2019 NHL Entry Draft - Flyers Edition

[pilldoc]

Well...since it is now apparent the season is once again going down in flames and quicker than the Titanic going under, might as well start that annual thread know as the 2019 NHL Entry Draft - Flyers Edition.

 

Post who you would like to see the Flyers draft considering at the current rate they are going will be a top 5, possibly a top 3 or winner of the draft lottery pick.

 

Here are the ISS Hockey Rankings as of January 2019:

 

	Name	Position	Team	League	Shot	Height	Weight	Commitment
1	Hughes, Jack	C	USA U18	NTDP	L	5'10	152
2	Kakko, Kaapo	RW	TPS Turku	FinE	L	6'01	187
3	Podkolzin, Vasily	LW	St. Petersburg SKA-194	MHL	L	6'01	190
4	Dach, Kirby	C	Saskatoon	WHL	R	6'03.5*	199
5	Cozens, Dyland	C	Lethbridge	WHL	R	6'03*	181
6	Byram, Bowen	LD	Vancouver	WHL	L	6'00.5*	194
7	Boldy, Matthew	C	USA U18	NTDP	L	6'00.75*	175	Boston College 20V
8	Broberg, Philip	LD	AIK IF	SweAl	L	6'03	202
9	Suzuki, Ryan	C	Barrie	OHL	L	6'00.25*	178
10	Newhook, Alex	C	Victoria	BCHL	L	5'10.25*	190	Boston College 19V
11	Zegras, Trevor	C	USA U18	NTDP	L	5'10.75*	159	Boston University 19V
12	Robertson, Matthew	LD	Edmonton	WHL	L	6.03*	201
13	Lavoie, Raphael	C	Halifax	QMJHL	R	6'03.5*	191
14	Soderstrom, Victor	LD	Brynas	SweJE	R	5'11.5	177
15	Turcotte, Alex	C	USA U18	NTDP	L	5'11	187	Wisconsin 20V
16	York, Cam	LD	USA U18	NTDP	L	5'10.75*	163	Michigan 19V
17	Caufield, Cole	C	USA U18	NTDP	R	5'06*	150	Wisconsin 19V
18	Foote, Nolan	LW	Kelowna	WHL	L	6'03.5*	190
19	Poulin, Samuel	LW	Sherbrooke	QMJHL	L	6'01.25*	206
20	Nikolayev, Ilya	C	Yaroslavl Loko	MHL	L	6'0	189
21	Vlasic, Alex	LD	USA U18	NTDP	L	6'05*	193	Boston University 19V
22	Korczak, Kaedan	RD	Kelowna	WHL	R	6'02.75*	192
23	Krebs, Peyton	LW	Kootenay	WHL	L	5'11.25*	180
24	Brink, Bobby	C	Sioux City	USHL	R	5'10	157	Denver 20V
25	Seider, Moritz	RD	Mannheimer	GerE	R	6'04	183
26	Tomasino, Philip	C	Niagara	OHL	R	5'11.75*	178
27	Bjornfot, Tobias	LD	Djurgardens J20	SweJE	L	6'0	188
28	Harley, Thomas	D	Mississauga	OHL	L	6'03*	188
29	Robertson, Nicholas	LW	Peterborough	OHL	R	5'08.75*	162
30	Leason, Brett	C	Prince Albert	WHL	L	6'03.75*	200
31	Kaliyev, Arthur	LW	Hamilton	OHL	R	6'01.25*	190
Goaltenders
1	Knight, Spencer	G	USA U18	NTDP	L	6'02.5*	193	Boston College 20V
2	Jones, Hunter	G	Peterborough	OHL	L	6'04*	196

 

 

Obviously most of us would want Hughes, but what if we don't win the lottery......who would you want?  I'm leaning towards Kaapo Kakko or Vasily Podkolzin.

