www.todaysslapshot.com Devils draft preview

[Devil X]

How is it not even close? Are you an expert or something? I haven't heard any scout say that, and in most drafts he is ranked lower than 6.

I dunno if i have even seen Barzal at 6 on any list.

 

[Edmonton East]

I dunno if i have even seen Barzal at 6 on any list.

First off, he is at 6 on plenty of listings but definitely not the majority. Second, if you are of the belief that we must take a forward with this pick (I am one of these people), where he is ranked overall doesn't matter. Where he is ranked in comparison to Zacha, Meier, Rantanen, etc does. And Barzal is listed above those 3 in the majority of listings I've seen.

 

[Unknown Caller]

Forward wise, I think Barzal is clearly the best option at #6 as well. And actually there are plenty (I do not mean majority) of scouts that have said Barzal could easily sneak into the top 5. Obviously I'm no expert but of the hours of tape I watched on Zacha and Barzal, I really don't see how those two specifically are close. It's 90% size bias in my eyes, which isn't nearly as important in today's NHL.

Size bias? Zacha is stronger, faster, has a much harder shot, and is a more physical player. If you think it's based on size, you haven't watched the tape. Zacha just has an incredible skill set that is hard to find. Barzal doesn't have anywhere near the physical tools that Zacha has.

I'm not sure who I would take in that spot, but my point is that Zacha ranked above Barzal has very little to do with size.

 

[RSeen]

No interest in trading Larsson, good article and good ideas but not willing to trade him or Severson.

 

[glenwo2]

Watching that shift by shift video on Barzal, there is a play Barzal walks in towards the goal and has a clear shooting lane from about 5-10 feet out. He doesn't shoot, and instead goes past the net and tries to force a pass into a scrum right in front of the net.

The announcer laments that Seattle is over passing yet again. On this particular play they are speaking directly of Barzal.

Now he clearly is a pass first player, and seems to be pretty darn good at it. But Seattle is a team that lacks goal scoring. I find that to be a point of concern when evaluating Barzal.

I find it troubling after reading the comments after yours that nobody is concerned about this.

Do we really want another Scott Gomez on our hands who passes more than he shoots?

 

[Edmonton East]

Size bias? Zacha is stronger, faster, has a much harder shot, and is a more physical player. If you think it's based on size, you haven't watched the tape. Zacha just has an incredible skill set that is hard to find. Barzal doesn't have anywhere near the physical tools that Zacha has.

I'm not sure who I would take in that spot, but my point is that Zacha ranked above Barzal has very little to do with size.

He is not faster. Clearly you haven't watched the tape if you think that's the case. Yea, sure, he has a harder shot. No arguing that. More physical? Again, obviously no arguing that either. In terms of high end skill (not just a "hard" shot), vision, passing, and skating, Barzal is superior. Additionally, the consensus from pro scouts seems to be that Barzal has a much better shot at being 1/2 CENTER. There's a reason most scouts/reports have Barzal ahead of Zacha...I just believe the gap is even wider than what they are saying.

 

[Edmonton East]

I find it troubling after reading the comments after yours that nobody is concerned about this.

Do we really want another Scott Gomez on our hands who passes more than he shoots?

Gomez was my favorite player to watch early in his career with the Devs. If Barzal can be a 50 assist center, you take him. Period. It's like some people are expecting the Devils draftee to come in and post 35+ goals within two years. This is going to be a long process to becoming a serious contender again, you don't pass on high end talent simply because they are a playmaker vs sniper. This team needs both.

I don't know what more has to be proven for people to realize you need great centers to win cups.

 

[Cheddabombs]

I find it troubling after reading the comments after yours that nobody is concerned about this.

Do we really want another Scott Gomez on our hands who passes more than he shoots?

Who would a potential Scott Gomez rather learn from than the real Scott Gomez Gomer v.1 isn't going to be around forever (is he even signed for next season?), so Gomer v.2 could learn a bit from the original before the torch is passed. Which I don't even think would happen, pretty sure Gomer v.2 is going to play another year in junior.

