2015 NHL Entry Draft

[rdowdall]

How does one consider a draft a success by a team?  If they get one top line talent out of the draft?  If they get two third line players out of the draft?  I only ask because I went back through Detroit's draft history and they did have some lean years.  If you want to look at it here is the link:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/teams/dr00005492.html

Some years that stick out to me:

2004 - They got Franzen and nothing else.
2003 - They got their goalie, but little else
2002 - Interesting year, they drafted 4 current NHLers, although only 1 is still with the team.  (Interesting note, look at that Fleischman trade.  Seems like a weak deal for Detroit)
2001 - They got nothing
2000 - They drafted their current #1 goalie, and another NHLer that moved on.
1999 and 1998 - The Zetterberg and Datsyuk drafts.

Here is what I find interesting:

1997, 1996, 1995 - Very little is drafted here.

I find this interesting, because if you think about it Lidstrom retired having played for the same team and he made the playoffs every single year he played.  There is a possibility that Kronvall, Franzen, Zetterberg, and Datsyuk could also join that list.

I think a lot of Detroit's long term success was built around 2 things:

1. Drafting Yzerman in 1984
2. Having a phenomenal draft in 1989

Those two things allowed them to put this model in place where they can push players in to the pipeline as needed and take their time with their prospects.  Not one player from their last three drafts has played an NHL game yet.

 

[Al14]

Best draft in years, we have to makes some more trades, at least get another 1st and two 2nds, would be nice to stock up the cupboards.

Would be nice, however, you have to have willing trade partners.  The other 29 teams likely covet their draft picks due to the quality of the draft.

At least one more 1st rounder, and, a few of 2nds, would surely be nice to acquire from trading Phaneuf and Kessel.

 

[bustaheims]

Those two things allowed them to put this model in place where they can push players in to the pipeline as needed and take their time with their prospects.  Not one player from their last three drafts has played an NHL game yet.

Not having any players from their last 3 drafts in the NHL is largely intentional on their part. Detroit is pretty well known for not promoting players to the NHL level until they're more than ready to take on the job on a full-time basis. Also, I think you're looking too closely at specific drafts rather than the big picture in Detroit. A very large percentage of their roster are their own draft picks (among, if not, the largest percentages in the league). Their top 8 scorers are all their own picks. As is their starting goalie. They've built their team through the draft. That's what makes for successful drafting.

 

[rdowdall]

Those two things allowed them to put this model in place where they can push players in to the pipeline as needed and take their time with their prospects.  Not one player from their last three drafts has played an NHL game yet.

Not having any players from their last 3 drafts in the NHL is largely intentional on their part. Detroit is pretty well known for not promoting players to the NHL level until they're more than ready to take on the job on a full-time basis. Also, I think you're looking too closely at specific drafts rather than the big picture in Detroit. A very large percentage of their roster are their own draft picks (among, if not, the largest percentages in the league). Their top 8 scorers are all their own picks. As is their starting goalie. They've built their team through the draft. That's what makes for successful drafting.

Sorry my point about them not playing any of their players in the last three years was more to illustrate them not having to do so, which is what you are saying. 

I guess what I found interesting is that Detroit doesn't always hit the jackpot every draft, and yet they have found a way to maintain this consistent level of success.  I personally thought they would drop off when Yzerman retired.  Then again when Lidstrom retired.  Now When Datsyuk retires...

But the drop off doesn't seem to happen, and they are able to weather those years where their drafting is subpar by supplementing their roster through other means.  The core though remains intact.

 

[bustaheims]

But the drop off doesn't seem to happen, and they are able to weather those years where their drafting is subpar by supplementing their roster through other means.  The core though remains intact.

During the hey-days of free agency, yes, Detroit supplemented their roster through other means, but, over the last 10-15 years, they've done it largely through the draft. They only have a handful of players on their roster that were drafted by other organizations. Even without necessarily producing a ton of elite talent, they've become the standard for drafting and development because they almost always leave the draft with a future full-time NHL contributor, regardless of how many picks they have or what rounds they are in.

 

[Redleaf]

Can we get a consensus on who the Leafs should pick at #4 if Strome goes to Edmonton?

Which brings up another question: would the oilers really pass on Hanifin and pick Strome when they are in desperate need of quality defensemen, and after they have drafted mostly offensive players with their top 5 selections over the years?

