2021 NHL Draft

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

I don't actually think the record of 1st round goalies is that bad. Definitely not since 2010 or so. Subban is another bust though. And I would consider Tuukka Rask (26th) a homerun.

My main hesitation is the Flames drafting and development record with 1st round goalies.
In the past 30 years (since 1991), the Flames have drafted and developed a total of zero starting goaltenders. About 20 goalies have been drafted in that time.
The four goalies drafted in the top 34 have played a total of 14 games. Almost all Leland Irving (26th). Evan Lindsay (32nd = 0), Mason McDonald (34th = 0), Brent Krahn (9th = 1).

There's just a little too much risk for where the Flames are at. Since Wolf is a great prospect, there's no need to take that kind of risk. Not unless it's a huge value pick.

Honestly I don't worry too much about 30 years of goalie development and drafting history.

Different GMs, different coaches, different systems, different financial resources.

I think you have to look at what's been done since Treliving took the reigns ... 2015 and on.

Parsons was a solid pick but with some bumps in the road. Wolf was a pretty decent gamble that late.

McDonald was certainly well thought of at the time, but didn't pan out.

None taken in the first round.

[Sandman]

LHD Anton Olsson,6'1"183lbs (Malmo,SHL): 39gp/0g/4a/4pts,31PIM, seems like paltry production, and his offensive game is often downplayed, but consider this: his 4pts was the second-best point total for players under 18 years old in the SHL-better than Lysell, Robertsson, Rosen, or Eljas. His p/gp was tied with Simon Edvinsson (0.10), and he played the most games in the SHL (the top league in Sweden), of anyone in his age group. Olsson also had time in the J20 league (7gp/1g/3a/4pts,2PIM), where he was 5th overall in p/gp for D-men under the age of 18 (0.57), ahead of Edvinsson (0.43), and Sjoholm (0.33). He was a regular on Malmo's SHL club, where he was given more ice-time and responsibility than LA Kings' 2020 second-rounder Helge Grans. At the U-18s, he had 3 assists in 7 games, and was named one of Sweden's top 3 players by the coaching staff. His ability in the defensive zone, and in transition is his calling card, but he has some chops in the offensive zone too. Smart, poised defender with exceptional IQ, and terrific in all three zones.

Olsson is an excellent, albeit perhaps not elite, skater-but is smooth, agile, and has nice closing speed. Great edges and lateral agility help him wield his superb gap-control. He can pinch to keep the play alive, and get back to his defensive position quickly. Pivots well, and is a good backwards skater. Fantastic with the puck in transition, and affects zone entries and exits with quality first-passes, or by weaving through the defensive, and neutral zone with control. Has the top-end vision and passing to create offense off the rush, and can deke through multiple layers of traffic, and make the D back up. Beautiful stickhandler with good puck protection, and puck skills-he drives the play, opens up passing and shooting lanes from the line, and makes himself available on the cycle. He carries an array of decent shots, but he's most likely to sneak up to the top of the circle to unleash his wrister. He's a volume shooter.

Olsson's defensive awareness is top-notch, even against men in the SHL, and is very hard to beat in 1-on1's. He has a quick stick and airtight positioning to break up passes, or throw out a poke-check. Keeps attackers to the outside, and in low-danger, and does the same on the cycle. He snuffs out any chance of driving the net. Even though he often gives up a lot of size to SHL forwards, he still battles hard in front of his net, and along the boards, and wins more than his fair share.

Olsson lacks some patience in the offensive zone-despite being poised and smart without the puck in the attacking zone, he gets tunnel vision with the puck on his stick. He looks to move the puck quickly with short passes, dump-ins, and especially shots, but would do much better to take the time to survey his options and make higher-percentage plays, rather than go for the safe option every time. The same can be said sometimes when making breakout passes-he can be pressured into making the lesser play. In either case, he doesn't hurt his team in any way defensively-he will opt to chip it out of danger, or dump it/shoot it in. This is where the questions about his offense at the next level come in, but these issues can be improved with coaching, IMO. Some say he reminds them of Calvin de Haan, but I think he's a lot like TJ Brodie-he'll be a top-4, two-way guy who gets big minutes and tough match-ups. I used to think he was vanilla, but there's tons to like here. 2nd rounder.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Honestly I don't worry too much about 30 years of goalie development and drafting history.

