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

[Eggtimer]

What would really piss me off is if the Flyers end up with Slafkovsky.
Habs - Wright
Us - Jiricek
Arizona - Cooley
Seattle - Nemec
Philly - Slaf

Quite possible if we go RHD. I know the Flyers will get a good player regardless at 5th but it would suck more so if they get Slaf and he ends up wrecking us .

 

[Lou Bloom]

What would really piss me off is if the Flyers end up with Slafkovsky.
Habs - Wright
Us - Jiricek
Arizona - Cooley
Seattle - Nemec
Philly - Slaf

Quite possible if we go RHD. I know the Flyers will get a good player regardless at 5th but it would suck more so if they get Slaf and he ends up wrecking us .

I really wouldn't get too hung up on this, This draft class is extremely close at the top and any of these guys could be the best player in the class or underperform expectations. That's why I wouldn't rule out Cooley being the pick like many on here are doing. To me the most important aspect of this pick is making sure you hit on the pick and get a great player rather than worrying about position or fit.

 

[Devs3cups]

I really wouldn't get too hung up on this, This draft class is extremely close at the top and any of these guys could be the best player in the class or underperform expectations. That's why I wouldn't rule out Cooley being the pick like many on here are doing. To me the most important aspect of this pick is making sure you hit on the pick and get a great player rather than worrying about position or fit.

That and the fact we all thought we were getting 6th overall. We’re adding ANOTHER quality prospect here.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

What would really piss me off is if the Flyers end up with Slafkovsky.
Habs - Wright
Us - Jiricek
Arizona - Cooley
Seattle - Nemec
Philly - Slaf

Quite possible if we go RHD. I know the Flyers will get a good player regardless at 5th but it would suck more so if they get Slaf and he ends up wrecking us .

Won’t happen. The chances of us taking Jiricek over him is extremely slim. And if we did someone else will jump on him

 

[Half Clapper]

I have a feeling you guys might take Cooley #2

 

[StevenToddIves]

It would be fun to see a big guy like Slafkovsky setting up an immovable lunar eclipse in front of the opposing goalies. My question is though, does he have good hands in tight for tips and rebounds? We need guys who can score the garbage goals, can he be that guy?

Or is his shot the better asset, which would suggest that the better use for him on the PP is on the half boards or at the point?

Genuinely asking, I don't know enough about his game to know what his best usage would be on the PP.



Because they have a strong need for a franchise center and we don't. So in this (still highly unlikely) scenario, it might be worthwhile to them to guarantee that we won't take their guy by moving up to our slot.

Slafkovsky's hands and playmaking are both elite. This is why he's the #2 overall pick.

I cannot come even close to pitting it as well as Mr.Ives does when explaining Slaf positive attributes and skills , but yes Slaf has soft hands and is very good in tight and in front of the net. If you watch his highlights from the Olympics , it shows a very nice goal that he roofs very in close to the net . Roofs it in a hurry and was a very nice goal. I thnk it was his first goal of the olympics? It was against the Fins, Openimg goal. Corrals a loose puck and quickly goes backhand to forehand and shelfs it.

"Mr. Ives" makes me feel old, haha. Steve is fine. But yes, you're correct that Slafkovsky's hands are an elite tool.

 

[hidek91]

I have a feeling you guys might take Cooley #2

I have a feeling Fitz will go with either Nemec or Jiricek.

 

[StevenToddIves]

I have a feeling you guys might take Cooley #2

I'd say the odds of Cooley being the #2 pick are infinitesimal. The good money is Slafkovsky, or Wright if the Canadiens go with Slafkovsky at #1. But if the Devils make a surprise pick, it will be one of the RD -- Jiricek or Nemec. The Devils are not going to use the #2 overall pick for a guy who projects as their future 3rd line center.

 

[RSeen]

I just seriously hope Fitz doesn't get impatient and trade the pick. You can see the makings of a ridiculously deep and talented roster, but it just might be a few years away until we are one if the elite teams.

 

[hidek91]

I just seriously hope Fitz doesn't get impatient and trade the pick. You can see the makings of a ridiculously deep and talented roster, but it just might be a few years away until we are one if the elite teams.

Agree completely, if you don't look at this team through rose-tinted glasses, the fundamentals of the future strong team seem to be there, however we shouldn't be adding "win now" pieces at the cost of top draft picks.

 

[Devs3cups]

I just seriously hope Fitz doesn't get impatient and trade the pick. You can see the makings of a ridiculously deep and talented roster, but it just might be a few years away until we are one if the elite teams.

I don’t think Fitz’d do that. He said it was on the table because you of course want to see what’s out there, but if he isn’t blown away for a young, team controlled, first line player, we’re picking. Teams have been in our situation before and top 5 picks never get traded.

 

[MartyOwns]

I just seriously hope Fitz doesn't get impatient and trade the pick. You can see the makings of a ridiculously deep and talented roster, but it just might be a few years away until we are one if the elite teams.

i hope so too- i only want to trade if someone wants to overpay. something like chychrun and #3 for ty smith and #2.

 

[Saugus]

Slafkovsky's hands and playmaking are both elite. This is why he's the #2 overall pick.

That makes me feel even better about him as the presumptive pick. I think we absolutely need a high end skill forward who can play garbageman and score goals on tips and rebounds, and win pucks in the dirty areas. I'd love it if he could be that guy.

