Prospect Info: Devils Picking 4th Overall, Part II

[Eggtimer]

Doesn’t seem like scouts are that confident in Clarke’s skating ability . Seems kinda risky but if Hughes and Power are already gone do you go Clarke over one of Benier or Eklund ( one of them would be there )

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

NHL Draft Confidential: Inside what scouts and executives really think about the top prospects

Didn't see this shared from the Athletic. Pronman getting some comments from NHL teams' scouts and advisors on some of the picks. Some interesting comments, I'll just include the ones on Clarke and Hughes:

The risk of drafting a player with major skating concerns seems significantly greater than drafting an elite skater with some defensive concerns.

 

[Devils731]

The risk of drafting a player with major skating concerns seems significantly greater than drafting an elite skater with some defensive concerns.

Clarke’s skating concerns are different then what we normally think of as skating concerns, imo.

He can move around the ice fine, in some cases really well. He can walk along the blue line to find a passing or shooting lane in a beneficial fashion.

On the other hand his upper body and lower body don’t move in sync in an optimal way to defend the rush.

So Clarke’s skating concerns are major but they’re also different than thinking about a guy who can’t get around the ice well. Skating is a risk and an opportunity, possibly.

For me, both questions of Hughes’ defense and Clarke’s skating seem comparable, reasonable, and important for a team to project.

 

[Normal Devil]

Doesn’t seem like scouts are that confident in Clarke’s skating ability . Seems kinda risky but if Hughes and Power are already gone do you go Clarke over one of Benier or Eklund ( one of them would be there )

Take the best available player .. don't reach for D at #4.

 

[devilsblood]

So Power "leaning" towards staying in school for another year?

Is this trying to scare off Buffalo?

 

[devilsblood]

Take the best available player .. don't reach for D at #4.

Clarke could be considered in the same talent group as the fwds.

 

[ScottyK]

So Power "leaning" towards staying in school for another year?

Is this trying to scare off Buffalo?

I doubt it's a scare tactic. Beniers said the same...that Michigan team is gonna be stacked between Power, Beniers, KJ and now adding Luke to that group.... they want to go win a national title.

 

[Darkauron]

I doubt Powers goes back to college. Though that team would be very tempting

 

[glenwo2]

If the Devils drafted McTavish at #4, that would raise a ton of eyebrows all throughout the league.

And not in a good way.

I do agree with @Guttersniped that he can be a solid Bottom-Six forward but the thing is that at #4, it has to be the BPA and McTavish will not be the BPA at that point.

 

[TBF1972]

Buffalo is supposedly in love with Eklund so even if this was a serious idea, he seems the least likely for us to draft at this point.

It would be too expensive, but I am pretty on board with the idea of trying to trade up with the Isles pick for 3 or 5 so we could draft both Lule and Clarke

Yeah, let's trade J.Hughes and G.Clarke to Anaheim for #3.

 

[Brodeur]

So Power "leaning" towards staying in school for another year?

Is this trying to scare off Buffalo?

Nah, I think it's understandable if Power went back for another year. Michigan didn't get to participate in the tournament because of last minute covid outbreak so that probably would be a bitter way to end your college career. Beniers said it himself, but taking a step back from hockey, they didn't get to experience a normal freshman year of college. I can understand the allure of returning for that. As a bonus for Power, he'd likely be a cornerstone for Canada's WJC squad and the tournament is in Canada this year. He wasn't able to attend the evaluation camp last year because he would have missed too much time quarantining.

I don't think anybody else is projected to be NHL ready, so it seems like a statement independent of Buffalo. Power said he'd consult with whichever team drafted him, but it would make sense to develop another year rather than throw him into the deep end on a squad that suddenly might be missing Eichel/Reinhart.

Edit: Some quotes from the horse's mouth -

One reason he would prefer to return to Michigan is the opportunity to enjoy a college year without COVID limitations — including playing in front of fans at Yost Arena.

“I think it would be pretty special. Just actually going to class and not do it online,” Power said. “Just being able to do stuff other than go to the rink and home, I think would be something that I would like to do.”

 

[Triumph]

Everyone thinks thanks to guys like Matthews and McDavid that 18 year old players are good, but 18 year old players are generally terrible, even ones picked high. Power staying in college for another year would be a blessing to whoever picked him.

