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2024 NHL Draft Steals, Favorite Classes, Picks & More | THW Prospect Corner
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Jul 12, 2024
In this episode of The Hockey Writers Prospect Corner, Matthew Zator and Peter Baracchini get together to discuss some of their favorite picks and draft classes, potential steals from the first, second and later rounds, biggest risers, fallers, and more. 0:00 Intro 3:02 Surprises in the First Round 6:53 Biggest Risers & Fallers 9:26 What was your favorite draft class? 13:39 Which draft class was the most underwhelming? 15:55 Who was your favorite pick of the 2024 Draft? 20:04 Potential Steals From the First Round 21:44 Potential Steals From the Second Round 23:23 Potential Steals From Rounds 3-7 25:56 Prospects to Watch in 2024-25 27:37 Which prospect will we be talking about a lot next offseason? 29:14 2024 Draft Picks That Could Play a Full NHL Season in 2024-25 30:33 Very Early Calder Trophy Contenders The THW Prospect Corner crew are great writers too: Dayton Reimer - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/dreimer/ Matthew Zator - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/mzator/ Peter Baracchini - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/pbaracchini/
View Video Transcript
0:00
Hello, everybody and welcome into another episode of Prospect Corner here at the Hockey Writers
0:05
I'm your host, Matthew Zattor. And as always, joined in by my co-host, Peter Barrackini
0:10
Just the two of us on this week, Dayton's enjoying a vacation, well-deserved
0:16
After all the work that he's done, I think we all need a vacation, I think. Oh, yeah
0:20
Kind of had a mini one myself, but. Yeah, well, I mean, we did, we didn't to record last week, but to kind of take a breath
0:30
from the draft. We're going to dive right back in. Peter, how's it going
0:34
It's going great. Yeah. You know, last week was a little bit of a breather after the draft
0:39
Obviously, I was dealing with some minor ailments when I came back
0:43
I was dealing with a massive headache. But here I am now and ready to talk prospects draft once again
0:50
Yeah. So, I mean, it's been a week or so, I guess
0:53
since the draft. And we did do a bunch of shows around it. So we did our reaction
0:58
But Peter, before we get, get going to what we're going to do on this in this episode
1:03
Since you weren't part of that reaction video, I want, just your thoughts of your experience at the draft because you were there at the
1:12
year and I mean, on TV it was just a spectacle. How was it actually being there
1:19
Yeah, if it was, if you got the sense that it was a spectacle on TV, it was basically a spectacle right in person as well
1:25
I mean, taking in the atmosphere on the floor and even in the stands as
1:30
well, you could tell everybody was hyped over just the venue itself on how big it was
1:34
how interactive and how great the graphics were on screen. It was absolutely phenomenal how they were able to use this venue and use it to its full potential
1:44
Even on the outside, too, like you saw on TV when the selection is made is made on the outside
1:49
just like what's happening on the inside. So planning that in Vegas was absolutely phenomenal
1:55
Yeah, you know, seeing all the fans, the families there. I recall, you know, seeing, like, seeing family members walk around as well in T-shirts and everything like that to support their, you know, the player getting drafted and all that is absolutely phenomenal
2:09
But even just meeting up with like a lot of people I talk with online that I don't get that
2:14
We get that opportunity in person to just interact with them as well. It's always a great opportunity for that
2:20
Don't know what the future holds because it is going to be decentralized. Hopefully media can still go in the future
2:25
I know teams may not, but definitely something I won't forget. didn't forget, you know, the 2023 draft in Nashville
2:32
I'm not forgetting the one in Vegas. Yeah, I mean, I was saying, well, why don't they just do it there every year
2:38
I mean, I have no problem going again. Yeah. I mean, why don't just do it in Vegas every year and have it just that
2:46
But yeah, there's going to be some changes and we'll see how all that kind of plays out
2:51
But if this was the last one, I guess is they go out with a bang. No, no better way to do it
2:56
Like that, right? Yeah. But, yeah, it was really good. And really good draft overall
3:03
I mean, a lot of some surprises in the first round. Nothing really major where we're like, oh, my gosh, what happened
3:10
But I mean, Beckett Seneca going really early, but there was talk of him going early
3:15
So it's not like it was way out of left field that we weren't expecting it
3:20
