Editor's Note: This is a special feature from Blue Jackets prospect guru @CBJProspects, who's breaking down his picks for the team's picks in the upcoming NHL Draft.
Hello, all! It’s about to be the best time of the year as we are under two weeks away from the 2018 NHL Draft in Dallas. Per usual, that means it’s also time for me to throw darts at the wall and try and guess who the Jackets will select down in Big D. It should be an interesting Draft as, like last year, this draft seems to be all over the place in terms of the rankings.
As for what the Jackets need…well, to me it’s more draft picks to be honest. I can’t control that, obviously, but the Jackets do need an influx of talent into the prospect pool. Looking at the current state of the prospect pool, under Jarmo Kekalainen, the Jackets have made a habit of drafting players who have been passed over in previous drafts, including half of last year’s draft. Further, for the first time ever, the Jackets completely avoided the Canadian Hockey League, breaking a five-year streak of drafting at least three players from the CHL’s three member leagues.
In my opinion, right now the Jackets’ top prospects are Vitali Abramov, a bunch of guys who are old enough to drink (Elvis Merzlikins, Vladislav Gavrikov and Jonathan Davidsson) and Andrew Peeke.
Outside of Cleveland where Abramov and Maxime Fortier will likely be turning pro next season, most of the organization’s prospects are in the NCAA and Europe.
In the NCAA, Robbie Stucker and Kale Howarth will be freshmen at Minnesota and UConn. Peter Thome will be a sophomore and should slot in as North Dakota’s starting goalie, while down the street now is Carson Meyer who will be a junior at Ohio State this season (if he receives a waiver from the NCAA). Andrew Peeke will be a junior at Notre Dame.
Over in Europe it’s the final years of contracts for Vladislav Gavrkov, Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarsov (but there will still be some time before Tarasov heads stateside I believe). Emil Bemstrom will be with Djurgardens IF this season after playing in the Leksands organization for the past three seasons. Veeti Vainio will be with his third team in three seasons and will hopefully stay healthy with SaiPa and Alexandre Texier is expected to play in Europe again, it has not yet been confirmed where.
So how will the Jackets augment this young talent? As of now the Jackets only have five picks in the draft. The team’s fourth-round pick is going to the Predators in the Mark Letestu trade and the team’s fifth round pick belongs to the Blackhawks in the Artemi Panarin trade. The Blue Jackets picks will be at 18, 49, 80, 173, and 204 overall.
All of that said, without further ado, let’s meet my picks for the Blue Jackets…
1st Round (18th Overall): Vitaly Kravtsov
RW | Traktor Chelyabinsk
I have the Blue Jackets taking a Russian in the first round. If you look at Kravtsov’s stat line you’ll probably think “what’s so great about him?” True, seven points in 35 KHL games isn’t great (let’s remember he’s only 18) but his 11 points in 16 playoff games helped him break a KHL record. In the Bears' first seven games, Vitali scored six goals tying Valeri Nichuskin’s record for most playoff goals by an under 18 year old.
Kravtsov’s playoff performance also broke Evgeny Kuznetsov’s (the player I’ve seen him compared most to) record for most points in a playoff by an U20 player. Kravtsov played in all three Russian leagues last season with one scout saying this about him: “You had to make an effort to go and see him…but when you did, it was worth the effort." Another scout added this about his playoff scoring, “the better the hockey, the higher the age group, the better I thought he played…I thought sometimes he got bored with his peers. He’s ready to play in the KHL, so if he’s ready to play there he’s not far off being ready to play here (in North America).”
Vitali is a highly creative winger who has some of the most dynamic puck skills of any forward in the draft. To demonstrate his level of puck handling ability some have seen him make plays from his knees that most players can’t make while standing. He has a high level of hockey sense that allows him to be experimental on the ice but not cause too many turnovers. Although he can make highlight reel plays, he’s not afraid to score an ugly goal/make a simple play when called for.
His play away from the puck and his physical development needs some work. Without the puck, he can get a little lost but he does try to be reliable defensively. ISS Director of Scouting Dennis MacInnis had this to say about Kravtsov: “When he uses his speed and quickness he can be nightmare for defenders. Explosive skater with a powerful stride and quick feet when he decides to go. Like this kid’s upside.”
Vitali is as skilled a shooter as he is a playmaker. He has a quick release to his wrist shot and is dangerous from mid-range and in. Kravtsov won the KHL’s Best Rookie despite having 28 less points that top scoring rookie Eeli Tolvanen but you have to be from Russia to win the KHL Rookie of the Year award (no, seriously).
Hockeyprospect.com scout Brad Allen said this about Kravtsov “He has star potential and is capable of elevating his play in high-pressure situation. There’s very few players in any draft that have the combination of size, puck-skills and evasiveness that he brings to the table. If he becomes the third best player in the draft, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Remember what I said about the rankings being all over the place? Kravtsov is a prime example of the guides I purchase (all seven of them) – he’s from as high as sixth and far down as 36th. But in most mock drafts, he’s somewhere in the teens to early 20s range.
2nd Round (49th Overall): Jack Drury
RW | Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL; committed to Harvard)
For the first time ever, I have the Jackets taking the son of a former NHL player, in fact he’s the son of a former Jacket. If some newer fans don’t remember the greatness that was Ted Drury...well I don’t blame you Ted only played one game for the franchise and that was a 7-1 loss to LA in which he was a -3. But enough about Ted, we’re here to talk about Jack.
Jack Drury played in the USHL last season for the Waterloo Blackhawks where he served as the team’s captain. Jack led the Hawks in scoring with 65 points. His 41 assists placed him second in the league. Jack also had a league-high 23 game point streak and he collected 31 points in that span. Jack can play anywhere in the lineup with a scout saying, “He’s a two way, all situations, multi-task kinda guy. At the next level he’ll be a dependable piece of the pie. He’s got character and a high motor.”
