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Forums :: Blog World :: Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits, 2018 Charity Classic
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YuenglingJagr
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: under the bridge
Joined: 10.05.2015

May 16 @ 8:54 PM ET
I have Dobson as my #2/3 d-man, depending on team fit, with Hughes (who would not fit here at all, and they wouldn't pick him lol). I think Dobson is pretty (frank)ing close to a top 7-10 lock. He's an excellent player. I think a little Lindholm-like.

Farabee at 14; Berggren at 19 is my realistic dream draft.

As for Veleno and Hayton.........I'm not a big fan of either, not just at our picks. Hayton at least looks like an NHL contributor, but Veleno's hockey sense is flat out mediocre, in spite of the top 10 tools he possesses. Hold on, I'll find some things I wrote about them.......

- Mononoke


*sorts through mountain of Richard pics and draft notes*

I saw a lot of Dobson falling recently. WOKld love him but don’t see him getting past the islanders back to back.
Giroux_Is_God
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: CLASS DISMISSED
Joined: 12.15.2011

May 16 @ 8:55 PM ET
*sorts through mountain of Richard pics and draft notes*

I saw a lot of Dobson falling recently. WOKld love him but don’t see him getting past the islanders back to back.

- YuenglingJagr

I still can't believe you screenshotted those
Mononoke
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: I'd do anything to get you humans out of my forest!
Joined: 07.19.2015

May 16 @ 8:56 PM ET
BARRETT HAYTON:

I don't have an issue if Hayton was ranked more in the low 20s, but for someone in the 11-15 range, my eye doesn't see it; stats don't show it. Hayton, contrary to belief, was top 6/PP1 virtually all season (small part of me wonders if there's a Morgan Frost factor to his rankings). I actually wonder if Hayton is someone the Flyers would be keen on. That wouldn't totally thrill me. I'm not sure why there's so much separation between him and Dellandrea -- two, for my money, similar-ish players, and I say that as someone who doesn't have Dellandrea ranked that aggressively or think he's special (even if he's solid -- I actually think Dellandrea is smarter and plays a little faster with the puck and is a better skater, with Hayton having a little better hands). I wonder if you switched their teams what would happen.......

I think that Hayton has slick hands, and he is a solid shooter. Hayton is pretty heavy and has NHL size; skating is a little on the average side, projectably should improve, nothing worrisome. Now and again, provided he's not forcing it (which he did earlier in the season), Hayton can do a dipsy doo move.

What I see in Hayton though is someone who can individually create now and again with his hands, but he's not anything great as a playmaker or controlling the play. In fact, he's a little on the slow side thinking ahead with the puck and often settles for those 1-on-1 moves. I like players who play fast and anticipatory with the puck, and I don't think he does. I think Hayton is indeed a conscientious 2-way center who cares about playing well off-puck and isn't shy about fighting for pucks, but it's WITH the puck, other than occasionally nice individual efforts, where I can't see it no matter how much I want to. He PLAYS slow, and not in a good, "slow down the play" way. Like a "making slow reads" way. And it's more than not being "dynamic." It's nice, but I don't need it if you're still a great player. I would've taken Robert Thomas at 13 last year because I thought he was fantastic. I simply don't think Hayton's hockey sense is as elite as hyped. I think people want him to be this year's Thomas or something, and he's not even close for me.
Mononoke
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: I'd do anything to get you humans out of my forest!
Joined: 07.19.2015

May 16 @ 9:05 PM ET
JOE VELENO:

Anyone who watches Veleno knows he has top 10 talent (and some scouts still rate him near there), but the reason people are split on him is a classic case of hockey sense. It’s the most important thing I look for. I see his issues and noted some at Hlinka: playing fast without thinking fast or steps ahead, reacting instead of anticipating plays, making weird turnovers, over-handling pucks. Then sometimes I think I’m overstating it, he starts working the cycle more, not doing too much. But I know I see it now, playing the much more structured, tighter checking NHL could exacerbate those issues. I don't dislike "Good Veleno." His tools and physical package are excellent, with solid size and powerful skating; he is a nice playmaker (shooting definitely isn’t his forte and he’s pass first); can play quite chippy and physical too and is always engaged and competitive, which is endearing. Certainly always has visible shifts, for better or worse. He has some Voracek-qualities for sure at his best, when he’s roaring through the NZ and finding passes and working the corners. I think playing a simpler winger game could be in the cards, though he'll try defensively and usually isn't in bad position, but it's no great strength either. Now, "Bad Veleno"…….

Blinders on, trying to burn everyone himself in straight lines through the NZ, even 3 or 4 guys on a solo rush (where the Voracek comparison dies: he weaves into space and never ever has tunnel vision). Or split 2 defenders with a deke in bad spots numerous times, blind passes in every zone, and a general air of playing a second behind on the puck -- or at best, at the speed of the play and not ahead. He gives off vibes that he's relying on just his tools against teens who can't match him. It's rather juniors-y. Even when he simplified and cycled or did less, it felt like he took too long to make the basic reads or didn't have much of a plan when he did. A lot of his nice highlight reel type passes you realize are just routine plays he tries and fails a lot on, like they're programmed passes ahead of time. He’s just very mercurial. That stuff worries me. I don't like players with questionable hockey IQ.
peesinwind
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: columbia, MD
Joined: 06.27.2015

May 16 @ 9:07 PM ET
BARRETT HAYTON:
- Mononoke


Thanks.
Mononoke
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: I'd do anything to get you humans out of my forest!
Joined: 07.19.2015

May 16 @ 9:15 PM ET
If you want my thoughts on some other draft eligibles while I'm here on this blue moon, I'll find something I wrote.
opeth_pa
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: The Implication
Joined: 12.13.2011

May 16 @ 9:21 PM ET
The opening for Vegas is ridiculous in an awesome way..

