely undisclosed in nature - meaning it could be a similar knee injury to that which has seriously hampered OJ’s development. I do actually believe if not for this injury and if he had played a full season that he could be challenging for 3rd best D prospect right now. 

Final potential mentions to players who could be seeing their draft stock rise but also pretty unlikely to be of consideration when Vancouver pick due to being a tier lower in skill or with other added risk areas. Still can’t say i would be upset if we picked one of the following either :

Fyodor Svechkov, C/LW, Ladia Togliatti (MHL)
Nikita Chibrikov, RW, SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)
Corson Ceulemans, RHD, Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
Zachary L’Heureux, C, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Aatu Räty, C, Kärpät (Liiga)
 
 
 
 

I think i trust you more than Pronman 

[GB5]

9 hours ago, Bertuzzipunch said:

I think i trust you more than Pronman 

yup. Pronman seems to be a tad but scewed,

[GB5]

9 hours ago, Eddie said:

Top 20. Cole Sillinger, C, Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
Another good goal scoring prospect whose stock has probably been affected badly by the pandemic. I do think he is a tier below Lucius with even worse staking. So baring his bloodline or other insider scouting knowledge i find it hard to believe he would go before Lucius, Johnson and McTavish

I would put Sillinger as my alternative top 9-11 guy if all the other higher ranked top 10 forwards and defensemen are gone. I have stated previously I would not take a goalie in the top 10 and I purt a premium on the centre position. 

Sillinger to me is in the Horvat mold and is a guy you can win with. That said I would be happier with the likes of McTavish, Johnson, Guenther et al but Sillinger will be a very good player and is a guy who could help the Canucks and should not be overlooked shoud all these guys go ahead of him.

 

[HKSR]

14 hours ago, Amaneey said:

Simon Edvinsson, LHD, Frolunda-SHL Feb. 5, 2003 | 6-foot-4 | 198 pounds 

Skating: Average

Puck Skills: Average

Hockey Sense: Average

Compete: Average 

Edvinsson was impressive in the junior ranks in Sweden. He was good, but not amazing at varying pro levels and was an anchor for Sweden’s U18 team internationally. He stands out instantly as a 6-foot-4 defenseman with legit offensive skill. It’s rare to see a player his size lead a rush or make a play off the blue line and dangle through opponents consistently like he does. Edvinsson is also quite a good skater for his size. His straightaway speed is just OK, but he’s got great edgework, showing the first step and quick turns to elude pressure and create clean exits and entries. Defensively his size and skating allow him to close gaps and make a lot of stops and he’s not afraid to be physical. He’s not a dynamic playmaker, but Edvinsson can make the heads-up first pass and shows some power-play poise. In a sentence, Edvinsson projects as a quality top-four defenseman and on a power-play unit with the potential to play higher in an NHL lineup. 

I don't agree with this at all.  Edvinsson is quite elusive on skates and his skating just looks awkward due to his size.  If you watch him play, he accelerates quite well and his edgework is fantastic.  Top speed may be limited, but he's a defenceman, so acceleration is more important. 

Compete is also much higher than just average.  Again, just watch him play.

Puck skills is higher than average too.  He stickhandles very well in traffic.

In the write-up, he even talks about all of this lol

 

I'd rate him more like this:

Skating: Above Average

Puck Skills:  Above Average

Hockey Sense:  Average

Compete:  Above Average

 

TIER 3:  Projected top of the lineup player

[Off_The_Schneid!]

Brandt Clarks Skating 

 

yes he skates well

yes it looks clunky 

 

doesn’t change the fact he’s a good skater 

 

his form is off a bit, would it lead to increased injuries and quicker muscle fatigue? 

My guess is yes I’m not a Doctor though 

 

[86Viking]

1 hour ago, HKSR said:

I don't agree with this at all.  Edvinsson is quite elusive on skates and his skating just looks awkward due to his size.  If you watch him play, he accelerates quite well and his edgework is fantastic.  Top speed may be limited, but he's a defenceman, so acceleration is more important. 

Compete is also much higher than just average.  Again, just watch him play.

Puck skills is higher than average too.  He stickhandles very well in traffic.

In the write-up, he even talks about all of this lol

 

I'd rate him more like this:

Skating: Above Average

Puck Skills:  Above Average

Hockey Sense:  Average

Compete:  Above Average

 

TIER 3:  Projected top of the lineup player

If Edvinsson gets picked by us, it is in the hopes that he can be Edler 2.0 down the road

[HKSR]

4 minutes ago, Canuckster86 said:

If Edvinsson gets picked by us, it is in the hopes that he can be Edler 2.0 down the road

I think he does everything a bit better than Edler. 

[Dixon Ward]

25 minutes ago, HKSR said:

I think he does everything a bit better than Edler. 

I think Edler has been underrated for quite awhile.  He has had 4 or 5 straight coaches, all with different styles, who relied on him as our top defenseman.  PP, PK, and the most overall minutes essentially for 12 years, through ups and downs, wins and losses and many teammates and coaches.

 

If GMJB thinks Edvinsson is better than Edler and is the bpa, I hope he picks him regardless of current team need.

[Gawdzukes]

3 minutes ago, Dixon Ward said:

I think Edler has been underrated for quite awhile.  He has had 4 or 5 straight coaches, all with different styles, who relied on him as our top defenseman.  PP, PK, and the most overall minutes essentially for 12 years, through ups and downs, wins and losses and many teammates and coaches.

 

If GMJB thinks Edvinsson is better than Edler and is the bpa, I hope he picks him regardless of current team need.

