Beware the Ides of Michigan

2021-03-21

The 2021 EHE Entry Draft should be an interesting one.  We have three Michigan players in the top five.  We have the OHL that is unable to play due to politics continuing to control people with a bases from Corona due to Covid-19.  This years Entry Draft should be an interesting one.  With that, please enjoy:

 

WSS Mocktober Version 1.0

Fuck Big Blue

1) Owen Power, D, Univ. of Michigan (NCAA)

Why Take Him?  For the fourth time in four years the Canadiens should have a selection within the top six selections.   Power would give the Canadiens a blue liner with size, mobility, and a solid hockey sense.  Something that has been missing since Drew Doughty was shipped out to Toronto, a moment that kicked off this rebuild.  The pairing of Power with last year’s 1st Round Selection, Jamie Drysdale, could give the Habs a one-two pairing that could become a potential Pronger/Niedermeyer duo from the Anaheim glory days.

 

2) Brandt Clarke, D, HC Nove Zamky (Slovakia)

Why Take Him?  Edmonton needs a youth injection in the worst way.  They need young defenseman even worse.  The Oilers are a team with (checks notes)...two…….yes two…..defenseman under 24 years of age in the entire organization (Erik Cernak being the only one being under contract).  Brandt is an offensive defenseman who had a solid first season in the OHL last year with Barrie.  He is currently on loan to HC Nove Zamky of Slovakia while the OHL continues their Covid lockdown. 

 

3) Matthew Beniers, C, Univ. of Michigan (NCAA)

Why Take Him?  The thought process for Seattle was the same I went through with Vegas, no idea.  It will probably be one of the “Michigan Three” though.  If Power was skipped, I would have taken him here.  With Powers gone, I went with the selection of Beniers over Wolverine teammate Kent Johnson based on his overall game play.  Beniers is a talented two-way center whom I feel will one day be a Captain of the team.

 

4) via Dylan Guenther, LW/RW, Edmonton (WHL)

Why Take Him?  The trends continue: The misery that is the San Jose Sharks, and the fortune for the Florida Panthers.  By winning a piece of the 2020 Lottery, Florida was able to move up to second overall and select Quinton Byfield.  With a potential top five pick, a winger to go with Byfield was my intent.  Guenther gives the Panthers a player who can score from anywhere.  While not flashy, he can put the puck in the net, and also develop plays when needed.  The thought of a defenseman here also crossed my mind, but in a draft deep with defenseman, I feel Florida can grab one with two of their later first round picks.  

How the pick was acquired?  

      1. Florida acquired Ilya Sorokin, San Jose 2021 1st Round Selection, and Dallas 2021 1st Round Selection from Dallas for Elias Lindholm and Florida 2021 4th Round Selection (11-27-19)
      2. Dallas acquired Mark Jankowski, Jordan Oesterle, Nic Petan, Noel Hoefenmayer, San Jose 2021 1st Round Selection, and $2.5M from San Jose for Travis Sanheim, Griffen Molino, and Nick Moutrey (11-20-19)

 

5) Kent Johnson, C, Univ. of Michigan (NCAA)

Why Take Him?  Travis and the Canucks are already busting at the seems with high offensive prospect talent.  After passing on Quinton Byfield last year, a center goes off the board to the Canucks this year.  I could see a defenseman here, but for a team that has not selected a defenseman in the first round since 2018, I just do not see it happening.

Johnson destroyed the BCHL last season with 101 points in 52 games and is on pace for being a point per game player in his freshman season with Michigan.  Johnson has a very high hockey IQ, is a great playmaker and also loves to score.

 

6) Luke Hughes, D, USNTDP (USHL)

Why Take Him?  An overall disappointing season so far rewards the Jets with their first ever top ten selection.  With this, they select a defenseman for the first time in team history in the first round.  The Jets currently have three contracted defenseman 25 or under in their organization which also adds to this selection of the youngest Hughes brother.  Hughes is already larger in height over his two NHL brothers, and still possesses the quickness and skating that they both do.

