Draft 2020 Draft & Undrafted Free Agent Thread: Part V

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Yeah, I tend to agree with Will on him. He's got a relentless motor and possesses the puck without losing said possession. He uses his open spaces well, too, which can either create the breakout or create a high danger scoring chance. I do think he needs to bulk up more and get some better accuracy lessons, but he's got a lot going for him as a middle-6, plug n' play player similarly to Dylan Larkin or a Jesper Fast if I may say. He's also really young yet, so he's got plenty of time. With all that said, I think he's going to be a project as he needs to play against pros and learn the smaller ice rink. IIRC, SKA is one of the KHL teams who switched over to an NHL sized rink, but maybe someone else could chime in on that. @Amazing Kreiderman?

Regarding rink size, the KHL announced this last year August



I have not seen any news on other teams switching to smaller rinks for the 2020-21 season. Regarding Khusnutdinov, his biggest knock is obviously his size and for once, I have to agree. There's a difference between a player being 5'11 like Nils Lundkvist, or a player being 5'9 (Marat Khustnutdinov) or even 5'8 (Zion Nybeck). Looking at the 2020 draft, there are only 12 players shorter than Khustnutdinov. He may drop a few spots becuase of it. The type of player he is, the system he plays for, it all factors into the teams' decisions in the draft. I am not a fan of him playing for a stacked team like SKA. Maybe they loan him to a fringe play off team, like they did with Rykov. Maybe they keep him like they did with Podkolzin. He's one of the more polarizing prospects when it comes to how scouts see him.

Is it possible to graduate early if you take double classes in US college?

Not sure but I used Khodorenko as an example as he played NCAA hockey in his draft year, like Quinn Hughes and Jack Eichel. I would have to really dive into the history of NCAA hockey to find a drafted prospect who opted for UFA after his 4th year in college, but 3rd year after being drafted.

 

[Irishguy42]

Is it possible to graduate early if you take double classes in US college?

Depends on school policy, how many credits a semester you're taking, and what academic program you're in.

I would think most athletes who are in college for athletics are not taking on extra credits each semester to graduate early.

 

[ecemleafs]

Depends on school policy, how many credits a semester you're taking, and what academic program you're in.

I would think most athletes who are in college for athletics are not taking on extra credits each semester to graduate early.

athletes will often take classes in the summer if they are there for conditioning and practicing over the summer. could also do a class in january, especially if they are winter sports athletes.

 

[nyr2k2]

You mean like this?

We really need to also draft Alex Laferriere.

 

[LaffyTaffy]

I think as much as I’d like to see a swing on Marat or Foerster at 23 I think Guhle will be available and the Rangers wont think twice. Guhle is a solid pick there that doesnt move the needle for me at all but something I know improves our defense.

 

[nyr2k2]

You can absolutely graduate early at almost all NCAA institutions.

In college football and basketball, it is not uncommon to see a guy take summer classes and graduate after three years. This is because he then has graduated with (at least) one year of eligibility, and can transfer somewhere else and play immediately instead of sitting out for a year. Joe Burrow and Russell Wilson were both grad transfers, for example (some guys also graduate after four years but have an extra year of eligibility from a red shirt year and transfer out for a fifth year).

That hasn't happened much historically in NCAA hockey, but grad transfers are increasing and anecdotally it looks like there are more now than ever. Generally these guys aren't good prospects (otherwise they'd be turning pro rather than looking to transfer for a fourth season), but it is becoming more of a common thing.

It's easy now. Guys can just go to a website, the NCAA transfer portal, and enter themselves in there. It's self-service and much easier to do than in the past.

EDIT: I just did a search. Just recently you had Todd Burgess, 4th round pick by Ottawa, going as a grad transfer from RPI to MN-Mankato after three years. Sean Dhooghe is going from Wisconsin to ASU after three years and a redshirt/injury year as a Freshman. I also found an NCAA report that said over the past several years that grad transfers went 1-1-1-2-4-5 (through 2019), whereas football had 220+ and basketball had 120+. So still rare, but on the rise. I'm sure we would have seen more this year if not for the uncertainty with who will actually be playing NCAA seasons.

