Draft 2021 NHL Draft and Undrafted Free Agent Thread

[TheBloodyNine]

When the cupboard is stocked it was very easy to forget about Berard. Wonder what the future will hold for him?

I hope it holds a spot in our bottom 6!

 

[Joey Bones]

Any thoughts on him?

Meh, he doesn’t have the highest upside, but he could become a productive middle-6 forward if he can gain strength and hopefully grow a few inches. I like how slippery he can be, but strength is the biggest key to his development. He's committed to Northeastern for next season.

I wouldn't mind him 4th round or later depending on who's there...

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Meh, likely a late-round pick. He doesn’t have the highest upside, but he could become a productive middle-6 forward if he can gain strength and hopefully grow a few inches. I like how slippery he can be, but strength is the biggest key to his development. He's committed to Northeastern for next season.

I never have a problem gambling on bloodlines in the late round. Hopefully on Doan's kid as well.

 

[Joey Bones]

I never have a problem gambling on bloodlines in the late round. Hopefully on Doan's kid as well.

I'd rather Josh Doan between the two. Kid can grind!!

 

[Joey Bones]

Last Word on Sports has been dropping their yearly scouting profiles on the draft-eligible players. They are listed below and will be continuing on in the days leading up to the draft...

Owen Power
Matthew Beniers
Brandt Clarke
William Eklund
Luke Hughes
Dylan Guenther
Jesper Wallstedt
Simon Edvinsson
Kent Johnson
Fabian Lysell
Chaz Lucius
Mason McTavish
Carson Lambos
Matthew Coronato
Cole Sillinger
Aatu Raty
Xavier Bourgault
Nikita Chibrikov
Sebastian Cossa
Daniil Chayka
Stanislav Svozil
Isak Rosen
Corson Cuelemans
Francesco Pinelli
Sasha Pastujov
Zachary L'Heureux
Zachary Bolduc
Brennan Othmann
Simon Robertsson
Logan Stankoven
Oskar Olausson
Fedor Svechkov
Anton Olsson
Samu Tuomaala
Mackie Samoskevich
Ryder Korczak
Zach Dean
Sean Behrens
William Stromgren
Brett Harrison
Ayrton Martino
Aidan Hreschuk
Dylan Duke
Jack Bar
Alexander Kisakov
Conner Roulette
Chase Stillman

More are coming so stay tuned...

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I hope it holds a spot in our bottom 6!

We have some players battling it out for bottom-6 spots in the years to come in Barron, Richards, Rueschhoff, Cuylle, Berard, Khodorenko, Edström. It pays off to develop them yourself and not overpay in free agency.

 

[QJL]

A bunch of 2021 draft-eligibles are invited, including some 3rd round candidates in Josh Doan and Red Savage.

2022 draft-eligible Logan Cooley also invited...

Shocked by the lack of ‘22 players invited. That USNTDP class from 04 is absolutely loaded.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Cooley makes the team along with Chesley, Howard, McGroarty, and Nazar. All have potential to be top 10 picks.

 

[QJL]

Delete

 

[Joey Bones]

Shocked by the lack of ‘22 players invited. That USNTDP class from 04 is absolutely loaded.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Cooley makes the team along with Chesley, Howard, McGroarty, and Nazar. All have potential to be top 10 picks.

We'll see if they get late invites or come in for the 2nd go-around...

 

[RangerBoy]

The Rangers like the Russian kid.

Analysis: This has the potential to be an interesting dilemma for the Rangers. The way this mock draft shook out, the consensus top-three centers – Matthew Beniers, Kent Johnson and Mason McTavish – were all off the board. Another center who I've heard from multiple sources fits the mold the Rangers would be looking for, Fyodor Svechkov, was grabbed by Vancouver at No. 9. The Russian pivot is considered a high-end defensive player with a physical edge and some skill, so keep his name in mind if he makes it to 15. But in this scenario, he was unavailable. And finally, Finnish center Aatu Räty was snagged by Philly at No. 13.

That left me with intriguing options, but no clear-cut choice. Cole Sillinger and Zachary Bolduc are well-rounded center prospects who would definitely be under consideration, while Matt Coronato, Zachary L’Heureux and Brennan Othmann represent a trio of skilled-and-gritty winger prospects who could aid Drury's "hard to play against" mantra. But of all the players left on the board, Lucius is considered by scouts and experts to possess the highest upside. And while there's at least a decent chance Drury will prefer a two-way forward with this pick, the depth of the Rangers' prospect pool should allow him to aim high if a player of
Lucius' talent level slips through.

