Post by PTPHL (Devils GM) on Feb 12, 2019 2:41:00 GMT
I'm trying some different things this year with the draft. For one, we have a franchise talent and a hybrid. I'm trying out some different player archetypes and styles to add some variety to the usual players that we find drafted here. I've also made the top five in this list NHL ready right out of the draft.
I've given a short little description of the top ten with info and a comparison player. Think of that player at their prime.
The full CSB will go live tomorrow.
#1 Pavel Zatko
All-Around Offensive Player, RW, Right Handed
6'3", 195lbs
Czech Republic
NHL Ready
Pavel Zatko is an elite talent in all facets of the game. He is a franchise-changing offensive dynamo the likes of which PTPHL has not seen in their drafts since Connor McDavid was drafted into the NHL. With a blistering shot, silky hands and incredible vision, Zatko can play both ends of the ice with his high speed and is a consistent threat night in and night out. He will be NHL ready and I believe he will be a Washington Capital on 2024's opening night.
Comparison: Connor McDavid
#2 Alexjei Novak
All-Around Offensive Player, LW, Right Handed
6'0", 172 lbs
Russia
NHL Ready
Alexjei Novak is an incredibly talented Russian with work ethic and consistency issues. When he's on, he is a game breaker with a laser-accurate shot and the ability to thread the needle at even the highest speeds. When he's off, he becomes a liability as he performs best with the puck on his stick and not while defending. The team that drafts Novak will add one of the most naturally talented players we've ever drafted but they'll need to insulate him and over come his consistency problems.
Comparison: Honestly, Alexei Kovalev
#3 Paul Mitchell
Playmaker, LW/D, Left Handed
6'3", 200lbs
Canada
NHL Ready
Paul Mitchell is an interesting player because he is a hybrid who can play both left wing or defense. Mitchell draws comparison to Brent Burns and Dustin Byfuglien for that fact and because he is a big man not afraid to lay the body or get physical but Mitchell does not possess the same cannon that Burns does. Instead, Mitchell makes smart passes and always seems to make the right choices with the puck, relying on a nice, accurate wrister rather than a booming slap shot. He can quarter back a powerplay or he can feed your snipers out of the cycle.
Comparison: Brent Burns
#4 Mikhail Petrovin
Physical Defenseman, D, Left Handed
6'6", 247lbs
Russia
NHL Ready
Mikhail is an intimdating presence, standing at a menacing 6'6" with a frame build to match. Though listed as a physical defender, and someone who will be landing hits that make their way on highlight reels for years, Petrovin is also a smart offensive player with an accurate shot and an excellent breakout pass to drive the transition. He is the highest ranked defenseman in the draft for a reason, he is a blend of offense and defense with the size and speed to always be a threat no matter where he is on the ice, be it killing penalties or working the powerplay.
Comparison: Victor Hedman
#5 Devan Jaspers
All-Around Offensive, C, Left Handed
6'2", 203lbs
Canada
NHL Ready
Devan Jaspers is a much safer pick than Novak, but does not have the same pure offensive talent as the Russian. Instead, Devan is a consistent hard worker with soft hands and vision who does not neglect the defensive end of the game and excels in the middle of the ice where he can win draws and find his wingers with his passes. You won't see Jaspers on the highlight reel for dazzling plays but he'll always make the right decision and the right play when called for and is a dependable source of offense.
Comparison: A better Nick Bjugstad
#6 Sami Modin
Two Way Forward, RW, Left Handed
6'2", 200lbs
Sweden
Sami Modin is another safe pick who is guaranteed to be a consistent second or third line center with offensive upside but a great focus on the defensive side of the game. He is a PK specialist and someone you will never find taking a shift off or missing an assignment in your zone. He won't light the league on fire but he'll get the job done, whether it's on the scoreboard or in the trenches.
Comparison: A Swedish Jordan Staal
#7 Alex Lundqvist
Power Forward, RW, Right Handed
6'5", 242lbs
Sweden
Big bodied and never shy of driving to the net, Lundqvist is a wrecking ball who will cause trouble for the opponents and can bury the puck if given the opportunity, preferring to take the shot rather than pass or play fancy. He is a possession monster who is incredibly hard to strip of the puck once he gets going but his foot speed may leave a little to be desired and he can be prone to taking bad penalties at times.
Comparison: Chris Kreider
#8 Scott Ward
Goalscorer, LW, Left Handed
6'5", 223lbs
Canada
Scott Ward may have the best shot, outside of the top two players, in the entire draft. He is, however, a player who may need the right set up to succeed. While he can snipe from anywhere in the offensive zone, he isn't as fast as you'd expect and is definitely not the kind of player who will drive the play. Instead, you'll need a player who can move the puck to set up Ward, who has a penchant for finding open space and being in the right place despite his somewhat limited mobility. Ward may also have the ability to PK effectively if used in that situation.
Comparison: James Neal
#9 Nikolai Yasakov
Goalie, Left Handed
6'2", 187lbs
Belarus
Nikolai Yasakov is a steady goaltender who has great positioning and a strong glove but is prone to the occasional leaky goal or two. Consistency may be a problem if used in long stretches but is able to get the job done regardless. Nikolai should be a starting goaltender in PTPHL but may require a consistent backup to give him breaks on back-to-backs. I expect him to drop, since goalies rarely go high in our drafts unless they are elite level talents.
Comparison: Frederik Andersen
#10 Sid McTigue
Playmaker, RW, Left Handed
6'0", 197lbs
United States
McTigue has above average passing and stickhandling to go with his high speed but may have some issues with finishing his own scoring opportunities and with excelling in the defensive end. That said, he has all of the tools to become a very good player in the league, he may just take longer than others to round out his game.
