Prospect Info: Ives Final 2020 Draft Rankings -- Top 100

[TheUnseenHand]

Thanks as always for your efforts! I love reading your prospect posts. We are pretty lucky to have such access to this level of analysis.

 

[StevenToddIves]

OK. This is a very important aspect of the issue. Maximum important.
If we talk about criticism, I will say this - I think you are very attached to real possible picks here. And I really like your Robins place. I may disagree with him in little, but I like this approach in general. This may sound like a negative, but it`s not, I'm with exceptionally positive.

Normally, I don't like "highlight videos", because they're just showing a piece of the puzzle. But what this shows about Robins is that he's a true dual threat in his passing and sniping, plus his high-end anticipation and awareness accentuate these talents. Robins has a sick set of hands, as well -- but none of these fine attributes are my favorite traits of Robins.

What the highlight reels do not show are that Tristen Robins combines an absolutely elite mix of hockey IQ and compete level. This kid is ferocious -- he backs down to nobody and plays every second of every shift like his life depended on it. He's just so much fun to watch. He really reminds me a lot of Brayden Point, and I may be in the minority but I think that Tristen Robins has first-line center upside on the NHL level. Over the final few months of the WHL season, he eclipsed Connor Zary (an excellent player in his own right) and was the second-best draft-eligible skater in the entire league after only Seth Jarvis -- and it was very close between those two.

And if anyone else wants to ask me about this kid, I can talk about him forever.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Thanks as always for your efforts! I love reading your prospect posts. We are pretty lucky to have such access to this level of analysis.

Thank you! It's nice to be appreciated, and as such I appreciate having a smart and fun group of Devils fans to talk prospects with. Anyway, it sure beats getting cursed out in the comments section of The Hockey Writers.

 

[Nubmer6]

Comments I expected but still have yet to receive:

1) Jarvis over Quinn
2) Quinn over Holtz
3) Robins at #17 overall
4) Reichel at #19 overall
5) Who is Luke Evangelista and why is he in your first round?

Committees we need to start:

"The HFBoards New Jersey Devils fan committee to get Dmitry Rashevsky drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 3rd/4th rounds"

I didn't ask about it, but 1-4 certainly ran thu my head.
I think you wrote up Evangelista, so I'm not surprised by him.

 

[Guadana]

Normally, I don't like "highlight videos", because they're just showing a piece of the puzzle. But what this shows about Robins is that he's a true dual threat in his passing and sniping, plus his high-end anticipation and awareness accentuate these talents. Robins has a sick set of hands, as well -- but none of these fine attributes are my favorite traits of Robins.

What the highlight reels do not show are that Tristen Robins combines an absolutely elite mix of hockey IQ and compete level. This kid is ferocious -- he backs down to nobody and plays every second of every shift like his life depended on it. He's just so much fun to watch. He really reminds me a lot of Brayden Point, and I may be in the minority but I think that Tristen Robins has first-line center upside on the NHL level. Over the final few months of the WHL season, he eclipsed Connor Zary (an excellent player in his own right) and was the second-best draft-eligible skater in the entire league after only Seth Jarvis -- and it was very close between those two.

And if anyone else wants to ask me about this kid, I can talk about him forever.

Robins ' name has been sounding pretty loud for a while, but everyone is expecting him in the low rounds still. I try not to judge by the highlights. Or matches, or shift by shift videos. Here I try to trust the people who conducted the analysis based on their experience, to isolate the main thing and make a superficial conclusion based on the video material. But when I have recordings of games, someone, shut me up. It is a pity that there is no available game records(or i didnt find it) on Robins, he is a very interesting character for me. All the conclusions I have drawn sound in unison with yours. I'm just not sure of my own. At the same time, I would certainly offer my main topics, but this is not my thread
In your topics - its simple for me
1. yes 2. absolutely 3. why not. maybe a little less 4. how to join your party? 5. i didn`t do my homework here.

 

[My3Sons]

Day Two, certainly. The First Round, probably not.

Though I used to always be sitting in a luxury box for NHL drafts (courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers, long story), in the past couple of years I've driven up to Westchester to watch with my good buddies who are all big-time Buffalo Sabres fans. They're also funny as hell and feed me beer, so it's a pretty good arrangement.

