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

[Devs3cups]

Wright only had a secondary PP assist down two with six seconds left in regulation last night. He only has five points and no goals in four games in the second round and only two goals and eleven assists in ten games overall. Kingston is down 1-3 in the series. Tomorrow night could be his last game of the season.

Doubt that’ll change much to the Habs selection. If he falls to us it’s a steal.

 

[Hisch13r]

Nope. Goalie is biggest need. Might be a slight reach at #2. By about 50 picks.


It would be a massive haul. I know it is farfetched but I’d say we need the one best quality piece rather than 3 very very good pieces.
Start of rebuild yes this would be amazimg and the way to go but not so much now.

I still think it's a better move.

Wright only had a secondary PP assist down two with six seconds left in regulation last night. He only has five points and no goals in four games in the second round and only two goals and eleven assists in ten games overall. Kingston is down 1-3 in the series. Tomorrow night could be his last game of the season.

That seems like an exaggeration. I doubt he was the "worst player on the ice" but instead was worst relative to expectations. I do get some Nolan vibes on him though and don't think he's a sure thing

 

[Billdo]

I still think it's a better move.



That seems like an exaggeration. I doubt he was the "worst player on the ice" but instead was worst relative to expectations. I do get some Nolan vibes on him though and don't think he's a sure thing

Agreed, I'm also not entirely sold on him being the 1OA as some sort of lock.

 

[Hisch13r]

Agreed, I'm also not entirely sold on him being the 1OA as some sort of lock.

I think he's still a lock to be #1. Especially with the draft being in Montreal. Slaf would have to have a transcendent WC to bump Wright

 

[Unknown Caller]

I just listened to Chris Peters’ podcast and he thinks that Wright will not be the best player in this draft class. He said he sees him as a Toews type player at best.

He’s also confident that the Devils would go Slafkovsky at 2 (as long as he’s there) and he said they would be in a tough spot if Montreal passed on Wright and took Slafkovsky. He can see it getting tight at first overall if Slaf has a good tournament, but thinks there will be significant external pressure on Montreal to take Wright.

 

[Billdo]

I just listened to Chris Peters’ podcast and he thinks that Wright will not be the best player in this draft class. He said he sees him as a Toews type player at best.

He’s also confident that the Devils would go Slafkovsky at 2 (as long as he’s there) and he said they would be in a tough spot if Montreal passed on Wright and took Slafkovsky. He can see it getting tight if Slaf has a good tournament, but thinks there will be significant external pressure on Montreal to take Wright.

If they take Slaf, they should call up AZ and Seattle and see who wants 2.

 

[Hisch13r]

I just listened to Chris Peters’ podcast and he thinks that Wright will not be the best player in this draft class. He said he sees him as a Toews type player at best.

He’s also confident that the Devils would go Slafkovsky at 2 (as long as he’s there) and he said they would be in a tough spot if Montreal passed on Wright and took Slafkovsky. He can see it getting tight at first overall if Slaf has a good tournament, but thinks there will be significant external pressure on Montreal to take Wright.

I think it could end up as a Nico scenario where you're still getting a good player but there will be a handful of guys who turn out better.

 

[ChopRite]

This is an incredibly dumb way to look at it. It’s not the size that matters. Svech was also a better prospect than Slaf and heavily challenges Wright for 1 if not outright passes him and goes 1 in this class

Also size very much does matter when discussing an 18yo making the NHL. In fact, its probably one of the biggest contributing factors to why a player will or wont make the NHL at a very young age. Its a mens league where a smaller or weaker player can get badly hurt.

If Jack Hughes was 6'1" 200lbs at 18, no one would have ever questioned him starting in the NHL nor made the assumption that Kakko was more NHL ready. But he wasnt, he was 5'10" 160, which is very small and light for an NHL average size of 6'1" and 204lbs. And yet he attests to the tribulations of his rookie year helping him tremendously.

Im not suggesting that Slafkovsky needs to make the NHL simply because he's 6'4" 215. But if hes as skilled as some say and is worthy of a 2nd overall pick... itd be very very shocking that someone bigger than 80% of the NHL at 18 isnt making the club. Hed have to just be that bad in camp and in his 9-game sample (if he doesnt go back to Liiga), and thats why Id have questions about the pick if that happened.

Especially when one considers how badly Tom Fitzgerald wants to beef up the offense. We just had an overage rookie defenseman in Mason Geertsen play offense for us this year strictly due to his size... if Slafkovsky cant take his spot then idk what id feel about it. At 18 he is almost the same size as Geertsen!!