Different GMs, different coaches, different systems, different financial resources.

I think you have to look at what's been done since Treliving took the reigns ... 2015 and on.

Parsons was a solid pick but with some bumps in the road. Wolf was a pretty decent gamble that late.

McDonald was certainly well thought of at the time, but didn't pan out.

None taken in the first round.

I more concerned about the development than the drafting.
All the goalies drafted in the past decade looked promising out of the gate (except for maybe Mason McDonald). Even guys like Broissoit and Ortio (more than 10 years ago) were great picks. Gillies and Parsons won the world juniors. Wolf is setting records. Chechelev put up good numbers this year.

But still, their amateur scouts are doing something right when it comes to evaluating goalies. It's likely that one will pan out sooner or later.

Even though I'm not high on Jesper Wallstedt per se, I would rush to the podium to pick him at 12. It would be a great value pick if nothing else.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

I more concerned about the development than the drafting.
All the goalies drafted in the past decade looked promising out of the gate (except for maybe Mason McDonald). Even guys like Broissoit and Ortio (more than 10 years ago) were great picks. Gillies and Parsons won the world juniors. Wolf is setting records. Chechelev put up good numbers this year.

But still, their amateur scouts are doing something right when it comes to evaluating goalies. It's likely that one will pan out sooner or later.

Even though I'm not high on Jesper Wallstedt per se, I would rush to the podium to pick him at 12. It would be a great value pick if nothing else.

Would love to see an alternate universe where Jon Gillies and Tyler Parsons don't see huge holes in their development plan gouged due to big injuries and/or off ice issues.

Would really change the equation of the current club.

Hopefully they get better luck with Wolf ... and by that I mean a relatively uninterrupted path to whatever he's supposed to be ... good, bad or average.

[Tkachukwagon]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1409594734549471236

Zellweger getting some love from Byron Bader

[Sandman]

Zellweger was easily one of the most impressive players at the U-18s. He has everything you want from a modern-day defenseman, except size. I think he’s got the heart, will, and determination to make it.

[Canada 02]

Same size as Torey Krug

Same height , but heavier than Jared Spurgeon

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Would love to see an alternate universe where Jon Gillies and Tyler Parsons don't see huge holes in their development plan gouged due to big injuries and/or off ice issues.

Would really change the equation of the current club.

Hopefully they get better luck with Wolf ... and by that I mean a relatively uninterrupted path to whatever he's supposed to be ... good, bad or average.

I feel badly for both of them - for different reasons.
Gillies was humming along until his hip issues. I don't know how you manage that risk - it happens. And probably robbed him of some sort of NHL career.

[Sandman]

I did a small write up on this guy earlier, but I like him so much I feel I have to expand:

LHD Vladislav Lukashevich.6'2"165lbs (Loko Yaroslavl,MHL): 36gp/3g/16a/19pts,+20. Top D-man on his team, and led them in ice-time despite playing on a deep team-he could've easily been buried. 21st in the league in p/gp for D-men with 10 games or more, highest p/gp for D-men under the age of 18. Uniquely advanced, the maturity in his game is farther ahead of his peers, and he makes an impression every time he steps on the ice. He does all the little things right, and is trusted in all situations. Just turned 18 in May, so age is on his side. Injury kept him out of the U-18s. Lukashevich controls the game well from the blueline, is a quality puck-rusher, and a premier game-manager.

Luka makes an immaculate first-pass, but he can also lead the rush-carrying it through traffic. He sees the ice extremely well, and knows where to be and what he should do next before the play even comes to him. Top-level hockey sense, NHL-quality skill and playmaking. Great decision-making and processing, he keeps track of everyone on the ice simutaneously. Fantastic creator, and can make really long-distance passes-his head is always up, scanning for where to best support his teammates. Knows when to pinch to keep play alive, and when retreat. Fine use of deception in his game-he uses crossovers and lateral changes, along with subtle fakes in his head and feet, and little fakes and dekes to manipulate the enemy and create space for himself or his teammates. He owns a cannon of a point-shot, and a pretty decent and accurate wrister. The big facilitator in his game is his outstanding speed and quickness-he has a long, powerful stride with superior balance. His edgework is elite-he can perform ankle-breaking pivots, turns, and changes in speed and direction. Able to make clean exits and entries with little space to work with. Luka exhibits good compete, and does whatever it takes to win. He works the boards well, and wins battles, despite a lack of strength. Defensively, he reads the breakout very well-he'll either pinch to deny the pass, or use his quality positioning and strong stick-checking to take away the opportunity. Very proactive-he sees the play before it develops. His speed, stick, and smarts give him good gap control.

