Prospect Info: Devils Picking 4th Overall, Part II

[Lou is God]

No, I was just showing the highest odds for each position at each slot because Mckenzie was guessing that there would be 3 forwards and 2 dman in the top 5.

The 3rd overall slot is actually at:
Guenther +105
Eklund +300
Beniers +550
Clarke +600
Mctavish +750
Hughes +950

Obviously this could change too because Anaheim might trade this pick to Buffalo for Eichel.

I would put money on McTavish, that's some nice odds.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Some are also pushing Hughes away from us on this very forum because they are convincing themselves the only reason the team will take him is because of his name.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

my thoughts are this:

You can teach a player to become at least average defensively.

You cannot teach a player to skate or transition the puck up the ice like Luke can.

 

[SJinNewJersey]

I still want Clarke and think he's the best fit for the Devs, However, I am coming to the realization that if Hughes is there when we pick, that's who the Devs are going with.

 

[My3Sons]

Kournianos is a person with complexes, problems and resentments. I can't comment on the words of a person with a problematic psyche and impostor syndrome.

Is that why you won’t respond to my posts? I’ll have you know all my posts are posted by me and not an imposter. The petty resentments and problematic psyche I will say it depends upon if you speak to my wife and kids and dogs or maybe some people who have never met me.

 

[mort4345]

I still want Clarke and think he's the best fit for the Devs, However, I am coming to the realization that if Hughes is there when we pick, that's who the Devs are going with.

Watch Buffalo take McTavish No. 1

 

[Forge]

It's still Luke, barring him going in the top three.

I'm not even worried about it. It's a reasonable selection with or without the name Hughes

 

[Guadana]

Is that why you won’t respond to my posts? I’ll have you know all my posts are posted by me and not an imposter. The petty resentments and problematic psyche I will say it depends upon if you speak to my wife and kids and dogs or maybe some people who have never met me.

I'm sorry if I haven't answered your messages somewhere. Your case of mental disorders does not repel me at all.
I have to do a lot of content before the draft for Russian Devils fans, I don't have enough time,In real life, I have a pretty hard job besides hockey =-D If I miss some of your post, sorry, man, I'm ashamed. U r the best.
The last time I talked to a dog, I misunderstood her. At least that's what my psychiatrist told me. "She just barks, Guadana". I don't believe him, 'll find a new one.

 

[Nubmer6]

I'm sorry if I haven't answered your messages somewhere. Your case of mental disorders does not repel me at all.

I actually find his mental disorders quite endearing, but that's just me.

 

[beekay414]

At this point, as long as it's one of Clarke, Hughes or Eklund, I'm gravy.

 

[Oneiro]

Totally fine with Hughes, Clarke, Eklund, Guenther or Beniers.

Just hope all these picks from the last few years result in a juggernaut and none of them are Cam Barker-type of misses.

 

[Guadana]

I actually find his mental disorders quite endearing, but that's just me.

If I was given asylum roommates to choose for myself, I would definitely choose My3sons.

 

[Hisch13r]

Totally fine with Hughes, Clarke, Eklund, Guenther or Beniers.

Just hope all these picks from the last few years result in a juggernaut and none of them are Cam Barker-type of misses.

I’m with the other 4 but I don’t want Guenther

 

[My3Sons]

If I was given asylum roommates to choose for myself, I would definitely choose My3sons.

No way I’d ever want to be in a padded room with that guy. I know from an unimpeachable source that he’s got multiple personality disorder. No he doesn’t! Yes he does! No he doesn’t! Shut up who asked you anyway!!

 

[Oneiro]

I’m with the other 4 but I don’t want Guenther

They pick him, I assume they have a lot of conviction. But generally, I agree.

 

[Guadana]

No way I’d ever want to be in a padded room with that guy. I know from an unimpeachable source that he’s got multiple personality disorder. No he doesn’t! Yes he does! No he doesn’t! Shut up who asked you anyway!!

I hope you are all together for Edvinsson?

 

[My3Sons]

I hope you are all together for Edvinsson?

I don’t do enough personal research on the prospects to have a firm opinion. I listen to all of you folks on here that watch the young players. I would be fine with whoever the team takes ultimately. They know more than me. My preference would be the team takes all right hand defenders since we have so few. I realize that’s silly. My guess is they take Hughes if he is there but if they took Edvinsson I’d be fine if that’s who they think will pan out for them. For what it is worth Edvinsson sounds like the sort of player they have been trying to add on defense (big frame, long reach, good skater, some physicality, and solid tools for a balanced game). That said he may be a bit similar to guys like Mukhamadullin and Bahl and Vukojevic so it might make more sense to go in another direction. That’s too much effort to get too attached to any one player so I’m open to all the prospects.

