Jan Levine: Fifth annual Hockey Buzz Mock Draft, NYR/NAS picks in, STL/SJ on deck Rangers pick is in....

Hey Jan, eventhough the running list is correct, you got the draft pick numbers wrong in the post.

Hey Jan, eventhough the running list is correct, you got the draft pick numbers wrong in the post.
- aecliptic

He’s rushed and doing a good job.
Anyone with a brain can figure out that error, be patient he will clean it up.

He’s rushed and doing a good job.
Anyone with a brain can figure out that error, be patient he will clean it up.
- optimus-reim

Patient about what? Im letting him know he forgot to change the numbers when copying and pasting.

Patient about what? Im letting him know he forgot to change the numbers when copying and pasting.
- aecliptic

Fixed, thank you.
No comments about the pick?

Fixed, thank you.
No comments about the pick?
- airjan23

Bust

Fixed, thank you.
No comments about the pick?
- airjan23

I’m sold, nice pick Jan. He got little love from Button or McKenzie, but that’s not overly surprising. Don’t mind his height if he plays that style of play and has great speed. Wonder if Drury could trade down a few spots as you mentioned and still get him but if he’s Drury’s guy it’s obviously not worth the risk.

Fixed, thank you.
No comments about the pick?
- airjan23

Everyone always goes ga-ga over players with size, but theres several short kings in the league doing quite well. If theres one consistent opinion on him is that his motor never stops. The kid is in permanent zoomie mode and for a smaller guy has no issues getting in the dirty areas. His effort and compete is what makes him a very intriguing pick.

Fixed, thank you.
No comments about the pick?
- airjan23

I think you gotta go upside here and Honzek is a monster. Yes we are weak at RW but whoever we draft this year won’t fix that now.

I think you gotta go upside here and Honzek is a monster. Yes we are weak at RW but whoever we draft this year won’t fix that now.
- picklerick

I could see Honzek selected. Just get a Zucc vibe with Brindley

I think you gotta go upside here and Honzek is a monster. Yes we are weak at RW but whoever we draft this year won’t fix that now.
- picklerick

This is one thing I was thinking about. Anyone we draft this year will likely not have any impact on this team for atleast 2 years. In which time, Panarin will likely be gone, we will find out what we have in LAF, and Kreider will be 34/35 yo.

Personally, Id have Ritchie as my choice because we have no centers in our prospect pool and he looks like he has the potential to be a 2C.

I like the pick for the most part Jan. I do wonder a bit about us just recently selecting a player very similar to this in Adam Sykora in the second round last year.

For that reason, I'd probably go with one of the centers with upside that you and others have mentioned. We could use that in our prospect pool more, imo

This is one thing I was thinking about. Anyone we draft this year will likely not have any impact on this team for atleast 2 years. In which time, Panarin will likely be gone, we will find out what we have in LAF, and Kreider will be 34/35 yo.

Personally, Id have Ritchie as my choice because we have no centers in our prospect pool and he looks like he has the potential to be a 2C.
- aecliptic

Ritchie, Honzek and Brindley were the three I was debating.

Ritchie, Honzek and Brindley were the three I was debating.
- airjan23

The pick is good but centers are always a premium. Id would go with a center over an undersized winger.

The pick is good but centers are always a premium. Id would go with a center over an undersized winger.
- Brukie

I get it, will be interesting to see who Drury takes if he keeps the puck and all these options are available

Fixed, thank you.
No comments about the pick?
- airjan23

Sorry Jan. I wanted to LOVE your pick and support you, but I just can't.

Brindley may turn out to be an NHL player, but he is simply a reach at #23. The way that the board has gone, to me the Rangers should run to the podium and grab Honzek.
He is clearly the BPA in my humble opinion...

Sorry Jan. I wanted to LOVE your pick and support you, but I just can't.

Brindley may turn out to be an NHL player, but he is simply a reach at #23. The way that the board has gone, to me the Rangers should run to the podium and grab Honzek.
He is clearly the BPA in my humble opinion...
- TommyGTrain

I like Honzek a lot, my concern is adding another LW as don’t think he can move to the right side. If he can and uses the physical tools he has, can certainly see Drury going in that direction, which would be fine by me.

I could get on board with Brindley. I would definitely consider trading down if they have a few kids in mind to pick from. Maybe get a late 2nd rder to do it

I could get on board with Brindley. I would definitely consider trading down if they have a few kids in mind to pick from. Maybe get a late 2nd rder to do it
- Slimtj100

I wouldnt hate the idea of trading back either, theres a lot of decent prospects in this draft.

The only team with a late first and late 2nd is Carolina. I wonder if theyd be interested in moving up from 30 to 23. Theres a couple other options…

Anaheim has the 1st pick in the second round, maybe see if theyd trade 33 and one of their late 2nds.
Detroit and Chicago have a ton of picks in the second round.

The only team with a late first and late 2nd is Carolina. I wonder if theyd be interested in moving up from 30 to 23. Theres a couple other options…

Anaheim has the 1st pick in the second round, maybe see if theyd trade 33 and one of their late 2nds.
Detroit and Chicago have a ton of picks in the second round.
- aecliptic

Could see the Rangers dealing back in the first to get a third and a fifth if a second is not available. Would depend on where in the third the pick is, especially if only sliding pback a few picks.

Picks 25 and 26 posted a little after 9pm. Waiting on pick 27 and have pick 28. The good news is we have a few days to complete the mock draft before the actual draft

Heres a couple names that sound intriguing should we decide to trade back…

David Edstrom, 6’3 185, Frolunda

Edstrom is what I like to call a “snowplow”. A snowplow is a player who does a ton of the hard work and makes the game that much easier for his linemates. Forechecking, puck battles, intercepting passes, making plays under pressure to give his teammates more space, these are all the type of thing that Edstrom excels at and it makes him a super easy player to play with. If Edstrom can succeed in those areas in the NHL, he will free up his line mates to take big risks offensively while still keeping the line relatively safe on defence.

Charlie Stramel, 6’3 222, Wisconsin

Offensively, Stramel is very difficult to defend due to his size, but he is also versatile as he can play a complementary skill game. His size makes him highly effective in his power-forward style, especially as he is very comfortable playing in front of the net on the power play or at even strength. His playmaking is still a work in progress. He is adept at playing the cycle and retaining offensive pressure, making life difficult for defenders attempting to break out of their zone with his speed and positioning. Even when he isn’t crashing the crease, his speed allows him to attack along the wings as well where he can use his heavy shot. His shot selection is a strength to his game as well as the quick release and accuracy.

Defensively, his opponents need to be aware of when he is on the ice or they will be hit. Also, Stramel excels at playing disruptively when he’s playing defense, jumping into passing lanes and closing gaps quickly. While he can finish hits, he prefers using his long reach and size to take away options. His ability to anticipate plays points to a strong hockey IQ. His strong work ethic and high compete level helps make him a highly effective defensive player

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