so guys, what bust are we drafting?

Sanderson would be a great pick, as long as we have AZ's pick at 9-11 and we can still get Holtz or Quinn.

If we take Sanderson, that means the team behind us probably gets Rossi and we have to hope Chicago drafts Askarov leaving us to pick btw Holtz, Quinn or Lundell.

That wouldn't be the worst draft!
- ShoresideDevil

Chicago has to be the team to pick Askarov right? It makes too much sense.

I don't see it with Sanderson at 7. I really think he'll be there at 9-11 and even if he isn't, that'll mean someone else premier will be there and we can go for Schneider later in the round. I don't want to reach and be left with someone like Quinn as the top forward picked (nothing wrong with him, but we need to do better in a draft like this).

Chicago has to be the team to pick Askarov right? It makes too much sense.
- willschulme

I see a good amount of mocks with them taking him so it wouldnt shock me. They seem to be the most likely of any team in the top 10

Alexander Holtz

An intresting insight into his game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY-aQr6Z_fI

I don't see it with Sanderson at 7. I really think he'll be there at 9-11 and even if he isn't, that'll mean someone else premier will be there and we can go for Schneider later in the round. I don't want to reach and be left with someone like Quinn as the top forward picked (nothing wrong with him, but we need to do better in a draft like this).
- willschulme

But Sanderson, Quinn, Jarvis is still a nice haul. Depends what you view to be the best value.. For forward- is Holtz that much better than Quinn? I'm D is Sanderson that much better than Schneider or Gruhl? And then compare Sanderson/Holtz and Quinn/Schneider or Gruhl. Holtz would be a big player for us, but so would Sanderson.. Who I could say as being more important for this team than Holtz..especially if you consider also getting Quinn, and in comparison to the worse options on D. A #1 dman is more valuable to me than a 30g scorer..
Very tough call who to take the gamble with. Depends who's already taken and where our AZ pick ends up.

Riddle me this- if we only have 7 and 17..who do you pick then?

I don't see it with Sanderson at 7. I really think he'll be there at 9-11 and even if he isn't, that'll mean someone else premier will be there and we can go for Schneider later in the round. I don't want to reach and be left with someone like Quinn as the top forward picked (nothing wrong with him, but we need to do better in a draft like this).
- willschulme

At this rate we'll be lucky if he makes it to 7. I feel like people are looking at Sanderson as this shut down, old school guy. He's not going to be Colin White, he is projected to play in every situation, moves the puck well, skates well, etc.

At this rate we'll be lucky if he makes it to 7. I feel like people are looking at Sanderson as this shut down, old school guy. He's not going to be Colin White, he is projected to play in every situation, moves the puck well, skates well, etc.
- rmdevil313

Yeah the talk on him is picking up a ton. I honestly wouldnt be shocked if a team like Ottawa or Detroit takes him over Drysdale if they go D

Yeah the talk on him is picking up a ton. I honestly wouldnt be shocked if a team like Ottawa or Detroit takes him over Drysdale if they go D
- vlongo4419

I think there is a decent chance of that happening. Definitely don't see him available the second time we pick.

I don't see it with Sanderson at 7. I really think he'll be there at 9-11 and even if he isn't, that'll mean someone else premier will be there and we can go for Schneider later in the round. I don't want to reach and be left with someone like Quinn as the top forward picked (nothing wrong with him, but we need to do better in a draft like this).
- willschulme

In this year's draft there is depth at forward, but also a quick drop off of real high end talent. This year is also lacking in defense with perhaps two top guys (neither of whom any one has slated as a #1 Dman, more 2nd or 3rd). Next year is almost the exact opposite. So I agree with this assessment, take the top offensive guys when you can. Get your D stud next year, we know we will be lottery bound again. Also, there is a top goalie prospect next year as well, supposedly as good as Askarov.

At this rate we'll be lucky if he makes it to 7. I feel like people are looking at Sanderson as this shut down, old school guy. He's not going to be Colin White, he is projected to play in every situation, moves the puck well, skates well, etc.
- rmdevil313

Is his stock really going up that quickly? What changed?

