2014 NHL Entry Draft

[GhostofPotvin29]

Figured we should have a thread to discuss possible Leafs selections.

The Leafs have the following picks for the draft thus far:

1st round
3rd round
4th round (from Oilers? Coyotes?)
4th round (from Flames)
5th round
6th round
7th round

The 4th rounders get a little iffy - Leafs acquired one from the Coyotes for Lombardi, from the Flames for Colborne, and from the Oilers for Brown.  But they also traded one to the Avs for O'Byrne and one to the Blackhawks for Bolland (which the Chicago trade release says was the Leafs' 4th rounder).  So the Leafs should still have two 4th rounders, but which two is the question.

 

[Highlander]

Would anyone trade all the picks after the first for an additional first?

 

[bustaheims]

Not a huge deal, but you forgot a 7th round pick, and there's a remote chance that the Flames pick could be a 3rd (if Colborne somehow manages to score 5 more goals this season). Or not. I'm not 100% sure if the conditions require that and the Flames making the playoffs, or if there's an either/or situation.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Not a huge deal, but you forgot a 7th round pick, and there's a remote chance that the Flames pick could be a 3rd (if Colborne somehow manages to score 5 more goals this season). Or not. I'm not 100% sure if the conditions require that and the Flames making the playoffs, or if there's an either/or situation.

Both conditions had to be met. Which is adorable really.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Yeah I felt pretty confident calling that Calgary one.

 

[bustaheims]

Both conditions had to be met. Which is adorable really.

Really? Man, that was awfully generous of Nonis.

 

[Zee]

Yeah I felt pretty confident calling that Calgary one.

What if Calgary runs the table and Colborne is a big part of that?  Then we suddenly get a 3rd pick out of the deal!!  Oh yeah baby!!!

 

[Andy007]

2 goals for Colborne last night, Calgary 9-4 in their last 13. Come on Third Rounder!

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Colborne's up to 9 

And I'm going to shamelessly be a homer and say I hope the Leafs take a guy from my hometown team with their first rounder this year - Jared McCann.  He should probably go around where the Leafs will (likely) end up drafting.

EDIT:

Craig Button:

Centres who play every situation in the game, are involved in all areas on the ice and contribute both with and without the puck are in high demand. The cliche of being a '200 foot player' applies to Jared.

TheScoutingReport.org:

McCann is a dynamic forward who can play down the middle or on the wing. The Stratford, Ont. native is a relentless possession player who can menace the opposition with his excellent top-end speed and acceleration. McCann is a true goal scorer and has natural offensive instincts and outstanding finishing ability. He is prone to going through stretches where the puck doesn't seem to go his way, but McCann is yet another forward in this draft with excellent upside at the NHL level.

Mike Morreale, NHL.com:

"He's started the season with an excellent goal-scoring pace and is around the puck and finishing scoring chances with regularity," Central Scouting's Chris Edwards told NHL.com. "He's playing with great energy that often comes from getting success early on. He has an excellent wrist shot, has shown great hands and play-making ability, and is an excellent skater with very good acceleration and speed."

 

[Highlander]

Sounds better than Biggs, was that a wasted pick or will he ever be on the big team?

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Some general comments from Tallon on the Draft...


While Tallon agreed that top draft prospect defenseman Aaron Ekbland is NHL-ready, he didn?t agree that he?s the only one.

?A lot of them are NHL-ready,??  Tallon said. ?It?s a better draft than we thought based on what we saw in the spring. There?s a lot of good players in the first round and we should get two good players [at No. 1] and at 32. It?s exciting; we?ll do well.??

Tallon was very impressed with the top prospects interviewed at the Scouting Combine, saying some interviews were, ?chilling,?? and among the best kids I?ve seen since I?m in the business.??

I've noticed a few GM's referring to this years draft, as stronger than was thought in the early stages of scouting the players.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

You'd also have to think it's in their interest to state that too, though.  Not that they're wrong necessarily, but I could see them overstating it.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

You'd also have to think it's in their interest to state that too, though.  Not that they're wrong necessarily, but I could see them overstating it.

Sure, I think everything in the media has to be taken that way. His comment was the only one I've had a link for, but it's at least the 3rd GM I've read/ said that it's a deep draft, which is kind of contrary to what was prevalent earlier on.

What surprised me was saying that a lot of them are "NHL ready", maybe he's overstating that, but it was surprising none-the-less.

 

[Frank E]

You'd also have to think it's in their interest to state that too, though.  Not that they're wrong necessarily, but I could see them overstating it.

While I generally agree that most of what GM's say to the media/fans is BS, I would believe in this particular case that given Tallon is in a position to sell the first overall pick, he would be far more likely to suggest the top 2 or so picks are in a league of their own, and that picks 3-10 are second tier.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

You'd also have to think it's in their interest to state that too, though.  Not that they're wrong necessarily, but I could see them overstating it.

While I generally agree that most of what GM's say to the media/fans is BS, I would believe in this particular case that given Tallon is in a position to sell the first overall pick, he would be far more likely to suggest the top 2 or so picks are in a league of their own, and that picks 3-10 are second tier.

I just don't really recall hearing a GM before a draft ever really play down the talent in the draft.