 

[Ghost of jas]

I’m really getting acquainted with the idea of going with the boom potential of Perreault. That skill level is really hard for me to pass up:

 

[Edge]

This is the first time I checked off every “need” on that draft sim. No idea if any of these kids are good lol.

‪(1) Alexis Lafreniere, LW‬
‪(23) Tyson Foerster, C‬
‪(72) Jaromir Pytlik, C‬
‪(86) Carson Bantle, LW‬
‪(103) Yevgeni Oksentyuk, RW/LW‬
‪(134) Juuso Maenpaa, C‬
‪(165) Ethan Edwards, LD‬
‪(196) Bogdan Trineyev, RW‬
‪(197) Jake Boltmann, RD‬
‪(205) Vsevolod Skotnikov, G‬

It's solid. Pytlik has some nice growth potential that doesn't always get talked about.

The challenge I see is the whole position debate we've talked about. Already Foerster is someone who is being mentioned as a potential candidate to stick on the wings long-term.

So while the sim gives you credit for him as a center, that might not be the case in the real world.

 

[Fugazy]

GARRIOCH: The Ottawa Senators won’t be moving their No. 3 and No. 5 selections

Well we can put that one to bed.

I'm very happy to hear that.

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

What about Jan Mysak with the Carolina pick? One of the youngest prospects, Czech, a center (sounds like Chytil already), did very well during his half-year in the OHL.

 

[UnSandvich]

What about Jan Mysak with the Carolina pick? One of the youngest prospects, Czech, a center (sounds like Chytil already), did very well during his half-year in the OHL.

I personally would love to get Mysak with the CAR pick. Better numbers in the Czech league as well as U16's and U18's compared to Chytil, then came over and put up 25 pts in 22 games in the OHL (7th leaguewide in pts/GP among U18's). Great skater too

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

Who do you like more: Guhle or Schneider?

 

[Joey Bones]

I always assumed he had a 1B/2A center potential. If he doesn’t I’d prefer someone with higher upside like Perreault or maybe Lapierre.

Well you have to keep in mind that he's two months away from being in next year's draft. He's got a lot of potential in that regard and a longer time to develop in that case. The Rangers could easily wait on him like they are currently doing with Karl Henriksson.

I'm not so worried about the shot aspect (because I could see him grinding his way to pot home goals), however it's his strength and muscle build that will be key on his pro success. I think he has a very well rounded skating technique where he can already fend off opponents fighting for the puck. If he bulks up, he will rarely lose a puck battle. He's smart enough, too, to find the open spaces and maneuver accordingly.

Although I don't see a first line center in his projection, I do see a very serviceable second line center who could fill in anywhere in the lineup. He could be the ultimate Swiss army knife player that will help provide depth for playoff teams.

 

[CaptTennille]

Who do you like more: Guhle or Schneider?

Guhle, although I'm not so sure he's a lock to be a second pair defender like others make him out to be.

 

[Gardner McKay]

Here is my question... and it is a serious one. Who is the guy (or two) that on the morning of October 9th, we have hyped through the roof as the person we should take with the Carolina pick, only to have the Rangers pass on him when he is available?

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Here is my question... and it is a serious one. Who is the guy (or two) that on the morning of October 9th, we have hyped through the roof as the person we should take with the Carolina pick, only to have the Rangers pass on him when he is available?

Jarvis probably won't be there but if he was, that would be the answer lol

If Mysak was there with their pick and they didn't take him, I'd be pissed personally

 

[cwede]

Here is my question... and it is a serious one. Who is the guy (or two) that on the morning of October 9th, we have hyped through the roof as the person we should take with the Carolina pick, only to have the Rangers pass on him when he is available?

we've probably seen a dozen names already, and it likely will happen
many folks didn't foresee Lias, Chytil, Krav or Nils at their 1st round slots

 

[Joey Bones]

I also ran a draft sim, got Pitlick early 3rd round, could have taken Nybeck with the second 3rd rounder, took Shakir Mukhmadullin, who was also there in the third. Idk why. Peterson in the fourth round.

