*NEW* Bob McKenzie Mid-Season Draft Rankings REVEALED! (New #1 Overall?)

[@GravitehHockey]

The Bob Father gave us a sweet new ranking to sink our teeth into! What are YOUR thoughts on McKenzie's mid-season rankings? What do YOU agree & disagree with? And what was the biggest surprise for YOU? #GravGang

[@Wheelofthyme1010]

It’d be funny if Hagens dropped farther than 2 because of his height, and then he got a crazy growth spurt and jumped to 6’4”

[@MattNineFive]

Whoever gets Hagens and can train him properly could very well have a very talented young player for the future! Same height almost as Jack hughes, and similar stats while with the USNDTP U-18. I think Schaefer is very talented, though it will be a toss up for sure when it comes to the top 4 though If im a team like Chicago its Hagens but San Jose should go for Schaefer.

[@hc1883]

I don't think it's just Hagens' lack of height by itself but also his overall physical stature with him being listed right now at 5'10 1/2" 177 lbs. Compare his physical measurements to the notable top center prospects selected high in the top 3 or 4 in drafts over the last 10+ years or so and their measurements at the draft combine or listed height & weight right now. 2013 - McKinnon (6'0" , 200 lbs) 2014 - Reinhart (6'0 3/4" , 185 lbs) 2015 - McDavid (6'0 3/4" , 195 lbs) 2016 - Matthews (6'2 1/4" , 216 lbs) 2017 - Hischier (6'1 1/2" , 179 lbs) 2019 - Hughes (5'10" , 170 lbs) 2021 - Beniers (6'2" , 178 lbs) 2023 - Bedard (5'9 3/4" , 185 lbs) , Carlsson (6'3" 203 lbs) , Fantilli (6'2" 194 lbs) , Smith (5'11 3/4" , 180 lbs) 2024 . Celebrini (5'11 3/4" , 197 lbs) Hagens would definitely be on the lower end physically.

[@TracyJean1972]

I’m an Erie Otters’ STH and Schaefer is FANTASTIC! Erie’s defense is really missing him.

[@eliaminator2313]

Makes sense Schaefer is the unanimous 1st overall pick amongst scouts. Hagens didn't have an impressive World Juniors to scouts since his pts were all against the bad teams and Schaefer showed the impact he had on Canada's defense with him in the lineup vs without. Not to mention Schaefer is like 10 months younger than Hagens which matters a lot in a draft this tight

[@shmoo232]

Hagens scored the first USA goal against Finland in the gold medal game. He wasn't needed to score against Canada because they were trash and were thrashed 4-1.

[@eliaminator2313]

@shmoo232 Schaefer has more pts against Finland in 1 game lol

[@shmoo232]

@@eliaminator2313 Hagens scored against FInland in the Gold medal game where there was real pressure. Without Hagens goal, the USA are not gold medal winners. With Schaefer's points, Canada are not gold medal winners.

[@eliaminator2313]

@@shmoo232 well there's a reason almost all scouts like Schaefer more than Hagens which should've been expected genuinely surprised it's taken this long for that to also be the public perception which it still isn't for some reason it's nothing to do with Canada USA nobody cares about that that's besides the point

[@Clue96]

That’s ok. Some team will be super happy with Hagens instead. I do t understand the disrespect. But whatever.

[@Wlightning25]

As a Hawks fan, I don’t know who they should pick in the relatively high chance they get first overall. They went with the defenseman last year second overall, and I don’t know if they would go with another one this year.

[@Z0raPlus]

My ranks: 1. Schaefer: Two-way defender with smooth skating. Just needs to get healthy. 2. Hagens: Slow start but he's starting to get going. His defensive game is slowly improving but the playmaking and skating should get you excited. 3. Misa: You could put Martone here but I like Misa better because of his skating. Misa has worse physicality but I value skating more. Misa goal-scoring ability is amazing. 4. Martone: While the skating needs improvement, he has physicality, a booming shot, and size. Pretty much the mold of a power forward. 5. Spence: Bold take, I get that he's raw offensively, but his two best attributes is his skating and defensive play. I value both of those really greatly while ranking players. 6. Eklund: I get why Frondell is mostly put above him but Eklund has outproduced Frondell at every level. Pure playmaker and can show flashes of solid defensive play, projecting more as a two-way winger. 7. Frondell: Compared to Spence and Eklund, Frondell has a similar mold but he's less consistent than both. But it might be because of his injury. 8. McQueen: Gives me Kirby Dach vibes which is why I'm lower on him compared to most scouts. Big kid, rangy, and offensively a threat but who know's how he will do after recovering from his injury. I still he will go in the top 10 cause of his size alone. 9. Smith: Uses his skating to his advantage. Uses his edges to cover the gaps and can outmaneuver the opposition to get the puck up the ice. Fantastic on the breakout. 10. Bear: For point production alone, Bear is up here. 11. Hensler: I would say University of Wisconsin should be the thing to blame for Hensler's inconsistent play this season. They have a bad track record for developing players into stars, a prime example is Charlie Stramel. In Michigan State, Stramel is doing way better. Hensler is in a similar situation. I would have him lower but I value defenseman more than forwards. Hensler is still a solid all-around defender when at his best.

