Prospect Info: 2019 NHL Entry Draft Part II

[StevenToddIves]

I've heard some talk of Byram being overrated, but it's all just personal opinion and regardless of who we like or who certain people like, Shero and his staff will make the decision they think is best (hopefully we win the lottery).

There are always people who dismiss prospects in the hockey writing world. I dislike the use of 'overrated' without explanation. Bowen Byram is a plus skater with incredible strength and intelligence, who combines top-end vision and passing with a booming shot. He hits like a freight train and stands up for teammates. In 59 games with the Vancouver Giants, he has 22 goals and 59 points. He is one of the top defensive defensemen in the WHL as a 17 year old.

I would be interested in learning from those who call Byram 'overrated' exactly what weakness of his game will preclude him from being a top-pairing defenseman at the NHL level.

Although those on these threads who read me know I am extremely adverse to vitriolic criticism of teenaged hockey prospects, there is at least one negative question I could raise for every other defense prospect in the class of 2019. But not Byram. This is why, in my mind, he is the top D without question, and my #3 overall prospect in the draft.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Could we get Byram at 5 ? Or do we think he goes at 3/4 since he's the only D available in the top 10 ?

In my estimation, Byram can go anywhere between 3 and 8. I firmly believe the Vancouver Canucks will be willing to jump through flaming hoops in order to draft him.

 

[StevenToddIves]

What I don't like about his rankings is that he talks up all the prospects, but doesn't really get into their weaknesses. That's probably the most important thing for me. It's kind of like when I consider buying something from Amazon. I always look at the negative reviews more than the positive ones.

I have the same weakness. When was the last time you read me writing that I think a player is going to be a bust?

Believe me, I have thought these things when watching game film. But I refuse to let vitriol seep into my opinions about kids who are chasing their dreams. So instead, I'll try to raise questions with civility.

 

[Nubmer6]

I have the same weakness. When was the last time you read me writing that I think a player is going to be a bust?

Believe me, I have thought these things when watching game film. But I refuse to let vitriol seep into my opinions about kids who are chasing their dreams. So instead, I'll try to raise questions with civility.

There's a difference between writing someone's going to be a bust, and pointing out the player's weaknesses and what they need to work on.

 

[StevenToddIves]

There's a difference between writing someone's going to be a bust, and pointing out the player's weaknesses and what they need to work on.

I remember writing about Ryan Merkley last year. It was very difficult. It was like, "strengths: hockey; weaknesses: personality". So you temper what you are thinking and write something like "questions have been raised regarding certain off-ice issues, which could drop him on some draft boards".

It's actually kind of absurd, in a way. Generally, I prefer to spend more time writing about prospects I like than those I am skeptical of. As the draft gets closer, I will spend a ton of time pumping the tires of Byram, Cozens, Turcotte and Zegras. I will talk about intriguing sleeper prospects for Devils fans to hope for in the second and third rounds. What won't I be spending time on is writing about prospects I don't think will become very good players in the NHL.

 

[Shakir ONeal]

I remember writing about Ryan Merkley last year. It was very difficult. It was like, "strengths: hockey; weaknesses: personality". So you temper what you are thinking and write something like "questions have been raised regarding certain off-ice issues, which could drop him on some draft boards".

It's actually kind of absurd, in a way. Generally, I prefer to spend more time writing about prospects I like than those I am skeptical of. As the draft gets closer, I will spend a ton of time pumping the tires of Byram, Cozens, Turcotte and Zegras. I will talk about intriguing sleeper prospects for Devils fans to hope for in the second and third rounds. What won't I be spending time on is writing about prospects I don't think will become very good players in the NHL.

Who would you say is a comparable for Zegras?

 

[My3Sons]

I remember writing about Ryan Merkley last year. It was very difficult. It was like, "strengths: hockey; weaknesses: personality". So you temper what you are thinking and write something like "questions have been raised regarding certain off-ice issues, which could drop him on some draft boards".

It's actually kind of absurd, in a way. Generally, I prefer to spend more time writing about prospects I like than those I am skeptical of. As the draft gets closer, I will spend a ton of time pumping the tires of Byram, Cozens, Turcotte and Zegras. I will talk about intriguing sleeper prospects for Devils fans to hope for in the second and third rounds. What won't I be spending time on is writing about prospects I don't think will become very good players in the NHL.

I think that you can always suggest tastefully that a player strikes you as risky or boom or bust or whatever euphemism you might prefer. You don’t have to blast the guy but it does provide some context if NJ was to pick someone at 5 that you don’t see as a first rounder - such as Broberg would be. Every player presents with certain strengths and some present with more or less areas that need improvement. Frankly I think the only true red flag on a prospect is a bad attitude or poor work ethic. Almost anything else can be overcome with effort but if you aren’t willing to try you won’t make it with even great talent.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

i'm not sure how the hell byram is overrated. What he's doing certainly deserves praise. While it does not necessarily mean he'll be a stud #1 d-man it also doesn't deserve being called overrated.

I guess you could say the same thing about every #1 overall prior to the draft then...(by that I mean the #1 ranked prospect)

 

[glenwo2]

Give me...the BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE.

Our team needs another "BPA".

 

[Edmonton East]

Have to think they finish 4th from the bottom. Basically 31% odds to pick 4th or better.

Bleh.

