Question For The Draft Enthusiasts…

[SameOldBlues]

Has there been any up or down movement in any of your guy’s personal prospect wants or favorites? I havent been able to keep tabs on all the draft eligible players lately so Im a little out of the loop and wanna catch up.

Is the Top 10 prospects from the ‘experts’ POV still relatively the same, or has any players draft stock risen or fallen significantly in the past month? How about your own personal perspectives?

Hypothetical: We get the Top pick by hook or by crook, who you taken as of this moment.

Hypothetical #2: We end up with the #4 pick, who ya hoping is there for us to take?

Bonus question if you like these sort of topics: Say we pull the unthinkable and slide down to pick #10, who ya picking?

And anything else draft related you want to add.

Thank you kindly for your attention to this pressing matter, and as always…Me & Rainman would like to thank you for shoplifting at K-Mart.

[Pierre McGuire]

Still McKenna, Stenberg, and Carels for me as the top 3. Don’t see it changing. As for other players rising on my list, I’ve moved Smits ahead of Verhoeff and I have Daxon Rudolph in my top 8. I think he’s criminally underrated.
If we end up with pick #4 I’m taking Carels or Reid. Pretty sure Verhoeff will go 3rd overall but I’m not taking him before pick #5. Smits is the guy to watch here…he could go 3rd overall come draft day.
If we slide down to 10, I’m taking Rudolph or Belchetz provided they are there.
Keep an eye on JP Hurlbert as well. He’s rising fast

[a smell of green grass]

#1 Scenario
Stenberg and McKenna are the top wingers in the class, but won't be top wingers in the NHL. Plus, I do not want to think about which current young winger will NOT GET A CHANCE because of this pick. So I would try to trade down to 3-5 (and get extra draft picks), and then go after the top C or a RHD. I like Maholtra or Reid. I would take the one that I rated higher. If trading down a few spots is not an option, I would take Maholtra or Reid.

#2 Scenario
Same as #1 Scenario

#3 Scenario
Take Maholtra or Reid

#4
Same as Scenario 3

#5
Same as Scenario 3

#6
Same as Scenario 3. If both Maholtra and Reid or gone, I'd take Belchez or Hemming or Rudolf or VeerHoff, whichever I rated higher.

#7 or below.
I quit following the Blues. I"ve watched the best players go to other teams for 20 years. I'm not going to keep doing that.

[kimzey59]

Not much has changed.
Tynan Lawrence has slipped a bit(off to a rough start with Boston, granted they're fairly stacked so he's not getting much opportunity) but he's still the clear #2 center prospect.
Rudolph has entered the mix for the top 10 but I don't think he's really "established" himself just yet.
Pretty much everyone else is just "maintaining" their position and that probably doesn't change until some PO games start getting played.

Hypothetical 1- Ivar over McKenna
Hypothetical 2- Whichever of Reid/Verhoeff is still on the board(one of them will be).
Hypothetical 3- Tough one simply because it depends a lot on what other teams do. I think there's a moderate chance that Lawrence is still on the board at #10. I think there's an even better chance that Belchetz lasts that far. I'm not passing on either of them for Rudolph or Bjork.

It's also important to note that Ottawa has a forfeited pick and they could still very easily fall back into the top 10(they're only 2 points up on Florida for the #10 pick). This will also be relevant if we pick up any additional 1st rounders before the trade deadline(I really like some of the kids projected towards the end of the First Round(Morozov, Gashilov(probably won't find him on a lot of "expert rankings" but he's belongs there), Piiparinen, Command, Hextall, Schairer) so I'm really hoping that we can manage it).

1-Ivar
2- McKenna
3- Reid
4- Verhoeff
5- Malhotra
6- Carels
7- Smits
8- Lawrence
9- Belchetz
10- Rudolph
11- Bjork

[Pierre McGuire]

Dream scenario for me would be 3 first rounders
McKenna or Stenberg
Rudolph
Chrenko

[hockey jedi]

I mean this with all sincerity, this is one of the best posts I've ever seen of being a member of this forum for over twenty years. The information and opinions are so good I pdf'd it for reference this summer.

[a smell of green grass]

Dream scenario for me would be 3 first rounders
McKenna or Stenberg
Rudolph
Chrenko

If Schenn and Thomas are both traded away, and no future 1C came back in return, would this change?

What do you think of Meholtra and Lawrence?

