You are absolutely right - we won't know how things go until draft day.
You probably watched more junior hockey than I. What I know about Logan Brown is that he scored 74 points in 59 games for Windsor, he is 6'6" (which cannot be taught or learned) and his dad Jeff scored 585 points over 747 games (not too bad for a second rounder) - I think he will be a top-ten pick. Are there faster more skilled players? - yes, but the chance at drafting a scoring 6'6" centre - for a team like Montreal - will be difficult to pass on. My guess he goes in the top ten for sure. Either Calgary or Montreal will snag him. Logan Stanley - is 6'7" and still growing - people will remember another spastic big defenseman taken 56th by Ottawa. Chara - and he became a dominant player on a cup winning team.
- winsix

I think you are right on your Logan Brown comments. Scouts like to look at progression. How much has he improved from the start of the draft season? Can you see the potential for significant additional growth at the next level? Smaller kids with great skill but average skating drop off. Reports indicate that Logan Brown showed significant improvement in his game over the second half of his season.

Good blog Mike. Nice work.

Draft one goalie.
Trade for another one.

Trade Bernier by TDL or earlier.

I don't think Jones will last till #30, what value he may have lost with the 12 game suspension, he won back after he returned. A big winger with mobility is attractive, so he probably goes in the teens or early 20's.
- mikeinbuffalo

I doubt Jones goes that high.

Keep an eye out for Luke Green on Defense. Good wheels, good strength and apparently still with room to improve. Hunter has been zeroed in on guys who have the tools and potential to grow.

I'm not sold on taking a goalie in round 2 as goalies rarely show their true potential at age 18. It may well be a better move to deal a pick or a prospect for a 20 or 21 year old goalie with promise. The Rangers have 3 good ones and need to get younger. Lou could land a bargain that only needs an extra year or two to develop, instead of 3 or 4.
- doktordave

Apparently really tested well in the agility part of the combine. Could be a good pick in e 2nd round

I think you are right on your Logan Brown comments. Scouts like to look at progression. How much has he improved from the start of the draft season? Can you see the potential for significant additional growth at the next level? Smaller kids with great skill but average skating drop off. Reports indicate that Logan Brown showed significant improvement in his game over the second half of his season.
- spatso

Brown isn't that good, especially enough to be concidered top 10 (some have him even higher) they are intrigued by his size and hope that his skills improve.

All I know is that whoever gets Dmitri Sokolov will be happy. The cancerous Wolves helped keep him down, yet he still somehow managed to score the most goals for rookies.

I think they go with Parsons over Gustavsson.
- mikeinbuffalo

He did have an amazing run in the memorial cup - which should count a great deal. Gustavsson is bigger - which for the past few years counts and rated well above Parsons before the memorial cup. Parsons was projected to go in the third round while Gustavsson was an early second round pick. With the Hunter connection though - Parsons might very well be their guy - will he last until the Washington pick though?

Brown isn't that good, especially enough to be concidered top 10 (some have him even higher) they are intrigued by his size and hope that his skills improve.
- burn

I agree with you, personally I would pass on him, but he will get several teams interested - like the Habs, the Flames for size and the fact that his father was a decent NHL player. Will depend on where the defensemen slide in. If a guy like Keller is still on the board, I take him even though he's small - not every team looks at it that way. If Brown gets by the top ten, I would think one of NJ, Ottawa or Boston will snap him up.

I agree with you, personally I would pass on him, but he will get several teams interested - like the Habs, the Flames for size and the fact that his father was a decent NHL player. Will depend on where the defensemen slide in. If a guy like Keller is still on the board, I take him even though he's small - not every team looks at it that way. If Brown gets by the top ten, I would think one of NJ, Ottawa or Boston will snap him up.
- winsix

Yeah agreed that some team put too much emphasis on size and don't worry about the skill.

I think someone will take brown higher than they should for the exact reasons you said.

I agree with you, personally I would pass on him, but he will get several teams interested - like the Habs, the Flames for size and the fact that his father was a decent NHL player. Will depend on where the defensemen slide in. If a guy like Keller is still on the board, I take him even though he's small - not every team looks at it that way. If Brown gets by the top ten, I would think one of NJ, Ottawa or Boston will snap him up.
- winsix

If the Yotes didn't have an entirely new GM I would say ANY son of an NHLer was a guaranteed pick by them. Whether it's Tkachuk or Brown.

