Draft and UDFA Thread 2018-19: Part III

[Edge]

I'd argue that our defensive depth is not nearly as deep as some may want to believe.

Unless we want to corner the market on second and third pairing defenseman.

And thus we're back to the process needing time and the idea that we need to keep accumulating prospects.

There's really no way around it, no matter how hard we try to skirt the issue, dance around it, hop over it, tunnel under it, ignore it, etc.

And at the end of the day, the Rangers really don't give two ***** who we think is the BPA.

So we can debate our ideas and opinions until we're blue in the face, but we can't assume that we speak for the Rangers.

 

[Bluenote13]

We were set with left defenseman years ago when we took Brady Skjei. He was one of the best players we could have taken around that draft spot and I don't even think that's debatable.

Of course there's places in the draft where if all else is even you should take a forward if you're thin at that position.

And don't act like this is a 20-something pick in the draft, you're talking about taking the drafts best defenseman.

Rangers have taken 3 forwards and 2 Dmen with their last 5 firsts. Plus, the next two years will have plenty of good forwards and we're already in line to have some good picks to work with.

Please, no goalies....

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Even if Miller becomes at #1, what is wrong with having two of them? Between Bowen and Miller, they can cover the left side for virtually the entire game.

Absolutely nothing. I'm a big time believer of building from the net out. We'll still need that top line center prospect but we could get that next year in a very good 2020 draft.

 

[Edge]

I can understand someone not wanting to pass on Turcotte for, say, Harley.

And I get the love for Cozens and other forwards. Justifiably so, they're very good prospects and I'd love to add them.

I totally get liking some of them more than Byram. I don't think that's an unfair POV.

But I don't want to disqualify Byram solely because he's a defenseman, or because of who we have in the system.

I think you can make a strong case for him BPA, assuming he's even on the board when we pick. But more importantly, there's really only one other player in our pipeline we can mention in the same sentence as Byram. And that's not nearly enough for me automatically pass on him.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

If Byram is actually there when we pick (6-9) then he’s pretty much by far the “BPA” by all the definitions of the phrase.

Personally, I doubt he’s avilable where we pick. And if he were, I think Gorton and Clark would run to the podium like schoolgirls.

 

[offdacrossbar]

I'd argue that our defensive depth is not nearly as deep as some may want to believe.

Unless we want to corner the market on second and third pairing defenseman.

And thus we're back to the process needing time and the idea that we need to keep accumulating prospects.

There's really no way around it, no matter how hard we try to skirt the issue, dance around it, hop over it, tunnel under it, ignore it, etc.

And at the end of the day, the Rangers really don't give two ***** who we think is the BPA.

So we can debate our ideas and opinions until we're blue in the face, but we can't assume that we speak for the Rangers.

wait what ? are we rewriting history here ? is it B "defensive" PA or B "offensive" PA given our organizational needs ?? suddenly, it seems or D prospects arent really that strong ?? its just quantity over quality. what does that make the forward prospects ? because there aint much there after kravtsov.

i thought we were told that k'andre had 1st pair upside ?

and lundqvist was a 1st rounder too. certainly, with his skills hes atleast a top 3-4 guy

and hajek was "the guy" in the mcd27 deal. he was the guy we had to have in that deal.

rykov ? kean. lindgren...

yet the forward list is pretty short or non existent after the russian.

doesn't seem like I'm hearing the answer here. we have MANY D prospects that range from potential 1st pair to 3rd pair plus youngins 76, 77 and 44 now.

the forward depth ?? nada. zip. zilch. and lets not forget 36 and 13 are gone too.

still not sure im seeing that impact forward if we draft bowen byram with our first pick.

just don't see the logic in picking byram over the next forward whos the BPA when our forward depth is so weak not to mention our roster forwards arent much to brag about either after 20 and 93.

hopefully, BB is gone before we pick

 

[Joey Bones]

@offdacrossbar
Bowen Byram has been consistent all year long. He is the only defenseman in this draft who has exponential top pair upside as a minute munching, two-way defender and is already breaking records. IDK, how is he not BPA at No. 3....

 

[ElLeetch]

If Byram is actually there when we pick (6-9) then he’s pretty much by far the “BPA” by all the definitions of the phrase.

Personally, I doubt he’s avilable where we pick. And if he were, I think Gorton and Clark would run to the podium like schoolgirls.

This is where I am. If he is there in the 6-9 range, he is the clear BPA for me, *and* a need. we have to take him.

