Prospect Info: 2020 NHL Entry Draft Thread

[BringTheReign]

I heard that Pronman and all but two people on the hockey staff was released by The Athletic yesterday. Crazy

I saw the layoffs announcement, but out of the hockey folk I’ve seen confirmed I only recognized Craig Morgan (ARI). NYT article said the Arizona and South Florida assignees were hit the hardest.

Did you have a source for the rest of the hockey staff? If that’s the case then I’m cancelling my membership.

 

[regulate]

I heard that Pronman and all but two people on the hockey staff was released by The Athletic yesterday. Crazy

Do you have a link for this information? I only saw Craig Morgan for the Coyotes and a writer for the WPG Jets were let go, at least that I saw publicly.

 

[BringTheReign]

Do you have a link for this information? I only saw Craig Morgan for the Coyotes and a writer for the WPG Jets were let go, at least that I saw publicly.

I saw the same, and the official articles say that they released 8% of their staff with Arizona and South Florida beats hit the hardest. It does say many/most received a paycut. Pronman also retweeted a podcast he did on The Athletic 3 hours ago, so unless he's feeling charitable I can't imagine he's been laid off.

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

Rossi at 8 is a steal

Don't want the Kings drafting Rossi cause the kid is a playmaker and we need scorers...like to see Kings make some deals...

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

The only lock in my opinion is Lafraniere and I wouldn't be surprised if he struggles out of the gate. Everyone else is a question mark. Remember when Kakko was NHL ready yeah that went well. Although I think he will be a good player. Some make a quick transition some just take time no one knows.

Lafreniere will be great outta the gate! He could have played in the NHL last year or the year before...he was born ready!

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

I’m really hoping we are able to get a guy like Neighbors in the mid 2nd round. Love the kids all around game and how he can make room for other players on the ice with his blend of physicality and skill.

Saw Neighbors play a couple/three times and frankly he didn't stand out at all,barely visible

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

I would be absolutely shocked if Ottawa didn’t pick Drysdale with their first pick unless they win the lottery and choose first. Happy to have Drysdale as well of course, but in the 4-7 range he won’t be there.

Ottawa has spent heavy the last few drafts at RD...Bernard-Docker and Thomson so unless Zaitsev and newly signed Zub disappear I don't see it. Ottawa needs wingers and I would love to see them get the first pick!But at two and three they will get forwards Byfield and either Raymond or Stuetzle

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

If at 3-7 and Drysdale is there hoping he is our guy. Elite D are rare and tough to get. 0 issues with any of the forwards.

Fisher had Raymond there all year and never moved him. Nothing wrong there and I think he is the 2nd or at worst 3rd most talented and highest upside player in this draft. Fisher the same and reason he never dropped him. I'd take Raymond over Stützle without bias of wanting the German.

Also Rossi has been dropping in most all rankings. If at 7 decent chance he is there. Remember some had Caufield in the top 5 and he broke records yet fell to mid teens.

Just excited for the lottery even if we end up 7. Actually almost wouldn't mind it part losing out on Drysdale. I at least do not have to see us draft #3 and take the worst guy of the top 10 lol. If at 7 and NJ doesn't take him at 6 quite sure Blake goes Sanderson.

Don't see the Kings go Sanderson...they took Bjornfot(2019) last year,Anderson(2017) and Clague(2016) and Hults(2017) in prior drafts and they look like they could good maybe great NHLer's. Kings will take a RWinger or LWinger...Holtz or Raymond or both...come on NJersey trade us a pick(10th)And then for God's sake leave them alone in their native lands to develop for 2-3 years!

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

That's a brilliant Aki Berg tribute.

Was in Edmonton with one of my Bro's to witness the Kings select Aki Petteri Berg and then Don MacLean and Pavel Rosa...and Vlad Tsyplakov. Berg was another of LA's draft picks who they rushed prematurely too bad but at least we got Mike Cammalleri!

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Don't want the Kings drafting Rossi cause the kid is a playmaker and we need scorers...like to see Kings make some deals...

i could see the Kings drafting Rossi or Perfetti for their elite PP prowess too.

We have triggermen, I know you really like Holtz too but I don't think the difference between Holtz and those guys is big enough to not just take whoever they feel BPA. Elite playmakers create goals too.

