Draft Day excitement from Cap-Land!
June 16th, 2007
Today was D-Day. Draft day. The Washington Capitals, while quiet in trades had a huge day at the draft with 4 very big and yet suprising picks. We might look back at this draft and wonder why the hell didnt they pick him, or we might look back and laugh that we got such a steal..
Drafted Players Profiles:
1st overall:
F Patrick Kane
RW Patrick Kane, 5-10 165 11-19-1988, London Knights OHL, 58 gp – 62 g – 83 a – 145 points - +42 – 52 pim. NHL Comparable: Alex Hemsky with excellent fishing ability.
++ Magnetic hands, offensive creativity and patience, quick and accurate shot
+ play making ability, balance, nimble feet, puck protection
- size, defensive play.
The most dynamic offensive talent in the draft and is the type of player you can build around up front. A pure offensive game breaker with the most pure offensive upside of anyone available in this draft. Size and lackadaisical defensive commitment are the only concerns with Kane but I don’t see either as a long term detriment as he’s extremely balanced and isn’t shy to go into traffic areas, and the other can be coached. He the best hands of the draft and his skill level is just sick. If you haven’t seen him play yet, you will be receiving a treat when you finally do as he’s the type of player that people will pay to see play. He possesses magnetic hands that make the puck appear like it’s attached to a string. Kane has the type of dangles that are absolutely sick and he will appear on Sportscenter a dozen times over the course of his career. He also possesses elite composure and patience with the puck as he can seemingly make the game stand still when he has the puck. His puck protection is top notch and when he has the puck it’s almost like the opposition freezes like a deer caught in the head lights as he knives through them with his dynamic arsenal of one on one moves. A pure sniper, Kane’s release is quick and his shot is precisely accurate as he’s a threat to score from anywhere inside the blue line. The best player in the draft at finding seams in the defense and exploiting them. Not only can he finish with the best of them but he also is an exceptional play maker with sixth sense like vision. Kane is a creative offensive dynamo with exceptional patience and deceptively quick skating ability. An instinctive player who processes the game quickly. Kane is an underrated skater as he’s extremely agile with nimble feet and some of the best lateral mobility in the draft. He also possesses a deceptive change of gears and can separate from the opposition. While he’s small, Kane handles traffic well as he’s slippery with tremendous balance and isn’t afraid to attack the net. Currently he is not asked to play defense in London and he will need to be coached that side of the game. He’s NHL ready and should contribute immediate offense.
25th overall:
RW Oscar Moller, 5-11 180 1-22-1989, Chilwack Bruins WHL, 68 gp – 32 g – 37 a- 69 points - +1 – 50 pim. NHL Comparable: Jonathan Cheechoo
++ Shot, grit.
+ Hands, play in traffic, attitude.
- Top gear, height.
Small but extremely stocky and balanced, Moller handles traffic areas very well. One of the best natural goal scorers in the draft as he does an excellent job of getting open near the net and his quick release produces an accurate shot and heavy shot. Arguably the best in this class at scoring in heavy traffic. Feisty player that plays with grit and passion every game and throws his weight around on the forecheck. Not a particularly fast or imposing physically player, Moller could really thrive with a big play making center. Will need upgrade his skating as he lacks a separation gear. Moller is an astute player with good hockey sense and an exemplary work ethic.
34th overall:
RW Akim Aliu, 6-3 210 4-24-1989, Sudbury Wolves OHL, 53 gp – 20 g – 22 a – 42 points - +0 – 104 pim. NHL Comparable: Todd Bertuzzi
++ Size & Strength, top gear
+ Hands, finishing ability
- Attitude, Inconsistency, bust potential.
Possesses the talent and size combination to make him worth a selection in the top 20 of this draft but because of serious issues with his character I wouldn’t take him until the second round. The one word that sums up Aliu’s game is power, as when he wants to be, he is one of the best pure power forwards with the puck. Big kid with a powerful body and stride. When he lowers his shoulders and drives the net he is unstoppable. Hands are soft and he’s a good finisher and an underrated play maker. Doesn’t always play hard and his defensive game is suspect. Tons of untapped upside here but his character is a major concern.
27. G Kent Patterson, 6-1 180, 9-15-1989, Cedar Rapids 20 w – 5 L – 2 SO’s.
++ Upside, mechanics, poise, anticipation
+ Quickness, athleticism.
- Needs to improve his puck handling.
One day shy of being eligible for the 2008 draft, Patterson has tremendous poise and ability. While he isn’t as hyped as other goaltenders available, Patterson will be the best of the bunch and possesses the talent and potential of a Ryan Miller. He doesn’t give the shooter much net to look at even from the butterfly as he possesses a sizable frame and he also plays the angles perfectly as he stays square to the puck and challenges the shooter by playing on the top of his crease. Kent anticipates the play and is always in position .. patient, will stay on his feet to make the save and makes the shooter make the first move. He’s very athletic yet his movements are economical as he makes everything look easy and controls the game thanks to phenomenal rebound control. He does a good job sucking the puck in, or kills it right in front of him if he can’t steer it to the corner. Has a wide butterfly. He’s lightning quick and fluid recovering from the butterfly back to his stance and has strong dexterity. All of his movements are quick, smooth, and controlled. Kent has marvelous reflexes in all his limbs, and really follows the puck in on every shot as if he can he’ll put his whole body behind the save. He’s equally difficult to beat down or up high. Patterson steers the rebounds to the corner with this blocker and is almost unbeatable on the other side as his glove quickness is exceptional. Does a good job using his glove to aid his rebound control. Possesses quick leg reflexes with above average leg extension and flexibility. His quick lateral and controlled lateral movement stands out and his lateral movement from the butterfly is superb. The only blemish is his average puck movement.
Overall Draft rating: A-
Boom or Bust Rate: B+
If everyone lives up to potential what do you got:
A Kariya/Hemsky/Sullivan/Gionta
A Cheechoo
A Avery/Bertuzzi/Tucker
A Miller/Lehtonen/Fleury
All in all, Washington Fans should be pleased!!
4th round analysis coming soon!!
Today was D-Day. Draft day. The Washington Capitals, while quiet in trades had a huge day at the draft with 4 very big and yet suprising picks. We might look back at this draft and wonder why the hell didnt they pick him, or we might look back and laugh that we got such a steal..
Drafted Players Profiles:
1st overall:
F Patrick Kane
RW Patrick Kane, 5-10 165 11-19-1988, London Knights OHL, 58 gp – 62 g – 83 a – 145 points - +42 – 52 pim. NHL Comparable: Alex Hemsky with excellent fishing ability.
++ Magnetic hands, offensive creativity and patience, quick and accurate shot
+ play making ability, balance, nimble feet, puck protection
- size, defensive play.
The most dynamic offensive talent in the draft and is the type of player you can build around up front. A pure offensive game breaker with the most pure offensive upside of anyone available in this draft. Size and lackadaisical defensive commitment are the only concerns with Kane but I don’t see either as a long term detriment as he’s extremely balanced and isn’t shy to go into traffic areas, and the other can be coached. He the best hands of the draft and his skill level is just sick. If you haven’t seen him play yet, you will be receiving a treat when you finally do as he’s the type of player that people will pay to see play. He possesses magnetic hands that make the puck appear like it’s attached to a string. Kane has the type of dangles that are absolutely sick and he will appear on Sportscenter a dozen times over the course of his career. He also possesses elite composure and patience with the puck as he can seemingly make the game stand still when he has the puck. His puck protection is top notch and when he has the puck it’s almost like the opposition freezes like a deer caught in the head lights as he knives through them with his dynamic arsenal of one on one moves. A pure sniper, Kane’s release is quick and his shot is precisely accurate as he’s a threat to score from anywhere inside the blue line. The best player in the draft at finding seams in the defense and exploiting them. Not only can he finish with the best of them but he also is an exceptional play maker with sixth sense like vision. Kane is a creative offensive dynamo with exceptional patience and deceptively quick skating ability. An instinctive player who processes the game quickly. Kane is an underrated skater as he’s extremely agile with nimble feet and some of the best lateral mobility in the draft. He also possesses a deceptive change of gears and can separate from the opposition. While he’s small, Kane handles traffic well as he’s slippery with tremendous balance and isn’t afraid to attack the net. Currently he is not asked to play defense in London and he will need to be coached that side of the game. He’s NHL ready and should contribute immediate offense.
