2022 NHL Draft Rankings

[LGR4GM]

1 hour ago, dudacek said:

I really wish we were in the range for Cooley and Nemec.

The latter is the perfect fit to completing the best U23 top 4 in hockey.

The former is everything this team wants to be: fearless, fast, competitive, smart and relentless.

Since this is an academic debate because he won't be there, I just want to say that I don't think Nemec is a good fit for our top 4. He does everything that Dahlin and Power do and nothing they don't. Jiricek at least has a physicality and a meanness that only Samuelsson displays at this point. I would say that Nemec really relies on activating up ice whereas a Jiricek can do that but also can light you up at the blueline because. IMPO I really hope some magical Jiricek slide takes place (it won't) because I view him as the perfect fit to complete that top 4.

It's why I like Ryan Chesley who is basically Jiricek light. Solid in his own end, has more offense to give (I think), and is a real pain to play against.

[Taro T]

14 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Since this is an academic debate because he won't be there, I just want to say that I don't think Nemec is a good fit for our top 4. He does everything that Dahlin and Power do and nothing they don't. Jiricek at least has a physicality and a meanness that only Samuelsson displays at this point. I would say that Nemec really relies on activating up ice whereas a Jiricek can do that but also can light you up at the blueline because. IMPO I really hope some magical Jiricek slide takes place (it won't) because I view him as the perfect fit to complete that top 4.

It's why I like Ryan Chesley who is basically Jiricek light. Solid in his own end, has more offense to give (I think), and is a real pain to play against.

Yeah, Jiricek is still the dream.  And honestly would be willing to give up 28 to go high enough to get him.  (Realizing that trades in the 1st round are rare/ don't happen & wouldn't give up more than that unless it's something like R2 Rou2 that doesn't seem to fit in long term.)

[Flashsabre]

Bring me NOAH Warren in the 2nd round. Won’t have the offence of some of the others RHD but he Is a unicorn with the size, physicality and skating.

He is the type of guy that in 4 years when he has played a couple playoff series other teams will be talking about how they can find a NOAH Warren.

[sabresparaavida]

16 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

Bring me NOAH Warren in the 2nd round. Won’t have the offence of some of the others RHD but he Is a unicorn with the size, physicality and skating.

He is the type of guy that in 4 years when he has played a couple playoff series other teams will be talking about how they can find a NOAH Warren.

You would probably have to take him at 28, which I would be quite alright with.

[dudacek]

1 hour ago, LGR4GM said:

Since this is an academic debate because he won't be there, I just want to say that I don't think Nemec is a good fit for our top 4. He does everything that Dahlin and Power do and nothing they don't. Jiricek at least has a physicality and a meanness that only Samuelsson displays at this point. I would say that Nemec really relies on activating up ice whereas a Jiricek can do that but also can light you up at the blueline because. IMPO I really hope some magical Jiricek slide takes place (it won't) because I view him as the perfect fit to complete that top 4.

It's why I like Ryan Chesley who is basically Jiricek light. Solid in his own end, has more offense to give (I think), and is a real pain to play against.

 

59 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Yeah, Jiricek is still the dream.  And honestly would be willing to give up 28 to go high enough to get him.  (Realizing that trades in the 1st round are rare/ don't happen & wouldn't give up more than that unless it's something like R2 Rou2 that doesn't seem to fit in long term.)

In my limited viewing Nemec just seemed to read the ice so well and was so calm with the puck on his stick. Didn’t look like a specialist to me, more like a guy I can trust in many situations.

Not sure if this is the best comparison, and I know he’s more touted for his offence, but I saw a guy I envision as more Heiskanen than Hughes, and those guys are never redundant.

Jiricek gives me more of a Nurse/Risto vibe in terms of his style, he’s more physically gifted than mentally.

Only my perceptions based on limited exposure. It’s not like I’ve studied either. I just really liked what I saw in Nemec.

(Love Chesley - be fine with him at 16 - for all the reasons LGR lists.)

34 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

Bring me NOAH Warren in the 2nd round. Won’t have the offence of some of the others RHD but he Is a unicorn with the size, physicality and skating.

He is the type of guy that in 4 years when he has played a couple playoff series other teams will be talking about how they can find a NOAH Warren.

This. Another one of the guys catching my eye.

Edited June 10, 2022 by dudacek

[LGR4GM]

14 minutes ago, sabresparaavida said:

You would probably have to take him at 28, which I would be quite alright with.

I would light my TV on fire if the Sabres drafted Noah Warren at 28. 

On. Fire. 

[dudacek]

1 hour ago, Curt said:

Was just listening to Corey Pronman on The Athletics Hockey Show podcast and I caught an interesting note.  Pronman stated that he thinks the absolute earliest that either Savoie or Geekie might get drafted is #9 by Buffalo.  This is based on his talks with scouts around the league.

Going to have to take a deeper dive in Savoie.

On the surface, he seems like he might end up being the most talented guy available at 9, and he seems competitive.

Already know I prefer him to Geekie in terms of centres, but I wonder where the separations are between he and Nazar and Kasper.

I have seen talk that some scouts see Savoie and Nazar as more wingers, whereas Kasper is definitely a centre. But I also see the first two are probably more gifted than Kasper.

Kasper kinda strikes me as the closest thing this year to Lundell, in that he’s close to being pro ready, but there are questions about whether he has the upside to be a top 10 pick.

