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

[Jagged Ice]

With that said, I’m very torn on Slaf vs Jiricek and an extra 1st round pick could sway me if I’m playing fantasy GM.

What about Chychrun plus one of Arizona's late first rounders for #2 overall?

 

[Unknown Caller]

Who are the pro comps for Slaf and Jiricek respectively, if they hit their ceilings and floors? It doesn’t sound like either will be a bust and I’m certainly not risk adverse. If their ceilings are both sky high which appears to be the case, a deciding factor for me could be who is safer.

Stylistically, Slafkovsky to me has always been Anze Kopitar on the wing. I would say a reasonable/safe projection is a Nichushkin type player. If he hits his ceiling, you're probably getting an Anze Kopitar clone on the wing.

Based strictly on the eye test and personal evaluation, I think he's going to be a stud in the Kopitar mold. Analytical models would disagree with the odds on that, but then again, both Kopitar and Nichushkin weren't loved by analytical models in their draft years either. It does make me slightly hesitant that he doesn't have the supporting production for his projected draft spot, but it's a risk worth taking.

 

[FooteBahl]

Who are the pro comps for Slaf and Jiricek respectively, if they hit their ceilings and floors? It doesn’t sound like either will be a bust and I’m certainly not risk adverse. If their ceilings are both sky high which appears to be the case, a deciding factor for me could be who is safer.

I’ve seen articles ranging from Puljarvi to Jagr for Slaf comparisons…

 

[Nubmer6]

I’d like to throw out this hypothetical. What if AZ covets Cooley and fear Seattle will trade you to 2? Or…what if Cooley is Seattle’s target? Assuming Cooley is Arizona’s guy (which is more than fair and likely assumption), could Seattle make a deal with the Devils? I think either scenario is highly unlikely and would also require some serious testicular fortitude that has not yet been shown by Fitz at the draft table. If Jiricek is the Devils’ guy, just imagine if he went 4OA. With no disrespect to Nemec, this would be so profoundly disappointing. It’s risk vs reward and unless a first round pick is given in a trade, which I’m skeptical about, I don’t think it’s worth it. With that said, I’m very torn on Slaf vs Jiricek and an extra 1st round pick could sway me if I’m playing fantasy GM.

I posted this before... I'd let AZ know Seattle is willing to trade with us to leapfrog them, hoping that AZ covets Cooley enough that they offer us something significant to trade up 1 spot and prevent it.

Yes, I can be evil at times.

 

[R8Devs]

Who are the pro comps for Slaf and Jiricek respectively, if they hit their ceilings and floors? It doesn’t sound like either will be a bust and I’m certainly not risk adverse. If their ceilings are both sky high which appears to be the case, a deciding factor for me could be who is safer.

this is what peter forsberg said:
17-year-old Slovak Juraj Slafkovský is the best scorer of the Olympic tournament. What do you think about its game and potential?

I would compare him to Finnish hockey player Mikk Rantanen, who plays for Colorado in the NHL. Slafkovský is also big and strong, but at the same time he moves well and has dexterous hands. He can perfectly cover the puck with his big figure, which reminds me of Jágr. It also shows how confident he is. He can make excellent use of his time on the ice and scores a lot of goals in this tournament. If his development continues as we expect, he will be a really, really good player. However, it is already amazing what performances he shows. We are talking about the Olympics and he is an important part of the team that reached the semifinals at the age of seventeen. Unbelievable. He amazed me with his performances so far.

Peter Forsberg: Slafkovský mi pripomína Rantanena aj Jágra. Mám preňho päť rád

Ak niekto môže mimoriadnemu slovenskému talentu Jurajovi Slafkovskému dobre poradiť, je to legendárny švédsky hokejista Peter Forsberg. Hviezdou NHL sa stal už ako tínedžer, draftovali ho v roku 1991 zo šiesteho miesta. „Prvé majstrovstvá sveta som vyhral v Prahe ako 18-ročný, čiže som bol len o...

dennikn.sk

 

[Nubmer6]

What about Chychrun plus one of Arizona's late first rounders for #2 overall?

At this point I don't think we need another offensive defenseman.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Kinda sus how Yotes fans keep talking about how Chychrun is one of the best defensemen in the league and will put any team over the edge yet are aggressively trying to peddle him to every team with a decent 1st.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

I'm confident that Luke Hughes will be a top defenseman and I'm confident that at least one other defensive prospect in our system will be a contributing NHL regular.

Outside of Holtz, who has thus far looked overwhelmed and outmatched at the NHL level (but I'm sure will figure it out eventually), I'm not confident any of our forwards prospects are going to be top-6 NHL players.

Foote and Zetterlund profile as more 3rd line guys and there's not a ton of information to project based on when it comes to guys like Tyce, Clarke, or Stillman. Our farm system is deep in terms of numbers and guys likely to be NHL players, but in terms of forward quality/impact players it's really lacking at the top.

