2011 NHL Entry Draft Watch

Isn't Kovalev the most skilled player in the NHL right now? Maybe NPH can be his successor in 4 or 5 years?

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

SDH89 wrote:

sandysensfan wrote:These kids are 17-18 yrs old are the not? They still have time to grow.

I think you draft -- SKILL. Nobody can teach god-given talent. Kids can add muscle and grow.. but the natural talent is just there. You can build around that. Teach other aspects of the game.. but the talent sure helps.

So who has the most NATURAL talent of RNH, Landeskog or Coutorier?

From what I've read around here, and other sites, RNH is supposed to have the most high-end talent.

From what I've read it appears as though RNH has the most POTENTIAL to be a lights out talented star who PROJECTS to be better than Landeskog is currently. Like I said before it's bird in hand for me.

Chris Kelly is better than Landeskog right now too, see what I did there? I don't begrudge people who want Landeskog as he is a supreme talent, but people have to start projecting over a longer term if we want the best player from this draft.

I'm sure when we drafted Erik "150 pounds soaking wet" Karlsson that he wasn't the most best player at that spot, but he was, in the eyes of our scouts, the most talented. And we all know that has turned out superbly for us.

Then draft RNH later in the draft.

stempniaksen wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

SDH89 wrote:

sandysensfan wrote:These kids are 17-18 yrs old are the not? They still have time to grow.

I think you draft -- SKILL. Nobody can teach god-given talent. Kids can add muscle and grow.. but the natural talent is just there. You can build around that. Teach other aspects of the game.. but the talent sure helps.

So who has the most NATURAL talent of RNH, Landeskog or Coutorier?

From what I've read around here, and other sites, RNH is supposed to have the most high-end talent.

From what I've read it appears as though RNH has the most POTENTIAL to be a lights out talented star who PROJECTS to be better than Landeskog is currently. Like I said before it's bird in hand for me.

Chris Kelly is better than Landeskog right now too, see what I did there? I don't begrudge people who want Landeskog as he is a supreme talent, but people have to start projecting over a longer term if we want the best player from this draft.

I'm sure when we drafted Erik "150 pounds soaking wet" Karlsson that he wasn't the most best player at that spot, but he was, in the eyes of our scouts, the most talented. And we all know that has turned out superbly for us.

I think people need to be aware that the 'best long term player' might not be enough for Melnyk if he wants the 'best player right now' to step in & re-energize the fanbase & sell tickets.

I'm not saying this is right or wrong. I'm saying that this may well be the reality we're facing.

Time will tell.

Which is why I think the Sens will go with Couturier.
Only a few more months until we find out for sure.

stempniaksen wrote:Which is why I think the Sens will go with Couturier.
Only a few more months until we find out for sure.

Funny how we are were so anxious for hockey to start in October.. now we can't wait until June.

Definitely going to Bert's for the Draft Party this year. It was pretty much empty last draft. We need to fill it up...

sandysensfan wrote:

stempniaksen wrote:Which is why I think the Sens will go with Couturier.
Only a few more months until we find out for sure.

Funny how we are were so anxious for hockey to start in October.. now we can't wait until June.

Definitely going to Bert's for the Draft Party this year. It was pretty much empty last draft. We need to fill it up...

After what Melnyk did to poor Marshy? No wonder.

sandysensfan wrote:

stempniaksen wrote:Which is why I think the Sens will go with Couturier.
Only a few more months until we find out for sure.

Funny how we are were so anxious for hockey to start in October.. now we can't wait until June.

Definitely going to Bert's for the Draft Party this year. It was pretty much empty last draft. We need to fill it up...

I love that as a fan, hockey can be a year-round investment. The players don't like it so much though.

http://www.thescoutingreport.org/canadian-18-camp-report-forwards/

check it out, scouting reports from the under 18 camp. A little old but some good information on a bunch of eligible prospects.

@ SpezD - the guy I was talking to you about today is Jean-Francois Leblanc - plays for Val-D'Or-Foreurs.

Tidbits from the article that I cannot find online are;

- He didn't make the cut for the U18IvanHlinka 2010 tourney - in turn this made him become a better player and gave him more of a will to learn every facet of the game.

- he's 6'4 - 192 as of now. He had 37 points including 15 goals in 41 games and he's gaining attention for the upcoming draft.

- Leblanc was Team Quebec's top scorer at the 2010 World under 17 Championship with 6 points including 2 goals in 5 games.

- tries to patern his game after Joe Thornton "I'm a big center who feeds his wingers" he said " I can play at both ends of the rink. I want to be known as a complete player. The main things I need to work on are my shot and being a little more physical because I have good size."

- he was a 4th overall pick in the 2009 QMJHL draft. , was Val-d'Or's leader with 801 faceoffs through 4 months this season and had a 53.5 winning %.

- sees time on PP and PK and is always used in the last minute of a game to protect leads.

- Dumont (his coach) compares him to Jordan Staal in terms of being a two-way centre with size and skill. Good passer, gets a lot of scoring chances close in wtih his strength and reach. Coach says he plays very well defensively and also brings offense. " He's very responsible for a young player. Finishes his checks, blocks shots. His hockey sense is his best asset. He understands the game so he's able to be in the right position."

- Very dedicated to becoming a pro, works hard in the gym, stays on the ice for extra time after practice, has lots of tools and he has the will to get better.

- NHL scout projects him to be a mid-round draft pick.

^ Oh man, 6'4", 195 already? That would be a knockout first round pick - particularly if we draft Lando.

Although, I find QMJHL stats to be inflated big time.