 

[My3Sons]

Have to think they finish 4th from the bottom. Basically 31% odds to pick 4th or better.

Bleh.

STI has this as a good year for any pick in the top ten. We’d all love a top two spot but it sounds like a cornerstone player is available at 7 8 or 9.

 

[glenwo2]

STI has this as a good year for any pick in the top ten. We’d all love a top two spot but it sounds like a cornerstone player is available at 7 8 or 9.

@Hall4Hart is just mad that we won't have a shot at Hughes or Kakko.

I still think we do.

We didn't exactly finish as the worst team in the year we got Nico.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Who would you say is a comparable for Zegras?

Barzal.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Have to think they finish 4th from the bottom. Basically 31% odds to pick 4th or better.

Bleh.

Okay, let's say the Devils draft 6th or 7th and the franchise talents (Hughes, Kakko) and the cornerstone #1 D (Byram) are all off the board. NJ will almost certainly have a shot at Turcotte or Zegras, two centers whose upsides are not far off from Nico Hischier. Turcotte projects to a shut-down defensive C who also scores at nearly a PPG clip, while Zegras is extremely comparable to Mat Barzal, with just ridiculous scoring upside.

I would say that is somewhat better than 'bleh'.

It's also worth noting that, picking anywhere between 3 and 5, the Devils will likely come away from the draft with one of Byram or Cozens, both of whom have superstar potential at positions/styles of play the Devils sorely lack in the organization.

 

[glenwo2]

Okay, let's say the Devils draft 6th or 7th and the franchise talents (Hughes, Kakko) and the cornerstone #1 D (Byram) are all off the board. NJ will almost certainly have a shot at Turcotte or Zegras, two centers whose upsides are not far off from Nico Hischier. Turcotte projects to a shut-down defensive C who also scores at nearly a PPG clip, while Zegras is extremely comparable to Mat Barzal, with just ridiculous scoring upside.

I would say that is somewhat better than 'bleh'.

It's also worth noting that, picking anywhere between 3 and 5, the Devils will likely come away from the draft with one of Byram or Cozens, both of whom have superstar potential at positions/styles of play the Devils sorely lack in the organization.

Steve, the issue is unfamiliarity as I, personally, only am familiar with Hughes and Kakko.

I do not know anyone else and to me, if the Devils don't end up drafting of the two above, I'm just going to be all like "Draft BPA" and hope for the best.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Here is a good question. Is anyone after Kakko potentially NHL ready? Also in the Russian’s case is he NHL ready and willing to come over immediately? (Why I don’t want to draft him)

 

[Emperoreddy]

It is worth remembering for those who are grumbling about being 4th worst, is even if we pulled behind Ottawa, LA, Det, and Anaheim, we could still end up picking 4th overall.

This situation legitimately happened the year we won Nico.

Since there is no way we do worse then Ottawa we could end up 2nd or 3rd and pick 5th or 6th.

 

[My3Sons]

It is worth remembering for those who are grumbling about being 4th worst, is even if we pulled behind Ottawa, LA, Det, and Anaheim, we could still end up picking 4th overall.

This situation legitimately happened the year we won Nico.

Since there is no way we do worse then Ottawa we could end up 2nd or 3rd and pick 5th or 6th.

A quick look at the standings suggests NJ finishes anywhere from second worst to fifth worst. Assuming NJ finishes fifth from the bottom, as long as one team below NJ has some lottery luck it sounds like NJ will have a shot at a building block player. I’m not getting too wrapped up in Byram as the lotto balls may or may not make him a realistic selection and who knows if Castron and the scouts have him as high on their draft board as STI does. As long as the organization goes BPA with every pick that would seem to be a good strategy.

 

[Nubmer6]

Steve, the issue is unfamiliarity as I, personally, only am familiar with Hughes and Kakko.

I do not know anyone else and to me, if the Devils don't end up drafting of the two above, I'm just going to be all like "Draft BPA" and hope for the best.

Umm... Drafting Hughes or Kakko is drafting BPA too

 

[TBF1972]

For that reason I'm not sure we draft him even if he's on the board when we're up. The allure is that we really, really, really need a 1LHD, and they're virtually impossible to find outside the draft. Maybe some (perhaps all) of the forwards in that top group will better than him, but how do you even compare apples and oranges?

When it all boils down, I feel a #1D (not just a 1st pairing D) is more valuable than a 1C because they're harder to obtain.

not for everybody. nashville and carolina finds them with ease.

 

[glenwo2]

Umm... Drafting Hughes or Kakko is drafting BPA too

I know.

But I'm referring to AFTER those two are NOT available...

 

[New Jersey Devils]

Byram will go 3rd or 4th.

 

[glenwo2]

Byram will go 3rd or 4th.

And if the Devils select him, I will be happy and not all Jets-Fan-like.

 

[Goptor]

It seems like a good year to have an early draft pick. Kakko, Byram, and a bunch of centers.

Last year only 3 centers were picked before Smith at #17. Arizona and Montreal were ridiculed for reaching on the centers they picked as well.

 

[OmNomNom]

It seems like a good year to have an early draft pick. Kakko, Byram, and a bunch of centers.

Last year only 3 centers were picked before Smith at #17. Arizona and Montreal were ridiculed for reaching on the centers they picked as well.

mtl seems to got a good one in kotkaniemi