2022 Draft Thread - July 7-8 (CBJ to pick 6th (via CHI) and 12th overall)

[Viqsi]

Okay, I'll say at least one thing about draft candidates - for some reason, I strongly believe in Nazar. I can't elucidate why as I've barely even seen him play (I think I've managed all of one highlight reel of him in particular). I just do.

Given my standing record w/r/t prospect scouting, that should probably be enough reason to run away screaming. But I still keep finding myself checking to see if he's still a good possibility.

 

[Cowumbus]

Okay, I'll say at least one thing about draft candidates - for some reason, I strongly believe in Nazar. I can't elucidate why as I've barely even seen him play (I think I've managed all of one highlight reel of him in particular). I just do.

Given my standing record w/r/t prospect scouting, that should probably be enough reason to run away screaming. But I still keep finding myself checking to see if he's still a good possibility.

I’m sold on Nazar too. Lekkerimaki close behind.

 

[stevo61]

Well Johnson+Nazar would help cure what has plagued CBJ for awhile and its lack of skilled playmakers.

 

[Xoggz22]

Okay, I'll say at least one thing about draft candidates - for some reason, I strongly believe in Nazar. I can't elucidate why as I've barely even seen him play (I think I've managed all of one highlight reel of him in particular). I just do.

Given my standing record w/r/t prospect scouting, that should probably be enough reason to run away screaming. But I still keep finding myself checking to see if he's still a good possibility.

That's funny as I'm just the opposite for no seemingly solid reason. Something about Nazar just doesn't get me excited. But I think that's this year's draft for me. I haven't really seen anyone pop that I really want. Closest for me is Mintyukov. Just watching and reading I'm just consistently drawn to him.

 

[tunnelvision]

I hope you have Victor Neuchev in that list

He will be there. He's a borderline first-rounder in my eyes.

The hockeyprospect (black book) final list is out.

This is the first time I've seen anyone else with Mintyukov ahead of Nemec.

Then they have Kasper at 7. Lekkerimaki is at 8, maybe I should give him another look. Wright also not at #1.

I don't have access to their full coverage but have to say I'm a bit surprised to see no Beck, Ostlund or Chesley in top-32. I also wonder what they see in Lekkerimaki, how does he deserve to be ahead of Gauthier and Nazar? I'm scratching my head over Korchinski and Mateychuk rankings.

Going to be an interesting draft weekend...

 

[Jackets Bob]

I'm also inviting everyone to post draft lists, but for a more specific reason. Several team boards have been voting pick by pick to get a draft order. It occurred to me that if we got enough draft lists posted here that we could use ranked choice voting to merge them into a CBJ board list.

This is just intended to get a combined list of about 15 names, so a list of just 15 names from each could suffice, although a list of 20 or longer will preserve your choice between two players you don't like as much. For instance, I'd have Lambert and Korchinski in the 20s, but the board might end up choosing between them for pick 15.

I'll be keeping track of lists here in the next couple weeks in case we get enough posted to make it worthwhile.

I think rankings 1-... is near impossible. I put them into Tiers. Each tier is alphabetical:

Shane Wright

Logan Cooley
Juraj Slafkovský
David Jiricek

Cutter Gauthier
Joakim Kemell
Simon Nemec
Matthew Savoie

Conor Geekie
Marco Kasper
Brad Lambert
Denton Mateychuk
Pavel Mintyukov

Isaac Howard
Jonathan Lekkerimäki
Frank Nazar
Danila Yurov

Kevin Korchinski
Rutger McGroarty
Filip Mesar

 

[Hello Johnny]

Before finishing my list (it'll probably be roughly 30 players) I'm trying to think critically about players who have been high picks and not panned out the way people had thought. Specifically, Jiricek comes to mind. He's projected as a smart, skilled, physical player who has a booming shot, but whose skating, while not poor, leaves something to be desired. I think about Adam Larsson in this particular case. What separates the two as 18 year olds? Clearly Jiricek has a better point shot, but what else?

Each day that passes has me questioning why he should be a top 5 pick over Mintyukov. Or even, dare I say, a top 10 pick? I like the player a lot, I just wonder about the likelihood of him hitting his ceiling.

 

[Goptor]

Before finishing my list (it'll probably be roughly 30 players) I'm trying to think critically about players who have been high picks and not panned out the way people had thought. Specifically, Jiricek comes to mind. He's projected as a smart, skilled, physical player who has a booming shot, but whose skating, while not poor, leaves something to be desired. I think about Adam Larsson in this particular case. What separates the two as 18 year olds? Clearly Jiricek has a better point shot, but what else?