 

[pilldoc]

Vasily Podkolzin (LW)

 

Dynamic up and winger who can make a difference in every game he plays with his and ability to play a power game, get in tight, barreling through opponents to make plays. Lines up at the half wall from the right side and uses his left shot to fire blasts on the PP. Smart and always in motion, looking to have the puck returned to his possession. He captained the Russian Hlinka Tourney team by example. In the Bronze metal game, while on the PK, he worked the wall in his end to unearth a puck which he quickly got up ice giving his teammate a breakaway. His teammates attempt was stopped and as the USA team tried to exit their defensive end, he meets the exiting US player with contact, and the puck rolls to his teammate at the red line who advances it to him. he enters the zone near the left wall and as the US defender closes, he spins back around and fires a backhand pass to his teammate who got another chance. Always working, and has such quick hands and head. The year the Blues stole Tarasenko 16th overall, I commented in my mock (where I had Tarasenko "a gift dropping to slot ten", due to the "Russian factor") how this was a top five guy. 

I am going to go out on the line right now and say this kid is the best up and down winger in the class, and everyone should start praying their team doesn't pass him by, because he is the real deal, from Russia with love. 

--Bill Placzek--

 

 

A rugged three-zone winger with an incredible compete level that compliments his superior puck skills, Podkolzin has been a top-six fixture for Team Russia at several high-profile international events. This is his first year playing in the MHL — Russia’s premier junior circuit — and he is an early-season favorite to be named one of the league’s top rookies. Podkolzin checks all the intangible blocks, as he can be counted on to address a variety of his coach’s concerns. What separates him from all the other “toolsy” forwards is that he can either create or finish plays while traveling at maximum speed, and his strong balance and stickhandling seems to convince defenders to back off more than they should. Podkolzin is effective both in open ice and during trench warfare, and he’s capable of completing on-the-tape passes that lead directly to quality chances near the net.

 

Podkolzin can be used to anchor the lead penalty-killing unit or run the power play from the half wall. He is confident with the puck and shows a tremendous amount of poise while controlling it. He’s quite coordinated and has soft hands to handle tough passes, plus Podkolzin hits the net with the majority of his one-time attempts. Without the puck, he’s a crash-and-bang forechecker with powerful leg drive that he uses to jolt bigger defenders off the puck. Podkolzin takes direct routes to the puck, and he anticipates eventual avenues of approach to be used by opposing puck carriers. His foot speed, edge work and agility are excellent, and he should be considered a breakaway threat in open ice. Podkolzin possesses a clear understanding of the game, and his nonstop motor and desire to be the best makes him an asset regardless of whether he’s scoring or not. Keep an eye on his temper and attempts to make big hits.

 

https://www.thedraftanalyst.com/2019-nhl-draft/2019-draft-profile-lw-vasili-podkolzin/

 

Cam Robinson - Dobber Prospects - Dec. 20th: "A shifty, creative and dangerous winger who loves to use quick cuts. He can split the defence and finish it himself or draw coverage and deftly distribute to a cutting teammate. A potential high-end point producer at the NHL-level."

Dennis Schellenberg - Future Considerations - Dec. 7th: "Podkolzin possesses quick hands, great top speed and is very quick on his feet. He enters the offensive zone with speed and only has scoring on his mind. So good at splitting the ‘D’ and cutting breaches into opposing defenses. Able to attack the net directly and take the puck to the tough areas."Sam Cosentino - Sportsnet - Dec. 12th: "Proved he could hang with the under-20s in an elevated role. Won’t get to Vancouver for the WJC, but he’s off to a great start in Bonneyville at the World Junior A Challenge."

Sam Cosentino - SportsNet - Nov. 7th: "Based on his play at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, he should be a dominant MHL player. Maybe’s he’s bored, but seeing him play against stiffer competition would be helpful."

Scott Wheeler - The Athletic - Nov. 6th: "Podkolzin plays a raw, binary game that relies on him to make plays at high speed. I’m not sure he’s got the on-ice awareness to be a major factor when those plays aren’t working. There’s no question he can take over a game in a moment, though."

