1984Echoes

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.

Looks like we're going to have to do this AGAIN, for at least one more year (watch the season ending losses to figure out where in the top 10 of next year's draft that we'll have a chance at getting to...). Sad. 😒

Which is sad, because (A) Shelton was a 33rd rounder, not a 1-1, and (B) Tork hasn't even got to Shelton's (OPS or OPS+) level with the Tigers yet. Tork has more HR's, but is worse than Shelton in every other possible way.

Al Avila was BAD, full stop. And even I do NOT admire Avila. That's the wrong word. THIS is where I'm at. It's not admiration. It's frustration that I can't mention any of these guys, or any other under Avila, before a few people scream at me how atrocious Avila was. I can't mention "Avila", in ANY context, where chas won't post that stupid picture of Avila laughing, which is annoying to no end. And/or other posters spew torrents of hatred and whatever else at Avila. It's NOT reasonable, IMO. Yes, I get that Avila was BAD, full stop. But... "It's possible for someone to be terrible at the job, but still do some good things." Full stop.

PS: I'm particularly high on a couple D-men though: Elick is also at the top of my list but he'll go early as well. After Elick it's Badinka that I like. And there's still a half dozen D'men after those two that I like in Mews, Masse, Pulkkinen, Freij, Kleber... maybe John Mustard...

That was my thinking. He's at the top of my list but they'd have to trade all the way up to get him. Outside of that... Who is on (anyone's) want list in the 2nd and/or 3rd...? I'm pretty wide open at this point so it's BPA to me with no regard to position. Let Stevie find some magic the next couple rounds... wherever that may be/ any position will do... IMO.

So far Sennecke all the way up to 3 and Buium falling all the way to 12 are the biggest surprises to me. Nothing else seems particularly surprising...

Eiserman to the Islanders.

duplicate...

MBN it is...

Well... That went out the door quickly... Sennecke goes to Anaheim at #3. I guess he flew up the boards quite a bit more than I was expecting...

I like Sennecke a lot. A playoff-type power forward... And he might get down to 9-12 range so there'd be a chance. Isn't Demidov a type 5 guy? How does he fall to a range we could get to with a trade-up...?

Celebrini to San Jose 1st is the easy pick... And then...?