[LGR4GM]

 

[Flashsabre]

1 hour ago, LGR4GM said:

I would light my TV on fire if the Sabres drafted Noah Warren at 28. 

On. Fire. 

On the very remote choice that they do take Warren at #28 could you have a live feed focused on your tv.😁

[Curt]

1 hour ago, dudacek said:

Going to have to take a deeper dive in Savoie.

On the surface, he seems like he might end up being the most talented guy available at 9, and he seems competitive.

Already know I prefer him to Geekie in terms of centres, but I wonder where the separations are between he and Nazar and Kasper.

I have seen talk that some scouts see Savoie and Nazar as more wingers, whereas Kasper is definitely a centre. But I also see the first two are probably more gifted than Kasper.

Kasper kinda strikes me as the closest thing this year to Lundell, in that he’s close to being pro ready, but there are questions about whether he has the upside to be a top 10 pick.

A big thing (pun intended) with Savoie is that he is listed as 5’9” and declined to be measured at the combine which probably means he is no taller than 5’9, if not shorter.  There just are not 5’9-5’8” C’s in the NHL.  Rightly or wrongly, I think it’s likely that NHL teams view him as a W.  If that’s the reason he falls to 9, I’m more than ok with it.

I think you are pretty spot on in your evaluation of Kasper.

Savoie and Nazar are more dynamic in creating scoring chances than Kasper is.  I haven’t done enough studying to really split hairs between the two though.  Nazar is slightly larger.  Nazar seems to be a better defender.  Savoie probably has a better shot.

[DarthEbriate]

9 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

I think something the Sabres would be smart to do this draft is take a few overagers out of the CHL. These are guys that probably played shortened or no season last year and a shortened season in their draft year. The reason Buffalo should grab 2 of them is that they could be signed and sent to the AHL immediately on ELCs and 5-7th picks are a dice roll anyways.

We're now up to 2 5ths, 2 6ths, and 2 7ths. That's an easy two overagers to restock the Amerks, two collegiate-bound players to see if maybe they can become something (Malone, Weissbach, Willman), and two overseas single-skill (elite shot) lottery picks (Possler, Olofsson) who might someday become something.

And maybe 2 of these players are goalies (Miller, Petersen).

[LGR4GM]

14 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

We're now up to 2 5ths, 2 6ths, and 2 7ths. That's an easy two overagers to restock the Amerks, two collegiate-bound players to see if maybe they can become something (Malone, Weissbach, Willman), and two overseas single-skill (elite shot) lottery picks (Possler, Olofsson) who might someday become something.

And maybe 2 of these players are goalies (Miller, Petersen).

1, 5th round pick. We traded ours to Vegas for Miller.

It's probably why Adams traded for Will Butcher. Got him njd 5th rounder.

[DarthEbriate]

35 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

1, 5th round pick. We traded ours to Vegas for Miller.

It's probably why Adams traded for Will Butcher. Got him njd 5th rounder.

Ah yes. I had a line through the table's row and everything and simply didn't read it. <tip of the cap>   Thanks

[French Collection]

Maybe 2 7ths make a 6th and 2 6ths make a 5th.

9th overall plus a 3rd and a 7th to move up to 6th and get Jiricek.

[PerreaultForever]

13 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

I would light my TV on fire if the Sabres drafted Noah Warren at 28. 

On. Fire. 

Send photos, please. I so want to see this! 

[Brawndo]

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/2022-nhl-draft-rankings-logan-cooley-tops-shane-wright-in-final-list/

 

Chris Peters Final Draft Rankings. 
 

He does have a tendency to favor USNTDP Players 

[dudacek]

25 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/2022-nhl-draft-rankings-logan-cooley-tops-shane-wright-in-final-list/

 

Chris Peters Final Draft Rankings. 
 

He does have a tendency to favor USNTDP Players 

That was interesting and informative.

Thanks for posting.

[Buffalonill]

22 hours ago, sabresparaavida said:

You would probably have to take him at 28, which I would be quite alright with.

Almost as bad to picking Johnson

[LGR4GM]

37 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/2022-nhl-draft-rankings-logan-cooley-tops-shane-wright-in-final-list/

 

Chris Peters Final Draft Rankings. 
 

He does have a tendency to favor USNTDP Players 

Quick note, Frank Nazar measured 5'10" at the combine. Unsure why he didn't update his height when he notes other combine measurements. 

Savoie refusing or opting out of measuring gives me pause. 

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, Brawndo said:

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/2022-nhl-draft-rankings-logan-cooley-tops-shane-wright-in-final-list/

 

Chris Peters Final Draft Rankings. 
 

He does have a tendency to favor USNTDP Players 

Thanks for posting the Peters Draft Rankings. After reading a summary on his listed players the one player that intrigues me the most is LW Miroshnenko. Although he had a major health issue that seems to be resolved and there might be complications due to Russian league commitments I would consider selecting him with our second first round pick as a worthy gamble. If I knew he would be there with our third first round pick that would be even better but I don't think he will be there at that later spot. Assuming health he is a top ten player. 

[Flashsabre]

55 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Quick note, Frank Nazar measured 5'10" at the combine. Unsure why he didn't update his height when he notes other combine measurements. 

Savoie refusing or opting out of measuring gives me pause. 

Why? He was injured.