Cam Robinson - Dobber Prospects - Nov. 5th: "A shifty, creative and dangerous winger who loves to use quick cuts. He can split the defense and finish it himself or draw coverage and deftly distribute to a cutting teammate. A potential high-end point producer at the NHL-level."

Steve Kournianos - The Draft Analyst - Nov. 5th: "A multi-tool force who plays nasty but also can beat you with ridiculous puck skills, Podkolzin’s desire to develop in Russia shouldn’t trump his game-breaking upside."

Sam Cosentino - SportsNet - Oct. 2nd: "If first impressions mean anything, then we’re looking at a budding star. Has produced in all the major international events to date, and was particularly noticeable at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup where he put up 11 points, including a hat trick in the bronze medal game."

Craig Button TSN - Aug. 14th: "He's involved in every part of the game in all situations. Skilled, smart, driven and has the ability to take his game to a level above that required."

[pilldoc]

Kaapo Kakko (RW/C)

 

Big Finnish man child with above average size, speed/skill sets. Although is still in need of weight room strength, in both the upper and lower body, he already thinks and advances the puck at a high level and fearlessly drive the front. Moves and stick-handles at top speed, and displays an excellent snap shot. A big kid who maintains possession with his strong hands / stick strength. Strong North-South skater with excellent burst, agility and hockey vision. Can project as a future NHL centre for some clubs seeking a big pivot, but is a perfect fit as a big fast scoring option who plays with a solid playmaking NHL centre. 

--Bill Placzek--

 

Multi-tooled winger with size and coordination who incorporates his impressive puck skills with a desirable physical package that consistently exhausts opponents. Kakko was impressive last season as a 16-year-old depth player for TPS, and he should be expected to play a broader role with the big club during his ever-important draft season. Blessed with incredibly soft hands and tight-quarter quickness, Kakko is a reliable stickhandler who uses timing plays to either get open or create space for his linemates. It’s hard to call a bigger winger elusive, but Kakko’s shiftiness is both rapid and unpredictable — he constantly lures defenders into a compromising position before exploiting the smallest of windows into an unabated path to the goal. He also serves as a net-front presence on the power play.

 

Kakko is mature, poised and displays high intelligence with or without the puck. He constantly is in motion and uses his strength to win physical battles or get inside positioning on opponents. Kakko uses a variety of moves and fakes to get himself into shooting position, but he doesn’t not require optimal conditions to wire off a blistering, accurate shot that is labeled for the corner or far post. Although he may one day be classified as a power forward, Kakko is more competitive than he is physically intimidating, and his work in corners and in front of the net delivers positive results far more often than a broken play or unforced error. He owns a wide stride and his straight-line speed is above-average for a big winger. But he is agile, well balanced, nimble and he can beat defenders either inside or out. Kappo’s endurance is excellent during the first half of his shifts, but like most larger forwards, he can run out of gas in the middle of a play.

 

https://www.thedraftanalyst.com/2019-nhl-draft/2019-draft-profile-lw-kaapo-kakko/

 

Kaapo Kakko is a European-style power playmaker whose combination of elusiveness, puck skills, and puck protection abilities make him a phenom worth paying close attention to. His puck skills are among the very best of the 2019 draft class, but even more importantly, his hockey IQ is incredibly high -- his patience and creativity with the puck and on his skates, and his smart, aggressive positioning on the forecheck allow him to be a constant offensive threat and a reliable defensive player. He may not overwhelm the opposition with brute north-south strength, speed or physicality, but has the size, balance, agility, and puck skills to protect the puck and maneuver with it in tight spaces -- a graceful combination of finesse, mobility, and strength. Kakko is very agile and fluid on his skates, and is an east-west player who can pivot back-and-forth very quickly along the boards, shield the puck with his body, and rag the puck around; he is a puck hound with the mobility to cover quite a bit of ground and forecheck very effectively. He has a great, albeit underutilized release, has quick hands and excellent stick handling ability, sees the ice very well, and can change directions quickly to take the puck into the middle to score. He has the ability to fake one way then swivel in another direction seamlessly, making him very difficult to contain. He's also a great playmaker who makes crisp passes and makes difficult passes look easy. He's powerful, elusive, and intelligent. One might describe him as an agile power winger and a puck magnet.