Comparison: A faster Paul Stastny-style player
I've given a short little description of the top ten with info and a comparison player. Think of that player at their prime.
The full CSB will go live tomorrow.
#1 Pavel Zatko
All-Around Offensive Player, RW, Right Handed
6'3", 195lbs
Czech Republic
NHL Ready
Pavel Zatko is an elite talent in all facets of the game. He is a franchise-changing offensive dynamo the likes of which PTPHL has not seen in their drafts since Connor McDavid was drafted into the NHL. With a blistering shot, silky hands and incredible vision, Zatko can play both ends of the ice with his high speed and is a consistent threat night in and night out. He will be NHL ready and I believe he will be a Washington Capital on 2024's opening night.
Comparison: Connor McDavid
#2 Alexjei Novak
All-Around Offensive Player, LW, Right Handed
6'0", 172 lbs
Russia
NHL Ready
Alexjei Novak is an incredibly talented Russian with work ethic and consistency issues. When he's on, he is a game breaker with a laser-accurate shot and the ability to thread the needle at even the highest speeds. When he's off, he becomes a liability as he performs best with the puck on his stick and not while defending. The team that drafts Novak will add one of the most naturally talented players we've ever drafted but they'll need to insulate him and over come his consistency problems.
Comparison: Honestly, Alexei Kovalev
#3 Paul Mitchell
Playmaker, LW/D, Left Handed
6'3", 200lbs
Canada
NHL Ready
Paul Mitchell is an interesting player because he is a hybrid who can play both left wing or defense. Mitchell draws comparison to Brent Burns and Dustin Byfuglien for that fact and because he is a big man not afraid to lay the body or get physical but Mitchell does not possess the same cannon that Burns does. Instead, Mitchell makes smart passes and always seems to make the right choices with the puck, relying on a nice, accurate wrister rather than a booming slap shot. He can quarter back a powerplay or he can feed your snipers out of the cycle.
Comparison: Brent Burns
#4 Mikhail Petrovin
Physical Defenseman, D, Left Handed
6'6", 247lbs
Russia
NHL Ready
Mikhail is an intimdating presence, standing at a menacing 6'6" with a frame build to match. Though listed as a physical defender, and someone who will be landing hits that make their way on highlight reels for years, Petrovin is also a smart offensive player with an accurate shot and an excellent breakout pass to drive the transition. He is the highest ranked defenseman in the draft for a reason, he is a blend of offense and defense with the size and speed to always be a threat no matter where he is on the ice, be it killing penalties or working the powerplay.
Comparison: Victor Hedman
#5 Devan Jaspers
All-Around Offensive, C, Left Handed
6'2", 203lbs
Canada
NHL Ready
Devan Jaspers is a much safer pick than Novak, but does not have the same pure offensive talent as the Russian. Instead, Devan is a consistent hard worker with soft hands and vision who does not neglect the defensive end of the game and excels in the middle of the ice where he can win draws and find his wingers with his passes. You won't see Jaspers on the highlight reel for dazzling plays but he'll always make the right decision and the right play when called for and is a dependable source of offense.
Comparison: A better Nick Bjugstad
#6 Sami Modin
Two Way Forward, RW, Left Handed
6'2", 200lbs
Sweden
Sami Modin is another safe pick who is guaranteed to be a consistent second or third line center with offensive upside but a great focus on the defensive side of the game. He is a PK specialist and someone you will never find taking a shift off or missing an assignment in your zone. He won't light the league on fire but he'll get the job done, whether it's on the scoreboard or in the trenches.
Comparison: A Swedish Jordan Staal
#7 Alex Lundqvist
Power Forward, RW, Right Handed
6'5", 242lbs
Sweden
Big bodied and never shy of driving to the net, Lundqvist is a wrecking ball who will cause trouble for the opponents and can bury the puck if given the opportunity, preferring to take the shot rather than pass or play fancy. He is a possession monster who is incredibly hard to strip of the puck once he gets going but his foot speed may leave a little to be desired and he can be prone to taking bad penalties at times.
Comparison: Chris Kreider
#8 Scott Ward
Goalscorer, LW, Left Handed
6'5", 223lbs
Canada
Scott Ward may have the best shot, outside of the top two players, in the entire draft. He is, however, a player who may need the right set up to succeed. While he can snipe from anywhere in the offensive zone, he isn't as fast as you'd expect and is definitely not the kind of player who will drive the play. Instead, you'll need a player who can move the puck to set up Ward, who has a penchant for finding open space and being in the right place despite his somewhat limited mobility. Ward may also have the ability to PK effectively if used in that situation.
Comparison: James Neal
#9 Nikolai Yasakov
Goalie, Left Handed
6'2", 187lbs
Belarus
Nikolai Yasakov is a steady goaltender who has great positioning and a strong glove but is prone to the occasional leaky goal or two. Consistency may be a problem if used in long stretches but is able to get the job done regardless. Nikolai should be a starting goaltender in PTPHL but may require a consistent backup to give him breaks on back-to-backs. I expect him to drop, since goalies rarely go high in our drafts unless they are elite level talents.
Comparison: Frederik Andersen
#10 Sid McTigue
Playmaker, RW, Left Handed
6'0", 197lbs
United States
McTigue has above average passing and stickhandling to go with his high speed but may have some issues with finishing his own scoring opportunities and with excelling in the defensive end. That said, he has all of the tools to become a very good player in the league, he may just take longer than others to round out his game.
Comparison: A faster Paul Stastny-style player