Draft 2021 NHL Draft and Undrafted Free Agent Thread

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I’ll check it out. Maybe I invent it myself and latch onto a front office because analytics

statboy savant

*Patent pending

 

[Entrancemperium]

Any thoughts on Zachary Bolduc?

 

[Bluenote13]

Any thoughts on Zachary Bolduc?

A few months back he was the popular mock at 15, but has dropped off the radar, it seems.

Personally, his skating turns me off right away.

 

[bobbop]

I think analytics say that faceoffs don’t drive possession.

However, and this is my analysis, they drive important f***ing goals.

Whomever thinks faceoffs are not important, I'd like to introduce to Patrice Bergeron.

 

[CasusBelli]

Think Buffalo GM recently said they weren't considering trading him anyways...

It’s for the best

 

[Edge]

Any thoughts on Zachary Bolduc?

He's a name that the Rangers were closely watching, but the old regime cooled on over the course of the season.

Personally, I find myself underwhelmed by him. I think he's incredibly talented, and I can see why expectations for him are high. But then I watch him and I just don't see the end product.

The skating is pretty average, the decision making hasn't wowed me. The production was good but not great. There's just so much that leaves me wanting with him.

In 2020, he's a late first round pick.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

I'll go strictly off Bob McKenzie's list of guys who are still on the board at 15:

1. Francesco Pinelli - I think this is a kid who is starting to put the raw elements together. He checks a number of boxes across the board very well, has keen offensive instincts and the physical tools to potentially make an impact in the NHL, and he plays a two-way game that should have him stick at center. He's the cross section pick for me in the sense that he's in the discussion for BPA at the spot and he happens to fit a team need.

2. Nikita Chibrikov - I think this kid is absolutely electric. He creates and generates offense at high speeds and he looks like a kid who has the potential to generate fear in NHL defensemen. He doesn't have the raw physical tools of the other options on this list and he's yet another winger, but I can't not include him on my list.

3. Fedor Svechkov - There's some different opinions on the offensive upside, but no one disagrees that this is a kid who looks like he has a future as a pro player. The offensive upside questions come from the belief that while has a lot of good to very good skills, they don't necessarily stand-out as being great. But he's such an unbelievably smart player, you have to wonder if he just makes them work anyway.

4. Aatu Raty - Full disclosure I was never someone who saw Raty as a top tier prospect, so his fall for me isn't quite as dramatic as it is for others. If I'm being honest, his inclusion here is based more on hope/the belief of what he could do rather than necessarily what he has done. At the very least he has third line potential, the question is whether or not he can put it all together and really reward you with a top-six mainstay who compliments star players.

5. Coronato - Probably the guy Joey and I are furthest apart on. I really like the compete level and how he uses his various tools to beat the competition. He can put the puck where he wants, or just as easily set up a play for someone else. Reminds me a lot of Kyle Palmieri at the same age. The challenge is that he's so much better than his competition. He looks like a college player already playing against talent a tier or two below him. So does that carry over to the next level, or does he look this good because of the competition? If you believe the latter, there are few players who can match his ceiling at this spot.

Jeeze, I really hope someone better drops to us than this list. I don't think i'm a fan of anyone here. The Russian kids are a complete mystery box for me and would rather go for more of a sure thing.

 

[Edge]

Jeeze, I really hope someone better drops to us than this list. I don't think i'm a fan of anyone here. The Russian kids are a complete mystery box for me and would rather go for more of a sure thing.

That's fair.

The whole "would would you pick" question is always tricky because I feel like I need something to play off of. I use McKenzie because he surveys actual NHL scouts and his lists serve as good guides for ballpark planning.

For example, a friend sent me a mock draft from Bleacher Report that had us walking away with McTavish at 15. Without putting too fine of a point on the prediction, I believe the Rangers would be over the f***ing moon with an outcome like that.

But I would give some looks to the names listed above if you haven't. There's quite a bit to like there.

 

[eco's bones]

I would guess that Wallstedt will be picked before 15 but if he’s around he’s the guy we should take. He’s already a very good goalie in the SHL as a 17 year old this year and he’s about 6’3 215. Not a small guy and he will push Sheshterkin in probably 2/3 years. IMO he could end up becoming the best player in the draft. I would take that over someone who might become a second/third liner or a second pair defenseman.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

CBJ are also a wildcard at 5. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see them go off the board like they did last year.

 

[Shadowtron]

I would guess that Wallstedt will be picked before 15 but if he’s around he’s the guy we should take. He’s already a very good goalie in the SHL as a 17 year old this year and he’s about 6’3 215. Not a small guy and he will push Sheshterkin in probably 2/3 years. IMO he could end up becoming the best player in the draft. I would take that over someone who might become a second/third liner or a second pair defenseman.

Yeah, most Mocks have him gone by the 6th pick. One Mock had the the Devils picking him. Makes sense, but I can’t see them leaving Hughes on the board.

 

[MettleMcOiler]

You guys have foundations in all areas of goal, defence and forwards. My wild guess you guys will pick up Fyodor Svechkov.

 

[Edge]

You guys have foundations in all areas of goal, defence and forwards. My wild guess you guys will pick up Fyodor Svechkov.

He was on the radar for Gorton and company.

 

[Off Sides]

If they take the goalie at 15, they should trade Shesty sooner than later. It's not like he is tons of year away from getting a clause.

Which they won't because they'll be like, maybe the goalie we drafted is not a NHL starter, which becomes an issue once they sign Shesty for 5 year or whatever as goalie prospects who are not starter have little trade value.

