2017 Draft & UDFA Thread

[Joey Bones]

Would love if the Rangers signed both Spencer Foo and the Swedish Sebastien Aho

Would be great until you realize Aho would never see the ice under AV.

I find it interesting that not a single team, or their twitter insiders, haven't even mentioned him. Is a .63 PPG on an okay Skelleftea team this year. Could really be a useful offensive defender for an NHL organization. This is also me stat watching at the moment, but I have seen him play while he was draft eligible and he looked fluid.

 

[Joey Bones]

This is the new Magic Man. Don't get too excited Tobbe. We aren't going to pick high enough to draft him.

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

Would be great until you realize Aho would never see the ice under AV.

Haha, ain't that the truth, Ruth

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Anyone who keeps up with draft prospects, what's the story with this Cody Glass kid?

I'm reading mock drafts, and seeing people say he is a top 3 talent, but for some reason is available where the Rangers will pick...

What gives?

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

I'm well aware we're not picking high enough to get Pettersson (or Liljegren), hence why i'm all-in on Brännström

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

Anyone who keeps up with draft prospects, what's the story with this Cody Glass kid?

I'm reading mock drafts, and seeing people say he is a top 3 talent, but for some reason is available where the Rangers will pick...

What gives?

Was seen as a 2nd rounder before the season but is rising fast because of his play this season. I don't watch enough of the WHL to go more in depth then that. My guess is he'll be picked between 10-20, probably 10-15 range.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Was seen as a 2nd rounder before the season but is rising fast because of his play this season. I don't watch enough of the WHL to go more in depth then that. My guess is he'll be picked between 10-20, probably 10-15 range.

How about drafting Joni Ikonen or Kristian Vesalainen 1st round pick?.
But only then if Jokiharju,Heiskanen,Vaakanainen, Suzuki, Lind, Glass and Yamamoto aren't available.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

How about drafting Joni Ikonen or Kristian Vesalainen 1st round pick?.
But only then if Jokiharju,Heiskanen,Vaakanainen, Suzuki, Lind, Glass and Yamamoto aren't available.

Not a big fan of Vesalainen, i do like Ikonen but i wouldn't use a 1st rounder on him, kinda in that Reedy range for me.

 

[Ranger Ric]

NCAA Free Agents

Thanks to Joey Bones for linking the second part of this series on NCAA free agents while I was traveling. Part 3 should be out in the next day or so and one of us will provide the link.

Two of the first 20 on the list already are off the board. The Caps have signed both defenseman Kris Bindulis of Lake Superior State and forward Hampus Gustafsson of Merrimac now that there seasons have ended. http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2017/03/07/caps-ink-ncaa-standouts-bindulis-gustafsson/. Expect more signings next week as many other team's seasons will end after this weekends conference playoffs.

Would love to see the Rangers sign a defenseman who can move the puck and play defense and a forward with some scoring ability.

http://lastwordonhockeyprospects.com/2017/03/05/top-2017-college-hockey-free-agents-part-2/

Shout out to Ranger Ric for Part 1 of the link, but here is Part 2 of Top 2017 NCAA Undrafted FA's.

#JohnHaydenForTheWin

 

[Ranger Ric]

Story about U Mass Lowell winger, C.J. Smith, who is one of the top NCAA free agents and who attended Rangers development camp last July. http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/hoc...-joe-gambardella-norm-bazin-quarterfinals-unh

U Mass Lowell likely to be in the final NCAA 16 which starts the weekend of March 24.

 

[Joey Bones]

Anyone who keeps up with draft prospects, what's the story with this Cody Glass kid?

I'm reading mock drafts, and seeing people say he is a top 3 talent, but for some reason is available where the Rangers will pick...

What gives?

Never seen any mocks that have Glass in the top 5, but he does play like he should. Below is what I have said about him about a month ago with some highlights...

He's very good. High intensity player with such a knack for battling for puck possession. He is relentless on the forecheck and will steal the puck from opposing players that aren't careful in their own zone. Base speed is good (could get better) and positioning is good as he plays center and wing. Great wrist shot and great IQ. Defensively he's good. As a center, you need to help out you defenders along the boards and he does that. Could be better at the backcheck. Sometimes tries too much to throw the puck in front of the net when no one is there, but that, I think, can be fixed with coaching. Could definitely see him starting cycling plays in the NHL. I would be happy to see NYR select him with their first pick. Would definitely be a fan favorite type.

