Prospect Info: Draft Thread | Oilers Select 4th Overall

[McDoused]

I made that very clear. It's better be to be young up front than young on the back end. You're waiting 3-5 years most likely before Chychrun makes a meaningful impact. Laine can step in and make that impact right away.

Our problem in the past wasn't that we were drafting forwards, it was that we did nothing to fix the defense. Ship out forwards to to fix the D, and the offense will be very easy to rebuild after.

Addition by subtraction does work because we aren't giving away Eberle for free. We are giving up a player all too comfortable with the losing culture for one who wont be.

I think its your reasoning that doesn't support your claim

I'm not sure you even read my post. You're taking our most valuable asset and using it to draft Laine. If you were really focused on improving the defence you would either trade that pick for a defenceman or draft a dman.

I'm just repeating myself. Saying that it's better to be younger up front then defence is just a false dilemma fallacy. We don't have to be young at either position. Even so, we are already young at both positions. How does getting younger at forward help us get older at defence? Who are these top pairing dmen teams are trading us for Eberle?

We still haven't fixed the defence. Like I said earlier, trading Eberle for defence is a really big IF.

If we aren't giving Ebele away, maybe you shouldn't use the phrase addition by subtraction.

My premises fully support my hypothesis.

 

[Halibut]

When I ran the simulator about 10 times we were either 1st or second half the time we were 4th and 5th once.

I ran it 10 times and got 3rd twice the rest of the time we were 4th or 5th.

People here shouldnt be getting their hopes up for any of the top 3 and there is a great chance a lot of Leaf fans will be howling in outrage when they end up picking 4th.

 

[oStealthKiller*]

Pulju looking great today. Looks like a man among boys

 

[Halibut]

I'm not sure you even read my post. You're taking our most valuable asset and using it to draft Laine. If you were really focused on improving the defence you would either trade that pick for a defenceman or draft a dman.

I'm just repeating myself. Saying that it's better to be younger up front then defence is just a false dilemma fallacy. We don't have to be young at either position. Even so, we are already young at both positions. How does getting younger at forward help us get older at defence? Who are these top pairing dmen teams are trading us for Eberle?

We still haven't fixed the defence. Like I said earlier, trading Eberle for defence is a really big IF.

If we aren't giving Ebele away, maybe you shouldn't use the phrase addition by subtraction.

My premises fully support my hypothesis.

Agreed. In a few years people will be complaining about any forward we draft this year for their poor defensive play because they somehow didnt make it easier for our defence to get the puck out of our own end. Meanwhile we'll try overpaying another decent second pairing defender in free agency and expect him to be a top pairing guy and wonder why they dont seem like a top pair guy here.

We have a lot of defence prospects but none of them are guaranteed top pair at this point and all are having problems adjusting to the NHL, either because of injuries or questionable play. We likely still need someone better, an impact guy like Ekblad ended up with Florida. Even if one of the guys we got ends up a true #1 depth on the blueline is never a bad thing.

I dont want to hear any complaints that it will take years for a guy we draft to develop into a #1. That's not an excuse after we've already wasted Hall, RNH, Yakupov and Eberle's entry level contracts because we had no defence. It's pretty much a given that McDavid's will be wasted as well because I dont think anybody sees this team as a contender in the next couple years unless Chiarelli pulls off some real magic moves. We eventually need to get some good defencemen and guess what many of them are available at or near the top of the draft. Better to get working on building that blueline rather than constantly hoping one will suddenly appear.

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

Agreed. In a few years people will be complaining about any forward we draft this year for their poor defensive play because they somehow didnt make it easier for our defence to get the puck out of our own end. Meanwhile we'll try overpaying another decent second pairing defender in free agency and expect him to be a top pairing guy and wonder why they dont seem like a top pair guy here.

We have a lot of defence prospects but none of them are guaranteed top pair at this point and all are having problems adjusting to the NHL, either because of injuries or questionable play. We likely still need someone better, an impact guy like Ekblad ended up with Florida. Even if one of the guys we got ends up a true #1 depth on the blueline is never a bad thing.

I dont want to hear any complaints that it will take years for a guy we draft to develop into a #1. That's not an excuse after we've already wasted Hall, RNH, Yakupov and Eberle's entry level contracts because we had no defence. It's pretty much a given that McDavid's will be wasted as well because I dont think anybody sees this team as a contender in the next couple years unless Chiarelli pulls off some real magic moves. We eventually need to get some good defencemen and guess what many of them are available at or near the top of the draft. Better to get working on building that blueline rather than constantly hoping one will suddenly appear.

