Prospect Info: Current #2 overall poll and discussion

[My3Sons]

The point is, if we had the foresight to pick Makar the board (including you) would have flipped out, just like perhaps we have the foresight to pick someone other than the big 2 here that may be the right call, but will cause us (including you) to flip out.

at my age if I flipped out I might break a hip.

 

[BananaGenetics]

2? In the razor-thin separation between Slaf and Wright?

I think he'd be in the conversation for 1.

Probably right about that. Lucky us it doesnt matter or Id be far, far more nervous for this draft

At the moment Im quite calm about the draft and am only anxious for hockey news, really.

 

[RCPXP]

Montreal is going to take Wright. They *want* to take Slafkovsky, but I don't think they will. With the draft being in MTL and the nature of Canadian fans/media, passing on a safe #1 center from North America to pick a traitsy European would cause fans to riot. Especially considering how thin that organization has been at center for the past few decades.

Montreal is probably the most cosmopolitan city in North America. They wouldn't bat an eye over the Habs choosing a European first overall. Now, choosing him over a FRENCH Canadian, yes that would be an issue (and mostly media driven).

I also keep seeing nonsense about how Slaf will be booed if the Habs don't take Wright, the Canadian boy. I think that's ludicrous as well. Many Habs fans simply want a good player and to get their rebuild in momentum.

Exactly.

 

[StevenToddIves]

I would see about a similarly situated right shot defender for Smith who is more defensively oriented. That makes more sense to me than another struggling forward. I can't see the organization devoting too many resources to a struggling forward who needs tons of TLC when they have a bunch of forwards who look to be with the team long term already and a few like Zetterlund or Thompson or Foote knocking on the door. If Johnsson, Tatar, and Zacha were sent out tomorrow it's unlikely the team misses a beat. In contrast, I expect they'd spend the extra time and effort to maybe develop a right handed player like Okhotiyuk or Bahl. Can you imagine a right handed Siegenthaler? I am concerned that Smith has Hughes armor until Luke arrives unless Jack has another buddy we don't know about.

I wouldn't trade for RD unless something really good becomes available, because it's available on the UFA market. I'd love to get a Necas for Smith -- Necas has huge upside, great skates and could be signed to a reasonable contract. Carolina needs LD and the Devils need a top 6 RW. It's a perfect deal for both sides. I mean, Devils fans were willing to give a first round pick for a middle-six winger like Garland, and Necas is bigger, faster and more offensively skilled while probably costing less in a deal. I think it's a great idea.

You call it like you see it, no shame in that. Smith was a great prospect and had very dominant seasons even after being drafted. I'm more patient than you and would love them to give smith one more chance. Ofcourse if someone like Turcotte is available for Smith+ (I doubt it) I'd be all for it. I think his trade value is at an all time low now, so we might as well give him a chance to bounce back. Sophomore slump, injuries, post-covid, terrible goaltending, he was much better at the end of the season.

Turcotte's value is similarly at a low, and his pedigree is even greater than Smith. Turcotte's question is pretty much, will he score? He's extremely fast and quite good defensively. I think Turcotte could eventually be a very good 3C at the NHL level.

 

[My3Sons]

I wouldn't trade for RD unless something really good becomes available, because it's available on the UFA market. I'd love to get a Necas for Smith -- Necas has huge upside, great skates and could be signed to a reasonable contract. Carolina needs LD and the Devils need a top 6 RW. It's a perfect deal for both sides. I mean, Devils fans were willing to give a first round pick for a middle-six winger like Garland, and Necas is bigger, faster and more offensively skilled while probably costing less in a deal. I think it's a great idea.


Turcotte's value is similarly at a low, and his pedigree is even greater than Smith. Turcotte's question is pretty much, will he score? He's extremely fast and quite good defensively. I think Turcotte could eventually be a very good 3C at the NHL level.

Well that's fine, but what do you do with Hischier if they get Turcotte?

 

[glenwo2]

The point is, if we had the foresight to pick Makar the board (including you) would have flipped out, just like perhaps we have the foresight to pick someone other than the big 2 here that may be the right call, but will cause us (including you) to flip out.

