2024 OHL Draft and Import Draft

[donjohnson]

Big news as Russian players are allowed to be drafted again...that's probably a good thing for us since it widens the pool of players since we'll be drafting #56 and #116 which isn't the best spot since we'll likely need to add 2 import players next season. Hopefully there's a lot of "passes" from teams who already have their imports but it's likely that Sapovaliv and Dionicio will both be moving on next season.

[kingpin794]

Import draft is always more about agent connections but having that extra talent pool to draw from is nice especially since the Nordic powers are becoming less and less inclined to send kids over. Last couple drafts have been almost exclusively Czechia or Slovakia with some Swiss and Latvian sprinkled in. Just checking on possible 2007's from Czechia that share an agency with Sapovaliv and there are a couple decent options for us. Maybe we swing big on the second pick for someone like Demidov for the heck of it.

[kingpin794]

Couple mock drafts that include a ton of info on 60-100 players for the upcoming OHL priority selection:

docs.google.com/document/u/1/d/e/2PACX-1vRdK-4uwf0mGJYO6HOxo-MRwX48tLH0sYpox-fD18qrQaR7qnbbZB0u-n5uEydNEzqtY0EbCirycIVq/pub?pli=1
t.co/O24SsxviQ6

I'd like to see us go for BPA D in the first. Guys like Luca Blonda, Carter Hicks, or even Zach Nyman (if we think we can recruit him) would be great IMO. Aidan O'Donnell out of Nova Scotia is an interesting F option. Was supposed to be a high pick in the Q but chose to go to the OHL (some legacy loophole). Seen a few projections of him being a late first type of guy. Again if they feel like they can recruit, maybe try for Ethan Garden?

Someone keep an eye out for prospects getting shown around on Thursday.

[kingpin794]

At 19 we take winger Dimian Zhilkin. This from Brock Otten's preview:

"Dima Zhilkin, F, Toronto Jr. Canadiens
If Dima Zhilkin was 5’10”, he would be a no-brainer to be a first round pick in this draft. Instead, his size unfortunately plays a big factor in his value, this is a player with a very high ceiling. The brother of former OHLer Danny Zhilkin is an incredibly explosive and creative winger that can generate offence in droves with his electric pace. He handles contact tremendously well at this level, and his evasiveness helps him dodge pressure in tight areas. He creates space at a high level, and his confidence with the puck is high at all times. Zhilkin could be an electric top line player and creator in the OHL, but the concerns with his size and slightness could hold him back."

Sounds like a good fit. He doesn't need to get 6 ft 1 NHL size but even a little bit of growth and he should be fine.

At 60 we take G Brady Knowling. Committed to the NTDP. Would have rather they got a for sure skater but taking a NTDP kid this early means they have to like the odds to land him down the road.

[MidlandSpiritFan]

Zhilkin has already signed with the Spirit.

[donjohnson]

We're barely beyond the end of an incredible season and yet we're two weeks away from seeing where Zayne's name will be called on June 28th. I think there's an outside shot that we could see Oke or Mangone get drafted on a late-round flyer...both had great seasons and Mangone really had a great playoffs when a lot of eyes were on our team so it's possible they could get a look.

What I'm really interested in is the Import Draft which is only 3 weeks away on July 3rd. We need two new guys and it seems like we've had some great relationships with the one talent agency so I'm hoping that some solid guys (or at least guys with upside) are available to us late in the draft. As I mentioned before, Russians can be drafted again so hopefully that increases the available talent and we can snag some good players late.

[kingpin794]

Import draft is always a bit of a crap shoot to project but here are some names from Gold Star that might be on our radar:

2006's
Yegor Surin-projected 3/4th rounder
Matvei Gridin-rumored to be leaving UM commit. Another 3/4th round projection. Likely gone before us.
Daniil Anatsky-Big body center.

2007's
Andreas Straka-2025 Draft C from Slovakia. Has represented on the international level.