Prospect Info: Devils Win #2 Overall -- Slafkovsky vs. Jiricek vs. Nemec

[RSeen]

If this Pastrnak thing is legitimate and not smoke and noise, he would be one of the names I would imagine has be on Fitz' magical list of names that he would move the 2nd for - pending an extension of course.

For heavens a first line of Bratt- Hughes- Pasta, with Pasta still fairly young, there is no doubt that is exactly what this team needs. That would be quite the jolt.

There is no way he is getting traded.

 

[Devs3cups]

So Nico would be demoted to 6C?

Wouldn't that basically be AHL 2C?

 

[RSeen]

Hughes Bergeron Mercer Boquist McLeod then Nico so I guess 6C it is.

You must be assuming Zacha is on the wing then. Lucky for Nico, gets to protect that 6C role.

 

[glenwo2]

And he brings Bergeron with him.


You’ve seen me post enough to know that when I’m posting about a talking dog I’m being silly.

Well I think the joking is over 'cause this is way out there, even for you.

Don't wear it out, man.

And anyway, who the hell is that guy?

We have all sorts of people coming out of nowhere posting dumb s--t on this board.

BTW, noticed he never replied to my question of whether he was a Devils fan.

Guess I got my answer with his non-reply. Probably a Rags fan that WANTS the Devils *not* to select Slaf.

 

[My3Sons]

Well I think the joking is over 'cause this is way out there, even for you.

Don't wear it out, man.

And anyway, who the hell is that guy?

We have all sorts of people coming out of nowhere posting dumb s--t on this board.

BTW, noticed he never replied to my question of whether he was a Devils fan.

Guess I got my answer with his non-reply. Probably a Rags fan that WANTS the Devils *not* to select Slaf.

I’ve noticed that there is a slow progression of posters. I know there were a number of posters that predated me and some came back and some didn’t. There are some regular participants that have come along more recently but I think the majority have been regulars since I showed up here. If someone posts in a friendly and generous manner I’ll always listen to what they have to offer.

 

[TrufleShufle]

I’ve noticed that there is a slow progression of posters. I know there were a number of posters that predated me and some came back and some didn’t. There are some regular participants that have come along more recently but I think the majority have been regulars since I showed up here. If someone posts in a friendly and generous manner I’ll always listen to what they have to offer.

Hey friend, that's a nice shirt you have, can I offer you this left shoe with a hole in it for 50 bucks? I'll let you know where I think I last saw the right one a few years back for another 30.

 

[Guttersniped]

If this Pastrnak thing is legitimate and not smoke and noise, he would be one of the names I would imagine has be on Fitz' magical list of names that he would move the 2nd for - pending an extension of course.

For heavens a first line of Bratt- Hughes- Pasta, with Pasta still fairly young, there is no doubt that is exactly what this team needs. That would be quite the jolt.

It’s not “legitimate” if by legitimate you mean based on any actual information about the Bruins org and what they are doing or thinking.

The badly worded, misleading tweet of a random “NHL rumor account” was based on an radio interview with a Boston journalist.

The journalist only speculated that perhaps Pasta gets shopped if Boston is forced to rebuild because of injuries/retirements, he’s unenthusiastic about that direction and he doesn’t want to sign an extension with a team going in that direction.

It was clearly speculation and there’s no f***ing way they trade Pasta before July 7th. (The last part was my own speculation but I’m very confident with that take.)

 

[glenwo2]

I’ve noticed that there is a slow progression of posters. I know there were a number of posters that predated me and some came back and some didn’t. There are some regular participants that have come along more recently but I think the majority have been regulars since I showed up here. If someone posts in a friendly and generous manner I’ll always listen to what they have to offer.

Same here but when someone says "I talk to Agents. You talk to Glenwo", then all nice-ties go out the window 'cause you are no longer friendly or generous.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Holy shit.
No chance either of those assets would be involved in a deal for 2 years of Nylander.
The comments make it even worse because fans actually think that plausible.

 

[Devs3cups]

Holy shit.
No chance either of those assets would be involved in a deal for 2 years of Nylander.
The comments make it even worse because fans actually think that plausible.

Most people I see in the comments are ripping on this, and for good reason. That’s horrible.

Can’t wait till we pick so that nonsense can come to an end.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Most people I see in the comments are ripping on this, and for good reason. That’s horrible.

Can’t wait till we pick so that nonsense can come to an end.

Yeah no one is ripping it enough. Bratt on his own is more valuable than 2 years of Nylander. Same with 2OA.

I almost want a trade to happen just so people see how much more it would cost. Like I want the habs to trade us Caulfield, the Canucks trade us Q. Hughes or the Leafs trade us Marner for the number 2 pick. None of those would happen but that’s the kind of player it would take on those teams for us to trade the number 2 pick. We’re not trading it for Josh Anderson and/or Logan Mailloux. 0 chance a deal like that happens but these fans keep talking about those proposals. Not happening for 2 years of Nylander or a 30 year old JT Miller on the last year of his contract either.