Vlad is very slight, and physically under-developed, which affects his physical play, and his ability to handle bigger, stronger opponents-he will need to put on weight and get stronger to play at higher levels. When scouts look at Lukashevich, they will notice the fact that he didn't get any playing time in the KHL-which is a fact that usually keeps Russians out of the first round (only 3 Russians have been taken in the first round with no KHL time-Chinnakov last year, German Rubtsov, and Vasilevskiy). This situation was why people were shocked last year when CBJ took Chinnakov-he was supposed to go in the later rounds due to having no KHL time, and for being physically under-developed. Lukashevich's situation is vaguely similar, as he'll be left out of the first round, due those same reasons-but he has some first-round talent. With no time in men's leagues, there's less of a gauge of how he will develop in higher leagues. Luka's puck control at high speeds is not where it should be, and it affects his ability to push the play a bit. This issue, combined with his lack of strength and size are the main reasons why he hasn't been dominant enough to earn a shot in the KHL, but with training and coaching he can reach his massive potential in the NHL as a top-4, two-way player in the mold of a Leddy, or Brodin. 2nd/3rd round.

[Sandman]

RW Tyler Boucher,6'1"201lbs (USNTDP Juniors): 5gp/3g/2a/5pts,13PIM. Played in the USDP's U18 team, 12gp/6g/5a/11pts,22PIM, 6th in the program for p/gp, ahead of such players as Dylan Duke, Red Savage, Liam Gilmartin, and Andre Gasseau. He's the son of former NHL Goalie, and former Calgary Flame Brian Boucher. Tyler plays with flair, physicality, and speed. "Whether it be a player with his head down, someone in open-ice, or along the offensive or defensive glass, Boucher does not show any mercy. With this mindset such play tends to wear down the opposition and makes them always keep their heads on a swivel whenever Tyler is on the ice, which makes for frequent mistakes by them and more frequent opportunities for team USA"-Lance Green, Flyers Nitty Gritty

Bouch has a pro-caliber toolbox, and is a big, strong power-forward. Relentless puck-pursuit, and a sense of hunger when chasing down loose pucks-one of the facilitators of his goal-scoring ability. He keeps his feet moving, and has a non-stop motor. Powers to the net, applies pressure to puck-carriers, and makes his presence felt with huge hits. Strength, toughness, and take-no-prisoners physicality-highly aggressive and mean, and finishes hard. Some players are happy to get 2-3 hits in a game-Bouch often gets more than that in a shift. Strong on the puck, brings energy, and dominates along the wall, in the corners, and plants his feet in front of the net-making it hard to move him. Protects the puck well, and owns a strong, hard shot with accuracy and a quick release, that he can use to score from anywhere. Likes the net-front, and doesn't mind scoring garbage goals, or tip-ins. Surprising quickness, can separate from opponents in just a few strides-gains top-speed efficiently. There's power in his crossovers and edges. He can create off the rush, and often manufactures space in the offensive zone. Flashes high-end puck skill and stickhandling, and challenges opponents 1-on-1. He has soft enough hands to get the puck to teammates in high-danger-he can pass through traffic, but doesn't take unnecessary risks to force plays. He has shown the ability to carry in transition out of the defensive zone cleanly, and through the neutral zone with control.

Tyler shows a solid two-way game, but his consistency in this area is spotty-sometimes there's not the same urgency and effort on the backcheck as he shows in other areas of the game. He needs to develop better on-ice reads and vision in order to be able to see and analyze his options in using his teammates better, and his passing could be more consistently accurate. He's committed to Boston University, so he'll have plenty of time and resources to round out his game. He models his game after Tom Wilson, so as one can imagine, he needs work on his on-ice discipline-sometimes when going in for a hit, an elbow might "accidentally" come up, netting him a misconduct. He has a high floor IMO, as he can fulfill any role, on any line, providing energy and phyisicality, with a bit of scoring. LOVE this kid, one of my favorites in the draft. 2nd rounder all day.

