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

What should we do with #2?

  • Slafkovsky

    Votes: 220 61.5%

  • Jiricek

    Votes: 56 15.6%

  • Nemec

    Votes: 30 8.4%

  • Trade it

    Votes: 39 10.9%

  • Other

    Votes: 13 3.6%
  • Total voters
    358
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The issue with trading it is who do you trade for? A player like Fiala isn't good enough for that pick IMO, definitely not Miller despite Canucks fans trying to convince themselves otherwise.
 
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Emperoreddy said:
The issue with trading it is who do you trade for? A player like Fiala isn't good enough for that pick IMO, definitely not Miller despite Canucks fans trying to convince themselves otherwise.
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The only 2 players I'd trade it for are the Tkachuk brothers, and Brady is a maybe. I'd do it for Matthew Tkachuk.
 
NJ DevLolz said:


This screams Zacha 2.0 in terms of thiccboi who has the toolbox but something is missing. Whether it be finding soft spots in the offensive zone or not being a good small zone player, he is certainly not this slam dunk that everyone is making him out to be. Of course I haven't watched a second of him so my opinion means shit but outright dismissing a guy lake Bader is somewhat foolish. His model is literally based on historical outcomes.


They said the same thing about Pavel Zacha and Lawson Crouse
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sigh..... :shakehead

At least you admit you haven't watched a second of him so you're honest.

I do have to wonder if we never drafted Zacha, what player (that has disappointed) would you or anyone else bring up to downplay Slafkovsky?

Anyway, I take more stock from what @StevenToddIves says than from anyone else on this board because he knows his stuff....
 
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devilsblood said:
If you have an elite 3rd line center, it means you have 2 elite centers playing ahead of that guy. Teams with 2 elite centers will tend to be good. Especially when they have elite wingers and d-men around them.

Is it nice to have 3 good centers? Sure, but if you have no organizational depth at a certain position, say RD, then I'm not focusing on filling the 3rd line center spot with an elite player.
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We’re the strongest we’ve been at the NHL level at RD in many years, and Luke is currently a lefty playing RD. I’ll take another, but if Severson is resigning, we’re strong there already. Maybe drafting one makes us not resign him.

Position should take a backseat to actual talent evaluation. Maybe they do think Slafkovsky is the guy, who knows. But I would not spend a number 2 pick on a guy because he fits the current construction of the team better.
 
Unknown Caller said:
Aside from the production questions, he's a stud. Watch him play full games.
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rick-and-morty-this-guy-gets-it.gif
 
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Jersey Fresh said:
I don't know what's so difficult to understand. It's not a player comparison at a micro-level. These are both guys with great "tools" who didn't have production to point to - pure projection players. That just adds another layer of volatility when you can compare him to players who actually produced, instead of wondering why they didn't.
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I don't know what's so difficult to understand :

Slaf is NOT ZACHA.

You want me to repeat? okay.

SLAF.....IS......NOT...ZACHA....

I don't get why this is a concept that many here just don't understand.

And I also wonder if we didn't draft Zacha, what OTHER player (that has disappointed) would some of you be using to downplay Slafkovsky's abilities/talent/potential here just 'cause some of you are all on Nemec's/Jiricek's/Cooley's you-know-what?
 
Zajacs Bowl Cut said:
look, I am not going to pretend I know a ton about many of these guys

But "he looks good but just doesn't have production" scares the SH*% out of me...like I said.

Reminds me Kakko.
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Slaf has played in a limited bottom-6 role with so-so linemates for most of the season, therefore not in a position to showcase his toolbox at all.

After going off in a top role at the Olympics with 7 goals in 7 games, he was put in a top-6 role with PP time in the Liiga and got 6 points in 10 games. His production when used in a position to use his abilities to the maximum has been good.
 
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SteveCangialosi123 said:
We’re the strongest we’ve been at the NHL level at RD in many years, and Luke is currently a lefty playing RD. I’ll take another, but if Severson is resigning, we’re strong there already. Maybe drafting one makes us not resign him.

