Prospect Info: 2020 NHL Draft - part II

[ninetyeight]

It really depends where Askarov falls and who else is still available. If guys from the expected top fall (AL, QB, JD, TS, MR, LR, AH, CP, ALu..) you have to take them. I’d also take Quinn, Zary and Schneider before Askarov. Gunler, Holloway, Mercer, Mukhamadullin, Bourque, Sanderson and Jarvis are more of a coinflip, depends who we take with our first pick. Other than that I take Askarov, but I really doubt he falls beyond top15.

 

[NJDevils17]

I really don’t like taking goalies in the 1st but maybe he’s different? Just go BPA and profit.

 

[njdevils309]

Goalie's are such a crapshoot, I don't think we should be investing a 1st round pick on one, esp in a draft this deep. Askarov will most likey go top 15, and if the Devils take him, they'd be passing on guys like Perfetti or Quinn or Zary. Those guys are much more likely to pan out and would help the team sooner than Askarov.

The team has taken a pretty good approach as it is with drafting goalies late in every draft, and hoping they pan out in the long run. Senn is all of a sudden playing pretty well in the AHL, Schmid was ranked the highest of the goalies in the system, and Brady is playing pretty well in the USHL. All of these guys could pan out, and be ready to come up in 3-6 years.

 

[Forge]

There is a 6 year age difference between Askarov and Blackwood. Quite possible when Askarov is ready, Blackwood could be heading to UFA. We need much better goaltending, if he is available at Arizona pick, I would definitely consider drafting him.

I mean, if Blackwood is good and we let him get to UFA like that, that's on us. I would think that we would be smarter than that. But I've seen our front office, so that is certainly fair.

That being said, we are one of the worst teams in the NHL and have been for a while. Can we try to get get better in the 2-3 years as opposed to 5+.

I'd take him if he were the no doubt best prospect in my mind, but I mentioned it earlier, there's going to be a damn good forward in that spot who is available. For me, I just don't know that there is any way that he's the clear cut top prospect that early on.

 

[Forge]

Drafting Askarov is an investment for 5+ years down the road. Blackwood's current age, health and performance has no impact on this decision.

He's 23 years old. IF I view him as a franchise goalie, I suspect he'll still be our starting our goaltender and hitting his prime even 5+ years down the line. Now, that is a big assumption of course. It means I assume that the FO won't muck it up, or that he himself won't. You have to be a believer in him, which obviously I am. But he certainly does play a factor in that decision even 5+ years down the line, as crazy as that is.

Secondarily, and this is just to supplement the initial argument, if we dig deeper into this, as one of the worst teams in the NHL over the past half a decade, are we looking to get better 5+ years down the line, or 2-3? Or honestly, does that matter? I don't know.

Lastly, I simply don't think Askarov is far and away the best prospect who is going to be available at that spot, to be honest. Someone mentioned taking him with the third first rounder, and I could certainly make an argument for him at that spot because at least there I think that there is a solid chance that he is clearly the best player available, even if I still feel points 1 and 2.

Also, goalies absolutely make me nervous that early, admittedly.

 

[Nubmer6]

Just looking forward:
There's another hot goalie prospect in the 2021 draft named Jesper Wallstedt. He's currently predicted to go in the first round and is evaluated somewhere between Askarov and Knight.

If we don't get Askarov, it's not like we don't have another shot at a potential franchise goalie, PLUS we need to corner the market on ALL Jespers in the league

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Drafting Byfield or Rossi makes ZERO sense. They are both Cs and we have no need at the C position. I like Rossi's game but he does not fit in. We need Defense and scoring Wingers. Ty Smith is our best defensive prospect. That's really bad. We need to urgently upgrade our D with elite talent.

Would you rather add an elite, possibly point per game center to this team or a so-so winger? We need good players, regardless of position. Nico is a ~50 point player right now and Jack is under .4 ppg at the moment. If the best player is a center, you pick the center.

 

[The Wumpus]

Just looking forward:
There's another hot goalie prospect in the 2021 draft named Jesper Wallstedt. He's currently predicted to go in the first round and is evaluated somewhere between Askarov and Knight.

If we don't get Askarov, it's not like we don't have another shot at a potential franchise goalie, PLUS we need to corner the market on ALL Jespers in the league

We really need a goalie called "Jesper Wallstedt". It's too perfect.

 

[Blackjack]

Would you rather add an elite, possibly point per game center to this team or a so-so winger? We need good players, regardless of position. Nico is a ~50 point player right now and Jack is under .4 ppg at the moment. If the best player is a center, you pick the center.

Lol, we would absolutely draft a center if we had a shot at Byfield or Rossi.

 

[Edmonton East]

Under no circumstance should this organization take a goalie in the 1st round this year.

