Projected: 78OF/81DF, 82CON
Top 6 Two-way forward
Perlini seen here in game situation.
With orphan teams drafting third and fifth, I knew two players I really liked (Brendan Perlini and Haydn Fleury) would slip down the board a bit. The price to trade up from #12 to #7 was fair enough for me to pull the trigger and at that spot, I felt I had a good shot at landing one of the two coveted players. I was right and saw the 6'2", 205lbs left winger fall to my lap. Perlini is a solid all-around forward with 30+ goal, 175+ hit potential written all over him. Perlini will be offered a ELC as soon as this off-season and will report to Oklahoma City in October. He could very well be one of the first call-ups in 2014-15.
#14. Jared McCann, C, Sault Ste.Marie Greyhound
Projected: 73OF/81DF, 86CON
3rd line center/PK Specialist
"He is the sweetest guy. Have you ever looked into his eyes? It was like the first time I heard the Beatles."
I tried to move up when Ryan MacInnis was still available, but couldn't find a way to get a deal done. When Plan A fell through, I considered trading down since there was some interest in my pick. But why trade down and risk losing a player that fills a need? A defensive minded center isn't exactly what you'd call a sexy pick at #14, but sometimes you gotta go with need over BPA. McCann has all the tools to develop into a shutdown center and his FA ceilings should turn him into one of the top faceoff takers in EHEC. Like Perlini, McCann will report to Oklahoma City as early as next season.
#22. Brycen Martin, D, Swift Current Broncos
Projected: 80OF/69DF, 75CON
Top 4 Defenseman/PP Quarterback
I believe Martin is somewhere in there. #lunkalert
Yeah I kinda fucked up on this one. I traded back into the 1st round thinking Juho Lammiko would continue to slip, only to see Washington draft him at #21, one spot ahead of mine. Oh well. The cupboard is particularly thin at defense as far as prospects go, so I figured now was a good time to bring an offensive minded d-man in the system. Martin should reach 90PL to go along a 81ST, making him a solid puck mover. His projected 74HI ain't too shabby either for an offensive blueliner. All in all, not the player I was going for, but still satisfied that I could fill another need with this pick.
#30. Alex Nedeljkovic, G, Plymouth Whalers
Projected: 78+OF/DF, 83CON
#1 Goaltender
If Nedeljkovic's hockey career doesn't pan out, modeling isn't out of the question. What a gem!
Just when I thought I was done drafting until round 3, the 30th overall pick was made available by Detroit. Trading Toni Rajala and Daniel Winnik, 3rd and 4th line players on my team, for the best goaltending prospect in the draft was a no-brainer for me. Nedeljkovic, while not elite, will develop into a fine #1 goalie. He reminds me a lot of Zachary Fucale, who was drafted 19th overall a year ago. At #30, this is great value for a future starter with 83CON. Nedeljkovic will start for the Oklahoma City Barons next season as the 3rd U20 player on the team.
#61. Brayden Point, C, Moose Jaw Warriors
Projected: 75OF/55DF, 82CON - POT BOOST ELIGIBLE
First line center if boosted.
May the POT Gods grace you with a boost, for I don't want you to suck.
I usually don't go for POT Boosts but thought Brayden Point was worth the gamble in the 3rd round. Jakub Vrána was the best player available on my board and the player I was going for until I changed my mind and went for Point. If he boosts, he should develop into an elite playmaker with amazing hands. His FA ceilings are also extremely high. With four 1st round picks, let's gamble a bit with the 61st overall pick. We'll see out that turns out.