Nylander is the only one who I could see being part of it but they would have to add a Knies or something else at least given he only has 2 years left on his contract.

 

[HBK27]

My thought process was he's a decent enough third pairing right hand defenseman. Sure three years is a bit but we don't have RHD besides McCarthy in the pipeline. Would give us time to figure out what he is and then Jiricek or Nemec to force their way in especially if Severson isn't back after this year. Regardless it's probably not even a possibility nor am I sold on the idea anyway.

Are you forgetting about Reilly Walsh or just think he has no shot at the NHL?

FWIW, Scott Wheeler had him listed as our #3 prospect (after Holtz & Hughes) in his latest team prospect pool rankings back in February, noting:

I remain a proponent of Walsh’s game. A survey of 10 scouts probably gives you close to half a dozen names at No. 3 here, and I debated many of those names, but I kept coming back to being slightly partial to Walsh. That’s saying something considering he’ll be 23 in April and he has yet to play an NHL game. But he has been on an NHL track. He was a top player in the high school hockey circuit. Then he was a three-year player at Harvard who became one of college hockey’s better defencemen and turned pro after his junior year. Now, after a perfectly fine rookie season in the AHL, he’s the league’s most productive under-23 defenceman and he’s doing it while driving positive goal differential results at five-on-five. Offensively, his game is impressive. He’s got a powerful shot, with a wrister that pops from mid-range and a slap shot/one-timer that can beat goalies from the point. He’s also an impressive shot creator (defencemen who can shoot it don’t always necessarily excel at getting open or finding lanes), with good instincts on when to slide off the point to the backdoor. He also has some forward-like one-on-one handling skill. Those skills are all translatable up levels. Walsh’s progression to the NHL has always been predicated on whether he’ll be able to hold his own defensively playing that style, especially because he’s not the strongest backward skater (he’s smooth through his footwork but he lacks explosiveness) or most physical player, but I think he has answered those questions this year by keeping himself engaged, defending with his stick, and picking his spots intelligently. I see a No. 4-5 defenceman who can drive possession and contribute offensively at even strength while running a PP2. And I’d like to see the Devils find a way to give him a look. That last part is the challenge though considering they’ve already used 10 defencemen this year and he isn’t one of them. I do worry he may become a depth chart victim if they feel they have enough guys who are offensively inclined on the blue line.

McCarthy was not on his list, which included 25 players.

In my opinion, what the Devils decide to do with Severson plays a role in what they do in the draft. Fitz should be talking contract extension with him and see if they can at least agree in principle to a deal prior to the draft (and hopefully go with Slaf). The key is to be able to limit the amount of teams on a NTC for Severson (even it if means a slightly higher AAV and/or term) so that they can move his contract if needed in the future if/when cap space becomes an issue.

That would leave the Devils largely set at RD going forward, with two top 4 defenders in Hamilton and Severson locked up long-term. Give Walsh every opportunity to earn that 3rd pairing RD spot this upcoming season. I also think there's a good chance that Luke Hughes winds up on the right side, considering that's where he's been playing the past few seasons, which further negates the need for a RD this draft.

 

[HBK27]

Jiicek has the highest cieling in the draft.

Pronman released an article this morning ranking prospects based purely on their upside. Top of his list was:

1. Cooley
2. Slafkovsky
3. Gauthier
4. Wright
5. Miroshnichenko
6. Jiricek
7. Nemec

Which NHL Draft prospects have the most upside? Corey Pronman ranks the top 31

Corey Pronman ranks this year's draft-eligible players based solely on their tools.

theathletic.com

 

[OmNomNom]

Are you forgetting about Reilly Walsh or just think he has no shot at the NHL?

i don't think he's making the show. he's got 1 yr left, and barring a spectacular camp, he didn't show enough to stick w the team, IMO. i'd rather have okh as 3RD

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Pronman released an article this morning ranking prospects based purely on their upside. Top of his list was:

1. Cooley
2. Slafkovsky
3. Gauthier
4. Wright
5. Miroshnichenko
6. Jiricek
7. Nemec

Which NHL Draft prospects have the most upside? Corey Pronman ranks the top 31

Corey Pronman ranks this year's draft-eligible players based solely on their tools.

theathletic.com

His skating is not an issue. I talk to real scouts. You talk to Glenwo.

 

[Fanatik]

If this Pastrnak thing is legitimate and not smoke and noise, he would be one of the names I would imagine has be on Fitz' magical list of names that he would move the 2nd for - pending an extension of course.

For heavens a first line of Bratt- Hughes- Pasta, with Pasta still fairly young, there is no doubt that is exactly what this team needs. That would be quite the jolt.

Probably an unpopular opinion and maybe even considered a hot take but, no thank you to Pastrnak

Hes a player who will cost far more than he should and hes Palmieri-esque in that he tries when he wants, a noted floater.