 

[Edge]

wait what ? are we rewriting history here ? is it B "defensive" PA or B "offensive" PA given our organizational needs ?? suddenly, it seems or D prospects arent really that strong ?? its just quantity over quality. what does that make the forward prospects ? because there aint much there after kravtsov.

i thought we were told that k'andre had 1st pair upside ?

and lundqvist was a 1st rounder too. certainly, with his skills hes atleast a top 3-4 guy

and hajek was "the guy" in the mcd27 deal. he was the guy we had to have in that deal.

rykov ? kean. lindgren...

yet the forward list is pretty short or non existent after the russian.

doesn't seem like I'm hearing the answer here. we have MANY D prospects that range from potential 1st pair to 3rd pair plus youngins 76, 77 and 44 now.

the forward depth ?? nada. zip. zilch. and lets not forget 36 and 13 are gone too.

still not sure im seeing that impact forward if we draft bowen byram with our first pick.

just don't see the logic in picking byram over the next forward whos the BPA when our forward depth is so weak not to mention our roster forwards arent much to brag about either after 20 and 93.

hopefully, BB is gone before we pick

Personally, I don’t really view it as one or the other.

For me it’s like arguing over which downtown pothole to fix first.

 

[duhmetreE]

If we win the 3rd pick, who do we take? Byram? Turcotte?

 

[Joey Bones]

If we win the 3rd pick, who do we take? Byram? Turcotte?

I'd say so!!

 

[Edge]

If we win the 3rd pick, who do we take? Byram? Turcotte?

Great question.

If I have third pick, and Hughes and Kakko are off the board (obviously), it’s either Cozens or Byram for me.

 

[Joey Bones]

Been watching a lot of Grigori Dronov, lately. Big, mobile defensive defender with some offensive flair. If he can stay healthy, I'd look to him as a Undrafted FA option for NYR in the summer!!

 

[True Blue]

Great question.

If I have third pick, and Hughes and Kakko are off the board (obviously), it’s either Cozens or Byram for me.

Becoming less and less of a hard decision for me. Byram and then trade into the middle of the round and take whatever forward happens to fall.

 

[McRanger]

Great question.

If I have third pick, and Hughes and Kakko are off the board (obviously), it’s either Cozens or Byram for me.

I've been a huge fan of Cozens since I saw him play last year, so either would thrill me.

 

[Trxjw]

I think Byram is the clear #3 at this point. As much as I like Cozens and Dach, he's stepped out as the leader of that 2nd tier group, IMO.

 

[duhmetreE]

If Byram helps us to get the puck out, I'm game. I'm tired of clearing to the neutral zone, banging it off the glass, icing it and/or giving up possession

It would pair nicely with the signing of Panarin

It would also really open up the prospect of trading Skjei for a RHD ( Trouba ) or top6 player ( Nylander? Kapanen+? )

Just let me fantasize... in 2020

Byram ADA
Miller Trouba
Hajek Lundkvist

 

[FireGerardGallant]

If we win the 3rd pick, who do we take? Byram? Turcotte?

Been saying Byram all year so I’ll stick with that

 

[offdacrossbar]

gotta go dylan cozens for sure

too much talent there to pass on a kid who easily becomes our 1A top prospect and can play pivot or wing both.

cozens' high impact potential is greater than byram imo.

 

[duhmetreE]

gotta go dylan cozens for sure

too much talent there to pass on a kid who easily becomes our 1A top prospect and can play pivot or wing both.

cozens' high impact potential is greater than byram imo.

Is it accurate to say he's a 'better variation' of Kreider?

 

[Justin17]

What do people think of Turcotte? It’s a toss up between Turcotte and Byram at 3rd for me. Seems most people here aren’t that high on him though.

 

[offdacrossbar]

Is it accurate to say he's a 'better variation' of Kreider?

kreider with more natural intuitive hockey sense.

his skating is just so pure. hes fast and quick and big. what sets him apart from CK for me is the finish and the understanding of how to finish. CK still leaves me wanting much more. CK comes off as more mechanical to me. fast is great but there needs to be more there.

cozens overall package is that of a true 1C and that has enormous value plus he can move to the wall and be more of a scorer with that lethal shot. how long have we wanted that?

BPA and a centerman ?? done. and done.

byram who

 

[Off Sides]

I know everyone ranks prospects differently.

I ask this as a person who really has no mean to follow them.

Which prospect in this up coming draft would people trade Kreider and the Jets 1st for (assume it's ~28?)

Like if (name your lowest ranked prospect) is there, at which ever pick and that trade is on the table you pull the trigger?

 

[duhmetreE]

When/where ( tourney / league ) has Cozens lined up at Center?

 

[offdacrossbar]

When/where ( tourney / league ) has Cozens lined up at Center?

hes the 2C for lethbridge this season and last