I think Nichuskin will fall - not because of talent but the Russian Factor + that KHL contract.
I don't think he will fall down to the Blues' pick, however. If he does, I really suggest the Flames grab him. I can see Buffalo grabbing him - they have Grigorenko. Perhaps they are friends? Who knows. I don't think a team with only one 1st round pick will pick him in the top 7-8. After that, however, he is just too enticing to pass up imo. Flames may have to move up in order to snag him with their 2nd pick. I would be ok with that too. IF he ever comes over, he is looking like he will be a force! Unfortunately, he has the 'IF' part...
The speculation with Tampa dealing their first - it is still going to be really expensive (depending on how high). I would guess (literal guess) if they finish 10th, and St. Louis' pick is 15th, it would probably require Gio (they need defence), the St. Louis pick and MAYBE something else. Moving up 5 spots in that range is usually pretty expensive I think. Maybe I am over-shooting it, but it definitely will not be cheap.
I am relegating myself to just be happy for any of the top 4. You can make very good and valid arguments for any of Jones, MacKinnon, Drouin and Barkov for the top 4. Size, IQ, position, over-all rank, team needs... These guys are all really good, and you might just end up splitting hairs on them. I don't think any will really bust (minus some unforeseen bad luck with injuries or whatnot). I will be happy with any.
Kuznetsov availability - would definitely be intriguing. I would only be comfortable to trade for him if Washington gives permission to talk to him. However, why would they do that? If they are so willing to trade him, there is a good chance he may not want to go to ANY team. Perhaps he doesn't want to go to Washington? He would get more than a legitimate shot in Washington. They have traded a lot of their skill and acquired role players/grit to try and become more of a 'playoff team', but many feel they have swung too far one way. I really like him, and I really do think if he ever comes over he would either be close to an elite player, or develop into one in short order. Watching him in the World Juniors in Calgary was a huge treat, I thought.
Petan - count me in on the list as 'avoid'. I think he is a good player, but the Flames have an abundance of smaller skilled players. Too many of them, and it puts you at a disadvantage, even if they do become high-calibre. Flames will be in a division with Anaheim and LA. Canucks are seemingly focused on drafting for size (though I think they have been drafting terribly, so perhaps a moot point), but the league seems to be slowly coming back to size.
I like Gaudreau. I like Baertschi. Hudler is a very good supporting piece for the next few years. Granlund isn't exactly physical (and really not sure if he will make it, though I do hope). I just think it is too many smaller players for a top 6 in the long run. Time may prove my logic wrong, but that is what I think for now. If the Flames didn't have smaller top 6 prospects, I would definitely be on board with Petan. Too many, and I think you set yourself up to become the Oilers up north - arguably too small with a huge lack of grit in their top 6.
How do people feel about Nurse vs Ristolainen vs Zadorov vs Pulock? I personally rank them in that order, though I sometimes feel Ristolainen can be argued ahead of Nurse.. Zadorov seems like a very interesting pick though. Pulock seems to me more on the level of a Dumba... but more of a general feeling I get from watching him.
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