Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - 2023 offseason part II

[SteveCangialosi123]

He isn't that dumb. He just can't admit he was wrong. Its okay to be wrong, everybody are making mistakes. Even big one. Like he did with the take "Jack Hughes is offensive winger with defensive issues". Why he is dying on that hill? Really I don't know. He us ranger fan, so don't forget about his own issues.

I don't like this part of fan base culture. Sh1tting in rivalry. I see it at absolutely different angle. I really like Shestyorkin for example. Or Lundqvist. Both were great against us. And the level of their greatness is making our success even better. I think rangers were very good team last season. And how great Panarin or Kreider are, making Nico even better, who spent all of his time to shot Panarin down. And even if we would lose, it would make our next wins more tasty. Actually our next games will be very electric because of what was going on before. I think both fan bases should give credits for rebuilding of each other, for management decisions, for what putted both teams in the top of metro. It should be good to say "Jack Hughes is awesome, I want to see how we will finally shot him down, hope Drury will find players for that" for rangers fans, or "Fox can make every situation more danger with a second, I hope Luke will play on his level some day" for devils fans.
This rivalry is making our hockey adventure more tastfull, and having better opponent make it only better. Its a hockey story for everyone. Ranges stopped future 3 time SC winners. Devils learned from that series.

And this ranger fan just can't give a credit to Devils and to Jack Hughes. So if rangers lose, than they are loosers, not the team that fight to the end against great opponent. If they won, this winning should cost nothing because Jack Hughes isn't even 1st or even 2nd best player from his draft.

People should pay respect to their opponents, it’s a better culture. And it makes more friendship, wins are tasting better, defeats feel more worthy.

If someone says Jack Hughes is not a center because of faceoffs, they are straight up dumb. Hall of fame awful take.

 

[Devils731]

If someone says Jack Hughes is not a center because of faceoffs, they are straight up dumb. Hall of fame awful take.

Hughes has to be center because when he plays wing his wide turns run him right into the boards.

 

[Guadana]

It’s interesting watching the Rangers team develop. I feel like they are what the Devils would have been had more of Shero’s moves worked. The young kids on that team have to either force their way into the top spots or they have to adapt to what’s available.

I don’t really have an issue with the Rangers drafting. The draft builds a pipeline. Fitz did a good job trading from strength (LD) and improving a weakness (power wing).

I wonder if the Buch trade has made Drury gun-shy on trading more of his high profile youth. I don’t think trading Buch was bad, it was the return that was the issue. Kakko, Laf still have value - but with Othman, Perrault, etc in the pipeline and Kreider, Panarin signed to term, Drury needs to make some decisions.

But they didnt monetize from their drafting. May be only with Dallas trade. Buchnevich trade wasnt good at least. And yeah, they drafted Andersson and Kravtsov before, they drafted Kakko and Laf, they have Panarin and Kreider signed long term, they drafted Otthman, Cuylle and even Sykora, and after that they drafted Perrault. All of this players are left handed wingers and left wingers mostly. Of course they should trade them but they didnt made a good trade with left wingers before and Kakko/Laf arent on the pick of their trade value. Fitz traded huge part of LD prospect pool for great compensation. And after that we have Siegs, Luke, Bahl, Vilen, Orlov and Karpovich in the LD depth. So yeah, trading 0.8-1ppg big player Buchnevich for 2nd round(s?) isnt good trade and it doesnt look like they will got the most from Kakko and Laf if they will decide to get something from them. So yeah, I have issues with Drury. And I think all of young rangers LWs are really good prospects I would be happy to have. People love to undervalue Laf and Kakko especially, but I like Kakko, even if he will never crack 60 points.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Hughes has to be center because when he plays wing his wide turns run him right into the boards.

Center depth next year:

1. McLeod
2. Nosek
3. Haula
4. Nico
5. Jack

 

[Better Call Sal]

I almost have to give credit to someone being so stubbornly set on their opinion, even if they're wrong. Alas, I can't.

And it's why I avoid the main board typically aside from needing a good laugh. Some people are thick in the head.

 

[Guadana]

If someone says Jack Hughes is not a center because of faceoffs, they are straight up dumb. Hall of fame awful take.

