Draft and UDFA Thread 2018-19

[Edge]

Off the top of my head, with the 2018 draft:

Zadina was projected a fringe 1st rounder in August
Kotkaniemi was ranked around 30 in December
Kravtsov wasn't ranked in the 1st round at all
Wahlstrom was ranked top-5 all year

Bingo.

The one thing we can be sure of is that there are going to several guys who we're not even talking about right now, who could end up being high picks.

Likewise, there will almost certainly be several guys we're drooling over, who drop right out of the first half of the first round.

I freely admit that at the moment there are 6 guys who have really caught my eye heading into this season. That's not to say they are the be-all and end-all, but I'll probably be a little more intrigued to see how they perform as the season plays out.

 

[Mac n Gs]

The thing that stands out with Newhook is that he has a little swagger to his game. There's a little bit of Barzal in him when he's on the ice.

I’d say that’s a pretty good comparable as of now. He has the same ability to attack with speed and at really sharp angles that most skaters can’t do. He’s also usually a step ahead of the play, so you see a lot of his passes getting whiffed on because his teammates don’t keep up well.

He’s ahead of where Turris and Jost were in there D-1 years, so it’ll be interesting to see where he ends up in relation to Gomez, Turris, and Jost. He needs to be over a 2.2+ ppg player this season to match them.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Off the top of my head, with the 2018 draft:

Zadina was projected a fringe 1st rounder in August
Kotkaniemi was ranked around 30 in December
Kravtsov wasn't ranked in the 1st round at all
Wahlstrom was ranked top-5 all year

Was looking at some early 2018 mock drafts and Dobson wasn’t in the first round either.

 

[Ghost of jas]

The thing that stands out with Newhook is that he has a little swagger to his game. There's a little bit of Barzal in him when he's on the ice.

The Rangers could use a player like that. Maybe with the approach they’ve been taking by adding players like Andersson, Hajek, Howden and Lindgren, Newhook becomes even more appealing.

I know it may be a lot to ask, but, my hope is that 1) the Rangers finish with a top 5 pick, 2) they add two more 1sts (not counting the TB pick), and 3) they add both a potential 1C and a 1D with two of those 1sts.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Honestly, I’d be satisfied with a top-10 pick with the way the top of this draft is looking.

Top-5 would be ideal, though.

We’ll probably surprise and sneak in as an 8th seed though. Because Rangers.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Still think that this team can only possibly sneak in as an 8th seed if everything goes right for them (within reason, no stupid unrealistic shit like a 100 point season from Chytil.)

They don’t have the quality depth up front to make a run. Forget Hank going down with an injury, if either Kreider or Zibanejad go down long term they’re f***ed.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Still think that this team can only possibly sneak in as an 8th seed if everything goes right for them (within reason, no stupid unrealistic **** like a 100 point season from Chytil.)

They don’t have the quality depth up front to make a run. Forget Hank going down with an injury, if either Kreider or Zibanejad go down long term they’re ****ed.

But, they were playing the likes of O’Gara and Sproul on defense last year...which is exactly what they’ll be doing this year when injuries strike.

 

[ElLeetch]

Still think that this team can only possibly sneak in as an 8th seed if everything goes right for them (within reason, no stupid unrealistic **** like a 100 point season from Chytil.)

They don’t have the quality depth up front to make a run. Forget Hank going down with an injury, if either Kreider or Zibanejad go down long term they’re ****ed.

Forget all that. our D for this season is hot garbage on a *good* day.

 

[True Blue]

But, they were playing the likes of O’Gara and Sproul on defense last year...which is exactly what they’ll be doing this year when injuries strike.

Unless they get lapped by the likes of Lingren & Hajek.

 

[True Blue]

Forget all that. our D for this season is hot garbage on a *good* day.

Not that I believe that our D will be great this year, but one cannot underestimate what playing in a competent (read: NOT AV's) system may do.

 

[Edge]

The Rangers could use a player like that. Maybe with the approach they’ve been taking by adding players like Andersson, Hajek, Howden and Lindgren, Newhook becomes even more appealing.

