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Captain Obvious Breaks Down the First Round (2x SMJHL media)
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Inf1d3lIIHF Federation Head Old Man
12-06-2024, 02:10 PM
(This post was last modified: 12-06-2024, 02:17 PM by Inf1d3l. Edited 2 times in total.)
Captain Obvious Breaks Down the First Round.
Looking at the first round of this draft, which happens tomorrow, there are a lot of questions still about who will go where (For the most part.) That being said, I’m going to use my (semi) reliable deduction skills and (negligible) experience with previous drafts to make my best guesses on what teams need which positions, and who goes where in the first round. #1 OA: Yukon takes Océane Söderberg-Tremblay at the first overall position, surprising no one but regardless, Jess is a powerhouse user and will likely have another phenom player, giving Yukon a nice defensive addition that they needed. #2 OA: Vancouver comes into this pick with a lot of options and a question on what they need more. The team had a pretty rough S79 outing, putting up only 10 wins in 66 games. To pinpoint a singular reason here is tough, considering the roster is in shambles (not being rude, just stating a fact.) That being said, they have ample opportunity to take advantage of this draft. After juggling my thoughts here, I think the Whalers go defense, taking Kienen McKeller in the 2nd overall spot, bringing in new blood in a first gen and also a solid defensive player. #3 OA: Here, the Tidal have a decision to make. They have a few slots to fill, and can take this a few different directions. However, personally, I think they look at a defenseman as well, putting the draft at 3 D-dmen off the board in a row. I think you’ll see the aptly named Apollo Seaborne make waves in San Diego with the third pick, with Tidal management knowing they have another pick coming up at 10. #4 OA: Nevada is going to target a forward here in my eyes. They have a solid defensive core, as well as two solid, and improving, goaltenders on roster. There are quite a few solid forwards in this draft, so it makes picking just one difficult. However, I’ve narrowed down the pick to Wednesy Shrinetime, a recreating user with a solid bank and, likely, a generational player, giving the Battleborn even more strength. #5 OA: The Grizzlies have some room to grow, and I believe that they look at a forward here. They could use the defense, but with three off the board in the 1-3 spots, the pool of available wingers and centers is strong. They will look to bring in someone like… oh… Khalfani. Picking up another recreating user solidifies a growing roster for Great Falls and moves the draft on to… #6 OA: Thunder Bay looks to quickly snatch up a quality forward here, bringing Dee Centerman IV, Jr. into the mix. Grok has been a power user for the league for a long time and he will bring even more experience and locker room presence to the Walleye. (Side note, as someone who has fished for, and eaten Walleye, fantastic tasting fish and if you ever get a chance to try it, do so!) #7 OA: Detroit could use some help on the forward and defensive side of things here, and I think they focus on the scoring first, targeting Jordan Lafrenière here, focusing on the new blood of a first generational player to help them push towards the cup in the next few seasons. The Falcons could surprise me here of course, but my (completely un-)expert opinion is key. #8 OA: The Highlanders are in need of a forward here, losing four after this season, so getting replacements in line now is the best tactic in my eyes. I think they look to take River Yekaterina Volkova here, bringing in a very serviceable first generational player with a solid TPE total, giving Ottawa a stout future scorer. #9 OA: Kelowna takes the pick here, and having a young GM at a team entering their prime of rebuilding time, they can’t really go wrong here in my eyes. They likely look to round out their defensive core and bring in Sazed Kholin here, another veteran user and solid defensive player to give the Knights the bodies in front of their goalie to keep the tight games in their favor. #10 OA: Back to the Tidal again, having every ability to pick whatever they want. I believe we see the first goaltender come off the board here, a fantastic first generational user and player, Claude L'Castor and Beavie find themselves taking a trip to San Diego, becoming the future #1 goalie for the franchise. #11 OA: The Timber finally get their chance to pick here, and General Manager SouthPaw looks to hit a home run. In my (semi) expert opinion, Maine can’t go wrong at all here, and they look at Mathieu Mathématique here, which may be one of the last active defenseman in the entire draft class. (I know playing out of position in the J is fine but let me have my moment). Maine could use the defensive help from a pure dman and Yagoyi makes his return to the league. #12 OA: Newfoundland comes in looking to make waves (sorry Tidal) and veteran GM Sburbine has his eyes in all the right places. Welcome to the Berserkers, Levi Bedrock, a returning user with a very focused build that has every chance to blossom into exactly what the team can use to grow their powerhouse franchise going forward the next few seasons. #13 OA: The Armada are up to bat, with lots of options to choose from. I doubt they can go wrong with any pick here, and therefore, I believe they go goaltender. While they still have a ton of quality options, it’s hard for me to see them take anyone other than Honza Havran, a strong contending user and likely a franchise goalie for both the J team that takes them, as well as whichever pro team brings them into the fray. #14 OA: Carolina picks here, having several needs to fill this draft. While them trading down in this draft would, in no way, surprise me, looking to take more picks on or even an active body or two from already stacked teams, we’ll assume they pick here, and they will look to bring in Reg Kirkby. Acsolap, general manager of the Philadelphia Forge, is an active and earning user that will bring experience and activity to the Kraken, and look to strengthen their roster moving forward. #15 OA: Colorado looks hungry, having to wait as long as they have to bring a player into the fold, and they are ready to pounce (as raptors would I suppose, right?) With the majority of the defensemen (and defensewomen) off the board now, they focus on forwards, looking to get the best bang for their buck. David Corrigan looks to fill that slot. While he may be a (massive) defensively liability to start, he will grow with the help of mentors and management from the Raptors and will bring new generational blood to the franchise. #16 OA: The Whalers round out the first round now, having recently acquired this pick from the Citadelles. They need a lot, and after taking a defenseman in the first round, they look to follow up with a scoring forward to get them into games. They also have a 2nd rounder to look forward to so they have flexibility, and that being said, they will bring Sevrin Quinn into the fold, a (very) offensively minded forward with the ability to score and win faceoffs. They will need him to round out his skills slightly as he gains experience, but he can be a future all star for the Vancouver team, if they play their cards right. Well, there you have it. I used my knowledge, experience, and sheer guesses to round out 16 picks and give you some sensible reasons why said players will go where they go. If, for any reason, I get a bunch of these right, you can assume it was all luck, because I have no freaking clue what is really going to happen, so for the love of God, do not expect this to be right for your mock drafts. (1366 words) (2x SMJHL media) 
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