Draft 2020 Draft & Undrafted Free Agent Thread: Part V

[cwede]

CapFriendly's list of the Aug 15 NCAA UFAs

Smirnov with Colorado was a kid I had decent hopes for back in the day. But man did the wheels fall off his college career. He went from the centerpiece in Penn State's offense to a side thought. His teammate, Pavlychev is another kid who never quite put it all together after showing some promise. But he is MASSIVE.

Anyone have any comments re any of these D, likely becoming UFA on Sunday?
of course there may always be reasons their drafting team didn't sign.
probably more John Gilmour-ish than Will Butcher or Matt Benning ...

any NYR might consider adding an asset to pipeline/AHL roster?
Gross, Day, Ebert gone, Rykov loaned, maybe Reunanen too,
Raddysh, Crawley RFA's, Lundkvist not coming yet...
assuming Hajek as NYR 7th D, Pack corps could be kinda shallow Loverde, Miller, Raddysh, Gertsen, Giuttari

Cam Clarke	R	Ferris State 126 games	6'2" 190#	1996 May age 24	Bruins 2016#136O
Ben Finklestein	R	Boston Coll/StLawrnce 113 games	5'9" 185#	1997 Oct age 22	Panthers 2016#195
Ryan Zuhlsdorf	L	Minnesota 147 games	6'0" 195#	1997 July age 23	Tampa 2015#150
Luke Martin	R	Michigan 139 games	6'2" 201#	1998 Sep age 21	Canes 2017#52
Ryan Jones	L	UNO 141 games	6'2" 197#	1966 May age 24	Pitt 2016#121
Ryan Shea	L	Northeastern 149 games	6'1" 190#	1997 Feb age 23	Hawks 2015#121
Dean Stewart	R	UNO 130 games	6'2" 186#	1998 June age 22	Yotes 2016#188
Karlis Cukste	L	Qpac 148 games	6'3" 220#	1997 June age 23	Sharks 2015#130

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

above Edge mentions the Penn State F's not reaching potential,
Martin, as 2d round pick stand out among this list, at least by being drafted almost 70 spots higher than any other...

 

[Hire Sather]

I really don't want to hear about trades.

I panic, I think the worst. I always think the worst.

too long until the draft. I want the pick made

 

[BKGooner]

The offer has to be so big that consensus would be you were an idiot not to take it even if (when) Lafreniere becomes a perennial all star. A Lindros or Hershel Walker deal or forget it.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Many Sens fans aren't even willing to trade 1st overall for Chabot straight up.
3rd and Tkachuk would be fair (probably still wouldn't do it). 3rd, 5th and Tkachuk is probably would make Gorton say yes.

I don't agree. Lafreniere holds so much more value beyond his play on the ice. He becomes the new face of the franchise. He becomes the captain. He becomes the cornerstone. No disrespect to the other players coming back, but, it's highly unlikely anyone of them become that in the same manner. And, that's why, no matter what the package, there's no deal to be made here.

 

[DanielBrassard]

3rd+5th+Tkachuk+Chabot+Batherson is a package I would at least consider but it will never be offered. The thing is, no team is going to offer a package enticing enough for the Rangers to accept

you would consider it? That is a slam dunk.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I don't think Ottawa would put 3+5+Tkachuk on the table.

To me, thats enough to think about but still not enough to go through with it.

 

[bl02]

I don't agree. Lafreniere holds so much more value beyond his play on the ice. He becomes the new face of the franchise. He becomes the captain. He becomes the cornerstone. No disrespect to the other players coming back, but, it's highly unlikely anyone of them become that in the same manner. And, that's why, no matter what the package, there's no deal to be made here.

Fair enough I’m with taking the pick too 100 percent. That being said Tkachuk alone will be a guaranteed 30-35 plus goal scorer along with everything else he brings.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

you would consider it? That is a slam dunk.

But they would never offer that

 

[broadwayblue]

I don't agree. Lafreniere holds so much more value beyond his play on the ice. He becomes the new face of the franchise. He becomes the captain. He becomes the cornerstone. No disrespect to the other players coming back, but, it's highly unlikely anyone of them become that in the same manner. And, that's why, no matter what the package, there's no deal to be made here.

I'm not saying I do the deal. But how do you know that Byfield/Stutzle or Drysdale/Rossi (or Tkachuk) can't become the face of the franchise. I get that it's definitely more likely that Lafreniere becomes that, and maybe that's enough to end the conversation. But if Byfield/Stutzle come close to what Lafreniere becomes, and the other guys have excellent careers, then maybe that was the better route to take. Ultimately I think we are lucky to be in the position, and have a great young core with plenty of grade A prospects waiting in the wings, so I probably just take Lafreniere. But it's entirely possible that getting 3 players could be better than 1.

 

[broadwayblue]

But they would never offer that

I have no idea whether they would or wouldn't. We're just discussing whether it would make sense for us to do it. Interestingly, most of the posters here would apparently decline that offer.

 

[cwede]

Anyone have any comments re any of these D, likely becoming UFA on Sunday?
of course there may always be reasons their drafting team didn't sign.
probably more John Gilmour-ish than Will Butcher or Matt Benning ...

