Post by NY Rangers (Dave) on Sept 22, 2015 18:25:40 GMT
2015 GHL DRAFT - 1ST ROUND WINNERS
by RJ Haile - GHL Gazette
Phoenix/Winnipeg - Connor McDavid
Grabbing Connor McDavid with the 1st pick was a bit of a no-brainer. They're a winner for not screwing it up.
Vancouver - Jack Eichel
Jack Eichel was another no-brainer. But they also found Thomas Chabot with the 13th pick. Chabot projects to be a smart but un-physical defender but with a great offensive upside resulting from a wickedly powerful and accurate shot from the point. He should be extremely dangerous on the power play and make opponents think twice about going down to block shots.
Toronto - Jeremy Lauzon, Brantt Verner, Max Chagnon
Possibly the biggest winners in the 1st round and not only because they had 3 picks. Their 1st, Jeremy Lauzon, was my #1 player in the draft. It's true that he appears to be less-than-stellar on the surface, but his upside might be the highest in the league and he could be the best defensive player in the draft while also possessing a very dangrous shot. With the 29th and 30th picks, they grabbed Brantt Verner and Max Chagnon. Verner might be one of the 2 or 3 most skilled players in the entire draft - the only reason he dropped so low is inconsistency. If he doesn't work out with the Leafs, he could be expensive trade bait but is a good risk at that draft spot. Chagnon is a bit more of a sure thing as a power-play quarterback who checks well-enough to be effective at even-strength as well. In 3 seasons, the Leafs might have the top defensive pairing in the league with Lauzon and Chagnon together.
New York Islanders - Justin Lemcke, Erick Manderville
With their two picks, the Isles gave themselves a nice pair of players in what amounts to an interesting paradox - they got themselves a defenseman with potential to be a top-notch scorer and a a forward with potential to be a top-notch defender. They also nabbed two players with "ck" in their names in unexpected places.
New York Rangers - Alexei Platonov
Back to teams with only one pick in the 1st round, the Rangers dug deep going for defenseman Alexei Platonov. Platonov, if he hits his top-level, could be a top defenseman in the league with strong all-around defensive abilities and a cannon from the point.
Edmonton - Ethan Bear
Ethan Bear doesn't play like the animal his name implies, but his potential makes him someone who could make opposing penalty kills cower in fear.
Los Angeles - Roope Hintz
Winning the President's Trophy wasn't enough for the Kings. They traded up to get one of my favorite players in this draft in forward Roope Hintz. First-off, Hintz will never be good defensively. In fact, he's terrible. But he is also nasty to play against and that could offset his liabilities. Add to that his dazzling stickhandling and excellent shot and he could become one of the top forwards in the league.
Other strong picks:
Yannick Labbe - Detroit: Labbe should become a solid playmaking forward who can be responsible on the defensive side as well. Labbe was one of my favorites coming into the draft.
Rico Crooks - Calgary: Crooks could be similar to Labbe if he fulfills his potential. He'll need to be signed and get some training time with the Calgary top-level training staff to get there, though.
Curtis Sluzak - Tampa Bay: Similar to Verner, Sluzak possesses some ridiculous skills. But if Verner is inconsistent, I don't even know what to label Sluzak. He may need the embarrassment of being traded a few times in order for the light to go off in his head that he needs to work hard every minute.
by RJ Haile - GHL Gazette
Phoenix/Winnipeg - Connor McDavid
Grabbing Connor McDavid with the 1st pick was a bit of a no-brainer. They're a winner for not screwing it up.
Vancouver - Jack Eichel
Jack Eichel was another no-brainer. But they also found Thomas Chabot with the 13th pick. Chabot projects to be a smart but un-physical defender but with a great offensive upside resulting from a wickedly powerful and accurate shot from the point. He should be extremely dangerous on the power play and make opponents think twice about going down to block shots.
Toronto - Jeremy Lauzon, Brantt Verner, Max Chagnon
Possibly the biggest winners in the 1st round and not only because they had 3 picks. Their 1st, Jeremy Lauzon, was my #1 player in the draft. It's true that he appears to be less-than-stellar on the surface, but his upside might be the highest in the league and he could be the best defensive player in the draft while also possessing a very dangrous shot. With the 29th and 30th picks, they grabbed Brantt Verner and Max Chagnon. Verner might be one of the 2 or 3 most skilled players in the entire draft - the only reason he dropped so low is inconsistency. If he doesn't work out with the Leafs, he could be expensive trade bait but is a good risk at that draft spot. Chagnon is a bit more of a sure thing as a power-play quarterback who checks well-enough to be effective at even-strength as well. In 3 seasons, the Leafs might have the top defensive pairing in the league with Lauzon and Chagnon together.
New York Islanders - Justin Lemcke, Erick Manderville
With their two picks, the Isles gave themselves a nice pair of players in what amounts to an interesting paradox - they got themselves a defenseman with potential to be a top-notch scorer and a a forward with potential to be a top-notch defender. They also nabbed two players with "ck" in their names in unexpected places.
New York Rangers - Alexei Platonov
Back to teams with only one pick in the 1st round, the Rangers dug deep going for defenseman Alexei Platonov. Platonov, if he hits his top-level, could be a top defenseman in the league with strong all-around defensive abilities and a cannon from the point.
Edmonton - Ethan Bear
Ethan Bear doesn't play like the animal his name implies, but his potential makes him someone who could make opposing penalty kills cower in fear.
Los Angeles - Roope Hintz
Winning the President's Trophy wasn't enough for the Kings. They traded up to get one of my favorite players in this draft in forward Roope Hintz. First-off, Hintz will never be good defensively. In fact, he's terrible. But he is also nasty to play against and that could offset his liabilities. Add to that his dazzling stickhandling and excellent shot and he could become one of the top forwards in the league.
Other strong picks:
Yannick Labbe - Detroit: Labbe should become a solid playmaking forward who can be responsible on the defensive side as well. Labbe was one of my favorites coming into the draft.
Rico Crooks - Calgary: Crooks could be similar to Labbe if he fulfills his potential. He'll need to be signed and get some training time with the Calgary top-level training staff to get there, though.
Curtis Sluzak - Tampa Bay: Similar to Verner, Sluzak possesses some ridiculous skills. But if Verner is inconsistent, I don't even know what to label Sluzak. He may need the embarrassment of being traded a few times in order for the light to go off in his head that he needs to work hard every minute.
i'll be doing it all on friday as its teh only day off I have at the moment. Sorry, we are down people and its long late shifts at teh moment. 