If you need a place to crash you can stay with my brother in Katonah. You are lucky I like you. If I wanted to banish you to the seventh circle of hell I’d send you to stay with my sister in law in Chappaqua.

 

[Ol Dirty Bstrd]

Comments I expected but still have yet to receive:

1) Jarvis over Quinn
2) Quinn over Holtz
3) Robins at #17 overall
4) Reichel at #19 overall
5) Who is Luke Evangelista and why is he in your first round?

Committees we need to start:

"The HFBoards New Jersey Devils fan committee to get Dmitry Rashevsky drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 3rd/4th rounds"

I watched that 17 minute highlight reel of Rashevsky and I’m still baffled how someone that talented only scored 5 points the prior season. He looks absolutely electrifying, would definitely love to take a chance on him

 

[nugg]

The Devils have 9 picks in 2020. If I'm correct, it's #7,#18 and #20 in the first round and then:

#84
#99
#120
#130
#161
#192

No reason the Devils can't get another 5 guys off my top 100 after the first round. A lot of the players I really like are quite under the radar and should be available late: Didkovsky, Boltmann, Gleason, Desnoyers etc.

8 players from your list plus Mason Langenbrunner. K,pls,thx

 

[njdevils1982]

If you need a place to crash you can stay with my brother in Katonah. You are lucky I like you. If I wanted to banish you to the seventh circle of hell I’d send you to stay with my sister in law in Chappaqua.

or north tonawanda if your feeling extra evil

cc: @sabremike

 

[nugg]

Honestly, I love Schneider but I would rather get Perreault or Gunler or Mercer at #18 and then take a RD like Brock Faber in the 3rd round and then maybe a Rafkin or Prokop in the 5th round. The exception of course is that Drysdale is my preferred pick at #7 overall. But otherwise, I think the Devils need high-end scorers to play with Hughes and Hischier, and 2020 is the draft to get high-end scorers in the first round. 2021? Well, that will be a great draft if you want defensemen.

The name Brock Faber just sounds like a player to me. I hope he's still there for our third rounder (from Carolina). He's one of my favorites in this draft, because of your accolades. I'm also hoping we can "weaponize" cap space and get more picks in the early rounds, so we can draft Robins, Vierling, and some others. Too many others...

 

[sabremike]

or north tonawanda if your feeling extra evil

cc: @sabremike

LOL. Actually live in Brewster. Have several friends visiting from the Serengeti right now:

 

[nugg]

Why bother when they can just read all his scouting on these boards for free?

..... Maybe they do!
Hey, you never know...

 

[Guadana]

Ok. I'll add some coals. Attention - clickbait.
Rankings...

Quinn over Rossi. Quinn played with two noname. Hoelshier has 40 pts in 68 games before, did you know about Beck before? Rossi played with Garreffa sometimes, with Keating full time, both were 20yo, 90pts per season players before playing with Rossi. Quinn is the best OHL 5vs5 goal scorer. The age difference between Quinn and Rossi is a few days.

Greig over Perfetti. Greig is more than half a year younger than Perfetti. He is near a year younger than Rossi. He had 30 pts in last 20 games. He is potential forechecker beast and he has a big room to be heavier.

Jarvis over Rossi and Perfetti.

Khusnutdinov. Top 10. May be top 5. The devils had a marketing strategy "Relentless". Khusnutdinov is relentless. Devils were not. Khusnutdinov will be that "why nobody didn`t draft him before" guy. Everybody will regret.

Schneider out of top-50. Nothing surprise. Everybody know my position, i did a big analysis before.

Stutzle over Byfield. The only thing that can stop fritz is a bad organization in Ottawa.

Lafrenier below... No. He is a most ugly faced guy in this draft. The perfect model for a cover on Rangers posters.

Holtz is below top 15. The "thing-in-itself" player. 30-35 goals and nothing else.

If chicago will draft Bourque - he will be next DeBrincat. If not - he will not.

Perfetti is below top 20. The NHL is a harsh League. And many talents are not fully revealed, the game is simplified, speeds up, the fight becomes tougher. The combination of size, disgusting(worse than Gusev) skating and uncombativeness will not make Perfetti a bad player, but it will be more difficult for him to adapt, and certain specialists will easily eat him.

