Season 20 redraft part 2

Welcome back everyone,  CHL playoffs are starting this week, the frozen four tournament is getting started on the NCAA side and more guys are starting to get a cup of coffee with the NHL programs that originally drafted them. It is a busy time here at Wheel’s up with multiple games every night having high impact prospects displaying their skills.  That said lets get into the second half of our re-draft.

16. Canadiens.  Original pick Zachary Bolduc
    Repick-Zachary Bolduc is the first drafted player to a 100 points in the CHL this season, young phenom Connor Bedard has 25 more points in 5 less games.  Bolduc is a solid two-way player that was always a playmaker first but has improved his release and shot and could easily find himself in a top 6 role down the road.  He is a strong player on the puck but his game away from the puck is quite advanced for the Q, something that normally knocks guys from that league.
17. Jets Original pick Sebastian Cossa
    Repick-Xavier Bourgault is taking an everyday shift in the AHL and while not scoring at will his game is translating well. He is 3rd in scoring on the team and passing players with NHL games on the depth chart.
18. Senators Original Pick Janis Moser
    Repick-Chaz Lucius has played in 4 leagues over the past 3 seasons. USHL, NCAA, AHL, and WHL.  He has been very successful wherever he plays and was absolutely torching the WHL before going down for a season ending surgery.  His 2.5 ppg pace in the WHL show well for his transition to the pro game and his 12 AHL games already show that his offensive game translates.   Recovery from the injury and getting himself ready for camp next season is the key to unlocking his full potention.
19. Stars.  Original Pick Logan Stankoven
    Logan Stankoven is the little engine that can.  He is the mold of a smaller feisty player think of Fleury, Marchand and others.  There is great offensive game, high end motor and intensity that drive him more than most.  He also has skill.  He can play lower roles despite his size and constantly proves he deserves more.  He is a player that will earn it on his merits and won’t disappoint.
20. Bruins.  Original Pick Fabian Lysell
    Repick-Olen Zellweger is dynamic offensive player from the blue line.  He doesn’t have the size you would like it a blue liner but he has everything else.  He is a elite skater, with high end puck protection skills.  His feet are always moving which helps him all over the ice.  He is a lethal finished who can get the puck on net a variety of ways.  Him being part of what the Ducks are building mean there is future first pp opportunities ahead.  His vision is another area that makes him stand out above the remaining defenders in this draft.
21. Avalanche.  Original Pick Matthew Knies
    Repick-Fabian Lysell on NHL draft day seemed like a Pasternak type steal for the Bruins and while that hasn’t gone as well as some hoped, he is a excellent prospect.  There is promising production in the AHL, great WJC performances, and he is well acclimated to North America already.  As the roster turns over in Boston he has opportunity to find himself in a top 9 and potentially top 6 role in the near future.
22. Penguins.  Original pick Oskar Olausson
    Repick-Corson Ceulemans is a right shot, offensive player with good size.  He is capable of moving the puck around the offensive zone very efficiently with an ability to get his shot through.  He keeps his feet moving which means he constantly adjusts the lanes for passing and shooting.  His movement is a big part of his effectiveness on the ice.  In his own end his game is solid but not spectacular and getting a dozen or so AHL games to start learning the pro game will give him a leg up when camp starts next season.
23. Capitals.  Original pick Xavier Bourgault
    Repick-Matthew Samoskevich is a creative player that plays with a bit of brash quality to his game.  He is a worker with skill and has some qualities of a player like Crosby where he is a grinder that has other qualities.  He isn’t going to be Crosby not by a long shot but he looks like a very effective middle six player that you love on the ice.  He uses his teammates well and has his head up at all times.
24. Rangers.  Original pick Aatu Raty
    Repick-Josh Doan is the son of a former NHLer and one of the most promising players to come out of Arizona States division one program. Captain of the team as a sophomore is not a small deal.  Drafted by his fathers Coyotes in the NHL he is exactly the sort of player the Mullet Arena needs in the next couple of seasons to draw in some fans and keep things lively.  He is a one shot finisher from the perimeter but isn’t afraid of the hard areas.  His two way game give him a faster track to the NHL than others because he can play anywhere in a lineup and be effective.
25. Bruins.  Original pick Carson Lambos
    Repick-Francesco Pinelli is a high IQ player that uses him movement subtly to get into open space or to create space for teammates.  He is a solid finisher when the puck is on his stick who just adds to the NHL Kings deep prospect pool  That is one of the concerns though.  With so many talented young players the competition if fierce to make the NHL team so an effective RSHL rating could be a few seasons away.
26. Jets.  Original pick Isak Rosen
    Repick-Matthew Knies is a player of real quality.  There is no doubt that the Toronto hype machine is alive and well.  He isn’t quite a top 10 pick like some have forecasted but he does have some excellent qualities that make him a promising player.  He is a relentless forecheck player who hounds back on the puck in transition and plays a 200ft game.  He is a check for your chances type of player that coaches love.  He could develop into a Zack Hyman type guy which would be a great addition to any team.  He is another guy that will need to really show something to work his way into an RSHL rating in the coming seasons.
27. Devils.  Original pick Fancesco Pinelli
    Repick-Ville Koivunen is an attacking player who loves the big moment.  He had a great WJC he Captianed a young Finnish team.  He is a player that has a good chance to over achieve his draft position.  There is some excellent puck skills, shot and vision.  He is a net driving player who is ready to make an impact when needed.  The production hasn’t blown you away but the live viewings tell a different story.
28. Canucks.  Original pick Fedor Svechkov
    Repick-Carson Lambos has been the dominant blue liner on a Winnipeg ICE team that has run over the WHL this year.  He is a great skater that can activate in the offensive zone and overmatch the defense.  He is a player that has an evolved game in his own zone and keeps good gaps and defends well.  A guy that can move into a bottom pairing role soon and grow from there.
29. Jets.  Original pick Corson Ceulemans
    Repick-Isak Rosen in a couple viewings at the World Juniors looked dominant.  He is a transition monster who carries the puck through the neutral zone and links up zone exits and entries well.  He is a player that can set the table for the offense but isn’t scared to shoot if the defender is cheating pass.  He is a well round player with great handles and lateral movement that makes him very elusive when on the puck.  His AHL stats are very solid for a 19 year old and set him up well to fight for a place in the NHL soon.
30. Canadiens.  Original pick Mackie Samoskevich
    Repick-Brennan Othmann has drifted a bit for me since the RSHL draft.  His production at the World Juniors was promising as was his start with Flint in the OHL.  Since moving to the Petes his production has tailed off with a stronger roster.  At his best his carries the puck through the neutral zone with speed and is a solid player in the offensive zone.  He has a strong cycle game but can all play off the rush and is a strong physical presence on the ice. 

HM: Zachary L’Heureux has to fix between his ears, spearing fans is the wrong way to stand out in hockey.  Sebastian Cossa is a big strong netminder dominating in the ECHL which eases his transition to the pro game.  Zack Dean hasn’t taken the big development steps some of the others ahead of him have but there is a useful tool kit there.  Scott Morrow looks like the one that got away from many, with his good size, strength, defensive awareness and offensive game, not many blue liners lead their team in points.