Draft 2020 Draft & Undrafted Free Agent Thread: Part VII

[bl02]

I know his popularity has diminished around here but I actually see Gunler as one of the safest forward prospects who could end up in the 22 range. He became a very different player in the SHL last season compared to the sniper reputation he built in u20. He was trusted defensively and showed the makings of a complete player. He’s got size, speed, and can score. Seems like a great fit for the Rangers. He stuck on a strong Lulea team and we watched plenty of him following Lundkvist.

I know we want a center but I’m not convinced any of Holloway, Mercer, or Khusnutdinov end up in the middle.

He seems to be the most polarizing first rounder. Some have him in the top 8 and others mid 20's. Honestly don't know what to think anymore about Gunler.

 

[bl02]

I know his popularity has diminished around here but I actually see Gunler as one of the safest forward prospects who could end up in the 22 range. He became a very different player in the SHL last season compared to the sniper reputation he built in u20. He was trusted defensively and showed the makings of a complete player. He’s got size, speed, and can score. Seems like a great fit for the Rangers. He stuck on a strong Lulea team and we watched plenty of him following Lundkvist.

I know we want a center but I’m not convinced any of Holloway, Mercer, or Khusnutdinov end up in the middle.

I would take him over Holloway/Khusnutdinov but no way over Mercer.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Been watching some Stutzle highlights and i'm sold. 1st Overall lets do it.

 

[egelband]

What does this years Goalie crop look like?

NYR have taken 1 Goalie in the last 3 years, and that was Olof Lindbolm....I’d be certain that we take one by the end of R4.

Not sure why R4, but you make a good point. It stands to reason the Rangers would draft a goalie.

 

[egelband]

Been watching some Stutzle highlights and i'm sold. 1st Overall lets do it.

Smart. Take Lafreniere with 22. Get them both.

 

[eco's bones]

I’ll tell you this much, if by some weird chance DraftSim correctly predicts either Jarvis or Mercer being in on the board at 22, this board should host a Zoom Happy Hour celebration. Because that’s already an “A+” draft without any other picks taking place.

I don't see any way that Jarvis or Mercer are around at 22. If the Rangers are going to have a shot at either one of them will have to fall into the late teens and the Rangers will have to intervene. With all the talk of needing a center or someone who can play center at 22 I don't think I move up for a guy like Amirov. I might take him though if he's at 22. Askarov would have to fall past Carolina and Chicago---??!?!!--to move up using Georgiev to get him would be an interesting maneuver and I'd be very alright with it. We're going to have elite forwards--we have defenders who have gotten their feet wet or are on their way. Having two stud goalies would mean for opposition teams there would be no easy nights.

 

[Edge]

I don't see any way that Jarvis or Mercer are around at 22. If the Rangers are going to have a shot at either one of them will have to fall into the late teens and the Rangers will have to intervene. With all the talk of needing a center or someone who can play center at 22 I don't think I move up for a guy like Amirov. I might take him though if he's at 22. Askarov would have to fall past Carolina and Chicago---??!?!!--to move up using Georgiev to get him would be an interesting maneuver and I'd be very alright with it. We're going to have elite forwards--we have defenders who have gotten their feet wet or are on their way. Having two stud goalies would mean for opposition teams there would be no easy nights.

I would be shocked, seriously shocked, if either was there at 22. My "best hope" is that one of them is sitting there at 17 and Chicago likes Georgiev.

I think the odds of them staying at 22 are the highest. I also can't shake the thought of Lapierre being a wildcard selection for them based on his skill, his position, and the fact that the Rangers have brought in a lot of young talent in recent years.

On a related note, anyone else find that the Rangers have the 22nd pick on the mobile version of Draft Sim, but the 23rd pick in the desktop version?

 

[Leetch3]

rather than using georgiev to move up in the draft. any chance we could try to get multiple 2nds for him to help add depth to our system? ottawa has 4 2nds this year and 3 next year, wings have 3 2nds this year and 2 next. I think they both need a future goalie?

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I would assume Askarov doesn't make it past 20

If for some reason a team like Chicago doesn't take him, New Jersey would be foolish to not take a shot with him at either 18 or 20.

 

[nsvoyageurs]

I would take him over Holloway/Khusnutdinov but no way over Mercer.

If Gunler were available with the 2nd 1st rd pick and they stay at 22, I would not be upset with that selection. I guess he may not be the most coachable, maybe attitude/maturity issues, but if put in the right situation, he could possibly grow out of that. Definitely has the size, skill and the skating isn't bad.

 

[Edge]

I would assume Askarov doesn't make it past 20

If for some reason a team like Chicago doesn't take him, New Jersey would be foolish to not take a shot with him at either 18 or 20.

New Jersey and Ottawa are both in prime positions to take some big swings in this draft.

Could disrupt people's expectations a bit.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

If Gunler were available with the 2nd 1st rd pick and they stay at 22, I would not be upset with that selection. I guess he may not be the most coachable, maybe attitude/maturity issues, but if put in the right situation, he could possibly grow out of that. Definitely has the size, skill and the skating isn't bad.

These rumors about him being uncoachable or having attitude issues are overblown and not shared by his current coaching staff in Luleå.

 

[Edge]

He seems to be the most polarizing first rounder. Some have him in the top 8 and others mid 20's. Honestly don't know what to think anymore about Gunler.

I think he's a guy who fans are consistently higher than scouts. And that helps McKenzie's rankings make sense.

