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

[Hollywood Nosebleed]

If healthy, Hughes might hit 110 points next year before Slafkovsky even makes the team.

I think Slafkovsky outscores Cooley and Savoie, but I'm not so sure about Wright. Then again, this is a tough class to predict -- I mean, 15 years from now, the top scorer from 2022 could be Nazar or Miroshnichenko. It's wide open.

Agreed. I just think that's the type of impact he will have on them. They won't have to exhaust themselves. They're throroughbreds and Slafkovsky can be the workhorse. 110pt from Hughes either way, but he doesn't have to cheat as much because of Slafkovsky.

When I watch players I like to watch their "gravity" Slafkovsky has a different kind than our best players. Other teams have to focus on these players and it opens things up for their teammates. Cooley is awesome, but if he's drawing attention to the perimeter like our best players I don't want him. He also takes the puck off the stick of Hughes and Bratt which I don't want. It's redundant.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Lambert is definitely a strong inclusion while Cooley is an even stronger omission

Any particular reasons for Cooley or do you just prefer Lambert and Miroshnichenko?

This is just upside. My actual rankings -- which factor in upside and performance and floor and intangibles -- can be found here:

Prospect Info: - Ives 2022 Top 100 NHL Draft Rankings (Spring Edition, 2.0)

Ives’ 2022 Draft Rankings, Spring Version 2.0 — TOP 100 Ok, I need to start by saying I have left Ivan Miroshnichenko off the rankings, because I’m more concerned with his making a full and complete recovery from Hodgkin’s Disease than I am with whether or not he’s better than Player A or...

hfboards.mandatory.com

Lambert's upside is ridiculous -- his combination of skating and puck skills might be tops in the draft (Cooley 2nd, FYI) -- but his lack of compete/consistency forced him out of my top 15. Miro is a big question, but that's another story for another post -- right now I just hope he fully recovers from Hodgkins Disease, which is a more important battle than anything on a hockey rink.

Cooley is close behind -- I'd say he and Nazar are about even in terms of "pure upside" for the US-NTDP. But I personally rank Nazar #5 and Cooley #6 because I think he's more versatile in his offensive arsenal and more effective on the interior. It's very close though, I love both players.

 

[Eggtimer]

It should be Slaf Jiricek Nemec . Trading would be idiotic unless it’s a massive massive stupid overpay .

 

[Devs3cups]

It should be Slaf Jiricek Nemec . Trading would be idiotic unless it’s a massive massive stupid overpay .

I think Matt Tkachuk would be the only one I’m willing to trade for the pick. Maybe Brady Tkachuk, but most likely not.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Agreed. I just think that's the type of impact he will have on them. They won't have to exhaust themselves. They're throroughbreds and Slafkovsky can be the workhorse. 110pt from Hughes either way, but he doesn't have to cheat as much because of Slafkovsky.

When I watch players I like to watch their "gravity" Slafkovsky has a different kind than our best players. Other teams have to focus on these players and it opens things up for their teammates. Cooley is awesome, but if he's drawing attention to the perimeter like our best players I don't want him. He also takes the puck off the stick of Hughes and Bratt which I don't want. It's redundant.

You couldn't be more correct.

There comes a point in the draft process where it's not just about picking the *best* players, but also about picking the *right* players.

Cooley is a guy who needs the puck, and mostly controls it up high. Like Hughes. Like Bratt. Like Hischier. And Cooley has ability on the interior similar, but not to the level of Hughes, Bratt or Hischier. Is Cooley a tremendous prospect? Absolutely! Is he a reasonable call for the Devils at #2? Not a chance.

Because, quite simply -- Slafkovsky offers abilities none of the Devils forwards currently possess. He's actually a better passer and puck handler than Cooley, but also has the ability to use his huge frame and excel in these abilities down low. What this does -- sorry for breaking out the coaching chalkboard -- is organically collapse the opposing defenders closer to their own net.

Slafkovsky can then use his extraordinary passing to find Hughes or Bratt or whomever closer in tight to the net and thus increase their scoring capability in a way another "needs space to shine" type forward cannot. And this example is not even touching upon the obvious benefit of what it means to the skill guys to have Slafkovsky's big frame in front of the net, where he would certainly be the top Devils forward in terms of screens, deflections, and banging home rebounds.

It's just no contest between Cooley or Slafkovsky for the Devils, no contest at all.

 

[Eggtimer]

You couldn't be more correct.

There comes a point in the draft process where it's not just about picking the *best* players, but also about picking the *right* players.

