Seven players for Canucks’ seventh pick
If he’s left at No. 7, defenceman Hughes would be an ideal pick for the Canucks
General managers from around the NHL gather for their annual pre-draft today in Dallas. How would you like to be a fly on that wall?
League matters will be addressed before trade and draft banter. However, if you’re hoping for major developments — especially more first-round clarity after Rasmus Dahlin and Alexei Svechnikov are the expected first two selections Friday — you may have to wait longer.
The big deals are usually done on the draft floor. The hours leading up to Gary Bettman taking to the podium to commence proceedings are more entertaining than the annual booing of the NHL commissioner.
The Vancouver Canucks hold the seventh overall selection and GM Jim Benning knows it could be impacted by what the Ottawa Senators do with the fourth pick.
Is Pierre Dorion in rebuild mode after moving winger Mike Hoffman? Is there something to Erik Karlsson wanting out and possibly bound for Las Vegas?
The Golden Knights have US$26 million in projected salary cap space to handle a rich extension, even though they also need to sign key restricted free agents William Karlsson, Shea Theodore and Colin Miller.
Clayton Stoner and Luca Sbisa are unrestricted free agents, so that adds more fuel to the Karlsson fire.
If Karlsson is gone, the Senators will have a pressing need for a defenceman such as Quinn Hughes or Noah Dobson. If he’s not moved, the Senators need a sniper to prop up a pop-gun offence and winger Filip Zadina would fill that void. There’s also a scenario where Zadina could drop only because the stock on Hughes and Dobson has climbed.
What does this all mean for Benning?
If the Montreal Canadiens select Finnish centre Jesper Kotkaniemi third overall, the Senators follow with Zadina and the Arizona Coyotes grab gritty winger Brady Tkachuk, it would leave the Detroit Red Wings with Hughes and leave the Canucks with interesting options.
They could address an obvious need on the back end — choosing between defencemen Dobson, Evan Bouchard and Adam Boqvist — or believe centre/winger Oliver Wahlstrom is too good to pass up. They could also move the pick, but Benning is expected to make it because he’s going to get a good player.
Dobson is intriguing because he was second in QMJHL blue-liner scoring last season with AcadieBathurst Titan, who won the Memorial Cup. He had 69 points (1752) in 67 games and likes to pattern his game after Seth Jones of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Imagine the Canucks landing a right-shot rearguard who skates well, can run the power play, has a heavy shot and two-way awareness.
“You may not be the biggest or most physical guy and throwing the big hit, but having a good stick and being in the right position at the right time really helped my defensive game,” said Dobson.
Here are seven players worth watching depending on how the first six draft dominoes fall:
THE HOPE
The pre-draft shine on Hughes, the youngest player at the world championship, rubs off and the Canucks land their future puckmoving, power-play quarterback. He has had his skating, vision and head for the game compared to legend Bobby Orr.
If Zadina slips, the Canucks could have a future first-line, leftwing battle with Jonathan Dahlen.
Quinn Hughes
(D, University of Michigan, NCAA) Vitals: 5-10, 175 pounds; GP: 37, G: 5, A: 24, points: 29
Scout says: “Exceptional skater and he’s a transporter. He can rush the puck and drive the play out of the defensive zone. ”
Filip Zadina
(LW/RW, Halifax, QMJHL) Vitals: 6-0, 196 pounds; GP: 57, G: 44, A: 38, points: 82
Scout says: “Not only a scorer, but a playmaker. He’s a scorer from top of the circles and inside the dots. He can score from any area, but can also make plays. Doesn’t get enough credit for making plays.”
THE REALITY
Difficult to imagine Hughes not going No. 4 or No. 6 and Dobson not getting a hard look from the Senators. Then again, who knows about Zadina?
If it’s Dobson to the Sens, Tkachuk to the Coyotes and Quinn to the Wings, Bouchard will be available at No. 7. So will Swedish defenceman Adam Boqvist and so will Zadina. The Canucks can argue whether they need a more complete player, or are willing to wait and develop one.
Evan Bouchard
(D, London, OHL)
Vitals: 6-2, 193 pounds; GP: 67, G: 25, A: 62, points: 84
Scout says: “(Dale) Hunter is demanding and doesn’t care how good you are offensively — that’s a bonus — he wants his (London) defencemen to play properly. You won’t survive in the NHL without being consistent.”
Noah Dobson
(D, Acadie-Bathurst, QMJHL) Vitals: 6-3, 180 pounds; GP: 67, G: 17, A: 52, points: 69
Scout says: “Reminds me of (Colton) Parayko of the Blues without the massive slapshot. He has the best percentage to be a No. 3 D -man in the NHL but also has the potential for a No. 2 because of his upside.”
Adam Boqvist
(D, Brynas IF, Sweden, J20) Vitals: 5-11, 170 pounds; GP: 25, G: 14, A: 10, points: 24
Scout says: “Can skate out of problems, retrieve pucks quickly and make an excellent first pass that can disrupt forecheck. Inconsistent with gap control, taking right angles, keeping head on swivel. Must keep feet moving.”
THE CONSIDERATIONS
Wahlstrom is a real hotshot who can play the middle and wing and coaches love that. They also love a smart two-way centre and that’s Barrett Hayton. He doesn’t have the sizzle of Wahlstrom, but has drawn comparisons to Patrice Bergeron with his complete game.
Oliver Wahlstrom
(C, USNDT, USHL)
Vitals: 6-1, 205 pounds; GP: 26, G: 22, A: 23, points: 45
Scout says: “I would justify taking him in that (No. 7) spot because of the capability of playing centre and right wing. He doesn’t telegraph intentions. He’s equally dangerous at passing and shooting.”
Barrett Hayton
(C, Sault Ste. Marie, OHL) Vitals: 6-1, 191 pounds; GP: 63, G: 21, A: 39, points: 60
Scout says: “There aren’t too many centres in this draft better than this guy. He’s an honest, hardworking guy who plays a 200-foot game, and chips in offensively.”