Draft and UDFA Thread 2018-19: Part III

[AlternateSideParking]

Is Caufield the best sniper/scorer in the 1st round?

I feel like he should really be a target even if he rises ala Kravstov or someone we could trade up for ala Miller. He gives you that feeling when he has the puck like something good is about to happen and that he's in control.

I'd say Kaliyev because of his shot/release/accuracy. But Caufield competes hard, is faster, kills penalties and is an excellent playmaker.

Caufield is a better version of Yamamoto, and Yamamoto is pretty good.

 

[duhmetreE]

I'd say Kaliyev because of his shot/release/accuracy. But Caufield competes hard, is faster, kills penalties and is an excellent playmaker.

Caufield is a better version of Yamamoto, and Yamamoto is pretty good.

Caufield is slated to be in the teens?

If he was 6' no doubt he'd be top5 ( is the only negative his height? ) , I wouldn't mind reaching if we stay at 9-10. He's the type of talent we've been void of.

I'm sold

 

[Ola]

I've always believed that you'll get better value by having more talent in fewer position then you will by having less talent in more positions.

I do think that if we keep going with this notion we will get a head in the sand result.

I totally buy the concept of not going into a draft like looking for a sniper, a play maker, a physical player or whatever. In every draft there will have been so few really good players a available that you can’t be choosey.

But nobody will trade a RD for a LD. You can never expect to just correct the handidness down the road. We already have a LD log-jam. If we tilt it even further it will certainly get really bad results. Kids will play on the wrong side and struggle.

It’s the same thing with RHS up front. It’s so important to have them, but they will never just land in your lap.

I definitely am really sceptical of the idea to draft a small LD with a 7-8th overall pick.

 

[Ola]

Caufield is slated to be in the teens?

If he was 6' no doubt he'd be top5 ( is the only negative his height? ) , I wouldn't mind reaching if we stay at 9-10. He's the type of talent we've been void of.

I'm sold

I really like Caufield, think he could climb up towards 10 if not higher. Centers have gone so high the last years, but Caufield just plays the way that works offensively. Wouldn’t mind at all if we got him.

 

[Edge]

I do think that if we keep going with this notion we will get a head in the sand result.

I totally buy the concept of not going into a draft like looking for a sniper, a play maker, a physical player or whatever. In every draft there will have been so few really good players a available that you can’t be choosey.

But nobody will trade a RD for a LD. You can never expect to just correct the handidness down the road. We already have a LD log-jam. If we tilt it even further it will certainly get really bad results. Kids will play on the wrong side and struggle.

It’s the same thing with RHS up front. It’s so important to have them, but they will never just land in your lap.

I definitely am really sceptical of the idea to draft a small LD with a 7-8th overall pick.

Within reason, while someone might not trade a RD for a LD, they might trade a RW.

Likewise a center might land you a RD, and so on and so forth.

But no one is trading you anything of value unless you first have the value to trade.

 

[Ola]

Within reason, while someone might not trade a RD for a LD, they might trade a RW.

Likewise a center might land you a RD, and so on and so forth.

But no one is trading you anything of value unless you first have the value to trade.

Not sure if this applies to LDs though, a Sergachev could net you a Drouin but that is probably about it — unless we look at guys like Hedman.

It seems like it’s becoming more and more important to have the right handidness, Muzzin was brought in to be a RD in Tor but after trying it in the East for a week or two they just gave up. Two thirds of all D prospects are LDs, and only one third are RDs.

Just calling it like I see it, I was arguing for BPA 5 years ago without any reservations whatsoever. But things have changed, teams all over are — passing up — LDs. The amateur pipeline is full of them. 1-2 teams have an opening at LD and like 25 would love to get another RD. Our farm is already extremely tilted towards LDs. If we keep going BPA and most of our picks are LDs its going to hurt the NHL team.

 

[Edge]

Not sure if this applies to LDs though, a Sergachev could net you a Drouin but that is probably about it — unless we look at guys like Hedman.

It seems like it’s becoming more and more important to have the right handidness, Muzzin was brought in to be a RD in Tor but after trying it in the East for a week or two they just gave up. Two thirds of all D prospects are LDs, and only one third are RDs.