This guy is saying it not because he think that is a reason and Jack isnt a center, but because he cant admit his mistakes. Some mtl fans are trying to belittle Michkov for example, but its not because they are dumb(some of them are, but Im trying to think in better way about people) because they are trying to deny that their team did not choose the top 5 prospect of the 21st century. Not because he's supposedly bad, but because their team didn't devote enough time to studying him and decided to cover up their political decision with all sorts of nonsense. These fans just need to move from denial and bargaining to depression and acceptance.
This guy cant accept that he was wrong in many ways with 2019 and 2020 drafts. His team lost to the Devils, Jack Hughes obviously outplayed Lafreniere and Kakko. At the moment, his team looks unable to bypass the Devils either by the resources available in the team, or by prospects. The Devils on paper have a better roster, the prospect pool looks much better, the team as a whole is younger. This guy is depressed - we should be kinder.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

Not trying to denigrate anyone’s takes but i know how easy it is to memory-hole this stuff. So here’s Pronman’s take on Jack Hughes in September of 2020. I’d go so far as to call him a Hughes defender.

There’s no getting around the fact Hughes had a tough rookie NHL season. Just 21 points in 61 games is one of the more underwhelming debuts by a top pick in recent memory, even if I think he looked better than the points suggest. I still rate Hughes extremely highly though because of his elite skating ability and elite skill. His straight-line speed is very good, not special, but his fantastic edgework takes his skating to the top tier. He has the hands to make highly-skilled plays and beat NHL defenders in unique ways. He has the great vision to run a power play and find seams at a high level. Did he do all of that stuff consistently last season? I’d argue in flashes, but not consistently. I do know it’s in him, and am willing to say there’s a breakout coming. I say that because of the talent, but also because he’s a competitor on the ice who despite his 5-foot-10 frame attacks the net and shows no fear of playing inside.

2020 NHL organizational rankings: No. 2 New Jersey Devils

Corey Pronman ranks and evaluates the best young players in the Devils system.

theathletic.com

 

[devilsfan950003]

Curtis Lazar can play at center.​

 

[Guadana]

Not trying to denigrate anyone’s takes but i know how easy it is to memory-hole this stuff. So here’s Pronman’s take on Jack Hughes in September of 2020. I’d go so far as to call him a Hughes defender.

2020 NHL organizational rankings: No. 2 New Jersey Devils

Corey Pronman ranks and evaluates the best young players in the Devils system.

theathletic.com

Not trying to denigrate anyones takes but I know how easy it is to memory-hole this stuff, when someone not immersed in the topic and not clearly understand what people actually said.

2020 Ranking: No. 2

2021 NHL Draft Grade: B

Full 2021-22 NHL Pipeline Rankings

Player Ranking
1. Jack Hughes, C, New Jersey-NHL

May 14, 2001 | 5-foot-10 | 170 pounds

Drafted: No. 1 in 2019

Tier: Projected NHL All-Star

Skating: High-end
Puck Skills: Above-average
Hockey Sense: Above-average
Compete: Above-average
Shot: Below-average

Hughes has been very good for a teenager in the NHL. I still see a potential impact NHL player, but with the caveat that realistic expectations may have to be pulled back a tad from where I was on him two years ago. His skating and skill are great. His speed is good but isn’t blazing by NHL standards; it’s his good speed plus his great cut backs and edges that make him so elusive. Hughes’ skill and playmaking won’t rate at the very top of the league, but both are excellent as he shows PP1 quarterback touch and ability to create at even strength. He’s undersized but he’s always been a worker who doesn’t shy from the tough areas even though at times he is physically outmatched in the NHL. I think he will be a star center, maybe not a true league-leading scorer down the middle due to his size and lack of finish, but good enough to be a centerpiece of an NHL team.

If it is Hughes defender, than... he is not.

So like I said from the beginning

Pronman is a good read to know more about everyone, but he is nothing really good if you want to know something about specific player. He isn’t good in evaluating players. But he is good if we are talking about big amount of players. And even with specific players he is better than wheeler or button. And on my taste he is doing better job than he did few years ago- I don’t see real growth from other big writers,
For writers who is trying to watch most of the young players, can’t make good and deep analysis of every team and often you can read from Pronman the stuff you can read from poster on Twitter or hf boards - looks like he doesn’t know clearly what he is talking about.

