Prospect Info: The 2014 Draft Thread!

[Devils Dominion]

....yeah. That's cherry picking. I think I've explained the background on Simmonds several times, but I suppose it's not worth the effort to do so again.



You make it seem like your efforts require more than five minutes on hockeydb.

I wasn't a fan of the Corrente pick either, but it's not like the 2nd round of 2006 was full of difference making NHLers. Jeff Petry would have been nice, but not exactly somebody most of us would lose sleep over. Milan Lucic was a tremendous projection pick by the Bruins; Lucic only put up 19 points in 62 WHL games that year. Again, not like the Devils were the only team that missed out.

The Foster pick was a huge whiff, but the Devils were hardly alone in the 2001 Draft in that regard. The way you talk, you make it seem like the Devils are the only team to have never missed on a late first round pick ever.

Of the 30 some odd picks taken after Ahonen, the only guy who could even claim to have an above average NHL career is Jordan Leopold.

Of the 30 some odd picks after Damphousse, the three best guys were Brenden Morrow (would have been nice), Kristian Huselius (readily available on waivers before he became productive), and the immortal Henrik Tallinder.

What would you grade Conte overall since 2000?

I don't see why many of you dismiss his poor record.

But, I will only focus on this week's draft going forward on this thread.

 

[Brodeur]

How foolish the LAK were to draft Bernier AND Lewis before the Flyers got Giroux at 22. Pitt drafting Staal before Backstrom and Toews!!!!!!!

Funny thing is that the Flyers wanted Lewis and begrudgingly took Giroux.

 

[ScottyK]

When your drafting at 20 or above for nearly 2 decades.....it's hard to do anything notable.

 

[Devils Dominion]

When your drafting at 20 or above for nearly 2 decades.....it's hard to do anything notable.

He should have been better.

Who do you want at 30 and 41?

 

[Brodeur]

What would you grade Conte overall since 2000?

I don't see why many of you dismiss his poor record.

But, I will only focus on this week's draft going forward on this thread.

Don't get me wrong, I haven't been thrilled with our drafts but I try not to look at the Devils in a vacuum. I can remember how awful those 1999-2002 Drafts were and how there are a ton of scouts who won't exactly have those years on their highlight reels.

If anything that quote from Mike Futa was pretty realistic and it comes from somebody who is doing a pretty nice job of drafting since he was hired in 2007.

Perhaps the main reason I'm not as critical is that I remember who I wanted at the time. Most of the time I whiffed as badly (if not worse) as the guys you're harping about.

Conte has his name on the Cup which buys a bit of leeway. Just like how you won't hear too many Kings fans complaining about Thomas Hickey, Colten Teubert, or Derek Forbort right now.

 

[Billdo]

"According to sources, numerous NHL teams have Ho-Sang on their Do Not Draft List.

And only 18 of 30 teams chose to interview him at the recent NHL Combine — and many came away stunned and disappointed."

oh wow

I'd take him in a heartbeat at 41 and would really think about it at 30. 41 is a no brainer. People are forgetting he was ranked higher than McDavid. Ho Sang has that borderline a-hole "swagger" but can without question back it up. I dont see why people think a guy believing and saying hes the best is a bad thing.

 

[JimEIV]

I can remember how awful those 1999-2002 Drafts were and how there are a ton of scouts who won't exactly have those years on their highlight reels.

That's one thing that almost never gets put into perspective...

When the entire year was terrible for everyone and people like to chalk up the year as a Devil failure, that bothers me a lot....I mean when you have a year that Pavel Brendel, Brian Finely and Kris Beech all go in the top 10, top 7 for that matter and Patrick Stefan is #1 overall...it's tough to listen to someone question the Ahonen pick and call it a failure by Conte & company.

 

[Brodeur]

I'd take him in a heartbeat at 41 and would really think about it at 30. 41 is a no brainer. People are forgetting he was ranked higher than McDavid. Ho Sang has that borderline a-hole "swagger" but can without question back it up. I dont see why people think a guy believing and saying hes the best is a bad thing.

Might just be me, but I'm getting a Robby Schremp type of vibe. And I wouldn't put too much stock on him being being better than McDavid as 14 year olds. Honestly wouldn't be surprised if we had Ho Sang as a do not draft.