They love that poop.

Chatting about goalies.. don't know if anybody posted this...


Kasimir Kaskisuo's new mask

German Rubtsov is a 17 year old, 6'2" Russian center. He appears around the 15th slot on most draft lists. He gets Tarasenko type language in regard to the intensity and passion that he brings to the game. I just read an article making a Datsyuk like comparison in terms of his overall defensive play. His agent (Mark Gandler) is trying to make arrangements for him to play in North America next year. I think he sneaks up higher on some team's draft list (perhaps top 10) over the next couple of weeks. From the Hockey Writers blog:

"Rubtsov is a highly-intelligent two-way center and is probably one of the players with the highest Hockey IQ of the entire draft. He possesses a great vision and can really distribute the puck very well. He seems to always be aware of his line mates and is a great setup guy. Rubtsov makes smart decisions with the puck and barely turns the puck over. He is a calm puck carrier and uses his strong puck-handling skills to dance through the neutral zone with speed."
- spatso

I was hoping the Penguins would be an early round exit so we could have a chance at grabbing this guy. But don't take predraft comparisons seriously, they're meant to be more stylistic than an actual measure of talent.

German Rubtsov is a 17 year old, 6'2" Russian center. He appears around the 15th slot on most draft lists. He gets Tarasenko type language in regard to the intensity and passion that he brings to the game. I just read an article making a Datsyuk like comparison in terms of his overall defensive play. His agent (Mark Gandler) is trying to make arrangements for him to play in North America next year. I think he sneaks up higher on some team's draft list (perhaps top 10) over the next couple of weeks. From the Hockey Writers blog:

"Rubtsov is a highly-intelligent two-way center and is probably one of the players with the highest Hockey IQ of the entire draft. He possesses a great vision and can really distribute the puck very well. He seems to always be aware of his line mates and is a great setup guy. Rubtsov makes smart decisions with the puck and barely turns the puck over. He is a calm puck carrier and uses his strong puck-handling skills to dance through the neutral zone with speed."
- spatso

He's an interesting prospect. A team could take him real early like Dallas did with Guryanov last year, or he could slip into the second round.

All I know is that whoever gets Dmitri Sokolov will be happy. The cancerous Wolves helped keep him down, yet he still somehow managed to score the most goals for rookies.
- AdamFrench

5'11" and 220 lbs. Watch out Dustin Penner.

5'11" and 220 lbs. Watch out Dustin Penner.
- spatso

He trains at the Kyle Wellwood School For Exceptionally Fat People That Also Want To Be Athletes Too

He trains at the Kyle Wellwood School For Exceptionally Fat People That Also Want To Be Athletes Too
- AdamFrench

I know you have an insight into the Russian kids. Is Rubstov as good a 200' player as some reports suggest?

If the Yotes didn't have an entirely new GM I would say ANY son of an NHLer was a guaranteed pick by them. Whether it's Tkachuk or Brown.

They love that poop.
- AdamFrench

Chayka - was a bizzare hire, but he was probably the cheapest option available. How competent he is will be a different matter. Doubt that Tkachuk is available when they pick 7th, they could go for Brown - if it was me, I would take one of Sergachyov, Keller or Nylander - based on what they need.

He trains at the Kyle Wellwood School For Exceptionally Fat People That Also Want To Be Athletes Too
- AdamFrench

I know you have an insight into the Russian kids. Is Rubstov as good a 200' player as some reports suggest?
- spatso

or draft a dman

and trade Bozak for Ryan Miller
- mr.sir

Please return your man card thank you very much.

Keep Miller away from the Leafs.

I know you have an insight into the Russian kids. Is Rubstov as good a 200' player as some reports suggest?
- spatso

He wasn't at the U18's last year. Pretty much the last time I saw him play.

- senstroll

or draft a dman

and trade Bozak for Ryan Miller
- mr.sir

5 million a year for a backup veteran - 35 years old with heavy mileage - does not seem to be a sound play. Besides this, Bozak - still has some value.

Chayka - was a bizzare hire, but he was probably the cheapest option available. How competent he is will be a different matter. Doubt that Tkachuk is available when they pick 7th, they could go for Brown - if it was me, I would take one of Sergachyov, Keller or Nylander - based on what they need.
- winsix

Definitely Nylander if hes still available..

Or Dubois...

You always draft the best player available.. unless you are badly lacking depth at another position..