Quote:
Originally Posted by druetetective
The thing with Brown is if he isn't using his size or playing aggressive now, that likely will never be a huge part of his game.
The guy is an enigma, he constantly leaves you wanting more or asking "what if".
He likely is a better Joe Colbrne as others have pointed out, just a much better playmaker. I mean there is a chance everything goes perfect and he turns into a 80 point #1 center but I wouldn't bank on it.
I'd prefer we took a player with a higher floor even if his ceiling is a bit lower personally.
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Actually, if you watch the U18s, Brown used his size at times absolutely wonderfully. It seems to me that he looks like he is just finally understanding that he has this wonderful tool to add to his arsenal that he hasn't been aware of yet, or has found a way to use yet - his ridiculous size. It just seems to me like he is finally gaining some confidence in using his size much more effectively, and the more he is trying it, the more he will continue to realize it.
He is tough to gauge in terms of future NHL production, but I can't help but think of a few things here:
Todd Button made a statement a few years ago at a draft that I have always remembered. He said that he prefers taking a lesser skilled player with good hockey sense over a highly skilled player with a lack of hockey sense. The way he explained it is if the high-end skill guy doesn't end up cracking a top 6 line right away, you may never see him in the NHL again as he just can't find a way to adapt. Sometimes that highly skilled player does crack the top 6, but he can't change his game if needed when other players have figured him out, and then he is also out of the NHL.
He likes guys with hockey sense because they can play different roles on the team and contribute. They can continue learning how to be effective and contribute positively.
Anyways, when I see Brown I see a guy with a tonne of hockey sense, an absolutely underrated shot, top-end (I mean, top end of the draft) passing ability, really good mobility (not even with the qualifier 'for his size' - I think he moves around well, period), and who already uses one aspect of his size fairly well - his reach to both get to lose pucks and get a shot/make a play quickly, or protect the puck by placing his body between the opposing player and the puck.
At the U18s, you saw him use his size effectively at separating the player from the puck - I thought he was magnificent that way. It was almost like this little light went off inside his head. Will he continue to do so? I am not sure, but to me it really does seem like a kid who is only realizing that he has this brand-new chainsaw to go along with all his other really great set of tools.
Quote:
Originally Posted by druetetective
I still like Max Jones a lot. I wonder if there is a way to move back and get two picks between 11-20. I'd be open to using some of our 2nds or3rd to make it work.
Max Jones, plus one of Jost, Keller, Gauthier, Mcleoud, Fabbro or Mcavoy beats out one of Nylander, 'Big 3 D", Brown IMO. Even if you add a low 2nd to the guy Nylander/Brown package I'd still prefer 2 picks in the 11-20 range.
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I can't think of a better person to ask this of than you.
I read that Max Jones had time with Marner and Dvorak, but he simply wasn't putting up any points. Tkachuk goes back in, and that line gets better. Is this true? Did Jones have a long look on that top line, but wasn't able to generate much?
That seems the book on Jones - people are openly wondering if his offensive ability will translate in the NHL, while Tkakchuk's ability to translate is almost a given. I like Jones as a prospect, and wouldn't mind the Flames even trading up a bit from the 2nd round to get him as I think he could be a good piece down the road, but it seems there is quite a lot of talk about his ability to produce at the next level.
Anyways, with three second round picks, I would think it wouldn't be too tough to get into the 20th spot with a couple of trade-ups. 2 seconds should get you into the earlier 20's I would think (hasn't that been the case in a lot of drafts - 2 2nds = a '20-ish' 1st rounder), with another 2nd to crawl up a few more spots from there.