HFVHL 2019 Draft Report Card Part 6
New Jersey Devils - HandNDank
Drafted:
14th - Spencer Knight 77th - Antti Tuomisto 108th - Judd Caulfield
145th - Kirill Slepets 146th - Alexandr Darin
Weyl: Goalies are such an unknown, I am really skeptical of taking a goalie in the top 15 and New Jersey’s draft really hinges on Knight turning into a stud. Tuomisto is a massive dman who looks real good in that area of the draft. Caulfield I am iffy on, while he went in a good spot I don’t see a very high ceiling on him. Slepets was a steal at 145 as he’s got the skills to burn the other 30 GM’s who missed on him. Because Knight is still quite the unknown New Jersey’s grade is fairly low, if Knight becomes a starting goalie this grade would be more around the A- range
Grade: C+
Try: The big question mark is always goalies in every draft, but Knight is more of a sure thing than we’ve seen from a goalie in a long time, so in a goalie heavy league, this is a good pick from a team poised to make a run at the playoffs around the time he gets into the league. Antti Tuomisto is a large two way defender with some great upside, a good pick here at 77. Caufield and Darin are two dart throws but one of them could develop into something, Darin specifically is very underrated. Kirill Slepets is a great overager selection if he eventually does come over.
Grade: B
ED: I like this draft for NJ. Knight is looking like a starter, which can be huge in the league and could come at a time that Price takes a downturn. Tuomisto is a great pick at that time in the draft and could become a legit nhler. Slepets has loads of skill and is a high ceiling pick. Ultimately, NJ should have had more picks, as their prospect depth is lacking, with not enough to field a full ahl team. With more drafts to come for NJ, they should be able to restock their cupboards with future picks, which will be ready in time when Knight has established himself
Grade: B-
New York Islanders - Ahmon
Drafted:
17th - Ville Heinola 57th - Tuukka Tieksola 74th - Adam Beckman
124th - Valeri Orekhov 149th - John Malone
Weyl: Heinola was extremely popular late and could be a great offensive dman if his development takes another leap. Tieksola was another late riser who has a lot of talent that many teams wanted. I don’t see a very high ceiling on Beckman but he was taken around where his value is at. Orekhov had a great World Juniors and was a late 4th round pick here however at this point he is too unknown. Overall, I think the Isles made the most of their 1st and 2nd picks which will definitely help them as they continue to contend
Grade: B+
Try: Just a solid draft from the Isles. They moved back from 12 to 17 to grab some more value and get their guy in Heinola, someone who could develop some nice offensive potential with those assists and high pace puck moving. Tieksola and Beckman are two offensive oriented players who could really be nice selections if they pan out, Tieksola moreso than Beckman who I’m not as big on. Orekhov is a player who I don’t see coming over to the NHL, so not the biggest fan there. Malone is a good flyer late with solid US development potential.
Grade: B
ED: The Islanders keep it simple and select higher consensus players with their top picks. Heinola has potential to be a great puck moving defenseman. Tieksola is a popular choice who could have gone in the top half of the 2nd round. Beckman was drafted around where he was projected to go, though his totals were a little underwhelming. A solid draft, but nothing to write home about for the Islanders.
Grade: B-
New York Rangers - FacepalmBenning
Drafted:
98th - Alex Vlasic 130th - Jayden Struble 152nd - Nolan Maier
Weyl: For the picks they had The Rangers got massive fallers which is great value for them. Vlasic is a late 1st round talent with zero offence, he’ll for sure be an NHL but something will have to drastically change if he wants to contribute fantasy wise. Struble is very interesting in which his toolbox is massive, however his development route is very long and many factors will have to come into play before he ever sees NHL ice. Maier is a good risk late into the draft, goalies are voodoo so who knows what he turns out to be in a few years. Snagging the biggest fallers will really help the Rangers especially with Struble, however, they needed more picks this year.
Grade: C
Try: Despite having no top 93 draft picks, New York still got some good prospects, specifically the steal of Jayden Struble so late in the draft. His athletic potential has a chance to develop into a big asset. Vlasic is a question mark from an offensive standpoint so hopefully he can upgrade that IF he makes the NHL (which is NOT guaranteed). Maier is a goalie with some good tools, so if he develops he could be a nice pick. Picked up some nice players so late. With more picks, the Rangers would have an A- with the value of their picks, but they needed more.
Grade: C+
ED: Vlasic is probably the biggest faller in this draft and is a great pick up for the Rangers. Though I don’t think his offensive upside will be high, he has a much better chance at being an NHLer than other 4th round selections. Don’t know what to make of Struble, but he could make for an interesting prospect to watch down the way. Maier had a decent WHL season, but goalies are a mixed bag, especially when they aren’t showcasing too well in the junior leagues.While the Rangers have a solid young prospect pool, their depth could have been addressed, and with only 3 picks, it didn’t get the attention it deserved.
Grade: C
recall Carter Hart and demote Tristian Jarry
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Sign F Jordan Eberle to a $7m x 4 contract.
Sign F Tyler Ennis to a $1.5m x 1 contract.
Sign D Mac Hollowell to a $2.25m x 3 ELC.
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