Official 2014 NHL Draft thread

[Iron Crotch]

anyone else thinking Draisatl after listening to Murray's recent interviews? he keeps bringing up big bodies who can score

 

Been my thought all along. He has to put the best possible team together, not just select the best purely offensive player (see Oilers, Edmonton).

[darksabre]

Poile is open to moving the 11th pick for a top six forward. Stafford or Stewart and the 31st or 39th (and maybe swap 3rds?).

 

I'm as tired of the trade Stafford talk as anyone, but he's reinvigorated his value somewhat with 21 points in his last 28 games, a 61 points pace on a terrible, terrible team.

 

I'd give em Stafford AND Stewart.

[Hoss]

 

 

I'd give em Stafford AND Stewart.

 

As would I. I think Stewart, 31 and a future conditional 2nd might get it done.

[X. Benedict]

Poile is open to moving the 11th pick for a top six forward. Stafford or Stewart and the 31st or 39th (and maybe swap 3rds?).

 

I'm as tired of the trade Stafford talk as anyone, but he's reinvigorated his value somewhat with 21 points in his last 28 games, a 61 points pace on a terrible, terrible team.

 

It will be a curious year there. I'm sure he's brought in Lavi with the idea that they'll play the left wing lock, the only problem is they don't really have the personnel to run it at forward. I actually think it would be a perfect system for Ennis, which would relieve him of some of the defensive duties of center ice. Just a thought. I also think that Poille has to start winning soon.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

 

 

What is your philosophy on drafting goalies?

 

Murray - "Wait until the 7th round and draft the biggest Swede or Finn you can." :lol:

 

The Sabres will draft a goalie from Finland. Either round 2 or round 7......

[dudacek]

Warning: massive post

 

I’ve never done a mock before but I thought I would give this year a try.

The fact that so many kids rank so tightly together made it very difficult in some places. But it also made it interesting because it really invited you to look at team philosophies and needs.

 

I did it without trades even though I expect the majority of these picks to be up for grabs and several trades to be made. And I think one minor alteration could cause a guy to rise or fall 10 spots because I expect the individual draft boards to be so different. It’s just that kind of year.

 

This is how I expect the draft could unfold, not how I rank the players.

 

30 New Jersey: Dominik Masin D

Trending upwards thanks to a good presence in his own zone, with enough skill to develop his game in the other end. Decent smarts, skills and physicality. Fills a need for the Devils.

 

29 Los Angeles: Anton Karlsson W

A wrecking ball on the forecheck, who has size, NHL speed and should fit nicely into the black-and-silver. May have untapped skill as well.

 

28 Tampa: Jack Dougherty D

National development program defenceman needs work in his own end, but he has the raw skills to be very effective on the point. Has upside and is a nice fit for Tampa.

 

27 Chicago: Nick Schmaltz C

The Hawks’ weakness behind Toews was exposed by the Kings. Schmaltz adds high-end skill to the system at that position. The team hopes exposure to their culture lights the fire he needs to become a top-six NHLer.

 

26 Montreal: Connor Bleackley C

The Canadiens want to get heavier and Bleackley is just the guy. He’s not huge, but he has heart and soul and is a hard-to-play-against difference maker. He has no flash, but his offensive numbers aren’t bad.

 

25 Boston: Brendan Lemieux W

This kid was made to poke for the bear. Stealing him from the fingers of the Canadiens only makes it sweeter. He’s not as good as his dad, Claude, but he plays the same game.

 

24 Anaheim: Roland McKeown D

The Ducks add another balanced, mobile, puck-moving defenceman who should eventually play on the second pair. Better get your blueliners while you can because there aren’t a lot of good ones left.

 

23 Colorado: Travis Sanheim D

The defence-poor Avalanche grab the best defenceman available, right about where he should be picked. Sanheim fits the mould of a mobile puck-mover with size.

 

22 Pittsburgh: Alex Tuch W

Tuch could have easily been the choice of any of the six teams picking ahead of the Penguins, but there is no way he slides past Pittsburgh. His heavy presence is what the league is trending towards and questions about his scoring upside should be answered playing with Crosby and Malkin.

