Prospect Info: Current #2 overall poll and discussion

[Normal Devil]

If Montreal really wants Wright they aren't going to dick around and try to get NJ to trade up from #2 to #1.

 

[Xirik]

If Montreal really wants Wright they aren't going to dick around and try to get NJ to trade up from #2 to #1.

I mean, they do have a new GM and the draft is in Montreal. He could be nervous and indecisive. Doing the trade would take the stress off his shoulders and he'd look like a wily GM.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

When was the last time a 1OA went to the wire like this? Nico's was pretty close

There was a lot of smoke about Colorado taking Seth Jones first overall, because Colorado already had Stastny, Duchene, and O’Reilly and Jones’ dad played for the Denver nuggets. But it was never about who was actually the best player, which pretty much everyone agreed was Mackinnon.

 

[Saint Beaurivage]

Sounds like the Habs are now confused whether to pick Wright or Slafkovsky. They are a smart hockey culture and finally realized Slavkovsky's sick talent, hands, and size could be generational.

Wright is like a bowl of vanilla ice cream, although he will be a fine addition to our lineup considering we are lucky to pick at 2.

 

[devilsblood]

Sounds like the Habs are now confused whether to pick Wright or Slafkovsky. They are a smart hockey culture and finally realized Slavkovsky's sick talent, hands, and size could be generational.

Wright is like a bowl of vanilla ice cream, although he will be a fine addition to our lineup considering we are lucky to pick at 2.

This explains why I don't want the Devils to draft him. Or it sums it up. I don't know, but I'm just not a big fan of vanilla ice cream.

 

[Xirik]

This explains why I don't want the Devils to draft him. Or it sums it up. I don't know, but I'm just not a big fan of vanilla ice cream.

not even if there is a toppings bar?

 

[Guttersniped]

#16 was far above Seider's consensus ranking, if I recall correctly. Several rankings had him in the 2nd round. The stat guys were very low on him.

Look, I'm a draft writer. I'm on very good terms with some other draft writers. It's not about slagging the industry so much as trying to annihilate the criteria many people use to assess defensemen. I'll bet you a beer a 15 minute google search can find multiple rankings where Seider was ranked below Anttoni f**king Honka.

I recall communicating to Cam Robinson about Seider and joking about how so many people were sleeping on his tremendous talent. I had Seider #11 and Robinson had him #13 -- if I recall correctly those were Seider's two watermark rankings. He was just such an impressive young player.

Many of the rankings are at MyNHLDraft, they aren’t that terrible on Seider.

Remember that Yzerman tried to trade down and couldn’t get it done. If he did trade down too far he was in danger of losing him, the Ducks were interested in taking him at #9 but instead lucked out when Zegras surprisingly made it to them.

Russ Cohen (Sportsology, EPRinkside, SirusXM) had Seider #9

Hockey Prospect had him at #10.

McKeen’s, Ryan Kennedy (THN) & Chris Peters (then ESPN, now Daily Faceoff) all had him #15

Future Considerations had him #16

The Draft Analyst had him at #18

Corey Pronman (The Athletic) had him at #22

Prospect Pipeline (don’t really know what that is, but it’s here) had him #23

Sam Cosentino (Sportsnet) had him #24

Craig Button had him at #26

Scott Wheeler (The Athletic) had him at #35, as his 9th defensemen lol, but that’s a very Wheeler thing to do. (He put Mikko Kokkoken at #23, also on brand.) He does in fact have him below Anttoni f***ing Honka who he has at, uh, #20.


2019 NHL Draft Rankings

 

[devilsblood]

Still think Habs go Wright . Just based off of position . Maybe they think Slaf may be slightly a better forward but not so much better that they pass on a C .
Teams always want to build around C’s and this is their chance to solidify that . They cannot bank on having another chance to do so .
I also think they somewhat value Weight being Canadian born . To me it duesnt matter at all , but some teams have preference .
I’d just still be somewhat shocked if they do not take a C . I really hope we can still end up with Slafkovsky. If we don’t … I guess I would look back a few months , and if I was told we could draft Wright … I would jump for joy and think there is no possible way we could .

Ya Hab's are in a very different situation then the Devils regarding strength at the center position. If I'm in the Hab's shoes it's Wright easy.

not even if there is a toppings bar?

Depends on the toppings.

Add some chocolate the mix and I reconsider.

Try adding some rainbow sprinkles and I walk.

 

[Xirik]

Ya Hab's are in a very different situation then the Devils regarding strength at the center position. If I'm in the Hab's shoes it's Wright easy.


Depends on the toppings.

Add some chocolate the mix and I reconsider.

Try adding some rainbow sprinkles and I walk.

You so have bad taste! Rainbow sprinkles give the icecream a bit of crunch.

 

[devilsblood]

You so have bad taste! Rainbow sprinkles give the icecream a bit of crunch.

If ice cream needs crunch then the ice cream sucks.

 

[devilsblood]

I only watched a bit of Jiricek and it was a few weeks ago, but I thought he showed some explosiveness. Maybe his skating was sloppy? Is that the criticism? If so, sloppy can be cleaned up.

 

[NjDevsRR]

If ice cream needs crunch then the ice cream sucks.

Give me coffee ice cream with chocolate covered espresso beans and caramel sauce.

