Draft 2020 Draft & Undrafted Free Agent Thread: Part V

[HFsNumber1Heel]

Please invite Ivan Ivan to rookie camp or the equivalent. I demand.

 

[Edge]

Like how do you even watch these players?

So I’ve gotten that question over the years and the answer is a bit nuanced.

My job, depending on the period of time, requires a lot of traveling. I’ve also done a lot of global consulting work within the sport (not as much the last two years though). So I am constantly watching any game while visiting, or watching games while traveling. We’re talking 20 hours on a plane at times. Depending on where I am, I have access to servers (used to be tapes and then discs) of footage and focus videos as well. I will not disclose where I get this access from, but I have multiple channels.

Some of it is condensed to cut out breaks and other stuff. Frankly, some of it is proprietary footage that focuses on a handful of players on a team.

For smaller leagues, or certain teams, it’s literally a fixed shot on a specific player.

I couldn’t tell you anything about most modern tv shows, a lot of newer musical acts, or anything about the hottest movies. The only Marvel Universe films I’ve seen are the two Guardians of the Galaxy movies.

I sleep about 4-5 hours a night. My day starts at 6 am and usually wraps about 2 am. Even my work has nothing to do with the sport on a given day, I still might spend an average of 6-8 hours looking at names or teams that intrigue me. Other days it’s longer. Over the course of a year, it’s well into thousands of hours. For top guys, who are seen coming multiple years in advance, there’s a chance to see a lot of them.

But it has its limits. Russia is hard. A lot of Eastern European leagues can be hard to see. The lowers levels in North America can be hard to see. There’s a lot of supplementing there. I might ask people who they like in the second, third, fourth rounds, etc. They give me some names and then I take a look. I might follow up with them. Things of that nature.

I’m not the guy you want to approach about a dark horse, mid round selection in Finland. But I can probably give you something about the more popular leagues. And if I can’t, I might be able to pass along what others are saying. I try to distinguish between that info. Sometimes it conflicts with my take, I’ll note that as well.

 

[Polar Bear]

So I’ve gotten that question over the years and the answer is a bit nuanced.

My job, depending on the period of time, requires a lot of traveling. I’ve also done a lot of global consulting work within the sport (not as much the last two years though). So I am constantly watching any game while visiting, or watching games while traveling. We’re talking 20 hours on a plane at times. Depending on where I am, I have access to servers (used to be tapes and then discs) of footage and focus videos as well. I will not disclose where I get this access from, but I have multiple channels.

Some of it is condensed to cut out breaks and other stuff. Frankly, some of it is proprietary footage that focuses on a handful of players on a team.

For smaller leagues, or certain teams, it’s literally a fixed shot on a specific player.

I couldn’t tell you anything about most modern tv shows, a lot of newer musical acts, or anything about the hottest movies. The only Marvel Universe films I’ve seen are the two Guardians of the Galaxy movies.

I sleep about 4-5 hours a night. My day starts at 6 am and usually wraps about 2 am. Even my work has nothing to do with the sport on a given day, I still might spend an average of 6-8 hours looking at names or teams that intrigue me. Other days it’s longer. Over the course of a year, it’s well into thousands of hours. For top guys, who are seen coming multiple years in advance, there’s a chance to see a lot of them.

But it has its limits. Russia is hard. A lot of Eastern European leagues can be hard to see. The lowers levels in North America can be hard to see. There’s a lot of supplementing there. I might ask people who they like in the second, third, fourth rounds, etc. They give me some names and then I take a look. I might follow up with them. Things of that nature.

I’m not the guy you want to approach about a dark horse, mid round selection in Finland. But I can probably give you something about the more popular leagues. And if I can’t, I might be able to pass along what others are saying. I try to distinguish between that info. Sometimes it conflicts with my take, I’ll note that as well.

Just admit you’re a member of the Rangers HO sent here to communicate with us because y’all love us. :p

 

[Savant]

LMAO if our first 4 picks were LW-RW-LW-G, this board would be on the proverbial ledge, big time.

