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Prospect Info: 2020 NHL Entry Draft Thread

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Just to try something a little different and have a little fun. We all know who is going first overall. Let’s see draft Day hits and LA has managed to secure the second overall pick. Who do you pick and why?

My pick is Byfield. I love big bodied centers. Ones with elite skill level, size and skating are very rare. I still believe Kopitar can hold down the number one spot for the next 2 to 4 years.

I know we have a lot of centers in our Prospect Pool, but are most those guys true centers at the NHL level. I do believe Turcotte has what it takes to be an elite third line center, or a great second line center.

I love Vilardi and I hope he can stick at center as I believe he is skilled enough and big enough to be our second line center for years to come.

The other prospects in our system I do not believe are good enough to play center at the top two levels or I believe they should be on the wings ie)Kupari. I also believe Vilardi would do well on the wing as well if we get overloaded at center.

I also looked long and hard at Stützle in this position. At the end of the day I would have a hard time passing up Byfield’s size, skill and skating ability. If he turns out they projected he is a true number one center.
 
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funky said:
Just to try something a little different and have a little fun. We all know who is going first overall. Let’s see draft Day hits and LA has managed to secure the second overall pick. Who do you pick and why?

My pick is Byfield. I love big bodied centers. Ones with elite skill level, size and skating are very rare. I still believe Kopitar can hold down the number one spot for the next 2 to 4 years.

I know we have a lot of centers in our Prospect Pool, but are most those guys true centers at the NHL level. I do believe Turcotte has what it takes to be an elite third line center, or a great second line center.

I love Vilardi and I hope he can stick at center as I believe he is skilled enough and big enough to be our second line center for years to come.

The other prospects in our system I do not believe are good enough to play center at the top two levels or I believe they should be on the wings ie)Kupari. I also believe Vilardi would do well on the wing as well if we get overloaded at center.

I also looked long and hard at Stützle in this position. At the end of the day I would have a hard time passing up Byfield’s size, skill and skating ability. If he turns out they projected he is a true number one center.
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After time for reflection Byfield all day every day and though I'd definitely still take Lafreniere #1 Byfield is tempting there. The dude has Wheeler's skating in Byfuglien's body, we know tools aren't everything or Hugh Jessiman would be a hall of famer but the guy is seriously a physical specimen that you only see once a generation, guys like Buff, Lindros, Pronger, but arguably MORE athletic.
 
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can someone help me figure out how they will do the phase 1 draft. I know all 15 teams will get a shot at #1. But how is Phase 1 of the draft conducted. Do they just draw 3 teams behind the curtains and if it is all bottom 7 teams they just announce the top 7 in reverse order?

if one of the other 8 win do they just say there is no draft countdown show and say we will do it all over in a few more weeks?

say Detroit Ottawa and Team F win in Phase 1. I know it will kick in Phase 2. If that is the case does Detroit and Ottawa stay 1 and 2 and does L.A then fall no farther than 5th?
 
Raccoon Jesus said:
After time for reflection Byfield all day every day and though I'd definitely still take Lafreniere #1 Byfield is tempting there. The dude has Wheeler's skating in Byfuglien's body, we know tools aren't everything or Hugh Jessiman would be a hall of famer but the guy is seriously a physical specimen that you only see once a generation, guys like Buff, Lindros, Pronger, but arguably MORE athletic.
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Saw Byfield up close at the top prospects game back in January. He’s definitely got the frame, just needs to fill out a bit more but that will come in time.

It wasn’t a standout performance by him that evening, but man the kids skating just seemed so smooth and effortless. I honestly don’t think you could not take him 2nd overall after Lafreniere.

He’s going to be a good one.
 
funky said:
can someone help me figure out how they will do the phase 1 draft. I know all 15 teams will get a shot at #1. But how is Phase 1 of the draft conducted. Do they just draw 3 teams behind the curtains and if it is all bottom 7 teams they just announce the top 7 in reverse order?

if one of the other 8 win do they just say there is no draft countdown show and say we will do it all over in a few more weeks?

say Detroit Ottawa and Team F win in Phase 1. I know it will kick in Phase 2. If that is the case does Detroit and Ottawa stay 1 and 2 and does L.A then fall no farther than 5th?
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That's correct.
 
