Basement GM time: Which of these six prospects would you rather draft?

Raw Charge had no particular order in mind when we chose the thirteen players to profile for the 2017 NHL entry draft. We figured that because the Tampa Bay Lightning is selecting at 14th overall, we’d avoid the obvious choices and go for slightly lower-ranked picks. The problem is, outside of the top few, it’s extremely difficult to assess a player’s relative strengths and weaknesses.

Here is a compiled list of the first six draftees that we’ve profiled, with the best quote from each article. Which of these players would you rather select at 14th overall?

Nicolas Hague

Defenseman, shoots left | Full profile

“While Hague is a large human, he isn’t a huge hitter. That again plays into the type of player the Lightning seem to lean towards. Victor Hedman and Andrej Sustr are never going to be compared to Ulf Samuelsson when it comes to playing a physical game. If Hague can use his size to block passing lanes and close down open spaces rapidly, then he’ll fit right in with the Lightning’s defensive scheme.”

Timothy Liljegren

Defenseman, shoots right | Full profile

“Liljegren, once ranked by TSN at second overall, spent last season plagued by health issues. He contracted mononucleosis, came back to play “too quickly” (in his words), and had to take another month off before he could play again. Even with his struggles, he had five points in 19 games in the SHL. Among players under 18 in the SHL, that put him 4th in points, but first in points per game. Only the aforementioned Erik Brannstrom was ahead of him in points for U18 defensemen.”

Cody Glass

Forward (center), shoots right | Full profile

“Glass isn’t an overly physical forward, preferring to use his stick and reach and a timely check to separate opponents from the puck. His skating stride is a bit funky and may need some work for him to become an NHL-level skater. Thankfully the Lightning have Barb Underhill as a contracted consultant to work with players on skating.”

Juuso Valimaki

Defenseman, shoots left | Full profile

“Valimaki is a strong skater that is effective at both ends of the ice. He doesn’t have a powerful slap shot, but his wrister is strong and accurate. He has a good knack for defending the rush and has enough size to hold his own in the corners battling for pucks. He has good hockey IQ that will be an asset to him as he moves into the professional game.”

Klim Kostin

Forward (rw), shoots left | Full profile

“There is no doubting the Russian’s skill. Klostin was the NHL’s Central Scouting Staff’s number one rated European skater in the organization’s final rankings. He’s a big winger (6’3” and 196 lbs as a teenager) who is a solid, if not lightning fast skater. He can cycle the puck down low, but also possess enough skill to shake his way past a defender or two.”

Kailer Yamamoto

Forward (center, rw), shoots right | Full profile

“Yamamoto has the ability to dance the puck like his comparable small American player, Johnny Gaudreau. His skating ability and his passing ability has developed along with his ability to read the game. But despite all this, he’s fallen in some draft rankings due to his size.”

So, who ya got?

Out of these players, who would you rather draft at 14th overall?