 

21 St. Louis: Sonny Milano W

Size and the fact he plays with Jack Eichel have been knocks against Milano, but his hands are magic. Protected by all the big bodies in St. Louis, he could thrive as an offensive specialist — if he can show Hitch he can play within a system.

 

20 San Jose: Robby Fabbri C

The Sharks launch their rebuild with probably the most talented centre left on the board. Fabbri is small but is shifty and quick and knows how to put up points. He could be another Tyler Ennis.

 

19 Tampa: Adrian Kempe W

The Bolts have put together a forward corps that has some speed and edge. Kempe fits that mould to a T. He has the tools to be an effective third-liner if his skills don’t translate into a role on a higher line.

 

18 Minnesota: David Pastrnak W

The Wild will add to their core of young talent with a speedy puckhound, who has a good dose of skill and hockey sense.

 

17 Philadelphia: Brendan Perlini W

The Flyers are another team that would have preferred to go D here (I still have this feeling they will reach for DeAngelo). But with the sniper Perlini falling this far, they will ###### him up and cross their fingers that he will be this year’s Anthony Mantha.

 

16 Columbus: Kasperi Kapanen W

Columbus was hoping to get a defenceman here, but with Honka gone they will swoop in for a player they probably thought was not going to be available at 16. He’s smart, can skate and is versatile enough that he could find a role on any of the first three lines.

 

15 Detroit: Julius Honka D

With Fleury and Ekblad gone, Detroit quickly pounces on the only other defenceman who is a surefire first-round pick. Honka’s smooth skating and sharp offensive instincts make him a good fit with the Red Wing style of puck possession hockey.

 

14 Dallas: Hayden Fleury D

After a long gap, another defenceman comes off the board, and probably a little later than he should have. Fleury has the complete package and should be a good all-around NHL defenceman for a long time.

 

13 Washington: Ivan Barbashev C/W

The new regime in Washington will try to put a stamp of competitiveness on a washed-out line-up. This all-around warrior with hands might be the perfect guy to make that happen.

 

12 Phoenix: Jake Virtanen W

Phoenix has a lot of options here (as do most of the teams picking in the mid-part of the fist round) but Virtanen is one of the best skaters and has one of the best shots in the draft. He’s a shooter with edge and would be a natural to ride shotgun with Max Domi.

 

11 Nashville: Dylan Larkin C

There are more dynamic players available, and the Predators team screams for more offence. But Larkin screams David Poile type of player. He’s just a good, solid kid who does just about everything well. This is another pick that will be up for trading (and a likely Sabres target)

 

10 Anaheim: Kevin Fiala C

I would be very surprised if this pick isn’t used as part of a package to pry loose Ryan Kesler or Jason Spezza. If they keep it, Anaheim could do just about anything here given their prospect strength across the board. I’m picking Fiala because his size, skill and edge mark him as the eventual successor to Koivu, but I could just as easily see them going with Virtanen or Fleury.

 

9 Winnipeg: Nikolai Ehlers W

The Jets also need centres, but that won’t prevent them from snatching up Ehlers, who should have been picked earlier. He is the most talented, dynamic player available and a nice complement to their bulky forward corps.

 

8 Toronto: Jared McCann C

Leaf fans will cut their wrists if this is their pick, but I really see them going centre here. Larkin, Barbashev and Fiala are also possibilities, but I see the Shanahan regime taking the good Ontario boy — who is a fine two-way player and should become a solid second-line centre.

 

7 Carolina: Michael Dal Colle W

This was a tough one to call — new GM, needs at every position, yet no perfect match for around this spot in the draft. This is a pick that could be moved. Dal Colle and Ehlers are the best players available. They will go with the sneakier Dal Colle because Ehlers is similar to Skinner and Lindholm.

 

6 Vancouver: Sam Bennett C

The Canucks knock Gary Bettman over on their sprint to the podium. They desperately need a number one centre to rebuild around and after failing to trade up to get one, Bennett falls into their laps.

 

5 NY Islanders: Michael Nylander C/W

Consensus would have the Islanders targeting the sniper Dal Colle here, to ride shotgun with Tavares. But Garth Snow will have been fixated on the upper-echelon talents of Nylander since he dazzled at the U18s. So much so, he will stick with Plan A despite the surprise presence of Sam Bennett.

 

4 Calgary: Nick Ritchie W

Truculence and pugnacity. They are the trademarks of Brian Burke hockey. When they are available in a huge, offensively gifted body, and with Monahan already in the fold, you will understand why this pick should not be the surprise it will be.

 

3 Edmonton: Leon Draisaitl C

They’d prefer a defenceman here if there was one worth taking, and would be open to trading down. But this is a team devoid of a big-bodied possession player in their top six. That’s why Leon edges Bennett in a battle of two equal number-one centres.

 

2 Buffalo: Sam Reinhart C

A complete player and competitor who the team’s assistant GM said has the best hockey IQ he’s seen in a decade. A point producer who has improved every year, dominated in his draft year, and played well at the world juniors — and a perfect fit for a team in desperate need of a playmaking centre.

 

1 Florida: Aaron Ekblad D

The safest pick in the draft at a position of need. He will play in the NHL next year and play at a high level for 15 years. He may not be a franchise guy, but he could be. He has every tool. Unless someone blows them away with a trade offer, he’s their man.

 

If things fall along these lines, it would leave Demko, Ho-Sang, Scherbak, Vrana and Goldobin among the notables available for Buffalo at pick 31.

Edited June 20, 2014 by dudacek

[Huckleberry]

If we trade for nashville's pick it will be for barbashev :D

[X. Benedict]

Warning: massive post

 

If things fall along these lines, it would leave Demko, Ho-Sang, Scherbak, Vrana and Goldobin among the notables available for Buffalo at pick 31.

 

I read it and liked it.

Like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval this wins one of my Eggy Awards.

 

McCann that high? Hmmmm. I really think Ehlers is a gem of a player at 9.

I'd be surprised if Richie goes that high, but Calgary has a tradition of trying to out-think the draft.

Edited June 20, 2014 by X. Benedict

[Rasmus_]

Warning: massive post

 

I’ve never done a mock before but I thought I would give this year a try.

The fact that so many kids rank so tightly together made it very difficult in some places. But it also made it interesting because it really invited you to look at team philosophies and needs.

 

I did it without trades even though I expect the majority of these picks to be up for grabs and several trades to be made. And I think one minor alteration could cause a guy to rise or fall 10 spots because I expect the individual draft boards to be so different. It’s just that kind of year.

 

This is how I expect the draft could unfold, not how I rank the players.

 

30 New Jersey: Dominik Masin D

Trending upwards thanks to a good presence in his own zone, with enough skill to develop his game in the other end. Decent smarts, skills and physicality. Fills a need for the Devils.

 

29 Los Angeles: Anton Karlsson W

A wrecking ball on the forecheck, who has size, NHL speed and should fit nicely into the black-and-silver. May have untapped skill as well.

 

28 Tampa: Jack Dougherty D

National development program defenceman needs work in his own end, but he has the raw skills to be very effective on the point. Has upside and is a nice fit for Tampa.

 

27 Chicago: Nick Schmaltz C

The Hawks’ weakness behind Toews was exposed by the Kings. Schmaltz adds high-end skill to the system at that position. The team hopes exposure to their culture lights the fire he needs to become a top-six NHLer.

 

26 Montreal: Connor Bleackley C

The Canadiens want to get heavier and Bleackley is just the guy. He’s not huge, but he has heart and soul and is a hard-to-play-against difference maker. He has no flash, but his offensive numbers aren’t bad.

 

25 Boston: Brendan Lemieux W

This kid was made to poke for the bear. Stealing him from the fingers of the Canadiens only makes it sweeter. He’s not as good as his dad, Claude, but he plays the same game.

 

24 Anaheim: Roland McKeown D

The Ducks add another balanced, mobile, puck-moving defenceman who should eventually play on the second pair. Better get your blueliners while you can because there aren’t a lot of good ones left.

 

23 Colorado: Travis Sanheim D

The defence-poor Avalanche grab the best defenceman available, right about where he should be picked. Sanheim fits the mould of a mobile puck-mover with size.

