The Jets boast three picks in the 2nd round of the 2013 NHL Draft. There appears there will be a number of interesting players available, but there isn't a ton of consensus who will go where. Lets take a look at some potential 2nd round picks that Jets General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff could target.
All quoted scouting notes are courtesy for Corey Pronman via Hockey Prospectus
| C | Connor Hurley | 9/15/1995 | 6’1 | 175 | Edina High School |
Hurley is the top high school prospect in this draft class. He possesses many high-upside tools, and he could be 5-10 spots higher on my rankings if not for the conservatism I tend to apply to high school prospects. He is an above-average skater, arguably high end, with great speed and acceleration. He is a skilled individual with the puck as well, displaying a high level of creativity and playmaking vision. Hurley processes the game well, making quick reads. He can flourish when he is given space. He plays a decent power game, as he will muscle off checks and make power moves, but he could stand to gain some strength. One NHL scout says that he tends to play too much on the perimeter. He is certainly a player who a team may look towards for significant upside, but he will likely take a while to develop. He is committed to attend Notre Dame in the fall.
Why does he make sense for the Jets?
Upside. Chevy has talked about his decision to choose Mark Scheifele over some of the better known options as a move all about upside. The Jets plan to take their time with their prospects and nurture them along the way. If Chevy sees desirable upside in Hurley, he could make a lot of sense with the 43rd pick. Jets fans would be wise to temper expectations if Chevy picks Hurley, as he may be a full 4 years away from sniffing the NHL.
| RW | Justin Bailey | 7/1/1995 | 6’3 | 194 | Kitchener Rangers |
Bailey is a high-upside forward with a multitude of tools, but he also carries some risk. He is a good skater, and he can generate a ton of speed, but he has a bit of an awkward stride, as he tends to not extend well through every step. He is a skilled player who can make above-average plays with the puck in stickhandling or passing, and he can flash flashes high-end ability with the puck. His shot is great, as it is both heavy and accurate. He has a decent frame, and is able to display a solid physical game in terms of his puck protection. He works hard on the ice, and he projects as a quality physical player, though he still has some bulking up to do. He is very raw, as injuries have hindered his ability to get a high number of repetitions. Whoever drafts Bailey inherits the risk of a player that has a fairly equal chance of being a top-six player or a bust.
Why does he make sense for the Jets?
If Chevy feels like doing a little gambling Bailey may be his man. Largely considered a boom or bust prospect, the appeal of a 6'3, 200 lb monster flying down the wing has some major appeal. If Bailey can put his offensive game together he could turn out to be a wonderful prospect, but there is also the risk that he stalls and doesn't amount to much. Will size and potential trump proven results?
| LW | William Carrier | 12/20/1994 | 6’2 | 205 | Cape Breton |
Carrier had an impressive season despite the mitigating factors of Cape Breton’s struggles as a team and a midseason ankle injury, which kept him out for the second half of the campaign. His best skill is his truly plus skating. He has explosiveness with his feet, and he can easily pick up speed and push the pace in transition. He couples speed with offensive ability, as he can be a quality playmaker, with a hard shot. His puck skills, however, are fairly average, and while he has the creativity to make some moves, I would not describe him as an overly fluid or coordinated puck handler. When Carrier is on, he has the physical ability to own the puck and do well along the boards. Consistency is his area of concern. A few sources praise his work ethic and believe it to be plus, while others say he shows a fluctuating willingness to play the body.
Why does he make sense for the Jets?
Everybody loves power forwards, especially power forwards with speed. Carrier mixes a nice package of tools with some consistent production over his last two years of junior hockey – he averaged over a point per game over the last two seasons and actually scored at a higher rate than likely first rounders Adam Erne and Valentin Zykov. There isn't much to dislike about this kid if he is available at #43.
| RW | Nick Sorensen | 10/23/1994 | 6’1 | 168 | Quebec Remparts |
Sorensen had a good bounceback season after missing most of his first QMJHL campaign due to significant injury, although he experienced some injury issues this season as well. He was born in Denmark, but he represents Sweden in international play. He has above-average top speed, which he couples with a fair amount of puck skills, creativity, and offensive instincts. This combination of offensive skills projects him as a player with scoring line upside. He also displays a good level of physicality while not taking too many penalties. He needs to continue to gain strength while working on his defensive play. Whoever drafts him will be adding a player with quality tools to their organization, but also one who has a history of injury in consecutive seasons.
Why does he make sense for the Jets?
It should be no surprise that second round picks have more question marks that the kids that go early in the first. Sorensen is no different. Sorensen was getting first round grades at various points. He played last season the the same team as likely 1st rounder Adam Erne and produced very similarly, but injury concerns and perhaps being skinny have caused him to drop.
| RW | Hudson Fasching | 7/28/1995 | 6’3 | 208 | USNT |
Fasching came into the season with expectations of being a first rounder, thanks to his good frame and multitude of offensive tools. His stock took a bit of a hit thanks to a somewhat disappointing season, but with his potential, he is still a noteworthy prospect. Fasching is a good skater, with a powerful first step. He skates well for a player who has already bulked up at such a young age. He is a tad over 200 pounds, with slightly above-average height. He does not shy away from the physical game, as he will make power moves to the net. He will, at times, compete hard, protecting the puck effectively. Still, his physical game can come and go. He has a very solid set of hands, showing the ability to control the puck, and display good creativity when puck handling. His main areas of concern are consistency and hockey sense. This season, he would show flashes of great hockey, but too often he would become lost in the play and not make anything happen.
