2020 Draft & Undrafted Free Agent Thread: Part IV

[Edge]

Oof I would hate Mercer going to Pitt!!

Interesting how, under normal circumstances, the guy I suspect the Rangers have at 4 would be on the board when the Rangers would've picked at 10 or 11.

 

[broadwayblue]

Interesting how, under normal circumstances, the guy I suspect the Rangers have at 4 would be on the board when the Rangers would've picked at 10 or 11.

Trade down.

 

[Edge]

A few players I'm in past the 2nd round - Jack Finley, Dylan Peterson, Maxim Groshev and Will Cullyle. Any thoughts, @Joey Bones, @Edge, @GeorgeKaplan

Sorry, missed this.

Finley intrigues me as a third round candidate. Style wise the obvious comparison is someone like Brian Boyle. He's not the athlete Boyle was, but I think his hockey sense is higher at the same point. Now, if you're projecting him as a top six option, not so much. If you're looking at him in a potential shutdown role and bottom six forward, I think he's a candidate. He's a deceptive skater who plays a north-south game and stays in his lane. You let him go to the net and get close for deflections, tip-ins, and he has a decent wrister. Again, if he puts it together, imagine production and a role somewhat similar to Boyle. Will need to get stronger and work on balance to fully maximize his size advantage.

Peterson is a kid who has a lot of talent, but hasn't quite figured out the combination to put the pieces together consistently. He's has first round talent, but had a third round season. He has good speed (more of a point A to point B type), solid hands, good hockey sense, and can create plays. But there's a feeling that he leaves you wanting more. You expect more offense from him, more energy, maybe even bordering on dominance. There's enough skill there to see a top six forward, but the results aren't up to par. He's falling because you wonder if there's any one aspect of his game that pushes him into a specific NHL role. I see him as more of a second round pick, and think someone might take a shot on him in the 50s. He's probably a high growth kid if you think he just needs some guidance and a defined role.

But here's the funny thing on those two guys. I've heard people say that Finley reminds them of Getzlaf/Dach, and Peterson reminds them of Boyle. I have it the reverse of that. I think Finley's upside is more of a Brian Boyle type, and Peterson reminds me of a poor man's Getzlaf/Dach.

Groshev has a lot of the physical attributes of a power forward --- a nice solid frame, good hands in close, okay straight ahead speed, an ability to press defeseman, a bullish attitude, etc.. But he's a guy who doesn't dominate out there. So there's a question as to whether it's effort, or whether he's just not a guy who matches up against other team's top offensive players. But, in his defense, he hasn't had a ton of opportunities to truly show what he can do when paired with a playmaker and in an offensive role. I think he's going to be a kid who has to stick to a very meat and potatoes game to be successful moving forward. Personally, I see him as more of a fourth round kind of pick and more a fourth line wing who pops in the occassional goal.

Cuylle is a kid who I definitely think is on the Rangers radar. Probably the biggest thing working against Cuylle is the initial expectation of what he'd become. There was a time when people expected the next Mathew Tkachuk or high-end power forward. And Cuylle, while talented, just never quite seemed to have that kind of ability under the hood. He's an energy player who is talented enough to take advantage of being paired with a skilled linemate. He knows what his role is, even if everyone else is still expecting more of a premiere talent. I just don't think his on-ice vision or hockey sense is going to allow that. Some people want him to be the next Tom Wilson, but I feel like that's probably part of that over-expecting angle I mentioned. A more realistic hope might be something in the mold of Kyle Clifford. I think he goes long before the Rangers come up in the third round. Now, if they landed a second rounder in a trade, he'd definitely be on my radar for there.

So that's a lot to process. In summary, Cuylle is the kid who could be a shit disturber and potentially get a boost playing with a skilled player. Groshev might be the biggest unknown because of his usage and somewhat limited offensive upside. Finley is the no frills economy model that potentially fills a useful, if unspectacular shutdown role. Peterson is the kid who probably has the most upside on this list, but probably has done the least to carve out a specific path or role that he might someday fill.

I'd rank Cuylle as a mid to late second round pick, Peterson as a late a second/early third pick, Finley as a solid third round pick, and Groshev as later third, early 4th round pick.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Starting to have second thoughts Re: Laf vs Byfield. With Byfield we have no more holes, assuming he pans out. Zib - Byfield down the middle is juicy AF. Someone talk me down pls.