Devils fans should not forget that Pronman didn’t really like Hughes and he looked like a fool when Jack started to rock in his third season.

Devils are top 2 team in u23 rankings. And Bedard, Reichel, Moore, Nazar and Korchinski can’t change it.

Of course we have new level of "dont really like Hughes" but it was about context of pre breakout ranking of Jack. And on my taste - every "non elite" marks are belittling in case of Jack.

 

[tailfins]

I really don’t think it’s the case with the young kids. Jack, Bratt, Nico all would’ve found their way to being these players. They’re too talented not to and all of them showed that talent from the start. They’re just flat out better than the Rangers young forwards

Nah the Buch trade was just awful. What are uou doing trading a mid 20s two way winger who just put up 48 pts in 54 games when you’re trying to compete? It’s not like the cap was the issue. He signed a very reasonable deal that the Rangers could’ve afforded had they not gone full caveman brain

I think you're dead on that the Ranger panicked. The Devils made a similar deal with Zacha - Haula. But, in the Devils case, I think shipping out Zacha was more addition by subtraction. I don't think the Rangers were in the same situation with Buch.

I just wonder if Drury now doesn't want to swing for the fences. They have too many LWs. They need another center (IMO). They need a more mobile d corps.

Hertl and Lindholm are on the block. Hanifin is likely available. Who knows what's going on with Pesce or Skjei in Carolina. Possible that Ferraro gets traded out of SJ too. None of those pieces are Eichel, but you're still looking at potential top line players. Just weird to me that they've gone for either small moves (fix the bottom six) or band aids (rentals), when the big moves have been available.

Very glad with the approach Fitz has taken. The Devils needed a physical player. There was a lot of talk of Garland. Meier is a huge upgrade on Garland. Even if Meier doesn't maintain what he was last couple of years in SJ, I'd rather strike out this way.

 

[Hisch13r]

I think you're dead on that the Ranger panicked. The Devils made a similar deal with Zacha - Haula. But, in the Devils case, I think shipping out Zacha was more addition by subtraction. I don't think the Rangers were in the same situation with Buch.

I just wonder if Drury now doesn't want to swing for the fences. They have too many LWs. They need another center (IMO). They need a more mobile d corps.

Hertl and Lindholm are on the block. Hanifin is likely available. Who knows what's going on with Pesce or Skjei in Carolina. Possible that Ferraro gets traded out of SJ too. None of those pieces are Eichel, but you're still looking at potential top line players. Just weird to me that they've gone for either small moves (fix the bottom six) or band aids (rentals), when the big moves have been available.

Very glad with the approach Fitz has taken. The Devils needed a physical player. There was a lot of talk of Garland. Meier is a huge upgrade on Garland. Even if Meier doesn't maintain what he was last couple of years in SJ, I'd rather strike out this way.

Yeah it definitely wasn't the same. Zacha was a "fine" player. Buch was great. I don't think they really need another center. The guys they have just need to be better. Zibanejad, Trocheck, Chytil is a pretty good group. Zibanejad's a legit 1C but Nico had him in prison all series long. Trocheck's a solid 2C who disappeared in the playoffs. Chytil's on the cusp of being a solid 2C. I do agree about the backend. They've had one single guy who can pass the puck up the ice. Jones could potentially be a good puck mover if given the chance. Gustafsson should help with that. Still definitely not good enough on the whole

 

[Bleedred]

As a 100% Gallant fan, Rangers firing Gallant was really annoying. Gallant is the sort of sigma person that probably takes few years off again, no matter what others offer him, and we won't be able to see his style of leadership that I really enjoy following.

It's hard to see Rangers benefiting from this. I'm not happy if they take a dive, but I'm guessing this isn't the best place to collect sympathies for this. If I was the Coyotes gm, I'd be bombing emails to Gallant on daily basis.

