Prospect Info: The 2015 NHL Draft Thread III

[Comparison Ford]

Besides McDavid and Eichel, I think Barzal's game is most suited for a center. A lot of other forwards in the top ten range seem to possess skills that could be suites for wing or for center. I would say Barzal's game is way more suited for center from what I've seen of him. The way he skates and plays reminds me a lot of Nugent Hopkins.

 

[Unknown Caller]

Besides McDavid and Eichel, I think Barzal's game is most suited for a center. A lot of other forwards in the top ten range seem to possess skills that could be suites for wing or for center. I would say Barzal's game is way more suited for center from what I've seen of him. The way he skates and plays reminds me a lot of Nugent Hopkins.

I think it's Rantanen

 

[MichaelJ]

Edmonton isn't trading Draisatl for Merrill and Matteau...they would be a coup for us.

That's why I wouldn't think twice about it

 

[Devils1029]

That's why I wouldn't think twice about it : laugh:

Two roster players, including 1 top 4 dman who is under 25 and a guy who can slot in nicely with some size and toughness on your 3rd line answers two weaknesses in the Edmonton lineup right now. The idea is that if they draft McDavid or Eichel, along with already having RNH, Draisatl essentially is relegated to #3 center. and it's likely he's not stepping into the NHL for until 2016 at least. The deal makes Edmonton better right now and going forward maximizes the asset - they get a top 4 D in his 3rd pro year and a 3rd line winger for a third line center.

Plausible - yes, I don't think it's too far fetched..likely, you never know. Can't just jump and say they won't do it - there are solid benefits for them - but you can also say no way NJ trades Merrill and a former 1st rounder for an unproven guy still playing in juniors.

 

[MichaelJ]

Two roster players, including 1 top 4 dman who is under 25 and a guy who can slot in nicely with some size and toughness on your 3rd line answers two weaknesses in the Edmonton lineup right now. The idea is that if they draft McDavid or Eichel, along with already having RNH, Draisatl essentially is relegated to #3 center. and it's likely he's not stepping into the NHL for until 2016 at least. The deal makes Edmonton better right now and going forward maximizes the asset - they get a top 4 D in his 3rd pro year and a 3rd line winger for a third line center.

Plausible - yes, I don't think it's too far fetched..likely, you never know. Can't just jump and say they won't do it - there are solid benefits for them - but you can also say no way NJ trades Merrill and a former 1st rounder for an unproven guy still playing in juniors.

It's definitely possible and I agree with the reasoning that Draisaitl will likely be relegated down to the 3rd line now.

I don't know if Matteau's a roster player ready to slot into a 3rd line role. Merrill has to have value around the league, I think it would be higher if he showed a bit more this year.

 

[Emperoreddy]

We are picking 8th or 9th it looks like. Maybe 7th and should have our pick of at least one of Zacha, Barzal, rantanen.

Out of the three I still prefer Barzal but it's really close. I'm not sure I would be upset with any of those 3.

 

[MichaelJ]

We are picking 8th or 9th it looks like. Maybe 7th and should have our pick of at least one of Zacha, Barzal, rantanen.

Out of the three I still prefer Barzal but it's really close. I'm not sure I would be upset with any of those 3.

As long as we stay in the top 10 I'll be hopeful.

Keep playing Kinkaid.

 

[MichaelJ]

Right now, we're #8 and stuck in the 5-9 range where 3 points separate the 5 teams. We're also 5 points away from #4.

 

[Devils1029]

Did an analysis of the teams picking 3rd through 12th and their remaining schedules. Carolina actually has the easiest schedule, facing non playoff teams 17 times. Arizona's is on of the hardest so expect the dogs to drop to settling in behind the Oilers and Sabres.

Carolina has a way to go to catch us so realistically, slot then in the #4 spot.

Philly, with Mason back, should stay ahead of us and Columbus has a few games in hand and should as well.

