1984Echoes

That's why I say: "Give 'em Petry!" It won't happen... but I'm holding out for a shocker like that... If it were to happen: Petry has 1 year left and Holl 2 so Rangers would go with the shorter term. Holl as 3rd pair is perfectly fine with me. I don't know what the 2023-24 problem was with him; but I don't care.

PS: As an aside... We're currently tied with the Rangers for #6. I'll revisit this in September... with 2025's Draft thread...

I would love to send either Holl or Petry to the Rangers as part of a Trouba trade... But that ain't happenin'... They can keep their money... Take Petry instead and... I'll do a cartwheel...

No. Not Copp. It'll be on defense, one way or the other.

7th round: Austin Baker, LW Fisher Scott, D

Red Wings #176: Swedish LW Charlie Forslund, 6'3" 212 #'s, Goal-scoring machine with a wicked shot, lower levels though...

Actually, John Whipple, 6'1" defensive defenseman. Big hitter per scouting. Relentless. 3rd pair LHD.

We just drafted MR. WHIPPLE!!!

We should run an Over/Under in EVERY Game thread for the inning of the Tigers 1st hit. Or the batter (even more tricky as they could get a couple BB's and still not have any hits...). Is it another rookie? 6th inning. Or... let me make this 1984 LIVES!!! Official: Opposing Pitcher: RHP Griffin Canning (NOT a rookie), 4.72 ERA, 1.33 WHIP. Over/Under Inning Tigers get 1st hit: 3rd inning. (IE: My guess: 1st. I'm guessing the lineup is Perez-Keith-Greene-etc... and one of them will actually get a hit in the 1st...). Over/Under number of Tigers batters BEFORE they get their 1st hit: 9

.889 Save % in the OHL the past year in 30 games. Developmental pick...

Red Wings, #126: Landon Miller, 6'4" Goalie.

I don't know what anyone else thinks about Plante... But he gives me Berggren vibes: Not quite good enough on D = Not quite good enough. Great playmaker but... what else is there? To make him an NHL'er I mean... Just a vibe...

I'll take a swing here: My low-round (non-first-two-rounds) guy to surprise and make the Wings is now Becher. Love the profile.

I would still be interested in Roy, and he'd be the better 2nd pair with Edvinsson... But I think, if we also are able to add Trouba... then Yzerman MUST be able to push BOTH Petry and Holl out the door (however he's able to do that), not just one of them... In order to add both Trouba and Roy, that is...

I take this to mean, if he attempted... he didn't get any interest in Chiarot or Maatta, so he was stuck only with the option of moving Walman. He may have been the easiest to move of the 3 regardless. That's 4 LHD in Chiarot, Maatta, Edvinsson, Johansson... and 5 if they re-sign Gost.

From The Hockey News: https://thehockeynews.com/whl/players/2024-nhl-draft-profile-ondrej-becher After being passed over in the last two drafts, Becher is projected to finally hear his name called by an NHL team. The Czechian winger had a season to remember, recording 96 points in 58 games while also representing his country at the 2024 World Juniors. A player who has an impact on the game at both ends of the ice, he has developed into an intriguing prospect this season. Before discussing his offensive ability, Becher's defensive game needs to be recognized. He is excellent at blocking shots and creates turnovers at a high rate. As for his positioning, Becher understands where he needs to be at all times, making it a frustrating task for the opposition to try and generate chances when he is on the ice. As for the offensive zone, Becher thrives with the puck on his stick. While he can score, he is a high-end playmaker who can set up teammates in scoring positions. Becher is also a master in the transition game, as he knows whether the best option is to pass the puck off to a teammate or carry it into the offensive zone himself. The biggest knock against Becher is his age. While most players are just turning 18, Becher is already 20 and is only now bursting onto the scene. He arguably should be ranked higher, but the fact that this is Becher's third draft may see him fall further than he should. If Becher continues to develop, he has the potential to be a middle-six forward at the NHL level who can help out on special teams. As for the draft, he is projected to be selected after the third round and, most likely, before the fifth. One of the most well-rounded players available, he has the potential to light up the WHL once again if he returns for the 2024-25 campaign.