 

https://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/i-may-be-in-the-minority-but-i-believe-that-kaapo-kakko-could-be-selected-1st-overall-in-2019.2538375/

 

Cam Robinson - Dobber Prospects - Dec. 20th: "Kakko blends size, speed, finishing ability and terrific vision. He doesn’t blow you away with any one skill, but his arsenal of weapons come together to be extremely productive. He’s looking more and more comfortable in the middle of the ice as a 17-year-old in the Liiga."

Sam Cosentino - Sportsnet - Dec. 12th: "Is a big piece for his home club playing against men, which might suggest dominance at the WJC, but that’s easier said than done."

Sam Cosentino - SportsNet - Nov. 7th: "Adapting well at taking the same game he plays against his peer group and applying it in Finland’s top league. Handles and protects the puck well at top speed."

Scott Wheeler - The Athletic - Nov. 6th: "He’s athletic and can handle the puck on his forehand and his backhand at top speed. He slows the game down to dictate tempo when he needs to and he’s crafty. He also protects the puck well, is patient and can escape traffic with edge work when he’s under pressure."

Cam Robinson - Dobber Prospects - Nov. 5th: "Kaapo blends size, speed, finishing ability and terrific vision. Soft touch for a big man. Massive upside as a complete point-producing winger. He’ll be a front-line scoring threat for years to come."

Steve Kournianos - The Draft Analyst - Nov. 5th: "The top draft prospect from Finland is a low-maintenance playmaker who uses his size to his advantage."

Sam Cosentino - SportsNet - Oct. 2nd: "Thinks it well, enjoys controlling the pace of the game which he can do with size and good puck protection skills. Off to a great start in the Liiga. The next big thing from Finland in what has been an amazing run for the country since 2015."

Craig Button TSN - Aug. 14th: "High-end skill with the excellent sense that allows him to adapt to any linemate and any situation. He's unique in that he's a winger who can play centre."
 

 

[RonJeremy]

Hughes is another Giroux, look at the reports on Kakko and Podkolzin, we do not have any players like that at all. We desperately need players with a shoot first mentality who are fearless in front of the net. I’m tired of drafting two way centers and small guys.  I’m all tired of guys that can skate great but constantly miss the net . We need a sniper. We can’t make a mistake in this draft, and get stuck with another Nolan Patrick .

[BobbyClarkeFan16]

1 hour ago, RonJeremy said:

Hughes is another Giroux, look at the reports on Kakko and Podkolzin, we do not have any players like that at all. We desperately need players with a shoot first mentality who are fearless in front of the net. I’m tired of drafting two way centers and small guys.  I’m all tired of guys that can skate great but constantly miss the net . We need a sniper. We can’t make a mistake in this draft, and get stuck with another Nolan Patrick .

 

If the Flyers don't end up with the first overall pick and if they finish second or third, I hope it's Dylan Cozens. A big power forward on the right wing with finish.  He'd also add to the system in terms of goal scoring Flyers prospects. Frost is a goal scorer, Allison is a goal scorer, Ratcliffe is a goal scorer, Laczynski is a goal scorer, Farabee is a goal scorer, Cates is a goal scorer. Konecny is a goal scorer that's only going to get better, Lindblom could score goals until Hakstol sunk his claws into him and neutered him. Same with Patrick. These guys can all score goals. 

 

As for drafting, most players coming out of the CHL, USNTDP, NCAA, USHL, etc....are pretty much two-way players. That's just the way the game is going. Every player needs to be well rounded in all facets of the game. 