That's a lot of flipping out going on.

 

[longislanddevil]

If Slaf goes to Montreal, i would strongly entertain a trade down to 3OA, 4OA or 6OA. If the Devils covet Jiricek and Gauthier equally, I would strongly entertain trading down if it brings us 6OA and 12OA. It’s virtually guaranteed one is available as I don’t see Nemec falling that far. Imagine walking away with a combo of Gauthier and Chesley or Jiricek and Nazar. Sign me up. If they aren’t blown away by an offer, tell teams to pound dirt. Centers are highly sought after commodities. Devils are in a fantastic “power spot” at 2OA. My first preference is easily Slaf. Hope he is available.

 

[bigvonbody]

2. New Jersey Devils: David Jiricek, RHD, Plzen (CZREP)

If the Habs take Wright, I think for the Devils it’s a simple scenario and they take Slafkovsky. If Slafkovsky goes No. 1, it opens up the possibilities. League sources seem somewhat skeptical they will take Wright, or at least they don’t view this as the likeliest scenario. The most common scenario proposed to me for New Jersey with Slafkovsky going first is the Devils taking one of the top two defensemen in Jiricek or Simon Nemec, or trading the pick. Jiricek is the more common name I’ve heard attached to the Devils between the two defensemen.

 

[Its Always Sundstrom]

Listen Fitzy, some advice, don’t fall victim to one of two classic blunders - The most famous of which is 'never get involved in a land war in Asia' - but only slightly less well-known is this: 'Never go against a Canadian when 1OA is on the line!'

 

[Guadana]

I agree that as the game gets incrementally faster every few years it seems that skating has to become incrementally more important. Smith probably was at least average in 2018 but roll the clock forward a few years and he looks woefully out of place. Hopefully it's all injury related and he can at least become average in four way mobility. Foote was a trade so I'm not sure he can be evaluated the same way. I am going to be criticized, but to my eyes, Holtz looks too bulky. I get that at 5'11" he wants to be sturdy, but he might benefit from slimming down a bit. He's young and again, if he can just get to average three way mobility he should be fine.

You should understand, I'm not saying Holtz will never be enough good skater for NHL game. Him and Foote was mentioned by me, because they spent some time in organisation, like Smith, and they didn't make their skating better. It worry me, especially if we talk about drafting player by high pick with skating issues. I really wished Jiricek will be our pick, but i start to think about that and may be its even better for him to be the part of other organisation.
I'm very pro devils, but I can't close my eyes on real problem. I don't like hiw our medical stuff works, how our physical department works. Schneider was buried by the Devils. We overused him so much, like he was some kind of iron soldier. The same story was with Blackwood. I understand that guy has his own problem, but Devils push on him so much. Goaltenders are starting to be NHL regulars after 27 in modern nhl. Some not, but it is realy hard work now and asking much. We did overused him and now he is broken physically and mentally I think. Nico isn't healthy enough and trying to do much more than he should. Guys asking producing, but he didn't saw really good partners from the first season before the last one. And he even didn't begin it with good ones. Big part he did play with Vesey or Zacha. What can we ask from him, if he play with Pavel, who doesn't any 200 foot work.
And the problems with skating - we did mention a lot of players who didn't develope this part. Im too b1tchy about Smith. And you know. I'm right about it, but im wrong about it. Why he didn't start to play in nhl before?. Remember he did show good preseason, but was sended in juniors. What was a part of non-nhl-readyness? I think skating was the part of that. He was bad in his first year as defenseman, but he was promosing playmaker. His weaknesses were obvious. Did he fix it? No. But is it on his side? You know, I try to think about it, try to remember different cases. And may be not, may be its even not on his side. Professionals should do their job. They should develop players, coaching them.
Medical stuff should be changed. Skating stuff? I think they should be changed too. Will they be changed?
And when I think about Jiricek... is New Jersey Devils a good place for him? May be not. I don't like this conclusion, but when we talk about "changing culture" may be organisation should start from the basis that organisation stand. May be it isn't a personal thing, may be its organizational thing.


Strange thoughts in the late of the night.

 

[Nubmer6]

That's a lot of flipping out going on.