Luke Martin	R	Michigan 139 games	6'2" 201#	1998 Sep age 21	Canes 2017#52

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Martin, as 2d round pick stand out among this list, at least by being drafted almost 70 spots higher than any other...

article re Martin
Luke Martin Not Expected To Sign With Hurricanes

 

[Ghost of jas]

I'm not saying I do the deal. But how do you know that Byfield/Stutzle or Drysdale/Rossi (or Tkachuk) can't become the face of the franchise. I get that it's definitely more likely that Lafreniere becomes that, and maybe that's enough to end the conversation. But if Byfield/Stutzle come close to what Lafreniere becomes, and the other guys have excellent careers, then maybe that was the better route to take. Ultimately I think we are lucky to be in the position, and have a great young core with plenty of grade A prospects waiting in the wings, so I probably just take Lafreniere. But it's entirely possible that getting 3 players could be better than 1.

It's a possibility, but they haven't been in the spotlight like Lafreniere has. He's been "the next one" for a few years. Stutzle and Byfield may end up reaching his level production-wise, but there's a lot more to his total package than either of them.

 

[Ghost of jas]

I have no idea whether they would or wouldn't. We're just discussing whether it would make sense for us to do it. Interestingly, most of the posters here would apparently decline that offer.

Because the term "franchise-altering player" has been ascribed to only one player in this draft.

 

[broadwayblue]

article re Martin
Luke Martin Not Expected To Sign With Hurricanes

The 6’2″ defenseman never really has taken a step forward offensively. His junior season resulted in just nine points in 36 games, but he has logged big minutes against top opponents since his freshman season and could be an interesting depth addition for an NHL organization later this year.

 

[charliemurphy]

I don't agree. Lafreniere holds so much more value beyond his play on the ice. He becomes the new face of the franchise. He becomes the captain. He becomes the cornerstone. No disrespect to the other players coming back, but, it's highly unlikely anyone of them become that in the same manner. And, that's why, no matter what the package, there's no deal to be made here.

This.
Didn’t take long for it to sink in but if all goes well it won’t be long until he’s named captain and will be for a long time. Rangers as a franchise had a fundamental change happen on Monday. Expectations have to be going up. In a couple of seasons and once the defense takes shape they should be taking off and making serious noise in the playoffs for years to come.

 

[DanielBrassard]

But they would never offer that

obviously.

 

[mas0764]

What do folks think about taking Gunler with their 2nd 1st rounder?

Good value. Would be even more inclined to move someone on the current team for a center then though.

 

[Kords]

Hype!


Shame Mika is the only one I trust to bury those tasty dishes (or Panarin on the PP I guess).

 

[Joey Bones]

The challenge with Vilardi is he keeps getting thrown into rumors as if he has a tremendous value.

He has good value, but his injury history is beyond noteworthy at this point. In that sense, he’s more of a sweetener than a main component.

There’s a lot of value in that trade. But I also think there’s a pair of guys who might not have been the Rangers has they still been on the board when the Rangers picked in 2018 and 2019.

I think of it like this....

Turcotte and No. 2 for Lafreniere. No. 2 could be either of the centermen in Byfield and Stutzle, which is a nice option.... if Lafreniere wasn't at the palm of your hands. Turcotte is nice, but how consistent will he be in the pros putting up a potential 60+ points. I don't really see that from him.

Then you have the others. Vilardi on this Rangers team might end up being in the bottom-6. I agree with the injury history and not being able to perform to what once was great expectations. The others all have risk to them outside of Bjornfot. Even then, I think Bjornfot tops out as a top-4 two-way defender.

I don't think it's a necessary trade for NYR to make. Lafreniere has game breaking ability and those players, outside of the No. 2, don't really provide that for them on the same scale.

It's an easy no from me, if I were JG and Co.

 

[Matt Rentfree]

Good value. Would be even more inclined to move someone on the current team for a center then though.

Meh - I think any centers available at 20-24 are at least 2 years out from making the team anyway - don't think drafting a wing as opposed to a center changes much in our short term plans.

 

[Joey Bones]

And is exactly what is needed to diversify the roster and offer support to the high end skill. And others like him.

When the Rangers were picking around No. 13 (that's fun to say now, lolol), I wouldn't mind if they "reached" for him there. Brings a lot to the table. The only REAL downside is his offensive production in the pros. Otherwise, big, fast, physical and can provide a nuisance while also being able to contribute knock hockey offense (at his floor) is definitely something I would hope NYR snag with there second 1st.

.... And he still could ultimately play center in the NHL.

 

[Joey Bones]

strong rumor based on some guy with a blog making it up?

Lisa Dillman of the Athletic reported it....

 

[Matt Rentfree]

Lisa Dillman of the Athletic reported it....

Dillman speculated on what the Kings COULD offer and then Clickbait McGee turned it into a trade rumor.

 

[Polar Bear]

Lisa Dillman of the Athletic reported it....

It was total speculation. Any rumor right now is clickbait.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Glass was my preference too. (Vilardi after Glass was off the board).

The Rangers were hoping Pettersson was going to be there. He was the object of their affection and the hope was they could nab him at 7.

Vancouver was the wildcard because the Rangers were hoping they’d take Mittelstadt. Vegas was always likely to take Glass.

So really, it was Mr. No Chin-Ups that screwed everything up for the Rangers.

At the very least I’m glad Mittelstadt looks like a bum

This is the first time I’ve seen him mentioned here in forever. People would bring him up every day two years ago