Mock Draft: Pensburgh selects Stefan Elliott (D) 30th overall

by Hooks Orpik on Jun 25, 2009 9:10 AM EDT in News Comment 4 comments

Being a Penguins fan, I knew all about the prospects a couple of seasons ago. But the past two years we've been treated to deep playoff runs in the spring, not learning the names and games of the next wave of NHL players. So it's tough to pick 30th overall, but one I hope that Frank has to do over and over again.

Really at this point the best idea is to pick the player you think is the best available. The Penguins could use more scoring wingers in their system and probably more physical defensemen. But who knows what the NHL roster will look like in 3, 4, 5 years, so you just pick the best player now and deal with it. It's always easier to deal a guy like Ryan Whitney for an area you need, since you have Sergei Gonchar, Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski instead of reaching for a forward that's not going to be as good.

We're not scouts but we thought one guy, at 30th overall, may be a little better than the others in James Mirtle's From the Rink mock draft of SB Nation bloggers.

And that's the WHL's Stefan Elliott. Elliott is a right-handed shooting offensive defenseman that is listed as 6'1, 180 pounds.

Here's the TSN.ca scouting report on Elliott:

Saskatoon head coach and GM Lorne Molleken: "Stefan Elliott's strengths include his skating ability, his snap shot and wrist shot, and his one-on-one defensive play. Stefan is a very intelligent player who uses his stick and body positioning to his advantage while in the defensive zone. He is not a physical player but his stick and body positioning make up for his lack in physical play. He possesses above average puck handling skills and can make a good first pass. Stefan is very good at quarterbacking a power play and his ability to read the play makes him an offensive threat."

In 71 games with Saskatoon Blades, Elliott posted 16 goals and 39 assists. Those 16 goals are already more than the single season high of another right-handed former Blade drafted at the end of the 1st round, Mike Green.

So getting a guy like Elliott, we feel, would be great for the Penguins prospect pool. Will it actually happens? Who knows. We'll leave that to the scouts that have actually seen the kids play and know what they're doing. But for pick 30, don't think many Pens fans will mind.

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i’d be happy if we end up with him for real tomorrow. Good pick

by AronV on Jun 25, 2009 9:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good pick.

Are there any other predictions? I think its a little hard just to pick one with our turn so late in the round. Any runner up predictions? Maybe someone like Nattinen or Erixon? Any thoughts?

At any rate I guess we’ll find out here shortly so it doesn’t matter too much.

Although I think we should pick Dylan Olsen instead, because his picture is nothing short of awesome.

by bbill on Jun 25, 2009 3:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

bbill — like you allude to, hard to say for sure when 29 picks are set to be made before Pittsburgh.

I’ll tell you that Frank and I both had Erixson above Elliott on our very informal “big board”….I say that half jokingly because we’ve never seen any of these kids play, so who knows.

Frank really likes Toni Rajala, a small Finnish winger who’s been on the prospect radar for years who’s done very well in the international competitions (beat Ovechkin’s record for points scored in a U18 tourny). Most have Rajala in the 40-50 range, but Frank was thisclose to drafting him #30.

I like Jeremy Morin (6’1, 180 winger, righthanded) that’s said to be one of the best pure shooters and goal-scorers in the draft. Most have him ranked 21-35, so he’s a possibility at #30 for Pittsburgh. Morin has some undisclosed disciplinary problems with Team USA (which could be minor like missing a curfew or something major) so that’s a red flag. Who knows just how bad it is, everyone (especially when young) makes mistakes.

by Hooks Orpik on Jun 25, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs