2017 Draft & UDFA Thread

[Joey Bones]

Not a fan of Tommy Miller from what i saw in these 3 games in the U18 five nations. He looked kinda slow, not a good puck mover and overall just not good. Could have been 3 bad games but i don't like him

I would give him the benefit of the doubt, but I'll definitely take your word for it. Has been pretty solid this year in regards to play. He still happens to maintain a plus rating on probably one of the worst USNTDP teams in recent memory. Also will be a true freshman with Michigan State next season.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

I would give him the benefit of the doubt, but I'll definitely take your word for it. Has been pretty solid this year in regards to play. He still happens to maintain a plus rating on probably one of the worst USNTDP teams in recent memory. Also will be a true freshman with Michigan State next season.

His pairing with Inamoto was the one pairing i didn't like at all on USA.

 

[Joey Bones]

His pairing with Inamoto was the one pairing i didn't like at all on USA.

Not a Inamoto fan so that could be why . One is offensive minded, the other is defensive minded. Inamoto takes way too many penalties for my liking.

 

[Ranger Ric]

Elliotte Friedman

In Elliotte Friedman's latest weekly column, http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/30-thoughts-decision-galchenyuk-looms-canadiens/, in points 22-26, he identifies a number of NCAA free agents who are getting attention from scouts. For defensemen he lists, Michael Di Simone of Union, Daniel Brickley of Minnesota State, Kristofers Bindulis of Lake Superior State, Josh Healey of Ohio State and Michael Kapla of Lowell. Healey was mentioned recently by Bob McKenzie, http://www.tsn.ca/healey-stands-out-in-thin-college-free-agent-class-1.670748. Brickley was mentioned in an SB Nation article last month, http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/201...2016-2017-aston-reese-brickley-pionk-kelleher, along with Neal Plonk of Minnesota Duluth, Gavin Bayreuther of St. Lawrence, and Jimmy Schuldt of St. Cloud State.

Friedman mentions Zach Aston-Reese of Northeastern, who grew up on Staten Island and CJ Smith of U. Mass Lowell, who attended Rangers development camp last July.

The college season will end for non playoff teams in March and that's when we'll start to see some signings.

I would like to see the Rangers sign 1-2 defensemen free agents prospects to replenish the prospect pool
wit the Rangers not resigning Troy Donnay and at least one if not more of the older Hartford free agent defensemen not being resigned.

 

[Joey Bones]

in elliotte friedman's latest weekly column, http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/30-thoughts-decision-galchenyuk-looms-canadiens/, in points 22-26, he identifies a number of ncaa free agents who are getting attention from scouts. For defensemen he lists, michael di simone of union, daniel brickley of minnesota state, kristofers bindulis of lake superior state, josh healey of ohio state and michael kapla of lowell. Healey was mentioned recently by bob mckenzie, http://www.tsn.ca/healey-stands-out-in-thin-college-free-agent-class-1.670748. Brickley was mentioned in an sb nation article last month, http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/201...2016-2017-aston-reese-brickley-pionk-kelleher, along with neal plonk of minnesota duluth, gavin bayreuther of st. Lawrence, and jimmy schuldt of st. Cloud state.

Friedman mentions zach aston-reese of northeastern, who grew up on staten island and cj smith of u. Mass lowell, who attended rangers development camp last july.

The college season will end for non playoff teams in march and that's when we'll start to see some signings.

I would like to see the rangers sign 1-2 defensemen free agents prospects to replenish the prospect pool
wit the rangers not resigning troy donnay and at least one if not more of the older hartford free agent defensemen not being resigned.

 

[Irishguy42]

Hope Kerfoot goes FA and the Rangers sign him. Would be great.

 

[Mikos87]

Skaters. With baby ufas you go after the guys that can skate.

Reminds me of the Muzzin and Dillon.

25-30 teams went after those two, and most people had no idea who they were at the time.

DeKeyeser was a different story, wanted to go to DET.

That guy out of Czech Republic is a pmd. Others are not.

 

[Joey Bones]

Just got finished with a full, 7-round mock draft over on the draft boards!!

This draft simulator is similar to "Be-A-GM" mode on NHL video games. It is a game that put fans, like myself, in the driver's seat as the GM of a specific hockey franchise. Given this opportunity, the person can sign/trade players, compose an expansion protection list and ultimately select prospects for the team's draft class for the year.

Here were the results....

