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Read my conversation with the Calgary Flames Tod Button HERE and find out about all the work that goes into the NHL Draft.

Seeing as it sounds like there may be bigger news tomorrow I figured I'd post this one tonight. Feel free to continue to hammer out a goalie deal amongst yourselves.

My perfect draft

My personal draft philosophy has always been best player no matter what. But every year how I may evaluate best player will change a bit slightly based on where the holes are in Vancouver’s pipeline.

Because of that, some times I’ll have a faster player with less hockey sense ahead of a slower guy with grit and smarts. Or I may have a defenceman over a forward if all things are equal because of the position they play. So with that in mind let’s take a look at the Canucks depth chart for prospects.

Source- Hockeys Future (I don’t agree with the rankings)

GOALTENDERS
1. Joacim Eriksson
2. Eddie Lack
3. Joe Cannata

RIGHT WING
1. Nicklas Jensen
2. Alexandre Grenier
3. Anton Rodin
4. Kellan Tochkin

LEFT WING
1. Darren Archibald
2. Ludwig Blomstrand
3. Steven Anthony
4. Bill Sweatt
5. Wes Myron
6. Matthew Beattie

CENTRES
1. Jordan Schroeder
2. Brendan Gaunce
3. Joseph Labate
4. Alexandre Mallet
5. Prab Rai
6. Alex Friesen
7. Stefan Schneider
8. Kellan Lain

DEFENSEMEN
1. Frank Corrado
2. Patrick McNally
3. Henrik Tommernes
4. Yann Sauve
5. Adam Polasek
6. Jeremy Price
7. Ben Hutton
8. Evan McEneny
9. Peter Andersson

So going by this, the Canucks are loaded in goal, decent on defence and a tad thin up front. Throughout to prospect pool, Vancouver has very good size – that is something they can pass on this year in my opinion. Their No. 1 need right now is to find smart, skilled players that can skate (Cue the, shouldn’t that be the goal every year?).


My perfect draft


No. 24- Nic Petan, C, Portland, 5’8 165
I’m a lot higher on this kid than a lot of people and have him at No. 15 on my personal rankings. His skill and smarts remind me a lot of Pavel Datsyuk. While his size worries some people, I think he is quick enough and smart enough to over come that. Add in the fact he grew up in the area and is a Canucks fan (I think that playing for your favourite team gives you a little extra gear when playing) and I’m sold on him.

Other options- Shea Théodore, Laurent Dauphin or Kerby Rychel


No. 85- Pavel Buchnevich, LW, Cherepovets, 6’1, 161
No one will argue that Buchnevich has elite level skill and speed. But because of the Russian factor he should slide to somewhere in the third round. If a player with first round skill is sitting there at 85 I’m taking him and hoping for the best.

Other options- Anthony Duclair, Jackson Houck or Eric Roy


No. 115- Jesse Lees, D, Kelowna, 6’0, 180
If Lees were born a day later he would be eligible for the 2014 draft. His smarts, skill and skating are his three biggest assets and like I said Vancouver could use an upgrade in that department. While he could stand to play a bit more physical that should come with time. His right-handed shot is also a plus as RHD are seemingly hard to find. He also has the benefit of playing in a Kelowna system that cracks out NHL defenceman like no other.

Other options- Taylor Cammarata, JC Lipon or Andreas Johnson


No. 145- Jamal Watson, LW, Lethbridge, 6’0, 180
I’m a bit biased on this pick because I’ve talked with this kid for a story I wrote, but Watson has a shot to be a real sleeper in this years draft class. He’s as good a skater as any player in the draft and once he fills out his athletic frame he should be able to slot into a top-9 role at the NHL level, as a 6’1, 205 pound winger. Right now, he needs to get stronger and a bit more consistent to play at the next level. Link to story is below.

Other options- Axel Blomqvist, Nikolas Brouillard or Stephen Harper


No. 175- Kyle Burroughs, D, Regina, 5’11, 180
Burroughs is a sound, reliable guy. There were nights this year where he logged more than 30 minutes. He is a tough player to play against and he’ll stick up for his teammates when he needs to. Add to that, he’s a lower mainland kid, who’s already a Canucks fan and I’m sold.

Other options- Zach Pochiro, Mackenzie Weegar or Nolan De Jong


No. 205- Tyler Bertuzzi, LW, Guelph, 6’0, 178
This one is a bit of a sappy pick based on who his uncle is, but how awesome would it be to see Lil’ Bert in Vancouver? He was a high Bantam Draft pick a few years back so the kid does have some talent. And what I especially like about him is that he’ll fight or hit anything that moves. He has the makings of become a real pain in the ass to play against and Vancouver needs a guy like that.

Other options- Filip Sandberg, Peter Trainor or Alessio Bertaggia


Draft Stuff

I recently did some work around the NHL draft for the Calgary Journal. Check out my story on 2013 Draft prospect Jamal Watson of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, ranked 137th by NHL Central Scouting. Feedback is always welcome, so let me know what you think.

I have another two others:
- One on Hunter Shinkaruk .

- A Q&A with the Flames Tod Button .


Well that's a wrap.

Ian


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