Prospect Info: Best Available 25 For Day 2 of 2019 Draft

[Mike27Devils]

What are Lavoies compete/character issues?

From the Mooseheads games I watched, he loved to compete, he just isnt a defensive beast.

NHL scouts have stated they don’t like his compete and he apparently interviewed poorly at the combine. That’s why he dropped out of the first round even with his size/skill and and all the points he put up in the playoffs. That helps back up what I’ve heard of him. I also predicted Kaliyev to drop to the 2nd round before McKenzie even stated the wide range of the rankings of him.

 

[StevenToddIves]

The devils will not take Kaliyev or Lavoie. They both have compete and character issues. They are not devils

I would say Lavoie answered a lot of those questions with 20 goals (!) in 23 Memorial Cup playoff games. His compete was consistent and admirable throughout the QMJHL post-season.

Kaliyev was actually upsetting to watch during the draft. The fact that the camera seemed to close on him, and we did not see anyone speaking with him in any of the shots. Then, the clear despair he was showing towards the end of the first round was almost unsettling. We forget that these are kids being drafted, not seasoned veterans. Even so, you need a great deal of mental toughness to succeed in professional sports, and Kaliyev seemed to unravel with each time he was passed over.

I was puzzled by the NBC decision to, once Caufield was selected, seemingly focus in on Kaliyev for the obligatory "this kid is falling in the draft" shots. Lavoie, Dorofeyev and Robertson were generally ranked in the same range by the consensus, and outside of the one Lavoie shot, the cameras generally ignored them. I'm guessing it's because Kaliyev's despair was the most blatantly evident. This paragraph may be more of a criticism of the media than of Kaliyev, but again -- these are kids.

 

[TheDuke93]

What are Lavoies compete/character issues?

From the Mooseheads games I watched, he loved to compete, he just isnt a defensive beast.

He engages in all three zones, he just wants to score more then play defense, kind of like Malkin in that regard. It's not that he doesn't play defense, it is just that he is much quieter defensively but is willing to jump lanes to get to offense.

 

[StevenToddIves]

lavoie and robertson are probably gone by 34...so i think we take a forward, and i think that forward will be dorofeyev

I'd say Lavoie to either team is quite likely. The Kings just took a LD 9 picks ago (Bjornfot), so I would not count on their targeting Robertson unless they have him ranked extremely high. I would guess Lavoie to Ottawa and Dorofeyev to the Kings.

 

[TheDuke93]

I'd say Lavoie to either team is quite likely. The Kings just took a LD 9 picks ago (Bjornfot), so I would not count on their targeting Robertson unless they have him ranked extremely high. I would guess Lavoie to Ottawa and Dorofeyev to the Kings.

I would cry if this happens, Lavoie would be such a perfect fit on a future dominant line of Zacha-Hughes-Lavoie. But I digress Robertson/Hoglander would be very welcome additions and by no means a "consolation" prize.

 

[Mike27Devils]

I feel like the chances of the devils drafting Mathew Robertson are 80% as he fits the bill of what the Devils are lacking. If he goes before the devils I say they pick Hoglander, Brink, or kolyachonok. Kolyachonok actually may be the best skating D in the draft so I can see the devils being very intrigued by him.

 

[JrFischer54]

Go with the power forward. For a team as small as we are get some size up there. I doubt woods plays out his contract here

 

[OmNomNom]

NGL I think Steve influenced us a bit hehe

 

[NJ DevLolz]

Hoglander, Kaliyev, Lavoie, one of the Robertson's, Brink

 

[LeedsMonster]

It was an interesting first round, to say the least. My foremost impression was that several teams were putting emphasis on positional need over "best available player", primarily at RD. More on that later, since I'm pressed for time and want to help out Devils fans with this list...

