There's absolutely a chance he's there, as a slightly undersized winger. D always go higher than you expect.
2025 DRAFT Discussion
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There's absolutely a chance he's there, as a slightly undersized winger. D always go higher than you expect.
I’m of the opinion that if you can’t take a homerun swing with your first, you should take the guy with the most unique profile. The type of guy that if he makes the NHL would be difficult to acquire in a trade due to the scarcity of players like him. To me, that guy in our range is Aitcheson. If he makes the NHL, even at the low end, he’s going to be coveted for his style of play (and organizational value as he’d likely be a fan favorite). He’s the type of guy it’d cost an added premium to acquire regardless of whether he’s a #5 guy or a #3 guy. These prospects also tend to retain their trade value even when their progression is protracted or even non-existent, so even if we drafted him and he didn’t take the steps you’d like to see, he’s probably still a trade asset in your arsenal because some teams will still be enchanted by his physical upside.
I brought up Nesbitt as a target a couple months ago when he was still getting ranked in the late 20s and we were expected to pick later but I don’t really see the upside of taking him at 12. He’s not a guy I cry about missing out on if I trade the pick or trade back. I think it’s poor asset management to take a future Nick Bjugstad at #12 as those guys can be acquired routinely in free agency and at the deadline. (By way of example, Bjugstad himself has moved teams 5 or 6 times). For the record, I think Nesbitt is a fine prospect, I’m just not sure that his yield post-development moves the needle much for us as an organization. Even if Danielson isn’t an impact player offensively, he’s likely to be our 3C at worst, so I’m not even sure where Nesbitt fits given that our top 9 center spots should all be locked down by Kasper/Larkin/Danielson by the time Nesbitt arrives and likely a few years beyond as well. Just don’t see the value for that kind of player at 12 for us specifically.
I brought up Nesbitt as a target a couple months ago when he was still getting ranked in the late 20s and we were expected to pick later but I don’t really see the upside of taking him at 12. He’s not a guy I cry about missing out on if I trade the pick or trade back. I think it’s poor asset management to take a future Nick Bjugstad at #12 as those guys can be acquired routinely in free agency and at the deadline. (By way of example, Bjugstad himself has moved teams 5 or 6 times). For the record, I think Nesbitt is a fine prospect, I’m just not sure that his yield post-development moves the needle much for us as an organization. Even if Danielson isn’t an impact player offensively, he’s likely to be our 3C at worst, so I’m not even sure where Nesbitt fits given that our top 9 center spots should all be locked down by Kasper/Larkin/Danielson by the time Nesbitt arrives and likely a few years beyond as well. Just don’t see the value for that kind of player at 12 for us specifically.
Despite being on all top 10 lists and being highly praised by everyone no one will want him in the top 11 but if he falls to 12 we'll suddenly decide we'll be the team to take a chance on the smaller winger lmao
Maybe some wings fans should have rooted for an extra few losses down the stretch when games didn't matter to get pick 9th pick so they can get someone they want
newfy
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- Jul 28, 2010
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I agree and I feel the same way as of now. Post playoffs, now they're playing u18s together so they can be directly compared as well. I didn't get to watch the first game for Canada but Martin had 3 points to kick the tourney off
What makes you think he wont be a center? He's solid size, plays both ends of the ice, strong etc. His game screams center to me personally
Unfriendly Ghost
Kasper
Not that it would really be a problem. The depth chart needs wingers pretty badly at this point.
minimal
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- Mar 22, 2025
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I'm a big fan of this thought process. I wouldn't mind Aitcheson at this point because I do think this team/prospect pool needs an injection of high-end ruggedness.
That being said, short of winning the lottery, I'm not feeling very optimistic as to how the board will shake out ahead of 12. Feels like this pick is more likely to be trade fodder--either to move up, or more likely for specific established player.
lilidk
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- Mar 4, 2008
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They could certainly take a home run swing at 13, it would mean picking someone like Zharovsky. i don't see that happening though.
lilidk
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Id rather use #12 to trade for top 4 mid 20 ies defansman , or trade down to get extra pick
- Feb 29, 2020
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Not all of our kids need to be centers. I think his game is more valuable on the wing
was listening to a podcast wtf now Tom Willander wants out of Vancouver apparently cause they refused to give him bonus’s ? 
that team can’t do anything right
#12 for him? Problem is if both he asp hit one will be a top 4 dpair on the 3rd pair, can that work longterm?
- seider
Edvinsson asp
Johansson willander
Wallinder and buium become trade chips .... probably wouldn’t work , unless he can play left side in a few yrs top pair ...
that team can’t do anything right #12 for him? Problem is if both he asp hit one will be a top 4 dpair on the 3rd pair, can that work longterm?
- seider
Edvinsson asp
Johansson willander
Wallinder and buium become trade chips .... probably wouldn’t work , unless he can play left side in a few yrs top pair ...
- Feb 29, 2020
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Average skating and average hockey sense.
He’s a fine prospect but his game is very linear right now.
Skate hard-hit-get puck-shoot puck-skate hard back-hit-get puck out
I don’t think he’s a great transporter or distributor of the puck like a top 6 center. Playing wing still lets him play his game and allows him to be more of a shooter, which is a definite strength of his game.
No, but you can never draft too many centers and no one is going to trade you a good one.
I think he could potentially be a center in the pro game, but the skating does require some gains to do so. Apart from the feet I see no other limitations that would impact his ability to play in the middle. I think his physicality plays well at both positions honestly so I wouldn't consider a bump to the wing fatal. I can see our organization really liking him. We are so f***ing soft as a team and so easy to play against. We need some semi-skilled snarl in the middle of the lineup.
I think the argument for Nesbitt is the opportunity to add genuine size to the organization and potentially at a premium position (which would be really valuable). The argument for Martin is the opportunity to add some skilled grit to the organization. I could see the organization liking both honestly.
I am excited to see him at the U18s with a slightly different cast of supporting characters.
It is time for the inevitable Wallinder for Wilander trade to happen.was listening to a podcast wtf now Tom Willander wants out of Vancouver apparently cause they refused to give him bonus’s ?
#12 for him? Problem is if both he asp hit one will be a top 4 dpair on the 3rd pair, can that work longterm?
- seider
Edvinsson asp
Johansson willander
Wallinder and buium become trade chips .... probably wouldn’t work , unless he can play left side in a few yrs top pair ...
wingerdinger
Registered User
- Oct 21, 2018
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Say all of the guys we like as an org are gone at 12 I'd be happy to go for Braeden Cootes. Kid has a big ceiling if he develops physically. Kid just gets hockey.
deca guard
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- if we hit the lotto , 
, im on misa
- if we dont im starting to like carbo more than anybody , size/ruggedness/shot
, im on misa- if we dont im starting to like carbo more than anybody , size/ruggedness/shot
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deca guard
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