Prospect Info: The 2015 NHL Draft Thread V

[MichaelJ]

Crouse and Provorov can really mess everything up.

The only thing that is set to me is McDavid/Eichel. After that, I don't know what's going to happen.

Arizona -- you would think they would go forward but their defensive depth seems to be running out. They could just as easily go D and draft Hanifin or Provorov

Toronto -- Strome seems like the logical choice here but again they could see a need for defense and take Provorov or Hanifin. Hell, they could even go for Crouse here.

Carolina -- Similar to Arizona. They could pretty much use any of the players at this point.

Even for us, Provorov or Hanifin fills a need for us as a LHD. We could use another one. Sure, we could use a forward a lot more but if Provorov or Hanifin are going to become top pairing D, do you draft a lesser forward instead of those two?

Tough call. We can sign a vet LHD and then have 2 solid trade packages for forwards:

1: Gelinas, Boucher, 2015 2nd
2: Merrill, Matteau, 2015 2nd

Mix and match as you see fit but we could improve our young D even more and still add 2 forwards that we need.

 

[NJDevs26]

You also can't take as many high-pick chances these days cause of the cap and FA age being younger, you need kids to produce sooner.

 

[SeidoN]

see I like Barzal cause hes very skilled but plays a game that translates well. Pronman described him as a dynamic offensive talent. every writeup you find about him says hes a great two-way player with excellent vision. sounds like what everyone here wants Zajac to be

 

[JimEIV]

When we drafted A. Foster, a center, in 2001 our center depth was Arnott, Gomez, Holik, Madden and we had just traded two centers in Morrison and Pederson to Vancouver for Mogilny the year before and Rolston who played a bit of center at the time for Claude...that was some center depth.

 

[Zippy316]

Tough call. We can sign a vet LHD and then have 2 solid trade packages for forwards:

1: Gelinas, Boucher, 2015 2nd
2: Merrill, Matteau, 2015 2nd

Mix and match as you see fit but we could improve our young D even more and still add 2 forwards that we need.

Hypothetically, you draft Provorov. That makes at least one of Merrill or Gelinas immediately expendable.

I think it's a safe bet that they can return a young top nine RW. In a package, maybe a top six RW.

The biggest question for me is how high you're going to be able to sell those guys because you know damn sure teams will know you have to sell them.

 

[Emperoreddy]

You also can't take as many high-pick chances these days cause of the cap and FA age being younger, you need kids to produce sooner.

Exactly. You just can't afford to have kids busting completely. You need productive 2nd and 3rd liners, and even the grinders are expensive in the new cap FA age.

Need to be able to fill all holes top to bottom with as many home grown kids as you can.

 

[Marshal Rochambeau]

see I like Barzal cause hes very skilled but plays a game that translates well. Pronman described him as a dynamic offensive talent. every writeup you find about him says hes a great two-way player with excellent vision. sounds like what everyone here wants Zajac to be

True but you don't find size and skating ability like Crouse everyday and we shouldn't be scared of his numbers Getzlaf was below a point per game average in his draft year as well and Crouse was his team's leading scorer.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I don't want Crouse but honestly I'm not going to go bananas if we pick him.

All indications are the kid is talented.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

I wouldn't mind a trade that went something like this: Our two second rounders + Merrill or Gelly + Matty or Boucher for the Oilers prospect center Drazati (spelling). Trade down our 6th for an additional 2nd rounder. We draft two forwards and go defense with our third. We can possibly add our future n. 1 center and to solid forward, of course if we can entice Edmonton. Other than that type of deal I'm not giving up our first.

For me personal I rather see us trade down and bring back another 2nd and hope we get Connor at the least and have #3 2nds. And I certainly want nothing to do with the Leafs.

 

[Devils090]

imagine Marner falls to 6 and we pass on him and then Philly takes him

ho' boy

 

[Brooklyndevil]

Barzal would be going 3 or 4 if he didn't get hurt I'd be more than thrilled getting him at 6

I'm starting to warm to Barzal.

 

[MichaelJ]

I wouldn't mind a trade that went something like this: Our two second rounders + Merrill or Gelly + Matty or Boucher for the Oilers prospect center Drazati (spelling). Trade down our 6th for an additional 2nd rounder. We draft two forwards and go defense with our third. We can possibly add our future n. 1 center and to solid forward, of course if we can entice Edmonton. Other than that type of deal I'm not giving up our first.

For me personal I rather see us trade down and bring back another 2nd and hope we get Connor at the least and have #3 2nds. And I certainly want nothing to do with the Leafs.

Building on this, what do you think about:

NJD: Rychel, #8(Zacha)
CLB: Hanifin/Provorov

(Proposed by CLB fan)

NJD: Draisaitl
EDM: Gelinas, Boucher, 2 2nds

(No idea if they'd take it, they can likely get better offers...just using your example)

We walk away with Rychel, Zacha, Draisaitl...Kovalchuk returns

Henrique-Zacha-Kovalchuk
Rychel-Draisaitl-RW2

Very talented and led by a young vet and an older elite RW.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Warning for the new thread. Keep all Kovy stuff in the Kovy thread.