1 RW Rafael Lavoie power winger with size, skill and sick shot; first line, high-scoring upside
2 LD Matthew Robertson physical shut-down D with high-end skating is also extremely heady with the puck
3 RW Bobby Brink high-skilled but undersized RW features tremendous shooting accuracy and elite vision
4 C Jamieson Rees lightning-fast, slick-passing C with almost rabid compete level and excellent two-way acumen
5 LW Pavel Dorofeyev big, skilled W compares nicely to Flip Forsberg
6 W Arthur Kaliyev highest scoring upside of any W in draft combines ridiculous shot with high-end vision, but polarizing attitude and lack of 200-foot game has clearly landed him on many teams' "do not draft" lists
7 LW Nicholas Robertson undersized W wing huge heart and magical hands can also shoot a needle out of a haystack
8 LW Nils Hoglander undersized W with jersey-flapping speed and elite vision
9 LD Vladislav Kolyachonok big, fast D with intriguing offensive upside and the defensive acumen to make him a low-risk selection
10 RD Kaeden Korczak punishing, physical defensive D has far better puck skills and offense than he's been given credit for
11 RW Nathan Legare big power F plays like bull in china shop and can blast the biscuit
12 RW Brett Leason may not offer the most offensive upside, but this 6'5 bear on skates is a physical beast and has a very high floor as a third-line crasher; close to NHL ready
13 RD Case McCarthy physical, defensive D is impossible to beat one-on-one; clears creases and flattens forwards with seeming ease
14 C Yegor Spiridonov big, rangy two-way C does everything well; can shut down opposing Cs, score and is the very best face-off specialist in the entire draft class
15 RD Drew Helleson big D plays with extreme intelligence, not a scorer but a future shut-down guy in the vein of Slavin or Vlasic
16 C Trevor Janicke heart and soul two-way hustler can also wire the puck
17 LW Yegor Afanaseyev huge Russian with a ridiculously dangerous shot can be a top line all-star if he can improve his skating
18 W Albin Grewe wrecking ball of a winger gets under the skin of everyone and can skate and score his way into a top-6 NHL role
19 LW Robert Mastrosimone pure scorer with 30+ goal upside
20 LD Jake Lee punishing physical defender with shut down skill also is very capable offensively
21 C John Farinacci incredibly competitive pivot with a shot like a heat-seeking missile
22 LW Patrik Puistola pure sniper is dangerous every time he touches the puck in the offensive zone
23 RW Maxim Cajkovic great hands, shot and skates -- would be higher if not for playing on woeful CHL squad
24 RD Antti Tuomisto huge RD could be a home run pick with the right development
25 LW Adam Beckman lots of reasons to believe he can be a 30+ goal scorer in the NHL

Why no Alex Vasic? He was rated as a 1st rounder by a lot of people, and is someone I'm very high on. Curious as to why you chose to leave him off. Awesome post btw, great read.

 

[Triumph]

I would sure hope that one failed prospect (drafted in the 4th round no less) would not change the entire draft philosophy of a team.

 

[AfroThunder396]

I would say take one of Lavoie/Brink/Doro at 34, and if Kaliyev is still there at 45-50 start pursuing a trade up. We have plenty of picks to use as ammo.

 

[NJDevs]

So little love for Hoglander. To each their own, but he's easily my guy if he's there at 34OA.

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

1. Matthew Robertson
2. Rafael Lavoie
3. Bobby Brink
4. Jamieson Rees
5. Nils Hoglander

 

[Eggtimer]

I’d like some size in the lineup . Just not sure if prefer a bigger forward or D , not sure what the bigger need is .
Brink “might” be BPA but we are pretty small up front as it is.
In your guys opinion , who are the bigger / power forwards left yet that have skill ?

 

[Davegarri]

Lavoie or Matt Robertson at 34 please

 

[Davegarri]

Don't get the love for Rees. There are many better players than him still left

 

[Jyssy]

How would you feel about Anttoni Honka at 34? Small right-handed puckmoving d-man who is a fantastic skater but prone to brainfarts on D and is very much still a work in process?

 

[Devil X]

It’s always someone else lol

 

[StevenToddIves]

Why no Alex Vasic? He was rated as a 1st rounder by a lot of people, and is someone I'm very high on. Curious as to why you chose to leave him off. Awesome post btw, great read.

To me, Vlasic missed this list. It is my belief that his projections are just so far from the player I have seen play for the US-NTDP. I think he's a great kid with tons of size and good skating, but I also think he was the 7th most effective D for his team this year. The US-NTDP D I felt bad about leaving off this list were Henry Thrun and Marshall Warren.

 

[StevenToddIves]

How would you feel about Anttoni Honka at 34? Small right-handed puckmoving d-man who is a fantastic skater but prone to brainfarts on D and is very much still a work in process?

I would start considering Honka around the 180 pick, but not around the 34 pick.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Don't get the love for Rees. There are many better players than him still left

He was arguably the most dynamic player for Team Canada in a U18 Tourney team which included players like Cozens, Krebs, Newhook etc etc. Rees plays at breakneck speed with incredible intensity, is a two-way beast, and adds to that mix dynamic passing and offensive skill. I realize I have him ranked higher than most, but were it not for an injury/suspension marred draft-eligible season, I believe he would have been considered as a top-15 pick.

 

[Davegarri]

He was arguably the most dynamic player for Team Canada in a U18 Tourney team which included players like Cozens, Krebs, Newhook etc etc. Rees plays at breakneck speed with incredible intensity, is a two-way beast, and adds to that mix dynamic passing and offensive skill. I realize I have him ranked higher than most, but were it not for an injury/suspension marred draft-eligible season, I believe he would have been considered as a top-15 pick.

Fair enough, thanks!!

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

hoglander gone