I mean scouts have watched him all season. Does 5’9 and a half or 5’10 make a lick of difference? If they are splitting hairs like that then they are doing it all wrong. His game isn’t going to change. He is who he is.

[thewookie1]

17 hours ago, Flashsabre said:

Why? He was injured.

I mean scouts have watched him all season. Does 5’9 and a half or 5’10 make a lick of difference? If they are splitting hairs like that then they are doing it all wrong. His game isn’t going to change. He is who he is.

He’s secretly 5’6” on stilts 

[LGR4GM]

There's statistical evidence that Cutter Gauthier greatly outproduced what he should have when looking at expected goals. The range is +14-16 goals above expected so take this however you want.

[GrassValleyGreg]

The Athletic just published some insider quotes from scouts and execs on some of the more interesting and debated prospects heading into the draft. Pretty long write up from Pronman so apologies if the length here is obnoxious.

Some key names/debates that have been discussed on Sabrespace:

Geekie v. Savoie:  “Geekie. He’s a true center, I’m not convinced Savoie is a center and it’s close enough that teams will take the center.” ; “Savoie. He has legit top six offense. He has NHL pace, skill, compete. Geekie is just big and has skill, but there’s no motor in his game.” ; “Savoie is too power-play reliant. I don’t see him driving a line in the NHL. Geekie will at least be able to use his size to win battles and help you a bit at evens so I lean Geekie.” ; “I want to love the idea of Geekie but when I actually watch the ICE, Savoie just accomplishes more.” ; “I would take Savoie. He’s a really good player, he will be a top six guy in the NHL. Geekie has the better toolkit but I think he can be too indifferent some games.” ; “Geekie has a lot of upside, he’d have bigger point totals on a different team. I buy him as a top six NHL center so my preference would be him.” ; “When he’s on, it’s Geekie. He’s a big center who can be physically imposing on his opponents and has legit skill. He’s so in and out though, so my preference is Savoie, who I think is much more consistent.”

Takeaway: This seems to come down to scouts' preference on size, with some obsessed with a big bruiser at the center position. I'm always skeptical of young skaters who can be "physically imposing" on their age group. Such a wide range of size and maturity at that age that often does not translate to the pros. It sounds like most agree Savoie is relentless, which I've read before and is a trait I really gravitate towards. First I've heard of Geekie being "indifferent" and having "no motor", but as someone who was not a fan on limited viewings (can't get over his skating), count me out. 

 

Kemell v. Lekkermaki:  “Kemell for sure. He has the skill and the shot, but he has an edge to his game. Lekkerimaki doesn’t get inside, can’t push a line by himself.” ; “Lekkerimaki would be my choice. Kemell is a good player, plays hard, but Lekke has a lot more skill and offensive upside.” ; “It would be Kemell. There’s more pro there, the compete is quite good, and you saw how well he did versus men this season when healthy. Lekkerimaki there’s a lot of talent but a lot of projecting still left to do.” ; “I would guess Kemell just based on what he did production-wise in Liiga. I think both are a little overhyped. There was a time where you thought both could go top 10, but I think one if not both of them will slide out of that range. It’s hard to sell your GM on small wingers who aren’t special at the top of the draft.”

Takeaway: This confirms some things I've read and seen with Lekker. I'm nervous about the reliance on his shot from outside of 20 feet and his unwillingness to get into the dirty areas. I feel like I've read this same type of scouting report for Swedish players for years now, with many more resulting in Alex Nylander than Elias Pettersson. I'm not super high on either of these prospects.

 

Lambert:  “If you’re thinking of stepping up in the top 10 or 12 and taking him thinking he’s so talented he’ll figure it out, you’re kidding yourself. In the back half of the first when the next best alternative has nowhere near the tools he has then it will start to make more sense.” ; “I would take him somewhere in the teens. He didn’t have a great season, but you have to remember all he’s done before, and how good the skating and skill package is.” ; “He’s not for me. I’ve seen little progress in his game year over year. The skating is awesome but there’s not much else there that interests me, lot of circling the perimeter, doesn’t make many plays. We’ll let someone else take him.” ; “People talk about how talented he is, but outside a couple World Junior games when I watched him this season he didn’t really accomplish anything. If I had a top 20 pick I would hope to get a better player.”

Takeaway: No thanks. 

 

Marco Kasper:  “I’m in on him as a top 15 pick, maybe even top 10. His compete and character are excellent. The offense isn’t all-world, but he has good skills and plays a pro-style game.” ; “I think you’re for sure getting a player. He’s a third line center all day. Can he be a 2? I’m not sold there’s enough offense there.” ; “I’ve thought third line forward most of the season, but towards the end he started to persuade me there may be more offense to his game. I could buy a second line center but top 10 seems a little rich.” ; “I think he’s a stud. If we had a top five pick he would be in our conversation. I think he does a lot of things at a clear NHL level.”

Takeaway: Marco brought me out of a 3 year posting hiatus so I think you all know how I feel about him. I'd be ecstatic with him at 16. I have a similar takeaway after my deep dive on him to the quote about his improvement over the season. No questioning on his character, drive/motor, and development arc. I understand concern of a third line center ceiling, but I just think his skill set exceeds that. 

