Hello, all!
The last few years, I’ve tried to do some draft/Blue Jackets prospect Q&As prior to the NHL Draft. This year, I spoke with Mark Seidel, who is the Chief Scout of North American Independent Central Scouting. You can follow him on Twitter @MarkSeidel.
Without further ado, let's go.
The Blue Jackets seem to have a knack for drafting undersized, high-scoring imports from the CHL (Vitali Abramov, Oliver Bjorkstrand) in the third round. Are there any players that could fit that description in this year’s draft?
Seidel: It's hard to know who will be there when the Blue Jackets pick in the third round, but there are a couple smaller players that I like in that range. Vojtech Strondala is an under-sized center man, but he showed this year throughout the year that he has high skill and can play effectively against bigger guys. Marshall Warren is a smallish defender with played with the powerhouse U.S. Under-18 team, and he has great skill and is a new age defender that will be coveted. Lastly, Jarmo may look to a smaller Finn that had a great year in the USHL, Matias Maccelli. He put up some great numbers in Dubuque and was clearly their most dangerous offensive player every night.
What kind of value do you think 2014 first round pick Sonny Milano has after scoring 14 goals in 17-18, but then playing only four NHL games last season?
Seidel: I have always been a big fan of Milano's and I really thought he had turned the corner in 2018, but his play away from the puck just hasn't improved. He was certainly drafted for his offensive skill, but in today's game, a player has to be a little responsible defensively and Sonny hasn't shown a consistent commitment to that. He is still young and he will always have that skill, so I still like him as a prospect, but he has to figure it out.
Liam Foudy's only options are still either the NHL or OHL. What do you think of his NHL chances this year?
Seidel: I don't think there is any way that Foudy plays in the NHL this year. I really like him as a prospect, but playing another year for Dale Hunter in London is the best decision possible. Jarmo has shown his patience in the past and that won't change this year. Foudy will play a couple exhibition games, but then they will send him back to London and he will light the OHL up while learning to play a complete game.
Is there a player in this year’s draft that falls into that “hate to play against him but would love to play with him” category?
Seidel: For me, that player is Albin Grewe. The Swede has some skill but he plays every shift incredibly hard and specializes in aggravating his opponents. He can skate and he never passes up an opportunity to finish a check, and he will go to the net without any fear. A winner that makes his team better.
Jarmo Kekalainen has been praising SHL goal leader Emil Bemström. Do you think he makes the Jackets out of camp, or do you think he’ll need some time in the AHL?
Seidel: I fully expect that Bemstrom will start the year in the AHL to acclimate himself to the pro lifestyle and the North American game. He had a great year in Djurgardens and has vaulted himself up into becoming a legitimate star prospect, but he will get some seasoning in Cleveland.
With many of the Blue Jackets' top prospects appearing to become NHL players this year (Gavrikov, Merzlikins), who do you think is their current top prospect?
Seidel: I think Liam Foudy is clearly the Jackets' best prospect because of his speed and ability to dominate a game. He still has to develop some consistency, but that kind of speed is something that every coach covets. Fans shouldn't sleep on Kiril Marchenko, either; he had a tough year, but this kid has too much ability to forget about and he still needs to mature, but I still like him as a blue-chip prospect.
I’d like to thank Mark for doing this Q&A. As for the draft, despite being on vacation, you know I’ll try my best to keep track of what’s going on and I’ll be back with a draft recap. Follow me on Twitter @CBJProspects for ongoing draft coverage and analysis.
