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

[Fanatik]

But this encompasses the very nature of what scouting is.

The Sharangovich pick is light years from Edwards or Vilen or Shlaine. Anyone scouting Sharangovich could see he had NHL caliber size/speed and a ridiculous shot. The upside was clearly there.

Shlaine was steadily improving to the point where we could one day envision him with a depth role in the AHL. That's it. There's nothing high end in this player, not a single tool or intangible.

Vilen and Edwards were not bad picks for the players they were so much as why they were drafted by the Devils. Neither one has any chance to crack an incredibly deep Devils LD pool -- even not counting Luke Hughes -- of Mukhamadullin/Okhotyuk/Bahl/Misyul/Zaitsev. What was the point in drafting them? Neither was a "holy crap, I can't believe this player is still available!" type of nab, they were both pretty much reaches where they were taken, and neither filled any foreseeable need. That's just a lack of strategy.

How much better would the Devils prospect pool look now if they just took the consensus best player at both those spots -- Sean Farrell instead of Edwards and Matvey Petrov instead of Vilen?

The Devils drafted for ability and with strategy under Ray Shero. It seems now, both are being eschewed for something else, and I don't have the insider knowledge to know what that is.

But it needs to end this year, with the 2022 draft.

Could they maybe think they have enough high-end talent and so are just throwing plenty of bait out to catch enough depth fish?

Those are guys you always need to surplant outstanding contracts or raises for younger guys

Idk, just a thought as to why maybe they have drafted that way. Perhaps its just a lack of scouting or ability to scout. Or maybe its designed. Would be interesting to know

 

[StevenToddIves]

I tend to not put much stock in these short tournaments, and think they're more of an accessible way to watch these prospects I'd otherwise never see.

But that is a rather strong list there. Pretty much everyone aside from Paajarvi is notable. Don't think it means too much but it's certainly neat

If it were just one tournament, I would agree with you. But Slafkovsky was not just the best U20 in the Olympics -- he was the best player. This is a kid with talent, who can step up.

Slafkovsky played at 4 levels this year: Finland Jr., Finland Liiga, Olympics and WC. We can even count the Liiga playoffs and make it 5 levels.

Slafkovsky was outstanding -- simply marvelous -- in Finland Jr., the Olympics, the WC and the Liiga playoffs.

The only time Slafkovsky did not produce was in the opening 20 or so games in Liiga prior to the Olympics, when he was skating a bottom 6 role with sparse PP minutes.

This is the reason people are saying he's not a top 2 pick? Because he didn't pile up points in a bottom 6 role for a limited stretch of the season, in his first taste of a men's league? It's so absurd, it's almost funny.

I think we should all start getting excited. There is an overwhelming chance the Devils get Slafkovsky, and if not it means the Devils will be getting Wright. These are players with the potential to be truly NHL greats.

 

[Guttersniped]

Whoops, somehow my brain combined David Volek and David Maley into one guy.

Schmid was already committed to Lethbridge when he was drafted. He wasn't an overage selection, and he played for Switzerland at basically every major international tournament up to that point, U16, U17, U18, Schmid got some time. He ended up 6th on the CSB European goaltenders list in the 2018 draft.

Malek played one game for the Czech U20 squad at something that wasn't the WJCs but other than that he has no appearances listed on eliteprospects for the Czech team at any age.

Senn was 21 so he was likely not ranked, but his selection is not some random, out of nowhere pick, the Devils needed goalie depth in the minors - they didn't pick a goalie who wasn't a nepotism pick between 2011 and 2014 - and someone that old is a better shot to be helpful to the organization quickly. He also started some games for Switzerland in international tournaments over the years.

Senn was ranked by Central Scouting in 2014.
He was ranked #11 out of 14 (plus one “Limited Viewing”).

Karel Vejmelka is #14 on the same list and is drafted in 2015 by Arizona in the 5th Rd (#145). We drafted Senn in 2017 5th Rd (#129).