So, I mean, otherwise, the draft was pretty good. But there was some surprising first round picks
3:25
And we did talk a little bit about it in our reaction. but Peter, what did you find as a surprise that you saw going in the first round
3:34
Yeah, I think we kind of knew Seneca was going to be a top five pick
3:38
but top three was kind of a surprise. So we kind of figured going into the draft that Anaheim is going to throw like a massive
3:45
you know, curball, you know, for the draft. And we kind of knew that Damadov was going number two
3:51
But yeah, Seneca was definitely one of the big surprises there. in terms of like later round picks as well
3:58
about Matthew Gridden was kind of a bit of a reach for the Calgary Flames
4:04
a lot of uncertainty because he was in the USHL no he wasn't in the USHL sorry
4:13
thinking of a different prospect I thought that because he was kind of viewed as maybe like a second or third rounder
4:22
taking him that high. But there's reasons why to suggest that, you know
4:26
he should be a first rounder because of the height advantage, you know
4:30
the size of physicality and the energy that he brings was really great. Actually, I'm completely losing it
4:37
He was in the USHL. Sorry, but I think maybe he was like maybe an early second
4:43
Again, think of a different prospect. Sorry about this, folks. 83 points in 60 games, I mean
4:49
definitely worthy of being a first round pick with that kind of production, but also the size that he brings
4:53
really thought that maybe you still could have had him in the early second round
5:00
and I think maybe there were a little bit more better options for Calgary but I still think they had a phenomenal draft overall
5:04
and you know now there's the talk of him going to the QMJHL
5:10
because his grades aren't good enough for college so not necessarily the direction that they had wanted him to go
5:15
because a lot of teams are going to the USHO collegiate route that was trying hopefully going to work off for him
5:20
unfortunately it isn't But I thought that was maybe one of those picks that kind of surprised me
5:25
But also, you know, Ben Danford to the Maple Leafs. Big shout out to West Clark who just signed with or left with the Maple Leafs
5:33
and signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins who in his media scrummer, media availability
5:38
kind of like Easton Cowan, he was their guy all along. Like he was at the top of their list
5:43
And, you know, he's already impressed at Maple Leafs camp. So that was a bit of a surprise right there because he could have still been had been had
5:51
had in the second round. Napoli's traded down, but they got the player that they wanted
5:56
I thought maybe I wouldn't have passed up on Stan Solberg or E.J. M.ry at that point
6:01
because you know how much I talked about them nonstop. But, you know, you got a lot of Ben Dan for his game
6:06
He's still fearless. He's still relentless in the defensive zone. Plays with that edge and that intensity
6:12
Still got a right-hand shot defender out of it, which is something that they needed. And I think that they came away very well with that pick
6:18
But still a bit of a surprise given where they were initially. Yeah, I mean, I think we maybe expected the police to go off the board
6:28
It seems like they've been doing it lately. And he does fit what it seems like Bradford Living is trying to do, bringing in some more toughness
6:36
And, you know, and he's said, right hand shot. It's still a big thing
6:41
And they like the player and they get them. And that, I mean, that's usually, and like, Easton Cowan's panned out
6:49
I think Danford probably will too. All right. Biggest riser and faller
6:54
I mean, there were a few different guys that kind of rose. I mean
6:58
Seneca definitely did. Who did you see as a big riser and faller in the draft
7:05
So I'm going to go with my follower first, and that's Igor Chernoshov. There is absolutely no way he should have fallen to the second round
7:10
And that's just an absolute steal for the San Jose Sharks, where you had Macklin-Scelebrini with the first pick
7:17
You took Sam Dickinson, who fell out of that top 10, which I don't think he should have
7:21
And now you have another top six forward that felt that a second round
7:26
That should have been a first rounder. I think that was a mistake on some teams. And San Jose literally took advantage of that
7:31
So that was a big surprise there, but a win for them anyways. The other in terms of Riser Carter Yakum Chuck I really thought that picking him over Zane Perak I know both are offensive defensemen and both have their defensive deficiencies but I feel a lot more confident with Zane Perak game
7:52
because he is at least shown improvement in the defensive game and being a little bit more intense
7:57