Id sooner trade twice as much for Tkachuk or trade just as much for Debrincat, two guys who work their asses off and still can score.

 

[Darkauron]

Why do we keep on posting unverified dumb tweets. Seems like kind of a waste and a bit annoying

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Why do we keep on posting unverified dumb tweets. Seems like kind of a waste and a bit annoying

Sorry I’m bored and they keep coming up on my twitter feed. And they’re really crazy so I’ve been putting them in here. A lot of delusional fans.

 

[HBK27]

i don't think he's making the show. he's got 1 yr left, and barring a spectacular camp, he didn't show enough to stick w the team, IMO. i'd rather have okh as 3RD

Seems like a lot of fans are down on Walsh, though I thought he had a good year in Utica which was always the plan for him given he only had 33 pro games coming into this past season.

We finally saw Boqvist (same draft year, one round earlier) make strides in his game this past season to the point that many that had already written him off as a bust can now see an NHL future for him.

Just curious why so many are down on Walsh - is it just based on viewings/feedback from Utica or also in part because of his style of game, which would require PP time which will be tough to come by given Hamilton, Severson, Hughes and possibly a bounce-back performance from Smith?

 

[OmNomNom]

Seems like a lot of fans are down on Walsh, though I thought he had a good year in Utica which was always the plan for him given he only had 33 pro games coming into this past season.

We finally saw Boqvist (same draft year, one round earlier) make strides in his game this past season to the point that many that had already written him off as a bust can now see an NHL future for him.

Just curious why so many are down on Walsh - is it just based on viewings/feedback from Utica or also in part because of his style of game, which would require PP time which will be tough to come by given Hamilton, Severson, Hughes and possibly a bounce-back performance from Smith?

you'd have to ask our friends @Tao Jersey Jones and @Bad Goalie - he did have a massive up year though, you are right

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Seems like a lot of fans are down on Walsh, though I thought he had a good year in Utica which was always the plan for him given he only had 33 pro games coming into this past season.

We finally saw Boqvist (same draft year, one round earlier) make strides in his game this past season to the point that many that had already written him off as a bust can now see an NHL future for him.

Just curious why so many are down on Walsh - is it just based on viewings/feedback from Utica or also in part because of his style of game, which would require PP time which will be tough to come by given Hamilton, Severson, Hughes and possibly a bounce-back performance from Smith?

I mean he isn’t and never was a really good prospect with decent top 4 potential or anything. But now he’s become pretty much irrelevant because of the type of defensmen he is. He’s a defensively poor pp QB and we don’t need a pp QB and we certainly don’t need someone who’s bad defensively.

 

[Saugus]

Holy shit.
No chance either of those assets would be involved in a deal for 2 years of Nylander.
The comments make it even worse because fans actually think that plausible.

I think it's incredible that the trade proposals are somehow getting even worse over time. The Habs fans insisting that anybody would willingly want to take Mailloux is especially hilarious.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

I think it's incredible that the trade proposals are somehow getting even worse over time. The Habs fans insisting that anybody would willingly want to take Mailloux is especially hilarious.

Lol it’s insane how some of these people think and it does get worse and worse. It’s like they’re competing for worst trade offer. Some guy in the comments was saying they could maybe get Blackwood in that deal as well.
2nd OVR
Bratt
Blackwood
For
Nylander (UFA in 2 years)

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

I think it's incredible that the trade proposals are somehow getting even worse over time. The Habs fans insisting that anybody would willingly want to take Mailloux is especially hilarious.

The deal included Rem Pitlick and his sustainable 23.1% shooting percentage.

 

[HBK27]

I mean he isn’t and never was a really good prospect with decent top 4 potential or anything. But now he’s become pretty much irrelevant because of the type of defensmen he is. He’s a defensively poor pp QB and we don’t need a pp QB and we certainly don’t need someone who’s bad defensively.

Eh, not so sure about that...

I don't want to put too much weight on the opinion of so-called "experts" like Wheeler and Pronman, especially since they're dealing with so many players, but when one of them has Walsh as our #3 in their most recent rankings behind only Holtz & Hughes (albeit, he did say there were a lot of candidates for that spot) I do think it says something.

We also don't need top 4 potential out of Walsh, particularly if Severson is re-signed as that locks up both top 4 RD spots for the foreseeable future. I do understand he may not be the best fit for how this team is constructed, so maybe he gets dealt at some point as a result, but I don't think that should disqualify him from possibly earning a spot next season if he has a good camp/pre-season.

I thought I had read that he made good progress on his defense this past season and although there are plenty of flaws with +/-, he was 3rd among Utica defensemen this season with a +12. I just with the AHL released ATOI stats so we could learn more about how the players were used.

Anyway, I guess I'm one of the few that remains high on Walsh's potential. We'll all learn a lot more about him in September I'm sure.