The Blackhawks never seem to have to make very many moves in the offseason to stay competitive. A good reason why is because of how well they draft. Even in a draft class that was considered weak this year, Chicago made good use of its nine picks, fortifying prospect depth with the selections of two centres, four wingers, two defensemen and a goaltender.
2014 NHL Draft Grades: Central Division, Part I Read Post »
As a Western Hockey League rookie, the dynamite Russian winger led all freshmen in goals, assists and points and was easily Saskatoon’s leading regular season point scorer with 28 goals, 50 assists and 78 points.
2014 NHL Draft Grades: Atlantic Division, Part II Read Post »
The 2014 NHL Entry Draft is over and with the league well into the offseason and free agency, it’s time to see how they did. Today, we’ll kick it off with part one of the Atlantic Division.
2014 NHL Draft Grades: Atlantic Division, Part I Read Post »
There are a lot of things to like about McKeown. He’s got decent size at 6’1″, 194 pounds, and he could grow more and add 10-to-20 pounds of muscle to his frame by the time he’s ready to make his NHL debut. The Listowel, Ont.-native is also a right-shooting defender, which could raise his draft stock this weekend. However, his most admirable quality from a playing standpoint is how selfless he is with the puck and how well he thinks the game.
Analyzing 2014 NHL Mock Drafts, Part VI Read Post »
Where DeAngelo comes off the board in the draft depends on how much teams like his game and are willing to put up with a potentially serious attitude problem. With that said, he could go anywhere from inside the top 15 to somewhere in the third round.
Analyzing 2014 NHL Mock Drafts, Part V Read Post »
For a team loaded with talented young play-making centres, the Jackets may get another one. Fortunately, this one can play wing, too.
Analyzing 2014 NHL Mock Drafts, Part IV Read Post »
After years of watching their team take a defense-first mentality, fans in Smashville couldn’t be more excited to snatch up an offensive dynamo like Ehlers. According to Hockey’s Future, the Preds are strong in goaltending, defense and rugged two-way forwards. However, the team’s prospect pool sorely lacks elite offensive talent. Ehlers instantly addresses that weakness, as made evident by his 49 goals, 104 points and a plus-65 rating in 63 games last season as a rookie with the Mooseheads.
Analyzing 2014 NHL Mock Drafts, Part III Read Post »
