Mar 31, 2020
3 FACTS WHY SAM MORALES IS TRENDING OVER LGBT MATCHMAKING?
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3 FACTS WHY SAM MORALES IS TRENDING OVER LGBT MATCHMAKING?
Sam’s 2016 NHL Mock Draft
June 23, 2016
Sam Morales
Admin, Dallas Stars Fan Club and Hockey Talk (Facebook)
Contributing Sports Writer to GravityBeard
READING TIME: 7.00 MINUTES
The only thing better than one mock draft is TWO mock drafts. We, at GravityBeard are also out to prove that predicting the draft is a competitive sport. So with that in mind, Sam Morales, has offered up his mock draft in response to the one submitted by his colleague and fellow contributor, Arun Morace. Good luck to you both.
1. Toronto Maple Leafs - Auston Matthews
The only thing better than one mock draft is TWO mock drafts. We, at GravityBeard are also out to prove that predicting the draft is a competitive sport. So with that in mind, Sam Morales, has offered up his mock draft in response to his colleague and fellow contributor, Arun Morace.
Not my first pick, but if you want a franchise center, you will be hard pressed to find one better in this draft. Does everything well. Not a Connor McDavid, but would have been in the same conversation as Eichel. He can play any wing position, and with Matthews, Nylander, and Mitch Marner, Toronto sudden looks EXTREMELY deep at the center position.
2. Winnipeg Jets - Patrik Laine
My favorite player in the draft. Winnipeg needs scoring, meet the best scoring prospect this year. He has an NHL shot, great hands, speed, and fill in the blank for any top sniper in the league. Unlike most snipers, he also possesses the vision to realize when his teammates have a better scoring opportunity than he does. He should be an offensive force for years to come.
3. Columbus Blue Jackets - Jesse Puljujarvi
Kind of the forgotten man out of the top 3. However, Puljujarvi is a force to be reckoned with in his own right. Powerful shot, great skater, physical play; Puljujarvi can step into an NHL roster and play a wide variety of roles immediately.
4. Edmonton Oilers - Matthew Tkachuk
I think something happens here. Edmonton needs defensive help, far more than forward firepower. However, Tkachuk is by far the best player on the board. He goes #4 overall to Edmonton, Arizona who would trade up to get him cause he's from Arizona, or a team trades up to get him and gives Edmonton a defenseman. He's an elite scoring talent, and goes first before some of the higher touted centers.
5. Vancouver Canuck - Pierre-Luc Dubois
First reach of the draft in my opinion, but Dubois has been a rocket in most of the scouting services online, rapidly rising to the top North American skater. It’s hard to find fault in his game, he's a solid center, good size, speed, two-way play, ect. He's got a high hockey IQ and a play style that’s been compared to Jamie Benn (style, not skill).
6. Calgary Flames - Alexander Nylander
Nylander is in the running to have the best stick handling and hands in the class. Pair those pillow soft hands with his silky smooth skating and shot, and you have probably the most finesse player in the draft, and that’s not a bad thing at all. A couple of sources are saying that Calgary is not looking at defensemen for the first round pick, so Nylander fits the bill as the best available forward.
7. Arizona Coyotes - Olli Juolevi
Arizona has developed plenty of young prospects and quickly created a solid core of players. With the signing of Goligoski, Arizona doesn't NEED to focus defense, but Juolevi has been shooting up lists, and you can never have too many top tier defensemen. He's a capable defenseman, and a safe pick, but needs more time to fill out his frame. With OEL, and Goligoski in the locker room, they have that time for him to develop.
8. Buffalo Sabres - Mikhail Sergachev
Buffalo has been focusing on rebuilding their offense, and with 2 of the 3 elite defensemen prospects left, they begin to do the same with the defense and take the big Russian Sergachev. Has a massive shot that is likely to be a staple of the PP, and big frame. He's not as fluid as Juolevi and the final elite defensive prospect, but he's a great 2-way guy.
9. Montreal Canadiens - Logan Brown
Logan Brown is that on big forward every draft who has tons of potential, but you're worried may never become a dominant force in the league. Think of Dan Boyle. He skates extremely well for his 6'6 height, and has a good shot, he just chooses not to use it as much. With the Canadiens looking to get bigger, Brown is an easy choice.
10. Colorado Avalanche - Jakob Chychrun
Colorado probably skips all the way to the podium on draft day if Chychrun is still available with their pick. He was given exceptional status and allowed to play underage in the Junior Canadian leagues. However, stagnation in comparison to Juolevi and Sergachev has him as the 3rd defensemen off the board. If his potential is reached, he should be the best defenseman in this draft. But that’s a rather large if at this point.