The plan isn't to sign some 2nd pairing guy in free agency. The defense will be fixed via trade.

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

I'm not sure you even read my post. You're taking our most valuable asset and using it to draft Laine. If you were really focused on improving the defence you would either trade that pick for a defenceman or draft a dman.

I'm just repeating myself. Saying that it's better to be younger up front then defence is just a false dilemma fallacy. We don't have to be young at either position. Even so, we are already young at both positions. How does getting younger at forward help us get older at defence? Who are these top pairing dmen teams are trading us for Eberle?

We still haven't fixed the defence. Like I said earlier, trading Eberle for defence is a really big IF.

If we aren't giving Ebele away, maybe you shouldn't use the phrase addition by subtraction.

My premises fully support my hypothesis.

Why are those the only 2 options? Look, if trading the pick ends up being the only way we can fix the D, I'm all for it.

But I still think the best case scenario if we get the 2nd pick, is to ship out some of the old core to improve our defense and drafting Laine. We get to trade away players who need a change of scenery and clear a lot of cap space from one area that is going to need it soon for McDavid and Co.

Laine gives the team much needed size, and his shot would be a perfect match for McDavid.

I really truly believe that is the best method to fixing this team, in that scenario that we are in a position to draft Laine.

 

[Draiskull]

Pulju looking great today. Looks like a man among boys

really wouldnt mind Oilers picking him.. Big, RHS with speed and skill to kill.
pretty much a Paajarvi + grit and scoring.

 

[oStealthKiller*]

really wouldnt mind Oilers picking him.. Big, RHS with speed and skill to kill.
pretty much a Paajarvi + grit and scoring.

Yeah I'd love to add pulju, if we win any of the top 3 picks I'd prefer to keep the pick and grab Matthews, Laine, or pulju, in that order. All three are going to be big time players.

 

[Halibut]

The plan isn't to sign some 2nd pairing guy in free agency. The defense will be fixed via trade.

Only if there is a trade to be made and I'm not sure there is and if there is I wont be surprised if that draft pick is one of the pieces going the other way.

 

[40oz]

James Greenway, ranked 121 for NA skaters (his brother went 50th to Minny last year).

 

[snipes]

Quenneville with a big hit and goal already again today in the 1st. 4th goal of the tourney.

 

[dss97]

really wouldnt mind Oilers picking him.. Big, RHS with speed and skill to kill.
pretty much a Paajarvi + grit and scoring.

Plus hands, better skating, better vision.. Just a better player top to bottom. His skill at top speed would make him a great fit to play with McDavid.

 

[Joey Moss]

Logan Stanley is pretty brutal. Only reason he's ranked in the 30's is because he's 6'6. Stay far away. Brett Howden on the other hand would be a nice pick at 32.

 

[Paralyzer008]

Just as a reminder, Chiarelli is at the IIHF U-18 Tourney.

 

[HeavyHitter99]

Quenneville with a big hit and goal already again today in the 1st. 4th goal of the tourney.

No surprise. He's been that way all season long.

Logan Stanley is pretty brutal. Only reason he's ranked in the 30's is because he's 6'6. Stay far away. Brett Howden on the other hand would be a nice pick at 32.

Stanley isn't very good and has been overrated for the entire year.

 

[snipes]

Evan Fitzpatrick has been great again today, it would be nice if him or Hart were available for us in the early 2nd.

 

[PBandJ]

Where does David Quenneville project to go in the draft? I'm hearing a lot of good things, although 5'8 is awfully small for a D it sounds like he plays bigger than his size indicates.

 

[40oz]

Where does David Quenneville project to go in the draft? I'm hearing a lot of good things, although 5'8 is awfully small for a D it sounds like he plays bigger than his size indicates.

He's the 144th ranked NA skater, so maybe 4th or 5th round?

The Oilers went ages without drafting small defensemen, missed out on some very good players. I remember someone saying that Joey Laleggia was the first sub-six footer dman the Oilers had drafted since Christian Chartier in 99.

But Queneville is a local kid and shares last to of similarities to Jared Spurgeon. Looks like he's worth a shot.

 

[HeavyHitter99]

Where does David Quenneville project to go in the draft? I'm hearing a lot of good things, although 5'8 is awfully small for a D it sounds like he plays bigger than his size indicates.

Central scouting has him as a 5th rounder but I'd be surprised if he fell that far especially after the exposure he's gotten at this tournament. This tournament isn't just a fluke, this is how he typically looks.

Since the Oilers have 3 3rds I wouldn't have a problem with them taking him with 1 of those picks. Is it a bit early? Maybe a round early but I love his upside and he has a high compete level. Been trying to pump his tires all year, glad he is showing the world what he can do.