Right now we're looking an awful lot like the Jets.

 

[Rangers394]

Starting to have second thoughts Re: Laf vs Byfield. With Byfield we have no more holes, assuming he pans out. Zib - Byfield down the middle is juicy AF. Someone talk me down pls.

Laf. Trade other prospects for a young center if we need to.

 

[eco's bones]

Ran. 1. Alexis Lafreniere
L.A 2. Quinton Byfield
Ott. 3. Tim Stutzle
Det. 4. Jake Sanderson
Ott. 5. Lucas Raymond
Ana. 6. Jamie Drysdale
N.J. 7. Alexander Holtz
Buf. 8. Jack Quinn
Min.9. Marco Rossi
Win. 10. Braden Schneider
Nas. 11. Cole Perfetti
Fla. 12. Kaiden Guhle
Car. 13. Yaroslav Askarov
Edm. 14. Seth Jarvis
Pit. 15. Lukas Reichel
Mtl. 16. Dawson Mercer
Chi. 17. Anton Lundell
N.J. 18. Noel Gunler
Cal. 19. Dylan Holloway
N.J. 20. Connor Zary
Cbs. 21. Rodion Amirov
Ott. 22. Jan Mysak
Dal. 23. William Wallinder
Ran. 24. J.J. Peterka
Veg. 25. Yan Kuznetsov
Phl. 26. Mavrik Bourque
Was. 27. Ridly Greig
S.J. 28. Jacob Perreault
Col. 29. Marat Khushnutdinov
Stl. 30. Ryan O'Rourke
Ana. 31 Joni Jurmo

 

[Edge]

Starting to have second thoughts Re: Laf vs Byfield. With Byfield we have no more holes, assuming he pans out. Zib - Byfield down the middle is juicy AF. Someone talk me down pls.

Right now we're looking an awful lot like the Jets.

A prime Lafreniere is a guy makes every player on the roster better, regardless of whether they are on his line.

 

[aufheben]

You guys are really just obsessing over the center position. Panarin is a line-driver; They don’t need to piss away a superstar to put someone next to him.

Chicago won 3 Cup with Bolland/Handzus/Richards as their #2 centers.

Like between Kreider/Panarin/Buchnevich/Kakko/Lafreniere/Kravtsov we could literally go dumpster-diving in free agency and fill the position.

 

[Edge]

You guys are really just obsessing over the center position. Panarin is a line-driver; They don’t need to piss away a superstar to put someone next to him.

And Lafreniere will be a line driver as well.

I would encourage people to really study video of this kid. He's not a support player for a center. He's a catalyst.

In terms of role on a team, or a line, think Jagr, think Panarin, think Gaborik. We've had wings drive the offense before.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

I wish we had Boone Jenner.

 

[Rangers394]

You guys are really just obsessing over the center position. Panarin is a line-driver; They don’t need to piss away a superstar to put someone next to him.

Chicago won 3 Cup with Bolland/Handzus/Richards as their #2 centers.

Like between Kreider/Panarin/Buchnevich/Kakko/Lafreniere/Kravtsov we could literally go dumpster-diving in free agency and fill the position.

This. And people want to trade all kinds of assets for a 2c. Lmao

 

[Ghost of jas]

Sorry, missed this.

Finley intrigues me as a third round candidate. Style wise the obvious comparison is someone like Brian Boyle. He's not the athlete Boyle was, but I think his hockey sense is higher at the same point. Now, if you're projecting him as a top six option, not so much. If you're looking at him in a potential shutdown role and bottom six forward, I think he's a candidate. He's a deceptive skater who plays a north-south game and stays in his lane. You let him go to the net and get close for deflections, tip-ins, and he has a decent wrister. Again, if he puts it together, imagine production and a role somewhat similar to Boyle. Will need to get stronger and work on balance to fully maximize his size advantage.

