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In The Crease: Goalie Demand Increasing
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WallyHead Office El Dumbo - Big Spoon - Both Handed Code: Ready to Grade, 1976 words.As the Season 30 SMJHL draft approaches, many have started to work on both short- and long-term strategies. With the SHL Draft only two days away, many SMJHL managers sit in limbo in regards to what the draft and residual transactions will do to their current plans. With the most recent announcement of the Kelowna Knights (ej27), there is little argument as to who will be looking to prove that the appointment was the correct one. Where the clarity is of general consensus, is that all general managers stress an important netminder presence. Don’t get them wrong though… They aren’t necessarily looking for the most skilled, but yet looking to what options are available that are most active and most willing to develop to get to the next level. Unfortunately, while we sift through the current prospect list it is very thin for options available between the pipes. While goalie demand remains quiet publicly, it is anything but behind closed doors. Occasionally you have solid prospects come along that have storied histories of success in past and moves them immediately to the top of the board, but this draft could see goalies taken early for a different reason. As we sit currently the prospects for the S31 SMJHL Draft are as follows: Jeff Kirkstone Height: 6’2†Weight: 185 lbs. Birthplace: Canada Type: Hybrid Goalie Strengths: Reaction, Style Control, Rebounds Weakness: Skating Projected Attributes: SK = Skating: 58 EN = Endurance: 70 SZ = Size: 65 AG = Agility: 70 RB = Rebound Control: 75 SC = Style Control: 70 HS = Hand Speed: 65 RT = Reaction Time: 64 PH = Puck Handling: 60 PS = Penalty Shot: 55 Total Points Earned: 162 The Good: Kirkstone has great size and the inclining upside is the ability to control those rebounds. Those paired together is a great foundation for success as a goaltender. The Bad: While boasting size, the downside is a lack of activity and less than average skating abilities. Goaltenders are often some of the best skaters in the game, but this is not the case here. We will see if that can change because if it can… Kirkstone could be a mid-draft steal. The Projection: 4th/5th Round ------ Ekaterina Rudnikova Height: 5’10†Weight: 175 lbs. Birthplace: Russia Type: Hybrid Goalie Strengths: Hand Speed, Reaction, Agility Weakness: Rebounds Projected Attributes: SK = Skating: 66 EN = Endurance: 75 SZ = Size: 65 AG = Agility: 71 RB = Rebound Control: 52 SC = Style Control: 65 HS = Hand Speed: 71 RT = Reaction Time: 71 PH = Puck Handling: 70 PS = Penalty Shot: 55 Total Points Earned: 171 The Good: What can we say, she has a motor that doesn’t stop. Her endurance and reaction is what has lifted her to this level. The activity she displays already is just the tip of the iceberg. The Bad: Control, control, control. Whomever decides to take the young Russian, must be confident in their defensemen’s ability to clear pucks and stay home in the zone. The Projection: 1st/2nd Round ------ Kyle Wahlgren Height: 5’11†Weight: 185 lbs. Birthplace: Finland Type: Hybrid Goalie Strengths: Hand Speed, Reaction, Agility Weakness: Size Projected Attributes: SK = Skating: 71 EN = Endurance: 60 SZ = Size: 50 AG = Agility: 75 RB = Rebound Control: 73 SC = Style Control: 72 HS = Hand Speed: 75 RT = Reaction Time: 73.5 PH = Puck Handling: 63 PS = Penalty Shot: 52 Total Points Earned: 183 The Good: One of the most athletic players in the league and responds by showing solid control with rebounds and good hand speed. The Bad: Size. Can we say more? If not for skill, Wahlgren would slide down the board. He must learn angles and portray better coverage in the crease. We don’t question the ability to make the save, just the ability to make the save more routine. The Projection: 1st/2nd Round ----- As the prospect pool continues to shape we will continue to find more clarity and definition of the prospects themselves, but what is clearing up is what decisions organizations have. While the consistency among GM’s has remained in looking towards a mid- or late-round to pick up their next goalie, it is beginning to look more and more like that may be too late. Supply and demand will be