Draft and UDFA Thread 2018-19: Part III

[EdJovanovski]

.. Cole Caulfield

I’m not one to insist on icing a team of big goons but he does not have an NHL body, not interested in him at all and I’m worried we end up drafting him out of need. You can quote me on it Caufield will not even end up being an NHL player, and some team is going to mistake him for the next Debrincat. The only pure sniper is probably Kaliyev whos unfortunately yet another lefty.

 

[egelband]

The fact that the Rangers have three 2nd rounders scares me given the recent history.

Hope they use them to move up in the 1st round.

NY Jets got the third overall with three seconds. NFL, but still.

 

[Savant]

Basically no snipers or right-handed shot wingers though which sucks

I'm kind of warming up to Bobby Brink. Will prob need to move up from Jets pick to get him though

 

[egelband]

The Jets have a tough schedule

View attachment 193359

Look at their next eight games.

The Winnipeg pick could move up.

Yep. They have a coach who gets the very least out of an extremely talented team. In my opinion. So a losing streak and backing into the playoffs is a possibility.

 

[Ghost of jas]

What are we packaging it with to get into the top 15? Best case scenario I don't see the Winnipeg pick being better than 22/23ish??? and that's if they don't win the division and lose in round 1 or 2.
I can't even see that happening if lets say we get Tampa's pick at 31. Would a team at say 14 trade with us for 23/24th and 31st overall? of course if Dallas makes it to round 3 that changes a lot!

St. Louis is only four points behind Winnipeg. The Jets have not been playing well and lost Morrissey for the year. The Jets could easily drop to 3rd.

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

There’s 8 wonderful players, we’ll be picking 9th

 

[Ola]

There’s 8 wonderful players, we’ll be picking 9th

I don’t know, at this stage last season things were perceived a lot different than how the drafted ended up just a few month later. Bode Wilde were in many’s top 15, Kotkaniemi had just started to sniff at a top 20-25 position.

No matter if we pick 6 or 8 or 10 or 12 I think we will find a kid we really like, albeit that someone we believe can be a real difference maker offensively prolly will start to sore after 6 at least.

 

[Ola]

I see a lot people with Cozens over Dach. I watched the Blades vs. Hurricanes game it was mightily clear that Dach is a superior talent. Cozens brings it every night but Dach’s raw ability is as high anyone in this draft. If he’s on the board 4-5 or later and we don’t package the world to move up, I’ll be seriously disappointed. I’d move Kreider for him in a second. He’s like a more agile Ryan Getzlaf.

Is Dach really good enough on his skates to play a bigger role in the NHL?

 

[Ola]

For those asking about the top Undrafted NCAA Free Agents, here are the guys I'm looking at that could sign over the summer....

Nico Sturm at eliteprospects.com
Jimmy Schuldt at eliteprospects.com
Connor Mackey at eliteprospects.com
Ryan Kuffner at eliteprospects.com
Max Veronneau at eliteprospects.com
Mason Jobst at eliteprospects.com
Brinson Pasichnuk at eliteprospects.com
Johnny Walker at eliteprospects.com
Bobby Nardella at eliteprospects.com
Grant Hutton at eliteprospects.com
Taro Hirose at eliteprospects.com
Colton Poolman at eliteprospects.com
Bobo Carpenter at eliteprospects.com
Josh Teves at eliteprospects.com
Joseph Duszak at eliteprospects.com
Mat Robson at eliteprospects.com
Jake Kielly at eliteprospects.com
Zach Jordan at eliteprospects.com
Joe Snively at eliteprospects.com
Austin Rueschhoff at eliteprospects.com
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/234791/cam-lee
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/224640/mason-bergh
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/212961/josh-melnick
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/321198/blake-lizotte
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/116983/dylan-mclaughlin
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/63266/nicholas-jones
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/146117/patrick-newell
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/147601/alec-rauhauser
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/294408/alex-limoges
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/234626/josh-wilkins
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/272172/cameron-donaldson
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/300889/hunter-shepard
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/195161/stefanos-lekkas
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/204410/cale-morris
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/346691/josh-passolt
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/199895/colt-conrad

Taro Hirose is a kid I’ve followed some and really like. Would be hyped about getting him.

 

[Ghost of jas]

There’s 8 wonderful players, we’ll be picking 9th

We heard similar talk last year. Then Montreal took Kotkaniemi at 3 and Arizona took Hayton at 5 and the Rangers ended up with the prospect with 2nd highest offensive upside in the draft. I think even picking 9th will be fine, although I expect them to be as high as 7th.

 

[Joey Bones]

@Ola Taro would make losing Zucc a little less sour!!

 

[duhmetreE]

I’m not one to insist on icing a team of big goons but he does not have an NHL body, not interested in him at all and I’m worried we end up drafting him out of need. You can quote me on it Caufield will not even end up being an NHL player, and some team is going to mistake him for the next Debrincat. The only pure sniper is probably Kaliyev whos unfortunately yet another lefty.

