Draft 2020 Draft & Undrafted Free Agent Thread: Part VI

[bl02]

If he doesn't, it's for one of two reasons:

1. He intentionally takes a discount to stay in St Louis
2. COVID drops the market enough that his best offer is below 8m

I was thinking the latter but can see both and the flat cap albeit there are some teams who do have cap space.

 

[Barnaby]

Oh!!!

3rd round: Eamon Powell
4th round: Antonio Stranges/Joel Blomqvist/Alex Laferriere
5th round: Samuel Johannesson/Dmitri Sheshin
6th/7th round: Adam Wilsby/Zach Uens/Lassi Lehtinen

I don’t know a thing about him, but I really want to root for a guy named Lassi Lehtinen.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I don’t know a thing about him, but I really want to root for a guy named Lassi Lehtinen.

I forgot to mention Gunnarwolfe Fontaine

 

[B17 Apricots]

I don't thinking "rushing" players is something we really have a problem with. I mean you could say Howden was rushed, but despite the fact that he f***ing sucks the organization seems to like him. I don't think any of us will every really fully understand the org's thing with him.

Otherwise, who else, really? I mean people bitched endlessly about how we handled JT Miller and Chris Kreider. Making them go back and learn rather than trial by fire in the NHL. I can't really think of anyone over the past decade or so where I thought, "Man, we blew it by moving that guy as quickly as we did."

I actually think we've been on the conservative side if you look at the last 20 years or so.

Honestly I wasn't huge on having Kravstov come so young but he was vocal about coming to NA... and his KHL team was garbage, so that ones kinda eh. Chytil did fine, Andersson did fine, his handling when he got to the NHL was a debacle. Like you mentioned, as of recently, Howden should've gotten time in the minors and the one I really did not like was bringing Kovacs over that quick.

 

[eco's bones]

0 chance they sign Hall, lol. Even if they had the cap space.

Pietrangelo, now he would be an interesting target, but I think no as well due to the cap, unfortunately.

Well Pietrangelo is 30 and will want a 7 year deal if he leaves St. Louis. He's a right D. We already have a younger Trouba signed to that kind of term--we also have no real need for an RD even if he's one of the better ones around. Rangers have Trouba, DeAngelo, Fox and Lundkvist. The closest to him in age is Trouba who is 4 years younger. The position is not a need of ours--it's as simple as that.

When the Rangers signed Panarin last year I was all for it but I also thought at the time that would be the last deal like that for us for a while and with at least 3 years of flat cap coming up it doesn't make sense for us to go out on a limb for a player we don't really need.

 

[nyr2k2]

Honestly I wasn't huge on having Kravstov come so young but he was vocal about coming to NA... and his KHL team was garbage, so that ones kinda eh. Chytil did fine, Andersson did fine, his handling when he got to the NHL was a debacle. Like you mentioned, as of recently, Howden should've gotten time in the minors and the one I really did not like was bringing Kovacs over that quick.

Yeah, Kovacs is a good example as well. I went back and looked at all of our other draft picks and couldn't really see any glaring examples in the past 15 or so years. I mean there are situations like Grachev where people will argue he should have spent another year in junior, but that's debatable and honestly he just wasn't that good.

I think the idea that we tend to rush our prospects is purely myth.

 

[mas0764]

Thoughts on Vietti Miettinen?

 

[Joey Bones]

What do you guys think of Lafreniere’s skating? Some scouting reports criticize his skating, which is a little disheartening as everyone has already complained about how slow Kakko was in his rookie season. Kinda wish we had Hughes with Laf instead of Kakko. But others say he is a great skater. He only earned a 6 out of 9 from HockeyProspect.com on skating.

Here’s one that says he’s good:
Skating

Lafreniere is a very good skater. He has very good speed, and pairs that with a stride that provides excellent acceleration and power. Lafreniere has a strong lower body, giving him excellent balance and making him tough to knock off the puck. He can fight through checks when carrying the puck and also wins battles along the boards. Lafreniere also has excellent agility and edgework. His ability to change directions allows him to fool defenders in one-on-one situations.

Then this scouting report is pretty harsh on him:

2020 NHL Draft prospect profile: Alexis Lafreniere scouting report

Yeah, that scouting report is nonsense. He's got a strong lower body which will only get more defined as he grows and develops. Not only that, but he has the determination to hustle on plays forwards and back. He showed that in Worlds. He'll be fine.