I know it may be a lot to ask, but, my hope is that 1) the Rangers finish with a top 5 pick, 2) they add two more 1sts (not counting the TB pick), and 3) they add both a potential 1C and a 1D with two of those 1sts.

Assuming that the 6 players I particularly like don't regress, I'd love a top 5 pick in this draft --- I think there are potential first line centers to be drafted.

IMO, finding a top pairing defenseman is going to be a little harder in this draft --- at least based on how it looks right now. I feel like there's Byram, and there's a sizable gap until the next tier. Additionally, within that next tier, there's a wide variety of opinions on who/what we're looking at --- with Honka being the name that probably comes up the most.

I'd love to have 3 first rounders again, though I feel like the first round is going to be forward heavy. I'd say the Rangers might have an easier time finding options for the wings than on defense.

But for as much as it may pain some people, from a business standpoint, I want the Bolts to win the cup so that we have another first. In that same mindset, I just can't help but feel that Zucc is probably a goner at the deadline. If they want to resign him in the offseason, so be it. But I think he's the Rangers best bet for landing another first.

 

[True Blue]

But for as much as it may pain some people, from a business standpoint, I want the Bolts to win the cup so that we have another first. In that same mindset, I just can't help but feel that Zucc is probably a goner at the deadline. If they want to resign him in the offseason, so be it. But I think he's the Rangers best bet for landing another first.

Agreed with sentiment and rooting factor. I also believe it is imperative for the Rangers to land at least another first rounder (Here's looking at you, Zuc).

 

[Edge]

Agreed with sentiment and rooting factor. I also believe it is imperative for the Rangers to land at least another first rounder (Here's looking at you, Zuc).

I get that some people can't root for another team, and I'm aware of the ... strong feelings that certain posters have concerning the Bolts.

But in this case, the Rangers have a vested interest that aligns with where they're hoping to be in 5 years.

If the team can come away with a pick in the top 5, a pick in the mid 20s, and Tampa's pick, that would be fantastic.

Ideally, I'd love to nab a potential first line center, a potential top 6 wing, and a potential top 4 RHD.

If there's an oppotunity to add prospects and additional picks as well, even better.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Honestly, I’d be satisfied with a top-10 pick with the way the top of this draft is looking.

Top-5 would be ideal, though.

We’ll probably surprise and sneak in as an 8th seed though. Because Rangers.

I don't think its that good of a draft. Maybe above average, but I don't think we can write off the importance of picking in the first few picks of the draft. This team needs top 3 talents added to the team. Adding guys like Andersson and Kravtsov definitely helps, but if this team doesn't start adding the Dahlin's and Svechnikov's, we aren't going to be on the trajectory teams like Toronto and Winnipeg are on now.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Assuming that the 6 players I particularly like don't regress, I'd love a top 5 pick in this draft --- I think there are potential first line centers to be drafted.

IMO, finding a top pairing defenseman is going to be a little harder in this draft --- at least based on how it looks right now. I feel like there's Byram, and there's a sizable gap until the next tier. Additionally, within that next tier, there's a wide variety of opinions on who/what we're looking at --- with Honka being the name that probably comes up the most.

I'd love to have 3 first rounders again, though I feel like the first round is going to be forward heavy. I'd say the Rangers might have an easier time finding options for the wings than on defense.

But for as much as it may pain some people, from a business standpoint, I want the Bolts to win the cup so that we have another first. In that same mindset, I just can't help but feel that Zucc is probably a goner at the deadline. If they want to resign him in the offseason, so be it. But I think he's the Rangers best bet for landing another first.

To be honest, a forward-heavy 1st round would benefit the Rangers. IMO, they are much deeper on D than at forward, especially regarding NHL-ready players. They could use at least two more potential high-end forwards. And, maybe one of the D-men in the system develops into a top-pairing candidate.

