Draft Time!

by light_the_lamp on Jun 13, 2011 10:34 PM PDT

There has been a lot of discussion on this blog about hypothetical free agent signings and prospects, but I'd like to get your opinions about the upcoming draft. Do we need to find a future number one goaltender? A defenseman? Or do we really need to get a center (per Murray's suggestion - see Robby's "Select A Seat" piece)? (We have the 22nd pick overall).

Nashville did an excellent job of exploiting our defensive weaknesses during the quarterfinals, so I'm leaning towards that position. A few NHL.com writers have suggested the following gentlemen:

John Gibson.

Nicklas Jensen.

Scott Mayfield.

Brandon Saad.

(If these picks make your blood boil, don't kill the messenger!)

Gibson is a center, and Jensen and Saad are wingers. I think that Mayfield is the most intriguing prospect. He is 6'4" and 185 lbs (a skinny dude), but he will definitely fill out. And according to Hockey's Future, he has a "booming point shot," "underrated hands," and an "excellent transition game." All intriguing qualities. But we could definitely use that center, too.

Decisions, decisions.

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Comments

When drafting 22, you really should just take the best available player.

by Daniel AC on Jun 14, 2011 7:13 AM PDT via mobile reply actions

That's a legitimate point.

And Mayfield is going the NCAA route (yay college hockey!), so he wouldn’t be able to contribute immediately like Cam. But the Ducks organization will still have to determine who ‘best available player’ is – and I think that the chosen player will fill some organizational need.

by light_the_lamp on Jun 14, 2011 7:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Only if they draft a goalie. At 22 they can probably have the best goalie in the draft, which isn’t a bad idea and probably what I’ll do when Arthur and I make our pick next week. Other than that, I guess every player fills an organizational need at this point. I’ll have better analysis in a couple of days when I’ve finished my research.

by Daniel AC on Jun 14, 2011 8:29 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

I vote mayfield just so I can have a ducks reason to root for my pioneers

These are the demands and sayings of tohon

by tohon on Jun 15, 2011 1:45 AM PDT up reply actions

If the organization is looking at centers around the 15 range then I’m guessing they’re looking at Mark McNeill. Kid has size (6.02"/210lbs) and still has room to grow. From what I’ve gathered he is not afraid of physical play and is a smart two-way player. Sounds like he’d fit right in.

There is no justice. It's just us. . . brotha.

by Sanik on Jun 14, 2011 9:32 AM PDT reply actions

Zack Phillips anyone?

by JD54 on Jun 18, 2011 12:40 AM PDT reply actions

Tell us more!

by light_the_lamp on Jun 18, 2011 10:01 PM PDT up reply actions

He is a center 6 foot 1 180 pounds. Played for the Saint John Sea Dogs 38 goals 57 assists 95 points in 67 games. Bro was clutch in the postseason scoring 24 points in seventeen games. Phillips is projected to go in the top 15 so I think he could be, I’m not saying he is but he could be on Murray’s radar.

Hockey Database:
http://hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=122666

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kt2pkGZbl08

Warrior:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s121CBr_3oc

Get to know:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DwtXRCzPyA&feature=related

by JD54 on Jun 19, 2011 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions