12'/13' Draft Thread: Offensive flash is a beauty but defensive presence rules.

[theIceWookie]

If Ernie has Barkov ahead of Jones, why is this not a double standard? Do you see anyone jumping on him despite no scout that I have seen has Barkov #1 overall, or even over Mackinnon.

Nichuskin better than Barkov is not a far fetched idea as you seem, I know you are a little biased on Barkov, but if you have seen Nichuskin play, certainly you would be impressed.

You jumped on him for it! That was my whole point. He can't debate or give reason why Nichushkin shouldn't be that high, but you can give extol every reason under the sun why he's an idiot for having Barkov first overall.

And I think it is far fetched. I've seen Nichushkin play. I like his potential, I love his physical game and the edge he plays with, but I don't a game that screams top 5 pick to me, at least in this draft. He's not well rounded, he does play with tunnel vision often, he's not defensively responsible in any manner of the word. Could he fix those things? Yeah its possible but his game right now is not a game that justifies top 5 to me. And that three year deal is concerning (albeit it not the worst thing in the world. Giving him development time is hardly a bad thing).

I'm actually a big fan of his. I just couldn't ever take him over MacKinnon, Jones, Barkov, Lindholm or even Monohan. I think I'd take him over Drouin though. But not over the other 5, at least not at this point in the season. Could he improve? Sure, but I'm still preferential to 5 others over him. Which isn't a bad thing. Him being the 6th best prospect in this draft is pretty damn good.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

So I guess you would mean tank this year with the loss of Grabovski. I know your not high on him, but without him, we are screwed this year. Bozak, Connolly and McClement as our top 3? Maybe this would be the year Connolly doesn't get hurt?

3 ways of improving a team, draft/trade/sign ufa's.

Boston signed ufa's
LA traded and drafted
Pitt drafted

No reason to think why we can't draft and sign any of the ufa's I listed and trade. If we can get 2 of these 3, and have Luongo in net, I think most Leafs fans will forget Grabvoski.

Weiss
Zajac
Getzlaf on top of my wish list.

 

[Epictetus]

Be amazing if we get Nichuskin, trade Grabo for Luongo and sign Getzlaf as our #1C with either Zajac or Weiss as our #2C, and either Kadri or Colborne as #3C next season.

There we are #1G, #1C, #2C and we still have Reilly, Gardiner, Finn, Nilsson and Percy ready to join our Defence. If only it worked out this way, pretender to contender in a year. Just one half year of pain to endure for the big picture.

Trading Grabovski for Luongo makes no sense, for a number of reasons that also include the Canucks. This is, the Sedin's and Kesler are locked into the top 2 positions and Grabovski is not good enough to be a #3 center (or at least, that kind of center).

Trading Liles, someone the Canucks would need as he has special teams value, experience, and replacement value for other d-man, would make more sense. The Leafs also need to get rid of his contract to pursue better players.

I would then flip Grabovski somewhere else, and give Kadri the #2 position, not Zajac or Weiss who are similar players to Grabovski (at least production wise and more of #2 centers than #1 centers), and financially costly. The saved cap space can then go to re-signing Kessel, making a pitch at Getzalf and Perry, Luongo, and other potential holes on the roster. This would actually work finanically.

Well I agree with everything but Nichuskin. And I'd put Lindholm and Barkov with Monahan. I'd put VN a step back with Hunter Shinkaruk. I think he could be a great sniper like Skinner, while VN I'm guessing will be a solid 2nd line Center like Berglund.

But I still think I'd take MacKinnon 1st, as I think it's always less risky taking forwards. Sometimes a D's dominance in Jr doesn't translate as well to the pros. Schenn and EJ come to mind. It's just slightly more risky. Offensive and Defensive skills for D are sometimes harder to carry over.

But to have Jones pan out as projected for the Leafs would be amazing. We'd either have excellent trade bait in one our top 4 or a top 4 to rival any in hockey.

Jones - Reilly
Phaneuf - Gardiner
Gunnarson - Finn
Percy

How amazing could that be. Even if Jones isn't as good as Phaneuf (who I'm very high on) it's still a fantastic top 4. He'd still be our 2nd best, and anchor a very solid 2nd pair.

Your assement of Jones is inaccurate, as his size, skating, and intelligence are not things that are going to just suddenly dissappear at the professional level. Scouts rank these well categories, for Jones, well above-average and bordering in on elite. It's part of the reason he is ranked so high, his projectability exceeds his talent, though when you add his talent together with his projectability you end up with what could be the best American d-man of all-time. At the very least, a top pairing defender.