That just goes to show you that we have been lacking high end defensive skill for awhile. 

[HKSR]

2 minutes ago, Dixon Ward said:

I think Edler has been underrated for quite awhile.  He has had 4 or 5 straight coaches, all with different styles, who relied on him as our top defenseman.  PP, PK, and the most overall minutes essentially for 12 years, through ups and downs, wins and losses and many teammates and coaches.

 

If GMJB thinks Edvinsson is better than Edler and is the bpa, I hope he picks him regardless of current team need.

Don't get me wrong.  Edler has been one of this franchises' best defencemen of all time.  He has been a steady top pairing defenceman for years for us.

 

Edvinsson, IMO, does everything a bit better than Edler.  Whether or not he puts it all together in the NHL for an entire career remains to be seen, but I believe that is the reason why Edvinsson was ranked as high as #2 or #3 this past year on draft rankings.  IF he puts it all together, I see him as a #1 all situations defenceman.

[Dixon Ward]

4 minutes ago, Gawdzukes said:

That just goes to show you that we have been lacking high end defensive skill for awhile. 

Sure, but Edler has been a godsend at the 91st overall player.  We have to keep in mind that only a few teams have Lidstroms, Prongers, Karlssons, etc... most teams top defenseman are not Norris Trophy winners.  They are just very good defensemen, which includes Edler.

[Dixon Ward]

20 minutes ago, Dixon Ward said:

I think Edler has been underrated for quite awhile.  He has had 4 or 5 straight coaches, all with different styles, who relied on him as our top defenseman.  PP, PK, and the most overall minutes essentially for 12 years, through ups and downs, wins and losses and many teammates and coaches.

 

If GMJB thinks Edvinsson is better than Edler and is the bpa, I hope he picks him regardless of current team need.

In fact, if he does take Edvinsson, get him on the defenseman factory, Kelowna Rockets, for the next year or two, like they did for Edler.

[Gawdzukes]

25 minutes ago, Dixon Ward said:

Sure, but Edler has been a godsend at the 91st overall player.  We have to keep in mind that only a few teams have Lidstroms, Prongers, Karlssons, etc... most teams top defenseman are not Norris Trophy winners.  They are just very good defensemen, which includes Edler.

That's true. Edler used to drive me crazy with his defensive gaffes and slow feet but I've come to realize there are not many complete defenseman out there. He has definitely done a yeomans work for us.

[86Viking]

1 hour ago, HKSR said:

I think he does everything a bit better than Edler. 

I would hope so considering he is very likely to go top 10, it is like he might turn out like we all had hoped Edler would be early in his career. Still had a good career no doubt but unless its for under 2m and does NOT have a NMC or full NTC it is time to walk away and see what all them young LHD's can do for us and we can bring in a cheap LHD veteran for 1 year, maybe they bring back Jordie Benn for under 1m?

[Dats hockey]

Just curious how you guys think about Kent Johnson and how he would mesh with Green. I see this as not a fit 2 conflicting styles of player and coaching

[Alflives]

1 minute ago, Dats hockey said:

Just curious how you guys think about Kent Johnson and how he would mesh with Green. I see this as not a fit 2 conflicting styles of player and coaching

Any coach will prefer players who work hard on and off the ice, are smart, skilled, and competitive.  If Johnson is those things, then Green (and any coach) will play the guy lots. Does Johnson have those qualities?  

[Marv-the-wet-bandit]

6 minutes ago, Alflives said:

Any coach will prefer players who work hard on and off the ice, are smart, skilled, and competitive.  If Johnson is those things, then Green (and any coach) will play the guy lots. Does Johnson have those qualities?  

Johnson competes and knows his role in the Dzone, if there was a knock it’s just his size and maybe his willingness to try too much in the offensive zone and if he’s willing to learn, which id assume he is, then he will learn to pick his spots for offensive creativity and not do too much at times. TG and Johnson would get along fine 

[Alflives]

2 minutes ago, Marv-the-wet-bandit said:

Johnson competes and knows his role in the Dzone, if there was a knock it’s just his size and maybe his willingness to try too much in the offensive zone and if he’s willing to learn, which id assume he is, then he will learn to pick his spots for offensive creativity and not do too much at times. TG and Johnson would get along fine 

If all other factors are equal, always draft the most skill.  Sure seems like Johnson has elite skill.  

[Off_The_Schneid!]

Johnson is a Goldobin equivalent 

 

Green would play Roussel over him 

[Eddie]

Johnson works hard on the ice for sure - maybe sometimes too hard ?  He is really active on D, leads transition and moves a lot on Offence. He is far from a Goldy type player who can't contribute at both ends of the ice. 

I think the big question will be can he grow and learn to be part of a system the same way that Hoglander has - that will make or break his deployment with Green.  I think if the scouts think that might be the case he will be gone top 5 no prob tho as that would put him into EP level potential.

I really like K.J as a prospect and would be very happy if we picked him. 

Edvinsson scares me the most of any of the top 10 if i'm honest.  Maybe that is just Jake recency bias or maybe I just watched the 3 games he was horrible in. I have heard he has been more consistent and made fewer mistakes in recent games.  I don't see the Edler comparisons - I still think O.J is a really good Edler comp and despite a few struggles this season still looks better ( and fitter ) than Edler did at a similar age.  I think a better comparison for Edvinsson is Tyler Myers - his staking and defending reminds me a lot of Myers and if you get peak Myers he will be a very good pick - if you get brain fart Myers, then look out...