Curt

Not that it is anything definitive but McKenzie’s scout put him at 33 overall.

And there was much rejoicing.

If they weren’t going to take a defenseman, then this is a fine selection.

Nice quotes. I absolutely agree that he is a good and improving prospect. However, as a smaller offense first winger, his production alone tells me that he isn’t quite ready for the NHL. He needs to continue to gain muscle and work on his game. I don’t believe that his upside is as great as Savoie or Benson’s.

I think Riley Heidt might be the BPA too. Not big (surprise, surprise) at 5’10.5” 180, but he is a really good 2 way playmaker at C. Projects as a smart, fast middle 6 C who combines skill and competitiveness, and can play in all situations. Oh, and he put up 97 pts in 68 WHL games this season.

You know, I was reminded of something this morning. NHL GMs just flat out overthink the draft a lot of the time. If you just told a computer to select the highest scoring CHL forward available at every draft pick, it would find more players that go on to have successful NHL careers than a lot of GMs. Sometimes it’s as simple as picking the best junior players. Chances are that they will go on to have the best NHL careers.

I don’t understand this player evaluation. You are going to need to go into more detail to convince me.

He measured 5’9.75” 170 lbs at the draft combine.

I’d be good with that. He is all the way down at 61 on McKenzie’s board though.

Maxim Strbak? Cameron Allen?

Apparently 46 defensemen are going to get drafted in the 1st round and Buffalo will be left with all the 5’10” wingers, just like they planned it.

High risk high reward. That’s how we do baby.

I liked Cowan as an option for Buffalo in the 2nd round

I wonder if Benson is going to grow anymore. He is fairly young for the draft and he kind of looks like a 15 year old tomboy. If he ends up being 5’11” 190 five years from now, woah, watch out.

I like Ritchie a lot

I think they need to really focus in on D in rounds 2-5. I tend to think that forwards are better value in the lottery though anyway.

I don’t know if he really is the best defensive forward in the draft, but he busts his butt being a real 200 ft player. Has a little pest in him too.

I agree. Some of these guys are going to get moved along at some point. But from my perspective, they didn’t just add another name to the group. They added a guy who is better than everyone else in the prospect pool. These kids are going to be excited by the idea of playing together and know they need to bust their butt to make it to the NHL. Let the cream rise to the top and trade the surplus.

This is fair, but rolling 3 lines that can really score is a great goal.

Measured at the draft combine 5’9.75” 170 lbs.

Don’t want to quibble, but 5’10”. Briere was like 5’8”, no?

Half of the rankings out there have this kid in the 5-8 range. He isn’t big, but at 5’10” 170 he isn’t that small. He doesn’t play small either, putting in great two way effort. Very good skater but not a burner. Could gain explosiveness in that skating as he puts on muscle. One of the smartest and most skilled players in this draft. He is immediately our top prospect not in the NHL. From my point of view, getting this guy in the system makes some of these other smaller forward prospects expendable, especially Rosen and Östlund.

They actually did it!

Benson, Benson, Benson Please

Way to go Stevie Y!