 

22 Pittsburgh: Alex Tuch W

Tuch could have easily been the choice of any of the six teams picking ahead of the Penguins, but there is no way he slides past Pittsburgh. His heavy presence is what the league is trending towards and questions about his scoring upside should be answered playing with Crosby and Malkin.

 

21 St. Louis: Sonny Milano W

Size and the fact he plays with Jack Eichel have been knocks against Milano, but his hands are magic. Protected by all the big bodies in St. Louis, he could thrive as an offensive specialist — if he can show Hitch he can play within a system.

 

20 San Jose: Robby Fabbri C

The Sharks launch their rebuild with probably the most talented centre left on the board. Fabbri is small but is shifty and quick and knows how to put up points. He could be another Tyler Ennis.

 

19 Tampa: Adrian Kempe W

The Bolts have put together a forward corps that has some speed and edge. Kempe fits that mould to a T. He has the tools to be an effective third-liner if his skills don’t translate into a role on a higher line.

 

18 Minnesota: David Pastrnak W

The Wild will add to their core of young talent with a speedy puckhound, who has a good dose of skill and hockey sense.

 

17 Philadelphia: Brendan Perlini W

The Flyers are another team that would have preferred to go D here (I still have this feeling they will reach for DeAngelo). But with the sniper Perlini falling this far, they will ###### him up and cross their fingers that he will be this year’s Anthony Mantha.

 

16 Columbus: Kasperi Kapanen W

Columbus was hoping to get a defenceman here, but with Honka gone they will swoop in for a player they probably thought was not going to be available at 16. He’s smart, can skate and is versatile enough that he could find a role on any of the first three lines.

 

15 Detroit: Julius Honka D

With Fleury and Ekblad gone, Detroit quickly pounces on the only other defenceman who is a surefire first-round pick. Honka’s smooth skating and sharp offensive instincts make him a good fit with the Red Wing style of puck possession hockey.

 

14 Dallas: Hayden Fleury D

After a long gap, another defenceman comes off the board, and probably a little later than he should have. Fleury has the complete package and should be a good all-around NHL defenceman for a long time.

 

13 Washington: Ivan Barbashev C/W

The new regime in Washington will try to put a stamp of competitiveness on a washed-out line-up. This all-around warrior with hands might be the perfect guy to make that happen.

 

12 Phoenix: Jake Virtanen W

Phoenix has a lot of options here (as do most of the teams picking in the mid-part of the fist round) but Virtanen is one of the best skaters and has one of the best shots in the draft. He’s a shooter with edge and would be a natural to ride shotgun with Max Domi.

 

11 Nashville: Dylan Larkin C

There are more dynamic players available, and the Predators team screams for more offence. But Larkin screams David Poile type of player. He’s just a good, solid kid who does just about everything well. This is another pick that will be up for trading (and a likely Sabres target)

 

10 Anaheim: Kevin Fiala C

I would be very surprised if this pick isn’t used as part of a package to pry loose Ryan Kesler or Jason Spezza. If they keep it, Anaheim could do just about anything here given their prospect strength across the board. I’m picking Fiala because his size, skill and edge mark him as the eventual successor to Koivu, but I could just as easily see them going with Virtanen or Fleury.

 

9 Winnipeg: Nikolai Ehlers W

The Jets also need centres, but that won’t prevent them from snatching up Ehlers, who should have been picked earlier. He is the most talented, dynamic player available and a nice complement to their bulky forward corps.

 

8 Toronto: Jared McCann C

Leaf fans will cut their wrists if this is their pick, but I really see them going centre here. Larkin, Barbashev and Fiala are also possibilities, but I see the Shanahan regime taking the good Ontario boy — who is a fine two-way player and should become a solid second-line centre.

 

7 Carolina: Michael Dal Colle W

This was a tough one to call — new GM, needs at every position, yet no perfect match for around this spot in the draft. This is a pick that could be moved. Dal Colle and Ehlers are the best players available. They will go with the sneakier Dal Colle because Ehlers is similar to Skinner and Lindholm.

 

6 Vancouver: Sam Bennett C

The Canucks knock Gary Bettman over on their sprint to the podium. They desperately need a number one centre to rebuild around and after failing to trade up to get one, Bennett falls into their laps.

