Deep Thoughts • 30/09/2019
Deep Thoughts Twitter - September 30th 2019 - Early 2020 NHL Draft Rankings & other Thoughts
Deep Thoughts
With
Mark Seidel
Deep Thoughts: Welcome to another Deep Thoughts which represent my PERSONAL views & don’t reflect ANY Organization that I work with! This edition is LONG with many different thoughts so unfollow if you don’t want them.
DT: I saw that the QMJHL has decided to retire #87 for all teams in the League and they should be commended because the Kid is a legend & deserves all of the commendation for not only his play on the ice but also his comportment off of it.
DT: It reminds me of how lucky we are that all of our All-Time greats are phenomenal people. Gretzky, Orr, Lemieux, Howe, Beliveau, Crosby were all not only amazing on the ice but off of it too. The 3 other major sports could only wish the same for their greats.
DT: Now that Patrik Laine has re-signed in Winnipeg, we will see how he adapts his behaviors to regain respect from his leadership group with the Jets. It is no secret that Scheifele & his lieutenants have had concerns but Jets fans can only hope he matures.
DT: People can criticize Dubas & Leafs about the deals but they chose long term control with cost certainty. Buying Free Agents years is costly. The “Bridge” deals look good now but in 4 years with a much bigger Cap, $11M may look good (Exception: Not as good as Rantanen though!)
DT: When you have that much Cap tied up in 4 guys, you obviously have to fill in the roster with cheaper Players & it seems to me they’ve done a good job. That and huge Drafting value (Sandin #29, Robertson #53, Durzi #52 & Dermott #34) allow you to have flexibility.
DT: Lastly on the Leafs, I have to believe they would love to claim Casey DeSmith on waivers to back up Frederic Anderson instead of Michael Hutchinson but the cap constraints are so tight that I’m not sure how they can do it. Paging Brandon Pridham…
DT: This wave of RFA’s & the big dollars signings is a progressing trend that is only going to get more prevalent. Obviously, the talent in this year’s group is unique & whether it was a Bridge Deal or a Long Term extension, this is going to become the norm. Because…
DT: The amount of young players being “promoted” to play in the NHL at such a young age with Entry level contracts to help to alleviate cap issues is creating opportunities & stats that generate RFA leverage. In the old days, these kids were in the AHL & 2nd contracts were easier
DT: I’m on an Island here but I expect Buffalo to be vastly improved this year. Ralph Krueger is a smart guy that has some really unique ideas that I think will get a lot more out of those players. I'm wary in net but I expect we’ll see Luukkonen fairly soon #CarterHartModel
DT: I REALLY love what DJ Smith is doing in Ottawa. Obviously, they are in a full re-build but people will learn that he is an exceptional Coach & his teams will NEVER take shortcuts. It will be long & tedious but these lessons Smith puts in now will bear fruit in years to come.
DT: There are not many people in this game that are universally liked by EVERYBODY but Dale Hawerchuk is one of those outliers. He has treated everyone with class & respect over the years & although he is temporarily off the bench in Barrie, we are all thinking of him.
DT:
DT:
DT:
DT: Quinton Byfield has been unbelievable & the improvement from last year is breath taking. He can simply do what he wants on the ice and there isn’t much anyone can do to stop it. He has moved ahead of a great crop of prospects, including Lafreniere into the #1 spot overall.
DT: One of the biggest reasons he’s jumped the others is that this his 2nd year in Major Junior (compared to Lafreniere’s 3rd year), he is a 6’4 Centreman that can skate and handle the puck like a much smaller player. Last guy that I saw like this was Joe Thornton.
DT: That shouldn’t be taken as a slight to Lafreniere because I think he will dominate the QMJHL this year & be a part of the World Junior team. He is an exceptional player & will become a star in the NHL but the big Centreman that Byfield is noses him out for now.
DT: This draft has everything & will go down as a great Draft. You want slick scoring wingers, you can have Perfetti or Raymond or Holtz. Franchise goalie? Askarov. Defenseman to build around? Drysdale or Barron. Patrice Bergeron Jr? Hendrix Lapierre. It’s a buffet!
DT: Our NACS October rankings for the 2020 NHL Draft: 1.Q.Byfield 2.A.Lafreniere 3.L.Raymond 4.Y.Askerov 5.C.Perfetti 6.A.Holtz 7.H.Lapierre 8.J.Drysdale 9.M.Rossi 10.A.Lundell 11.B.Schneider 11.J.Barron 12.S.Mukhamadullin 13.J.Poirier 14.D.Holloway 15.K.Guhle
DT: NACS Top 31 Con’t… 16.R.O’Rourke 11.B.Schneider 18.N.Gunler 19.B.Schneider 20.A.Stranges 21.L.Cormier 22.W.Cuyle 23.J.Sanderson 24.JL.Foudy 25.T.Klevin 26.D.Hunt 27.C.Zary 28.J.Mysak 29.T.Stutzle 30.R.Amirov 31.L.Tuch
DT: Some other names to watch throughout this year for the ’20 Draft include Jaromir Pytlik, Jake Neighbors, Mavrik Bourque, Seth Jarvis, Theo Rochette, Ryder Rolston, William Villeneuve, Martin Chromiak, Rubin Rafkin, Roni Hirvonen & Tyson Foerster.
DT: I have to acknowledge John Winstanley for his handling of Adam Fantilli situation. IMO Fantilli is good enough to be in the OHL this year & would have made JRC the clear favorites but Winstanley did the admirable thing & put family choice over personal success. That's rare.
DT: The Evander Kane incident last night is a great example of how Officials have gone overboard in trying to break up issues. Kane will be punished for his shove of the Linesman (& should be) but ever since the Kevin Collins days, some linesmen try to be a hero & worsen things.
