RobRock Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 Hockey News just released their '06 Draft Preview issue, and here's their top ten selections. 1. Erik Johnson - D - USA under-18 team - 1st on CSB 2. Phil Kessel - C - Minnesota - 5th 3. Jonathon Toews - C - North Dakota - 3rd 4. Jordan Staal - C - Peterborough - 2nd 5. Nicklas Backstrom - C - Brynas - 1st Europe 6. Peter Mueller - C - Everett - 6th 7. Derick Brassard - C - Drummondville - 4th 8. Jiri Tlusty - LW - Poldi Kladno - 3rd Europe 9. Bryan Little - C - Barrie - 7th 10. Kyle Okposo - RW - Des Moines - 11th Their top rated goalie is Jonathan Bernier of the Quebec League's Lewiston MAINEiacs, who's ranked 17th. After seeing Kessel's play at this year's WJC, I'm a little surprised that they still have him in the number 2 slot. They went into the tourney as gold medal favourites, but never even medalled. Erik Johnson was undoubtedly the best player on the US team, but Toews had a better tournament than Kessel did. Maybe it was the previous year's tournament, but they even stated that he had a poor freshman season at Minnesota. I wouldn't be surprised if he fell out of the top five altogether. It goes to character and development that when the spotlight and pressure was on him, he didn't live up to expectations. Perhaps the expectations were a bit high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsniper Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 Where did they put Sanguinetti at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CerebusClone Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 It's funny that a 17 yo that was the best scorer at the WJC, and who enjoyed a great freshman season in the NCAA (51 points in 39 games) is considered like a disappointment. I still think there's a very good chance that he will be selected first overall by the Blues because they could use the hype of the "American Crosby" to fill the stands. One guy that really fell off the radar is Frolik... he was supposed to be a sure top 5 pick, but I guess Hockeys News jumped on the Jiri Tlusty bandwagon, whom many feel is better than Frolik. Wonder is there's any chance that Sanguinetti could fall to the 15th position... Montreal could really use him. Otherwise maybe Nigel Williams or Ty Wishart if we're lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KoZed Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 I thought the Habs might have a chance to pick Brassard if he slipped in the first round, but I guess we can forget about that now. He would have been the perfect fit since the Habs dont really have a bluechip playmaking center in the system and the connection with Latendresse would have been added bonus. Though a defenseman with top pair upside is what the Habs need most of all. But drafting your needs is never good. I'm just hoping for a solid prospect. We picked guys like Higgins and Perezhogin fairly late in the first. I dont think this year's crop has that kind of quality depth but Habs are in a fairly good position to get something valuable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAK Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 Where did they put Sanguinetti at? he's ranked 12th but i'm sure he'll go before that It's funny that a 17 yo that was the best scorer at the WJC, and who enjoyed a great freshman season in the NCAA (51 points in 39 games) is considered like a disappointment. I still think there's a very good chance that he will be selected first overall by the Blues because they could use the hype of the "American Crosby" to fill the stands. One guy that really fell off the radar is Frolik... he was supposed to be a sure top 5 pick, but I guess Hockeys News jumped on the Jiri Tlusty bandwagon, whom many feel is better than Frolik. Wonder is there's any chance that Sanguinetti could fall to the 15th position... Montreal could really use him. Otherwise maybe Nigel Williams or Ty Wishart if we're lucky. I would bet a few loonies that one of those 3 will be drafted by montreal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobRock Posted May 20, 2006 Author Share Posted May 20, 2006 Where did they put Sanguinetti at? HN has him at 15, with Nigel Williams at 11. A lot of scouts seem to agree that he doesn't play a physical game. That could drop him down the list, especially amongst the East teams. My pick would be Ty Wishart at 16 (doesn't skate very well, but that can be corrected) or Mark Mitera at 20 (not flashy, but great character and attitude). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanpuck33 Posted May 20, 2006 Share Posted May 20, 2006 I still think there's a very good chance that he will be selected first overall by the Blues because they could use the hype of the "American Crosby" to fill the stands. I think you overestimate draft hype in the states. To sum it up, in the last 10 years, the only hyped player has been Sidney Crosby. Other than that, I've never even heard of the top people until this time of year. The NHL draft gets no hype at all and will get even less this year since ESPN has cut back so much on hockey. Drafting an American won't put people in the stands in St. Louis. With a team that bad, unless the fan support is amazing, only winning games will put fans back in the seats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexstream Posted May 20, 2006 Share Posted May 20, 2006 I'm still hoping that Brassard will slip and that BG will trade up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheAussiePosse Posted May 20, 2006 Share Posted May 20, 2006 I'm hoping we trade our first rounder for a top pairing Dman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KoZed Posted May 20, 2006 Share Posted May 20, 2006 (edited) I'm hoping the Habs can pull an Ottawa in 2004. They got Meszaros with a 23rd overall pick. 1 year later the guy was an NHL regular D. If BG doesnt trade his pick, that's the kind of selection I'd love to see. Edited May 20, 2006 by KoZed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexstream Posted May 20, 2006 Share Posted May 20, 2006 I'm hoping we trade our first rounder for a top pairing Dman we can sign lots this summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre the Great Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 Last thing the Blues need is another defenceman. A lot of fans down here are either talking about Kessel, Staal or Toes and a little bit of Backstrom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mont Royale Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 we can sign lots this summer. You make it sound so easy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAK Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 