The only knocks that I see against him have nothing to do with his game, such as using past precendence for other player's failures and teams requiring a #1 center. I don't count things such as being raw, since that just requires more experience, which so long as he continues playing hockey, he will develop. Declaring that your team is the best in the tournament, then dominating in your team's elimination games, and going on to prove it (something I don't see mentioned in the Canadian media ) speaks levels for his confidence and leadership.

If the Leafs were to pass him up for some arbitary reason like needing a center, which has nothing to do with his game, then I would be extremely pissed off. Players like him with his kind of potential do not come around very often, if ever.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

You jumped on him for it! That was my whole point. He can't debate or give reason why Nichushkin shouldn't be that high, but you can give extol every reason under the sun why he's an idiot for having Barkov first overall.

And I think it is far fetched. I've seen Nichushkin play. I like his potential, I love his physical game and the edge he plays with, but I don't a game that screams top 5 pick to me, at least in this draft. He's not well rounded, he does play with tunnel vision often, he's not defensively responsible in any manner of the word. Could he fix those things? Yeah its possible but his game right now is not a game that justifies top 5 to me. And that three year deal is concerning (albeit it not the worst thing in the world. Giving him development time is hardly a bad thing).

I'm actually a big fan of his. I just couldn't ever take him over MacKinnon, Jones, Barkov, Lindholm or even Monohan. I think I'd take him over Drouin though. But not over the other 5, at least not at this point in the season. Could he improve? Sure, but I'm still preferential to 5 others over him. Which isn't a bad thing. Him being the 6th best prospect in this draft is pretty damn good.

Ernie can fight his own battles, he jumps over me all the time. I'm fine with this because we go back and forth, but we all know here, he is drafting a Center regardless of what prospects are better. This is tunnel vision, and he has admitted this in 2 posts here. The fact he would take Barkov over Jones proves the point, no one has Barkov over Jones at this point of time. It's Mackinnon and Jones and separation, Nichushkin has the potential to be the 3rd best prospect in this draft and he showed enough to be this, he was sorely missed from the Russian lineup when he was suspended and made a difference in the bronze medal game. This kid is a stud.

 

[ErnieLeafs]

The Russian factor is a fact amongst NHL scouts and GM's including your fav Grant Sonnier. but it wasn't the overriding factor why I preferred a defenceman last year. You don't think the KHL is not a factor to Russian prospects? Regardless if I like a prospect enough I don't make this a huge deal as much as you think.

As for wanting a Center, you admitted this, we all know this here, to the point of being tunnel visioned on better prospects. Seth Jones is the best 1-2 prospects in this draft, with Mackinnon. Just slightly ahead of him right now but it's these 2 and the rest. The fact you would take Barkov over him speaks of this blindness. And this is proof you have tunnel vision when you see a big Center. As I said you wouldn't give a second thought of taking Gally over Rielly or Murray.

As for me addressing hockey fans on the leafs board are dumb, certainly not all are, there are some very good posters on here, look at my friends list. There are many, I enjoy talking to that I think have good opinions. The fact I am conversing with you should tell you something.

But there are some blind homer fans also, one's that would balk at trading a borderline #2C for a All star #1 Franchise Goalie. And this is illogical especially in this league when you cannot win a thing without a bone fide #1G. Correct?

First off, preference isn't "blindness". There are a lot of people on this board, employed by NHL organizations, and employed with the media, that are enlisting the services of seeing eye dogs if that's the case.

Have a look at the ISS Ranking. That says it all. I don't have tunnel vision, and don't act like you know something about the way that I think. You're not a psychologist. You invent a train of thought for myself and others, and then pass judgement upon them based on what you have created? funny. I was talking about Drouin before you were... you're a quote expert, go find it... I've stated multiple times that I would take Jones without issue if MacK and Barkov were off the board, and I would have no problem taking a guy like Ristolainen, Fasching, Erne, Drouin, Lindholm.... You just don't have the evidence to back up the claim that I have "tunnel vision", because the facts support the opposite. Stop creating things.

also, what does it matter, in the grand scheme, if a poster on this board wants a specific player? What does it REALLY matter? That's who THEY prefer, and it's not really up to you to judge someone based upon that. If they've taken the time to watch the players, and have come away with wanting a certain player, based on what they like in a prospect, who in the hell are you to talk all kinds of garbage about them, infer that they're stupid, try to make them look bad, etc?!

