Draftermath: 15 Thoughts

1. I don't understand the Oliver Wahlstrom pick at all, at 13th overall. Yes, I get that he is the youngest player to ever commit to an NCAA team (he did so in grade 7!). Yes, he was born on the last day ever of my scheduled high school classes (according to my Northwestern Mutual Life calendar). But what makes GMGP think that this 11th overall NHL pick is better than those taken at the big boy podium at 3rd, 4th (see below!), 5th, 8th, 9th, and 10th?

2. Why was 5th overall Barrett Hayton not taken AT ALL? He's one of only 3 players from the 2018 draft class that will make his NHL debut this week! Similar question to the one posed above, but I'll target Lord GMJK with this one: why no love for the hayt, particularly when you keyed in on Kravtsov (9th) and Kupari (20th)? 

3. Did someone tell GMTA that in 3 years, defensemen points will double? Our newest GM now owns 4 of Dobbers top 15 prospect blueliners, among whom only 8 were available at the draft. By adding Hughes, Bouchard, and Brannstrom to Dumba and DeAngelo, I predict Big Byf and Ju Schu will be on the move this season. 

4. What's with all these hards on for Ryan Ellis? He signed a massive $50m contract in the offseason, sure. He's fine, but is he 8th overall fiiiiiiine? Looking at our previous 5 drafts, the first defensemen taken over the age of 25 are as follows: Tobias Enstrom (9th overall, 30 points), Jason Demuhhhhhhs (11th overall, 25 points), Dennis Wideman (7th overall, 19 points), Marc-Edouard Vlasic (15th overall, 28 points), Ryan McDonagh (22nd overall, 29 points). I'll say that Ellis becomes the first to buck the trend of not breaking 30 points, but will set the O/E at 34.5, and declare this a poor use of the 8th overall pick. But thanks again for hosting!

5. The Nickrooshkins are early candidates for the best overall draft, the best single draft pick, and the worst single draft pick! GMNR shored things up better than any other contender, punctuated things with Nick Foligno at 168th overall, but made sure to stay on brand for his loyal Dostoevskyan fan-base by taking Nikolai Goldobin in the 6th round. There is absolutely no chance in hell the streaky Gold-strobin will put up more than 35 points. Over the course of the rest of his NHL career.     

6. Honestly, nobody makes a better BBQ chicken pizza than Panago. I know GMSJ agrees. Yeah, you.

7. I'm not certain this was intentional, but my hot take is that after filling out his PR forwards, getting his top prospect, and solidifying his back-up goalie, the reigning champion GMMC focused on GMSW with his next three picks. Vatanen could steal PP time from Butcher, while Saad and Okposo could ride the highs of Kane and Skinner and neutralize any advantage for the Stefans. 

8. So without further ado, here is the predicted order 1st through 7th, with a nod to Thalers (how are we actually spelling this?) for their first playoff berth.

Valeri Nickrooshkins

Patrik Stefans

Milan Micahleks

Los Amjawors Kings

Mackhawks

Hartford Thalers

Powder Rangers