[@davidstahl2156]

You saying frondell has a similar mold to eklund shows you actually have no clue what you’re talking about 😂 frondell is incredibly strong and is bodying grown men with his physique. Eklund likes to throw the body as well but he’s much easier to throw off the puck.

[@cameron81anderson]

nice!!! i agree with each of the top four

[@Userperson2]

Great take graviteh

[@BigHatMatt]

Been saying for awhile if Blackhawks get #1 pick we shoul.d go Schaefer even if we are already stocked on D. He is special, and you easily make room for him and use other dmen as trade pieces for other forwards.

[@roopekanerva5606]

But Hagens with Bedard? That could be Drai McDavid light. Or Toews and Kane...

[@robertholbrook5873]

Moron

[@BigHatMatt]

@roopekanerva5606 I wouldn't be unhappy with that, but sometimes the best move is taking the most special player regardless of need. In a scenario where we pick Schafer I'd like to see us also pick up Mitch marner or Brock boeser in free agency. Along with potentially moving a young d man for a center/winger nearing an rfa contract, perhaps a 3 way trade where we get Dylan cousins. Wouldn't mind some young, but not not rookie, talent inserted to bring us a bit more juice.

[@RaiderWing]

Haven’t heard one scout NOT say Schaefer for awhile. Hagens doesn’t have the 1 on 1 skills of someone like Jack Hughes, or even Misa. The funny thing about Misa comments about being a winger, are comments from prior to this season, where he’s finally playing C full-time. Martone?? Hearing he could drop to 6, 7 or 8. It’ll depend who’s drafting in those slots. Eklund could pass him on many draft sheets, and teams like to fall in love with dmen. Someone like Mrtka or even Fiddler. So Martone has the biggest chance to fall some. A lot of his points come from being physically stronger than 16-17 year olds who won’t be playing at the next level. McQueen is scary. He’s always injured. Last year too. Always banged up.

[@tylerlawer8750]

It’s crazy that teams still won’t pick prospects because of size

[@yexman77]

Hoping the Penguins stay near the bottom of the standings and finally start looking for the future. Lots of high talent in the top 5 in this draft. I’m sure Dubas will screw it up somehow

[@Lebowski55]

If Schaefer goes #1, he may be the player to play the fewest amount of games to go #1 in his draft year. The dude has played 19 total games this year.

[@johanjotun1647]

IDK if we can trust the scouts if their affilliated with any teams, they could just undervalue kids they want pick up hoping they will be available when it their turn to pick.

[@2Jim2u]

Who did Mckenzie list as Schaefer's defensive partner on the 2nd pair of Team Canada, when describing his defensive abilities, to be taken first overall? Bonk.

[@2Jim2u]

I have to remember there's some Canadians who took losing at the Worlds as a success for their young defenseman, no matter how wrong they are. Team Canada did not win. Team USA WON, and I have to imagine that McKenzie lost sight in that.

[@shawnerickstad6974]

Lol let’s just be honest, if Hagens was Canadian he would easily be number one prospect. Before world junior championships many had Martone first overall and Hagens second. Now after Hagens had 9 points and looked very impressive and Martone had one point and didn’t look impressive at all let’s take another Canadian to jump Hagens for top spot even though played one game in tournament. Most canadaians don’t want an American to go first overall

[@benjaminh7257]

Schaefer looks like a man amongst boys. Hanges looks like another zegras. Low compete level

[@Buckwilder-ws1hq]

How wrong your comment is is actually impressive. Hagens was ranked 1 to start the year and that's what everyone was told and most people rarely watched or didn't watch any of these guys at all so they just went with it. Now that the spotlight is on all these guys they start to realize there are guys that are better. Practically every scout has Sahaefer #1 like in Bobs list as hes won every tournament he has been healthy in and has dominated in the O. Hagens also plays with two 19 year old first round picks that perfectly complement his play style all year which is a great luxury that few guys get to have which also helps inflate his numbers.

[@meatrider4995]

lol give Misa’s build to Hagens and Hagens becomes a #1 lock. Those extra inches only matter if you know how to put in work with them. Don’t take that out of context pls and thx.

[@jessepressler208]

Rantanen to the Canes!!!

[@benjaminh7257]

Nhl teams don’t want to draft the second coming of Zegras at 1st overall 💀💀

[@James-kk4jm]

Hagens is Mikael Granlund with a bit more juice.

[@roopekanerva5606]

Actually not that far out. Like a hybrid between Granlund and Jack Hughes. A lot more agile and quick skater than Granlund for sure- the juice. But very similar playmaking mastermind- potential.

[@emanuelgonzalez3967]

Hawks will draft hagens