Response to Mock Draft Feedback

[@christhornycroft3686]

I don't know why people complain about opinions. Hockey isn't a religion that supposedly deals in absolute fact. It's one person's educated guess. It's easy to dump on something anonymously from behind a computer screen. If someone else has another opinion, they can state it. But getting all upset about a Power Ranking or a Mock Draft, which is fraught with subjectivity, is a bit silly. But hey, if it's entertaining, gets people talking and gets you ad revenue so you can make a living, everyone wins.

[@AntoineWilliams7118]

Make a video about 4 nation cup and how BETman is making billions monetizing hockey with all the betting apps.

[@people3865]

​@@AntoineWilliams7118Why? Why is everyone always blaming Bettman? He does what the owners want..

[@JPMadden]

He's not even expressing an opinion about the past or present. He's fortune-telling about the future.

[@JBTriple8]

@@AntoineWilliams7118 Yeah Compare Bettman to the Other Major 3 commissioners he is the lesser evil

[@billwalter9917]

Wait! So, you’re telling me that hockey isn’t a religion? Your insolence shall be punishable by being forced to watch women’s softball for the remainder of your life! The Lord (Stanley) has decreed this punishment as all encompassing for those who fail to respect the last real professional sport on planet earth! Rugby and Australian rules football fans qualify for exemption - as per The Lord!

[@theburritoninj4]

Mock drafts are fun and should be treated as such in my opinion. People get really worked up and blow things way out of proportion. None of us are GM's, we're just fans, so let's all take a breath and enjoy speculating who our favorite teams pick while we wait for the draft.

[@DesertPyrate8257]

I would love a video going through seeing all the old players comparisons.

[@redrangers12330]

Great idea

[@vipeholmskolan6052]

The ceiling add-ins were a nice addition.

[@bensprigg9834]

Hi, I really enjoyed the player comparisons, it gives people a rough idea of what each player might be like. I for one thought it helped. Keep up the great work.

[@lukewoodworth2101]

People have never heard of "for fun". Drafts are so random or unpredictable. Shane Wright went 4th when people thought he was going first and no later then 2nd

[@HexagonalMan6]

And both of them have taken time to develop; Slafkvosky went from a 20 point pace last year to a 50 point season this year, and Shane Wright looked a lot better this year in the NHL games he played than last year. You can only really tell if a draft pick is a bust a few years down the line most of the time.

[@4thlinemaniac356]

No Demidov in top x 16????

[@BayBye2011]

you will never be able to please everyone and people forget that it is your opinion......heck not everyone is gonna agree with you but then again it is meant to get people to think...some people just like 2b combative.

[@dustyb58]

"people will complain" - a blanket statement for all of the internet

[@KevinJL]

"Cancer is cured" someone will complain in the comments

[@user-xn5me8iz7c]

Hey Shannon, Do not worry about peoples hate. I watch your videos daily, almost every single day for the past 2-3 years. You do amazing content and i hope you continue to do for many years to come. Free agency and the draft are gonna be fun as usual.

[@oldhab7890]

Shannon you do a great job clearly outlining how you do the draft video. I loved the video even though the Habs' pick made me shudder. You are the bestest.

[@piggybankvillan]

Mock drafts are meant to be for fun, but people are acting like they got bets on players going where in the draft and it's incredibly cringeworthy.

[@Kazahad1110]

You keep doing your thing, Shannon. I was entertained, and dare I say, informed. Thank you.

[@christopherkuzek9816]

don't let the haters bug ya brother people hate any opinion that isn't theirs/ love the channel

[@ShinieZekrom]

Calgary Flames are a great example of needs changing, two years ago they had a top five d core and now after Hanafin, Tanev and Zadorov are gone you hear how badly they need d prospects.

[@ShinieZekrom]

Draft the best player available since you never know what position you will need next year, fix holes through trades and free agency, not the draft.

[@Dryflyonly86]

THG you are THE MAN, don’t listen to the critics. They’re losers and probably rangers or leaf fans.

[@isaiahwirch9389]

I always enjoy your mock drafts !

[@schmidty2go312]

I don't understand anyone who would complain about your opinion on something like a Mock Draft. A person can complain about their team picking that person, but not attack you. I love your channel, we don't always agree but I am extremely grateful for the videos you put out. Keep up the great work!