Position should take a backseat to actual talent evaluation. Maybe they do think Slafkovsky is the guy, who knows. But I would not spend a number 2 pick on a guy because he fits the current construction of the team better.
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After Hamilton and Sev's we have very little though. I mean, Walsh is probably next guy up, and I legit don't know who would be after that..

Also consider Hamilton turns 29 next month. And Sev's turns 28 in a couple months. Where as out top 2 centers are 21 and 23. This years pick doesn't really make an impact until 3 years from now. Our centers are in their mid 20's. Those d-men are in their 30's. And that's the start of the this draftee's impact window.
 
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glenwo2 said:
I don't know what's so difficult to understand :

Slaf is NOT ZACHA.

You want me to repeat? okay.

SLAF.....IS......NOT...ZACHA....

I don't get why this is a concept that many here just don't understand.

And I also wonder if we didn't draft Zacha, what OTHER player (that has disappointed) would some of you be using to downplay Slafkovsky's abilities/talent/potential here just 'cause some of you are all on Nemec's/Jiricek's/Cooley's you-know-what?
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LOL

It’s a simple point you’re clearly incapable of processing, so I’ll leave it there.

More caps next time though, please.
 
Lou is God said:
Zacha was not projected as a forward the way Slaf is, there is no comparison. Nor does it matter if there was, And I'm still open to other players, but some are trying too hard to dismiss the high praise for Slaf because they want someone else, that's what it seems like.
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This is it in a nutshell.

"I want my guy so I'm going to s--t on the guy the Devils will most likely draft at #2 so 'waah waah waah...Slaf sucks...he's going to be Zacha'...let me throw a tantrum...".:whine:
 
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There are players who:

- Had great production before being drafted and were NHL stars
- Had iffy production before being drafted and were NHL stars
- Had great production before being drafted and were busts in the NHL
- Had iffy production before being drafted and were busts in the NHL

Ultimately, while pre-draft production is a factor in the evaluation (while including the context of the production or lack of production), its not going to be the determining factor to me. For me eye test will always be the number one factor.
 
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pkbrux said:
There are players who:

- Had great production before being drafted and were NHL stars
- Had iffy production before being drafted and were NHL stars
- Had great production before being drafted and were busts in the NHL
- Had iffy production before being drafted and were busts in the NHL

Ultimately, while pre-draft production is a factor in the evaluation (while including the context of the production or lack of production), its not going to be the determining factor to me. For me eye test will always be the number one factor.
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Retweet

Yes production is part of it and always makes you feel better. But actual evaluation is more important and context is important when looking at that production.
 
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Hockey Sports Fan said:
Zacha WAS projected as a slick skater and puck carrier with size, with a good shot, high compete level, and a bit of a mean streak. Only one of those attributes manifested as NHL-level skill, which i think is an important lesson when it comes to believing the consensus opinions on 16 and 17 year olds.
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Question but who was the last euro drafted this high that actually lived up to the size and mean streak?
 
I guess we're not including Stutzle and Raymond because they are smaller, but Svechnikov fits the bill of big guy who scores goals.


Heck Nico's a euro. Petterson.
 
Comparing a Draft eligible player to some other player and then saying the results will be the same is lame. The players are all individuals and what happened to one won’t necessarily happen to another.

Drafting would be easy if you just had to find some guy that was superficially similar to another and you’d then be able to project their whole career.
 
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devilsblood said:
If he's a guy who uses his size and skill to score goals around the net mouth don't even care about mean streak.

But Rantanen is one that comes to mind.

Nichushkin came around eventually.
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Yeah I don’t care about mean streak but I want him to have size and not afraid to use it. Rantanen was drafted what around 10? Nichuskin didn’t even stick with his draft team
 
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JrFischer54 said:
If you are in your 3rd year when being picked 2nd and the jury is still out on if you will be good? That’s a huge red flag
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I mean the jury was still out on Hughes 6 months ago.

It doesn’t really matter. He hasn’t gotten much opportunity but has done pretty well with what he’s gotten. He’s still very young and will likely breakout at some point in the next couple seasons. It’s just a question of how good he’ll be.
I think he could still be very good but I wouldn’t be suprised if he just ended up as a decent top 6 forward. It remains to be seen.
 
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