The third best defensman will not be selected in the first round.

Anything i say can and will be used againstme in a court of law.

 

[Nicomo Cosca]

Ok. I'll add some coals. Attention - clickbait.
Rankings...

Quinn over Rossi. Quinn played with two noname. Hoelshier has 40 pts in 68 games before, did you know about Beck before? Rossi played with Garreffa sometimes, with Keating full time, both were 20yo, 90pts per season players before playing with Rossi. Quinn is the best OHL 5vs5 goal scorer. The age difference between Quinn and Rossi is a few days.

Greig over Perfetti. Greig is more than half a year younger than Perfetti. He is near a year younger than Rossi. He had 30 pts in last 20 games. He is forechecker best and he has a big room to be heavier.

Jarvis over Rossi and Perfetti.

Khusnutdinov. Top 10. May be top 5. The devils had a marketing strategy "Relentless". Khusnutdinov is relentless. Devils were not. Khusnutdinov will be that "why nobody didn`t draft him before" guy. Everybody will regret.

Schneider out of top-50. Nothing surprise. Everybody know my position, i did a big analysis before.

Stutzle over Byfield. The only thing that can stop fritz is a bad organization in Ottawa.

Lafrenier below... No. He is a most ugly faced guy in this draft. The perfect model for a cover on Rangers posters.

Holtz is below top 15. The "thing-in-itself" player. 30-35 goals and nothing else.

If chicago will draft Bourque - he will be next DeBrincat. If not - he will not.

Perfetti is below top 20. The NHL is a harsh League. And many talents are not fully revealed, the game is simplified, speeds up, the fight becomes tougher. The combination of size, disgusting(worse than Gusev) skating and uncombativeness will not make Perfetti a bad player, but it will be more difficult for him to adapt, and certain specialists will easily eat him.

The third best defensman will not be selected in the first round.

Anything i say can and will be used againstme in a court of law.

I disagree with a lot of this, but the bold gave me a chuckle.

 

[Guadana]

I disagree with a lot of this, but the bold gave me a chuckle.

Mckenzie agrees with you.
And Esposito. They will make another beautiful jeans commercial with Kakko and Lafreniere.

 

[StevenToddIves]

I watched that 17 minute highlight reel of Rashevsky and I’m still baffled how someone that talented only scored 5 points the prior season. He looks absolutely electrifying, would definitely love to take a chance on him

Rashevsky is absolutely the mystery of the 2020 draft. Who is he? Where did he come from? It's like he appeared out of smoke. A Russian friend of mine sent me a 5 minute clip of Rashevsky and said I had to check him out. I was like, "Okay, sure -- I'm always on the look-out for a nice 5th round sleeper from the MHL."

Three consecutive watches of the video later, I reattached my jaw to my face. The kid's hands rival Stutzle and Raymond. His passing and shooting are both elite. His creativity and poise with the puck are earth-shaking. How did I miss this kid? How did he only score 5 points in the MHL in his draft-eligible season? I still can't answer any of these questions. I just want the Devils to draft him.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Ok. I'll add some coals. Attention - clickbait.
Rankings...

Quinn over Rossi. Quinn played with two noname. Hoelshier has 40 pts in 68 games before, did you know about Beck before? Rossi played with Garreffa sometimes, with Keating full time, both were 20yo, 90pts per season players before playing with Rossi. Quinn is the best OHL 5vs5 goal scorer. The age difference between Quinn and Rossi is a few days.

Greig over Perfetti. Greig is more than half a year younger than Perfetti. He is near a year younger than Rossi. He had 30 pts in last 20 games. He is potential forechecker beast and he has a big room to be heavier.

Jarvis over Rossi and Perfetti.

Khusnutdinov. Top 10. May be top 5. The devils had a marketing strategy "Relentless". Khusnutdinov is relentless. Devils were not. Khusnutdinov will be that "why nobody didn`t draft him before" guy. Everybody will regret.

Schneider out of top-50. Nothing surprise. Everybody know my position, i did a big analysis before.

Stutzle over Byfield. The only thing that can stop fritz is a bad organization in Ottawa.

Lafrenier below... No. He is a most ugly faced guy in this draft. The perfect model for a cover on Rangers posters.

