I’m expecting the Islanders to trade 2-3 of those 6 picks. What’s the point in guessing who they are going to take in the third round with their first pick?I'm in Germany caught right in the midst of all the European Cup action and hoopla.
I can't leave the front door without soccer-related celebrations and jersey-wearing visitors from places across the continent immediately crossing my path. Heck, games have been taking place at the stadium not even 10 minutes away from my humble abode every other day.
Can just picnic in the neighboring park with 100s of others and basically take it all in.
***
So, uhh, what's y'all's excuse for this forum being so doggone quiet four days away from the draft???
Common' people, start making some predictions or something here...
We currently have 6(!) picks. SIX!!!
That's like 20% more than usual.
Let's get this party rocking!
Lucky you wish I was in Germany! A buddy of mine is there with his son and he tells the atmosphere at these games are insane.I'm in Germany caught right in the midst of all the European Cup action and hoopla.
I can't leave the front door without soccer-related celebrations and jersey-wearing visitors from places across the continent immediately crossing my path. Heck, games have been taking place at the stadium not even 10 minutes away from my humble abode every other day.
Can just picnic in the neighboring park with 100s of others and basically take it all in.
***
So, uhh, what's y'all's excuse for this forum being so doggone quiet four days away from the draft???
Common' people, start making some predictions or something here...
We currently have 6(!) picks. SIX!!!
That's like 20% more than usual.
Let's get this party rocking!
I’d be thrilled with Greentree. He’s who I want at #20 in the unlikely event we actually keep the pick.@Chapin Landvogt
Tankathon now has us with Greentree, Kleber and Simon Zether (Swiss)
Any info on Zether? Big center.
I keep thinking about Raty who was a potential top 5 pick a year or two before the draft and then Lou/Kautonen took him in the 2nd round. This year we have Kiviharju who similarly dropped in his draft year. Potential deja vu?So, uhh, what's y'all's excuse for this forum being so doggone quiet four days away from the draft???
Common' people, start making some predictions or something here...
We currently have 6(!) picks. SIX!!!
That's like 20% more than usual.
Let's get this party rocking!
@Chapin Landvogt
Tankathon now has us with Greentree, Kleber and Simon Zether (Swiss)
Any info on Zether? Big center.
I keep thinking about Raty who was a potential top 5 pick a year or two before the draft and then Lou/Kautonen took him in the 2nd round. This year we have Kiviharju who similarly dropped in his draft year. Potential deja vu?
Thanks for all of that. I'll point out that Raty went 52nd, and the Isles have picks 50 and 54. So by "deja vu", it could be one of the Isles 2nds (if they keep them). And except for the injury part, I wonder how much of what you typed would have applied to Adam Fox in his draft year? Kiviharju's injury was a dislocated kneecap if I recall correctly. Are there long term concerns with that injury?The problem with Kiviharju is threefold.
One, he missed a great majority of this past season to injury. Looked nice as a blueliner at the U18s, but folks didn't get to see him much this year.
Two, he's not only small but now has that long-term injury in him, further questioning what was already a questionable durability from the prior season.
Three, he's not an exceptional skater.
I definitely think he's a player who has slipped out of the first round. I have little doubt, in fact.
I'd be very surprised to see a team chance it on until day two and even then, maybe depending on how many picks a team has.
Several teams have like 5+ picks before the 3rd round. I'd expect him to go to one of them.
This guy isn't a homerun swing, so to speak. Everyone knows what he brings, but how limited those skills will be at higher levels.
This said, it's thoroughly possible that he explodes in the next two seasons playing pro in Finland. That will depend on physical development and physical health. But there's been little reason shown to think that's gonna happen.
Everything I read about him makes him sound like Thomas Hickey, but as you say, with injuries.This guy isn't a homerun swing, so to speak. Everyone knows what he brings, but how limited those skills will be at higher levels.
This said, it's thoroughly possible that he explodes in the next two seasons playing pro in Finland. That will depend on physical development and physical health. But there's been little reason shown to think that's gonna happen.
Isles have 54 & 61. 50 went to Chicago in the trade.Thanks for all of that. I'll point out that Raty went 52nd, and the Isles have picks 50 and 54. So by "deja vu", it could be one of the Isles 2nds (if they keep them). And except for the injury part, I wonder how much of what you typed would have applied to Adam Fox in his draft year? Kiviharju's injury was a dislocated kneecap if I recall correctly. Are there long term concerns with that injury?
For all of Lou's faults he has done pretty well in the value of trades. I do not see the value of Ehlers as that much. The Islanders would still need to find a way to move out the Pageau contract as well. I do believe Ehlers will take the next step with his next team if he can stay healthy.
He put up 61 points averaging under 16 minutes per game and I believe less than 10 PP points.
Thanks - I mis-read CapFriendly. I won't have to worry about that in a week or so!Isles have 54 & 61. 50 went to Chicago in the trade.
Winnipeg barely plays him more than 15 minutes a game, and if they take both 2nds its fine.Some kid on Twitter states his source is a good source, and claims Lou is hot and heavy after Ehlers, and we may move #20 and a 2nd round pick for him.
I like Ehlers, but I wouldn’t give up a 1st and a 2nd for him. Might do a 1st, or a 2nd + (2nd round next year). Or it might take both 2nds instead of a 1st and 2nd.
He’s a good to very good player, but not a GREAT player. He’s never scored 30 goals, and has scored 60+ points only twice I believe.
Please noI’d be thrilled with Greentree. He’s who I want at #20 in the unlikely event we actually keep the pick.
Seems the rub on him is his skating, big red flag for me given our current roster. But the chances we’re making that pick is slim.Please no
No one with skating issues. I'd rather trade the pick than pick a bad skater, and I'm pro-keeping the pick.Seems the rub on him is his skating, big red flag for me given our current roster. But the chances we’re making that pick is slim.
The skating is exactly the problem.Seems the rub on him is his skating, big red flag for me given our current roster. But the chances we’re making that pick is slim.
On the off chance we actually use our first round pick, I think Greentree, Chernyshov, and Surin are interesting players that might be there...one of them should be at least.
"It seems there’s a divide of sorts between the top 20 on TSN’s list and the next group of as many 20-plus prospects. Famous last words, but it would be shocking if the first 20 on our list aren’t surefire first-rounders. Beyond that, though, the prospects ranked 21-32 would appear to be somewhat interchangeable with those ranked 33 to 50."
McKenzie's rankings are the best. For example, Sennecke is at #11, and the scouts surveyed rank him as high as #5 and no lower than #14, and he's got momentum. In other words, he's not going to be there when we pick. McKenzie has Luchanko at #19 but says there's talk he could be a riser on draft day. McKenzie has Stian Solberg in our slot at #20, but he has lots of momentum too (rising 25 spots from the mid-season ranking) and could go earlier. Maybe the Isles take Connelly if he's there because "we had to".
Bob McKenzie's Final NHL Draft Ranking: Many attractive and diverse options after Macklin Celebrini | TSN
This year’s final ranking, from No. 2 on, is much more challenging to assemble because of two factors - many more divergent opinions and variance on even the top 10 picks and two Russians forcing their way into the conversation in the upper echelon.www.tsn.ca
If we actually pick at #20, I wouldn't be shocked to see us take a RHD. With all the talented D in this draft, you can probably get a bargain on a less spectacular big guy who has some filling out to do, like say Jiricek or Emery (both very good skaters).