2020 NHL Draft First Round Challenge

[hockeyrobot]

Hockeyrobot in the lead just over the halfway point I believe (need to double check picks) but its very close

Haha that would be funny to me. 28 total guesses.

[Pengwin7]

That draft really jumped off the tracks for me with the KHL picks at #20, #21.
But the rest of the first round had a lot of names expected.

Perfetti falling to #10 is probably biggest shock of draft.
I don't think I saw him lower than #8 on any mock lists.

[PenguinHunter]

That draft really jumped off the tracks for me with the KHL picks at #20, #21.
But the rest of the first round had a lot of names expected.

Perfetti falling to #10 is probably biggest shock of draft.
I don't think I saw him lower than #8 on any mock lists.

All my co-workers and friends are just pumped with Perfetti falling to #10.

The story-line was so 'Perfe(c)tti' that he should have went #4 to the Red Wings:

- High Hockey IQ like Steve Y
- Steve Y is the General Manager - but didn't get to make the pick
- Steve Y was drafted #4 overall to Detroit

The story I guess was just too good for Steve Y to buy into it?

But yes, back to everyone in Manitoba... they are absolutely ecstatic that Perfetti made it to them. I don't think anyone expected him to make it passed Buffalo and New Jersey at the very least.

[Pengwin7]

re: Detroit at #4.
The Wings, obviously, have several keen minds over in Sweden.
I would think Yzerman trusts them greatly... so if they say Raymond is THE guy... that works for me.
I'm also a believer that there is some country-loyalty towards certain NHL teams.
Sweden is a deep pool of great hockey... and their ties to the Wings are reinforced/strengthened with this pick.
I think it'll serve them quite well going forward.
[FWIW - The NHL draft feed of the Raymonds celebrating looked *extra special... I think. Not like that means a lot... but I'd have to think a lot of Swedes are Red Wing fans.]


Obv - all prospects are trained to *say the right things*... but some comments do seem to bleed thru very truthfully.
From Raymond:

"It was exciting, a dream come true," said Raymond during a Zoom call with the media Tuesday, which was 2:30 a.m. in Sweden (he had a 9 a.m. practice later). "Especially a club like Detroit, with a lot of good Swedes, legendary Swedes, have played there. So it was extremely exciting and I'm happy and honored to be part of the Detroit Red Wings."

To build a contender, a GM needs to put together that top two lines of talent, top 4D, and a goalie.
Colorado & Vancouver are the recent models for a rise.

For Detroit, adding Raymond (instead of C-Perfetti) does finish off that top line:
Raymond(RH) - Larkin - Zadina(LH).
I'm assuming they play their off-wings.
That has the potential to be a very electric top line.

4D will be:
Seider-LD
Hronek-LD

Cholowski can probably pair with Seider. (at least, I'm hoping for that)
And they are probably hoping McIsaac develops to pair with Hronek.

Larsson in net.

Line two is hopefully a mix of Veleno/Rasmussen... and maybe whoever of Bertuzzi/Mantha they can extend most cheaply.

The team is still 2+ seasons from playoffs... but it's coming together.
They could have drafted Perfetti... but I think the hope is that Veleno is the C2 they need.

So the Raymond pick works pretty well, IMO.

[tweetdrivr]

Is Zadina looking like a top 6 winger right now? His numbers in the AHL were so so. He's on loan to his dad's team in the Czech Republic for now.

[Pengwin7]

Is Zadina looking like a top 6 winger right now? His numbers in the AHL were so so. He's on loan to his dad's team in the Czech Republic for now.

Um, he put up 15pts in 28gp in the NHL.
Those... would be the games I might be more likely to judge him on.
That's over 0.5ppg... which is a 41+pt rookie season.


Some rookie forwards that did NOT pace for 41pts this season:
1. Kappo Kakko
2. Kirby Dach
3. Jack Hughes
4. Cody Glass
5. Drake Batherson
6. Morgan Frost
...

All of these guys will be just fine.
They all have top line potential.
For me, stats in a young players 1st or 2nd season - whether AHL or NHL - isn't a huge "tell".

You want them to put up SOME points.

[tweetdrivr]

Um, he put up 15pts in 28gp in the NHL.
Those... would be the games I might be more likely to judge him on.
That's over 0.5ppg... which is a 41+pt rookie season.


Some rookie forwards that did NOT pace for 41pts this season:
1. Kappo Kakko
2. Kirby Dach
3. Jack Hughes
4. Cody Glass
5. Drake Batherson
6. Morgan Frost
...

All of these guys will be just fine.
They all have top line potential.
For me, stats in a young players 1st or 2nd season - whether AHL or NHL - isn't a huge "tell".

You want them to put up SOME points.

So that's a yes?

[Pengwin7]

Yes. He passes the eye test (for me), as well.
I saw him play 3-4 times last season... and he looked like he has top line NHL tools.

(just the goals)


He'll be key LH shot on their PP1 for next 5 years.
(and Raymond likely to be the RH shot).

Those are key slots.
Anchor yourself a PP shot-slot... and you put up points.

[tweetdrivr]

Yes. He passes the eye test (for me), as well.
I saw him play 3-4 times last season... and he looked like he has top line NHL tools.

In person or on tv?
Those are some pretty good highlights.

[Pengwin7]

TV.
Hope that's OK with you.

(btw - you don't need to quote a whole post if you aren't attending to it specifically)
(save some mouse-wheel-life)

[tweetdrivr]

No it isn't. Be better. I expect more from you.
I fixed my mouse wheel exhausting response. PETA will be happy.

[senryu]

Are you aware you missed Rossi completely? haha

I missed Rossi completely? Oh, I thought the goal was to recreate the Sabres' draft board. That's what happens when you have too many pre-draft Zimas I guess.