1 | | - | | The pick is a forgone conclusion, but it is especially fitting considering Grier played a role in recruiting Celebrini to Boston University. So even if there were a debate between Demidov and Celebrini, Grier takes Macklin. |
2 | | - | | Hawks first 10 picks last year were: C, C, G, RW, C, RW, C, C, LW, C…they are due a dman. They have Korchinski and Vlassic locking down left side for next decade or so. So the answer is easy. |
3 | | - | | Verbeek has two drafts under his watch. His picks thus far: 6'2", 6'3", 6'5", 6'2", 6'3", 6'1", 6'3", 6'4", 6'3", 6'2", 6'0", 6'6", 6'0", 6'0", 6'5", 6'2", 6'2" (and only one Russian that was playing out of OHL). |
4 | | - | | Unknown GM; but CBJ has already built a nice stable of Russian forwards (Chinakhov, Marchenko, Voronkov, and Dolzhenkov) and have only Werenski signed after next year. |
5 | | - | | Kent has shown he is willing to draft Russians and smaller players, but would it be a lock that he would take Demidov if he fell? (He didn't even scout Michkov last year). |
6 | | - | | Armstrong doesn't get enough credit for pulling off something unexpected moves at recent drafts. Last year, he made two surprise picks (Simashev, But) but also previously pulled off some big trades: The Ekman-Larsson cap move with Vancouver in 2021; and trading up from #27 to #11 in 2022. If Demidov were to fall, this is probably where we start looking for trade. But if not, the surprise may be a pick like this one... |
7 | | - | | Staois has no known draft history (at least at pro level). We do have an idea about the teams needs...and know Ottawa hasn't had a high pick since 2020 (unless you count Boucher). Would Demidov be too much risk for a first ever choice of new GM? |
8 | | - | | In his first three years in Carolina, Francis took defensemen with his first selection in 2014, 2015 and 2016 drafts. But in Seattle, he has opted for only forwards in first round thus far. And of eleven picks in first three rounds since he arrived, only two have been spent on D. |
9 | | - | | Conroy has only one draft under his belt, and just six picks. But only one was under 6'2" and none under 6'0". They have a lot of holes to fill (and may end the day with more picks). Conventional wisdom says he goes with familiar choice....but, Conroy has been know to change his mind last minute. |
10 | | - | | Fitzgerald's drafts have been dman heavy (and favored Europeans), but the common feature has been skating ability. Fitzgerald has also said on record that he wants "long, mobile" dmen, and isn't looking for "more of the same" at forward (smaller, skilled guys). |
11 | | - | | Only 2 of 13 picks that Adams has made in first two rounds have been dmen (Power, Strbak). And with a young group of forwards like Peterka, Quinn, Benson, Kulich, Ostlund, Rosen, Savoie (and Thompson, Tuch, Cozens)....one has to think they take a dman, particularly one who plays right side. May be bit of a reach, but high floor dmen as any of the 1st rounders. |
12 | | - | | Briere's second draft, and hard to spot any preferences for league, size, style. But luck may fall into Philly's lap again, and lead to Demidov and Michkov both on Flyers. But does that route check any boxes for Briere? A top-six center is atop their list and if a good one reaches them, how much do they weigh positional need this high? |
13 | | - | | Guerins picks have emphasized skill at forward; and nuts and bolts defense on blueline (and have tended to be a bit smaller than average). Wearing two hats these days could lead to case for Eiserman. And Kapizov, Yurov could lead some to say Demidov goes here....But would Bill Guerin pass on a player whose style has been compared to....Bill Guerin? |
14 | | | | BU alum going strong |
15 | | - | | Stevie's drafts are about a D-heavy as anyones, especially in early rounds. He tends to avoid CHL, but did take Danielson last year. His picks can be a little off the board and seem to grab rising prospects a little higher than observers expect. There are a couple of names that qualify (Luchanko...or real darkhorse would be Gabriel Eliasson), but few as much as this choice |
16 | | - | | In the past decade, Armstrong has drafted 20 dmem. 1 RHD, 19 LHD . And here are the ages of the Blues top-4 this year: 31, 33, 32, 33. This does seem like a logical choice. |
17 | | - | | Because Ovechkin? MacLellan hasn't taken a dman in first round since 2018. And there is one top tier defender left on board. |
18 | | | | Its why he traded up, no? Kyle from Chicago likes his USHLers....and this one has been tearing the league up in his backyard. |
19 | | - | | McCrimmon seemed to jump through hoops at deadline in order to keep this pick. He had his eye on someone...(draft is also in Vegas)...possibly this player who has been described as edgier, more skilled version of Barbashev. (They will still probably trade him at next deadline). |
20 | | | | Lou doesn't buy green bananas, Lou buys green trees |
21 | | - | | Sharpshooting, two-way center with size. Sounds like Blake guy. |
22 | | - | | Trotz has only drafted once. Now with Poile training wheels off, he has been open about wanting a top-six center. This may be their last chance if any. |
23 | | - | | Treliving takes a higher percentage of players out of CHL than any GM. |
24 | | - | | Skilled dman seem to be Sakic/MacFarland wheelhouse |
25 | | | | New guy up again |
26 | | | | The Xhekaj brothers got nothing on these two |
27 | | - | | Vacant GM position...computer auto-pick |
28 | | | | Conroy traded the pick for dman, but later changed his mind, and walked to podium to pick |
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