2017 Draft & UDFA Thread

[Oscar Lindberg]

Ehh, his season just ended less than 24 hours ago, has he really started the decision making process you think?

Unless he has a set number of teams he wants to be wooed by and the rest can F off

 

[Revel]

Ehh, his season just ended less than 24 hours ago, has he really started the decision making process you think?

Unless he has a set number of teams he wants to be wooed by and the rest can F off

The media is probably hungry for another "Vesey Watch".

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I don't get the excitement. This guy is projected to be a third liner, at best. If we hit on our first, that guy's floor could be as high as this guy's ceiling. Vesey was a really big FA name out of college, and we see he's probably third liner, at best, as well. He's not even an NHL player this season, despite the ice time AV feeds to him.

Very rarely are there players like Hayes or Schultz with actual very high ceilings available. I think part of why Vesey was overrated out of college is because some just assumed that since Hayes worked out so well that Vesey would work out the same. It didn't, as people see that Hayes is much better. Maybe if one of these players like McAvoy or Fox don't eventually sign they will be worth caring about where they sign, but I don't really care if we sign some third line guy, at best. We can get one of those players out of the KHL or SHL without competing with 30 NHL teams to sign that player.

I'd much rather sign Shipachyov or Dadonov than this guy. Even a few seasons of Mozyakin might be better than this guy's production in like double the amount of time.

I hope the Rangers are spending more time scouting Europe, and the draft.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Ryan Kennedy now reporting Aston-Reese has cut his list to 7 unnamed teams.

Ryan Kennedy‏ @THNRyanKennedy 2h2 hours ago
More
Hear it's down to seven teams for Northeastern FA Zach Aston-Reese; don't have specifics though

My prediction:

Rangers
Blackhawks
Penguins
Sabres
Bruins

And maybe the Oilers because of McDavid, and then a 7th

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

Getting guys from College is a good way of bolstering your organisational depth without using any assets, most won't pan out but even strengthening your AHL team is worth it so i don't see any negatives to it.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Getting guys from College is a good way of bolstering your organisational depth without using any assets, most won't pan out but even strengthening your AHL team is worth it so i don't see any negatives to it.

Yes. I want them to sign 2-3 college players every year. They are more pro-hockey ready than junior prospects. Last summer, we signed Vesey, Gilmour, Chapie, Nieves and Fogarty. Only the last 2 were drafted by us.

Even if ZAR doesn't grow into a top-6 player at the NHL level, it's a good prospect to have. Anaheim signed Kossila, Minnesota signed Anas, Edmonton signed Caggiula. Those were 3 of the most impressive undrafted NCAA players last year. All 3 have started in the AHL and are slowly working their way to the NHL. It will take time but we have time. We want to be competitive in 5 years.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Getting guys from College is a good way of bolstering your organisational depth without using any assets, most won't pan out but even strengthening your AHL team is worth it so i don't see any negatives to it.

I agree, I just think some of these college free agents are a little overhyped compared to some less hyped players playing in Europe who can help probably even more.

Anyone with any talent out of college hockey or junior hockey gets an NHL contract, not everyone from SHL, KHL, Liiga does.

 

[Trxjw]

Two guys I'd like to see the Rangers after are Jordan Gross from Notre Dame and Neil Pionk from UMD. Both are right-handed defensemen who can skate well and push the play up the ice.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I think Aston-Reese is going to vancouver.

Also agreed on Gross, would love for the team to grab him


Edit: Looks liked Hayden signed with the Hawks. Had the option to go FA in the summer should he so choose. Was probably considered the biggest team drafted NCAA free agent (ZAR is undrafted so he doesn't count)

Kerfoot looks to be the big fish in that regards, assuming he goes FA. Played with Vesey at Harvard so maybe there's a connection... but not sure if the kid wants to burn the Devils (pun maybe intended) and sign with the enemy (Rangers).

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

I don't get the excitement. This guy is projected to be a third liner, at best. If we hit on our first, that guy's floor could be as high as this guy's ceiling. Vesey was a really big FA name out of college, and we see he's probably third liner, at best, as well. He's not even an NHL player this season, despite the ice time AV feeds to him.

Very rarely are there players like Hayes or Schultz with actual very high ceilings available. I think part of why Vesey was overrated out of college is because some just assumed that since Hayes worked out so well that Vesey would work out the same. It didn't, as people see that Hayes is much better. Maybe if one of these players like McAvoy or Fox don't eventually sign they will be worth caring about where they sign, but I don't really care if we sign some third line guy, at best. We can get one of those players out of the KHL or SHL without competing with 30 NHL teams to sign that player.

