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***Wally*** · 02-15-2019, 06:09 PM

(Not entirely 100% sure on goalie happenings as of late... but I gave it a shot. Draft Bonus... 2,176 words. Ready to Grade.)

Along the out-skirts of the arena in Montreal stands Aleksi O’Koivu-Volkova, a prospect in the upcoming SHL Draft. After serving as a backup to Petr Vrana this last season, Aleksi spent much of his time reflecting on what could be as his time nears in Montreal. While many get to showcase their skills before the hit the professional draft, this prospect is going to have to go on bloodlines and potential.

“It is significantly difficult preparing for a draft in which you don’t have many statistics to simply fall back on. In fact I have very little to fall back on and what I do, is a bit tarnished by the hot-headedness of my father. Was he great… definitely, but that light burned out just as intensely as it burned bright when on the ice.” O’Koivu-Volkova quoted saying.

“It isn’t necessarily about what you do in Juniors that establishes your draft stock. That definitely adds quality to your resume, but teams are looking for development and I most definitely lacked that at times. But because I wasn’t in the forefront posting my training, doesn’t mean it wasn’t getting done. In recent reports you will see that I most certainly was getting the work in and continuing to prepare for future responsibilities.”

Reports have it the Aleksi O’Koivu-Volkova may fall as late as round three or four in the upcoming draft. Right now the list is long in regards to potential opportunities for many of the incoming rookies.

“I have had a clear head on all General Managers that have approached. My goal is longevity. Something my father never considered. My number one goal is to break a couple records that I have in mind. In doing so, it will take patience and it will take making difficult decisions when the time calls for it. I do have a desire to play up sooner versus later… and as I have made known when Free Agency hits, I’m not necessarily staying emotionally dedicated to one specific team thus I don’t want hard feelings. But… if they make an effort to build a team around me to be in the best position to win, I will re-sign. Otherwise, I will keep my eyes open to what will potentially give myself the best potential opportunity to succeed.”

Assuming many of the goalies are still 2-3 more seasons out to being called up there are many potential suitors looking for their next goaltender.

Buffalo Stampede:
(S35) G - Jordin FourFour Jr. - 1108
(S39) G - Kyle Davis - 176
(S43) G - Cedric Robinson – 491

With Jordin FourFour Jr announcing his retirement, the baton will seemingly go over to Cedric Robinson as the Stampede look to the future. Robinson has shown steady growth and the ability to perform when called upon. Will that translate to the rigors of preparation of the SHL? He will most definitely need to keep working hard to gain the skills needed for consistency, but he seems ready to commit to that development. Don’t look for Buffalo to jump early at a goaltender, but perhaps try and steal one in a mid-round as a back-up plan should Robinson not work out.

Who They Draft: Eddy Ask Jr, 52nd Overall

Calgary Dragons:
(S29) G - Richard C. Hocolate - 820
(S41) G - Kata Vilde - 923

As from the enigmatic Dick Hocolate, Kata Vilde continues to emerge as one of the next up and coming talents in the league. Already at almost 1,000 tpe, look for a long prosperous career for the young goaltender. Calgary is in no need for a goaltender at the moment and will not be surprised to see them pass in the closing rounds instead of use salary cap space on a position that is stacked for them already.

Who They Draft: No one.

Chicago Syndicate:
(S39) G - Cédric Moreau – 707

A glaring concern, the Syndicate will most assuredly be looking to take a net minder in the 2nd or 3rd round. Moreau, at a capable level for training, the inactivity will only hurt him long term as he will be nearing regression and/or being surpassed in talent by any top end goaltender in the S46 SHL Draft. Look for Chicago to take a proven commodity that has a history with success in the league already.

Who They Draft: Tibuk Soonika, 53rd Overall

Edmonton Blizzard:
(S38) G - Mark Stewart - 159
(S39) G - Tommy Tuck – 1078

Edmonton has a dangerous roster at the moment and while Tuck is the premiere goaltender, a bit more can be desired for longevity. Not saying Tuck isn’t the guy, what I am saying is that continuing to crank out the bankable TPE will be the difference between Edmonton having to worry about the position in four seasons versus in six to eight seasons. Regardless, Tuck is the man coming off of a championship and will be going forward. Could the Blizzard take a run in the late round at a goalie? Sure… but they better be ready for a full stay in Juniors.

