2020 Draft & Undrafted Free Agent Thread

[Trxjw]

I feel like a number of 2020 guys have started off pretty slow. I don't know if that's just me over estimating some kids but this class is underwhelming me this season. Plenty of time time change that though.

 

[Leetch3]

well these groups seem evenly matched

 

[Joey Bones]

I feel like a number of 2020 guys have started off pretty slow. I don't know if that's just me over estimating some kids but this class is underwhelming me this season. Plenty of time time change that though.

Yeah, you're not the only one. Wanted most of these kids to step up in someway, but ultimately haven't outside of a few. I think there is still time, but also a small glimmer seeing the WJC is a couple weeks away. After the WJC, everything changes for the second half of the year.

This draft is starting to look like a bigger gamble....

 

[aufheben]

What's the deal with this Tim Stützle kid? Tankathon has him 9OA and listed as a LW/C/RW?

They also have Anton Lundell at 6OA and LW/C.

 

[FoxyClean]

Anton Lundell will be a Ranger and the Twin Finns will lead us to the promised land.

Better yet, we also acquire Puljujarvi to go along with Lundell and Kakko, and the Finnish Line will lead us to the finish line.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

What's the deal with this Tim Stützle kid? Tankathon has him 9OA and listed as a LW/C/RW?

I was planning on catching a game in Mannheim. Should project as LW/C. He's arguably the best German player in the league at 17.

Personally I'd take Stützle over Lundell.

 

[pblawr]

What's the deal with this Tim Stützle kid? Tankathon has him 9OA and listed as a LW/C/RW?

They also have Anton Lundell at 6OA and LW/C.

I think I'd have Stutzle #3 and probably closer to #2 than #4.

I know the DEL isn't as good as the other European pro leagues, but I don't think people appreciate enough how impressive it is for a prospect to put up close to a point-per-game in a pro league. Pettersson did it in the Allsvenskan. Barkov, Granlund, and Kakko did it in Liiga. Matthews did it in the Swiss league. Sedin and Naslund did it in the SHL a long time ago. And I think that's it. Even the guys who did it in lesser leagues, like the DEL, turned into stars.

I think it's worth noting that Seider's adjustment from the DEL to the AHL reflects well on the strength of the DEL too.

There are sample size issues with the CHL, but the fact that Stutzle's outscored Laine and Kakko isn't meaningless either and his numbers in the junior German leagues are better than Draisatl's.

I think these videos from Daniel Gee give you a pretty good idea of his skill set.







He strikes me as an elite stickhandler, passer, and skater who has a huge motor and compete level and is capable of taking over shifts against men. I'd bet on him being a star in the NHL and would take him over everyone in the draft other than Lafreniere and Byfield as of now.

 

[Chytilmania]

What Centers in the draft would compete for a roster spot next year? And if Chytil continues to play well and Henriksson makes the jump, would Winger be better?

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

What Centers in the draft would compete for a roster spot next year? And if Chytil continues to play well and Henriksson makes the jump, would Winger be better?

I think if they do draft a center, it won’t be for next year or maybe even the year after. If they do come away with a high end center, there’s much less pressure to give Zibanejad a huge contract through his 30’s

 

[Leetch3]

What Centers in the draft would compete for a roster spot next year? And if Chytil continues to play well and Henriksson makes the jump, would Winger be better?

henriksson will hopefully be in the SHL full time next year, I can't see him coming over yet.

we take the best forward, doesn't matter if he is a center or wing. also doesn't matter if he is ready next year or if it takes 3 years, get the best guy. draft is for the long term

 

[Joey Bones]

I don't know if Stutzle is better than Lundell. Lundell has been a solid component in HIFK's lineup. If I'm not mistaken, he's had 7 points in the past 7 games....

They both are playing solid hockey!!

 

[Joey Bones]

What Centers in the draft would compete for a roster spot next year? And if Chytil continues to play well and Henriksson makes the jump, would Winger be better?

I still think BPA all the way, no matter position. I do think center is something that needs addressing in the depth chart, though. With that said, Drysdale would put Staal out of commission.

 

[Joey Bones]

What's the deal with this Tim Stützle kid? Tankathon has him 9OA and listed as a LW/C/RW?

They also have Anton Lundell at 6OA and LW/C.

Guys who play multiple positions with their parent clubs. Very good look at where each have their strengths!!

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

I don't know if Stutzle is better than Lundell. Lundell has been a solid component in HIFK's lineup. If I'm not mistaken, he's had 7 points in the past 7 games....

They both are playing solid hockey!!

I like Lundell at #3 so far, but I’ll also admit that he’s one of my favorite players in this draft

 

[aufheben]

I think I'd have Stutzle #3 and probably closer to #2 than #4.

I know the DEL isn't as good as the other European pro leagues, but I don't think people appreciate enough how impressive it is for a prospect to put up close to a point-per-game in a pro league. Pettersson did it in the Allsvenskan. Barkov, Granlund, and Kakko did it in Liiga. Matthews did it in the Swiss league. Sedin and Naslund did it in the SHL a long time ago. And I think that's it. Even the guys who did it in lesser leagues, like the DEL, turned into stars.

