Draft and UDFA Thread 2018-19: Part II

[Ghost of jas]

I will confess that there is at least a small concern that Zegras and Turcotte are getting boosts from the residual impact of Hughes.

Not that they aren’t talented, but Hughes might be one of the most impactful players I’ve ever seen in the US program. I’ve often said that the difference between Hughes and everyone else in this draft, including Kakko, is the way he impacts everyone around him. Not just his line mates, but every line that follows his. It forces teams to change their game plans, deplete resources, and keeps them off balance.

In the wake of Hughes, there’s a lot of opportunity for other centers to shine and not have to be the focal point. While some use that as their argument that a player could be overlooked and undervalued, it can cut the other way too.

Zegras is a good prospect, but the fact that he’s been as good as he has this season, and essentially stepped right into the Turcotte role, does give me some pause as to how much both players are being impacted by that opportunity.

It’s not to say they aren’t very good prospects, it’s more a question of whether they could be over-projected. In other words, a team thinks they’re finding a gem who is a first line center, but might be a very good second line center.

Not that it’s a bad thing, but do you want to bank on that over a Dach, or a Cozens, or maybe even a Newhook?

If nothing else, keep it in back of your minds as food for thought.

Which would be fine for a mid-teen first round pick, especially if the Rangers are able to grab one of the aforementioned players in the top six.

 

[Edge]

Which would be fine for a mid-teen first round pick, especially if the Rangers are able to grab one of the aforementioned players in the top six.

I think my slight concern is more if those guys are on the table and we’re leanjng toward Turcotte.

 

[Mac n Gs]

I will confess that there is at least a small concern that Zegras and Turcotte are getting boosts from the residual impact of Hughes.

Not that they aren’t talented, but Hughes might be one of the most impactful players I’ve ever seen in the US program. I’ve often said that the difference between Hughes and everyone else in this draft, including Kakko, is the way he impacts everyone around him. Not just his line mates, but every line that follows his. It forces teams to change their game plans, deplete resources, and keeps them off balance.

In the wake of Hughes, there’s a lot of opportunity for other centers to shine and not have to be the focal point. While some use that as their argument that a player could be overlooked and undervalued, it can cut the other way too.

Zegras is a good prospect, but the fact that he’s been as good as he has this season, and essentially stepped right into the Turcotte role, does give me some pause as to how much both players are being impacted by that opportunity.

It’s not to say they aren’t very good prospects, it’s more a question of whether they could be over-projected. In other words, a team thinks they’re finding a gem who is a first line center, but might be a very good second line center.

Not that it’s a bad thing, but do you want to bank on that over a Dach, or a Cozens, or maybe even a Newhook?

If nothing else, keep it in back of your minds as food for thought.

I think he’ll end up like a Kadri type of player

 

[True Blue]

I think my slight concern is more if those guys are on the table and we’re leanjng toward Turcotte.

You are voicing my fear. Clarke gets an idea into his head, and instead of taking a Podkolzin, Dach, Cozens, Byram or even Boldy and we hear Turcotte's name being selected. I am all for him, but not at the expense of some of the others that I have mentioned.

 

[McRanger]

I think my slight concern is more if those guys are on the table and we’re leanjng toward Turcotte.

You had Turcotte in your top 5 at one point. Where would you put him now?

 

[Edge]

You had Turcotte in your top 5 at one point. Where would you put him now?

Probably top 10, but not top 5.

Just that nagging feeling and the play of others has me making some adjustments.

 

[offdacrossbar]

art kaliyev is doing nice things in hamilton

17/16/11/27

hes 17 yrs old.

stupid. good.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

And I'm assuming this is under the assumption Podkolzin goes top 5 right?

I'm curious how much his statements about not coming over until he is ready will affect his draft position

It may have some impact but a team like Colorado can pick him with Ottawa's pick if it's not 1st OA. They can take a chance and let a kid marinate while still being a playoff team with a good roster.

I would flip if the Rangers ended up with Podkolzin. Put him on a line with Lias and it would be the cruelest line the NHL has seen in quite some time. If the Rangers want to be "tougher" to play against, one of Podkolzin, Kakko, Boldy or Cozens should be their guy. I love Kaliyev's shot/finish but one-dimensional power forwards are very risky.