Again, so work in progress because there are still some of those glasses and, you know
8:02
times where he fades away and the intensity isn't as there. But I still question Yakim Chuck's decision-making
8:09
I think Perak is, maybe going to be in that next tier defender over Yakimchuk
8:14
But we'll see what happens. So all this time, I think a lot of people, including us on here
8:20
felt that same correct was probably the ideal pick for the Ottawa senators, right shot
8:26
Yakumchuk is still a right shot as well. But I think that you get a little, you know a little bit more of what you're getting
8:31
with correct than you are with Yakim Chuck at this point. So that to me was a little bit of a surprise there
8:36
One thing about Yakumchuk is, I really like his, is offensive game
8:41
And I've said this. Absolutely. You can teach the defense, offense. Sadly, you either have those instincts or you don't
8:50
And I think Yakumtruck definitely does. The thing is, I mean, decision making can, of course, be improved
8:56
And by coaching with stuff like that and with just maturity, I'm playing in the league
9:01
I think he may take a bit more time to make at the NHL
9:06
while Perak may be able to be in the, be in the league a lot sooner
9:12
Who knows? I mean, both picks, I mean, with those defensements, really you can't go wrong
9:17
where they went. And we'll see how each of them go as their development goes
9:24
All right. Let's talk about some draft classes. I mean, we all have our favorites
9:29
And when you look at the different draft classes overall, not just their first round picks, who is your favorite draft class overall of the 32 teams
9:37
I have a few actually quite a few I'm really a big fan of what
9:44
Utah did you know getting T's a game on Coldboat went two different forwards with different play styles
9:50
but you know players that they needed up front and you know we knew Tidge was going to be in that top
9:55
six or seven range anyway so somebody was going to take them and I'm glad Utah did
9:59
Cold Boat went hard worker kind of fits that you know tall you know physical being up front
10:05
as opposed to on defense right now because we know how much size they have on the back end
10:09
I thought that was a really good ad up front. But Thomas Lavoie and Vieti Vison
10:13
and I thought were good third round selections as well. Owen Lillard was a good, you know, late round pick to, you know
10:20
give a chance on an overager. I thought Utah really did a really good job in that draft class
10:26
but we want to talk about, like, you know, finding talent in the later rounds
10:30
To me, I think in A or even close in A plus go to Carolina hurricanes
10:35
I mean, Dominic Padinka and. wrote Nikita Artamanov. I know he's kind of fallen into the second round, but that's great
10:41
value at the 50th overall. Benica, I was high on him being a first rounder, but even after that
10:46
Noel France and Oscar Vuola, Justin Porriere, they're betting on a lot of upside with those
10:51
picks. And we know that, you know, Carolina tends to go for those players that have those high
10:59
upside that don't show it now, but the potential is very much there. And, you know, we're seeing that
11:05
with some of those picks. And I'm a big fan of some of those players that, you know, probably should have been a little bit higher up
11:09
Or if I'm a team, I'm like, I got to take this guy right here. I would take Noel Franson. Yeah
11:14
A little bit higher up. I had him as a second rounder, but you know what? Getting him in the third round
11:18
still good value. Oscar Vole was one player that I was really high on in the second half
11:23
Great pickup right there. So, um, yeah, I think those are some of the two that really stood out for me in terms of like
11:29
having a good draft. Obviously the easy answer was going to be San Jose. Yeah
11:33
I mean, because they get an A plus. anyways, but I saw it from San Jose
11:37
I think those are my other top two in terms of favorite drafts. Mine's in Minnesota Wild
11:43
I mean, you're looking at Zee Boom, Ryder Richie, Aaron Kirby Harju
11:47
way down in the fourth round. I mean, even Sebastian Soni in the fifth round is a pretty good pick
11:55
then down there. They just loaded up on pretty much defensemen. I mean, Ryder Richie is a forward
12:01
But, you know, Boom and Kirby Harrow on a team that, their prospect pool doesn't have a lot of defense
12:08
Now they're pretty loaded prospect-wise and young player. I mean, Brock Faber and Zee, boom, oh my gosh
12:14
I mean, in the future, those two guys are just going to, they're just going to eat up the minutes and dominate on the back end
12:20
And getting Richie in the second round, I mean, we talked about him potentially being a first round pick
12:26
It's pretty good at 45th overall. And then, like, Kivie Haru could have been
