Draft 2021 NHL Draft and Undrafted Free Agent Thread

[Joey Bones]

FWIW, I think Clarke ends up being the No. 1...

 

[Joey Bones]

Updated mocks...

2021 NHL Mock Draft & Simulator | Tankathon

1 (11) C: Aatu Raty (FIN)(6'1"/181lbs., Shot: Left, Karpat/Liiga)

2021 NHL Mock Draft | 2021 NHL Draft | NHL Draft

1 (8) C/LW: Kent Johnson (CAN)(6'1"/165lbs., Shot: Left, U. of Michigan/NCAA)

2021 NHL Mock Draft | Lines.com

1 (11) LW: Zachary L'Heureux (CAN)(5'11"/196lbs., Shot: Left, Halifax/QMJHL)
3 (68) C: Peter Reynolds (CAN)(5'10"/168lbs., Shot: Left, Saint John/QMJHL)
3 (75) D: Marc Lajoie (CAN)(6'4"/231lbs., Shot: Left, Tri-City/WHL)
4 (98) LW: Gabe Klassen (CAN)(5'10"/161Lbs., Shot: Left, Portland/WHL)
4 (107) D: Ethan Del Mastro (CAN)(6'4"/205lbs., Shot: Left, Mississauga/OHL)
5 (139) C/LW: Israel Mianscum (CAN)(6'2"/190lbs., Shot: Left, Sherbrooke/QMJHL)
6 (171) D: Ben Zloty (CAN)(6'0"/174lbs., Shot: Left, Calgary/AJHL) *Overage +1* **On loan from Winnipeg/WHL**
7 (203) C: Jere Virolainen (FIN)(6'2"/192lbs., Shot: Left, Tappara U20/SM-sarja)

Like I've mentioned before, once games start to pick up in the CHL I'll be able to give a better input on these picks. I have seen a little of L'Heureux. He plays a very in-your-face style of game and reminded me of how good Hornqvist gets under the skin of his opponents. Need to see more, though. Other than that I haven't seen much of or at all of the others. Zloty is one that got passed on last year and from seeing him last year I could say the same... pass.

 

[Edge]

FWIW, I think Clarke ends up being the No. 1...

You're not alone in that assessment. I've had several people mention that.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

You're not alone in that assessment. I've had several people mention that.

This is such a weird draft. I could see 3-4 different players go 1st overall at this point. Clarke's path is definitely a special one, making his way to Slovakia of all places to play this season. Between him, Hughes, Power, Edvinsson and Lambos there's a much bigger variety of defensemen early on than 2020.

For the Rangers, the ones to eye are obviously Johnson, Eklund, Beniers and Räty (in that order for me personally). Almost halfway through the season, I am getting excited about the draft to see where we will land

 

[mas0764]

I just want the Rangers to finally land a center with pedigree to grow with Lafreniere and Kakko.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I just want the Rangers to finally land a center with pedigree to grow with Lafreniere and Kakko.

Trade Kravtsov to Minnesota for Rossi?

 

[SRHRangers]

Beniers goal and 3 dimes tonight.

Johnson goal and a dime.

I dunno how you come out of next draft without one of them.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Beniers goal and 3 dimes tonight.

Johnson goal and a dime.

I dunno how you come out of next draft without one of them.

Michigan is insane this year with Power, Johnson and Beniers.

 

[CasusBelli]

Trade Kravtsov to Minnesota for Rossi?

Might have to throw in a little extra. Perhaps Howden.

 

[mas0764]

Beniers goal and 3 dimes tonight.

Johnson goal and a dime.

I dunno how you come out of next draft without one of them.

Gonna have to trade up!

 

[Rangerboy030]

I suspect I might get crucified for this, but if he's on the board when we pick, I'd seriously consider picking Wallstedt. I think he has the one of the best chance of any of the top picks to become a real star and he'd fit pretty nicely into our goalie system - let him marinate in the SHL until he's into his 20s then bring him over and transition him into the starter role as Shesty hits his 30s.

 

[Edge]

I suspect I might get crucified for this, but if he's on the board when we pick, I'd seriously consider picking Wallstedt. I think he has the one of the best chance of any of the top picks to become a real star and he'd fit pretty nicely into our goalie system - let him marinate in the SHL until he's into his 20s then bring him over and transition him into the starter role as Shesty hits his 30s.

I know this concept is fairly divided, but I also think in a draft like this, with a talent like Wallstedt, there comes a point fairly early in this draft where you have to take him.

Yes, I fully acknowledge how volatile goalies are, and I am well aware of the general rule of not taking goalies in the first round. Both of those points are still valid.

But there are always exceptions. At some point that applies to Wallstedt.

As a top five pick? No, there are other needs and talents out there.

In the 6-10 range? Maybe, depending on who is out there.

Just outside the top 10? I’d likely have a very hard ranking others ahead of him. I think Wallstedt would lead by a pretty wide margin.

 

[Lion Hound]

Good day to watch hockey today. Other then the Rangers Devs at 1pm, the Big Ten Network is airing 2 games today.

Wisconsin vs Michigan State at 2:30.

Michigan vs Minnesota at 5pm.

 

[True Blue]

I just want the Rangers to finally land a center with pedigree to grow with Lafreniere and Kakko.

So you want a shot at a good to very good center who will not be great and you will need to wait 3-4 years for? And even then, the offensive numbers will be slower in coming.

I say this with no derision. I say this with really only Beneirs in mind. It is extremely doubtful that he is a top line center in the NHL. Aside from that, there really are centers that you are describing. Not in this draft. MAYBE Johnson.

