2019 NHL Draft

The NY Rangers ... again?
I think this is the highest, by far, that the Rags will pick in the lottery era.

 

From a draft value standpoint, G at 13 doesn't make sense with recent trends. That said, this team is so replete of any prospect talent at D or G, there needs to be an infusion of it quickly.

Goalie situation for Florida is going to be VERY interesting this offseason. Lu doesn't sound like he's retiring, but everyone around the team would be thoroughly surprised if they didn't make a big move to get Reimer out, and someone new in as the #1, moving Lu to an effective backup role. That means Monty is back in the AHL. Of course, this presumes the ability to make that move, which will be tough with $$$.

But if all that comes to fruition, you imagine they're adding a guy like Bobrovksy to a long / expensive deal, for example. Would Spencer Knight at 13 make sense with a highly paid starter being signed for, say, 6-7 years? So much to figure out with this position, and there's not really a right answer. They certainly mishandled it plenty...

I think adding a legit goalie prospect makes a lot of sense with the current roster and pool. But there's no telling how this position shakes out, and what that portends for the future. Meanwhile, our defense is so bare that no pick there would go wasted in the least.

I don't think you go wrong either way. If there's a top D-man available (like there was last year...), you go with them. No one you're in love with? Take Knight. But for fuck's sake, if they take another motherfucking forward... And here I thought they were going to trade one of those F prospects over the last year for some stock at D. Now I've got not faith in that being the case, even though they've got plenty of ammo in that pool.

 

just convenient timing for the rangers, blackhawks and devils!

 

I wanna see some trading now...

 

Big win for the Blackhawks.

Bowman needs to draft a player that can play and help now or trade the pick for someone that can.

 

I think that either Vasili Podkolzin, RW, or Bowen Byram, D, will be the third pick. Most likely Chicago will be the team making the selection. I put them in that order, but Podkolzin may have contractual obligations for another year or two in Russia. He'll be worth the wait* for who ever drafts him, but a team may get impatient and want help quicker. (* There's always a chance he could buyout his SKA deal, but with the ELC limitations, that's not going to be easy.)

 

Podkolzin looks really good. Blackhawks can't really afford to wait.

They just had career years out of 3 guys....money is coming off the books and they have a chance to spend in FA for the first time in years. Bowman needs to strike now....if he makes the right moves this team is back in contention next season.

 

My #1 offseason wish is that the Blackhawks send Joel Quenneville a gift in a package about the right size to fit Brent Seabrook in.

 

The way they played down the stretch after the brutal start tells me they still have that desire to win.

I was wrong about DeBrincat (I saw him at the 2016 WJC and just thought he was too small to be able to hack it in the NHL). They still have Patty Kane - and he is IMO the sparkplug for that team. You give a hungry team some spending money and it should get fun. I think they'll be listening to offers for the bounty (12 > 3) the lottery just dropped in their laps.

 

I get exploring this deal from a Joel Quenneville side, but from a Panthers side, it doesn't make sense.

The Panthers need defense, absolutely, but they don't have money to play around with given the fixes they need to make on the roster. Moreover, I think they can get younger / better defensive talent for the kind of money they'll be paying Seabrook. If the Blackhawks agreed to hold onto a large portion of that cap hit, it may very well be a different conversation. But the Panthers have enough bad defensemen under big, long-term contracts as it is...

I wanted Boqvist in the draft. So, put him in the box, instead...

 

Yeah but from a Panthers side I just don't care. They'd be dumb to make the trade.

I love Seabs. Love him to death. So many great memories. I just don't want him on this roster anymore....or at least on the payroll at the price he is.

 

Kaapo Kakko making a solid case to go first overall with 5 goals in the WHC so far. He had a hatrick yesterday against Slovakia.

 

Yup. Is this a Taylor vs Tyler sort of a thing or more of a Matthews vs Laine?

 

I would say more Taylor vs Tyler.

 

I had a chance to watch both play now and my pick would be the Kakko.

 

Although Hughes was flying out there today, no knock on him.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/2019-nhl-mock-draft-hughes-kakko-turcotte-cozens/c-307674218?tid=277764372

Feels like someone good will fall to Detroit at #6 (Podkolzin, Dach, or Turcotte) and they just scoop him up. much like last year. This is actually a great spot to trade out of if Detroit wants to add a roster player or 2 ready to roll. Assuming theyll stay the course though and grab the BPA.
I like Caufield to Buffalo at #7, makes sense for the team and roster. That little guy with Eichel in a few seasons could be something nice.
Boldy to Philly at #11 just makes sense. Big winger that can shoot the puck through the net.
Could the Panthers jump on Knight at #13? Seems early but the supply vs demand adds up for him. He's the best G prospect in years.

Alex Newhook could be a steal if he falls to the middle of the 1st round. Super skilled kid with a great background.

 

The combine was in Buff this past week, Kaako was a no-show and Hughes couldn't test.