#25: New Jersey on the clock

Sorry for posting another draft thread but I'm doing a board to board mock draft. I will keep the results updated in the mock draft board. I can't outlaw "outsider" votes, but that's okay as long as the vote is based on some informed opinion of the player's talent and organizational needs. No sabotage please! Make your selection with the Devils interest at heart. Tiebreakers will go into OT for one extra day.

*IMPORTANT* By this stage in the draft there are more realistic possibilities than polling options. I realize some people might take exception w/ some of the players I have included or left out of the poll. You can cast a vote for a player that isn't listed. You must select "other" in the poll, then write in "other: (player's name)" in this thread. Voting will end Monday at 6pm eastern.

Make your selection for the #25 pick (ignore trade possibilities). If there isn't a good fit and you want to trade, draft for value. The Devils are now on the clock. Good luck!



1) STL...... d E. Johnson 77-47-8-8-8-3 (Kessel, Toews, Staal, Backstrom, Frolik)
2) PIT....... c P. Kessel 73-12-9-7-2-1 (Toews, Staal, Backstrom, Frolik, Brassard)
3) CHI....... w J. Toews 30-9-8-2-1-1 (Backstrom, Staal, Frolik, Mueller, Okposo)
4) WAS..... c J. Staal 49-46-6-4-1 (Backstrom, Mueller, Frolik, Brassard)
5) BOS...... c N. Backstrom 53-13-3-7 (Mueller, Little, others)
6) CLM...... c P. Mueller 37-8-3-1-1 (Brassard, Frolik, Little, other)
7) NYI....... c D. Brassard 32-11-8-6-14 (Frolik, Williams, Okposo, others)
8) PHO...... rw K. Okposo 12-10-9-5-2-2 (Sheppard, Frolik, Little, Tlusty, others)
9) MIN...... rw M. Frolik 10-4-4-3-6 (Little, Sheppard, Tlusty, others)
10) FLO..... lw J. Sheppard 10-8-4-3-2-4 (Sang., Williams, Little, Tlusty, others)
11) LA....... d B. Sanguinetti 23-14-12-9-7 (Tlusty, Williams, Little, others)
12) ATL..... c B. Little 24-5-3-4 (Williams, Tlusty, others)
13) TOR..... f J. Tlusty 45-9-4-4-12 (Williams, Stewart, Emmerton, others)
14) VAN..... rw C. Stewart 37-13-11-8-8-17 (Will., Forney, Wish't, Emmerton, o/s)
************************************************** *********
15) TB....... g R. Helenius 5*-5-4-10 (Forney, Williams, others)
16) MTL..... d T. Wishart 60-37-34-11-31 (Vishnevski, Williams, Giroux ,others)
*17)MIN..... d N. Williams 12-3-2-2-2-4 (Forney, Emmerton, Giroux, Fiala, others)
18) COL..... d D. Fischer 15-6-5-18 (Emmerton, Bernier, others)
19) ANA..... c P. Berglund 14-9-8-6-4-12 (Vishnevski, Joensuu, Bernier, Emm., o/s)
20) SJ....... lw J. McGinn 4-3-3-2-4 (Shutron, Grabner, Joensuu, others)
21) NYR..... rw M. Grabner 43-10-7-33 (Joensuu, Bernier, others)
22) PHI...... d I. Vishnvenski 28-9-5-19 (Emmerton, Joensuu, others)
23) WAS.... g J. Bernier 17-10-4-3-3-9 (Summers, Foligno, Joensuu, Vasyunov,o/s)
24) BUF..... lw J. Joensuu 19-18-13-3-13 (Summers, Foligno, Vasyunov, others)
25) NJ....... d B. Strait 27-6-4-4-13 (Summers, Emmerton, Vasyunov, others)
26) CAL.....
*27) STL....
28) DAL.....
29) OTW....
30) DET.....

link w/ upper CSB rankings:

http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=244017

I have chosen Brian Strait. He seems like the ideal defenseman for the New Jersey Devils. It would certainly be unfair to compare Strait to a future Hall of Famer, so I will not. However, I could see young defenseman being really strong in his defensive-zone while still contributing positive things in the offensive zone.