Just calling it like I see it, I was arguing for BPA 5 years ago without any reservations whatsoever. But things have changed, teams all over are — passing up — LDs. The amateur pipeline is full of them. 1-2 teams have an opening at LD and like 25 would love to get another RD. Our farm is already extremely tilted towards LDs. If we keep going BPA and most of our picks are LDs its going to hurt the NHL team.

I think it depends on what level we're talking about.

A high-end LD will always have great value. A middle of the road LD will probably have slightly less value than a middle of the road center or a middle of the road RD. But high-end talent is high-end talent.

As for BPA, I've always kind of hedged on those terms because I don't think people realize how subjective they are. People like to say, "just take the BPA" as if there's a universal accord on who that is. That's why there's debates, even within scouting departments.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

I think it depends on what level we're talking about.

A high-end LD will always have great value. A middle of the road LD will probably have slightly less value than a middle of the road center or a middle of the road RD. But high-end talent is high-end talent.

As for BPA, I've always kind of hedged on those terms because I don't think people realize how subjective they are. People like to say, "just take the BPA" as if there's a universal accord on who that is. That's why there's debates, even within scouting departments.

I think where the BPA thing gets really muddy is seeing numbered lists. There’s just a built in way that we already separate numbers into their own tiers that makes the difference between a 6,7,8,9 ranked player and a 10,11,12,13 ranked player visually seem larger than what the difference in reality might be just because there’s two digits. Same (but to a lesser extent) goes for the difference between 19 and 20, 29 and 39, etc.

 

[Edge]

I think where the BPA thing gets really muddy is seeing numbered lists. There’s just a built in way that we already separate numbers into their own tiers that makes the difference between a 6,7,8,9 ranked player and a 10,11,12,13 ranked player visually seem larger than what the difference in reality might be just because there’s two digits. Same (but to a lesser extent) goes for the difference between 19 and 20, 29 and 39, etc.

Exactly.

You give players a ranking because it's easier to understand, but while the difference between 2 and 3 could be significant, the difference between 3 and 9 could be relatively small.

And just because you have a player ranked 15, doesn't mean you don't like him. It just means there are other players you either like more, or think have higher upsides, or any combination of factors.

 

[True Blue]

You're talking about Stepan? the last decade....

2008- Derek Stepan yay
2009- Ethan Werek
2010- Christian Thomas over Toffoli and Zucker
2011- Traded both are 2nd rounders for Tim Erixon?, no Kucherov
2012- Boo Nieves
2013- no picks
2014- Brandon Halverson, no Point
2015- Ryan Gropp
2016- no picks
2017- no picks
2018- Olof Lindbom

That's not enough. With the resources the organization has, we should be doing much better. We should be the ones finding the gems mid-late round

If we want to contend for a cup, our drafting needs to be near the best in the league.

I hated the Lindbom pick, but it is too early to tell yet. In the last 7 years, there were 3 years with no 2nd rounders. One with Lindbom. Two utter busts and Nieves a bust for where he was taken. Like I said, one cannot discount when Sather plundered the system to go for it.

 

[True Blue]

I’m starting to lean towards Byram myself.

Welcome to the dark side

 

[True Blue]

I can't even remember a time like this as a Ranger fan. If we trade picks anytime soon, it needs to be for a foundational piece

You clearly do not recall the dark ages.

Not having draft picks and being average/below average on the actual ones you have = The situation we were in.

In 10 years, you have three hits and 4 years with no picks. One year with MDZ, who has carved out a very nice NHL career. The consensus is that the last two drafts went well, but is too early to tell. That seems a far cry from being below average, no?

Wow. Look at you making me look to be an optimist. Who would have thought?

 

[duhmetreE]

You clearly do not recall the dark ages.

In 10 years, you have three hits and 4 years with no picks. One year with MDZ, who has carved out a very nice NHL career. The consensus is that the last two drafts went well, but is too early to tell. That seems a far cry from being below average, no?

Wow. Look at you making me look to be an optimist. Who would have thought?

The dark ages never produced a Kravstov, Chytil and Miller. If this were the dark ages, Andersson would be the only prospect

Our 1sts have been good, when we had them besides that catastrophic miss. I was talking about the 2nd and 3rd round not producing anything since the last 'core'

 

[True Blue]

The dark ages never produced a Kravstov, Chytil and Miller. If this were the dark ages, Andersson would be the only prospect

Our 1sts have been good, when we had them besides that catastrophic miss. I was talking about the 2nd and 3rd round not producing anything since the last 'core'

Ahh. A complete misunderstanding. My bad. I thought you were referring to not recalling a time with so few prospects in the pipeline.

