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**The__Y-man__100** · 06-04-2019, 04:58 PM

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, today we look at 2 underrated picks in the going into the S48 draft. These rankings and information are not meant to offend anyone, but rather bring some light on prospects who may not be at the top of every teams watch list.This list is also in no particular order when it comes to rankings and I'm sure there might be some other prospects I did not notice. Without further ado, let us begin.

The first underrated prospect we chose to select entering the S48 SHL entry level draft is none other then defender @satf Haley Knight. Now what’s interesting about Haley is that she currently sits at 209 TPE (completing 3 PT’s at the moment and consistently doing her weekly training) after beginning the season later than everyone else as she chose not to declare for the SMJHL draft, but instead got her break through free agency where the Raider’s saw her potential. Finishing the season with second line minutes, Haley put up 16 points (1 goal, 15 assists) in her 50 game run and unfortunately struggled like most of her team in the playoffs as they got swept in the first round. May it was just the late start, or lack of experience, but don’t let that miss guide you. During the regular season, Haley also finished with a +16, THE BEST ON HER TEAM! Even with Matt Kholin averaging almost a point a game he could not match Knight’s stat. Now I know some look at this stat and may say “well she was playing 2nd line minutes, therefore she played against worst players” but I chose to look at it as Haley demonstrating she is a team defense first type of defender and while she doesn’t sacrifice defense positioning for an offense advantage (explained by being 4th in team shot blocks), she was still able to lead the breakout and produce some success for the Raiders on both ends. Build wise (like any SMJHL rookie) there are a few areas of concern. For a defender seeing 40% play time and only having a 47 endurance stat, it is amazing how she was able to pull a season like this off in the SMJHL, but it will not cut it in the SHL. Not to worry though, it is very rare a player that just gets drafted makes their SHL debut. Personally I see her going to either Toronto or Tampa Bay Barracuda, in the 3rd round, which means she could be as early as 33rd overall or as late as 42nd Both teams had a horrendous goals against ratings and could use a defensive boost like her

The second underrated prospect we chose entering the S48 SHL entry level draft is defender @"frithjofr" Darnell Johnson. Johnson, similar to Knight, is another free agent addition to the Anchorage Armada. A small defensive defencemen who will not let his size slow him down. Darnell currently sits at 238 TPE (completed multiple PT’s and consistently trains) and missing the draft is impressive. Darnell put up 12 points (2 goals, 10 assists), +7 and 54 shots blocked (also 4th on his team) while averaging 3rd line minutes over 50 games. While his team did finish with the third least goals allowed, I feel Darnell is a huge reason why as he would be consistently shutting down other team’s strong depth like the falcons, scarecrows and raiders. Similar to Haley’s fate, Darnell would bring what I would consider a decent rookie season into the playoffs, to only meet the same fate and get swept in the first round. Finishing with a -3, the lack of experience hit and Darnell got exposed on the back end. I would not let this moment lower his draft stock though, every player faces adversity and he is most likely to be back with the armada next season and he’ll be coming out hard to get through the first round demons. While Texas has an aging defensive core and Tampa bay just needing to rebuild, I could potentially see New Orleans taking some interest as well. I’d say watch out for Darnell to be taking with the 28th-30th pick.

That’s my take on two hot prospects who might be flying under the radar. Good luck to everyone participating the SHL draft and it will be interesting to see who picks up these two beauties and with what pick.

733 words

First ever Yukon Malamute draft pick (1st overall S65)

~~PenKnight~~ · 06-04-2019, 05:02 PM

I like this angle.
When you have more time I would enjoy your breakdown of more "diamonds in the rough" so to speak.

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