 

Best Dman after top 2:  “Denton Mateychuk. Kevin Korchinski and Pavel Mintykuov have the flashy talent but they don’t play defense. Mateychuk can make plays and competes in his own end even though he lacks size at 5-foot-11.” ; “I think Mintyukov would have the slight edge on talent, but due to his Russian passport I would take Korchinski.” “I say Korchinski but with the caveat that I think it’s a massive drop from 2 to 3 on the D list. I wouldn’t take any non-Nemec/Jiricek defensemen in the top 15.” ; “It’s Lane Hutson for me. I get the size concerns but all he does is makes plays. He’s an elusive skater, and he has a high compete level. He was one of the best players in every game I saw him.” ; “It’s for sure Korchinski. He could be a top 10 pick. He’s a dynamic player, a guy you’re projecting as the next Shea Theodore.” ; “It’s Korchinski for me. Don’t over think this one. He’s 6-2, he’s a great skater, he makes a ton of plays. The upside is really high in his game.”

Takeaway: Admittedly need to do a lot more work on defensemen, but really like what I see from Mateychuk. Again, it's mostly a size thing with some scouts completely discounting a player because they have some strict player prototype in their heard  Excited to dig in deeper on these three, especially Mintykuov who Curt and LGR (two perspectives/opinions I often seek out) both mentioned him on previous pages. 

 

Do Korchinski / Mintyukov defend well enough?:  “I think both are overrated for that reason, I don’t think either think it well enough in their ends or care enough about defending. They get you excited with their rushes and o-zone play but they’ll frustrate the hell out of coaches.” ; “I’m not as worried about it with Korchinski. The ice tilts when he’s on the ice, he must be doing something right in his own end. Mintyukov I don’t think tries to play defense, but I think part of that is what the team told him to do.” ; “Mintyukov is a little wild with his pinches, but he plays hard and can be heavy on his checks. I think you can work with him. Korchinski just never engages physically, I’m worried he’ll get pushed around in the NHL.” ; “Do I think they’re great defensively? No. But I’m not that concerned about it. They’ll generate so much offense and help you in transition that on balance you’ll be really happy to have them on your team.”

Takeaway: Something I'll definitely keep an eye on when I dig a bit deeper.

 

Does Bichsel have enough offensive upside?:  “Not for me. I like him but I don’t see enough there to do it in the first round. He’s just big and physical.” ; “I think so. People are sleeping on this guy, not dissimilar to how they slept on Moritz Seider in his draft year. I don’t think he’s as good as Seider, but there are rhymes in their games.” ; “If he’s top four, it’s a No. 4 probably due to the puck-moving game.”

Takeaway: Feel some people are obsessing with his size, especially in the context of how nicely he'll fit on our back line. I'd be prefer someone else at 28.

 

Can 5'11'' Mateychuk play top four minutes in NHL?:  “Where a lot of the public lists have him like top 15 is rich, I just don’t think that’s reality and where he fits in a draft. Once you get to 20-25, that’s where it starts to make more sense, where the talent level will be so much higher than the alternatives you’re willing to take on the size risks.” ; “I like him. He steadily grew on me as the season went along. I think you can get higher upside defensemen in the front half of the first like Korchinski and Mintyukov, but in the back half he’s more in play for us.” ; “I don’t see it. I get the skating and the skill, but there aren’t many top four D who look like him.” ; “I’m a believer. He makes a ton of plays, his team always has the puck when he’s on the ice. His skating is excellent so I think it will work in the NHL.” ; “If he was 6-1 we would be talking about him in the top five of the draft.”

Takeaway: He won't be there at 28 and I'd prefer two forwards at 9 and 16, but I'm a really big fan on limited viewings. (Again, it's so frustrating to hear some of these scouts obsess with size! Not sure what he measured at the combine, but 2 inches is the difference between top 5 and back half of draft?!).

 

How high can Gauthier go?:  “I think he could go top three, he has immense pro potential. I’m not sure Cooley is a better pro prospect.” ; “He could be a top five pick for sure, especially for a team that covets those big, fast, hard type of players. I wouldn’t rule out even top 3, although top 5 is more realistic.” ; “I would project him between 4-8. I would guess that’s where most of the league has him, with a third higher having him higher or lower than there.” ; “He will go top 10, but I would personally have reservations on him there. The tools are awesome, he’s big, fast, strong, can shoot it as well as anyone but his brain concerns me.” ; “He’ll be a top 10 pick but his ceiling is 6. I think there’s a grouping at the top of 5 players: Wright, Cooley, Slafkovsky, Nemec and Jiricek who have distinguished themselves." ; “He’ll go somewhere between 4-7. I think he’s a guy teams will keep talking themselves into bumping up their list as draft day approaches due to how toolsy he is.”

Takeaway: Like most, I would love him at 9 but he won't be there. I know some here don't think he has the playmaking ability to warrant a top 10 pick, but I feel his hands and vision are (or at least were) underrated. The brain/intelligence comment is interesting and supports the playmaking critique. 

 

Third best USNTDP after Cooley and Gauthier?:  “It’s clearly Nazar for me. His skating is awesome, he plays on the inside, he has a lot of skill. I think the potential there is really enticing.” ; “I would take Snuggerud. He’s continued to get better and better, he’s so far ahead of where he was a year ago. He’s big, skilled, competes, and can score. I think he’s scratching the surface.” ; “I saw the remark from Nazar about your scouting report that he can be like Brayden Point. That’s high, but I don’t think he’s that far off. He’s a big time talent whose game will work as a pro.” ; “It’s Rutger McGroarty. His compete is elite, he has skill, he scores, he has good hockey sense. The feet are tough but you know he’s going to work at it to improve that area.”

