They obviously saw something they liked. He played for about the highest profile junior program around and must have been scouted in person multiple times by multiple NJ scouts. Presumably a number of scouts had to buy in on him. He may project as a good partner for a bigger more defensive oriented player. NJ has several of those and more on the way.
I’m not sure what you intended here but as I read your post you are suggesting the team drafted college bound and European players so the fan base isn’t excited? I know you are skeptical of the regime/ownership but this doesn’t logically flow. Players from Europe and college bound in rounds beyond the first make sense as they are almost unhversally going to need development time. They all have a place to play while they do that and the Wuropean players can sometimes present good upside as they might be under scouted. I can understand being disappointed with any pick but I’ll guess the NJ scouts saw something in the players they picked beyond them going to school or playing overseas.
I'm not sure I understand that comment. Some of the NJ scouts saw him as the single best US player for this draft? If so, that's high praise to quote Andy Samberg quoting Nicholas Cage.
Washington got one up on Fitz swapping the second rounders Chesley would have been the better pick imo and has the physical play we needed....
Who knows who they liked there. Maybe they pick Casey anyway at 37 with the glowing reviews Dennehey offered.
As someone with a Casey in my family tree I love this pick lol, Slainte!
Chesley taken with our 2nd kinda sucks for the reasons you mentioned
I just hope he doesn't strike out
True we don't know if Casey is the pick at 37 anyway and don't get me wrong I liked the trade for the goalie but in the end the better RHD prospect went to the Caps....Chesley should have gone in the first round...
I have given up trying to figure out what NJ’s scouts see in the players. They watch these players a lot more than me so I have to assume they are fair and honest in their evaluations and you have to imagine some of them are competent. Who knows what goes on behind the scenes that we don’t see. You know some of these kids drink smoke pot have a kid already failed out of school have an arrest record etc. some are probably jerks or make a terrible impression. Some have parents that are awful and some are probably using PEDs. Without all that background we only get part of the picture.
I agree, but I'm fine with Vanecek + Casey. They needed to get a goalie.
He is an incredible retrieval and breakout defender and makes great reads to break forecheck pressure. Positionally sound, and great defensive instincts around the net. While he lacks size, he knows how to get under bigger players and create leverage.
