2039 Draft Review

[thayner]

Half a decade has a passed since the 2039 DMNHL entry draft- lets take a look back and see how the draft day decisions look with 7 seasons worth of retrospective information on our sides.

2039 was widely reported to be a weak draft going in- both in terms of depth and top end talent. Unlike previous years, there was no consensus number one. Instead, there was a group of top players vying for the honor of going first overall to the Philadelphia Flyers. It was widely whispered that GM Keith Oneil was looking for a prototypical Flyers forward- a big, talented pivot to build around. As such, the contenders appeared to be Jayme Gill, a 6’3 pivot playing for Moose Jaw of the WHL, Marc Aubin, a 6’5 behemoth playing for Drummondville of the QMJHL and Jhase Martenelli, a 6’4 speedster playing with Lethbridge of the WHL. Holding his cards close to his chest, Oneil didn’t reveal his decision until stepping to the podium on draft day. The Flyers would be built around Jayme Gill, who had totaled 39 goals and 85 points in his draft year. He was big, strong, a two-way force and a PK expert. A very safe pick, someone who could bang bodies and be at home on any line. Critics felt Gill did not have the natural skill, offensive ability or wheels to justify the #1 selection. The years have proved both parties correct, to an extent. Gill immediately made the NHL as an 18 year old, playing solid, mistake free hockey and providing a big presence down the middle. However, with the exception of a 21-45-66 point performance in his 4th year, Gill has been underwhelming offensively. His career with the Flyers ended in 2045, after parts of seven seasons. He’ll start the new season on the Bruins and while he may never reach the offensive heights expected of a top pick, he is a very useful and versatile NHL who possesses many of the qualities GMs covet in a center.

The rest of round one-

2. Marc Aubin, Car
A comparable player to the aforementioned Gill- Aubin boasted size and two way ability, something that made him very sought after on draft day. Also, like Gill, he was a plodding skater with limited mobility. Very aggressive, great hands with a big shot. Has established himself as a capable fighter an secondary point producer. Status- 20 goal man with a mean streak.

3. Jhase Martenelli, Car
Great size, good face-off ability. Boasts a big, heavy shot. Great two way player. Exploded onto the NHL scene as an 18 year old with 31 goals as a rookie in 2039-40. Peaked at 100 points 2 seasons later. Status- Two way ppg pivot.

4. Lyle Berube, Col
A 50 goal man for Brandon of the WHL; Berube is a sniper who plays the body and drives the net. Adept at picking up garbage goals. Lethal in the slot. Berube has been productive, but inconsistent, so far at the NHL level. Three 30 goal seasons have been tempered by several down years. Status- 25-30 goal threat who needs to score to be an asset.

5. Anthony Sims, Ana
Excels in all areas of the game, but is dominant in none. Good teammate, very solid defensively, capable offensively and able to play all 3 forward positions. Status- 2nd line forward capable of moving throughout the line-up.

6. Alek Vasiliev, NYR
Up until Aleks, every pick had one thing in common- size. Vasiliev bucked the trend- standing 5’8 and weighing well under 200 pds on draft day. Has two speeds- fast and see-you-later. Talented puck handler. Thinks the game well. Despite his offensive ability, Vasiliev has had trouble sticking at the NHL level. Managed 5-9-14 in 39 games for the Lightning last year, but also spent time in the AHL. Status- bottom 6 speedster who may yet have another level.

7. Zak MacDonnell, Phi
With their second high pick in the draft, the Flyers took a 6’3, 229 speed demon out of Medicine Hat. MacDonnell was a dominant junior, someone whose enticing physical ability was too much to pass up. Unfortunately, his hockey IQ and skillset did not translate to the NHL and he has had trouble getting regular NHL icetime. That being said, anytime you have a guy as big as he is, with that kind of skating ability, he’ll get multiple chances (the Shean Donovan effect). Has suited up for 429 NHL games, but only managed 38 goals. Status- 4th line grinder walking the fine line between bust and NHLer.

8. Tomas Weiss, Min
Hard working, talented winger. Excels in the offensive zone. Very creative- a natural. In 6 NHL seasons he has never scored more than 37 goals and never less than 25. Status- Very good 2nd line offensive winger capable of ppg in a good year.

9. Chad Geoffrion, LA
A rangy center and defensive expert who plays within his means. Offensively very limited. Superb on the draw- a fixture on the PK. Could hit 10 goals in a career year. Status- 4th line C and PK man

10. Russ Kaprick, SJS
5’10, 178 pd slick forward capable of playing all 3 forward positions. Not overly big or physical, but effective in his own zone. A smart, hard working player. Status- 50 point 2nd liner flying under the radar.

