Prospect Info: 2022 Post-Deadline Devils-Centric Mock Draft 2.0 (thru NJ 2nd round)

[StevenToddIves]

and if blackwood is out, like rumors state?

Then use Blackwood as a piece in a deal to get a goalie back. But if the Devils are trading a top 7 -- maybe top 3 -- pick, or Holtz? This would represent just a huge step backwards for the organization.

Right now, Holtz is the most talented pure goal-scoring wing the Devils have drafted since Bill Guerin. Juraj Slafkovsky would be the most talented wing the Devils have drafted since Brendan Shanahan. Either Jiricek or Nemec would represent the most talented RD the Devils have drafted in their 40-year history. The Devils talent core right now can stand up against any in the league. There's no point trading from it unless the guy you get back is Demko or Vasilevskiy, and I'm pretty sure those two aren't for sale.

If Nashville is willing to trade Askarov for Ty Smith and Zacha? Then sure. Hell, if Calgary wants to trade Vladar for Blackwood? I'd give it a shot. But I'd rather just take a run at Husso as a UFA than mortgage the future for year another question mark between the pipes.

 

[StevenToddIves]

But none of those kids will help us out next year. We need to find a solution that will be able to keep us in games as soon as next year. Knight, Wallsted, Askarov, etc aren't the answer short term and giving up a key asset for a position that is extremely hard to gauge is not a wise move for us to make.

I would definitely give up our pick for someone like Demko but he's the only valid option IMO. Vancouver would never do it unless Miller told them to buzz off, Pettersson asked to be traded, Boeser wants to pull the trigger on his QO, etc, etc, etc... so needless to say that it won't happen.

Blackwood has nowhere to go if we don't want to move him and he's playing for a contract, so even if he hates our organization, he's not going to screw himself out of a deal at the end of the season. Let's bring in someone else who can play 30 to 40 games and have them fight for the starters role is how I'd go about it.

There's no way we get screwed, again, by having our backup retire before even playing a game for us or have our backup get a season ending injury two weeks after starting our season. If we do have the same bad luck, we'll draft Bedard/Michkov and call it a day lol

Vancouver's salary cap demise is being turned around by a very competent new management team. I've said before I expect them to simply ship out the Garland and Dickinson contracts, which will enable them to get under the cap next year without losing any major pieces.

 

[Buck Dancer]

Vancouver's salary cap demise is being turned around by a very competent new management team. I've said before I expect them to simply ship out the Garland and Dickinson contracts, which will enable them to get under the cap next year without losing any major pieces.

We better not be in on Garland, that's all I have to say about that and I don't care if it's for Pavel Zacha. When a team is trying to get out of a deal, when they're trying to be competitive, it's not a good sign that you're about to acquire a player of value.

He wouldn't be part of my top #6 and investing a hair under 5M$ per for the next 4 years would be a god awful move for us to make, especially with the depth we have at right wing with Bratt, Mercer and Holtz. Even if we move Dawson back to center and shift Bratt to left wing, it still wouldn't make any sense IMO.

 

[NjDevsRR]

I’d take Husso just so the arena can pipe in the Usos Theme song.

 

[NJ07102]

Then use Blackwood as a piece in a deal to get a goalie back. But if the Devils are trading a top 7 -- maybe top 3 -- pick, or Holtz? This would represent just a huge step backwards for the organization.

Right now, Holtz is the most talented pure goal-scoring wing the Devils have drafted since Bill Guerin

To be honest, I have seen almost all Comets games this season and I am really unimpressed by Holtz. If the right offer came along, I wouldn't hesitate to trade him in a deal for a real good goaltender.

 

[StevenToddIves]

We better not be in on Garland, that's all I have to say about that and I don't care if it's for Pavel Zacha. When a team is trying to get out of a deal, when they're trying to be competitive, it's not a good sign that you're about to acquire a player of value.

He wouldn't be part of my top #6 and investing a hair under 5M$ per for the next 4 years would be a god awful move for us to make, especially with the depth we have at right wing with Bratt, Mercer and Holtz. Even if we move Dawson back to center and shift Bratt to left wing, it still wouldn't make any sense IMO.