Something something HFBoards something.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

If Slaf goes to Montreal, i would strongly entertain a trade down to 3OA, 4OA or 6OA. If the Devils covet Jiricek and Gauthier equally, I would strongly entertain trading down if it brings us 6OA and 12OA. It’s virtually guaranteed one is available as I don’t see Nemec falling that far. Imagine walking away with a combo of Gauthier and Chesley or Jiricek and Nazar. Sign me up. If they aren’t blown away by an offer, tell teams to pound dirt. Centers are highly sought after commodities. Devils are in a fantastic “power spot” at 2OA. My first preference is easily Slaf. Hope he is available.

I’m really not interested personally. Take the best prospect in Wright. We don’t need quantity. We need quality. We’re in a unique position to take the best player left and run and I have no interest in trading down for 2 lesser prospects.
Unless we’re getting an immediate long-term contributor I have no interest in trading down.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

I'm very pro devils, but I can't close my eyes on real problem. I don't like hiw our medical stuff works, how our physical department works.


Strange thoughts in the late of the night.

I think you have a point. In contrast I'm always jealous of the Rangers medical staff. For years. They always seem to get good results, and are constantly getting bad injuries.

 

[Bcap88]

I don’t think the juice is worth the squeeze in reference to trading down out of 2 since the draft class is pretty weak from all accounts. Is it really worth passing up Shane Wright to aquired a second round pick in a mediocre draft ?

 

[StevenToddIves]

at my age if I flipped out I might break a hip.

At your age, you break a hip watching Footloose on your couch.

 

[Michoulicious]

Rumor has it that NJ is interested in Slaf a lot more than Wright or Cooley, but that Montreal is fine with any of the 3.

If it is true and that Montreal offers to switch picks, would you do it? If yes, what would you give to ensure you get Slaf?

If not and Montreal ends up picking Slaf, would you take one of the Cs, one of the RHDs or would you just try to trade the pick/trade down?

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I wouldn't trade for RD unless something really good becomes available, because it's available on the UFA market. I'd love to get a Necas for Smith -- Necas has huge upside, great skates and could be signed to a reasonable contract. Carolina needs LD and the Devils need a top 6 RW. It's a perfect deal for both sides. I mean, Devils fans were willing to give a first round pick for a middle-six winger like Garland, and Necas is bigger, faster and more offensively skilled while probably costing less in a deal. I think it's a great idea.


Turcotte's value is similarly at a low, and his pedigree is even greater than Smith. Turcotte's question is pretty much, will he score? He's extremely fast and quite good defensively. I think Turcotte could eventually be a very good 3C at the NHL level.

I don’t see Carolina trading Necas for Smith. I wish they would though.

 

[Devils731]

Rumor has it that NJ is interested in Slaf a lot more than Wright or Cooley, but that Montreal is fine with any of the 3.

If it is true and that Montreal offers to switch picks, would you do it? If yes, what would you give to ensure you get Slaf?

If not and Montreal ends up picking Slaf, would you take one of the Cs, one of the RHDs or would you just try to trade the pick/trade down?

If MTL offered to switch picks for free then yes I’d do it. Maybe a 7th rounder.

Otherwise I just sit at 2 and use the pick or see if someone offers something interesting to move down 1-3 spots.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

Rumor has it that NJ is interested in Slaf a lot more than Wright or Cooley, but that Montreal is fine with any of the 3.

If it is true and that Montreal offers to switch picks, would you do it? If yes, what would you give to ensure you get Slaf?

If not and Montreal ends up picking Slaf, would you take one of the Cs, one of the RHDs or would you just try to trade the pick/trade down?

not sure i buy that. I'll happily take wright. this isn't babytown frolics here.

 

[Michoulicious]

If MTL offered to switch picks for free then yes I’d do it. Maybe a 7th rounder.

Otherwise I just sit at 2 and use the pick or see if someone offers something interesting to move down 1-3 spots.

Yeah, I don't think Montreal would do that for a 7th rounder realistically, especially with the draft in Montreal.

