Nashville Predators - Draft Review

[NashvilleGM]

The NHL draft is now over so let’s take a look at the choices made by the Nashville Predators. Going into this draft, the Preds had a pick in each round and a couple more (5, yup FIVE) 2nd round pick. Here’s a review of the players drafted by Nashville :

Duncan Siemens, D, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

With the 13th overall pick, the Nashville Predators selected from the WHL Saskatoon Blades, Defenseman Duncan Siemens.

Siemens is a big, physical, defensive defenseman listed at 6'3, 200 lbs. "He's a guy that is really tough to play against. Sometimes I think he over-does it, tries to do too much, but he's got all the potential. He can carry the puck, he's a tough kid -- he can fight. He's tough to play against. He can work both ends; he plays both the power play and penalty kill. He's just a solid, all-round defenseman." said Nashville GM Sebastien Harrison. Nashville's got a lot of young studs at the d-men position but I think they made the right move by drafting Siemens. He was the best available player at that moment.

"Siemens is a strong, smooth skater with good composure and very poised under pressure. He's got good size and isn't afraid to use it. Duncan isn't overly offensive, but does play on the power play and moves the puck well. He gets shots through and is solid defensively, one-on-one." said one of the Nashville scouts.

In 2010-11, Siemens finished second among Saskatoon defensemen in scoring with 43 points (5-38--43) in 72 games and recorded an impressive plus-40 rating helping the Blades to a first place finish in the Western Hockey League’s Eastern Conference.

Dylan Wruck, C, Edmonton (WHL)

With their first out of six 2nd round pick, the Predators picked out of Edmonton, Dylan Wruck. Wruck has been a giant for the Oil Kings this season with 78 points in 71 games. He scored 38 goals. That's unbelievable. He's a tiny guy being only 5 foot 8 but he can be a brutal offensive weapon. He's probably going in the AHL this year but don't be surprise if he gets called up during the year or next year. "This draft has a ton of hard-working little guys and Wruck is definitely on that list." said the Preds GM.

Patrick Koudys, D, Rensselaer (ECAC)

With the 42th overall pick, the Nashville Predators selected Patrick Koudys. As a freshman at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2010-11, he was one of the youngest players in the NCAA. Koudys competed for Burlington in the Ontario Junior ‘A’ Hockey League in 2009-10 where he was named the OHA’s Top Prospect, Burlington’s Rookie of the Year and Top Defenseman. He'll be an all-around d-man. Probably playing in junior this year since the AHL squad is pretty stacked up this year.

Koudys played for RPI in the ECAC last season, NCAA hockey, and recorded a goal and 2 assists in 31 games.

Rocco Grimaldi, C, US NTDP

Rocco Grimaldi was projected by many to be a low first-round selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, but slipped to the second round to the Predators.

He led the NTDP in all scoring categories and accounted for 18.7% of the U.S. Under-18’s scoring in 2010-11. In 58 games, Grimaldi had 39 goals, including 16 power-play goals, and 73 points (39-34--73). At the 2010 Under-18 World Championships, he helped the team win gold, recording a team high eight assists (2-8--10) in seven games.

Ilya Nekolenko, D, Krylja Sovetov 2

1 point in 22 games with his Russian team does not say much about that guy. His big hits will thought. He's a brutal, physical, big and tall defenseman. Will probably play in Juniors this year.


Zach Phillips, C, Saint John (QMJHL)

Describe Zach Phillips ? Offensive talent. Phillips finished tied for sixth in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League scoring in 2010-11, recording 95 points (38-57--95) in 67 games. He led the Sea Dogs with 15 power play goals and tied for third overall in the league with a plus-48 rating as Saint John went undefeated at home in regulation (32-0-1-1).

At the 2011 Memorial Cup, he tied for second on the team with five points (1-4-5) in four games, including a goal and an assist in the final, helping Saint John became the first team from the Maritime Provinces to win the tournament.

"Zack has great vision and is strong on the puck. He's a solid center and has come a long way in a short time. He kind of reminds me of an Adam Oates-type of player … he's strong on the puck down low and in the corners and has nifty hands." said one of Nashville scouts.

Rest of the picks:

55 - Tomas Jurco, RW, Saint John (QMJHL) - 56 points in 60 games. His skill set involves a unique set of hands and good sense of vision on the ice.
73 - Peter Ceresnak, D, Trencin Jr. (SVK) - According to Central Scouting, Ceresnak is one of Slovakia's most physical players and at 6'3" 209 lbs, he brings NHL size with that physical play.
102 - Dominic Lammer, RW, Kloten (SWI) - Tiny forward from Switzerland.
133 - Oskar Lindstedt, D, AIK Jr. (SWE) - Big higger, that's pretty much it.
163 - Robert Rooba, RW, Blues Jr. (FIN) - A player from Estonia.... oh boy.
193 - Dillon Donnelly, D, Shawnigan Cataractes (QMJHL) - The American is 6'2" and 193 lbs. He plays for Shawinigan Cataractes where he scored 1 goal and 7 assists in 63 games last season.

The Preds are getting younger. In a couple of year, they'll become one of the best team in the NHL. Mark my word.