TEAM DRAFT PICKS IN S77 (1st and 2nd round)

S76 is underway, and for the rookies drafted or waivered into the SMJHL, the focus right now is on finding a role on the team, continuing to practice and develop,  and get some game experience in their back pockets. But even still, the S77 SHL Draft is on the horizon. While it is much too early to think about  prospect rankings, it's not too early to have a look at which SHL teams are going to be big shakers in this draft, based on the picks that they hold. Which teams will have to hire some extra scouts, and which teams will be looking in from the outside? Let's have a look at the first 2 rounds, as based on the SMJHL Draft and recent waiver signings, there should be great players available in those first 40 picks :

SEATTLE ARGONAUTS - 3x 1st RD, 5x 2nd RD   

This is a very interesting draft for Seattle as they are in the rebuilding process for the last few seasons, and have been amassing picks and prospects galore in recent Drafts. By my count, they have already 13 prospects who are above their capped limits in the SMJHL, which means that they already have a foundation in place for the next generation. With 8 picks this draft, there wouldn't be enough room on the roster for all of the players if they used all the picks! So they have a real luxury of having an abundance of assets to use as potential trade pieces.

Obviously it wouldn't make sense to go trading these picks for current roster players at the Trade Deadline, as they are mired pretty solidly in last place in their conference. But perhaps we will see them looking to package those late 1sts and 2nds to get a higher Draft spot, or trade them for future picks to other teams that might be looking to move into or up in the Draft. Or maybe they use them all and just start their own SMJHL team with hookers and blackjack! Either way, the team is in a good spot and will at the very least be able to add some great talent to their collection.




CHICAGO SYNDICATE - 3x 1st RD, 1x 2nd RD   
WINNIPEG AURORA - 3x 1st RD, 1x 2nd RD 

I'm bundling these 2 teams together because they are similar in some ways - obviously they both have the same number of picks, but also both are coming off some seriously strong seasons-long runs as contenders. Eventually after trading all their picks away for superstars to maintain that position at the top, combined with an aging-out roster, both teams are now looking to reload and retool for their next wave. For both teams this is an important Draft, as each have 3 picks in the First Round and another in the Second. We know with their track records that they have strong scouting and recruiting departments, with their tendrils reaching into affiliated sim leagues. I don't see either team wanting to trade these picks away, as they can both add a solid contingent of future superstars.

Chicago is a little further ahead in the rebuild with 8 prospects currently above their TPE Caps. They also already have a contingent of youngsters on their current roster who are trending upwards. But there is certainly room for players drafted this season to work their ways up the depth chart quickly. I can see them especially wanting to add a Center or two to bolster their future roster.

For Winnipeg, this is their first season of seriously bulking up the prospects, and with 9 first round picks in the next 3 drafts, they will be looking to build a similar sort of team of the recent dynasty which saw a lot of players drafted from S62-64. Keep in mind they also have their GM in this Draft so that's another piece coming up. They only have 3 current prospects but they are all above their TPE caps so by the time the new generation is making their way into the league, they will be in their primes and ready to lead the way.



NEW ENGLAND WOLFPACK- 2x 1st RD

The Wolfpack have been on a run lately winning 2 Cups since S70, making the Finals two more times including just last season, and some President's Trophies along the way. But they are not necessarily needing to rebuild as their current roster has already 8 players drafted in the S70's, and another 4 prospects still in the pipeline. But it never hurts to add depth. All 4 of their prospects are defense, so it does seem logical that looking to boost their forward depth would be key. With 2 key picks in the first round, the Wolfpack won't want to miss so I'm sure their scouts will be really active, I mean it's not like luke has anything else to do.

HAMILTON STEELHAWKS - 1x 1st RD, 2x 2nd RD
TAMPA BAY BARRACUDA - 1x 1st RD, 2x 2nd RD

Two teams in similar situations in terms of roster builds, with the emphasis on the main rosters being a high number of quality players drafted between S66-S72.  Quite different situations though in terms of how these teams are playing.

For Tampa Bay, so far this season is struggling to put wins up on the board. Of course it could turn around very easily. Or could it be that they just need that one extra piece at the trade deadline? Could be tempting to use those picks to add a roster player. On the other hand, they only have 5 prospects right now, so having pieces in place ready to take over when it's time wouldn't hurt.

Hamilton on the other hand is being Hamilton again. Everyone cheered when their S50's dynasty finally dwindled away, but they never really went away, they were lurking the whole time. And now they have finished their rebuild and are once again a contending team, sitting in first place in their division a quarter way into the season. They have a lot of TPE on their current squad, and even their oldest players in their core are just in the beginning of regression. They also have a healthy squad of rookies in the pipeline, and with a handful of quality picks they could add to that. Maybe they could trade it at the TDL, but more likely they'll hold the picks until the draft but then maybe do some deals to move up or down.


EDMONTON BLIZZARD - 1x 1st RD, 1x 2nd RD

The Blizzard are an interesting team as they are just in the initial stages of their rebuild. Quite possibly the fastest build up to a Cup winner then break it down for a full rebuild ever. They didn't want to hang around having their players age out, so everyone got traded while the value was high. This draft they have just the one 1st round and one 2nd round, but they also have their 2 GMs both in this draft class. But in the next 3 drafts they have 13 (!) 1st round picks including 7 firsts amassed for S80. So they have so many assets that they will be adding in the next few seasons. But this season is the forerunner of their next gens, and I could easily see them using future picks to get more this draft if they wanted, or hold tight and really start building hard next draft. Chances are about 100% that the Blizzard will be making deals at the Draft.


BUFFALO STAMPEDE - 1x 1st RD, 1x 2nd RD
MANHATTAN RAGE - 1x 1st RD, 1x 2nd RD
MINNESOTA MONARCHS - 1x 1st RD, 1x 2nd RD
NEW ORLEANS SPECTERS - 1x 1st RD, 1x 2nd RD
MONTREAL PATRIOTES - 1x 1st RD, 1x 2nd RD

Grouping all these teams together because they all have the same number of picks, and all are very likely to be involved
in trades using these picks. All for different reasons but I'll reckon at least 7 of these picks get traded for something or other.

PHILADELPHIA FORGE - 1x 1st RD

The one lonely Forge draft pick, most likely a late pick as they are still very much a contending team. They so far in their existence have kind of seamlessly woven their picks into their roster, constantly bringing in new players  and seeing them rise up the depth chart as the veterans age out. The roster composition has a good variety of draft years represented. They have a pretty solid base of rookies also ready to make the jump up within a season or two. Probably worth holding on to until the Draft at least to see if someone they really like falls to their spot, or trade it if another team is motivated to make to grab someone they don't see falling.

BALTIMORE PLATOON - 1x 2nd RD
CALGARY DRAGONS - 1x 2nd RD
SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE - 1x 2nd RD

Not quite out of the draft entirely, these teams will be at the mercy of waiting and watching to see what happens.
2nd round picks are often sweeteners in trades so these could be very random

ATLANTA INFERNO - N/A
LOS ANGELES PANTHERS - N/A
TORONTO NORTH STARS - N/A
TEXAS RENEGADES - N/A

These teams hate the S76 class and traded all their picks away.

     S76 SMJHL DRAFT 3RD OVERALL PICK    

Approved @Muerto @CptSquall 

credit to Flappy, ToeDragon, and Carpy