Overpay for Garland. Doesn't matter. Hawks need a Connor Garland so bad that will make at least one of your lines effective every night. Give him a letter and he will drag Hawks to a wildcard in two years.
Shouldn't have to overpay for anything if you build a deal around 3 and other draft capital for Petterson and Garland, if VAN decides to get a head start on a teardown, not saying I would do it but I would prefer it to 3 for Peterka or Robertson...Garland is probably worth the 2026 FLA 1st, that's what VAN would probably get for him at the TDL, late 1st type pick, maybe pick 34, somewhere in that late 1st to a good 2nd range
Zero interest in Petterson for #3, or for him for really, anything.
Make the pick and tank for McKenna
Yeah and I would be fine if they toss a B-grade prospect in to make them feel good about it. Kansterov or Pridham maybe. I don't think there should be any cold feet around the possibility of landing a player like Garland. He will help develop your young forwards and cement good habits in their game and he should age well too.
Yeah, but It's kind of funny to hear 'xyz will never be this player' when nobody knew 'this player' would become 'this player'...At least when you talk about range of outcomes, you're assigning some probability they do have a higher ceiling than you realize, it's not binary made up jibberish based on solely an eye test, there is some historical base level hit rate for a 3rd overall pick forward that would suggest the upside for any forward the hawks pick at 3 has upside far beyond 'he's only a 2C' etc type takes, we don't really know exactly what the distribution is but you could just use history as a starting point
I would be fine with Frondell turning into Lundell, mainly because I think Lundell has a higher level which if Bennett leaves Florida, we'll likely see with an expanding role.
I agree. Also Sam Bennett was taken fourth in his draft, so he is an example of the type of player you could get in this range.
I’d be interested if this were a video game and he would go out and perform to his ability like a robot. But there’s just way too much reporting from several insiders about EP’s commitment to the game, him focusing on outside noise, and inability to fit in with teammates.
If he becomes Lundell the player today, no. Lundell was the most productive player on his line, dominated the faceoff circle, and was competent in all 3 zones.
Yup, he'd be another Jones, here to collect his paycheque and give a half ass effort until we are forced to trade him with retention.
It would be if the #4,5,6 etc pick became a better player.
any potential big trade acquisition could do this, which is what makes it that much riskier when the 3rd overall pick is involved...they could get paid and check out on a bad team, at least when you draft a player they should have more of an allegiance to the movement that they will eventually become part of....you hear a player like Martone talk about winning a cup here, you know he's committed to be part of the vision from the minute he enters the organization...there is also a huge incentive to perform because you're coming in making league minimum on an ELC
Only if he figures out the physical aspect of the game.
omg
This is not crazy...This thread is getting too long, it's time for the Draft.
"Robertson is better than Bennett"
