Top 5 Draft Poll - 1. Florida

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by dustygoon

If ekblad is so good, then why would talon ("the best talent evaluator") who needs blueliners want to trade his 1st overall?

They need wingers too, and in my opinion Dal Colle and Ehlers look like impact scorers as well, so they might value getting MDC/Ehlers + good asset being better for them than Ekblad, which is a legitimate argument.

it would depend on exactly what they get offered.

For example, if you were offered Sven + MDC/Ehlers for Ekblad, coming from the Panthers' perspective, would you make that trade? I just might. The value coming your way would have to be better than standing pat.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Ekblad to FLA seems most likely. The trade talk still feels like a smoke screen to me, but I suppose stranger things have happened. FLA would need to love Ehlers or MDC to drop down to 4-6. To me an Edmo/FLA deal makes more sense, with Edmo picking the D man and FLA still getting a Sam + something extra.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Maybe the Flames trade for Ekblad once Florida has chosen him, kind of what happens in the NBA? I know it rarely happens in hockey, but I wouldn't be surprised if scenarios like the NBA has occurs in this year's draft.

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by dustygoon

If ekblad is so good, then why would talon ("the best talent evaluator") who needs blueliners want to trade his 1st overall?

Ekblad might be able to step right into the lineup but it will take several years for him to make an impact. That's why Tallon is looking for a chance to trade down and get an established player in a deal that can help now. He doesn't have time to wait another 3-4 years for players to make an impact if he wants to keep his job.

[Bingo]

I took Ekblad as well ...

I like this format as it puts everyone in an actual draft situation. we're not all picking a guy for the Flames based on a whole bunch of different assumptions. Each of us end up as a draft table at 4 based on what's left on the board given the previous polls.

I'll put up Buffalo at #2 tomorrow, give others more time to get their say.

Clearly Ekblad is gone, and it will be interesting to see the Sam battle .

[Roof-Daddy]

I'm starting to worry that Ekblad is going to drop, and all three of the top rated centers will be unavailable for the Flames pick at 4th overall.

I hope I'm wrong, and Ekblad is scooped up right away by the Panthers.

[Bingo]

not a big fan of Ekblad I take it?

My only Ekblad fear is the drafting a defenseman and then not being patient issue. Otherwise I'm pretty indifferent.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Bingo

not a big fan of Ekblad I take it?

My only Ekblad fear is the drafting a defenseman and then not being patient issue. Otherwise I'm pretty indifferent.

Honestly, haven't watched him more than just in highlight packages, and I'm not even remotely qualified to "scout" or project him, but....

1. I'm not a fan of picking defensemen early in a draft
2. I keep hearing lately that many scouts don't feel Ekblad is going to be as good as once thought
3. I'd rather take a high quality center with high, high picks, especially when the D man comparable isn't head and shoulders above the center when talking BPA

[Henry Fool]

I know even less about this year's draft than usual, but based on what I read, Bennett sounds like he might be the best player available at number one. Florida takes the best player.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Henry Fool

I know even less about this year's draft than usual, but based on what I read, Bennett sounds like he might be the best player available at number one. Florida takes the best player.

That convinced me. I now change my vote to Bennett. Give me a few hours and I'll change it again.

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

That convinced me. I now change my vote to Bennett. Give me a few hours and I'll change it again.

You could fit my actual knowledge of this year's prospects in a single tweet. I extrapolate from that by using my genius.

[Party Elephant]

How do you vote in (and view) a poll in tapatalk?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Henry Fool

You could fit my actual knowledge of this year's prospects in a single tweet. I extrapolate from that by using my genius.

The thing is the top four all sound good to me and than there are a few others that also sound good, so trying to zero in on one player is difficult no matter how much knowledge you have.

[Monahan23]

Reinhart and Bennett make no sense. They have really good centre depth that are all young. Why draft another one and pass on a big positional need who the majority think is the BPA.

[Dion]

Ekblad is the player most likely to make the jump to the NHL this upcoming season. His size and skill set on defence is something that doesn't come that often and I think Florida knows.