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

[bossram]

Would the Devils even take Wright in that scenario? I'm not so sure.

I think you have to. He hasn't lived up his "exceptional" status but he's still turned in a 1st overall calibre season.

I am very high on Nemec, but there is a little more risk with him. Wright is the safe pick optics-wise and I think pretty reliably becomes a top-six center.

If you have Hughes-Hischier-Wright, and Bratt/Holtz/Mercer on one of their wings on each line, the forward group is set forever. Fitz could re-direct any leftover assets to goaltending(!) and defence.

EDIT: I've now talked myself into wanting Slafvkovsky to go so ham at the WCs that Montreal actually takes him.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

He scored on the Penalty shot



I'm back with the good guys, Slafkovsky has to be the pick.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Kakko was rushed imo. I’d give Slaf 9 games and if he doesn’t look comfortable, give him the rantanen treatment. A year in the AHL doesn’t hurt anyone

Kakko is a very poor comparable for Slafkovsky. Saying two players are comparable because they're both big wingers who played their draft-eligible season in the Finnish Liiga just shouldn't cut it for any of us.

Kakko was a player whose greatest strength was a lack of any weakness. More simply put, he checked every tool in the board -- he was a good two-way winger with good intangibles who could skate, shoot, pass and puck-handle well. But the knock on Kakko was that he lacked a singular elite tool -- there was no aspect of his game which you looked at and said "wow, they won't be able to stop that in the NHL".

Slafkovsky is a player who is rawer than Kakko was at the same age. But he's featuring a fistful of elite tools -- he might have the best combination of passing vision/puckhandling in the entire draft, his IQ and compete level are both ridiculously high, and as we're seeing in the WC he's also an amazing puck-hawk for his age/player-type.

 

[devilsfan35]

He beat 4 players on this play. I cant stop replaying it

 

[hidek91]

Maybe I’m not recalling this correctly but before the lotto win , some of us were disappointed that there would be no way Slafkovsky would be there at 5/6 . We win the lotto , pick 2 , now people are unsure if we should take him and go Cooley instead ?
We were taking about maybe , hopefully , one of the D would still be there, or maybe trading down to take Cutter Gauthier … a “ power forward “ . Now we have the chance to draft the best winger in the draft and there’s talk to take a C instead ? I don’t get it .
Take Slafkovsky and don’t look back . It’s a miracle we even have the opportunity to select him .


Imagine if we win the first pick ? All our heads would have exploded by now .

I like Slafkovsky a lot but people have right to have their own opinion even if it's different from yours.

 

[glenwo2]

I think you have to. He hasn't lived up his "exceptional" status but he's still turned in a 1st overall calibre season.

I am very high on Nemec, but there is a little more risk with him. Wright is the safe pick optics-wise and I think pretty reliably becomes a top-six center.

If you have Hughes-Hischier-Wright, and Bratt/Holtz/Mercer on one of their wings on each line, the forward group is set forever. Fitz could re-direct any leftover assets to goaltending(!) and defence.

EDIT: I've now talked myself into wanting Slafvkovsky to go so ham at the WCs that Montreal actually takes him.

We can't lose either way.

Wright goes to Montreal, it's Slaf time.

Slaf goes to learn French in MTL, it's the Wright time.

 

[StevenToddIves]

I see the majority are on team Slafkovsky now. If Montreal takes him I contemplate trading down.

I absolutely agree with @Jason MacIsaac , as I have through most of this draft season. I think we can all agree the *most likely* top 3 scenario still remains:

1 MTL Wright
2 NJ Slafkovsky
3 ARI Cooley

But -- and there is no denying this anymore -- Slafkovsky has not only taken over the consensus #2 slot, he has also closed the gap fairly significantly with Wright at #1. The chance that Montreal could select Slafkovsky is real -- he would do exactly for Suzuki/Caufield what he would do for Hughes/Bratt, and their new GM Kent Hughes is a smart dude who certainly is aware of this. Wright still must be considered the favorite, but the gap has clearly narrowed.

IF the Habs go with Slafkovsky at #1, it opens up a litany of options and conundrums for the Devils. Wright would be the prohibitive "Best Player Available" at #2, with the Devils organizational black hole at RD making Jiricek/Nemec also possible considerations.

But the answer might be a trade down scenario.

 

[glenwo2]

I like Slafkovsky a lot but people have right to have their own opinion even if it's different from yours.

Absolutely.

Even if it's the wrong opinion, it's still their opinion.

 

[glenwo2]

I absolutely agree with @Jason MacIsaac , as I have through most of this draft season. I think we can all agree the *most likely* top 3 scenario still remains:

1 MTL Wright
2 NJ Slafkovsky
3 ARI Cooley

But -- and there is no denying this anymore -- Slafkovsky has not only taken over the consensus #2 slot, he has also closed the gap fairly significantly with Wright at #1. The chance that Montreal could select Slafkovsky is real -- he would do exactly for Suzuki/Caufield what he would do for Hughes/Bratt, and their new GM Kent Hughes is a smart dude who certainly is aware of this. Wright still must be considered the favorite, but the gap has clearly narrowed.