Devils have no need for Garland, and all indications now are that the player on Vancouver the Devils were in negotiations for was not Garland at all, but rather Boeser. I'm not worried about being stuck with that contract.

 

[My3Sons]

To be honest, I have seen almost all Comets games this season and I am really unimpressed by Holtz. If the right offer came along, I wouldn't hesitate to trade him in a deal for a real good goaltender.

He's had plenty of scoring success for them. What disappoints you about his game that you don't see him translating to the NHL?

 

[Devs3cups]

He's had plenty of scoring success for them. What disappoints you about his game that you don't see him translating to the NHL?

Wondering the same thing. Kid scores a goal every 2 games and is PPG at 20 years old, in his first pro season in North America. II understand he might have some stuff to round out, but those offensive accomplishments are nothing short of encouraging to me. We really need his skillset and I believe he'll be a stud, but I'm also interested to hear what disappoints him. It must be pretty significant to him for it to overshadow a great offensive campaign at such a young age.

 

[NJ07102]

He's had plenty of scoring success for them. What disappoints you about his game that you don't see him translating to the NHL?

Other than his shot, there is nothing that stands out for me. His stickhandling is mediocre, his speed nothing special, his vision and passing not great either. He can score if somebody finds him and he can let it rip, that's for sure. But he can't create much on his own, unlike, say, a Jesper Bratt can.

To me, he is pretty much a one dimensional player who can be stopped pretty easily if defenders concentrate on his one and only real strength. Sorry to sound that negative, but I haven't seen anything that tells me he is gonna be a great or even very good NHL scorer. Not even with Jack feeding him endlessly, because he has to create space himself which imho he doesn't do very well either. Of course I may be wrong, that is absolutely possible.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Other than his shot, there is nothing that stands out for me. His stickhandling is mediocre, his speed nothing special, his vision and passing not great either. He can score if somebody finds him and he can let it rip, that's for sure. But he can't create much on his own, unlike, say, a Jesper Bratt can.

To me, he is pretty much a one dimensional player who can be stopped pretty easily if defenders concentrate on his one and only real strength. Sorry to sound that negative, but I haven't seen anything that tells me he is gonna be a great or even very good NHL scorer. Not even with Jack feeding him endlessly, because he has to create space himself which imho he doesn't do very well either. Of course I may be wrong, that is absolutely possible.

I think you're coming up with wrong conclusions off of partially true suppositions. While it's true Holtz is not a line driver, it's also important to note he was not drafted to be a line driver -- but rather to be a weapon and a finisher for Hughes or Holtz. In this respect, Holtz's potential is absolutely phenomenal.

I disagree he is a one-dimensional player. Holtz's passing and vision are actually quite good, and his puck-handling is pretty nifty as well. While none of these are elite tools like a true-line driver like Hughes or Bratt would possess, they are both strong enough abilities to play with top talent as the finisher on the line.

Like all goal-scorers, Holtz has been forced to re-learn the ability to find the soft areas on the ice to get open and unleash his shot at each new level. The speed in which he has done this in the AHL is quite impressive. This will be his initial task -- along with rounding out his two-way play -- when he comes to the NHL next season.

Alexander Holtz is a sniper of rare potential, and also one who has the potential to be more than just a one-dimensional shooter. Though he is not a line-driver, he can be an outstanding compliment for a line with a player who fits that role, like Hughes or Bratt or Hischier. We should all be very excited about him.

 

[Devs3cups]

I think you're coming up with wrong conclusions off of partially true suppositions. While it's true Holtz is not a line driver, it's also important to note he was not drafted to be a line driver -- but rather to be a weapon and a finisher for Hughes or Holtz. In this respect, Holtz's potential is absolutely phenomenal.

I disagree he is a one-dimensional player. Holtz's passing and vision are actually quite good, and his puck-handling is pretty nifty as well. While none of these are elite tools like a true-line driver like Hughes or Bratt would possess, they are both strong enough abilities to play with top talent as the finisher on the line.

Like all goal-scorers, Holtz has been forced to re-learn the ability to find the soft areas on the ice to get open and unleash his shot at each new level. The speed in which he has done this in the AHL is quite impressive. This will be his initial task -- along with rounding out his two-way play -- when he comes to the NHL next season.

