Prospect Info: The 2015 Draft Thread Part II

[MichaelJ]

Just watched Rantanen WJC highlights, and wow he's better than I thought. Tell me if you have a better comparison, but he reminds me of Rick Nash a lot. Definitely could see Conte/Lou love him because of their current obsession to make us the eastern LA Kings.

He's big and he can certainly score, but his skating and playmaking are his biggest assets.

Sorry but the Kings comment went over my head. I'm not sure how Rantanen fits the Kings mold and I don't see how the FO is trying to emulate them...?

 

[Unknown Caller]

Just watched Rantanen WJC highlights, and wow he's better than I thought. Tell me if you have a better comparison, but he reminds me of Rick Nash a lot. Definitely could see Conte/Lou love him because of their current obsession to make us the eastern LA Kings.

I love Rantanen and I think his value will continue rising up to the draft.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

I love Rantanen and I think his value will continue rising up to the draft.

I'm liking him more and more and liking Zacha less and less. I'd take 'em all over Crouse, but Zacha's lack of high-level offense in the games he's played so far bothers me a bit. Still hoping we're lucky enough to end up with Marner or Strome.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I'm liking him more and more and liking Zacha less and less. I'd take 'em all over Crouse, but Zacha's lack of high-level offense in the games he's played so far bothers me a bit. Still hoping we're lucky enough to end up with Marner or Strome.

I say we have a better chance at McDavid then Marnar or Strome at this point.

I do like Ranatan though, but if we are looking centers. I still like Barzal more then Zacha. Ya Zacha is bigger, but I see more offensive skill and upside with Barzal. Kid is really creative and good with his stick.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I would lose my **** if we drafted Werenski, Provorov, or Kylington. Especially if any of Zacha, Barzal, and Ranatan is still on the board.

 

[schoenfeld]

i just hope whoever we draft can score some goals and isnt a complete black hole in his own end.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

We may have to settle for Colin White, which wouldn't be bad, because either we're playing well or the whole league is tanking.

 

[Devils1029]

We may have to settle for Colin White, which wouldn't be bad, because either we're playing well or the whole league is tanking.

I think it's a little bit of both but wither way, it's starting to pi$$ me off....

 

[Emperoreddy]

We may have to settle for Colin White, which wouldn't be bad, because either we're playing well or the whole league is tanking.

Almost ever mock draft has Barzal at around 11th or 12th. So at LEAST he should be on the board still when we pick unless we actually make the playoffs.

No way the first 8 or so picks are almost all forwards. Some of the D guys will go leaving at least one of Zacha, Ranatan, Barzal on the board for us.

 

[ScottyK]

I'd be thrilled with Barzal

 

[Emperoreddy]

I'd be thrilled with Barzal

Considering we are getting closer and closer to 10th I would take Barzal and be very pleased.

I think he is a great pick at that point in the draft.

 

[AusDev]

I'd be thrilled with Barzal

From what people have been saying about him, and from the few clips I've seen, he sounds somewhat similar to Gomez when he entered the league. That wouldn't be a bad consolation prize. It's been a while since we've had a genuine playmaking centre.

 

[Emperoreddy]

From what people have been saying about him, and from the few clips I've seen, he sounds somewhat similar to Gomez when he entered the league. That wouldn't be a bad consolation prize. It's been a while since we've had a genuine playmaking centre.

Ya he isn't big, but he seems really smart and very nifty with his skating and stick work. Seems more playmaker, but a potentially a high quality one, one that can make his wings better.

Ya I can see why some would see Gomez, and that would be excellent considering what Gomez was for us before he left.

 

[R8Devs]

just give us rantanen hockey gods.

 

[Emperoreddy]

just give us rantanen hockey gods.

I'd take him too

 

[MichaelJ]

just give us rantanen hockey gods.

Rantanen had some more skill and Zacha is a bit tougher. But for a kid his size Rantanen can really move. He obviously needs a little refinement but I'd be happy to have him in red & black.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VZdh1bRj6UE

 

[HenriquesJawLine]

Right now the only time wins bother me are when guys like Ruutu and Bernier are the ones scoring. Feels like a waste. I can deal with wins when guys like Henrique and Larsson are scoring/putting up points. So basically I'm cool with the young core doing good things to hurt our draft position but get pissed when scrubs score to ruin our draft position. If that makes any sense.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Right now the only time wins bother me are when guys like Ruutu and Bernier are the ones scoring. Feels like a waste. I can deal with wins when guys like Henrique and Larsson are scoring/putting up points. So basically I'm cool with the young core doing good things to hurt our draft position but get pissed when scrubs score to ruin our draft position. If that makes any sense.

Lars got two points tonight, and the Bernier goal was pretty much his, just happened to bounce of Bernier's skates.

 

[MadDevil]

Right now the only time wins bother me are when guys like Ruutu and Bernier are the ones scoring. Feels like a waste. I can deal with wins when guys like Henrique and Larsson are scoring/putting up points. So basically I'm cool with the young core doing good things to hurt our draft position but get pissed when scrubs score to ruin our draft position. If that makes any sense.

It doesn't make any sense to me, but to each their own. I can't get upset over the team winning, no matter who's responsible for it. I'd rather our kids play on a team that is trying to be competitive than one that is just going through the motions.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Right now we would pick 7th. One of Zacha, Barzal, and Ranatan should be on the board.

Again I do not believe we are going to pass the teams out west.

 

[MichaelJ]

If we really want a center (my first choice) with that first pick, that's no a reason to not take Rantanen. Sure, he's been playing a lot of RW, but he has the natural skillset to be a very good NHL center as well. He has played the position and considers it his more natural position. The article below is from local media (run through google translate) talking more about this in depth. I realize I'm in the minority here, but after watching him and reading enough reports, if the Devils took him around #10 and then began grooming him to be their 1C I'd be very excited.

https://translate.googleusercontent...164125&usg=ALkJrhira29rqXMJN9yDNel6emE6lAI0NA

 

[AusDev]

If we really want a center (my first choice) with that first pick, that's no a reason to not take Rantanen. Sure, he's been playing a lot of RW, but he has the natural skillset to be a very good NHL center as well. He has played the position and considers it his more natural position. The article below is from local media (run through google translate) talking more about this in depth. I realize I'm in the minority here, but after watching him and reading enough reports, if the Devils took him around #10 and then began grooming him to be their 1C I'd be very excited.

https://translate.googleusercontent...164125&usg=ALkJrhira29rqXMJN9yDNel6emE6lAI0NA

I don't think anyone around here would have too much of an issue with that.

 

[MichaelJ]

I don't think anyone around here would have too much of an issue with that.

Great, I just got the impression that most viewed him as a playmaking wing only.

 

[AusDev]

Great, I just got the impression that most viewed him as a playmaking wing only.

Hey, if he's got the tools for it, use them.

 

[KovalSNIPE]

I don't think anyone around here would have too much of an issue with that.

I personally think its a very dumb idea to try and groom a player to a different position than to what they were drafted as. Only way is if they had enough experience at that position. Look at Seguin. Off-ice issues aside, Boston converted him to winger and he just had that one missing gear. Then gets traded to Dallas, moves back to his natural position, and becomes an instant star. Draft a center? Play him at center. Draft a winger? Play him at the wing. Got too many centers? Got too many wingers? Trade one for an established winger or center. Now you have a strong young player and you filled a need; not potentially ruined a players development.