Draft and UDFA Thread 2018-19: Part VII (No Kakko/Hughes Talk)

[darko]

Where is the tape that makes Podkolzin the undisputed 3rd OV? The dude is like riding a performance that was a year ago against kids, seems to me ...

I'd love for CHI to draft him, but they will be smarter than that and he'll drop in my book. Pretty much DND in my book.

I think Chicago will take Byram.

 

[WeRa]

Newhook and it's not close. The potential is there for Newhook to be a top line center. He has the tools to make it happen. Having a great postseason, playing with a chip on his shoulder.

I would not grind my teeth at Caufield, clearly the kid has talent. But the size is a concern for me.

Cole Caufield is almost the same size as Alex DeBrincat.. or very close to Zucc. No problem for me.

 

[Ola]

I think Chicago will take Byram.

Yeah, that seems to make sense. Good call!

Even if they of course will evaluate players to a large extent from a BPA perspective, they do have Toews and Strome at center and some scoring wingers, but they could certainly use a heir to Keith.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Yeah, that seems to make sense. Good call!

Even if they of course will evaluate players to a large extent from a BPA perspective, they do have Toews and Strome at center and some scoring wingers, but they could certainly use a heir to Keith.

Either Chicago or Colorado. They both can use Byram.

 

[Ola]

Cole Caufield is almost the same size as Alex DeBrincat.. or very close to Zucc. No problem for me.

Yeah, but OTOH he doesn't have the ability to transport the puck that DeBrincat has.

From my POV, it all depends on which perspective you are evaluating him in. If we look at him in comparison to the predicted top 5/10 picks, I have concerns about him. In relation to the top 20/25 picks I have no concern. I think his potential is high, but still absolutely limited to becoming a 1-way scorer. Someone that more often than not scores 25-30 goals, but not someone that can lead a team etc.

My statistical knowledge is not the best, but I think its correct to assume that -- nobody -- can keep up an extreme shooting percentage over several seasons. Like in the U18s Caufield is scoring on over 40% of his shots. He won't score on 25% of his shots in the NHL.

I think hockey players should be ranked at the spot were it starts to hurt and give you real concern, but not higher than that and not as low that you are confident about the pick. Its like buying an apartment, its usually good to pay a price that you start to feel uncomfortable about. Hence I think that Caufield belongs in the 10-15 range. Draft him at a position where you are glad if you get a Jeff Skinner type, not higher or lower than that.

 

[Ola]

Either Chicago or Colorado. They both can use Byram.

I think that Colorado is taking Turcotte, but its just a gut feeling. Think that Sakic is really keen on getting that 1-2 punch at center.

 

[Ola]

Karl Henriksson is a kid I would be really glad if we got either with a Dallas 1st, if we get it, or our first 2nd. Everyone have him ranked in the 3rd round but that is just way too low. Size is no issue, he is built like a Marchand. Really smart, really skilled, has potential to become a great and very effective skater. B Point type that has that Point-ish upside.

I also think that he just seem to be a kid that has a lot of growth potential. He has gained a ton on his peers from last season to the start of this season, and has kept that up during this season. He is a very strong skater in traffic and has that deceptive speed and good edge-work, but he still doesn't have that stamina and strength to relentlessly move his feet for a full shift and just hammer away with his skates. If he can acquire that, he could easily leap-frog another good 30 or so of his peers from this season to next season, and that would quite clearly put him in the top 15 range more or less over night.

 

[darko]

Yeah, that seems to make sense. Good call!

Even if they of course will evaluate players to a large extent from a BPA perspective, they do have Toews and Strome at center and some scoring wingers, but they could certainly use a heir to Keith.

Yeah that's what I'm thinking.

 

[Edge]

What happened to the board mock draft/draft ranking vote we were doing?

 

[offdacrossbar]

suddenly podkolzin is at the back of my top 10

hughes
kakko
byram
cozens
dach
turcotte
krebs
zegras
boldy
podkolzin

 

[WeRa]

Yeah, but OTOH he doesn't have the ability to transport the puck that DeBrincat has.

From my POV, it all depends on which perspective you are evaluating him in. If we look at him in comparison to the predicted top 5/10 picks, I have concerns about him. In relation to the top 20/25 picks I have no concern. I think his potential is high, but still absolutely limited to becoming a 1-way scorer. Someone that more often than not scores 25-30 goals, but not someone that can lead a team etc.

My statistical knowledge is not the best, but I think its correct to assume that -- nobody -- can keep up an extreme shooting percentage over several seasons. Like in the U18s Caufield is scoring on over 40% of his shots. He won't score on 25% of his shots in the NHL.

I think hockey players should be ranked at the spot were it starts to hurt and give you real concern, but not higher than that and not as low that you are confident about the pick. Its like buying an apartment, its usually good to pay a price that you start to feel uncomfortable about. Hence I think that Caufield belongs in the 10-15 range. Draft him at a position where you are glad if you get a Jeff Skinner type, not higher or lower than that.

You are absolutely right. Cole Caufield isn't DeBrincat's level but is almost the same size. So I wrote that his size is not a problem for me.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

What happened to the board mock draft/draft ranking vote we were doing?

Team Board Mock Draft
This one?

