Draft and UDFA Thread 2017-18

[eco's bones]

No chance of being traded: Lundqvist, Chytil, Andersson.

Very unlikely to be traded---Hayes, Zibanejad, Kreider, Shattenkirk, Skjei, Pionk. I don't think Buchnevich will move either but IMO if you packaged him with the 26OA you could possibly get Ottawa or Arizona's 1st rounder. But apart from that if the Rangers are serious about going after Kovalchuk while at the same time keeping their eye on the ball regarding Shesterkin and Rykov it might be better just to hang on to Buchnevich. I think the Rangers are also keen on hanging on to Fast. Not that he ain't movable---but he's like their Swedish Army Knife. They probably keep Vesey too.

So IMO it probably comes down to Gorton dealing from the group of Zuccarello (who I would hate to lose by the way), Spooner, Namestnikov and DeAngelo.

 

[GregSirico]

No chance of being traded: Lundqvist, Chytil, Andersson.

Very unlikely to be traded---Hayes, Zibanejad, Kreider, Shattenkirk, Skjei, Pionk. I don't think Buchnevich will move either but IMO if you packaged him with the 26OA you could possibly get Ottawa or Arizona's 1st rounder. But apart from that if the Rangers are serious about going after Kovalchuk while at the same time keeping their eye on the ball regarding Shesterkin and Rykov it might be better just to hang on to Buchnevich. I think the Rangers are also keen on hanging on to Fast. Not that he ain't movable---but he's like their Swedish Army Knife. They probably keep Vesey too.

So IMO it probably comes down to Gorton dealing from the group of Zuccarello (who I would hate to lose by the way), Spooner, Namestnikov and DeAngelo.

I think that's totally fair. I would say unlikely is Zib, Hayes, Shatty, Skjei, Pionk.

I could see Buch or ADA moved in the right deal.

 

[Synergy27]

We need to find a way to come away with 1 of Tkachuk, Walhstrom, Farabee or Kravtsov.

They don't need to find a way to do that. At least 2 of those guys will be on the board at 9, so really all they have to do is not go completely off the board.

My opinion, and what I would really like to see happen in this draft, is that they come away with two of those guys.

 

[GregSirico]

The more I watch of Kravstov, the more I think he will be the STEAL of this draft.

 

[I Eat Crow]

They don't need to find a way to do that. At least 2 of those guys will be on the board at 9, so really all they have to do is not go completely off the board.

My opinion, and what I would really like to see happen in this draft, is that they come away with two of those guys.

This.

Take who's left at 9. Swing a deal with Edmonton for 10th before the Islanders can get their grubby paws on the player(s) that we like, and that's a coup. If the draft breaks how I think it will (my mock will be posted next week), the Rangers will have Wahlstrom, Farabee, Kravtsov, Boqvist to choose from at 9. Can you imagine walking out of the 1st round with Boqvist and Kravtsov? Wahlstrom and Farabee? It's a grand f***ing slam.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

The more I watch of Kravstov, the more I think he will be the STEAL of this draft.

I’d honestly be happier with him at 9 than Tkachuk

 

[Polar Bear]

The more I watch of Kravstov, the more I think he will be the STEAL of this draft.

Just going off highlights obviously, but the kid has skill that's for sure.

 

[Ghost of jas]

I’d honestly be happier with him at 9 than Tkachuk

So would I. I really believe he’s a definite Ranger target.

 

[GregSirico]

Just going off highlights obviously, but the kid has skill that's for sure.

I watched this shift by shift of him and was super impressed.

 

[GregSirico]

To me w/ Kravstov the obvious is all the flashy moves and the amazing shot, but my biggest takeaway is how poised and mature he is for his age, make a lot of very smart decisions (especially away from the puck.)

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

Adam Mascherin is a good pick anywhere after the 1st round, maybe even late 1st.

That's my hot take for the day.

 

[eco's bones]

I watched this shift by shift of him and was super impressed.

Back in 1991 Tony Feltrin who was a scout for the Rangers after a journeyman (mostly AHL but some NHL) career convinced Neil Smith into drafting Alexei Kovalev. That worked out pretty well though Kovalev was most productive for teams other than the Rangers. Personally I think No. 9 is a little high for Kravtsov--I'm thinking more 13, 14, 15. I would be stoked if the Rangers could get him after 9.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

To me w/ Kravstov the obvious is all the flashy moves and the amazing shot, but my biggest takeaway is how poised and mature he is for his age, make a lot of very smart decisions (especially away from the puck.)

Agreed. That was by far the most noticeable thing in that video.

 

[GregSirico]

Back in 1991 Tony Feltrin who was a scout for the Rangers after a journeyman (mostly AHL but some NHL) career convinced Neil Smith into drafting Alexei Kovalev. That worked out pretty well though Kovalev was most productive for teams other than the Rangers. Personally I think No. 9 is a little high for Kravtsov--I'm thinking more 13, 14, 15. I would be stoked if the Rangers could get him after 9.

I'll say this, if for whatever reason Wahlstrom, Kotkaniemi, Hughes and Tkachuk are gone and the Rangers are worried about Boqvist's concussions (they know his medical history more than we do), and aren't in love with say Smith, Bouchard, or Dobson (whoever is BPA of the D) and they went with Kravstov, sure it's a reach, but I wouldn't be overly upset. I'd rather them move from 26 to 13 and snag him, but I wouldn't be in an uproar at him at 9.