Get off your horse, and stop acting like you know a single thing about people. People can form their own opinions. You should try it sometime.

 

[theIceWookie]

For your information I've seen them all play, I don't know why you say this since you PM's me and I told you already. You are falling into the same trap as last year.

You are fixated on drafting a Center, that you are oblivious to all good prospects around you and it doesn't matter what a prospect does in your eyes, even better one's you are still going to pump a Gally or Barkov's tires due to this preference of yours.

If you don't want to listen to me look at all lists, Jones is ahead of Barkov, and it may only be a matter of time when Nichuskin is side by side or past Barkov too. Too bad we can't use Button's list of Barkov 3rd and Nichuskin 5th, what is he you said? Creates lists for conversation?

Look at the lists? You clearly struggle to do so yourself. This is exactly what I was talking about with the double standard. Not a single list, not even your favourite Button, has Nichushkin over Barkov and yet your clamouring to say that he deserves it, Barkov doesn't deserve to be this high and yada yada yada. Jones is first in Button's list though and it's truth. And even though Button himself has mentioned multiple times that Barkov is in the conversation for the number 1 (explain to me what this means...) it's absolute crazyness that Ernie would suggest Barkov could go number in his mind.

Your making Barkov out to be a much worse player than he is. It's ridiculous. He's been stated by nearly every scouting service and scout to have one of the highest potential's in this draft, one of the best all around games in this draft and elite upside. It's not crazy that he's a top 3 prospect with potential (meaning he may not but has a shot) at going number 1.

ISS has Barkov at 3. Good twitter follow.

Spot on. Look at Nichkushkin at 7...

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Look at the lists? You clearly struggle to do so yourself. This is exactly what I was talking about with the double standard. Not a single list, not even your favourite Button, has Nichushkin over Barkov and yet your clamouring to say that he deserves it, Barkov doesn't deserve to be this high and yada yada yada. Jones is first in Button's list though and it's truth. And even though Button himself has mentioned multiple times that Barkov is in the conversation for the number 1 (explain to me what this means...) it's absolute crazyness that Ernie would suggest Barkov could go number in his mind.

Your making Barkov out to be a much worse player than he is. It's ridiculous. He's been stated by nearly every scouting service and scout to have one of the highest potential's in this draft, one of the best all around games in this draft and elite upside. It's not crazy that he's a top 3 prospect with potential (meaning he may not but has a shot) at going number 1.



Spot on. Look at Nichkushkin at 7...

Lists are not updated yet, check later, Nichushkin is on the rise, stop ignoring the obvious.

 

[Oan]

Interactif, how would you personally feel if Leafs indeed drafts Barkov this summer, say, at 3rd pick?

 

[theIceWookie]

Lists are not updated yet, check later, Nichushkin is on the rise, stop ignoring the obvious.

Uh yes they are.

ISS's ranking of Barkov at 3 in from 20 minutes ago via twitter and clearly after the WJC's.

Buttons' ranking of Barkov at 3rd in from January the 7th. Also after the draft. Also with your other favourite Pulock falling behind Nurse I might add.

No scout seems to agree with you having Nichuskin above Barkov. Jones is clearly above him (I haven't actually denied that. Just saying its idiotic to call out Ernie for something you do all the time).

 

[theIceWookie]

Trading Grabovski for Luongo makes no sense, for a number of reasons that also include the Canucks. This is, the Sedin's and Kesler are locked into the top 2 positions and Grabovski is not good enough to be a #3 center (or at least, that kind of center).

Trading Liles, someone the Canucks would need as he has special teams value, experience, and replacement value for other d-man, would make more sense. The Leafs also need to get rid of his contract to pursue better players.

I would then flip Grabovski somewhere else, and give Kadri the #2 position, not Zajac or Weiss who are similar players to Grabovski (at least production wise and more of #2 centers than #1 centers), and financially costly. The saved cap space can then go to re-signing Kessel, making a pitch at Getzalf and Perry, Luongo, and other potential holes on the roster. This would actually work finanically.



Your assement of Jones is inaccurate, as his size, skating, and intelligence are not things that are going to just suddenly dissappear at the professional level. Scouts rank these well categories, for Jones, well above-average and bordering in on elite. It's part of the reason he is ranked so high, his projectability exceeds his talent, though when you add his talent together with his projectability you end up with what could be the best American d-man of all-time. At the very least, a top pairing defender.

