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A couple times since the season has ended I've profiled a few players that may be a good fit with the Canucks come draft day. Today will mark the start of a seven blog series looking at players that Vancouver should take with picks 26, 57, 147, 177, and 207.
I will break the blogs up into players for picks 26 and 57 on one day, and picks 147, 177, and 207 the next day. The days will be broken up into three ways to go about drafting a player. Those three ways will be taking the grittiest/nastiest player, taking the most skilled player, and taking the best fit (organizational need) player. After all six blogs on the various prospects that fit the criteria are done I will post my perfect draft.
Today, I will kick things off by looking at what I think Vancouver needs the most. What the Canucks lack at all levels of the organization are players that are tough to play against. They lack players that would punch a kitten or kick a puppy if it meant winning the game. The Canucks lack that type of player in their lineup, and they have yet to draft anyone who really fits that profile since Gillis has been GM.
First Round- Pick 26
Martin Frk- Halifax, 6"0 190, RW
34GP, 16G, 13A, 41PIM
Frk is a gritty, nasty, player to play against. He is a very solid player on his skates and doesn't mind the rough stuff. Frk will occasionally give you a hack or a whack ala Bobby Clarke to keep players honest. While Frk may not have the ideal size to be a true power forward, his nasty attitude will make up for that.
NHL Comparison- Adam Deadmarsh
Scott Laughton- Oshawa, 6"0 175, C
64GP, 21G, 32A, 101PIM
Scott Laughton is the type of player that has a motor that doesn't stop. He plays all out, whistle to whistle and is the type of guy you win with. Although he may not have the skill to be anything more than a third or fourth line player, Laughton, is sure to be a fan favourite because of his feisty attitude and work ethic.
NHL Comparison- Chris Kelly
Patrick Sieloff- USDP, 6"0 185, D
24GP, 0G, 2A, 55PIM
Sieloff may just be the nastiest player in this year's draft. Simply put, "the guy is a killer". Despite his average size, he is hell to play against. He will hack and whack you if you want to get to the net and is one tough kid. Sieloff oozes character and has the makings of an elite NHL shutdown player who can play 25+ minutes. While he isn't the most skilled player at handling the puck, he does have fairly high end athletic ability and skating. It is these two attributes that make him the best open ice hitters in the draft. When Sieloff is on the ice you have to keep your head up or he will likely take it off.
NHL Comparison- Anton Volchenkov
Lukas Sutter- Saskatoon, 6"0 200, C
70GP, 28G, 31A, 165PIM
Maybe the toughest player in the WHL, Sutter will back down from no one. He is one of the most consistent players in the draft and he will do whatever it takes to win. Need a huge hit. Sutter can do that. Need a guy to fight. Sutter can do that. Need a guy to get greasy in the corners. Sutter can do that. Need a guy who is no fun to play against. Sutter can do that. While he may only end up being a bottom six player, every good team needs players like Sutter.
NHL Comparison- Chris Neil (with a few more goals)
Brian Hart- Phillips Exeter Academy, 6"2 200, RW
29GP, 32G, 36A, 20PIM
Hart will be this year's riser that catches people off guard a little. While he is still a little raw, he may be the best athlete in the draft. He has NHL size, is an explosive skater, and has a booming shot. Simply put, he could end up being one of the top 10 players in the draft when people look back. The downside to him is he is still very raw and untested.
NHL Comparison- James Neal
Second Round- Pick 57
Francis Beauvillier- Rimouski, 6"1 180, C
67GP, 23G, 11A, 75PIM
One of the fastest skaters in the draft and can be hell to play against when he is on his game. Beauvillier can get in on the forecheck as good as any player and when you have his size and speed there is the potential there for some big collisions. He drives the net well and is more of a goal scorer then a playmaker. Beauvillier is also not afraid to drop them from time to time and could be a real diamond in the rough.
NHL Comparison- Max Pacioretty
Kenton Helgesen- Calgary, 6"3 190, D
58GP, 3G, 11A, 63PIM
Kenton Helgesen is the prototypical stay at home D. He's never going to light the league up but he does keep forwards in check and the puck out of his net. While he doesn't drop the gloves as much as some players, he is one tough customer. Helgesen could round into a top 4 type, who can give a team 22-25 minutes.
NHL Comparison- Matt Greene
Nicholas Walters – Everett, 6"2 195, D
62GP, 6G, 12A, 95PIM
The other D in Everett, is not as flashy as Murray but a whole lot tougher. Walters is a decent skaters and one of the best fighters in the Dub. He's the guy you want killing penalties and keeping the puck out of your end. While I don't see him being a huge skill guy, he does have a great shot, so there is some scoring potential.
NHL Comparison- Francois Beauchemin
Mitchell Moroz- Edmonton, 6"2 205, LW
66GP, 16G, 9A, 131PIM
One of the nastiest players in the Dub is also an outstanding fighter. Moroz is maybe the least fun to play against of all the players in the WHL. He can stay on the hip of any player around and will do whatever is needed to take that players out. He also has a certain hit to hurt element to his game which keeps players honest. While he will not be a huge scorer, he will hit as hard as any player.
NHL Comparison- Jordin Tootoo (Bigger)
Tobias Tornkvist- Rögle, 6"4 195, RW
48GP, 16G, 20A, 173PIM
The nastiest player to come out of Sweden since Ulf Samuelsson, Tornkvist loves the physical game and has the size to make life hell on people. He also has a lot of good skills that should help him become a good power forward. I look for Tornkvist to be another big time sleeper and be a good power forward one day.
NHL Comparison- David Backes (poor man's)
Well that's a wrap.
Ian
Also, here is a link to a video I helped make on the Canadian Bobsleigh Team.
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