Draft 2021 NHL Draft and Undrafted Free Agent Thread

[Edge]

Do you see him continuing on as a C?

No, I very much see him continuing his journey as a wing.

He's a shoot first type who seems to perform better when his goal is to get to the net and finish the play. I think when he's at center, his ability to play to his strengths is diminished.

 

[Joey Bones]

Haven't posted these in a minute...

2021 NHL Mock Draft & Simulator | Tankathon

1 (8) C: Matthew Beniers (USA)(6'1"/174lbs., Shot: Left, U. of Michigan/NCAA)

2021 NHL Mock Draft | 2021 NHL Draft | NHL Draft

1 (18) C: Zachary Bolduc (CAN)(6'1"/174lbs., Shot: Left, Rimouski/QMJHL)

*Draftsite rebranded and now it's called lines.com*

2021 NHL Mock Draft | Lines.com

1 (21) C: Brett Harrison (CAN)(6'1"/172lbs., Shot: Left, Koovee U20/Jr. A Liiga) *On Loan from Oshawa/OHL*
3 (67) RW: Ryan Winterton (CAN)(6'1"/174lbs., Shot: Right, Hamilton/OHL)
3 (85) C: Caedan Bankier (CAN)(6'0"/170lbs., Shot: Left, Kamloops/WHL)
4 (105) D: Ethan Del Mastro (CAN)(6'3"/187lbs., Shot: Left, Mississauga/OHL)
4 (117) LW: Zack Ostapchuk (CAN)(6'3"/187lbs., Shot: Left, Vancouver/OHL)
5 (149) C: Kai Uchacz (CAN)(6'1"/190lbs., Shot: Right, Spruce Grove/AJHL) *On Loan from Seattle/WHL*
6 (181) C/LW: Nick DeGrazia (CAN)(6'0"/170lbs., Shot: Left, Rayside-Balfour/NOJHL) *Not Sure if On Loan from Sudbury/OHL*
7 (213) RW: Cade Ahrenholz (USA)(6'3"/201lbs., Shot: Right, Lakeville South/HS-MN) *22/23 Colorado College Commit*

I can't tell you how much this year is going to be the biggest crapshoot in all of the drafts. Draftsite/Lines usually has a decent depiction at where some of the players are looking to go and this is way off it. Harrison wasn't looking to jump into the 1st from last season's standards but could go in the 2nd, whereas players like Ostapchuk and Uchacz I know were players pushing into the late 1st consensus (Uchacz specifically). Otherwise, I have little to no clue about the others. Del Mastro is another that was looking like a mid-round draft pick so that one is probably the most accurate on the list.

 

[redwhiteandblue]

I don't see Beniers falling that low but I welcome it just in case we end up in a pick reachable to 8 or even pick that low.

 

[True Blue]

I can't tell you how much this year is going to be the biggest crapshoot in all of the drafts. Draftsite/Lines usually has a decent depiction at where some of the players are looking to go and this is way off it. Harrison wasn't looking to jump into the 1st from last season's standards but could go in the 2nd, whereas players like Ostapchuk and Uchacz I know were players pushing into the late 1st consensus (Uchacz specifically). Otherwise, I have little to no clue about the others. Del Mastro is another that was looking like a mid-round draft pick so that one is probably the most accurate on the list.

If the Rangers are really making the 5th pick, I could not see them passing on Beniers.

I think that this draft will be looked on down the lines as one those that had a lot of swings and misses but also talent was found in the 2nd & 3rd rounds.

 

[AlaBlueShirt]

How many picks do we currently have?

 

[NYSPORTS]

If the Rangers are really making the 5th pick, I could not see them passing on Beniers.

I think that this draft will be looked on down the lines as one those that had a lot of swings and misses but also talent was found in the 2nd & 3rd rounds.

I would do everything to move it for a 2022 #1 pick. Even if the Rangers move Buch at the deadline due to a tight future cap, i would shoot for a 2022 #1.

 

[cwede]

How many picks do we currently have?

New York Rangers - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

 

[Joey Bones]

I would do everything to move it for a 2022 #1 pick. Even if the Rangers move Buch at the deadline due to a tight future cap, i would shoot for a 2022 #1.

Keeping Buch is very doable. Some things would have to fall NYR's way, but it's in reach. That's for another thread, though.

Have to keep in mind, too, the pandemic has absolutely affected the 2022 class as well. It's honestly just going to be a wait and see mentality. It would help a ton if the Rangers can get into that top 3 again. Power, Clarke, and Beniers seem to be solid bets that early.