Takeaway: I see Nazar as clearly ahead of Snugs and McGroarty, mostly because of the latter two's skating. If our scouts feel this can be improved significantly for one or both of them, I'd be open to them at 16 (McGroaty and then Snugs), especially because their character and vibes are off the chart. The Nazar character rumor wreaks of BS, although I haven't read anything openly positive there. I'm sure Sabres have done their due diligence though, and if they are comfortable with him, he'd be a dream at 16.

 

Lane Huston: “I love watching him play, he’s probably one the most entertaining players in the draft, but I can’t see us picking him, I just don’t see it working in the NHL.” ; “I’m a believer. Torey Krug, Jared Spurgeon, Matt Grzelcyk, this guy’s next. He’s a unique small defenseman.”

Takeaway: Size!

 

Yurov and the Russia concern: “I can’t see a team considering him in the top half of the draft. He’s top 10 on talent, but if he’s close to the next best player the GMs are going to pick the next best player. I don’t think serious conversations start with him until about 20.” ; He won’t go close to where he belongs on talent, but after 15 I think it’s going to be too tantalizing for a team. He’s a big-time player.” ; “Everyone’s going to have a top tier of guys. For some it’s 8, 10, 12 players deep. It will depend. After those guys are all gone, you have to start talking about Yurov because the next best guy on your list won’t be close to the player he is.” ; “I think he could get out of the first round or go very late in the first. We love the player, but I think there’s going to be a lot of pressure on managers to not go that route.” ; “We’re not picking any Russians, I can tell you that. Those orders came from way over my head.”

Takeaway: If he somehow drops to 28 because of some informal collusion across teams, we should absolutely take advantage. Won't happen though. 

 

Best chance to crack top 10 outside of usual consensus: “Kevin Korchinski. He kept getting better as the season went along. He’s got a lot of pro upside.” ; “Jiri Kulich. He looked the part in front of a ton of general managers and scouting directors in Germany at the U18s. I think that will be influential.” ; “Noah Ostlund. He was the best player at the U18s even if he wasn’t named MVP.” ; “It’s Korchinski. He’s a lot closer to Jiricek/Nemec than most people are giving him credit for.” ; “Nathan Gaucher. He’s a big right-shot center, he plays hard, I think there’s some offense there. He played well in front of a lot of GMs at the CHL showcase game too.” ; “It’s not the question you asked, but I think people are sleeping on Lekkerimaki in the top five. When you talk pure skill and offensive upside there aren’t many better in this class.” ; “Marco Kasper is my vote. He finished very well between the SHL playoffs and the Worlds. There’s a lot there to like from an NHL standpoint, he’s shown he can do it versus men, and he’s highly competitive.”

Takeaway: No real surprises here. Korchinski top 10 could make our pick there even more interesting (e.g. does Kemell slide?). Need to watch some Kulich tape as a potential pick at 16.

 

Most overrated in Top 10: “Joakim Kemell. I like the shot and skill, but I don’t see him as a driver in the NHL. I think he’s close to a finished product physically too.” ; “I think it’s Lekkerimaki. He’s got great skill and an elite shot, but I think he can be a bit of a passenger at even-strength. He drifts to the perimeter, can’t be the engine on a line. On the power play you love him, but I want more at the top of the draft.” ; “Probably Yurov and it has nothing to do with the player — just due to his passport. He may not go top 20.” ; “I don’t get the Conor Geekie hype. I get the big center thing. We all want big centers. He has skill but it’s not elite skill, he doesn’t skate that well and his compete is average at best.” ; “I think it’s Shane Wright. For a guy who is a presumptive No. 1, when I watch him it doesn’t jump out to me. I have to put the pieces together and overthink on why he’s No. 1. It doesn’t mean he’s not great but at the top spot I want it to be obvious.” ; “I would struggle taking either of Savoie or Lekkerimaki where they’re projected right now. They are great players, they will score in the NHL, but I’m not convinced you win with players like that.” ; “I’m guessing it’s Kemell. He kinda came back to earth in the second half of the season after that run he went on. That 5-foot-9 ½ measurement at the combine didn’t help his cause either.”

Takeaway: Don't disagree with many of these assessments as I am lower than most on Kemell, Lekker and Geekie. 

 

Informal poll: 

• Best skater: Cooley, Lambert, Nazar
• Best puck skills: Cooley, Del Bel Belluz, Isaac Howard, Kemell, Lekkerimaki, Neuchev, Trikozov, Shane Wright, Yurov
• Best hockey sense: Del Bel Belluz, Lane Hutson, Mintyukov, Nemec, Ostland, Slafkovsky, Wright
• Best shot: Gauthier, Kemell,Kulich, Kyrou, Lekkerimaki,Slafkovsky
• Most competitive: Bichsel, Gauthier, Jiricek, Kasper, McGroarty  

Edited June 14, 2022 by GrassValleyGreg

[French Collection]

31 minutes ago, GrassValleyGreg said:

The Athletic just published some insider quotes from scouts and execs on some of the more interesting and debated prospects heading into the draft. Pretty long write up from Pronman so apologies if the length here is obnoxious.