telling us otherwise this draft as the following shows us: -Western Division- Colorado  Draft Picks: 1st Round (8th), 4th Round (25th), 4th Round (27th), 4th Round (30th), 5th Round (40th), 6th Round (41st) S29 Goalies: Kimmo Lokinen (S30 Draft Prospect) 328 TPE and Jacob Andrews (LAP Prospect) 344 TPE Team Perspective: With two substantially skilled junior goalies the problem herein lays that either may have the opportunity to be called up at any moment should they be active. So the question isn’t do they need goaltending, it is when should they get there next prospect. The draft won’t be so kind to goalie needs, so outside of spending the 8th overall pick on one the draft won’t fulfill the hole. Outlook: The idea here may be finding a filler in free agency or possibly trading for one mid-season should the need arise. As for the S31 draft don’t look for them to reach for a goaltender. Kelowna  Draft Picks: 1st Round (1st), 2nd Round (16th), 3rd Round (17th), 3rd Round (24th), 4th Round (32nd), 5th Round (33rd), 6th Round (48th) S29 Goalies: Mikke Laukkanen (Rights belong to New England) 350 TPE and Max Smith-Frey (S30 Draft Prospect) 155 TPE Team Perspective: What could be more exciting than becoming a GM? How about walking into a rebuilding season. After facing the loss of a premier goaltender in Laukkanen, the Knights face the next season with Smith-Frey who seemingly has lost sight of his vision in playing in the SHL. What Kelowna does have is an abundance of draft picks, but is the timing right? Will there be goaltenders on the board late second round or could they package a last second trade to pick up multiple picks in exchange for the 1st overall choice? Outlook: We could possibly see a trade made here to maybe get a two- or three-for-one deal. In saying that, the Knights have other holes to fill as well and a 1st overall pick could definitely be a starting stone while trying to draft Kirkstone early or late in the 3rd or 4th round. Prince George  Draft Picks: 3rd Round (20th), 5th Round (36th), 6th Round (45th) S29 Goalies: Ace Dafoe (S30 Draft Prospect) 198 TPE Team Perspective: If the above doesn’t spell it out for the Firebirds I’m not sure it could be made any simpler. After dealing with a call up last season, Dafoe was touted as the next in line. Unfortunately it hasn’t come to fruition, but with the picks allotted chances aren’t great that Dafoe would be challenged to start the season. Outlook: It was apparent when trades were being made during a playoff run that Mac was going for it. Well as he would be the first to acknowledge, this is what happens if the coin flip comes up on the wrong side. Aside from snagging someone late, riding Dafoe out and building up a couple more picks for the S32 Draft may be the best opportunity at this point. Vancouver  Draft Picks: 1st Round (3rd), 1st Round (7th), 2nd Round (10th), 2nd Round (11th), 4th Round (26th), 5th Round (39th), 6th Round (42nd) S29 Goalies: Triforce Link (Announced Retirement) 290 TPE and Stiv Dingels (S30 Draft Prospect) 209 TPE Team Perspective: Coming off of a Championship loss Vancouver still sits with a good core and a strong goalie in Link. Unfortunately that is only an interim, as Link unexpectedly announced retirement following this season. With Dingels recently wavering on league interest, the question exist regarding management using one of those 2nd Round picks to get a long term piece solved. Outlook: It is absolutely feasible seeing the Whalers taking a goalie with either the 10th or 11th picks of the draft. The have a core, but solidifying that with two 1st Round picks would seem viable while snagging a goalie to serve as backup during Link’s final go-around. -Eastern Division- Detroit  Draft Picks: 1st Round (2nd), 2nd Round (15th), 3rd Round (18th), 5th Round (34th), 6th Round (47th) S29 Goalies: Jari Ohvo (S30 Draft Prospect) 193 TPE and Sivy McSieve (Texas Renegades) 350 TPE Team Perspective: During a recent Q & A the Falcons are attacking a plan that is permitting to fill the holes left by an aging roster. While they aren’t overly concerned about McSieve heading to the Renegades, they look to be sticking with Ohvo and resolving a long-term plan once the positional roles start taking shape. Outlook: Don’t look for much movement from the Falcons in regards to taking a goalie with their picks, regardless