Draft 2020 Draft & Undrafted Free Agent Thread: Part VI

[True Blue]

Joel Blomqvist in the 3rd is a quality pick. 9/10 I end up with Blomqvist and Powell in the 3rd

That would be a terrific 3rd round

 

[aufheben]

I would expect Buffalo, LA, and Ottawa to pick up the phone. And I'll throw a dark horse out there that I've heard --- Colorado.

Now again, I don't think anything comes of it, but I can't rule it out completely right now.

Greedy bastards.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Yes, in fact I think the only way to get it is through a subscription. EP sucks, they never have any discounted sign up periods, and they put out verrrrry little free content. The Athletic had discounts all the time and was always making article free. EP, I didn't really know what I was getting. It's been a mixed bag.

I recently cancelled my EP sub and started a free trial with the Athletic.

Been reading Pornman's 2020-21 organizational rankings. He's up to 13 today (LA). Interested to see where the Rangers land.

 

[True Blue]

I would expect Buffalo, LA, and Ottawa to pick up the phone. And I'll throw a dark horse out there that I've heard --- Colorado.

Now again, I don't think anything comes of it, but I can't rule it out completely right now.

Honestly, you would need to be looking at a Lindros trade type of components that Colorado received. And frankly taking back some salary as well.

Though wouldn't that be some sort of poetic justice if Colorado was to take on the role of the Flyers and the Rangers the role of the 'Lanche?

 

[Leetch3]

Other than the Senators I just can’t see who can offer enough value to be worth trading a surefire #1 pick who is on an entry level deal for 3 years. That’s basically the most valuable asset in the league to have. Even the Senators would only be able to trade a few question marks, besides the fact that Melnyk has said they’re not trading 3 and 5 (and even if that’s just posturing, I can’t see him swapping 2 cost controlled assets for 1).

I don't think anyone would offer enough to make us trade the pick but I'd definitely put the Kings in the mix as a potential since we'd only consider it if the rangers LOVE byfield so the kings have assets to try to trade from 2 to 1. but I think the changes are extremely small

 

[eco's bones]

Don't lie. You wanted the dad.

What is this....me said, you said?

 

[TheBPA]

I would expect Buffalo, LA, and Ottawa to pick up the phone. And I'll throw a dark horse out there that I've heard --- Colorado.

Now again, I don't think anything comes of it, but I can't rule it out completely right now.

I’m going to rule it out for myself because none of the pieces those teams can offer are at the level of lafreniere. High end talent is the hardest thing to get and we don’t need to trade the sure thing for a combination of lesser assets.

the closest I suppose would be LA with the #2 and Turcotte maybe, but Byram+ or Cozens + #8 don’t really do it for me.

 

[Edge]

I’m going to rule it out for myself because none of the pieces those teams can offer are at the level of lafreniere. High end talent is the hardest thing to get and we don’t need to trade the sure thing for a combination of lesser assets.

the closest I suppose would be LA with the #2 and Turcotte maybe, but Byram+ or Cozens + #8 don’t really do it for me.

Like I said, long-shot at best.

But I also can't rule out someone like Buffalo floating the question, "What would you give me for Eichel."

As crazy as that sounds, I don't think it's as off the board as we might think.

 

[TheBPA]

Like I said, long-shot at best.

But I also can't rule out someone like Buffalo floating the question, "What would you give me for Eichel."

As crazy as that sounds, I don't think it's as off the board as we might think.

Yeah even then...Eichel is a great player, but are you trading Lafreniere and Mika for him? I don’t think I am.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Yeah even then...Eichel is a great player, but are you trading Lafreniere and Mika for him? I don’t think I am.

I have a hard time trading 1st overall straight up for Eichel. The value is in those ELC years, and getting a 23-year old Eichel at 10m a year is nice, but not the best value in that trade

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

I have a hard time trading 1st overall straight up for Eichel. The value is in those ELC years, and getting a 23-year old Eichel at 10m a year is nice, but not the best value in that trade

It would be so dumb to trade it IMO

 

[Edge]

Yeah even then...Eichel is a great player, but are you trading Lafreniere and Mika for him? I don’t think I am.

Me personally? No, I'm not.

It's one of those things where there's what I can say what I would do, and what I can't say for certain the Rangers will do.

I'm also in the boat of keeping the Canes first round pick rather than trading it for help right now, but I'd probably give that 50/50 odds.

 

[TheBPA]

I have a hard time trading 1st overall straight up for Eichel. The value is in those ELC years, and getting a 23-year old Eichel at 10m a year is nice, but not the best value in that trade

Agreed, that’s why I don’t see how we won’t be taking Lafreniere.

 

[Edge]

Look, whether the board wants to hear or not, the Rangers have not told other teams a flat "No" when it's come up, and most people around the league don't view it as a certainty right now.

Everyone's in near universal agreement it would take a mega-deal to make it happen, but no one outside or within the organization thinks it is a certainty at this time.

I could debate until I'm blue in the face why the Rangers shouldn't go that route, but I'm not the one making that decision.

There's not much more I can say beyond that really.

 

[TheBPA]

Look, whether the board wants to hear or not, the Rangers have not told other teams a flat "No" when it's come up, and most people around the league don't view it as a certainty right now.

Everyone's in near universal agreement it would take a mega-deal to make it happen, but no one outside or within the organization thinks it is a certainty at this time.

I could debate until I'm blue in the face why the Rangers shouldn't go that route, but I'm not the one making that decision.