Holtz is below top 15. The "thing-in-itself" player. 30-35 goals and nothing else.

If chicago will draft Bourque - he will be next DeBrincat. If not - he will not.

Perfetti is below top 20. The NHL is a harsh League. And many talents are not fully revealed, the game is simplified, speeds up, the fight becomes tougher. The combination of size, disgusting(worse than Gusev) skating and uncombativeness will not make Perfetti a bad player, but it will be more difficult for him to adapt, and certain specialists will easily eat him.

The third best defensman will not be selected in the first round.

Anything i say can and will be used againstme in a court of law.

Love the bold opinions!

 

[My3Sons]

Rashevsky is absolutely the mystery of the 2020 draft. Who is he? Where did he come from? It's like he appeared out of smoke. A Russian friend of mine sent me a 5 minute clip of Rashevsky and said I had to check him out. I was like, "Okay, sure -- I'm always on the look-out for a nice 5th round sleeper from the MHL."

Three consecutive watches of the video later, I reattached my jaw to my face. The kid's hands rival Stutzle and Raymond. His passing and shooting are both elite. His creativity and poise with the puck are earth-shaking. How did I miss this kid? How did he only score 5 points in the MHL in his draft-eligible season? I still can't answer any of these questions. I just want the Devils to draft him.

Hopefully you got a chance to see more than a short highlights package on him? Was he injured? Was he traded? Surely there is a story here based on your description.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Hopefully you got a chance to see more than a short highlights package on him? Was he injured? Was he traded? Surely there is a story here based on your description.

I watched a whole lot more of Rashevsky after I was turned on to him -- but it was just last month. Really, the only guy in the MHL I was paying serious attention to was Khusnutdinov before Rashevsky came along and knocked my eyeballs out of their sockets.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Hopefully you got a chance to see more than a short highlights package on him? Was he injured? Was he traded? Surely there is a story here based on your description.

I honestly looked up everything I could on possibilities why Rashevsky turned from nobody to a super hero in his draft+1 year, but I couldn't find anything. I don't know if he was hurt, or had personal problems or what. All I know is that this kid is seriously talented.

 

[beekay414]

Greig is more than half a year younger than Perfetti. He is near a year younger than Rossi. He had 30 pts in last 20 games. He is potential forechecker beast and he has a big room to be heavier.

I think he's a real possibility if we keep pick #20. Everybody thinks Holloway is the guy that makes sense there but I'd very much prefer Greig to Holloway. The skill difference IMO is evident and Greig offers the ability to be strong in the offensive zone. Not saying people are wrong having Holloway over Greig but don't see it.

 

[StevenToddIves]

I think he's a real possibility if we keep pick #20. Everybody thinks Holloway is the guy that makes sense there but I'd very much prefer Greig to Holloway. The skill difference IMO is evident and Greig offers the ability to be strong in the offensive zone. Not saying people are wrong having Holloway over Greig but don't see it.

I don't see a huge skill difference in Holloway vs. Greig. Holloway is the better skater by far, and he's also a much better stickhandler with a far better shot. He's also far bigger, stronger and more physical.

Greig gets a significant edge in hockey IQ and passing/vision. They're very different players -- both of whom I really, really like -- except that they both rely on their motor and compete levels to transcend them over their natural talents.

Ultimately, if you want Greig at #20, I think you trade down to the #25 range, especially if you have a back-up plan there -- I would, whether it be a Reichel or Mysak or Khusnutdinov or whomever. Maybe pick up a second-round pick in the process and get a Tristen Robins (YES!!).

Because the fact is that Holloway is universally rated about 10 or so picks over Greig for a reason. To me, Greig probably lasts until the mid-20s, with a chance to slip into the early second round. If the Devils pass on Holloway, I don't foresee a way on earth he gets past Columbus with the very next pick at #21. He's got Tortorella written all over him. And this is why I like him for the Devils -- I think Jack Hughes in particular would benefit from a ferociously forechecking power winger to dig pucks out of corners, crash creases, and go toe to toe with any defenseman who tries to give Hughes some stick whacks. The Devils lack this type of player anywhere in their organization aside from perhaps Miles Wood, who lacks the skill to play regularly on a line with Hughes... which Holloway is capable of doing.

