Prospect Info: Way too early 2020 draft options

[tarheelhockey]

Wow—here I was wasting time trying to predict which 17-year-olds will become passable NHLers and y'all hijacked it with mortality tables from 1918.

The virus is worse than I thought.

Give it 24 hours. We’ll be talking about BBQ and craft beer.

Edit: holy **** I posted this BEFORE clicking the News & Notes thread

 

[2Minutes4Surging]

Wow—here I was wasting time trying to predict which 17-year-olds will become passable NHLers and y'all hijacked it with mortality tables from 1918.

The virus is worse than I thought.

#wearethevirus

 

[AD Skinner]

 

[emptyNedder]

Getting back on track.

Not having the U18 tournament means that some players won't be risers. Some players available in the 2nd round would have had strong tournaments and ended up late first rounders. This is going to be especially true for European players.

Of course others are realizing that there is an opportunity for drafting arbitrage (Pension Plan Puppets, Alex Taxman, and McKeen's have all had articles on this in the past few weeks).

My favorites among under-valued Europeans are:

Roni Hirvonen—I am really skeptical of all the 5'9" and smaller players in this draft. However, Hirvonen is one of two (Berard is the other) who I think will succeed, mostly because he is already faring well against men and excels in international play against the best of his age group. For most of the year Hirvonen was ranked/mocked in the first round but recently has been showing up around 35-40. In that range he has great value.

Theodor Niederbach—showed up in one or two first round projections early on but now mostly in the 40-55 range. HockeyProspect liked him for his "high hockey IQ and no obvious weaknesses to his game." McKeen's gave him the same grade for Smarts as Perfetti and Raymond. He has the additional advantage of being a right-shot center. If he is available, he is my top choice for the Canes first second-rounder.

Daniel Torgersson—is the one player who most needed an international showcase to rise. He significantly improved his point production in SuperElit this season and was a top goal scorer on Sweden's U18 team. Had he continued that at the WJC18, he could have vaulted into the 30-40 range because he is one of the biggest forwards available (6'3", 205) and is a good skater. If he is available when the Canes are up for their second 2nd-rounder, Torgersson would be an ideal add to a prospect group that was on the smallish side last draft.

Oskar Magnusson—is a player who seems to do everything well, but doesn't have any elite skills. He would be a great pick if the Canes still have a fourth round pick—which is looking unlikely.

Mans Forsfjall—this smallish defender is on the young side and won't turn 18 until after the draft. He showed some flashes of offense in both league play and international play. HockeyProspect called him "a leader on his team" who "plays a smart defensive game." He could be available in the 7th round and would be a great pick.

Several European players getting some attention who I am not as high on are:

Emil Heineman—is a player I would normally be high on due to having good size and being an excellent skater. However, his 30%+ shooting makes me think he might be one of the few Swedish players picked too high.

Roby Jarventie—produced much like Puistola in the Mestis this season. My concern is that I have read several analysts and casual fans question his defensive IQ.

Veeti Miettinen—set goal-scoring records in the top Finnish U-20 league. However, I am reminded of two other highly-skilled smallish forwards who have struggled in the pro ranks (Heponiemi and Aaltonen). Like Heineman, I think Miettinen could be a good pick but a round after he is likely to go.

Marat Khusnutdinov—is a player who really causes me cognitive dissonance. He is praised by everyone who watches him for his two-way game and skating. So he should succeed where Jarventie and Heineman might not. But production matters to some extent and Khusnutdinov's production is under-whelming, at least for a player being projected in the top 50.

 

[GoldiFox]

Scouching report on Dylan Holloway. Another guy who fits the profile the Canes appear to look for. Good skater with a high motor who is aggressive all over the ice in all situations.

 

[Ja Sports]

Made a Tim Stutzle hype reel - thought you guys might enjoy

 

[2Minutes4Surging]

This may be a little off topic, mostly because the canes will not be drafting these players, but there seems to a consensus that Lafrinere is the only NHL ready prospect in the draft. What characteristics preclude Stutzle and Byfield from being considered NHL ready. They appear to have the size, speed and skill. Particularly Stutzle because he can play wing and not have the responsibility of a centerman. Any thoughts on this?

 

[A Star is Burns]

My understanding with Byfield is it's just a matter of refinement and maturity to his game that makes some people think he might not stick next year. I think he's on the younger side of the draft as opposed to Lafreniere being on the older side of the draft. He does seem to have the physical maturity to make it though.

Stutzle, I'm not sure. He's played in a league with men and the little I saw him seemed quite skilled. I kinda thought he would have a good chance to make it if being in a European league with the start of next season uncertain doesn't stop him.

It all might just come down to who drafts them.

 

[emptyNedder]

As AA said, Byfield is really young. He doesn't turn 18 until August. He is 11 months younger than guys like Rossi, Quinn, and 10 months younger than Lafraniere. So Byfield being ready next year is pretty much the same as other draftees being ready this year. He has the skill. Everything I have read suggests that he needs to refine that skill, which often happens during a player's 18-year-old season.

Stutzle will likely get serious playing time in the preseason and first two weeks. That will determine if he sticks

but there seems to a consensus that Lafrinere is the only NHL ready prospect in the draft.

