Winnipeg Jets draft review
2016-07-25The Jets had 5 picks in this year EHE draft. Finnaly, the yfinish with 4 picks as they traded their 4th pick to Minnissota for a 4th pick next year. Here's a look at the new members of the Winnipeg Jets.
Michael Mcleod, 14th overall, C
Scouting report:
McLeod is an exciting two-way player with leadership qualities who happens to be one of the best skaters available for the coming NHL draft. He has one-step acceleration which helps him keep defenders off balance once the puck ends up on his stick. From that point forward, it’s off to the races, as McLeod combines his speed with keen vision to not only identify others for an option or two, but create one for himself. The best word to describe McLeod’s game is rapid — everything he does is with effort and a sense of urgency. What separates McLeod from the lot of draft-eligible speedsters is that he has the size, strength and puck-control skills to go along with it. He’s an excellent passer either up the ice or diagonally in the offensive zone, and his ability to thread the needle while moving his feet can force opponents to cheat towards the pass. This creates a parting of the seas, and many times you’ll see McLeod zoom into a massive opening for a scoring chance of his own. Therein lies the rub, however, as McLeod generates a ton of shots towards the cage without the kind of finish you’d like to see from a high-end scoring forward. Nevertheless, he’s a pure center with good faceoff skills and a relentless desire to succeed. There’s no quit in McLeod; something many of his peers are clearly lacking. (Steve Kournianos)
Julien Gauthier, 19th overall, RW
Scouting report:
Traditional logic tells us that most scouting departments will gravitate towards the prospect who is both skilled and mature over those whom are simply talented. When the time comes for teams to decide which players they choose to invest in, being wise beyond one’s years is always a major consideration. This June, not many draft-eligible teenagers possess a type of overwhelming arsenal of characteristics like Val-d’Or power winger Julien Gauthier, who has (literally) dominated his age group within the CHL in each of the last three seasons. Blessed with a solid build (6’4, 225 lbs), good speed and a strikingly accurate shot, Gauthier validated his rightful place among the world’s elite amateurs a few years back, when at 15 years old he was getting opportunities on the Foreurs’ top line and actually contributing. Today, we consider him the best Quebec-raised power forward since Steve Bernier (16th overall in 2003), albeit more polished at this stage of his development. Gauthier is very noticeable when it’s his turn to hop over the boards – his stick is always in the right position whether to receive a pass on the rush or in the slot. He uses his size and reach to his advantage beyond puck protection; in other words, Gauthier’s difficult to defend in front of the net because he can alter shots heading in a variety of directions. Furthermore, he keeps defenders further away from the net because he doesn’t have to be close to the cage to fight for rebounds. He’s had the misfortune of bouncing between Val-d’Or’s top two lines this season by way of their incredible (and experienced) scoring depth, but he also kills penalties and produces plays while shorthanded. A recent injury seemed to have slowed him down after a torrid start (seven goals in his first eight games, one in the following six), but he’s too complete a player to let a small slump impact his high standing within the scouting community. (Steve Kournanios)
Samuel Girard, 44th overall, D
Scouting report:
Playing with the burden of great expectations is never easy, but the swift-skating Girard lived up to his reputation as an elite scoring rearguard by topping all CHL blueliners in scoring – a distinction he held almost from start to finish. He was the third overall pick in the 2014 QMJHL draft (behind Pascal Laberge and fellow defender Luke Green), and he’s distinguished himself by playing a style efficient yet flashy at the same time.
Scouts long have projected pro-level playmaking abilities, and Girard hasn’t let them down, leading rushes up the ice with speed and decisiveness. He has very good first-step quickness and excellent top-end speed. He has above-average balance for a defenseman listed at 5’10, owning a good, strong stride. His lateral movement is excellent, using a strong lower body to cover ground in a hurry if a play expands the ice on the periphery.Girard’s bread and butter, however, is playmaking. He’s an exceptional puck distributor with a soft set of hands, using them to corral hard or inaccurate passes. He makes crisp passes on the tape and with authority — forehand or back – and leads the man with consistency. Patient and aware, Girard does not own a good shot, and will acquiesce to the pass nine times out of 10. Moreover, he is far from physical, but his positioning is developing and his reads are excellent. A real leader who will instantly improve a team’s breakout and power play capability. (Steve Kournianos)
Andrew Peeke, 52nd overall, D
Scouting report:
Labeling a defenseman as the “shut down” variety is not only cliche, but extremely subjective. Peeke, however, is in our view the draft’s best one-on-one defender, and it means something when you can impact a game’s complexion with this ability. He is big and mobile, using an active stick and mammoth wingspan to fix onrushing opponents into a failed decision. Peeke can also play the power play thanks to his wicked shot and ability to thread the needle. He coulod stand to increase the intensity from a physical standpoint, especially when he has the size and strength to do so. But he plays a clean, disciplined game and served as a fireman for most of Green Bay’s late-game lead holds. Add Peeke to the list of the growing number of Florida-born prospects with serious NHL upside. (Steve Kournianos)