Who would the Leafs pick... Hanifin, Marner, Crouse...others?

 

[Boston Leaf]

well Hunter should have a pretty good read on Marner one way or another

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Can we get a consensus on who the Leafs should pick at #4 if Strome goes to Edmonton?

Which brings up another question: would the oilers really pass on Hanifin and pick Strome when they are in desperate need of quality defensemen, and after they have drafted mostly offensive players with their top 5 selections over the years?

Who would the Leafs pick... Hanifin, Marner, Crouse...others?

It'd be a pretty big shock if Hanifin dropped to 4th. It'd be an even bigger one if he dropped to 5th.

 

[Kin]

I'd be perfectly happy with Hanifin if Strome is gone. Might even be better.

 

[Bullfrog]

Can we get a consensus on who the Leafs should pick at #4 if Strome goes to Edmonton?

Which brings up another question: would the oilers really pass on Hanifin and pick Strome when they are in desperate need of quality defensemen, and after they have drafted mostly offensive players with their top 5 selections over the years?

Who would the Leafs pick... Hanifin, Marner, Crouse...others?

Just based on what I've read (and I've done quite a bit recently) I'd go with Hanifin. A Reilly-Hanifin duo would be outstanding. Hanifin sounds like the real deal.

I'd be pleased as punch with Marner too. It'll be one of those two, I'm sure of that.

 

[Kin]

It'd be a pretty big shock if Hanifin dropped to 4th. It'd be an even bigger one if he dropped to 5th.

Maybe but I wonder how things will go if some team leapfrogs to win the Lottery. If Eichel/McDavid go to Buffalo and Arizona it seems pretty likely that Edmonton would take Hanifin. But if Buffalo or Arizona pick third they might be inclined to still go with a Centre like Strome.

 

[rdowdall]

It'd be a pretty big shock if Hanifin dropped to 4th. It'd be an even bigger one if he dropped to 5th.

Maybe but I wonder how things will go if some team leapfrogs to win the Lottery. If Eichel/McDavid go to Buffalo and Arizona it seems pretty likely that Edmonton would take Hanifin. But if Buffalo or Arizona pick third they might be inclined to still go with a Centre like Strome.

If the Leafs draft Crouse, I'm done.  I'm saying that now.  I like all of you, I wish it could be different, but if they draft Crouse, I'm out.

 

[herman]

It'd be a pretty big shock if Hanifin dropped to 4th. It'd be an even bigger one if he dropped to 5th.

Maybe but I wonder how things will go if some team leapfrogs to win the Lottery. If Eichel/McDavid go to Buffalo and Arizona it seems pretty likely that Edmonton would take Hanifin. But if Buffalo or Arizona pick third they might be inclined to still go with a Centre like Strome.

If the Leafs draft Crouse, I'm done.  I'm saying that now.  I like all of you, I wish it could be different, but if they draft Crouse, I'm out.

What if we draft him with the Nashville pick; would you leave us then?

 

[rdowdall]

It'd be a pretty big shock if Hanifin dropped to 4th. It'd be an even bigger one if he dropped to 5th.

Maybe but I wonder how things will go if some team leapfrogs to win the Lottery. If Eichel/McDavid go to Buffalo and Arizona it seems pretty likely that Edmonton would take Hanifin. But if Buffalo or Arizona pick third they might be inclined to still go with a Centre like Strome.

If the Leafs draft Crouse, I'm done.  I'm saying that now.  I like all of you, I wish it could be different, but if they draft Crouse, I'm out.

What if we draft him with the Nashville pick; would you leave us then?

No, he's fine there, but I don't feel you burn a top 5 pick on a guy that is basically Frederick Guathier on the wing.  In my mind he is Taylor Pyatt, or Brett Lindros. 

What would people think about a centre lineup of:

Strome, Kadri, Gauthier, Carrick

in three years time?  Looks pretty good to me.  The wings are filled out with the likes of JVR, Brown, Nylander and Leivo.  Maybe even Biggs gets to play on the 4rth line.  If Strome isn't an option then Marner or Hannifin change the strength of the team, but still it should be a more competitive group. 

