Prospect Info: 2017 NHL Draft Part III

[Zippy316]

McKenzie's Top 15....

http://www.tsn.ca/patrick-hischier-i...nking-1.736258

I wonder how much of these lists are scouts trying to skew the rankings?

Like if I were the Devils picking #5, I would rank the guy I want really low and rank someone like Heiskanen high.

Click to read more...

 

[Cheddabombs]

I can't imagine any of those lists being purposefully skewed by teams just to throw other teams off. They spend so many resources on scouting these guys year round, these teams trust their scouting departments to deliver. To almost throw it to the wayside or even question their own list because of a consensus list like that is silly. Like if a team has Heiskanen at ~8 would they suddenly go against their scouts because of this list? I really doubt that.

 

[Zippy316]

I can't imagine any of those lists being purposefully skewed by teams just to throw other teams off. They spend so many resources on scouting these guys year round, these teams trust their scouting departments to deliver. To almost throw it to the wayside or even question their own list because of a consensus list like that is silly. Like if a team has Heiskanen at ~8 would they suddenly go against their scouts because of this list? I really doubt that.

I'm saying the lists they submit to McKenzie.

I don't think they change their own list. But let's say the Devils like Mittlestadt. I'd put him at 7 in the list I submit with Heiskanen and Makar ahead of him.

If they polled 15 staffs, these mind games would probably even out anyways.

 

[Cheddabombs]

I'm saying the lists they submit to McKenzie.

I don't think they change their own list. But let's say the Devils like Mittlestadt. I'd put him at 7 in the list I submit with Heiskanen and Makar ahead of him.

If they polled 15 staffs, these mind games would probably even out anyways.

Yea but I'm just saying I don't think those mind games are throwing anyone off. Team X's scouting department won't start second guessing the list they've spent years gathering information for and shaping just because a consensus list like this differs from their own.

Anyway, can't wait for the lottery on Saturday so we can finally start getting a good idea of who we could be drafting. There are so many players I'd be open to landing which is a nice feeling.

 

[Devils Dominion]

I wonder how much of these lists are scouts trying to skew the rankings?

Like if I were the Devils picking #5, I would rank the guy I want really low and rank someone like Heiskanen high.

I'm sure it happens, gamesmanship.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Yea but I'm just saying I don't think those mind games are throwing anyone off. Team X's scouting department won't start second guessing the list they've spent years gathering information for and shaping just because a consensus list like this differs from their own.

Anyway, can't wait for the lottery on Saturday so we can finally start getting a good idea of who we could be drafting. There are so many players I'd be open to landing which is a nice feeling.

It absolutely shouldn't since all these scouts have been following these players all year.

 

[Billdo]

If we aren't picking first or second I really want Glass or Mittelstadt. Kind of obvious but they to me fit exactly what we are trying to do and have less question marks than a Tippett or Liljegren

 

[Zippy316]

It absolutely shouldn't since all these scouts have been following these players all year.

But there has to be some degree of who is picking who involved.

You have your own list sure, but you definitely would like to know what other teams or other scouts.

 

[Emperoreddy]

But there has to be some degree of who is picking who involved.

You have your own list sure, but you definitely would like to know what other teams or other scouts.

Sure but it still shouldn't change much. You just shift to the next guy on your list if you know the guy you really want is going to be taken (or start working out a trade).

There isn't much reason to change your list because of what other scouts have since the list is completely based player skill and organizational need.

Knowing the other team's list allowed Shero to successfully trade back and still get his guy, but we were always taking McLeod there most likely. Ottawa wanting Brown wouldn't of changed our pick if we decided to not trade back.

 

[Emperoreddy]

If we aren't picking first or second I really want Glass or Mittelstadt. Kind of obvious but they to me fit exactly what we are trying to do and have less question marks than a Tippett or Liljegren

I think I would be ok with Maker as well. Necas intrigues me too if Mittelstadt is gone.

 

[Devils Dominion]

I think I would be ok with Maker as well. Necas intrigues me too if Mittelstadt is gone.

Makar > Lilgegren if it's between them two.

 

[Billdo]

Makar > Lilgegren if it's between them two.

Both have obvious question marks which makes me lean towards forward. Makars level of competition and Liljegren being almost the definition of boom or bust.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Both have obvious question marks which makes me lean towards forward. Makars level of competition and Liljegren being almost the definition of boom or bust.

True, I think pretty much every player ranked 1-30 has a question mark of some kind.

Scouts will earn their pay this time around compared to most drafts.

 

[Billdo]

True, I think pretty much every player ranked 1-30 has a question mark of some kind.

