2015 NHL Draft - Hawks Select...

[GRADEN]

June 26/27

Pick 54 won't be as good as Kevin Hayes (sigh) but I wouldn't tune in late guys..... The 1st round should be full of Bickell / Sharp / Versteeg intrigue and it will be interesting to see if we move one of them for a 2nd/3rd /4th....

54.
91.
121.
151.
164.
181.
211.

So still 7 picks but would be nice to have 61 back for Timo and 30 back for a non rental... Yea yea 2 game winners etc etc but we got little from him except those 2 shots (but we won a cup etc etc).... I know I just expect the world I guess


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[TNBT]

Article I was just reading has is taking RW Jeremy Bracco at 54 and LW/C Erik Foley at 90. It also suggests D Nicholas Boka and W Jeremiah Addison as possible late-round targets.

Your thoughts, gentlemen?


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[GRADEN]

My thoughts are they have no clue... It's not like we are in the top 10 and there are a clear 15 guys to pick from

I gotta think we want back into the late first by dangling sharp and a decent prospect like Danault.... If a team with a lot of cap room is willing to take on sharps 5.9 number they are going to want a good prospect paired with it if they give up say 25

If Jacob Larraon makes it into the 18-25 range Stan is going to throw the farm to get him u watch... Just a gut feeling.... Kid is real good, in the pipe line he knows well, and most importantly fits our scheme and demeanor


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[GRADEN]

Want to give a quick guide to any that will watch (220 nb a for directv) Friday in 1 week

Connor McDavid will go 1st to Edmonton

Honestly they need to trade N-Yak... He doesn't fit them and needs a mentor big time.... Detroit is super ideal maybe they would part with Mrazek for him maybe not

McDavid is a passing wizard and spaces and sees developing plays better than anyone... He is a Kane / Crosby hybrid with a 6'1 size.... BUUUUTTTT it is my opinion that this is an awful team fit for him as I really think he needs veteran scorers and support in order to maximize his abilities.... They should trade a pick or yak for a legit scorer... Honestly they should trade their 2nd for sharp

Jack Eichel will go 2nd to Buffalo

This guy is a legit stud and I hate saying it but he could be another Toews type in the way he leads by example.... He destroyed McDavid in the tests and also boasts a perfect frame that can and will be 6'2 205... This guy won the HB as a freshman on the most prolific stage at 18-19.... This simply isn't done. In my view it is actually a coin flip between these 2. Eichel is special and will a cup for sure

I like Hanafin 3rd... He has great 6'3 size and is super consistent... I think his ceiling is Seabrook type but he is more a steady non flashy type of rock solid pairing then a singular scoring stud.... He needs a good pairing but his floor is high which is why I like him 3rd

Rantanen measured crazy and is a huge strong scoring winger think like 6'4 230 when he fills out... I worry he may be a little one eyed aka sharp but he will likely go 4th

Strome is mcdavids scorer and is a point machine.... Time will tell if he is good without McDavid but someone will think they can continue his scoring elsewhere... I'm less high on him but he may go 5th

Ok so I think those are the top 5 picks but look out for this kid: Eriksson.... He is a defensive stud and holds great value on the PK and also has some good skill... Projects as a 2nd - 3rd line center with a very high floor.... I'd take him 6 because I don't love the other guys that much

Taking a 5 min break


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[GRADEN]

Crouse should go before marner too... Much more physical and ready for the grind.... Marner will need time


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[GRADEN]

Svechnikov is a sleeper guys don't be surprised if he goes 6-10 and is a star in the future... He really has the love of the game and skills to be good right away... I'd take him 5-8 if were me

Oh the goalies I think Samsanov and Tomek look like starters but all others look lost IMO even blackwood

Konecny is a nice scoring wing too, good value past 9-10

Meier can't argue with results so at least he projects as a 20 goal guy 5-6 seasons but not sure he is anything more

I like werenski but I think he gets a lil too much pub... He is young and little slow hipped for me... I much prefer Larsson as I've stated

Jeremy Roy is going to be a solid second pairing Dman some day, does a lot right from a defensive and power play line




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[GRADEN]

I'd guess if I were drafting these would be my guys.....