He is really well spoken judging by the quotations attributed to him. He seems to be a very intelligent person.

Hockey's Future has him listed at 6' and 200 lbs. As he matures by his early 20's, he could go up to 210. That is pretty good size.

Here are some excerpts from various articles regarding Strait:

"Brian Strait is our team captain; he's a great two-way player and exceptional leader," U.S. coach and Terrier alum John Hynes said. "He's a very strong, smart player."source: "This Week in Hockey East: Nov. 3, 2005 (http://www.uscho.com/news/id,11032/ThisWeekinHockeyEastNov32005)"


"It's disappointing in the sense that we lost, but we're still in the beginning stages of our season," said U.S. captain Brian Strait, who has verbally committed to attend BU next season. "We're just getting into the college game. It's a step in the right direction, and I think we're going to be fine as we go on during the season."source: "U.S. Under-18 Almost Tricks BU" (http://www.uscho.com/recaps/20052006/m/10/29/other-bu.php)


The Satellite program gives you the structure on the ice by making you better player with the puck and away from the puck, which are both huge assets you need as you make the transition from youth hockey to high school(Brian played at Northfield Mount Hermon School before moving to Ann Arbor Michigan and the NDTP) or junior hockey. It also gives young players the first look at what they will have to do off the ice if they want to become an elite playersource: Brian Strait on the Massachusetts Satelite Program (http://www.mastp.com/players/brianstrait.html)


“It was pretty incredible,” Strait said. “I always thought it would be quite an accomplishment, and I thought it would be a great feeling, but it’s even bigger than what you ever expected. It was pretty emotional for all of us because we were together for two years. It was the best way you could possibly go out.”source: "Good as Gold (http://www.hockeyjournal.com/juniors/200605/20060501JuniorStraitBennett.htm)"

I also voted for Strait. Some others I considered were Summers, Shutron, and Persson. I would be surprised if the Devils don't draft a defenseman in the first round, unless a really good forward happens to fall into their laps. But what do I know, I thought we would draft a d-man last year too :dunno:

Do we draft 25th or 23rd? I've seen both on the mock draft board...we're 23rd based on points but 25th if the division winners draft last...

I voted for Strait as well. I like what I have read/heard about him.

Makes the most sense for where we are in the draft.

I like Strait as well, but I went with Dennis Persson. The Devils should have quite a few d-men to pick from, all with a variety of different traits. Summers, Mitera, Persson, Strait, Alexandrov, Vishnevsky, and my favorite, David Fischer. The 1st round should unfold in a way that the Devils will have a choice between probably 2 or 3 of these guys. Honestly, you can't really go wrong with either one as each offer different styles of play. Fischer would be my pick up to this point, from what I've read and heard so far.

I went with Forney, if he's available at the 25th spot. I figure he's on his way to North Dakota, etc., and we can still grab some good defensive prospects with our second and third picks.

I went with Chris Summers. He had to work long and hard in the USA NTDP to gain first round recognition. I think his work ethic makes his potential extremely high. THN says that skating is his best asset, yet he doesn't have much of an offensive game. I think the offensive game could come in time at Michigan. At 6'1, 180, he has decent size that will only look better when he brings that 180 up to 200 hopefully.

On the topic of Brian Strait, I see Strait falling in all mock drafts; hell, THN lists him at #61. I do want Strait on the Devils farm, but I think we can still grab him in the second round. Perhaps, we can re-do 1998, where we traded down for two first round picks. If the Hurricanes win the cup, and we trade with St. Louis, they'd have our 25th, we'd have the 30th and 31st. The last time we did this, it worked pretty well [Gomez and Van Ryn].

