Draft and UDFA Thread 2017-18

[eco's bones]

based on mckensie and button's most recent mock he will be available at 26 or 28 im not saying that will happen but those guys have some insight

I'm a bit skeptical of Button's draft lists to begin with. I don't think there's any chance that Kravtsov will be there at 26. If the Rangers really want him they'll either take him at 9 (which is too early IMO) or move up a bunch of spots.

 

[Polar Bear]

Keep in mind, some of the grade isn't just talent or upside. It's also value for the pick.

To me Kravtsov is a bit riskier. If you get the "A" version of what we've seen, he's a top 10 talent. If you get the other version, he's a late first round pick.

So taking him at 9, with other guys still likely on the board, drops the value for me a little. That's not to say it can't be a homerun, it's just not my first choice for that particular pick.

Fair point, but I'd rather go for a home-run with this selection after going "safer" with Andersson.

 

[Rangers in 7]

I'm a bit skeptical of Button's draft lists to begin with. I don't think there's any chance that Kravtsov will be there at 26. If the Rangers really want him they'll either take him at 9 (which is too early IMO) or move up a bunch of spots.

i dont think he is around at 26 either but this has happened to a skilled russian as recently as this past year when kostin was projected in the top 15 and went at 31 so anything is possible

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Some teams might be a bit cautious regarding Kravtsov, thinking the sample size is small. He was great in the KHL play offs for Chely but was it a fluke or a sign of more to come?

 

[Edge]

Fair point, but I'd rather go for a home-run with this selection after going "safer" with Andersson.

For me, a homerun swing would be moving up if there's an opportunity to land Zadina, or if an "A" guy won't be there.

I'm more inclined to move assets to climb up then to grab a high risk guy at 9. But that's just me.

I'll propose, based on a number of factors, that the Rangers are more inclined to do the same. Even if the price is perceived as being high on here.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

O'Brien is an interesting kid we haven't talked about.

People talk about the skills he's displayed against younger kids and the offensive potential. He's a little older, so I think there are some who would've preferred to see it against a higher level of competition, but he's a little bit of a sleeper for me.

If the skills translate at the higher levels, you're potentially looking at an offensive minded center who plays a top six role.

But we don't know how they'll transfer. In limited viewings in the USHL or USDP he hasn't set the world on fire --- but he's also jumping into the deep end on teams he doesn't play with on a regular basis. But you can't deny the prep numbers jump out at you.

Theoretically a longer-term investment, higher upside kind of pick.

I really like him. There’s a lot of good links to write ups and videos on him in his prospect thread on the main board. There’s one article on there about how every school he plays against knows they have to lock him down so they put 2-3 defenders on him and how he was forced to learn how to deal with that and still produce at a really good rate. I wouldn’t even mind taking him with one of the later firsts

 

[Polar Bear]

For me, a homerun swing would be moving up if there's an opportunity to land Zadina, or if an "A" guy won't be there.

I'm more inclined to move assets to climb up then to grab a high risk guy at 9. But that's just me.

I'll propose, based on a number of factors, that the Rangers are more inclined to do the same. Even if the price is perceived as being high on here.

I'm really rooting for one of Wahlstrom/Zadina/Boqvist/Hughes

I would be more than okay with Tkahcuk/Dobson/Kotka

 

[Lion Hound]

O'Brien is an interesting kid we haven't talked about.

People talk about the skills he's displayed against younger kids and the offensive potential. He's a little older, so I think there are some who would've preferred to see it against a higher level of competition, but he's a little bit of a sleeper for me.

If the skills translate at the higher levels, you're potentially looking at an offensive minded center who plays a top six role.

But we don't know how they'll transfer. In limited viewings in the USHL or USDP he hasn't set the world on fire --- but he's also jumping into the deep end on teams he doesn't play with on a regular basis. But you can't deny the prep numbers jump out at you.

Theoretically a longer-term investment, higher upside kind of pick.

Tough for anyone to really discuss him here because realistcally nobody here was likely watching Thayer academy unless one of their kids, or friends played NE prep.

Woodlief ranked him #57, compares him to Travis Konecny.

 

[Edge]

Tough for anyone to really discuss him here because realistcally nobody here was likely watching Thayer academy unless one of their kids, or friends played NE prep.

Woodlief ranked him #57, compares him to Travis Konecny.

I've seen and heard people have him everywhere from the mid-20s to the 50s.

It's the unknown factors.

Thayer Academy has a good track record, but there's also some lingering questions about why he didn't just go the U.S. program. In this day and age, any U.S. kid who doesn't is going to face that question. Not saying it's right, but it is what it is.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Peters at ESPN has us drafting Boqvist, Bokk and Dellandrea. I don't get the sense that he is using sources on this from reading what he wrote.

 

[Edge]

Peters at ESPN has us drafting Boqvist, Bokk and Dellandrea. I don't get the sense that he is using sources on this from reading what he wrote.

I like that a lot better than most of the mocks I've been seeing.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Peters at ESPN has us drafting Boqvist, Bokk and Dellandrea. I don't get the sense that he is using sources on this from reading what he wrote.

I can f*** with it.

 

[Levitate]

For me, a homerun swing would be moving up if there's an opportunity to land Zadina, or if an "A" guy won't be there.