11. Marian Holik, TB
Industrious winger with great work ethic. Non stop motor. Very difficult to knock off the puck. Somewhat raw when drafted, Holik has taken a meandering route to the NHL, enjoying limited success in part of several seasons prior to breaking out last season with 26 goals and 75 points in 80 games for the Flames. Status- Scoring line forward needs to prove his big year wasn’t a fluke.

12. Luke Gasparini, Dal
A defensive center who uses his smarts and positioning to be effective. Character player is an asset in the room. Good mobility, but lacking in straight ahead speed. A fixture on the Stars 4th line the past few years, he peaked last season with 10-13-23 in 82 games. Status- 4th liner.

13. Remy Lemay, Was
Former QMJHL scoring star has been unable to translate that offensive success to the NHL. A quick, darting forward with solid hockey sense, Lemay has reinvented himself as a quality defensive presence. Status- PK specialist.

14. Tim Janols, Stl
Swedish winger drafted out of Djurgarden, Janols managed 8-8-16 as an 18 year old in the SEL during his draft eligible season. He immediately transitioned across the pond to Peoria of the AHL, spending several years as a third liner in the Blues system. Enjoyed his first full season in the NHL in 2045-46, posting 18 goals in 69 games. Status- Appears to have finally made the jump to NHL regular.

15. Drake Boyce, Mtl
Acrobatic goaltender with superb lateral movement and quick reflexes. Followed a dominant junior career with a lengthy AHL apprenticeship. The Habs took their time with Boyce and it appears to have paid off. Didn’t make his NHL debut until 2044, but emerged as a starter the next season. His second year as starter (2045-46) saw Boyce win 40 games, while posting a 3.21 GAA and .900 save pct. The future is indeed bright. Status- Rising NHL star

16. Aku Hakkinen, Mtl
Montreal shocked observers by taking two goaltenders back to back in the middle of the 1st round. Time has proven them right- while Boyce has emerged as a force for the Canadiens, Hakkinen has started at least 50 games for 4 consecutive years for the Predators. Status- NHL starter.

17. Elmeri Koivunen, Car
Left his native Finland for Moose Jaw of the WHL as a 17 year old to better adjust to North American hockey. The move paid immediate dividends for the talented winger, who soon earned a spot in the Calgary Flames top 9. At home at either end of he ice. Status- Defensive winger capable of 25 goals and 50-60 points.

18. Keijo Lehtonen, Tor
Pint sized pivot with excellent mobility and soft hands. Great on ice vision; distributes the puck to his wingers with ease. Very creative, lethal when he finds open ice. Probably the most talented player drafted in 2039, what has held Lehtonen back from being a star is his attitude. Constant bickering with management has led Lehtonen to be labeled “uncoachable”. Time will tell if he can cash in on his potential. He has shown glimpses (64 points in 64 games in 42-43). Status- Temperamental 2nd line center is a 100 point talent if he ever gets his head screwed on straight

19. Vinny Adam, Car
Hard working but very limited ability. You’ll always get maximum effort from Adam. Managed 172 points in 240 games over 4 years in the OHL, and has spent the last 5 seasons in Houston of the AHL. Has posted 50+ points for the Aeros 3 times, but his primary role is on the PK. Status- NHL bust.

20. Jean Robitaille, Wash
Stocky winger drafted out of Moncton of the QMJHL hits hard and is a force on the forecheck. Doesn’t think the game at an elite level- at his best when he keeps things simple. Status- 20 goal winger.

21.Ivan Riggs, Cgy
American born blueliner moves the puck up ice well. An asset on the PP. Has a hard, low shot. Great wheels. The Flames got a real steal with Riggs. Status- Offensive blueliner will eat icetime and notch 15-20 goals.

22.John Dube, Wsh
Dube was very productive for Everett of the WHL in the late 30’s. Smart, quick and opportunistic. Not overly strong or big. Dube has been an offensive star at the AHL level, but his NHL career has fallen flat. Status- NHL bust, AHL star.

23.Jean Carpentier, Wsh
A tantalizing package- a strong, skilled winger who posted 33 goals and 75 points for Quebec of the QMJHL in his draft season. Tough to knock off the puck, hits with authority and owns a heavy shot. Despite these advantages, Carpentier has never dedicated himself to hockey the way that is necessary to succeed in the NHL. His conditioning remains an issue, and his mobility has suffered. Status- 20 goal forward… in the AHL. Bust.