Some key names/debates that have been discussed on Sabrespace:

Geekie v. Savoie:  “Geekie. He’s a true center, I’m not convinced Savoie is a center and it’s close enough that teams will take the center.” ; “Savoie. He has legit top six offense. He has NHL pace, skill, compete. Geekie is just big and has skill, but there’s no motor in his game.” ; “Savoie is too power-play reliant. I don’t see him driving a line in the NHL. Geekie will at least be able to use his size to win battles and help you a bit at evens so I lean Geekie.” ; “I want to love the idea of Geekie but when I actually watch the ICE, Savoie just accomplishes more.” ; “I would take Savoie. He’s a really good player, he will be a top six guy in the NHL. Geekie has the better toolkit but I think he can be too indifferent some games.” ; “Geekie has a lot of upside, he’d have bigger point totals on a different team. I buy him as a top six NHL center so my preference would be him.” ; “When he’s on, it’s Geekie. He’s a big center who can be physically imposing on his opponents and has legit skill. He’s so in and out though, so my preference is Savoie, who I think is much more consistent.”

Takeaway: This seems to come down to scouts' preference on size, with some obsessed with a big bruiser at the center position. I'm always skeptical of young skaters who can be "physically imposing" on their age group. Such a wide range of size and maturity at that age that often does not translate to the pros. It sounds like most agree Savoie is relentless, which I've read before and is a trait I really gravitate towards. First I've heard of Geekie being "indifferent" and having "no motor", but as someone who was not a fan on limited viewings (can't get over his skating), count me out. 

Kemell v. Lekkermaki:  “Kemell for sure. He has the skill and the shot, but he has an edge to his game. Lekkerimaki doesn’t get inside, can’t push a line by himself.” ; “Lekkerimaki would be my choice. Kemell is a good player, plays hard, but Lekke has a lot more skill and offensive upside.” ; “It would be Kemell. There’s more pro there, the compete is quite good, and you saw how well he did versus men this season when healthy. Lekkerimaki there’s a lot of talent but a lot of projecting still left to do.” ; “I would guess Kemell just based on what he did production-wise in Liiga. I think both are a little overhyped. There was a time where you thought both could go top 10, but I think one if not both of them will slide out of that range. It’s hard to sell your GM on small wingers who aren’t special at the top of the draft.”

Takeaway: This confirms some things I've read and seen with Lekker. I'm nervous about the reliance on his shot from outside of 20 feet and his unwillingness to get into the dirty areas. I feel like I've read this same type of scouting report for Swedish players for years now, with many more resulting in Alex Nylander than Elias Pettersson. I'm not super high on either of these prospects.

Lambert:  “If you’re thinking of stepping up in the top 10 or 12 and taking him thinking he’s so talented he’ll figure it out, you’re kidding yourself. In the back half of the first when the next best alternative has nowhere near the tools he has then it will start to make more sense.” ; “I would take him somewhere in the teens. He didn’t have a great season, but you have to remember all he’s done before, and how good the skating and skill package is.” ; “He’s not for me. I’ve seen little progress in his game year over year. The skating is awesome but there’s not much else there that interests me, lot of circling the perimeter, doesn’t make many plays. We’ll let someone else take him.” ; “People talk about how talented he is, but outside a couple World Junior games when I watched him this season he didn’t really accomplish anything. If I had a top 20 pick I would hope to get a better player.”

Takeaway: No thanks. 

 

Marco Kasper:  “I’m in on him as a top 15 pick, maybe even top 10. His compete and character are excellent. The offense isn’t all-world, but he has good skills and plays a pro-style game.” ; “I think you’re for sure getting a player. He’s a third line center all day. Can he be a 2? I’m not sold there’s enough offense there.” ; “I’ve thought third line forward most of the season, but towards the end he started to persuade me there may be more offense to his game. I could buy a second line center but top 10 seems a little rich.” ; “I think he’s a stud. If we had a top five pick he would be in our conversation. I think he does a lot of things at a clear NHL level.”

Takeaway: Marco brought me out of a 3 year posting hiatus so I think you all know how I feel about him. I'd be ecstatic with him at 16. I have a similar takeaway after my deep dive on him to the quote about his improvement over the season. No questioning on his character, drive/motor, and development arc. I understand concern of a third line center ceiling, but I just think his skill set exceeds that. 

 

Best Dman after top 2:  “Denton Mateychuk. Kevin Korchinski and Pavel Mintykuov have the flashy talent but they don’t play defense. Mateychuk can make plays and competes in his own end even though he lacks size at 5-foot-11.” ; “I think Mintyukov would have the slight edge on talent, but due to his Russian passport I would take Korchinski.” “I say Korchinski but with the caveat that I think it’s a massive drop from 2 to 3 on the D list. I wouldn’t take any non-Nemec/Jiricek defensemen in the top 15.” ; “It’s Lane Hutson for me. I get the size concerns but all he does is makes plays. He’s an elusive skater, and he has a high compete level. He was one of the best players in every game I saw him.” ; “It’s for sure Korchinski. He could be a top 10 pick. He’s a dynamic player, a guy you’re projecting as the next Shea Theodore.” ; “It’s Korchinski for me. Don’t over think this one. He’s 6-2, he’s a great skater, he makes a ton of plays. The upside is really high in his game.”

Takeaway: Admittedly need to do a lot more work on defensemen, but really like what I see from Mateychuk. Again, it's mostly a size thing with some scouts completely discounting a player because they have some strict player prototype in their heard  Excited to dig in deeper on these three, especially Mintykuov who Curt and LGR (two perspectives/opinions I often seek out) both mentioned him on previous pages. 