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

Cole Perfetti.
Anyone who lists Perfetti ahead of Rossi can't seen either of them play in person or if they did missed something. Perfetti has tons of O skills but is easily knocked off the puck (not gifted in the possession dept) and is a lazy back checker. It looks like he gives it his all getting into the O zone and does everything at a very high level in either scoring or setting up a scoring chance and if it doesn't pan out he just sort of pouts his way back into the D zone and gives a half assed effort at stopping his opponent. I think he should be picked at 8/9. He is a kid who really could be a good top 6 forward IF IF IF he can find a two way game.

Marco Rossi.

Plays wit 100% heart, skill and speed. He is an elite talent who reminds me a ton of Joe Sackic (damned spellcheck) which is ridiculously high praise. He is an elite player in all 3 zones. IF he was 1 inch taller (he is just over 5'10") he would be in discussion for the top one or two picks in the draft. He has all the skills and drive to be that special of a player. Sadly he isn't 6 feet tall so he is considered by the media mostly to be more of a lightweight player and therefore less valuable. I pray that we end up with this kid falling to us at the 7 spot (or wherever we draft but it will be later than 4). He will end up being some teams answer to a shoot out scoring threat. That kid is money in those situations he is also gifted when it comes to breakaway scoring. His size has forced him to be smarter in his positional awareness and his stick handling at speed makes him an elite talent.

Lucas Raymond.

So here is the thing with Lucas Raymond, he is like a pure bread puppy. He is all over the place and can turn on a dime with speed to spare but he has no clue as to what he is doing 1/3rd of the time. I like this kid allot and even with his flaws I think he would be a great pick anywhere after the #1 spot. He reminds me of Pavel Bure in some ways. speed to burn and can hang onto the pick with the best of them but he still has a ton to learn. Most prospects do but LR's exuberance while elite has to be reigned in so that he can produce with his skills instead of just astonishing everyone who watches him. I saw in play in a league game in the Allvesnkan for Folunda and the Oooohs and Aaaaahs were almost nonstop whenever he had the puck. I think he will be a really good top 6 winger when he makes the jump.

Alexander Holtz.

Solid hard nosed (by todays standards) winger who scores in front of the net with the best of them but can also play a skill game when needed. He is good in all 3 zones but is best in the Ozone. I like his game and thin that he will develop into a solid top 6 forward. A safe pick for any team.

Anton Lundell.

Two way C who's O game is seriously under rated. He plays a game that is allot like Pavel Zacha's but with much more skill. He is nothing flashy but plays with size and speed. I see him as being a 3a or 2b center on a real contender when he matriculates but only time will tell. He too would be a very safe pick at the 567 spot but I think will go 9/10.

Yaroslav Ashkorov.

If he was only from ANYWHERE other than Russia he would be the 1st or 2ndst pick in the draft. He is that good. The fact that he is from Russia means that we can only hope that he will come over and play in the NHL. There is always a gamble that the kid could stay in Russia when drafting from there. That said if we or any team wanted the closest thing to a sure thing #1 goalie and potentially a best in the bus one then this kid is it. He is a giant in net and has lateral movement like JQ's in his early days. I like his challenge more than anything else. He comes out and hits the angle early and forces you to try and make the first move to beat him. I have said it before and I haven't had a change of opinion, this kid looks and plays like Hasek.

First round long shots but players that I think would be very solid pick ups at the 7th spot that most people aren't talking about.

1. Seth Jarvis.

WHL, which I believe makes a HUGE difference in how well a NA players has developed. The kid is a pure sniper with tons of speed and is a dominant force with the puck on his stick. His drawback that keeps him out of the top ten in most pundits polls is that he is 5'9" and weighs 158 dripping wet. He plays like he is a 6ft+ tough as nails kick your ass in your face stud and he handles himself well when he drops the gloves. He is a raw talent and I can't see any real comparable for the guy that fit. I don't know that I would have the sack to draft him at 7th but if he is taken in the top ten I wouldn't be surprised. I am hoping that he drops down to the 2ndst round and that we pick him up early. The Winterhawks fans would travel to LA to come watch him play, he is in impact kid.

Honorable mention.

Jack Quin gifter sniper.
Braden Schnieder solid two way D.
Jake Neighbours great hands good IQ bottom 6 with scoring touch.

Just wanted to get out my take on each of these players as they are most talked about being possibly available from the 4rst to the 7tht picks (our wheelhouse).