1. Eichel (he has a leadership and determination quality that rivals the Toews traits that win cups)
1b McDavid (will out point Eichel but my gut says Eichel is a winner more than he is an insane passer)
3 Hanafin (just a rock solid Dman all around and boasts terrific size / intangible qualities)
4 rantanen (physically ready and has scorers edge to him, would fit only with superb passers)
5 strome (needs to be with passers as well, projects as scorer from LW not C IMO)
6. Eriksson (a surprise to most but he is going to be a really really good player)
7. Crouse (physically ready and already a good player)
8. Svechinkov (total stud going to be a beast)
9. Konecny (should be solid NHLer for sure
10. Meier (not much bad in his game, solid pick 8-12)
11. Larsson (hopefully future hawk, all about d and skating for him)
12. Marner (may go 5-8, not that high on him though)
13. Roy (going to be a top 2 pairing one day)
14. Werenski (I see the projection in 3 years, just think he is a risk now)
15. Zacha (great size and puck control, loves the game)

I think that's my top 15... Sure as heck a lot differnt than most experts in the 6-15 range I know but then again I think a lil differently than most in terms of hockey


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[GRADEN]

Some guys I'm targeting at 54 if we stay there....

LW Austin Wagner... Fits our skate first, learn stuff later theme

--- may go 25-40 but chance he slips but doubt it

Winger Brock Boeser

--- has a ways to go but projects nicely as a bottom 6 overachiever

Jens Looke

--- if he makes it to 54, I highly doubt Stan passes on him

As stated before I like Tomek a lot as a goalie and Samsanov too... Both should be there but maybe not Samsanov

DeBrusk may fall a lil... A possible move up candidate


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[GRADEN]

Draft in 1 day!!!! Keep hearing Pitt and Washington chatter..... Pitt may be willing to part with kasperi kapanen!!!!! That would be huge, I thought he was a top 10 talent last draft.... He and a 4th would be good in any eyes

Also looks more and more like jets trade 17/25 and prospect for 3 (Hanafin)


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[TNBT]

Making this thread a sticky. Lets keep all draft chat in here. I also made it a sticky because I'm not too familiar with the draft crop this year (except for McDavid or course) and this way I can get all of G's analysis and thoughts in the one place.

[GRADEN]

Deals happening!! Flames get 21 for Lehner and legwand

Totally get the deal for both sides..... While I personally think Lehner is just a decent backup his size / age / skill combo would entice anyone to make a deal.... Legwand is a really good vet rental to put in a locker room next to Eichel

Good deal for both teams

Word is stars are out on sharp as Hawks wanted Roussel and a 2nd which is a high price

Roussel often compared to Bickell btw but at only 2per


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[TNBT]

Another deal...

Flames get Dougie Hamilton from Boston in exchange for a 1st rounder (15) and two 2nd rounders (45 and 52).

[GRADEN]

Yea was just going to post it.... Wow!!

I mean we are talking about one of the better young blue liners in the entire league.... BUT they gave up a ton for what amounts to a RFA in which they will have to extend big time.... Which tells me they know he wants to be there.

I mean 3 high picks wow... But still Hamilton is a legit top line pairing and only 22!!!




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[GRADEN]

Reilly just picked the Wild over us


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[TNBT]

Yeah, I heard about Reilly earlier. Oh well, we have some pretty good young defensemen of our own in TVR, Pokka, etc.

[TNBT]

Another trade...

Milan Lucic traded to LA, Boston receives 13th pick, G Martin Jones and D Collin Miller

[GRADEN]

Yea this is nuts, Boston just gutting their next 2 seasons

Lucid while a down season just turned 27 is a beast of a competitor and is strong as an ox.... The 13th pick is nice but don't sleep on jones..,. Kid is really good

Me thinks they are in play for #3 with 13-15 trade.... Maybe Hanafin to replace Hamilton


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[GRADEN]

They now have 13-14-15 lol.....

They have to move 2 of them to move up.... They just have to


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[TNBT]

Three top-15 picks is valuable in any draft. They've sold their present in a big attempt to build for the future. It will be interesting to see how it pans out over the next few years. Personally I can't stand the Bruins so I hope they fall flat on their faces, but others may feel differently.

[TNBT]

Well McDavid just went #1... No great surprise there.