“It all goes together with interviews and the background research you do by talking to the coaches and people around the player,” said Dave Morrison, the Maple Leafs’ director of amateur scouting.
“If you get an insight as to what type of personality they have, I don’t think you’re totally surprised when they show up in good shape or not in good shape.”
Morrison said the Leafs, who pick fifth, interviewed 75 players earlier this week and will invite about 60 to workouts at the team’s practice facility on Sunday. They’ll screen dozens more right before the draft.
Morrison said he was impressed with Alex Galchenyuk, the highly-touted centre from the OHL’s Sarnia Sting who missed all but two regular season games with a knee injury.
“He obviously looked he was in pretty good shape,” Morrison said. “You know, he looked like a kid that’s worked hard. He’s built himself up pretty good.”
Grigorenko, also expected to be drafted in the top five, will likely be able to test before the draft.
From watching some of the interviews and the actual training exercises today on TSNs live blog I will be completely SHOCKED if Galchenyuk is there at 5 and we don't take him. He seems like a really outgoing kid, awesome personality and from what everyone says is a gym rat. Who knows maybe he could even get Kessel to lighten up and have a little fun.
EDIT: Also someone who really impressed me was Morgan Reilly, I think this kid is going to be the pick of the draft.
From watching some of the interviews and the actual training exercises today on TSNs live blog I will be completely SHOCKED if Galchenyuk is there at 5 and we don't take him. He seems like a really outgoing kid, awesome personality and from what everyone says is a gym rat. Who knows maybe he could even get Kessel to lighten up and have a little fun.
I think we'll end up with him. Not convinced Montreal passes on Grigorenko.
I think we'll end up with him. Not convinced Montreal passes on Grigorenko.
I would be happy with either
Im not really sold on Grigorenko I have no idea why but theres just something about him that I don't like.....Galchenyuk and Reilly on the other hand I would absolutely love on this team. If there is any way to trade our second round and something else to move up and take Reilly I hope BB does it.
I'm starting to think we'll need to move up to grab Alex. I can't see Montreal passing up on this guy when he's what they need also.
It's a tough call. We'll be happy with whoever is left after the top 4 but if there's someone that really impresses Burke, I can see him attempting to move up to make sure they get him.
Im not really sold on Grigorenko I have no idea why but theres just something about him that I don't like.....Galchenyuk and Reilly on the other hand I would absolutely love on this team. If there is any way to trade our second round and something else to move up and take Reilly I hope BB does it.
I have the exact same feeling. It's like I can't pinpoint it. I can't assume he'll turn out like Filatov, but there's this feeling I can't shake off. That being said, I had the same feeling about Couturier and he looks to be a damn good prospect so I don't think I would really mind if we did draft Grigorenko at 5th.
Great to hear that they liked him which does seem to solidify that we'd grab him if he makes it to 5. No idea what Montreal is going to do since guesses can go either way.
I mean really a lot to like about this guy. Of course really one reason I love not being any further back than 5 is that we've got such great options. One of the top guys is going to be there and then we've just got to make the pick.
I don't care who we get. I'd like galchenyuk but theres always forsberg or grigs. It's kind of nice not having to make the choice between them because in a few years ppl would say why didn't we choose so and so instead of so and so. One of those three will fall to us and no one can fault us for taking them over a defencemen who may do better than whoever we pick.
I don't care who we get. I'd like galchenyuk but theres always forsberg or grigs. It's kind of nice not having to make the choice between them because in a few years ppl would say why didn't we choose so and so instead of so and so. One of those three will fall to us and no one can fault us for taking them over a defencemen who may do better than whoever we pick.
I'd rather we didn't leave a better player on the board just because he's a d...