The top #8:
#1 Husso, #2 Johansson, #3 Söderström, #4 Kahkonen, #5 Sorokin, #6 Merzlikins, #7 Shesterkin and #8 Vanecek. (Swedes don’t quite live up to their ranking lol.)

Official Site of the National Hockey League | NHL.com

The official National Hockey League website including news, rosters, stats, schedules, teams, and video.

www.nhl.com

Jakub Malek is ranked #10 in 2020, out of 10. I thought we drafted him early when we took him in the 4th Rd #100, but I didn’t know he was ranked.

Still feels early but he’s a big boy and big goalies were what were flying off the shelves that draft (even more then usual) so maybe someone else would have bit on him soon enough.

2022 Draft Prospect Rankings

We could draft not specifically for size and probably take advantage of teams being complete size queens but we’re complete size queens ourselves.

We’ve never drafted a Russian goalie, which is weird considering how many Russian defensemen we’ve drafted.

 

[Saugus]

You understand how people talk on the internet now.

It's like the velociraptors figuring out how to work the door handles.

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

Slafkovsky leads Pronman's NHL Draft 2022 top 127 prospects list.

"The 2022 NHL Draft looks like a somewhat below-average class. It’s a near coin flip for me to decide the No. 1 prospect in the class between Canadian center Shane Wright and Slovakian winger Juraj Slafkovsky. Wright has the longer track record of success and the much preferred position as a center but had a down season by his standards. Slafkovsky’s skill set is more attractive and he continued to pile on impressive performances this season at various tournaments, with the talent he displayed at the World Championships being enough to just nudge him ahead of Wright for me."

"For the first year, I am introducing NHL player comparables into this list. My goal with this is to try to paint a somewhat realistic picture of the type of player a prospect could project as, although I would not interpret the comparables listed as a literal projection that Player A will become Player B. This is mostly because for some players, particularly those who were very large or small in terms of size, an ideal comparison doesn’t exist. Only the top 32 listed prospects are given a player comparable."

Juraj Slafkovsky:

Player comparable: Rick Nash

Shane Wright:

Player comparable: Mika Zibanejad

Juraj Slafkovsky ranks atop Corey Pronman's top 127 players available at the NHL Draft

Corey Pronman ranks the top 127 draft-eligible players in the 2022 NHL Draft.

theathletic.com

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Slafkovsky leads Pronman's NHL Draft 2022 top 127 prospects list.

"The 2022 NHL Draft looks like a somewhat below-average class. It’s a near coin flip for me to decide the No. 1 prospect in the class between Canadian center Shane Wright and Slovakian winger Juraj Slafkovsky. Wright has the longer track record of success and the much preferred position as a center but had a down season by his standards. Slafkovsky’s skill set is more attractive and he continued to pile on impressive performances this season at various tournaments, with the talent he displayed at the World Championships being enough to just nudge him ahead of Wright for me."

"For the first year, I am introducing NHL player comparables into this list. My goal with this is to try to paint a somewhat realistic picture of the type of player a prospect could project as, although I would not interpret the comparables listed as a literal projection that Player A will become Player B. This is mostly because for some players, particularly those who were very large or small in terms of size, an ideal comparison doesn’t exist. Only the top 32 listed prospects are given a player comparable."

Juraj Slafkovsky:

Player comparable: Rick Nash

Shane Wright:

Player comparable: Mika Zibanejad

Juraj Slafkovsky ranks atop Corey Pronman's top 127 players available at the NHL Draft

Corey Pronman ranks the top 127 draft-eligible players in the 2022 NHL Draft.

theathletic.com

Weird comparable. Slafkovsky and Nash one is fine but Zibanejad and Wright is just weird. They aren’t very similar in their skillsets or how they play the game.

Looking through that there’s quite a few questionable comparables.

 

[glenwo2]

Weird comparable. Slafkovsky and Nash one is fine but Zibanejad and Wright is just weird. They aren’t very similar in their skillsets or how they play the game.

Looking through that there’s quite a few questionable comparables.

Yeah.....Mika is a good player but he's not a Game-breaker like Shane will be.

