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

[Eggtimer]

View attachment 553391


It’s happening!

I can’t believe it but Scouching dropped Lambert from 2nd to 3rd.

So Cooley is 2nd. (Lambert is still in the 1st tier of three players, the world hasn’t gone completely mad.)

The old 1st Tier:
View attachment 553393


His second tier has gotten smaller and whole lot more conventional.

The old 2nd Tier:
View attachment 553395

Now it’s three players *yawn*, in order, Slafkovsky, Jiricek and Nemec. Boring.

What a square, like four corners.



Here’s the old 3rd tier with 12 players:

View attachment 553398

The new one has 18, as not only does Savoie & Gleb drop down from the 2nd into it while Nemec moves up, five players (Lekkermäki, Öslund, Kasper, Kulich, Geekie) move from the 4th tier up.


The new list’s top three tiers (Top 24):

View attachment 553399

Some things I don’t see the same way. Yurov looks a little low , same as Gauthier .

 

[Captain3rdLine]

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

To me the best fit could be Slaf and Nico. Nico is very good along the boards and has made noticeable strides there. Having him with Slaf could create a possession monster of a line. Maybe you throw Mercer there who I think will have a very good forechecking and board game in a few years, and you could have one of the best play driving lines.

That could free up Hughes to play with Bratt and Holtz on a line that could be extremely dangerous off the rush.

I agree. I see Slaf and Nico being a better pair. I also agree with your thought process. Exactly what I was thinking. Slaf/Nico/Mercer and Bratt/Jack/Holtz

 

[Captain3rdLine]

I agree. I see Slaf and Nico being a better pair. I also agree with your thought process. Exactly what I was thinking. Slaf/Nico/Mercer and Bratt/Jack/Holtz

Wow please no. I feel like Bratt Hughes and Holtz would be a bad idea. Holtz is slow and doesn’t look very good defensively and Jack isn’t very good defensively either and puts his linemates in bad spots at times. Just don’t like that idea at all.

I also think Slafkovsky and Jack would be a much better fit. They’re both really smart and skilled players that could work really well together with quick interplay and slips. Nico and him would work to because they’re good players but I think Slafkovsky and Jack is a match made in heaven. Would be so dangerous off the rush and then Slafkovsky can do a lot of the work down low and create space and get the puck to Jack. With that Jack line you did they would really struggle down low.
Nico is good down low and along the boards and I would put him with a speedy skilled winger in bratt. I also like Mercer alongside Hughes.

Slafkovsky Hughes Mercer
Bratt Hischier Holtz/Sharangovich

I think the Slafkovsky and Hughes partnership could have Marchand Bergeron and Pastrnak kind of potential. Really skilled and smart players playing together who can really work off eachother. Hischier doesn’t have that. If Slafkovsky really turns out he should be better than Bratt and I think he’s a better fit with Jack.

I also don’t think Jack and Holtz would necessarily be a great fit offensively. Holtz wouldn’t really be able to keep up and a lot of the good chances Jack creates are ones where he’s coming with speed and finding someone else driving to the net with speed. That’s not really what Holtz is about. I think Jack needs someone who goes hard to the net and finishes on those kinds of plays. Neither Bratt or Holtz play like that. Mercer can and Slafkovsky probably can better than those two.

 

[Eggtimer]

Wow please no. I feel like Bratt Hughes and Holtz would be a bad idea. Holtz is slow and doesn’t look very good defensively and Jack isn’t very good defensively either and puts his linemates in bad spots at times. Just don’t like that idea at all.

I also think Slafkovsky and Jack would be a much better fit. They’re both really smart and skilled players that could work really well together with quick interplay and slips. Nico and him would work to because they’re good players but I think Slafkovsky and Jack is a match made in heaven. Would be so dangerous off the rush and then Slafkovsky can do a lot of the work down low and create space and get the puck to Jack. With that Jack line you did they would really struggle down low.
Nico is good down low and along the boards and I would put him with a speedy skilled winger in bratt. I also like Mercer alongside Hughes.

