Yeah damn looks a bit sparse to trade down..
Great read Steve!
One thing I'd be curious to see is how much sway Ron Francis will have at the Carolina table now that he got kicked upstairs. Francis is a Sault Ste. Marie native who played for the Greyhounds as well. When we drafted Blake Speers from SSM (also a native), Francis went out of his way to congratulate him as Blake was making his way to the Devils table. So I wouldn't be surprised if they might lean towards Barrett Hayton.
It might be harder to trade down this year since the teams immediately behind us might lack the picks.
17. New Jersey
18. Columbus - probably not moving up just one spot
19. Philadelphia - I suppose if Shero is okay dealing with the Rangers...
20. Los Angeles - After years of trading away picks, I think the Blake regime is trying to hold onto theirs. But LA probably not giving up a 2nd to move up three spots.
21. San Jose - No 2nd/3rd due to previous trades for Polak/Reimer. Which is too bad since the Sharks are usually the aggressive team that (unnecessarily) trades up in the first. Maybe could get a 2019 2nd instead?
22. Ottawa - No 2nd/3rd. Traded down a couple times with Ottawa recently (2015/16). But they don't have the ammo and probably wouldn't want to give up its 2019 2nd since it might be very high and/or they're likely already giving up their 1st in the Duchene deal.
23. Anaheim - They have their picks and we seem to have a good trading relationship. But it can be dicey to move down too far.
The Gelinas comparison is immaterial. Gelinas had ideal size and an outstanding shot, but everything else in his game was a work in progress. Miller is physical, fast, athletic, and very very smart. He is far more developed as a defenseman in his draft year than Gelinas was.
I would not call Miller a boom/bust, in that his floor is a solid, physical and mobile third pairing D. And his upside is just tremendous.
The classic boom/bust D in this draft is Ryan Merkley. His offensive ability is just north of Boqvist/Smith, but those two are top ten picks because they are also solid on D and showing steady improvement in the defensive zone. Merkley has not -- and thus his "floor" is a guy who never makes it to the NHL.
If K Miller is as smart a player as Steve says then I really like that pick. Just a matter of waiting for him to develop, which goes for pretty much anyone we would pick.
And looking at the rankings, 17 seems on the higher end, but I also see a 25, and some 30's, so a good chance he is there.
Schneider and Severson for Fowler
Mcleod+NJD 20181st to move up to 4/5 and grab boqvist - would you do it?
Hey Steven, always appreciate these posts. Miller has intrigued me a lot this season and he could have a very high ceiling with his physical tools. However, that being said I am much higher up on a guy like Rasmus Sandin or Jett Woo in that spot instead based on smarts alone. Miller's very good positionally and aware in his own zone with a strong physical play along the boards. He's fluid and strong in his skating, but his decision-making really confuses me. I like the other aspects of his play like his snarl and good shot, but I question his "hockey IQ" and ability to read the play. For instance I see him attack the puck in the neutral zone, which leads to odd-man rushes against his own goalie. I see what you mean in terms of him having a high ceiling, and granted he's still learning the game as a defenseman rather than a forward (so who knows how much that contributes), but I don't know if we're in a position to take a gamble pick like that with this selection.
That being said, the ideal situation for me would be if Ty Smith somehow fell to our pick. Thanks again for this post!
Mcleod+NJD 20181st to move up to 4/5 and grab boqvist - would you do it?
In a heartbeat. Boqvist is going to be an all-star defenseman.
Given how high you are on Miller, that fact that he is 6th, should temper any ill will for Bouchard being 8. Also speaks to just how stacked this draft is in terms of defensemen. Which is very exciting given our need.So, here are my rankings of D for the 2018 draft (subject to change, or be made fun of)
1 Dahlin
2 Hughes
3 Boqvist
4 Smith
5 Wilde
6 Miller
7 Dobson
8 Bouchard
9 Alexeyev
10 Woo
Now, Bouchard fans might think I am insulting him, but I am not. I'm crazy about the kid, I think he will be a terrific NHLer. I just think what you see now in the OHL is close to what you will get from him in the NHL, whereas Smith, Miller and Dobson are only scratching the surface.
You're trading two potential very good players for one here. McLeod has the potential to eventually be a terrific second line center behind Nico, and there is a good chance that he starts 2018-19 as the top line RW with Nico and Hall.
Also, you're assuming that the Devils would take Boqvist over Hughes. Knowing that the Devils have a greater organizational need at LD than RD and that Hughes is the fastest skater in the 2018 draft (Shero loves the speed demons), I think if the Devils found themselves picking in the 4/5 slot, they could go with Hughes.
So, while I share your high regard for Boqvist, I think this scenario is not only unwise but also unlikely.
Given how high you are on Miller, that fact that he is 6th, should temper any ill will for Bouchard being 8. Also speaks to just how stacked this draft is in terms of defensemen. Which is very exciting given our need.
Given that, I think we need to walk out of here with a defenseman with that first pick. Granted it's a decent bet that BPA at our pick will be a d-man, but even if a highly ranked fwd is there. I'm picking the D.
Edit: Why do you think Bouchard has topped out, while those other guys have more room for growth. I get it Miller given he is new to the position, but why the other guys?
I really like Bouchard. He checks off every box except for speed and he is not a poor skater, he's just not in the skating class of a Hughes or Bode Wilde. In opinion, there are three tiers in defense for this draft class
1 Dahlin
2 Hughes/Boqvist/Smith/Wilde/Miller/Dobson/Bouchard/Woo/Alexeyev
3 Everyone else
I think in the second tier, it's very close top to bottom, but it's a matter of what you want for your team. Want a speed demon who is a one-man breakout machine and can score 60+? Take Hughes or Boqvist. Want a fast and physical and big D who, if he answers a few lingering questions, can be a superstar? Take Wilde or Miller. Want a high-floor, big, traditional defenseman with a cannon from the point? Dobson or Bouchard. I mean, I'm generalizing a bit but you get the point. If the Devils drafted Bouchard, I would be thrilled.
So those guys are maybe a bit more dynamic? Sounds like they are better skaters.
I imagine skating will be a factor as to who Shero goes with.
According to CapFriendly, we're at 48 out of 50 contracts, but a few come off the books in June if we don't re-sign them. Obviously Hayes, Stafford, and Lack, but I think Clowe is also taking up a slot. We probably opt not to re-sign a few minor leaguers too - Straight, Kearns, etc.Given how many draft picks the Devils have had in the past 2 years, isn't their a contract limit #'s crunch to consider? If so I'm not sure they would be looking to add more picks.
According to CapFriendly, we're at 48 out of 50 contracts, but a few come off the books in June if we don't re-sign them. Obviously Hayes, Stafford, and Lack, but I think Clowe is also taking up a slot. We probably opt not to re-sign a few minor leaguers too - Straight, Kearns, etc.
But I'll assume all those NHL RFA's are back.we are at 31/50 contracts for next year
NHL RFA- Wood, Noesen, Coleman, Santini
AHL RFA- Kapla, Lappin, Lucia, Bertschy, Rooney, Appleby