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

[Hisch13r]

It took Nichushkin 6 years and a new organization to find his footing in the NHL, plus another 2 years before he produced any offense. If a career like Valeri Nichushkin's is a good outcome for a 2nd overall draft pick then Zacha was a steal at number 6.

That's why I said "If you can get Slaf to be the Nuke that he's been in Colorado FOR HIS ENTIRE PRIME"

 

[Team Concept]

I am still trying to figure out all of this love for Slafkovsky. Joakim Kemell outperformed him last season.

39-15-8-23 -13 for Kemell
31-5-5-10 +1 for Slafkovsky

I know Slafkovsky didn't get a ton of ice time early in the season, but Kemell also had better numbers during his 17 year old season than Slafkovsky. The stats below are for U20 SM-sarja:

38-22-14-36 +5 for Kemell
16-8-5-13 +4 for Slafkovsky

Bob McKenzie and Craig Button also have Kemell rated slightly higher than Slafkovsky.

I am beginning to lean Jiricek. I don't like the fact that Nemec is only 5-9.

 

[Hisch13r]

I am still trying to figure out all of this love for Slafkovsky. Joakim Kemell outperformed him last season.

39-15-8-23 -13 for Kemell
31-5-5-10 +1 for Slafkovsky

I know Slafkovsky didn't get a ton of ice time early in the season, but Kemell also had better numbers during his 17 year old season than Slafkovsky. The stats below are for U20 SM-sarja:

38-22-14-36 +5 for Kemell
16-8-5-13 +4 for Slafkovsky

Bob McKenzie and Craig Button also have Kemell rated slightly higher than Slafkovsky.

I am beginning to lean Jiricek. I don't like the fact that Nemec is only 5-9.

Bob has Slaf higher. I don't want either of them. Jiricek's the guy. Also Nemec isn't 5'9. He's 6 feet.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

I am still trying to figure out all of this love for Slafkovsky. Joakim Kemell outperformed him last season.

39-15-8-23 -13 for Kemell
31-5-5-10 +1 for Slafkovsky

I know Slafkovsky didn't get a ton of ice time early in the season, but Kemell also had better numbers during his 17 year old season than Slafkovsky. The stats below are for U20 SM-sarja:

38-22-14-36 +5 for Kemell
16-8-5-13 +4 for Slafkovsky

Bob McKenzie and Craig Button also have Kemell rated slightly higher than Slafkovsky.

I am beginning to lean Jiricek. I don't like the fact that Nemec is only 5-9.

First Bob McKenzie doesn’t and Craig Buttons lists are the most random lists. McKenzie surveys NHL scouts to come up with his. His latest ranking yesterday went

Wright (6 1st place votes)
Slafkovsky (2 1st votes)
Cooley (1 1st vote)
Nemec
Kemell

There’s also so much more to evaluating prospects than numbers

 

[nugg]

I’m just envisioning a potential top-6 in two years for the playoffs
Slafkovsky-Hughes-Holtz
Nichuskin-Nico-Bratt

A great blend of speed, skill and a little grit on each line.

That could mean a potentially great third line of
Sharangovich-Mercer-Zetterlund

 

[Hisch13r]

I’m just envisioning a potential top-6 in two years for the playoffs
Slafkovsky-Hughes-Holtz
Nichuskin-Nico-Bratt

A great blend of speed, skill and a little grit on each line.

One of Slaf or Holtz need to improve their foot speed if I'm going to be comfortable with them together. Swap Holtz and Bratt or Slaf and Nuke.

 

[Guttersniped]

Bob has Slaf higher. I don't want either of them. Jiricek's the guy. Also Nemec isn't 5'9. He's 6 feet.

Yeah, probably thinking of Matthew Savoie, who is 5’9” (boo! hiss! Shorty freak!).

 

[PWiz30]

That's why I said "If you can get Slaf to be the Nuke that he's been in Colorado FOR HIS ENTIRE PRIME"

I think I misunderstood whose entire prime you meant. My bad. Yes, if Slafkovsky can become the type of player Nichushkin has in the next 3 years instead of 6+ years then I'm 100% in. He'll need a better nickname though because Slaf is way too close to Laf for my liking.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Both Writers have the top 4 going
MTL- Wright
NJD- Slafkovsky
ARI- Cooley
SEA- Nemec

This is the most common top 4 I’m seeing around in mock drafts and even more so the top 3. Most top 3’s look like that and a lot of them have Nemec at 4 too. Some others might have Jiricek, or Kemell at 4.

 

[Hisch13r]

I think I misunderstood whose entire prime you meant. My bad. Yes, if Slafkovsky can become the type of player Nichushkin has in the next 3 years instead of 6+ years then I'm 100% in. He'll need a better nickname though because Slaf is way too close to Laf for my liking.