Slafkovsky Hughes Mercer
Bratt Hischier Holtz/Sharangovich

I think the Slafkovsky and Hughes partnership could have Marchand Bergeron and Pastrnak kind of potential. Really skilled and smart players playing together who can really work off eachother. Hischier doesn’t have that. If Slafkovsky really turns out he should be better than Bratt and I think he’s a better fit with Jack.

Or even
Slaf Hughes Shara
Bratt Nico Mercer

I’d like at least one of Slafkovsky or Mercer on each line . Mercer can drive the net and mix it up in the corners more so than Bratt or Holtz .
Bratt Hughes Holtz - who retrieves pucks ?

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

Wow please no. I feel like Bratt Hughes and Holtz would be a bad idea. Holtz is slow and doesn’t look very good defensively and Jack isn’t very good defensively either and puts his linemates in bad spots at times. Just don’t like that idea at all.

I also think Slafkovsky and Jack would be a much better fit. They’re both really smart and skilled players that could work really well together with quick interplay and slips. Nico and him would work to because they’re good players but I think Slafkovsky and Jack is a match made in heaven. Would be so dangerous off the rush and then Slafkovsky can do a lot of the work down low and create space and get the puck to Jack. With that Jack line you did they would really struggle down low.
Nico is good down low and along the boards and I would put him with a speedy skilled winger in bratt. I also like Mercer alongside Hughes.

Slafkovsky Hughes Mercer
Bratt Hischier Holtz/Sharangovich

I think the Slafkovsky and Hughes partnership could have Marchand Bergeron and Pastrnak kind of potential. Really skilled and smart players playing together who can really work off eachother. Hischier doesn’t have that. If Slafkovsky really turns out he should be better than Bratt and I think he’s a better fit with Jack.

Sure Holtz may be bad now but this is something that may happen later. The reason I was thinking this is I haven't really been as impressed with Slaf off the puck than on the puck, really driving the play himself. This is same with Jack. On the other hand, Nico is not nearly as good at driving play and Slaf could bring what Taylor Hall did (similar idea) to that line. The defensive struggles are pretty overrated imo, especially if you have 2 elite transition players like bratt and jack on the same line and on top of that, they wouldn't be getting the tough matchups.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Sure Holtz may be bad now but this is something that may happen later. The reason I was thinking this is I haven't really been as impressed with Slaf off the puck than on the puck, really driving the play himself. This is same with Jack. On the other hand, Nico is not nearly as good at driving play and Slaf could bring what Taylor Hall did (similar idea) to that line. The defensive struggles are pretty overrated imo, especially if you have 2 elite transition players like bratt and jack on the same line and on top of that, they wouldn't be getting the tough matchups.

Slaf is very good off the puck IMO. Very good on the forecheck and reads the play very well in defensive situations. He’s also great at getting in shot lanes when defending his point man.

I think what really worked about Nico and Taylor is Hall’s speed and skill combination that really pushed defensmen back. I think Bratt is much more comparable to that then Slafkovsky. You literally talked about Nico needing a play driver. Jesper Bratt is one of the best play drivers in the entire league. Like he’s among the best in the league and I think he’s a very good fit for Nico and they have played well and had success together in the past. Him being an elite play driver is one of the reason I think he should play alongside Nico.

And while we can try to out Nico’s line up against tough matchups if Jack Hughes is one of the best players in the league he won’t be able to avoid tough matchups especially away from home.
And if he is getting easier matchups I’d rather Slafkovsky especially in his younger years getting those easier matchups with him than Bratt. As mentioned Bratt is a great play driver and he is solid defensively as well.


And yes Holtz is bad now and hopefully end sup better. But I wouldn’t ever expect him to be good defensively or a good enough skater to keep up with Jack.

 

[RSeen]

Wow please no. I feel like Bratt Hughes and Holtz would be a bad idea. Holtz is slow and doesn’t look very good defensively and Jack isn’t very good defensively either and puts his linemates in bad spots at times. Just don’t like that idea at all.

I also think Slafkovsky and Jack would be a much better fit. They’re both really smart and skilled players that could work really well together with quick interplay and slips. Nico and him would work to because they’re good players but I think Slafkovsky and Jack is a match made in heaven. Would be so dangerous off the rush and then Slafkovsky can do a lot of the work down low and create space and get the puck to Jack. With that Jack line you did they would really struggle down low.
Nico is good down low and along the boards and I would put him with a speedy skilled winger in bratt. I also like Mercer alongside Hughes.