Edit: also since I know its probably coming, Quinton Byfield was seen as an extremely raw talent who was possibly reached for almost strictly due to his size. From what I have read, Slafkovsky certainly seems more NHL ready.

 

[MartyOwns]

There’s a very good chance he won’t be a first pairing defensemen not be a first pairing defensemen. I think Nemec is more likely to be that.

what makes you say that? i have yet to read a scouting report that doesn’t project him to be an all-situation top pairing guy.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

what makes you say that? i have yet to read a scouting report that doesn’t project him to be an all-situation top pairing guy.

He has that potential. But by the odds there’s a pretty decent chance he doesn’t actually reach that potential. Same for Slafkovsky, Nemec and the others. It’s about figuring out which players have the highest potential and which players are the most likely to reach that potential or close to it.

I personally am not a fan of Jiricek and I don’t think he will be a top dman but I could see it happening. I think Nemec would be a better pick though. Regardless neither is remotely close to a guarantee to be a top guy.

 

[glenwo2]

Google translate:
He first hugged his friend Tomas Tatar and then talked about the fact that the New Jersey Devils could draft Juraj Slafkovsky. Swiss Nico Hischier is looking forward to the championship, where he came for gold

Nico knows

Nico loves to hockey and he loves to win Gold.

 

[ChopRite]

He has that potential. But by the odds there’s a pretty decent chance he doesn’t actually reach that potential. Same for Slafkovsky, Nemec and the others. It’s about figuring out which players have the highest potential and which players are the most likely to reach that potential or close to it.

I personally am not a fan of Jiricek and I don’t think he will be a top dman but I could see it happening. I think Nemec would be a better pick though. Regardless neither is remotely close to a guarantee to be a top guy.

Nobody in any draft is close to a guarantee besides the Connor McDavids and Auston Matthews of the world

Not really saying much here but it seems youre unfairly discrediting the defenseman just to favor the forward in Slafkovsky

 

[Mgd31]

I still think it's a better move.



That seems like an exaggeration. I doubt he was the "worst player on the ice" but instead was worst relative to expectations. I do get some Nolan vibes on him though and don't think he's a sure thing

This is the same guy that he would pick Michael McLeod 3rd overall in 2016.

 

[glenwo2]

Everyone just wants this kid cuz he's big...

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Nobody in any draft is close to a guarantee besides the Connor McDavids and Auston Matthews of the world

Not really saying much here but it seems youre unfairly discrediting the defenseman just to favor the forward in Slafkovsky

Nope. How have I done that? I think Slafkovsky is a better prospect. As I said I think Nemec is a better prospect than Jiricek as well.

 

[MartyOwns]

He has that potential. But by the odds there’s a pretty decent chance he doesn’t actually reach that potential. Same for Slafkovsky, Nemec and the others. It’s about figuring out which players have the highest potential and which players are the most likely to reach that potential or close to it.

I personally am not a fan of Jiricek and I don’t think he will be a top dman but I could see it happening. I think Nemec would be a better pick though. Regardless neither is remotely close to a guarantee to be a top guy.

well yeah, nothing is guaranteed. and i bounced between jiricek and nemec quite a bit, i’d be happy with either. but i don’t see how slaf is more likely to reach his potential than jiricek.

something about slaf worries me, although it’s hard to describe. i think it’s because everyone is gaga over his size, which clouds judgement imo. and he shot up the rankings with a good olympics showing, but overall his production seems to be a bit above average (and i acknowledge the reasons for this, ATOI, playing against big manly men, etc). it still seems like a gamble at 2OA- can we not find this type of player elsewhere when the time is right? i think we can.

honestly, i’d be happy with any of the guys in the conversation (sans wright). i would just prefer to lock down a future incredible top 4 group of defensemen.

 

[glenwo2]

I thought it was obvious enough to not need a "/s."

I take full responsibility for this.

 

[ChopRite]

Nope. How have I done that? I think Slafkovsky is a better prospect. As I said I think Nemec is a better prospect than Jiricek as well.

Well a quick read-through of this thread shows me youre so far on the Slafkovsky train that its blinding you to the other prospects; coupling that with comments like 'neither are remotely guarantees to be top pair defenseman', which is such a broad statement with no actual meaning, it would seem almost obvious that youre downplaying the other top-6 guys cause you like Juraj a lot

Lets just put it this way.. no NHL team is putting millions of dollars into scouting departments to get quotes like 'yeah, neither Nemec or Jiricek are remotely guarantees to be top pair defenseman'. Well yeah... theyre teenagers. The sky is blue too but I didnt need a scouting team to determine that. Not to mention the exact same can be said for Slafkovsky.