 

The last thing I'm worried about is the Flyers drafting. The core of the scouts remain in place. They're going to get a good player. Right now, the Flyers need to identify who remains going forward and when to start moving guys out. Personally, I think they need to send out feelers to see what they could get if a Voracek and/or Simmonds were available. If they decide to retain money on any deal with Voracek, it should be an even sweeter package in return. Maybe package Simmonds and Gudas together to a club that thinks they're a legitimate Stanley Cup contender and you're getting a true blue chip prospect and picks in return. 

[ruxpin]

2 hours ago, RonJeremy said:

Hughes is another Giroux, look at the reports on Kakko and Podkolzin, we do not have any players like that at all. We desperately need players with a shoot first mentality who are fearless in front of the net. I’m tired of drafting two way centers and small guys.  I’m all tired of guys that can skate great but constantly miss the net . We need a sniper. We can’t make a mistake in this draft, and get stuck with another Nolan Patrick .

 

First, it wouldn't be a horrible thing if he were another Giroux.

 

Second, that's a horrible assessment.  The kid has a hella shot and isn't just pass first.  Most compare him to Patrick Kane.  If we're drafting first, it's insane to even think about drafting someone else.

[pilldoc]

Dyland Cozens   - (not to be confused with  current Phillies MLB prospect Dylan Cozens   - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dylan_Cozens )

 

A high-octane power forward who can play both center and wing, Cozens is the reigning WHL Rookie of the Year after leading all freshman with 22 goals and finishing second in points with 53. He combines all aspects of skating  — quickness, acceleration, balance and agility — into one dynamic package that allows him to dictate things rather than play reactionary. Cozens is a capable stickhandler who can control the puck at high speeds before making proper decisions more times than not, and he’s very good at setting up give-and-go’s that position him for one-timers or tap-ins. He owns an excellent shot, both for its velocity and accuracy, plus he can score on his backhand from in close.

 

Cozens is very physical and always finishes his checks; at times to a fault, as his desire to mash people into the boards can make him the last forward back on an opposing counterattack.  He’s quick enough, however, to eventually catch up and place himself in the right position to ensure there aren’t gaps in coverage. Cozens always keeps his feet moving and keeps his stick active, and his quick turns and pivots allow him to stay with his man, especially while he’s killing penalties. Overall, he’s an excellent 200-foot forward who is very good on draws, can anchor a penalty-killing unit, run a power play and assume top-line duties.

 

Difference making power centre-wing with great wheels, powerful wide base and stride, motor, powerful shot and ability to use his hands to quickly take possessions and make plays. A big power player who will play in traffic every shift and do with some nasty. His veracity in puck battles along the boards makes it necessary to “double cover’ him. Very strong on his skates and shows added explosion on the attack, while being able to pass the biscuit with precision and touch. Point per game WHL rookie last season who is committed as a 200 foot player armed with deadly shot selections. This man child isn't through filling in or building his muscle. Makes everyone around him better. Will cause problems in front, or from the perimeters. Fluid non-stop player who plays hockey smart and would fly through a wall to help his team win. Can project as a big centre as well as a big wing. The sky’s the limit.

--Bill Placzek--

 

Cam Robinson - Dobber Prospects - Dec. 20th: "A long, powerful stride drives his elite speed. He’s a complete player with skill to burn in a sizable frame. Cozens owns an accurate and heavy release and uses that threat to look-off defenders and slide crisp passes into his mate’s wheelhouses."

Sam Cosentino - Sportsnet - Dec. 12th: "Struggled the first two weeks after the CIBC Canada-Russia series, but has been on a tear since. Will have to adjust to, but should benefit from, a decreased work load with Lethbridge’s recent trade additions."

Sam Cosentino - SportsNet - Nov. 7th: "Adapting to a heavier workload and the attention given to top players by the opposition, yet still producing at more than a point per game rate."