Alexander Holtz is a sniper of rare potential, and also one who has the potential to be more than just a one-dimensional shooter. Though he is not a line-driver, he can be an outstanding compliment for a line with a player who fits that role, like Hughes or Bratt or Hischier. We should all be very excited about him.

That’s more in line with my viewings of him at the AHL level, especially your passage about his playmaking abilities which, to me, were underrated in his draft year. I think you’re spot on here.

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

Other than his shot, there is nothing that stands out for me. His stickhandling is mediocre, his speed nothing special, his vision and passing not great either. He can score if somebody finds him and he can let it rip, that's for sure. But he can't create much on his own, unlike, say, a Jesper Bratt can.

To me, he is pretty much a one dimensional player who can be stopped pretty easily if defenders concentrate on his one and only real strength. Sorry to sound that negative, but I haven't seen anything that tells me he is gonna be a great or even very good NHL scorer. Not even with Jack feeding him endlessly, because he has to create space himself which imho he doesn't do very well either. Of course I may be wrong, that is absolutely possible.

Jack Quinn is having a better rookie season. Holtz may eventually have a better NHL career, but he's got some catching up to do.

 

[Devs3cups]

Jack Quinn is having a better rookie season. Holtz may eventually have a better NHL career, but he's got some catching up to do.

Quinn is really racking the points, no denying that, great season by him, but what does he have to do with Holtz's season? Don't really care if he ends up the better NHLer if Holtz can get to the level we all think he can. If he can become a 30-40 goal scorer for us and complement our "playmaker types", we'll all see him as a success, regardless of others from his draft class. There's a very good chance he can be that imo.

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

Quinn is really racking the points, no denying that, great season by him, but what does he have to do with Holtz's season? Don't really care if he ends up the better NHLer if Holtz can get to the level we all think he can. If he can become a 30-40 goal scorer for us and complement our "playmaker types", we'll all see him as a success, regardless of others from his draft class. There's a very good chance he can be that imo.

Sure I guess. Whatever makes you feel better.

 

[My3Sons]

Other than his shot, there is nothing that stands out for me. His stickhandling is mediocre, his speed nothing special, his vision and passing not great either. He can score if somebody finds him and he can let it rip, that's for sure. But he can't create much on his own, unlike, say, a Jesper Bratt can.

To me, he is pretty much a one dimensional player who can be stopped pretty easily if defenders concentrate on his one and only real strength. Sorry to sound that negative, but I haven't seen anything that tells me he is gonna be a great or even very good NHL scorer. Not even with Jack feeding him endlessly, because he has to create space himself which imho he doesn't do very well either. Of course I may be wrong, that is absolutely possible.

I think his passing vision and touch have been better than expected when I’ve watched him. I think he has a good sense of scoring position as well. I agree he doesn’t lol like anything special when he skates but I can’t say in the games I’ve watched him he looked behind the play. I’ll also add that he’s obviously being asked to concentrate on changing certain elements of his game and I don’t doubt that effort is slowing him down a bit. It’s tricky to evaluate a guy like Holtz and only time will tell. Don’t forget he was WJC eligible this season. He’s young even for the AHL.

 

[Guttersniped]

Jack Quinn is having a better rookie season. Holtz may eventually have a better NHL career, but he's got some catching up to do.

And why does it matter? It doesn’t effect the player we drafted. It’s not a contest, if the 2020 draft turns out to be especially strong at forward then cool. If Holtz doesn’t become an effective top line scorer then that’s not cool.

I haven’t been in love with how Fitz has approached his drafts because he seems to seem to go after the guys his scouts want rather approaching in terms of draft assets. I might be happier if one of the talked about picked trades happened. (I really do love pick trades.) But who knows.

