Quote:
Originally Posted by BigFatCat999
That's nice on Poile, but what would YOU do Worst?
|
What would *I* do? I would try to trade up to see if I could grab Filatov. I would be in Atlanta's ear (not sure who their acting GM is with Waddel out) the night before, the morning of and right up until the Kings pick Bogosian 2nd overall trying to get him to cave. If I can't, I take the cards I've been dealt and I'll be happy. I even spent the whole morning putting together my ideal draft class, barring us trading up...
(note that a lot of this is written in the 3rd person and/or as if the draft has already occurred)
9th overall- Mikkel Boedker, LW, Kitchener Rangers (OHL) – Not really sure that this one needs an explanation. He’s a crafty winger with a great shot and can do the bull in a china shop bit quite well along the boards. He’s very strong for his size and doesn’t totally shun the idea of physical contact, which really helps his overall game. Defense could naturally be improved, but he plays wing so it’s not all that daunting of a task. Boedker will likely return to Kitchener for at least one more year of seasoning before the Predators start talking price, but he has all the makings of a star.
15th overall- Josh Bailey, C, Windsor Spitfires (OHL) – Bailey said in an interview that he worked really hard last summer to get stronger for Bob Boughner’s Spitfires, and he showed it this season. The 6’, 200 lb. center ventured into the high traffic areas and wasn’t afraid to get physical on his way to a 96 point campaign (29g-67a). Boughner has instilled in the Sptifires, as shown in Bailey, the willingness to play rough and go all out for a full 60 minutes. This attitude combined with Bailey’s skill is a dangerous combination. If he can play a little wing, he will be a huge asset for the Predators. And if not, he can at least replace Jason Arnott at the end of his contract.
31st overall- Yann Sauve, D, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) – The Predators are taking out insurance on their young defensemen. In the case of Ryan Suter, that insurance is Kevin Klein. In the case of Shea Weber, it’s this guy. Sauve saw tons of ice time for the Sea Dogs and often found himself on the top pairing. Sauve is a defenseman in the mold of Weber and Dion Phaneuf, bringing offensive ability to the table (don’t let his meager offensive numbers decieve you), as well as size (6’3”, 220lbs makes him the biggest Predators defenseman) and a willingness to use it, notably mixing it up with Steve Stamkos at the Top Prospects Game. Sauve will likely spend at least one, if not two more years trying to round out his defensive game, however, which has shown itself to be a liability and the main reason Sauve will not go alongside the likes of Luke Schenn and Tyler Myers in the top 10 in this year’s draft. Projects as a top four defenseman.
46th overall- Danic Paquette, LW, Lewiston MAINEiacs (QMJHL) – Paquette won’t surprise folks with blazing speed or agility or even his size (6’, 209lbs.), but the first time he mashes your face in the boards, you’ll know who he is. Paquette is a very physical winger who is more than willing to throw down with any willing sparring partners. Paquette also has good scoring touch, adding 29 goals, good enough for 3rd on the team, and his 213 penalty minutes make him a pretty intimidating guy. He’s also a humanitarian and founder of the “Danic’s Den” charity which give Lewiston game tickets to underpriveliged families who otherwise would not get to see games. His scoring ability coupled with his fighting ability gives him a two-fold shot at the NHL- as a 2nd/3rd liner or as an enforcer. His humanitarian streak will make him an immediate fan favorite.
75th overall- Patrice Cormier, C, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL) – Cormier’s stock dropped considerably in the latter portions of the year, but he’s one of the most highly-touted players to come out of the Q this year (HF has him ranked #2 on their top ten Q prospects). The New Brunswick natvie got off to a rough start that saw him pushed down the depth chart, so he never saw much special teams time. Fighting off bouts of inconsistency, Cormier snagged 18 goals and 41 points on Rimouski’s second line. Cormier is a big force in the face-off circle, a key asset for teams looking to improve in the puck control department and something that will help Nashville against archrival Detroit. Cormier has also shown a willingness to put his 6’1”, 200lb frame in the face of opposing players, compiling 84 penalty minutes. Cormier is a very energetic and very skilled young player. If he can shake off the bad year he had and continue to grow, he will make the Predators very happy. Projects as a second line center.
105th overall- Brodie Reid, LW, Burnaby Express (BCHL) – Reid enjoyed a breakout year in the BCHL that earned him a scholarship to Northeastern. His 52 goals were good enough for 2nd in the BCHL this year and his 87 points were good for 5th. The BC produced a lot of promising picks last year, particularly Casey-Pierro Zabotel, Riley Nash, and Kyle Turris, especially the latter pair. Hoping for the same from Reid is a bit much, but he’s still a natural goal scorer and this deep in the draft, he’s worth a shot.
135th overall- Oskars Cibluskis, D, LSPA Riga (Latvian Samsungliga, and no I did not make that up) – A bit of a reach at this position but not much. A steady two-way defenseman who plays in all situations and can put up decent offensive numbers. Is still very young and VERY raw, and it has to be expected for him to move overseas to continue development under the watchful eye of the Predators organization. For the sake of comparison, call him the Latvian Dan Hamhuis (Hamhuis is lightyears ahead of him but he’s still a quality player at his current competitive level). Or perhaps more appropriately, Dana Hamhuisa Latvianaganamadanamedullaoblongata.
165th overall- Toni Ritter, LW, Jungadler Manheim, (Deutsche Nachwuchsliga, top German junior league) – HERE is your powerforward. Ritter stands 6’3” and weighs in at 194 pounds with room to grow. Ritter is strong on the puck and has the ability to find shooting lanes and generate scoring chances by driving the net. He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty either. He’ll need to bulk up a little and is obviously at least 3-4 years away from the NHL, but with the right coaching, Ritter will be an excellent addition to any 3rd line. He actually projects a bit lower, but this being our last pick and there being little chance of him not being available, it’s worth a shot.
If we had one more draft pick, I would probably look at Edgars Ulescenko (also from LSPA) in the 7th round. He’s a good two-way forward who is great at forcing turnovers and could be a serviceable NHL player. Definitely not a top six guy but a solid 3rd line guy who can eat up PK minutes.