I think it's worth noting that Seider's adjustment from the DEL to the AHL reflects well on the strength of the DEL too.

There are sample size issues with the CHL, but the fact that Stutzle's outscored Laine and Kakko isn't meaningless either and his numbers in the junior German leagues are better than Draisatl's.

I think these videos from Daniel Gee give you a pretty good idea of his skill set.







He strikes me as an elite stickhandler, passer, and skater who has a huge motor and compete level and is capable of taking over shifts against men. I'd bet on him being a star in the NHL and would take him over everyone in the draft other than Lafreniere and Byfield as of now.

Wow, thanks. Great hands and vision; Quick, crafty skating. Reminds me of Pettersson but a little more explosive.

I was just curiously looking at Tankathon’s Big Board to see what centers will be available in the 5-10 range, that’s why I asked.

What about Perfetti, Lapierre, Rossi? If the BPA is a D, do the Rangers take the D, or the next highest F?

 

[Joey Bones]

I like Lundell at #3 so far, but I’ll also admit that he’s one of my favorite players in this draft

Likewise, think he's a Gabe Landeskog type without the grit, but better defensive awareness!!

 

[True Blue]

Personally I'd take Stützle over Lundell.

Not I. I would take both Lundell & Holloway first. I should say as of now. But we shall see as the season unfolds if anything changes. But I do expect Lundell to go higher than Stützle.

 

[True Blue]

What Centers in the draft would compete for a roster spot next year? And if Chytil continues to play well and Henriksson makes the jump, would Winger be better?

Very little. Maybe Byfield. Maybe. As solid as Lundell's two way game is, he is not ready for the NHL next year. Or so I believe.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

But we shall see as the season unfolds if anything changes. But I do expect Lundell to go higher than Stützle.

He was always ranked higher than Stützle throughout the past, bascially top 5-6 so far. Haven't looked at Lundell's play much, except when watching him with Kakko.
Never struck me as a flashy guy in any sense, but he was always where he had to be, and usually made the play, there was to make.

I don't know why, but he gives me a "finnish Lias Andersson" vibe*

*that is to say, he will be drafted way higher than he should have been.

 

[True Blue]

He was always ranked higher than Stützle throughout the past, bascially top 5-6 so far. Haven't looked at Lundell's play much, except when watching him with Kakko.

We will all be debating Lundell this year. The second this board reads "High floor", "200 foot game", "not flashy", the pitchforks will come out.

I view him to be a very solid future 2C, two way player. But he will take some time getting there. He could well be the third line center for a few years first as well.

 

[QJL]

I don’t know about the slow start chatter here on 2020. The following players are off to blazing starts:

Lafreniere
Byfield
Stutzle
Lundell
Rossi
Zary
Askarov

The Swedish forwards haven’t quite taken off but they haven’t disappointed either. This is partially due to limited SHL opportunity and ice time.

Perfetti and Drysdale have been fine as well.

From what I’ve seen, none of the top names are severely underperforming.

 

[wafflepadsave]

Looking ahead to the 2020 Draft Food for thought.

 

[Joey Bones]

He was always ranked higher than Stützle throughout the past, bascially top 5-6 so far. Haven't looked at Lundell's play much, except when watching him with Kakko.
Never struck me as a flashy guy in any sense, but he was always where he had to be, and usually made the play, there was to make.

I don't know why, but he gives me a "finnish Lias Andersson" vibe*

*that is to say, he will be drafted way higher than he should have been.

Lundell is a better player than that, IMO....

 

[Joey Bones]

I don’t know about the slow start chatter here on 2020. The following players are off to blazing starts:

Lafreniere
Byfield
Stutzle
Lundell
Rossi
Zary
Askarov

The Swedish forwards haven’t quite taken off but they haven’t disappointed either. This is partially due to limited SHL opportunity and ice time.

Perfetti and Drysdale have been fine as well.

From what I’ve seen, none of the top names are severely underperforming.

Raymond has vastly underperformed & Holtz has been okay. Was expecting more out of Perfetti. Lapierre & Barron have gone in the opposite direction.

I mean, yeah, seven guys are doing great, but the rest have been pretty blah....

And to be fair, Zary wasn’t considered to be in the top 10. He’s now rising, but originally wasn’t regarded as such in the beginning. Same argument could be said about Stutzle, too, but I think most on here thought he had the capability.

 

[Edge]

I don’t know about the slow start chatter here on 2020. The following players are off to blazing starts:

Lafreniere
Byfield
Stutzle
Lundell
Rossi
Zary
Askarov

The Swedish forwards haven’t quite taken off but they haven’t disappointed either. This is partially due to limited SHL opportunity and ice time.

Perfetti and Drysdale have been fine as well.

From what I’ve seen, none of the top names are severely underperforming.

I don't know if slow start is the right description.

I think a lot of guys have been good, even very good. I don't know if I've necessarily found as many guys surprising me as I expected --- at least not yet.

For the last several years, 2020 has been hyped as a draft with some real higher-end talent. Right now, I'm not quite sure it matches that projection. I think it will produce some very good NHL players. I'm just not sure it's ceiling necessarily compares favorably to 2018 or 2019. At least not to the extent it was expected to.