24. Etienne Flaman, Car
Smallish, technically sound goalie drafted out of Sault Ste. Marie of the OHL. The diminutive Flaman is sound positionally and displays good anticipation coupled with lightning fast reflexes. He required almost no apprenticeship at the AHL, establishing himself as Carolinas starter in 2040-41 at 20 years old. He has played 60+ games every season of his NHL career, posting very consistent statistics across the board every year. Won both the World Cup and World Juniors with Team Canada – in the same year! Status- NHL star and Vezina candidate.

25. Keaton Gibson, Chi
Chicago has been noted over the years for coveting swift skating forwards and Gibson certainly qualifies. However, they would have done well to examine the rest of his game a little more carefully. Gibson can move around the ice very well, but accomplishes very little. Weak defensively. Status- Hanging onto an NHL roster spot by his teeth.

26. Daniel Pohling, Clb
Swift skating German defender was selected as a project in 2039. He was somewhat of a mystery to scouts back then, having spent his draft year playing against inferior competition in the German Second League. He quickly transitioned from project to blue chip prospect; after a quick stop in Syracuse of the AHL, Pohling arrived in Columbus and posted 36 points as a rookie. He then saw his point totals rise, from 39 to 40, to 59, to 64, to 70 and then finally to 78 last season. His steady ascent to the top has cemented him as a key kog in the Jackets offense. Superb wheels, a big shot and superb playmaking abilities make Pohling a dynamic player who could conceivably challenge for the Norris in the future. Status- #1 Defenseman and possibly the best pick in the draft.

27.Zbynk Prochazka, NJ
Useful utility winger skates well and is normally in the right position. Good glue guy. Status- third line winger will pot 40 points without hurting you defensively.

28.Spencer Lynch, Bos
Kamloops Blazer alumni is a speedster who excels in the transition game. Struggles with the defensive side of the game. Was a very good AHL defenseman for half a decade in the Bruins system before getting claimed on waivers by Chicago in 2045-46, where he proceeded to post 10 assists in 37 games. Will fight for a roster spot this coming season. Status- #6/7 defenseman.

29.Karel Cech, Atl
A good skater and a hard worker, the “Czech born Cech” is a creative offensive forward with good hands and on-ice vision. He is a proven AHL superstar (44-80-124 in 73 games with the Wolves in 2040) but has fallen flat at the NHL level, despite ample opportunity. Status- AHL star who has been unable to make the jump.

30.Sam Eichenberger, NYR
Another goalie and another good pick. Eichenberger is a big keeper who uses his large frame well, forcing shooters to try and beat him on the corners. Reads the play impressively. When he is on his game, he’s at the top of his crease making saves look easy. A superb stickhandler to boot. The Davos product was an exceptional goalie in both the Swiss league and the AHL before making the jump to the NHL. Has spent the past two years backstopping a poor Colorado team; as such his numbers are a little inflated. They should improve as the team around him does. Status- NHL starter.


Looking back at the draft, it's clear that the feeling at the time (the draft was weak) was accurate. The top 10 is littered with busts and disappointment. However, the bottom end of the first round boasts several impact players- there is probably more talent in the bottom 15 than the top 15. This was clearly an excellent year for goalies, with several starters being picked in the first round. The best pick of the draft? My vote would be Daniel Pohling, to the jackets late in the first round.

[vilifyingforce]

Janols didn't develop the way I expected. However , Claesson drafted 33rd overall has turned into a solid Top 6 forward.

[Cap'n]

Geoffrion at #9 was actually a New Jersey pick though he's been manning the #3 pivot for LA for a few years now.

LA had three 3rds and a few later picks. Trying to recreate the magic struck with Leif Forest I selected UNR Gustov Hoglund with the 65th overall selection. While never obtaining the heights of Forest, Hoglund did manage to play in 331 NHL games over parts of 7 seasons the best of which was 2042-43 where he set career highs in goals with 3 and assists with 45! Not bad for a 3rd rnd pick. Eventually Hoglund's lost his PP QB role and while he served as a capable #7 d-man he eventually was sent to Manchester this past year to presumably finish his career.

[kuulapaa]

The assessing of pick #25 C Keaton Gibson would have been fair until this last season. His average minutes rose with some 3-4 minutes per game and he got some PP time and his point scoring nearly tripled there. And he still played in our 3rd/4th line, not higher. So I'd say he took the step ahead this season and claimed his spot in the lineup quite well - but that's only me saying so .