Agreed. Here are some highlight vids....

No. 8 in white


No. 8 in red


No. 8 in black

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Thanks Joey, will keep an eye out for him.

Did anyone see the Yahoo article about Aston-Reese? Really hope the Rangers grab him

 

[Joey Bones]

Not a big fan of Vesalainen, i do like Ikonen but i wouldn't use a 1st rounder on him, kinda in that Reedy range for me.

Vesalainen plays like Kevin Hayes. If he gets faster, he could be like Rick Nash.

 

[Joey Bones]

Thanks Joey, will keep an eye out for him.

Did anyone see the Yahoo article about Aston-Reese? Really hope the Rangers grab him

Did not, could you post the link by any chance?

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Good article on Aston-Reese. Talks a lot about his great season, and how NHL teams should be lining up to sign him.

Rangers would be wise to pursue him, if they can get a continual influx of ELC players from college (Hayes, Vesey) and inject them into the lineup, they will be in a good spot

Did not, could you post the link by any chance?

See above

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Vesalainen plays like Kevin Hayes. If he gets faster, he could be like Rick Nash.

As a Finn i don't know what to think about Vesalainen.
This Finnish dude has played this season three different teams and scored only 8 points in 43 regular season games.

Vesalainen's draft season has been very poor and if i should compare him for some former NHL player it's Jesse Joensuu.
Who ever SHL or FEL 4th liner can score 8 points in 43 games nor do even the strict to reach that kind of performance.

I'm not high of Vesalainen's NHL potential if he even has it.
Vesalainen was one of the biggest disappointments in world juniors ( yeah yeah so was entire Finnish team).
If he can't make impact for scouts and boost in U18 WJC's his draft stock which is dropped a lot after world juniors he'll drop out of 1st round.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Not a big fan of Vesalainen, i do like Ikonen but i wouldn't use a 1st rounder on him, kinda in that Reedy range for me.

What are Joni Ikonen's pros and cons ( strengths and weaknesses).
And what's his NHL upside he's 177cm ( 5'10) tall so do you see him center or winger in NHL.

By the way is Frölunda going to J20 playoffs in Swedish juniors?.
Just thinking that does Frölunda release Ikonen in U18 WJC's.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

As a Finn i don't know what to think about Vesalainen.
This Finnish dude has played this season three different teams and scored only 8 points in 43 regular season games.

Vesalainen's draft season has been very poor and if i should compare him for some former NHL player it's Jesse Joensuu.
Who ever SHL or FEL 4th liner can score 8 points in 43 games nor do even the strict to reach that kind of performance.

I'm not high of Vesalainen's NHL potential if he even has it.
Vesalainen was one of the biggest disappointments in world juniors ( yeah yeah so was entire Finnish team).
If he can't make impact for scouts and boost in U18 WJC's his draft stock which is dropped a lot after world juniors he'll drop out of 1st round.

I saw some people comparing him to Puljujarvi early in the season. I thought it was terrible comparison. Other than being big athletic guys who can skate, thats about it.

I like Luukkonen. I think he's one of the best goalies in any recent draft. I just wish his name was easier to spell.

Tolvanen and Heiskanen are also very good. Good years for the Finn's.

 

[Ranger Ric]

This is the link to the Part 3 of a list of the top 40 NCAA free agents. http://lastwordonhockeyprospects.com/2017/03/07/top-2017-college-hockey-free-agents-part-3/. The Caps already have signed 3 of these guys as earlier this week they signed Mason Mitchell.

Thanks to Joey Bones for linking the second part of this series on NCAA free agents while I was traveling. Part 3 should be out in the next day or so and one of us will provide the link.

Two of the first 20 on the list already are off the board. The Caps have signed both defenseman Kris Bindulis of Lake Superior State and forward Hampus Gustafsson of Merrimac now that there seasons have ended. http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2017/03/07/caps-ink-ncaa-standouts-bindulis-gustafsson/. Expect more signings next week as many other team's seasons will end after this weekends conference playoffs.