[SameOldBlues]

Still McKenna, Stenberg, and Carels for me as the top 3. Don’t see it changing. As for other players rising on my list, I’ve moved Smits ahead of Verhoeff and I have Daxon Rudolph in my top 8. I think he’s criminally underrated.
If we end up with pick #4 I’m taking Carels or Reid. Pretty sure Verhoeff will go 3rd overall but I’m not taking him before pick #5. Smits is the guy to watch here…he could go 3rd overall come draft day.
If we slide down to 10, I’m taking Rudolph or Belchetz provided they are there.
Keep an eye on JP Hurlbert as well. He’s rising fast

Isnt Carels an all around better player than Reid in your opinion? I just wonder if Reid’s non-physical play will make him soft and somewhat weak defensively and pickin him that high would scare me. We really need 6 mean no nonsense big mobile mean Mf’s out there. At least 5 danmit

I dont see you talkin hockey about Lawrence much, im guessing you dont see him as a future 1C? I think he’s underrated a little.

[SameOldBlues]

Not much has changed.
Tynan Lawrence has slipped a bit(off to a rough start with Boston, granted they're fairly stacked so he's not getting much opportunity) but he's still the clear #2 center prospect.
Rudolph has entered the mix for the top 10 but I don't think he's really "established" himself just yet.
Pretty much everyone else is just "maintaining" their position and that probably doesn't change until some PO games start getting played.

Hypothetical 1- Ivar over McKenna
Hypothetical 2- Whichever of Reid/Verhoeff is still on the board(one of them will be).
Hypothetical 3- Tough one simply because it depends a lot on what other teams do. I think there's a moderate chance that Lawrence is still on the board at #10. I think there's an even better chance that Belchetz lasts that far. I'm not passing on either of them for Rudolph or Bjork.

It's also important to note that Ottawa has a forfeited pick and they could still very easily fall back into the top 10(they're only 2 points up on Florida for the #10 pick). This will also be relevant if we pick up any additional 1st rounders before the trade deadline(I really like some of the kids projected towards the end of the First Round(Morozov, Gashilov(probably won't find him on a lot of "expert rankings" but he's belongs there), Piiparinen, Command, Hextall, Schairer) so I'm really hoping that we can manage it).

1-Ivar
2- McKenna
3- Reid
4- Verhoeff
5- Malhotra
6- Carels
7- Smits
8- Lawrence
9- Belchetz
10- Rudolph
11- Bjork

Nice write up, thanks. Theres a few names in your post I dont know much about and will have to look up.

Not counting Verhoeff, which D would you pick at #5 assuming they’re still available?

[IsDurbanodoingtime]

Assuming we get an additional pick in the first round (and it's a mid to late pick), ilia morozov at miami. Playing his first year of collegiate hockey at 17 as a center. I think the youngest kid playing in the ncaa. Doing nicely so far in his first season.

[Pierre McGuire]

Still McKenna, Stenberg, and Carels for me as the top 3. Don’t see it changing. As for other players rising on my list, I’ve moved Smits ahead of Verhoeff and I have Daxon Rudolph in my top 8. I think he’s criminally underrated.
If we end up with pick #4 I’m taking Carels or Reid. Pretty sure Verhoeff will go 3rd overall but I’m not taking him before pick #5. Smits is the guy to watch here…he could go 3rd overall come draft day.
If we slide down to 10, I’m taking Rudolph or Belchetz provided they are there.
Keep an eye on JP Hurlbert as well. He’s rising fast

Isnt Carels an all around better player than Reid in your opinion? I just wonder if Reid’s non-physical play will make him soft and somewhat weak defensively and pickin him that high would scare me. We really need 6 mean no nonsense big mobile mean Mf’s out there. At least 5 danmit

I dont see you talkin hockey about Lawrence much, im guessing you dont see him as a future 1C? I think he’s underrated a little.

I’m not high on any of the centers in this draft. I have Malhotra in my top 10 and I have Lawrence at #11 on my list right now. I think the dmen in the range we are likely to be picking are all very good.
As for Carels, I believe he’s the best overall dman in the draft. Reid is pure offense. Not sold on Verhoeff but I am intrigued by Smits. Rudolph is the right handed version of Carels in this draft and he’s having a great year. He is a really good player and he’s getting overlooked for sure. He might be #4 on my list by draft day.

[ratonmono2]

#1 Scenario
Stenberg and McKenna are the top wingers in the class, but won't be top wingers in the NHL. Plus, I do not want to think about which current young winger will NOT GET A CHANCE because of this pick. So I would try to trade down to 3-5 (and get extra draft picks), and then go after the top C or a RHD. I like Maholtra or Reid. I would take the one that I rated higher. If trading down a few spots is not an option, I would take Maholtra or Reid.