12:31
what's talked about as being a top 15 pick at one point. and he falls all the way down to the fourth round
12:37
I don't know if any of us I expected him to fall that far
12:41
I think it was maybe second round, but going down to the fourth, that was a pretty big surprise
12:46
Every time the rounds kept going, I'm like, Kimi, R you hasn't been picked
12:50
I don't get it. Yeah. But, I mean, for reasons we understand why. Yeah
12:55
we understand why. I mean, injury problems and, of course, his size
12:58
I mean, he's an undersized defenseman. But, I mean, I still think he's going to be a really
13:05
good defender in the future and the while they're just going to benefit from it
13:11
Worked out for Jared Spurgeon. Yeah, right? I said that to Mariah right after the drive
13:15
I said, well, he's not the same defenseman as Spurgeon because I think Spurgeon's a lot more
13:20
physical and he blocks shots a lot more than Kiviru, but you never know what Kibhi
13:27
you will develop into and we'll see. But they do have experience drafting undersized defensemen and then panning out
13:34
So, I mean, Spurton is a lot older now since he was drafted. All right
13:39
So now let's go to the other side. Underwhelming. I mean, there were some teams that didn't have first round picks
13:45
I didn't have them. But overall, who, who'd you feel kind of, I mean, it's hard to say because they obviously liked their picks
13:53
I mean, they're not thinking that they had a bad draft. But on the outside, who do you feel didn't have the strongest coming out of this one
14:01
I mean, again, I really like New York Rangers taking E.J. Emery, again, I think any team would love taking E.J. Emery
14:14
But after that, again, they didn't pick until the fourth round. Then they had their fifth or sixth round. Obviously, they were betting high on training a lot of those picks to win now, go on a deep run, which they did
14:24
Just didn't quite work out. But, you know, aside for me, J. Emery, Rowe Boyard, a good two-way player
14:31
but you know you're looking at a play with like middle six upside as well especially in that
14:35
later round um again not a lot it's hard to say when you have four picks as well but i'm going
14:42
to also pick the Tampa bay lightning um again didn't again didn't pick the total fourth round either
14:48
i know it's it's hard to do that but i really did like the hagenborough's pick i i use one player
14:53
that i was really liked in the second half and i did his prospect profile on but after that
14:58
it just seemed like they're just taking a chance with a lot of of their picks as well, which that's basically what it is in the later round
15:05
You don't know what's going to happen as a result, but we know how good that they can develop
15:10
prospects, even if they just pan out and meet their, you know, low floor and not a high ceiling
15:16
Tampa Bay Lightning know how to do that. But I know they got a lot of picks in the later rounds, but aside from Hagenborough
15:22
I just thought they could have done a little bit more. Yeah it tough judging teams that don have picks in the later rounds but yeah and you never know some of these guys will probably will pan out The fact that the lightning are able to do this every year they got guys that come out of these later rounds and be good players
15:41
It's, they're just good at it. So, I mean, maybe underwhelming looking at it right now
15:46
but maybe a couple, a few years down the road will be like, oh, that was a good pick
15:50
That was a good draft. So that would probably happen. All right
15:55
Favorite pick from the entire draft. Now this is a hard one to pick because there's quite a few players that we probably like
16:01
But just based on fit, based on, you know, whatever criteria you want to pick on being favorite
16:09
who's your favorite pick? Oh, that is tough. You know what
16:19
I'm going to say DeLiturno to Boston. Again, a team that really only had very little picks
16:25
They had a first rounder, but they made it. count because he definitely fits that mold of that boss of Bruins type player. He's definitely got the size
16:32
advantage. I think he clocked in at 6-6, 6-7, 210 pounds, and he's got a bullet of a shot
16:40
Moves very, very well for his size. And if he could learn to play with that boss mentality
16:45
with that little bit of an edge, and he's a centerman up the middle too. Hopefully you can
16:51
package everything together, develop sooner than later, and then he can make a big jump to the
16:56
Bruins. I don't know if that's likely, but I really do like that pick because he kind of fits
17:01
that mold of what they value in a prospect and what he possibly could be. That to me was my
17:10
favorite pick overall. I probably could. Again, there's probably many others. I'm also going to say