Scott Wheeler - The Athletic - Nov. 6th: "There are times when Cozens can get lost in a game (he doesn’t have the spacial awareness or cerebral anticipation with and without the puck that a player like Dach has) but when he’s on he can take over a game. He’s also strong on draws which, coupled with his strength and his ability to close in on loose pucks and win back possession, could make him a reliable two-way option someday."

Cam Robinson - Dobber Prospects - Nov. 5th: "A long, powerful stride drives his elite speed. He’s a complete player with skill to burn in a sizable frame. He owns an accurate release and uses that threat to look-off defenders and slide crisp passes into his mate’s wheelhouses. "

Steve Kournianos - The Draft Analyst - Nov. 5th: "Consider Cozens a sort of Podkolzin-West — a physical force with a team-first attitude who uses skill and strength to dictate the tempo of a game."

Sam Cosentino - SportsNet - Oct. 2nd: "Quiet confidence, extremely respectful, his character alone makes him a first-rounder. But with size and skill he’s cemented amongst the elite in this draft class."

Craig Button TSN - Aug. 14th: "He plays with skill. He plays with power. He plays with will. He wants to leave his imprint on the game in every single square inch of ice surface."

[RonJeremy]

50 minutes ago, ruxpin said:

 

First, it wouldn't be a horrible thing if he were another Giroux.

 

Second, that's a horrible assessment.  The kid has a hella shot and isn't just pass first.  Most compare him to Patrick Kane.  If we're drafting first, it's insane to even think about drafting someone else.

I know it wouldn’t be horrible, but I would rather have another Laine than another Kaine. I want the big power scorer instead of the 165 lb guy. If we got the #1 pick I would trade it for the number 2 and an asset and pick one of the big guys.  Nolan Patrick was rated as #1 or 2 and that certainly isn’t working out as expected, I don’t think Hughes is that far above th other guys. 

[flyercanuck]

Not a great year to win the lottery, but if you did you take what you get and be thankful. I'd be happy with any of Hughes/Kakko/Cozens/Podkolzin/Dach etc. Heck I've seen plenty of Suzuki this year and would be happy with him.

I just hope Fletcher and Holmgren don't go all stupid and trade away some future to try and make a pitiful playoff run at the deadline. 

[ruxpin]

35 minutes ago, flyercanuck said:

Not a great year to win the lottery, but if you did you take what you get and be thankful. I'd be happy with any of Hughes/Kakko/Cozens/Podkolzin/Dach etc. Heck I've seen plenty of Suzuki this year and would be happy with him.

I just hope Fletcher and Holmgren don't go all stupid and trade away some future to try and make a pitiful playoff run at the deadline. 

Yes, and not just because it's entirely too late at this point. 

[FD19372]

2 hours ago, flyercanuck said:

Not a great year to win the lottery, but if you did you take what you get and be thankful. I'd be happy with any of Hughes/Kakko/Cozens/Podkolzin/Dach etc. Heck I've seen plenty of Suzuki this year and would be happy with him.

I just hope Fletcher and Holmgren don't go all stupid and trade away some future to try and make a pitiful playoff run at the deadline. 

They would have to have like an .800 winning percentage to have any chance of making the playoffs. I'm not drinkin the Paul Holmgren/Dave Scott Kool-Aid.  They aren't making the playoffs this year...it isn't happening. The nice thing is for the idiot Flyer front office is I think most Flyer fans also like the Eagles, and don't care as much what the Flyers are doing right now. The draft is kinda weak, so I'm not sold on ANY of the others like you may be. When the Eagles are done in February, a lot of fans will no longer show up to Flyers games, and the the Dis-Organization won't like it when the cameras pan to all of the empty seats at the WFC.

[Podein25]

Another vote for Cozens. I'm sure it's buried in here but what are the odds that we end up with a top 3 pick? Because I think it will be Hughes, Kakko, Cozens as the first 3 picks. Not necessarily with Kakko going before Cozens, but good chance of it.