Each day that passes has me questioning why he should be a top 5 pick over Mintyukov. Or even, dare I say, a top 10 pick? I like the player a lot, I just wonder about the likelihood of him hitting his ceiling.

They are kind of the opposite. Larsson was one of the furthest developed defensemen ever. He was the size of an NHLer and read plays like an NHLer at 16yrs old. He was drafted at 220lbs - Jiricek is 190lbs.

There is a really big difference in their shot. Larsson when drafted had one of the slowest releases in the league and didn't have much power to it. The Devils tried him on the power play for his first few games and opposing teams didn't even need to defend against him. Jiricek has one of the best shots in his draft class and is very likely going to be playing on the top pp unit for most of his career.

Another interesting note is Larsson was actually a decent skater when he was drafted. The years before his draft were highlighted by big, phyiscal net front presences so the Devils had him bulk up for his development so he can fend off the Jovanovskis, Byfugliens, and Lucics. The bulking up made his lose some of his skating speed.

 

[majormajor]

Before finishing my list (it'll probably be roughly 30 players) I'm trying to think critically about players who have been high picks and not panned out the way people had thought. Specifically, Jiricek comes to mind. He's projected as a smart, skilled, physical player who has a booming shot, but whose skating, while not poor, leaves something to be desired. I think about Adam Larsson in this particular case. What separates the two as 18 year olds? Clearly Jiricek has a better point shot, but what else?

Each day that passes has me questioning why he should be a top 5 pick over Mintyukov. Or even, dare I say, a top 10 pick? I like the player a lot, I just wonder about the likelihood of him hitting his ceiling.

Larsson was and is a polished skater and a very good defender. He was viewed as a guy that could do everything and ended up just as a shutdown guy.

There's more risk with Jiricek's skating, I'll admit it, but if he comes close to his ceiling then he'll be worth much much more than Larsson. It's not just the shot. His reads, his passing vision, it is all tantalizing to me. If you don't see those things then yes, I agree you should have Mintyukov higher, because he has those offensive gifts too and his skating makes him a safer player to project.

 

[stevo61]

I dont know if it had any long term impact on Larsson's skating but he did have multiple groin injuries and atleast a knee injury I know of

 

[VT]

 

[Cowumbus]

Model likes Lane Hutson

 

[koteka]

Model likes Lane Hutson

It must not factor in size. It doesn’t like Slafkovsky or Gauthier. And no Bichsel or Pickering.

 

[VT]

Model likes Lane Hutson

If I understood correctly, it's a ranking of how many players have a chance to make it in the NHL.

 

[Cowumbus]

With Tiers included:

1 Nemec
2 Cooley
3 Wright
4 Kemell
5 Jiricek
6 Nazar
7 Lekkerimaki
8 Gauthier

9 Slafkovsky
10 Savoie
11 Mateychuk
12 Mintyukov
13 Korchinski
14 Yurov

15 Kulic
16 McGroaty
17 Lambert
18 Geekie

19 Kasper
20 Ohgren
21 Snuggerud
22 Miroshnichenko
23 Hutson
24 Firkus (honestly want to put him higher)
25 Mesar

HM: Casey, Goyette

Bolded are my personal favorites.

 

[Hello Johnny]

They are kind of the opposite. Larsson was one of the furthest developed defensemen ever. He was the size of an NHLer and read plays like an NHLer at 16yrs old. He was drafted at 220lbs - Jiricek is 190lbs.

There is a really big difference in their shot. Larsson when drafted had one of the slowest releases in the league and didn't have much power to it. The Devils tried him on the power play for his first few games and opposing teams didn't even need to defend against him. Jiricek has one of the best shots in his draft class and is very likely going to be playing on the top pp unit for most of his career.

Another interesting note is Larsson was actually a decent skater when he was drafted. The years before his draft were highlighted by big, phyiscal net front presences so the Devils had him bulk up for his development so he can fend off the Jovanovskis, Byfugliens, and Lucics. The bulking up made his lose some of his skating speed.

Larsson was and is a polished skater and a very good defender. He was viewed as a guy that could do everything and ended up just as a shutdown guy.

There's more risk with Jiricek's skating, I'll admit it, but if he comes close to his ceiling then he'll be worth much much more than Larsson. It's not just the shot. His reads, his passing vision, it is all tantalizing to me. If you don't see those things then yes, I agree you should have Mintyukov higher, because he has those offensive gifts too and his skating makes him a safer player to project.