 

[True Blue]

Cole Caufield is almost the same size as Alex DeBrincat.. or very close to Zucc. No problem for me.

1. In the entire league, how many other such mighty mites are there?
2. Hanging your hat on him being the next DeBrincat or Zucc is pretty dangerous.

 

[True Blue]

If you have an inquiry on a specific player, let us know and we can do our best to give our insight!!

Interestingly, Dorofeyev is pretty consistently in the second. Nikolayev is also either in 2nd (where I would expect him) and a third in another.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

I get worrying about Caufield’s size and all, but he plays that tenacious kind of game that helps most small players succeed in the NHL

 

[Edge]

Team Board Mock Draft
This one?

No someone was doing one with just our board.

Though I do find that thread interesting. Funny to see the split between where the scouts supposedly have Podkolzin and where the site sees him.

Also have to somewhat LOL at the Zegras to Edmonton pick. I love Zegras but it would be very much like Edmonton to pick another center.

 

[offdacrossbar]

I get worrying about Caufield’s size and all, but he plays that tenacious kind of game that helps most small players succeed in the NHL

outstanding shot and ability to finish. msl had that too.

he is tiny though.

size isnt the concern. durability perhaps but the kid can shoot it.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Dream scenario?

Columbus Carolina ECF
Dallas Colorado WCF

= Pick 18 + Dallas 1st rounder 28/30-31

2, 18, 28/30-31, 37, 58.

Insert Trades here

Pick #2 plus 2 more top 12's

Kakko, Turcotte/Dach/Newhook & York/Soderstrom.

Doubt anyone would trade out with those guys on the board but man why not try to load up?

 

[eco's bones]

Among the issues with Podkolzin is he's probably not going to be coming over for at least two years which for teams that have questions about him to begin puts any kind of immediate return from him out of the question and if you're a team that wants your pick playing in the next year or two then guys like Cozens and Dach and maybe even Turcotte, Zegras and Boldy all have a chance to be in your lineup by 20-21. Meanwhile Podkolzin might be coming over for 21-22 but he might have all the cultural/language/North American hockey issues to work his way through too. Add to that a kind of iffy season compared to others and there is a real potential for him to drop. For a team between say 12 and 15 though he could be a huge get because he does have a real chance to be one of the top players out of this draft. If he's around at 18 and the Rangers haven't moved up--I think we'd have to grab him. It would almost probably mean guys like Newhook, Soderstrom, Caufied were off the board by then anyway.

 

[Lays]

Button says he wouldn’t bat an eyelash if Caufield went top 3

 

[Edge]

Button says he wouldn’t bat an eyelash if Caufield went top 3

I am always somewhat amused by the draft day build up.

It gets to the point where the list of players deserving to go in the top 10 swells to 15, and every player is a superstar in the making.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

outstanding shot and ability to finish. msl had that too.

he is tiny though.

size isnt the concern. durability perhaps but the kid can shoot it.

It’s not even just about his shot for me, I’ve been pretty vocal about how I don’t like players that rely too heavily on their shot at lower levels, but with Caufield, he’s got the brains to get himself to those spots to score, he forechecks, he’s a pretty good passer, he’s just well rounded (even though his shot stands out way more than his other strengths) that I think that even if his goal scoring doesn’t fully translate up, he’s still bringing things to the table to let him be an NHLer

 

[CommaSynapse]

I'm surprised we're not in on more UDFAs to try to fill the RHD hole. 7 contract slots, not including anyone we let walk in guys like Bigras, Brickley, O'Gara, Gilmour, Bergman, Nell, Halverson, Tokarski, etc.

Oliwer Kaski is intriguing...23 year old 6'4" RHD. Led the Pelicans in scoring with 51 points in 59 games.

I'd also try out someone like Marcus Bjork...6'3" 21 y/o RHD.

NCAA--Saccoman, Yoon, Kallen. Nothing crazy, but could help in HFD in time.

 

[Edge]

Caufield has the potential to be a very good NHL player.

The question is can he be great. It's the full ceiling I am not quite sure of. Right now I see him as a top support player type.

But could he be a line driver or a top offensive threat for a team? Maybe.

To me, that's the debate at this point. If you think he's a support player, albeit a very good one, that's probably a pick between 11-15.

If you think he's more than that, and a driving force, now you're talking about the top 10.

At the end of the day, goal scorers are usually seen as sexier picks. Especially if they're seen as "natural" goal scorers.

Third seems a bit much for me. But I could easily envision Caufield being in play when you start getting to Buffalo and Edmonton.

 

[NYR Viper]

I'm surprised we're not in on more UDFAs to try to fill the RHD hole. 7 contract slots, not including anyone we let walk in guys like Bigras, Brickley, O'Gara, Gilmour, Bergman, Nell, Halverson, Tokarski, etc.

Oliwer Kaski is intriguing...23 year old 6'4" RHD. Led the Pelicans in scoring with 51 points in 59 games.

I'd also try out someone like Marcus Bjork...6'3" 21 y/o RHD.

NCAA--Saccoman, Yoon, Kallen. Nothing crazy, but could help in HFD in time.

I think part of the issue is there isn't going to be a ton of room down there with the swell of draft picks and players acquired via trade