Scouts will earn their pay this time around compared to most drafts.

That's true, personally I just would feel more comfortable with one the forwards should we miss out on the first or second pick.

 

[Zippy316]

Both have obvious question marks which makes me lean towards forward. Makars level of competition and Liljegren being almost the definition of boom or bust.

Devils aren't in a position to take the risk of Liljegren after this season, especially not in the top 8.

I wouldn't mind Makar, but that would mean that Castron and Co. think he will translate his skills to better competition

 

[Emperoreddy]

Devils aren't in a position to take the risk of Liljegren after this season, especially not in the top 8.

I wouldn't mind Makar, but that would mean that Castron and Co. think he will translate his skills to better competition

If Makar goes top 10 I imagine a lot of scouts think his skills will translate.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I think depending on what other moves we make, we might trade back into the 1st to grab a falling DMan. Just a gut feeling.

 

[Zippy316]

If Makar goes top 10 I imagine a lot of scouts think his skills will translate.

Devils are likely picking top 6 or 7.

So I could see them going Makar or possibly Heiskanen depending on how they tier the forwards and how they view those two.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I think depending on what other moves we make, we might trade back into the 1st to grab a falling DMan. Just a gut feeling.

Shero does like moving around the draft as we have seen, so definitely possible.

 

[Cheddabombs]

Shero does like moving around the draft as we have seen, so definitely possible.

I think he'll try to make another Palms-eqsue trade, try to get a roster player for a few draft picks and maybe our own lack-luster roster player. I just think Shero will be aggressive this off-season, it's the perfect storm for him.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I think he'll try to make another Palms-eqsue trade, try to get a roster player for a few draft picks and maybe our own lack-luster roster player. I just think Shero will be aggressive this off-season, it's the perfect storm for him.

imagine he will try both avenues. He will almost definitely move around the draft though, even if it is in the later rounds.

He has done a draft move in both drafts.

I could see him doing another trade back like last year if we are picking 3-6 and he knows his guy will be there.

 

[thethinglonger]

True, I think pretty much every player ranked 1-30 has a question mark of some kind.

Scouts will earn their pay this time around compared to most drafts.

That's why I'm glad we have Castron with us this time around. Last year's draft was money.

As for a defenseman, I'm still in the Mittlstadt/Glass camp, but am open to taking Makar or Liljegren (heck even Heiskanen too) just because while they might take longer, we do need to add one of those dynamic d-men into our organization without selling the farm...best way to do that is through the draft.

In terms of quick rudimentary rankings in my opinion:

Speed (straight-away skating):
-Makar
-Liljegren
-Heiskanen

Agility (edgework):
-Liljegren
-Makar
-Heiskanen

Hockey IQ:
-Heiskanen
-Makar
-Liljegren

Defensive Play:
-Heiskanen
-Makar
-Liljegren

Shot:
-Makar
-Liljegren
-Heiskanen

As you may be able to tell, I'm still really high on Liljegren. After the season he's had, I think it would be worth it to try and trade up to snag him...but just looking at skillsets and game footage, Makar really fits into what Shero is trying to build. He's almost like the defense version of McLeod: ridiculously fast, one of the fastest skaters in the draft, extremely difficult to contain, scores a boatload at even-strength, and thinks the game two to three plays ahead. Makar is working on his defensive play, but his skating allows him to never really be out of position even after taking some risky pinches in the offensive zone, and he has a good stick too.

Heiskanen is just a ridiculously smart player too, probably the smartest of the three, and has the best all-around game...very safe player. He should at least be a surefire NHLer; maybe not as high of a ceiling as the other two.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

I think depending on what other moves we make, we might trade back into the 1st to grab a falling DMan. Just a gut feeling.

If that's the case, I wouldn't mind taking Valimaki. I liked him since the World Juniors and think he's a bit underrated among the top defensemen in this draft.

 

[HBK27]

I'm saying the lists they submit to McKenzie.

I don't think they change their own list. But let's say the Devils like Mittlestadt. I'd put him at 7 in the list I submit with Heiskanen and Makar ahead of him.

If they polled 15 staffs, these mind games would probably even out anyways.

I wondered about this as well - I would think some of this would be in play with the lists being submitted. Then again, the scout is also submitting their own personal rankings, not the consensus rankings for their team.

 

[AfroThunder396]

I think depending on what other moves we make, we might trade back into the 1st to grab a falling DMan. Just a gut feeling.

I have the same feeling. I think the first half of the 1st round will be very forward heavy and we'll see some defensemen fall. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Shero traded back into the 1st round to get a defenseman.