TheBloodyNine
Pure Bred Soviet Savage
At this point, it wouldn't surprise me if whoever they eventually took got packaged in a deal for someone before they even played for us.
Can someone still explain to me the Greig logic if he isn't seen as a C? Is the expectation then for him long term to just be a very good third line winger (which there is nothing wrong with)?
Can someone still explain to me the Greig logic if he isn't seen as a C? Is the expectation then for him long term to just be a very good third line winger (which there is nothing wrong with)?
I'm not against the pick even if the view of him is a VERY skilled and effective third line winger. I just question need to a degree (since it's much later in the first round and need can play a bit more of a role) if he isn't viewed as a sure thing at C and we know wings are going to even more so be our strength once we draft Laf.So preface this by saying it really depends on how your scouts view him. Some people see him as more of a top-six compliment player.
Based on what others posted, The Athletic article alluded to this, and I've talked to more than a few people who would agree with it. Not unlike some of the names he's been compared to, you could have a kid who plays as a top six wing, alongside teammates who bring more of a finesse game to the table.
Those differences in opion are important to keep in mind as we get closer to the draft.
Just because we view the debate as a third line support player vs. high-ceiling offensive catalyst doesn't mean all teams necessarily feel the same.
I'm not against the pick even if the view of him is a VERY skilled and effective third line winger. I just question need to a degree (since it's much later in the first round and need can play a bit more of a role) if he isn't viewed as a sure thing at C and we know wings are going to even more so be our strength once we draft Laf.
I didn't view it like that, I appreciate the explanation. Safe to say then they are likely looking at players that will mesh well with Laf 5+ years down the line versus the current core of Panarin/Kreider, right?It'll be hard to say prior to the draft how the Rangers view Greig. They could view him as a center, or they could view him as a kid who starts out in a bottom six role and maybe finds himself in a top six role 6 years from now.
When you start getting that far out, you're talking about about a 35 year old Panarin and Kreider, so it's a very different landscape.
If the Rangers like a guy enough, even if he plays wing, I don't think they'll hesitate too much. With that 22ns pick, the focus shifts away from 2020 or even 2022, and looks further out to 2026 or 2027.
The appeal for Greig could very well be a player who grows with the team, can play a couple of positions, and serves as a player with an evolving role.
Again, this assuming he's the pick. There very well could be 3 or 4 guys head of him on the Rangers list that are on the board.
I didn't view it like that, I appreciate the explanation. Safe to say then they are likely looking at players that will mesh well with Laf 5+ years down the line versus the current core of Panarin/Kreider, right?
Shayna provides much more informative and nuanced articles about the team for the Athletic. Carp has an interesting nugget of info once every 10 articles maybe.
If they're still having the 1$ a month sale, and you're interested in NHL stuff in general, having access to articles from guys like Lebrun, Wheeler, Custance, Pronman is worth the subscription.
But if you literally only care about the Rangers stuff, it probably isn't worth the subscription if I'm being honest. And I'm saying this as someone who is paying full price btw (mainly because I'm too lazy to go turn off auto-renew)
Several scouts thought Greig went too low. “In the public, Greig seems to have this perception as a projected-bottom-six type. To me, he’s one of the most skilled players in the draft. I think he’ll go closer to 20 than 30,” said one NHL scout.
I don’t usually like smaller guys that play too big for their size. They usually break down quick.
I feel like this draft is full of guys who "play center but project to be a winger at the NHL level" . Like who are the stone cold Centers outside of Byfield and Lundell?
I feel like this draft is full of guys who "play center but project to be a winger at the NHL level" . Like who are the stone cold Centers outside of Byfield and Lundell?
No change to the Rangers mock picks over at ESPN. Still have Lafreniere at 1 and Lapierre at 22.
1. Alexis Lafreniere, LW, Rimouski (QMJHL)
22. Hendrix Lapierre, C, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
As long as the Rangers don't shock the world and take someone not named Lafreniere first overall, they are getting an 'A' in my draft grades. Adding that type of talent means you got what you came for, even if it was via the luck of the draw. Everyone knows what Lafreniere can do, and he's going to be an impact player as early as Year 1 in the NHL.
Given the depth of the Rangers' prospect pool, they were the first team I felt comfortable taking a first-round stab at Lapierre, who was injured for most of last season. There's a lot of unknown there, but what we did see of Lapierre last season when he was healthy was a player with some higher-end playmaking abilities. The Rangers can be patient with him.
Other names available that this board has talked about:
Bourque 23 to the Flyers
Gunler 27 to the Ducks
Greig 29 to Vegas
Mysak 31 to San Jose
Khusnutdinov 41 to Carolina.
Puck Prose has our mock as Lafreniere and Gunler at 1 and 22.
I don't know what to make of NHL scouts saying Greig is among the most skilled in this class. Can't really say I agree with that haha
I would be thrilled with either outcome. And his reasoning is the same as mine.
Still not sure I buy the "neck injury" thing with Lapierre but if the Rangers were convinced, who am I to argue?
The way our mock is shaking out, I strongly suspect I’ll be picking him for 22. Would not have been on my radar at ALL a month ago.Zary and Lapierre. Beyond that I really think you start drifting into prospects who have decent chances of being moved to either wing. And there's actually a surprising number of people who think Lundell might end up at LW too someday. I don't necessarily agree with them, but they do exist.
I have to admit that my friends in the sport have made me okay with the possibility of Greig at 22 --- and I think he's a very real possibility there.
We'll find it in a few weeks if teams think its a deal breaker.