[@Elsanna7]

Hopefully this redirects some criticism for you: 1.) SJS - Macklin Celebrini 2.) CHI - Artyom Levshunov 3.) ANA - Zeev Buium 4.) CBJ - Cole Eiserman 5.) MTL - Ivan Demidov 6.) UTA - Zayne Parekh 7.) OTT - Sam Dickinson 8.) SEA - Berkly Catton 9.) CGY - Tij Iginla 10.) NJD - Cayden Lindstrom 11.) BUF - Anton Silayev 12.) PHI - Carter Yakemchuck 13.) MIN - Konsta Helenius 14.) SJS - Liam Greentree 15.) DET - Mich. Brandsegg-Nygård 16.) STL - Stian Solberg

[@4thlinemaniac356]

Demidov jewel of this draft imo and in many others Chicago contemplating him at #2.

[@robertrouzaud9814]

Taking the best available is a well-used approach. Building from the back end forward is the approach that Dean Lombardi used and makes sense unless there’s a small pool of prospects that are head and shoulders above the rest. Anyway, I don’t understand those who get bent out of shape over opinions.

[@defaultuser1447]

I have the advantage of not following prospects much at all, so I have not opinions. I like hearing what THG has to say.

[@muhsinmunief843]

You should do a top 10-15 name draft for every year

[@BoyNamedSue4]

Getting upset over a mock draft is just sad.

[@Elsanna7]

Agreed

[@KevinJL]

Complaining about a mock draft is loserville

[@Dreamsc8pe]

I think there's an important distinction in the way Hockey News mag phrases comparables nowadays. They no longer call it comparables, they now call them "best case"s. I have to wonder if Hockey News also took some crap from their own fans for trying to tether a player's upside to the success of a current, established NHLer and the term just might not have sit right.

[@iliaponomarev1624]

With centers, there is the thing that you basically have to draft your 1C and 2C. With D-men, the thing is that you can still draft good ones later in the draft. With goalies, it feels like you really should draft one in the top 100 every year.

[@StickinAroundHockey]

If people complain with who their team drafts even if they are a highly regarded prospect, there is no way to win with them for mock drafts that don't mean anything. I wish people could just enjoy the speculation!

[@benoitrobitaille5235]

I respectfully disagree, even if you pick a potentially better prospect defenseman, despite having enough already, you still end up with too many defensemen and gotta trade someone in the end. In the case of Montreal, there is already way way too many defensemen/defensive prospects so much so that trades are already needed, even before a potentially better D prospect can be taken at #5.

[@zacharyfranklin6510]

As always great job Shannon. Keep keeping me in the loop.

[@TopiasNykänen]

I trust THG's opinion on prospects more than those of some random guy upset in the comments

[@KevinJL]

Bobby Margarita taught him well

[@BearCummins]

Spot on! But… I can’t see the Hawks taking Connelly given they are trying to clean up their image not create another PR disaster. I appreciate all the effort you put into this though!

[@TheHHA13]

I enjoyed the video. Those are my favourite types. Just fun debate and comparisons and opinions.

[@willmarshall4685]

Right, remember just a year ago the Sens were supposed with blue liners…Now they are retooling.

[@alexandermitchell148]

SJ fan here. Obviously Celebrini is going #1. As for pick #14, I’d like Solberg. For pick 33, I’d like Ej Emery hoping that he’s still there. If not I’m a fan of Dominik Badinka. Both D men are right handed shots which is sought after in the NHL. Nothing less, I’m excited going forward.

[@adamn7777]

This draft in particular seems like the hardest one to predict with everything after Celebrini seemingly like a crapshoot. A lot seems to hinge on what direction Chicago goes with their pick as that can set off a chain reaction of picks and it seems to boil down to 2 guys they're choosing between, Demidov or Levshunov, so any mock draft is gonna go in wildly different directions based on what happens with Chicago and you had to pick one. I think they'd lean D this time because next year's draft is thin on D but rich on forwards but also they're probably not too keen to have the core of their offense coming from 2 sub 6 feet tall but I can see why you'd argue they take Demidov.

[@GizmoBeach]

I’ll throw in a sweetener: Buffalo gets SJ’s 1st pick, they get Clague AND a 2nd RD choice from Belarus. Eh, eh? 🤗 After Celebrini, it’s anyone’s guess. And whoever your team picks, will be second guessed to death until they produce serious results.