IF the Habs go with Slafkovsky at #1, it opens up a litany of options and conundrums for the Devils. Wright would be the prohibitive "Best Player Available" at #2, with the Devils organizational black hole at RD making Jiricek/Nemec also possible considerations.

But the answer might be a trade down scenario.

I would seriously be against a trade down scenario.

Maybe that would've been fine had we stayed put at #5 but not at #2 where we have the OPPORTUNITY to draft someone that we had no shot in hell of doing so prior to Lottery night.

We do have a black hole at RHD but they can be found in the latter rounds if Fitz wants to acquire them OR he can also go the Free Agent route to get some RHD help *now*.

The thing is that Slaf has quite possibly played himself from the #2 to a position where he's now "1a" and Wright "1b".

I'd take "1b" if "1a" wasn't available, Steve.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

If you have Hughes-Hischier-Wright, and Bratt/Holtz/Mercer on one of their wings on each line, the forward group is set forever. Fitz could re-direct any leftover assets to goaltending(!) and defence.

Is the salary cap going away?

 

[Diehard Devil]

That highlight today of Slafkovsky on that end to end play wnd then the penalty shot for a goal.. woww

Not used to seeing that kind of stickwork from a big man

Im so absolutely torn between him and Nemec. And to think we may even have a shot at Wright!

I have no idea what to do but as long as we pick one Im so stoked

 

[bossram]

I absolutely agree with @Jason MacIsaac , as I have through most of this draft season. I think we can all agree the *most likely* top 3 scenario still remains:

1 MTL Wright
2 NJ Slafkovsky
3 ARI Cooley

But -- and there is no denying this anymore -- Slafkovsky has not only taken over the consensus #2 slot, he has also closed the gap fairly significantly with Wright at #1. The chance that Montreal could select Slafkovsky is real -- he would do exactly for Suzuki/Caufield what he would do for Hughes/Bratt, and their new GM Kent Hughes is a smart dude who certainly is aware of this. Wright still must be considered the favorite, but the gap has clearly narrowed.

IF the Habs go with Slafkovsky at #1, it opens up a litany of options and conundrums for the Devils. Wright would be the prohibitive "Best Player Available" at #2, with the Devils organizational black hole at RD making Jiricek/Nemec also possible considerations.

But the answer might be a trade down scenario.

Uhh...no. You just take Wright and whistle happily as you walk off the stage.

 

[Guttersniped]

Kakko was rushed imo. I’d give Slaf 9 games and if he doesn’t look comfortable, give him the rantanen treatment. A year in the AHL doesn’t hurt anyone

Kakko has played 155 regular season games and shouldn’t have been in the NHL in 2019-20, the development of young players is kind of f***ed up due to shortened weird seasons.

 

[bossram]

Is the salary cap going away?

Create cap space elsewhere.

 

[Diehard Devil]

Kakko was rushed imo. I’d give Slaf 9 games and if he doesn’t look comfortable, give him the rantanen treatment. A year in the AHL doesn’t hurt anyone

I dont know much about prospects - but having watched Kakko in the NHL a lot now, I still think he is going to be really good when he breaks out.

His ability to keep the puck along the boards is what always catches my eye. I feel as though he lacks the confidence to produce offensively

 

[StevenToddIves]

I dont know much about prospects - but having watched Kakko in the NHL a lot now, I still think he is going to be really good when he breaks out.

His ability to keep the puck along the boards is what always catches my eye. I feel as though he lacks the confidence to produce offensively

Yes, I think Kakko will be very good, as well. I think he'll be a 60-point guy who plays a nice, two-way interior game. I do not think he'll be as good as Juraj Slafkovsky, who is consistently and falsely being compared to him.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

Juraj Slafkovsky, who is consistently and falsely being compared to him.

At least it seems like the Zacha comparisons stopped. Never understood that one.

 

[MartyOwns]

He scored on the Penalty shot



I'm back with the good guys, Slafkovsky has to be the pick.

ok yeah i’ll have that

 

[Nubmer6]

At least it seems like the Zacha comparisons stopped. Never understood that one.

Zacha trauma.

We're never going to potentially draft another big forward again without a deep rooted fear that he'll turn out to be the next Zacha.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

And saying that he IS on their board is just as ridiculous because we. just. don't. know.

Do you see what I'm getting at here?

(and for the record, i did not say Cooley was 100% not on their board. That was that other person you were talking to)

But he almost certainly is. If they’re looking at a bunch of players who they could take at 2. Why in the world would a guy consensusly seen as a top 2-3 guy not be on the list. Fitz has said they’re looking at a different options at different positions. Sure I can’t say he 100% is one of the players the devils are looking at but the chances that he isn’t are extremely slim.

There's a better chance I win the Mega-Millions jackpot tomorrow.