25th overall:
RW Oscar Moller, 5-11 180 1-22-1989, Chilwack Bruins WHL, 68 gp – 32 g – 37 a- 69 points - +1 – 50 pim. NHL Comparable: Jonathan Cheechoo
++ Shot, grit.
+ Hands, play in traffic, attitude.
- Top gear, height.
Small but extremely stocky and balanced, Moller handles traffic areas very well. One of the best natural goal scorers in the draft as he does an excellent job of getting open near the net and his quick release produces an accurate shot and heavy shot. Arguably the best in this class at scoring in heavy traffic. Feisty player that plays with grit and passion every game and throws his weight around on the forecheck. Not a particularly fast or imposing physically player, Moller could really thrive with a big play making center. Will need upgrade his skating as he lacks a separation gear. Moller is an astute player with good hockey sense and an exemplary work ethic.
34th overall:
RW Akim Aliu, 6-3 210 4-24-1989, Sudbury Wolves OHL, 53 gp – 20 g – 22 a – 42 points - +0 – 104 pim. NHL Comparable: Todd Bertuzzi
++ Size & Strength, top gear
+ Hands, finishing ability
- Attitude, Inconsistency, bust potential.
Possesses the talent and size combination to make him worth a selection in the top 20 of this draft but because of serious issues with his character I wouldn’t take him until the second round. The one word that sums up Aliu’s game is power, as when he wants to be, he is one of the best pure power forwards with the puck. Big kid with a powerful body and stride. When he lowers his shoulders and drives the net he is unstoppable. Hands are soft and he’s a good finisher and an underrated play maker. Doesn’t always play hard and his defensive game is suspect. Tons of untapped upside here but his character is a major concern.
27. G Kent Patterson, 6-1 180, 9-15-1989, Cedar Rapids 20 w – 5 L – 2 SO’s.
++ Upside, mechanics, poise, anticipation
+ Quickness, athleticism.
- Needs to improve his puck handling.
One day shy of being eligible for the 2008 draft, Patterson has tremendous poise and ability. While he isn’t as hyped as other goaltenders available, Patterson will be the best of the bunch and possesses the talent and potential of a Ryan Miller. He doesn’t give the shooter much net to look at even from the butterfly as he possesses a sizable frame and he also plays the angles perfectly as he stays square to the puck and challenges the shooter by playing on the top of his crease. Kent anticipates the play and is always in position .. patient, will stay on his feet to make the save and makes the shooter make the first move. He’s very athletic yet his movements are economical as he makes everything look easy and controls the game thanks to phenomenal rebound control. He does a good job sucking the puck in, or kills it right in front of him if he can’t steer it to the corner. Has a wide butterfly. He’s lightning quick and fluid recovering from the butterfly back to his stance and has strong dexterity. All of his movements are quick, smooth, and controlled. Kent has marvelous reflexes in all his limbs, and really follows the puck in on every shot as if he can he’ll put his whole body behind the save. He’s equally difficult to beat down or up high. Patterson steers the rebounds to the corner with this blocker and is almost unbeatable on the other side as his glove quickness is exceptional. Does a good job using his glove to aid his rebound control. Possesses quick leg reflexes with above average leg extension and flexibility. His quick lateral and controlled lateral movement stands out and his lateral movement from the butterfly is superb. The only blemish is his average puck movement.
Overall Draft rating: A-
Boom or Bust Rate: B+
If everyone lives up to potential what do you got:
A Kariya/Hemsky/Sullivan/Gionta
A Cheechoo
A Avery/Bertuzzi/Tucker
A Miller/Lehtonen/Fleury
All in all, Washington Fans should be pleased!!
4th round analysis coming soon!!
posted by Washington Post at 1:40 PM
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