I'd much rather sign Shipachyov or Dadonov than this guy. Even a few seasons of Mozyakin might be better than this guy's production in like double the amount of time.

I hope the Rangers are spending more time scouting Europe, and the draft.

Rangers need to have an influx of a couple players on ELC each season to remain competitive and pay the vets what they need to be paid to remain on the team.

If he turns into a third liner, super didn't cost the team a thing except a contract.

 

[Mac n Gs]

I'm surprised not many people are mentioning Vecchione also. I think he'll basically turn into a Jesper Fast type of player. Only knock is he's already 24

 

[Irishguy42]

Would love if Kerfoot went FA and signed here. Doubt it happens, but you never know...

 

[Fitzy]

I don't get the excitement. This guy is projected to be a third liner, at best. If we hit on our first, that guy's floor could be as high as this guy's ceiling. Vesey was a really big FA name out of college, and we see he's probably third liner, at best, as well. He's not even an NHL player this season, despite the ice time AV feeds to him.

Very rarely are there players like Hayes or Schultz with actual very high ceilings available. I think part of why Vesey was overrated out of college is because some just assumed that since Hayes worked out so well that Vesey would work out the same. It didn't, as people see that Hayes is much better. Maybe if one of these players like McAvoy or Fox don't eventually sign they will be worth caring about where they sign, but I don't really care if we sign some third line guy, at best. We can get one of those players out of the KHL or SHL without competing with 30 NHL teams to sign that player.

I'd much rather sign Shipachyov or Dadonov than this guy. Even a few seasons of Mozyakin might be better than this guy's production in like double the amount of time.

I hope the Rangers are spending more time scouting Europe, and the draft.

The reason for the enthusiasm is that he is close to a certain thing. Good NHL players on cheap ELC contracts are worth a lot these days.

Mozyakhin will never play in the NHL. I'm happy to scout Europe as I've said, but NYR should still be in on the college FA's, especially those 21 and under.

SLU's season ended last night. Though I'm not high on him personally, Bayreuther should be worth an ELC offer.

 

[Edge]

Personally, I like Aston-Reese.

I don't think he has super high-end potential, but his game is very NHL-friendly.

Easily a fourth line guy, which people need to understand is no longer a line for cast-offs and enforcers, possibly a third line guy.

While we'd all love to find a top end guy that costs us nothing but a contract, finding a player who can fill a niche is also incredibly valuable.

 

[Charlie Conway]

Personally, I like Aston-Reese.

I don't think he has super high-end potential, but his game is very NHL-friendly.

Easily a fourth line guy, which people need to understand is no longer a line for cast-offs and enforcers, possibly a third line guy.

While we'd all love to find a top end guy that costs us nothing but a contract, finding a player who can fill a niche is also incredibly valuable.

Any particular comparable?

A Torrey Mitchell or Fast sort of player is always a good utility guy to have, though I read something of ZAR's skating being a little lackluster.

 

[brians1128]

Starting to actually see a lot of defensive issues with Jokiharju. He gets physically out played a lot in front of the net. His strength outside of the offensive zone should be drastically worked on.

How do you feel about Brannstrom? we need help on our right side, but if it comes via trade on the NHL level (skeji in a deal for Trouba) at expansion draft allowing them to go 7-3-1, and we go best d available who would you go with?

 

[Edge]

Any particular comparable?

A Torrey Mitchell or Fast sort of player is always a good utility guy to have, though I read something of ZAR's skating being a little lackluster.

I'm always hesitant to do player comparisons.

A Scott Wilson type would be great.

 

[Joey Bones]

I don't get the excitement. This guy is projected to be a third liner, at best. If we hit on our first, that guy's floor could be as high as this guy's ceiling. Vesey was a really big FA name out of college, and we see he's probably third liner, at best, as well. He's not even an NHL player this season, despite the ice time AV feeds to him.

Very rarely are there players like Hayes or Schultz with actual very high ceilings available. I think part of why Vesey was overrated out of college is because some just assumed that since Hayes worked out so well that Vesey would work out the same. It didn't, as people see that Hayes is much better. Maybe if one of these players like McAvoy or Fox don't eventually sign they will be worth caring about where they sign, but I don't really care if we sign some third line guy, at best. We can get one of those players out of the KHL or SHL without competing with 30 NHL teams to sign that player.

I'd much rather sign Shipachyov or Dadonov than this guy. Even a few seasons of Mozyakin might be better than this guy's production in like double the amount of time.

I hope the Rangers are spending more time scouting Europe, and the draft.

Getting guys from College is a good way of bolstering your organisational depth without using any assets, most won't pan out but even strengthening your AHL team is worth it so i don't see any negatives to it.

