With the importance of the draft now a days, you can not reach for need. At this point with the players left on the board if I was the Rangers I would trade down 5 spots or so and grab another 2nd. With that not being possible in this Mock, have to go Best Player Available and take D- Nathan Beaulieu. I know we have a ton of Defenseman, but can always move 2 defenseman for a top flight forward.
Yikes, that did not break well for us. So it is probably how things will turn out...
Voted for Puempel. Beaulieu is another good option, even though it would be tough to take another Dman the kids is filthy. JT Miller, while not an option in this poll, would be considered as well.
Not a big Bartschi fan, but wouldn't completely hate it either. If that is who Gordie likes so be it.
__________________
"Here we can see the agression of american people. They love fighting and guns. when they wont win they try to kill us all." -HalfOfFame
I'm probably in the minority but I love Brandon Saad, his skating is excellent and has a good shot, seems to have a high hockey I.Q, is also physical and has great work ethic, sounds like a "torts kind of guy"
I voted Nathan Beaulieu because I have read that he has boom/bust potential. I think NY can take that kind of gamble on the blueline due to the real organizational strength at the position.
I don't know many of the listed prospects but I would like too see a pure sniper been drafted in the first round.
And please don't do like last year, McIlrath before Cam Fowler.
We didn't take Fowler for several reasons:
1) Already had similar (if not better version) in MDZ
2) Took for need (Didn't need Fowler with MDZ)
3) Clark sees offensive potential in McIlrath on top of his stay-at-home, punishing, crease-clearing game.
4) Fowler's stock dropped a lot (initially supposed to go #4 overall)
5) Fowler had the worst (or almost the worst) +/- in the league last season. Similar to MDZ's +/- (but exponential). Torts would have sent him back to juniors at 9/10 game threshold.
Yikes, that did not break well for us. So it is probably how things will turn out...
Voted for Puempel. Beaulieu is another good option, even though it would be tough to take another Dman the kids is filthy. JT Miller, while not an option in this poll, would be considered as well.
Not a big Bartschi fan, but wouldn't completely hate it either. If that is who Gordie likes so be it.
Yeah, I'm really on the Scheifele bandwagon right now...fortunately, most mocks never get much outside of the top three correct.
Grimaldi all the way here AINC. You go with the most talented player with the highest upside of both the big centers are gone.
__________________
"Of course giving Sather cap space is like giving teenagers whiskey and car keys." - SBOB "Watching Sather build a team is like watching a blind man with no fingers trying to put together an elaborate puzzle." - Shadowtron
Sestito still on the make a wish tour. - rholt168
I'm probably in the minority but I love Brandon Saad, his skating is excellent and has a good shot, seems to have a high hockey I.Q, is also physical and has great work ethic, sounds like a "torts kind of guy"
Wait, what? Are you talking about the same player?
Saad's skating has gotten worse and worse over the course of the year. He's physical, but not very physical. His hockey IQ is average at best. And his work ethic is one of the worst I have ever seen in a highly ranked player. He's a less talented version of Wolski, if you will.
I wouldn't be pissed about Bartschi but he is far down on my list.
Solid WHL performer, no doubt, but I just can't buy in yet. I like his motor and overall skill set (good vision/creativity, great hands, above average shot).
I am not sure how his game will translate, and think he is being a bit overhyped due to his numbers (and also because this is not the deepest year for WHL forwards). Frankly, I don't even think his numbers are that impressive (see Ennis, Tyler for impressive sub-6 ft WHL numbers) and he played on an absolutely stacked Portland team. Sure, he didn't see a ton of time with Nino/Johansen but the fact that they were drawing the other teams' top D and defensive forwards should count for something.
That said he is a skilled player and highly regarded so I will defer to Gordie if he is the choice. But personally I think we can do better.
If McNeill or Schiefele were still on board. At this point in time I wouldn't be sure of the rest. Bartschi looks very good--maybe the guy--as well as Khokhlachev. Other thoughts about Puempel--the most natural goal scorer and Biggs who could potentially be a top 6 power forward--maybe like a Graves. Beaulieu.
Other names I think about are not listed--2 d-men Klefblom and Russo seem really intriguing. That's going a bit off the list but...they both seem to be rising and some of what I've read on Russo remind me of Leetch.
I voted Nathan Beaulieu because I have read that he has boom/bust potential. I think NY can take that kind of gamble on the blueline due to the real organizational strength at the position.
As much as I agree with the theory, I have to say that due to our current roster we have to take a player on offense, as we are already backloaded and stacked on D. If we had a functioning offensive team then yeah I would agree but we need offense at this point, not defense.
Wait, what? Are you talking about the same player?
Saad's skating has gotten worse and worse over the course of the year. He's physical, but not very physical. His hockey IQ is average at best. And his work ethic is one of the worst I have ever seen in a highly ranked player. He's a less talented version of Wolski, if you will.
Torts would eat Saad up and spit him out.
In my opinion he isn't even comparable to Wolski, Saad is very good at battling in the corners and protecting the puck, and plays a solid 2-way game. From what I have seen of his skating he has a very nice long stride, I wouldn't know anything about it getting worse because I can't watch full CHL games, only highlights.
I have read many scouting reports on him and all of them back up what I previously stated. If you want any links to reports I have read on him then I will be happy to share them with you
I think if the draft shakes out this way, you have to go Kokhlachev as long as its not a big reach. Other posters would be more qualified to comment, but I would rather take the skilled center over a left winger in Bartschi, as long as the value is similar.
Does Kokhlachev have 1st line C upside? I was under the impression that he did. It would be nice to have a 1-2 punch at center with him and Stepan in the future, if they both work out.
: 