17:18
you know, Sam O'Reilly to the Eminton Oilers. I think they need a little bit more, not necessarily
17:22
grit and sandpaper, but they need a little bit more of that forechecking mentality in their
17:26
system. They really didn't have that. And he surprised a lot in that second half and even the
17:30
playoff run too. So I really thought that that was a good pick for them, especially towards the late
17:36
end of the first round. Again, there's a lot of buzz about his two-way play, his ability to be in the
17:41
right spot at the right time. And when you're playing with Connor McDavid and or Lee and Dreisdell
17:45
in the future, I think that's all what you could do is be in the right place at the right time
17:50
We saw how that worked out with a lot of those players on that team. where if you're just doing what you need to do
17:55
and you let them do a lot of the work but you help them out and give them support, good things are going to happen
17:59
So I think that's a good pick. I like the O'Reilly pick to the Oilers
18:03
I mean, them getting back into the first round was a huge thing for them
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to be able to get a prospect and get a first rounder and picking O'Reilly
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who you said could potentially be put into the first round and he was right at the end
18:18
So a good pick. I think he'll probably be really good for the O'Reilly. Oilers
18:23
I like, there's a few I could probably pick too. I really liked the Justin Porriere one to Carolina because I'm like
18:30
that really fits what they usually do. It's a total Carolina pick. It's a whole pick for them because, you know, they pick the undersized guys all the
18:39
time and they seem to pan out, you know, Seth Jarvis being a big one
18:45
And you look at Justin Porreier, we talked about him being an actual, being able to be
18:51
a steal down wherever he was. was going to go and Dayton said he was probably going to go in the later rounds and it's funny how
18:57
we I messaged him right after is that of course it's Carolina that picks him and it's funny because
19:04
he sent the same message to me almost around the same time though yeah good pick for the hurricane
19:11
I think that was my favorite overall because of course everyone knows I love the undersized guys
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getting a chance and Carolina seems to be able to give that chance a lot of the time so
19:22
I really like that one. All right, before we move on to our steals, potential steals, that is
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Got to tell everyone about our substack at the hockey writers, our prospects focused one
19:36
that gives you all the best articles of prospect-related stuff. Not as much now because the draft's over, but a lot of the teams are, a lot of the writing
19:46
teams are looking at their prospect pool, the different draft classes. So definitely take a look at the prospect
19:52
substack and also we got the premium tier that gives you all the best articles from all of our
19:58
premium part of the substack so make sure you're checking that out all right let's talk about
20:04
some steals i peter let's start with the first round i mean it's hard to kind of see steel but
20:09
where guys are picked i who would you find who are you going to find a steel potentially down the
20:17
road here i mean i think the easy one is leam green tree 26 to l.a
20:22
I think a lot of us had him as a top 20 pick for him to fall that far
20:29
I mean, we've talked about how Cole Iserman, that's another one right there
20:33
Cole Iserman to the New York Islander is how, you know, the top goal score in the draft, if he falls out, a playoff team, that's going to be a huge steal right there
20:39
There's one right there. And Liam Green Tree, you know, again, the Windsor Spitfires weren't the best team
20:44
but he was the long bright side. I mean, he had like upwards of 96 points or I think he had 96 points
20:52
So, sorry, 90 points. That's the last season. So I don't know what the issue may have been
21:02
If it is this foot speed and skating, again, he does a lot more to make up for that lack of skating in his game
21:09
So I really thought that that could potentially be a steal right then and there
21:14
But I think those two are the ones that stand up the most. I was definitely Green Tree
21:20
I mean, he's, you know, going to a playoff. team. And again, and also, Eisenman, I really thought he was going to be drafted a lot sooner
21:29
And, you know, we all know probably why he dropped. But going to the Islanders, that's a team that really needs a guy like that in their
21:38
prospect pool. So I think, yeah, Eisenman is definitely one too. All right
21:43