Caulfield has that it factor, he seems to control the puck and the ice. If you haven't noticed the NHL is changing. Caulfield has every talent/skill box checked, and is shifty enough to create space and his size not be a problem. See Kucherov, Point, Gaudreau, Kane, DeBrincat, Marchand etc.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

If I’m Gorton I’m moving heaven and earth to make sure I get one of Dach/Cozens

I feel like those guys are EXTREMELY strong players for the 3/4 spot, better than usual. I’d take Dach/Cozens over Kotkaniemi/Tkachuk for example ALLLL day, and it’s not even remotely close.

I don’t agree at all, i think Cozens/Dach would be a super weak 3/4 in comparisons to other drafts, that’s why i believe this draft is a weak draft

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

I see a lot people with Cozens over Dach. I watched the Blades vs. Hurricanes game it was mightily clear that Dach is a superior talent. Cozens brings it every night but Dach’s raw ability is as high anyone in this draft. If he’s on the board 4-5 or later and we don’t package the world to move up, I’ll be seriously disappointed. I’d move Kreider for him in a second. He’s like a more agile Ryan Getzlaf.

Evaluating players based on one game where they play against eachother seems less then optimal

 

[NYR Viper]

@Ola Taro would make losing Zucc a little less sour!!

Is he the main college UFA they should be targeting? They have lots of contract slots

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

Did some research on recent non NTDP USHL draftees in comparison to Bobby Brink, let's just say he comes out looking real good. Brink is underrated purely because he's short, from a number analysis POV he should probably be a lock to the top 10.

 

[QJL]

Evaluating players based on one game where they play against eachother seems less then optimal

How many comments on these boards do I have on Dach over the past year I wonder? Evaluating posters based on one post is less than* a fair shake.

 

[offdacrossbar]

I see a lot people with Cozens over Dach. I watched the Blades vs. Hurricanes game it was mightily clear that Dach is a superior talent. Cozens brings it every night but Dach’s raw ability is as high anyone in this draft. If he’s on the board 4-5 or later and we don’t package the world to move up, I’ll be seriously disappointed. I’d move Kreider for him in a second. He’s like a more agile Ryan Getzlaf.

the skating thing. hes huge but that stride gives me pause. not a bad skater, just not a great skater in a draft class with some VERY good skating forwards. here, he doesnt stand out.

I've watched him and i will agree, pure creative talent wise, hes right up there with anyone in this draft. he seems to shoot second too much but hes a very good passer and set up guy. deft playmaker.

big tall kid with a short kinda quick stride. that can be taught out of him im sure with pro coaching.

hes in the kevin hayes mold. tall, strong, good skater and great passer. more passer than scorer and certainly projects as a pivot as a pro.

good solid top 7 player in this draft.

still prefer the overall package that dylan cozens brings. all things being equal, cozens' wheels are high end and he can play both C and W in the pros. his puck strength, finish and physical edge give him the nod for me.

 

[Sarge13]

Is he the main college UFA they should be targeting? They have lots of contract slots

I don't know if he's the main guy but he's leading the NCAA in scoring, he should definitely be on our radar.

Joe Duszak, RHD, Mercyhurst, 26 points in his last 17 games and 95 points in 97 career college games.

I like Ryan Kuffner too, LW, Princeton's all time leading scorer.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

How many comments on these boards do I have on Dach over the past year I wonder? Evaluating posters based on one post is less than* a fair shake.

Fair, but your post implied that you based it off of that one game.

 

[bl02]

St. Louis is only four points behind Winnipeg. The Jets have not been playing well and lost Morrissey for the year. The Jets could easily drop to 3rd.

That would be step one. Losing in round 1 or round 2 would be the next step. Let's just hope they don't win the division for now.

 

[Ghost of jas]

That would be step one. Losing in round 1 or round 2 would be the next step. Let's just hope they don't win the division for now.

I'm thinking Nashville wins the division. I'm hoping St. Louis only passes the Jets, but, beats them in round 1, too.

 

[offdacrossbar]

If I’m Gorton I’m moving heaven and earth to make sure I get one of Dach/Cozens

I feel like those guys are EXTREMELY strong players for the 3/4 spot, better than usual. I’d take Dach/Cozens over Kotkaniemi/Tkachuk for example ALLLL day, and it’s not even remotely close.

you sure ?

brady is having a terrific rookie season right outa BU. kids a stud

and Kot is having himself a great season for the habs as well. kid made the nhl as an 18 yr old.

it isnt nearly as clear cut as you are saying here and im not sure i would agree at all.

as good as cozens and dach look, those 2 guys are doing it now.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

LOL at taking Dach/Cozens over any of the 2018 top 9 (barring Hayton maybe) with hindsight, that's a WOOOOOOF comment right there.

 

[QJL]

Fair, but your post implied that you based it off of that one game.

I think a side by side comparison of two players is as revelatory as it gets.

To previous comments, I can understand the logic behind Cozens skating in comparison to Dach. Cozens is the safer pick. Dach is the upside pick. This team needs to draft based on upside.