TRADES
**Lost Michael Grabner in Expansion**

-To NYR: D: Xavier Ouellet
To Detroit: D: Marc Staal, 2018 2nd (NYR's), 2019 3rd

-To NYR: 2017 7th (188th Overall), 2018 4th, Conditional 2019 2nd (Pick goes to NYR if Halverson starts in 10 games in the 2018-2019 season)
To Arizona: D: Dan Girardi, G: Brandon Halverson, W: Daniel Bernhardt

-To NYR: 2017 2nd (35th Overall), 2017 4th (OTT's)(114th Overall), C: Roope Hintz
To Vegas: 2017 1st (24th Overall)

-To NYR: D: Markus Nutivaara, LW: Paul Bittner, 2017 2nd (58th Overall), 2018 3rd, 2018 4th
To Columbus: C/W: J.T. Miller

SIGNINGS (PRIOR TO FREE AGENCY DAY)
M. Zibanejad - 6 years, $30M (AAV $5M per)
O. Lindberg - 2 years, $1.75M (AAV $875K per)
J. Fast - 3 years, $6M (AAV $2M per)
B. Pirri - 2 years, $3M (AAV $1.5M per)
M. Puempel - 2 years, $1.8M (AAV $900K per)
N. Jensen - 2 years, $1.8M (AAV $900K per)
M. Hrivik - 1 year, $800K (AAV $800K per)

A. Clendening - 4 years, $5M (AAV $1.25M per)
M. Paliotta - 2 years, $1.6M (AAV $800K per)
C. Summers - 2 years, $1.4M (AAV $700K per)

M. Skapski - 1 year, $750K (AAV $750K per)
M. Hellberg - 1 year, $650K (AAV $650K per)

LINEUP (POST-DRAFT)

C. Kreider ($4.625M) - D. Stepan ($6.5M) - M. Zuccarello ($4.5M)
R. Nash ($7.8M *NTC/NMC*) - M. Zibanejad ($5M) - P. Buchnevich ($925K)
M. Puempel ($900K) - K. Hayes ($2.6M) - B. Pirri ($1.5M)
J. Vesey ($925K) - O. Lindberg ($875K) - J. Fast ($2M)
Ex: M. Hrivik ($800K)

R. McDonagh ($4.7M *Mod. NTC*) - A. Clendening ($1.25M)
N. Holden ($1.65M) - M. Nutivaara ($817.5K)
B. Skjei ($925k) - K. Klein ($2.9M)
Ex: X. Ouellet ($1.2M)

H. Lundqvist ($8.5M *NMC*)
A. Raanta ($1M)

PROSPECTS
R. Gropp ($803.3K)
R. Kovacs ($803.3K)
A. Tambellini ($803.3K)
A. Chapie ($800K)
P. Bittner ($778.3K)
C. Nieves ($755K)
S. Fogarty ($750K)
M. Stromwall ($742.5K)
N. Jensen ($900K)
R. Hintz (UNSIGNED PROSPECT)
B. Morrison (UNSIGNED PICK)
T. Gettinger (UNSIGNED PICK)
G. Fontaine (UNSIGNED PICK)
T. Ronning (UNSIGNED PICK)

J. Gilmour ($742.5K)
S. Zborovskiy ($734,167)
R. Graves ($656.6K)
M. Paliotta ($800K)
T. Nanne (UNSIGNED PICK)
S. Day (UNSIGNED PICK)
T. Reunanen (UNSIGNED PICK)

M. Skapski ($750K)
A. Huska (UNSIGNED PICK)
I. Shesterkin (UNSIGNED PICK)
T. Wall (UNSIGNED PICK)

OTHER PLAYERS
C. Brown ($RFA)
T. Glass ($UFA)
J. Fontaine ($UFA)

T. Donnay ($RFA)
T. Hughes ($RFA)
S. Kampfer ($UFA)
M. Bodie ($UFA)
C. Summers ($700K)

M. Hellberg ($650K)

Current Cap: $75M
Current Cap Hit: $61.8925M
Current Cap Space: $13.1075M
SPC's: 38/50

