Ok these are my…well…they were supposed to be quick. Quick rankings and analysis of OC register's list of prospects we may draft in this year's entry draft. Since the playoffs ended, all I've done that relates to hockey is draft research. I can't really call myself an expert but I can say I have a good amount of knowledge at this point. Anyway enjoy. Contact me on twitter with questions, comments, criticsms. Whatever. @DucksFanZone.
JAMIE OLEKSIAK, D, NORTHEASTERN (NCAA): Our system has plenty of D, true. Normally I'd put a forward first, but our system lacks physicality and shut down D (Mat Clark is a huge question mark) and you can't pass on a guy that might be the next Zdeno Chara. The rest of the available D in the draft is passable. As in…we should pass on them. I've done research into the 2012 draft, and in terms of defense, there's enough well known talent to fill up the first and half of the second round.
MATT PUEMPEL, LW, PETERSBOROUGH (OHL): Most scouts agree that he is the best goal-scorer in the entire draft. Even though other areas of his game are lacking, they can be amended with a few more years at the junior level. Even if he never pans out as a top 6 guy, he can provide us with depth offense, a team need we've had for years
MARK SCHEIFELE, C, BARRIE (OHL): Ranked by some to be top 10. We should jump on this guy if we can. The only reason I have him ranked 3rd is because he really looks like a Peter Holland clone who just did more to impress in his draft year, and my #'s 1 and 2 just seem like better fits in Anaheim, in my opinion.
JOHN GIBSON, G, U.S. UNDER-18 (NTDP): The only goalie I would justify taking in the first round. He's that good. And he's going to get better. He's better than the Pickard's and the Campbell's, and with Hiller hurt, and our G pipeline is pretty awful, this would be a great pick for us.
BOONE JENNER, C, OSHAWA (OHL): I'd say the same goes for Jenner as it did for Scheifele. He looks like he's got really Boom potential, but equal bust potential.
ZACK PHILLIPS, C, SAINT JOHN (QMJHL): Maybe it's not so great I have him ranked so low, but he is a bit of a late riser. He had 95 points at the Q level, and was instrumental in his team's Memorial Cup win. My only reservations are, that he comes from the QMJHL. I'm not so sure how well he would have performed in an OHL team, particularly one that wasn't so stacked. He wouldn't be a bad pick by any stretch. In face he probably will go earlier than 22. But I have certain doubts. Maybe he'll prove me wrong.
NICKLAS JENSEN, LW/RW, OSHAWA (OHL): Jensen would be a pretty good pick but not a great pick like the players listed above him. He puts up decent numbers and can play either wing. And offensive depth is a pretty big team need, as Sexton and Beleskey didn't quite work out.
BRANDON SAAD, LW, SAGINAW (OHL): Many fans want to draft Saad with the 22cd pick. But I have serious reservations about him. With all the time on my hands I've gotten to read scouting reports, draft previews, watch draft video. And he's received praise from some, and red flags from others. And my overall opinion has left me very unimpressed and scared that he will end up being a bust. Every player that I've researched has something going for them…one area that stands out. I really don't see any in Saad. In Murray we trust. Should we pick him, I hope he proves me wrong.
VLADISLAV NAMESTNIKOV, C, LONDON (OHL): One of the few players who just simply remains a mystery. The Russian factor will play a role. And he's another player who in all my scouting left me somewhat unimpressed.
TOMAS JURCO, RW, SAINT JOHN (QMJHL): Dynamic. Skillful. Creative. Master of the highlight-reel. Memorial Cup winning hero. Lazy. Inconsistent. Slow. Disappears for much of the game. All these have been used to describe Tomas Jurco. And as many pros as there are…the cons are scary. According to scouts, if we thought that Getzlaf and Holland were inconsistent and lazy, Jurco would teach us new meanings of the word. That means that the bust value is higher than the boom. Whoever does draft this guy is taking a big gamble and is drafting on name value. Can't have Couturier or RNH? JURCO!JURCO!JURCO!
SCOTT MAYFIELD, D, YOUNGSTOWN (USHL): As I said earlier 2012 is already panning out to produce the most NHL quality defensemen ever. Defensemen WILL fall this year (although don't plan on us picking Siemens, Beaulieu, Murphy, etc). And Mayfield has been getting lots of praise. But it's all very late praise. Despite being called the poor man's Chris Pronger, he doesn't play amongst top forwards that you find in the CHL or even the NCAA. He is reserved to playing USHL hockey where it isn't to hard for a draft eligible player to stand out. But that doesn't mean the scouts can't envision him in NHL situations. I just don't view this as a good pick at 22. Maybe if we had the 35th pick, I'd be excited to take him. Hell if he falls all the way to 52 I'll be jumping for joy. But 22? No sir.
JOE MORROW, D, PORTLAND (WHL): Not sure what to think of Morrow. Again, all the praise has come in rather late, and my opinion is that he is not better than Mayfield. Basically wherever Mayfield will go, Morrow should go lower than that. I don't envision him ever playing in the NHL. There is a drop off outside the top 10 in terms of talent, many believe. Drafting this year will require looking at who has the most. Not who MAY have more down the line. And sadly for Morrow, I see him being a second rounder.
And now the guys that we may draft (or may be available) that the OCR left out, without the reports because…well…I've got stuff to do :P Whoever our pick will be, you can be sure I will analyze.
RW Ty Rattie – Portland (WHL)