From The Hockey Writers: https://thehockeywriters.com/ondrej-becher-2024-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/ … may be one of the riskiest picks heading into the 2024 NHL Draft, but his upside could make him a steal. As a third-year draft eligible, comparing him to his fellow 2024 Draft prospects is difficult since most are still 17 or 18 years old. While he may have gone undrafted in the 2022 and 2023 NHL Drafts, his 2023-24 performance has led him to bold top-50 praise by some. Becher started this past season on fire, scoring 20 points in his team’s first 10 games and surpassing his career high of 38 points just a few weeks later. He finished the season with 32 goals and 98 points, the 13th-highest in all of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He uses his skating and hands to drive offense, handling the puck with ease in the offensive zone. He has elite edges and speed, keeping his head up to find the best pass. The best part of Becher’s offensive game is his playmaking, specifically at driving offense on the perimeter of the offensive zone. He speeds around defenders while stickhandling around defenders, making risky but often worthwhile passes that lead to goals. Of course, he spent the majority of the season playing alongside top WHL forwards Terik Parascak, Riley Heidt, and Zac Funk. By playing with such strong talent, many teams will likely fear Becher will not be able to translate his game to the NHL since he relies on his linemates. However, that should not be the case for two reasons. The first reason is a player should not be penalized for succeeding alongside great talent. Parascak, Heidt, and Funk all broke out offensively this past season and Becher kept up. He elevated his game when it mattered most, and his offense came from working with talent, not relying on it. Even when he played with other forwards, he still found success. Whoever lands Becher will be getting a center who can carry his weight in any role. The second, and more relevant reason Becher will translate his game to the NHL is his elite defensive play. While he is phenomenal at using his stick for offense, he is even better at using it defensively. He uses his skating to keep up with defenders and his stick to knock opponents off the puck. His defensive ability allowed teammates to be more aggressive offensively, knowing they have Becher to rely on in case things go south. While his age is likely a factor for his defense looking so strong, his ability to learn from past mistakes shows he has the ability to develop into a strong NHL center. Quotables “Becher is a smart offensive force that impacts the game at both ends. He moves well with great straight-line acceleration and fluid edges. He takes open spaces and puts himself in high-danger opportunities, generally attacking the weak side of the ice. He’s a savvy playmaker with great hands and puck protection, completing impressive feeds, even no-look ones with ease.” – Joey Fortin Boulay, FC Hockey (from, ‘25381 – Canada vs. Czechia’, FC Hockey – 01/03/24).

Red Wings #80: Ondrej Becher, 20 yo LH'ed C. 6'1" 185 #'s. Elite speed and defense. 2-way C with excellent passing/ playmaking: 32 G's and 98 points in the WHL 2023-24.

Red Wings, #47: Max (son of Derek) Plante, RH'ed LW.

Those 3 in the top 4 picks of the 2nd... Rats.

San Jose selects Chernyshov = expected.

Don't they pay US if it's a salary dump? We get their 1st rounder (EJ Emery) and we send a 4th rounder (can we send them Petry or Holl, instead?)... or something like that?

"Great minds..."

What would it take to get to the top of the 2nd round (say, top 3 picks?) There are two guys that I want more than any other available (Chernyshov and Elick), and one more that I'd "settle" for in the top 3 picks of the 2nd: Badinka.

He'd be a good guy to match up with Edvinsson. That's also why I have an interest in Matt Roy. If and when Edvinsson is ready for the 1st pairing, he can move up and Chiarot can slide down to 2nd pair with Trouba (or Roy). Until then, it gives him a good, solid, productive, veteran 2nd pair RHD to show him the ropes... I don't have huge confidence in Chiarot either (who will end up starting the season at 1st pair with MO...); but it is what it is. Which means, also, that there's no huge impediment for Simon to move up to 1st pair... he just needs to improve (at the NHL level) enough to surpass Chiarot.