2017 DRAFT SLOTS
2 (35) D: Filip Westerlund
(SWE)(5'9"/180lbs., Handed: Right, Frolunda/SHL)
2 (58) C: Scott Reedy
(USA)(6'1"/202lbs., Handed: Right, USNTDP/USHL) *Uni. of Minnesota 17/18 Commit*
3 (86) C: Morgan Geekie
(CAN)(6'2"/167lbs., Handed: Right, Tri-City/WHL) *Overage +1*
4 (105) G: Maxim Zhukov
(RUS)(6'3"/180lbs., Catches: Left, Green Bay/USHL)
4 (114) D: Gustav Lindstrom
(SWE)(6'1"/187lbs., Handed: Right, Almtuna/Allsvenskan)
5 (148) C: Julius Mattila
(FIN)(5'9"/169lbs., Handed: Left, Boston College/NCAA) *Overage +1*
6 (169) D: Grant Anderson
(USA)(6'2"/185lbs., Handed: Right, Wayzata High/HIGH-MN) *Uni. of Nebraska-Omaha 18/19 Commit*
7 (188) RW: Erik Smolka
(SVK)(6'1"/191lbs., Handed: Left, HK Dukla Trencin U20/Slovakia U20)
7 (210) LW: Patrik Hrehorcak
(SVK)(5'8"/160lbs., Handed: Left, HC Trinec U20/Czech U20)

2018 DRAFT SLOTS
1st
2nd (OTT's)
3rd
3rd (CBJ's)
4th
4th (ARZ's)
4th (CBJ's)
5th
6th
7th (FLO's) *Conditional* (McIlrath playing in 30 games for the Panthers in 2016/2017 season)

2019 DRAFT SLOTS
1st
2nd
2nd (ARZ's) *Conditional (Halverson starts in 10 games for the Coyotes in 2018/2019 season)
4th
5th
6th
7th
​

There needed to be some maneuvering with contracts and whatnot so the trades that were conducted will most likely be unrealistic to the real life New York Rangers. I realize there are some flaws to the above list. Staal and Girardi would need to accept a trade to both Detroit and Arizona, as they have NMC's. The reason they are overpaid, is that Detroit and Arizona were taking on both of their full contracts. Realistically, I don't see any of the two accepting trades to those destinations as they are, and will most likely be the season after, bottom feeders in the league. I also realize that the Miller trade is gut-wrenching, but the defense needed to be fixed in some capacity after losing Staal and Girardi. Had to move a forward for a good, young and cost controlled defender at some point. Nutivaara is exactly that. Bittner also has a similar style of play to that of Miller, which makes the loss a little easier to swallow. With these contracts moved, it helped signing Zibanejad long term and getting other depth players under contract, as well as, leaving plenty of cap room to sign Shattenkirk long term and other depth players to compete in camp. Also, picking up extra draft picks in 2018 is beneficial, as that class will be way deeper than that of 2017. One last flaw shows that neither of Morrison or Hintz were signed after the draft. I know they both would need to be signed before June 1st, otherwise their rights would be lost. This, honestly, wasn't a serious factor to the game, but both would've been signed to ELC's by me, anyways.

I will be in the next mock draft over on that side of the boards and, if you guys like, I would love for some consensus as to what moves should be done, what picks should be made, etc. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, as well as, thoughts from the above results!!

Thanks guys!!

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

Disregarding the trades since i just think they're completely unrealistic.

Hate the Westerlund pick at #35, wouldn't pick him in the 3rd round, very unimpressed by him from what i've seen, bad skater.

Love the Reedy pick, like the Zhukov pick, don't know enough about the rest.

 

[Joey Bones]

Disregarding the trades since i just think they're completely unrealistic.

Hate the Westerlund pick at #35, wouldn't pick him in the 3rd round, very unimpressed by him from what i've seen, bad skater.

Love the Reedy pick, like the Zhukov pick, don't know enough about the rest.

I agree. Mismanaged the 1st round a bit. At the time, was 100% going to pick Brannstrom and he went the pick before 24th. So I figured if I trade down to the early 2nd, I could pick one of Vaakanainen, Jokiharju, Yamamoto or Lipanov. They all literally went in between 24th overall and 35th overall. It was then either drafting positional need or Oettinger. Went with the defender. Then a few picks later, Oettinger and Timmins were selected...

After that, I went BPA with a couple of positional need selections. Reedy, Geekie, Zhukov and Lindstrom were BPA's. Westerlund, Mattila and Anderson were positional need selections. The two Slovakians are low risk, high reward type picks you make in the last round. Was actually debating on taking another goalie in the 7th as Vomacka, Korenar, Hrenak, Samoilov and Mitens all went undrafted. Ahman and Prosvetov were the last goalies selected.

