Blue Jackets Draft Review (2016)

Moderator: SharksGM

Post Reply
JacketsGM (Jer)

Blue Jackets Draft Review (2016)

Post by JacketsGM (Jer) »

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
BLUE JACKETS SPECIAL REPORT


2016 DRAFT REVIEW


Welcome to our annual Blue Jackets Draft Review, this year being especially odd - with the GM being fired mid-draft and the team scrambling to find a new leader - finally settling on unknown Canadian Jeremy W. It is believed that there were very few experienced candidates and that the job was offered based on a basic webform application.

Once the dust settled, all picks were procured and we can now look back and see what kind of players the Blue Jackets have added to their youth system.

ROUND 1:

Charlie McAvoy (D) 1-12

Head Scout: "McAvoy is an offensive defenseman at heart, and he excels when he has the puck on his stick. He skates very well and shows a lot of ability to evade pressure and lead a rush. He's a pretty effective powerplay quarterback, with above average or better hands and vision. Defensively, he'll have good and bad days. He's not spectacular at checking good players or playing the body with force, and he is prone to brain cramps in his positioning and decision making."

GM: "Our scouts see a #1-2 defenceman, and we'll give him every chance to show what he's got"

ROUND 2:

Luke Kunin (C/RW) 2-38

Head Scout: "He plays with skill and intensity, showing the ability to go around and through defenders. His hockey IQ is also a positive attribute, although he can sometimes force some bad decisions. Kunin shows impressive vision, on top of being aware defensively and a capable penalty killer. Kunin is a feared goal scorer at the NCAA, USHL and international levels."

GM: "We'll see how he develops, but we see some untapped offence and possible H&G capability"

Logan Brown (C/LW) 2-43

Head Scout: "He's a 6'6" center, with high-end skill who can dominate a game whenever he gets near the puck. He's a very smart playmaker with great patience, vision and instincts. Though not a blazer, he skates extremely well for a player his size."

GM: "Hopeful that he can develop into a top-six playmaking winger"

Dennis Cholowski (D) 2-52

Head Scout: "Cholowski is a very smart puck mover, showing good poise on his outlets and powerplay decisions. He possesses solid coordination with the puck and can execute above average passes."

GM: "Underlying numbers are good, but development may lean on the defensive side"

ROUND 4:

Tim Gettinger (LW/RW) 4-104

Head Scout: "He's a 6'5" forward with skill, which immediately draws attention. The skill isn't overwhelming more in the "slightly aboveaverage" bucket but it's very good for a man his size. He displays solid vision with the puck, has pretty good defensive awareness for a player his age, and can kill penalties at a quality level."

GM: "Worst case, Gettinger can be molded into a decent defensive forward - but we'll see how he develops"

ROUNDs 5-7:

Josh Mahura (D) 5-132

GM: "Mahura is a project defenceman, who at best might be a puck-moving option in the NHL or may be an AHL All-Star"

Mathias From (RW/LW) 6-162

GM: "Project forward, with offensive skill"

Brandon Hagel (LW/RW) 7-192

GM: "A project forward, with a little H&G potential"

All in all, a solid crop of youngsters to add to an already stacked system of young players. The next couple of years should tell us which players will stand out.

Thanks for reading.
Post Reply

Return to “Team News”