Doesn't mean it'll happen.

And I had wrote/posted somewhere that Slaf would have to bomb....I mean completely CRAP the bed for Cooley to even be a consideration at #2 (and that's if he is on the Devils Scouts board of players they want).

Hell, for all we know, the Devils could just trade down with Arizona or Seattle, and just take one of the Golden-Boys D-men everyone is somehow enamored with for some reason.


Yeah...instead the Devils end up having to "settle" for SHANE F'N WRIGHT.

Oh woe is us.

The odds are much much better than that.

And that other part isn’t true. Cooley was right there with Slafkovsky and he has since created some space but all it takes is for the devils to have a couple of the scouts that absolutely love Cooley and think he’ll be a better player than Slafkovsky. And there is a lot of those scouts FYI.

 

[glenwo2]

Uhh...no. You just take Wright and whistle happily as you walk off the stage.

Then you go join Josh Harris on a drinking binge where you get all trashed and then go get interviewed while looking like a red tomato.

 

[StevenToddIves]

But he almost certainly is. If they’re looking at a bunch of players who they could take at 2. Why in the world would a guy consensusly seen as a top 2-3 guy not be on the list. Fitz has said they’re looking at a different options at different positions. Sure I can’t say he 100% is one of the players the devils are looking at but the chances that he isn’t are extremely slim.


The odds are much much better than that.

And that other part isn’t true. Cooley was right there with Slafkovsky and he has since created some space but all it takes is for the devils to have a couple of the scouts that absolutely love Cooley and think he’ll be a better player than Slafkovsky. And there is a lot of those scouts FYI.

I don't see how anyone watching the Olympics or WC can possibly say that anyone can be better than Slafkovsky in this draft shy of Shane Wright. I mean, we can chalk it up to my personal bias, of course I realize that, but to me it's clearly become a two-horse race for the #1 overall pick -- and the separation has grown between Wright/Slafkovsky and the rest of the pack.

As you know -- you've agreed with me on this for some time now -- the criticisms levied against Slafkovsky have largely been silly and statistical. People questioning his skating have to be feeling foolish now. People questioning his skill level look downright ridiculous right now. As for the numbers -- Slafkovsky has clearly shown all he needs is a top-line role and the reins taken off to be absolutely dynamic -- often completely dominating shifts against much-older competition.

Nemec has been good in this tournament, and Jiricek has been solid with some impressive flashes. Cooley certainly impressed in the U-18 tournament, and deserves consideration for anyone's top 3-5 2022 list.

But there is clearly a tier demarcation at the top of the draft, with Wright and Slafkovsky being the only members of Tier One.

 

[glenwo2]

But he almost certainly is. If they’re looking at a bunch of players who they could take at 2. Why in the world would a guy consensusly seen as a top 2-3 guy not be on the list. Fitz has said they’re looking at a different options at different positions. Sure I can’t say he 100% is one of the players the devils are looking at but the chances that he isn’t are extremely slim.


The odds are much much better than that.

And that other part isn’t true. Cooley was right there with Slafkovsky and he has since created some space but all it takes is for the devils to have a couple of the scouts that absolutely love Cooley and think he’ll be a better player than Slafkovsky. And there is a lot of those scouts FYI.

Speculation....again.

Unless you have access to Fitz's notes or that he told you personally what he will do or whom he likes, there is nothing to suggest what you just stated.

And to show you I'm not being totally unreasonable here, I'll even say that there is also nothing to suggest he's got Slaf on his radar either.

We just don't know at this point and will only know when the Devils are officially on the clock.

Agreed?

 

[ninetyeight]

But the knock on Kakko was that he lacked a singular elite tool

Kakko's board play, puck protection and puck control was considered elite. He would hold on to the puck for ages and made quite a many good players look silly. I think his skating, endurance, lack of time and space and below average shooting accuracy have hold him back so far in the NHL, but he's figuring it all out.

Slaf and Kakko is a good comparison, you don't have to be so elitists about it, players don't have to be clones in their playstyle to be comparable. Both are bigger physical european guys that like to hold on to the puck and have great puck control, good dekes and handeye coordination. Both played in the same league and even in the same team. Both had big international success before their draft. Both ranked #2 pre-draft.

They may have different strengths and weaknesses, but there's alot of things common in the overall situation.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Speculation....again.

Unless you have access to Fitz's notes or that he told you personally what he will do or whom he likes, there is nothing to suggest what you just stated.

And to show you I'm not being totally unreasonable here, I'll even say that there is also nothing to suggest he's got Slaf on his radar either.

We just don't know at this point and will only know when the Devils are officially on the clock.

Agreed?

Lol yes agreed. That’s exactly why I said “almost”.
And while it is all speculation the reality is that every bit of evidence we’ve seen would suggests that Cooley would be one of the multiple players on his radar.
But yes, there’s nothing to suggest he’s got Slafkovsky or Cooley on his radar but it’s highly likely he does.

Agreed?