Agreed on the trades. Would never do the Miller one in real life.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

Elias Pettersson is now tied for 8th in scoring in Allsvenskan with the 3rd highest PPG in his draft -1 year, this is absolutely bonkers. Allsvenskan is a low scoring league in general and no draft -1 player has even come close to the numbers that Pettersson is posting (atleast since Allsvenskan was the way it is now, Sweden restructured their leagues a while ago). I think he's incredibly underrated in pretty much all the draft rankings i've seen, even outside of the top 10 in most places.

If i was the GM with the #1 pick i take Pettersson over Patrick or Hischier with no hesistation, his hockey IQ is off the charts.

 

[Joey Bones]

Elias Pettersson is now tied for 8th in scoring in Allsvenskan with the 3rd highest PPG in his draft -1 year, this is absolutely bonkers. Allsvenskan is a low scoring league in general and no draft -1 player has even come close to the numbers that Pettersson is posting (atleast since Allsvenskan was the way it is now, Sweden restructured their leagues a while ago). I think he's incredibly underrated in pretty much all the draft rankings i've seen, even outside of the top 10 in most places.

If i was the GM with the #1 pick i take Pettersson over Patrick or Hischier with no hesistation, his hockey IQ is off the charts.

http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportblad...erige-mest-jagade-tonaring-har-gjort-sitt-val

Was just posted that Pettersson is rumored to go to Vaxjo of the SHL at season's end. Clearly a better league for him to be playing in, as he is PPG in the Allsvenskan.

I don't agree with you on Patrick and Hischier as they both are clear favorites by many analysts to be in the 1st overall category. Patrick is a very good overall player that molds well into the NHL. Think he'll struggle his first season, but will definitely play in the NHL next year. Hischier reminds me the way Laine progressed shooting-wise. The sniping level is too good to pass up. I definitely think Pettersson will rise into the top 10, however.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportblad...erige-mest-jagade-tonaring-har-gjort-sitt-val

Was just posted that Pettersson is rumored to go to Vaxjo of the SHL at season's end. Clearly a better league for him to be playing in, as he is PPG in the Allsvenskan.

I don't agree with you on Patrick and Hischier as they both are clear favorites by many analysts to be in the 1st overall category. Patrick is a very good overall player that molds well into the NHL. Think he'll struggle his first season, but will definitely play in the NHL next year. Hischier reminds me the way Laine progressed shooting-wise. The sniping level is too good to pass up. I definitely think Pettersson will rise into the top 10, however.

Yeah, saw the rumors about Pettersson to Växjö for next season, good step for him to take.

I like Patrick and Hischier, i just think Pettersson is the better player and has the better upside to boot, his hockey IQ is just so darn high. I agree that he won't go #1, probably not top 5 either, but i think he should.

 

[ArPanet]

Spokane v Kelowna Live on NHL N right now.

Spokane uniforms are Mtl Canadiens.
Anybody know if it's possible to buy a Jeff Faith jersey? I looked around, couldn't figure it out. Thanks

 

[cozandeffect]

I was wondering if you guys had any thoughts on Patrick McCarron and Jeff Kubiak from Cornell. This is the homer in me but the way they've both played this year has been really impressive. McCarron has taken a huge step forward this year offensively and is tied for the team lead in points and Kubiak has been on fire since he came back from injury in the second half of the year.

 

[Fitzy]

I was wondering if you guys had any thoughts on Patrick McCarron and Jeff Kubiak from Cornell. This is the homer in me but the way they've both played this year has been really impressive. McCarron has taken a huge step forward this year offensively and is tied for the team lead in points and Kubiak has been on fire since he came back from injury in the second half of the year.

McCarron looked good last night, for sure. Honed in on him a bit, I like his positioning and pivotal skating. Problem is a lot of the time when seniors see huge increases in offensive production it's because they're next in line for the top PP minutes, as it were.

 

[Mikos87]

On McCarron,

My Habs friends, really really like this guy. Unanimously.

But all of them think he's a winger and monster on the boards.

Basically Dwight King on the Bane Serum. Bigger, Faster, Stronger.

Schooled out of London. Knows coverage and how to play.

Upside: Lucic-Lite 4th Line Presence.

They aren't moving him.

Not moving Danault.

Sherback, Juulsen. All keepers.

Nathan Beaulieu can be had. Although I'd stay away.

Klein for Gardiner with cap clearing moves is something I would do. He was McDonagh's partner in college. Could work out.

 

[cozandeffect]

On McCarron,

My Habs friends, really really like this guy. Unanimously.

