2015 NHL Entry Draft

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

A short clip of Noah Hanifin.

https://vine.co/v/O9PFx6bLp2F

There's probably a good chance he's actually coming into the draft as underrated because McDavid and Eichel are taking all the attention. He obviously shouldn't get drafted any higher than 3, but the fact that rankings out there exist that have him below that are insane.

Will he leave college to go the CHL route? If not is that maybe scaring some scouts.

I've been following him fairly closely this past month or so, been thinking about him in relation to a guy like Ekblad. He seems more of an offensive dman who uses his wheels to defend as opposed to his body.

If I had to pick comparables I'd have Ekblad as more of a Pronger type and Hanifin as more of a Neidermayer.

 

[rdowdall]

A short clip of Noah Hanifin.

https://vine.co/v/O9PFx6bLp2F

There's probably a good chance he's actually coming into the draft as underrated because McDavid and Eichel are taking all the attention. He obviously shouldn't get drafted any higher than 3, but the fact that rankings out there exist that have him below that are insane.

Will he leave college to go the CHL route? If not is that maybe scaring some scouts.

Didn't hurt Toews.

 

[leafplasma]

Should be able to get a real nice prospect if the Nashville pick can slide into the 23rd or 24th draft slot. Great chance of that becoming a reality.

 

[ZBBM]

So who are the next highest rated defensemen after Hanifin?

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Povorov seems to be gaining quite a lot of traction, some have Werenski rated very highly too.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

So who are the next highest rated defensemen after Hanifin?

Ivan Provorov, Zack Werenski, Oliver Kylington. They could all go anywhere from 6-12 probably. That part of the draft is very fluid. They're all kind of similar. Good skaters with high upside. Kylington seems to be considered the best skater of the bunch. Werenski has the size and maybe more raw talent. Provorov has the edge in two-way ability.

 

[Highlander]

I love that guys name; very close to a Star Trek reference, yes would be good to have Oliver Klingon on the team.

 

[ZBBM]

So who are the next highest rated defensemen after Hanifin?

Ivan Provorov, Zack Werenski, Oliver Kylington. They could all go anywhere from 6-12 probably. That part of the draft is very fluid. They're all kind of similar. Good skaters with high upside. Kylington seems to be considered the best skater of the bunch. Werenski has the size and maybe more raw talent. Provorov has the edge in two-way ability.

Thanks Patrick, CTB.

If we don't luck into one of the three top centers I might be tempted to go for one if these guys even if Hanifin is gone.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

If we don't luck into one of the three top centers I might be tempted to go for one if these guys even if Hanifin is gone.

Yeah, I think that I'd prefer one of them to the available forwards at that point.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I've heard Marner has played on the wing and down the middle. Any chance he has Giroux upside at pivot?

 

[ZBBM]

I've heard Marner has played on the wing and down the middle. Any chance he has Giroux upside at pivot?

Is the whole issue with him his size?  As in, if he were 3 inches taller would he be spoken of next to Strome as being the next tier down from the Glitter Twins?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Is the whole issue with him his size?  As in, if he were 3 inches taller would he be spoken of next to Strome as being the next tier down from the Glitter Twins?

I've done some more reading on him, especially after LK pointed out that criticisms of his defensive game are likely unfounded. This was a nice, comprehensive profile on him: http://thehockeywriters.com/magical-mitch-marner-mcdavid-malkin/

He really does seem to be the whole package, minus the size/strength. I think if Strome were a couple of inches shorter or maybe just didn't play centre Marner would probably be ranked above him on most if not all lists. But the allure of that big, talented number 1 centreman is just so strong. I'd be very curious to know how much hype those two would be getting if they didn't have 2 generational type forwards in their draft year. I wouldn't be completely surprised either if the team at #3 takes one of them over Hanifin. Not sure if it would be justified, but top ranked defencemen seem to slip more often than forwards (Jones, Larsson come to mind immediately).

 

[Jolly good show chaps]

Is there any realistic chance if we finish with the 5th overall pick that we'd trade it to Edmonton along with a defenceman (assuming a package including either Phaneuf or Gardiner +) for their first rounder assuming they hold the second overall?  Or would we be more likely to seek an additional first from someone in a Phaneuf deal?

 

[TML fan]

Is there any realistic chance if we finish with the 5th overall pick that we'd trade it to Edmonton along with a defenceman (assuming a package including either Phaneuf or Gardiner +) for their first rounder assuming they hold the second overall?  Or would we be more likely to seek an additional first from someone in a Phaneuf deal?

I doubt Edmonton trades the pick, unless they really really really like someone at 5. They'd probably be better off trading one of Hall/Eberle for a defenceman and just draft Eichel.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Is there any realistic chance if we finish with the 5th overall pick that we'd trade it to Edmonton along with a defenceman (assuming a package including either Phaneuf or Gardiner +) for their first rounder assuming they hold the second overall?  Or would we be more likely to seek an additional first from someone in a Phaneuf deal?

The short answer is no. Edmonton still kind of needs everything at this point. RNH is nice, but he's still likely more of an elite 2nd line guy. They just can't pass on Eichel.

 

[rdowdall]

Is there any realistic chance if we finish with the 5th overall pick that we'd trade it to Edmonton along with a defenceman (assuming a package including either Phaneuf or Gardiner +) for their first rounder assuming they hold the second overall?  Or would we be more likely to seek an additional first from someone in a Phaneuf deal?

The short answer is no. Edmonton still kind of needs everything at this point. RNH is nice, but he's still likely more of an elite 2nd line guy. They just can't pass on Eichel.

No love for Leon?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

No love for Leon?

Ack, completely forgot about him. Still, don't think you can trade away a potential franchise 1st line centre because you have two really good 2Cs. One of them would be the guy to go.

 

[rdowdall]

No love for Leon?

Ack, completely forgot about him. Still, don't think you can trade away a potential franchise 1st line centre because you have two really good 2Cs. One of them would be the guy to go.

It is the Oilers though....

 

[Bullfrog]

Edmonton's got three picks in the top 35, so I'd focus on getting on of their other picks. Not sure what we could offer of interest without overpaying.

 

[AvroArrow]

Edmonton's got three picks in the top 35, so I'd focus on getting on of their other picks. Not sure what we could offer of interest without overpaying.

Kessel, JvR, Kadri, Bozak, Phaneuf, or Gardiner?