2016 NHL Entry Draft Discussion.

[Boud]

I would be ecstatic with Keller / McLeod.

Simply pleased with jost (probably cuz I've never seen him play but hear ok things) and brown.

Wouldn't like bean.

Same here, McLoed has been my pick for a while but I wouldn't be surprised to see him gone at 12.

Bean is also very good, underrated, and McAvoy is also underrated. Both of them could end up in the top 10.

I don't think we need a defensemen but it's a good problem to have.

I would not be pleased with Brown but that's just my opinion, I like that he chose to play for USA instead of Canada though since he'll have a bigger role and we'll see him more in key situations.

Jost doesn't seem like a Sens type of pick.

 

[Boud]

My wish list in no particular order

Mike McLoed
Clayton Keller
Kyle Clague
Jonathan Dahlen
Markus Niemelainen
Andrew Peeke
Filip Hronek
Ryan Lindgren
Jordy Stallard
Eetu Tuulola
Aapeli Rasanen

 

[BondraTime]

Out of guys I've seen this year for our first 2 picks:

Dubois - We have no shot at him. We take the top 3 if we win the lottery, and Dubois should go 4th.

Fabbro - I love his game, and think he will have a big year progression wise next season. Not likely to be thought of at 12.

Jost - Love his game, I think he could be a target at 12 should some guys we like get taken earlier.

Gauthier - I'm not a big fan of his, I think he falls a bit further than our pick closer to 20-25.

Abramov - Extremely talented. Very small. He is just as talented as Keller, but an inch shorter. If he falls to our 2nd (he won't) it would be a mistake to pass on him.

Laberge - My darkhorse for the draft. We won't be able to get him in the 2nd, and 12 is too high for him. I believe he goes a few spots higher than where he is ranked around 20th.

Green - He had a great year in Saint John, but never made the jump I expected of him after watching him all last season. He will be an obvious option for us in the 2nd.

Allard - My personal choice for our pick in the 2nd. A hard working 2-way D who can head to Bingo after another season in the Q. Developed a very good offensive game this season.

 

[Jerrico]

Now that we have a new GM, what are the odds of a shift in Philosophy with regards to Russians?

Rubstov will probably be there at 12. I've heard very good things about him. Thoughts?

 

[Icelevel]

No shift with regard to Russians. Everyone in management and scouting is still here.

 

[BonkTastic]

Now that we have a new GM, what are the odds of a shift in Philosophy with regards to Russians?

Rubstov will probably be there at 12. I've heard very good things about him. Thoughts?

We have invested literally zero dollars into any scouting of Russian players of any kind for years, and the draft is very soon.

Even if we change our philosophy on drafting Russians (which I doubt, because Melnyk's staunch pro-Ukraine stance and the recent political happenings of the past few years), it would take at least 2-3 years to develop a proper scouting department and local connections in that area, and we've not seen any of the Russian kids since they were in Midget (at least), so I can't see any way we draft a Russian in any context over the next year or two, at minimum.

We are completely in the dark as far as Russian prospects are concerned, we'd essentially be drafting blind.

 

[BondraTime]

We have invested literally zero dollars into any scouting of Russian players of any kind for years, and the draft is very soon.

Even if we change our philosophy on drafting Russians (which I doubt, because Melnyk's staunch pro-Ukraine stance and the recent political happenings of the past few years), it would take at least 2-3 years to develop a proper scouting department and local connections in that area, and we've not seen any of the Russian kids since they were in Midget (at least), so I can't see any way we draft a Russian in any context over the next year or two, at minimum.

We are completely in the dark as far as Russian prospects are concerned, we'd essentially be drafting blind.

Ternt Mann has seen A LOT of Abramov

 

[BonkTastic]

Ternt Mann has seen A LOT of Abramov

That's true, I was more referring to the Russians who aren't in the CHL. I meant, like, "Russia", as a territory that scouts travel to and are active in.

Should have been clearer on that, my bad.

 

[BondraTime]

That's true, I was more referring to the Russians who aren't in the CHL. I meant, like, "Russia", as a territory that scouts travel to and are active in.

Should have been clearer on that, my bad.

I realized that after I wrote that, you are right about that.

 

[Jerrico]

We have invested literally zero dollars into any scouting of Russian players of any kind for years, and the draft is very soon.