I went with Chris Summers. He had to work long and hard in the USA NTDP to gain first round recognition. I think his work ethic makes his potential extremely high. THN says that skating is his best asset, yet he doesn't have much of an offensive game. I think the offensive game could come in time at Michigan. At 6'1, 180, he has decent size that will only look better when he brings that 180 up to 200 hopefully.

On the topic of Brian Strait, I see Strait falling in all mock drafts; hell, THN lists him at #61. I do want Strait on the Devils farm, but I think we can still grab him in the second round. Perhaps, we can re-do 1998, where we traded down for two first round picks. If the Hurricanes win the cup, and we trade with St. Louis, they'd have our 25th, we'd have the 30th and 31st. The last time we did this, it worked pretty well [Gomez and Van Ryn].

I was thinking the same thing about trading our first for two seconds. I know the Flyers have 3 second rounders. However, not sure if Lou would deal with them although it's only a draft, plus they might use those extra picks to move up. As for St. Louis, makes no sense for them to trade basically two late firsts for the 25th pick.

Alexander Vasyunov, however he'll got top 15 because of the transfer agreement.

Is there any chance we could move up to like #17 if Stewart is avaliable still, i remember when Anthony Stewart came out, i wanted him.......BUt i would love his bro with the devils!!!!!!Feedback, and please be nice!


But if not I chose Foligno, we had success with JP's son, maybe we could do well with Foligno's boy.

Do we draft 25th or 23rd? I've seen both on the mock draft board...we're 23rd based on points but 25th if the division winners draft last...

i believe it's division winners last, if edmonton wins you guys pick 24th

Is there any chance we could move up to like #17 if Stewart is avaliable still, i remember when Anthony Stewart came out, i wanted him.......BUt i would love his bro with the devils!!!!!!Feedback, and please be nice!


But if not I chose Foligno, we had success with JP's son, maybe we could do well with Foligno's boy.

We really don't need another forward prospect, never mind losing more assets to trade up for one. The farm needs a defense prospect; one needs to only look at our top ten prospects to realize that.

We really don't need another forward prospect, never mind losing more assets to trade up for one. The farm needs a defense prospect; one needs to only look at our top ten prospects to realize that.

Perfect analysis. Signing Andy Greene helps, but the system is still devoid of potential impact blueliners. Also, with Ahonen returning to Finland, and Disher not signing, the Devils are getting quite thin in terms of goaltending prospects. Frazee and Smith are likely both still a couple years away form turning pro. I'd be shocked if the Devils don't draft a goaltender. Would anyone be shocked if the Devils used their first on Bernier or Heleinus if they were available?

Perfect analysis. Signing Andy Greene helps, but the system is still devoid of potential impact blueliners. Also, with Ahonen returning to Finland, and Disher not signing, the Devils are getting quite thin in terms of goaltending prospects. Frazee and Smith are likely both still a couple years away form turning pro. I'd be shocked if the Devils don't draft a goaltender. Would anyone be shocked if the Devils used their first on Bernier or Heleinus if they were available?

I like what I hear about Helenius and I really wouldn't mind if we used our 1st pick on him. I hate to use the term "successor" concerning our future #1 goalie since a few busts have had that term attatched to them, but at this point the Devils really have to look at life after Brodeur. That being said, BPA is definitly the way to go, and if Vasyunov is still there I would hope the Devils would pick him.

Would anyone be shocked if the Devils used their first on Bernier or Heleinus if they were available?

I wouldn't be shocked, but I'd be pretty disappointed. It seems there are always plenty of diamonds in the rough when it comes to goalies in the late rounds. IIRC, Ryan Miller was a 3rd or 4th rounder for example. With the amount of defenders in this draft slated to go in the first round, I think there's no excuse not to draft by our glaring need despite Lou/Conte's philosophy of BPA.

I notice that Fischers name is not listed in the poll since he's rated higher then Strait. And it would be interesting if the Devils select either Fischer or Summers because both are headed for the University of Michigan and it will be easy to track both their college careers.

I notice that Fischers name is not listed in the poll since he's rated higher then Strait. And it would be interesting if the Devils select either Fischer or Summers because both are headed for the University of Michigan and it will be easy to track both their college careers.

