2020 Draft & Undrafted Free Agent Thread

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

If he’s a legit 6’4, that would be about 2 inches since being drafted. Which is well within the realm of possibility.

Oh sure. But while we often talk about prospects' room to grow, generally that's primarily filling out, and the overall frame doesn't grow that much. Usually it's only a fraction of an inch (if that) and then they add muscle. Guys growing 2+" and adding 30+ pounds in D+1 and D+2 alone is not that common; what Barron appears to have done is Dubinsky-esque. Can take him from a nice prospect to an important one.

 

[Edge]

Oh sure. But while we often talk about prospects' room to grow, generally that's primarily filling out, and the overall frame doesn't grow that much. Usually it's only a fraction of an inch (if that) and then they add muscle. Guys growing 2+" and adding 30+ pounds in D+1 and D+2 alone is not that common; what Barron appears to have done is Dubinsky-esque. Can take him from a nice prospect to an important one.

Agreed. Depending on the prospect, I usually figure on 1/2 to 1 inch in terms of height. Two inches is definitely the exception.

Dubinsky comes to mind. I remember Boyd Deveraux of the Oilers had a similar growth spurt about 20 years back. But there's not a long list of guys I can recall off the top of my head.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Waay too early top 5

Lafreniere
Byfield
Raymond
Gunler
Lundell

Not much between the 2-4! Byfield is on some other level shit. Raymond and Gunler look like prototype wingers.

 

[Gardner McKay]

Waay too early top 5

Lafreniere
Byfield
Raymond
Gunler
Lundell

Not much between the 2-4! Byfield is on some other level ****. Raymond and Gunler look like prototype wingers.

If you had to rank Lafreniere, Byfield, Hughes and Kakko, how would you do it? Just for some perspective.

 

[Polar Bear]

If you had to rank Lafreniere, Byfield, Hughes and Kakko, how would you do it? Just for some perspective.

Lafreniere is already on the Kakko/Hughes level but has a chance to take a step above them, IMO.

Byfield and crew still need to take another step to reach the Kakko/Hughes level but have the chance to do so.

 

[Polar Bear]

Oh, but I'm not as high offensively on Lundell as others are. I think he maxes out as a Dach/Turcotte level prospect (which is still very, very good).

 

[NYRFANMANI]

If you had to rank Lafreniere, Byfield, Hughes and Kakko, how would you do it? Just for some perspective.

Lafreniere
Kakko
Byfield
Hughes

Without having seen Lafreniere much at all.

 

[Ghost of jas]

If Lundell can turn out to be a Niklas Backstrom-level of 1C, I'm good with that, considering the two beasts we'll have on the wing, (three if Chytil puts it together).

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Hard for me to assess Lundell. He's kinda passive, but shows up at the right time with the right play. Kinda what we want Lias Andersson to be.
Lundell's skating is better than Lias'. More of a Bergeron type than a Backstrom I feel. Backstrom takes more control of the offensive zone.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

My draft profile on 2020 draft prospect Anton Lundell.

Anton Lundell is one of the best Finnish centers with Barkov and Kotkaniemi.
Yes Lundell's stats before draft season are almost identical with Barkov.

A difference between Lundell and Barkov is that Lundell isn't as flashy like Barkov.
And also he doesn't have Barkov's offensive upside but still he's young and talented promising center
But he necessarily isn't franchise center like Barkov, McDavid, Matthews, Hughes, Toews, Crosby etc.

Lundell reminds in my opinion more Patrice Bergeron or Mikko Koivu than Barkov.
As a player Lundell is more playmaking center than goal scoring center but he can score goals too.

Lundell is also very smart and plays good two way game.
And knows his responsibility with defensive duties.

Lundell can play all game situations.
And he wants to be a player which the coach can trust on in all situations.
He also can run powerplay and create scoring chances and make plays to his teammates.
But he can also score.

Lundell should fit with Rangers team very well.
He's good character and good teammate who likes communicate with other players.

Lundell also speaks fluent Swedish ( his native language) and English.
So there shouldn't be any Puljujarvi like language barrier with Lundell.
Lundell's skating has improved but more refinement shouldn't hurt or harm his development.