if there are any unexpected prospects falling deep into the draft. Halifax  Draft Picks: 1st Round (4th), 1st Round (6th), 2nd Round (9th), 2nd Round (13th), 3rd Round (19th), 4th Round (28th), 5th Round (38th), 6th Round (43rd) S29 Goalies: Richard C. Hocolate (Calgary Dragons) 318 TPE and Carter Fleury (S30 Draft Prospect) 196 TPE Team Perspective: With Hocolate in net and in no eminent need in Calgary the job is his in Halifax for a couple seasons. While Fleury has taken notice and seeming to have lost the drive, Halifax could take a goaltender late if available. With 5 selections within the first 19 draft picks, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them reach in the second round if they feel the vision of whomever is available can wait out the next couple seasons as backup. Outlook: Look for the Raiders to steal a goalie in the 2nd Round if either Rudnikova or Wahlgren are available. So far interest in both to develop their game is high as they would have the patience to sit behind Hocolate over the next couple season. Montreal  Draft Picks: 2nd Round (14th), 3rd Round (23rd), 4th Round (30th), 5th Round (35th), 6th Round (46th) S29 Goalies: Matt Lewis-Flood (Called up to SHL), Oskar Molmsten Jr (S30 Draft Prospect) 188 TPE and Rough CockBurn (S30 Draft Prospect) 155 TPE Team Perspective: With losing a top goaltender always come uneasiness. Molmsten, while at 188 TPE has mediocre interest and then there is CockBurn who has seemingly lost all drive to grow. In saying this, the Militia must look to use their 2nd Round pick on a starter. It is known that their core is strong and in their prime, so finding an active goalie with the desire to succeed now. Outlook: If a goalie is on the board come the 14th selection look for the Militia to come in and scoop up the best goalie still available. If that hole can be filled the Militia look to be a definite contender. St. Louis  Draft Picks: 1st Round (5th), 2nd Round (12th), 3rd Round (21st), 3rd Round (22nd), 5th Round (37th), 6th Round (44th) S29 Goalies: Casey Holmes (Rights to Buffalo) 350 TPE and Kasper Haapanen (S30 Draft Prospect) 155 TPE Team Perspective: Well not more can be desired after a Championship… but when you come upon the off-season and start looking forward the adrenaline wears off and it is back to business. With Holmes most likely getting the call to Buffalo the fear would be depending on a very raw Haapanen who doesn’t seem to be panning out and meeting expectations. Outlook: Looking for a potential starter we should see the team from Arch City look for a goaltender in either the first or second round to hopefully backstop a run towards back to back glory. This draft is going to shape up to be a very interesting one in comparison to past drafts. With significant need and little choice in prospects, the GM's will be forced to draft early in fear of them being snagged before chances run dry. Between the three, look for one another to break thru and prove themselves in order to justify the risk teams will have to take among the sea of high quality positional players. ![[Image: Wally.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/gjsvkSr2/Wally.png)
KrisRegistered Senior Member
Good read. This draft could really turn out interesting.
Only thing- it will be the S30 SMJHL draft not S31. 
WallyHead Office El Dumbo - Big Spoon - Both Handed Quote:Originally posted by Darth_Invadeher@Jul 16 2016, 03:35 PM Damn it haha
Thor__Registered Member
Who's your render. I'll make you another sig. Even though your current one is bad ass.
WallyHead Office El Dumbo - Big Spoon - Both Handed
Thor__Registered Member Quote:Originally posted by kwahlgren36@Jul 16 2016, 07:21 PM Whichever you prefer. If you like Fin goalies I can do Rinne or Rask? Lehtonen... who ever
NereusRegistered S37 Challenge Cup Champion and Jake Long the American Dragon
WallyHead Office El Dumbo - Big Spoon - Both Handed Quote:Originally posted by Thor@Jul 16 2016, 06:28 PM Well the signature pic is of joona voutilainen, while my profile pic is actually myself.
Thor__Registered Member Quote:Originally posted by kwahlgren36@Jul 16 2016, 07:41 PM ![[Image: QW8naRl.png]](https://i.imgur.com/QW8naRl.png) [email=kwahlgren]kwahlgren[/email]
GrapeheadRegistered Grape Hater
mel24Registered Senior Member |
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