We can just throw the bag at the one who is already that player this offseason and who has a better nickname in Nuke.

 

[Xirik]

I think I misunderstood whose entire prime you meant. My bad. Yes, if Slafkovsky can become the type of player Nichushkin has in the next 3 years instead of 6+ years then I'm 100% in. He'll need a better nickname though because Slaf is way too close to Laf for my liking.

How about.....Kovie/Kovy?

I'll see myself out.

 

[Hisch13r]

Both Writers have the top 4 going
MTL- Wright
NJD- Slafkovsky
ARI- Cooley
SEA- Nemec

This is the most common top 4 I’m seeing around in mock drafts and even more so the top 3. Most top 3’s look like that and a lot of them have Nemec at 4 too. Some others might have Jiricek, or Kemell at 4.

1 and 3 are definitely that. I think it's likely that at 2 but there's a slim chance it's Jiricek. 4 could be either D. I've always had a feeling Nemec was ending up in Seattle though.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

1 and 3 are definitely that. I think it's likely that at 2 but there's a slim chance it's Jiricek. 4 could be either D. I've always had a feeling Nemec was ending up in Seattle though.

I don’t think Jiricek is likely at all. I actually think Nemec and Cooley are more likely. I’m not a fan of Jiricek but I also haven’t seen him being ranked there at all or suggested by draft people that he may go there. I think he’s just become hyped up in here (particularly by STI) and people love the idea of what he is and now people think he’s a candidate for 2 overall which it doesn’t seem like he actually is. Maybe he could be with a big World Championship tournament but right now there isn’t really people out there talking about him going too 2.

I could definitely see Seattle taking Nemec too but you never no.

 

[Hisch13r]

I don’t think Jiricek is likely at all. I actually think Nemec and Cooley are more likely. I’m not a fan of Jiricek but I also haven’t seen him being ranked there at all or suggested by draft people that he may go there. I think he’s just become hyped up in here (particularly by STI) and people love the idea of what he is and now people think he’s a candidate for 2 overall which it doesn’t seem like he actually is. Maybe he could be with a big World Championship tournament but right now there isn’t really people out there talking about him going too 2.

I could definitely see Seattle taking Nemec too but you never no.

I don't see us going Cooley. If it's not Slaf it'll be one of the 2D. I think the only reason Jiricek's not a consensus top 5 guy is the missed time. I think after the WC he and Nemec will be seen as pretty much interchangeable and they'll be 4/5 on Bob's list. I know EP has Jiricek at 2 on their last ranking

 

[StevenToddIves]

Certainly it seems you know more than your fair share about these prospects. When I make comments like 'people want the guy for his size' im speaking more to the armchair GM in all of us as fans, and when youre building that roster out in your head you tend to favor attributes that dont normally make a big discrepancy in a BPA argument

Ive found myself agreeing with much of what you have said, though I do think Logan's interior play isnt as bad at it would seem comparatively to Slafkovsky; Cooley certainly isnt a perimeter player by any means idt.

Where I differ is the idea of drafting with your current roster in mind. Ive always been a believer in the idea of BPA in the top-3/5, with absolutely no wiggle room for assessment of the current roster. However Id separate this from 'need', as I think to need a specific skillset is fine and by definition that would reflect on the current roster; but when I speak of the roster I mean 'where would we place Cooley, 3C or 2RW? Would he be happy with RW? Etc.'

In those situations I put zero stock into where the player will play but instead how and how well. And I dont like taking firm stances on things relating to teenage prospects, but this is my one area I do. It is certainly not ideal for NJ to pick another speedy, smaller center whos game matches that of our three best forwards.. but when you are picking this high in the draft my only concern is coming out with the 2nd best player available to us.

If the Devils feel Cooley is a 1A to a Slafkovsky or Jiricek's 1B, then by all means make that pick for need and celebrate. But if Cooley is seen as a 1 to a Slafkovsky or Jiricek's 2? IMO you need to pick Cooley there. And it doesnt take thinking hes the next McDavid to have him slightly above the other two either.

My 1-5 are Wright Cooley Slafkovsky Jiricek Nemec, and as of this moment I do have Cooley as a 1/2 to Slafkovsky. But this is also based in my personal scouting bias of course, and so we will be stuck wondering until July 8th what NJ's draft board order looks like. If Fitzgerald has them closer than that, then Id lean Slafkovsky over Jiricek for fit.

Great post, here.

I agree Cooley is not a perimeter player, but he does his best work in space and up high. Slafkovsky does his best work in tight and down low, but he is also very good in space. We obviously both feel these are great players -- you have Cooley 2 and Slafkovsky 3, I have Slafkovsky 2 and Cooley 5 or 6.