Strengths.
High Hockey IQ
Lethal wrist shot
Two way game
doesn't afraid to go dirty areas
Excellent passer
Excellent work ethic
Comes help to defence.
Excellent hands
Excellent face-off taker ( can win about 50- 55% all his draws)
Leadership qualities ( wearied C in HIFK's U16 team and A Finland's U18 WJC team 2019 )
Versatile player ( can play C and LW )
Calm under the pressure
Doesn't make much mistakes
Maturity
Responsible player

Weaknesses
Skating speed needs some refinement.
Physicality ( like all young players )
Tries to do too much by himself if gets frustrated

NHL comparison Patrice Bergeron or Mikko Koivu.
NHL upside 60-70 point 2nd line two way center with Selke trophy potential if develops properly.
NHL draft projection TOP5 / TOP10 lottery pick ( Right now ).
But can rise TOP3 range if has very good draft season.

Trivia
Son of former SM liiga goalie and HIFK's goaltending coach Jan Lundell
Double world champion in juniors ( U18 and U20 WJC gold medalist )

Season 2019-2020
HIFK's 2nd line C in SM liiga.
Highlights

 

[Joey Bones]

My draft profile on 2020 draft prospect Anton Lundell.

Anton Lundell is one best Finnish centers with Barkov and Kotkaniemi.
Yes Lundell's stats before draft season are almost identical with Barkov.

A difference between Lundell and Barkov is that Lundell isn't as flashy like Barkov.
And also he doesn't have Barkov's offensive upside but still he's young and talented promising center
But he necessarily isn't franchise center like Barkov, McDavid, Matthews, Hughes, Toews, Crosby etc.

Lundell reminds in my opinion more Patrice Bergeron or Mikko Koivu than Barkov.
As a player Lundell is more playmaking center than goal scoring center but he can score goals too.
Lundell is also very smart and plays good two game and knows his responsibility with defensive duties.

Lundell can play all game situations and he wants to be a player which the coach can trust on in all situations.
He also can run powerplay and create scoring chances and make plays to his teammates but he can also score.
Lundell should fit with Rangers team very well he's good character and good teammate who likes communicate with other players Lundell also speaks fluent Swedish ( his native language) and English so there shouldn't be any Puljujarvi like language barrier with Lundell.

Lundell's skating has improved but more refinement shouldn't hurt or harm his development.

Strengths.
High Hockey IQ
Lethal wrist shot
Two way game
doesn't afraid to go dirty areas
Excellent passer
Excellent work ethic
Comes help to defence.
Excellent hands
Excellent face-off taker ( can win about 50- 55% all his draws)
Leadership qualities ( wearied C in HIFK's U16 team and A Finland's U18 WJC team 2019 )
Versatile player ( can play C and LW )
Calm under the pressure
Doesn't make much mistakes
Maturity
Responsible player

Weaknesses
Skating speed needs some refinement.
Physicality ( like all young players )
Tries to do too much by himself if gets frustrated

NHL comparison Patrice Bergeron or Mikko Koivu.
NHL upside 60-70 point 2nd line two way center with Selke trophy potential if develops properly.
NHL draft projection TOP5 / TOP10 lottery pick ( Right now ).
But can rise TOP3 range if has very good draft season.

Trivia
Son of former SM liiga goalie and HIFK's goaltending coach Jan Lundell
Double world champion in juniors ( U18 and U20 WJC gold medalist )

Season 2019-2020
HIFK's 2nd line C in SM liiga.
Highlights

Very much agree with the defensive center upside, but I'm holding out hope that he'll add some scoring touch to his game. Finland has been killing the game lately with top prospects!!

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Very much agree with the defensive center upside, but I'm holding out hope that he'll add some scoring touch to his game. Finland has been killing the game lately with top prospects!!

Adding more scoring touch isn't easy in SM liiga where most players are pro's and adult grown men.
Best players in liiga scores about 50-60 points a season.

Hard to say yet how many points Lundell can score in his draft season.
But if i have to predict i would say 40- 45 points could be realistic.

If Lundell wants add more scoring touch and develop his offensive upside then he should consider to go CHL.
SM liiga isn't highly scoring oriented league it's more defence oriented men's league and there's clear reasons on that.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

These 3 Swedish wingers ... boy oh boy. I don't know, there are just so close to each other. I wouldn't know who's better.

