Prospect Info: The 2015 NHL Draft Thread III

[AusDev]

Just looking at that chart, we've had just 1 pick in the first 2 rounds in 5 of our last 12 drafts. Considering how much of a crapshoot the draft is after the second round, and that many of our first rounders have been late firsts, it's no wonder we haven't drafted an impact forward. And yes, I know other teams find good players later in the draft, but they also miss probably just as much as we have. We haven't been in a situation like a Chicago or LA where they were bad for pretty much the better part of a decade and were able to draft cornerstone players and stockpile assets.

Right. It's been an overall lack in both quantity and quality of draft picks lately.

It still blows my mind to look at where the Devils have drafted over the last 20 or so years. In 1996 the Devils had the 10th overall pick. Larsson is the only higher pick over the next 18 drafts. Next was Parise at 17th, and outside of that it's never been higher than 20th. It's almost surprising that we aren't in an even worse position than we are currently.

Again, I'm not defending every pick the Devils have made. I mean you look at that second chart and a team like Detroit, their scouts have done very well with how little they've had to work with. I just think it's probably a little unfair the amount of rubbish that is spoken about Conte and the scouts on here sometimes. Lou hasn't given them the easiest of jobs as far as the picks they have at their disposal.

 

[ForeverJerseyGirl]

Right. It's been an overall lack in both quantity and quality of draft picks lately.

It still blows my mind to look at where the Devils have drafted over the last 20 or so years. In 1996 the Devils had the 10th overall pick. Larsson is the only higher pick over the next 18 drafts. Next was Parise at 17th, and outside of that it's never been higher than 20th. It's almost surprising that we aren't in an even worse position than we are currently.

Again, I'm not defending every pick the Devils have made. I mean you look at that second chart and a team like Detroit, their scouts have done very well with how little they've had to work with. I just think it's probably a little unfair the amount of rubbish that is spoken about Conte and the scouts on here sometimes. Lou hasn't given them the easiest of jobs as far as the picks they have at their disposal.

Good post. I agree.

 

[MadDevil]

And really, how much can you credit a scouting staff for late round success? If the scouting staff was so smart and knew that player was going to be successful, why didn't they take him earlier? Does a player taken in the 5th round working out make up for the players you drafted ahead of him that didn't?

 

[Devils1029]

Our WHL scouts have done pretty good in finding s talent in later rounds (Severson, Black, Scarlett). Would trust their opinion on Barzal an if he's BPA when we pick. Would trust over he European scouts for sure.

 

[glenwo2]

We have had later round success. It's just been mostly defense and Henrique the only real forward.

We have a couple of guys that could even it out but it's to soon to tell.

This is the year to draft an impact forward. We have position and the draft appears deep.

Of course we still have like a 7% chance at THE impact forward in McDavid.

Much better odds than we had with Larsson(3.6%).

 

[Nocashstyle]

Wait, do we really have 7%chance of 1st overall? I didn't think it worked like that

 

[SeidoN]

Wait, do we really have 7%chance of 1st overall? I didn't think it worked like that

we sure do

 

[Devils1029]

With 14 teams now in the lottery, it really is a crap-shoot. Even buffalo only as 1 in 5 chance of getting McDavid (but they have an 80% chance of getting Eichel).

I just don't want a team behind us to win the lottery and bump us down a spot.....especially Philly. Don't want "McJesus" in black and orange.

 

[Nocashstyle]

*insert Dumb and Dumber quote here*

 

[glenwo2]

*insert Dumb and Dumber quote here*

More like :

The Gif party that would occur here would be of EPIC proportions if the Devils won McFranchise.

 

[Nocashstyle]

More like :

The Gif party that would occur here would be of EPIC proportions if the Devils won McFranchise.

Haha that's the one. I could only imagine...this place would go OFF

 

[Offseason Champs]

More like :

The Gif party that would occur here would be of EPIC proportions if the Devils won McFranchise.

The fix is in!

 

[Billdo]

We are winning the lottery, book it.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

Imagine the McDavid throwback jerseys for St. Patty's day...

*swoon*

 

[thethinglonger]

Imagine the McDavid throwback jerseys for St. Patty's day...

*swoon*

Don't get my hopes up

But wouldn't he wear #17?

 

[Captain Lou]

And really, how much can you credit a scouting staff for late round success? If the scouting staff was so smart and knew that player was going to be successful, why didn't they take him earlier? Does a player taken in the 5th round working out make up for the players you drafted ahead of him that didn't?

Yes, it does. The point of the draft is get as much value as you can. If you rank a player significantly higher than most other teams, it gives you a chance to to wait on that player 1 round, perhaps even 2 if the leap of faith you have in that player is that big.

In 2008, perhaps Lou and Conte had Henrique ranked say 50th, whereas they knew most teams him ranked far lower than 82 (or wherever he was drafted). That frees them up to take a player better than Henrique, yet we still get Adam, in the next round. This is probably the biggest reason why multiple picks are a nice luxury to have. It gives you the freedom to draft in a way that maximizes value.

As another, admittedly extreme example, let's say you won the lottery this year but felt Eichel was the better player. At that point, why wouldn't you as a GM, trade down to the lowest spot where you feel comfortable to get Jack (#2), while picking up other picks or players in the meantime.

Either way you get the player you really want + other assets.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

17 maybe, I was doing 2015 draft year = 15

 

[Nocashstyle]

17 maybe, I was doing 2015 draft year = 15

Thought maybe he was just a huge Langenbrunner fan

 

[thethinglonger]

17 maybe, I was doing 2015 draft year = 15

17, 15, hell he could wear one of those fraction jerseys for the Mets in Futurama if he wanted...as long as his number is on a Devils jersey I'll be ecstatic

 

[OmNomNom]

he will get #97, and lou will like it!

 

[SeidoN]

he will get #97, and lou will like it!

lol right now McDavid has a 93% chance of wearing 97. and a 7% chance of #17

come to think of it, 17 should be available soon

 

[thethinglonger]

My goodness, if we win the draft lottery and draft McDavid, this is what the press conference with Lou will be like immediately following it. (With Bonus Conte at his side)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZeET4WB2As

 

[OmNomNom]

Imagine the McDavid throwback jerseys for St. Patty's day...

*swoon*

was this something you created or was there a site that this can be done on? i always wonder what certain players names would look like on our jersey

 

[Devils Trap]

was this something you created or was there a site that this can be done on? i always wonder what certain players names would look like on our jersey

Just go to the NHL Shop and pick a normal jersey and customize it

 

[Richer's Ghost]

was this something you created or was there a site that this can be done on? i always wonder what certain players names would look like on our jersey

I did that - you can't customize with small case letters on the nhl site.