Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell | @InfernalAccess Be sure to join the Discord channel to talk hockey, and everything else, with me and fellow subscribers. The New Jersey Devils have made their first of (potentially) three picks on the night, taking sniper Alexander Holtz with the 7th pick.
Seems like Fitz was caught off guard that the Rangers traded up to take Schneider and did not have a contingency plan in place to trade down within 5 minutes and pick up an extra third rounder. Sounds like a rookie GM mistake.
I don't think he was in on Schneider. There was only 1 defenseman left of the top 4 (Schneider) when they picked 18th. If they really wanted him, they would have drafted him 18th knowing the team picking 19th could take him. I do agree they should have traded down though if they were going to reach like that.
Felt like a need pick for sure and not best player available. We will see if this comes to bite them in the future. Kind of reminiscent of them drafting McLeoud over those defensemen because they needed forwards at the time.
Chill, most people had Holtz above Rossi, I wanted Rossi too, but Holtz was ranked #5 by Hockey Central, so it's not exactly a reach, Zacha was a fucking reach lmao
Didn't call it a reach.. I called it more of filling a need rather than simply taking the best player available. Not everyone subscribes to that philosophy obviously, but that is just my preference. If seen them go for need in the past (McLeoud) and it didn't work out well.
Tougher to get excited about Holtz with Perfetti and Rossi still on the board, but his shot is lethal. They clearly see him riding shotgun with Hughes and giving Jack someone to actually bury all the chances he creates. Imagine he'll have a good shot to make the team, particularly if Palms is shipped out. Defense looking like it'll be optional for them this year so given the report on that side of his game, he should fit right in.
I won’t kill holtz. Just hate those talented workers left there. 18 was the safe pick. 20 was a throw away. No excuses just terrible. Good cheer he NEVER plays in the nhl. Worst case your 1st round picks should at least become depth guys.
Just because we don't know who he is doesn't mean he won't be good. Plenty of picks in the late rounds that no one had a y idea about went on to have successful careers. I'm not thrilled with the pick but at 20 but let's give it a chance.
The fact that the Devils didn't have a 2nd round pick and pick towards the back half of the 3rd, probably was a large factor in them "reaching" for that defenseman. They must really like him and didn't think he would make it all the way to the 3rd. With that said, I don't like the pick. Would have preferred someone with more upside.
His draft ranking varies so much from scout to scout. I just hope he works out. We did pretty good with the first two picks. We plugged some holes in the future but today, those holes remain.
One big difference was that zacha never put up elite numbers in the years before getting drafted. Holtz is a proven scorer and put up some impressive numbers. They just saw a tall center and hoped for the best. I dont remember what Mcleod's numbers were like.
Seems like Fitz was caught off guard that the Rangers traded up to take Schneider and did not have a contingency plan in place to trade down within 5 minutes and pick up an extra third rounder. Sounds like a rookie GM mistake.
I don't think he was in on Schneider. There was only 1 defenseman left of the top 4 (Schneider) when they picked 18th. If they really wanted him, they would have drafted him 18th knowing the team picking 19th could take him. I do agree they should have traded down though if they were going to reach like that.
Felt like a need pick for sure and not best player available. We will see if this comes to bite them in the future. Kind of reminiscent of them drafting McLeoud over those defensemen because they needed forwards at the time.
Chill, most people had Holtz above Rossi, I wanted Rossi too, but Holtz was ranked #5 by Hockey Central, so it's not exactly a reach, Zacha was a fucking reach lmao
Didn't call it a reach.. I called it more of filling a need rather than simply taking the best player available. Not everyone subscribes to that philosophy obviously, but that is just my preference. If seen them go for need in the past (McLeoud) and it didn't work out well.
Tougher to get excited about Holtz with Perfetti and Rossi still on the board, but his shot is lethal. They clearly see him riding shotgun with Hughes and giving Jack someone to actually bury all the chances he creates. Imagine he'll have a good shot to make the team, particularly if Palms is shipped out. Defense looking like it'll be optional for them this year so given the report on that side of his game, he should fit right in.
Well, that was an interesting third pick. Never heard of the guy.
Read/Heard an interesting Comment with Rossi. You get a great player but what you see is what you will get. He is pretty much baked.
If players are equal (ish) and one has more room for improvement how do you personally factor that in.
I won’t kill holtz. Just hate those talented workers left there. 18 was the safe pick. 20 was a throw away. No excuses just terrible. Good cheer he NEVER plays in the nhl. Worst case your 1st round picks should at least become depth guys.
Just because we don't know who he is doesn't mean he won't be good. Plenty of picks in the late rounds that no one had a y idea about went on to have successful careers. I'm not thrilled with the pick but at 20 but let's give it a chance.
Seems like Holtz was their guy, Mercer is a safe pick and they went off the board with their 3rd pick. All in all I’m happy with it.
The fact that the Devils didn't have a 2nd round pick and pick towards the back half of the 3rd, probably was a large factor in them "reaching" for that defenseman. They must really like him and didn't think he would make it all the way to the 3rd. With that said, I don't like the pick. Would have preferred someone with more upside.
His draft ranking varies so much from scout to scout. I just hope he works out. We did pretty good with the first two picks. We plugged some holes in the future but today, those holes remain.
Exactly my thoughts. I wasn't feeling to hot about this pick but found some analysis from Steve Kournianos. Good read. https://twitter.com/TheDraftAnalyst/status/1313656343727869953?s=09
Must have been a roller coaster for Todd seeing Rossi not get picked by the ducks just for the devils to go with Holtz.
Passing on Rossi. Feels like Zacha and McEloud 3.0
One big difference was that zacha never put up elite numbers in the years before getting drafted. Holtz is a proven scorer and put up some impressive numbers. They just saw a tall center and hoped for the best. I dont remember what Mcleod's numbers were like.
Fair point. I like holtz shot. I just hate the skating. Remind me too much of Reid Boucher . I’m more of a BPA minus goalies