I have a draft that I have written somewhere, I will post it here. Everyone of us have really solid thoughts on this totally F'ed up draft. It is going to be a wild one.

I understand you like Rossi but to compare him to legend J Sakic...well...maybe N Kadri without the stupid stuff or Marc Savard or even Doug Gilmour but not Sakic!

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

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.

I see New Jersey salivating at the chance to replace Subban with Drysdale at(number 6) for a fraction of the cost! The Devils could really be assembling a fearful squad if all things materialize!

 

[The Lukeman]

In The Full 60 podcast, Corey Pronman stated that Sanderson has a 50/50 chance of being drafting before Drysdale, and that most NHL scouts he spoke with has Sanderson in the 6-9 range.

 

[kilowatt]

In The Full 60 podcast, Corey Pronman stated that Sanderson has a 50/50 chance of being drafting before Drysdale, and that most NHL scouts he spoke with has Sanderson in the 6-9 range.

Kings drafting Sanderson top five would be the biggest letdown of the year

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Kings drafting Sanderson top five would be the biggest letdown of the year

I wouldn’t be too happy either if they drafted Sanderson that high, but given all the crap that this year has heaped on us, I wouldn’t categorize that as the “biggest letdown” - just a letdown.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Being in Byfield position only to end up with Sanderson would be the most Kings outcome ever

With our prospect depth you HAVE to take a home run swing, don't need any more 'safe' players, and I can't see ANYONE who suggests Sanderson even has top pairing upside.

 

[kilowatt]

Being in Byfield position only to end up with Sanderson would be the most Kings outcome ever

With our prospect depth you HAVE to take a home run swing, don't need any more 'safe' players, and I can't see ANYONE who suggests Sanderson even has top pairing upside.

If anything, hopefully it means a guy like Raymond might fall out of the top five if we lose the lottery in classic Kings fashion. If Lafreniere, Byfield, Stutzle, Drysdale, and Sanderson all went top five, that means one of Rossi or Raymond would fall to us at six or seven, and that’d be fine too.

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

In The Full 60 podcast, Corey Pronman stated that Sanderson has a 50/50 chance of being drafting before Drysdale, and that most NHL scouts he spoke with has Sanderson in the 6-9 range.

Sanderson between 6-9? Ok Let's move backwards...Chicago at 9...I have them taking a goalie because they are in serious need of one...Askarov...LD for the BlackHawks...Keith,Maatta,Beaudin,A Vlasic,Krys, and Gilbert so maybe Sanderson there...
Montreal at number 8...maybe...If there is a forward they like,like Rossi they grab him otherwise perhaps Sanderson since the LD for Les Canadiens Mete,Kulak,the coming of Romanov and some youngsters in College,Europe or Laval...Harris,Struble,Norlinder,Olofsson, and Leskinen...is thin especially if you envision Papa Sanderson from Hay River,NWT,Canada's kid a top 4 D-man! Buffalo at 7...no they have selected Samuelsson and Johnson recently and really like these two youngsters plus they have the emerging Star Dahlin and McCabe,with Pilut,B Hickey and Bryson waiting for a full time chance,So no there! number 6 N Jersey...they have Ty Smith about to turn pro,Butcher who they are paying lots of dough to,Muller,Colton White and some other draft hopefuls,Okhotyuk,Misyul and Bernard...besides they will select Drysdale at 6 so no! Ducks at 5...they have Lindholm,Fowler,Larsson,the other Guhle,Djoos,Mahura and draft choice from 2019 J Lacombe who they drafted in the second round. So probably not! Kings at 4...Blake would be foolish to draft him because that would send a message to Bjornfot,Anderson,Clague and Hults that they will fight it out for 2 spots as a top 4 choice on Defense sure bloody well be a top 2 D-man in the NHL...

 

[No Name The Nameless]

I saw the layoffs announcement, but out of the hockey folk I’ve seen confirmed I only recognized Craig Morgan (ARI). NYT article said the Arizona and South Florida assignees were hit the hardest.

Did you have a source for the rest of the hockey staff? If that’s the case then I’m cancelling my membership.

Just heresay from on a Lakers podcast from another media member who was let go. Nothing substantial.

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

If anything, hopefully it means a guy like Raymond might fall out of the top five if we lose the lottery in classic Kings fashion. If Lafreniere, Byfield, Stutzle, Drysdale, and Sanderson all went top five, that means one of Rossi or Raymond would fall to us at six or seven, and that’d be fine too.