[getbak]

With regards to drafting goalies, it's interesting to note that this will be the 10th straight season in which the Stanley Cup winning goalie was playing for the team that drafted him.


This is the first time that the two starting goalies in the Finals are first round picks playing for the teams that drafted them. It's also only the second time that both goalies in the Final were first round picks (2003 -- Giguere vs. Brodeur -- was the first).


2021 is also the first time that the starting goalies for each of the four semifinalists were first round picks.

[Sandman]

C Alex Geci,6'3"185lbs (HC Slovan Bratislava U20,SVK): 27gp/8g/9a/17pts,20PIM. Slovenian-born C is only 17 until August 23. Also played in Finland's U18 league for Lukko (13gp/6g/8a/14pts). Big power-forward with a deadly wrister, and a lightning-quick release. Drives the net hard, has a big arsenal of shots, and can score from anywhere. Soft hands for making plays, solid smarts, and sees the ice very well. Good skater with pretty solid edges and agilty, but needs better explosiveness and top-speed-this will get better as he gets stronger. Any deficiencies in his mobility are compensated with his high-level compete and motor. Competent defensive player, but there's plenty of room to grow. There are questions about his offensive ceiling, but hopefully he'll come to North America this upcoming season, as he was a 2020 draft-pick of the Sarnia Sting. Solid C with mobility and plenty of potential-somebody will take a chance on him in rounds 3-5.

C Josh Roy,6'0"190lbs (Sherbrooke,QMJHL): 20gp/13g/5a/18pts, and put in 4pts in 3 playoff games. Traded from the 11th place Saint John Sea Dogs (15gp/9g/8a/17pts) to the 16th place Sherbrooke Phoenix. I haven't written about him, simply because I don't like him very much. Here are the positives: He has some high-end skills like his hockey-sense, creativity, and brilliant puck-handling. Good offensive instincts, and tremendous vision. Processes information very quickly in breakouts, and finds outlets promptly. He's great with the puck on his stick, and is a terrific passer. Amazing puck-control, he can hang on to the puck while being hounded, and can dangle through traffic and pressure. Finds seams to get the puck to high-danger. His shot is remarkably accurate, and he gets it off with deception and a lightning-quick release. Big-time facilitator for his team when on the PP-he controls the play from the half-boards. Now for the negatives: He's wildly inconsistent, and often looks lazy and disinterested-can drift in and out of games. Sometimes prone to throwing the puck away when confronted. Offensive game is predictable-he takes the same routes in setting up the play. Doesn't create much space for himself or his teammates, and doesn't really drive play. Stays mostly to the perimeter, and doesn't drive the net too much. His biggest problem, and the source of many of his other problems, is that he's a bad skater. Not mediocre, but bad. Some team will take a chance on him in the 3rd to 5th rounds, but I hope that team is not the Flames.

[Sandman]

RW Oliver Nadeau,6'2"205lbs (Shawinigan,QMJHL): 34gp/13g/32a/45pts,28PIM. Led the team in assists, points, and PIM, playing on a line with Mavrik Bourque and Xavier Bourgault. Selected 5th overall in the QMJHL Draft. Big power-forward who excels at everything, but isn't elite at any one thing, started out as a goal-scorer, but has evolved into a good all-around player. Playmaking winger who can play in any situation, including both sides of special teams, and late/close scenarios. "He can do so much without doing much of anything". Thrives in all aspects of the game.