Slafkovsky Hughes Mercer
Bratt Hischier Holtz/Sharangovich

I think the Slafkovsky and Hughes partnership could have Marchand Bergeron and Pastrnak kind of potential. Really skilled and smart players playing together who can really work off eachother. Hischier doesn’t have that. If Slafkovsky really turns out he should be better than Bratt and I think he’s a better fit with Jack.

I also don’t think Jack and Holtz would necessarily be a great fit offensively. Holtz wouldn’t really be able to keep up and a lot of the good chances Jack creates are ones where he’s coming with speed and finding someone else driving to the net with speed. That’s not really what Holtz is about. I think Jack needs someone who goes hard to the net and finishes on those kinds of plays. Neither Bratt or Holtz play like that. Mercer can and Slafkovsky probably can better than those two.

Its not as if Holtz is a poor skater, I don't see any reason he can't keep up if someone than Yegor can. Either way we can have a couple of high quality lines, but we absolutely need to give Nico better support and I think someone like Slaf has the style and skill to be able to help create a dominant second line.

 

[devilsblood]

Its not as if Holtz is a poor skater, I don't see any reason he can't keep up if someone than Yegor can. Either way we can have a couple of high quality lines, but we absolutely need to give Nico better support and I think someone like Slaf has the style and skill to be able to help create a dominant second line.

I mean, he kind of is. I think it's fair to say it's the biggest weakness in his game.

 

[devilsblood]

Bratt Hughes Holtz - who retrieves pucks ?

There are different ways to retrieve pucks, or at least different circumstances from which to retrieve pucks. Hughes and Bratt because of their quickness and anticipation (especially Jack in this regard) do retrieve plenty of loose pucks, or even creating takeaways(again see Jack's #'s however inflated they may be)/

Now obviously that line would lack in physicality so there would be situations from which they would have difficulty retrieving pucks, so perhaps a better mix of talent would be warranted, but I don't want to hit those players with a can't retrieve pucks blanket.

 

[glenwo2]

Excuse me for interrupting this conversation but :

I'd like to reiterate that I am so damn excited for this upcoming draft.

Still can't believe the Devils got #2 and frankly, I'm kind of glad they did and didn't get #1 (and be "forced" to draft Wright).

I know I'm repeating myself but it's so damn exciting, man.

 

[devilsblood]

Excuse me for interrupting this conversation but :

I'd like to reiterate that I am so damn excited for this upcoming draft.

Still can't believe the Devils got #2 and frankly, I'm kind of glad they did and didn't get #1 (and be "forced" to draft Wright).

I know I'm repeating myself from a week ago but it's so damn exciting, man.

I wonder if we would have?

There is some thought out there that MtL won't. Granted they probably will, but that's in large part because they have been in desperate need for a top center for ever.

Not sure if Wright is the clear better prospect.

We also could have potentially traded out, for however rare that is.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Some things I don’t see the same way. Yurov looks a little low , same as Gauthier .

Scouching's rankings are always a bit mercurial. I like him because he mixes in several elements along with the statistical analysis and always explains his methodology pretty eloquently. But it's hard not to consider his actual rankings as perennially among the weakest in the business.

I enjoy Scouching's videos, I think they're a terrific and informative watch. And I utilize is rankings as a way to revisit outliers in either direction -- like why is this guy so high or why is this guy so low? But we need to go back and look at his past rankings to realize that he's not nearly as adept in that particular respect as most of the people in the business like Pronman, Wheeler, Kournianos, Robinson, Button, etc. etc. I mean, they don't even hold up against me.

Excuse me for interrupting this conversation but :

I'd like to reiterate that I am so damn excited for this upcoming draft.

Still can't believe the Devils got #2 and frankly, I'm kind of glad they did and didn't get #1 (and be "forced" to draft Wright).

I know I'm repeating myself but it's so damn exciting, man.

I think if we won the top pick we'd take Slafkovsky, but that's just me.

 

[devilsfan35]

 

[KevSkillz4]

Habs fan here, Slafkovsky is a perfect fit for NJ. Congrats to you for getting a very talented big forward.