I'm more inclined to move assets to climb up then to grab a high risk guy at 9. But that's just me.

I'll propose, based on a number of factors, that the Rangers are more inclined to do the same. Even if the price is perceived as being high on here.

I wonder what the price to move up to say Ottawa's pick would be. I have doubts that Ottawa or Arizona are really looking to move it but if Zadina is there, what do you give up...

 

[Edge]

I wonder what the price to move up to say Ottawa's pick would be. I have doubts that Ottawa or Arizona are really looking to move it but if Zadina is there, what do you give up...

That's a good question and hypothetical trade proposals are very much not my thing.

But, if I were to venture a guess, I'd say moving up to 5 would probably cost you one of the other firsts. So something along the lines of 9+28 for 5.

Of course it depends on whether the Rangers think a guy there is significantly better than what's available 9.

I think they are intrigued by Tkachuk and, maybe to a lesser extent, Hughes. Not sure how aggressive they'd be or how they view those two in comparison to other options.

I don't know how they view Zadina, perhaps they view him as a tier apart from the other guys and they pay that price.

It depends on who goes third and to a lesser extent fourth.

If Kotkaniemi and Dobson happen to go third and fourth, and they believe one of Zadina or Tkachuk is going to be there at 7, they might be more content to seek a swap with Vancouver at a lower cost --- saying 9+ 2nd round pick.

 

[Lion Hound]

Changed Game

In the past, NHL scouting services were always so heavily tilted on size. You would see maybe 3 or 4 players under 6' in the top 30 rankings regardless of how they performed. Last year 7 Players under 6' were drafted in round 1. Petterson, Brannstrom, Toilvanen, Suzuki, Makar, Andersson, and Yammamoto. All 6 players made an impact for their respectful clubs post draft whether it be international play or just real solid seasons at Jr or professional levels. The little ones are making their Organizations scouting departments look really good.

This year has legit potential to see 10 players under 6' go in round one. Nearly 1/3 of the entire 1st round. I would assume that is unprecedented, but need to go back and take a better look into past draft classes. I have 4 draft guides for 2018 draft. I'm coming through them every night. I counted a total of 14 players ranked in the top 31 that are under 6'. Bolded below are highly likely to go in round 1. 8 other skaters all have Rd1 potential.

Hughes, Boqvist, Farabee, Smith, Denisenko, Thomas, Merkley, Berggren, Lundqvist, Tychonick. Sandin, Addison, O'Brien, Beaudin.


If you go off McKenzie's list he only has 6. Does the "good ole boys club" still favor the big boys... or does TSN, and or Bob just drop them a few spaces if they are undersized and not truly dynamic?

Bob has Thomas, Sandin, Denisenko, Smith, Boqvist, and Hughes. I think at least 3 more undersized players are going to go in #1.

 

[GregSirico]

I wonder what the price to move up to say Ottawa's pick would be. I have doubts that Ottawa or Arizona are really looking to move it but if Zadina is there, what do you give up...

100% think Zadina will be there at 4. Montreal is not taking him. Now what Ottawa will want .... no idea, but If I'm Jeff I definitely give Ottawa a call.

 

[broadwayblue]

100% think Zadina will be there at 4. Montreal is not taking him. Now what Ottawa will want .... no idea, but If I'm Jeff I definitely give Ottawa a call.

We don't even know if Ott is keeping that pick. At least 50/50 they surrender it to Col.

 

[GregSirico]

We don't even know if Ott is keeping that pick. At least 50/50 they surrender it to Col.

I think it could be in play for either team.

 

[Ghost of jas]

100% think Zadina will be there at 4. Montreal is not taking him. Now what Ottawa will want .... no idea, but If I'm Jeff I definitely give Ottawa a call.

I get the feeling Dobson could go at 4. Mark Siedel was just on NHL Radio and has him as the next Dman to go after Dahlin. Dobson could be the pick at 4.

 

[GregSirico]

I get the feeling Dobson could go at 4. Mark Siedel was just on NHL Radio and has him as the next Dman to go after Dahlin. Dobson could be the pick at 4.

To Ottawa?

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Peters at ESPN has us drafting Boqvist, Bokk and Dellandrea. I don't get the sense that he is using sources on this from reading what he wrote.

That’s a mouth watering mock right there.

 

[Ghost of jas]

To Ottawa?

Yes

 

[Edge]

I get the feeling Dobson could go at 4. Mark Siedel was just on NHL Radio and has him as the next Dman to go after Dahlin. Dobson could be the pick at 4.

Dobson is another guy who is a bit over the map. Some have him at 4 to Ottawa, others at 9 or 10.

Some wonder if the upside is there, others think it’s only the tip of the iceburg.

The real wildcard scenario is if Kotkaniemi goes 3, Dobson 4 and Hayton 8.

 

[GregSirico]

Yes

I can't see that at all. Why pass on Zadina?

 

[Edge]

I can't see that at all. Why pass on Zadina?

Spitballing here -

If you think Dobson is a right handed, legit first pairing prospect who can move the puck, shut down opposing players and play 25-30 mins, that’s a very attractive package. It basically checks all the key boxes you want on the blue line.

It’s all about perception for any of these kids. If you think Kotkaniemi is a first line center, if you think Dobson, Bouchard and Hughes are first pair guys, if you think Boqvist is durable, etc.