There is a reason why so many websites and hockey personalities have their own draft rankings, and its because nobody knows the answers to these questions. You though seem pretty confident and have it figured out, which im not sure how.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

well yeah, nothing is guaranteed. and i bounced between jiricek and nemec quite a bit, i’d be happy with either. but i don’t see how slaf is more likely to reach his potential than jiricek.

something about slaf worries me, although it’s hard to describe. i think it’s because everyone is gaga over his size, which clouds judgement imo. and he shot up the rankings with a good olympics showing, but overall his production seems to be a bit above average (and i acknowledge the reasons for this, ATOI, playing against big manly men, etc). it still seems like a gamble at 2OA- can we not find this type of player elsewhere when the time is right? i think we can.

honestly, i’d be happy with any of the guys in the conversation (sans wright). i would just prefer to lock down a future incredible top 4 group of defensemen.

I’m gaga over his skill as well as his ability to use his size and I think he sees the ice really well. I love the whole package.
How can you say that when one of the best things about Jiricek is that he’s a big defensmen that throws the odd big hit? That’s not all he is but Slafkovsky is a lot more than his size too.

You cannot just find a Slafkovsky type player no. A player with his combination of skill and size is very rare.

I think Slafkovsky is more likely because I don’t have the concerns with him that I do with Jiricek. I’ve done long posts about it before that you can find if you want but he lacks the poise that all elite NHL defensemen have and aspects of his skating are sloppy and need work. I’m also concerned about how well the aggressive style of defense he plays will translate at the NHL level against better, more skilled players.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Well a quick read-through of this thread shows me youre so far on the Slafkovsky train that its blinding you to the other prospects; coupling that with comments like 'neither are remotely guarantees to be top pair defenseman', which is such a broad statement with no actual meaning, it would seem almost obvious that youre downplaying the other top-6 guys cause you like Juraj a lot

Lets just put it this way.. no NHL team is putting millions of dollars into scouting departments to get quotes like 'yeah, neither Nemec or Jiricek are remotely guarantees to be top pair defenseman'. Well yeah... theyre teenagers. The sky is blue too but I didnt need a scouting team to determine that. Not to mention the exact same can be said for Slafkovsky.

There is a reason why so many websites and hockey personalities have their own draft rankings, and its because nobody knows the answers to these questions. You though seem pretty confident and have it figured out, which im not sure how.

Haha this is hilarious. Yes Juraj is my favourite but if you read I also like Nemec and would be happy with him or Cooley as well. Whoever they take I will cheer for and be very happy with if they turn out.

And I know that’s not a crazy statement (about no guarantee) but it made perfect sense as a response to what I was responding to. Lol I think you need to read a little more. I literally just said the same applies to Slafkovsky.

I’m putting my opinion into this thread. I’m perfectly entitled to do so. Not even sure what you’re suggesting I have figured out or why you’re so upset. Relax man.

 

[ChopRite]

Haha this is hilarious. Yes Juraj is my favourite but if you read I also like Nemec and would be happy with him or Cooley as well. Whoever they take I will cheer for and be very happy with if they turn out.

And I know that’s not a crazy statement but it made perfect sense as a response to what I was responding to. Lol I think you need to read a little more. I literally just said the same applies to Slafkovsky.

I’m putting my opinion into this thread. I’m perfectly entitled to do so. Not even sure what you’re suggesting I have figured out or why you’re so upset. Relax man.

You said that Nemec and Jiricek are not remotely guarantees to be top pair dmen (which doesnt mean anything yet you felt the need to let that be know ) then claim you like Nemec more than Jiricek to try and act like you give them a fair shake. So what, you think a team should draft them top-10 to become middle pair defenseman? I doubt that.

Youre essentially saying nobody can be as good as Slafkovsky without blatantly coming out and saying that you only think that because you like him so much.

And its not just your opinion though; youre giving out poorly-constructed scouting reports to boost the stock of your favorite prospect. If half the leagues scouts felt the same as you do about Nemec and Jiricek, theyd be slated around the middle to end of the 1st or further.

I get being excited about the 2nd overall pick and favoring an exciting prospect that doesnt come around much, but theres no need to try and discredit the other prospects to get that point across. Theres no need bring down Nemec and Jiricek with overtly-hyperbolic wording to disguise what seemingly is a lack of actual knowledge on the prospects

 

[glenwo2]

Well thatd be a personal opinion.

Jesper Bratt made the team out of camp at 19 and got absolutely bullied in the physical game, along with Jack and Nico, in their reapective first and second seasons. Because they were light on the weight and light on their skates. They all managed to turn out just fine Id say?

