Draft and UDFA Thread 2017-18

[Pizza]

Stranger things have happened.

I just have a feeling that this draft will either be a total yawner, totally conventional. Or it will be one of the most memorable drafts in NHL history.

Either way, the Rangers have set themselves up to do very well.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Edge, have you got a line on Bode Wilde? I see him in the 11-13 range on most lists but little chatter around him here. Big boy! Right hand bomber with good mobility. Could he be on the Rangers list?

5 on my list. Very underrated.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Someone compared Wilde to Duncan Keith in Brent Seabrook's body (I'm sure said poster was referring to his ceiling.)

That sounds like a player I would like to have.

PK Subban

 

[Lion Hound]

PK Subban

Surprised that was the comparision you used for Wilde. PK is such a pest, which makes him super tough to play against. Do you see that in Bode?

 

[Mac n Gs]

That comparison is like when people compared McIlrath to Shea Webber

Those comparisons were silly then, and silly now. McIlrath never had an iota of offense to his game, while Weber’s shot was always a weapon.

The key part of the whole Keith/Seabrook thing was that I originally said he has the potential to be that if everything goes perfectly. It was an unrealistic expectation and shouldn’t be used as a real comparison for Wilde.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Surprised that was the comparision you used for Wilde. PK is such a pest, which makes him super tough to play against. Do you see that in Bode?

More of the size, skating, offense. I think he can develop defensively. Thats what he might play like, if he hits his ceiling.

 

[RangerBlues]

I would overpay for Boqvist.

 

[Joey Bones]

I don’t disagree, and that’s what I’d prefer them to do. However, I still think they opt for at least one degree of certainty with one of their picks (assuming they don’t get into the top-3). Then again, I guess it depends on who comes across as a “sure NHLer.” IMO, the guys with the highest floors who should have some form of an NHL career are Kotkaniemi, Hayton, Thomas, McIsaac, and McLeod. I wouldn’t want any of these kids with our first pick, and I’m not even sure if they’re around by the late 20s, but I at least see these kids having careers at least of being bottom-6ers with room for improvement.

Is that what I want? No, but I’m guessing that Clark and co err on the side of caution a bit. I hope I’m wrong about that.

Why wouldn't you want Kotkaniemi if NYR's pick is, say, 10th overall?

 

[Joey Bones]

Don't know the player at all, but sounds like Subban to me. Comparable?

I feel as though the most comparable to PK is Dobson. Very similar styles....

 

[YoSoyLalo]

I think you're underrating Kotkaniemi's upside @Mac n Gs. There's a reason he's rising like crazy. The rest of the guys you listed, I agree with.

 

[Mac n Gs]

Why wouldn't you want Kotkaniemi if NYR's pick is, say, 10th overall?

Because I’d rather go for Wilde or Farabee over Kotkaniemi if they’re on the board. Not a knock against Kotkaniemi, it’s just that I prefer the other two more. I don’t think Kotkaniemi at 10 is a bad pick at all

 

[Joey Bones]

Because I’d rather go for Wilde or Farabee over Kotkaniemi if they’re on the board. Not a knock against Kotkaniemi, it’s just that I prefer the other two more. I don’t think Kotkaniemi at 10 is a bad pick at all

Agreed. I actually think Kotkaniemi would be the best of the three you mentioned. I love Farabee, but the college commitment thing has me worried.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think you're underrating Kotkaniemi's upside @Mac n Gs. There's a reason he's rising like crazy. The rest of the guys you listed, I agree with.

I saw someone compare him recently to Kopitar. Not a bad ceiling comp.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Of those three, Wilde, Kotkaniemi, Farabee in that order.

 

[YoSoyLalo]

Of those three, Wilde, Kotkaniemi, Farabee in that order.

I like Kotkaniemi over Farabee as well, but I'd be satisfied with any of then in the 10-12 range.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Anytime someone says Kopitar I get hard.

Aren't his boots really heavy though?

 

[Mac n Gs]

Agreed. I actually think Kotkaniemi would be the best of the three you mentioned. I love Farabee, but the college commitment thing has me worried.

Maybe, but I’ve been consistent in wanting Farabee/Wilde, so I may as well stick to it

 

[YoSoyLalo]

Anytime someone says Kopitar I get hard.

Aren't his boots really heavy though?