Wright is a perfect to MTL aswell.

Both franchise have strong future, I really like your team with both Hughes, Slafkovsky, Bratt, Hischier, Holtz, Mercer and more...

 

[Devils1029]

So it's been pounded over and over..

Let's say we go with Salfkovsky with 2OA. Our next pick is number 37 I think. What are the odds that we could maybe move up and perhaps trade with Arizona to get one of there two very late 1st rounders to draft a RHD like Tristan Luneau or Ryan Chesley? I'm not sure either of these guys will be available at 37 so I'm thinking we need to move up but could address two areas of need in the prospect pool and I'd love either of these guys.

What could it take to move up from 37 to say 30, 31, or 32 in the draft? Perhaps Montreal's or Buffalo's 2nd 1st rounder to move back. Would pick #37 and a prospect Like Foote get us there? I don't think there's room in our top 6 for Foote, especially if we add Slafkovsky and Mtl. Buf, or Arz could use a guy like him. Arz should also be looking to add guys ready to make the NHL team and have 3 first rounders anyway. If Luneau or Chesney is there, I make this move to essentially swap an almost ready guy for a RHD that could be a fit in 3-4 years.

 

[Guttersniped]

 

[BurntToast]

@StevenToddIves

I am not a fan of the term “Best Available” because it’s subjective, but media scouts love to throw it out there. During the draft, they will smoke teams for drafting a need. As we have seen, their ranking are hardly absolute. My follow up question: Why do they always rank centers higher? I know centers and right defense are harder to get but should’t their draft analysis have less bias? Half the centers will end up on the wing regardless.

I also heard that there is a higher probability of get quality defenseman in later rounds, much like goalies. So the whole C>D>W thing is a little silly.

 

[StevenToddIves]

So it's been pounded over and over..

Let's say we go with Salfkovsky with 2OA. Our next pick is number 37 I think. What are the odds that we could maybe move up and perhaps trade with Arizona to get one of there two very late 1st rounders to draft a RHD like Tristan Luneau or Ryan Chesley? I'm not sure either of these guys will be available at 37 so I'm thinking we need to move up but could address two areas of need in the prospect pool and I'd love either of these guys.

What could it take to move up from 37 to say 30, 31, or 32 in the draft? Perhaps Montreal's or Buffalo's 2nd 1st rounder to move back. Would pick #37 and a prospect Like Foote get us there? I don't think there's room in our top 6 for Foote, especially if we add Slafkovsky and Mtl. Buf, or Arz could use a guy like him. Arz should also be looking to add guys ready to make the NHL team and have 3 first rounders anyway. If Luneau or Chesney is there, I make this move to essentially swap an almost ready guy for a RHD that could be a fit in 3-4 years.

Chesley likely goes top 15, but Luneau could make it towards the end of the 1st round.

Buffalo certainly does not make that deal -- they need RD as desperately as NJ does. Montreal also has a need at RD, and would love to land Luneau.

Arizona is more likely to package picks to move up than down -- they have an insane # of picks, but need high-end talent at every position.

If it sounds like I'm being pessimistic, I'm being realistic. I think the Devils go Slafkovsky in the 1st round, then *best available player* in the 2nd round, then focus on RD in the mid-rounds with guys like Rinzel, Warren, Barabosha and Mastrodomenico.

 

[devilsblood]

So it's been pounded over and over..

Let's say we go with Salfkovsky with 2OA. Our next pick is number 37 I think. What are the odds that we could maybe move up and perhaps trade with Arizona to get one of there two very late 1st rounders to draft a RHD like Tristan Luneau or Ryan Chesley? I'm not sure either of these guys will be available at 37 so I'm thinking we need to move up but could address two areas of need in the prospect pool and I'd love either of these guys.

What could it take to move up from 37 to say 30, 31, or 32 in the draft? Perhaps Montreal's or Buffalo's 2nd 1st rounder to move back. Would pick #37 and a prospect Like Foote get us there? I don't think there's room in our top 6 for Foote, especially if we add Slafkovsky and Mtl. Buf, or Arz could use a guy like him. Arz should also be looking to add guys ready to make the NHL team and have 3 first rounders anyway. If Luneau or Chesney is there, I make this move to essentially swap an almost ready guy for a RHD that could be a fit in 3-4 years.