Who They Draft: Yuri Ushakov, 50th Overall

Hamilton Steelhawks:
(S34) G - Jimmy Wagner - 567
(S42) G - Geezus Kryyst – 778

Behind Vilde, we have Hamilton’s Kryyst. A beast in the making, the fans of Hamilton should be excited for the future of this team. With early picks in this draft and a backstop that is solidified for seasons to come, I wouldn’t see a reason for Hamilton to draft a goaltender as Kryyst is showing no signs of slowing down.

Who They Draft: No one.

Los Angeles Panthers:
(S36) G - Evgueni Marmeladov - 1101
(S37) G - Ben Holtby – 413

With Marmeladov entering his first season of regression play, look for Los Angeles to draft their future goalie this draft. The interesting scenario being that a blue chip prospect could see the net on a full-time basis after the next two seasons without any kind of production fall off. With Holtby mainly being a serviceable backup, the Panther opportunity would be a great one for any prospect looking to start early on and othen.

Who They Draft: Mike McKorsy, 42nd Overall

Manhattan Rage:
(S42) G - Scottey Crawfling – 602

Scottey Crawfling, a once fledgling prospect and now starter for the Rage continues to slide down the list of potential elites. Manhattan will most definitely be looking for a more permanent fix in the S46 Draft as the youthful Rage continue to grow. A team based around the S41-43 drafts, a top-notch netminder would fit right in their potential window as goalies don’t need as much TPE. Stealing a high earning TPE goalie early on could see them taking the starting reigns in as early as S47.

Who They Draft: Mike Hunt, 40th Overall, Billy Sorokin

Minnesota Chiefs:
(S39) G - Sebastien Primeau – 863

Minnesota at one point thought they had their long term solution between the pipes sewn up in Sebastien Primeau. As growth as of late has stalled, the Chiefs continue with the shell left behind. A player in his own right that is very serviceable, Primeau can very well last in his own right until regression will kick in (S49). Should Minnesota look for an option? Perhaps finding his replacement now is an option in a deep goalie draft and potentially trade Primeau down the road to a team in need a couple seasons from now. We shall see.

Who They Draft: Peter Larson, 45th Overall

New England Wolfpack:
(S43) G - Johannes Leitner - 507
(S33) G - Thaddeus Prince - 458

Right now the future of the position hinges on how Leitner continues to progress. When it comes to mind, he stirs up memories of a Timo Haas. Can he handle the ups and downs of getting an early opportunity in the SHL? My intuition says absolutely, especially with the history of his agent in these kind of leagues. He is a tad behind the player we will address next, but at a slower rate, continued growth will mean better consistency and right now he sits about half way to the goal he needs to be at. Knowing New England, they will most definitely take a mid-draft goalie as a safety net.

Who They Draft: Patrice Nadeau, 48th Overall

New Orleans Spectre:
(S43) Goalie - Aleister Cain - 598
(S43) Goalie - Nathan Cosco - 229

“The Team that Killed the Expansion Draft” has their future not only ready to start, but locked down for seasons to come. Aleister Cain is the next coming of this goalie wave and look for him to chase some records as he may have found himself in the right place at the right time with strengths all around him. The only thing stopping him now is himself… and we don’t see that being a setback in any scenario. I wouldn’t expect New Orleans to take a goalie for any reason other than bragging rights of being stacked even in send downs.

Who They Draft: No one.

San Francisco Pride:
(S38) G - Dustin Evans - 194
(S39) G - Chris Partridge – 832

In the same setting as the Chiefs, Partridge has been serviceable for some time now, but it is now imperative for the Pride to look toward their future between the pipes. With CP only having a few more seasons before regression, the Pride should definitely be looking to taking an early round goalie to supplant the future of the position in coming seasons. With the short term relatively stable, the draftee would have substantial development time in Juniors until around S48/S49.

Who They Draft: Aleksi O’Koivu-Volkova, 33rd Overall

Tampa Bay Barracuda:
(S39) G - Julian O'Sullivan - 641
(S41) G - Benjamin Blue – 543

Another of the S41 “Class of Goalies”, Benjamin Blue will assuredly be looking to take over the net this coming season at some point many would think. While the TPE variance is important the activity and training of Blue should earn him the nod. It isn’t a necessity of the Barracuda to take a goaltender, but once again… Should they play the safe card, one should be available in round 4 or round 5.