 

[beekay414]

I don't see a huge skill difference in Holloway vs. Greig. Holloway is the better skater by far, and he's also a much better stickhandler with a far better shot. He's also far bigger, stronger and more physical.

Greig gets a significant edge in hockey IQ and passing/vision. They're very different players -- both of whom I really, really like -- except that they both rely on their motor and compete levels to transcend them over their natural talents.

Ultimately, if you want Greig at #20, I think you trade down to the #25 range, especially if you have a back-up plan there -- I would, whether it be a Reichel or Mysak or Khusnutdinov or whomever. Maybe pick up a second-round pick in the process and get a Tristen Robins (YES!!).

Because the fact is that Holloway is universally rated about 10 or so picks over Greig for a reason. To me, Greig probably lasts until the mid-20s, with a chance to slip into the early second round. If the Devils pass on Holloway, I don't foresee a way on earth he gets past Columbus with the very next pick at #21. He's got Tortorella written all over him. And this is why I like him for the Devils -- I think Jack Hughes in particular would benefit from a ferociously forechecking power winger to dig pucks out of corners, crash creases, and go toe to toe with any defenseman who tries to give Hughes some stick whacks. The Devils lack this type of player anywhere in their organization aside from perhaps Miles Wood, who lacks the skill to play regularly on a line with Hughes... which Holloway is capable of doing.

I'll take your word for it but I watched a ton of Badgers hockey this year and I just didn't care for Holloway. I don't see a top 6 impact winger. I see a mid-6 winger that can play top 6 minutes. Maybe it was the lack of true structure or gameplan that Granato failed to put together and less to do with Holloway himself. I just thought that entire team, for the talent they have, was vastly underwhelming. That goes for K'Andre Miller as well.

Greig, I just love the compete level and feel like he's going to be an absolute gnat to play against. Opposing fanbases are going to HATE him. His effort level is ridiculous.

I mean, it may just be fatigue with Holloway for me, so I can't say I'm qualified to make that call. I'd just prefer the trade back and take Greig because I think you're going to get very similar, if not better, value from Greig as you would Holloway.

EDIT - I mean, how does a team with Cole Caufield, Alex Turcotte, Dylan Holloway, Ryder Donovan, K'Andre Miller, Max Zimmer and Owen Lindmark go 14-20-2? They were horrible last year with that amount of talent. That makes no sense to me.

 

[StevenToddIves]

I'll take your word for it but I watched a ton of Badgers hockey this year and I just didn't care for Holloway. I don't see a top 6 impact winger. I see a mid-6 winger that can play top 6 minutes. Maybe it was the lack of true structure or gameplan that Granato failed to put together and less to do with Holloway himself. I just thought that entire team, for the talent they have, was vastly underwhelming. That goes for K'Andre Miller as well.

Greig, I just love the compete level and feel like he's going to be an absolute gnat to play against. Opposing fanbases are going to HATE him. His effort level is ridiculous.

I mean, it may just be fatigue with Holloway for me, so I can't say I'm qualified to make that call. I'd just prefer the trade back and take Greig because I think you're going to get very similar, if not better, value from Greig as you would Holloway.

EDIT - I mean, how does a team with Cole Caufield, Alex Turcotte, Dylan Holloway, Ryder Donovan, K'Andre Miller, Max Zimmer and Owen Lindmark go 14-20-2? They were horrible last year with that amount of talent. That makes no sense to me.

I certainly agree with you on the disappointing season for Wisconsin. I also agree with you on how easy it is to really like Greig as a prospect. But I think where I disagree is that I don't see Holloway and Greig as very different in terms of talent, and I see Holloway as a better fit for the Devils.

 

[beekay414]

But I think where I disagree is that I don't see Holloway and Greig as very different in terms of talent, and I see Holloway as a better fit for the Devils.

Perhaps. I think Greig has plenty of room to put on size. I think, if asked and in time, Greig can do everything Holloway does. I trust Greig that much. Right now, sure, Holloway feels like the better fit but I don't think that would matter in 2 to 3 years when Greig's ready to make the team. That's just me though. Can't fault you for preferring Holloway. I just really don't want to play against Greig LOL.