 

5 NY Islanders: Michael Nylander C/W

Consensus would have the Islanders targeting the sniper Dal Colle here, to ride shotgun with Tavares. But Garth Snow will have been fixated on the upper-echelon talents of Nylander since he dazzled at the U18s. So much so, he will stick with Plan A despite the surprise presence of Sam Bennett.

 

4 Calgary: Nick Ritchie W

Truculence and pugnacity. They are the trademarks of Brian Burke hockey. When they are available in a huge, offensively gifted body, and with Monahan already in the fold, you will understand why this pick should not be the surprise it will be.

 

3 Edmonton: Leon Draisaitl C

They’d prefer a defenceman here if there was one worth taking, and would be open to trading down. But this is a team devoid of a big-bodied possession player in their top six. That’s why Leon edges Bennett in a battle of two equal number-one centres.

 

2 Buffalo: Sam Reinhart C

A complete player and competitor who the team’s assistant GM said has the best hockey IQ he’s seen in a decade. A point producer who has improved every year, dominated in his draft year, and played well at the world juniors — and a perfect fit for a team in desperate need of a playmaking centre.

 

1 Florida: Aaron Ekblad D

The safest pick in the draft at a position of need. He will play in the NHL next year and play at a high level for 15 years. He may not be a franchise guy, but he could be. He has every tool. Unless someone blows them away with a trade offer, he’s their man.

 

If things fall along these lines, it would leave Demko, Ho-Sang, Scherbak, Vrana and Goldobin among the notables available for Buffalo at pick 31.

 

If Perlini were to fall into the teens, I would pray to the Hockey Norse Gods to bring him to Buffalo. Aside from Reinhart and Draisaitl, he's my favorite prospect in the draft.

 

Poile might have some interest in Stewart, but wouldn't it likely be from the center position? I could be completely wrong on that of course. I bet they most likely settle on McCann, Fiala or Fleury if he falls.

Edited June 20, 2014 by TheCerebral1

[Crusader1969]

not going to qoute it but hell of ajob with the mock draft. well thought out and as good as any i have seen on any draft site.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

Dudacek Doin' Work.

 

Thanks....I really have no clue on most of these guys. I want to draft Schmaltz just for the name. If there was ever a name that defined Buffalo.....

[26CornerBlitz]

Sabres' Devine sees strength up front in 2014 draft

Buffalo Sabres assistant general manager Kevin Devine knows nothing is guaranteed, even with a multitude of high draft picks past and present.

 

"We're excited about our prospects, but at the same time, just because we get all these picks doesn't mean it's not going to be a challenge," Devine said. "We've seen other teams have early picks for a long time and struggle, so nothing is guaranteed when you go down this route.

 

"It's just something you hope turns out well and you can surround the younger players with guys who can support them, develop them the right way, and hopefully it all works out in the end."

[LGR4GM]

Okay this will take a minute to go through.

 

What is your philosophy on drafting goalies?

 

Murray - "Wait until the 7th round and draft the biggest Swede or Finn you can." :lol:

Thank you Tim Murray!

 

So do we think Murray has already made a decision or has a solid order of guys set? A lot of former execs say they don't make any real decisions until the beginning of draft week.

From the way Murray is talking and from the reports out of the Sabres, I believe the Sabres already have their list.

 

I think he's targeting that in a trade for another first.

Well if Murray could swing it, I would love to see him trade with EDM to get #3 straight up. Maybe Myers for #3 and ? Hard to say what could or could not happen on draft day. If that did happen, I wouldn't mind seeing either the other Sam or Leon in blue n gold.

 

Agreed. If I understand any of this and if those numbers mean anything, Draisaitl compares to Nail Yakupov and Sam Bennett compares to Steven Stamkos. Bennett and Reinhart are substantially close, with the difference presented hear because Reinhart did a little more of his scoring on special teams. Dal Colle looks like Nathan Horton with a hair more scoring on special teams.

 

I don't know if there's a pro-CHL bias when selecting top picks, but the stats at the very top presented here fall in favor of the CHL- the only WHL'er in the top 11 is RNH. If there's a reason for this, it may speak in favor of selecting Bennett (CHL) over Reinhart (WHL).