The only knocks that I see against him have nothing to do with his game, such as using past precendence for other player's failures and teams requiring a #1 center. I don't count things such as being raw, since that just requires more experience, which so long as he continues playing hockey, he will develop. Declaring that your team is the best in the tournament, then dominating in your team's elimination games, and going on to prove it (something I don't see mentioned in the Canadian media ) speaks levels for his confidence and leadership.

If the Leafs were to pass him up for some arbitary reason like needing a center, which has nothing to do with his game, then I would be extremely pissed off. Players like him with his kind of potential do not come around very often, if ever.

Haha him speaking out almost backfired on him. He did struggle in the first few games and was looking like quite the moron. But then he helped turn things around quite quickly.

His skating is tremendous. I was incredibly impressed by it, even if there were some plays that left me wanting a lot more (and I fully admit the pressure he was facing could have been the result of that more).

I still maintain BPA. If that's Jones, then so be it. If its someone else (like MacKinnon/Barkov/Nichushkin) than you take that person. Is Jones BPA? I'm starting to think he might be, but I think its a little early to say that. Still I'm open to it being the case.

 

[ErnieLeafs]

Ernie can fight his own battles, he jumps over me all the time. I'm fine with this because we go back and forth, but we all know here, he is drafting a Center regardless of what prospects are better. This is tunnel vision, and he has admitted this in 2 posts here. The fact he would take Barkov over Jones proves the point, no one has Barkov over Jones at this point of time. It's Mackinnon and Jones and separation, Nichushkin has the potential to be the 3rd best prospect in this draft and he showed enough to be this, he was sorely missed from the Russian lineup when he was suspended and made a difference in the bronze medal game. This kid is a stud.

1st bolded simply isn't true. I have NEVER said I would take a center, regardless of there being better prospects. NEVER. I believe MacKinnon is #1, so I'd be taking a center, yes. What I DID say, was that if all things were equal (Potential, Skill, etc.), I would take the center over the defenseman, as even Burke stated, with all things being equal, you can look at need. Again, stop inventing things. The proof is rife throughout these threads if I really felt it was worth going back and quoting, but I remember how upset you got last year when I did that....

You say you talk to scouts, yet you don't seem to understand that the second bolded isn't true, not even close to it, and you wouldn't find a scout to agree with you.... It's easy to call BS on your scout claim, unless the scout you're talking is working in junior C.

YOUR OPINION is that it's MacKinnon, Jones, then everyone else. LOTS of scouts see a solid top 3 of elite players, and then the rest falling in line. Nobody who thinks Barkov is in this group is crazy, because they are validated by professionals who believe the same thing.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Interactif, how would you personally feel if Leafs indeed drafts Barkov this summer, say, at 3rd pick?

That would be up to Morrison and Nonis, I don't see Leafs taking Barkov at 3 over Drouin or Nichushkin but if they do, I trust Morrison if it's his decision, and I have some background with MO. I would be surprised, I see Barkov closer to 7-10. But we will see.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

1st bolded simply isn't true. I have NEVER said I would take a center, regardless of there being better prospects. NEVER. I believe MacKinnon is #1, so I'd be taking a center, yes. What I DID say, was that if all things were equal (Potential, Skill, etc.), I would take the center over the defenseman, as even Burke stated, with all things being equal, you can look at need. Again, stop inventing things. The proof is rife throughout these threads if I really felt it was worth going back and quoting, but I remember how upset you got last year when I did that....

YOUR OPINION is that it's MacKinnon, Jones, then everyone else. LOTS of scouts see a solid top 3 of elite players, and then the rest falling in line. Nobody who thinks Barkov is in this group is crazy, because they are validated by professionals who believe the same thing.

It's January Ernie, Grigornenko was #2 at this time last year. Remember how that went for you?

 

[ErnieLeafs]

It's January Ernie, Grigornenko was #2 at this time last year. Remember how that went for you?

So, despite you saying that MO and Co. were not going to take a Russian with a high pick last year, because they would rather go with other European leagues and NA leagues for more surefire bets, they would take Nichushkin over Barkov this year, despite that? And yes, it is January, and it looks like the Russian factor brought Grigs down, right? Well, he was playing here in Canada with no KHL contract, and fell. So you're saying that a kid playing his junior in Russia, with a 3 year deal to play there further, isn't going to fall, for the same reasons? Please, PLEASE logic your way out of that one.... I'll wait all day.

My god, you can't even keep your own stories straight... lol

And tell us of your background with Morrison. We would like to hear about this.