[flyercanuck]

1 hour ago, FD19372 said:

They would have to have like an .800 winning percentage to have any chance of making the playoffs. I'm not drinkin the Paul Holmgren/Dave Scott Kool-Aid.  They aren't making the playoffs this year...it isn't happening. The nice thing is for the idiot Flyer front office is I think most Flyer fans also like the Eagles, and don't care as much what the Flyers are doing right now. The draft is kinda weak, so I'm not sold on ANY of the others like you may be. When the Eagles are done in February, a lot of fans will no longer show up to Flyers games, and the the Dis-Organization won't like it when the cameras pan to all of the empty seats at the WFC.

 

 After looking at what Fletcher did in Minnesota, and having Holmgren/Scott hire him anyway, nothing would surprise me when it comes to those two. 

 

 I wouldn't say the draft is weak...there just isn't a generational talent at the top of it. There usually isn't. But there's a lot of very good talent in there. 

[Cheesesteak]

Doesn't matter!!!  FLYERS WILL DRAFT SECOND AND HE'LL BE A BUST!!!     

 

 

 

[FD19372]

Just now, Cheesesteak said:

Doesn't matter!!!  FLYERS WILL DRAFT SECOND AND HE'LL BE A BUST!!!     

Trade the pick!

[AlaskaFlyerFan]

8 hours ago, Podein25 said:

Another vote for Cozens. I'm sure it's buried in here but what are the odds that we end up with a top 3 pick? Because I think it will be Hughes, Kakko, Cozens as the first 3 picks. Not necessarily with Kakko going before Cozens, but good chance of it.

 

Flyers already had a Cousins.  No more!  

[mkscrewy]

I just said this to a friend: he* is what Daigle and Nelly were talking about when they said nobody remembers who number two was. 

 

*he = take your pick JVR or Patrick

 

(also, I know Nelly technically said “two is not a winner and three no one remembers”. I misquoted initially.)

[OccamsRazor]

Well i sure hope Ottawa doesn't hand the Avs the 1st overall pick for sure...that would suck!

[flyercanuck]

6 hours ago, mkscrewy said:

I just said this to a friend: he* is what Daigle and Nelly were talking about when they said nobody remembers who number two was. 

 

*he = take your pick JVR or Patrick

 

(also, I know Nelly technically said “two is not a winner and three no one remembers”. I misquoted initially.)

 

Meanwhile, he (the guy who said "nobody remembers who number two is") is the punchline of a joke on 1st overalls while Chris Pronger (the 2) is a HOFer and much better remembered for what he did ON the ice. #3 (Chris Gratton) also had a much better career than Mr. Famous 1st overall. As did the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and almost every other 1st rounder that year.

[RonJeremy]

All Daigle could do was skate , he had no stickhandling ability or great moves or a great shot. He was a first round Tom Gorence.

[OccamsRazor]

Why do i feel in my stomach even though the Senators don't even own their 1st pick, that i feel they will end of with the 1st pick and the Flyers the 2nd or 3rd...i just feel it...deja vu???

 

Or even worse Chicago gets 1st pick and Flyers get 2nd...and yeah i know it is terrible with half the season to go to be already talking about the draft...but that all we got left as Flyer fan...can Quenneville fix this dumpster fire???

 

 

I sure hope so if he can he will certainly have earned his $$$$$$$$$$

[mkscrewy]

On 1/6/2019 at 6:13 AM, flyercanuck said:

 

Meanwhile, he (the guy who said "nobody remembers who number two is") is the punchline of a joke on 1st overalls while Chris Pronger (the 2) is a HOFer and much better remembered for what he did ON the ice. #3 (Chris Gratton) also had a much better career than Mr. Famous 1st overall. As did the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and almost every other 1st rounder that year.

he absolutely is. but it still doesn't discount the fact that the 2 second round picks on our team have been mostly floaters, passive, and invisible. 

 

[mojo1917]

I would like for people to hold their horses claiming Patrick is a bust. 

 

Has he played 100 games yet ? 

Has he turned 21 ?

Has he had a fully healthy campaign ?