That means that 5, 6, and 7 should consist of Ottawa, Toronto, NJ unless Dallas drops. Our schedule is home heavy and we also play a lot of non-playoff teams (15 out of 29 games) so I'm guessing we end up at 6th at best and 8th at worst. I think is a big difference though. Assuming a GM is enamored enough with Crouse for him to get picked before us, that means that one of McEichel, marner, Strome, Hanafin, should be available at #6. At 7 Zacha is still possible but if we drop to 8th, we're into the next tier of forwards (Barzal, Rantannen) or Dmen (Werenski, Kylington, Provonov).

I think it's critical that we are in the top 7 picks in order to get a top tier (not McEichel generational talent) forward.

Personally, I'm hoping Ottawa goes defense although I doubt it and that Toronto likes Crouse although I doubt that pass on Strome if he's available.

I could see it shaking out like:

Buffalo/Edmonton: mcEichel
Arizona: Marner (the Domi and Dvorak factors)
Carolina: Hanafin
Ottawa: Strome
Toronto: Crouse
NJ: Zacha

 

[Emperoreddy]

Did an analysis of the teams picking 3rd through 12th and their remaining schedules. Carolina actually has the easiest schedule, facing non playoff teams 17 times. Arizona's is on of the hardest so expect the dogs to drop to settling in behind the Oilers and Sabres.

Carolina has a way to go to catch us so realistically, slot then in the #4 spot.

Philly, with Mason back, should stay ahead of us and Columbus has a few games in hand and should as well.

That means that 5, 6, and 7 should consist of Ottawa, Toronto, NJ unless Dallas drops. Our schedule is home heavy and we also play a lot of non-playoff teams (15 out of 29 games) so I'm guessing we end up at 6th at best and 8th at worst. I think is a big difference though. Assuming a GM is enamored enough with Crouse for him to get picked before us, that means that one of McEichel, marner, Strome, Hanafin, should be available at #6. At 7 Zacha is still possible but if we drop to 8th, we're into the next tier of forwards (Barzal, Rantannen) or Dmen (Werenski, Kylington, Provonov).

I think it's critical that we are in the top 7 picks in order to get a top tier (not McEichel generational talent) forward.

Personally, I'm hoping Ottawa goes defense although I doubt it and that Toronto likes Crouse although I doubt that pass on Strome if he's available.

I could see it shaking out like:

Buffalo/Edmonton: mcEichel
Arizona: Marner (the Domi and Dvorak factors)
Carolina: Hanafin
Ottawa: Strome
Toronto: Crouse
NJ: Zacha

Jackets aren't playing well though. I really wouldn't count of them passing us again.

 

[devilsblood]

I've heard a couple quotes from Lou lately that has me hopeful one was saying the 2013 pick, if not for the trade, was going to be a fwd. The other was saying that he knows that we are stacked on D and lacking in fwd, and that the fwd situation will be addressed in the draft.

Just makes me a bit more hopeful that we are going bfa and not bpa. I know, if Hanifin drops that changes things, but I say you trade down if that's the case.

 

[glenwo2]

I've heard a couple quotes from Lou lately that has me hopeful one was saying the 2013 pick, if not for the trade, was going to be a fwd. The other was saying that he knows that we are stacked on D and lacking in fwd, and that the fwd situation will be addressed in the draft.

Just makes me a bit more hopeful that we are going bfa and not bpa. I know, if Hanifin drops that changes things, but I say you trade down if that's the case.

Unfortunately, you're right. If Hanifin drops, you have to take him.

But I think someone takes him before us so it's going to be BFA.

 

[devilsblood]

Unfortunately, you're right. If Hanifin drops, you have to take him.

But I think someone takes him before us so it's going to be BFA.

I say you'd have to trade down. Can not, not draft a fwd yet again here.

A team that is as thin as us in fwd's and as stacked as us on D, can not go 3 straith seasons as a bottom 10 team without getting one top 10 fwd in the draft.

 

[njdevils1982]

Did an analysis of the teams picking 3rd through 12th and their remaining schedules. Carolina actually has the easiest schedule, facing non playoff teams 17 times. Arizona's is on of the hardest so expect the dogs to drop to settling in behind the Oilers and Sabres.

Carolina has a way to go to catch us so realistically, slot then in the #4 spot.