 

[PBandJ]

Central scouting has him as a 5th rounder but I'd be surprised if he fell that far especially after the exposure he's gotten at this tournament. This tournament isn't just a fluke, this is how he typically looks.

Since the Oilers have 3 3rds I wouldn't have a problem with them taking him with 1 of those picks. Is it a bit early? Maybe a round early but I love his upside and he has a high compete level. Been trying to pump his tires all year, glad he is showing the world what he can do.

He sounds like he would be worth one of the thirds.

How is he both offensively and defensively? Does he have a good shot?

 

[HeavyHitter99]

He sounds like he would be worth one of the thirds.

How is he both offensively and defensively? Does he have a good shot?

Fantastic and dynamic offensively with a deadly wrist and slap shot from the point. He is capable of laying massive checks and it doesn't matter who is on the receiving end. When I say that I mean that I've seen him layout some of the toughest players in the dub.
Defensively he isn't bad and he isn't amazing either but he does get caught flat footed around the net at times. His lack of strength hinders his ability to win all his board/corner battles but that doesn't stop him from going to the dirty areas and battling for pucks. He's tenacious and always competes.

 

[PKSpecialist]

Quenneville with a big hit and goal already again today in the 1st. 4th goal of the tourney.

Put me in the group (With Heavy McHitter) that really likes this player. That said, outside of being a PP specialist, I'm not so sure his game will translate to the NHL. Great junior hockey player though, and really fun to watch.

Logan Stanley is pretty brutal. Only reason he's ranked in the 30's is because he's 6'6. Stay far away. Brett Howden on the other hand would be a nice pick at 32.

Brutal is a pretty strong word, but having seen Stanley ranked as high as the late first, that would be brutal. Stanley is in the third round for me. I have been trumpeting Brett Howden for our second rounder for some time. He is a really strong player. Of course, because he plays the 'safe' type of game, there is a lot of resistance to drafting him around here.

Evan Fitzpatrick has been great again today, it would be nice if him or Hart were available for us in the early 2nd.

I have had Fitzpatrick as my top ranked goalie since mid March, and he is not letting me down now. Smooth goaltender, and should go in the top half of the second round.

 

[thadd]

I can't stop myself from playing with the draft lottery simulator once a week.
My 5 pulls of the day

Toronto
Calgary
Ottawa

Man would the Habs hate that. We miss out on the top 3 guys but there's a solid d-man for us to develop. Likely makes a very solid player expendable a few years down the line.

Buffalo
Calgary
Arizona

Buffalo is laughing their ***** off. So filled with talent that they can easily make a trade for an upgrade on the blueline if they like. Calgary gets a big winger that will likely mesh well with one of their young centers. Arizona gets a solid winger as well. Leafs fans will be devastated while Edmonton still happily walks away from the draft with a solid d-man.

Winnipeg
Toronto
Montreal

Jets rejoice. GM and coach are probably on thin ice and under pressure to either get their goalies performing at a higher level or to go out and get a solid goalie to take this team to the next level. Toronto gets a solid player that will justify the tank. Habs fans welcome a big productive forward. Edmonton again happily walks away with a solid defender.

Buffalo
Calgary
Edmonton

Leafs fans cry themselves to sleep for missing out on the top 3. Nucks fans cry themselves to sleep for watching Calgary and Edmonton pick up big impact players.

Columbus
Buffalo
Toronto

Columbus looks even smarter having traded Johansen away. Sabres and Leafs fans happily walk away with solid talents. Oil fans still happy with a d-man.

Ran it 14 times before I saw the Oilers win it.
In those 14 times Edmonton only got a top 3 pick 4 times. Scary stuff. Strange how I feel like we're going to win 1st overall.

Ran it 100 times and we ended up getting 1st overall 13 times and top 3 34 times. Toronto and Columbus got 3rd overall 17 and 16 times respectively.

 

[HeavyHitter99]

He sounds like he would be worth one of the thirds.

How is he both offensively and defensively? Does he have a good shot?

Fantastic and dynamic offensively with a deadly wrist and slap shot from the point. He is capable of laying massive checks and it doesn't matter who is on the receiving end. When I say that I mean that I've seen him layout some of the toughest players in the dub.
Defensively he isn't bad and he isn't amazing either but he does get caught flat footed around the net at times. His lack of strength hinders his ability to win all his board/corner battles but that doesn't stop him from going to the dirty areas and battling for pucks. He's tenacious and always competes.

 

[BoldNewLettuce]

Would rnh work as a RW for McDanger?

Puck retrieval?