 

[True Blue]

I suspect I might get crucified for this, but if he's on the board when we pick, I'd seriously consider picking Wallstedt.

Welcome aboard. Will admit that I would probably say a different name top -5. But outside the top 5, he’s an easy pick.

 

[Joey Bones]

I just want the Rangers to finally land a center with pedigree to grow with Lafreniere and Kakko.

That might not be in this class. I don't think there is a 1C...

Beniers could, but it might take some time. He can definitely be a coach's player in the middle-6 to start.

 

[Joey Bones]

Gonna have to trade up!

This is definitely not the draft to trade up in. There is no clear top-end potential for anyone in this class outside Wallstedt. If you're trading up, it would be next year for Lambert, Wright, Savoie, etc...

Quite honestly, I would trade out of the 1st for some depth on the roster now...

 

[Joey Bones]

I suspect I might get crucified for this, but if he's on the board when we pick, I'd seriously consider picking Wallstedt. I think he has the one of the best chance of any of the top picks to become a real star and he'd fit pretty nicely into our goalie system - let him marinate in the SHL until he's into his 20s then bring him over and transition him into the starter role as Shesty hits his 30s.

Listen, the people that crucify you will have an attribute of two things; 1. Never seeing Wallstedt play and going with the consensus complaining 2. Will tell you not to pick a goalie in the 1st round because... reasons.

I highly think NYR needs center depth, but with this class being quite lackluster in that department, it does make sense to pick the best player of the draft. I think Wallstedt, too, has the highest potential and "safe" capability to become an NHLer. I would say he's one of the players that are in contention for No. 1. I think he could crack the league in a year or two.

 

[Joey Bones]

Dylan Guenther is another name that (was already in contention for the top 5), but now proving it...

6 goals, 4 assists for 10 points with +8 in 4 WHL games. O PIM, too. Shooting machine!! Will probably be the next player I do a profile on...

 

[cmdevisser]

So I know the CHL being shut down makes this a weird draft, but Mason McTavish seems to check all the boxes of what we’d be looking for in a centerman. Natural goal scorer, NHL ready body, projects to be available where we’ll be picking, and is currently doing well in Switzerland.

Thoughts?

 

[dumpin]

I suspect I might get crucified for this, but if he's on the board when we pick, I'd seriously consider picking Wallstedt. I think he has the one of the best chance of any of the top picks to become a real star and he'd fit pretty nicely into our goalie system - let him marinate in the SHL until he's into his 20s then bring him over and transition him into the starter role as Shesty hits his 30s.

I was thinking the same thing. After the first 5 or 6 prospects there are no "sure things" I think he is actually the closest to a sure thing after the top five usual prospects. Berniers, Power, etc. My pick is in,, lol, assuming he lasts to Rangers pick, probably around pick 12

BPA

 

[eco's bones]

Maybe the best thing to do in a soft draft is take the BPA and it doesn’t matter what the position.

Wallstedt is 18 and 6’3 215 and is pretty much Lulea’s (Nils Lundkvist’s team) number one goaltender. That’s an SHL team—not a CHL or college team. A whole lot better for real men’s league. I don’t think this guy needs a bunch of years to marinate. He might only need a couple.

I like Igor a lot. I even like Alex. I have questions if Igor might be frail. He’s already 25 and his next contract could be kind of big. Alex has got some consistency issues. Having someone like Wallstedt on an ELC coming along who will really push Igor for his starters job is not a bad thing. Richter pushed out Van Biesbrouck and then went on to win a Stanley Cup.

The other thing—we’re not likely at all to score a future 1C in this draft. We’re way more likely to draft another Andersson or Mittelstadt if we just go for the highest ranked available center which once two or three guys fall will be about what’s left.

 

[True Blue]

Maybe the best thing to do in a soft draft is take the BPA and it doesn’t matter what the position.

Wallstedt is 18 and 6’3 215 and is pretty much Lulea’s (Nils Lundkvist’s team) number one goaltender. That’s an SHL team—not a CHL or college team. A whole lot better for real men’s league. I don’t think this guy needs a bunch of years to marinate. He might only need a couple.

I like Igor a lot. I even like Alex. I have questions if Igor might be frail. He’s already 25 and his next contract could be kind of big. Alex has got some consistency issues. Having someone like Wallstedt on an ELC coming along who will really push Igor for his starters job is not a bad thing. Richter pushed out Van Biesbrouck and then went on to win a Stanley Cup.

The other thing—we’re not likely at all to score a future 1C in this draft. We’re way more likely to draft another Andersson or Mittelstadt if we just go for the highest ranked available center which once two or three guys fall will be about what’s left.

Lots come down to just this. Wallstedt is the prospect in this draft that I would bet can hit elite status. So take the guy that has pretty good chances at being a star as opposed to one that has a decent chances at being a support player.

 

[UnSandvich]

Kournianos has us taking Svechkov at 13, ahead of Raty, Lysell, and Lucius. Would that be a good pick, or are there better guys on the board?

Off the board already:
Beniers, Eklund, Power, Johnson, Wallstedt, Hughes, Clarke, Guenther, Sillinger, Lambos, Edvinsson

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Kournianos has us taking Svechkov at 13, ahead of Raty, Lysell, and Lucius. Would that be a good pick, or are there better guys on the board?

First time I hear the name and feels like a huge reach at 13, specially with what's left on the board. I would be pissed at draft day. But I don't know a thing about the kid, except that he's one of those W/C fwds ... bet the kid will end up a winger.