I’m not crazy about other aspects (lack of RHD, lack of offensive drivers) but I don’t see the point of getting hung up about guys we didn’t pick.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Mini-mock for 4/4:

1 MTL Wright
2 ARI Cooley
3 SEA Slafkovsky
4 NJ Jiricek
5 PHI Nemec
6 OTT Geekie
7 CLB Nazar
8 BUF Lambert
9 DET Gauthier
10 ANH Kemell
11 SJ Kasper
12 CLB Savoie
13 VAN Chesley
14 NYI McGroarty
15 WPG Gaucher
16 BUF Yurov

 

[Guttersniped]

Mini-mock for 4/4:

1 MTL Wright
2 ARI Cooley
3 SEA Slafkovsky
4 NJ Jiricek
5 PHI Nemec
6 OTT Geekie
7 CLB Nazar
8 BUF Lambert
9 DET Gauthier
10 ANH Kemell
11 SJ Kasper
12 CLB Savoie
13 VAN Chesley
14 NYI McGroarty
15 WPG Gaucher
16 BUF Yurov

Yurov is going to drop and someone is going to get such a steal. It’s annoying.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Jack Quinn is having a better rookie season. Holtz may eventually have a better NHL career, but he's got some catching up to do.

Quinn has a terrific snipe, there is no doubt about that. But I have to say Holtz's shot is even better. I think it's pretty safe to say that Fitzgerald picked Holtz at #7 because he wanted the best shot in the draft as a finisher for Hughes/Hischier. And he got that guy in Holtz.

If Fitzgerald was going for the best all-around player at RW? He would've passed on both Holtz and Quinn and used the #7 pick on Jarvis or Mercer. I mean, fortunately we got Mercer at #18. But Jarvis or Mercer were the best all-around player at RW for the 2020 draft. I think if all four of these guys approach their potentials, Holtz will score the most goals, Jarvis the most points, and Mercer will be the best all-around player. But I also love Quinn, because he does all of these things well, too.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Yurov is going to drop and someone is going to get such a steal. It’s annoying.

Agreed -- but if the Devils get Miroshnichenko, Perevalov or Trikozov in the 2nd round, I think I'll be perfectly fine with it.

 

[Hisch13r]

And why does it matter? It doesn’t effect the player we drafted. It’s not a contest, if the 2020 draft turns out to be especially strong at forward then cool. If Holtz doesn’t become an effective top line scorer then that’s not cool.

I haven’t been in love with how Fitz has approached his drafts because he seems to seem to go after the guys his scouts want rather approaching in terms of draft assets. I might be happier if one of the talked about picked trades happened. (I really do love pick trades.) But who knows.

I’m not crazy about other aspects (lack of RHD, lack of offensive drivers) but I don’t see getting hung up if about guys we didn’t pick.

Big fan of trading down. I want a Leafs-Sens situation so bad where we trade down and still pick up Hirvonen and Niemala types while the other team picks a Kleven

 

[Hisch13r]

Agreed -- but if the Devils get Miroshnichenko, Perevalov or Trikozov in the 2nd round, I think I'll be perfectly fine with it.

Oh please give me Jiricek and Gleb as our first 2 picks

 

[StevenToddIves]

Big fan of trading down. I want a Leafs-Sens situation so bad where we trade down and still pick up Hirvonen and Niemala types while the other team picks a Kleven

You might recall how high I was on Niemela. Kid can frickin' play hockey. Hirvonen was another guy I feel I had higher than the consensus.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Oh please give me Jiricek and Gleb as our first 2 picks

As much as I love me some Trikozov, I have to say -- as a guy who probably watches more MHL than most well-known draft-writers -- Perevalov is even better. You should check him out, he's downright nasty. Elite hands, shot and vision and one of the best compete levels in the entire draft class.

But I'm curious what you think about the draft's bazillion dollar question. You're Tom Fitzgerald, you're picking in the 2nd round at #36 or #37 overall, and Ivan Miroshnichenko is available. What do you do?

Is there a chance that his illness is serious enough it threatens his entire career? Yes. But is there a chance his early season inconsistencies are attributable to the disease, and the player you'll be getting when he's 100% healthy is the player from 2020-21 who looked like he could challenge Shane Wright for the #1 overall selection? Also, yes.

I can't say I've come to a decision, but I'm curious what you -- and other knowledgable posters -- would do in this situation. Because Miro's upside is absolutely ridiculous. And it's a 2nd round pick, right?

 

[RNCDevil]

I really wanted Morrow last year. I cannot believe the Canes got him.