That is, of course, if Hughes is off the board.

Boldy would be a popular Ranger.

Of that I have little doubt.

Boldy is everything we thought Ryan Gropp could become. Maybe Kreider too. Except you get the same effort from Boldy every shift.

 

[Joey Bones]

It may have some impact but a team like Colorado can pick him with Ottawa's pick if it's not 1st OA. They can take a chance and let a kid marinate while still being a playoff team with a good roster.

I would flip if the Rangers ended up with Podkolzin. Put him on a line with Lias and it would be the cruelest line the NHL has seen in quite some time. If the Rangers want to be "tougher" to play against, one of Podkolzin, Kakko, Boldy or Cozens should be their guy. I love Kaliyev's shot/finish but one-dimensional power forwards are very risky.

That is, of course, if Hughes is off the board.



Boldy is everything we thought Ryan Gropp could become. Maybe Kreider too. Except you get the same effort from Boldy every shift.

You have now engraved a Chytil/Lias/Podkolzin line. This is your fault!! I want it now!!



In all seriousness, I have to agree that Podkolzin's knack for the game is extremely encouraging!!

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

on pace for the 9th pick

 

[Edge]

on pace for the 9th pick

Something to consider is that other teams will catch up to us in the games played column, and we really haven't seen the toughest parts of our schedule yet.

As we've seen even in the best of times, November hockey looks a lot different than January hockey.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

on pace for the 9th pick

They're .500 (or 2 games below if you count OT losses as losses) while playing one of the easiest schedules of anyone and being relatively healthy.

The storm is coming.

 

[BroadwayBlues]

on pace for the 9th pick

Plenty of time for that to change.

 

[True Blue]

art kaliyev is doing nice things in hamilton

Couldn't take him ahead of Boldy

 

[Joey Bones]

Updated mocks....

2019 NHL Mock Draft & Simulator | Tankathon

1 (11) D: Matthew Robertson (CAN)(6'4"/201lbs., Shot: Left, Edmonton/WHL)

2019 NHL Mock Draft | 2019 NHL Draft | NHL Draft

1 (6) D: Bowen Byram (CAN)(6'1"/192lbs., Shot: Left, Vancouver/WHL)

2019 NHL Mock Draft - NHL - DraftSite.com

1 (9) D: Bowen Byram (CAN)(6'1"192lbs., Shot: Left, Vancouver/WHL)
2 (40) C: Antti Saarela (FIN)(5'11"/176lbs., Shot: Left, Lukko U20/Jr. A Liiga)
2 (61) LW: Nick Robertson (USA)(5'9"/168lbs., Shot: Left, Peterborough/OHL)
3 (71) LW: Robert Mastrosimone (USA)(5'10"/170lbs., Shot: Left, Chicago/USHL) *19/20 Boston U. commit*
5 (133) C: Brady Meyer (USA)(6'5"/190lbs., Shot: Left, Des Moines/USHL) *19/20 U. of Minnesota-Duluth commit*
6 (164) RW: Tyler Paquette (USA)(6'3"/203lbs., Shot: Right, Des Moines/USHL) *20/21 Penn State commit*
7 (195) C: Ethan Browne (CAN)(6'0"/183lbs., Shot: Left, Prince George/WHL)

Pretty bad mock, IMO. Outside of Byram and Mastrosimone in the 3rd, I don't see most of these players getting drafted. Saarela, the younger brother of former Ranger draftee Aleksi, isn't that great offensively and can get caught with the consistency bug. Same goes with Nick Robertson. Although having a great Hlinka in the summer, he hasn't figured out this season. Was really rooting for this kid, too, but seems to be missing that scoring touch to a long season. Meyer is a more defensive minded Gettinger. I don't see any offensive ability to his game. Paquette has a very weird stride and would be a project pick that would take all four years. Browne is a playmaker with no defensive game.

 

[RangerBoy]

on pace for the 9th pick

9th?