SensGirl11 wrote:http://www.thescoutingreport.org/canadian-18-camp-report-forwards/

check it out, scouting reports from the under 18 camp. A little old but some good information on a bunch of eligible prospects.

@ SpezD - the guy I was talking to you about today is Jean-Francois Leblanc - plays for Val-D'Or-Foreurs.

Tidbits from the article that I cannot find online are;

- He didn't make the cut for the U18IvanHlinka 2010 tourney - in turn this made him become a better player and gave him more of a will to learn every facet of the game.

- he's 6'4 - 192 as of now. He had 37 points including 15 goals in 41 games and he's gaining attention for the upcoming draft.

- Leblanc was Team Quebec's top scorer at the 2010 World under 17 Championship with 6 points including 2 goals in 5 games.

- tries to patern his game after Joe Thornton "I'm a big center who feeds his wingers" he said " I can play at both ends of the rink. I want to be known as a complete player. The main things I need to work on are my shot and being a little more physical because I have good size."

- he was a 4th overall pick in the 2009 QMJHL draft. , was Val-d'Or's leader with 801 faceoffs through 4 months this season and had a 53.5 winning %.

- sees time on PP and PK and is always used in the last minute of a game to protect leads.

- Dumont (his coach) compares him to Jordan Staal in terms of being a two-way centre with size and skill. Good passer, gets a lot of scoring chances close in wtih his strength and reach. Coach says he plays very well defensively and also brings offense. " He's very responsible for a young player. Finishes his checks, blocks shots. His hockey sense is his best asset. He understands the game so he's able to be in the right position."

- Very dedicated to becoming a pro, works hard in the gym, stays on the ice for extra time after practice, has lots of tools and he has the will to get better.

- NHL scout projects him to be a mid-round draft pick.

Sounds pretty good to me. Let's hope Sens can get more draft picks before the deadline and load up. Hopefully there are more like this guy in the draft this season.

sandysensfan wrote:
Sounds pretty good to me. Let's hope Sens can get more draft picks before the deadline and load up. Hopefully there are more like this guy in the draft this season.

Yeah, load up on picks.

1st for Fisher
2nd for Phillips (?)
3rd for Ruutu
3rd + 5th for Kovalev (?)

Who am I missing?

SpezDispenser wrote:

sandysensfan wrote:
Sounds pretty good to me. Let's hope Sens can get more draft picks before the deadline and load up. Hopefully there are more like this guy in the draft this season.

Yeah, load up on picks.

1st for Fisher
2nd for Phillips (?)
3rd for Ruutu
3rd + 5th for Kovalev (?)

Who am I missing?

Kuba and Gonchar IMO. Maybe Michalek?

CockRoche wrote:

Kuba and Gonchar IMO. Maybe Michalek?

NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!! Just when the guy found his legs and is bolting past d-men we wanna trade him....damn it we need SOME skilled forwards to play with. Besides, he's the only piece from the heatley trade. Not gonna happen

CockRoche wrote:Kuba and Gonchar IMO. Maybe Michalek?

True. Kuba I didn't put down because I don't think we have a chance until the summer + I think we'll have to take a contract back - and I'm not sure if we'd be better off.

Gonchar, I don't think he'll be moved personally, but if it's for Brassard + Klesla, I'm okay with it.

Michalek I find highly unlikely. We all wanted to see how he'd be when he fully recovered- and he's looked great. Definitely a nice young piece to move forward with.

rooneypoo wrote:

stempniaksen wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

SDH89 wrote:

sandysensfan wrote:These kids are 17-18 yrs old are the not? They still have time to grow.

I think you draft -- SKILL. Nobody can teach god-given talent. Kids can add muscle and grow.. but the natural talent is just there. You can build around that. Teach other aspects of the game.. but the talent sure helps.

So who has the most NATURAL talent of RNH, Landeskog or Coutorier?

From what I've read around here, and other sites, RNH is supposed to have the most high-end talent.

From what I've read it appears as though RNH has the most POTENTIAL to be a lights out talented star who PROJECTS to be better than Landeskog is currently. Like I said before it's bird in hand for me.

Chris Kelly is better than Landeskog right now too, see what I did there? I don't begrudge people who want Landeskog as he is a supreme talent, but people have to start projecting over a longer term if we want the best player from this draft.

I'm sure when we drafted Erik "150 pounds soaking wet" Karlsson that he wasn't the most best player at that spot, but he was, in the eyes of our scouts, the most talented. And we all know that has turned out superbly for us.

I think people need to be aware that the 'best long term player' might not be enough for Melnyk if he wants the 'best player right now' to step in & re-energize the fanbase & sell tickets.

I'm not saying this is right or wrong. I'm saying that this may well be the reality we're facing.

Time will tell.

Maybe I'm just interpreting it wrong, but when he says: "we're gonna do what needs to be done to bring a cup in Ottawa, be it in 1, 2 or 5 years", I assume he is willing to wait for the best projected player to mature.

Yeah, I feel as if Melnyk would support whatever is agreed upon by the scouts. I can really see it being RNH, unless he's taken earlier than we pick - or if Larsson is on the board when we pick.

I'd still love to get Catenacci, not sure he's gonna last til the 2nd rounder but pretty sure the Sens would love this guy, seeing how dreadful this team is at hitting the net. Would win us games in the S.O. alone. Great hands:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhM4PiewQG0&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa_qeiR0erU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk_8Fy553qc

Small but electric.
- RNH
- Jensen/Puempel/Zibanejad
- Catenacci

WOuld be insane.