 

[Edge]

Completely agree with you. But if you aren't a scout and/or on the board, your informations must be originated from the media.
For example IMO we need scoring winger. We need somebody who can score 40+ and mor than 80pts, somebody like Ovie, Laine, Boeser... Somebody who can be our franchise for decade. Is it correct?
BTW what is your category?

It’s close for me. Unless they go really off the board, I am cautiously optimistic that they will get a quality player at either wing or defense. But I agree with you.

Not sure what you’re asking about my category. As in my background?

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I'll say this, if for whatever reason Wahlstrom, Kotkaniemi, Hughes and Tkachuk are gone and the Rangers are worried about Boqvist's concussions (they know his medical history more than we do), and aren't in love with say Smith, Bouchard, or Dobson (whoever is BPA of the D) and they went with Kravstov, sure it's a reach, but I wouldn't be overly upset. I'd rather them move from 26 to 13 and snag him, but I wouldn't be in an uproar at him at 9.

Someone has him in their top 5.

According to someone in here, Rangers had a rather long interview with him. I think someone also mentioned he was in NY after the combine.

 

[Edge]

I watched this shift by shift of him and was super impressed.

Kravtsov and Denisenko have sick skills. The highlight reels demonstrate that very well.

The challenge is that for both guys, those highlights also raise expectations and both guys had a lot of stretches where you had to check to see if thy were dressed.

However, if they can harness their skills, both guys are arguably right up there with Svechnikov and Zadina at the top of the offensive talent scale.

 

[GregSirico]

Someone has him in their top 5.

According to someone in here, Rangers had a rather long interview with him. I think someone also mentioned he was in NY after the combine.

Interesting. Could you post that? I didn't see that.

 

[GregSirico]

Kravtsov and Denisenko have sick skills. The highlight reels demonstrate that very well.

The challenge is that for both guys, those highlights also raise expectations and both guys had a lot of stretches where you had to check to see if thy were dressed.

However, if they can harness their skills, both guys are arguably right up there with Svechnikov and Zadina at the top of the offensive talent scale.

Agreed, but that's the thing with kids and the risk. So if the Rangers did their HW and had a good meeting and thought he was moving in the right direction, I'm all for snagging him at 9. Talent wise he's off the charts.

 

[Edge]

Agreed, but that's the thing with kids and the risk. So if the Rangers did their HW and had a good meeting and thought he was moving in the right direction, I'm all for snagging him at 9. Talent wise he's off the charts.

We’ll see. I think the 9 spot is where they are looking at guys whose names we’ve heard for a while, or someone who slides as someone rises.

I think that second pick, the one that I think they want in the teens, is the pick where they are looking to take a big swing.

That second pick is the one that has my attention.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Interesting. Could you post that? I didn't see that.

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/posts/146495983/

As for the picture, someone posted a pic he took in New York off of instagram, I don't remember who.

 

[GregSirico]

We’ll see. I think the 9 spot is where they are looking at guys whose names we’ve heard for a while, or someone who slides as someone rises.

I think that second pick, the one that I think they want in the teens, is the pick where they are looking to take a big swing.

That second pick is the one that has my attention.

I like it.

 

[Nopuckluck]

Kravtsov and Denisenko have sick skills. The highlight reels demonstrate that very well.

The challenge is that for both guys, those highlights also raise expectations and both guys had a lot of stretches where you had to check to see if thy were dressed.

However, if they can harness their skills, both guys are arguably right up there with Svechnikov and Zadina at the top of the offensive talent scale.

So they fit a certain stereotype!

 

[Ghost of jas]

Boqvist and Kravtsov...enough said.

 

[Ola]

The more I watch of Kravstov, the more I think he will be the STEAL of this draft.

I love him, where can you see him now? I think we will see some movement in this draft that wasn’t seen in the ‘consensus’ rankings earlier in the year.

I released my top 31, before the final round of the U18 and before any of the spring rankings were out. This is my top 10, and I while I am sure I have made mistakes generally I still stand by it and think that it will show to be pretty good:
1. Dahlin
2. Svechnikov
3. Zadina
4. Tkachuk
5. Boqvist
6. Kotkaniemi
7. Wilde
8. Wahlstrom
9. Kravtsov
10. K’Andre Miller
11. Noah Dobson

And like I’ve said before — I think it’s much much much more thight between the 5-20 ranged guys than people imagine. Looking at physical tools, Wilde and Miller can definitely match up against Bouchard and Dobson. There pros and cons among all those 4. Why should Bouchard and Dobson be ranked a lot higher than Wilde and Miller? I can get arguments for it, but there are many arguments against it. The reason — I suspect — for it to be the case is simply that EB and ND are top players in the CHL and when people are merging their lists they place them higher than they should.

And Kravtsov is one that also is a victim of that. I definitely think that he is up there with guys like Farabee and Wahlstrom. Pros and cons.

I am usually pretty critical of rankings, but after the latest shake up of the rankings I am much more in line with the general notions. Before I struggled a lot more with the cemented notion that among others Boqvist was super cemented in the top 5, Wahlstrom was seen as flawless, Kotkaniemi and Kravtsov was why too low. There are pros and cons with a Q Hughes too.

If there is anything I like to see Gorton do, it’s move up with our later picks in the 20s because very very good picks will be made in the 10-22 range too.