Not sure what you mean by pro-chl bias. WHL, OHL, QMJHL are all the CHL right?

 

Been my thought all along. He has to put the best possible team together, not just select the best purely offensive player (see Oilers, Edmonton).

The thing is is you look at the link 26CB posted, even offensively Bennett, Reinhart are better plus their 2way game is talked about non stop. RNH according to that little chart was the worst 1st overall pick of the past decade. Yakupov looks to have run him a close second. I think if you look at those statistics you can see that Bennett and Reinhart are actually fairly elite when comparing them to the past decade of the NHL draft.

[ddaryl]

Well if Murray could swing it, I would love to see him trade with EDM to get #3 straight up. Maybe Myers for #3 and ? Hard to say what could or could not happen on draft day. If that did happen, I wouldn't mind seeing either the other Sam or Leon in blue n gold.

 

this is my fantasy draft. Reinahrt (@#2) is the play-maker, and Draisaitl (@#3) is the immovable big man that sets up the screens works the offensive boards and knocks in those rebounds

 

We have Plenty of ammunition but would a team like Edmonton, that is pretty much not ready to compete, want to give up their high draft pick. I think they would be smart to do what the Sabres are doing. Blow it up, tank, and rebuild.

 

We have Ehrhoff Stewart Meyers Stafford and 2nd round picks to dangle. If a deal can be done ahead of the draft and we can land a pick in in the teens or higher we might have a chance to repackage that pick and move up some more.

Edited June 20, 2014 by ddaryl

[26CornerBlitz]

6-20: ESPN INSIDER'S COREY PRONMAN ON WGR <9:19>

 

Likes Bennett for the Sabres and loves our current prospect pool. Sees Ekblad as the top prospect in the 2014 draft with Bennett, Reinhart, and Nylander also in his top four.

[Huckleberry]

stop saying they'll trade myers for a 1 st round pick, its freeking retarded

[That Aud Smell]

stop saying they'll trade myers for a 1 st round pick, its freeking retarded stupid

 

c'mon, boss.

 

[Eleven]

They may not have that campaign in Belgie.

[LGR4GM]

Okay to simplify the chart I just compiled RNH, Yakupov, and the 3 Musketeers for comparison purposes. Some interesting things you may notice, RNH is easily the worst 1st overall pick on this thing. The 2011 draft had Landeskog who had more even strength goals, points and primary points. So all things considered this draft looks to have better potential then both the 2011 and 2012 draft.

 

 

stop saying they'll trade myers for a 1 st round pick, its freeking retarded

Stop saying we can get Patrick Kane from Chicago, that's 10x more freeking retarded dumb. Also Myers isn't mentally capable of processing the game at NHL speeds consistently, that is just a fact of life.

Edited June 20, 2014 by LGR4GM

[That Aud Smell]

stop saying they'll trade myers for a 1 st round pick, its freeking retarded

c'mon, boss.

They may not have that campaign in Belgie.

 

fair enough. he's on notice now, though. i am among those who just cringe and grit my teeth every time i hear/see that word used derisively.

 

Stop saying we can get Patrick Kane from Chicago, that's 10x more freeking retarded stupid.

 

c'mon, dude.

[Eleven]

You need a column for pullups.

[LGR4GM]

You need a column for pullups.

Can't, Bennett's would be blank... :ph34r:

[Eleven]

Wait--Sam Reinhart's first name is Samson? That's it; sign me up. I want this done yesterday.

 

Just don't let him cut his hair.

Edited June 20, 2014 by Eleven

[26CornerBlitz]

Can't, Bennett's would be blank... :ph34r:

Not anymore. He's up to at least two which puts him even with the great Samson. :lol:

[LGR4GM]

Wait--Sam Reinhart's first name is Samson? That's it; sign me up. I want this done yesterday.

 

Just don't let him cut his hair.

I love his hair, not gonna lie. But yes his name is actually Samson Reinhart.

http://en.wikipedia....ki/Sam_Reinhart

 

Not anymore. He's up to at least two which puts him even with the great Samson. :lol:

Good point! By the Draft he will prob be able to do 4!!!!! DUN DUN DUUUUUNNNNNNNN!!!!!

Edited June 20, 2014 by LGR4GM