YuenglingJagr
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: under the bridge
Joined: 10.05.2015

May 16 @ 9:25 PM ET
i don't care for any of your opinions on anything in particular regarding prospects
- Mordecai

Bro last week spicy water was on sale. BOGO
bighandsome91
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Shut up, nerd., CA
Joined: 03.09.2018

May 16 @ 9:39 PM ET
If you want my thoughts on some other draft eligibles while I'm here on this blue moon, I'll find something I wrote.
- Mononoke


Glad you stopped by today, love hearing your take on the young guys.
Just5
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: PA
Joined: 05.22.2008

May 16 @ 9:44 PM ET
I want Hextall to make 2 high risk picks here. Go for the all out talent.

Mono what is your take on merkley. Sorry if he’s been addressed

With recent hits on ushl picks....marody, laczynski, and Allison. I will be real interested to see who the pick is this year from that league. Theyre scouting in that league has been on point
Just5
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: PA
Joined: 05.22.2008

May 16 @ 9:45 PM ET
Neal shakes out the cobwebs
Mononoke
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: I'd do anything to get you humans out of my forest!
Joined: 07.19.2015

May 16 @ 9:52 PM ET
I want Hextall to make 2 high risk picks here. Go for the all out talent.

Mono what is your take on merkley. Sorry if he’s been addressed

- Just5


I wouldn’t have Merkley on my board. Flyers wouldn’t draft him in a million years anyway. I simply don’t see an NHL defenseman. You could forgive him not being great defensively, except he’s dumb offensively too, in spite of the scoring. He’s just the definition of a juniors player with talent and rocks for brain and zero structure.
Just5
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: PA
Joined: 05.22.2008

May 16 @ 10:14 PM ET
I wouldn’t have Merkley on my board. Flyers wouldn’t draft him in a million years anyway. I simply don’t see an NHL defenseman. You could forgive him not being great defensively, except he’s dumb offensively too, in spite of the scoring. He’s just the definition of a juniors player with talent and rocks for brain and zero structure.
- Mononoke


Gotcha. Thanks.
jmatchett383
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Newark, DE
Joined: 03.09.2010

May 16 @ 10:19 PM ET
I wouldn’t have Merkley on my board. Flyers wouldn’t draft him in a million years anyway. I simply don’t see an NHL defenseman. You could forgive him not being great defensively, except he’s dumb offensively too, in spite of the scoring. He’s just the definition of a juniors player with talent and rocks for brain and zero structure.
- Mononoke


So the Brayden Schenn of defense?
Mononoke
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: I'd do anything to get you humans out of my forest!
Joined: 07.19.2015

May 16 @ 10:38 PM ET
So the Brayden Schenn of defense?
- jmatchett383


If Brayden Schenn was a total bust who probably can’t play in the NHL, they’re basically identical.
Mordecai
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: not very poggers
Joined: 08.27.2015

May 16 @ 10:45 PM ET
If Brayden Schenn was a total bust who probably can’t play in the NHL, they’re basically identical.
- Mononoke

jury is still out on Schenn
Doc_Sarcasm
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Should of studied Geometry
Joined: 04.28.2013

May 16 @ 10:51 PM ET
jury is still out on Schenn
- Mordecai



pretty sure the jury returned a guilty verdict.
jmatchett383
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Newark, DE
Joined: 03.09.2010

May 16 @ 11:44 PM ET
If Brayden Schenn was a total bust who probably can’t play in the NHL, they’re basically identical.
- Mononoke


I meant as far as the million dollar talent, 10 cent head
Mordecai
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: not very poggers
Joined: 08.27.2015

May 17 @ 4:35 AM ET
Bro last week spicy water was on sale. BOGO
- YuenglingJagr

bump btw
Just5
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: PA
Joined: 05.22.2008

May 17 @ 7:32 AM ET
Vegas baaaaabaaay!!!
VladDrag
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: West Chester, PA
Joined: 01.13.2009

May 17 @ 7:44 AM ET
Kotkaniemi likely goes top 5-7 as the best natural center. But yes, I'm a huge fan. Lundestrom feels like a reach; I just think he's too safe. And I think Wilde and Kupari are future busts. Their hockey IQs are a total mess.
- Mononoke


If we go 'safe' at 14, I would prefer Hayton over Lundestrom. I like Lundestrom closer to 19.

If Farabee or Kotkaniemi is there at 14, don't hesitate. Then go Lundestrom at 19 (depending on who is still there). I do like Lundestrom, too.
johndewar
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: South Jersey, NJ
Joined: 01.16.2009

May 17 @ 7:51 AM ET
If Brayden Schenn was a total bust who probably can’t play in the NHL, they’re basically identical.
- Mononoke


He's fantastic on teams that don't make the playoffs.
MBFlyerfan
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Be nice from now on, NJ
Joined: 03.17.2006

May 17 @ 8:10 AM ET
https://www.cbssports.com...n-knee-surgery-scheduled/
YuenglingJagr
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: under the bridge
Joined: 10.05.2015

May 17 @ 8:43 AM ET
Vegas baaaaabaaay!!!
- Just5

people talk about how dumb florida is for marchessault and smith, but look how dumb pittsburgh is getting rid of the wrong goalie
BiggE
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: SELL THE DAMN TEAM!
Joined: 04.17.2012

May 17 @ 8:56 AM ET
Vegas baaaaabaaay!!!
- Just5


1. Vegas wins Cup
2. All blood in Gary Bettman's body races to his crotch, causing him to have a massive, fatal stroke
3. PROFIT!!
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