2022 NHL Draft Discussion

[Bullfrog]

I am an expert in Nikology. He is speaking the truth.

[Nik]

I'm all truth, all the time.

But here, specifically, yes. I think the Leafs should draft a CHL Centre who can score a little and has ok size. Someone, way back when, when looking at the NBA draft noted that for all the money they spend on scouting, most teams would have done better in the draft if they'd simply drafted the highest ranked player from one of a few select college programs instead of playing their hunches.

Drafting a CHL player who can score a bit, to me, is the hockey version of that. The Leafs don't need,  I don't think, anything in particular but what they desperately need is a young player who can come into the lineup and be valuable at whatever position. A CHL forward, I think, is the quickest route to that and, quite frankly, I think most of what we see as weaknesses in the Leafs lineup is a reflection of the fact that they haven't been able to produce those mid-lineup guys.

So my guy is Luca Del Bel Belluz.

[Guilt Trip]

I'm all truth, all the time.

But here, specifically, yes. I think the Leafs should draft a CHL Centre who can score a little and has ok size. Someone, way back when, when looking at the NBA draft noted that for all the money they spend on scouting, most teams would have done better in the draft if they'd simply drafted the highest ranked player from one of a few select college programs instead of playing their hunches.

Drafting a CHL player who can score a bit, to me, is the hockey version of that. The Leafs don't need,  I don't think, anything in particular but what they desperately need is a young player who can come into the lineup and be valuable at whatever position. A CHL forward, I think, is the quickest route to that and, quite frankly, I think most of what we see as weaknesses in the Leafs lineup is a reflection of the fact that they haven't been able to produce those mid-lineup guys.

So my guy is Luca Del Bel Belluz.

Depends who's available for me. The rankings are over the place. He's a good one but I don't think he's going to be around when the Leafs pick. Hopefully he is. I've seen him quite a few games and I like him. If they can't get him I'd go for Owen Beck, Geekie. If 2 guys are still around when the Leafs pick, I can see them trading down to try and grab another pick.

[herman]

Thanks to Shesterkin et al, we will have the pleasure of trading down from the 25th pick*

* to Ottawa for 39 and 64th naturally.

[OldTimeHockey]

I'm all truth, all the time.

But here, specifically, yes. I think the Leafs should draft a CHL Centre who can score a little and has ok size. Someone, way back when, when looking at the NBA draft noted that for all the money they spend on scouting, most teams would have done better in the draft if they'd simply drafted the highest ranked player from one of a few select college programs instead of playing their hunches.

Drafting a CHL player who can score a bit, to me, is the hockey version of that. The Leafs don't need,  I don't think, anything in particular but what they desperately need is a young player who can come into the lineup and be valuable at whatever position. A CHL forward, I think, is the quickest route to that and, quite frankly, I think most of what we see as weaknesses in the Leafs lineup is a reflection of the fact that they haven't been able to produce those mid-lineup guys.

So my guy is Luca Del Bel Belluz.

I don't disagree with that.

My question to the draft people is, at what point do the Leaf's look to get a potential goalie? we have to start picking the odd one here and there and hope that they hit. How's that russian kid looking?

[Guilt Trip]

I'm all truth, all the time.

But here, specifically, yes. I think the Leafs should draft a CHL Centre who can score a little and has ok size. Someone, way back when, when looking at the NBA draft noted that for all the money they spend on scouting, most teams would have done better in the draft if they'd simply drafted the highest ranked player from one of a few select college programs instead of playing their hunches.

Drafting a CHL player who can score a bit, to me, is the hockey version of that. The Leafs don't need,  I don't think, anything in particular but what they desperately need is a young player who can come into the lineup and be valuable at whatever position. A CHL forward, I think, is the quickest route to that and, quite frankly, I think most of what we see as weaknesses in the Leafs lineup is a reflection of the fact that they haven't been able to produce those mid-lineup guys.

So my guy is Luca Del Bel Belluz.

I don't disagree with that.

My question to the draft people is, at what point do the Leaf's look to get a potential goalie? we have to start picking the odd one here and there and hope that they hit. How's that russian kid looking?