Do Korchinski / Mintyukov defend well enough?:  “I think both are overrated for that reason, I don’t think either think it well enough in their ends or care enough about defending. They get you excited with their rushes and o-zone play but they’ll frustrate the hell out of coaches.” ; “I’m not as worried about it with Korchinski. The ice tilts when he’s on the ice, he must be doing something right in his own end. Mintyukov I don’t think tries to play defense, but I think part of that is what the team told him to do.” ; “Mintyukov is a little wild with his pinches, but he plays hard and can be heavy on his checks. I think you can work with him. Korchinski just never engages physically, I’m worried he’ll get pushed around in the NHL.” ; “Do I think they’re great defensively? No. But I’m not that concerned about it. They’ll generate so much offense and help you in transition that on balance you’ll be really happy to have them on your team.”

Takeaway: Something I'll definitely keep an eye on when I dig a bit deeper.

 

Does Bichsel have enough offensive upside?:  “Not for me. I like him but I don’t see enough there to do it in the first round. He’s just big and physical.” ; “I think so. People are sleeping on this guy, not dissimilar to how they slept on Moritz Seider in his draft year. I don’t think he’s as good as Seider, but there are rhymes in their games.” ; “If he’s top four, it’s a No. 4 probably due to the puck-moving game.”

Takeaway: Feel some people are obsessing with his size, especially in the context of how nicely he'll fit on our back line. I'd be prefer someone else at 28.

 

Can 5'11'' Mateychuk play top four minutes in NHL?:  “Where a lot of the public lists have him like top 15 is rich, I just don’t think that’s reality and where he fits in a draft. Once you get to 20-25, that’s where it starts to make more sense, where the talent level will be so much higher than the alternatives you’re willing to take on the size risks.” ; “I like him. He steadily grew on me as the season went along. I think you can get higher upside defensemen in the front half of the first like Korchinski and Mintyukov, but in the back half he’s more in play for us.” ; “I don’t see it. I get the skating and the skill, but there aren’t many top four D who look like him.” ; “I’m a believer. He makes a ton of plays, his team always has the puck when he’s on the ice. His skating is excellent so I think it will work in the NHL.” ; “If he was 6-1 we would be talking about him in the top five of the draft.”

Takeaway: He won't be there at 28 and I'd prefer two forwards at 9 and 16, but I'm a really big fan on limited viewings. (Again, it's so frustrating to hear some of these scouts obsess with size! Not sure what he measured at the combine, but 2 inches is the difference between top 5 and back half of draft?!).

 

How high can Gauthier go?:  “I think he could go top three, he has immense pro potential. I’m not sure Cooley is a better pro prospect.” ; “He could be a top five pick for sure, especially for a team that covets those big, fast, hard type of players. I wouldn’t rule out even top 3, although top 5 is more realistic.” ; “I would project him between 4-8. I would guess that’s where most of the league has him, with a third higher having him higher or lower than there.” ; “He will go top 10, but I would personally have reservations on him there. The tools are awesome, he’s big, fast, strong, can shoot it as well as anyone but his brain concerns me.”

Takeaway: Like most, I would love him at 9, but he won't be there. I know some don't think he has the playmaking ability to warrant a top 10 pick, but I feel his hands and vision are (or at least were) underrated. The brain/intelligence comment is interesting and supports the playmaking critique. 

 

How high can Gauthier go?:  “I think he could go top three, he has immense pro potential. I’m not sure Cooley is a better pro prospect.” ; “He could be a top five pick for sure, especially for a team that covets those big, fast, hard type of players. I wouldn’t rule out even top 3, although top 5 is more realistic.” ; “I would project him between 4-8. I would guess that’s where most of the league has him, with a third higher having him higher or lower than there.” ; “He will go top 10, but I would personally have reservations on him there. The tools are awesome, he’s big, fast, strong, can shoot it as well as anyone but his brain concerns me.” ; “He’ll be a top 10 pick but his ceiling is 6. I think there’s a grouping at the top of 5 players: Wright, Cooley, Slafkovsky, Nemec and Jiricek who have distinguished themselves." ; “He’ll go somewhere between 4-7. I think he’s a guy teams will keep talking themselves into bumping up their list as draft day approaches due to how toolsy he is.”

Takeaway: Like most, I would love him at 9 but he won't be there. I know some here don't think he has the playmaking ability to warrant a top 10 pick, but I feel his hands and vision are (or at least were) underrated. The brain/intelligence comment is interesting and supports the playmaking critique. 

Third best USNTDP after Cooley and Gauthier?:  “It’s clearly Nazar for me. His skating is awesome, he plays on the inside, he has a lot of skill. I think the potential there is really enticing.” ; “I would take Snuggerud. He’s continued to get better and better, he’s so far ahead of where he was a year ago. He’s big, skilled, competes, and can score. I think he’s scratching the surface.” ; “I saw the remark from Nazar about your scouting report that he can be like Brayden Point. That’s high, but I don’t think he’s that far off. He’s a big time talent whose game will work as a pro.” ; “It’s Rutger McGroarty. His compete is elite, he has skill, he scores, he has good hockey sense. The feet are tough but you know he’s going to work at it to improve that area.”

