2013 Draft
Buffalo Sabres D Rasmus Ristolainen
Whoever does his highlight reels definitely knows how to party. It’s like an NSYNC music video in a Rocky film that’s based on hockey. I’ve watched the first 10 seconds, 40 times today. I’m making it my new ringtone. One of his “highlights” is skating pass the bench giving high fives. You KNOW this guy is a winner, what talent!
Swiss Army Knife is a term thrown out a lot in early scouting reports on Ristolaien. Many drool over the 6’4″ 219 lbs frame that Ristolaien uses wisely to power his way in the defensive zone. He doesn’t go for the big hit instead keeping his balance and moving his body around to clear the room he wants. Offensively he moves the puck up quickly and accurately while also taking a solid shot from the point. The main knock from some on him seemed to be that he does everything well, but nothing great.
Ristolaien played his first full NHL season this previous year playing in 78 games to the tune of 20 points with a -56 plus minus. It may look awful but this is a case where the stats don’t tell the full story. Well at least not till you investigate a touch more. Toward the end of the season Ristolainen Mario’d up to the #1 defenseman and responded back with a 9 game 9 point streak, including a 3 assist game against the Blackhawks. Ristolainen could be on the verge of a breakout season.
One More Adderall-Infused Sexy Highlight Video.
Seriously though?! What are these videos for? It’s like a 10-year-old just found IMovie on his parents’ computer. Sexy Dancing. Check. Foreign song with an English Hook. Check. Kids cheering. Check. Highlights? Eh no time.
#1 Pick Avs-Nathan MacKinnon
CBJ Pick #14 Alexander Wennberg #19 Kerby Rychel #27 Marko Dano
Notables #4 Predators-Seth Jones #6 Flames-Sean Monahan
2014 Draft
Toronto Maple Leafs C/LW William Nylander
Besides this skating highlight reel who plays against men..what were the scouting reports raving about Nylander? Great stick play that he uses to set up scoring, passing and just great control coming up the ice. Scouts all seem to love his IQ and accurate shot. Knocks are against his smaller size, lack of actual output so far, not a whole lot of defensive effort and a bit of holding onto the puck at times.
Just drafted last year so it’s impossible to get a great look at what he’s accomplished and what he pans out to be on an NHL level. Last season was encouraging as he scored 14 goals with 18 assists in the AHL over only 37 games.
#1 Pick Panthers-Aaron Ekblad
2015 Draft
Columbus Blue Jackets – ???
This is a pretty ugly list. While the #8 pick obviously changes teams each year with a different talent pool each go around, this is not an encouraging list. It’s clear talent is still available at and past the #8 pick so it’s not grasping at straws but for some reason the #8 pick doesn’t have a great history of talent. Hopefully the Blue Jackets help continue the recent trend of impressive #8 picks, especially at the defensive side (wink, wink Jarmo). Or maybe this will be the tipping point to trade up for Noah Hanifin (wink, wink Jarmo).
What I take away from this is if you like a player, go up and get him. There’s a reason you feel strongly for a certain player. Don’t get complacent because not all picks pan out, in fact most don’t. Don’t sit around and play status quo, get the player that will take your team to the next level. Especially for the Blue Jackets, where this might be their highest pick in the years to come.
Next: CBJ Alumni Playoff 3 Stars May 4th