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Whikadoodle · 07-31-2017, 10:30 AM

Hello SHL fans! After an exciting game seven where Toronto brought home their first ever Challenge Cup, we've got Christmas in August as all 14 SHL teams look to find their next superstar in the S36 SHL Entry Draft!

I am here with Chippy Chiclets' friend and mentor, Niklas Wikstrom, to discuss what he thinks of the current environment here at the Draft and what his expectations for Chippy are.

Dick Shivers:Niklas, it's been great to see you back around the league this past season, how have you been?

Niklas Wikstrom: It's great to be back, Dick. This time of year is always special for the teams, because you get to see an impact on the culture of the squad. In this day and age of Twitter and Discord, those effects are felt almost instantly. But because of those advancements, you can also see players on teams develop animosity towards their new teammates before they are selected, and that has to be worked through quickly. On the other side of the coin, players are valued much differently than they were when I was drafted: it's less about quality and more about quantity: how often you're around, how much you're willing to put in, and how you get along with people around the league versus just those in your locker room. Those changes alone make this a very different process than when I was drafted in S20.

DS: I know that you've had a lot of time to see the Canadian SMJHL games, what do you think about the prospects this year?

NW: This is one of the most stacked draft classes I've had the opportunity to witness. I think about once every five seasons we get a class that will no-doubt have an impact on the league as a whole. You have players like Tigole Bitties, Yuri Boyka Jr., and Casey Creller who have the wisdom and maturity of players who have already gone through careers in the SHL. You also have players like Cody Fletcher, Nour Harrak, and Lui Koller who are chomping at the bit to make their mark on this league. Finally, with a draft this deep, you have some real sleepers, and teams can expect to find a handful of players around rounds 4-5 that could make huge impacts on their franchises for years to come. I expect the players who go in those first few rounds to have the ear of their GMs, and we could see some tandems that have had success at the Juniors level have the chance to play together in the bigs.

DS: It's great that you have such awareness for this class, but our real question for you: who goes first overall?

NW: No question, it's Isak Odegard. As I said before, there are a few players who could have an impact on the entire franchise this draft, but none are more of a sure thing than Odegard. I had a chance to get to know Odegard well while spending time around Chippy in Vancouver, and Odegard naturally finds himself as the face of a franchise. Odegard is the kind of player that can be a turning point in your history, and I don't think a team like Minnesota will be willing to pass up that kind of opportunity. Isak goes first overall, 100% guaranteed.

DS: Speaking of Chippy, where do you think he lands on Tuesday?

NW: There's a number of places where I could see Chippy going. First is the Winnipeg Jets Jets

. I have quite the history in Winnipeg, going back all the way to Leafs original run. Some people say that I became a great in Winnipeg. Despite the fact I was unable to bring that city a championship, they have always shown great loyalty and respect since my time there, and that's made it easier for me to reach out to the franchise over the past few years. I've had their ear, and it seems very likely that Chippy Chiclets could go to Winnipeg at #6.

The second place I could see Chippy going is to the New England Wolfpack

. Everything I just said about Winnipeg can be said 10 fold about New England. I spent the best years of my life in Boston, and I know that New England will be looking for a defenseman who can make an impact on their blue line in the coming seasons. Chippy has had a chance to speak with their current GM, and would love the opportunity to keep New England on top of the league.

The third place I could see Chippy going is to the Hamilton Steelhawks

, by the sheer numbers alone, Hamilton's rebuild rests on their ability to draft strong players with their four first round picks. It reminds me a lot of my own draft, where GM Ace was able to take four relatively unknown players and turn them into superstars; where three of us still play today, two for New England, and one who was just the first inductee into the Wolfpack Hall of Fame. I think Hamilton might try to take the safe route, locking up players they believe can go through the long haul, and that's 100% on the people representing those players. Hamilton knows that those agents have SHL experience, and that their players will become something in this league. In my mind, the trade off for guaranteed experience is the risk that those agents have the players' ears, and they might not be as loyal to a franchise as an unrepresented or first-represented player might be. If that's the case, you could see them go for free in FA, or get little return should it become obvious they'd leave in FA. Hamilton has the picks to make those decisions, and I think we could see Chippy being selected with one of Hamilton's first round picks.

DS: So Chippy has had talks with HAM GM TDMcJ?

NW: I'm not going to confirm or deny that, Dick, but I will say that TDMcJ is a good GM, and good GMs have Chippy on their radar.

DS: Any dark horse picks for where Chippy Chiclets could end up by the end of Tuesday night?

NW: Well, I sincerely believe that Chippy will go in the first round, but if he were to fall to their pick, I'm confident the Buffalo Stampede or the Texas Renegades would snatch him up. Edmonton could take Chippy at #4, but I don't think their management values Chippy enough to take him over a player like Casey Creller, who could very well still be available at that spot.

I think the best dark horse pick I could see happening is West Kendall Platoon Platoon

at #8. With Hamilton picking at #9 and New England picking at #11, I don't think Chippy's on the board for Calgary at #12. At the very least, West Kendall knows that Chippy won't be available at #19, their next pick, so the question is whether or not Chippy is the kind of player they are looking for with their only first round pick in a deep draft. I think with the recent string of defenseman hanging up the skates in West Kendall, Chippy would be an excellent option to come in and fill the void left by those skaters. In fact, if Chippy were to be passed by New England at #3, Winnipeg at #6, and Hamilton at #7, West Kendall could take that one of two ways: they could wonder what these teams, who have demonstrated interest in Chippy, are thinking and why they are passing him up, or West Kendall could believe that the stars have aligned and Chippy was destined to suit up for the Platoon.

DS: Wow, great analysis, Niklas. You sure know your stuff.

NW: I'm only able to be great because of your amazing skills behind the mic.

DS: It's great that we, two different people, can appreciate each other's incredible talents in a space like this.

NW: You're telling me, I think it displays our humility.

DS: Right you are, Niklas. That's all the time we have for today, tune in Tuesday Night to see where Chippy and the rest of the SMJHL's young superstars go at the S36 SHL Entry Draft!

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***Ace*** · 07-31-2017, 10:43 AM

DeletedAtUserRequest · 07-31-2017, 03:12 PM

Good luck and lots of enjoyment at the draft Cheers

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Whikadoodle · 07-31-2017, 05:42 PM

Quote:Originally posted by Coach Biz@Jul 31 2017, 01:12 PM
Good luck and lots of enjoyment at the draftÂ  

I'm still on my post bar exam trip with the lady tomorrow, but I'll be around. This class is too great to miss our draft

Grapehead · 07-31-2017, 05:53 PM

<a href='index.php?showuser=1833' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-13'>Cynthia</a> <a href='index.php?showuser=1663' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-13'>Winter is Coming</a>

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