Cooley is a guy who needs the puck, and mostly controls it up high. Like Hughes. Like Bratt. Like Hischier. And Cooley has ability on the interior similar, but not to the level of Hughes, Bratt or Hischier. Is Cooley a tremendous prospect? Absolutely! Is he a reasonable call for the Devils at #2? Not a chance.

Because, quite simply -- Slafkovsky offers abilities none of the Devils forwards currently possess. He's actually a better passer and puck handler than Cooley, but also has the ability to use his huge frame and excel in these abilities down low. What this does -- sorry for breaking out the coaching chalkboard -- is organically collapse the opposing defenders closer to their own net.

Slafkovsky can then use his extraordinary passing to find Hughes or Bratt or whomever closer in tight to the net and thus increase their scoring capability in a way another "needs space to shine" type forward cannot. And this example is not even touching upon the obvious benefit of what it means to the skill guys to have Slafkovsky's big frame in front of the net, where he would certainly be the top Devils forward in terms of screens, deflections, and banging home rebounds.

It's just no contest between Cooley or Slafkovsky for the Devils, no contest at all.

I think Holtz would be a very good candidate to put with Slaf. Him being an elite shooter having the extra time and space created by Slaf and with Slaf’s exceptional passing ability would be very cool to see .

 

[Hisch13r]

I think Holtz would be a very good candidate to put with Slaf. Him being an elite shooter having the extra time and space created by Slaf and with Slaf’s exceptional passing ability would be very cool to see .

I’m not putting those 2 together. Don’t trust that pair skating on the same line.

Lambert is definitely a strong inclusion while Cooley is an even stronger omission

Any particular reasons for Cooley or do you just prefer Lambert and Miroshnichenko?

I don’t think Lambert’s a strong conclusion if the conversation is ceiling. It’s widely acknowledged that Lambert’s ceiling is as high or higher than anyone. Jiricek’s probably the only one that compares when it comes to raw tools

 

[StevenToddIves]

I’m not putting those 2 together. Don’t trust that pair skating on the same line.



I don’t think Lambert’s a strong conclusion if the conversation is ceiling. It’s widely acknowledged that Lambert’s ceiling is as high or higher than anyone. Jiricek’s probably the only one that compares when it comes to raw tools

Not even on the PP?

 

[Hollywood Nosebleed]

You couldn't be more correct.

There comes a point in the draft process where it's not just about picking the *best* players, but also about picking the *right* players.

Cooley is a guy who needs the puck, and mostly controls it up high. Like Hughes. Like Bratt. Like Hischier. And Cooley has ability on the interior similar, but not to the level of Hughes, Bratt or Hischier. Is Cooley a tremendous prospect? Absolutely! Is he a reasonable call for the Devils at #2? Not a chance.

Because, quite simply -- Slafkovsky offers abilities none of the Devils forwards currently possess. He's actually a better passer and puck handler than Cooley, but also has the ability to use his huge frame and excel in these abilities down low. What this does -- sorry for breaking out the coaching chalkboard -- is organically collapse the opposing defenders closer to their own net.

Slafkovsky can then use his extraordinary passing to find Hughes or Bratt or whomever closer in tight to the net and thus increase their scoring capability in a way another "needs space to shine" type forward cannot. And this example is not even touching upon the obvious benefit of what it means to the skill guys to have Slafkovsky's big frame in front of the net, where he would certainly be the top Devils forward in terms of screens, deflections, and banging home rebounds.

It's just no contest between Cooley or Slafkovsky for the Devils, no contest at all.

I hate to compare the two, but since the NHL is 6v6 and the NBA is 5v5 you need to have complementary players more so than the NFL. You can have the best ISO player in KD, but you need to surround him with 3 point shooters, and someone that can rebound and defend. I mean KD is awesome, but you don't want another lesser version of him. You want the ball in KD's hands, someone that can score when he gives it up, and someone that can go into the dirty areas, and get him the ball again, because he's one of the best player in the world. We need players that can get Hughes, Nico, and Bratt the puck. Imagine Nico with someone that will do all the dirty work for him.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

People shouldn’t rule out Wright not going first overall. If he doesn’t, and Slafkovsky does, the Devils might make things real interesting. Ultimately they’d probably take Wright though. They’d almost have to and then don’t have to keep worrying if Hughes can be a top C, letting him just settle in on the wing.

Not happening. I'd move Wright to W if anything.