Now I'm having visions of Slafkovsky as a prime Parise in Zubrus's body.

 

[StevenToddIves]

That makes me feel even better about him as the presumptive pick. I think we absolutely need a high end skill forward who can play garbageman and score goals on tips and rebounds, and win pucks in the dirty areas. I'd love it if he could be that guy.

Now I'm having visions of Slafkovsky as a prime Parise in Zubrus's body.

Slafkovsky doesn't really have much in common with those two. His closest NHL comparable is probably Mikko Rantanen right now, but that's not the best comparison either. Slafkovsky is pretty unique, and comparisons are tough to begin with.

 

[glenwo2]

Because they have a strong need for a franchise center and we don't. So in this (still highly unlikely) scenario, it might be worthwhile to them to guarantee that we won't take their guy by moving up to our slot.

Or they can do a "dick" move and take Slaf after begging us not to take Wright.

There is no honor among thieves, you know?

 

[glenwo2]

What would really piss me off is if the Flyers end up with Slafkovsky.
Habs - Wright
Us - Jiricek
Arizona - Cooley
Seattle - Nemec
Philly - Slaf

Quite possible if we go RHD. I know the Flyers will get a good player regardless at 5th but it would suck more so if they get Slaf and he ends up wrecking us .

Slaf would have to BOMB Terribly in the Olympics (which he's not exactly doing at the moment....quite the opposite) for Fitz to just say "NOPE" and turn his attention to the two d-men (Jiricek and Nemec).....

If Fitz selects a RHD when someone like Slaf is available at #2, he needs to be replaced.

If we want RH-Defenseman, we could find some in the latter rounds and Free Agency.

You choose blue-chip RHD prospects at #2 if the BPA is a RHD which neither Jiricek nor Nemec are.

I have a feeling you guys might take Cooley #2

I have a feeling Fitz will go with either Nemec or Jiricek.

I have a feeling.....


.....it's indigestion.

Better call Pepto Bismol.

(oh and no way in HELL Cooley, Nemec, or Jiricek is selected at #2. It's either going to be Slaf or Wright)

 

[ninetyeight]

The main board seems way less optimistic about Slaf, than us and Slovakians. But I guess that always happens after draft lottery when people get a better idea who might end up where. Just slightly concerned about some of the negative comments coming from TPS fans, but majority of Finns in jatkoaika (finnish hockey forums) are very excited about him and have been way before the olympics.

 

[glenwo2]

The main board seems way less optimistic about Slaf, than us and Slovakians. But I guess that always happens after draft lottery when people get a better idea who might end up where. Just slightly concerned about some of the negative comments coming from TPS fans, but majority of Finns in jatkoaika (finnish hockey forums) are very excited about him and have been way before the olympics.

Of course.

When the fans there realize Slaf is more likely NJ-bound, they're going to start doing everything in their power to downplay EVERYTHING that Slaf does and make whatever draft pick their team selects seem better (even when they're not).

Jealousy is not just a word.

 

[FooteBahl]

Of course.

When the fans there realize Slaf is more likely NJ-bound, they're going to start doing everything in their power to downplay EVERYTHING that Slaf does and make whatever draft pick their team selects seem better (even when they're not).

Jealousy is not just a word.

Yup. They know we’re building something special and they’re envious AF

 

[youryeah]

The main board seems way less optimistic about Slaf, than us and Slovakians. But I guess that always happens after draft lottery when people get a better idea who might end up where. Just slightly concerned about some of the negative comments coming from TPS fans, but majority of Finns in jatkoaika (finnish hockey forums) are very excited about him and have been way before the olympics.

people will always neg players that aren't draftable by their favorite team. makes them feel better I guess

 

[ChicksDigTheTrap]

I just seriously hope Fitz doesn't get impatient and trade the pick. You can see the makings of a ridiculously deep and talented roster, but it just might be a few years away until we are one if the elite teams.

I doubt he will. I cannot imagine there is a cost controlled player available worth trading that pick for. I would doubt there was any interest on Fitz part in trading for a player like Fiala that if he signs will have a UFA level contract.

 

[JrFischer54]

legit top line talent over the 2oa pick 100% any day of the week. at this point in the 10 year rebuild you have to start adding legit talent to go with the core in place. but hey thats just me i know this msg board loves its prospects and its potential with kids.

 

[Eggtimer]

legit top line talent over the 2oa pick 100% any day of the week. at this point in the 10 year rebuild you have to start adding legit talent to go with the core in place. but hey thats just me i know this msg board loves its prospects and its potential with kids.

I can see both sides making sense . All depends on what we could get in trade. Fiala - no thanks.It woild habe to be seen as an overpayment for me to trade the pick. A cost controlled player that can be an elite piece for us should be worth a ton.

 

[devilsblood]

legit top line talent over the 2oa pick 100% any day of the week. at this point in the 10 year rebuild you have to start adding legit talent to go with the core in place. but hey thats just me i know this msg board loves its prospects and its potential with kids.

Trade Holtz before the #2oa.

 

[Lou is God]

legit top line talent over the 2oa pick 100% any day of the week. at this point in the 10 year rebuild you have to start adding legit talent to go with the core in place. but hey thats just me i know this msg board loves its prospects and its potential with kids.

Do you just go against the flow of the board because you're bored or what? It seems like it.