11. New Jersey Devils - Clayton Keller
New Jersey catches the falling Clayton Keller and get the second best finesse player in the draft other than Nylander. Extremely high hockey IQ, and is an excellent skater. He may be a Keebler elf at 5'9-5'10, but he can dish it with the best of them.
12. Ottawa Senators - Jake Bean
Ottawa takes the next best defenseman off the board. Bean has been shooting up like a beanstalk in recent mock drafts and rankings, and at 12 is a solid pick for an Ottawa team that has a solid all around prospect pool. When in doubt, take the best defenseman.
13. Carolina Hurricanes - Tyson Jost
Intelligent player with slick hands, Jost played at a lower level of competition in the BCHL, but still showed his value at the U-18 tournament. You know who else played in the BCHL? Jamie Benn. While he has to adapt to greater competition, it’s not like it hasn't been done before.
14. Boston Bruins - Charles McAvoy
Boston's GM is the worst GM in the league. He should be skipping up to the podium to take Charles McAvoy, who is a close to NHL ready 2-way defender. Instead, he'll probably acquire 3 first rounders again by trading away elite prospects, then take second round prospects again, just like last year. If McAvoy is on the board, and the GM pulls crap like that again, I think he's gone by next season.
15. Minnesota Wild - Michael McLeod
One of the fastest players in the draft, and I've decided to nickname him Sonic. Cause that's what he looked like in his blue junior's jersey. He's a two-way forward prospect who could develop offensively into a massive threat like Dylan Larkin.
16. Detroit Red Wings - Kieffer Bellows
Versatile power forward prospect who can play both wings. Good shot, physical player. Stereotypical power forward build. Think Brett Ritchie with a better shot.
17. Nashville Predators - Julien Gauthier
Nashville has plenty of center depth in their prospect pool, but need some help with winger depth and quality. They take one of the best scoring wingers available. Nashville is a big team, so they skip over players like DeBrincat, and instead take Gauthier who is a one man scoring machine.
18. Philadelphia Flyers - Max Jones
I have Max as my 29th ranked played, but I've had this match for a while. Philly wants big, skilled, and physical players. Max fits all three. If he's available, it’s a great pairing. Goon player to a goon team. Goon. Good player, but goon.
19. New York Islanders - Luke Kunin
Solid player who was a star on the rebuilding Wisconsin Badgers team. He's going to be able to step up and be a second line, two-way center soon. Most likely will need a year or two, but should be effective.
20. Arizona Coyotes (From NY Rangers) - Dante Fabbro
Dante falls simply because of being from the BCHL and concerns about adapting to the highest level of competition. Was given the role of assigning neutral zone assignments. He's got the brains, and if he can adapt, he'll be a great pickup this late in the first round.
21. Carolina Hurricanes (From Los Angeles) - Riley Tufte
Hurricanes reach and take the 6'5 winger. Tufte played both high school and USHL hockey, and showed off his skating ability, and physical nature. Could become a great power forward type player.
22. Winnipeg Jets (From Chicago) - Brett Howden
Not the most explosive player, has a very good set of offensive tools. If he develops his skating more, could become a similar playstyle to Jamie Benn, where his tools don't match his skating. His floor his high, as well as his ceiling. At worst he can become a physical two-way player. At best, he becomes a capable top 6 scoring liner instead.
23. Florida Panthers - Vitali Abramov
Florida is a team that has taken the analytic approach in stride, and this bodes well for their selection of Vitali Abramov. He's a short sniper, whose put up monster numbers in the QMJHL. Alex DeBrincat is also an option here, but with 3 extra inches on DeBrincat, Abramov is probably more desirable.
24. Anaheim Ducks - Wade Allison
Started the year off slowly, but picked it up at the end of the year and in playoffs. He's a strong skater, who is not worried about taking any open shot available to him. He has a physical edge, and could potentially play center as well.
25. Dallas Stars - Alex DeBrincat
The Miracle happens. Alex DeBrincat's height concerns brings him down to the Dallas Stars, and Jim Nill, needing a RW prospect, takes him. Josh and I collectively shit ourselves, I pass out due to fireball poisoning. DeBrincat is a decade caliber player in the OHL, and if he was a few inches taller, would likely be a top 5 pick. His game will have to change in the NHL, as he will likely be forced to be less of a physical player, but his talent is undeniable.