 

[TBF1972]

He's 23 years old. IF I view him as a franchise goalie, I suspect he'll still be our starting our goaltender and hitting his prime even 5+ years down the line. Now, that is a big assumption of course. It means I assume that the FO won't muck it up, or that he himself won't. You have to be a believer in him, which obviously I am. But he certainly does play a factor in that decision even 5+ years down the line, as crazy as that is.

Secondarily, and this is just to supplement the initial argument, if we dig deeper into this, as one of the worst teams in the NHL over the past half a decade, are we looking to get better 5+ years down the line, or 2-3? Or honestly, does that matter? I don't know.

Lastly, I simply don't think Askarov is far and away the best prospect who is going to be available at that spot, to be honest. Someone mentioned taking him with the third first rounder, and I could certainly make an argument for him at that spot because at least there I think that there is a solid chance that he is clearly the best player available, even if I still feel points 1 and 2.

Also, goalies absolutely make me nervous that early, admittedly.

Read again. I say current. In case MBW flames out early in 5 years or has trouble staying healthy, there won't be any short term solutions through the draft. If in 6 years Askarov and Blackwood are starter caliber goalies, you can simply trade one for immediate roster help.

 

[Forge]

Read again. I say current. In case MBW flames out early in 5 years or has trouble staying healthy, there won't be any short term solutions through the draft. If in 6 years Askarov and Blackwood are starter caliber goalies, you can simply trade one for immediate roster help.

Read again. I addressed that by saying that my current assumption is that he is still here in 6 years and hasn't mucked it up on his own (IE, he's still playing at a high level).

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Under no circumstance should this organization take a goalie in the 1st round this year.

I mean I can think of some circumstances....if our scouts love Askarov and he falls to the middle of the 1st and we have multiple other 1st round picks...why not? An elite goalie is as important as any other position.

 

[Edmonton East]

I mean I can think of some circumstances....if our scouts love Askarov and he falls to the middle of the 1st and we have multiple other 1st round picks...why not? An elite goalie is as important as any other position.

Nope. Goalies are a crap shoot and you do not take them in the 1st round when your organization has a million holes. Period.

 

[TBF1972]

Read again. I addressed that by saying that my current assumption is that he is still here in 6 years and hasn't mucked it up on his own (IE, he's still playing at a high level).

Forget it. You don't want to see my point of view. You are talking about MBW and Askarov specific. I talk about succession plans in general. As I view the goalie position, you have to constantly pick a goalie and from time to time aim a little higher. With Blackwood drafted 5 years ago it's getting time to invest a little more in the succession plan. Askarov is an option, not a must in my opinion. If you are in a position to grab him at a value spot, Blackwood shouldn't be the reason why youn don't pick him. Nobody can project things 5 or 6 years down the road.

 

[Forge]

Forget it. You don't want to see my point of view

No offense, I don't need to see it from your point of view. He asked everyone's opinion on the matter of drafting Askarov at 10-12, and I gave mine. I didn't say that I spoke for everyone, nor am I trying to convince everyone to think the way I think about the matter. If you want to draft Askarov between 10-12, I'm not going to give you grief about it. I have my opinions on why I wouldn't, and I gave some of those as well.

You are talking about MBW and Askarov specific. I talk about succession plans in general.

I mean, he asked about Askarov and this draft specifically and I answered with regards to Askarov specifically, which Mac plays a role in. I'm not sure how I am supposed to divine that a question regarding a specific player being drafted at a specific point is supposed to be a generalized conversation in succession plans. That is something completely different and my view point on succession plans simply wasn't the question I was answering

As I view the goalie position, you have to constantly pick a goalie and from time to time aim a little higher.

I don't disagree. In my OP I said that we could get lucky finding a goalie just through luck in drafting them every year. In another thread I recently responded to a poster advocating for taking a goalie every year. Sure, every now and again you can aim higher. I have no problem with that. For me that time isn't right now with a first round goalie going in the top 12 when I have a 23 year old stud at goalie and a stacked first round at forward.

With Blackwood drafted 5 years ago it's getting time to invest a little more in the succession plan. Askarov is an option, not a must in my opinion. If you are in a position to grab him at a value spot, Blackwood shouldn't be the reason why youn don't pick him. Nobody can project things 5 or 6 years down the road.

Perfectly fair. I wouldn't take him at 10-12. Just my decision. Not sure if you noticed by I did say I'd give it consideration with the third first rounder since at that point I may view him as by far and away the best prospect, so its' not like I'm against Askarov in general. There's a time and place.

 

[glenwo2]

You just defeated your own argument. You don't agree that we should overstock on Defense but are ok with overstocking on Cs who you can later move to the Wing? Now that's a brilliant take.

You draft players that naturally fit our positions of need. Logic is to always draft best player available. But if they don't fit, you draft best available on the position of need. And even more so you take chances in guys like Askarov who have superstar potential. Your approach is irrationally conservative and shortsighted.