I think he's one of the most overrated head coaches of the last decade. I think he probably was THE most overrated head coach of the last decade (other than Babcock, who has been around much longer), but I don't really think he will be overrated anymore, as I don't think many people think he's great after his most recent firing. His last 3 head coaching stints have been very short and so was his first one 16+ years ago, but that was for a dumpster fire Blue Jackets team that was making absolutely zero strides since expansion. I can't hold that one against him.

I don't think Florida should have fired him when they did. I think they were starting to move in the right direction, but there wasn't much hope with what Tallon was doing there anyway.

Vegas didn't suffer one bit when they fired him and I don't think the Rangers will suffer much, but I'm not sure they get a whole lot better, as they simply replaced him with the most well-known name that was available on the head coaching market, and not necessarily the best name available.

One of the people that used to overrate the shit out of him was me. I'm glad we didn't hire him in 2020. He seems to only average about 2.5 years per head coaching job and has even been fired after 2.5 years by teams he was constantly getting to the playoffs with. I think there's nothing at all special about him. I really did think the Rangers would give him one more season or at the very least part of next season before firing him mid-season.

The poverty Coyotes don't wanna pay his millions per year for the next 2 years, just like they didn't wanna pay their bills in Glendale and just like they need insurance companies on permanently injured players to get them to the cap floor. The Coyotes also just extended Tourigny a few days ago, who they seem very happy with, by all accounts.

And I'm not sure Gallant can afford to take a few years off if he ever wants to be a head coach again. Gallant is 60 years old and if he takes a few years off, that brings him to 63 and being out of the league for 3 years, which is longer than any head coaching job he's ever had (not including lockout time) in the league. He may just collect his Rangers salary, much like Babcock just sat until his Maple Leafs contract was over, but Babcock was also disgraced for his demeanor in that time, which Gallant hasn't been. Gallant has only went one offseason where he hasn't taken a head coaching job, since he caught on with the Panthers in 2014 and became well-established. So it's entirely possible he'll get a job next offseason or maybe mid-season after a firing.

 

[Goptor]

Center depth next year:

1. McLeod
2. Nosek
3. Haula
4. Nico
5. Jack

Nico should be ahead of Haula in that list.

 

[Blackjack]

These fans just need to move from denial and bargaining to depression and acceptance.

LMAO

 

[Hisch13r]

Nico should be ahead of Haula in that list.

Captain 3C has been demoted because Haula had a bettter FO% last year

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

that 20-21 Hughes analysis is like…entirely 100% correct. He even said he still thinks Hughes will be a star center. People outside of Devils fans, even some people on this board, were certain he was a bust.

 

[My3Sons]

that 20-21 Hughes analysis is like…entirely 100% correct. He even said he still thinks Hughes will be a star center. People outside of Devils fans, even some people on this board, were certain he was a bust.

I am surprised to read he didn't think Jack's straight line speed was "special". He's not McDavid in a straight line but he's one of the faster guys in the league to my eyes and definitely one of a small number of guys that can maintain his speed with the puck. Jack's come a long way from being a disgrace.

 

[glenwo2]

8 more seasons of this......

 

[Guttersniped]

If you dig beyond the famous top picks, you can see how the Rags have been trying to get massive size and grit on the their team.

Organized by Draft Year

2023 Draft (4/5 picks)
3rd #90 Drew Fortescue LHD 18
Pronman Tier: Has a Chance to Play
Size? Currently bit thin (6”2’ 176)
Grit? Some
Random USNTDP defenseman but when he was 14-15, Fortescue played on Mid Fairfield (CT) Rangers with Jack Drury (Chris’s son) while also going to Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey NJ.

It would be kind of wild to see someone who played for Don Bosco make the NHL, but he’s from Pearl River NY and is an Islander fan, so meh.

5th Rd #152 Rasmus Larsson LHD 19
Pronman Tier: Has a Chance to Play
Size? Yes (6’3” 201)
Grit? Not mentioned
He’s an overager not mentioned in any draft guides*, but he’s big and vaguely toolsy, so he has a fan in Pronman (and the NYR). Pronman had him at #124 in his draft rankings.