Personally, I have yet to decide whether my pick would be my #2 Slafkovsky or my #3 Jiricek. But it's very close, as it's very close between these two players in my rankings.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

I don't see us going Cooley. If it's not Slaf it'll be one of the 2D. I think the only reason Jiricek's not a consensus top 5 guy is the missed time. I think after the WC he and Nemec will be seen as pretty much interchangeable and they'll be 4/5 on Bob's list. I know EP has Jiricek at 2 on their last ranking

We’ll see and it’s possible but I don’t think so.

 

[PWiz30]

We can just throw the bag at the one who is already that player this offseason and who has a better nickname in Nuke.

Ooh, I didn't realize he was UFA this summer. Truth be told, if you dug far enough back in my post history you'd find that I was a lot less gunshy about using an early first-round pick on a power forward back in 2013 and I really wanted us to pick Nuke if he was available at 9 that year.

 

[StevenToddIves]

I don’t think Jiricek is likely at all. I actually think Nemec and Cooley are more likely. I’m not a fan of Jiricek but I also haven’t seen him being ranked there at all or suggested by draft people that he may go there. I think he’s just become hyped up in here (particularly by STI) and people love the idea of what he is and now people think he’s a candidate for 2 overall which it doesn’t seem like he actually is. Maybe he could be with a big World Championship tournament but right now there isn’t really people out there talking about him going too 2.

I could definitely see Seattle taking Nemec too but you never no.

I agree with @Hisch13r that the missed time and lack of #'s are what has hurt Jiricek. The kid was one of the best D in the Czech ELH before going down. A dominant WJC -- which I expect if the knee is 100% -- will put him right back int he top 3 overall conversation.

Both Writers have the top 4 going
MTL- Wright
NJD- Slafkovsky
ARI- Cooley
SEA- Nemec

This is the most common top 4 I’m seeing around in mock drafts and even more so the top 3. Most top 3’s look like that and a lot of them have Nemec at 4 too. Some others might have Jiricek, or Kemell at 4.

Cam Robinson and Chris Peters both released mock drafts today, both with the exact same top 3. Everyone has the Devils taking Slafkovsky, and by the end of the year he's the best bet to be the #2 overall in the scouting consensus, as well. I think it's safe to say he's the overwhelmingly most likely pick at #2 for New Jersey.

As for me, I'm still split between Slafkovsky and Jiricek. I just love both of their games and potentials so much, I hate to pass one up. But of course, I'd be thrilled with either. I'll make my final decision in June.

 

[Nocashstyle]

I still like Nemec, but I’m forcing myself to warm up to the idea of Slaf

 

[Captain3rdLine]

I agree with @Hisch13r that the missed time and lack of #'s are what has hurt Jiricek. The kid was one of the best D in the Czech ELH before going down. A dominant WJC -- which I expect if the knee is 100% -- will put him right back int he top 3 overall conversation.


Cam Robinson and Chris Peters both released mock drafts today, both with the exact same top 3. Everyone has the Devils taking Slafkovsky, and by the end of the year he's the best bet to be the #2 overall in the scouting consensus, as well. I think it's safe to say he's the overwhelmingly most likely pick at #2 for New Jersey.

As for me, I'm still split between Slafkovsky and Jiricek. I just love both of their games and potentials so much, I hate to pass one up. But of course, I'd be thrilled with either. I'll make my final decision in June.

Sam Cosentino who has weird rankings and mocks at times had the devils taking Cooley. But yes it will very likely be Slafkovsky

 

[Zach716]

Sabres fan here hopefully not intruding. Congrats! I said in our forum that you guys are going to be very very good, very soon.

Can't really go wrong either way getting the younger Hughes a top pair partner, or the older hughes a top line winger. I'm team Jiri/Slaf for you guys

 

[StevenToddIves]

Sam Cosentino who has weird rankings and mocks at times had the devils taking Cooley. But yes it will very likely be Slafkovsky

Sam Cosentino should not cause us to lose any sleep.

The guy also has Columbus -- who never drafts under 6'0 in the 1st round, ever -- taking 5'8 Matt Savoie and Ottawa passing on Joakim Kemell for similar-style-but-clearly-not-as-good Jonathan Lekkerimaki at the same position.

 

[Lou is God]

Both Writers have the top 4 going
MTL- Wright
NJD- Slafkovsky
ARI- Cooley
SEA- Nemec

This is the most common top 4 I’m seeing around in mock drafts and even more so the top 3. Most top 3’s look like that and a lot of them have Nemec at 4 too. Some others might have Jiricek, or Kemell at 4.

If Jiricek goes to Buffalo that's gonna suck.

 

[Hisch13r]

If Jiricek goes to Buffalo that's gonna suck.

He's not slipping to 9

 

[Lou is God]

He's not slipping to 9

Maybe not, but better players have dropped further than that.

If he never injured his knee, most definitely not