 

[Polar Bear]

Been watching some Stutzle highlights and i'm sold. 1st Overall lets do it.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Gunler confuses me.

His feet are (or were, maybe they've improved over the break) god awful though.

 

[nsvoyageurs]

These rumors about him being uncoachable or having attitude issues are overblown and not shared by his current coaching staff in Luleå.

Thanks for the clarification. I know those rumours have been out for a while; who put out those reports and who the "sources" are I don't know.

Still, I wouldn't be upset if Gunler is the pick at 22 (or later); I would favour him over some of the names mentioned here. He's an intriguing player.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Gunler confuses me.

His feet are (or were, maybe they've improved over the break) god awful though.

What I really like about Gunler is his ability to cause turnovers. He doesn't shy away from going into the dirty areas and win those puck battles, even if it means he's unable to join the rush. Something that's lacking from Raymond's game from what I have seen.

 

[eco's bones]

I would be shocked, seriously shocked, if either was there at 22. My "best hope" is that one of them is sitting there at 17 and Chicago likes Georgiev.

I think the odds of them staying at 22 are the highest. I also can't shake the thought of Lapierre being a wildcard selection for them based on his skill, his position, and the fact that the Rangers have brought in a lot of young talent in recent years.

On a related note, anyone else find that the Rangers have the 22nd pick on the mobile version of Draft Sim, but the 23rd pick in the desktop version?

On my laptop we're at 22.

Besides the injuries Lapierre doesn't score goals. Got to pot goals now and again if only to keep the opposition honest. I'd rather someone else take the chance on him. If we're talking about Quebec leaguers after Lafreniere---it's Mercer or bust. Between centers Bourque and Lapierre--I'd take Bourque.

 

[JohnC]

If Gunler were available with the 2nd 1st rd pick and they stay at 22, I would not be upset with that selection. I guess he may not be the most coachable, maybe attitude/maturity issues, but if put in the right situation, he could possibly grow out of that. Definitely has the size, skill and the skating isn't bad.

We’ve certainly had no issues with players that have attitude/maturity issues in recent times.

 

[CaptTennille]

Gunler confuses me.

His feet are (or were, maybe they've improved over the break) god awful though.

I feel like despite looking a bit awkward, Gunler's has good power in his stride which allows him to "burst" into soft coverage or create separation on a straightaway. I don't think that power necessarily translates to elusive agility when play is static in the offensive zone, but i've never flagged it has a shortcoming or problem.

The decisiveness, shot and scoring touch are undeniable though, and I can't help but wonder what kind of player he could be if he works on refining his agility and edges to catchup with his straight ahead power (My guess is a scary one)

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I feel like despite looking a bit awkward, Gunler's has good power in his stride which allows him to "burst" into soft coverage or create separation on a straightaway. I don't think that power necessarily translates to elusive agility when play is static in the offensive zone, but i've never flagged it has a shortcoming or problem.

The decisiveness, shot and scoring touch are undeniable though, and I can't help but wonder what kind of player he could be if he works on refining his agility and edges to catchup with his straight ahead power (My guess is a scary one)

Big ice helps there though.

He can finish though and thats pretty valuable on its own but if you're undersized and not a plus skater, it's tough to make a living in the NHL. He's so mechanically unsound that I'm not sure how much improvement there is to be had there.

He's one of the few guys I can't really decide how I feel about (Novak, Bordeleau and Brisson are the others, and Gunler is the most confusing to me of the group.)

 

[QJL]

I feel like despite looking a bit awkward, Gunler's has good power in his stride which allows him to "burst" into soft coverage or create separation on a straightaway. I don't think that power necessarily translates to elusive agility when play is static in the offensive zone, but i've never flagged it has a shortcoming or problem.

The decisiveness, shot and scoring touch are undeniable though, and I can't help but wonder what kind of player he could be if he works on refining his agility and edges to catchup with his straight ahead power (My guess is a scary one)

In my opinion there’s one first round projected player whose agility, edges, and change of direction pose a huge concern: Jack Quinn. The kid gets caught flat-footed far too often.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

In my opinion there’s one first round projected player whose agility, edges, and change of direction pose a huge concern: Jack Quinn. The kid gets caught flat-footed far too often.

I have serious questionmarks about both Quinn and Rossi due to the structure of their team. They are relying heavily on a handful of 20 and 21 year olds in a junior league. Rossi and Quinn are also among the oldest in their draft class. And their production seems to have sky-rocketed in an unnatural way, similar to Dylan Strome.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Rossi was over a PPG last year so its not like his production came out of no where.

His CHL metrics are also bonkers relative to everyone else in this draft class, even Lafreniere. If he were faster we're discussing whether to take him or Lafreniere at #1.

Yes the OHL sucked this year, yes he played in the weaker division of the 2 in the O, yes he played on a stacked team, but he drove the bus on that stacked team.

 

[Edge]

Rossi was over a PPG last year so its not like his production came out of no where.

His CHL metrics are also bonkers relative to everyone else in this draft class, even Lafreniere. If he were faster we're discussing whether to take him or Lafreniere at #1.

Yes the OHL sucked this year, yes he played in the weaker division of the 2 in the O, yes he played on a stacked team, but he drove the bus on that stacked team.

I will say that Rossi's size concerns me as a center, and his style does seem somewhat tailor-made for junior leagues. So if I was going to throw two concerns out there, that's probably where I'd come from.

On the flip side, what he accomplished in his draft year is also rare. So I can't deduct too many points from his draft grade.