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2020 Draft & Undrafted Free Agent Thread: Part II

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Ola said:
I have really not seen enough of Hirvonen to have much of an opinion on him. How is his skating? The clips I've seen, there isn't a ton of skating going on.

I've seen a lot more of Nybeck and likes him a lot. I just tossed Hirvonen's name out there because these kids that are <5'10 still seem to be facing a lot of negative bias. Just like DeBrincat. For me all that matters is how you skate and if you compete in physical battles. Marchand is 5'9 and definitely one of the hardest guys to handle in the league physically.

Its however not that unusual that player's <5'10 lacks a bit of top-end speed. Its just the law of physics, you gain when going west-east-south. But when going the length of the ice, they have a shorter stride. But there are of course still exceptions and many <5'10 forwards who has sufficient speed. Not sure if Hirvonen qualifies, but Nybeck certainly does.
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Here's some information of Roni Hirvonen.
Roni Hirvonen | FinnProspects.com
Roni Hirvonen
Interview: 2020 NHL Draft prospect Roni Hirvonen

Hirvonen is one of those euro players who's draft stock can drop.
Corona virus screwed up a lot of things
and cancelling of U18 WJC's is not a good thing to 2002 born players.
 
Steve Kournianos said:
My contention is that people fell in love with Gunler’s stats and ignored multiple factors. A perceived attitude issue — overblown or not — is still an attitude issue.

Two things I notice — his teammates don’t pass it to him when he’s open like they should. The other thing is he’s a perimeter player and rarely engages or supports puck battles. If he has 10-15 shifts a game he can go 9-14 without ever sneezing on an opponent or an opponent sneezing on him. Very odd and I can’t explain it other than his teammates want more out of him.

On skill alone, he’s a top-10 pick. And I love speed and skill, but also want players to look like they care.

I think he’ll be a Buchnevich — periods of inconsistency, bouts with multiple coaches, and 20g 30a if the stars align. Late 1st at best and I’ve seen him play so much I can see him in my sleep.

Askarov is being coddled by Russia. Might be coming from Tretiak himself. Kid is healthy and played like five games since WJC. Don’t like it.

Lapierre wasn’t good when he was healthy-ish after the Hlinka. He’ll be Charmin soft now that he’s one hit away from retirement. Great skill as a playmaker but an incomplete draft resume.
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Disagree with almost everything you wrote about Gunler here. Please give me your source for his attitude issues please...
 
bobbop said:
Questions for my draft experts...with the prospect season for all intents being over, we will not have the benefit of late scouting and important games. It seems like in the past, there were a number of players who were late risers. That opportunity Will not exist this year.

What effect does that have on the draft?
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My guess, guys like Marat Khusnutdinov and Anton Johannesson will be steals, they fit the Bill for late risers due to playoffs and especially U18s
 
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Steve Kournianos said:
My contention is that people fell in love with Gunler’s stats and ignored multiple factors. A perceived attitude issue — overblown or not — is still an attitude issue.

Two things I notice — his teammates don’t pass it to him when he’s open like they should. The other thing is he’s a perimeter player and rarely engages or supports puck battles. If he has 10-15 shifts a game he can go 9-14 without ever sneezing on an opponent or an opponent sneezing on him. Very odd and I can’t explain it other than his teammates want more out of him.

On skill alone, he’s a top-10 pick. And I love speed and skill, but also want players to look like they care.

I think he’ll be a Buchnevich — periods of inconsistency, bouts with multiple coaches, and 20g 30a if the stars align. Late 1st at best and I’ve seen him play so much I can see him in my sleep.
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These aren't my experiences/observations when I was attending games, and the 3 times I was near the locker room. If anything, Gunler seemed to be quite comfortable and embraced by his teammates.

I really don't see the issues described here, at least not at the SHL level. I know he was coasting through SuperElit a lot, and he has even admitted that. But when he was with the senior team, in the SHL and CHL, he was never really alienated or ignored from what I've seen. I've been to the locker rooms for their games in Augsburg, Liberec, and Luleå and he is well-liked by his teammates.
 
Edge said:
If Sanderson is there at 13, I think he's a possibility for the Rangers.

I know they really like him.
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Which is gonna get a worse reaction, this or me posting that Strome contract projection? :laugh:

I'd have to see who's still left on the board before I'd be comfortable taking Sanderson. It'd be interesting to see what they'd do if it came down to choosing between him and Holloway.
 
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Mac n Gs said:
Which is gonna get a worse reaction, this or me posting that Strome contract projection? :laugh:

I'd have to see who's still left on the board before I'd be comfortable taking Sanderson. It'd be interesting to see what they'd do if it came down to choosing between him and Holloway.
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And in fairness, there should be a few guys on the board who the Rangers scouts like.

Now, what order they have those guys in, and other names they like (but haven't come up) is always the monkey wrench.

For example, Gunler hasn't come up, but he could be on the top of their list.
 
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Mac n Gs said:
I'd have to see who's still left on the board before I'd be comfortable taking Sanderson. It'd be interesting to see what they'd do if it came down to choosing between him and Holloway.
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If I had to bet, I would believe that Lundell comes first, then Holloway, then Sanderson. And I would be quite fine with any of those. Then hope for Mysak at 23.
 
So will the draft happen via Skype now? (only half kidding, I do not see the NHL returning this year--which would put the live draft in doubt.)
 
Mac n Gs said:
Which is gonna get a worse reaction, this or me posting that Strome contract projection? :laugh:

I'd have to see who's still left on the board before I'd be comfortable taking Sanderson. It'd be interesting to see what they'd do if it came down to choosing between him and Holloway.
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Strome contract for sure.

Edge said:
If Sanderson is there at 13, I think he's a possibility for the Rangers.

I know they really like him.
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He would be a very good pick. You don't get a lot of kids like him on defense every year. A good athlete who can really skate. But more importantly, knows how to play the position the right way.

It would be like drafting a Chychryn, Hanafin, or Lindholm. A guys with size on defense, that can skate very well, but plays a really solid shutdown game. I wouldn't be shocked if he sneaks into the top 10.
 
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Mikos87 said:
He would be a very good pick. You don't get a lot of kids like him on defense every year. A good athlete who can really skate. But more importantly, knows how to play the position the right way.

It would be like drafting a Chychryn, Hanafin, or Lindholm. A guys with size on defense, that can skate very well, but plays a really solid shutdown game. I wouldn't be shocked if he sneaks into the top 10.
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Liking him more and more. Not enough to overtake a Lundell, but probably on par with Holloway to me right now.

Khusnutdinov I think has a lot of value in the second round.

Schnieder seems to be dropping. Still cannot see him dropping out of the first round, but he makes for a great pick towards the last third of the first.
 
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Mikos87 said:
Strome contract for sure.

He would be a very good pick. You don't get a lot of kids like him on defense every year. A good athlete who can really skate. But more importantly, knows how to play the position the right way.

It would be like drafting a Chychryn, Hanafin, or Lindholm. A guys with size on defense, that can skate very well, but plays a really solid shutdown game. I wouldn't be shocked if he sneaks into the top 10.
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Re: Sanderson

Of course I’m a bit biased with my position but I can tell you he is a really solid kid. Captain of the team for the U17 World Hockey Challenge when I was with them. Ornery disposition on the ice. Good gaps. Huge compete level.
 
Great thread on Zary here which highlights why he’s not someone I would target with out top pick.

10 games isn’t the biggest sample but it lines up with what i’ve seen in the (not many) games i’ve seen.

 
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