#2 Scenario
Same as #1 Scenario

#3 Scenario
Take Maholtra or Reid

#4
Same as Scenario 3

#5
Same as Scenario 3

#6
Same as Scenario 3. If both Maholtra and Reid or gone, I'd take Belchez or Hemming or Rudolf or VeerHoff, whichever I rated higher.

#7 or below.
I quit following the Blues. I"ve watched the best players go to other teams for 20 years. I'm not going to keep doing that.

You're already projecting the two top picks to not be top wingers in the league? Based upon what evidence? Just a gut feeling?
Personally, I think both McKenna and Stenberg will be incredible top line wingers for at least a decade given good health. Neither's game looks to be incompatible with NHL hockey. I don't think either has elite goal scoring potential, but elite playmaking is present.

[kimzey59]

Not much has changed.
Tynan Lawrence has slipped a bit(off to a rough start with Boston, granted they're fairly stacked so he's not getting much opportunity) but he's still the clear #2 center prospect.
Rudolph has entered the mix for the top 10 but I don't think he's really "established" himself just yet.
Pretty much everyone else is just "maintaining" their position and that probably doesn't change until some PO games start getting played.

Hypothetical 1- Ivar over McKenna
Hypothetical 2- Whichever of Reid/Verhoeff is still on the board(one of them will be).
Hypothetical 3- Tough one simply because it depends a lot on what other teams do. I think there's a moderate chance that Lawrence is still on the board at #10. I think there's an even better chance that Belchetz lasts that far. I'm not passing on either of them for Rudolph or Bjork.

It's also important to note that Ottawa has a forfeited pick and they could still very easily fall back into the top 10(they're only 2 points up on Florida for the #10 pick). This will also be relevant if we pick up any additional 1st rounders before the trade deadline(I really like some of the kids projected towards the end of the First Round(Morozov, Gashilov(probably won't find him on a lot of "expert rankings" but he's belongs there), Piiparinen, Command, Hextall, Schairer) so I'm really hoping that we can manage it).

1-Ivar
2- McKenna
3- Reid
4- Verhoeff
5- Malhotra
6- Carels
7- Smits
8- Lawrence
9- Belchetz
10- Rudolph
11- Bjork

Nice write up, thanks. Theres a few names in your post I dont know much about and will have to look up.

Not counting Verhoeff, which D would you pick at #5 assuming they’re still available?

At number 5, I take Malhotra over the 2 LHD.

I don't value LHD that much right now(our pipeline is heavy on LHD and Broberg emerging drastically reduces our need for a high end prospect there) and I think the two in question are both limited offensively(Carels lacks puck skills and Smits lacks on-ice vision). Not that I project Reid or Verhoeff to be much better; but RHD vs LHD does play a factor with me and a Broberg level RHD is a very nice snag in any Draft.

At #5, I'm looking for a key position.
That means top line C or top pair RHD.
If Stenberg, McKenna, Verhoeff and Reid are gone; I make the move on Malhotra.

[Cahokanut]

One late rd center that Ive took a liking for, and wouldn't pass up is, Alex Command. Who before the year probably was being overlooked But I don't think he is being overlooked so much anymore.
I think this kid turns into a gem. He plays a smart, fast, skilled, to the net, play maker type of game. that I think can reach our top line.

As for Reid, Smit, Carel. I think that's the order.
I think Reid could see the top three. Being on the right with that kind of skill does have top three value. Carel closer to ten. Smit in-between
As for career talent. I think Smit might be the guy. But not so much more then Reid, that he becomes more valuable. But I think he will bring more to a team.

[smilinjoefission]

We get the top pick you have to pick Stenberg. We get 4th and see who is available, but I'm leaning towards Malhotra, but if Reid is available they probably pick a Dman or move down to the late single digits, early double digits to pick one of the many Dmen in that range. Obviously if Verhoeff is there at 4th you pick, if Lawrence you maybe move on, I'm not sold on him for whatever reason.

Here's my prediction...Blues either pick Stenberg or they pick Reid if they fail the top 1 or 2 picks or move down for Smits, Carels, Lin, or Rudolph.

I would like a couple more 1st rounders, and we should have a couple more if we move some players.

[AtillaTheBlue1]

[quoteMcKenna, Stenberg][/quote]

Mckenna has superstar talent/potential , so he will be #1, no matter who's selecting.