 

[Hisch13r]

I don’t do enough personal research on the prospects to have a firm opinion. I listen to all of you folks on here that watch the young players. I would be fine with whoever the team takes ultimately. They know more than me. My preference would be the team takes all right hand defenders since we have so few. I realize that’s silly. My guess is they take Hughes if he is there but if they took Edvinsson I’d be fine if that’s who they think will pan out for them. For what it is worth Edvinsson sounds like the sort of player they have been trying to add on defense (big frame, long reach, good skater, some physicality, and solid tools for a balanced game). That said he may be a bit similar to guys like Mukhamadullin and Bahl and Vukojevic so it might make more sense to go in another direction. That’s too much effort to get too attached to any one player so I’m open to all the prospects.

And Graves and Siegenthaler and Misyul and Okhotyuk. They've overloaded on that type

 

[Eggtimer]

If by some miracle they know they can sign Hamilton would Fitz then go forward with pick #4 ?
Only way they can is a sign and trade with Carolina correct ?

 

[Guttersniped]

McKenzie himself says that the 2-9 group is very close based on the responses he got. Taking Cole Sillinger at #4 would be a reach, but taking Luke Hughes at #4 wouldn't be. Sometimes we get into Spinal Tap "these goes to 11" territory with the rankings. The difference between #4 and #8 isn't necessarily the same at #8 and #12.

There's always a bit of recency bias with the rankings. Hughes missed the U18s due to injury, so that didn't give him a chance to make a final impression.

On a related note, Bob won't be doing the draft broadcast for the first time in 18 years. So it looks like he's tweeting nuggets of info (possibly while having a margarita). Namely that he thinks the top 5 will consist of 3F and 2D.

I think Sillinger is really underrated while McTavish gets to ride his U18 performance. I see Sillinger as one of the best prospects in the draft and I also see the Flyers getting him and that would be incredibly annoying.

 

[Hisch13r]

If by some miracle they know they can sign Hamilton would Fitz then go forward with pick #4 ?
Only way they can is a sign and trade with Carolina correct ?

I wouldn't let it really affect the pick. If what Pronman said about it being Hughes, Guenther, Edvinsson is true then I'm still going with Hughes over Guenther. If that isn't true and Eklund/Beniers are there then I'm fine with that

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

If by some miracle they know they can sign Hamilton would Fitz then go forward with pick #4 ?
Only way they can is a sign and trade with Carolina correct ?

Carolina has given Hamilton's camp permission to speak to other teams

so if NJ is really in on him, which Friedman says we are, its possible that they could reach a deal at any point

Regardless, I think 4th overall should be Hughes or Clarke.

 

[Guttersniped]

Watch Buffalo take McTavish No. 1

His hair is certainly worthy of the honor.

 

[Its Always Sundstrom]

Luke Hughes has a better passing/puckhandling combination than Owen Power or Simon Edvinsson, as well as being the far-and-away best skater of the three. Though Edvinsson's puckhandling is very close to Hughes, his passing/vision his not even in the same stratosphere. Though Power passes very well and far better than Edvinsson as well, his puckhandling is not comparable to either of the other two.

So, why is Luke Hughes generally ranked behind Power and equivalent to Edvinsson? I would say that comes down quite clearly to their defense and play without the puck. He's not even close to the other two defensively. Though Power would benefit from another year of amateur hockey, he could play passable defense as a third-pairing guy in the NHL right now. Meanwhile, Edvinsson plays physical, high-compete defense, and although he has his warts, this quality combined with his speed and immense wing-span make him a constant force in the defensive zone. Luke Hughes is admittedly very problematic in the defensive zone -- as well as prone to turnovers which lead to high-danger chances against.

The hope is that Luke will learn to pick his spots better to limit his turnovers -- he is a smart player with high-end vision, which leads to hope in this respect. The fact that he is almost a full year younger than Power and Edvinsson lends hope to the fact that he has a higher learning curve defensively. But I would caution that the idea an offensive defenseman can be taught defense has largely proven to be myth. In fact, there are more NHL defensemen who did not produce at the amateur level who learned to be productive offensively than the other way around.

However, no one is asking Luke Hughes to be Jake Slavin. The hope is that Luke becomes an above-average defender to go along with being a 50+ or even 60+ point force from the back-end. I do think it is very realistic for Luke to grow into a passable defender who mostly takes care of business in his own zone with a few quirks -- he's not a complete horror show back there a la Poirier or Grans in the 2020 draft.

Does Hughes have 50-60 pt potential? I always thought he was more 30-40 but with great skating and transition game. I thought Clarke was the 50-60 guy hence me being more of a Clarkebar guy than a Hughes-Clues.

 

[Its Always Sundstrom]

His hair is certainly worthy of the honor.View attachment 455085

He sings for Wolfmother too? Ok, draft him.