 

[MartyOwns]

Nah, I think it's understandable if Power went back for another year. Michigan didn't get to participate in the tournament because of last minute covid outbreak so that probably would be a bitter way to end your college career. Beniers said it himself, but taking a step back from hockey, they didn't get to experience a normal freshman year of college. I can understand the allure of returning for that. As a bonus for Power, he'd likely be a cornerstone for Canada's WJC squad and the tournament is in Canada this year. He wasn't able to attend the evaluation camp last year because he would have missed too much time quarantining.

I don't think anybody else is projected to be NHL ready, so it seems like a statement independent of Buffalo. Power said he'd consult with whichever team drafted him, but it would make sense to develop another year rather than throw him into the deep end on a squad that suddenly might be missing Eichel/Reinhart.

Edit: Some quotes from the horse's mouth -

in addition to skill, power seems to have a good head on his shoulders. buffalo is going to be really happy with that pick

 

[RememberTheName]

If we wanna talk about more connections, the Devils drafted Artem Shlaine last year who played for Shattuck, the same school that Scott Morrow goes to now. They also are probably at least decent friends as Morrow retweeted about his commitment to UConn like a year back. The Devils are definitely not afraid to go the prep school route, and with the insane skill the kid possesses, I could see the Devils seriously considering him.

 

[aboriginal]

If we wanna talk about more connections, the Devils drafted Artem Shlaine last year who played for Shattuck, the same school that Scott Morrow goes to now. They also are probably at least decent friends as Morrow retweeted about his commitment to UConn like a year back. The Devils are definitely not afraid to go the prep school route, and with the insane skill the kid possesses, I could see the Devils seriously considering him.

I just want to point out that the anagram game is strong with artem shlaine.

healer mantis sounds like a band name. tho there’s some....not so good ones in there. some bad eggs.

 

[My3Sons]

If we wanna talk about more connections, the Devils drafted Artem Shlaine last year who played for Shattuck, the same school that Scott Morrow goes to now. They also are probably at least decent friends as Morrow retweeted about his commitment to UConn like a year back. The Devils are definitely not afraid to go the prep school route, and with the insane skill the kid possesses, I could see the Devils seriously considering him.

Morrow was just discussed in the STI draft ranking thread. He's a talented prospect. The issues seem to be with decision making and possibly compete level although with his level of competition it's hard to know for sure. If he interviews well and shows a willingness to play physically then he sounds like a good prospect for the NYI first round pick. NJ desperately needs to fill the RD depth pool so they should try taking a few guys with upside at that position and hopefully at least one pans out.

 

[Nocashstyle]

I’ve really been warming up to the thought of Eklund at 4. Right now my wish list is:

1. Power
2. Hughes
3. Eklund
4. Beniers
5. Clarke

 

[MartyOwns]

I just want to point out that the anagram game is strong with artem shlaine.

meth nailers?

 

[aboriginal]

meth nailers?

 

[devilsblood]

Everyone thinks thanks to guys like Matthews and McDavid that 18 year old players are good, but 18 year old players are generally terrible, even ones picked high. Power staying in college for another year would be a blessing to whoever picked him.

I don't think "everyone" thinks this at all.

But #1 oa's typically do play in the NHL. Then factor in Power will be 19, is physically mature, and has a year of college under his belt, it's fairly reasonable to expect he would play in the NHL next season as well.

Looks like the caveat here is not his NHL readiness, but his apparent desire to get a year of a true college experience in.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

If Luke can be another Hamilton, I won’t give a single f*** about his game at all. Ronco.

Can't help thinking if the Canes are on the brink of competing for a Cup, as many people think, and they are willing to let Hamilton walk, is he really someone the Devils want? Particularly since New Jersey would be his fourth team.

 

[Nico Hughes]

If Luke can be another Hamilton, I won’t give a single f*** about his game at all. Ronco.

Luke is really not anything like Hamilton; big size difference too

I liken Luke's game to Niedermayer, for a Devils reference.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Can't help thinking if the Canes are on the brink of competing for a Cup, as many people think, and they are willing to let Hamilton walk, is he really someone the Devils want? Particularly since New Jersey would be his fourth team.

I don't care how many teams he has been on and if you know anything about why he was traded previously, you wouldn't care either.

 

[Stephen Gionta]

Word is the Canes GM would make a bigger offer to Hamilton if Dundon allowed them to. Apparently the highest they are offering is 8x8.

 

[devilsblood]

Word is the Canes GM would make a bigger offer to Hamilton if Dundon allowed them to. Apparently the highest they are offering is 8x8.

So we would have to beat that. Factor in state income tax discrepancies. Maybe 7 x 10?