Why does he make sense for the Jets?
Chevy and Zinger like big dudes. Prospects like Fasching leave GMs dreaming of Milan Lucic. The combination of size and hands is tough to ignore, Hudson is another kid that seemingly hasn't put it all together yet though. The lack of consist effort may be a bit of a turnoff for Cheveldayoff.
| LD | Linus Arnesson | 9/21/1994 | 6’2 | 180 | Djurgarden |
Arnesson had a decent season considering he was playing in a men’s league as a teenager. He had a great U20 tournament in November, where he was named the event’s top defenseman. At the World Juniors, he was just okay, although some scouts believed he was impressive. Arnesson is not a high-upside, flashy player. His style is predicated on keeping the game simple, and playing well in his own end. He has good feet, showing nice techniques on his pivots, crossovers, and first-step bursts. He can close gaps efficiently, and because he plays a physical brand of hockey, he will punish his checks to get the puck from opponents. He makes a lot of stops and smart defensive plays. Despite his lack of offensive skill and imagination, this gives him a lot of value as a prospect. Arnesson is not completely ineffective with the puck, however, as he can make fine outlet passes, and will occasionally use his skating ability to join the rush or activate from the point.
Why does he make sense for the Jets?
Nice skating, but little flash. Considering right-handed D men in the Jets' pipeline, Linus may be exactly what they need for the other side. A steady stay at home D man, who has already got some experience playing against men could fill a void in the Jets' system. The fact that he is expected to be there near the end of round two could make him an ideal target with either pick 59 or 61.
| LD | Chris Bigras | 2/22/1995 | 6’1 | 189 | Owen Sound Attack |
Bigras is an intelligent, do-it-all type of defenseman. He defends at a high level, and although he has some budding offensive potential, he is not yet a spectacular or flashy player. He is very advanced in terms of his defensive reads and positioning, and he projects as a player that can play tougher defensive minutes. He is a solid skater, making a lot of stops in various ways, and he is a very good stickchecker. Bigras is not an aggressive offensive player, but he will show flashes of top puck moving ability, and he tends to make outlet passes from his end well. He has the offensive instincts to join the rush or create a chance when he senses a good opportunity. He has a loose stickhandling style, and he makes plays with the puck just fine. On the power play, he can be effective from the point in passing the puck, but his shot leaves a little to be desired. Bigras is not a particularly gritty player, and he needs to bulk up, but he will pin his checks, and he shows the ability to win puck battles when he needs to engage.
Why does he make sense for the Jets?
Bigras has climbed into round 1 on some recent mock drafts, so landing him in round 2 may a pipe dream for the Jets, but the grading of D men in this draft seems to be all over the place so anything is possible. Combine a nice mix of skill and a positional need and you can see why Bigras would be appealing to Chevy.
| C | Jimmy Lodge | 3/5/1995 | 6’2 | 165 | Saginaw Spirit |
Lodge is a skilled forward, who developed well over the 2012-13 OHL campaign, as he exceeded one point per game. He is not a finished product by any means, but he has a significant amount of upside. He has high-end puck skills, conveying the overall look of a skilled player. He is very coordinated in his puck handling, with the ability to make top-level plays. Lodge has good offensive instincts, manifesting both in his puck creativity and in his gifted passing and crisp distributions. He can execute difficult plays. He is a solid to above-average skater as well. Still, his physical game leaves a little to be desired. He has improved in that area, but he could stand to be more consistent in his physicality, as well as to gain strength. He also tends to fly out of his zone a tad too quickly.
Why does he make sense for the Jets?
Projections have this kid going all over the place, and some suggest he could go at the end of round 2. If he is on the board at 59 he could be quite the steal. Jimmy found a point per game worth of offence this year, but he only totaled 12 points in 45 games the year prior. The recent breakout coupled with the fact that he isn't driving the ship in Saginaw likely leads to some of the uncertainty. He looks like a bit of a gamble, but he has desirable size and skill.
| RW | Emile Poirier | 12/4/1994 | 6’1 | 183 | Gatineau |
Poirier was a top scorer on a weak Gatineau squad, averaging about a point per game as an 18-year-old with a late birthdate. He has good skill elements to his game: above-average hands, good quickness, and impressive coordination with the puck. His hockey sense is equally notable, as he makes good offensive zone reads as a playmaker and he knows where to position himself off of the puck. He also displays a solid shot, capable of finishing beyond the high-percentage areas. He has a gritty element to his game as well. He will show some edge in one-on-one battles, as well as drive to the net. Scouts are conflicted on his skating, with one praising it, and another saying that despite decent speed, his agility and the overall finer aspects of his skating need work.
