Hi, this is Fred Wallace with ” Off the Wire “.
The National Hockey League Entry Draft is today and tomorrow.
The First Round will commence tonight at 7 pm followed by Rounds 2-7 beginning at 11:30 am Wednesday.
The New York Rangers have the 1st overall selection and it’s widely expected they’ll chose Alexis Lafrenière of the Rimouski Océanic.
Up to Christmas there might have been some debate as to who would go first overall, but seeing Lafrenière dominate early and often in the World Junior Championship, there’s been little doubt he’ll go # 1 and be a Ranger.
From the Ontario Hockey League, the projection is that there could be as many as 5 players taken within the first 10-12 picks which is a dramatic reversal of last year when there was some angst as the American Development program dominated the draft.
Quinton Byfield ( Sudbury ), Jamie Drysdale ( Erie ). Cole Perfetti ( Saginaw ), plus Marco Rossi & Jack Quinn ( Ottawa ) all cracked NHL Central Scouting’s Final Top 10.
The guy I like, Ryan O’Rourke from the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds is listed at # 27.
Plus, I’m a little perplexed that Jan Mysak of the Hamilton Bulldogs dropped from 9th at MidTerm to # 28…but what do I know ?
From an Owen Sound standpoint, I don’t think it will be a banner year for the Attack.
From my observations and conversations, there’s a half dozen who will get consideration.
But the caveat for that Group of Six is that they are older than the average prospect, and thus, my suspicion is they will get bypassed in the draft, but likely invited to NHL Camps whenever we get to that phase….which by the way is no crime.
Watching the NHL Playoffs in the Toronto & Edmonton bubbles, I was surprised, and impressed, by the number of OHL grads who weren’t illustrious players on their Junior teams but have evolved to become reliable performers at the NHL level.
I’m Fred Wallace