You only need 6 defensemen but 12 forwards. You can get away with 4 good defensemen and 2 filler guys, but you can't get away with 4 good forwards and 8 filler guys. Especially when Jack and Nico have had problems staying healthy.

It just doesn't make sense to continue committing premium resources to the defense when we've already been doing that for some time. The current bottleneck on our defense isn't player quality, it's systems. Ruff's system encourages his defensemen to pinch and cheat.

I’ve been waffling a lot re: Slafkovsky vs the RDs, but I like this logic.

Team Slafkovsky.

 

[FooteBahl]

this is what peter forsberg said:
17-year-old Slovak Juraj Slafkovský is the best scorer of the Olympic tournament. What do you think about its game and potential?

I would compare him to Finnish hockey player Mikk Rantanen, who plays for Colorado in the NHL. Slafkovský is also big and strong, but at the same time he moves well and has dexterous hands. He can perfectly cover the puck with his big figure, which reminds me of Jágr. It also shows how confident he is. He can make excellent use of his time on the ice and scores a lot of goals in this tournament. If his development continues as we expect, he will be a really, really good player. However, it is already amazing what performances he shows. We are talking about the Olympics and he is an important part of the team that reached the semifinals at the age of seventeen. Unbelievable. He amazed me with his performances so far.

Peter Forsberg: Slafkovský mi pripomína Rantanena aj Jágra. Mám preňho päť rád

Ak niekto môže mimoriadnemu slovenskému talentu Jurajovi Slafkovskému dobre poradiť, je to legendárny švédsky hokejista Peter Forsberg. Hviezdou NHL sa stal už ako tínedžer, draftovali ho v roku 1991 zo šiesteho miesta. „Prvé majstrovstvá sveta som vyhral v Prahe ako 18-ročný, čiže som bol len o...

dennikn.sk

Just stop it!

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

this is what peter forsberg said:
17-year-old Slovak Juraj Slafkovský is the best scorer of the Olympic tournament. What do you think about its game and potential?

I would compare him to Finnish hockey player Mikk Rantanen, who plays for Colorado in the NHL. Slafkovský is also big and strong, but at the same time he moves well and has dexterous hands. He can perfectly cover the puck with his big figure, which reminds me of Jágr. It also shows how confident he is. He can make excellent use of his time on the ice and scores a lot of goals in this tournament. If his development continues as we expect, he will be a really, really good player. However, it is already amazing what performances he shows. We are talking about the Olympics and he is an important part of the team that reached the semifinals at the age of seventeen. Unbelievable. He amazed me with his performances so far.

Peter Forsberg: Slafkovský mi pripomína Rantanena aj Jágra. Mám preňho päť rád

Ak niekto môže mimoriadnemu slovenskému talentu Jurajovi Slafkovskému dobre poradiť, je to legendárny švédsky hokejista Peter Forsberg. Hviezdou NHL sa stal už ako tínedžer, draftovali ho v roku 1991 zo šiesteho miesta. „Prvé majstrovstvá sveta som vyhral v Prahe ako 18-ročný, čiže som bol len o...

dennikn.sk

What does Forsberg know....lol
Here is how see it.

- Will play at 6'4 235 by the time he hits his prime.
- As elite as they come when it comes to protecting the puck below the hashmarks.
- Above average top end speed, probably maintains his speed as he fills out.
- Elite hands, displays the ability to stickhandle in traffic and move it to the open player.
- Very good/terrific playmaking ability below the hashmarks.
- Quick release shot that has inconsistent velocity. Shot should develop into a very good tool.
- Boardwork is very good and will project as elite.
- Has an above average motor.

 

[FooteBahl]

What does Forsberg know....lol
Here is how see it.

- Will play at 6'4 235 by the time he hits his prime.
- As elite as they come when it comes to protecting the puck below the hashmarks.
- Above average top end speed, probably maintains his speed as he fills out.
- Elite hands, displays the ability to stickhandle in traffic and move it to the open player.
- Very good/terrific playmaking ability below the hashmarks.
- Quick release shot that has inconsistent velocity. Shot should develop into a very good tool.
- Boardwork is very good and will project as elite.
- Has an above average motor.

I’m almost there guys, keep posting lol

 

[glenwo2]

@StevenToddIves , here is a CRAZY-AS-HELL Hot Take here :

Could Slaf be like Jaromir Jagr-lite?

(yes I know Drugs are bad, mmmkay? lol )

EDIT : I posted this before I read your entire OP (I guess you do see some similarities to a young jagr. lol )

 

[FooteBahl]

And for those of you who voted “trade,” I hope y’all get explosive diarrhea

 

[Captain3rdLine]

In two years I hope you’re wrong. Slaf pushes Mercer to 3C (I guess we’ll have to play Nico up a line lol) giving us amongst the deepest center corps in the entire NHL. I would be extremely disappointed if Slaf isn’t the pick. I saw someone refer to him as Slapshotsky…I love it!!