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kovacro said:
Saw Byfield up close at the top prospects game back in January. He’s definitely got the frame, just needs to fill out a bit more but that will come in time.

It wasn’t a standout performance by him that evening, but man the kids skating just seemed so smooth and effortless. I honestly don’t think you could not take him 2nd overall after Lafreniere.

He’s going to be a good one.
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Something else worth pointing out is that he's one of the youngest in the draft class, as well. Yet his juniors PPG was up there with guys 1-2 years older.
 
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AlphaBravo said:
Drysdale will be gone for sure at 7. However, Rossi is a decent possibility. I hope we can get him. He is NHL ready and could jump into our lineup immediately.
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Not sure their is a spot for him (same goes for pretty much everybody not named Lafreniere), not to say he couldn't step in, but no reason to burn a year if it doesn't make the team better.

Rossi is planning on playing in Switzerland this season, so he will be taking a step up in competition regardless.
 
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Raccoon Jesus said:
Something else worth pointing out is that he's one of the youngest in the draft class, as well. Yet his juniors PPG was up there with guys 1-2 years older.
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Hard to see Byfield ready next year in my observation, while he is physically more mature than most, his game lacks maturity. He would benefit greatly to play his 18 year old season in the CHL in my book (not that my book has any value).
 
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KopitarFAN said:
Not sure their is a spot for him (same goes for pretty much everybody not named Lafreniere), not to say he couldn't step in, but no reason to burn a year if it doesn't make the team better.

Rossi is planning on playing in Switzerland this season, so he will be taking a step up in competition regardless.
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I agree that there is no need to burn a year off his ELC, but we could make room for him if he outperformed others at camp.
 
AlphaBravo said:
I agree that there is no need to burn a year off his ELC, but we could make room for him if he outperformed others at camp.
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Which is a whole other issue, if leagues in Europe start on time, he would likely be over their playing before he gets drafted, meaning he doesn't come to camp.
 
regulate said:
Hard to see Byfield ready next year in my observation, while he is physically more mature than most, his game lacks maturity. He would benefit greatly to play his 18 year old season in the CHL in my book (not that my book has any value).
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I would have zero problem with him staying another year in the CHL learning to control his body, grow, and dominate. As one of the older players finally, he'd have to learn even more to be 'the guy' and a leader instead of an auxillary player on Team Canada.
 
LAKings88 said:
I’m not sold on Byfield. Just a feeling.
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I won't try to argue against this, either. Lots of people feel the same way, even TG said it pretty well with the "always leaves you wanting more" and referencing inconsistency. Personally, I feel that's just a game and body maturity issue, but I also wouldn't fault people who just think that's an actual hockey-IQ-ceiling issue. It's hard to tell. And I don't think he'll ever turn into a banger like Lindros--imagine if he did, he'd murder people--but I could see him using his frame like Wheeler and Kopitar to play 'physical' and just suck the life out of defenders. I think if he just uses the package of skills he has now and adds that physical protection dimension he'll be unstoppable if not as a full-on play-driving 1C then as a Rick Nash style winger.
 
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LAKings88 said:
I just don’t trust big guys in a league not known for great defense.

Byfield has the tools to be really good tho.
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I think that's one of the cases both for and against--thus far, his monstrous size has largely been irrelevant.

I have also been highly critical of the draftees in those leagues too, there's some inflation/deflation to consider from the junior leagues to the WHL, from the SEL/KHL/Finland/Switzerland to the DEL. I just personally believe his actual toolbox gives him an actual ceiling higher than even Lafreniere, just that he's extremely unlikely to reach full go.
 
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LAKings88 said:
I just don’t trust big guys in a league not known for great defense.

Byfield has the tools to be really good tho.
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I absolutely agree that it is a factor. I ask if he is dominating because of that advantage. I think it plays a part and cannot be discounted. At the same time he will put on weight and in the new smaller NHL he may be able to use it as advantage as well. This kid will be bigger than Kopitar, can really skate and has wicked skill. I think he will make it as a successful NHL’er.
 
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cyclones22 said:
I forgot where I read it (probably The Athletic) but QB's high end comparable if he realized his potential was Anze Kopitar. If you have a young Kopi available, you draft him and don't look back at #2.
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So you’re saying the rest of the NHL is gonna go stupid and he’ll fall to us at 7? ;)
 
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