Todd Cordell: On Barzal, Zacha And Drafting Ahead Of Rankings

NJ should draft Lawson Crouse

Barzal has been amazing for Canada. Especially since he didn't just feast on Latvia, he's come up huge against real competition.

I'd agree on Barzal but not on Zacha. Barzals ranking are pretty even. Zacha is all over the place from 5 to 30.

There's a reason for that.

And as for your comparisons of 2012...the guys taken later in the round end up going to better teams. Give it a couple more years and those picks likely look a lot different.

Barzal with another goal and assist through 2 periods today bringing his totals to 10 points in 4 games so far. If the top 5 goes as predicted I think NJ has to take him

I think the common wisdom is that Strome, Hanofin and Marner will be drafted with picks 3 through 5, but it seems like every draft, someone slides a little, often times for the reasons that Todd has expressed. Obviously, I think you guys would be thrilled if Strome or Marner were sitting their at 6, but what if it were Hanofin? Man, I know your looking for offense, but that would be a gem of a pick at 6.

Todd, if you're high on Barzal and Zacha, how do you feel about Rantanen and Crouse? Good picks as well?

I would love to see Barzal in orange and black. Reminds me a little of Claude Giroux in his draft year.

Todd, if you're high on Barzal and Zacha, how do you feel about Rantanen and Crouse? Good picks as well?
- newjerseypaul

I think Barzal and Zacha have the best puck skills/most upside of the four, so I'd prefer one of those two.

Lawson Crouse was born to be a NJ Devil!

Barzal

What about Rantanen and Meier and Konecny. I'd prefer those guys to Zacha. Zacha and Crouse are probably the two players I don't want to see NJ pick. Barzal would be a solid pick, but I still think you could trade down a few spots and get most of these guys.

You have sold me a little bit on Bazal/Zacha.

I would be happy with Crouse or Rantanen though. They're both more NHL ready (Rantanen would have to adjust to North American hockey obviously) and they would fill an obvious need on the roster. I think they're both poised to be difference makers, even if not with high point totals.

Hell I wouldn't be all that upset with Provorov either if Lou is willing to move some defenseman. He would add offense to the team in the future.

What about Rantanen and Meier and Konecny. I'd prefer those guys to Zacha. Zacha and Crouse are probably the two players I don't want to see NJ pick. Barzal would be a solid pick, but I still think you could trade down a few spots and get most of these guys.
- CaptCrankypants

If we dont package Gelly/Merrill + a second for another forward, which probably will happen, i want to package those two for a mid first round pick to get one of those two. Meier has unbelievable puck skills and can definitely contribute, and he's reliable in his own end, definitely someone to look at. While Konecny is very similar to Barzal.

McLellan is available as a coach.

Thoughts?

Barzal is a great player and a great add to an offensively challenge team. He is showing his skill off this week but he has torched the WHL this year without the same caliber of line mates that most of the other top players had. After the D in the tier of players I would say he is probably the best.

McLellan is available as a coach.

Thoughts?
- Pomegrant

Well Todd thinks the Flyers should hire him. Personally, I think he wouldn't be a bad option for NJ. If he's tired of drama NJ would make more sense. I'm not sure it'd be a fit style-wise, but I wouldn't be complaining if we hired him.

Still think we should take a hard look at the Grand Rapids coach.

my question is, is Strome, or Marner, worth the price to trade up from Barzal? Are they that much better that they'd be worth the players given? Or perhaps.. we should just pick Barzal and trade those players/picks for another young forward somewhere.
or is Strome that much of a difference maker that we should go all in for him at #3? I've read that Strome may have a higher bust potential than Marner/Barzal. who the heck knows tho.

Well Todd thinks the Flyers should hire him. Personally, I think he wouldn't be a bad option for NJ. If he's tired of drama NJ would make more sense. I'm not sure it'd be a fit style-wise, but I wouldn't be complaining if we hired him.

Still think we should take a hard look at the Grand Rapids coach.
- CaptCrankypants

I think Lou stays within the family, don't be surprised if Kowalsky is the new coach.

I think the Devils should definitely trade down if Strome/Marner are not available (I'd also be open to trading up with Carolina if Marner is open; but that is another rant). Just because the talent level seems to drop down a bit to the next plateau after them.

Cause lets be honest, Barzal, Zacha, Meier, or even Crouse all are comparable for talent level and would be great pick ups; just not at our spot. They are all projected between 8-12, except for Crouse for some reason, but I would HATE to pick Crouse up with a #6 pick. So if we could trade down (possibly package Merrill or Gelinas in to sweeten a deal to get an top 6 guy) we'd still be getting one of the forward prospects listed above in addition to whomever we trade for. So why not?! This would help our present situation without risking the future; A true win in my book.

my question is, is Strome, or Marner, worth the price to trade up from Barzal? Are they that much better that they'd be worth the players given? Or perhaps.. we should just pick Barzal and trade those players/picks for another young forward somewhere.
or is Strome that much of a difference maker that we should go all in for him at #3?
- MartysBetter88

I think it's probably better to stick where NJ is and take Barzal. He's probably one of those guys that would have been ranked even higher if he'd had a full healthy season. The value Barzal himself has is probably more than Strome/Marner minus what you'll have to pay to move up.

Of course if a team like Carolina is not that attached to those guys and don't want a lot to drop down a spot it could still be worth doing. Just a question about the prices are going to be to move around in this draft.

Target a big Center. If not, a top flight RW, with size if possible.

Todd Cordell: On Barzal, Zacha And Drafting Ahead Of Rankings
- Todd.Cordell

Great blog.

Hopefully Lou drafts zacha

I personally think we should be gunning hard for Mitchell Marner.

I think NJ will end up drafting Crouse at six if they stay there and find no deals.

They'll probably draft Zacha if they fall a few spots in a deal with another team.

I have no doubt in my mind that top five are pretty much fixed, and 3-5 is just a shuffle as of right now. I wish another player would have made that top 5 more interesting... and it might still happen before the playoffs is done.

It's like this: for our best interests, let's hope that Provorov takes the Wheat Kings to the memorial cup tournament and maybe even wins it if the Otters make it there; if so, then his stock will go up, big time. We had this fortune when Huberdeau led the Sea Dogs to the Mem Cup... he went all the way up to three and the Panthers took him, leaving us with Adam Larsson.

If Provorov raises his stock this year, it could leave us with either Hanifin or Marner, which would be glorious. To me, Marner is the steal of this draft.

Well Todd thinks the Flyers should hire him. Personally, I think he wouldn't be a bad option for NJ. If he's tired of drama NJ would make more sense. I'm not sure it'd be a fit style-wise, but I wouldn't be complaining if we hired him.

Still think we should take a hard look at the Grand Rapids coach.
- CaptCrankypants

I like that he supports a more up-tempo and offensive system, something we really need. And I think because of our solid core of defensemen it could work out. He had a really good record while coaching the Sharks and I think their problem was more GM/Ownership related than coaching.

This off-season I'm more interested in coaching because speculating on player moves is impossible because of Lou.