With
Mark Seidel
Deep Thoughts: Welcome to another Deep Thoughts which represent my PERSONAL views & don’t reflect ANY Organization that I work with! This edition is LONG with many different thoughts so unfollow if you don’t want them.
DT: I saw that the QMJHL has decided to retire #87 for all teams in the League and they should be commended because the Kid is a legend & deserves all of the commendation for not only his play on the ice but also his comportment off of it.
DT: It reminds me of how lucky we are that all of our All-Time greats are phenomenal people. Gretzky, Orr, Lemieux, Howe, Beliveau, Crosby were all not only amazing on the ice but off of it too. The 3 other major sports could only wish the same for their greats.
DT: Now that Patrik Laine has re-signed in Winnipeg, we will see how he adapts his behaviors to regain respect from his leadership group with the Jets. It is no secret that Scheifele & his lieutenants have had concerns but Jets fans can only hope he matures.
DT: People can criticize Dubas & Leafs about the deals but they chose long term control with cost certainty. Buying Free Agents years is costly. The “Bridge” deals look good now but in 4 years with a much bigger Cap, $11M may look good (Exception: Not as good as Rantanen though!)
DT: When you have that much Cap tied up in 4 guys, you obviously have to fill in the roster with cheaper Players & it seems to me they’ve done a good job. That and huge Drafting value (Sandin #29, Robertson #53, Durzi #52 & Dermott #34) allow you to have flexibility.
DT: Lastly on the Leafs, I have to believe they would love to claim Casey DeSmith on waivers to back up Frederic Anderson instead of Michael Hutchinson but the cap constraints are so tight that I’m not sure how they can do it. Paging Brandon Pridham…
DT: This wave of RFA’s & the big dollars signings is a progressing trend that is only going to get more prevalent. Obviously, the talent in this year’s group is unique & whether it was a Bridge Deal or a Long Term extension, this is going to become the norm. Because…
DT: The amount of young players being “promoted” to play in the NHL at such a young age with Entry level contracts to help to alleviate cap issues is creating opportunities & stats that generate RFA leverage. In the old days, these kids were in the AHL & 2nd contracts were easier
DT: I’m on an Island here but I expect Buffalo to be vastly improved this year. Ralph Krueger is a smart guy that has some really unique ideas that I think will get a lot more out of those players. I'm wary in net but I expect we’ll see Luukkonen fairly soon #CarterHartModel
DT: I REALLY love what DJ Smith is doing in Ottawa. Obviously, they are in a full re-build but people will learn that he is an exceptional Coach & his teams will NEVER take shortcuts. It will be long & tedious but these lessons Smith puts in now will bear fruit in years to come.
DT: There are not many people in this game that are universally liked by EVERYBODY but Dale Hawerchuk is one of those outliers. He has treated everyone with class & respect over the years & although he is temporarily off the bench in Barrie, we are all thinking of him.
DT:
DT:
DT:
DT: Quinton Byfield has been unbelievable & the improvement from last year is breath taking. He can simply do what he wants on the ice and there isn’t much anyone can do to stop it. He has moved ahead of a great crop of prospects, including Lafreniere into the #1 spot overall.
DT: One of the biggest reasons he’s jumped the others is that this his 2nd year in Major Junior (compared to Lafreniere’s 3rd year), he is a 6’4 Centreman that can skate and handle the puck like a much smaller player. Last guy that I saw like this was Joe Thornton.
DT: That shouldn’t be taken as a slight to Lafreniere because I think he will dominate the QMJHL this year & be a part of the World Junior team. He is an exceptional player & will become a star in the NHL but the big Centreman that Byfield is noses him out for now.
DT: This draft has everything & will go down as a great Draft. You want slick scoring wingers, you can have Perfetti or Raymond or Holtz. Franchise goalie? Askarov. Defenseman to build around? Drysdale or Barron. Patrice Bergeron Jr? Hendrix Lapierre. It’s a buffet!
DT: Our NACS October rankings for the 2020 NHL Draft: 1.Q.Byfield 2.A.Lafreniere 3.L.Raymond 4.Y.Askerov 5.C.Perfetti 6.A.Holtz 7.H.Lapierre 8.J.Drysdale 9.M.Rossi 10.A.Lundell 11.B.Schneider 11.J.Barron 12.S.Mukhamadullin 13.J.Poirier 14.D.Holloway 15.K.Guhle
DT: NACS Top 31 Con’t… 16.R.O’Rourke 11.B.Schneider 18.N.Gunler 19.B.Schneider 20.A.Stranges 21.L.Cormier 22.W.Cuyle 23.J.Sanderson 24.JL.Foudy 25.T.Klevin 26.D.Hunt 27.C.Zary 28.J.Mysak 29.T.Stutzle 30.R.Amirov 31.L.Tuch
DT: Some other names to watch throughout this year for the ’20 Draft include Jaromir Pytlik, Jake Neighbors, Mavrik Bourque, Seth Jarvis, Theo Rochette, Ryder Rolston, William Villeneuve, Martin Chromiak, Rubin Rafkin, Roni Hirvonen & Tyson Foerster.
DT: I have to acknowledge John Winstanley for his handling of Adam Fantilli situation. IMO Fantilli is good enough to be in the OHL this year & would have made JRC the clear favorites but Winstanley did the admirable thing & put family choice over personal success. That's rare.
DT: The Evander Kane incident last night is a great example of how Officials have gone overboard in trying to break up issues. Kane will be punished for his shove of the Linesman (& should be) but ever since the Kevin Collins days, some linesmen try to be a hero & worsen things.
Sports. Stories. Honesty. Unbiased.
Back to Archive