26. Washington Capitals - German Rubstov
The Washington Capitals take Russians more than most teams, and German Rubstov has fallen for similar reasons as other Russians, fear that they could get enticed into playing in the KHL. However, Rubstov is a steal at this point in the draft. He's young at 17, a high motor player with a solid 2-way game. If he is set on playing in the NHL, in this scenario the Cap's get a hell of a player.
27. Tampa Bay Lightning - William Bitten
A great two-way player who sticks like glue on opposing forwards and defenders. He's played on a team in Flint, Michigan that couldn't even get clean water. However, Bitten is one of my favorite under the radar prospects, and the lightning pick him up.
28. St. Louis Blues - Jonathan Dahlen
Dahlen is an under the radar player with plus vision, hands, and a nice wrister. He's played against men, and thus should be more capable of adapting to the highest level of competition. Great pick for the late first round.
29. Boston Bruins (From San Jose) - Logan Stanley
Boston's GM is an idiot, and takes a big defenseman in the first round because he is big. Can't skate, doesn't shoot much, and his main asset is hitting when he can actually catch someone. Seems like a pick that Boston would make.
30. Anaheim Ducks (From Toronto) - Tyler Benson
Anaheim has a history of using late 1st round picks and turning them into solid players. Tyler Benson should have been much higher on this list, but injuries derailed his season early on. If he bounces back, Anaheim gets a steal. He's fast, a good shot, and has a strong two-way game on a weak team.
NHL Prospect Scouting: Maxime Fortier
Sam Morales
Admin, Dallas Stars Fan Club and Hockey Talk (Facebook)
Contributing Sports Writer to GravityBeard
READING TIME: 3 MINUTES
(click to the title and scroll to comment)
ITS HERE! ITS HERE! The first installment of prospect scouting! Today's player is Maxime Fortier of the Halifax Mooseheads.
To be clear, I tend to scout just players playing in the Canadian hockey leagues (OHL, QMJHL, and WHL) just because I am more familiar with the competition level for each league is vs the NCAA and foreign leagues. Additionally, gameplay footage is more readily available. Occasionally I'll focus on a foreign player if there's enough data available on him, but NCAA I tend to not study. They can be great players, but if you want info on them, you'll have to look elsewhere smile emoticon.
Finally, I am currently using eliteprospects.com ratings, and focusing on players on the outside of the top 30. Once central scouting releases their rankings, I’ll use those. I won't be focusing on top prospects, as hopefully we are going to be picking anywhere from 26-30 wink emoticon
So onto Maxime: For starters, he's a RW. If you have seen some of my other posts, I feel like RW is the weakest link in our prospect pool right now. We don't have a true impact player outside Ritchie right now. He's 5'10" and 176lbs, which is going to be about average build. He's 18 and plays for the Halifax Mooseheads which are NOT a good team, so take everything with the knowledge he is not having his stats inflated by having multiple studs on the team.
He's had balanced production with 19 goals and 21 assists for 40 points, and a -10 rating in 35 games played. All around he's a fairly balanced player. He's got average speed and an average shot. The one thing I noticed was that he seems to have a really good hockey IQ. He's in all the right places, following up on rebounds, and got quite a few chances on breakaways. I like guys who score goals more than guys whose scoring is heavily based on assists, and while his shot doesn't impress me that much he can pass the puck just fine. While he does have a -10, as I said, the Mooseheads are a bad team this year. He's not going to be a defensive dynamo, but he's capable in that area. In short:
Skating: 3.5/5
Shot: 3.5/5
Passing: 4/5
IQ: 4.5/5
Defense: 3/5
Puck Control: 3.5/5
Size: 3.5/5
If I was to compare him to a prospect from last year, I'd say he's a slightly worse Timo Meier, who was taken 9th overall and is his teammate. If I'm comparing him to a current player, he's got aspects of Janmark, Sceviour and Fiddler. He won't wow you with any specific feature, but he's a smart. You can teach skating (see Jamie Benn who was a terrible skater and we were able to get him in the 5th). You can teach shooting (See Daley early vs last years with us). You can't teach intelligence, and just being at the right place at the right time, and that’s what he's good at. A goal is a goal, no matter how you score it. Janmark has gotten quite a few rebound goals, or goals in the crease. Garbage goals if you will. They still count the same as a Tyler Seguin snipe. If we have some of the last picks in the first round, and he continues to play well (I mean for Christ's sake he's above a PPG and isn't a fantastic shot) I'd love to have him in Victory Green. No, he's not a future super star, but when you’re at the end of each round, he's exactly the type of overachieving player you want.
If you have any particular player you'd like me to take a look at, you can post those into the comments and I'll see what I can do!
Can I just talk for a moment about how ridiculously attractive David LaBrava is?