Moving to the second round, who's that potential steal from there? Um, again, I think the easy one would be writer Richie
21:53
I think there's a lot more potential and or not necessarily potential, but a lot of the
21:58
offensive skill set in his game that picked up towards the second half. I know he dealt with injuries, but I thought that that was, you know, they took advantage of
22:05
a late fall at Riley height last year. And I think they did the same thing right now with Rider Richie
22:10
And I think he could definitely be that middle six player that can, you know, definitely change
22:15
the pace of play right like in an instant. And I think that in today's game, you had those deceptive kind of players and he could be very
22:23
much B1 as well. Also, Leo Selina Well, Wienius at 53, I think maybe should have just been a tad bit higher
22:30
But, you know, again, we talk about how great the San Jose draft class was. Getting another puck moving defender at that range, I think is going to go well
22:39
I think it was very smart for them to find the players that they did right there
22:44
So I thought those two were the ones that instantly stand up for me as potential steals in that round
22:51
Yeah. And Teddy Stiego was also a big one. I mean, we talked about him being a first round pick at time there
22:58
And he really bumped his draft stock up. And going in the second round, I still, that's a, I think could potentially be a steal
23:06
He could have been a first round pick. Yeah. And there were a few that dropped into that second round from the first because of the guys being surprises going in the first round that definitely could potentially be steals too All right we not going to go each round Just go from rounds three to seven and look at some guys there
23:27
I mean, there's an obvious one. Aaron Kimi Haru is probably the biggest steal there in fourth round
23:32
Could potentially be a top pairing defenseman down the road. So, Peter, anyone else that you're kind of looking at from the rest of the draft
23:41
this is an easy one seattle cracking taking yakubovs everaer at 200 second overall i i do not understand
23:48
how you could let a well-rounded defender in his first season in the oh hl coming over from europe
23:55
fall that much because i know the steelheads had some you know they had their moments they had their
24:01
ups and downs they didn't have the best playoff but i thought yakov febiger was a very strong pillar on
24:05
that back end and he adapted very very well from the beginning of the season till now i mean you
24:11
was among some of the top rookie defenders in production. He had 43 points
24:17
I really thought that he could have easily been a fourth rounder
24:22
maybe the latest of fifth. Again, I was probably a little bit higher up, but I had him ranked third
24:27
So I think if he went anywhere in that range, it would have been great value. But to see him drop as far as he did
24:32
that is not necessarily concerning, but it's just value for the Seattle Cracken
24:39
who needed some more steady, reliable kind of two-way defenders. He was definitely one of them or has that upside to be a two-way player, very strong
24:48
defensively and even plays with a bit of an edge as well. So, yeah, he finished fifth in rookie scoring all last season
24:54
He was the lone defender in rookie scoring in that top five. So big upside there
25:00
That is a mistake to let him drop two, three rounds after where he should have been
25:07
100%. One other guy I'll mention is Raston Leenders. seventh round pick
25:12
I mean, we were talking about him being the first goaltender off the board
25:16
And one of the first, and he goes almost to the end, 219th overall to the Buffalo Sabres
25:23
I mean, the Sabres don't really need goaltending. But when you see a guy like that in the seventh round, take him
25:30
I mean, who knows? I mean, he could end up being your starter down the road, which he definitely has that potential
25:35
I'm not sure why he dropped so far. a really good gold tender i don't know
25:41
so yeah that that was a definite big one for me all right quick fire and these are all the some quick ones
25:49
you don't need to really say big explanations so what prospect are you most excited to watch
25:57
this coming season from the strap class obviously from it so it is from this from this draft yeah um
26:04
so even if they go back to junior it's still yeah someone just excited to watch overall
26:12
I'm curious to see the steps that Jets Luchenko is going to take
26:16
The Philadelphia Flyers, you know, Belize swapped picks to move down to take them
26:23
And again, I'm very high on his two-way game, the speed and pace that he plays at
26:27
the playmaking style, took a big step this year on a Guelph Storm team
26:32
that was kind of, you know, average, 74 points, a big jump of production