Spoiler: The write up made me laugh (I’m weird tho)

Analysis: Larsson’s natural athleticism is his big selling point. He’s a very strong skater for a guy who is 6-foot-3. The way he’s able to skate pucks up ice and close on checks with his feet looks like that of an NHL defenseman. The rest of his game outside of that is up for debate. He scored a lot this year and showed skill/IQ, but whether that’s what he projects to be as a pro is questionable. He’s also a so-so defender who doesn’t compete too hard in his own end. Thus he’s rough around the edges, but has the potential to be a good defenseman.

*OK, Draft Pro did have him at #220 with no write up.

NOT ON PRONMAN’s LIST
6th Rd #178 Dylan Roobroeck C 19
Size? Yes (6’7” 205)
Grit? Not particularly

6th Rd #183 Ty Hendricks LW 18
Size? Yes (6’5” 205)
Grit? plenty, a physical player

2022 Draft (4/6 picks)
3rd #97 Bryce McConnell-Barker C 19 (2022
Pronman: #9, Projected to play NHL games
Size? Yes, not a ton, but nice size for a skilled center (6’2” 192)
Grit? Not particularly

4th Rd #111 Noah Laba C 20
Pronman: Has a Chance to Play
Size? Yes (6’2” 192)
Grit? Lots, it’s his main selling point

NOT ON PRONMAN’s LIST
5th Rd #159 Victor Mancini RHD 21
Size? Yes (6’4” 220)
Grit? No idea

5th Rd #161 Maxim Barbashav LW 19
Size? OK (6’1” 183)
Grit? Yes

2021 Draft (6/8 picks)
1st Rd #16 Brennan Othmann LW 20
Pronman: #5, Middle of the lineup player
Size? OK (6’0” 181)
Grit? Lots, he’s an edgy little prick

4th Rd #106 Kalle Väisänen LW 20
Pronman: Has a Chance to Play
Size? Yes (6’5” 194)
Grit? maybe?

4th Rd #112 Talyn Boyko, G
Pronman: Has a Chance to Play
Size? bit thin, but yes (6’8” 201)
Grit? goalie

5th Rd #144 Jaroslav Chmelar RW 20
Pronman: #7, Projected to play NHL games
Size?: Yes (6’4” 198)
Grit?: “He also doesn’t shy from physical play” (You get a quote from Pronman. Plays for Province.)

NOT ON PRONMAN’s LIST
7th Rd #208 Hank Kempf LHD 21
Size? Yes (6’2” 201)
Grit? Yes

Also drafted 6’3” 203 Jayden Grubbe with their 1st 3rd, but traded him to EDM

2020 Draft (4/9)
1st Rd #19 Braden Schnieder RHD 21
Pronman: #4, Bubble top and middle of the lineup player
Size? 6’3” 209
Grit? Yes

2nd Rd #60 Will Cuylle LW 21
Pronman: #6, Middle of the lineup player
Size? Yes (6’3” 204)
Grit? Yes, power forward

7th Rd #197 Hugo Ollas G 21
Pronman: #11, Projected to play NHL games
Size? Yes (6’8” 238)
Grit? goalie

NOT ON PRONMAN’s LIST
6th Rd #165 Matt Rempe C 21
Size? Yes (6’8” 240)
Grit? Yes, he fights lol


2019 Draft (2/8)
2nd Rd #49 Matthew Robertson LHD 22
Pronman: #8, Projected to play NHL games
Size? Yes (6’4” 201)
Grit? Yes

6th Rd #161 Adam Edstrom C 22
Pronman: Has a Chance to Play
Size? Yes (6’8” 225)
Grit? Yes

They got a more smaller skill guys in the bigger 2019 & 2020 drafts, but the Rags definitely have been feeling the “will over skill” mantra.

It looks likes they started to draft for the Knicks.
Matt Rempe 6’8” 240
Hugo Ollas 6’8” 238
Adam Edstrom 6’8” 225
Talyn Boyko 6’8” 201
Dylan Roobroeck 6’7” 205
Ty Hendricks 6’5” 205
Kalle Väisänen 6’5” 194


It’s also hilarious that they have TWO 6’8” goalie on their prospect list. And I thought our team had a tall goalie fixation.

NHL Goalies in history that EP has listed at 6’7” or higher.