Nadeau is a playmaker with an arsenal of smart, soft touch passes, and hard, accurate passes through traffic. Creates space and time by drawing attackers, then dishing to open players at the very last minute. He makes his teammates better, and by extension, makes his team better. Sky-high IQ and offensive awareness, always a few steps ahead of the play, and capable of making plays that other players simply can't. Underrated passing game, solid set-up man, creates chances every time he's on the ice. Tremendous distribution in exits and entries-delivers smooth outlets. Fantastic puck-control, holds on to the puck and waits for support to arrive. Amazing puck-protection, and stick-handling-he can skate around or through checks, and makes it impossible to take the puck from him. Nadeau boasts one of the heaviest shots in the draft-one writer calls it "Ovechkin-like". He can pick corners, or rip one-timers, and is adept at banging home rebounds in front of the net, where he likes to spend a lot of time. Drives the blue paint, and makes plays in-tight. Terrific improvisational skills, he can adapt to the changing situations around him, and adjusts to the style that fits him best at that moment-has both finesse, and sandpaper in him. Grit and compete are big parts of his game-he doesn't take a game, or a shift off, and uses his size and upper-body strength to win battles along the walls, and command the corners. He keeps the opposition on their toes with his relentless forechecking that causes turnovers and chances. Grinds and battles, and can play a physical game, with crushing hits. Quality 200-ft game, can wreak havok on every inch of the ice, and does well on the PP, or PK. Big frame keeps attackers to the outside, and he gets his stick in passing lanes-he's reliable and sound defensively, and never gets caught on the wrong side of the puck. He separates man from puck with seemingly little or no effort. His defensive game has come a long way-his IQ gives him a smart, complete game, and he's dangerous with or without the puck. He's also very consistent game-to-game, and shift-to-shift.

Mobility is the only real hole in Nadeau's game-he's good in a straight line, but most other aspects of his skating need work, including his lateral agility, first-step quickness, and acceleration. His on-ice vision and determination makes up for, and masks, most of his deficiencies. His stride doesn't affect his play in junior, as he likes to slow the game down anyway, while he waits for his teammates to set up, and get open. He says he's putting in the work to get faster, and more explosive. He has everything he needs to be a top-tier NHLer, as he oozes talent, and is electric when he's on his game. He's a diamond in the rough, but he's also the type of player that winning clubs want on their roster. He idolizes Patrice Bergeron, but he reminds me a bit of a poor man's Leon Draisaitl. Olivier has a good chance of making an NHL team as a two-way, top-nine winger-but he's also got a shot at being an impactful top-6 player. 2nd/3rd round.

[Sandman]

C/RW Marcus Almquist,5'7"168lbs (HV71 J20): 19gp/10g/13a/23pts,37PIM. Short, but stocky Dane was third on his team in scoring, and 1st in the league for players under 18. He's one of the youngest players in this draft with a Sept.13th Birthday. Almquist is a goal-scorer with a nose for the net, and solid instincts, capable of big numbers. He's small, but feisty-as evidenced by his PIMs, but doesn't play a very physical style. Dangerous off the rush, and creates all by himself at times, and funnels pucks to high-danger. Quick and agile, and super-elusive-very agile and slippery in traffic, and in transition. Clean, controlled zone exits and entries aren't a problem for him. He has an eye for jumping on opponents' mistakes, and making them pay. He can control the pace in the offensive zone-slowing down to create and find openings, or speeding up to apply pressure and force turnovers. Spectacular, deceptive puck-handling, which he can use to fool and manipulate defenders. Nice puck-protection for a smaller guy. His head is always on a swivel, scanning for openings, and he can make dangerous plays out of nothing. He's always looking to drive the net, but his shot needs a bit of work-he has supreme precision, but his shot lacks power-this will potentially fix itself as he gets stronger. Needs some work on his passes in transition, particularly the longer range variety-his distribution skills aren't fully developed, as he's a true sniper, and some of his decision-making with the puck is questionable. Strength is another concern, as he can be pushed around by larger players. His play without the puck needs to improve, but his skills and offensive talent make up for that somewhat. He's not known as a 200ft player, but his effort in the defensive zone is spotty-sometimes he puts in the effort on the backcheck, sometimes he does a lot of puck-watching. Offensive wizard, with some holes in his game, but teams will like him for his scoring. I'm thinking 3rd/4th round.

C Connor Lockhart,5'9"161lbs (Erie,OHL) 2019-20: 57gp/9g/18a/27pts. Selected 3rd overall by the Otters in 2019, as he's been a scorer since back in his minor hockey days. Good numbers in his D-1 year, which might indicate that his numbers this year would've been stellar, had the OHL been playing. He's small, but he drives play. Good array of shots in his arsenal, with a fantastic release-he can snap it in before the goalie even realizes he got the shot off. He's also a good net-front presence, and can score garbage goals. Elite skater, he can turn the tide of a game with with his speed and skill-quick, fluid stride with exceptional acceleration and agility, and can maneuver through layers of traffic. He's a very creative playmaker, and can open up lanes for teammates when he has the puck, and when he doesn't. High IQ and vision to read defensemen, and make high-danger passes, and clean passes on the breakout. Despite his size, he has a physical side-he competes well in the dirty areas, cuts to the middle and drives the net with no fear. Forechecks hard, and doesn't back down to bigger opponents-he's a good competitor. Lockhart also has a good defensive presence, he backchecks hard, supports the D down low, and breaks up passes and scoring chances. With the OHL being shut down this year, it's hard to say where he's at in his development-and there's plenty of other players from that league who are in the same boat. The team that takes him will have a good book on him from last year, but he has plenty of attributes that scouts will like. He needs to obviously get bigger and stronger to handle players at the next level, and he could use a bit more consistency in the defensive zone, as he tends to do some puck-watching from time-to-time. 3rd/4th round.

