U18 Thoughts - Day 4

Only 2 games on the schedule yesterday and here are my thoughts:

USA- DEN
- Jared Rutledge got his chance to keep USA's shutout streak alive and didn't disapoint his team.  Although not challenged too much he did have to make a few saves in the first that really set the tone for the rest of the game.
- The US defense was stellar once again.  Their ability to move the puck up ice off transition has been the key to the US success so far.
- Up front Matt Lane and Quentin Shore had good games.  Shore has shown some strong ability to fire the puck from the circles and picks his spots well.
- Denmark's Magnus Povlsen was again a pleasant surprise for his team.  He really gets around the ice well and proved he can skate and deny space well against a grittier North American opponent.
-   There is also quite a bit to like about Danish captain Kristoffer Lauridsen.  Strong on skates, was unintimidated by big US defenders Jones and Trouba and fought well to earn space in the net front area.
- US is quickly earning respect and I might need to revise my pre-tournament predictions as they are emerging as the favorites thus far.

SWE-LAT
- The Swedes seemed generally shocked by the speed and physicality the Latvians offered early on in this game.  They really struggled to get much offensive zone pressure early and had an equally hard time breaking the puck into the zone against a very underrated and defensively sound Latvian D group.
- As the game wore on, Swedish captain started to assert himself and was a force in all 3 zones.  He threw some good hits, unleashed a couple rocket shots and was a strong defensive presence as well.
- Top goaltending prospect, Oscar Dansk had the night off for Sweden and the game was no picnic for his backup, Magnus Hogberg.  Hogberg was forced to come up with some very tough saves in the 3rd period to keep a determined Latvian attack from equalling the game.
- Elias Lindholm, a late 94 birthdate, was also very strong for the Swedes.  And while that's easy to say, considering he was given credit on two goals in the 3rd period for the Swedes, it was his faceoff presence and consistency that really helped push his team to victory.
- Swedish 95 born Andre Burakowsky was the other member of Sweden's top line and really showcased his quickness and outside rush ability during this game.  He is a real gem and will be a highly coveted offensive player in the 2013 NHL draft.
- Teddy Bluegers had another strong showing for the Latvians.  He was creating offensive chances all game long in the playmaker role but also had a strong rush in the 2nd period but was robbed after a very nice move to backhand on partial breakaway.
- Rihards Bukarts was also in fine form for most of the game and can prove extremely elusive with the puck on the rush.  He is very good at making last second cuts to avoid checks and continune on with the puck.
- Defender Rinalds Rosinskis was again an impressive physical force for the Latvians.  A defence first player, he can really take away space well and was difficult to get around all night for even the most elusive Swedish forwards.  He is really carving out a name for himself so far at this event.
- Latvian goaltender Ivans Punnenvovs was spectacular.  This was first viewing of the young Latvian, and what I say was an impressive display of competitiveness and skill.  He answered the call almost every single shot and had to make some ridiculous saves with his glove.  If he can show effort like this consistently, we just might have something to talk about as far as pro potential is concerned.


Random Notes:
- The scouts section was packed for the Sweden vs. Latvia game and included a few GMs as well.  Steve Tambellini was in attendance, as was Steve Yzerman.  Yzerman, always the class act, posed for a ton of photos with Czech fans on the concourse after the game.  I remember when I was on the organizing committee in Halifax for the World Championships and Yzerman and Shane Doan would stop to sign every shirt, pose in every picture.  It was tough when it was your job to move them around undetected and on time, but I always had a ton of respect for them for making that time.

Draft Lottery Mock Draft

The Oilers have won the draft lottery and will pick 1st overall for the 3rd straight year.  You have to feel for Columbus who desperately needed this pick.  While it might not be the deepest or most talent-laden draft in recent years, there is still some high end skill available and some hidden gems.  Here is a look at how I see the first 14 picks going...right now....

1. Edmonton - Nail Yakupov - The rich get richer.  Oilers have the option to trade this for the stud defender they require (Shea Weber perhaps?) but the likelihood is they hang on and add an equally as talented goal scoring winger as Taylor Hall to the mix.  The Oilers are like the Penguins of wingers.
2. Columbus - Filip Forsberg - Forsberg is the safest pick at this point for the Blue Jackets, along with Ryan Murray.  Either of those two picks makes sense and helps Columbus establish a new identity...again....Intersting though as Grigorenko could be a possibility for them and would be that style of centre they have sought for Rick Nash....if they don't move him.
3. Montreal - Mikhail Grigorenko - An easy transition for the Quebec Remparts star, he has a style similar to Joe Thornton and can amplify the skill sets of those around him.
4. New York Islanders - Ryan Murray - Loaded with good young forwards, Murray would be a steal for the Islanders here, they will be watching the Columbus pick intently and if Murray falls he fits perfectly for the Isles.
5. Toronto - Matt Dumba - The Leafs have the chance to do it right, Dumba has future captain written all over him, he is loved everywhere he plays and his style is the kind of style that fans love.  This would be the start of the that rebuild we've heard of for so long, done the right way.  Galchenyuk is another potential pick at this point, but as talented as he is, would just be more of the same for the Leafs.
6. Anaheim - Morgan Rielly - Smart pick at this point, a year or two away but as intelligent as they come from the backend.
7. Minnesota - Jacob Trouba - High end defender gives them some good stability to compliment one of the best stables of forward prospects in the NHL.
8. Carolina -  Radek Faksa - They have good young D, Faksa is a very good offensive player that could flourish with some of the speed they have in their organization.
9.  Winnipeg - Alex Galchenyuk - This could be a stretch to see him fall to this spot.  Personally, I'm not as high on him as most.  The Leafs could jump on him, so could Carolina, but I'm slotting him in here for now as he definintely won't fall past Winnipeg.  Galchenyuk is a bit polarizing at times and his injury status is something that has hurt his stock a bit, but he is one of only a handful of players who truly have elite offensive pro-potential.  That being said, he's the riskiest of that small group.
10. Tampa Bay - Griffin Reinhart - Tampa's defensive depth is actually quite strong, players like Barberio and Gudas are very promising prospects in the not too distant future, but passing on Reinhart here just isn't something they should do.
11. Washington - Brendan Gaunce - Gaunce is what Washington is missing, he is a very competitive player with excellent two-way potential and good grit.  He has the energy and fire to fuel a change in the US capital.
12. Buffalo - Cody Ceci - They keep finding good value in the mid 1st round, Ceci is just that and one of the most underrated players in the draft.
13. Dallas - Sebastien Collberg - Speedy outside presence that can score a nice fit for Stars.  Teravainen another potential pick at this point as is Peterborough defender Slater Koekoek. 
14. Calgary - Zemgus Girgensons - Has the offensive skill the Flames need and the grit and physicality that fans in souther Alberta have grown to expect from their team.