Fischer's name wasn't on the poll since he was selected by Colorado. I would love Fischer as a Devil. From what I read about him in THN's Draft Preview, he's a big d-man who seemingly doesn't take a night off; just what NJ needs.

I notice that Fischers name is not listed in the poll since he's rated higher then Strait. And it would be interesting if the Devils select either Fischer or Summers because both are headed for the University of Michigan and it will be easy to track both their college careers.

Fischer is going to the University of Minnestoa not Michigan. THN Draft preview messed that up. Summers is going to Michigan.

Strait is a good choice IMO.
For, goaltenders I really like Leland Irving.

But I select the surprising pick, as Lou often gambles : Claude Giroux. :)

After reading Strait's Central Scouting analysis (below) and learning that he was named captain of both the NTDP U17s and U18, you realize this kid has many Scott Stevens-type qualities. He was selected last week to the US WJC tryout camp.

BRIAN IS A VERY GOOD SKATER WITH GOOD SPEED – HE HAS A STRONG POWERFUL STRIDE WITH EXCELLENT BALANCE AND AGILITY- A VERY GOOD BACKWARD SKATER WHO IS EFFORTLESS IN HIS LATERAL MOVEMENT- HANDLES THE PUCK WITH CONFIDENCE - MAKES THE FIRST OUTLET PASS QUICKLY AND ON THE TAPE – USES THE BOARDS TO HIS ADVANTAGE IN MOVING THE PUCK TO BREAKING FORWARDS - HAS A HARD ACCURATE LOW SHOT FROM THE POINT- EFFECTIVE AT KEEPING THE PUCK IN THE OFFENSIVE ZONE ALONG THE BLUE LINE – A SOUND POSITIONAL PLAYER IN HIS OWN END BOTH IN THE CORNERS AND IN FRONT OF THE NET- SEES THE ICE WELL – HAS VERY GOOD HOCKEY SENSE- USED IN ALL GAME SITUATIONS

BRIAN IS AN AGGRESSIVE PLAYER WHO PLAYS WITHIN THE RULES - FINISHES HIS CHECKS WITH AUTHORITY- A CLEAN BUT PUNISHING OPEN ICE HITTER THAT OPPONENTS ARE ALWAYS AWARE OF IN THE NEUTRAL ZONE – IS PHYSICAL IN FRONT OF THE NET WITH HIS COVERAGE - USES HIS STICK LOW ON HIS OPPONENT TO GAIN AN ADVANTAGE - NEVER HESITATES TO GO IN CORNERS FIRST ON DUMP–INS - TAKES A HIT TO PROTECT THE PUCK- WELL RESPECTED BY HIS TEAMMATES AND COACHES FOR HIS LEADERSHIP ON THE ICE - WILL BLOCK SHOTS ANYWHERE IN THE DEFENSIVE ZONE – HIS TEAM'S CAPTAIN - LEADS BY EXAMPLE – DISPLAYS MENTAL TOUGHNESS

BRIAN CONTINUES TO BE MORE CONFIDENT WITH HIS OFFENSIVE SKILLS AND CONTINUE TO GET STRONGER IN HIS UPPER BODY

WILL ATTEND BOSTON UNIVERSITY IN THE FALL OF 2006 - MEMBER 0F US UNDER 17 TEAM 2004-05

Fischer is going to the University of Minnestoa not Michigan. THN Draft preview messed that up. Summers is going to Michigan.

Thanks.

I picked Strait because of all that was said above.
Of course, Lou and Conte could surpirse us all and go the board completely, but I'd also like to see us get some depth on defense in the organization. How far is it from BU to Lowell?
}:-)>

EDIT: Crap! I wanted to choose Strait, but it looks like I picked Persson by accident instead (damn lack of hand-eye coordination...no wonder I suck at Pong). Oh well, Persson is a solid candidate as well.