Lucius went through knee surgery last year, which could cause him to fall out of the top 10. But he returned in February and posted 20 points (13 goals and seven assists) in 13 games with the USNTDP U-18 team, reaffirming his status as one of the top scorers in the draft after leading the U-17 team with 50 points and 31 goals in 46 games the season prior. The University of Minnesota commit also brings some of the elements the Rangers desire, with decent size at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds and a strong net-front presence. Many of his goals come from below the tops of the circles. That willingness to compete hard and get inside, coupled with his puck skills and natural scoring ability, reminds me a bit of another player who went No. 15 and is having a major impact in this year's NHL playoffs — Montreal's Cole Caufield.

NHL mock draft 1.0: NY Rangers load up on centers and grit

 

[Edge]

The Rangers like the Russian kid.



NHL mock draft 1.0: NY Rangers load up on centers and grit

Everything in Vince's article is correct.

Svechkov, Raty, (and Pinelli) are all in play there at 15 for the Rangers. Though Raty is a good candidate to be a faller on their list.

The team is very high on Lucius (and especially McTavish) and were even before the season started. I think they'd absolutely thrilled if he's sitting there at 15.

 

[LaffyTaffy]

Everything in Vince's article is correct.

Svechkov, Raty, (and Pinelli) are all in play there at 15 for the Rangers. Though Raty is a good candidate to be a faller on their list.

The team is very high on Lucius (and especially McTavish) and were even before the season started. I think they'd absolutely thrilled if he's sitting there at 15.

I like this, focusing on the right guys. Assuming Mctavish and Lucius are gone, I think at the moment im leaning Svechkov over Pinelli over Raty. SKA is a great place to be and if we are in no rush then we can let him simmer there for at least 2 years.

 

[Edge]

I like this, focusing on the right guys. Assuming Mctavish and Lucius are gone, I think at the moment im leaning Svechkov over Pinelli over Raty. SKA is a great place to be and if we are in no rush then we can let him simmer there for at least 2 years.

Svechkov is one of the smartest players in this class. He sees the ice exceptionally well and understands the flow of the game as much as anyone.

Pinelli is more raw, but perhaps more physically gifted. He rose to every challenge this season ranging from playing against men to leading the charge against his peers.

Both guys can claim to be candidates for most improved among the potential first round picks.

Lucius is a prospect of interest who is on the radar going back to last season for the Rangers. If they think he sticks at center, that’s going to be a big consideration for them - even as a potential trade up option.

 

[egelband]

Kid's name is f***ing Red Savage?????

Someone's parents did not think that one through.

Wonder Years fans?
Tough Commies?

 

[egelband]

A bunch of 2021 draft-eligibles are invited, including some 3rd round candidates in Josh Doan and Red Savage.

2022 draft-eligible Logan Cooley also invited...

At first glance i saw one of the players was named “London Slugger” and thought we had smashed Red Savage and Ivan Ivan to smithereens.

 

[savebyrichter94]

Everything in Vince's article is correct.

Svechkov, Raty, (and Pinelli) are all in play there at 15 for the Rangers. Though Raty is a good candidate to be a faller on their list.

The team is very high on Lucius (and especially McTavish) and were even before the season started. I think they'd absolutely thrilled if he's sitting there at 15.

If you don’t mind, what are your thoughts on Nadeau? Similar to what Vince said in his article, he gives me Cuylle vibes and just like Cuylle last year he’s been a regular in my draftsims.

I know Cuylle was a guy you liked a lot last year too and I respect your opinions/insight

 

[Heckler81]

We need to somehow figure out how to get Mason McTavish!!!!

 

[savebyrichter94]

We need to somehow figure out how to get Mason McTavish!!!!

I would be ecstatic if that were to happen but it’s looking like a pipe dream right now unfortunately

 

[Edge]

If you don’t mind, what are your thoughts on Nadeau? Similar to what Vince said in his article, he gives me Cuylle vibes and just like Cuylle last year he’s been a regular in my draftsims.