Takeaway: I see Nazar as clearly ahead of Snugs and McGroarty, mostly because of the latter two's skating. If our scouts feel this can be improved significantly for one or both of them, I'd be open to them at 16 (McGroaty and then Snugs), especially because their character and vibes are off the chart. The Nazar character rumor wreaks of BS, although I haven't read anything openly positive there. I'm sure Sabres have done their due diligence though, and if they are comfortable with him, he'd be a dream at 16.

 

Lane Huston: “I love watching him play, he’s probably one the most entertaining players in the draft, but I can’t see us picking him, I just don’t see it working in the NHL.” ; “I’m a believer. Torey Krug, Jared Spurgeon, Matt Grzelcyk, this guy’s next. He’s a unique small defenseman.”

Takeaway: Size!

 

Yurov and the Russia concern: “I can’t see a team considering him in the top half of the draft. He’s top 10 on talent, but if he’s close to the next best player the GMs are going to pick the next best player. I don’t think serious conversations start with him until about 20.” ; He won’t go close to where he belongs on talent, but after 15 I think it’s going to be too tantalizing for a team. He’s a big-time player.” ; “Everyone’s going to have a top tier of guys. For some it’s 8, 10, 12 players deep. It will depend. After those guys are all gone, you have to start talking about Yurov because the next best guy on your list won’t be close to the player he is.” ; “I think he could get out of the first round or go very late in the first. We love the player, but I think there’s going to be a lot of pressure on managers to not go that route.” ; “We’re not picking any Russians, I can tell you that. Those orders came from way over my head.”

Takeaway: If he somehow drops to 28 because of some informal collusion across teams, we should absolutely take advantage. Won't happen though. 

 

Best chance to crack top 10 outside of usual consensus: “Kevin Korchinski. He kept getting better as the season went along. He’s got a lot of pro upside.” ; “Jiri Kulich. He looked the part in front of a ton of general managers and scouting directors in Germany at the U18s. I think that will be influential.” ; “Noah Ostlund. He was the best player at the U18s even if he wasn’t named MVP.” ; “It’s Korchinski. He’s a lot closer to Jiricek/Nemec than most people are giving him credit for.” ; “Nathan Gaucher. He’s a big right-shot center, he plays hard, I think there’s some offense there. He played well in front of a lot of GMs at the CHL showcase game too.” ; “It’s not the question you asked, but I think people are sleeping on Lekkerimaki in the top five. When you talk pure skill and offensive upside there aren’t many better in this class.” ; “Marco Kasper is my vote. He finished very well between the SHL playoffs and the Worlds. There’s a lot there to like from an NHL standpoint, he’s shown he can do it versus men, and he’s highly competitive.”

Takeaway: No real surprises here. Korchinski top 10 could make our pick there even more interesting (e.g. does Kemell slide?). Need to watch some Kulich tape as a potential pick at 16.

 

Most overrated in Top 10: “Joakim Kemell. I like the shot and skill, but I don’t see him as a driver in the NHL. I think he’s close to a finished product physically too.” ; “I think it’s Lekkerimaki. He’s got great skill and an elite shot, but I think he can be a bit of a passenger at even-strength. He drifts to the perimeter, can’t be the engine on a line. On the power play you love him, but I want more at the top of the draft.” ; “Probably Yurov and it has nothing to do with the player — just due to his passport. He may not go top 20.” ; “I don’t get the Conor Geekie hype. I get the big center thing. We all want big centers. He has skill but it’s not elite skill, he doesn’t skate that well and his compete is average at best.” ; “I think it’s Shane Wright. For a guy who is a presumptive No. 1, when I watch him it doesn’t jump out to me. I have to put the pieces together and overthink on why he’s No. 1. It doesn’t mean he’s not great but at the top spot I want it to be obvious.” ; “I would struggle taking either of Savoie or Lekkerimaki where they’re projected right now. They are great players, they will score in the NHL, but I’m not convinced you win with players like that.” ; “I’m guessing it’s Kemell. He kinda came back to earth in the second half of the season after that run he went on. That 5-foot-9 ½ measurement at the combine didn’t help his cause either.”

Takeaway: Don't disagree with many of these assessments as I am lower than most on Kemell, Lekker and Geekie. 

 

Informal poll: 

• Best skater: Cooley, Lambert, Nazar
• Best puck skills: Cooley, Del Bel Belluz, Isaac Howard, Kemell, Lekkerimaki, Neuchev, Trikozov, Shane Wright, Yurov
• Best hockey sense: Del Bel Belluz, Lane Hutson, Mintyukov, Nemec, Ostland, Slafkovsky, Wright
• Best shot: Gauthier, Kemell,Kulich, Kyrou, Lekkerimaki,Slafkovsky
• Most competitive: Bichsel, Gauthier, Jiricek, Kasper, McGroarty  

Takeaway: Don't disagree with many of these assessments as I am lower than most on Kemell, Lekker and Geekie. 

 

 

 

Welcome back. Thanks for this, I like to read what scouts think, even if there are multiple opinions on a guy.

 

I was not high on Geekie and now want to avoid him. I don’t like to hear no motor and lack of compete.

I like Kasper at 16 and the quotes encourage that. That is a good spot to pick a middle six C who is responsible and works hard.

I don’t want a LHD at 16 but if the Sabres think Korchinski is BPA they might have to take him and manage the assets later.

I hope for Savoie or Nazar at 9. I would think the team has some good intel on Nazar from interviews and our analytics guy related to the USNDTP staffer.