Prospect Info: 2020 Devils-Centric Mock Draft 2.0 for March

[Jason MacIsaac]

This is precisely what Mysak excels at in the offensive zone. If you don't want to just take my word for it (and you shouldn't), this is from Steve Kournianos -- one of the best in the biz:

Mysak has a knack for getting open and uses his top-end speed to outpace pressure. His footwork and straight-line skating are quite impressive, and his stride is long and clean. Mysak also displays a commanding on-ice presence and is a creative forward who can finish as well as he can set up linemates. Mysak has elite hands and a nasty shot-release combination on his wrist shot (just ask Yaroslav Askarov about that one). He was a bit more active finding space in the Extraliga than he has with Hamilton, but he still knows how to create his own shot and has proven he can score on the backhand with regularity.

I didn't watch him in Extraliga so maybe I am wrong with him. In the 2 games in the OHL plus WJC I didn't see it. Either way if NJ drafts him I will still cheer him on, i just believe he needs more development for a mid teen pick.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

Just curious -- is this Mark Dennehy from the Devils organization?

Also, I'm going to say that Mysak is far closer to the NHL just because his 200-foot game allows him to slot up and down the line-up, and he's also a huge asset on the PK. Perreault's major flaw (and why he's not a universal top 15 pick) is that he can slack defensively and in compete level -- no NHL coach is going to play a youngster who is lagging in these areas. And Mysak is above-average defensively and has a tremendous compete level -- qualities which often make coaches more tolerant of natural rookie mistakes.

Don't get me wrong -- we're talking about a pair of 17 year old kids, neither of whom are a threat to make an NHL line-up for 2020-21. But I think Mysak could get a long look as early as 2021-22 and certainly 2022-23, while Perreault to me is at least three years away.

Sorry, I should have put the link up. It is Dennehy. I feel he said something similar to Boqvist as well. The kids NJ seems to draft have the puck on their stick a lot as Jr players and have trouble getting in position without it.

 

[MichaelJ]

If the Devils were confident Barron drops that far, I’d like to see them take Quinn at 10, drop from 17 to mid-20’s and pick up a 2nd. I’m perfectly fine rolling the dice later on a player who was the #2 defenseman before the season

 

[StevenToddIves]

Sorry, I should have put the link up. It is Dennehy. I feel he said something similar to Boqvist as well. The kids NJ seems to draft have the puck on their stick a lot as Jr players and have trouble getting in position without it.

No sweat -- I appreciate the Dennehy quote. Why were they interviewing him regarding Jan Mysak?

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

No sweat -- I appreciate the Dennehy quote. Why were they interviewing him regarding Jan Mysak?

They weren't, that was in regards to McLeod and I mentioned a blurb about Boqvist. I feel his game without the puck needs work similar to many of our prospects.

 

[TBF1972]

No sweat -- I appreciate the Dennehy quote. Why were they interviewing him regarding Jan Mysak?

I think the quote is about Mcleod.

 

[StevenToddIves]

They weren't, that was in regards to McLeod and I mentioned a blurb about Boqvist. I feel his game without the puck needs work similar to many of our prospects.

Oh, my apologies then, I misinterpreted your context. I thought Dennehy was talking about Mysak, which was weird to me because it did not seem like an accurate assessment of Mysak's game.

To me -- whether you like him or not -- Mysak will be one of the most interesting developments in the 2020 draft. I've communicated with people who, like me, consider him a borderline top 10 prospect in this draft due to his ridiculous skating/scoring skill combo, complimented by terrific compete level and understanding of the game. But I've also seen people rank him outside of the first round entirely. So, I think we're talking about a kid who could go as high as the 9-11 range, but also someone who could fall to the mid-20s. This draft is incredibly unpredictable in that there are multiple players who would also fit that description -- Poirier, Holloway, Amirov, Gunler. At least we can all agree that it's going to be fun!

 

[AfroThunder396]

Honestly, I trust Castron and Fitz (given they're still here). Three picks in a draft like this will be incredibly hard to screw up.

Gun to my head I think I'd prefer forwards to defensemen in the top-20, unless they're some can't miss big balls future Norris guy. Typically D prospects take more development time and we've got some nice ones on the back burner that should be good to go within the next 0-2 years: Smith, Walsh, Bahl, Misyul, Okhotyuk. In terms of forwards we've got some excellent depth guys in the pipeline but outside of Foote and maybe Boqvist there's not a ton of star potential - just some really good middle-six/depth guys.

With Hall gone, Palms and Goose on expiring contracts, and no top young forwards outside of the #1's and Bratt, adding a few big ticket forwards would be very, very nice. We can't come close to calling ourselves even a bubble team if Wood and Zajac are getting regular shifts in the top-6.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Honestly, I trust Castron and Fitz (given they're still here). Three picks in a draft like this will be incredibly hard to screw up.

