Brian Huddle: With the Twenty-Third Pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Florida Selects... Tomas Hertl

Hahah I just posted 2 comments on your old blog, I'll move them here.

Hey Huddle, totaly unrealated to this stinky Bruins blog, but I've been reading alot about Faska being predicted to go to the Leafs at #5. Is he the guy you have a crush on? I've been concentrating so much on the typical guys, Galy + Grigs etc. that I literally know nothing about him. Is there an article you've written on this guy? Like an in depth peice or a prediction about his future or anything?

Hey I read up on him, 1 site said he's 6'-2" 185lbs another says 6'-3" 200+

But both say that he is incredible rookie of the year amazing speed and hell of a shot came runner up for rookie of the year losing to Ekblad the exceptional status guy. Best of all they say he's very physical The more I read the more I like man . So can you verify if this is all true? what are the weak spots in his game, what's a good NHL prediction for him like how high is his ceiling compared to the others ranked in the top 5. I just want the best for the Leafs, they need some good news lol. He's a center too, is he a good one? Good on faceoffs? does he have that Center vision?

This Hertl guy sounds good for a late first rounder, big with scoring touch. Too bad it's Florida can't stand that team lol.

Every Florida fan clenches their buns thinking of Olesz and Frolik

Hertl is an interesting player, not many Czech's are coming out of their home league.

Thoughts on Hertl outplaying Faksa at the WJC? Sounds like a real sleeper.

Hey Huddle, totaly unrealated to this stinky Bruins blog, but I've been reading alot about Faska being predicted to go to the Leafs at #5. Is he the guy you have a crush on? I've been concentrating so much on the typical guys, Galy + Grigs etc. that I literally know nothing about him. Is there an article you've written on this guy? Like an in depth peice or a prediction about his future or anything?

Hey I read up on him, 1 site said he's 6'-2" 185lbs another says 6'-3" 200+

But both say that he is incredible rookie of the year amazing speed and hell of a shot came runner up for rookie of the year losing to Ekblad the exceptional status guy. Best of all they say he's very physical The more I read the more I like man . So can you verify if this is all true? what are the weak spots in his game, what's a good NHL prediction for him like how high is his ceiling compared to the others ranked in the top 5. I just want the best for the Leafs, they need some good news lol. He's a center too, is he a good one? Good on faceoffs? does he have that Center vision?
- wolfos412

Yea, he's the guy who I like a lot. Most lists have him in the 8-12 range, but I have him at 4 on my list. He reminds me of a cross between Jordan Staal, Bobby Holik and Jeff Carter. Confusd? He's a physical center with one of the best defensive games in the draft, and a simple but effective offensive game. Can make very strong passes, but is more of a shooter because of a really strong release. He's more of a "simple" offensive player without being dynamic, but to me, it'll translate very well to the pro game.

He's around 6'3, 205, as well. Needs to work on faceoffs, but he has time.

And yes he's a fast skater and was runner up to Ekblad for rookie of the year in the O. To me, Faksa will be an impact player.

Thoughts on Hertl outplaying Faksa at the WJC? Sounds like a real sleeper.
- psoneill

Hertl's just so up and down, it's hard to get a read on him. Was real impressed at the WJCs, though. He got to play in a scoring role, which helped, while Faksa was asked to play in a more defensive role.

Every Florida fan clenches their buns thinking of Olesz and Frolik

- AdamFrench

thanks for the reminder..

Brian Huddle: With the Twenty-Third Pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Florida Selects...
Tomas Hertl
- Brian Huddle

In your opinion who are the top 5 defense draft picks. An could you provide a 5 pick range of where you'd see each picked. Or which teams do you think will select each

Thanks!

In your opinion who are the top 5 defense draft picks. An could you provide a 5 pick range of where you'd see each picked. Or which teams do you think will select each

Thanks!
- monkhouse

Ryan Murray - Top 5

Jacob Trouba - Top 8

Griffin Reinhart - Top 10

Cody Ceci - 8-12

Morgan Reilly - 8-12

That's without touching on Koekkoek and Maatta who are pretty damn close as well and will go in the 11-18 range, IMO.

Yea, he's the guy who I like a lot. Most lists have him in the 8-12 range, but I have him at 4 on my list. He reminds me of a cross between Jordan Staal, Bobby Holik and Jeff Carter. Confusd? He's a physical center with one of the best defensive games in the draft, and a simple but effective offensive game. Can make very strong passes, but is more of a shooter because of a really strong release. He's more of a "simple" offensive player without being dynamic, but to me, it'll translate very well to the pro game.

He's around 6'3, 205, as well. Needs to work on faceoffs, but he has time.

And yes he's a fast skater and was runner up to Ekblad for rookie of the year in the O. To me, Faksa will be an impact player.
- Brian Huddle

Thanks guy, I don't like the "Simple" part you mention because to me it means it will be simple to stop his game. Is he a future #2 Center?

Thanks guy, I don't like the "Simple" part you mention because to me it means it will be simple to stop his game. Is he a future #2 Center?
- wolfos412

It's not that he doesn't do anything, he just tends to really simplify his game. Good crisp passes on the tape, cycling the puck down low and looking for opportunities that way. He doesn't come into the zone and try deking out everyone like most kids in junior tend to do.

I think he's gonna be franchise guy, though most would disagree. Most people see him as a Top Six two-way center.