In this year's draft there is depth at forward, but also a quick drop off of real high end talent. This year is also lacking in defense with perhaps two top guys (neither of whom any one has slated as a #1 Dman, more 2nd or 3rd). Next year is almost the exact opposite. So I agree with this assessment, take the top offensive guys when you can. Get your D stud next year, we know we will be lottery bound again. Also, there is a top goalie prospect next year as well, supposedly as good as Askarov.
- redmonsters

And as a reference, released today: https://dobberprospects.c...-dive-rhd-jamie-drysdale/

At this rate we'll be lucky if he makes it to 7. I feel like people are looking at Sanderson as this shut down, old school guy. He's not going to be Colin White, he is projected to play in every situation, moves the puck well, skates well, etc.
- rmdevil313

Last I checked, he was extremely solid defensively, but somewhat limited in his offensive ceiling. Imo way too safe for a top 10 like this. Take your pick of the forwards that make it there and take your chances with the Arizona pick.

I will note: I saw a mock with Sanderson at 7 and Holtz at 11. That would be 110% fine with me.

I think there is a decent chance of that happening. Definitely don't see him available the second time we pick.
- rmdevil313

Unless we pick 9th? Buffalo could definitely roll with Sanderson-Dahlin as the top pair for at least a 10yr span. Holy cow that would be ridiculous. But would they rather take Raymond or Holtz, depending on who we take? I feel like adding either forward absolutely completes their top 9 and makes them very solid to move forward with, but the same could be said about the defense.

Both teams have need in both positions, though I think Buffalo is better off up front and on the back end than the Devils. I think we really need Sanderson, and then take whichever player Buffalo doesn't take, IF we happen to get so lucky to pick 9th. That would leave us again, with either Raymond, Perfetti or Holtz.

IF we pick 9th, I'm 100% Sanderson at 7. I'm less sure who to take at 7 if we pick 10th, 11th, 12th.. or not until 17. We NEED a scorer. Palmieri isn't getting younger, not to mention he could get traded, and Gusev could get traded too. It also wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to have more than one scorer on each line. This team needs both Sanderson and a Perf/Hol/Ray.

Maybe we'll get lucky.

You think Gusev will ever move to the left side? This is probably moot since I doubt Quinn starts this year.
This wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

Bratt-Hischier-Palmieri
Gusev-Hughes-Quinn
Boqvist-Zacha-Merkley
Wood-Zajac-Bastian

Sanderson-Severson
Smith-Subban
Butcher-Carrick

meh.

Found a quote of Quinn Hughes talking about Jack recently:

"I think this is maybe the best thing that could ever happen to my brother if I'm being completely honest. I think that he's an unbelievable player and the only thing that was holding him back was how young he was and just being an 18 y.o. kid, you're just not as strong. I think there's a huge difference between 18 & 20 and there's still a lot of development to do. He's been really working out and getting stronger and I can already see his body is 3 or 4 more lbs. of muscle mass. So I think when you see him again in 7 months or whenever, he's going to be a different player and different person. It's a really good opportunity for him."

Hopefully this is all true! And if he's added 3ish lbs of muscle already, gotta figure he could possibly get up to 7-10 lbs of muscle by the start of next season if its still likely 6ish months away, right?

Last I checked, he was extremely solid defensively, but somewhat limited in his offensive ceiling. Imo way too safe for a top 10 like this. Take your pick of the forwards that make it there and take your chances with the Arizona pick.

I will note: I saw a mock with Sanderson at 7 and Holtz at 11. That would be 110% fine with me.
- willschulme

He is young and is playing on a pretty underwhelming team, at least by USNDP standards, and his offensive play picked up throughout the year. There are some scouts that are reportedly very high on him, some in Bob McKenzie's ranking him all the way at 3. At the start of the year people had his upside as steady top 4 dman, now its more like 25 min a night, all situations dman.