Gun to my head I think I'd prefer forwards to defensemen in the top-20, unless they're some can't miss big balls future Norris guy. Typically D prospects take more development time and we've got some nice ones on the back burner that should be good to go within the next 0-2 years: Smith, Walsh, Bahl, Misyul, Okhotyuk. In terms of forwards we've got some excellent depth guys in the pipeline but outside of Foote and maybe Boqvist there's not a ton of star potential - just some really good middle-six/depth guys.

With Hall gone, Palms and Goose on expiring contracts, and no top young forwards outside of the #1's and Bratt, adding a few big ticket forwards would be very, very nice. We can't come close to calling ourselves even a bubble team if Wood and Zajac are getting regular shifts in the top-6.

You raise excellent points here. And this draft class is heavy on high-upside forwards in the top 20, adding credence to your opinions.

 

[glenwo2]

The important thing here is you respect my opinions.

Well I don't.

Come at me, bro.


But seriously, I am absolutely pumped for *whenever* the draft happens 'cause no matter who the Devils pick in the first round, I believe it will be the right pick in my opinion.

 

[My3Sons]

Well I don't.

Come at me, bro.

Meh. Do you really think your lack of approval even registers in my house where my wife of almost 27 years, kids ranging from early 20’s to young teen, and even the two dogs (Golden retrievers and hence pretty dumb themselves) all think I’m a moron?

 

[glenwo2]

Meh. Do you really think your lack of approval even registers in my house where my wife of almost 27 years, kids ranging from early 20’s to young teen, and even the two dogs (Golden retrievers and hence pretty dumb themselves) all think I’m a moron?

I like cheese.


(whoops....sorry. Was channeling my inner aboriginal there)

The answer is : You have two doggos? Hell yeah!! (not that you're a moron but that you have doggos)

 

[Brooklyndevil]

If there’s no more hockey, which looks more and more a very good possibility, would the NHL, hold the draft at it’s current date? Probably via video conference. Need some sort of hockey related anything. The draft would at least be a bit of relief, especially if the Devils hit pay dirt. God Bless to all!!

 

[BurntToast]

I am happy with the possibility of having multiple first round picks but I absolutely hate this draft/offseason. The NHL is not basketball or baseball, they need to MAKE a decision. As a NJ Devils fan, I feel a sense of frustration regarding the said “indecision” with the NHL. Buttman shouldn’t be waiting around for a miracle.

How can you find a GM, Coach, Draft and sign free agents within such a small window of time? If the NHL plans on continuing in July, I hope they hold a digital draft before that. Unfortunately, the offseason would still be a mess.

If you have the draft in July/August/September will anyone from this draft go straight to the NHL? In my opinion, if that happens, Lafreniere or any prospect not currently playing in the AHL would be a long shot. The only exception being; The NHL pushes the season back considerably, to incorporate a normal offseason/preseason.

It would be nice to see something other than Covid-19. Even the weather channel updates Covid-19 stats.

 

[TBF1972]

While depressing there is no reasonable forcast. Everybody on a personal level needs to find a way to deal with this situation. Bettman has absolutely no control over your mental make up. He cares about the league and the interest of cup contenders and lottery teams are obviously not the same. The first have their focus on the 2019/20 season, the later on the 2020/21 season.
No resons for childish rants.

 

[BurntToast]

While depressing there is no reasonable forcast. Everybody on a personal level needs to find a way to deal with this situation. Bettman has absolutely no control over your mental make up. He cares about the league and the interest of cup contenders and lottery teams are obviously not the same. The first have their focus on the 2019/20 season, the later on the 2020/21 season.
No resons for childish rants.

Speaking purely from the standpoint of a Devils Fan. It obviously important to place the welfare of people first. Additionally, I understand that the league needs to find a way to recoup it’s losses but I also know, the NHL has the biggest challenges with restarting.

There are benefits for a restart, the Devils have a better shot at keeping all 3 first round picks and there is a greater chance for the other picks to improve as well.

I am curious how an abrupt end to the season will effect the draft. The playoffs and end of year tournaments help round out scouting reports.

 

[My3Sons]

While depressing there is no reasonable forcast. Everybody on a personal level needs to find a way to deal with this situation. Bettman has absolutely no control over your mental make up. He cares about the league and the interest of cup contenders and lottery teams are obviously not the same. The first have their focus on the 2019/20 season, the later on the 2020/21 season.
No resons for childish rants.

If that’s the case then why am I seeing Bettman at his psychiatry office and why is he prescribing me anti-psychotics that he swears will put me back in touch with reality? And don’t try to say it’s all in my head like those other voices in there!! I’m sure this is really happening. Now excuse me I have to give dictation to my loyal subjects of a new country I founded called Lovejoy land.