 

[Derps]

I only watched a bit of Jiricek and it was a few weeks ago, but I thought he showed some explosiveness. Maybe his skating was sloppy? Is that the criticism? If so, sloppy can be cleaned up.

His skating is really good. That’s why a lot of scouts like him. Some people here just say shit that’s all.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

If the Habs are dangling 1OA to us like the media says what is the most you would offer before saying "go ahead and pick" to Montreal?

Bahl+ 2022 3rd?

Give em' Zacha's rights and swap picks.

 

[HBK27]

Interesting theory...

 

[Saugus]

The thing with Montreal and why I would still lean Wright is that they are at home and 95% of there fanbase has been sold on Wright for so long and everyone there will be expecting him to be taken. Like they might actually have a really pissed off crowd if they don’t take him and that might be more of a factor than people think. Management would also look worse if they took Slafkovsky and he didn’t turn out than if they took Wright. Their fans want Wright. Can they complain if he ends up being a bad pick?

Imagine if they take Slafkovsky and everything is quiet?
If they take Wright it will be loud forsure.

Yes, because they're Habs fans. They're going to complain no matter what happens.

If they take Wright and he busts, they'll swear they knew that they should have taken Slafkovsky, even though it's recorded here forever for as long as HF's rickety ass servers hold up, that they originally said exactly the opposite.

 

[devilsblood]

His skating is really good. That’s why a lot of scouts like him. Some people here just say shit that’s all.

I'll have to go back and watch to get a better feel, but we've def seen scouts whiff on skating evaluations. Especially at D.

Interesting theory...

I don't get this backlash angle.

Wright has been the higher rated guy forever, he fits a need, he's Canadian, and Slaf didn't produce in Finland.

Sure Slaf could be better, but this backlash concern seems like an odd call.

 

[Guttersniped]

Interesting theory...

This is so silly, we have no extra picks before the 4th round and we’re the ones calling them to beg to move up?

I don’t buy this story unless mass delusion is a social contagion in Quebec that has spread from the fan base & the commentators who feed them red meat to Habs team management.

 

[My3Sons]

I'll have to go back and watch to get a better feel, but we've def seen scouts whiff on skating evaluations. Especially at D.


I don't get this backlash angle.

Wright has been the higher rated guy forever, he fits a need, he's Canadian, and Slaf didn't produce in Finland.

Sure Slaf could be better, but this backlash concern seems like an odd call.

I agree our scouts aren’t giving skating thr priority it needs under Fitz. Which is strange because many of them were her under Shero.

 

[Saugus]

If Montreal really wants Wright they aren't going to dick around and try to get NJ to trade up from #2 to #1.

It sounds like they are nervous about their choice, and they want more information from us about who we want more out of the top two guys. I hope Fitz isn't dumb enough to bite on that though. If we reveal which one we like more, then Montreal will try to squeeze us for the extra asset in order to move up and guarantee we get that guy.

Just say we'll take the BPA at #2, whoever it is, and don't tip our hand. I believe I saw that this was indeed Fitz's response, and I think that's the right move.

 

[Normal Devil]

Easy call .. sit tight at #2 and take Slaf or Wright.

 

[HBK27]

I don't get this backlash angle.

Wright has been the higher rated guy forever, he fits a need, he's Canadian, and Slaf didn't produce in Finland.

Sure Slaf could be better, but this backlash concern seems like an odd call.

The backlash angle is just a theory, so who knows. There's certainly going to be a ton of scrutiny of the pick regardless of who Montreal takes. It's at least feasible that Montreal is planning on taking Wright, but with Slafkovsky now at the top of TSN's ranking and knowing that he's a much better fit for NJ versus drafting another center behind Jack and Nico, that they start floating the idea that they may take Slafkovsky in order to see if they can panic NJ into giving up something to ensure they get Slafkovsky. Seems like the Devils are quickly calling their bluff by saying they'd have no problem selecting Wright in that scenario regardless of their center depth because he's the BPA. Couldn't see NJ giving up more than a 3rd rounder to swap picks, so not sure how this would alleviate any backlash for Montreal. They'd still be saying that Wright was their guy all along, as you wouldn't pass on Slafkovsky if you thought he was the better player in order to pick up only an extra 3rd rounder.

I agree NJ should just keep the pick and take whoever's left of Wright & Slafkovsky.

 

[Nubmer6]

Give me coffee ice cream with chocolate covered espresso beans and caramel sauce.

I'll take a half scoop of double-decaf chocolate ice cream.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

His skating is really good. That’s why a lot of scouts like him. Some people here just say shit that’s all.

That is not true whatsoever. He has quick feet for a big guy but sloppy and inefficient skating and footwork. Scouts like him because he’s a big physical defensmen with a bomb of a shot. If he was a really good skater he’d probably be a contender or even favourite for 1st overall.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

I’m concerned though that Fitz has his mind set on a certain type of player ( Slafkovsky / Gauthier )

Same, I just have this feeling Slaf is their #1 but Gauthier is #2. Any other gm you can call me crazy, but Fitz has not really done all that much to disprove this as far as draft tendencies go. I actually like Gauthier a lot so I wouldn't be too mad, but at 2? Idk....I will be upset if they pick Jiricek. Please just go Slaf or Wright.

Btw, I don't think Gauthier at 2 is all that much of a reach, but picking him over Wright? I'm not sure...I was more impressed with Gauthier than Cooley fwiw and the other dmen.