Odd isn't it? The last core produced multiple 2nd rounders, but with many misses on the first. Now, it seems like the first rounders are hit on, but the 2nd rounders are being missed. Still, one cannot dismiss the years without 1st or 2nd round picks.

 

[I Eat Crow]

I really like Caufield, think he could climb up towards 10 if not higher. Centers have gone so high the last years, but Caufield just plays the way that works offensively. Wouldn’t mind at all if we got him.

It wouldn't at all surprise me to hear that he's on the Rangers' radar with our own 1st round pick.

The Rangers really liked Clayton Keller in his draft year and were prepared to take him 4th overall if the deal with Edmonton went through. Caufield is a player of similar ilk, though more of a sniper than playmaker. Play style reminds me of Cam Atkinson.

With how smaller players are tearing up this league, I think Caufiele has a chance to be taken higher than projected. GM's are starting to catch on.

 

[FireGerardGallant]

Is Caufield the best sniper/scorer in the 1st round?

I feel like he should really be a target even if he rises ala Kravstov or someone we could trade up for ala Miller. He gives you that feeling when he has the puck like something good is about to happen and that he's in control.

In terms of pure scoring, Kaliyev is the best.

 

[Edge]

I would say Caufield is part of a group of players that definitely have a chance to push their way into the top 10.

While not in my top 10, off the top of my head I wouldn't be shocked if Caufield, Kaliyev, Broberg or York are in some team's top 10s right now.

Likewise, I have Newhook, Turcotte and Zegras in my top 10, but I would not be shocked if some teams don't.

 

[Sarge13]

I really like Caufield. Wears #13, I mean how could you go wrong!?

On draft day I'm assuming everyone's going to think the Rangers are in on Turcotte or Caufield cause they're going to Wisconsin to play with Miller.

Btw, Turcotte, Caufield, Miller? The 80's are really making a comeback

 

[Ghost of jas]

I would say Caufield is part of a group of players that definitely have a chance to push their way into the top 10.

While not in my top 10, off the top of my head I wouldn't be shocked if Caufield, Kaliyev, Broberg or York are in some team's top 10s right now.

Likewise, I have Newhook, Turcotte and Zegras in my top 10, but I would not be shocked if some teams don't.

Which of those three centers do you like best?

 

[Sarge13]

I would say Caufield is part of a group of players that definitely have a chance to push their way into the top 10.

While not in my top 10, off the top of my head I wouldn't be shocked if Caufield, Kaliyev, Broberg or York are in some team's top 10s right now.

Likewise, I have Newhook, Turcotte and Zegras in my top 10, but I would not be shocked if some teams don't.

Also, how is Boldy not being brought up in any of these conversations?? Maybe not for our pick but there is really no one else like him projected for the first round, I think he's going to go a lot higher than most think.

Moritz Seider is also flying extremely under the radar.

 

[Trxjw]

I really like Caufield. Wears #13, I mean how could you go wrong!?

On draft day I'm assuming everyone's going to think the Rangers are in on Turcotte or Caufield cause they're going to Wisconsin to play with Miller.

Btw, Turcotte, Caufield, Miller? The 80's are really making a comeback

Or they'll be after Zegras because he's a BU commit that Quinn recruited. Which I selfishly hope plays into things.

 

[Lion Hound]

Also, how is Boldy not being brought up in any of these conversations?? Maybe not for our pick but there is really no one else like him projected for the first round, I think he's going to go a lot higher than most think.

Moritz Seider is also flying extremely under the radar.

Boldy is in my top 10. Reminds me of Ferland with better hands.

 

[Sarge13]

Or they'll be after Zegras because he's a BU commit that Quinn recruited. Which I selfishly hope plays into things.

And then another Quinn recruit in round two:

Cade Webber at eliteprospects.com

6'6 huh? Has Gordie drooling I bet

 

[Sarge13]

Boldy is in my top 10. Reminds me of Ferland with better hands.

I have him going 9-13, somewhere in there. But because he's so unique to the first round there's a chance he can go even higher.

 

[Edge]

Which of those three centers do you like best?

They are all very close IMO. But I have it Turcotte, Newhook and Zegras.