Peterson is a kid who has a lot of talent, but hasn't quite figured out the combination to put the pieces together consistently. He's has first round talent, but had a third round season. He has good speed (more of a point A to point B type), solid hands, good hockey sense, and can create plays. But there's a feeling that he leaves you wanting more. You expect more offense from him, more energy, maybe even bordering on dominance. There's enough skill there to see a top six forward, but the results aren't up to par. He's falling because you wonder if there's any one aspect of his game that pushes him into a specific NHL role. I see him as more of a second round pick, and think someone might take a shot on him in the 50s. He's probably a high growth kid if you think he just needs some guidance and a defined role.

But here's the funny thing on those two guys. I've heard people say that Finley reminds them of Getzlaf/Dach, and Peterson reminds them of Boyle. I have it the reverse of that. I think Finley's upside is more of a Brian Boyle type, and Peterson reminds me of a poor man's Getzlaf/Dach.

Groshev has a lot of the physical attributes of a power forward --- a nice solid frame, good hands in close, okay straight ahead speed, an ability to press defeseman, a bullish attitude, etc.. But he's a guy who doesn't dominate out there. So there's a question as to whether it's effort, or whether he's just not a guy who matches up against other team's top offensive players. But, in his defense, he hasn't had a ton of opportunities to truly show what he can do when paired with a playmaker and in an offensive role. I think he's going to be a kid who has to stick to a very meat and potatoes game to be successful moving forward. Personally, I see him as more of a fourth round kind of pick and more a fourth line wing who pops in the occassional goal.

Cuylle is a kid who I definitely think is on the Rangers radar. Probably the biggest thing working against Cuylle is the initial expectation of what he'd become. There was a time when people expected the next Mathew Tkachuk or high-end power forward. And Cuylle, while talented, just never quite seemed to have that kind of ability under the hood. He's an energy player who is talented enough to take advantage of being paired with a skilled linemate. He knows what his role is, even if everyone else is still expecting more of a premiere talent. I just don't think his on-ice vision or hockey sense is going to allow that. Some people want him to be the next Tom Wilson, but I feel like that's probably part of that over-expecting angle I mentioned. A more realistic hope might be something in the mold of Kyle Clifford. I think he goes long before the Rangers come up in the third round. Now, if they landed a second rounder in a trade, he'd definitely be on my radar for there.

So that's a lot to process. In summary, Cuylle is the kid who could be a shit disturber and potentially get a boost playing with a skilled player. Groshev might be the biggest unknown because of his usage and somewhat limited offensive upside. Finley is the no frills economy model that potentially fills a useful, if unspectacular shutdown role. Peterson is the kid who probably has the most upside on this list, but probably has done the least to carve out a specific path or role that he might someday fill.

I'd rank Cuylle as a mid to late second round pick, Peterson as a late a second/early third pick, Finley as a solid third round pick, and Groshev as later third, early 4th round pick.

So getting Cuylle and Peterson in the 3rd would be a killing. Starting also to like the idea of Perrault with the Carolina pick, although Khusnutdinov is now on my radar.

 

[Edge]

So getting Cuylle and Peterson in the 3rd would be a killing. Starting also to like the idea of Perrault with the Carolina pick.

Cuylle is a guy that came up from Rangers people earlier this season, so he was someone they were following.

The other names did not come up.

A top 100 with Lefreniere at 1, Perrault in the 20s, and Cuylle and Peterson in the third would give you a very diverse mix. You'd have some goal scoring mixed in there, definitely some sandpaper, and a little bit of a mystery box. You'd have at least three players who have a very clear role that they play, and would hopefully grow into.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Cuylle is a guy that came up from Rangers people earlier this season, so he was someone they were following.

The other names did not come up.

A top 100 with Lefreniere at 1, Perrault in the 20s, and Cuylle and Peterson in the third would give you a very diverse mix. You'd have some goal scoring mixed in there, definitely some sandpaper, and a little bit of a mystery box. You'd have at least three players who have a very clear role that they play, and would hopefully grow into.

Do you see Cuylle as someone the Rangers would try to add a 2nd to grab, or potentially move up from their 3rd?

 

[Edge]

Do you see Cuylle as someone the Rangers would try to add a 2nd to grab, or potentially move up from their 3rd?

Well, assuming their takeaway remained positive, I'm thinking they might be content to find value picks in the third. That seems to be their sweetspot.