 

Let's pump the brakes a little. I know it's the internet and everything now is the worst or best ever in all of recorded history. 

Let the kid put on his man weight before we all run him out of town 

[elmatus]

2 hours ago, mojo1917 said:

I would like for people to hold their horses claiming Patrick is a bust. 

 

Has he played 100 games yet ? 

Has he turned 21 ?

Has he had a fully healthy campaign ?

 

Let's pump the brakes a little. I know it's the internet and everything now is the worst or best ever in all of recorded history. 

Let the kid put on his man weight before we all run him out of town 

 

He has played 107 games actually. Still, I think that's a fair assessment. I also think it's important to be reasonable in our view of him.

 

I think the challenge is that he was a 2nd overall pick, so it's natural for us to expect above average output in a shorter period of time than a typical NHL player. What is that timeframe though? One season? Two seasons? That's the tough part really.

 

What can we compare then? Well we can compare his rookie season with other 2nd overall picks over the last number of years.

 

Patrick: 73gp | 30pts (0.4ppg)

Laine: 41gp | 32pts (0.8ppg)

Eichel: 40gp | 49pts (1.2ppg)

Reinhart: 42gp | 40pts (1.0ppg)

Barkov: 40gp | 42pts (1.0ppg)

Galchenyuk: 32gp | 21pts (0.7ppg) - Technically Murray was 2nd, but I hopped over him as a dman selection

Landeskog: 42gp | 47pts (1.1ppg)

Seguin: 43gp | 39pts (0.9ppg)

Duchene: 37gp | 42pts (1.1ppg) - 3rd overall, skipped over Hedman at 2nd

 

What does this tell us? Well, it's notable that Patrick played considerably more games as a rookie than any of those other guys. In some cases, that was due to injury (e.g. Eichel), but the majority just weren't considered ready. Would Patrick compare more favourably if it wasn't for that difference? Maybe.

 

Looking at straight stats though, it seems pretty clear Patrick is the worst of the bunch listed above. In fact, it's not even very close. Was it a bad draft year? We won't know for a while. Was his value inflated because of his limited ice time during his draft season? It's possible.

 

Just to turn the knife a little: Pettersson was taken 4th, and so far he's looking like a complete stud in Vancouver. Had Patrick played his draft season, it's conceivable he wouldn't have been taken 2nd overall at all. We may have had Pettersson.

 

So yeah, I think it's too early to give up on the kid. That said, it seems evident so far that he probably shouldn't have been taken 2nd overall. He may bloom later than some of the others on the list above, but if we're comparing on even footing, all of the guys listed here had considerably better rookie seasons than Patrick.

 

I think if we had the same player with the same record but had only drafted him later in the round, we'd all be much more okay with it. The challenge in Patrick's case is that he was touted as a 2nd who may even had been 1st overall, but he really hasn't shown the high level of play others in a similar situation have shown over the years.

 

Just for shits:

Couturier: 77gp | 27pts (0.4ppg)

 

Couts of course was taken 8th overall. He seems like a much better comparable to Patrick so far than other 2nd overall picks. I think Couts is great personally, but I would have expected better had he gone 2nd overall instead of 8th. Will that be how we think of Patrick in some years? It's entirely possible if not plausible. We'll have to wait and see.

 

All that said, I certainly don't fault Hexy for making the choice. Everyone and their mother was claiming Patrick as the consensus no.2 pick (some were even still saying no.1). He did what any other GM in that position would have done (and likely almost anyone on this board to boot). We were gifted the 2nd overall pick after all. He definitely stands to be better than the player would likely would have gotten in the teens or whatever.

[RonJeremy]

Vancouver has two great recent picks, Boeser and Pettersen. I'm dying to see an exciting dynamic player on the Flyers, we always seem to get  good players but plain vanilla guys . We haven't had any excitement since Ghosts rookie year. I hope Frost and Farabbe can be part of a new exciting line for us. Now this year we need to draft a right wing for that line, Kakko