I have read quite a few analysts/fans who believe Lundell is NHL ready.

 

[Ja Sports]

New hype reel for Seth Jarvis very underrated player (with one of the best names in the draft)

Let me know if there's a player you want covered next!

 

[Ja Sports]

New hype reel for Seth Jarvis very underrated player (with one of the best names in the draft)

Let me know if there's a player you want covered next!

Also smash that like button if you enjoy the content it helps me out a lot

 

[tarheelhockey]

smash that like button

 

[Ja Sports]

This may be a little off topic, mostly because the canes will not be drafting these players

Sorry I didn't see this message

Just thought you guys might enjoy some hockey vids during this weird time we're living in haha

I'll keep it Canes related from now on

 

[Lempo]

Yeah let's face it we are gonna smash that like button.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

Lapierre and his concussions are all over the place with rankings. I hope we get him with the 1st.

44 pick- rankings are so all over the place with 25-50. dobberprospects has RHD Schneider at 45. RHD Schneider, LW Neighbors, LW Foudy, LW Reichel? would all be good.
54- Im still stuck on LHD Jurmo here. If in the unlikely case of Schneider dropping to us a 44 maybe go with Hirvonen as @42 jerks suggests.

 

[Ja Sports]

Not sure if Anton Lundell will be available when the Canes pick - but I think he'd do well with the young core already in place

Very smart 2-way player... probably the most NHL-ready European in the draft.

 

[A Star is Burns]

I like Lundell, but I think he'll be gone a good bit before our pick at this point.

For Lapierre, he seems to have some good upside, but I'm not at the point where I'm willing to use a 1st on him. Just too risky for me. If we had that other 1st still, maybe I'd take the risk. But I don't think we're so set at this point that I'd take him before the 2nd.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

I like Lundell, but I think he'll be gone a good bit before our pick at this point.

For Lapierre, he seems to have some good upside, but I'm not at the point where I'm willing to use a 1st on him. Just too risky for me. If we had that other 1st still, maybe I'd take the risk. But I don't think we're so set at this point that I'd take him before the 2nd.

Top 5 player in the draft and best 2 way guy that may or may not have had 3 concussions. I say may not because there is recent write ups saying he sustained an undiagnosed vertebrae injury during the 1st concussion that may have reaggrevated that seemed like 2 other concussions.

That is a risk worth taking at 19 for me. He’ll have an 9+ months before playing again.

 

[A Star is Burns]

I'm well aware of his situation. I'm not sure I consider possible vertebrae injury any less risky than concussions. I just don't want the risk. Someone will take the rest, quite possibly us, and it could work out great no doubt. Could easily blow up as well.

 

[SvechneJerk]

Lapierre and his concussions are all over the place with rankings. I hope we get him with the 1st.

44 pick- rankings are so all over the place with 25-50. dobberprospects has RHD Schneider at 45. RHD Schneider, LW Neighbors, LW Foudy, LW Reichel? would all be good.
54- Im still stuck on LHD Jurmo here. If in the unlikely case of Schneider dropping to us a 44 maybe go with Hirvonen as @42 jerks suggests.

I like Lundell, but I think he'll be gone a good bit before our pick at this point.

For Lapierre, he seems to have some good upside, but I'm not at the point where I'm willing to use a 1st on him. Just too risky for me. If we had that other 1st still, maybe I'd take the risk. But I don't think we're so set at this point that I'd take him before the 2nd.

According to a couple reports I've seen, including the linked one below, are that he's only had one & that the other issues are related to a spinal injury. Is that any better?

Lapierre went for an MRI and X-ray and sought out three different specialists. The diagnosis was consistent from all three: Lapierre was actually dealing with a spinal injury. A few of his vertebrae were "twisted and stuck," Lapierre said. He worked with a physiotherapist and chiropractor and the headaches soon disappeared.
Considering how hard it was to move the vertebrae, the belief from the specialists, Lapierre says, is the injury was sustained way back in February 2019 at the same time when he was first concussed.
While the experts can't be 100 per cent certain, it's possible that Lapierre only sustained one concussion and the other problems this season were the direct result of the vertebrae issue being re-aggravated.
"Being diagnosed with three concussions in 10 months was worrying for me, my family and my future in hockey," Lapierre admits. "The new diagnosis is a really big relief and I feel confident going into next season that I'll be able to have success. I've strengthened my neck a lot."

Hendrix Lapierre the ultimate draft wild card after injury-plagued season - TSN.ca

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

Out of place veterbraes can be reversed. Concussions can’t.

in the The Athletic article it sounds it required surgery to fix the misaligned vertebrae.

 

[Ja Sports]

Lapierre's concussions are concerning. I would take a healthier bet. Fingers crossed Mysak is still on the board.

 

[Ja Sports]

New hype reel for Jack Quinn best pure goal scorer in this year's draft

Enjoy guys!

 

[Ja Sports]

Another new reel for Kaiden Guhle one of the most complete defenders in the this year's draft

Let me know what you guys think!

 

[Lempo]

Kaiden?

WHL is empty and all the bantams are here.