A body is a body. Doesn't hurt to sign anyone (ala Chapie), but ZAR would be on an ELC compared to a standard contract, like most have already mentioned.

But I do agree with PB that there should be more hype about SHL, KHL, Allsvenskan, Liiga, NLA, etc. There are some players that don't get enough love and are outdoing PPG, physical play and whatnot.

With this said, watch out for Victor Ejdsell. Personally, don't think his speed and physique go hand-in-hand together for an NHL game, but is scoring above PPG on a meh Karlskoga squad.

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=29343

 

[Joey Bones]

How do you feel about Brannstrom? we need help on our right side, but if it comes via trade on the NHL level (skeji in a deal for Trouba) at expansion draft allowing them to go 7-3-1, and we go best d available who would you go with?

Well for starters, Skjei isn't going anywhere. Think he has the potential to outdo McDonagh in his prime.

There can be many ways where NYR can upgrade the RHD position. Could be through the draft, could be trades, could be free agents. In this draft there are a couple of RHD's that look to be worth the gamble. Luke Martin, would be a good get that will most likely drop.

But Brannstrom is Bæ. Has Brian Leetch-like end to end skating and manuevering. Gets up the rush and has a blistering wrister and clapper. Has extremely great vision and sees/passes well up the ice. See for yourself...

No. 26 in Blue


No. 17 in Blue




No. 17 in White


No. 4 in Yellow


No. 4 in Blue


No. 26 in Blue

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Skjei outdoing McDonagh.

Come on..............

McDonagh was a 25 minute a game defenseman at Skjei's age.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Skjei outdoing McDonagh.

Come on..............

McDonagh was a 25 minute a game defenseman at Skjei's age.

McDonagh was not a 25 minute a game D-man when he was 22. His avg TOI was 18:44 at that age

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

McDonagh was not a 25 minute a game D-man when he was 22. His avg TOI was 18:44 at that age

You are mixing things up. Skjei is in his current age 22 season, McDonagh's age 22 season was his second season where his ATOI was 24:44.

I think people forget just how good McDonagh was at that age, and don't give him enough credit now. McDonagh's a top 10 defenseman in the NHL currently. If Skjei's going to be better, should we expect a top 5 defenseman? A player competing for the Norris on a routine basis? I like Skjei's potential, but outdoing McDonagh? I think thats a little overboard.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

You are mixing things up. Skjei is in his current age 22 season, McDonagh's age 22 season was his second season where his ATOI was 24:44.

I think people forget just how good McDonagh was at that age, and don't give him enough credit now. McDonagh's a top 10 defenseman in the NHL currently. If Skjei's going to be better, should we expect a top 5 defenseman? A player competing for the Norris on a routine basis? I like Skjei's potential, but outdoing McDonagh? I think thats a little overboard.

Offensively, Skjei has more to offer than McDonagh long-term. Defensively Skjei is already our 2nd best D-man. But I don't want to say 22-year old McDonagh was that much better than 22-year old Skjei.

 

[Ranger Ric]

College Free Agents -- Part 1 -- Signings to Date

Recently Joey Bones and I both provided links to one analysis of the top 40 NCAA free agents. A number already have signed contracts and several others can now sign contracts as their seasons are now over. Here is a summary of where we stand with signings:

Signed:
Forwards
John Hayden -- Yale -- by Chicago -- Chicago draft choice who some thought might go to free agency
Hampus Gustafsson -- Merrimack -- Caps
Gerald Mayhew -- Ferris State -- ATO with Iowa Wild (Minnesota AHL team)
Mason Mitchel -- Alaska Anchorage -- Caps

Defense:
Kristofers Bindulis -- Lake Superior State -- Caps

According to Bob McKenzie, top defenseman free agent, Daniel Brickley, of Minnesota State, has announced he is returning to school.

A body is a body. Doesn't hurt to sign anyone (ala Chapie), but ZAR would be on an ELC compared to a standard contract, like most have already mentioned.

But I do agree with PB that there should be more hype about SHL, KHL, Allsvenskan, Liiga, NLA, etc. There are some players that don't get enough love and are outdoing PPG, physical play and whatnot.

With this said, watch out for Victor Ejdsell. Personally, don't think his speed and physique go hand-in-hand together for an NHL game, but is scoring above PPG on a meh Karlskoga squad.

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=29343

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

One thing about Brännström that i don't see enough people talk about, one of his biggest strengths imo, is that he's pretty much always open in the OZone, his movement off the puck is incredibly clever.

He was imo the 2nd best player in the U18 five nations tournament (of the games i watched, i was there 3½/5 days) behind only Quinn Hughes. He was very very good.