Our fans are weird. Hockey is one of the last sports to not pick best player available. There aren’t enough positions to nitpick and unless you are picking very high, those players will still have a fair bit of developing to do.

 

[Edge]

Just admit you’re a member of the Rangers HO sent here to communicate with us because y’all love us. :p

Worked for them many years ago. Still know many wonderful people over there. But I also love freedom of being outside that structure. It’s like working in politics. Being close to an issue, with the freedom to choose your battles, is much more enjoyable than having to be a staffer or an elected.

 

[Polar Bear]

Worked for them many years ago. Still know many wonderful people over there. But I also love freedom of being outside that structure. It’s like working in politics. Being close to an issue, with the freedom to choose your battles, is much more enjoyable than having to be a staffer or an elected.

That’s awesome man! Glad you get to live such cool experiences in such an amazing sport. I’m sure I speak for everyone, as well, when we state how much we appreciate your insight and info. Just tell the Rangers HO we all want Laf announced already though! :p I’m sick of this media clickbait crap.

 

[Edge]

LMAO if our first 4 picks were LW-RW-LW-G, this board would be on the proverbial ledge, big time.

I think some of the forwards are worth the risk.

But it’s hard too because the simulator interface can make it difficult to find guys. So there could be defensemen I’d take, and I just went right past them.

But as a whole, the sim kept putting forwards in front of me that I had to take - particularly in the first and third rounds.

But truth be told, I would love to live in a fantasy world where my top 3 picks are Lafreniere, Mercer/Jarvis, and Cuylle.

At that point, this team could use every other remaining pick on third string goalies from an Austrian beer league for all I care. I’d still be over the moon.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Holy shit that’s like EXACTLY what he was looking for

‪New York Rangers‬
‪(1) Alexis Lafreniere, LW‬
‪(23) Tyson Foerster, C‬
‪(72) Jaromir Pytlik, C‬
‪(86) Maxim Groshev, RW‬
‪(103) Donovan Sebrango, LD‬
‪(134) Riley Duran, C‬
‪(165) Isaak Phillips, LD‬
‪(196) Vsevolod Skotnikov, G‬
‪(197) Bogdan Trineyev, RW‬
‪(205) Gage Goncalves, C‬

It's a fun tool I have been using for a while now.

 

[EdJovanovski]

An underrated aspect of Lafreniere’s game is he has generational cellys

 

[aufheben]

I think some of the forwards are worth the risk.

But it’s hard too because the simulator interface can make it difficult to find guys. So there could be defensemen I’d take, and I just went right past them.

But as a whole, the sim kept putting forwards in front of me that I had to take - particularly in the first and third rounds.

But truth be told, I would love to live in a fantasy world where my top 3 picks are Lafreniere, Mercer/Jarvis, and Cuylle.

At that point, this team could use every other remaining pick on third string goalies from an Austrian beer league for all I care. I’d still be over the moon.

Now that I’ve gone through it a few times, it did seem like all the best players available between the late-1st and 3rd or 4th round were all wingers.

I can’t wait until we come away from this draft with Lafreniere and people still complain about the results lirl.

 

[egelband]

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.

Agreed. I also think Tkachuk is going to get his head knocked off at some point. He’s what they called on tv in the 70s “a loose cannon”.
And while he’s definitely tough, there are plenty of dudes in the league who could destroy him. And unless he smartens up, I could see him being more trouble than he’s worth.
I’m not saying that’s a bankable fact or that I wouldn’t be happy were he a Ranger. But if I’m even to consider trading Lafreniere, I want a bunch of sure things.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Gut feeling, but unless someone falls to the Carolina pick, I think the Rangers have Greig in their cross hairs with that selection.

Someone is probably going to roll the dice on Lapierre before they get a chance to and I like Mavrik Bourque, but I imagine that the all around package that Greig brings to the table will appeal to them a ton.

 

[Polar Bear]

Gut feeling, but unless someone falls to the Carolina pick, I think the Rangers have Greig in their cross hairs with that selection.

Someone is probably going to roll the dice on Lapierre before they get a chance to and I like Mavrik Bourque, but I imagine that the all around package that Greig brings to the table will appeal to them a ton.