Unless we pick 9th? Buffalo could definitely roll with Sanderson-Dahlin as the top pair for at least a 10yr span. Holy cow that would be ridiculous. But would they rather take Raymond or Holtz, depending on who we take? I feel like adding either forward absolutely completes their top 9 and makes them very solid to move forward with, but the same could be said about the defense.

Both teams have need in both positions, though I think Buffalo is better off up front and on the back end than the Devils. I think we really need Sanderson, and then take whichever player Buffalo doesn't take, IF we happen to get so lucky to pick 9th. That would leave us again, with either Raymond, Perfetti or Holtz.

IF we pick 9th, I'm 100% Sanderson at 7. I'm less sure who to take at 7 if we pick 10th, 11th, 12th.. or not until 17. We NEED a scorer. Palmieri isn't getting younger, not to mention he could get traded, and Gusev could get traded too. It also wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to have more than one scorer on each line. This team needs both Sanderson and a Perf/Hol/Ray.

Maybe we'll get lucky.
- MartysBetter88

I think we either take him at 7 or Buffalo takes him. But who knows, Buffalo has like 2 scouts so maybe they go off the board. The chances of us picking 9th is low though.

Found a quote of Quinn Hughes talking about Jack recently:

"I think this is maybe the best thing that could ever happen to my brother if I'm being completely honest. I think that he's an unbelievable player and the only thing that was holding him back was how young he was and just being an 18 y.o. kid, you're just not as strong. I think there's a huge difference between 18 & 20 and there's still a lot of development to do. He's been really working out and getting stronger and I can already see his body is 3 or 4 more lbs. of muscle mass. So I think when you see him again in 7 months or whenever, he's going to be a different player and different person. It's a really good opportunity for him."

Hopefully this is all true! And if he's added 3ish lbs of muscle already, gotta figure he could possibly get up to 7-10 lbs of muscle by the start of next season if its still likely 6ish months away, right?
- vlongo4419

It's all expected. And yes, hopefully he'll return almost 10lbs heavier than when we last saw him, without sacrificing much speed. If it's muscle mass, 5'11 180 is a decent difference than 170. I know it's not easy to maintain that weight, especially with such a cardio-heavy sport as hockey. Hopefully he can add and maintain the muscle. But then again he's so young and still growing, so it'll probably stay with him as he continues to mature into an actual man.

Alexander Holtz

An intresting insight into his game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY-aQr6Z_fI
- cu45161

That is interesting

Made it seem like he just floats around defensively, doesn't go to danger areas (said only 1 high danger area shot from the games he tracked, and 83% were low danger or medium) and his passing is ok but not great and that the other team is in the offensive zone alot while he is on the ice

That is interesting

Made it seem like he just floats around defensively, doesn't go to danger areas (said only 1 high danger area shot from the games he tracked, and 83% were low danger or medium) and his passing is ok but not great and that the other team is in the offensive zone alot while he is on the ice
- dmarsden2988

so then. Sanderson- Quinn it is?

Rikard Gronborg signed an extension with Zurich through 2023, was set to expire after next season

so then. Sanderson- Quinn it is?
- MartysBetter88

I am still in for Holtz, his shot is what we need! I'd say Holtz and Quinn if available. Then grab a solid Dman at 17. Holtz, Quinn and Foote coming up through the ranks to join this core as we devlop sounds amazing. At the least, we will have trade chips for the future as other teams find themselves in need of snipers.

I am still in for Holtz, his shot is what we need! I'd say Holtz and Quinn if available. Then grab a solid Dman at 17. Holtz, Quinn and Foote coming up through the ranks to join this core as we devlop sounds amazing. At the least, we will have trade chips for the future as other teams find themselves in need of snipers.
- ShoresideDevil

If it plays out that way and we walk out of the 1st round with the 2 best shooters in the draft, definitely cant complain about that. And im sure Quinn is on our radar being a 67

Side note gentlemen: definitely not picking on him here....but did anyone else think that Bettman is having health issues when he spoke prior to the draft last week? His face was flush red and he seemed to be shaking a lot. Kind of looked like the beginnings of Parkinson’s. Hope I’m wrong. Not a fan of some of his moves, but certainly do wish him good health