Even if we change our philosophy on drafting Russians (which I doubt, because Melnyk's staunch pro-Ukraine stance and the recent political happenings of the past few years), it would take at least 2-3 years to develop a proper scouting department and local connections in that area, and we've not seen any of the Russian kids since they were in Midget (at least), so I can't see any way we draft a Russian in any context over the next year or two, at minimum.

We are completely in the dark as far as Russian prospects are concerned, we'd essentially be drafting blind.

Unfortunately you're probably right.

It's so frustrating missing out on players like Tarasenko, Kuznetsov, and Kucherov by default simply because of their nationality. Seems like a poor scouting strategy to me.

 

[operasen]

Unfortunately you're probably right.

It's so frustrating missing out on players like Tarasenko, Kuznetsov, and Kucherov by default simply because of their nationality. Seems like a poor scouting strategy to me.

More of an owners political view. As Bonk indicated, he's Ukranian ancestry. Russia just stole Crimea and is working at the eastern states as well. Melnyk would not like that - can't say I blame him either. He's taking a stand to make a point.

 

[Tuna99]

Will be interesting to see if Dorin has a philosophy change and goes more to Eastern Europe and Finland.

I like Ottawas draft strategy, I don't mind they don't take Russian players, but you should never rule anything out, if there's a great Russian player at 12 and he's committed to the NHL, take him. If he's equal with a Canadiean kid, take the Canadian.

And they do take a lot of injured players to get value (Cowen, White, Stone, Weircche, Maidesns) great strategy even though it comes with obvious risk.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

He also said he sees Laine as a 50-60 goal guy in the NHL. So he only thinks he'll be the best goal scorer in the NHL and up there with some of the greatest of all time.

Which isn't a stretch. Laine has the best pure skill-set I've seen since I started closely following prospects in high school. He is probably the best goal scorer since Ovechkin in 04'.

A 6-4, 210 pound monster who has an elite shot, puck handling, vision, can skate well, and play physical in the dirty areas. I've said it many times, I expect him to be the best winger in the league for a period of time in his career.

Seriously.

That's the kid I want. I would take him first overall if we win that pick.

Laine is going to be a superstar.

 

[BonkTastic]

Matthews/Laine seems to be a "Crosby/Ovechkin" kind of choice: do you want a combo-threat down the middle, or just a flat-out sniper-rifle on the wing?

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

I'd want Matthews, hands down. He'd structure our team better.

 

[operasen]

I think if we do not win one of the top 3 slots this year in the lottery that this pick could be in play. Adding it to a good player and a prospect could get us a good return. Even for moving up to get one of the Top 3. Xspyrit was thinking Malkin quality - with a cost of Turris, 1st, Puempel/Lazar and Wiercioch. Not sure of the pieces, but the 1st would be a necessity and a quality guy like Malkin should be the target.

 

[BondraTime]

I think if we do not win one of the top 3 slots this year in the lottery that this pick could be in play. Adding it to a good player and a prospect could get us a good return. Even for moving up to get one of the Top 3. Xspyrit was thinking Malkin quality - with a cost of Turris, 1st, Puempel/Lazar and Wiercioch. Not sure of the pieces, but the 1st would be a necessity and a quality guy like Malkin should be the target.

That's not even close for Malkin. Puempel and Wiercioch are literally worthless, and Lazar isn't exactly a hot commodity.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

U18 USA - Russia tonight

http://teamusa.usahockey.com/news_article/show/636536

 

[TrueGrit]

2G, 3Pts, 7 shots, 11/16 in the dot and player of the game awards for Clayton Keller vs. Russia.

 

[FolignoQuantumLeap]

Let's keep in mind he's playing against the Russian U17 team, not their best. He's the guy I want at 12 though.

 

[Vaclav Varada]

Let's keep in mind he's playing against the Russian U17 team, not their best. He's the guy I want at 12 though.

If he's still there at 10, I'd think about moving up to make sure we get him. Just me though.

 

[FolignoQuantumLeap]

If he's still there at 10, I'd think about moving up to make sure we get him. Just me though.

I'm not opposed to that at all.

 

[SixthSens]

Agreed on Keller.

I think he could be that dynamic forward that we desperately need.

 

[Proust*]

That's not even close for Malkin. Puempel and Wiercioch are literally worthless, and Lazar isn't exactly a hot commodity.

Yup. It's the equivalent of two 6th round picks and a 2nd round pick.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Canada Denmark on TSN 8pm ET

Good chance to see Jost, Mcleod and Fabbro