Despite being 5-foot-11, Jack is at his best when he plays physical and can get under his opponent’s skin. Drury likes to set up in front of the net for tips and rebounds and has shown the willingness to pay the price in front and battle for position. Jack is not afraid to drop the gloves having gotten into three fights in each of his two USHL seasons. HockeyProspect scout Dusten Braaksma cites a game where, as a 16-year-old, the entire Madison roster wanted a piece of him. Braaksma also added: “Drury is one of those players that you’re happy he’s on your side, his play is infectious; he brings teammates into the battle with how he plays. He may not be an elite talent but he is a solid pick with everything he brings to the table.”
An NHL scout is quoted in the Hockeyprospect Blackbook saying this about Drury: “That kid has one of the highest motors in the draft. He brings it every shift of every game. He purely gets results based on outworking and out thinking guys.” Drury is a willing shot blocker. A scout from Future Considerations said he saw him block six shots on a single penalty kill. Jack led the USHL in shorthanded goals last season with five.
Most guides say his skating lacks an explosiveness but that it doesn’t stop him from getting where he needs to be. He’s quick to loose pucks because he skates to them in a straight line. Jack will follow in father Ted’s footsteps by attending Harvard next season. Ted served as captain during the 92-93 season.
3rd Round (80th Overall): Nico Gross
D | Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Nico Gross has been a constant for the Swiss hockey program lately. He played in three straight World Under-18 tournaments and the last two World Junior Championships. He historically served as a depth defender, but stepped up at the most recent tournament helping the Swiss from being relegated. Considered a leader, Nico usually had a letter on his jersey with the Swiss. He served as the captain of the U18 team and an alternate at the World Juniors.
His rookie year in Oshawa wasn’t amazing, but he’s considered to have all the necessary tools to develop into a No. 4-6 defenseman at the next level. He possesses a strong slapshot that he keeps low to the ice, leading to tips and rebounds. He has strong mobility and brings a physical element with his size and long reach that helps him break up passes in his own zone. Nico has good footwork and his quickness allows him to escape pressure. He recognizes open ice and exploit it with his skating abilities. He shows good awareness and is able to simplify his game when needed but he is able to push the pace.
As it seems like a lot of draft eligible, consistency appears to be an issue. ISS scout Greg Hickman had this to say about Gross “Able to play well defensively showing good gap control and an ability to play body or stick. Reads the ice well.” He can be aggressive when he decides to pinch but he’s smart with it and rarely gets his team into trouble. HockeyProspect head scout Mark Edwards had this to say about Gross: “Liked him right away in my first viewing of him. Still needs to figure out who is as a player but I love how hard he competes. That will give him to play in the NHL.”
6th Round (173rd overall): Carson Focht
C | Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
After being pretty much set for my rounds one and two picks and some light him hawing at round three...round six is a pure dartboard pick. And so, we head out west to look at Carson Focht of the Calgary Hitmen.
After being the seventh overall pick in the 2015 WHL Draft, Focht split last season between the Tri-City Americans and the Hitmen after being part of a trade that brought Hurricanes’ first-round pick Jack Bean The center put up similar numbers with both teams even while seeing an upgrade in responsibilities with the Hitmen where he played top six minutes and in all situations. Carson scored 16 points in 37 games with Tri-City (6-10-16) and 17 points in 32 with Calgary (7-10-17).
Focht’s physical tools are solid with no major weaknesses. He has strong puck skills and is able to handle it well in tight areas and with speed. His hockey sense is strong and he makes solid decisions with the puck. The strength of his game is his competitiveness and effort in all three zones, he’s reliable in his own end and is able to win puck battles despite lacking weight. He wants to make a difference in all facets of the game and is a strong penalty killer. Focht has shown an offensive upside to his game by making tough plays and plays in traffic but he can’t make them consistently yet.
The guides I have believe the Regina native could have a breakout performance if he can take a step with his offensive game. In the FutureConsiderations guide it says he’s “Intense and vocal, he figures to be a leader in Calgary this coming season.”
7th Round (204th Overall): Jeremy McKenna
RW | Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
Remember how I said the Jackets have made a habit into taking players who have been passed over in previous drafts? Well, here’s my overage pick. Jeremy McKenna led the Wildcats in scoring and was tied for 10th in QMJHL scoring last season. McKenna is an undersized winger from the Q (the CBJ know a thing or three about these) and his best assets are a heavy shot (which a The Hockey Writers draft profile says is already pro-level) and a quick release.
McKenna led the Q is shots on goal last season with 313 with 200 of them categorized as coming from dangerous scoring areas. McKenna has earned increased responsibilities and played on both special teams this season scoring 10 goals on the power play and three shorthanded. Unlike some high volume shooters, he doesn’t have tunnel vision, he possesses an underrated playmaking ability. He’s able to play the point on the power play. His skating is a bit of a flaw and he could stand to add some acceleration. But, Jeremy is a smart player and can find holes in the offensive zone. Even despite the lack of speed his anticipation is good and helps him on the PK. The Hockeyprospect Blackbook believes with Moncton expected to be one of the top teams in the Q, McKenna should be one of the league’s elite scorers.
McKenna took a unique route to get to this point. He first went to Saskatchewan to play for the Notre Dame Hounds before heading to Austria after his QMJHL draft season where he played on the same team as fellow Maritimer and top draft prospect, Noah Dobson.
There you have it, folks, my annual shot in the dark at the Jackets' draft. I won’t be in Dallas, but I of course will be following along as we meet the newest Jackets next Friday and Saturday.
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