Faksa was going to be the pick.... and Dumba..... and... and.... how did that go for you? I'm pretty sure most of us were surprised by the Rielly pick, until it happened. Not saying nobody could've guessed, but 90% of this board thought it was going to be Forsberg/Grigorenko.
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I want to hear more about Frederick Gauthier. Somone on these boards is a fan of his.... SPEAK UP! lol. Come forth and testify to this prospect!

 

[1972]

I havent read much of this thread but how much have you guys been paying attention to Elias Lindholm? From what ive seen he would be a perfect fit on the leafs, really no reason why he cant become a top 15 center in the league at some point, might be ahead of Barkov by the time the draft rolls around.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

So, despite you saying that MO and Co. were not going to take a Russian with a high pick last year, because they would rather go with other European leagues and NA leagues for more surefire bets, they would take Nichushkin over Barkov this year, despite that? And yes, it is January, and it looks like the Russian factor brought Grigs down, right? Well, he was playing here in Canada with no KHL contract, and fell. So you're saying that a kid playing his junior in Russia, with a 3 year deal to play there further, isn't going to fall, for the same reasons? Please, PLEASE logic your way out of that one.... I'll wait all day.

My god, you can't even keep your own stories straight... lol

And tell us of your background with Morrison. We would like to hear about this.

Faksa was going to be the pick.... and Dumba..... and... and.... how did that go for you? I'm pretty sure most of us were surprised by the Rielly pick, until it happened. Not saying nobody could've guessed, but 90% of this board thought it was going to be Forsberg/Grigorenko.
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I want to hear more about Frederick Gauthier. Somone on these boards is a fan of his.... SPEAK UP! lol. Come forth and testify to this prospect!

Burke had his preferences, to ignore this is again tunnel vision. Are you arguing this point?

Nonis and Mo are a different dynamic, I do know Nonis has drafted 2 Russians in his 4 drafts, but what it comes down to, is they will pick BPA.

Now if you are implying if Grigornenko was Canadian and Rielly was Russian, would Burke had taken Grigorenko 1st, I don't know, maybe you can catch him on his way to the airport to catch the Patriots game.

 

[1972]

I want to hear more about Frederick Gauthier. Somone on these boards is a fan of his.... SPEAK UP! lol. Come forth and testify to this prospect!

Does everything well but doesn't have anything elite about his game that would indicate he will be a 1st line player, I think he can be a solid 3rd liner or fringe 2nd at somepoint in his career. I have heard a Taylot Pyatt comparison and would tend to agree with it.

 

[ErnieLeafs]

Burke had his preferences, to ignore this is again tunnel vision. Are you arguing this point?

Nonis and Mo are a different dynamic, I do know Nonis has drafted 2 Russians in his 4 drafts, but what it comes down to, is they will pick BPA.

Now if you are implying if Grigornenko was Canadian and Rielly was Russian, would Burke had taken Grigorenko 1st,I don't know, maybe you can catch him on his way to the airport to catch the Patriots game.

WHAT?!?!

@Darcy

Thanks. I know I had heard his name, andsomeone was high on him, but hadn't heard much else. He's more of a late 1st rounder, early 2nd? Might be a good pick at the top of the second, depending on where we pick. We could use a good, solid 3rd line center prospect to groom, as we've been filling that hole theough FA, it seems.

Much like fans of the NFL draft do, I guess i'll take a stab at our team needs. Looking at our prospects now, we're pretty set for the bottom 2 lines, with guys like Biggs (2nd line upside), D'amigo, Komarov, etc. our top 6 prospects are slim, with Kadri at the top, Colborne, and McKegg (though not too sure he pans out). We have A LOT of projects like Toninato, Connor Brown, and the Kid at Duluth... Name escapes me. In net, we have the AHL crew, with Rynnas and Owuya the battle of potentials.

Sooo...

1. 1st line Center
2. Shut down, 3rd line Center
3. High potential Goaltender
4. Shut down D-man

We are stocked with two-way defensive prospects in Finn, Blacker, Rielly, and Gardiner, with projects like Nilsson, Granberg, and Knodel, as more defensive minded guys.

We have an opportunity, with the depth we've already built, to address these needs while still keeping BPA in mind. Luckily, this draft has quality center prospects throughout the 1st round, with some really intriguing, high potential wing prospects like Erne, Drouin, Nichushkin, etc.

We really can't go wrong, unless we pick WAY off the board, like the Devane pick in the 3rd round (I like Devane, but in the 3rd, it was AWFUL value).

 

[The Winter Soldier]

WHAT?!?!

