Options at #1

[blahblah]

We really are counting those chickens long before they hatch eh?

If we end up with the #1 pick, by some odd twist of fate, I'm not even sure I have an opinion.

 

[Zarathustra]

...and you build a team from the blue zone out, go with Jones ...
but then again a team may be willing to over pay to get that franchise center (and not for more draft picks it would be for a top prospect/player + a top 1st rnd pick).

While theoretically I agree with this, I think that it's important to put mantras like this into context instead of simplifying the situation with blanket statements.

We have been without our top two defensemen, yet still we are competitive on the ice. Chicago fans are saying that the wins against us (one goal games against the best team in the league) have been some of their hardest wins all season.


While using our 7th, 8th and 9th d-men on occasion, we still remain competitive. With Moore looking like he could be that first pairing defensemen, add in Murray, then Cody and Erixon looking like top-4, we have a solid defensive corps without even considering having Tyutin, Johnson and Wiz signed long term.

Also consider that you have to have forwards that are defensively responsible. "Building from the net out" doesn't necessarily mean defensemen. Our defense improved quite a bit with the additions of Dubinsky and Anisimov.

Who is to be our fail safe if Johan doesn't pan out? We have a bit of wiggle room on defense if someone doesn't pan out. We're lost the majority of our games by one goal. With the two top picks being so close, I say go with MacKinnon.

If MacKinnon and Johanson both pan out, then we have two very good forwards that could play the middle on two separate lines.

Even the best defense can't sustain the constant pressure by having an offensive unit that can't keep it in the zone. If you don't have a supporting cast of offensive forwards, then you're going to see the development of guys like Calvert, Atkinson and Johansen suffer. It's not just about one guy or building from the net out, really.

 

[pete goegan]

While theoretically I agree with this, I think that it's important to put mantras like this into context instead of simplifying the situation with blanket statements.

We have been without our top two defensemen, yet still we are competitive on the ice. Chicago fans are saying that the wins against us (one goal games against the best team in the league) have been some of their hardest wins all season.


While using our 7th, 8th and 9th d-men on occasion, we still remain competitive. With Moore looking like he could be that first pairing defensemen, add in Murray, then Cody and Erixon looking like top-4, we have a solid defensive corps without even considering having Tyutin, Johnson and Wiz signed long term.

Also consider that you have to have forwards that are defensively responsible. "Building from the net out" doesn't necessarily mean defensemen. Our defense improved quite a bit with the additions of Dubinsky and Anisimov.

Who is to be our fail safe if Johan doesn't pan out? We have a bit of wiggle room on defense if someone doesn't pan out. We're lost the majority of our games by one goal. With the two top picks being so close, I say go with MacKinnon.

If MacKinnon and Johanson both pan out, then we have two very good forwards that could play the middle on two separate lines.

Even the best defense can't sustain the constant pressure by having an offensive unit that can't keep it in the zone. If you don't have a supporting cast of offensive forwards, then you're going to see the development of guys like Calvert, Atkinson and Johansen suffer. It's not just about one guy or building from the net out, really.

I agree. My dream scenario would be to find a way to get both MacKinnon and Barkov (sp?). Either they beat out the centers we are currently projecting or one/both move to wing. Our defense is far from set, just look at our GA this year, but our offense is even farther from adequate. More scoring, along with more defensively responsible forwards and a reliable goalie, would make these cold, winter nights much more enjoyable!

 

[Roadman]

I think we need to actually have the number one pick before we decide who we pick with it.

I still think we need to think along the lines of 1 top ten (4-8), 1 second ten (16-20), and 1 last ten (22-30).

The CBJ will continue to improve, I do not think they are going to finish at the bottom. As much as that will pain some. I see too much heart, pride, or whatever you want to call it, they will by sheer determination move up. Some will attribute it to pressure off when they are eliminated, but I would take a more positive view with this group. They have demonstrated that they just don't quit.

The NYR and the Kings will both make they playoffs, one "cough Rangers cough", will go out in the first round.

Been wrong before, but that's the way I see it.

 

[Viqsi]

Once had a crop of forwards too, only their names were Picard, Platt, Brule, and Fritsche.

Imagine if the 2006 draft had involved falling back to take the best defenseman available, what with D being a major organizational weakness at the time. The next 10 defensemen taken (all in the 1st or early 2nd round) were Ty Wishart, Mark Mitera, David Fischer, Bobby Sanguinetti, Denis Persson, Ivan Vishnevskiy, Chris Summers, Matt Corrente (the preceding were all in the 1st round), Carl Sneep, and Yuri Alexandrov. Every one of those guys was taken in the top-37.

The followup question then becomes "did anyone think of that draft as being particularly strong w/r/t blueliners?"

I think part of what makes folks want to focus on forwards is not just organizational need, but also a perception that this draft's forward depth is particularly potent.

 

[KeithBWhittington]

BPA... so MacKinnon at 1. If we slip to 2 again, Jones.

 

[alphafox]

The followup question then becomes "did anyone think of that draft as being particularly strong w/r/t blueliners?"

I think part of what makes folks want to focus on forwards is not just organizational need, but also a perception that this draft's forward depth is particularly potent.

Not to give a flippant answer but this draft is deep for both. It may be slightly deeper for forwards, but there are quite a few D-men with alot of potential. Nurse, Pulock, Risto all have two-way first pairing upside IMO and there are others like Morrissey who can be PPQB's or Santini who can be shut down guys.

The Forward Crop is perceived as deeper for a couple of reasons. First, There are theoretically three forwards (Mackinnon, Drouin, Barkov) that are theoretically in the discussion for first overall. Second, Depending on how the first round breaks we could see a run on forwards that forces most of the aforementioned d-men pushed out of the top 10 (After the three previously mentioned forwards you have Lindholm, Monahan, Shinkaruk, and Nichushkin with Domi and Erne potentially pushing for top 10 spots as well). Finally, there are quite a few high ceiling guys like Mantha, Lazar, Klimchuck, Rychel who will be available in the late 1st/ early 2nd round.