I dont know if it had any long term impact on Larsson's skating but he did have multiple groin injuries and atleast a knee injury I know of

This is all very fair and I realize it's not the best apples-to-apples comparison, just trying to gauge the risk (if any) involved with picking a player so high who isn't the kind of skater I covet. Larsson was certainly a safe bet much like Jiricek, I just wonder how safe is too safe?

I'm probably overthinking it lol

 

[Doggy]

I am not debating for or against any player but let's keep in mind that speed/skating will only get a prospect so far. As Mel Brooks would say, Foudy has Ludicrous Speed while the biggest dig on Silly has been his skating. Silly looks like at worst a second line center while at this point Foudy is going to have to battle for a roster spot in camp and I am hoping he's a serviceable third line forward.

 

[MoeBartoli]

Definitely a case of model vs. Button, Pronman and Wheeler who rate Slafkovsky and vastly differently.

 

[Xoggz22]

I am not debating for or against any player but let's keep in mind that speed/skating will only get a prospect so far. As Mel Brooks would say, Foudy has Ludicrous Speed while the biggest dig on Silly has been his skating. Silly looks like at worst a second line center while at this point Foudy is going to have to battle for a roster spot in camp and I am hoping he's a serviceable third line forward.

I don't disagree with this but to be fair, some had Sillinger as a top 5 pick, stronger (I think that's fair to say) than Foudy's draft year and Silly was expected to be a 2nd line center. Foudy was (obviously now) a bit of a reach but had the tools and was expected to take a bit more time to develop. He's been derailed by injury and lack of play. I agree he may not be a 2C but I think he still shouldn't be written off (not that you are) as a good future NHL player. His skills are still very desirable and, which I think is your point, not one thing determines a players success or failure.

Fair point by you.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Rather than going a typical list 1-15 or whatever, I'm doing a tier list on who I want at both spots. I am excluding Wright, Slafkosky, and Cooley as they are almost 100% not going to be there.

So at 6, here's what I'm liking right now..

1. Nemec
2. Jiricek
3. Gauthier
4. Nazar

And at 12, more options.

*If a D is picked at 6, then move down all defensemen to the bottom of the list.

1. Nazar
2. Mintyukov
3. Savoie
4. Kasper
5. Kemell
6. Mateychuk
7. Lekkerimaki
8. Kochenski
9. Lambert

 

[5th Line Fanatic]

Rather than going a typical list 1-15 or whatever, I'm doing a tier list on who I want at both spots. I am excluding Wright, Slafkosky, and Cooley as they are almost 100% not going to be there.

So at 6, here's what I'm liking right now..

1. Nemec
2. Jiricek
3. Gauthier
4. Nazar

And at 12, more options.

*If a D is picked at 6, then move down all defensemen to the bottom of the list.

1. Nazar
2. Mintyukov
3. Savoie
4. Kasper
5. Kemell
6. Mateychuk
7. Lekkerimaki
8. Kochenski
9. Lambert

I like this approach.
Disclaimer-My knowledge of the players is limited to the top 30 or so and I've only seen Slaf and Nemec play live. I am biased against little guys in the first round this year, so I haven't put anyone on my list under 6'. If Cooley fell to us, I'd make an exception for him. I'd like 1 Center and 1 D-man in the first round, I don't care which order we take them.

#6
1. Jiricek
2. Nemec
3. Gauthier

#12
1. Korchinski (I think the CBJ front office likes him)
2. Kasper
3. Geekie
4. Bichsel
5. I have no problem taking a chance on Miroshnichenko here or a trade.

 

[pled]

1. Korchinski (I think the CBJ front office likes him)

did anyone actually said that ? cause I sure hope not.

 

[5th Line Fanatic]

I believe I read that Jarmo and Co. were at one of his playoff games.

did anyone actually said that ? cause I sure hope not.

 

[Xoggz22]

I believe I read that Jarmo and Co. were at one of his playoff games.

CBJ has seen him a lot. Knazko plays for Seattle as well and I believe Dorsett spent quite a bit of time monitoring him. Either way, they had reason to be in Seattle and a lot of exposure to Korchinski. I prefer Mintyukov myself but if CBJ has seen him that much, I would feel they have a really good idea where he would fit or what he can become in the NHL.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

There are some guys I just haven’t warmed to for whatever reason - Lekkerimaki, Geekie, Mateychuk among them.

Truth is I’m going to learn to root for whoever the picks are. And since others seem to at least have them on lists, I expect I’ll just follow their lead if/when the time comes.

It’s hard to want to select certain guys - although that’s natural - because for all the press the draft gets, we really know little about what Jarmo and our scouts have in mind.