Just cause we got a decent player doesn't mean draft position doesn't matter. The higher you draft the more choice you have. It sucks that we're outside of the top 3 and meaningless wins don't change that. If we fail to get an impact player in this draft then there is no denying that despite some good individual performances, this was a trainwreck of a season overall.
No, not necessarily...if the team had drafted Ekblad, it's unlikely they'd have traded for Hamilton... Ekblad is better, of course, I prefer Bennett + Hamilton, at this point.
But, even that statement speaks to my overall point...we just never know anything...especially with the lottery now.
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Originally Posted by LickTheEnvelope View Post
... Eakins' claims Gagne's line played Kessel's line even...
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Originally Posted by Hells Bells View Post
Yeah, Gagner's line was -4 and Kessel's was +4, so it all evened out.
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Man dies he ever look like Jagr on that play... The big frame, soft hands, and sweeping wrist shot.
I've only seen highlights of the draft eligible players, this year, as I haven't watched much hockey...can someone tell me how it's a certainty that Matthews gets taken over this guy???
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LickTheEnvelope View Post
... Eakins' claims Gagne's line played Kessel's line even...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hells Bells View Post
Yeah, Gagner's line was -4 and Kessel's was +4, so it all evened out.
I've only seen highlights of the draft eligible players, this year, as I haven't watched much hockey...can someone tell me how it's a certainty that Matthews gets taken over this guy???
Well for one, Mathews is a centre which is a more valuable position. Two, Mathews is just a better prospect. I like Laine, I like him a lot but he doesn't have the game or upside that Mathews has.
Well for one, Mathews is a centre which is a more valuable position. Two, Mathews is just a better prospect. I like Laine, I like him a lot but he doesn't have the game or upside that Mathews has.
I've only seen highlights of the draft eligible players, this year, as I haven't watched much hockey...can someone tell me how it's a certainty that Matthews gets taken over this guy???
Well Laine's trying to make it interesting with his playoff performance. I think he's closed to gap to be in the conversation with Matthews. That said Matthews plays the more important position. Franchise playmaking centres can turn average wingers into stars. Goal scoring wingers don't usually elevate the play of their linemates as much. As well centre has a lot more defensive responsibilities so they are more important in the defensive zone. All that said Laine does look like he has the potential to be one of the best goalscorers in the NHL. Wouldn't surprise me if a few scouts like Laine more but I still think Matthews probably goes 1st.
Can't go wrong drafting top two to three, that's for sure. Those guys have huge upside and ability.
Question for the McLeod fans. How do you explain, justify, or write off his mediocre offensive numbers compared to the other top guys? The poor numbers don't concern you at all or what?
Regular season:
McLeod - 57GP 21G 40A 61P for 39th in league scoring
Tkachuk - 57GP 30G 77A 107P for 5th in league scoring
Nylander - 57GP 28G 47A 75P for 19th in league scoring Dubois - 62GP 42G 57A 99P for 3rd in league scoring
Playoffs:
McLeod - 7GP 3G 6A 9P
Tkachuk - 7GP 8G 8A 16P for 3rd in playoff scoring and 1st on his team
Nylander - 6GP 6G 6A 12P Dubois - 6GP 4G 3A 7P
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What's noticeable to me is the top picks seem to be coming out of the OHL lately and it's turning into a scoring league, more so than even the QMJL. The WHL is lagging behind but could the OHL scoring stats be over rating their prospects or is the OHL that much better?
I'm all for flipping Matthews to Phoenix for their pick + Strome.
I see these types of proposals every year around draft time, but I can't recall anybody ever trading a top tier, legitimate blue chip prospect just to move up a few spots in the draft.
Same thing with the proposals like OEL + 3rd overall for 1st overall.
Admittedly, I don't know much about the draft. With my limited viewings it would seem that Matthews and Laine are a step above the rest and then the next 4 or 5 prospects are close/more of a crapshoot.
Is that a fair assessment or is Puljujarvi a step below Matthews/Laine, but a step above the rest?