Hey man you got to be positive...wouldn't it be cool if the Kings won and LA-freniere came to Town!

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Hey man you got to be positive...wouldn't it be cool if the Kings won and LA-freniere came to Town!

If we get Laf or Byfield, that's an immediate jersey purchase for me!

Cough, I mean WHEN we get Laf!

 

[kilowatt]

Hey man you got to be positive...wouldn't it be cool if the Kings won and LA-freniere came to Town!

If there’s anything I’ve learned as a fan of the Kings, it’s to never be optimistic ever, under any circumstance, for any reason whatsoever.

 

[Rusty Batch]

Being in Byfield position only to end up with Sanderson would be the most Kings outcome ever

With our prospect depth you HAVE to take a home run swing, don't need any more 'safe' players, and I can't see ANYONE who suggests Sanderson even has top pairing upside.

I think most people think he is the top pairing shutdown D type. And he's unique in that he does it with really high end skating. But he won't bring much offense or be a dman that can play on the PP. He seems like a Willie Mitchell type with a bit more upside then that due to his superior skating.

I wouldn't be too upset if we took him, because that type of player can have a big impact on the game. But I dont think he is top 6 as imo Laf, Byf, Stutzle, Drysdale, Rossi, Jarvis are all ahead of him. Sanderson is in that Next group of players that have question marks.
Raymond: is well rounded but put up the worst stats in the SHL out of Him, Holtz and Gunler (Raymond has put up slightly worse stats then Gunler the last two years)
Holtz: Best offensive upside out of the swedes imo. But questionable shot selection and from what I've heard he's pretty bad on the defensive end unlike Raymond.
Perfetti: mediocre speed, plays a real east west game, bad in his end and physically weak, but his hands, shot and playmaking are elite.
Lundell: bad skating but very high end production in a good men's league for past two years. Including the best Corsi at 65% in the entire league as a 18 yr old for what that's worth. He has Barkov level production due to extremely high hockey iq as the talent level isn't in the same league as Barkov.

So Sanderson is in that group of guys that we should be considering if worst case scenario occurs and we fall to #7. In that situation I don't mind Sanderson as his game will be effective in the NHL and I think he will eat lots of minutes. He won't have Ryan Suter offense but I can see him being a guy that can eat minutes and play a similar game if he hits his ceiling.

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

If there’s anything I’ve learned as a fan of the Kings, it’s to never be optimistic ever, under any circumstance, for any reason whatsoever.

We are due then?

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

I think most people think he is the top pairing shutdown D type. And he's unique in that he does it with really high end skating. But he won't bring much offense or be a dman that can play on the PP. He seems like a Willie Mitchell type with a bit more upside then that due to his superior skating.

I wouldn't be too upset if we took him, because that type of player can have a big impact on the game. But I dont think he is top 6 as imo Laf, Byf, Stutzle, Drysdale, Rossi, Jarvis are all ahead of him. Sanderson is in that Next group of players that have question marks.
Raymond: is well rounded but put up the worst stats in the SHL out of Him, Holtz and Gunler (Raymond has put up slightly worse stats then Gunler the last two years)
Holtz: Best offensive upside out of the swedes imo. But questionable shot selection and from what I've heard he's pretty bad on the defensive end unlike Raymond.
Perfetti: mediocre speed, plays a real east west game, bad in his end and physically weak, but his hands, shot and playmaking are elite.
Lundell: bad skating but very high end production in a good men's league for past two years. Including the best Corsi at 65% in the entire league as a 18 yr old for what that's worth. He has Barkov level production due to extremely high hockey iq as the talent level isn't in the same league as Barkov.

So Sanderson is in that group of guys that we should be considering if worst case scenario occurs and we fall to #7. In that situation I don't mind Sanderson as his game will be effective in the NHL and I think he will eat lots of minutes. He won't have Ryan Suter offense but I can see him being a guy that can eat minutes and play a similar game if he hits his ceiling.

And as LA GM you're going to say what to Bjornfot,Anderson,Clague and Hults after drafting Sanderson? Please no Sanderson...not that I don't like him but the Kings are fine on Defense for now. Perhaps they tab a LD,RD with later picks in the second or third round...Viro,Sedoff,Seeley,Krutil,Niemela?