There are a lot of good C's and D's in the 2011 draft group; the Edmonton Oilers can fill the cupboard at both positions with some wise selections next weekend. At the top of the draft, Edmonton is extremely likely to select Ryan Nugent-Hopkins number one overall. There are also rumblings that Steve Tambellini will move up into the first round in order to select another quality talent. Possible picks in that range include Ryan Murphy, Mark McNeill and Mark Scheifele.
Beyond that, there are some very nice prospects available outside the first round. Here's a list of possible Oilers picks beyond 1, 19 and 31:
- D Joel Edmundson: Big, mobile defender. Lanky, he has a mean streak and at 6.05 he's going to be a load as a full grown man.
- C Joachim Nermark: 6.01 center, excellent skater with soft hands. There was some buzz after the Ivan Hlinka last summer but he fell off early and I don't know where he'll go in the draft. He has some things the Oilers value.
- D Tyler Wotherspoon: Size and mobility, plus he's improved a great deal in the last two seasons. Oilers love big men with good speed again--they went away from it for awhile, drafting defenders like Taylor Chorney--but I think guys like Wotherspoon are the future of the Oilers blueline.
- F Colin Jacobs: Big 2-way winger with exceptional work ethic. Hard working role player who perhaps disappointed (22 goals) offensively but may have another gear. Appears to be more than the numbers from this season imply.
- C Dylan Wruck: Small center who improved a great deal during the season. Scored 38 goals for the Oil Kings and showed great work ethic. Intelligent player.
- C Marcel Noebels: Big, strong center with surprising skill. He has a heavy shot and displays very good passing ability. Could be a draft day steal.
I'd love to see the Oilers nab John Gibson. The scouts have done an all right job picking up goalies in the draft as of late, and I think Gibson could really turn out to be something special.
ReplyDeleteThere's also Finnish Q' import Christopher Gibson, who posted a very impressive ,920 for the QJMHL.
ReplyDeleteJust stay away from kids who don't score at all like Jacobs.
Gets Euros and guys who have some flaws at that point.
I think we'll see more CHL than Euro's again this season.
ReplyDeleteAs for goalies, I can see EDM taking one but don't know that they'll spend a top 100 pick on one.
LT: Well as long as they draft like last year there's no problem.
ReplyDeleteThey took guys who could score at the F spot, Hamilton was hindered by injury, but his 16 yrs old season was still telling. And then they took guys who were doing well at the D but nicked for other things.
As long as they don't take guys just for the saw'em goods, I'm fine with that.
It'll be interesting to see what the Oilers do this season. I wonder if they might trade to deal down from 31 to add a couple more picks 40-70.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like there's a lot of disparity from about 14-60.
I'll add some guys that could be considered in the back end of the draft.
ReplyDeleteDarren Dietz (Saskatoon) dman
This kid was a rookie this year and grew leaps and bounds as he was a top four dman for the blades by years end. He's a tough kid who is mobile enough and passes well enough to be a solid bottom pairing sort of player.
Some guys that should get camp invites if you don't think anyone will throw a 7th rounder at these guys.
Jake Trask (Saskatoon). This guy was stuck in a bad place for most of his junior career (Kamloops) He's one of those guys that fits Rikkibear's 50% goals to points ratio.
He had 30 goals and 61 points in 61 games this year.
Darian Dziurzynski (Saskatoon) - Alberta kid with a good junior story. Went undrafted in the bantam draft and was discovered in a midget tourney in Prince Albert. Watched him work his butt off to go from a hard checking tough guy to a goal scorer with a heavy wrister. This guy is the best body checker I've seen. He's not one of those that runs across the ice and lights a guy up like Tootoo. He has a hard body check that when he gets a guy on the boards you feel it in the stands. His wrister seem to have the kind of weight that makes you think he's shooting a brick.
Sena Acolatse (Prince George) - Edmonton kid. When he was the Blades they used him on Defense and Forward. He's a tough kid with decent skating. Went to Prince George as a 20 year old and got 60 points in 63 games playing with Marincin.
How much they draft Keegan?
ReplyDeleteHonestly he's not looking that bad. If he's a 4th round + pick I'm all for it.
If the Oilers draft RNH (which seems inevitable), they would be wise to move into the 8-12 range and grab someone like McNeill, then the centers would be set.
ReplyDeleteAs for goaltending, it isn't mandatory that they take a goalie this year, with Roy and Bunz in the pipe, the could stand to skip a year and try again next year. They don't have to force a goaltender this year.
Thw Oilers have 2 3rds and 2 4ths, so they could move up, but everthing is so tight that its one of those years where volume might be better than quality. Likely to have another Riley Nash situation in this draft. Just take what comes to you.
My philosophy is taking "saw him good" and then applying it to math. A good example of this is Zach Yuen, a projected 3rd rounder that I think could be a real player. Applying one without the other is like pissing in the wind.
I believe Acolatse was signed by the Sharks a couple of months ago.
ReplyDeleteTyler any relation to Jeremy? That boy could skate.
ReplyDeleteYep you're right Sena was signed and played a game for Worchester. Too slow on that one.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Kevin Lowe's kid? He's supposed to be pretty good.
ReplyDeleteAlso I read that the Islanders were looking to add a top forward using their number 5 pick.
ReplyDeleteI'd trade Hemsky and a pick for Larson or Couturier (sp). Or Hamilton.
How much they draft Keegan?
ReplyDeleteHonestly he's not looking that bad. If he's a 4th round + pick I'm all for it.
Even if they used the 3rd from Calgary in the Staios trade (74th), it would be a decent pick given Lowe's ranking.
I doubt he's there at 92 (Oiler's 4th round pick)
CS has him 88th, I think he goes earlier. Hockey people love professional hockey blood lines.
Kirk Luedeke from Bruins' draft watch thinks Lowe is a good sleeper pick.
Using a pick from the Staios trade to get another Lowe on the blue is poetic somehow.
I loved the way his Dad play D. Tough, mean and good.
Sure hope they don't go with Musil at 19.
ReplyDeleteBTW LT, thanks for the introduction to Luedeke on your show. He has some good stuff.
ReplyDeleteTrawling through the prospect lists, I pulled out goalie Marek Mazanec. An over-ager at 20yo, he's been playing in the top Czech mens league and posting .911 Sv% as a back-up. As a 19yo posted a .925 in the Czech junior league. Kind of guy you want to take a flyer on in the seventh round.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Mike McKee from Kent H.S.? 6'5, 230 last time I heard, loves to play physical and a good skater too. Only a junior in H.S., but is committed to Northeastern. A project, but well worth a mid-to-late round pick.
ReplyDeleteDucey,
ReplyDeleteLast time I checked, Musil had slipped into the second round rankings, so even picking him at 31 would be a step up for him.
I wouldn't mind him at the spot. I think he is undervalued right now.
8 - 12 for McNeil? Cmon. Way too early.
ReplyDeleteIsn't Simpson's Dman kid available too? Thought he was the same age as Lowe's and imo a better player in days gone by.