[Rumour] Edmonton to Draft Draisaitl

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

I hope they trade #3 for #3 (Dion). HAHAHAHAHA!

But then the Maple Leafs get the #3 pick and I'd hate that just as much.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Originally Posted by jg13

I welcome them taking him at #3.

I should have been more clear - it's unfortunate they will land any of the consensus top picks. Poor kids

[OzSome]

I say BS on this. MacT and Oilers brass is just hoping Florida and Buffalo will pass on Ekblad and one of them pick Draisaitl to spite the Oilers. I believe when it happens.

[theoforever]

Originally Posted by OzSome

I say BS on this. MacT and Oilers brass is just hoping Florida and Buffalo will pass on Ekblad and one of them pick Draisaitl to spite the Oilers. I believe when it happens.

MacT was talking about wanting Ekblad several months ago.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by theoforever

MacT was talking about wanting Ekblad several months ago.

That's exactly it. He knew Ekblad won't be available when they lose the lottery draft so the Oilers brass are spreading rumour that they wanted to draft Draisaitl to throw the other team off. He is hoping that Florida or Buffalo might not need a D and pick a center or even Draisaitl.

[Iggy3x]

If Buffalo and Florida did that, then good on Edmonton. I doubt they will do that.

[Hackey]

Ya this is the NHL. I'd hope that doesn't work and teams pick who their scouts feel is the best player available or the player that most fits their needs. Makes no sense to draft to spite the worst team in a different conference or to follow some of the worst drafting management in the league.

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Here's Corey Pronman's take in his 2014 rank release yesterday



http://insider.espn.go.com/nhl/story...nhl-draft-2014

Just as a side note for people thinking Monahan might go #1 or #2 this year, last week on twitter (I dont know how to imbed a twitter message) Pronman said that he would rank Draisaitl ahead of Monahan if they were in the same draft. I know its only 1 scout/draft watcher, but take it for what its worth.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by RyZ

Just as a side note for people thinking Monahan might go #1 or #2 this year, last week on twitter (I dont know how to imbed a twitter message) Pronman said that he would rank Draisaitl ahead of Monahan if they were in the same draft. I know its only 1 scout/draft watcher, but take it for what its worth.

Yeah. A lot of people are sour on Draisaitl for his skating as well - Monahan had some similar knocks on him as well. He's still not a fast skater, but he's capable.

I'd still rank my choices as (based on nothing more than highlight reels, stats and scouting reports):

1. Bennett
2. Reinhart
3. Ekblad
4. Draisaitl

Whoever ends up drafting Draisaitl, it looks like they're getting a pretty darn good player.

[mile]

I haven't seen Draisaitl's skating and don't know how he compares to Monahan, but most scouting reports described Monahan's skating as good or capable, and the only "negative" was that he lacked explosiveness - I don't think it has ever been described as a negative, which may be the case for Draisaitl.

[Vulcan]

My take is that the Oilers are legitimately interested in Draisaitl and have put his name out there in order to sway their fans, as he wasn't originally considered a possible top three pick. This doesn't mean they are guaranteed to draft him as like the Flames they probably haven't made a final decision on their list.

As for the idea is that they are trying to throw off other teams, I don't think so. I believe most GMs have a pretty good idea of what each team wants.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

My take is that the Oilers are legitimately interested in Draisaitl and have put his name out there in order to sway their fans, as he wasn't originally considered a possible top three pick. This doesn't mean they are guaranteed to draft him as like the Flames they probably haven't made a final decision on their list.

As for the idea is that they are trying to throw off other teams, I don't think so. I believe most GMs have a pretty good idea of what each team wants.

Yeah I think the Oilers are highlighting him at their web site purposely letting the fans get used to the fact they are going to take a guy ranked anywhere between 4 - 8 on most rankings 3rd overall. I think he looks like he could be a pretty good player and would be fine if the Flames take him but I still would rather have a one of the other three guys instead.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Yeah I think the Oilers are highlighting him at their web site purposely letting the fans get used to the fact they are going to take a guy ranked anywhere between 4 - 8 on most rankings 3rd overall. I think he looks like he could be a pretty good player and would be fine if the Flames take him but I still would rather have a one of the other three guys instead.

Yeah, because Kevin Lowe and Craig MacTavish care one lick about what the website guy does. And the website guy knows exactly who they're taking.

[nik-]

If the Oilers don't take Draisaitl I'm holding you personally responsible SCH.

[Matty81]

I think he'll be a great pick for whoever. I think he skates OK - it's not amazing but not a liability and skating is overrated for centres anyway - I'm not saying you want a total slug out there but it's much more positioning, puck distribution and protection imo. Draisaitl has all of that and size in the mix as well.

Heavy footed winger or dman is more concerning to me.

[mile]

Originally Posted by Matty81

I think he'll be a great pick for whoever. I think he skates OK - it's not amazing but not a liability and skating is overrated for centres anyway - I'm not saying you want a total slug out there but it's much more positioning, puck distribution and protection imo. Draisaitl has all of that and size in the mix as well.

Heavy footed winger or dman is more concerning to me.

Agreed - Having amazing speed and explosiveness certainly helps a player like MacKinnon/Crosby in becoming a gamebreaking type of player and being able to do it all by himself, but if you look at most the top centres in the league skating isn't the aspect of their game that stands out the most and as long as they can keep up from end to end, it doesn't hinder them from using the skills they excel at.

While not as flashy, players like Bergeron, Kopitar, Toews, etc. have carried their teams to more success than players like Crosby and Stamkos. Despite the complaints I've seen about Reinhart's and Draisaitl's skating, they could easily be the end up being the best players in the draft and clearly skating isn't enough of a detriment to drop them out the conversation of what appears to be an even top 4.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

Yeah, because Kevin Lowe and Craig MacTavish care one lick about what the website guy does. And the website guy knows exactly who they're taking.

They likely do. Not sure if some of you know but the Oilers had employees posting on HF Oilers generating positive spin on Lowe and the organization. One or two of the posters got busted and some threads locked over it. That organization is very manipulative and I believe they float a lot of crap as well as control a lot of the local media.

[Reign of Fire]

Edm blowing smoke, thinking they smarter than everyone else. After all Kevin Lowe has second most Stanley Cup rings than anyone else working in hockey.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

They likely do. Not sure if some of you know...

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

And the website guy knows exactly who they're taking.

I think he knows. Just a hunch though.