The first round is done. All the glitz and glamour of staring at a TV for 4 hours is over, and now the Oilers have some decisions to make. After all, we still have the 31st overall pick which is nothing to sneeze at, as it should still net us a first-round talent. Who is still available with this pick?
Brandon Saad: LW Saginaw, OHL
From Bob McKenzie: Strengths - possesses all the tools. with size, strength, shot, skating and hands all above average. Capable of driving to the net and working effectively along the wall. Weaknesses - Doesn't show up to compete every night,lacks passion at times. Left scouts wanting more effort and production. NHL Upside - Has the physical tools to be an imposing top-six forward, but will need to improve his work ethic.
Rocco Grimaldi: C US NTDP
Bob again: Strengths - A feisty little warrior. when he's going his feet never stop, fearless on the puck, character guy, plays hard, strong core and lower body, likes to score goals, skilled puck carrier and sniper. Weaknesses - He's only 5-6. Can try to do too much by himself and overhandle the puck. NHL Upside - Has drawn comparison to Theo Fleury and Marty St. Louis. His lack of height shouldn't hinder him from becoming a top-six forward at the NHL level.
Ty Rattie: RW Portland, WHL
Bob: Strengths - Skilled winger who sees the ice well, gifted around the net, swift skater and top-end puck skills. Weaknesses - more of a projection than Rattie, has to build his strength and continue working on his all-around game. NHL Upside - draws some comparisons to Jordan Eberle. May be a top-six forward with time if he's willing to compete hard enough, but he's raw, will need to add strength.
Boone Jenner: C Oshawa, OHL
Bob: Strengths - Exemplary work ethic and leadership qualities, fights through everything. Strong desire to succeed, has a physical edge to his game. Keen hockey sense, above average vision, anticipation and playmaking abilities, plays in all situations. Weaknesses - Skating is not great, short stride and a wide track, can't stop and start very well. NHL Upside - Will be a favourite of his coaches wherever he plays. Has the desire to succeed that leads most to believe he will overcome skating deficiencies. Will likely wear a letter for an NHL team some day.
Tomas Jurco: RW St John, QMJHL
Bob: Strengths - Has top ten skills with elite puckhandling abilities and excellent skating agility, has all the physical attributes to be a star. Weaknesses - very inconsistent, is a star one night and accomplishes little the next. Not overly gritty, tends to stay to the outside of the play. NHL Upside - Risky pick in the first round who may be a top-two winger (think a more skilled Michael Frolik), or could struggle for ice time due to inconsistencies.
John Gibson: G US NTDP
Bob: Strengths - Composed, technically sound, competitive. Bounces back strongly from letting in bad goals, good mental strength. Good puckhandler, decent glove and quickness. Plays soundly in big-game situations. Weaknesses - No elite qualities to his game, not tremendously gifted athletically. Must work on his consistency. NHL Upside - Will likely be the first goalie selected and in a few years vie strongly for NHL playing time. May only be a backup, but a poised one with winning pedigree.
----------------------------------------------
Still a lot of talent here and the Oilers have a lot of different player types to choose from, although there doesn’t appear to be a defenseman that stands out amongst the crowd of forwards. I’ve also included goalie Gibson in the mix because, well he was a projected first rounder and the consensus best goalie of the draft.
We’re not going to get an offensive juggernaut with our second round pick, I think that’s fairly certain. Should we still target an offensive talent like Ty Rattie in the hopes that we get lucky?I don’t think he fits the draft mantra of the Oilers. He’s undersized and unlike RNH, no sure thing that he’ll be an offensive force. He also lacks the secondary skills that ensure he’d at least be a serviceable 3-4 line guy. The same argument goes for Tomas Jurco. He’s got the size Rattie lacks but questions about his desire and compete level scare me off.
Like 5 in Monty Python’s Holy Grail, Rocco Grimaldi is right out. Oilers fans would riot in the streets over the selection of the smallest player eligible for this year’s draft.
After deliberation, the guy I like best at #31 is Boone Jenner. He’s not going to make the NHL due to his offensive skills though they’re present, but he’s not going to take a shift off. A very Anton Lander-esque pick.
Whoever we pick tomorrow, it will be done after a good night’s sleep and hopefully much deliberation. We’ve made two solid selections thus far in Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Oscar Klefbom, but adding a third blue-chipper from the 2011 draft would be another feather in the cap of our scouting department.
In Stu We Trust
No comments:
Post a Comment