The only goalie listed as taller than 6’7” is Missiaen (6’8”) and he never actually played any games. Some mad scientist scout over there is convinced that Frankenstein goalies are good long shot though.

Dylan Garland got dumped after one tough AHL rookie season. That’s what you get for not being 6’8”.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

I am surprised to read he didn't think Jack's straight line speed was "special". He's not McDavid in a straight line but he's one of the faster guys in the league to my eyes and definitely one of a small number of guys that can maintain his speed with the puck. Jack's come a long way from being a disgrace.

What makes Jack so special is that he has full control of his hands at top speed, not that his top speed his elite. You don’t necessarily see him pull away from anyone in a sprint or beat them wide with a 3 step burst, but he can deke, pass, and shoot while his feet are moving and he still has full control of his edges. He drives defenders nuts cuz he doesn’t need to beat them. He can make space to either side with a quick sidestep while maintaining control of the puck with his head up ready to wire a pass or a shot, and if you try to take one thing away, he’ll beat you in another way. Honestly i think he and McDavid are the only two players right now that can pull that off. But McDavid can couple that with generational speed.

 

[Goptor]

If you dig beyond the famous top picks, you can see how the Rags have been trying to get massive size and grit on the their team.

Organized by Draft Year

2023 Draft (4/5 picks)
3rd #90 Drew Fortescue LHD 18
Pronman Tier: Has a Chance to Play
Size? Currently bit thin (6”2’ 176)
Grit? Some
Random USNTDP defenseman but when he was 14-15, Fortescue played on Mid Fairfield (CT) Rangers with Jack Drury (Chris’s son) while also going to Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey NJ.

It would be kind of wild to see someone who played for Don Bosco make the NHL, but he’s from Pearl River NY and is an Islander fan, so meh.

5th Rd #152 Rasmus Larsson LHD 19
Pronman Tier: Has a Chance to Play
Size? Yes (6’3” 201)
Grit? Not mentioned
He’s an overager not mentioned in any draft guides*, but he’s big and vaguely toolsy, so he has a fan in Pronman (and the NYR). Pronman had him at #124 in his draft rankings.

Spoiler: The write up made me laugh (I’m weird tho)

Analysis: Larsson’s natural athleticism is his big selling point. He’s a very strong skater for a guy who is 6-foot-3. The way he’s able to skate pucks up ice and close on checks with his feet looks like that of an NHL defenseman. The rest of his game outside of that is up for debate. He scored a lot this year and showed skill/IQ, but whether that’s what he projects to be as a pro is questionable. He’s also a so-so defender who doesn’t compete too hard in his own end. Thus he’s rough around the edges, but has the potential to be a good defenseman.

*OK, Draft Pro did have him at #220 with no write up.

NOT ON PRONMAN’s LIST
6th Rd #178 Dylan Roobroeck C 19
Size? Yes (6’7” 205)
Grit? Not particularly

6th Rd #183 Ty Hendricks LW 18
Size? Yes (6’5” 205)
Grit? plenty, a physical player

2022 Draft (4/6 picks)
3rd #97 Bryce McConnell-Barker C 19 (2022
Pronman: #9, Projected to play NHL games
Size? Yes, not a ton, but nice size for a skilled center (6’2” 192)
Grit? Not particularly

4th Rd #111 Noah Laba C 20
Pronman: Has a Chance to Play
Size? Yes (6’2” 192)
Grit? Lots, it’s his main selling point

NOT ON PRONMAN’s LIST
5th Rd #159 Victor Mancini RHD 21
Size? Yes (6’4” 220)
Grit? No idea

5th Rd #161 Maxim Barbashav LW 19
Size? OK (6’1” 183)
Grit? Yes

2021 Draft (6/8 picks)
1st Rd #16 Brennan Othmann LW 20
Pronman: #5, Middle of the lineup player
Size? OK (6’0” 181)
Grit? Lots, he’s an edgy little prick

4th Rd #106 Kalle Väisänen LW 20
Pronman: Has a Chance to Play
Size? Yes (6’5” 194)
Grit? maybe?

