Late last night the Columbus Blue Jackets website released their final 2015 Mock Draft and surprise surprise on the name called at #8.
Mike G. Morreale’s mock keeps a familiar mock draft name going for the Jackets when he selects D Ivan Provorov from the Brandon Wheat Kings.
"The 6-foot, 191-pound left-shot defender was fourth among Western Hockey League defensemen with 61 points (15 goals, 46 assists) in 60 games as a rookie. He had two goals and 13 points in 19 WHL playoff games. The Russian logs a lot of ice time, is good on special teams, and likes to play the body."
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Provorov has been the most common pick for the Blue Jackets since the season ended, don’t believe us check here. It makes sense to a degree, Provorov is rated on most draft boards as the 2nd or 3rd best defender, behind Noah Hanifin and sometimes Zach Werenski, placing him 6th-10th on most draft boards overall. Combine that with the Jackets need for defenceman, the consensus of GM Jarmo Kekalainen draft strategy to pick best available and it’s easy to see why this occurring so often.
Personally I prefer Werenski and would/did select Werenski over Provorov. For in depth reasons check here. But there’s also the growing suspicion, based on Jarmo’s recent comments, that the Jackets might be trading up to grab Hanifin.
Morreale has Hanifin going 5th to the Carolina Hurricanes, which aligns itself with Jarmo’s comments, “But I think the optimal situation would be, in our case, we see what’s available at (No. 8) and then get to 5 or 6 and see if it’s there anymore or if we have to move to 6 to get (the prospect).” Morreale had this on Hanifin.
"The 6-3, 203-pound left-shot defender had five goals, 23 points, and 52 blocked shots in 37 games as a freshman with the Eagles. Hanifin’s defensive game is a bit underrated but his ability to excel in pressure situations and on the transition is well known."
Sabre Noise
I was huge on the trade up for Hanifin scenario until I started scouting Werenski. I found myself loving parts of Werenski’s game enough that I was alright us sitting still and grabbing Werenski but I still believe the top choice is to go after a potential sliding Hanifin, who is widely considered the 3rd best prospect in this draft.
In Morreale’s mock he has the Jackets passing on Werenski, instead opting for Provorov, which slides Werenski to the Colorado Avalanche at 10.
"The 6-foot-2, 206-pound freshman excelled as the youngest player in NCAA hockey. He led Michigan defenders with 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists), had 12 power-play points, a plus-9 rating, and tied for the team-lead with 59 blocked shots. He was named to the All-Big Ten Hockey First Team, and the All-Big Ten Freshman Team."
Again I’m more for Werenski than Provorov so I believe he made the wrong call but I believe they’re close and it might come down to personal opinion, though it’s hard not to argue that Hanifin is clouds above the ground of Werenski and Provorov.
We’ll see how everything turns out today. What’s your personal preference. Trade up for Hanifin? Pick Werenski? Pick Provorov? Pick a winger?