Who They Draft: Lee Marshall, 5th Round

Texas Renegades:
(S39) G- Reece Artois - 212
(S40) G - Walter Hobbs – 965

Consider the Renegades out of the market, as Walter Hobbs is the face of the position. With a team developing around him, as he hits the century mark there will be no looking back for him as he will continue to surge on the ice, in the win column and on the stat sheet. I would consider Hobbs a front runner for most, if not all goalie-eligible seasonal awards. Chance of Texas wasting a pick on a goalie… slim to none cause they don’t have picks.

Who They Draft: No one.

Toronto North Stars:
(S28) G - Michael McFadden - 801
(S41) G - Steven Moore – 165

One of the teams in high need for sure, Toronto has the skill around the goalie to limit the hit from a regressing netminder. McFadden, a tremendous goalie that is past his prime, continues to feel the pains of aging and Toronto will start to feel it in the loss column regardless of what is around him. I would look for Toronto to take a goalie early on in the draft to ensure they get on of the more promising ones available that offer the largest upside with little risk.

Who They Draft: Casimir Stevens, 25th Overall

West Kendall Platoon:
(S37) G - Beaujeaux Biscuit - 1193
(S42) G - Willis Vincent - 271

Can we just say move on? No, Biscuit will already hit regression next season albeit he will fight it hardcore for his team we are all sure. While West Kendall drafts well, they perhaps should keep a look out for a potential sleeper that will potential be able to take over in the further future… or possibly be used as trade bait should the wait be too long. Regardless, regression hurts when enduring it and unexpected retirements derive from it… So seeing the Platoon take one late would not be a surprise.

Who They Draft: No one.

Winnipeg Jets:
(S35) G - Artom Zhumbayev - 1257
(S37) G - Roberts Kļaviņš - 232
(S45) G - Aleksandr Aleksandrov - 208
[S45] G - Vivian Leblanc – 221

Well we get to the end and we have a long list of a lot. Zhumbayev continues to stand on his head, but those shoulders continue to weaken. He can last as long as he is willing to fight off aging, but the Jets as a whole should definitely be looking toward developing a future option. Potentially another mid-draft developer, but unless they know something I don’t Zhumbayev has some miles left in him and don’t feel it would be a loss or misstep not drafting a goalie this draft.

Who They Draft: Jakub Hasek, 5th Round

Daco · 02-15-2019, 07:21 PM

Wow 25th high praise from you especially! I'm flattered but I doubt I go that high! So many good goalies available I'm not sure but I hope it happens

SlashACM · 02-15-2019, 07:30 PM

Nice article! Whered you get the tpe count from? Tongue

Daco · 02-15-2019, 07:32 PM

02-15-2019, 07:30 PMSlashACM Wrote: Nice article! Whered you get the tpe count from?

Luke posted some spreadsheets to help everyone out. All positions all tpe

SlashACM · 02-15-2019, 07:34 PM

02-15-2019, 07:32 PMDaco Wrote:
02-15-2019, 07:30 PMSlashACM Wrote: Nice article! Whered you get the tpe count from?

Luke posted some spreadsheets to help everyone out. All positions all tpe

Damn nice. I'll check it out

.bojo · 02-15-2019, 07:38 PM

No u move on

***Wally*** · 02-15-2019, 08:31 PM

02-15-2019, 07:38 PM.bojo Wrote: No u move on

I’m coming for you Irishman

Mack · 02-15-2019, 08:45 PM

Great post Wally! Awesome draft class to follow.

Grapehead · 02-15-2019, 08:55 PM

If you had asked me back in S36 the likelihood of me drafting your recreate I would've laughed in your face Tongue

it's nice to see time heal some old wounds. Great article man, we'd be lucky to have ya Cheers

***Wally*** · 02-15-2019, 09:23 PM

02-15-2019, 08:55 PMGrapehead Wrote: If you had asked me back in S36 the likelihood of me drafting your recreate I would've laughed in your face it's nice to see time heal some old wounds. Great article man, we'd be lucky to have ya

But you didn’t have draft picks :( stupid GMs

Vik · 02-15-2019, 10:28 PM

Great read I only read about the teams I’m interested in going to but good stuff from you as always Wally

Daco · 02-15-2019, 10:33 PM

02-15-2019, 10:28 PMJakub Wrote: Great read I only read about the teams I’m interested in going to but good stuff from you as always Wally

Meg is low-key the genius GM last round pick. I drafted Meg in the 1st and everyone was jealous, you need to load your team up with some Jakub drafting GMs

*slothfacekilla* · 02-15-2019, 11:31 PM

Great write up! It should be an interesting draft for the goalies.

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