 

[Fitzy]

You guys are really just obsessing over the center position. Panarin is a line-driver; They don’t need to piss away a superstar to put someone next to him.

Chicago won 3 Cup with Bolland/Handzus/Richards as their #2 centers.

Like between Kreider/Panarin/Buchnevich/Kakko/Lafreniere/Kravtsov we could literally go dumpster-diving in free agency and fill the position.

Strome kind of is a dumpster dive and I'm cool with it.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Well, assuming their takeaway remained positive, I'm thinking they might content to find value picks in the third. That seems to be their sweetspot.

Hearing any names connected to the Rangers in the later rounds?

 

[Joey Bones]

Interesting how, under normal circumstances, the guy I suspect the Rangers have at 4 would be on the board when the Rangers would've picked at 10 or 11.

You hinting at something?

 

[Edge]

You hinting at something?

No, I don’t see the same pursuit of another top 10 pick coming this year.

 

[Polar Bear]

This JD interview on MSG should shut down any non Laf talk, Lol.

 

[Joey Bones]

Starting to have second thoughts Re: Laf vs Byfield. With Byfield we have no more holes, assuming he pans out. Zib - Byfield down the middle is juicy AF. Someone talk me down pls.

Right now we're looking an awful lot like the Jets.

No....

Laf is the pick all the way. He is one of two players that have won back-to-back Jean Beliveau Awards for the CHL MVP (the other was Crosby).

Eeeeeeeeaaaaaassssssyyyyyyy pick for NYR!!

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

Starting to have second thoughts Re: Laf vs Byfield. With Byfield we have no more holes, assuming he pans out. Zib - Byfield down the middle is juicy AF. Someone talk me down pls.

Right now we're looking an awful lot like the Jets.

Byfield is more raw and is going to take longer to hit his stride in the NHL. Not to mention Laf is just flat out a better hockey player

 

[Edge]

So getting Cuylle and Peterson in the 3rd would be a killing. Starting also to like the idea of Perrault with the Carolina pick, although Khusnutdinov is now on my radar.

It’s funny because Perrault is a guy who grows on me the more I see him.

Sometimes there’s a tendency with first round picks to expect someone dynamic. A power forward who tilts the ice, a complete offensive talent with a chance to be a star, a two-way Selke candidate who plays all ove the ice.

But sometimes you need a guy who just puts the damn puck in the net. He doesn’t have to drive a line, his defense doesn’t have to be impeccable, he doesn’t have to be a speed demon, or be able to elude 5 members of the opposition. Sometimes it’s okay if he’s a support guy who specializes in netting his 20-25 goals per season and who compliments your team’s system and his line mates.

In that sense Perrault is exactly the type of prospect that tends to get overlooked a lot on draft day. He’s a late first round talent who does what he does well - he puts pucks on net and they go in with well above average frequency.

He’d project as a potential middle six scoring wing. And that’d be a real solid pickup for this team.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

You guys are really just obsessing over the center position. Panarin is a line-driver; They don’t need to piss away a superstar to put someone next to him.

Chicago won 3 Cup with Bolland/Handzus/Richards as their #2 centers.

Like between Kreider/Panarin/Buchnevich/Kakko/Lafreniere/Kravtsov we could literally go dumpster-diving in free agency and fill the position.

I'd rather have any of those guys at what ever iteration of their career they were in when they played in Chicago than Strome though.

Bolland in particular was a very good player before the injuries happened.

If he isn't scoring, then what exactly does he bring to the table? The PK sucks, we suck defensively as a unit. Strome doesn't help there.

Which superstar are we pissing away here? Trading the 1OA would be dumb, taking Byfield would be dumb. Moving some pieces for an upgrade on Strome would not be dumb IMO.

 

[Joey Bones]

You guys are really just obsessing over the center position. Panarin is a line-driver; They don’t need to piss away a superstar to put someone next to him.

Chicago won 3 Cup with Bolland/Handzus/Richards as their #2 centers.

Like between Kreider/Panarin/Buchnevich/Kakko/Lafreniere/Kravtsov we could literally go dumpster-diving in free agency and fill the position.

Maybe don't dumpster dive, lolol....

But in all realty, you hit the nail on the head. I would think trading for a younger center with upside still is there route.