I am extremely confident to say that :

We are not passing up on top 6 talent for a goaltender.

FULL STOP.

Now we might look for a Goaltender in the LATER ROUNDS but we sure as hell are not going to select one in the 1st round.

Come on, man....

 

[ninetyeight]

Askarov's WJC and recent performance has sure dropped his stock, less than year ago there were even talks he'd go top 3. I think it's a moot point speculating whether we should take him or not as he'll be gone by our second pick.

I do like the idea of taking 1-2 goalies each draft and hope one of them pans. My #2 goalie for the draft is finnish born Joel Blomqvist. He's projected to go somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd round. He's had a pretty rough showing in Liiga this season, but what do you expect from an 17/18 year old goalie in a men's league. Everytime he's played against kids his age, he's been fantastic.

Other candidates I like are:
Drew Commesso - Great numbers in USDP, better than what Knight had, but hard to say how it'll translate. If he makes the U18 team we'll know more. One of the youngest goalie's in the draft too.
Artur Akhtyamov - Great numbers in russian juniors, I have no idea how competitive MHL is though, but if it's a high scoring league (like juniors usually are) then he's got good potential.
Janis Voris - Latvian goalie with already a couple games experience from KHL and good numbers in MHL, but he's 2000 born so older than the rest
Nico Daws - Also 2000 born, Canadien/German dual citizen. Great numbers in OHL and even got some experience in U20 (even if the showing wasn't that great).
Taylor Gauthier - Great numbers in WHL and played in the U18 team last year. He's already 19 though.
Dylan Garand - One of the youngest goalies in the draft. Great numbers in WHL.

Hard to say when any of these should be taken, but if there isn't a better option available, then just take the best goalie on your list.

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

After Lafreniere ....Drysdale is the only other player that scouts use elite to describe him....not a Knock on byfield he's one of youngest in draft but Drysdale is a very good high level prospect.....

 

[Smitty426]

lol shortsighted is approaching the draft with a lean for taking positions of need. That's shortsighted.

How are we overstocked at C?????? We have Nico and Jack right now. That's literally two players. We certainly don't have anybody of note in the system at C either. You have no clue what the hell you're talking about. You want to pass on top 6 talent for a friggin' goalie. A goalie that's been struggling in his draft year. Yeah, sure, let's do that.

We literally just took 4 defenseman in the 2019 draft, including 3 in the top 82 picks. Reaching for a D in the first round when it's loaded at forward is just stupid. You don't draft for need. That's how you end up with Pavel Zacha instead of Ivan Provorov or Zach Werenski.

Drysdale is hardly Zacha based on the reports

 

[Spoiled Bratt]

Nope. Goalies are a crap shoot and you do not take them in the 1st round when your organization has a million holes. Period.

Blackwood isn’t a lock to be our clear cut #1 for years to come, so if the guy who’s getting as much hype since Carey Price is available with a mid round pick, I don’t see why we wouldn’t take the BPA even if he’s a goaltender.

I’m pretty certain the Bolts aren’t regretting taking Vasilevskiy.

 

[beekay414]

Drysdale is hardly Zacha based on the reports

Reread the exchange

 

[Smitty426]

Reread the exchange

OK! I'll start by saying I don't think we win 1 OA
I agree I would take Byfield if he's there, I think Hughes may be better at wing at least in short term.
I like Holtz and Raymond but after the first two spots I like Drysdale best.
I really understood your post. At the time Zacha was picked to be about where he was drafted. Now it s Conte so that explains a bunch. I'm not doubting the forward fire power but PK will be gone Sami too, it's Sevs and whomever is coming up. Makar in Colo makes it so easy for Avs to focus up front, we are a mess in many spots. Just my opinion so I get where you're comin from

 

[beekay414]

OK! I'll start by saying I don't think we win 1 OA
I agree I would take Byfield if he's there, I think Hughes may be better at wing at least in short term.
I like Holtz and Raymond but after the first two spots I like Drysdale best.
I really understood your post. At the time Zacha was picked to be about where he was drafted. Now it s Conte so that explains a bunch. I'm not doubting the forward fire power but PK will be gone Sami too, it's Sevs and whomever is coming up. Makar in Colo makes it so easy for Avs to focus up front, we are a mess in many spots. Just my opinion so I get where you're comin from

Yeah, I'm a Drysdale guy. I was saying we shouldnt reach for any non-Drysdale Dman in the top 10-12. Once we get to the Vancouver pick, it's fair game. If Arizona's pick falls at around 15, that's another spot I'd be okay with a Dman.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

Would you rather add an elite, possibly point per game center to this team or a so-so winger? We need good players, regardless of position. Nico is a ~50 point player right now and Jack is under .4 ppg at the moment. If the best player is a center, you pick the center.

Wait, so how do you know the center will be the better player? You can't just say "elite, possibly ppg center" and then say "so-so winger", what.