 

7) William Eklund, LW, Djurgardens IF (SHL)

Why Take Him?  The Pens make their first appearance in the first round since 2018.  Eklund has been putting together a solid first full season in Djurgardens (21 points in 38 games played) as a 17-year-old.  While being undersized, he is not afraid to get into the dirty areas to put up points.  Eklund could jump up this board as the draft inches closer.

 

8) Aatu Raty, C, Karpat (Liiga)

Why Take Him?  I have been trying to get the Flames a goaltender in a draft since last year.  Calgary could have selected Askarov last season, and made my dreams come true.  Instead Stephen went with Jake Sanderson and broke my heart.  I've learned my lesson.  After dealing for UPL from Boston, I do not see Calgary taking a goaltender.

Even after being cut from team Finland last WJC, and slipping in ratings, Ratu could be something special if he can put it all together.  Raty possess fantastic puck handling skills.

 

9) Simon Edvinsson, D, Frolunda HC J20 (J20 Nationell)

Why Take Him?  The Devils are back in the first-round game after moving last year’s pick for Alex DeBrincat.  New Jersey has their two major building blocks in Barzal and DeBrincat, but also possess a solid group of forwards in their prospect pool.  Which leads to my selection of helping out on the back end.  Edvinsson has massive size and is a player that excelled at every level he has played.  With that size, he is also mobile, and speedy.  Another player who I picture jumping up this list in future articles.

 

10) Chaz Lucius, C, USNTDP (USHL)

Why Take Him?  Andrew and the Bluejackets have not drafted in the first round since 2017.  With the recent trade of Evgeni Malkin to the NY Rangers we could see a very interesting, and new off-season in city of (Insert whatever Columbus is known for).  I expect fireworks out of Columbus, as in, them moving up more in this draft. 

Chazzy (Mom! Meatloaf!) is an elite goal scoring forward.  Most likely a winger when he becomes a pro, he’s shown that all he does is score (12 GP, 12 G, 2 A this year).  Not a surprise from a Chaz.

 

11) Fabian Lysell, RW, Lulea HF (SHL)

Why Take Him?  The Capitals made news today by hiring a new General Manager.  Not much is known on which way they could go, but a need for a right winger is known.  Lysell has a scoring touch and speed to kill.  Even getting a praise from Craig Button, who called Lysell a “very gifted offensive player.”  High praise from the Lord of Prospects himself.

 

12) Cole Sillinger, C, Sioux Falls (USHL)

Why Take Him?  Detroit has one of the most solid groupings of prospects, so I went BPA with this selection.  Sillinger brings those NHL genes back into the EHE, and also brings a point producing forward to the Penguins.  Sillinger has put up fantastic numbers in any league he has been in.  Cisco has a knack for sniffing out high end talent or having said talent fall to him. 

If Lysell is available, I could see Detroit going in that direction.

 

13) Carson Lambos, D, Winnipeg (WHL)

Why Take Him?  I really wanted to select Jesper Wallstedt here.  Anderson is most likely gone after this season, leaving David Rittich to man the Islanders net.  However, I do not see it happening at all. 

Lambos has the size, and skill that could turn him into a future number one on the blue-line.  I imagine he will creep up this list as he comes back from his loan with JYP and plays for Winnipeg in the WHL.

 

14) Mason McTavish, C, EHC Olten (SL)

Why Take Him?  McTavish is one of the most gifted goal scorers in this draft.  He would have most likely already surpassed his point total from last season with goals alone, if the OHL had played this season.  McTavish also fills the Leafs possible biggest hole in the prospect pipeline, someone who can eventually take over or play behind Aleksander Barkov on the second line down the middle.   

 

15) Jesper Wallstedt, G, Lulea HF (SHL)

Why Take Him?  I do not see Wallstedt falling this far, as you may have guessed.  Tristan Jarry is the current future for the Ducks, but after his so-so season so far, Wallstedt could become the true shining light in the Ducks net.  Considered one of the top goaltending prospects of the last ten years, Wallstedt has all the tools to become a future franchise goaltender.  Size, technique, and mindset.