I see the Rangers ending with the 14th pick in the draft. They should see that player in their line-up by 2022-23.

 

[Miamipuck]

9th?

I see the Rangers ending with the 14th pick in the draft. They should see that player in their line-up by 2022-23.

 

[True Blue]

1 (9) D: Bowen Byram (CAN)(6'1"192lbs., Shot: Left, Vancouver/WHL)

Emerging with your future #1 d-man in your system wouldn't be a bad choice. As I have said, as much as I want Podkolzin or Dach or Cozens, the pragmatist in me keeps thinking that Byram may be the best choice for the franchise. Very good supporting defensive core in pipeline. A possible future replacement for Henke in the pipeline. Byram could be the last piece to building from the net out.

 

[Joey Bones]

Emerging with your future #1 d-man in your system wouldn't be a bad choice. As I have said, as much as I want Podkolzin or Dach or Cozens, the pragmatist in me keeps thinking that Byram may be the best choice for the franchise. Very good supporting defensive core in pipeline. A possible future replacement for Henke in the pipeline. Byram could be the last piece to building from the net out.

He definitely has a top 4 floor, barring some sort of set back. I think out of all the defensemen in the draft, he’s the one with the best top pair potential with game breaking ability. He’s that good!!

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

They're .500 (or 2 games below if you count OT losses as losses) while playing one of the easiest schedules of anyone and being relatively healthy.

The storm is coming.

Ya’ll are right.

There’s no way this team improves as the season goes on.

Once shit gets real we’ll probably start getting steamrolled

I just really want jack hughes damn it, and watching mahomes shit on the nfl makes me want a franchise player on the rangers even more, i’m a greedy f***, need all my teams to be stacked

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Alright. I have some observations from this weekend's tournament in Hodonin with some new players to focus on.

Lev Komissarov
This 18-year old went undrafted last summer but he was on fire. He had a great tournament and is definitely a kid I want to monitor further to see if he might be a potential late round candidate. Defensively responsible as well.

Mikhail Shalagin
Another kid that went undrafted who was a bright spot on an already good Russian team. Looked extremely good against Sweden, with smooth skating and very, very quick transitioning. Not a 200-foot game type player, but in the offensive zone, he was causing turnovers that lead to great scoring-chances.

Then there are the obvious candidates.

Pavel Dorofeyev
Had a quiet tournament but when he was on the ice, he was making things happen. It certainly showed glimpses of what he can do.

Vasili Podkolzin
Electrifying, buzzing. I don't know what I can say that does justice to what he did out there as a 17-year old. He gives it all, and it was very noticable everytime he got back to the bench. He was out of breath every time. Even sitting down when the team went to the locker room at the end of the 1st.

Already drafted players Kravtsov and Denisenko were dominant as expected. Kravtsov playing at center and still being so dominant was a good thing to see.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

Why is is so quiet surrounding Nathan Légaré in comparison to Lavoie and Pelletier? Haven't watched any Dakkar this year but going by the stats he should be spoken about in the same breath (probably ahead) of those two players. Scored a nice PP goal last night too, very good shot generation

 

[offdacrossbar]

Emerging with your future #1 d-man in your system wouldn't be a bad choice. As I have said, as much as I want Podkolzin or Dach or Cozens, the pragmatist in me keeps thinking that Byram may be the best choice for the franchise. Very good supporting defensive core in pipeline. A possible future replacement for Henke in the pipeline. Byram could be the last piece to building from the net out.

seems like we have a decent stock of young dmen now but if hes the BPA then im all in. hes gonna be a good one.

still believe this is a down draft for dmen while strong up front. top 3-7 forwards are all solid.

1-3 there are some gems.

 

[True Blue]

seems like we have a decent stock of young dmen now but if hes the BPA then im all in. hes gonna be a good one.

There is a decent stock. But I think that Byram stands out as someone who would be#1, whereas I am not sure who is here currently is.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

The sad thing with Miller is that it became a bigger issue later in his development. It wasn't necessarily his MO when he was 17/18.

Yes. That is what always frustrates me. The JT Miller we got was not the JT Miller we drafted. Always pisses me off.