Everyone needs to do their due diligence to get Covid under control and we hopefully will have normal schedules again...

...With that said, hope you all are staying safe and healthy!!

 

[Joey Bones]

If the Rangers are really making the 5th pick, I could not see them passing on Beniers.

I think that this draft will be looked on down the lines as one those that had a lot of swings and misses but also talent was found in the 2nd & 3rd rounds.

Hell, even the 4th round too!!

 

[Joey Bones]

I don't see Beniers falling that low but I welcome it just in case we end up in a pick reachable to 8 or even pick that low.

Yeah, I see Beniers legitimately pushing for No. 1 so not likely. Things are uncertain, though, so I won't leave out the possibility.

 

[NYSPORTS]

Keeping Buch is very doable. Some things would have to fall NYR's way, but it's in reach. That's for another thread, though.

I don’t see it. Imo it’s not doable unless the Rangers lose one or more of their better players or many of the kids don’t develop.

Class of 22 might be affected but i don’t believe the 21 class could ever compare to 20 or 22 regardless.

 

[True Blue]

Yeah, I see Beniers legitimately pushing for No. 1 so not likely. Things are uncertain, though, so I won't leave out the possibility.

He is definitely top-5. Will be interesting to see if he can gather enough steam to beat out Power and Clarke, who I believe are currently battling for 1OA.

 

[Joey Bones]

He is definitely top-5. Will be interesting to see if he can gather enough steam to beat out Power and Clarke, who I believe are currently battling for 1OA.

If the season were to end today, I think the No. 1 is Clarke. But it's definitely up for grabs, it's not solely in his "possession" yet.

 

[Joey Bones]

I don’t see it. Imo it’s not doable unless the Rangers lose one or more of their better players or many of the kids don’t develop.

Class of 22 might be affected but i don’t believe the 21 class could ever compare to 20 or 22 regardless.

Again, this is for another thread. But I disagree 100% on Buch...

I never compared the classes... I was simply saying players in both 21/22 draft classes have had minimal in-game action since the pandemic thus stalling a lot of needed early development. Time will tell, but ultimately Covid would need to decrease to a point where it is safe enough to hold games for these junior leagues on both sides of the ocean.

 

[Edge]

I would do everything to move it for a 2022 #1 pick. Even if the Rangers move Buch at the deadline due to a tight future cap, i would shoot for a 2022 #1.

Something to keep in mind is that while the 2022 draft is a better crop, we still don't quite know how it's going to be impacted.

By the time those kids turn 18, many of them will have missed a year to a year-and-a-half of hockey --- that's huge at their age.

While that might not be a deciding factor for European prospects, or even the top two or three talents, it will trickle down to guys who are on that next tier and beyond.

Everyone is so focused on the pandemic's impact on the 2021 kids, that I think we've almost overlooked how much of an impact this will have on prospects with even less experience under their pads.

It will also be interesting to see whether all of this creates a run on picks.

If a bunch of teams start trying to trade out of 2021, it's going to potentially lower the value of this year's picks and raise the value of next year's picks.

Additionally, we could see a situation where a team that has faith in their scouting department tries to snatch up picks, knowing that while the draft will have more misses, there is still some excellent talent value out there.

 

[NYSPORTS]

Something to keep in mind is that while the 2022 draft is a better crop, we still don't quite know how it's going to be impacted.

By the time those kids turn 18, many of them will have missed a year to a year-and-a-half of hockey --- that's huge at their age.

While that might not be a deciding factor for European prospects, or even the top two or three talents, it will trickle down to guys who are on that next tier and beyond.

Everyone is so focused on the pandemic's impact on the 2021 kids, that I think we've almost overlooked how much of an impact this will have on prospects with even less experience under their pads.

It will also be interesting to see whether all of this creates a run on picks.

If a bunch of teams start trying to trade out of 2021, it's going to potentially lower the value of this year's picks and raise the value of next year's picks.

Additionally, we could see a situation where a team that has faith in their scouting department tries to snatch up picks, knowing that while the draft will have more misses, there is still some excellent talent value out there.

Agree and would you agree it’s relative? Development across the board in all sports (maybe even school too) has been hindered by the pandemic.

Two things as i see it.

- This 21 class hasn’t been as highly touted as other classes before the pandemic either. We read about the 20 draft class in 2018 yet were aware of Hughes topping the 19 class. Raty was ranked #1 previously and his stats weren’t exactly jumping off the charts before the pandemic while the surrounding draft classes assumed #1 looked a lot better.