Slafkovsky is listed at 215-220 and 6'4", so I have a hard time believing hed get bullied around. And if we are drafting him at 2nd overall, that means he has the skill level to keep up in a bottom-6 role at minimum, where guys usually develop until 24 just to put up 20pts in 82 games.

This is a 2nd overall pick were talking about, a supposed franchise player. If Slafkovsky needs to be held off for a year just to be introduced into a league where hes bigger at 18 than 80% of the talent, then Im not sure how I feel about the pick.

How about holding him out for a year so he can get more familiar with Hockey here in the States?

Let him wreck shop against the AHL'ers, then have him come in the following season and "introduce himself" to the League.

 

[FooteBahl]

How about holding him out for a year so he can get more familiar with Hockey here in the States?

Let him wreck shop against the AHL'ers, then have him come in the following season and "introduce himself" to the League.

I would just hold him out a year so we could win back-to-back Calder trophies

 

[Captain3rdLine]

You said that Nemec and Jiricek are not remotely guarantees to be top pair dmen (which doesnt mean anything yet you felt the need to let that be know ) then claim you like Nemec more than Jiricek to try and act like you give them a fair shake. So what, you think a team should draft them top-10 to become middle pair defenseman? I doubt that.

Youre essentially saying nobody can be as good as Slafkovsky without blatantly coming out and saying that you only think that because you like him so much.

And its not just your opinion though; youre giving out poorly-constructed scouting reports to boost the stock of your favorite prospect. If half the leagues scouts felt the same as you do about Nemec and Jiricek, theyd be slated around the middle to end of the 1st or further.

I get being excited about the 2nd overall pick and favoring an exciting prospect that doesnt come around much, but theres no need to try and discredit the other prospects to get that point across. Theres no need bring down Nemec and Jiricek with overtly-hyperbolic wording to disguise what seemingly is a lack of actual knowledge on the prospects

I was responding to a very simplified post talking like Jiricek was a guaranteed top pair defensmen. I said that it isn’t a guarantee because I really don’t think it’s as simple as he made it sound. I’m saying that because it’s just the reality. Nemec is my second favourite prospect (3rd really if you count Wright) but I’m perfectly aware that there’s a pretty decent chance that even he doesn’t turn into a top pair defensmen. Same with Jiricek. That’s just the reality of how things work out. Lots of defensmen taken that high don’t turn into top guys. It’s the same with forwards and Slafkovsky like I’ve already said. There’s a pretty decent chance Slafkovsky doesn’t turn into a top line winger. Nobody is gonna draft them that high to be to be a second pair guy or a second line winger. They’re gonna take the guy that has the best chances at being a top line or top pair guy but at the end of the day there’s a pretty good chance 2-3 of the players that go in the top 5 won’t be top line or top pair guys.

I like him a lot but it’s extremely likely that multiple players in this draft will be better players than him. You’re completely putting words in my mouth.


And that’s not remotely true. I’ve watch lots of these players and I’m giving my opinion on them. As I said, I’m no scout but, Nemec would be in my top 5. That being said I’m realistic and fully aware that a lot of top prospects don’t turn out. Go look at the top 5 or 10 picks of all the drafts over the last 10 years. There’s tons of those guys that didn’t turn into top line guys.



Your entire post is so ridiculous because I’ve never brought down Nemec whatsoever. I have some concerns about Jiricek but I can also see the potential.

And,
As I’ve already said, if you can read, Juraj Slafkovsky is not remotely a guarentee to be a top line winger either. That’s just how it is. He’s my favourite prospect and the guy I think is the most likely but that doesn’t mean I think it’s a guarantee at all.


How about you read what I’m saying rather than just freaking out about me stating the obvious in saying Jiricek isn’t a guarantee to be a top pair defensmen.

 

[glenwo2]

I just listened to Chris Peters’ podcast and he thinks that Wright will not be the best player in this draft class. He said he sees him as a Toews type player at best.

He’s also confident that the Devils would go Slafkovsky at 2 (as long as he’s there) and he said they would be in a tough spot if Montreal passed on Wright and took Slafkovsky. He can see it getting tight at first overall if Slaf has a good tournament, but thinks there will be significant external pressure on Montreal to take Wright.

"Tough spot" is right.

'Cause then it would be :

1.) Do we take Shane?
2.) Do we draft Nemec?
3.) Do we draft Jiricek?
4.) Do we trade the pick?

I have a feeling Fitz would rather choose a D-man if Slaf wasn't available, then draft another Center.

If they take Slaf, they should call up AZ and Seattle and see who wants 2.

That's my thought, too.

I think both teams' GM's would salivate at the opportunity to somehow draft Shane Wright if MTL galaxy-brains their pick.