And you really shouldn't be all that worried about me leaving.  Part of me thinks that I am the reason the Leafs lose.  I may try an experiment next year to switch to cheering for the first overall team half way through the season to see if I can crater their record.  It would be a cool super power to have, albeit a frustrating one.  Maybe teams would pay me not to cheer for them.  I could hold fan bases ransom.  Don't make me cheer for your team. 

 

[bustaheims]

Maybe but I wonder how things will go if some team leapfrogs to win the Lottery. If Eichel/McDavid go to Buffalo and Arizona it seems pretty likely that Edmonton would take Hanifin. But if Buffalo or Arizona pick third they might be inclined to still go with a Centre like Strome.

Buffalo are pretty deep in terms of non-generational talent C prospects and some quality D prospects. They don't seem to much in terms of scoring wingers, though. If they up drafting 3rd, I could see going for Marner.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

[tweet]586549734992642048[/tweet]

[tweet]586551595489435648[/tweet]

@scottcwheeler 

I wonder if recent drops for Hanifin are a matter of over-exposure. People are down on his shot, but he does everything else exceptionally.

@scottcwheeler 

Also: Noah Hanifin can play in the NHL next season.

Wheeler is a writer for McKeen's.

 

[Kin]

Maybe but I wonder how things will go if some team leapfrogs to win the Lottery. If Eichel/McDavid go to Buffalo and Arizona it seems pretty likely that Edmonton would take Hanifin. But if Buffalo or Arizona pick third they might be inclined to still go with a Centre like Strome.

Buffalo are pretty deep in terms of non-generational talent C prospects and some quality D prospects. They don't seem to much in terms of scoring wingers, though. If they up drafting 3rd, I could see going for Marner.

Could be but I'm sort of getting the sense that Marner's fairly widely perceived as being solidly in 5th place among the consensus top 5.

 

[pmrules]

[tweet]586549734992642048[/tweet]

[tweet]586551595489435648[/tweet]

@scottcwheeler 

I wonder if recent drops for Hanifin are a matter of over-exposure. People are down on his shot, but he does everything else exceptionally.

@scottcwheeler 

Also: Noah Hanifin can play in the NHL next season.

Wheeler is a writer for McKeen's.

There is no doubt...if he falls to 4, we take him. 

That being said i know nothing about him, since I never thought we had a shot.  What kind of a player is he?  Is he strong in his own end?  Is he an offense first type, or an all rounder?

Nevertheless, I would love the fact that Reilly, Gardiner and Hanifin could patrol the blue line for the next decade or so and have 3/4 of a future top 4 all set.  Heck, maybe Percy  can develop further and we've got the makings of a future top 4.  It also gives you freedom to move Phaneuf at some point when the leafs are able to cut the cord, for forward prospect type assets and/or Picks.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

There is no doubt...if he falls to 4, we take him. 

That being said i know nothing about him, since I never thought we had a shot.  What kind of a player is he?  Is he strong in his own end?  Is he an offense first type, or an all rounder?

Nevertheless, I would love the fact that Reilly, Gardiner and Hanifin could patrol the blue line for the next decade or so and have 3/4 of a future top 4 all set.  Heck, maybe Percy  can develop further and we've got the makings of a future top 4.  It also gives you freedom to move Phaneuf at some point when the leafs are able to cut the cord, for forward prospect type assets and/or Picks.

Here's a link to a bit more info + some video: http://www.mynhldraft.com/2015/NHL-Draft-Profiles/Noah-Hanifin

 

[Lynx]

There is no doubt...if he falls to 4, we take him. 

That being said i know nothing about him, since I never thought we had a shot.  What kind of a player is he?  Is he strong in his own end?  Is he an offense first type, or an all rounder?

Nevertheless, I would love the fact that Reilly, Gardiner and Hanifin could patrol the blue line for the next decade or so and have 3/4 of a future top 4 all set.  Heck, maybe Percy  can develop further and we've got the makings of a future top 4.  It also gives you freedom to move Phaneuf at some point when the leafs are able to cut the cord, for forward prospect type assets and/or Picks.

It would be like Seth Jones falling to four all over again.

The key thing that makes me say you take him and run is that defensemen almost always take longer to develop and you're probably better off getting them at the beginning of the rebuild and the scoring forwards last. It doesn't always work out that way of course, but it might be a way to avoid what happened to Edmonton. Having Reilly and Gardner on the team already puts them in a good spot going forward.