- The Rangers might be in a very unique situation (maybe the Kings too). There are so many kids here and still coming that it might actually be better (safe, better roster and cap future cap wise) not add another #1 in 2021. The whole organization is young whereas there are other organizations who may need youth and want to jump start their system. Maybe this is wishful think while i think it’s safe to say, whomever the Rangers could add in Round 1 next year is not going to be equal to the last two #1’s.

With so much youth and likely some talent leaving i’m still aiming at 2022. Hoping maybe a Buch plus is the missing piece for a Blues, Stars or somebody looking to make that run . . . only to miss the playoffs the following year

 

[Edge]

Agree and would you agree it’s relative? Development across the board in all sports (maybe even school too) has been hindered by the pandemic.

Two things as i see it.

- This 21 class hasn’t been as highly touted as other classes before the pandemic either. We read about the 20 draft class in 2018 yet were aware of Hughes topping the 19 class. Raty was ranked #1 previously and his stats weren’t exactly jumping off the charts before the pandemic while the surrounding draft classes assumed #1 looked a lot better.

- The Rangers might be in a very unique situation (maybe the Kings too). There are so many kids here and still coming that it might actually be better (safe, better roster and cap future cap wise) not add another #1 in 2021. The whole organization is young whereas there are other organizations who may need youth and want to jump start their system. Maybe this is wishful think while i think it’s safe to say, whomever the Rangers could add in Round 1 next year is not going to be equal to the last two #1’s.

With so much youth and likely some talent leaving i’m still aiming at 2022. Hoping maybe a Buch plus is the missing piece for a Blues, Stars or somebody looking to make that run . . . only to miss the playoffs the following year

I will say that even before the pandemic 2021 was not seen as being on par with 2018-2020, both from a top-end talent perspective and a depth perspective. In other words, I don't know if you're going to come away with the same excitement from the second rounds or even the fifth rounds in 2021 that you did in 2020. This is probably a year where a Berard and a Vierling type are much closer to second round picks or third round picks.

I think there's still value in keeping the kids coming into the system though. It's funny, but when it comes to young talent, you can go from abundant to deficient in pretty short order.

There's going to be some intriguing talent on the board though. They'll just come with more question marks, and potentially a longer development time than years past (with the latter potentially working in the Rangers' favor).

 

[Joey Bones]

And FWIW, Raty has seemed to get his stride back in Liiga despite still not putting up points...

 

[Edge]

And FWIW, Raty has seemed to get his stride back in Liiga despite still not putting up points...

I think that might just be how he progresses as prospect - a kid who can fill a valuable role, just maybe not a kid who lights the world on fire with his offense.

In that sense you could be looking at a kid who find himself more in the Amirov/Holloway draft range than a top 5 or even a top 10 pick.

 

[Bluenote13]

'21: Z. L'Heureux Winger

Tough forward with some skill who can throw punches and not look out of place skating on the top line.

'22: R. Mcgroarty Center
Strong skilled Center, currently playing with the US development team and holding his own against older players. His Dad and Ryan Gropps Dad were BCHL teammates many moons ago.

'23: J. Sagadin Forward
North south skater, motor never stops, good hands around the net, constantly wins puck battles. His brother has attended Rangers camps at Tarrytown the last few offseasons.

 

[True Blue]

'21: Z. L'Heureux Winger

Tough forward with some skill who can throw punches and not look out of place skating on the top line.

He has the looks of someone who is tailor made for what JD, Groton & Quinn are building

I will also say that if Ratay drops to where I believe the Rangers will be drafting, he will be an excellent value pick

 

[NoQuitInNewMexico]

How about Matt Coronato for the Chicago Steel? I guess it's hard to judge those guys because that team would still be a wrecking ball in that league without any one of them. But he is a local kid putting up funny numbers. I'm guessing he goes in the first round, but where? He'll have a bigger sample of good hockey than the OHL/Western Canada kids at his level.

 

[Harbour Dog]

I'm going to learn about three or four prospects for the coming draft today. Assuming we pick around 20th, who would you guys recommend in that range right now?

 

[Joey Bones]

I'm going to learn about three or four prospects for the coming draft today. Assuming we pick around 20th, who would you guys recommend in that range right now?

It's, honestly, so hard to tell who'll be even in the top 10, ATM. There are so many players that were ranked high for this class that isn't playing or are playing with limited viewing.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

I’m not exactly sure how but we need Matvei Michkov to be a NYR pick at any cost.