2012 Entry Draft Preview: The "It's Never Too Early" Edition
by MTBoltFan on Feb 10, 2012 3:18 PM EST
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As teams in the NHL begin serious pushes and posturing for playoff spots or tee times at their nearest golf course, focus begins to shift to the annual NHL Entry Draft. Recently, NHL Central Scouting released an updated ranking of the players eligible for this year’s draft, and three draft experts from NHL.com posted their mock draft results.
About the only players who are guaranteed to not be available at the Lightning’s current position are the top two players heading into this year’s draft, Nail Yakupov (RW, Sarnia [OHL]) and Ryan Murray (D, Everett [WHL]).
This short article is caveated with the understanding the draft position of the Lightning could change drastically up or down from their current position (#7).
Adam Kimelman:
Mike Morreale:
Steve Hoffner:
So, NHL.com’s experts believe, at their current pick will either pick Matthew Dumba (D, Red Deer [WHL]) or Filip Forsberg (LW, Leksand [SWE-2]). Here are a brief synopsis of each.
"Many ‘experts’ consider [Dumba] the highest risk/reward prospect eligible in this year’s draft class (Russian prospect notwithstanding). If a team is going to swing for the fences in this draft, selecting Matt Dumba might just be the equivalent of hitting it out of the park (or rink, as it where) in Albert Pujols style." [The Hockey Writers]
via d1l8737wcwfl1q.cloudfront.net
"As a 16-year-old on Leksand’s under-20 team this past season, Forsberg led his squad in scoring with 14 goals and 29 points in 26 games, adding a plus-19 rating for good measure. His point total was also good for fifth in the league. Though he’s no relation to NHL great Peter Forsberg, Filip is a huge fan of ‘Foppa’ and still watches his videos on YouTube. With Filip’s skill, it won’t be long before he makes a name for himself in the NHL." [The Hockey News]
Again, the Bolts’ draft position will change—potentially drastically—between now and the end of the regular (or playoff) season. Also, these are just two of many very good prospects that will be drafted in the first round this year.
To check on the other eligible, please check out the following sites:
The story of the Mock Drafts [NHL.com]
All NHL Draft-eligible players [NHL.com]
This post was written by a member of the Raw Charge community and doesn't necessarily express the views or opinions of Raw Charge staff.
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Sixteen years old? I feel ancient.
I’d like the team to draft a d-man in the first, and I have no problem with Dumba. The other kid I haven’t even looked at before.
Either of the two goalies from the Russian WJCs would be good gets, especially if they fall to a later round. I wouldn’t use a first-round pick on a goalie, unless they are just absolutely exceptional.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
"You don’t motivate people; you activate something in them that already exists." -Guy Boucher
" I saw it, I called it, I still don't believe it!"--Pete Weber
I would, too—with the development time required for goalies, the system will need one by the time Janus is filling full-time duties in Norfolk.
"Freedom is the freedom to say two plus two equals four. If that is granted all else will follow."
- Smith in Orwell's 1984
There are 2 guys in the system behind Janus right now. Nagle (Everblades), and Wilcox (Tri-City). Plus there’s a guy in the KHL (Vasily Koshechkin) and Riku Helenius in the SM-Liiga.
You still draft goalies, though, even when you have them in the system, because you just never know what’s going to happen.
And, Mr. Yzerman, as a favor to me, could you trade for Sami Aittokallio and get him out of goalie hell in the Colorado system? kthxbye
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
"You don’t motivate people; you activate something in them that already exists." -Guy Boucher
" I saw it, I called it, I still don't believe it!"--Pete Weber
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