26:36
I want to see what he can do next year. And I think he's going to have a big draft season or draft year plus one season
26:43
As a result of that, I think he's very determined, very driven. And I think he's definitely going to be his top prospect in the flyer system from here on out
26:52
That was a really good pick by the Flyers. I'm excited to see what he can do
26:56
I'm excited to see, I mean, this is going to be an obvious one. I'm just going to say it, though
27:00
Macklin Celebrating. I want to see what he's going to do in this first season in San Jose
27:05
I mean, that's because he's definitely signed his entry level, so he will be playing there
27:10
And, you know, teaming up with Will Smith, that's going to be a real exciting
27:15
I mean, the sharks could surprise. I mean, I don't think they're doing anything substantial
27:19
But just watching those two play a season in San Jose. It's going to be pretty good, I think
27:25
And then with their other Eklund, another year with him, yeah, I'm excited to see what
27:30
celebrating can do. Obvious one, but you got to say it. All right
27:35
Now, speaking at this time next year, who will we be talking about as a standout
27:42
I mean, we will be doing this, who stood out? Who do you think we'll have the biggest standout year
27:51
Lots to choose from. Lots to choose from because a lot of these, like a lot of this is a lot of hypothetical
27:59
I think Liam Green Tree is going to stand out. I think the fact that he had 90 points a season, I really think he's going to crack
28:04
that century mark next season. And again, if he has a little bit more, you know, a little bit more to work with
28:13
And again, the fact that he was able to put up 90 points in a season where he was the lone
28:17
bright side says a lot. So imagine if what he can do with some a little bit more extra talent on his on at his disposal
28:25
I think he's going to still, whether he has that talent or not, I still think he's going to have a standout season
28:29
I think he's going to take a big step forward with his progression. And, you know, hopefully we can see a little bit more
28:34
of that extra speed that everyone has been wanting to see. Yeah, I think, I think that's one
28:41
I mean, also the Spitfire is going to be a lot better this year. I'm thinking, I will be
28:48
But, yeah, we'll see. We'll see what happens. All right, a couple quick ones here
28:53
What pick from this draft class? I'm going to take celebrating out of this conversation because we, of course, he's going to be in the NHL for a whole year
29:01
I would think. They're not going to send him anywhere. who could play a full season in the NHL other than celebrating
29:10
I mean, I think it goes right back to Artem Lefshunov. I think, excuse me, I think he's the one player that, you know
29:18
can make that jump relatively a little bit sooner rather than later
29:22
I mean, you don't want to thrust a top right-hand defenseman into the fold right away
29:27
The fact that he signed basically means I don't think he's going back to college, himself as well
29:33
So if he's going to the AHL as well, I think that maybe a good spot for him
29:40
and then maybe get called up. But if they want to give him that chance, an opportunity to run with that spot
29:45
and be that, you know, factor on defense. So be it a little bit
29:49
so a little bit concerning with his defensive game. I think he's still need to work some things out. But he's probably the next best one
29:54
to make the jump right away full time. Yeah, for sure. I mean, I think Love Shunov will be given the chance
30:00
at the beginning of the season. But yeah, you can be sent down to the HL and see what he can do there first
30:07
But we'll see. We'll see how it all goes. All right. A quick Calder trophy contenders, other than the Celebrini, because he's going to be a big, big one
30:17
Who else is going to challenge him? I mean, it could be Will Smith on the same team as him
30:23
Who else are you kind of eyeing as an early contender for the Calder? Petter Gochi and Logan Stankelvin
30:29
I think that Goce has not necessarily a lot to prove, but the fact that he's in an environment now where he wants to be in
30:36
I think he's going to thrive as a result of that. And even Logan Stancovin, after what he did last season during that last stretch and even into the postseason
30:44
he's going to be even more hungry. So I think those are two names that could challenge Macklin for the top rookie
30:50
All right. Well, we'll see how that all goes. But thanks, Peter, for coming on and talking draft and all that
30:56
But make sure check on everything else at the hogggers.com. Until next time, we'll see on another episode of Prospect Corner
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