There isn't one projected in the 1st round so I guess they could with their 2nd pick.
What Russian kid? Leafs have 2 Russian goalie prospects. Both have done well in the MHL over there. I think one of Petruzzelli, Kallgren, Woll,  Dryden McKay will make it....hopefully lol

[Bender]

I'm all truth, all the time.

But here, specifically, yes. I think the Leafs should draft a CHL Centre who can score a little and has ok size. Someone, way back when, when looking at the NBA draft noted that for all the money they spend on scouting, most teams would have done better in the draft if they'd simply drafted the highest ranked player from one of a few select college programs instead of playing their hunches.

Drafting a CHL player who can score a bit, to me, is the hockey version of that. The Leafs don't need,  I don't think, anything in particular but what they desperately need is a young player who can come into the lineup and be valuable at whatever position. A CHL forward, I think, is the quickest route to that and, quite frankly, I think most of what we see as weaknesses in the Leafs lineup is a reflection of the fact that they haven't been able to produce those mid-lineup guys.

So my guy is Luca Del Bel Belluz.

I don't disagree with that.

My question to the draft people is, at what point do the Leaf's look to get a potential goalie? we have to start picking the odd one here and there and hope that they hit. How's that russian kid looking?

They have picked them here and there and they've been pretty spotty picks. Zachary Bouthillier? Ian Scott? Akhtyamov? They picked goalies in 16, 17, 18, 19 & 20.

[Nik]

I don't disagree with that.

My question to the draft people is, at what point do the Leaf's look to get a potential goalie? we have to start picking the odd one here and there and hope that they hit. How's that russian kid looking?

I'd always be looking at it but realistically drafting a goalie, even if you've got a top 10 pick and he's a surefire stud, is a 3-4 year project. It's definitely not something you can force.

[bustaheims]

I'd always be looking at it but realistically drafting a goalie, even if you've got a top 10 pick and he's a surefire stud, is a 3-4 year project. It's definitely not something you can force.

That, and so many great goalies have been mid or later round picks. Scouting goalies has gotten better in recent years, but they're still definitely the harder position for the scouts to get right.

[Bullfrog]

Just draft a good player.

That is all. Thanks.

[herman]

Just draft a good player.

That is all. Thanks.

you don't want multiple good players?  ;D

[Guilt Trip]

I'm all truth, all the time.

But here, specifically, yes. I think the Leafs should draft a CHL Centre who can score a little and has ok size. Someone, way back when, when looking at the NBA draft noted that for all the money they spend on scouting, most teams would have done better in the draft if they'd simply drafted the highest ranked player from one of a few select college programs instead of playing their hunches.

Drafting a CHL player who can score a bit, to me, is the hockey version of that. The Leafs don't need,  I don't think, anything in particular but what they desperately need is a young player who can come into the lineup and be valuable at whatever position. A CHL forward, I think, is the quickest route to that and, quite frankly, I think most of what we see as weaknesses in the Leafs lineup is a reflection of the fact that they haven't been able to produce those mid-lineup guys.

So my guy is Luca Del Bel Belluz.

I don't disagree with that.

My question to the draft people is, at what point do the Leaf's look to get a potential goalie? we have to start picking the odd one here and there and hope that they hit. How's that russian kid looking?

They have picked them here and there and they've been pretty spotty picks. Zachary Bouthillier? Ian Scott? Akhtyamov? They picked goalies in 16, 17, 18, 19 & 20.

Leafs didn't draft a goalie in 2019 but they did the rest of the years mentioned and drafted Peksa last year. They have Woll, Kallgren, Petruzelli and McKay in the system. Not sure what they're going to do with Scott. He just can't avoid injuries so far. I think at least one of these guys is going to make it.

[CarltonTheBear]

Just draft a good player.

That is all. Thanks.

Actually they should draft a great player.

[herman]

Unless Owen Beck or Gleb Trikizov is still on the board, I think we are going to be trading down. Everyone after 7-15 is basically the same hockey project with different flavours, down to about 50ish. And there are always good players dropping for whatever reason.

Anyway, trade down with Ottawa or Chicago and get both.

[Bullfrog]

Just draft a good player.

That is all. Thanks.

Actually they should draft a great player.

My key to success: low expectations.