[Tkachukwagon]

Dobber Prospects released its final 2021 draft rankings and it’s definitely unique. Beniers at #1, Lysell up to #5, Powers drops to sixth and the flames have an option to get Guenther at #12

https://dobberprospects.com/2021/06/...the-final-cut/

12 | Dylan Guenther | W | Edmonton (WHL) | 6-0 | 166lbs

One of the premier goal scorers in the 2021 group, Guenther tore apart the WHL’s East division. He was clicking at just over two points per game until he departed to play for Team Canada’s U18 team in Texas where he helped the team take gold. Expected to be a standout at the tournament, he was more of a secondary cast member to players like McTavish and young studs Shane Wright and Connor Bedard. Guenther certainly didn’t look bad but he did get lost in the shuffle a bit. Regardless of that, his WHL totals were wildly impressive, even in a weakened division-only schedule. He might have the best one-time shot of the class, a skill not many others truly possess this year.

[Tkachukwagon]

Originally Posted by Tkachukwagon

Dobber Prospects released its final 2021 draft rankings and it’s definitely unique. Beniers at #1, Lysell up to #5, Powers drops to sixth and the flames have an option to get Guenther at #12

https://dobberprospects.com/2021/06/...the-final-cut/

Ha just reading through the list, love this description of L’Heureux (Flames apparently have interest).

26 | Zachary L’Heureux | C/W | Halifax (QMJHL) | 5-11 | 196lbs

Let’s get this out of the way. Zachary L’Heureux needs to calm the hell down. With four suspensions in a shortened season, there is major concern, regardless of what they were for. If he can get his act together in that regard, there’s a very good player here. The Halifax forward brings a dual-threat offensive game as a passer and shooter as well as the physical edge that teams in the NHL covet. He has a very heavy shot but he can get a bit easy to read at times so adding a bit more deception to his shot will go a long way because of the power behind it. He has shown some very nice playmaking tendencies with the puck being sent to the middle regularly. There is so much to like in L’Heureux’s game and if he can chill a bit with the extracurriculars, he could be the modern power forward that teams are in constant search for with legit scoring ability.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Tkachukwagon

https://twitter.com/user/status/1409594734549471236

Zellweger getting some love from Byron Bader

In Bader's model, Zellweger's D0 is stronger than both Makar and Hughes' D0.

Zellweger was someone I hadn't even looked at.

To Bader's point (and using his model), he does not look like a bad pick - even at 12. If Zellweger is available in the 2nd round somehow? That could be a hell of a pick.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

I more concerned about the development than the drafting.
All the goalies drafted in the past decade looked promising out of the gate (except for maybe Mason McDonald). Even guys like Broissoit and Ortio (more than 10 years ago) were great picks. Gillies and Parsons won the world juniors. Wolf is setting records. Chechelev put up good numbers this year.

But still, their amateur scouts are doing something right when it comes to evaluating goalies. It's likely that one will pan out sooner or later.

Even though I'm not high on Jesper Wallstedt per se, I would rush to the podium to pick him at 12. It would be a great value pick if nothing else.

I'll never understand the McDonald pick.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

I'll never understand the McDonald pick.

I remember someone (with the Flames) talking at the time that McDonald had more momentum going into the draft, and that they believed momentum to be very important in development.

Yeah, that aged like the finest of milks.

[Toonage]

Re: Not taking Demko. I believe it was his hip issues. I believe he had just had or was about to have surgery around that time. Also I'm not sure he interviewed well. I seem to recall a lot of "interesting guy" type comments about him that are always code for "we don't like him"