But all of them think he's a winger and monster on the boards.

Basically Dwight King on the Bane Serum. Bigger, Faster, Stronger.

Schooled out of London. Knows coverage and how to play.

Upside: Lucic-Lite 4th Line Presence.

They aren't moving him.

Not moving Danault.

Sherback, Juulsen. All keepers.

Nathan Beaulieu can be had. Although I'd stay away.

Klein for Gardiner with cap clearing moves is something I would do. He was McDonagh's partner in college. Could work out.

I'm talking about Patrick McCarron who is a defenseman for Cornell and went undrafted not Mike McCarron just FYI

 

[Mikos87]

I'm talking about Patrick McCarron who is a defenseman for Cornell and went undrafted not Mike McCarron just FYI

Oh nice!

RHD?

 

[Joey Bones]

I was wondering if you guys had any thoughts on Patrick McCarron and Jeff Kubiak from Cornell. This is the homer in me but the way they've both played this year has been really impressive. McCarron has taken a huge step forward this year offensively and is tied for the team lead in points and Kubiak has been on fire since he came back from injury in the second half of the year.

Watched some Cornell games this year. Not entirely impressed with the team and that includes Kubiak. Got nice hands in tight and can find the open man, but his wheels are clunky and he tends to just throw the puck wherever for the sake of an offensive play (aka low IQ). Also takes a lot of penalty minutes. Don't think he'll pan out much as an NHLer. Maybe an up and down AHL/ECHL, middle 6 power forward.

One of the bright spots on Cornell, though, is McCarron. Plays in all situations for Cornell; PP, PK, top 2 even strength blue liner. Has pretty good positioning in a shutdown role, he jumps in the play and has good end to end speed offensively. Some flaws to his game, though. I've noticed that he gets too caught up in man-to-man coverage that he'll forget the play happening in the zone, which has led to some pucks hitting off of him and into the net. Also, when he does skate up into the play, he might have some issues getting back quickly to stop a potential break. These flaws can be worked on with video analysis and conditioning, however. I could see the potential as a 6th/7th shutdown guy in the mold of Justin Falk (the ex-Ranger, not the Hurricane), but I primarily see him as a top 4, two-way defender in the AHL that teams sign as depth. Still an interesting player, though. Righty shot, as well.

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=97393
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=121952

 

[cozandeffect]

Watched some Cornell games this year. Not entirely impressed with the team and that includes Kubiak. Got nice hands in tight and can find the open man, but his wheels are clunky and he tends to just throw the puck wherever for the sake of an offensive play (aka low IQ). Also takes a lot of penalty minutes. Don't think he'll pan out much as an NHLer. Maybe an up and down AHL/ECHL, middle 6 power forward.

One of the bright spots on Cornell, though, is McCarron. Plays in all situations for Cornell; PP, PK, top 2 even strength blue liner. Has pretty good positioning in a shutdown role, he jumps in the play and has good end to end speed offensively. Some flaws to his game, though. I've noticed that he gets too caught up in man-to-man coverage that he'll forget the play happening in the zone, which has led to some pucks hitting off of him and into the net. Also, when he does skate up into the play, he might have some issues getting back quickly to stop a potential break. These flaws can be worked on with video analysis and conditioning, however. I could see the potential as a 6th/7th shutdown guy in the mold of Justin Falk (the ex-Ranger, not the Hurricane), but I primarily see him as a top 4, two-way defender in the AHL that teams sign as depth. Still an interesting player, though. Righty shot, as well.

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=97393
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=121952

Thanks for the analysis.

It can be extremely frustrating watching this team with Schafer's antiquated style. He finally stopped recruiting huge dudes who can barely skate but we haven't produced a decent NHLer since Riley Nash.

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

Updated Mock as of the standings on the 15th.

http://www.mynhldraft.com/NHL-Mock-Draft/

 

[LaffyTaffy]

Updated Mock as of the standings on the 15th.

http://www.mynhldraft.com/NHL-Mock-Draft/

I love the Brannstrom pick but if our hole is at RHD wouldn't we nab Jokiharju if he's still available?

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

I love the Brannstrom pick but if our hole is at RHD wouldn't we nab Jokiharju if he's still available?

I'd say go BPA because a hole this year might be a strength by the time the pick is ready to contribute

 

[Ghost of jas]

Reminder...that site simply matches the current NHL standings with the most recent draft rankings. No thought is given to team needs.