"I'm just looking for a fair chance. I just want to play my game and play how I can play. I just want to be able to play my game and play Rob Schremp hockey. Obviously there are things you have to work on, like defensive play and systems, but those are the things that every player has to work on."

 

[Devils Dominion]

Might just be me, but I'm getting a Robby Schremp type of vibe. And I wouldn't put too much stock on him being being better than McDavid as 14 year olds. Honestly wouldn't be surprised if we had Ho Sang as a do not draft.

I think hockey news quoted a scout comparing him to Schremp.

Hey, have you made your mock Devils picks yet?
I'd be interested in seeing your picks, you do sound research.

 

[JimEIV]

Ballers almost never make it . That's why they end up staying on the playground.

 

[Brodeur]

Hey, have you made your mock Devils picks yet?
I'd be interested in seeing your picks, you do sound research.

Honestly I think I'm more puzzled by this draft year than anything. Personally would like Barbashev, but doubt the Russian Factorâ„¢ would drop him to #30. It's weird, I think I have more hopefuls for #41 than at #30. I wouldn't mind gambling on Kamenev at #41, but find myself queasy about taking him at #30 which doesn't seem all that logical.

Justin Kirkland's name has been brought up a few times in this thread. Didn't get a ton of ice time early this season in Kelowna but came on as the season progressed. I can only imagine that our scouts are familiar with him via osmosis with Severson/Bell.

I've liked what I've read about Chase De Leo but I'm prone to overrating California players. Probably a slight reach at #41 but might not be there at #71. Lacks ideal size but has decent hands and isn't shy about contact. Seems to be a high character guy as well and got to learn from the Portland powerhouse that has produced Ryan Johansen, Seth Jones, Nino Niederreiter, among numerous others in recent years.

 

[R8Devs]

If Lou and Conte takes Kamenev at 30 i wouldn't really mind even though it seems like a risk because he's russian. He seems really set out in coming to the NHL.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=721117

 

[BrodeursCups]

Don't get me wrong, I haven't been thrilled with our drafts but I try not to look at the Devils in a vacuum. I can remember how awful those 1999-2002 Drafts were and how there are a ton of scouts who won't exactly have those years on their highlight reels.

If anything that quote from Mike Futa was pretty realistic and it comes from somebody who is doing a pretty nice job of drafting since he was hired in 2007.

Perhaps the main reason I'm not as critical is that I remember who I wanted at the time. Most of the time I whiffed as badly (if not worse) as the guys you're harping about.

Conte has his name on the Cup which buys a bit of leeway. Just like how you won't hear too many Kings fans complaining about Thomas Hickey, Colten Teubert, or Derek Forbort right now.

It's generally a good idea to avoid Sioux defensemen in the draft. Other than Greene and Commodore, we haven't produced any consistent NHL blueliners. I know most places had him ranked high, but I wouldnt have touched Brian Lee with a 10ft pole. My god was he bad at UND. An undersized turnover machine. Smaby was junk, Lapoint flamed out and Forbort isn't all that great.

I think Edmonton has something in Simpson though. Doesn't put up big offensive numbers but he's a rock and can skate. The guy I love is Jordan Schmaltz. Watched him about 15-20 times last season and he was outstanding. Massive minute eater that played in all situations with Simpson. Outstanding in The offensive zone and was flat out dominant in a lot of games last season. Can't wait to see how his junior year goes. He's probably gone to St Louis after this next season. High high ceiling there and will emerge as one of the best d-men in the NCAAs next year.

 

[CerebralGenesis]

Honestly I think I'm more puzzled by this draft year than anything. Personally would like Barbashev, but doubt the Russian Factorâ„¢ would drop him to #30. It's weird, I think I have more hopefuls for #41 than at #30. I wouldn't mind gambling on Kamenev at #41, but find myself queasy about taking him at #30 which doesn't seem all that logical.

Justin Kirkland's name has been brought up a few times in this thread. Didn't get a ton of ice time early this season in Kelowna but came on as the season progressed. I can only imagine that our scouts are familiar with him via osmosis with Severson/Bell.