As far as I'm concerned if we walk away with one of Rantanen, Barzal or Zacha then I will be very happy.

 

[Tundra]

Size bias? Zacha is stronger, faster, has a much harder shot, and is a more physical player. If you think it's based on size, you haven't watched the tape. Zacha just has an incredible skill set that is hard to find. Barzal doesn't have anywhere near the physical tools that Zacha has.

I'm not sure who I would take in that spot, but my point is that Zacha ranked above Barzal has very little to do with size.

If we're going to miss, try to miss big. Zacha's skillset is too tantalizing.

 

[NJDevs26]

Gomez was my favorite player to watch early in his career with the Devs. If Barzal can be a 50 assist center, you take him. Period. It's like some people are expecting the Devils draftee to come in and post 35+ goals within two years. This is going to be a long process to becoming a serious contender again, you don't pass on high end talent simply because they are a playmaker vs sniper. This team needs both.

I'd be just fine coming out of this draft with another Scott Gomez...top six center for nearly a decade and could bring out the best in shoot first guys like Camm, Henrique and even potentially Boucher.

 

[NJRockinRoller]

Excellent article.

Question for board - I got laughed off the internet for suggesting that trading Greene could be good for the organization last week... one of the trade partners in that discussion was Edmonton/Draisaitl. I love the Draisitl/Devils fit but don't like parting with Larsson... I wonder if Edmonton would rather have Greene anyway being that they are so young they may be finally ready to make progress with their McDavid led roster. I'm sure other components would have to be added.

Question is which option would you take if you had a choice:
1 - Larsson for Draisaitl
2 - Greene for Draisitl
3 - No Draisaitl, keep em both

 

[Davegarri]

Excellent article.

Question for board - I got laughed off the internet for suggesting that trading Greene could be good for the organization last week... one of the trade partners in that discussion was Edmonton/Draisaitl. I love the Draisitl/Devils fit but don't like parting with Larsson... I wonder if Edmonton would rather have Greene anyway being that they are so young they may be finally ready to make progress with their McDavid led roster. I'm sure other components would have to be added.

Question is which option would you take if you had a choice:
1 - Larsson for Draisaitl
2 - Greene for Draisitl
3 - No Draisaitl, keep em both

I'd do Greene for LD over Larsson for him any day. It's not even close in my mind.

I love Greene, he is very good and a huge part of this team and a good mentor for the defensemen, but he's only getting older. If it meant getting a very skilled top-line potential center I would do it. There's also plenty of veteran d-men UFA's this summer to replace him

 

[NJRockinRoller]

I'd do Greene for LD over Larsson for him any day. It's not even close in my mind.

I love Greene, he is very good and a huge part of this team and a good mentor for the defensemen, but he's only getting older. If it meant getting a very skilled top-line potential center I would do it. There's also plenty of veteran d-men UFA's this summer to replace him

I couldn't agree more. I really wonder what Edmonton would say if you approached them with something like this. I think with the new arena and the young talent and McDavid being the cherry on top, they may be ready to show the locals that it is time to win now.

If you sign an Oduya/Martin it's a downgrade but for what? Now you have 2 young pivots in Dras and Barzal (potentially), all your young defensemen, your first rounder next year and your cap space.

 

[Davegarri]

I couldn't agree more. I really wonder what Edmonton would say if you approached them with something like this. I think with the new arena and the young talent and McDavid being the cherry on top, they may be ready to show the locals that it is time to win now.

If you sign an Oduya/Martin it's a downgrade but for what? Now you have 2 young pivots in Dras and Barzal (potentially), all your young defensemen, your first rounder next year and your cap space.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Tretyak 20]

He is not faster. Clearly you haven't watched the tape if you think that's the case. Yea, sure, he has a harder shot. No arguing that. More physical? Again, obviously no arguing that either. In terms of high end skill (not just a "hard" shot), vision, passing, and skating, Barzal is superior. Additionally, the consensus from pro scouts seems to be that Barzal has a much better shot at being 1/2 CENTER. There's a reason most scouts/reports have Barzal ahead of Zacha...I just believe the gap is even wider than what they are saying.