Basically means you'd keep the pick. With Slaf gone, and let's say you don't a have a good offer to trade down, who do you pick at #2 OA?

not sure i buy that. I'll happily take wright. this isn't babytown frolics here.

So you take Wright instead of one of the RHDs?

You see Wright as #3 C?

 

[Bcap88]

Yeah, I don't think Montreal would do that for a 7th rounder realistically, especially with the draft in Montreal.

Basically means you'd keep the pick. With Slaf gone, and let's say you don't a have a good offer to trade down, who do you pick at #2 OA?


So you take Wright instead of one of the RHDs?

You see Wright as #3 C?

I take wright, I see wright as a very good player that will get his minutes and you figure out how later

 

[devilsblood]

Smith isn't a bad skater though, he's just really slow. Too many people confuse the two, they are not the same. Miles wood is super fast, but he's a terrible skater.



I don't really see why he wouldn't be tbh, his game is more suited to wing imo.

I hear what you are saying but Smith is so slow that he shouldn't be called a good skater either. Below average for sure.

Watching more of Jiricek YT vids and I can maybe see from where the criticism stems, though I do think STI is correct that some of this criticism is based on post injury viewings. I understand too that in highlights you're not going to see him getting walked, or falling over in the corners. But he does show pretty good quickness from a standing position, and looks pretty good in the open ice as well.

Really given his size, the bit of jump in his step, and the "sloppyness," (whether that be due to injury or not) the skating looks to me like an area of likely improvement. Prototypical big young guy who will skate better as he matures physically. If he were slow and lumbering I'd be worried, but he's not that.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Rumor has it that NJ is interested in Slaf a lot more than Wright or Cooley, but that Montreal is fine with any of the 3.

If it is true and that Montreal offers to switch picks, would you do it? If yes, what would you give to ensure you get Slaf?

If not and Montreal ends up picking Slaf, would you take one of the Cs, one of the RHDs or would you just try to trade the pick/trade down?

A lot has been written about this on the Devils threads.

I think if Montreal takes Wright, it's a no-brainer that the Devils take Slafkovsky.

If Montreal takes Slafkovsky, however, I think management would be open to a trade down with the specified targets of Gauthier or Jiricek... so #3, #4, #5 or #6 overall, because there's little shot at one of those two if you move down as far as #7. If a trade couldn't be worked out, I still feel New Jersey would be absolutely comfortable -- and thrilled -- to take Wright at #2 overall.

The Devils are in a very nice spot at #2, and I doubt there's any pressure to move up to #1.

 

[Eggtimer]

This is not true at all.

There is equal pressure on Wright as pick (Canadian - #1) and in fact I would argue more. There's pressure points everywhere. If they deflect on picking 1st I will come back and eat my words wholesale, but i just do not see any way they can look at themselves in the mirror and their fan base and say "we were too chicken, so we let NJ or team X make our decision for us".

Real GMs don't think in the way you propose in your initial sentence (maybe the old guard decades ago did, but not today's hypertensive business/competition model in the various leagues).

I wonder how much there could be a possibility that the Habs machune could go to work tryimg to influence draft rankings . Example - they wanted to go Slaf for awhile now but were scared of fan backlash at the draft so they went to town on social media and different mediums to sway the rankings so they can go Slaf with out serious repercussions- fan base flipping put and losing their shit ?*** places tinfoil hat in to prevent the Habs from mind melting me****

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

I think they’re very stylistically different. They play a very different game.

Apart from the the physical differences in how they skate, shoot, etc.
They don’t play the same way really at all.
Nico’s a hound and high energy player and is more of a puck carrier. He plays kind of bullish with skill.
Wright plays a slower, more methodical game which is completely centered around his IQ, reading of the play and vision. He doesn’t often hold onto the puck too long but is always a great support option for his teammates.
That’s a big part of why I think he could be good with Hughes.

He’s gonna let Hughes do the puck carrying while being a good supporting option and then he’ll be good at getting it back to him when he gets it or he can use his good shot.
I don’t see all that in Nico which is why I don’t think it would be very similar to Hughes and Nico playing together.

Yea I don't agree with this at all. Nico also vibed really well with Taylor Hall who had the puck 99% of the time.