Ryan Murray - Top 5

Jacob Trouba - Top 8

Griffin Reinhart - Top 10

Cody Ceci - 8-12

Morgan Reilly - 8-12

That's without touching on Koekkoek and Maatta who are pretty damn close as well and will go in the 11-18 range, IMO.
- Brian Huddle

This is excellent. I really value your opinion as you always seem unbiased. As a Sens fan I'm thinking they are likely to draft a defensive d man. Who do you think would be the best defensive player available. And who do you think would likely be around @ 15.

It's not that he doesn't do anything, he just tends to really simplify his game. Good crisp passes on the tape, cycling the puck down low and looking for opportunities that way. He doesn't come into the zone and try deking out everyone like most kids in junior tend to do.

I think he's gonna be franchise guy, though most would disagree. Most people see him as a Top Six two-way center.
- Brian Huddle

Ahh I see so there is less the NHL coaches have to change in his game (i.e. Kadri)

I feel like the ink ran dry on his birth certificate and some letters were forgot.

Always nice to see a guy that can play multiple positions. People assume it's easy to do, but it isn't.

Ryan Murray - Top 5

Jacob Trouba - Top 8

Griffin Reinhart - Top 10

Cody Ceci - 8-12

Morgan Reilly - 8-12

That's without touching on Koekkoek and Maatta who are pretty damn close as well and will go in the 11-18 range, IMO.
- Brian Huddle

Did you forget Dumba? Or is he just outside the top 12 for you?

Hudds I'm not sure why, but this year seems to be getting back to pre-lockout where guys with size and speed are wanted so badly. Are teams going to make the mistake again and start drafting these guys in hope they turn out into the next big thing? And is what Boston did in the playoffs last year the reason this trend seems to be popping up again?

I feel like the ink ran dry on his birth certificate and some letters were forgot.

Always nice to see a guy that can play multiple positions. People assume it's easy to do, but it isn't.
- Lahey

Agreed! I thought the same thing.

This is excellent. I really value your opinion as you always seem unbiased. As a Sens fan I'm thinking they are likely to draft a defensive d man. Who do you think would be the best defensive player available. And who do you think would likely be around @ 15.
- monkhouse

I think Maatta makes the most sense for Ottawa around where they'll pick. A big guy who can use his size (6'2, 200), but plays more of a simple shutdown game using his good positioning and stick. Has some offensive upside as he was a bit producer for the Knights when they won the OHL Championship this year.

Did you forget Dumba? Or is he just outside the top 12 for you?
- isles10289

Not in my Top 5 D-men. But yea, he'd also go in the 8-12 range, like Ceci.

Hudds I'm not sure why, but this year seems to be getting back to pre-lockout where guys with size and speed are wanted so badly. Are teams going to make the mistake again and start drafting these guys in hope they turn out into the next big thing? And is what Boston did in the playoffs last year the reason this trend seems to be popping up again?
- Lahey

Yep-- Boston and LA both have made teams see the value in physical hockey again. It's not so much "size" as it is "how you use it". Look at a guy like Mike Richards.

Not in my Top 5 D-men. But yea, he'd also go in the 8-12 range, like Ceci.



Yep-- Boston and LA both have made teams see the value in physical hockey again. It's not so much "size" as it is "how you use it". Look at a guy like Mike Richards.
- Brian Huddle

Of course, but it seems so many guys are being talked about because they are big and can skate. As long as my team doesn't do this I don't care, but fans seem to be falling in love with these coke machines that can skate because they have a chance at being Lucic.

Of course, but it seems so many guys are being talked about because they are big and can skate. As long as my team doesn't do this I don't care, but fans seem to be falling in love with these coke machines that can skate because they have a chance at being Lucic.
- Lahey

I'm also tired of people comparing these similar build players to Lucic. They keep using his name because he is an original, no one else really brings that entire package to the table. I'm also tired of these trade proposals that see him being dealt from the Bruins. Has there been a Bruin in the past decade who looks more like a Bruin, or more like what the fans of the Bruins want? Chances of him being dealt... I'll put it at just under 0%.

I'm also tired of people comparing these similar build players to Lucic. They keep using his name because he is an original, no one else really brings that entire package to the table. I'm also tired of these trade proposals that see him being dealt from the Bruins. Has there been a Bruin in the past decade who looks more like a Bruin, or more like what the fans of the Bruins want? Chances of him being dealt... I'll put it at just under 0%.
- Lohaus

I actually got into a conversation with a buddy about this last night. The two guys who have been compared to Lucic the last two years are Wilson and Biggs, obviously. Wilson, to me, actually reminds me of Lucic. You've seen enough of him and you can't deny the similarities in how they play, their build, etc. It's uncanny.

When I watch Biggs, I don't see that. I see a big guy who can skate well, and hits everything that moves, but he doesn't carry himself the same way.

I'm also tired of people comparing these similar build players to Lucic. They keep using his name because he is an original, no one else really brings that entire package to the table. I'm also tired of these trade proposals that see him being dealt from the Bruins. Has there been a Bruin in the past decade who looks more like a Bruin, or more like what the fans of the Bruins want? Chances of him being dealt... I'll put it at just under 0%.
- Lohaus

So Gagner, 2013 1st and PRVfor Lucic is a no go

I laugh in Edmonton because we drafted Jacques, Winchester, Radunske, Mikhnov, Caron, etc... And people still want to just draft these guys because it's so easy to find the Lucic's of the world.