 

[Guttersniped]

Weird comparable. Slafkovsky and Nash one is fine but Zibanejad and Wright is just weird. They aren’t very similar in their skillsets or how they play the game.

Looking through that there’s quite a few questionable comparables.

I thought you were being to hard on him (sometimes these comps are just hard) but he compared Lambert to Burakovsky and I don’t get that one.

And Nazar is Kerfoot? Yeah, maybe this wasn’t the best idea after all.

 

[Clam Jensen]

Look at all those players who got points at the Kaapo Kakko Against Men's Open

Ah yes, the “KKAMO”

 

[Saugus]

Slafkovsky leads Pronman's NHL Draft 2022 top 127 prospects list.

"The 2022 NHL Draft looks like a somewhat below-average class. It’s a near coin flip for me to decide the No. 1 prospect in the class between Canadian center Shane Wright and Slovakian winger Juraj Slafkovsky. Wright has the longer track record of success and the much preferred position as a center but had a down season by his standards. Slafkovsky’s skill set is more attractive and he continued to pile on impressive performances this season at various tournaments, with the talent he displayed at the World Championships being enough to just nudge him ahead of Wright for me."

"For the first year, I am introducing NHL player comparables into this list. My goal with this is to try to paint a somewhat realistic picture of the type of player a prospect could project as, although I would not interpret the comparables listed as a literal projection that Player A will become Player B. This is mostly because for some players, particularly those who were very large or small in terms of size, an ideal comparison doesn’t exist. Only the top 32 listed prospects are given a player comparable."

Juraj Slafkovsky:

Player comparable: Rick Nash

Shane Wright:

Player comparable: Mika Zibanejad

Juraj Slafkovsky ranks atop Corey Pronman's top 127 players available at the NHL Draft

Corey Pronman ranks the top 127 draft-eligible players in the 2022 NHL Draft.

theathletic.com

Let's hope Habs management doesn't read this. I know it's still more likely that they take Wright, but I've gotten nervous as Slafkovsky has made this late push and articles touting him so highly keep cropping up.

 

[Devs3cups]

Let's hope Habs management doesn't read this. I know it's still more likely that they take Wright, but I've gotten nervous as Slafkovsky has made this late push and articles touting him so highly keep cropping up.

Wouldn’t look too deep into it, I’m 90% sure Wright will be the Habs pick (and if not it’s not bad at all for us).

 

[Normal Devil]

Wouldn’t look too deep into it, I’m 90% sure Wright will be the Habs pick (and if not it’s not bad at all for us).

Yeah, no doubt .. if we don't get Slaf we get Wright. It's all good either way.

 

[GameSeven]

Ah yes, the “KKAMO”

Aruba, Jamaica....

 

[Andre Palot]

Okay I think I'm off the trade the pick bandwagon

 

[MasterofGrond]

Habs at #1 in Montreal will pick Wright.

Simply zero doubt.

 

[Capt Nico Poo]

If Habs for some reason picked Slaf, wonder what Wright could bring in a trade? Suppose his value is high being a center and all, but not perhaps the best pick considering devils center depth.

Guess this question has already been answered here

 

[Andre Palot]

Hughes
Nico
Wright

Good luck to the other 31 teams with that center depth if we are cycling that every game.

 

[Forge]

If Habs for some reason picked Slaf, wonder what Wright could bring in a trade? Suppose his value is high being a center and all, but not perhaps the best pick considering devils center depth.

Guess this question has already been answered here

The biggest problem is finding a trade partner. If you're looking to trade back, there are legitimately a couple of options before you run the risk of missing out on an entire tier of players.

I do think it would be an interesting point of conversation with teams that may have to move established youngsters.

 

[glenwo2]

The biggest problem is finding a trade partner. If you're looking to trade back, there are legitimately a couple of options before you run the risk of missing out on an entire tier of players.

I do think it would be an interesting point of conversation with teams that may have to move established youngsters.

Unless it's a trade for Tkachuk, I don't see any realistic package that would be worth giving up Shane F'n Wright.