After reading Strait's Central Scouting analysis (below) and learning that he was named captain of both the NTDP U17s and U18, you realize this kid has many Scott Stevens-type qualities. He was selected last week to the US WJC tryout camp.That was the "future Hall of Famer" to whom I didn't want to compare Brian Strait in my post above. Brian really does seem to have the attributes that may allow him to become very similar to Scott Stevens of 1995-2004.

Also Rogie21, are the Central Scouting anaylses available online for free?

I picked Strait because of all that was said above.
Of course, Lou and Conte could surpirse us all and go the board completely, but I'd also like to see us get some depth on defense in the organization. How far is it from BU to Lowell?
}:-)>
Just a 40 minute ride, but I'm hoping it takes at least 3 years in Boston before Strait changes his home rink. ;--) .

He and Green Bay/USHL D Eric Gryba, ranked #66 by Central Scouting and projected as a first round choice by Red Line Report, give BU its best pair of incoming defensemen since Ryan Whitney (Pittsburgh) and Devils minor-leaguer Bryan Miller. Strait begins working very soon with BU strength & conditioning guru Mike Boyle, who also works with many NHLers.


Also Rogie21, are the Central Scouting anaylses available online for free?
The site, http://centralscouting.nhl.com/ , is free, but requires a login. Use "public access" for the username and "hockey 2004" for the password. The higher-ranked players have analyses. Gryba has a pretty long one for someone ranked #66.

Fischer's name wasn't on the poll since he was selected by Colorado. I would love Fischer as a Devil. From what I read about him in THN's Draft Preview, he's a big d-man who seemingly doesn't take a night off; just what NJ needs.

Thank you. Didn't realize it was a board to board draft. Thought it was just a choice for Devil fans. And if we're going defense, I hope it's either Fischer, Summers or Persson in the first and in the second: de Gray, Danis-Pepin or Weber and take a goalie with our third.

I would like to see Lou trade up for Bobby Sanguinetti, but if that is not possible, I would take the best defenseman available. And it has to be a defenseman who has offensive ability. If he can't play defense now, the Devils will teach him. But he has to have those offensive instincts.

After the first round, best player available is how I would draft. It would be nice to find a sniper.

We can find a another goalie to pair with Doyle in Lowell. And hopefully Clemmensen will come back to sit behind Marty.

BTW, can we trade Ahonen's rights? Thanks!

I just have an ugly feeling the Devils are gonna take a forward.


You know they are going to take what they Deem the Best Available regardless of position.

But it appears that the Best available may just be a Defensemen this year.


I personally like the qualities David Fischer and would mind seeing him available when the Devils pick.

6'3 185
DAVID IS A STRONG SKATER WITH A WIDE BASE – HIS FIRST TWO STEPS ARE VERY QUICK - HIS PIVOTS AND TURNS ARE SHARP ALLOWING HIM TO GAIN TIME AND SPACE – HE HAS EXCELLENT BALANCE, MOBILITY AND AGILITY – CAN AND DOES SKATE THE PUCK OUT OF TROUBLE - HE HAS SOFT HANDS AND A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN HIS SKILL WHEN RUSHING THE PUCK – HE IS A VERY GOOD PASSER AND PLAYMAKER WITH THE ABILITY TO MAKE A VARIETY OF PASSES EFFECTIVELY – READS AND REACTS VERY WELL TO THE PLAY AT HAND – BLOCKS SHOTS - PLAYS IN ALL GAME SITUATIONS
HE HAS GOOD SIZE BUT NEEDS TO ADD WEIGHT AND STRENGTH – HE ALSO NEEDS TO WORK ON HIS SHOT



1 of these guys should be available when the Devils pick.

MITERA, MARK CCHA UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN 10/22/1987 6' 3" 202 D L 34 0 9 9 STRAIT, BRIAN USA US NAT'L U-18 1/4/1988 6' 0.5" 200 D L 47 2 11 13 68
FISCHER, DAVID USHSW APPLE VALLEY 2/19/1988 6' 3" 185 D R 25 8 30 38