It feels like 30 players jumped up in the rankings. Crazy.

Oof would've absolutely taken Nybeck over Mukhamadullin. Shakir makes some pretty bad decisions and loses one-on-ones with opposing forwards too often. Nybeck has a chance to be an absolute steal in his vision alone. Nybeck is an early 2nd rounder, IMO.

 

[Joey Bones]

Apoligies as I'm sure this has been posted a ton previously. But how is Carolina's 1st shaping up provided they get knocked out by Boston?

There are a number of potential upsets that may happen so I assuming we want to see as many higher seeded teams get knocked out as possible for the Carolina pick to be higher?

If they get knocked out by Boston, the pick will be between No. 20 and 24. The placement will also depend on lower point totaled teams moving onto the next rounds.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Oof would've absolutely taken Nybeck over Mukhamadullin. Shakir makes some pretty bad decisions and loses one-on-ones with opposing forwards too often. Nybeck has a chance to be an absolute steal in his vision alone. Nybeck is an early 2nd rounder, IMO.

Yeah, I kinda felt that was the wrong pick there. Anyhow if Pitlik actually dropped to the 3rd rd. I'd want him there. Could become a solid bottom-6 player.

 

[Joey Bones]

Regarding rink size, the KHL announced this last year August

So according to that tweet the KHL teams to have an NHL sized rink are Admiral Vladivostok, Amur Khabarovsk, Barys Nur-Sultan, Dynamo Moskva, SKA and HK Sochi.

The teams in the middle should just make it smaller. No point to have a 28 x 60....

 

[Ola]

Oof would've absolutely taken Nybeck over Mukhamadullin. Shakir makes some pretty bad decisions and loses one-on-ones with opposing forwards too often. Nybeck has a chance to be an absolute steal in his vision alone. Nybeck is an early 2nd rounder, IMO.

Yeah, from my limited viewpoint, this is where this draft could be really strong, maybe especially early 2nd round but there could be some lag all the way into the 3rd round. First of all there is a lot of depth. Second of all, I do not for a second believe that all teams will be as prepared come draft day as they would have been if the season wasn't cut short. Kushnutdinov. Nybeck. Andrae. There are many really intriguing talents that could be available in that range.

If Gorton can turn Carolina's pick into a late 1st and a 2nd round pick, I definitely think he should consider it.

 

[Joey Bones]

I think as much as I’d like to see a swing on Marat or Foerster at 23 I think Guhle will be available and the Rangers wont think twice. Guhle is a solid pick there that doesnt move the needle for me at all but something I know improves our defense.

Guhle reminds me of Brendan Smith so much. Not sure if I like that with NYR's second 1st rounder. I, also, think a team will snag Guhle way before then anyways.

 

[Joey Bones]

What about Jan Mysak with the Carolina pick? One of the youngest prospects, Czech, a center (sounds like Chytil already), did very well during his half-year in the OHL.

Solid pickup defensively. Knows where to be, has an active stick and IQ to read the play for a breakout. Although he does possess a beautiful wrist shot for the juniors game, especially off a one-time, I do question the offensive upside in the pros. His skating style is definitely goofy, but it's still effective. Needs work on that extra gear, though. It could be sluggish at times.

I think, ATM, he could have a solid middle-6 career in a similar mold to old timer Ruslan Fedotenko, however, I have seen people compare him to Tomas Tatar as his ceiling (mind you these are stylistic standpoints).

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

And because others are posting their mocks, I just did one. Feel free to let me have it

‪1. Alexis Lafreniere, LW‬
‪24. Marat Khusnutdinov, C
‪72. Eamon Powell, RD
‪85. Joel Blomqvist, G
‪103. Oskar Magnusson, C
‪134. Blake Biondi, C
‪165. Carsen Richels, RW
‪196. Oliver Tarnstrom, C
‪197. Adam Wilsby, LD
‪206. Pavel Tyutnev, C/W