Official Tank Thread

[Mikah]

I know it's hard to watch but a top 3 this year would almost guarantee the rebuild is over specially since it looks like Calgary's pick could be outside of the top 10. The team would not start winning overnight the kids got to get 1 or 2 years or experience after that but we'd be on our way for sure and we would instantly become a better UFA destination with Demidov, Hutson and Hagen, Martone, Misa/McQueen coming up.

I find it harder this year to find the consensus #1. It feels like the 2022 draft. The top picks all have some downsides. Hagens is a bit small for example.

In fact, I think the top 5 could all end up being interchangeable, so sometimes it is less of a curse not to pick #1 and be judged for a long time afterwards. Any of Hagens, Martone, Misa, McQueen and Schaefer would be amazing imo.

If anything, I find Schaefer really intriguing considering that he is almost a year younger then Hagens, Martone and McQueen. He could be better then what people think.

 

[LaP]

I find it harder this year to find the consensus #1. It feels like the 2022 draft. The top picks all have some downsides. Hagens is a bit small for example.

In fact, I think the top 5 could all end up being interchangeable, so sometimes it is less of a curse not to pick #1 and be judged for a long time afterwards. Any of Hagens, Martone, Misa, McQueen and Schaefer would be amazing imo.

If anything, I find Schaefer really intriguing considering that he is almost a year younger then Hagens, Martone and McQueen. He could be better then what people think.

Atm i'd say there's a pretty good chance Martone will go 1st. It's a better top 5 than 2022 imo. Martone potential is higher than Slaf. Hagens is also a better prospect than Cooley imo. I'd put McQueen in front of Wright as a prospect too.

 

[Gustave]

UFA at the end of the year...what's the point?

In the summer time me thinks @Tyson

Sandpaper would be nice.

 

[KevSkillz4]

One of Hagens, Martone, Misa or Schaefer. please.

I would be very happy!

 

[nhlfan9191]

Atm i'd say there's a pretty good chance Martone will go 1st. It's a better top 5 than 2022 imo. Martone potential is higher than Slaf. Hagens is also a better prospect than Cooley imo.

It feels like we’re cursed when it comes to top draft picks dating back to Wickenheiser.

 

[Tabarouette]

our Martone thread next year: "patience guys he's gonna be good in a couple of years"

the penguins McKenna thread 2 years from now: "damn look at him PPG right out the gate!"

groundhogs day

 

[Tyson]

In the summer time me thinks @Tyson

Sandpaper would be nice.

I would very much like this player if Hughes can land him

 

[rahad]

our Martone thread next year: "patience guys he's gonna be good in a couple of years"

the penguins McKenna thread 2 years from now: "damn look at him PPG right out the gate!"

groundhogs day

Seriously, the draft of 2026 and 2027 will be intense with McKenna and DuPont. I can see the Pittsburgh rebuilding very soon.

For Martone, people will need to be patience with him. Same could be said about Demidov. Very few 18 and 19 years old kid are dominating the league. Take Leo Carlsson and Fantili. They are still struggling in there second season. Same could be said about Nemec.

 

[rahad]

Atm i'd say there's a pretty good chance Martone will go 1st. It's a better top 5 than 2022 imo. Martone potential is higher than Slaf. Hagens is also a better prospect than Cooley imo. I'd put McQueen in front of Wright as a prospect too.

I wish this year has a Celebrini/Bedard type of prospect. A slam dunk 1OV. No one has surprise to see him go first overall. This year give me a little bit of flashback of 2022 draft.

We got lucky with Slaf. Can't imagine our rebuild going forward with Shane Wright lol.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

You'd basically have to be bottom 2 in the league to guarantee ourselves one of the prospects that are massive needle movers, 3rd last if you believe in McQueen.

I don't see us sitting there when all is said and done.

No way to tell imo, because injuries is the biggest factor for a team that lacks so much depth.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

You'd basically have to be bottom 2 in the league to guarantee ourselves one of the prospects that are massive needle movers, 3rd last if you believe in McQueen.

I don't see us sitting there when all is said and done.

Which one of Hagens, Martone and Misa is not a needle mover?

 

[LaP]

It feels like we’re cursed when it comes to top draft picks dating back to Wickenheiser.

Dunno Slaf looks good. People expect too much from a player 20 and under. 50 to 60 points at this age is very good.

 

[The Great Weal]

Which one of Hagens, Martone and Misa is not a needle mover?

I believe he meant it as securing bottom 2 means we will at worst pick 4th in the draft where we are guaranteed to draft one of those 3 players and Schaefer.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Which one of Hagens, Martone and Misa is not a needle mover?

They all are, as is schaefer.

But you can get punted down 2 spots in the lottery.

 

[StreetHawk]

I wish this year has a Celebrini/Bedard type of prospect. A slam dunk 1OV. No one has surprise to see him go first overall. This year give me a little bit of flashback of 2022 draft.

We got lucky with Slaf. Can't imagine our rebuild going forward with Shane Wright lol.

Luck of the draft lottery. From 2018 onwards, it's been Dahlin, Hughes, Bedard, Cellibrini that were considered impact guys. Then you also had Laf, Power, Wright/Slaf and this year with Hagens are excellent players but not franchise altering guys.

 

[Leto]

Seriously, the draft of 2026 and 2027 will be intense with McKenna and DuPont. I can see the Pittsburgh rebuilding very soon.

For Martone, people will need to be patience with him. Same could be said about Demidov. Very few 18 and 19 years old kid are dominating the league. Take Leo Carlsson and Fantili. They are still struggling in there second season. Same could be said about Nemec.

Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin, McDavid, Matthews and co really skewered the expectations regarding 18/19 years old coming into the league.

As much as I was hyped about Carlsson and Fantilli, it's a sobering realization that even they are struggling. It puts into perspective Slafkovsky's progression.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

UFA at the end of the year...what's the point?

Get a jump and potentially secure his future here instead of a potential bidding war.

He, Olivier, Jeannot, someone like that they NEED to sign.

I think Olivier is UFA