Count me in as someone who would like to move up to draft the best RHD possible.

Chesley likely goes top 15, but Luneau could make it towards the end of the 1st round.

Buffalo certainly does not make that deal -- they need RD as desperately as NJ does. Montreal also has a need at RD, and would love to land Luneau.

Arizona is more likely to package picks to move up than down -- they have an insane # of picks, but need high-end talent at every position.

If it sounds like I'm being pessimistic, I'm being realistic. I think the Devils go Slafkovsky in the 1st round, then *best available player* in the 2nd round, then focus on RD in the mid-rounds with guys like Rinzel, Warren, Barabosha and Mastrodomenico.

I get d-men are less of an exact science but I'd rather have the more highly rated RHD then a similarly rated fwd + a mid round rhd (ie the cost to trade up).

Maybe it's the guilt I'm feeling for leaning Slaf over Jiricek/Nemec but I think we've ignored RHD too much in the last 7 years to be once again drafting multiple fwds before addressing the situation. Don't want to reach for a guy with that 2nd rounder, especially not after Stillman last year, but I am all for trading up.

 

[Guttersniped]

So it's been pounded over and over..

Let's say we go with Salfkovsky with 2OA. Our next pick is number 37 I think. What are the odds that we could maybe move up and perhaps trade with Arizona to get one of there two very late 1st rounders to draft a RHD like Tristan Luneau or Ryan Chesley? I'm not sure either of these guys will be available at 37 so I'm thinking we need to move up but could address two areas of need in the prospect pool and I'd love either of these guys.

What could it take to move up from 37 to say 30, 31, or 32 in the draft? Perhaps Montreal's or Buffalo's 2nd 1st rounder to move back. Would pick #37 and a prospect Like Foote get us there? I don't think there's room in our top 6 for Foote, especially if we add Slafkovsky and Mtl. Buf, or Arz could use a guy like him. Arz should also be looking to add guys ready to make the NHL team and have 3 first rounders anyway. If Luneau or Chesney is there, I make this move to essentially swap an almost ready guy for a RHD that could be a fit in 3-4 years.

Teams use picks to move up with pick trades, I can’t think of any examples off-hand where teams used a prospect w/ picks instead of just picks in that sort of trade.

It’s harder for a team to immediately evaluate a prospect and decide if they want them while they all have their own pick value charts. And they’re probably pretty gung ho about drafting their own guys at the draft after spending months evaluating prospects for this draft.

Unless it was a prospect that the team was already interested in trading for before it’s tough to see that happen.

 

[glenwo2]

Huge news! (even if it's expected, nice to know it's all but confirmed)

 

[glenwo2]

Chesley likely goes top 15, but Luneau could make it towards the end of the 1st round.

Buffalo certainly does not make that deal -- they need RD as desperately as NJ does. Montreal also has a need at RD, and would love to land Luneau.

Arizona is more likely to package picks to move up than down -- they have an insane # of picks, but need high-end talent at every position.

If it sounds like I'm being pessimistic, I'm being realistic. I think the Devils go Slafkovsky in the 1st round, then *best available player* in the 2nd round, then focus on RD in the mid-rounds with guys like Rinzel, Warren, Barabosha and Mastrodomenico.

Sounds like a plan.

Tbh, I'd be satisfied once the Devils get Slaf.

Having him in the back-pocket will make watching the rest of draft relaxing.

 

[BurntToast]

Chesley likely goes top 15, but Luneau could make it towards the end of the 1st round.

Buffalo certainly does not make that deal -- they need RD as desperately as NJ does. Montreal also has a need at RD, and would love to land Luneau.

Arizona is more likely to package picks to move up than down -- they have an insane # of picks, but need high-end talent at every position.

If it sounds like I'm being pessimistic, I'm being realistic. I think the Devils go Slafkovsky in the 1st round, then *best available player* in the 2nd round, then focus on RD in the mid-rounds with guys like Rinzel, Warren, Barabosha and Mastrodomenico.

Rinzel is on the rise, some see him as late 1.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Rinzel is on the rise, some see him as late 1.

I ranked Rinzel at #30.