Gunler, Raymond and Holtz all three can puck-handle, deke, shoot like crazy. Need to find out who's the fastest. Looks to be a wash between them.

Need much more tape on Stützle, next German talent, supposed to go nuts in the german juniors.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

These 3 Swedish wingers ... boy oh boy. I don't know, there are just so close to each other. I wouldn't know who's better.

Gunler, Raymond and Holtz all three can puck-handle, deke, shoot like crazy. Need to find out who's the fastest. Looks to be a wash between them.

Need much more tape on Stützle, next German talent, supposed to go nuts in the german juniors.

For me, it's Gunler. I just like his style a bit more than the other 2 but as you said... It's close

 

[NYRFANMANI]

For me, it's Gunler. I just like his style a bit more than the other 2 but as you said... It's close

They look like clones of each other. I think I'm with Raymond as of now, then Gunler, then Holtz. But yeah, them top 5-6 in 2020 is another jackpot.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Lafreniere
Kakko
Byfield
Hughes

Without having seen Lafreniere much at all.

Not sure why Lafreniere would be above Hughes.

Lafreniere is only 5 months younger than Hughes. They are pretty much comparable age-wise. Hughes has been quite a bit better in international competition (he was head-and-shoulders better at the U18s, for example). If Hughes was a year or more older than Lafreniere, I could see thinking that Lafreniere had a lot of ground to make up and much more time to do it in. He's an excellent prospect and my #1 for next year, but I'd put Hughes above him without thinking much right now.

 

[Joey Bones]

Adding more scoring touch isn't easy in SM liiga where most players are pro's and adult grown men.
Best players in liiga scores about 50-60 points a season.

Hard to say yet how many points Lundell can score in his draft season.
But if i have to predict i would say 40- 45 points could be realistic.

If Lundell wants add more scoring touch and develop his offensive upside then he should consider to go CHL.
SM liiga isn't highly scoring oriented league it's more defence oriented men's league and there's clear reasons on that.

I mean he’d be better off in a pro league than the CHL. Playing against pros will help with his overall game. The offense will come. I’m not worried!!

 

[Joey Bones]

These 3 Swedish wingers ... boy oh boy. I don't know, there are just so close to each other. I wouldn't know who's better.

Gunler, Raymond and Holtz all three can puck-handle, deke, shoot like crazy. Need to find out who's the fastest. Looks to be a wash between them.

Need much more tape on Stützle, next German talent, supposed to go nuts in the german juniors.

Stutzle is actually going to be playing for Adler Mannheim next season. Big move for his stock!!

 

[Leetch3]

i'm sure there is no chance of him coming over but minor note that Mississauga picked Lucas Raymond in the CHL import draft so they now hold his rights.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

i'm sure there is no chance of him coming over but minor note that Mississauga picked Lucas Raymond in the CHL import draft so they now hold his rights.

You're right.
Frölunda has best junior development program in Europe so no reason for Raymond to go CHL.
He should be SHL regular in Frölunda next season ( 2019-2020)

 

[NYRFANMANI]

So jelly of Ottawa and the Hurricanes. They have ridiculously many draft picks in 2020.

Also Toronto actually has more 7th round picks than we do.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

You're right.
Frölunda has best junior development program in Europe so no reason for Raymond to go CHL.
He should be SHL regular in Frölunda next season ( 2019-2020)

He will play most games for Frölunda in the CHL for sure, especially in the group stage. After that, he may earn a call up to the senior team full time

 

[True Blue]

So jelly of Ottawa and the Hurricanes. They have ridiculously many draft picks in 2020.

Also Toronto actually has more 7th round picks than we do.

The cherry on top of the asset gathering stage would be two picks for NYR in 2020 first round including a top-5.

 

[Rangerfan4life90]

If Zucc resigns with Dallas and the Rangers trade Kreider for a 2020 1st round pick +, that would be 3 1st round picks in next year's deep draft.

 

[Leetch3]

If Zucc resigns with Dallas and the Rangers trade Kreider for a 2020 1st round pick +, that would be 3 1st round picks in next year's deep draft.

TRIPLE TANK BABY!!!