Gut feeling on my end, but I think there is a decent chance the CAR pick is moved alongside some goodies for a 2C.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Gut feeling on my end, but I think there is a decent chance the CAR pick is moved alongside some goodies for a 2C.

Also possible, I should have clarified in a world where they keep the pick.

 

[bl02]

Please just draft someone who can skate with our second first rounder. I see guys like Foudy who don't give defensemen a second to breath. That is more of what we need. Of course with some skill but speed to me is a must with that pick. or at very least above average skating.

 

[Heckler81]

Thanks for introducing the drsftsim site, very fun and informative. How come it didn’t let me trade with the Rangers?

Here are my picks.

1st - Lafreniere - LW
23rd - Khusnutdinov - C
72nd - Evan Vierling - C
86th - Alexander Nikishin - LD
103rd - Thimo Nickl - RD
134th - Logan Morrison - C
165th - Lucas Ramberg- LD
196th - Maxim Beryozkin - LW
197th - Oliver Tarnstrom - C
205th - Declan McDonnell - RW

 

[UnSandvich]

Would Antonio Stranges be likely to last until the 3rd, maybe to our later pick?

EDIT: And would he be worth it

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Thanks for introducing the drsftsim site, very fun and informative. How come it didn’t let me trade with the Rangers?

Here are my picks.

1st - Lafreniere - LW
23rd - Khusnutdinov - C
72nd - Evan Vierling - C
86th - Alexander Nikishin - LD
103rd - Thimo Nickl - RD
134th - Logan Morrison - C
165th - Lucas Ramberg- LD
196th - Maxim Beryozkin - LW
197th - Oliver Tarnstrom - C
205th - Declan McDonnell - RW

When you trade, there's value at the bottom of the screen that needs to add it. You can only trade if the value is equal of higher on your end

 

[UnSandvich]

Looks like the sim's been updated, so now you don't have to constantly hit the lottery button until it gives us 1OA

1. LW Alexis Lafreniere- Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)
23. C/LW Lukas Reichel- Eisbaren Berlin (DEL)
72. RW Luke Evangelista- London Knights (OHL)
86. LW Will Cuylle- Windsor Spitfires (OHL)- Antonio Stranges was still on the board here, went with Cuylle b/c I've heard more about him here
103. LW Dmitri Ovchinnikov- Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk (MHL)
134. RW Alex Laferriere- Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)- imagine poor Sam Rosen if he and Lafreniere end up on the same line
165. C Wyatt Schingoethe- Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)- one of the better names in the draft
196. RD Ville Ottavainen- Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
197. LW Tanner Dickinson- Sault St. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
205. LW Dmitri Sheshin- Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL)

Surprisingly heavy on the OHL, looking at my picks. On the bright side, our depth at the wings will see a big boost, on the downside, C, G and D not so much.

 

[Kords]

Jesus, I didn't think we would have any chance at Jarvis in the low twenties. Really love what I saw from him, don't get my hopes up.

 

[aufheben]

 

[Clark Kellogg]

Looking for some clarity. Reading that Jack Quinn started the year on the third line and then worked his way up to the second line with Ottawa and the only time he played with Marco Rossi was on the number one power play unit. Today I was watching and interview with Jack Quinn and TSN’s Mark Masters and both were referring to Quinn and Rossi as line mates.

 

[duhmetreE]

I wouldn't mind Gushcin in the 3rd. High risk/reward pick. The prototypical falling of a smaller player

 

[aufheben]

Trade Georgiev for a 2nd and we’ll have probably the 3rd highest pick value going into the draft.

 

[CaptTennille]

Would Antonio Stranges be likely to last until the 3rd, maybe to our later pick?

EDIT: And would he be worth it

Would he be available? Possibly.
Is he worth selecting in the third? No (IMO).

Obviously the skills are intriguing, but his decision making is highly suspect. If he somehow fell to the 4th round I'd swing on him, but it's difficult for me to unsee some of the boneheaded hero plays and unnecessary turnovers I saw this season.