 

[Lottery Lucky]

This is just upside. My actual rankings -- which factor in upside and performance and floor and intangibles -- can be found here:

Prospect Info: - Ives 2022 Top 100 NHL Draft Rankings (Spring Edition, 2.0)

Ives’ 2022 Draft Rankings, Spring Version 2.0 — TOP 100 Ok, I need to start by saying I have left Ivan Miroshnichenko off the rankings, because I’m more concerned with his making a full and complete recovery from Hodgkin’s Disease than I am with whether or not he’s better than Player A or...

hfboards.mandatory.com

Lambert's upside is ridiculous -- his combination of skating and puck skills might be tops in the draft (Cooley 2nd, FYI) -- but his lack of compete/consistency forced him out of my top 15. Miro is a big question, but that's another story for another post -- right now I just hope he fully recovers from Hodgkins Disease, which is a more important battle than anything on a hockey rink.

Cooley is close behind -- I'd say he and Nazar are about even in terms of "pure upside" for the US-NTDP. But I personally rank Nazar #5 and Cooley #6 because I think he's more versatile in his offensive arsenal and more effective on the interior. It's very close though, I love both players.

I was speaking on your rank of their ceilings. Though I appreciate the link, Ill give it a peek.

Cooley is possibly the best skating forward in the draft and his elusiveness and shot selection are strong enough to where I think he can excel big-time in todays game. The 5'10" frame is not ideal but hes very solid at 165-170 and this will only translate into some wicked skating strength in his early 20s. a 5'9" Connor Bedard and a 5'10" Matvei Michkov havent let the height stop them from becoming superstar prospects.

I think Cooley, along with what Id call consensus from the rankings Ive personally seen, is the #2 pick without a team attached to it. And in that sense I have to have him top-5 in ceiling, otherwise I wouldnt agree with the #2 ranking.

If NJ takes him at #2 is another story - but with Fitzgerald's love affair for the USNDTP and how much I think the Devils organizationally value skating, its possible.

If every player in the top-10 panned out to their ceilings, I think Slafkovsky or Jiricek are the best fits for NJ. But would they be better players than Cooley? That Id probably argue against but its tough to call it.

TLDR: I like Cooley for top-5 ceiling as I think hes the 2nd best prospect in the draft as the strongest skating forward. I agree however with Wright Jiricek Slafkovsky and would also add Kemell right behind them to round it out.

 

[Hollywood Nosebleed]

I lean Slakovsky, because I know Jack is a stud and will be even better with him in the long run. I think Luke is an absolute stud, but since he's not in the NHL yet Jiricek is the slightest behind.

 

[Hisch13r]

Not even on the PP?

Well that's different. Even then though they'll likely generally be on separate units. I imagine PP1 forwards will generally be Hughes-Bratt-Hischier-Holtz

 

[Eggtimer]

It’s so fun watching video on these guy now we know where we pick.
Im sorry but I’m loving Slafkovsky right now. Just the thought of him and how his game would compliment our other players is very sexy.

I found this is an “ok” video. I chose to watch on mute as I dint agree with some of the breakdown of his game.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

I was speaking on your rank of their ceilings. Though I appreciate the link, Ill give it a peek.

Cooley is possibly the best skating forward in the draft and his elusiveness and shot selection are strong enough to where I think he can excel big-time in todays game. The 5'10" frame is not ideal but hes very solid at 165-170 and this will only translate into some wicked skating strength in his early 20s. a 5'9" Connor Bedard and a 5'10" Matvei Michkov havent let the height stop them from becoming superstar prospects.

I think Cooley, along with what Id call consensus from the rankings Ive personally seen, is the #2 pick without a team attached to it. And in that sense I have to have him top-5 in ceiling, otherwise I wouldnt agree with the #2 ranking.

If NJ takes him at #2 is another story - but with Fitzgerald's love affair for the USNDTP and how much I think the Devils organizationally value skating, its possible.

If every player in the top-10 panned out to their ceilings, I think Slafkovsky or Jiricek are the best fits for NJ. But would they be better players than Cooley? That Id probably argue against but its tough to call it.

TLDR: I like Cooley for top-5 ceiling as I think hes the 2nd best prospect in the draft as the strongest skating forward. I agree however with Wright Jiricek Slafkovsky and would also add Kemell right behind them to round it out.

Cooley was probably the most popular number 2 halfway through the year but Slafkovsky has passed him over the last couple months and become the most often #2 it seems. Cooley cooled off quite a bit in the second half of his season.

 

[Hisch13r]

Don't know how reliable this guy is and we're still 2 months away with a WC that could be pretty important but here's this

 

[Emperoreddy]

I would avoid trading down unless it's swapping with Arizona knowing they are taking Cooley.

Trading the pick for a big futures package is almost guaranteed to back fire IMO. At least if you get a top tier roster player you have actual production to point to. A grab bag of picks can easily turn into nothing

 

[Devs3cups]

Don't know how reliable this guy is and we're still 2 months away with a WC that could be pretty important but here's this

Seems like pure projection. From Fitz's comments about getting bigger up front, Slaf seems most likely. Jiricek fits that bill too (getting bigger) though and RD is a need. Both would be tremendous and I'm 99% sure one of them will be our pick.