I've watched the video and I also saw Zacha as faster. Not sure how you don't see it, since it's pretty clear.

In our position, I'd also take a 1st line LW over a 2nd line C. I agree a truly elite C is important for a contender, but Barzal's ceiling IMO is Scott Gomez 2.0, and Gomer was never really an elite C.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Thinking outside the box for sec.

What can we realistically do to have a shot at drafting both Zacha and Barzal?

 

[Classic Devil]

Thinking outside the box for sec.

What can we realistically do to have a shot at drafting both Zacha and Barzal?

Trade Larsson or Severson.

 

[R8Devs]

Trade Larsson or Severson.

or ask la to give the devils their 2015 first round pick in exchange for taking on mike richards.

 

[Tretyak 20]

or ask la to give the devils their 2015 first round pick in exchange for taking on mike richards.

Realistically, Merrill and our 3rd for Richards and LA's 1st?

 

[StevenToddIves]

My two round mock is up at TSS:

http://www.todaysslapshot.com/nhl-prospects-2/2-round-nhl-mock-draft-2015-updated-for-june/13/

I do have the Devils getting Barzal at #6. He is often compared to Datsyuk or Giroux by scouts, I have ever once read or heard Gomez as a comparison.

Also, I think we should all agree that both Barzal and Zacha are elite skaters. Both offer tremendous upside as a future #1 center. I have Zacha going #9 to San Jose.

If you want to know who I have the Devils getting at #36 and #41, well... read the column!

Thanks again for all your thoughtful comments.

 

[Mustangs]

Good read, very well done.

 

[HBK27]

I'd be very happy to see the Devils hold onto the picks and draft 3 forwards with the #6, #36 & #41 picks.

 

[Devils Dominion]

My two round mock is up at TSS:

http://www.todaysslapshot.com/nhl-prospects-2/2-round-nhl-mock-draft-2015-updated-for-june/13/

I do have the Devils getting Barzal at #6. He is often compared to Datsyuk or Giroux by scouts, I have ever once read or heard Gomez as a comparison.

Also, I think we should all agree that both Barzal and Zacha are elite skaters. Both offer tremendous upside as a future #1 center. I have Zacha going #9 to San Jose.

If you want to know who I have the Devils getting at #36 and #41, well... read the column!

Thanks again for all your thoughtful comments.

Excellent work Steven.

Are you a Devils fan BTW?

 

[Devil X]

The only way you get Barzal and Zacha is if Zacha totally BOMBS the combine and interviews and falls into the 20s. He is a risk if teams see ANY red flags he will fall.

 

[devilsblood]

My two round mock is up at TSS:

http://www.todaysslapshot.com/nhl-prospects-2/2-round-nhl-mock-draft-2015-updated-for-june/13/

I do have the Devils getting Barzal at #6. He is often compared to Datsyuk or Giroux by scouts, I have ever once read or heard Gomez as a comparison.

Also, I think we should all agree that both Barzal and Zacha are elite skaters. Both offer tremendous upside as a future #1 center. I have Zacha going #9 to San Jose.

If you want to know who I have the Devils getting at #36 and #41, well... read the column!

Thanks again for all your thoughtful comments.

But Gomez is a very natural comparison, good skating, puck carrying, play making centerman, who, in a perfect world, would shoot the puck more.

Now Gomez was a pretty darn good offensive player, and if Barzal could be that, and brought a higher level of defensive accumen to the table(perhaps where the Datsyuk comparisons come)? Then I'd be all in.

Watching Zacha's highlight, seems to be more individualistic in his skills. His shot seemed to be his most noticible attribute.