Kopitar isn't exactly Chris Kreider either

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Kopitar isn't exactly Chris Kreider either

No, but I wouldn't categorize him as slow either.

Plus he has the wing span of a f***ing condor.

 

[YoSoyLalo]

No, but I wouldn't categorize him as slow either.

Plus he has the wing span of a ****ing condor.

Kotkaniemi has some nice size as is, and I'm sure he'll grow a bit. Could end up 6'3/6'4.

 

[Joey Bones]

Updated mocks....

2018 NHL Mock Draft | 2018 NHL Draft | NHL Draft

1 (10) LW: Joel Farabee (USA) (5'9"/160lbs., Shot: Left, USNTDP/USHL) *19/20 Boston Uni. Commit*
1 (29) D: Nils Lundkvist (SWE) (5'9"/174lbs., Shot: Right, Lulea/SHL)
1 (30) D: Rasmus Sandin (SWE) (5'9"/189lbs., Shot: Left, Sault Ste. Marie/OHL) *18/19 Rogle/SHL Commit*

Draftsite didn't change, but I figured I try Tankathon. First simulation, got the 1st overall pick. It's a sign people!!!!

1 (1) D: Rasmus Dahlin (SWE) (6'2"/182lbs., Shot: Left, Frolunda/SHL)
1 (29) C: Benoit-Olivier Groulx (CAN) (6'1"/189lbs., Shot: Left, Halifax/QMJHL)
1 (30) RW: Vitali Kravtsov (RUS) (6'2"/182lbs., Shot: Left, Chelyabinsk/KHL)

Looks, as though, Lundkvist is being dropped in the 1st round now, but I love both he and Sandin with NYR's later 1sts. Groulx might drop out of the 1st round and into the 2nd. I wouldn't like that reach for NYR.
Kravtsov could be a steal at No. 30.

Thoughts?

 

[YoSoyLalo]

First draft is a solid haul, reallllly like Sandin at 30. I think he could rise, though.

Agreed on Groulx, although he seems to be a pretty similar prospect to Morgan Frost, who looks like a steal for the Flyers.

 

[Lion Hound]

Updated mocks....

2018 NHL Mock Draft | 2018 NHL Draft | NHL Draft

1 (10) LW: Joel Farabee (USA) (5'9"/160lbs., Shot: Left, USNTDP/USHL) *19/20 Boston Uni. Commit*
1 (29) D: Nils Lundkvist (SWE) (5'9"/174lbs., Shot: Right, Lulea/SHL)
1 (30) D: Rasmus Sandin (SWE) (5'9"/189lbs., Shot: Left, Sault Ste. Marie/OHL) *18/19 Rogle/SHL Commit*

Draftsite didn't change, but I figured I try Tankathon. First simulation, got the 1st overall pick. It's a sign people!!!!

1 (1) D: Rasmus Dahlin (SWE) (6'2"/182lbs., Shot: Left, Frolunda/SHL)
1 (29) C: Benoit-Olivier Groulx (CAN) (6'1"/189lbs., Shot: Left, Halifax/QMJHL)
1 (30) RW: Vitali Kravtsov (RUS) (6'2"/182lbs., Shot: Left, Chelyabinsk/KHL)

Looks, as though, Lundkvist is being dropped in the 1st round now, but I love both he and Sandin with NYR's later 1sts. Groulx might drop out of the 1st round and into the 2nd. I wouldn't like that reach for NYR.
Kravtsov could be a steal at No. 30.

Thoughts?

Christmas in June!

 

[Joey Bones]

Of those three, Wilde, Kotkaniemi, Farabee in that order.

I'd counter with Kotkaniemi, Farabee, Wilde. All three are very good players, but there are a few question marks with all of them. I gave Kotkaniemi the edge since he's already in pro hockey and is tied with Puljujarvi's U17 production. Obvious question mark is coming to North America and how quickly. Farabee as No. 2 because of the college commitment delay. Otheriwse, he's a workhorse. Wilde has all the tools to be successful, but having higher end forwards gave the edge over him, IMO.

Also to note, I don't get some who worry on Wilde's potential. He plays fantastic offense, skates very well for a big boy and can defend. Think he could be a better version of Johnny Boychuk in the NHL.

 

[Joey Bones]

Anytime someone says Kopitar I get hard.

Aren't his boots really heavy though?

It makes up for everything else he does, though. I think Kopitar is a great comparison to Kotkaniemi!!