I've liked what I've read about Chase De Leo but I'm prone to overrating California players. Probably a slight reach at #41 but might not be there at #71. Lacks ideal size but has decent hands and isn't shy about contact. Seems to be a high character guy as well and got to learn from the Portland powerhouse that has produced Ryan Johansen, Seth Jones, Nino Niederreiter, among numerous others in recent years.

I mocked us with Lemieux at 30 and MacInnis at 41. Not sure either will last that long but hopefully a few dmen rise and push some forwards down.

 

[glenwo2]

I mocked us with Lemieux at 30 and MacInnis at 41. Not sure either will last that long but hopefully a few dmen rise and push some forwards down.

Can you imagine if the Devils managed to get both.



Not happening of course(mainly 'cause there are other players worth getting at #30 should they fall).....

 

[devilsblood]

I can see teams saying "we won't draft this guy in the first round", but "do not draft"? I don't buy it. If a first rnd talent is there in the 2nd rnd, and the only real issue he has is ego? U draft him up.

 

[Bologna 1]

looking at stats alone, it seems like there should better options at #30 than lemieux, no? im not very familiar with the whole prospect thing, aside from what i hear around here as well as from the analysts. based on that alone (essentially), i would be happy @ 30 with one of: schmaltz, kempe, ho-sang or goldobin. russian factor aside, kamenev seems intriguing at 45. i just would like to see them get two guys at 30 & 41 who play a skill game (but still decent size), as opposed to a matteau-esque style.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

Baby Lemieux and Cornell would put a smile on my face.

 

[Brodeur]

I can see teams saying "we won't draft this guy in the first round", but "do not draft"? I don't buy it. If a first rnd talent is there in the 2nd rnd, and the only real issue he has is ego? U draft him up.

It's not unheard of. In Gare Joyce's book about the 2006-07 Drafts, he mentioned how Columbus had a do not draft on potential first rounder David Fischer and that he heard other teams felt the same way.

Kirill Kabanov is another guy that seemed to burn some bridges leading into the 2010 Draft. Allegedly had first round talent but most expected him to drop into the second round because of character issues. Ended up being taken early in the third by the Islanders.

Patrick O'Sullivan had some character concerns plus the whole ordeal about his dad. Most figured he was a late first round pick for 2003 and he lasted until the late second round. Might have been another case where certain teams left him off their lists completely.

Back at the 2011 Draft, I was sitting near a prospect named Seth Ambroz. He entered the year as a top 10 prospect but had a disappointing season capped off by concerns that he didn't have the grades to attend college. There were rumors that he didn't do well during interviews. TSN still had him as an honorable mention (potential late second rounder) but he lasted until the fifth round.

 

[JimEIV]

Claude's kid will be a player...God what I wouldn't give to see the number 22 with the name Lemieux on the back of a Devils jersey again...I get chills thinking about.

 

[Mustangs]

I see a consistant pick with most of the mock drafts. NJ selects Lemieux. I have seen him play at least 30 times the past 2 seasons. it will be interesting if NJ does anyhting with him. skill wise he has skills, I have seen players go nuts trying to get at him. On the other side I have heard that the Barrie Colts had to have team meetings to get him straight and narrow more than once.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Claude's kid will be a player...God what I wouldn't give to see the number 22 with the name Lemieux on the back of a Devils jersey again...I get chills thinking about.

That goal sealed the series.

Hextall may end of drafting Claude's son Friday night, of all ironies.

***I liked the goal song chant of "Hey!" back then, without the "you suck!"

 

[JimEIV]

That goal sealed the series.

Hextall may end of drafting Claude's son Friday night, of all ironies.

***I liked the goal song chant of "Hey!" back then, without the "you suck!"

Claude sealed a lot of games

 

[SeidoN]

I hope we dont draft solely on nostalgia. Claude did alot for us, doesnt mean we have to draft his son. Brodeur with a 7th rounder is one thing, but this is a first. if we take him there, wont bother me too much, but it will if we pass on one or more better prospects simply on nostalgia factor

 

[Classic Devil]

***I liked the goal song chant of "Hey!" back then, without the "you suck!"

Me too.