TSN’s Director of Scouting Craig Button updated his mock Entry Draft this week with no change at the top. Week in, week out Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier have led the top two picks of June’s draft. Last week Button slotted Vegas in the third draft position just missing out on the Patrick, Hischier sweepstakes. Vegas is still selecting third in Button’s mock draft, but the player drafted was different this week.
According to Button’s latest mock draft, the player currently slated to go third is 18 year-old center Martin Necas. The young center has 7 goals and 8 assists in 41 Czech Extra League games. The numbers don’t mimic Patrick or Hischier but obviously the skill speaks for itself.
Necas has a style of game that reminds me of Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux. He has a high skill level, can finish or create, and has a desire to find some way to make an impact in every game he plays. – Craig Button, TSN Director of Scouting
Whoa Giroux?!? According to the NHL Central Scouting Bureau Necas is rated the fifth best international skater. For a full player spotlight check out our post from January.
Of course Necas sounds like a promising franchise center, but now we’re getting into deep waters. TSN analysts Bob McKenzie, Frank Seravelli and Button have all stated the talent pool is less impressive than past drafts. After Patrick and Hischier, who are dubbed can’t miss players, the talent drops significantly. Analysts have said drafting 3rd or 15th is about the same this year. Not good for Vegas if the ping pong balls act anything like the craps table does for Ken.
Drafting Necas doesn’t have much value at pick third. In a way after the first or second pick it possibly doesn’t matter where Vegas drafts in the top six. We’re all thinking it, and of course McPhee is… but the Golden Knights really need to trade up. Getting in the top two, Vegas would kill two birds with one stone. The new franchise would draft their potential future center and they make a big splash for the fans.
Hitting the big splash isn’t necessary for the Golden Knights but it could work out for the franchise’s future. Drafting a player that’s a unanimous first or second pick is a much different from selecting a player third that could’ve been drafted sixth, ninth or thirteenth. Of course, the pick itself is valuable, but this is a different circumstance. The Golden Knights first franchise selection will be over analyzed and critiqued. Waiting a couple of years for Necas to develop could frustrate the T-Mobile faithful. Plus, he may continue playing in Eastern Europe next year while waiting for his turn in Las Vegas. I’ll say it for Vegas fans, just trade up and secure the first or second pick. Hey, I don’t need to tell the Golden Knights how to draft but I know 16,000 invested fans will.
PhiSig 150
Depends on what the cost of moving up is. I wouldn’t for example trade a 1st or 2nd in next years draft which I’m assuming will be stronger. Does the NHL have a version of the Jimmy Johnson draft value chart? If not we need to get one of those analytics nerds on it. First season I don’t think you necessarily need a top pick. They really should be marketing the excitement of having a new team but apparently they’ve hit their goal of 16,000 fans and don’t feel the need to go after the other 2 million of us. Next year will be even more to get a top pick to help courting fans after the new car smell of the franchise begins to wear off. This year if there really is no separation between 3rd and 15th why not try to trade down and accumulate more picks and hope we get a gem or two later in the draft?
RJ
“apparently they’ve hit their goal of 16,000 fans and don’t feel the need to go after the other 2 million of us. ”
You and I seem to disagree on almost everything on how this team should be run but holy cow time and time again this is exactly how I feel about the Foley marketing strategy.
PhiSig 150
We do disagree a lot but I at least understand where you’re coming from and you have valid points. I can’t even begin to comprehend what Foley is trying to do on the business end. It seems like all he cares about is selling tickets which is almost a given the first couple of years. Every facet of the naming of the club was a debacle. No local outreach to speak of unless come down to the arena to buy more tickets counts. Virtually zero advertising. At this point they better hope Patrick is the next coming of Super Mario or Gretzky and we’re lucky enough (or rigged) to land the 1st pick.
James
@Jason Pothier
I agree with Dana Lane. I would like to see the scouts earn their money. Find a good player in the top six: Its not a lot to ask for – is it? There are more than two in this draft
cody
I don’t buy it. There are more than two standouts in the world. Do their homework and find out. Claiming there’s that much of a drop between #2 and #3, what is the drop between #3 and #15. Some teams go decades without a top ten choice. Make it count.
Jason Pothier
Fellas I agree, make the scouts earn their money… but they won’t have to give up a future first to move up. Probably some additional 2nd or 3rd this season or next but i doubt Vegas would touch their 1-3 next year.
I’m saying make the splash, take the chance and hope they traded up for a good reason. I’m telling you I’ve never seen draft analysts fumble shifting 3-10 every week. It’s not a good sign. Let’s let the scouts earn their pay 2nd round on and in the future. Bottom line is if they move up McKrimmon made them do it. He knows Patrick better than anyone and if he is a stud I think they make a run at him.
PhiSig 150
Trades are a two way street. It’s not like (Las) Vegas is the only club privy to this year’s draft evaluation. Let me put it this way if we land 1st or 2nd pick would you trade down for a 2nd or 3rd round pick? No. So why would a crap team? They need to make a splash for their fan bases too, no?
PhiSig 150
Wouldn’t need a “big splash” if they nailed the name and actually put some effort into marketing. I think Foley thinking “Vegas” sells itself is moronic. There is no brand for our hockey team yet. I recently went to Disneyland, California Adventure, and Universal Studios and I was the only one wearing anything Knights related. You need to build a global brand you don’t just get handed one right out of the gate. You have to build a local fanbase beyond 16,000 people. Still waiting for the (Las) Vegas marketing blitz. Load up on picks hopefully you get lucky. Get a coach that can help sell the team. Get a fading star or two to help promote the Knights. Get creative in your marketing. The open house was cool but could have been awesome. Don’t shy away from the violence. Las Vegas locals can stomach a little blood trust me. We’re the MMA and Boxing capitals of the world. We Need Josh “Homicidal” Healey.
James
@Jason Pothier
‘Fellas I agree, make the scouts earn their money… but they won’t have to give up a future first to move up. Probably some additional 2nd or 3rd this season or next but i doubt Vegas would touch their 1-3 next year.
I’m saying make the splash, take the chance and hope they traded up for a good reason. I’m telling you I’ve never seen draft analysts fumble shifting 3-10 every week. It’s not a good sign.’
I don’t want to mortgage our future to reunite Patrick and McCrimmon. If the gap between 1 & 2 and 3-6 really is that big, I just can’t see them trading down for a additional 2nd or 3rd this season or next.
James
@Jason Pothier
Patrick has been compared to Jonathan Toews. I would be willing to absorb a bad contract in order to move up in draft. We have the cap space. Might be appealing to other teams
RJ
A lot of people are saying “make the scouts earn their money” well, them saying there are two standouts IS them earning their money if, in fact, there are only two standouts.
James
@RJ
It’s easy to identify a dead cert. It takes more skill to uncover a diamond in the rough. That’s where the scouts earn their money. I’m pretty sure there will be more than two legitimate future all stars selected in this weak draft.