Where does everyone see that Victor Rask kid go? Definitely top-10?
I think it would hilarious if Bruins pick Rask with Leafs' 1st rounder. That would 2nd time that Leafs have 'gift-wrapped' a Rask to Bruins.
Victor is my favorite prospect. Some other prospects have had breakout seasons this year, slipping Rask to maybe early teens. I think overall he'll end up being one of the best from this draft. He's just not having that GREAT season that vaults an 18 year old into the top 5.
This tournament could change alot of the projections/draft position.
I was at the game tonight in Troy, here is my general recap. I am free to answer questions, just let me know.
Zucker and Grimaldi were very impressive. Their defense was lackluster but could all skate very well. Nothing flashy like Carlson or Fowler last season.
I specifically watched Grimaldi(who is a year away I believe from the draft, he was wearing the only full-cage on the US team), Saad and Nieto tonight as neither Ranger prospect was playing.
Nieto started off strong and I can vouch for his speed. He is slick with the puck and seems to have good offensive awareness from what I saw but he isnt physically mature yet, at all. He was getting pushed around a little bit, not because of his height(which wasn't bad at all, looked pretty close to Etem in height) but more in strength(which is probably a good thing because strength will come). He was playing with D'Amigo, who was not impressive AT ALL. He played a terrible game IMO.
Saad was relatively invisible. He has some size, from what I saw and some strength but his footspeed is below average and I saw very little offense from him at all.
Grimaldi was very impressive. His speed and quickness were un-matched on the U.S. team except for maybe Zuvcker(who I was the most surprised by). His hands and skills are filthy and he was making RPI(who is a very good college team) look silly at times. He was playing with Bjugstad so that may have something to do with it but he was very impressive. I believe he is 2012 eligible? Someone will correct me if I am wrong I am sure.
Defensively, they looked porous. They controlled the play and out-shot RPI by almost a 2-1 margin(I think it was 34-18). Campbell looked pretty good, nothing spectacular. Iles is QUICK with a capital Q, but he is small. he got beat in the shootout a couple of times to his left post which I think a slightly taller goalie may have reached(longer legs = reach the post faster).
Nelson looked good when he was moving already but he needs to work on his acceleration and balance.
Overall, I can honestly say now that I have seen him play, that Bjugstad may be the steal of last years draft. He was CLEARLY the best player on the ice tonight. He controlled the play and created chance after chance with his size and strength(and he honestly looked very skinny still) and he was mean. He was hitting quite a bit and when he got a chance, he was finishing people all over the ice.
I have not had the pleasure of catching McIlrath play unfortunately, but Bjugstad looked like the real deal.
Any thoughts on Dmitrij Jaskin for the draft? I don't know much about him except the hattrick he scored against russia which is available on youtube. saw a mock draft that had us taking him. He's currently injured and won't be playing at the u20 championship. A potential steal?
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Ah, awesome! Where is he supposed to go? He had very impressive skills and he was noticeable all game. Looked to me his only problems were size(he looked about 5'6 and defensive zone coverage, due to his size).
Ah, awesome! Where is he supposed to go? He had very impressive skills and he was noticeable all game. Looked to me his only problems were size(he looked about 5'6 and defensive zone coverage, due to his size).
Who really knows, to be honest. I wouldn't mind taking him with a late first (I see us picking 20th or later), at all. Kid is ultra skilled. He can go anywhere from early-mid first to the third round. It all depends on how he handles himself for the rest of the year (IE keeps scoring and showing that he can play with bigger kids).
If he slows down at all? He can drop FAR down the draft (IE to the late third). He is such a toss-up (no pun intended, since I think you could literally toss him around) on where he goes in the draft.
With his skill? I think he continues his play. I think he ends up a late 1st round pick / early 2nd round pick.
Team USA's backup to Jack Campbell, Andy Iles was passed over in the draft last year. The kid is small at 5'9" but has excelled in every level he's played at. As I've said before, he'd be a great pick to take a chance on in the middle/late rounds. He's an NCAA player so he'll have an additional year to develop.
Team USA's backup to Jack Campbell, Andy Iles was passed over in the draft last year. The kid is small at 5'9" but has excelled in every level he's played at. As I've said before, he'd be a great pick to take a chance on in the middle/late rounds. He's an NCAA player so he'll have an additional year to develop.
He has trouble picking up the puck through traffic. Aside from that he is excellent.
If we dont sign Stajcer he might be worth a draft pick as our new goalie "prospect", although Johnson and Talbot are both o.k.
I can't help but agree. That is a HUGE risk. A Jessiman like risk. At 5'4, he's about the size of your average 6th-7th grader. I'd easily take him in the 2nd round, though.
So, if you have pick 30, you won't take this kid, but if somehow we get pick 31 you'd do it?
Yeah, I don't really agree with Fitzy there. If the team feels Rocco will pan out and be as good at the NHL level as some feel, than you take him regardless of the round.
He's gritty and strong enough to overcome his size weakness, for the most part.