I don’t really want Mercer at 3C. I like him more as a winger and I think he’ll be too good to be a 3C

 

[GettingYourMoms]

Who are the pro comps for Slaf and Jiricek respectively, if they hit their ceilings and floors? It doesn’t sound like either will be a bust and I’m certainly not risk adverse. If their ceilings are both sky high which appears to be the case, a deciding factor for me could be who is safer.

Slafkovský - Rantanen like power forward, point per game winger
Jiříček - Brent Burns/Ekblad hybrid, Two way, physical top pair defenseman, offensively more dynamic than Nemec, but he makes mistakes in D zone from time to time, if things go well he can be point per game 20-30 goal D.
Němec - slightly offensively limited Adam Fox, smart two way puck moving defenseman with weak shot and non physical, also top pair potential, very very safe pick cant go wrong with this guy i cant see him anything less than 2nd pair D as his hockey IQ is exceptional

 

[FooteBahl]

@StevenToddIves , here is a CRAZY-AS-HELL Hot Take here :

Could Slaf be like Jaromir Jagr-lite?

(yes I know Drugs are bad, mmmkay? lol )

You can get a good look at a players potential by sticking your head up his ass, but I’d rarher take Peter Forsberg’s word lol

 

[Unknown Caller]

Slafkovský - Rantanen like power forward, point per game winger
Jiříček - Brent Burns/Ekblad hybrid, Two way, physical top pair defenseman, if things go well he can be point per game 20-30 goal D.
Němec - slightly offensively limited Adam Fox, smart two way puck moving defenseman with weak shot, also top pair potential, very very safe pick cant go wrong with this guy i cant see him anything less than 2nd pair D as his hockey IQ is exceptional

This is pretty much spot on.

 

[glenwo2]

From a Devils perspective, Slafkovsky makes a great deal of sense, I just don't feel he will be available where they are destined to pick. I would call "top-line-caliber LW" the Devils second biggest organizational need after RD, and Slafkovsky would certainly fit the bill. The Devils also desperately need power/strength up front, as they struggle to get goals off deflections and rebounds, especially against more physical opposition. Slafkovsky is a phenomenal prospect -- maybe the best Slovakian winger to come out of the draft since Hossa -- and certainly a guy to keep a close eye on as the season progresses.

Welp...apparently...he now will be.

Cheers.

 

[TrufleShufle]

And for those of you who voted “trade,” I hope y’all get explosive diarrhea

I voted for Slaf, so I think there was a glitch with your wish, pls fix.

 

[glenwo2]

Holy hell, indeed. We also need to keep in mind that Slafkovsky offers more pure passing vision than anyone on the Devils save Hughes, so we could also do this:

Sharangovich-Hughes-Bratt
Slafkovsky-Nico-Holtz

...with Mercer as the 3C. Slafkovsky's ability down low would free up Holtz's shot from the circle and allow him to float in the zone more, seeking a seam to get open for his elite shooting ability.

Really? He has better vision than Bratt?

That is some INSANE vision then, good sir.

 

[GettingYourMoms]

You guys have basically choice to pick betweed 3 studs, can´t go wrong with any of those guys all of them can end up as best players of this draft.

 

[JimEIV]

@StevenToddIves , here is a CRAZY-AS-HELL Hot Take here :

Could Slaf be like Jaromir Jagr-lite?

(yes I know Drugs are bad, mmmkay? lol )

EDIT : I posted this before I read your entire OP (I guess you do see some similarities to a young jagr. lol )

You came to that thought because he wears 60 in TPS and wore in 8 in the Olympics, right?

60 + 8 obviously Jagr!

 

[Traitor Zach]

Devils are taking Slafkovsky. I see no real debate or push from other prospects.

Jiricek is intriguing, but I have concerns on his discipline and durability with his style. He's a boom or bust prospect. Nemec looks like a safer projection, but I see a solid but not dominating presence on the blueline (maybe a 2nd pair defenseman). Cooley looks like a player, but factor of team composition has to be considered. Cooley has value playing center if he develops with his game, I don't see him succeeding to his optimal level or production capability if forced to wing.

 

[glenwo2]

And we actually have our own 2nd rounder (#37) for the first time in like 10 years. There are always solid depth d-men available in the early 2nd round.

SOLID D-men is what this team needs.

Not Superstars.

We need more Siegenthalers.

 

[Traitor Zach]

I posted this before... I'd let AZ know Seattle is willing to trade with us to leapfrog them, hoping that AZ covets Cooley enough that they offer us something significant to trade up 1 spot and prevent it.

Yes, I can be evil at times.

Why bother? Take your player at 2. What are they offering us? Unless it's something stupid like their next two first round picks in 2023 and 2024, Seattle has nothing of value. I'm not taking a couple hot dog lottery picks or mid-round buffet of picks in 2nd and 3rd rounds.