 

16) Francesco Pinelli, C, HDD Jesenice (Slovenia)

Why Take Him?  Pinelli, another victim of the Ontario Government, was shunned off to Slovenia for this season.  Pinelli brings a combination of speed, size, and hard work in his game.  Able to play any forward role, Pinelli is another player who would have been one to watch this season in the OHL.  The top need for the Blues heading into the draft, a center gets filled with this selection.

 

17) Corson Ceulemans, D, Brooks (AJHL)

Why Take Him?  ​​​​​Good size, skill, poise, and a need for a team with an aging Giordano and Keith on the back end.  If Ceulemans can be half as good as the last first rounder defender from Brooks, he could be the steal of the draft.  Ceulemans is off to the University of Wisconsin next season. 

 

18) Brennan Othmann, LW, EHC Olten (SL)

Why Take Him?  The Kings have one of the smallest prospect groupings in the EHE (Nine players in the organization under 24 years old).  Othmann, shunned to Europe was also in line for a impressive second season in Flint from the looks of things.  A solid two-way winger with a dangerous shot gives the Kings a needed offensive boost for the future.

 

19) Simon Robertsson, RW, Skelleftea AIK (SHL)

Why Take Him?  Tom Wilson is not getting any younger and is not going to be able to carry Crosby or McDavid much longer.  Robertsson has solid size, and if given enough time to develop his skills, he could become a future first line winger.

 

20) Daniil Chayka, D, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)

Why Take Him?  Best player available.  Boston still has the top, if not a top three prospect grouping of talent in the EHE.  Five players under 24 with over 25GP, and that is with Jack Eichel just being moved off that list.  Somewhere Rob is scamming someone on a deal for a sandwich and smiling.  Romanov is moving up to the Bruins next season, so that leaves a hole of a Russian prospect who has all the tools in his box.  Great size, and an all-around solid game.  Boston is able to take a player who will not be in the league for a number of years, but may become a solid payoff……..almost like they did once before, with Romanov.

 

21) Zachary L'Heureux, C, Halifax (QMJHL)

Why Take Him?  As a  16-year-old forward  L'Heureux put up 53 points in 55 games in his first season in the QMJHL is impressive.  As a 17-year-old, L’Heureux has 27 points in 25 games with the Mooseheads.  While proving he can put up points, he is also playing a physical game, and with some grit.  L’Heureux gives Vegas a solid center prospect, something they have always seemed to lack.  Worthless drunken GM was the problem.

 

22) Oskar Olausson, LW, HV71 J20 (J20 Nationell)

Why Take Him?  The Flyers have made a killing on draft picks and trades the past two seasons.  Stocked full of talent in their forward grouping, and on the blueline, the team is progressing quicker than most would have thought.  Olausson has top six potential if the stars aline, a quick shot, and quality speed.  Olausson has been lighting up the J20 Nationell this season, 27 points in 16 games at the moment.

 

23) Isak Rosen, LW/RW, Leksands IF (SHL)

Why Take Him?  Harald and Minnesota threw last year’s draft a curveball by going off the board with selecting Marat Khusnutdinov 8th overall.  I feel Minnesota will stay closer to home and select a player from Scandanavia this draft.  Rosen is a true playmaker, with good technical skills.

 

24) Scott Morrow, D, Shattuck St. Mary's Prep (USHS)

Why Take Him?  Pick number two for the Panthers in the first round, and they get the defenseman I talked about at pick number four.  Morrow is a mobile right hander whom has all the tools in the cabinet.  If he is able to put it all together in North Dakota, Morrow could become the steal of the first round.

 

25) Stanislav Svozil, D, HC Kometa Brno (Czech)

Why Take Him?  Years of misery are finally paying off for Roberto and the Sabres.  Possessing a franchise center, defenseman, and potential goaltender, the Sabres have free reign for the draft.  Buffalo is still very deep on young forwards, so I opted with the best available defenseman on the board.  A well rounded Czech defender whom possesses all the tools that could potentially be a top four defender.