Rangers need to think some steps ahead. It's all good if they plan on making a goalie pick their starter in 2-3 years, yet that then has to be the plan, not let the draftee not start in the NHL because they already have a starter goalie for the next 5 years.

 

[I Eat Crow]

If they take the goalie at 15, they should trade Shesty sooner than later. It's not like he is tons of year away from getting a clause.

Which they won't because they'll be like, maybe the goalie we drafted is not a NHL starter, which becomes an issue once they sign Shesty for 5 year or whatever as goalie prospects who are not starter have little trade value.

Rangers need to think some steps ahead. It's all good if they plan on making a goalie pick their starter in 2-3 years, yet that then has to be the plan, not let the draftee not start in the NHL because they already have a starter goalie for the next 5 years.

Nah, you extend Shesty for 4-5 years and re-evaluate. If the Rangers by some form of fortune end up with Wallstedt, you let him marinate in Sweden for a couple more years and let him come in as a 20-21 year old and platoon with Shesterkin. Wallstedt wouldn't be ready to fully take the reins until Igor's next contract will be up regardless. If he wins the job outright same way Shesty did this year, then you explore options. In today's day and age, you need a goalie that can play 30 games behind your #1 and look competent at least. It can be the difference between making and not making the playoffs all said and done.

I take Wallstedt for a couple of reasons if he gets to 15. One is that he's the best prospect in the entire draft after Owen Power. Second is that although he doesn't have a history of it, and that the first car accident last year injury was a total freak thing that he could have done nothing about, two significant injuries in two years in the league gives me pause about his long term durability. I think he rushed back from the leg injury this year. He looked ok but not his usual self down the stretch.

 

[eco's bones]

Throughout recent history the Rangers usually have excellent goaltending. With the exception of Davidson (who I would argue was very good—not excellent) the likes of Giacomin, Van Biesbrouck, Richter, Lundqvist and now Sheshterkin were not big guys and these days size can matter a lot—not just for covering more space in front of the goal but also for durability. As I said the teenager Wallstedt is already a big guy and FWIW Sebastian Cossa is huge—just hasn’t played the same level of competition that Wallstedt has. If we traded down though he could be a legit target as well.

 

[Matt Rentfree]

Jeeze, I really hope someone better drops to us than this list. I don't think i'm a fan of anyone here. The Russian kids are a complete mystery box for me and would rather go for more of a sure thing.

Not that I know better than anyone else here - because I don't, but I like the first three players on that list in that order. I think Pinelli and Chibrikov could be gamers and Svechkov could be a very solid 3C at the worst. Players 4&5 - meh.

 

[broadwayblue]

Are we really considering another goalie prospect...and in the 1st round?

 

[Synergy27]

Uh oh. There’s another Lindbom available this year. 5th ranked Euro goalie by CSS.

 

[Savant]

Are we really considering another goalie prospect...and in the 1st round?

Only Wallstedt.

 

[I Eat Crow]

Are we really considering another goalie prospect...and in the 1st round?

Shesterkin is sneakily going to be 26 next season. He's been good when healthy. Those last two words are key. While he does not have a significant injury history, two significant injuries, one off and one on ice in the past two years does give me some concern about his long term durability. Not a significant concern, but enough so that the Rangers will need to have a backup plan in mind. Wall, Lindbolm, nor Ollas are the goalie of the future. Doubtful Garand is either. Wallstedt is just about one of the more sure things to come along in the past decade. The Rangers would be foolish to pass him up if he's available at 15, and I'm not a fan either of taking goalies in the 1st round. While there is no immediate need, long term solutions in goal are a weakness in the system.

 

[Savant]

Shesterkin is sneakily going to be 26 next season. He's been good when healthy. Those last two words are key. While he does not have a significant injury history, two significant injuries, one off and one on ice in the past two years does give me some concern about his long term durability. Not a significant concern, but enough so that the Rangers will need to have a backup plan in mind. Wall, Lindbolm, nor Ollas are the goalie of the future. Doubtful Garand is either. Wallstedt is just about one of the more sure things to come along in the past decade. The Rangers would be foolish to pass him up if he's available at 15, and I'm not a fan either of taking goalies in the 1st round. While there is no immediate need, long term solutions in goal are a weakness in the system.

For sure. No issues taking Wallstedt there because Wallstedt is an elite prospect. Would rather take an elite goalie prospect at 15 than waste some picks on project goalies in the mid and late rounds. There is a difference; get the best prospect.

 

[Synergy27]

Really have a feeling that Wallstedt won’t be available at 15 so it’s not even worth talking about him. Does not seem like a realistic target.

 

[duhmetreE]

Really have a feeling that Wallstedt won’t be available at 15 so it’s not even worth talking about him. Does not seem like a realistic target.

I memed about it but I'd take him assuming theres no centers available

 

[Barnaby]

If they take the goalie at 15, they should trade Shesty sooner than later. It's not like he is tons of year away from getting a clause.

Which they won't because they'll be like, maybe the goalie we drafted is not a NHL starter, which becomes an issue once they sign Shesty for 5 year or whatever as goalie prospects who are not starter have little trade value.

Rangers need to think some steps ahead. It's all good if they plan on making a goalie pick their starter in 2-3 years, yet that then has to be the plan, not let the draftee not start in the NHL because they already have a starter goalie for the next 5 years.

It’s probably a moot point anyway as he should be gone, but you don’t trade your mid 20’s top 10 goalie and trade him off because you just drafted an 18 year old whose likely 4-5 years away and no guarantee. Drafting is important but they aren’t focused on not making the playoffs until 2028