Philly, with Mason back, should stay ahead of us and Columbus has a few games in hand and should as well.

That means that 5, 6, and 7 should consist of Ottawa, Toronto, NJ unless Dallas drops. Our schedule is home heavy and we also play a lot of non-playoff teams (15 out of 29 games) so I'm guessing we end up at 6th at best and 8th at worst. I think is a big difference though. Assuming a GM is enamored enough with Crouse for him to get picked before us, that means that one of McEichel, marner, Strome, Hanafin, should be available at #6. At 7 Zacha is still possible but if we drop to 8th, we're into the next tier of forwards (Barzal, Rantannen) or Dmen (Werenski, Kylington, Provonov).

I think it's critical that we are in the top 7 picks in order to get a top tier (not McEichel generational talent) forward.

Personally, I'm hoping Ottawa goes defense although I doubt it and that Toronto likes Crouse although I doubt that pass on Strome if he's available.

I could see it shaking out like:

Buffalo/Edmonton: mcEichel
Arizona: Marner (the Domi and Dvorak factors)
Carolina: Hanafin
Ottawa: Strome
Toronto: Crouse
NJ: Zacha

typo i assume, those guys are going 1 and 2

 

[SeidoN]

I understand wanting to trade down if Hanafin is there, but if Hanifin DROPS then the value is just too good.

 

[MichaelJ]

I understand wanting to trade down if Hanafin is there, but if Hanifin DROPS then the value is just too good.

We could always make a trade after taking him.

 

[Unknown Caller]

We could always make a trade after taking him.

Hockey has a waiting period unlike the NFL, so you couldn't move him right away. That's fine with me, because I might not move Hanifin anyway. Remember that the Blues took Rundblad and flipped him to Ottawa after the waiting period for the pick that became Tarasenko.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

I don't want Hanafin. I rather trade our pick to Buffalo for their 2 late first rounders and grab 2 forwards.

White and Looke. I'll take that and run.

 

[njdevils1982]

Hockey has a waiting period unlike the NFL, so you couldn't move him right away. That's fine with me, because I might not move Hanifin anyway. Remember that the Blues took Rundblad and flipped him to Ottawa after the waiting period for the pick that became Tarasenko.

curious about this…can you explain more?

 

[Devils1029]

typo i assume, those guys are going 1 and 2

Of course

I was just listing out the top forwards - no chance McDavid isn't #1 and Eichel 98% should be #2 but you never know - he wouldn't go past 3 though.

Marner and Strome should both be top 5 but the scouts' love for Crouse could make things interesting - but I think the top 6 is fairly predictable unless a team really likes Zacha or another D-Man or people worry about Marner's smaller stature.

 

[KohoDonuts88]

Hockey has a waiting period unlike the NFL, so you couldn't move him right away. That's fine with me, because I might not move Hanifin anyway. Remember that the Blues took Rundblad and flipped him to Ottawa after the waiting period for the pick that became Tarasenko.

curious about this…can you explain more?

There is no such thing. Trades of just drafted players don't happen, but there's no rule against it.

 

[njdevils1982]

There is no such thing. Trades of just drafted players don't happen, but there's no rule against it.

wasnt completely sure…..didnt think there was a rule against it

 

[glenwo2]

There is no such thing. Trades of just drafted players don't happen, but there's no rule against it.

So it's like the unwritten rule or some kind of code between GMs or something?

 

[Zippy316]

I understand wanting to trade down if Hanafin is there, but if Hanifin DROPS then the value is just too good.

I agree.

Hanifin is the ONLY defenseman you take if he falls. Avoid Crouse at all cost.

Although I highly doubt Hanifin makes it past Carolina and Edmonton.

 

[Emperoreddy]

If Hanafin drops to us (which won't happen) you draft him no question. He is going to be an absolute stud.

No forward on the board by then will be in his level. Trade the pick if you get proper value but if the offers suck you draft him. He could easily be a #1 in the future. Get the forward via trade because he would make some of our higher level kids available.

The Dmen to worry about drafting is Kylington or Werkenski. If we take one of them over Barzal or Ranantan or Zacha (if still available) everyone would have a right to be pissed.