@Darcy

Thanks. I know I had heard his name, andsomeone was high on him, but hadn't heard much else. He's more of a late 1st rounder, early 2nd? Might be a good pick at the top of the second, depending on where we pick. We could use a good, solid 3rd line center prospect to groom, as we've been filling that hole theough FA, it seems.

Much like fans of the NFL draft do, I guess i'll take a stab at our team needs. Looking at our prospects now, we're pretty set for the bottom 2 lines, with guys like Biggs (2nd line upside), D'amigo, Komarov, etc. our top 6 prospects are slim, with Kadri at the top, Colborne, and McKegg (though not too sure he pans out). We have A LOT of projects like Toninato, Connor Brown, and the Kid at Duluth... Name escapes me. In net, we have the AHL crew, with Rynnas and Owuya the battle of potentials.

Sooo...

1. 1st line Center
2. Shut down, 3rd line Center
3. High potential Goaltender
4. Shut down D-man

We are stocked with two-way defensive prospects in Finn, Blacker, Rielly, and Gardiner, with projects like Nilsson, Granberg, and Knodel, as more defensive minded guys.

We have an opportunity, with the depth we've already built, to address these needs while still keeping BPA in mind. Luckily, this draft has quality center prospects throughout the 1st round, with some really intriguing, high potential wing prospects like Erne, Drouin, Nichushkin, etc.

We really can't go wrong, unless we pick WAY off the board, like the Devane pick in the 3rd round (I like Devane, but in the 3rd, it was AWFUL value).

Never draft by position, ultimate failure if you do. You take the best and most impactful player when your turn is up.

Jones
Mackinnon
Drouin
Nichushkin

to me are the most impactful players I have seen thus far, it could change by June, and I reserve the right as any scout or GM to amend the rankings, but right now I would love to have any of those 4 guys. Feel real good about their chances to be an elite NHL player. More than others at this point.

 

[ErnieLeafs]

Never draft by position, ultimate failure if you do. You take the best and most impactful player when your turn is up.

Jones
Mackinnon
Drouin
Nichushkin

to me are the most impactful players I have seen thus far, it could change by June, and I reserve the right as any scout or GM to amend the rankings, but right now I would love to have any of those 4 guys. Feel real good about their chances to be an elite NHL player. More than others at this point.

Nobody has said to draft strictly by position. That would be a detriment to any organization.

Jones and MacKinnon will provide a potentially instant impact. Drouin will probably need another year in Halifax without MacK, before he is ready, and Nichushkin will need to learn a 200ft. game, and to use his linemates. None of that is unattainable, given his already good base skills, but his impact won't be as immediate. The same goes for guys like Barkov, Lindholm, Monahan, etc. they may have the talent to play right away, but are missing an element or two, that would see th best served spending another year seasoning, if they're picked by the right franchise.

Although, if you look at the NFL, lots of teams move around to suit both need and BPA. A teamay loom at the value of the guys at their slot, and decideto move back a few spots, in order to acquire extra picks/assets, and take the player that fits both requirements. This usually leads to teams being able to draft for multiple positions with extra picks, and still satisfy both need and BPA. It's a strategy we're about to see turn the Rams into contenders in the very near future, and also one that helped Tampa draft 3 All-Rookie team selections last year.

The two drafts/leagues are different, however, the strategy can be effective in both.

 

[tmlms13]

This is all so simple, draft best player available, sign Getzlaf who is a UFA after this season

 

[Johny Drama]

Ryan Hartman really impressed me in the WJC. Not the biggest guy, but plays with a lot of grit and also has some skill. Would be pretty decent value in the 2nd round.

 

[Sundinisagod]

My current top 10...I like the fact that several of the top defensemen shoot right handed.

1. Jones
2. Mackinnon
3. Drouin
4. Barkov
5. Lindholm
6. Monahan
7. Nichushkin
8. Ristolainen
9. Pulock
10. Shinkaruk

 

[Phion Keneuf]

My current top 10...I like the fact that several of the top defensemen shoot right handed.

1. Jones
2. Mackinnon
3. Drouin
4. Barkov
5. Lindholm
6. Monahan
7. Nichushkin
8. Ristolainen
9. Pulock
10. Shinkaruk

That's how I see it, except maybe switch Barkov and Lindholm.

But it looks good

 

[Sundinisagod]

That's how I see it, except maybe switch Barkov and Lindholm.

But it looks good

I was actually gonna make that change...but I went with Barkov cuz I think he is a bit safer pick imho and I have preference for size, all else being relatively equal.