Why does he make sense for the Jets?
Poirier is ranked all over the place. Some people have going in the middle of the second round, others have him on the board for the 59th and 61st picks. Taking him with either pick wouldn't be out of line. Poirier is an exciting prospect with a good size and a well rounded tool kit to go along with some grit and a high compete level. He definitely appears to be a Chevy type.
| RW | Mike McCarron | 3/7/1995 | 6’5 | 228 | USNT |
McCarron did not blow the doors down with his numbers this season, but his game continues to trend in the right direction. His main improvement has come from his skating. He has progressed from a well below-average skater to a roughly average one, especially considering his 6’5″ stature. He is not only big, but also very strong, and he still has room to grow. He protects the puck very well, displaying solid physicality. McCarron is not an overly gifted offensive player, but he has decent hand-eye coordination, and an above-average amount of offensive instincts, enabling him to maintain possession with more than just his frame. He flashes good offensive plays here and there, but he still appears raw, and his overall feel for the game is unimpressive, despite some late-season improvement. He sometimes becomes too preoccupied with landing big hits, which can hurt his team. McCarron is committed to play for former Kings and Blues coach Andy Murray and Western Michigan in the fall.
Why does he make sense for the Jets?
Size. Size! Size!! We know Chevy likes size. Ideally you'd like to see a player with a little more offence taken with this pick, but McCarron has exciting size and his offensive game was apparently coming along. McCarron would be a long term prospect, but could be a great add if he developed.
| RD | Tommy Vannelli | 1/26/1995 | 6’2 | 170 | Minnetonka |
Vannelli is one of the top high school prospects in this draft. He started the season well, with an impressive Ivan Hlinka tournament over the summer, and his good play during the season earned him a spot on Team USA at the World Under-18’s. He is a quality skater, with a fluid, powerful stride. He can close gaps efficiently and evade pressure well. His strengths are mostly at the offensive end of the rink. He is good with the puck in terms of his vision, panic threshold, and ability to advance the play. He shows flashes of great performance, but like most high school prospects, he has a long way to go. One NHL scout told me that he is very raw but has a lot of assets. His decision making and defensive game remain areas that need significant development. Vannelli has a decent, if not a solid physical game, but he will need to continue to bulk up. He is committed to playing at the University of Minnesota in the fall.
Why does he make sense for the Jets?
Tommy is a tall slender offensive defender who will likely take some time to develop, but he has some interesting upside. Upside is what matters here. Of course there is always risk associated with High School prospects, but every prospect has risk at the end of round 2. He could be an interesting addition.
| C/RW | John Hayden | 2/14/1995 | 6’2 | 220 | USNT |
Hayden is a power forward who drew attention this year due to the solid amount of offensive skill he displayed, along with his power elements. He already has the body of an NHLer, as he is 6’2″ and 210 pounds, and he uses his frame well. He is a tough player who will drive the net, shoulder off checks, and grind it out for pucks in board battles. His offensive touch with the puck is intriguing. Hayden will not blow anyone away with a flashy move or highlight reel pass, but he can flash above-average potential, and he has some creativity to his game. He is not selfish, as he can make plays. His power elements, combined with the fact that he can make a man miss, make him a desirable prospect. His skating is roughly average; while he is not lumbering, he is not a player will blow past a defenseman. One scout thinks that he is average skater, and another thinks he needs some work in that area. He will be attending Yale University in the fall.
Why does he make sense for the Jets?
Hayden played for the USDP this season and actual outproduced a couple higher ranked teammates (Mike McCarron and Hudson Fasching). He also combines both power and skill elements that should make him desirable to Kevin Cheveldayoff.
| LD | Gustav Olofsson | 1/8/1995 | 6’3 | 185 | Green Bay Gamblers |
Olofsson was born in Sweden, but he came to North America to play in Colorado for his 16- and 17-year-old seasons, before transitioning to the USHL for this past campaign. He plans to return to Colorado, as he is committed to Colorado College for 2014-15. His best asset is his plus skating. He is a very good four-way mover, with a quality first few steps. His footwork provides him with enough agility to evade pressure. He is a smart two-way player, albeit limited in the offensive end. He is what one NHL scout called a contain defender, as he will keep the play in front of him. He can outlet the puck efficiently, and he has the vision to make passes of moderate difficulty, but that is not typically his style. He has pro-average size, and some physicality to go along with it, but he could stand to gain a tad more strength as his development progresses.
Why does he make sense for the Jets?
Olofsson is not a sexy player, but his skating and defensive game make him desirable. He also has the size that Kevin Cheveldayoff covets. The talent starts to die down a little at the end of the round 2, so lets hope just Chevy can find a contributor at this point.
Expectaions
It may seem like I was focusing on forwards here, but there are only 9 D men ranked between 40 and 70 on the NHL Numbers consensus list. A couple of those 9 D men have been getting a ton of talk as late risers too. It will be really interesting to see who is available where come draft day.
If Chevy can land two quality players with these three picks it would have to be considered a big win.