4th Rd #112 Talyn Boyko, G
Pronman: Has a Chance to Play
Size? bit thin, but yes (6’8” 201)
Grit? goalie

5th Rd #144 Jaroslav Chmelar RW 20
Pronman: #7, Projected to play NHL games
Size?: Yes (6’4” 198)
Grit?: “He also doesn’t shy from physical play” (You get a quote from Pronman. Plays for Province.)

NOT ON PRONMAN’s LIST
7th Rd #208 Hank Kempf LHD 21
Size? Yes (6’2” 201)
Grit? Yes

Also drafted 6’3” 203 Jayden Grubbe with their 1st 3rd, but traded him to EDM

2020 Draft (4/9)
1st Rd #19 Braden Schnieder RHD 21
Pronman: #4, Bubble top and middle of the lineup player
Size? 6’3” 209
Grit? Yes

2nd Rd #60 Will Cuylle LW 21
Pronman: #6, Middle of the lineup player
Size? Yes (6’3” 204)
Grit? Yes, power forward

7th Rd #197 Hugo Ollas G 21
Pronman: #11, Projected to play NHL games
Size? Yes (6’8” 238)
Grit? goalie

NOT ON PRONMAN’s LIST
6th Rd #165 Matt Rempe C 21
Size? Yes (6’8” 240)
Grit? Yes, he fights lol


2019 Draft (2/8)
2nd Rd #49 Matthew Robertson LHD 22
Pronman: #8, Projected to play NHL games
Size? Yes (6’4” 201)
Grit? Yes

6th Rd #161 Adam Edstrom C 22
Pronman: Has a Chance to Play
Size? Yes (6’8” 225)
Grit? Yes

They got a more smaller skill guys in the bigger 2019 & 2020 drafts, but the Rags definitely have been feeling the “will over skill” mantra.

It looks likes they started to draft for the Knicks.
Matt Rempe 6’8” 240
Hugo Ollas 6’8” 238
Adam Edstrom 6’8” 225
Talyn Boyko 6’8” 201
Dylan Roobroeck 6’7” 205
Ty Hendricks 6’5” 205
Kalle Väisänen 6’5” 194


It’s also hilarious that they have TWO 6’8” goalie on their prospect list. And I thought our team had a tall goalie fixation.

NHL Goalies in history that EP has listed at 6’7” or higher.

View attachment 738732

The only goalie listed as taller than 6’7” is Missiaen (6’8”) and he never actually played any games. Some mad scientist scout over there is convinced that Frankenstein goalies are good long shot though.

Dylan Garland got dumped after one tough AHL rookie season. That’s what you get for not being 6’8”.

Tom Wilson

 

[My3Sons]

What makes Jack so special is that he has full control of his hands at top speed, not that his top speed his elite. You don’t necessarily see him pull away from anyone in a sprint or beat them wide with a 3 step burst, but he can deke, pass, and shoot while his feet are moving and he still has full control of his edges. He drives defenders nuts cuz he doesn’t need to beat them. He can make space to either side with a quick sidestep while maintaining control of the puck with his head up ready to wire a pass or a shot, and if you try to take one thing away, he’ll beat you in another way. Honestly i think he and McDavid are the only two players right now that can pull that off. But McDavid can couple that with generational speed.

He can beat any player wide just by turning

 

[TheUnseenHand]

He can beat any player wide just by turning

He does things on skates that don't look possible. He seems to float above the ice. It's like his physics are different than everyone else's. Jack physics. He can go full speed straight, then all of a sudden he's going 90 degrees left or right. But it's like he didn't have to slow down or turn to do it.

 

[My3Sons]

He does things on skates that don't look possible. He seems to float above the ice. It's like his physics are different than everyone else's. Jack physics. He can go full speed straight, then all of a sudden he's going 90 degrees left or right. But it's like he didn't have to slow down or turn to do it.

He’s a test to watch live. It’s like he can accelerate and change direction without moving his feet.

 

[Triumph]

The kind of ur-example I think of when it comes to Jack's skating is last year against the Oilers at home - when you look at it on replay, you don't actually see anything special. I can see myself in the crowd here on freeze-frame, and when you're watching 'down the barrel' of this play, you see that Jack can go absolutely anywhere when he's handling the puck like this. He doesn't actually go anywhere, but he buys himself enough time to get the puck to where it has to go.