Fischer is a player NHL scouts and folks around the OHL have a lot of time for. He played huge minutes (28-30+ most nights) for a rebuilding Sarnia team this year and while he was occasionally exposed by a poor group, he’s 6-foot-3, he defends, he’s tough, he’s really quite mobile (and an excellent natural athlete in several ways), and by all accounts he’s a great character kid/player you want on your team. He’s also one of the youngest players in the draft and was just a week away from eligibility for 2025. Add in good athleticism and a frame that will continue to add muscle and there’s a lot to like. I’ve questioned his reads/timing/decision-making at times and while he can chase it and be erratic at times, there are a lot of tools there and his and his team’s maturity played a role. With reps and continued development, he could be a solid depth NHL D.

They're going for toolkit guys rather than guys with polish.

Dave's a mess wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 11:19 am Fischer played big minutes for Sarnia this season. The son of former NHL player Jiri Fischer is a very athletic defenseman. He's got a smooth, powerful skating stride. Fischer can transport pucks up the ice effectively and closes on checks well. Offensively, he's just OK. With time he shows decent skill and vision. Under pressure he can fight the puck a bit and I wouldn't call him a natural puck-mover. You hope with his size and mobility and enough grit that he can carve out a career as a third-pair defenseman. He is one of the youngest players eligible for this year's draft so there is some hope for more growth in his game as well.

3rd pair is the projected ceiling? Talk about killing a fans enthusiasm. 2nd rd pick you want more than that.

I think Garth Butcher is running the Blues draft. News at 10.

BillP wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 11:26 am

Dave's a mess wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 11:19 am Fischer played big minutes for Sarnia this season. The son of former NHL player Jiri Fischer is a very athletic defenseman. He's got a smooth, powerful skating stride. Fischer can transport pucks up the ice effectively and closes on checks well. Offensively, he's just OK. With time he shows decent skill and vision. Under pressure he can fight the puck a bit and I wouldn't call him a natural puck-mover. You hope with his size and mobility and enough grit that he can carve out a career as a third-pair defenseman. He is one of the youngest players eligible for this year's draft so there is some hope for more growth in his game as well.

3rd pair is the projected ceiling? Talk about killing a fans enthusiasm. 2nd rd pick you want more than that.

That's just one scout's opinion. If a second rounder becomes an NHL regular that's a solid pick.

Okay well if that's the going price we aren't trading Hofer then, and rightfully so. What a trade

There have been a ton of big time trades today.

Dave's a mess wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 11:35 am

BillP wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 11:26 am

Dave's a mess wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 11:19 am Fischer played big minutes for Sarnia this season. The son of former NHL player Jiri Fischer is a very athletic defenseman. He's got a smooth, powerful skating stride. Fischer can transport pucks up the ice effectively and closes on checks well. Offensively, he's just OK. With time he shows decent skill and vision. Under pressure he can fight the puck a bit and I wouldn't call him a natural puck-mover. You hope with his size and mobility and enough grit that he can carve out a career as a third-pair defenseman. He is one of the youngest players eligible for this year's draft so there is some hope for more growth in his game as well.

3rd pair is the projected ceiling? Talk about killing a fans enthusiasm. 2nd rd pick you want more than that.

That's just one scout's opinion. If a second rounder becomes an NHL regular that's a solid pick.

For a mess you talk good hockey

Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 11:38 am Okay well if that's the going price we aren't trading Hofer then, and rightfully so. What a trade

Caps are going to be so bad by the time Ovie hangs them up.

Dave's a mess wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 11:59 am

The scouting report on him sounds impressive. Great skater, great work ethic. Steen back on the clock….

Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 10:33 am My day two wish list would come from this group.

Igor Chernyshov, LW
Charlie Elick, RHD
Nikita Artamonov, RW
Henry Mews, RHD
Andrew Basha, LW
Julius Miettinen, C
Adam Kleber, RHD
Adam Jecho, RW (Torpo 2.0)
Jesse Pulkkinen, LHD
Teddy Stiga, C
Mikhail Yegorov, G

Holy shit we actually took Torpo 2.0!

Pretty sure the Blues made their draft board by sorting by height.

Can’t wait to see the draft grade when this is done. Not that it means anything but just curious.

BillP wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 12:27 pm Can’t wait to see the draft grade when this is done. Not that it means anything but just curious.

If it's rated on size alone, the Blues will come out near the top!

RAFritchey wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 12:29 pm

BillP wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 12:27 pm Can’t wait to see the draft grade when this is done. Not that it means anything but just curious.

If it's rated on size alone, the Blues will come out near the top!

Bob Mackenzie had him ranked at 60 and Blues got Jecho at 95. Blues draft looking up, no pun intended

After a brief hiatus, the Blues got back to drafting large defensemen.

Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 11:08 am He is Jiri's kid so you know where he gets his size from.

You can never have enough Fischers.

Dave's a mess wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 11:05 am Sounds like the Scouts are sort of split on his skating. Headed to St. Cloud state next year I think I saw.

Another college project. Meh.

BillP wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 11:52 am

Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 11:38 am Okay well if that's the going price we aren't trading Hofer then, and rightfully so. What a trade

Caps are going to be so bad by the time Ovie hangs them up.

Yeah. They are throwing the kitchen sink at getting him the goal scoring record and are fucking up their franchise for a decade. Is that worth it?

It's just so funny watching us try to desperately get back to being the type of team we've always been before Army for some reason thought size and strength were leaving the game and worked tirelessly to tear the roster down from even after it won him a cup. At least they've seen the light

Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 1:58 pm It's just so funny watching us try to desperately get back to being the type of team we've always been before Army for some reason thought size and strength were leaving the game and worked tirelessly to tear the roster down from even after it won him a cup. At least they've seen the light

Yes, but I'm not sure it's worth reaching for marginal picks.

I like the Fischer pick.

Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 1:58 pm It's just so funny watching us try to desperately get back to being the type of team we've always been before Army for some reason thought size and strength were leaving the game and worked tirelessly to tear the roster down from even after it won him a cup. At least they've seen the light

It's fine to have a small puckmover on the backend, but you're in trouble if you have a little guy on every D pair.

Welcome, lads

No goalie drafted in the first round for the 3rd draft in a row.