[@nottheguy4328]

I didn't comment on the previous video but I enjoyed it! While I disagreed with some of the player comparisons, based on other sources and watching tape myself, it's always fun to hear other peoples' opinions on the draft; presents an opportunity to challenge my own biases. Would love to get a video about under the radar prospects that you're intrigued by/that you could see becoming favourites if all things pan out ^^

[@MrXanderii]

I think you did a great job Shannon.. My comment was that the habs often base their decision on the pressure from the media. Not that you were off in anyway. Honestly I like your list.

[@crushdavis7048]

Mentioned in the video but the 2018 draft talking about Centers going higher than expected was a really good point. Barrett Hayton is fine, but prob not looking like a top 5 pick at this point. And so far he has panned out as the best center at that draft position until you reach down to like Velano at the end of the 1st or Drury in the 2nd. Just doesn't seem like a very good year for Centers. But if those guys just took best player available, there was a string of amazing defenseman in that top 10 range (Quinn Hughes, Dobson, and Bouchard.) Maybe Montreal in that same draft picked Kotkenami over Brady Tkachuk for the same reason.

[@davidroberts1026]

I appreciate your efforts, and of course take them with a grain of salt. Like you say, it's for fun (along with some insights not everyone may have). Keep up the good work!

[@connorkenney6938]

Response videos are some of my favourite.

[@dennis3351]

Don't forget tonight's game 7 AHL Hershey Bears - Mistake on the Lake Monsters game coverage. Shannon

[@zachroberts1988]

People being upset at a MOCK draft is really pathetic! I love to see everyones off the wall takes on the draft that sometimes occasionally happen! Thats what makes it fun!

[@rolandtinker734]

I remember when the playoffs were no days off on back to back home games and 1 day off when they switched cities (good Ole days )better hockey too

[@bradlaura7943]

Keep up the great work Shannon. I appreciate all your time and effort. It’s a shame people do not understand it’s just an opinion and guess of what a team might do. I look back at the year the Red Wings took Seider. I was nervous and concerned. Thanks for all you do for the hockey community with your daily videos.

[@ChordMelodyUke]

Mock drafts NEVER completely match with actual drafts. They're just guesses, so go with the flow and just enjoy the predictions.

[@ThomB1031]

I have no complaints about anyone's mock draft... they aren't the actual draft, no need to get upset. No one has ever had their mock draft survive about the first ten picks... after thirty plus years of drafts... no one knows. Also, I fully agree, best player available is the best way to draft. You can always trade, and yes, injuries happen.

[@Gagne87Fixxer]

I don’t watch as often as before… but I couldn’t miss this one

[@jasonpaul4308]

I enjoyed the video! it was nice to get a quick look/read on each player you picked...I really think Chicago takes Levshunov and then anaheim takes Lindstrom...

[@chrisbelos2834]

keep doing the mock draft every week! that would surely generate more views

[@kimepp2216]

I just hope you are right about Tij Iginla going to the Flames. Cheers.😂

[@JimboSlice-cg5ky]

Same, I'm just hoping that Conroy knows how big it is for the city to have another generation of a Iginla. New Arena coming down the line too , just have a bad feeling 1 of the other teams ahead will take Tij 😡

[@Garvatron89]

Nhl games use The player comparison to give you and idea of what the generated player could be like. Makes sense to use that for fun in real life.

[@hockeyinalabama]

I watched til Detroit. You picked the next forward I had on my list. The only guy you had picked by that point that was lower on my list was Sennecke. I wish I understood what I'm missing with him because you are far from the only one high on him.

[@zjsz4954]

A lot of players drafted as a C end up on the wing anyway

[@misterfingerguns]

I always appreciate your opinion whether it differs from mine or not. Will be fun to see how your mock draft is compared to the draft itself.

[@kivisedo]

Love the Sharks shirt

[@32riverrats]

I love the comparisons

[@leftcoaster67]

If Bob McKenzie doesn't get the draft order right. Then there's what actually happens. Does Shannon get the draft order right? As he says. Don't take it seriously. What I think is a good player, others will think different. It's also insanely hard to predict where an 18 year old is going to be 7 years from now.

[@johncox7169]

The first 2 or 3 picks can be predicted, then after that it is just a guessing game. As a Colorado fan, I don't really expect anything from this years draft.

[@jacobperez10]

Congrats on building a great channel

[@cyberdalekyeti]

Shannon what's your opinion about New Orleans now on list of cities wanting an NHL expansion team ?

[@pyrielrising4338]

I think it's sad that Shannon has to explain the concept of a "mock" draft.

[@THE_bchat]

Seems weird to jump all over someone for a "Mock Draft", as if there aren't 32 NHL GMs out there that have their own unique lists of what order they think guys are going to go in. Has there never been a draft where a team with the next pick has to quickly debate who they're taking because someone they thought would be gone was still available, or the guy they wanted was already taken earlier than they speculated? One guy, or even a handful of guys, are never going to be able to predict what 32 GMs & their respective group of scouts are going to do when it's their turn at the draft.

[@brycew3804]

THG the best hockey guy around

[@madeinedmundston]

I didn't want to sound critic at your mock.Sorry if you felt that way.Montreal need Star power up front,anyway,to me. Lots of rumour right now about Mike Matheson in Montreal,if they trade for Necas,it would make sense to draft another D.

[@mikkoluukkonen3445]

Keep up the work, and remember. This is nothing compare to Football(Soccer). Coming from Finland,whose is not a Football country❤

[@jacobdill4499]

I feel that comment on the defense being good and then not so good as a Blues fan.

[@Tbiblaine23]

I hate to make opinionated videos because people seem to believe your opinion of a player or team is fact, and its annoying to deal with

[@TheHockeyGuy]

I have never said my opinion on anything is fact.

[@McSomething15]

Here before the sound lol

[@ToymakersToolbox]

My only feedback is that I doubt Iginla lasts long enough to get grabbed by Calgary unless the Flames find a way to move up. If nothing else, Ron Francis/Kraken picks one before them and he's a long-time connoisseur of young up-and-coming centers, but I doubt he's still there when either team picks.

[@bradsmith4820]

I liked seeing your list, because it was kinda fresh and unique, but as a Flyers fan idk how you can take a right winger when you need defenders and centers. Even if we do end up trading TK we have Tippett, Foerster who has become a rookie to look out for and Hathway to fill the bottom 6 pairing. Drafting a right winger just pointless when we could draft a big defensemen like Yakemchuck to fill in the much needed D spaces or a decent centerman that could pair well with Michkov.

[@Serenessl1994]

Shannon a Canadian treasure

[@Mr.Ed_Wayner]

How would you rate the level of draft latent each year with 32 teams?

[@flyingtiger1603]

Whenever I see someone draft by position rather then best player available it makes me think of the Canucks taking Olli Juolevi when they could have had Matt Tkachuk.

[@ronpeacock9939]

I think it's neat the ideal of a mock draft.. but I never have seen one even reach the 10th pick. Hell, then there are years like 2 years ago when Wright was the consensus #1 and he went 4th.. I'm also not good a knowing what teams are looking for or how they rate certain players then you get the trades that can really change the rules. I agree with scorecards.. call it 5 and 10 years in.. not a few minutes. You just have to look at the star players from late rounds to know that you can never tell.. (not to mention the busts)..

[@Fatazz]

Joining my voice, such as it is, to those requesting a video of past comparisons to the stars of today. Who did they compare Ovechkin, Crosby, McDavid, Matthews, et.al. to when they were drafted would be cool.

[@TylerJohnstonGuitar]

It’s funny, people always hate on mock drafts. However, they don’t take the time to make their own. Gotta love the armchair GMs.

[@CamPopplestone]

I don't always agree with you. But that's the fun. No hate. I commented on your prospect video on Silayev that I think he's gonna be the type of player who doesn't live up to his draft position and I think is going to be the biggest buyer beware of this draft, and you actually commented explaining why you think I was completely wrong. But you didn't insult me for having the difference of opinion.

[@filipinofonz]

I hope sharks get yakemchuk or eiserman wid tha 14th picc.

[@BahamutBreaker]

Mock drafts are unfortunately just dumb and mostly pointless exercises.

[@aaronberg221]

I was SOOOOOOOOOOO very upset that you didn't have the Wild trading up to number 1 to get a center with all that extra collateral that they have sitting around. I expected them top trade Wallerstedt, Gus, Rossi, Faber, and #13 pick for the #1 pick. The trade the #1 pick in for another teams 2,3, and 4 round picks for the next two years. Or some other equally terrible trade move.

[@badger14]

Literally nobody knows whats going to happen except GMs on draft day. People "complaining" about a mock draft are yelling at clouds.