There's not much more I can say beyond that really.

Fair enough. I agree on both items. Trying not to get too attached to the guys who might be available in the low 20’s because it seems like there’s a high probability of that one being moved.

 

[Edge]

It would be so dumb to trade it IMO

And for the record, I really want to emphasize that I would take Lafreniere, keep the Canes pick and just roll with the draft.

I think production on an ELC is invaluable, I think there's a lot of uncertainty right now and we should take the prospects over most contracts that are likely to be out there this summer, and I think we should trade young talent as as the need/opportunity arises and after things settle down a bit.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

The pick won’t be traded. No team is that desperate for Lafreniere that they would give up the insane price it would take. Not even Montreal, who would be more inclined to covet a Québécois superstar. But they don’t have the assets.

 

[Edge]

Once the Canes pick is set in stone, I think we should do a board mock draft where we vote for the picks after Lafreniere. Then when we get to the Canes pick, everyone votes on who they'd take.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

And for the record, I really want to emphasize, that I would take Lafreniere, keep the Canes pick and just roll with the draft.

I think production on an ELC is invaluable, I think there's a lot of uncertainty right now and we should take the prospects over most contracts that are likely to be out there this summer, and I think we should trade young talent as as the need/opportunity arises and after things settle down a bit.

I've been trying to think of scenarios where I'd be willing to trade Lafreniere, and I really can't think of any that I'd be ok with. The only one I'd begrudging do is for McDavid and why would Edmonton ever do that? Like, I'd sooner trade Kakko for nothing than trade Lafreniere for, say, 3+5+Chabot+Tkachuk or 2+Turcotte+Kupari+Vilardi or whatever the Kings could possibly come up with

 

[Matt Rentfree]

Joel Blomqvist in the 3rd is a quality pick. 9/10 I end up with Blomqvist and Powell in the 3rd

I like Powell as well though I usually end up with one of Evangelista (who I'm very high on, but I'm super biased towards players on the London Knights)/Cuylle and Blomqvist.

 

[Edge]

I've been trying to think of scenarios where I'd be willing to trade Lafreniere, and I really can't think of any that I'd be ok with. The only one I'd begrudging do is for McDavid and why would Edmonton ever do that? Like, I'd sooner trade Kakko for nothing than trade Lafreniere for, say, 3+5+Chabot+Tkachuk or 2+Turcotte+Kupari+Vilardi or whatever the Kings could possibly come up with

I would pass at this point.

But when you look at those Ottawa/LA "stupid-crazy" kind of offers, I honestly don't know how the Rangers would react.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

I would pass at this point.

But when you look at those Ottawa/LA "stupid-crazy" kind of offers, I honestly don't know how the Rangers would react.

Yeah, I think with the team as it is right now, and what Lafreniere offers, there's nothing that's a better fit/more valuable than taking him and going home. They wouldn't even need to take another pick to leave the draft as the clear winner. I know their job is to listen and consider everything, but man, I'd be real mad if they traded that pick

 

[Leetch3]

Look, whether the board wants to hear or not, the Rangers have not told other teams a flat "No" when it's come up, and most people around the league don't view it as a certainty right now.

Everyone's in near universal agreement it would take a mega-deal to make it happen, but no one outside or within the organization thinks it is a certainty at this time.

I could debate until I'm blue in the face why the Rangers shouldn't go that route, but I'm not the one making that decision.

There's not much more I can say beyond that really.

they would be foolish to flat out say no. even if they are 100% set on picking Lafreniere they gain nothing by not listening to offers. there is always a chance that some team makes some crazy offer that they can't refuse...people need to remember that listening to offers isn't the same as trying to move the pick.

 

[Trxjw]

Firmly in the take Laf camp but I can at least understand the logic in something around Eichel. You're getting a franchise player in the deal who is still pretty young and is locked up at a term that could very well be cheaper than what Zibanejad would ask for in a couple years if he keeps producing like he has. I can also at least see the angle from a Buffalo perspective if Eichel is really that unhappy there and the Pegula's are looking to shed money. I just have a hard time seeing it trumping the value of a franchise talent on an ELC for a team with a lot of big money commitments ahead of them.

Same with Ottawa. I can see the logic in a deal and why they might have an incentive to do offer something silly. There's a huge marketing windfall if they added Laf to the mix. Especially with the deal for a new arena in LeBreton Flats slipping away. Laf is not only a marketing win for the Sens but a potentially significant economic boost to Ottawa as a whole.

Can't see why LA would entertain it. Sure, they have a bunch of centers in the pipeline but that's not even a problem, let alone a problem that would justify the cost to move up.

Colorado is an interesting one but it just seems greedy on their part. From our perspective you're not getting one of their top-tier guys and they've been absolute dog shit at drafting outside of the top-10 for the last decade. So who is there to offer? Byram? Great prospect but not enough on his own. Newhook? A great addition to Byram but doesn't move the needle on Laf for me. That's basically the end of the list.

 

[Edge]

they would be foolish to flat out say no. even if they are 100% set on picking Lafreniere they gain nothing by not listening to offers. there is always a chance that some team makes some crazy offer that they can't refuse...people need to remember that listening to offers isn't the same as trying to move the pick.

And I think that concept is where we may have some wiggle room (and some debate on here).

Some people would say yes, but figure it will never happen. Some people say no, under any circumstance.

I'm not entirely convinced the Rangers don't fall into the former rather than the latter.