‘Jarvis is an absolute workhorse’
NHL Draft set for June
If National Hockey League draft goes as experts see it, Seth Jarvis will likely be an Edmonton Oilers this June.
I say this based on two factors a) Edmonton's likely using its first pick, which will likely be 20th overall, to grab a forward and b) based on the consensus ranking of draft prospects by NHL draft wonks and pundits, who have come out with new lists for the 2020 NHL draft starting in January. On those lists, Jarvis now ranks 19th overall, right in the Oil's range.
Usually, these draft lists aren't finalized until late June, just before the draft. The experts change their minds right up until near draft day based on late season tournaments, playoff performances and workout evaluations. But there will be none of that this year, not with COVID-19 wiping out the season.
The lists made by the experts in February and early March should not change much. There will be some updates to a few of them, as hockey writers like Corey Pronman of the Athletic and TSN'S Bob Mckenzie come out with their final lists.
For now, here's the consensus ranking, from the likes of Scott Wheeler, Hockey Prospect, Mckenzie, Future Considerations, Steve Kournianos, Mckeen's, Cam Robinson of Dobber, Prospect Pipeline, Blue Bullett Report, Draft Geek, Craig Button, Larry Fisher, Sam Cosentino, ISS and Pronman.
In coming days, I'll add in a few more experts, such as Allan “Lowetide” Mitchell and Sean Patrick Ryan, who has analyzed prospects for the Cult of Hockey.
Long gone by the time the Oilers draft will be consensus top pick Alexis Lafreniere and second overall pick Quinton Byfield, or other hot shot forwards like Tim Stultzie, Lucas Raymond, Alexander Holtz, Marco Rossi, and Cole Perfetti.
But Jarvis may slide to Edmonton.
Both Mitchell and Ryan have written about Jarvis recently.
Ryan has Jarvis ranked as the ninth best prospect in the draft.
“Jarvis is an absolute workhorse and very talented playmaker. He processes the game quickly even at high speeds. He's such a terrific skater who doesn't break stride even with the puck. Loves to take the puck hard to the net off the rush. He plays with a ton of energy and pace it's really tough for defenders to handle. Great hands in tight. Displays great vision and poise with the puck. Dynamic offensive threat but also versatile capable of playing multiple roles.”
Ryan compared Jarvis to Kailer Yamamoto and Mathew Barzal.
Said Mitchell of Jarvis: “Jarvis added some late torque to an impact draft season by scoring 27 goals in his last 26 games. His 98 points were 28 better than his closest teammate. Jarvis may be the most offensively talented player on the board when Edmonton chooses in the first round. So, what's the problem? Size. Jarvis was 5-foot-9, 164 pounds at the end of last season and is now listed by the WHL site at 5-foot-10, 172 pounds.”