Would love to see the Rangers sign a defenseman who can move the puck and play defense and a forward with some scoring ability.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

March Top 31

1. Elias Pettersson
2. Timothy Liljegren
3. Gabriel Vilardi
4. Nolan Patrick
5. Nico Hischier
6. Owen Tippett
7. Miro Heiskanen
8. Casey Mittelstadt
9. Erik Brannstrom
10. Eeli Tolvanen
11. Martin Necas
12. Alexei Lipanov
13. Nick Suzuki
14. Klim Kostin
15. Michael Rasmussen
16. Lias Andersson
17. Cale Makar
18. Jake Oettinger
19. Ukko Pekka Luukkonen
20. Ryan Poehling
21. Jesper Boqvist
22. Dmitri Samorukov
23. Cody Glass
24. Robert Thomas
25. Juuso Valimaki
26. Henri Jokuharju
27. Maxim Zhukov
28. David Farrance
29. Ian Mitchell
30. Shane Bowers
31. Lukas Elvenes

I have a new #1 ranked player, Elias Pettersson. Hockey sense is highly elite to go along with very good skill and playmaking. He makes so many smart plays that contribute positively to his team, but go unnoticed usually. I think he'll be a 1C, if he can bulk up a little bit, and improve his skating some. I still remain high on Liljegren. Highest upside player in the draft with little chance of busting badly. Could not reach ceiling, but will still likely be good. I think Vilardi has an overall tools advantage over the two highly ranked CHL players, Patrick and Hischier. Owen Tippett is going to scare people off because he's reminiscent of Jake Virtanen, but I think he's a higher level hockey player. Heiskanen very safe defenseman who will be a top 4 NHL D. Mittelstadt's high school production is a little worrying, but his skill is undeniable. Erik Brannstrom would be a top 3 pick if he was two inches taller. Very good offensive defenseman, and good enough defensively. Some others are higher on Tolvanen than myself, but I still think he's a good player, should score a lot of goals in the NHL.

Another notes on top 31 players:

Alexei Lipanov and Nick Suzuki are two of my big risers. The two of them are highly skilled centers who could rise into the top 10 by draft time. Two of the younger players in the draft. I think Michael Rasmussen is overrated, but he's still a good player. Could end up being a very good two way center who's hard to play against, and has top 6 offense. Samorukov is a big riser out of the OHL. Been playing great recently. Big kid who can skate, play defense, and has a big shot. Tons of tools. Takes some time for Russians to adjust to NA juniors. He was in my top 31 on previous lists. Robert Thomas is a big riser out of the prestigious London Knights program. Smaller center who plays well in all three zones. There should be a big run on defenseman near the end of the first round. I have a big bunch up in my defenseman rankings after Brannstrom.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

Vesalainen plays like Kevin Hayes. If he gets faster, he could be like Rick Nash.

True, but i think there are too many ifs and buts with him, he has the tools but i'm far from sure he'll put it together, he's pretty far down my list of players i want with that 1st rounder

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

What are Joni Ikonen's pros and cons ( strengths and weaknesses).
And what's his NHL upside he's 177cm ( 5'10) tall so do you see him center or winger in NHL.

By the way is Frölunda going to J20 playoffs in Swedish juniors?.
Just thinking that does Frölunda release Ikonen in U18 WJC's.

I'll start with a disclaimer, i don't watch much of Frölunda so this is based on watching Ikonen for 5-6 games, most in the U18 five nations here in Sundsvall.

His pros from what i've seen; Good skater, very shifty, good stickhandling and he sees the ice well.

Cons; Strength, can disappear from games.

I definitely see him as a winger, i have no idea what Frölunda will do with him for the rest of the season.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

March Top 31
Wall of text

You and i seem to like the same kind of prospects overall, i don't fully agree but this is much more like my ranking then any other ranking out there.

Few things; I wouldn't have Vilardi over Hischier and Patrick, maybe not Tippett either (whom i like very much). Think you're a bit too heavy on the euros and i wouldn't have any of the goalies in the 1st round. Hague really should be in there.

Good job with the list overall though.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

If only we had a top 10 (5?) pick.....

 

[Zil]

If only we had a top 10 (5?) pick.....

The last time we had a top 10 pick we passed on the skilled Euro forwards to take McIlrath.