How NHL Ready are Newly Drafted Players?
Last year’s National Hockey League Entry Draft was an anomaly in success. An unprecedented rate of selections made it to the NHL in their first season and many were tremendously successful.
Generally players drafted outside the first two picks rarely manage to make an immediate impact on their franchise and require some time in minor league affiliate development. Yet last season, late picks like Dmitri Kulikov and Ryan O’Reilly became recognizable NHL forces. Since last year’s draft may have set high expectations, it is important to review which newly drafted players can definitely be in the NHL immediately, and which picks may require more development.
Certain:
Taylor Hall: The number one overall choice, Hall is going to prominently feature in the NHL immediately as the cornerstone of the Edmonton Oilers’ rebuilding attempts. Coach Tom Renney may not start Hall immediately, but he will gradually work him into a consistent role in the line up.
Since Hall is going to be the centre of the Oilers’ development and marketing, he will end up getting a lot of playing time. He also has shown the abilities to merit such an opportunity, and with Hall the Oilers can actually be a serious team within a few seasons.
Erik Gudbranson: The 6-foot-3 18-year-old was a dominant defender in the Ontario Hockey League for the Kingston Frontenacs. After being selected third overall by the Florida Panthers, it is doubtful that Gudbranson will ever see the minor league ranks again.
The Panthers are too stretched thin in all positions on the ice during their current rebuilding efforts and Gudbranson will get to showcase his Chris Pronger-esque style of play immediately for the team.
Probable:
Tyler Seguin: The Bruins have a lot of depth at centre and simply do not have any space to spare in allowing Seguin to slowly transition into team play. Therefore, if they don’t rid themselves of a centre, Seguin will most likely be sent back to the juniors.
Seguin has exhibited a tremendous amount of speed and playmaking ability, but unless the Bruins get rid of a centre it would make no sense to play him as a fourth-line centre since he could develop further with extended playing time in the juniors.
Realistically, the Bruins will deal a centre and give Seguin at least a third-line spot, where he will make a strong impact.
Cam Fowler: Fowler dropped to No. 12 in the Draft, but is an NHL-ready player who is entirely on par with Gudbranson. The Anaheim Ducks have very little room available on defence and that always merits the possibility of heading back to the juniors.
However, Fowler is a strong defenceman who is not afraid of contact and knows how to handle the puck well. The Ducks would be better off making a spot for him, and letting him learn quickly under the recently retired Hall-of-Famer Scott Niedermayer.
Unlikely:
Ryan Johansen: Although the Columbus Blue Jackets selected the talented youngster with the fourth pick in the Draft, that positioning is by no means based on his readiness to play in the League.
It is likely that Johansen will spend another year in the Western Hockey League with the Portland Winterhawks attempting to gain some muscle in order to have an NHL-calibre physique to go with his NHL-calibre stick handling.
Jeff Skinner: Skinner was taken seventh overall by the Carolina Hurricanes after an unbelievable 70-goal season for the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers. At 18, he is still a little too young to quite make an NHL roster, but Carolina will be giving him the chance.
If he performs well at training camp, the Hurricanes may want to include him in the roster, but realistically another year in the juniors will only help Skinners confidence and development.
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