 

[Joey Bones]

So, besides Laf, who is the prospect that we have a legitimate chance of getting that you guys most want the Rangers to take

It really depends on who is there. I would love for Jarvis, Mercer or Amirov to be there at No. 21-24, but realistically I could see Holloway, Gunler, Schneider, Peterka and Khusnutdinov. I wouldn't mind Zary, Brisson or Perreault there either.

 

[bl02]

It really depends on who is there. I would love for Jarvis, Mercer or Amirov to be there at No. 21-24, but realistically I could see Holloway, Gunler, Schneider, Peterka and Khusnutdinov. I wouldn't mind Zary, Brisson or Perreault there either.

How far off would guys these guys be specifically if Rangers go "need" in Zary/Khusnutdinov. 2 years? 3 years?
I think out of all those guys only Mercer would be a year or less away.

 

[Joey Bones]

I read a piece on The Athletic about Veeti Miettinen. He seems like an intriguing pick in the later rounds. Do any of our draft experts here have an opinion on him?

Yeah I like him. He was being ranked as a 1st rounder early in the year, but dropped. Probably for the lack of pro experience. But he's got a decent first step and is quite shifty for being smaller. Definitely needs to get faster, though. Loves to shoot the puck and has pretty good vision to find slots and seems. I like the fact he is going the NCAA route because he does need to get tougher and get acclimated for the NHL game. Would need a while to develop. He'd be a project.

 

[Joey Bones]

Is Brady Skjei a good pro comparison to Kaiden Guhle?

No, I think Brendan Smith is a better comparison (and that's if the offense doesn't translate).

 

[Joey Bones]

No.

Guhle is still pretty raw and thin but he skates and defends well and has some untapped offensive potential. Prince Albert was the best defensive team in the CHL which can give you some pause because you have to stop an question how much of him excelling was due to the system he plays in, but still he was THE top D on that team so it's not like he was taking lighter assignments.

He's got a cannon of a shot too. He will go pretty high.

He did still lose some of his assignments to make that big hit or jump up in a play. His decision making is what I don't like with him at times.

 

[Joey Bones]

Ya but we don’t even know when the season is gonna officially start or if it even will

yeah Jan 1 seems likely but who knows what the f*** is going on here when the time comes

They were talking a start date being December 2, IIRC....

 

[Joey Bones]

An Oiler fan posted #14 overall for Georgiev and our Skjei pick (23ish). I think that is very fair. I know there will be some very good players at 23ish but to possibly move up and legit be able to grab a Lundell/Mercer/Jarvis?!
Can you imagine coming out of this draft with Lafreniere and Mercer? Holy crap. A month ago I would have been happy with just Mercer. Two gamers with legit high end skill.

I might have to do that if Lundell, Mercer or Jarvis is there (or anyone else in that top 10)....

 

[1Knee1T]

Yeah I like him. He was being ranked as a 1st rounder early in the year, but dropped. Probably for the lack of pro experience. But he's got a decent first step and is quite shifty for being smaller. Definitely needs to get faster, though. Loves to shoot the puck and has pretty good vision to find slots and seems. I like the fact he is going the NCAA route because he does need to get tougher and get acclimated for the NHL game. Would need a while to develop. He'd be a project.

That all sounds like a nice late round swing to me. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Joey Bones]

I rather draft Khusnutdinov over Lundell. I think Khusnutdinov will be the better player. Khusnutdinov Is boom or bust while Lundell is safer with not such a high upside. Honestly, I think Lundell will be a 3C that is good defensively.

I want the prospect that can be a strong 2C candidate.

Yeah, no.

Lundell has been one of the best Finnish prospects to come from the country ever. The only safe thing about him is that he will, at the very least, be a 3C. He has the potential to be an elite defensive 1C and still pot home points. Khusnutdinov has more of the boom/bust. Even then, I think he tops out as a 2C. There is a lot to like with Khusnutdinov, but there is very little pro experience and has primarily played in junior ranks. Lundell has been playing pro hockey for two years already and is an assistant captain with HIFK as an 18 year old.

If you want the player who has a better 2c upside, it's Lundell EASY....

 

[Joey Bones]

To your point, Bergevin said that in this draft, drafting 9th or 45th, the players are of the same caliber...

Shh... Let him keep thinking that!!

 

[Joey Bones]

How far off would guys these guys be specifically if Rangers go "need" in Zary/Khusnutdinov. 2 years? 3 years?
I think out of all those guys only Mercer would be a year or less away.

Khusnutdinov is probably the one who might be 3-4 years. He still hasn't played pro hockey yet and needs to beef up. Zary could take one year if he works on his stride. Otherwise, I could see 2-3 years for him. I think Mercer also develops 1-2 years for the offensive confidence. Don't want to rush some of these guys.

