Future Considerations’ Ontario-based scout Daniel Deschenes gives his thoughts on who from the 2014 NHL Draft class left him impressed, who disappointed and who his sleeper is on draft day.
To go even deeper into the draft class, pick up Future Considerations’ 2014 NHL Draft Guide, containing our ranking of the top-210 prospects, full profiles on 210 draft eligibles, a two-round mock draft, a glimpse at the 2015 NHL Draft and much, much more! Click HERE to find out more!
Who Impressed?
Someone I have seen many times and continually impressed me was Niagara IceDogs defenseman Blake Siebenaler.
A 15th round choice by Marty Williamson and the IceDogs in 2012, Siebenaler came to the Ontario Hockey League with relatively little hype. Not long into his rookie season, however, Siebenaler proved to be a mainstay on the blue line and saw himself playing in all situations.
The departure of Niagara captain and New York Islanders prospect Jesse Graham opened up more ice time being given to Siebenaler and fellow 2014 draft eligibles Aaron Haydon and Aleksander Mikulovich. Siebenaler thrived in this role and contributed mightily with six goals and 24 assists while playing in all 68 regular season games.
Siebenaler is a heads-up, puck-moving defenseman who controls the tempo with the puck on his stick. He has a powerful, accurate shot to go along with the crisp passes that he can dish through traffic. While he needs to work on his consistency from game to game, he makes smart plays in all ends of the ice that will not only contribute to Niagara’s success through their rebuild, but for an NHL team’s power play in the future.
Who Disappointed?
Projected as a top-30 pick to start the season, Jacob Middleton failed to impress on a few occasions this season. His inconsistent play and defensive breakdowns were far too common over the course of the year.
The Ottawa 67’s blueliner provided a much-needed physical presence on one of the OHL’s youngest teams. As such, Middleton was also given the opportunity to play a role on the power play, something that he would not have normally done. The ability to play a top-4 role provided him with the opportunity to round out his game.
Unfortunately, it was not all roses as he failed to provide the needed punch from the back end as much as expected.
Middleton has tremendous size and a mean streak but he did not always use it to his advantage. Often times, he would ease off towards the end of a battle for the puck allowing opponents to escape harm free. He plays a little nonchalant at times that gives the impression that he is just going through the motions. His skating and use of his body are in need of work but I am sure that he will put it all together soon enough.
It may have been due to high expectations for Middleton, but the negative aspects of his game outweighed the positives on many nights. Once he fine-tunes his defensive game, he will no doubt be a force on the back end in the future.
Who Surprised?
My sleeper from Ontario is Connor Murphy of the Caledonia Corvairs (GOJHL).
While he has a ways to go to refine his skill set and overall makeup, Murphy has four years to improve at the University of Michigan. The tools are raw but when he gets into the game, it is hard for opponents to stop him. Murphy amassed 96 points in 49 regular season games and added another 33 points in 26 playoff games. He helped lead the Corvairs to the Golden Horseshoe Championship and a Sutherland Cup victory.
Murphy is not an overly physical player and will often shy away from the gritty areas. His lack of size and the fact he played Tier 2 this season do not help his case, but he has the smarts to be a difference maker. The quality of competition he faced this season was not the greatest, but he continued to elevate his game when playing in close games against stronger teams and in the playoffs.
Murphy oozes confidence with the puck and possesses a lethal shot. He can pick the corners and sees lanes through traffic that catches goaltenders off guard. Murphy has explosive speed and uses it to his advantage on the forecheck and as he works his way up ice.
A projected top-six scorer, Murphy will be one to watch for over the next four years as he hones his craft at the University of Michigan where he will surely leave as a much better player and offensive threat to contribute at the pro level.
To go even deeper into the draft class, pick up Future Considerations’ 2014 NHL Draft Guide, containing our ranking of the top-210 prospects, full profiles on 210 draft eligibles, a two-round mock draft, a glimpse at the 2015 NHL Draft and much, much more! Click HERE to find out more!