Prospect Info: Joel Blomqvist, goaltender (2nd round, #52 overall, 2020)

[Andy99]

Annoyed just because. We desperately need center prospects and I wanted one. No idea if there was one available worth taking, but I want to be mad.

the only thing that would be annoying is if they didn’t take the best rated player available on their board...if it’s a goalie, so be it...

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Ranked #56 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #62 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #56 by MCKEEN'S HOCKEY
Ranked #3 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Goalies)
Ranked #50 by DOBBERPROSPECTS/ROBINSON

Doesn't look like that big of a reach. You can always debate what position to pick but seems to be fair value to pick him at #52.

Dunno why Jesse Marshall tweeted that then. Seems like he was in a good bit of top 90 rankings

 

[Doogle]

Our goalie pipeline is pretty barren and the organization obviously puts a lot of importance on the position, and rightfully so. Jarry's contract is going to be up by the time he's ready to contribute so it'll be nice to have options in case Jarry regresses at all

 

[gdsmack267]

At this point in the draft even skaters are 3 sometimes 4 years away so I think you just weigh your draft board vs system needs. The pens only have like one goalie in the system so I'm not shocked.

 

[Shady Machine]

Same. I know it's partly irrational, but I'm just not a big goalie proponent. While it's obviously a valuable position, I just think it's much easier to acquire a competent goalie for relatively less value than it is to land a high end scorer or a top pairing defenseman, so I prefer using high draft picks on the chance of the latter.

case in point, Matt Murray for a 2nd and a meh prospect.

there is obviously value in quality cheap goaltending, but that applies to other positions as well. Whatever. Hope this kid is a stud.

 

[Tacitus Kilgore]

Since the Crosby era, the pens haven't really had goalie issues, which is the opposite of the flyers (unless carter hart is the real deal). I'd love to keep the 15 year tradition of effortlessly acquiring/drafting decent goalies while they continue a seemingly endless search

 

[Zirakzigil]

He seems like a really solid goalie pick. Ya, its not flashy like a forward would be, but it seems like good value.

 

[Shady Machine]

the only thing that would be annoying is if they didn’t take the best rated player available on their board...if it’s a goalie, so be it...

Don’t disagree but I don’t value goalies as highly. I’m also just a random dude on a message board so...

 

[Snooki Stackhouse]

I am underwhelmed, more at the position than the player.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Since the Crosby era, the pens haven't really had goalie issues, which is the opposite of the flyers (unless carter hart is the real deal). I'd love to keep the 15 year tradition of effortlessly acquiring/drafting decent goalies while they continue a seemingly endless search

Right? Not like we’re getting a Crosby/Malkin center in the second round. I’d prefer not to have to worry about goalies. People normally overrate draft picks on HFB’s, anyway. I would have preferred a defenseman, but this goalie seems solid early on in his career.

 

[Tacitus Kilgore]

Right? Not like we’re getting a Crosby/Malkin center in the second round. I’d prefer not to have to worry about goalies. People normally overrate draft picks on HFB’s, anyway. I would have preferred a defenseman, but this goalie seems solid early on in his career.

Agreed. Also this hopefully will further motivate our current prospects in Larmi and D'orio and to some extenet Desmith whom im not sure is a prospect anymore.

 

[dogthateats]

Nice fan video @ColePens

 

[The Great Mighty Poo]

So how long will it take before the dipshit Sons of MAF cult tries to run Blomqvist out of town before he even signs his entry deal?

 

[EVGENIMERLIN]

I mean..i trust our goalie scouts.

We don't miss on goalies in the draft.

This is a great point. If there is one area we knock it out of the park as an org it is identifying and developing goalies

 

[CrosbyMalkin]

I am underwhelmed, more at the position than the player.

I rather have one of the best goalies in the draft over the 20th best Center or defenseman. At the very least you are getting one of the top prospects for his position. Murray helped win us two Cups. I believe goalie is the most important position on the ice. When Fleury was younger and played well we reached the Cup Finals two years in a row. After that he started having confidence issues come playoff time and we had no chance no matter how good the surrounding cast was around him.

Without good goaltending your team can't win. With good goaltending you can beat any team. For example back in 96 Pens team was way better than Florida but the goalie stood on his head and beat a powerhouse. There best forward couldn't even be in the Pens top 6 that year. I am fine with the pick. Pens have really good goalie scouts. If this kid can be the starting goalie some day that would be well worth the pick.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

The one position I didn't want us to draft with our 1st pick. Cool.

Well, in three years we can trade Jarry and this dude can man the net for 3 or 4 years.

 

[JustaFinnishGuy]

What’s his status there in Karpat? Starting temporarily due to injury? Will he make WJC team?

Justus Annunen (COL) returned from our mandatory military service and wasn't available, and Patrik Rybar was injured.
Blomqvist started both games well and the team also played without the usual hesitant style a team plays whenever their main guy(s) is not guarding the net.
He's decent for sure. After Annunen leaves for COL, he's for sure going to back up Rybar.

 

[3ladesof5teel]

If its what we had on our board I am fine with it. Everyone always like's to see position players but you gotta go with your scouts, thats why they are there.

 

[ownal]

Wasn't Jarry a second round pick?

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Nice fan video @ColePens

Oh God.

That is like Cole's Bat Signal, isn't it?

 

[Jaded-Fan]

 

[Ryder71]

Considering these players are three or four years away I like this pick. Arguably the 2hd best goalie in the draft and we sure as well weren't getting Askarov.

 

[MichaelFarrell]

I like this pick but I would’ve preferred Sean Farrell for obvious reasons

 

[Tacitus Kilgore]

Teddy speaks immpecable English for a Latvian

 

[Pens x]

Since the Crosby era, the pens haven't really had goalie issues, which is the opposite of the flyers (unless carter hart is the real deal). I'd love to keep the 15 year tradition of effortlessly acquiring/drafting decent goalies while they continue a seemingly endless search

The Pens had plenty of issues with Fleury for years. He was great in the 2008 playoffs when we lost to the Wings. He was good enough in 2009, and pretty terrible for several years after.