 

[Joey Bones]

That all sounds like a nice late round swing to me. Thanks for the reply!

Definitely agree!!

 

[Joey Bones]

*Lundell lacks offensive upside*

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Yeah, no.

Lundell has been one of the best Finnish prospects to come from the country ever. The only safe thing about him is that he will, at the very least, be a 3C. He has the potential to be an elite defensive 1C and still pot home points. Khusnutdinov has more of the boom/bust. Even then, I think he tops out as a 2C. There is a lot to like with Khusnutdinov, but there is very little pro experience and has primarily played in junior ranks. Lundell has been playing pro hockey for two years already and is an assistant captain with HIFK as an 18 year old.

If you want the player who has a better 2c upside, it's Lundell EASY....

I think Kushnutdinov absolutely has 1C potential but there is a ton of work that he needs to do to get there.

Lundell is much more likely to hit his ceiling than Kushnutdinov is. Lundell is already man strong and has done well in a pro league as you mentioned. I don't think his ceiling is as high but hes very much an NHL player (or reallly close) already. There is a reason why one is almost universally ranked inside of the top 15 and the other isn't. Lundell may even go in the top 10 where as I don't think Kushnutdinov goes in the top 20.

The only names that have been discussed here as options with the Carolina pick or in a trade up situation who I'd take over Lundell (if he were to fall that far) are Jarvis and Mercer.

 

[Joey Bones]

I think Kushnutdinov absolutely has 1C potential but there is a ton of work that he needs to do to get there.

Lundell is much more likely to hit his ceiling than Kushnutdinov is. Lundell is already man strong and has done well in a pro league as you mentioned. I don't think his ceiling is as high but hes very much an NHL player (or reallly close) already. There is a reason why one is almost universally ranked inside of the top 15 and the other isn't. Lundell may even go in the top 10 where as I don't think Kushnutdinov goes in the top 20.

The only names that have been discussed here as options with the Carolina pick or in a trade up situation who I'd take over Lundell (if he were to fall that far) are Jarvis and Mercer.

Love the new avatar bud!!

But yeah, Lundell has done so much already to show more for the NHL game than Khusnutdinov. I'm rooting for him to be a 1C, but seeing the size and skill compared to potential line up matches a 1C gets, it's hard to see Khusnutdinov being able to do much. That's why I see a 2C being his ceiling. His offense, strength and overall game needs to further develop. MHL points and play don't stand too high on a pedestal. Needs to get KHL time, but it looks good now.

I truly think Lundell is going to go in the top 10, might even go in the top 5. I think a lot of teams will salivate for a potential defensive 1C stud and seeing that he is an assistant captain for HIFK at 18 and producing strong performances in preseason is something that'll benefit his rise.

 

[Synergy27]

Pretty serious Reichel hype train rolling thru the main prospects forum right now. A lot of people assess him as better than Stutzle. Is he more of a top half of the first round pick at this point?

 

[Edge]

Yeah, that scouting report is nonsense. He's got a strong lower body which will only get more defined as he grows and develops. Not only that, but he has the determination to hustle on plays forwards and back. He showed that in Worlds. He'll be fine.

One of my big problems with how some people rate skating is that they pretty much focus on straight-ahead speed. In other words, can a prospect blow by the competition?

I always thought that was misleading because unless you’re one of the fastest straight ahead guys in the sport, you’re just not going to be blowing by people in a straight line at the highest levels. That’s a big difference between the pros and junior leagues, and a significant reason why some kids struggle to adjust.

Even if you could blow by guys, you still have to be able to handle the puck at those speeds and make the right the decisions.

For me, skating is also about strength on your skates, balancing, edge work, and the ability to maneuver in spaces that close very quickly. Lafreniere does all of that exceptionally well.

Now could he tweak his skating to get even better? Sure. But I don’t think it’ll be an issue.

The book on Lafreniere is that you have to catch him. That’s not easy, because he just wiggles around the ice and makes defenders look like they went out of position to chase him. A lot of times they don’t, he just isn’t there when they try to corner him.

Then, in the off-chance you do catch him, you still have to separate him from the puck. He’s hard to knock off the biscuit because he’s strong on his skates with excellent balance. And even then, there’s still the challenge of dealing with his puck handling. There are times it looks like the puck is tethered to his stick like a magnet.

No, Lafreniere isn’t going to remind anyone of McDavid blazing by opponents out there. But he does possess an almost Saquon Barkley like ability to move as if he has an overhead video game view of the competition, and as if he’s mastered the analog stick and knows how to exploit the game.