In the mix of a record-setting scorer and college's most productive defensive-center in years - it's somehow the defenseman who hasn't played that's garnering attention.
I’m super impressed with care and depth you put into this. Entertaining and logical format. Thanks!! Subscribed & looking forward to seeing your content
What do you make of the Sharks if they get the 1st pick though? Like Jeff Marek once said on his podcast… Schaefer is a hand to glove fit for them, just looking at the prospect pool. I think obviously a 1C Celebrini and 2C Misa/Hagens would set them up for long term playoff success, but given the talk around the league… they would likely shade towards Schaefer if they got the 1st overall.
Sharks are an interesting one. I would understand an argument against Hagens fitting in there... another slight frame, not super high FO%, and he'd be stuck at #2. But if I'm Mike Grier, I'm running to the podium and hoping Misa can fill a Draisaitl-esque role for me. Burly alternative to your high-skill #1, just as effective from the W as he is from C, top scorer. I think that's a great fit in a system headlined by Mack/Smith, but with a lot of transitional wingers otherwise (who is your clear-cut top-liner out of Musty, Lund, Graf?)
But I am also a big Sam Dickinson truther, and think he can be your next Scott Stevens with the right usage. I'd be worried I'm digging my way to a Sabres situation in taking Schaefer... don't want Schaefer/Dickinson/Cagnoni to become the next Dahlin/Power/Byram logjam.
Haha no worries. I think the discussion at number 1 could come down to if they feel more confident in Dickinson becoming a true 1D or Smith being a similar 2C like a Misa. Because if the Sharks take Misa… I would believe Smith is your top line winger (their version of Patrick Kane).
Cagnoni looks like a steal, but I don’t believe he is good enough to warrant that concern. You can always do hockey trades in the future. If you end up at 3, who do you target?
If the assumption is Schaefer and Misa are 1 and 2 (what most believe to this point). I believe Grier takes Hagens. Boston connection, he seemingly has the pedigree.
The only thing that makes me pause is so many in the Sharks brain trust keeps talking about adding size. I think Frondell could be a dark horse candidate if the Sharks pick 3rd… and Schaefer and Misa are gone. Maybe maybe Desnoyers… but I think of those two they shade towards Frondell.
You can make the argument that there are 4 to 5 forwards in this draft that have 1C potential. My assumption is you would pick the D man third or would you go down further?
You're not wrong! My rankings will have Schaefer at #3, though he's more in the tier of Caleb Desnoyers and Anton Frondell than he is grouped with Misa and Hagens in my eyes. But I can be talked well down when it comes to drafting an injury... always makes me nervous.
Boston and Philly are interesting cases. If they get #1, I think they are selecting Misa.
If they get #2 and Misa has been selected, I’m curious if they would select Schaefer.
Hagens reminds me a lot of Sebastian Aho, but every small center wants to be Point, Hughes, or Aho. How many actually are? I watched a ton of BC and Hagans is no wallflower defensively. He tries and he looked better with Teddy Stiga when he had his chances there.
So now that the Islanders have the first pick. Does Hagans go home to the Islanders and complete the story of an American kid going 1st overall to the team he loved growing up. Most of Long Island wants him. Will the Islanders please the fans or go in another ?
I’m super impressed with care and depth you put into this. Entertaining and logical format. Thanks!! Subscribed & looking forward to seeing your content
Cheers Boomer, I appreciate the kind words! Thanks for sticking around!
What do you make of the Sharks if they get the 1st pick though? Like Jeff Marek once said on his podcast… Schaefer is a hand to glove fit for them, just looking at the prospect pool. I think obviously a 1C Celebrini and 2C Misa/Hagens would set them up for long term playoff success, but given the talk around the league… they would likely shade towards Schaefer if they got the 1st overall.
Sharks are an interesting one. I would understand an argument against Hagens fitting in there... another slight frame, not super high FO%, and he'd be stuck at #2. But if I'm Mike Grier, I'm running to the podium and hoping Misa can fill a Draisaitl-esque role for me. Burly alternative to your high-skill #1, just as effective from the W as he is from C, top scorer. I think that's a great fit in a system headlined by Mack/Smith, but with a lot of transitional wingers otherwise (who is your clear-cut top-liner out of Musty, Lund, Graf?)
But I am also a big Sam Dickinson truther, and think he can be your next Scott Stevens with the right usage. I'd be worried I'm digging my way to a Sabres situation in taking Schaefer... don't want Schaefer/Dickinson/Cagnoni to become the next Dahlin/Power/Byram logjam.
This comment ignores the 40 damn assists Will Eklund has notched this year… whoops. Can’t erasure such a clear-cut star!!
Haha no worries. I think the discussion at number 1 could come down to if they feel more confident in Dickinson becoming a true 1D or Smith being a similar 2C like a Misa. Because if the Sharks take Misa… I would believe Smith is your top line winger (their version of Patrick Kane).
Cagnoni looks like a steal, but I don’t believe he is good enough to warrant that concern. You can always do hockey trades in the future. If you end up at 3, who do you target?
If the assumption is Schaefer and Misa are 1 and 2 (what most believe to this point). I believe Grier takes Hagens. Boston connection, he seemingly has the pedigree.
The only thing that makes me pause is so many in the Sharks brain trust keeps talking about adding size. I think Frondell could be a dark horse candidate if the Sharks pick 3rd… and Schaefer and Misa are gone. Maybe maybe Desnoyers… but I think of those two they shade towards Frondell.
You can make the argument that there are 4 to 5 forwards in this draft that have 1C potential. My assumption is you would pick the D man third or would you go down further?
You're not wrong! My rankings will have Schaefer at #3, though he's more in the tier of Caleb Desnoyers and Anton Frondell than he is grouped with Misa and Hagens in my eyes. But I can be talked well down when it comes to drafting an injury... always makes me nervous.
Boston and Philly are interesting cases. If they get #1, I think they are selecting Misa.
If they get #2 and Misa has been selected, I’m curious if they would select Schaefer.
Hagens reminds me a lot of Sebastian Aho, but every small center wants to be Point, Hughes, or Aho. How many actually are? I watched a ton of BC and Hagans is no wallflower defensively. He tries and he looked better with Teddy Stiga when he had his chances there.
So now that the Islanders have the first pick. Does Hagans go home to the Islanders and complete the story of an American kid going 1st overall to the team he loved growing up. Most of Long Island wants him. Will the Islanders please the fans or go in another ?
Would Will Smith be the #1 pick if he was in this draft? Trying to see relative talent of the top 2