He isn't on this team and he isn't an NHL player there are no indications that is changing anytime soon.

 

[New Jack City]

I'm starting to warm to Barzal.

Everyone needs to start warming up to the idea of Barzal. He was ahead of Strome/Marner before this season. Had an injury and then those guys started putting up good numbers. I truly believe after watching all three players that Barzal will have the most success in the NHL. If we dont trade the pick he should be our guy

 

[CerebralGenesis]

I want marner but it would need mad luck to get him.


Zacha or barzal after have my vote.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Everyone needs to start warming up to the idea of Barzal. He was ahead of Strome/Marner before this season. Had an injury and then those guys started putting up good numbers. I truly believe after watching all three players that Barzal will have the most success in the NHL. If we dont trade the pick he should be our guy

I've been tooting his horn for monyhs. Ya odds are he is more a gomez playmaker but he would be the most talented one we have in the system by leaps and bounds.

Kid has excellent hockey IQ and vision.

Also he does have good hands and can score on his own too

 

[AfroThunder396]

If Strome and Marner are both gone (which I fully expect them both to be), I want Barzal.

Crouse I wouldn't be thrilled with, but I wouldn't hate it either. He'd immediately be our best prospect. But I think Barzal, Zacha, Rantanen, hell maybe even Timo Meier might be better than him.

Our forward prospects blow donkey, anyone is an improvement at this point.

 

[Sascha Goc]

Marner is the #1 hope for me. Carolina is the gonna make or break that hope it looks like.

I know I'll probably get crapped on but the more I watch and read about Crouse the more I would be accepting of him.

 

[New Jack City]

Marner/Barzal/Rantanen is who I would want. I'd take those three over Strome, I really dont like his foot speed. He has looked sluggish out there when I have watched him

 

[tycobb]

I don't want Crouse but honestly I'm not going to go bananas if we pick him.

All indications are the kid is talented.

Is there a publication that has him outside the top 8? I remember a few publication had him in the top 5.

It seems like the board should be more worried about picking someone like Barzal who is considered ~10-11 pick and would be one that is the reach.

 

[Billdo]

Hopefully Marner or Strome fall. It's not likely but who knows. If they don't, Barzal is the guy. I want him. If they take Crouse I wouldn't hate it like some people are saying. He's ranked high for a reason. If it's between Zacha, Barzal, Rantanen, Provorov, and Werenski I'm going Barzal. I REALLY want Sprong in the 2nd if we can along with Rasmus Andersson who I doubt will be there.

 

[glenwo2]

Crouse and Provorov can really mess everything up.

The only thing that is set to me is McDavid/Eichel. After that, I don't know what's going to happen.

Arizona -- you would think they would go forward but their defensive depth seems to be running out. They could just as easily go D and draft Hanifin or Provorov

Toronto -- Strome seems like the logical choice here but again they could see a need for defense and take Provorov or Hanifin. Hell, they could even go for Crouse here.

Carolina -- Similar to Arizona. They could pretty much use any of the players at this point.

Even for us, Provorov or Hanifin fills a need for us as a LHD. We could use another one. Sure, we could use a forward a lot more but if Provorov or Hanifin are going to become top pairing D, do you draft a lesser forward instead of those two?

Don't know about Provorov but if Hanifin is still there at 6(he won't be), I think you have to take him.

 

[Sascha Goc]

I don't want Crouse but honestly I'm not going to go bananas if we pick him.

All indications are the kid is talented.

The guy literally does everything, he's big , nasty , and physical. Has a nose for the net and has great awareness. Many scouting reports comparing him to guys like Cam Neely, Jamie Benn, Brendan Shanahan. He isn't fast , a center, can't dangle crazy (although apparently his puck handling is very good), and does't put up sexy numbers that this board wants...but if we take him and all the top flight centers are gone I think I'd be pretty happy.

 

[Bologna 1]

I agree with those who want marner if he somehow miraculously slips. but assuming the top five goes mcdavid/eichel/hanifin/strome/marner, I would be cool with any of barzal/ratanen/crouse/zacha. warming up to the idea of crouse in that case, and even wouldn't completely hate provorov if he is really as good as most are saying. would obviously prefer a forward though.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Is there a publication that has him outside the top 8? I remember a few publication had him in the top 5.

It seems like the board should be more worried about picking someone like Barzal who is considered ~10-11 pick and would be one that is the reach.

I think I've seen him at 10 somewhere.

Barzal' injury was a big reason he fell back. His actual play and his play last year should of had him ranked higher.

Zacha would have me more worried at that spot honestly.