Last thing the Blues need is another defenceman. A lot of fans down here are either talking about Kessel, Staal or Toes and a little bit of Backstrom. they will pick kessel he's a great player and when you change owners you want to start up with a marquee player such as kessel and unless I'm mistaking, madison WI is not that far from st-louis. never underestimate the local factor... jonhson in pittsburgh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre the Great Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Yeah it will be Kessel he's actually somewhat knowned around here. I remember a tv thing they did on him and they were already calling him the 'next crosby' which only means he's going to flop like a giant pancake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doktor Kosmos Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Nicklas Bäckström was named Rookie of the Year in the Swedish Elite League this season. I saw the season opener when Brynäs took on Leksand (the team Ryder and Bouillon played for during the lockout), and I Bäckström scored a goal in his Elite League debut (think it was his debut anyway). You could see right from the start the kid's got talent. Bäckström recently became the youngest player in Swedish hockey history to play in the World Championships, and he also became the youngest ever to win a gold medal. Experts describe him as the next Forsberg. What they mean by that exactly I am not sure of, might be the talent, but I think it's his playmaking skills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortcat1 Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 (edited) we can sign lots this summer. I tend to agree with this. There are a handful of top four defensemen available (Brewer, et al.). Nevertheless, as Mont Royale aptly stated, it's easier said than done. So, if in the draft one is looking for a good defensive prospect, any one of the top four rated would be a good consideration. I fall back onto the BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE policy. As weird as it may sound, even if it's a goalie, he should be drafted (good goalies are never an overabundance). :king: :hlogo: :king: Edited May 25, 2006 by shortcat1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAK Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 I fall back onto the BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE policy. As weird as it may sound, even if it's a goalie, he should be drafted (good goalies are never an overabundance). ??? we have danis-halak-price-huet and aebischer...all of them will be NHLers I think It's enough for the next 2-3 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CerebusClone Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 I tend to agree with this. There are a handful of top four defensemen available (Brewer, et al.). Nevertheless, as Mont Royale aptly stated, it's easier said than done. So, if in the draft one is looking for a good defensive prospect, any one of the top four rated would be a good consideration. I fall back onto the BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE policy. As weird as it may sound, even if it's a goalie, he should be drafted (good goalies are never an overabundance). :king: :hlogo: :king: I would agree only if it's a blue-chip goalie prospect like Kari Lehtonen. In that case, you want to draft him, and eventually either trade him or another goalie away if necessary. Otherwise, in Montreal's case this year, they need to go after a skater, preferably a very good defenseman. However, where I agree with you, is that we shouldn't draft a second-tier defenseman like Mitera or Weber if potentially good top 6 forwards like Chris Stewart, Micheal Frolik or Kyle Okposo are still available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAK Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 I would agree only if it's a blue-chip goalie prospect like Kari Lehtonen. they did that last year with proce and people were pissed off at gainey and timmins for it. and as I remember scouts say: price was the best junior goalie they saw in the last 10 years...thats luongo stuff. so we don't need any goalie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CerebusClone Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 they did that last year with proce and people were pissed off at gainey and timmins for it. and as I remember scouts say: price was the best junior goalie they saw in the last 10 years...thats luongo stuff. so we don't need any goalie. Well, I wasn't pissed... surprised yes, because I thought we were going to draft Brule, but thinking about it, I was pleased with the selection. As for his year, there aren't any blue-chip goalies in the draft, so I can't see how they would "waste" their pick on Jonathan Bernier while there will be some good skaters left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAK Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Well, I wasn't pissed... surprised yes, because I thought we were going to draft Brule, but thinking about it, I was pleased with the selection. I was surprised too. but I was sure that we would've been able to get bobby ryan or kopitar buyt, hey, if the kid turn ok, we won't hav eot worry about a goalie for the next few years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortcat1 Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 My comment about drafting a goalie wasn't an encouragement to do so, it was simply stating that the principle of drafting THE BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE no matter the position, is likely the best plan to follow. As to seeing THE BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE being a goalie this year is very minute so that makes this a non-issue anyway. THE BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE is THE BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE and the best policy is to go with him no matter the position of the player. :king: :hlogo: :king: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAK Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 I think they will pick up the best player available ut they will adress issues like a need of a big foward or an offensive D man..they won't pick a kostitsyn/perezhoghin or chipchura like player. we could use another big winger or a big centerman and,of course, we could use a sanguinetti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ch_nl Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 I agree with BEST AVAILABLE. But I wonder if it's possible to add a word? BEST defenceman AVAILABLE? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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