I know Cuylle was a guy you liked a lot last year too and I respect your opinions/insight

There's a good amount of potential there as a support player, but I also think Nadeau is a kid who is going to have to understand his role if hopes to advance in his career. He started to do that this season and it worked very well for him. He's a guy who is going to make his living going to net, being hard to move, and by figuring out how to compliment creative linemates.

He's not necessarily going to create the plays himself, and his foot speed, especially with the puck, means you probably don't want him in a puck carrying situation too often. But he is effective when a slippery linemate buys him some space to work with. He's smart enough to know his limitations and how to exploit his strength --- that's what gives him a fighting chance. In that sense he kind of reminds of Adam Graves. And like Graves, it might take him a while to get to this destination.

The question is whether the skating limits him at the higher levels, or whether the smarts and the ability to "Stay in his lane" allows him to achieve a bit more --- perhaps even into a second line complimentary role. At the higher levels it's possible that the goal numbers are higher than the assist totals --- I think his point totals (heavy on the assists) are more a reflection of the talent around him than something that is likely to carry him forward. A reasonable/median upside projection for him would be 15-20 goals, 25-35 points if he can keep developing.

I think he's a solid third round choice that could even sneak into the tail-end of the second round.

 

[savebyrichter94]

There's a good amount of potential there as a support player, but I also think Nadeau is a kid who is going to have to understand his role if hopes to advance in his career. He started to do that this season and it worked very well for him. He's a guy who is going to make his living going to net, being hard to move, and by figuring out how to compliment creative linemates.

He's not necessarily going to create the plays himself, and his foot speed, especially with the puck, means you probably don't want him in a puck carrying situation too often. But he is effective when a slippery linemate buys him some space to work with. He's smart enough to know his limitations and how to exploit his strength --- that's what gives him a fighting chance. In that sense he kind of reminds of Adam Graves. And like Graves, it might take him a while to get to this destination.

The question is whether the skating limits him at the higher levels, or whether the smarts and the ability to "Stay in his lane" allows him to achieve a bit more --- perhaps even into a second line complimentary role. At the higher levels it's possible that the goal numbers are higher than the assist totals --- I think his point totals (heavy on the assists) are more a reflection of the talent around him than something that is likely to carry him forward. A reasonable/median upside projection for him would be 15-20 goals, 25-35 points if he can keep developing.

I think he's a solid third round choice that could even sneak into the tail-end of the second round.

Awesome, thanks for the time and effort put into this response as well as the majority of your responses in this thread and elsewhere, greatly appreciated!

I would assume you’d rank Cuylle as the more likely of the two to reach his potential based on skating etc?

 

[Edge]

Awesome, thanks for the time and effort put into this response as well as the majority of your responses in this thread and elsewhere, greatly appreciated!

I would assume you’d rank Cuylle as the more likely of the two to reach his potential based on skating etc?

I personally like Cuylle better because I think he has better odds of being able to translate his game to the pro game effectively and has the edge on potential impact if he does.

Both guys have the potential to pair with higher-end skill guys if they develop though.

 

[frisland]

You can usually count on late round entry draft Euros being picked in the CHL Import Draft (today). Any names we should look at going today that will go next month? since the process is backwards this year.

 

[savebyrichter94]

I personally like Cuylle better because I think he has better odds of being able to translate his game to the pro game effectively and has the edge on potential impact if he does.

Both guys have the potential to pair with higher-end skill guys if they develop though.

Thanks again dude

 

[Bluenote13]

You can usually count on late round entry draft Euros being picked in the CHL Import Draft (today). Any names we should look at going today that will go next month? since the process is backwards this year.

Niko Huuhtanen, RW, 2nd overall.

Ivan Zhigalov, G, 7th overall.


2020 CHL import draft has more names available in this years draft:

Elite Prospects - CHL Import Draft 2020

 

[duhmetreE]

Everything in Vince's article is correct.

Svechkov, Raty, (and Pinelli) are all in play there at 15 for the Rangers. Though Raty is a good candidate to be a faller on their list.

The team is very high on Lucius (and especially McTavish) and were even before the season started. I think they'd absolutely thrilled if he's sitting there at 15.

All the names you've mentioned are perfect fits imo. Fills futre needs and BPA.

I know it's not a 'deep draft' but it has everything we need, where we pick.