 

[StevenToddIves]

I was speaking on your rank of their ceilings. Though I appreciate the link, Ill give it a peek.

Cooley is possibly the best skating forward in the draft and his elusiveness and shot selection are strong enough to where I think he can excel big-time in todays game. The 5'10" frame is not ideal but hes very solid at 165-170 and this will only translate into some wicked skating strength in his early 20s. a 5'9" Connor Bedard and a 5'10" Matvei Michkov havent let the height stop them from becoming superstar prospects.

I think Cooley, along with what Id call consensus from the rankings Ive personally seen, is the #2 pick without a team attached to it. And in that sense I have to have him top-5 in ceiling, otherwise I wouldnt agree with the #2 ranking.

If NJ takes him at #2 is another story - but with Fitzgerald's love affair for the USNDTP and how much I think the Devils organizationally value skating, its possible.

If every player in the top-10 panned out to their ceilings, I think Slafkovsky or Jiricek are the best fits for NJ. But would they be better players than Cooley? That Id probably argue against but its tough to call it.

TLDR: I like Cooley for top-5 ceiling as I think hes the 2nd best prospect in the draft as the strongest skating forward. I agree however with Wright Jiricek Slafkovsky and would also add Kemell right behind them to round it out.

Bedard and Michkov are both generational. No one in the 2022 class is a generational prospect. Shane Wright goes #1 this year, but goes #4 next year after Bedard, Michkov and Fantilli.

Cooley is no longer consensus #2. In the latest McKenzie poll -- taken from 8 NHL head scouts -- Slafkovsky has moved up to #2, with a pair of first place votes. Cooley is #3 and Nemec #4, and it's apparently air-tight between those two, as well.

If you're ranking Cooley #2, I (of course) respect your personal take on the prospects. But that still wouldn't make him the right pick for the Devils. Let's say you're the Kansas City Chiefs picking #2, and the best player available is a QB -- do you still take him to back up Mahomes for the next decade?

The Devils have two legit #1 centers, both with higher upside than Cooley. They have no power F with elite offensive skill. Does anyone who watches prospects sincerely believe Cooley is so much better than Slafkovsky that we should draft him #2 overall to be our #3 center? It just lacks logic at its core.

I think the only choice is do you go Slafkovsky, or do you go with one of Jiricek/Nemec. I love Cooley -- and Nazar and Gauthier and Savoie -- but they're just not in the conversation for me.

 

[Emperoreddy]

It's nice we are not disqualified from moving up next year, but to be totally real, this team needs to have little to no chance at the lotto again unless something has gone very wrong.

They need to picking outside the top 10 at best, if not out of the lotto completely.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Don't know how reliable this guy is and we're still 2 months away with a WC that could be pretty important but here's this

Remember the guy you told me about who wrote that 17-page post about how badly Jack Hughes sucks? I think the only relevant opinion is whatever he says. I can see it now: "Juraj Slafkovsky is actually not 6'4-220. He's actually a dwarf wearing stilts with weights on them."

 

[Eggtimer]

I’m not putting those 2 together. Don’t trust that pair skating on the same line.

Oh , yes I agree not right away..I’m talking in 2-3 years or eventually. Not as rookies .

 

[Nubmer6]

If NJ takes him at #2 is another story - but with Fitzgerald's love affair for the USNDTP and how much I think the Devils organizationally value skating, its possible.

They don't value skating as much as they used to under Shero. Fitz is more focused on size now, since it was missing from the organization after years of drafting purely for speed.

 

[Hisch13r]

Oh , yes I agree not right away..I’m talking in 2-3 years or eventually. Not as rookies .

We're still years off of it obviously but I don't even know if it'll get to a point where I'd feel comfortable. I'd probably end up wanting something along the lines of Yegor/Bratt-Jack-Holtz and Slaf-Nico-Mercer/Bratt

They don't value skating as much as they used to under Shero. Fitz is more focused on size now, since it was missing from the organization after years of drafting purely for speed.

And it's resulted in some pretty bad drafts

 

[Eggtimer]

I am pro Slafkovsky (for now).
My “concern “ is that the Devils are a team built around speed and scoring off the rush. I wonder if they continue on building a roster that strongly emphasizes this? If so, I can see them not preferring Slafkovsky, where his strength is board play l slowing things down in the O zone , driving to the Center of the ice off the boards? So maybe they go woth one of the D or a Nazar or???