Todd Cordell: Is Hunter Shinkaruk The Pick For The New Jersey Devils?

He would definitely be a good pick, but there's good picks all over the first round of this draft. The top tier of this draft has amazing talent, the 2nd tier of this draft is still very very good.

No matter what I think New Jersey needs to take a forward with the 9th pick. They already have some decent defensive prospects but not as much up front.

I have an article coming out on this kids shortly. Let me tell you, if he is there at 9 the Devils will have the steal of the draft.

He's going to be a special player.

Yes. He's a stud. Is there a higher need for a center though? Either Shinkaruk or Monohan would be ideal for the Devils.

He would definitely be a good pick, but there's good picks all over the first round of this draft. The top tier of this draft has amazing talent, the 2nd tier of this draft is still very very good.

No matter what I think New Jersey needs to take a forward with the 9th pick. They already have some decent defensive prospects but not as much up front.
- Scruffton

You don't have to tell me twice! I'm a credentialed OHL writer/scout. Haha.

Yes. He's a stud. Is there a higher need for a center though? Either Shinkaruk or Monohan would be ideal for the Devils.
- Boinker

Devils don't need a center at all. Have Zajac, Henrique, Loktionov, Josefson and Gionta on the pro roster.

Hunter Shinkaruk would be a HUGE reach for NJ to take at #9. I think he is a reach to be a 1st round pick at all. Don't get me wrong - the kid has talent BUT defensively the kid is horrible, just horrible. He doesn't know what to do when he doesn't have the puck. Add to that his size limitations (not as big as a deal as it once was) I just don't think he is NJ's 1st pick. He would be a GREAT 2nd round pick.

If NJ is looking for pure scoring Kerby Rychel is a much better option. So is Alexander Wennberg and Bo Horvat - all 3 will be taken long before Shinkaruk.

Hunter Shinkaruk would be a HUGE reach for NJ to take at #9. I think he is a reach to be a 1st round pick at all. Don't get me wrong - the kid has talent BUT defensively the kid is horrible, just horrible. He doesn't know what to do when he doesn't have the puck. Add to that his size limitations (not as big as a deal as it once was) I just don't think he is NJ's 1st pick. He would be a GREAT 2nd round pick.

If NJ is looking for pure scoring Kerby Rychel is a much better option. So is Alexander Wennberg and Bo Horvat - all 3 will be taken long before Shinkaruk.
- edge100

I would be stunned if Shinkaruk slips out of the top-15. No chance he's there in the 2nd round. Also, I've seen Rychel several times. I like him but he's not a top-10 talent.

Is there a risk he might be another Tedenby? Just asking have not seen him play myself.

I've heard he has a good shot. Can he regularly score from further out than the slot unlike Parise?

Hunter Shinkaruk would be a HUGE reach for NJ to take at #9. I think he is a reach to be a 1st round pick at all. Don't get me wrong - the kid has talent BUT defensively the kid is horrible, just horrible. He doesn't know what to do when he doesn't have the puck. Add to that his size limitations (not as big as a deal as it once was) I just don't think he is NJ's 1st pick. He would be a GREAT 2nd round pick.

If NJ is looking for pure scoring Kerby Rychel is a much better option. So is Alexander Wennberg and Bo Horvat - all 3 will be taken long before Shinkaruk.
- edge100

Way off on this one. IMO, he will be one of the best players in the draft and it wouldn't at all shock me to see him be the best player in this draft.

The kid eats, sleeps and breathes hockey. There isn't a more focused player in this years draft than Hunter.

wish he was a few inches taller, a few pounds heavier.. but the kid has that Parise motor for sure.

Assuming the rare likelihood he's available at 9, I'd still take Nichushkin over anyone at 9.....maybe not Monahan....but he appears to have the best long term potential and would like killer w/Kovy. If this kid is more than an in close threat/garbage goal scorer, he'd be good.

Assuming the rare likelihood he's available at 9, I'd still take Nichushkin over anyone at 9.....maybe not Monahan....but he appears to have the best long term potential and would like killer w/Kovy. If this kid is more than an in close threat/garbage goal scorer, he'd be good.
- spdevotee

yeah skee-lo

that was for your Martysbetter88

Way off on this one. IMO, he will be one of the best players in the draft and it wouldn't at all shock me to see him be the best player in this draft.

The kid eats, sleeps and breathes hockey. There isn't a more focused player in this years draft than Hunter.
- IanEsplen

Yeah. The thing that usually separates the best from the rest is the drive, and Hunter has hockey drive in spades. All of Shinkaruks deficiencies can be coached out and all signs point to him being a very coach-able and receptive kid.

Assuming the rare likelihood he's available at 9, I'd still take Nichushkin over anyone at 9.....maybe not Monahan....but he appears to have the best long term potential and would like killer w/Kovy. If this kid is more than an in close threat/garbage goal scorer, he'd be good.
- spdevotee

I don't think Nichushkin will be there at 9... I doubt Monahan will be either.

Assuming the rare likelihood he's available at 9, I'd still take Nichushkin over anyone at 9.....maybe not Monahan....but he appears to have the best long term potential and would like killer w/Kovy. If this kid is more than an in close threat/garbage goal scorer, he'd be good.
- spdevotee

Nichushkin will be gone by 6 for sure. I think shinkaruk will be a better player than Monahan but with teams putting a premium on size and centers I see Monahan going first.

Id say its close with Lindholm for who is the 6th best player in the draft.

Good read, I really want the Sabres to take him. I really see more of a Phil Kessel in him tho IMO.

I would love for him to be picked by NJ in the draft.

If NJ passes on him if he's still there at #9 they've made a very bad mistake
kid will be an elite sniper in this league... he may not be good defensively but neither was Kovi... Lou does things that many men cant...

i think he will be gone to Buffalo at #8

1: Colorado: Jones
2: Florida: MacKinnon
3: Tampa: Drouin
4: Nashville: Barkov
5: Carolina: Nichushkin
6: Calgary: Monahan
7: Edmonton: Nurse
8: Buffalo: Shinkaruk

whole slew of guys at #9... Domi, Horvat, Lazar for FW, then Zadorov, Ristolainen, Pulock for D...

If NJ passes on him if he's still there at #9 they've made a very bad mistake
kid will be an elite sniper in this league... he may not be good defensively but neither was Kovi... Lou does things that many men cant...

i think he will be gone to Buffalo at #8

1: Colorado: Jones
2: Florida: MacKinnon
3: Tampa: Drouin
4: Nashville: Barkov
5: Carolina: Nichushkin
6: Calgary: Monahan
7: Edmonton: Nurse
8: Buffalo: Shinkaruk

whole slew of guys at #9... Domi, Horvat, Lazar for FW, then Zadorov, Ristolainen, Pulock for D...
- FLYERSROCK!

This means Lindholm is still there for NJ

Todd Cordell: Is Hunter Shinkaruk The Pick For The New Jersey Devils?
- Todd.Cordell

yes

This means Lindholm is still there for NJ

- Kaymondel

Jackpot

Devils don't need a center at all. Have Zajac, Henrique, Loktionov, Josefson and Gionta on the pro roster.
- Todd.Cordell

Are there any centers in the draft that you feel can adapt their game to wing? I know its not that easy for players, but I remember Parise was drafted as a center and developed into a winger.

This means Lindholm is still there for NJ

- Kaymondel

Already a bust, according to devfan30.