CSB TFHL19 Draft Scouting Report

CSB TFHL19 Draft Scouting Report

The CSB has completed their first appraisal of the TFHL19 draft class and the general consensus is that the draft is going to be very average.

"Very, very straightforward," said one scout, "not too strong and not too weak."

Scouts say that the first round will be AVERAGE, with an AVERAGE diminishment throughout the draft. All scouts agree that there are no phenoms in this draft class.

At one time it looked like Angelo Esposito would hit Phenom status, but his value has plummeted to the point that some Scouts don't even have him in their top 10:

"There's still some carry-over hype with Esposito," one scout commented, "he may be somewhat over-valued still."

Behind Esposito the field is wide open. Some slate Sam Gagner, others his linemate Patrick Kane as their #1. Karl Azner and Keaton Ellerby are the best defenders available in most scouts books.

Some scouts though suggest that Alexei Cherepanov could really be the most promising player in this draft. Not overly scouted, he only showed up on most teams' radars when he became a suprise starter with the senior Omsk squad. Of all the top prospects he is the only who is playing against men - and doing well, he shattered the Russian league record for rookie scoring set by Pavel Bure.

"He's too soft at times, plays on the periphery," said one scout.

Another scoffed at the suggestion: "Cherepanov is a Siberian kid, plays with grit and determination. Moreover, he loves the game. Any team that passes on him, in my opinion, will regret it for years."


Top 10 North American Skaters
1. Angelo Esposito, C, Quebec (QMJHL)
2. James Van Riemsdyk, LW, U.S. National U-18
3. Sam Gagner, C, London (OHL)
4. Patrick Kane, RW, London (OHL)
5. Kyle Turris, C, Burnaby (BCHL)
6. Keaton Ellerby, D, Kamloops (WHL)
7. John Blum, D, Vancouver (WHL)
8. Karl Alzner, D, Calgary (WHL)
9. Brandon Sutter, C/RW, Red Deer (WHL)
10. Tommy Cross, D, Westminster School (USHS)

Top 5 European Skaters
1. Alexei Cherepanov, RW, Omsk (Russia)
2. Mikael Backlund, C, Vasteras (Sweden-2)
3. Maxim Mayorov, W, Leninogorsk (Russia-2)
4. Joakim Andersson, C, Frolunda Jr. (Sweden Jr.)
5. Lars Eller, W, Frolunda Jr.(Sweden Jr.)

Top 3 North American Goaltenders
1. Trevor Cann, Peterborough (OHL)
2. Jeremy Smith, Plymouth (OHL)
3. Antoine Lafleur, P.E.I. (QMJHL)

Top 3 European Goaltenders
1. Mark Owuya, Djurgarden Jr. (Sweden Jr.)
2. Joel Gistedt, Frolunda (Sweden )
3. Damiano Ciaccio, Fribourg Jr. (Swiss Jr.)



The Draft Lotto Odds:

Draw A:
1/10 good (starting at ~75ov)
2/10 top 4/6 heavy (1-4/6 ~75ov; then 73>)
2/10 top 12/15 heavy (1-12/15 75-74; then 72>)
2/10 weak (starting at ~72OV)
3/10 average (starting at ~74OV)

Draw B:
1/5 minimal diminishment (1-2OV/rnd)
2/5 average diminishment (2-3OV/rnd)***
1/5 drops off at ~35-40
1/5 drops off at ~55-60

Draw C:
1/10 a Phenom Event (an 18 y/o player 80OV+)
9/10 no event***