I’ve mentioned this before, but, truthfully the Rangers would really benefit from back-to-back bottom five finishes, with luck allowing them the opportunity to add both a 1C and a 1D. But, considering the mess I expect this board to be in what I expect to be a very awful season this year, I’m not sure this board could handle it.

 

[Mac n Gs]

I don't think its that good of a draft. Maybe above average, but I don't think we can write off the importance of picking in the first few picks of the draft. This team needs top 3 talents added to the team. Adding guys like Andersson and Kravtsov definitely helps, but if this team doesn't start adding the Dahlin's and Svechnikov's, we aren't going to be on the trajectory teams like Toronto and Winnipeg are on now.

I think it’s just very top heavy as of now. There aren’t many eye-popping names that trickle into 2nd round options like last year. It may sort itself out that way, but it’s not like that now.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

I think our lack of a true “bluechip” D prospect could be mitigated by the amount of depth we have at the position; lots of really good defenseman start out merely as “solid” prospects. So, if one of the guys we have in the system takes a step or two forward and develops into a legitimately high end player, it wouldn’t surprise me at all.

 

[Joey Bones]

Good job, @Andy Lehoux digging the new look vids!!

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Good job, @Andy Lehoux digging the new look vids!!

Preseason measurements also have Turcotte at 6'2 189 now, and he plays bigger than his height and weight anyway.

 

[Ola]

I don't think its that good of a draft. Maybe above average, but I don't think we can write off the importance of picking in the first few picks of the draft. This team needs top 3 talents added to the team. Adding guys like Andersson and Kravtsov definitely helps, but if this team doesn't start adding the Dahlin's and Svechnikov's, we aren't going to be on the trajectory teams like Toronto and Winnipeg are on now.

Yeah, kids will raise as well as fall a ton. It’s hard to predict how deep a top 5-10 will be right now.

I think a good rule of thumb is that a good top 10 pick should be capable to play a solid game in the U20 WJC. Ie a good top 10 pick should be able to play at a level where last years top players are the standouts, Kotkaniemi and the likes.

How many guys could do that now? It’s going to be more come December/January and then a lot will happen again the last weeks of the hockey season with the U18 and POs and so forth.

But the tests during the year goes both ways. Some will pass them others won’t.

 

[Joey Bones]

 

[Joey Bones]

Myllyla with another snipe!! 3+2=5 in 3 games so far. Looks dominant out there. Really want to see what he does in Liiga!!

 

[Joey Bones]

Took the time today to watch some Broberg game video. He's an excellent skater, has a powerful shot (both wrist and slap) and has good awareness of who's open on offense....

He does have cons, just like most 17/18 year olds would. He's not physically mature yet for the physical game. When I saw him go in the corners to battle, he kept getting bumped off by the opposing player, causing offensive chances against. He's also a little too confident when skating up the ice with the puck. Sometimes, I feel, he thinks the game faster than his body can react, ultimately causing a turnover and a chance the other way. Luckily, he is fast enough to catch up, but one needs to avoid turnovers.

There's one glaring concern that I have for his game, though. He's a bit lazy. Defensively, he tries to swat or poke the puck away from the opposing offense instead of tracking the body. The opponent can easily make a deke or adjust in some way to easily get around him. And it's not like his stick is out in the lane of the puck-handler. It just stays off to the side and allows the opponent to create something 1-on-1. That won't translate well in the NHL. He's got to learn to use his body to stop forward progression and use the stick in the lane to knock the puck off.

Overall, the main thing he needs to learn is to limit opponents from scoring attempts and to be more physical. For someone with his size and skating pedigree, it shouldn't be too difficult. It's still preseason, but I feel this will differentiate between being a 1st round pick to a 3rd round pick.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Broberg reminds me of Miller. Same strengths and weaknesses, in my opinion.

 

[Joey Bones]

Broberg reminds me of Miller. Same strengths and weaknesses, in my opinion.

I could see it. I actually feel Broberg is more raw than to Miller, as I see Miller's defensive game is a little more polished. Intriguing prospect, nonetheless....