 

26) via Xavier Bourgault, C, Shawinigan (QMJHL)

Why Take Him?  Another center may be overkill, but for a team that is starting a potential rebuild, give me that best player available.  Bourgault has proved he can put up points with Shawinigan.  The offensive winger has 102 points in 87 games the past two seasons.

How the pick was acquired?  

      1. Columbus acquired Philip Tomasino, Ondrej Kase, Tampa 2021 1st Round Selection, and Ottawa 2021 7th Round Selection from the NY Rangers for Evgeni Malkin (3-12-21)
      2. NY Rangers acquired Tampa 2021 1st Round Selection, and Minnesota 2020 4th Round Selection from Tampa Bay for Dallas 2020 1st Round Selection, and Columbus 2021 5th Round Selection (10-24-20)

 

27) via Zachary Bolduc, C, Rimouski (QMJHL)

Why Take Him?  From having a top five pick last season, into being a top team in the East this year.  We haven’t seen a turn-around like this since a young man from Carolina took over Chicago.  "Big Cat" Cole Bates made a massive deal in moving out his top prospects for Ryan O’Reilly in February which left a few holes down the middle.  Bolduc a smooth skating two-way center and has been putting up a point per game average this year in the shortened Q season. 

How the pick was acquired?

      1. Ottawa acquired Chicago 2021 1st Round Selection from Chicago for Boone Jenner (7-31-19)

 

28) via Matthew Coronato, LW, Chicago (USHL)

Why Take Him?  The third and final Panthers pick nets them a nerd from NYC.  Coronato has been crushing the USHL this season with 71 points in 40 games.  The offensively gifted winger will be dragging that big brain and heavy shot off to Harvard next season.

How the pick was acquired?

      1. Florida acquired Ilya Sorokin, San Jose 2021 1st Round Selection, and Dallas 2021 1st Round Selection from Dallas for Elias Lindholm and Florida 2021 4th Round Selection (11-27-19)

 

29) Sasha Pastujoy, LW/RW, USNTDP (USHL)

Why Take Him?  The future Fighting Irish member has been putting up solid numbers with the USNTDP this year.  Pastujov possesses a monster shot, and playmaking skills.

 

30) via Nikita Chibrikov, RW, SKA_1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)

Why Take Him?  Just like the Panthers, the Blue Jackets also possess three first round picks.  Already I have the BJ’s grabbing two centers with their first two picks.  With pick number three a creative Russian winger goes off the board.  A luxury in these parts (Right Winger), Chibrikov is another player who may start to creep up some boards as we get closer to the draft.

How the pick was acquired?

      1. Columbus acquired Cam York, Tyce Thompson, Christian Djoos, Mackenzie MacEachem, and NY Rangers 2021 1st Round Selection from the NY Rangers for Shea Weber, Austin Watson, and $100,000 (2-1-21)

31) Samu Tuomaala, LW, Karpat (Liiga)

Why Take Him?  Two-way scoring winger who is always a threat when he is on the ice.  Ottawa back with their second selection is able to grab a winger who has been a point for game player with Karpat’s U20 team this season.

 

32) via Logan Stankoven, F, Kamloops (WHL)

Why Take Him?  Stankoven still hasn’t played this season.  In his first true season with Kamloops last year he registered 48 points in 59 games.  The real impressive numbers are from his 2018-19 season with the Thompson Blazers U18.  101 points in 38 games.  Stankoven proves he can score, worth the risk for a team with two picks in the first round to possibly take a flyer on a player who can jump up the boards.

How the pick was acquired?

      1. Detroit acquired Valtteri Filppula, Nikita Gusev, and Colorado 2021 1st Round Selection from Colorado for Evgenii Dadonov, and Dallas 2020 5th Round Selection (12-16-19)

 

 

Game Number: 95
Standings based on Winning Percentage number