[@GeoGolfer]

I remember when everybody screamed at Mtl for drafting Price because they already had a very good Jose Theodore in net......

[@benoitrobitaille5235]

Had Huet, Halak and Price soon after but not Theodore. Good times

[@GeoGolfer]

@@benoitrobitaille5235 yeah they did. Theo had his best year with the habs the season just before the draft. He was overtaken by Huet the following year then traded. But by the draft, Theo was considered Hab's blue chip goalie for years to come

[@shawnlewin9057]

Bro stop feeding the hate comments if you actually want them to go away. If you like the back and forth then by all means keep responding. Love the channel. I just can’t tell sometimes if you’re actually bothered by the negative criticism.

[@ryanp7482]

I think Shannon is old enough to make his own choices

[@zjsz4954]

Haters are engagement

[@Trassik]

I enjoyed your draft but you could have made it just a little better by having Yzerman select Eiserman. You were close but... ;-)

[@4thlinemaniac356]

Makes many of US wonder???? Have You even seen Demidov who imo goes top 5.

[@clydeblair9622]

I hope Greentree becomes a Lafreniere.

[@BigBlueHorses]

If you are drafting position from desperation you are a losing franchise. Winning organizations with history and culture draft BPA. Then they use free agency and farm system to cover “needs.”

[@yourmentalandlord]

Shannon, you gotta stop giving these people attention. Like, they'll never agree with you, so stop trying to appease them.

[@sakalaath]

He's not appeasing them, he's arguing with them.

[@yourmentalandlord]

@sakalaathletics same difference. He's giving them attention. As long as he does that, they'll keep being assholes

[@DethStarGunnr]

Keep up the good work. You will never make everyone happy.

[@4thlinemaniac356]

Brutal Not to have Demidov in the top ???? He will go top x 5 imo.

[@purgedome2386]

Hehe.. 'get a Kick out of the comment section'.. it's what you strive for ;p Petersson looked so fragile back then but there was no doubting his skill. I was high in Nick(Suzuki) back then.. and wanted Carolina to pick Nick but they picked Necas but he turned out pretty well though I think they would have loved Nick. Of course doubted Nick would drop to the habs at 25. Though Oettinger was still around at 25. (and so was Robertson and Bath.. lol) Dallas really had a haul that yr.

[@AntoineWilliams7118]

I like your videos, anytime there’s a white man in front of a whiteboard, I feel like I am learning something

[@serfindukdb1776]

hot take: the Hawks will trade down from #2. no idea with who, no idea what the return will be... this is just my personal gut feeling, & it's not exactly something i'm rooting for to happen reminder that the probability of this actually happening is incredibly slim, but... yeah, just have a nagging feeling

[@hockey582004]

Haven't played anything yet but it's THE HOCKEY GUYS MOCK DRAFT, so unless you are The Hockey Guy, you're not relevant!

[@nickross1002]

As a Sharks fan, I'm just blown away you would ASSUME they pick Celebrini at 1st. Wildly baseless claim. (Please give me Celebrini we want this so bad)

[@pattylonglegs3353]

That must be why they call it a "mock" draft. Do a draft and get mocked. lol.

[@firsnamelasname6629]

You can’t please all the people all the time, and yesterday all those people were in the comment section.

[@Biggskye]

I did not watch your mock draft episode. That is not meant as a slight on you, as I never read or watch anybody's mock drafts. I guess some people find them entertaining but really, outside of the top 1 or 2 picks, drawing names out of a hat would be just as meaningful. I cannot imagine being upset over someone sharing an opinion.

[@AntoineWilliams7118]

Make a video about 4 nation cup and how BETman is making billions monetizing hockey with all the betting apps.

[@michaellord9745]

Who ever is drafted by the Minnesota Mutts will be a bust.

[@by-rc3nl]

I really think the Habs are gonna pick a forward.

[@diggsfather]

the last time they drafted on positional need instead of BPA was jesperi kotkaniemi. so if the best player available is silayev or some other defenseman, they'll take the defenseman

[@oldhab7890]

Most drafts the best player available is someone's opinion of who they like from the players available. Outside of the first overall pick (even that if you remember Wright) the gap between picks is not great. So at pick 10 your selection may be someone's 5 and another's 14, So the best player available can actually be the one that fills a gap in a team's prospect pool.