Make no mistake, it will be either Slaf or Wright.

Blessed if we do, Blessed if we don't.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

Has there ever been a team that had 3 elite centers? Assuming Wright lives up expectations that is. Closest I can remember is penguins with crosby, malkin, and staal but staal wasn't exactly elite. Although.......when staal was with the pens his production wasn't that far off from nico's current production.


Actually looking back that may be the best comparable. And the pens were absolutely loaded at that time at center.

 

[Capt Nico Poo]

Has there ever been a team that had 3 elite centers? Assuming Wright lives up expectations that is. Closest I can remember is penguins with crosby, malkin, and staal but staal wasn't exactly elite. Although.......when staal was with the pens his production wasn't that far off from nico's current production.


Actually looking back that may be the best comparable. And the pens were absolutely loaded at that time at center.

I guess 2010ish Pens with Crosby, Malkin and Jordan Staal. Staal was pretty good at that time.

 

[Devs3cups]

Has there ever been a team that had 3 elite centers? Assuming Wright lives up expectations that is. Closest I can remember is penguins with crosby, malkin, and staal but staal wasn't exactly elite. Although.......when staal was with the pens his production wasn't that far off from nico's current production.


Actually looking back that may be the best comparable. And the pens were absolutely loaded at that time at center.

I'd have no problem with that. Having 3 elite centers might bring us with the best depth in the game. I want Slaf, but Wright isn't far behind for me if Montreal wants to get cute.

 

[Rhodes 81]

I thought you were being to hard on him (sometimes these comps are just hard) but he compared Lambert to Burakovsky and I don’t get that one.

And Nazar is Kerfoot? Yeah, maybe this wasn’t the best idea after all.

I have no idea why Pronman would add another meaningless thing for people to over-analyse when they already don't get why he ranks someone with a bunch of "NHL Average" qualities above someone with "Above NHL Average." Feels like he's setting himself up on that one.

I do love his rankings over just about everyone else in the biz, mostly because he is typically more realistic with projections than the overhype you get so often with these things.

 

[BurntToast]

Another Slaf article, this is from the Montreal beat writer:

Juraj Slafkovsky's unique skill could make him potential top pick for Canadiens

Every NHL team is looking for the skill set Juraj Slafkovsky brings, but is that enough for the Canadiens to take him over Shane Wright?

theathletic.com

He feels Slaf is more boom/bust, but also goes on to say, Slaf has improved throughout the season. It seems, for every negative, there is a counter argument. If he makes a bad decision one shift, he makes a spectacular one the next. His production was “meh” with TPS but was outstanding internationally. His skating was so-so but it has improved. Sometimes he attacks the middle/ defenders, sometimes he takes the puck down the boards. It seems a lot of scouts, would rather drop him to 5-7 range than be forced to give a projection. I think the high grades on Kakko and Pool Party make media scouts nervous to predict Slaf’s upside.

 

[Brodeur]

Has there ever been a team that had 3 elite centers? Assuming Wright lives up expectations that is. Closest I can remember is penguins with crosby, malkin, and staal but staal wasn't exactly elite. Although.......when staal was with the pens his production wasn't that far off from nico's current production.


Actually looking back that may be the best comparable. And the pens were absolutely loaded at that time at center.

It's too bad they never rolled with it, but Quebec had young versions of Sakic, Sundin, and Forsberg in the system. Unfortunately they had trouble signing Forsberg and once they did they decided to trade one of their centers for a gritty winger. Allegedly they offered Sakic to Vancouver for Trevor Linden but they were fresh off nearly winning the Cup and it would have been tough to trade their captain. Then they end up trading Sundin for Wendel Clark+.

Quebec had a young Mike Ricci back then too and he was a former top 5 pick who was a point per game guy at 21. But his offense dissipated pretty quickly after Forsberg arrived.

On paper, 2001-02 Dallas had Mike Modano, Joe Nieuwendyk, and Pierre Turgeon but that ended up being a weird mix.