[Rumour] @ 2016 draft: CGY almost traded Backlund, Wideman, 6th OA to EDM for 4th OA , 2nd rd

[bax]

Originally Posted by 868904

I thought I read before that the Flames actually liked Dubois most and if Backlund was the piece that was going out, this would make sense since Dubois would be the centre to replace Backlund.

Dubois was being compared to Iginla at the draft as a big tough power forward, but also one who plays centre.

I love Tkachuk, but I'd probably take Dubois over him just because of the whole centre thing.

Really? Dubois is a good young player, but Tkachuk is already one of the most dominant 200 foot players in the league and he is still on his entry level. He literally does everything well. No way I trade him for Dubois.

Tkachuk has 14 more points this year and plays on our second line. Dubois plays first line with Panarin and Atkinson. Both are on their teams respective top PP units.

[puckedoff]

Treliving was probably just bluffing to make Edmonton think we wanted Puljujarvi really badly, just to help ensure they would take him.

[868904]

Originally Posted by bax

Really? Dubois is a good young player, but Tkachuk is already one of the most dominant 200 foot players in the league and he is still on his entry level. He literally does everything well. No way I trade him for Dubois.

Tkachuk has 14 more points this year and plays on our second line. Dubois plays first line with Panarin and Atkinson. Both are on their teams respective top PP units.

It's close for me. I think Tkachuk has the higher hockey IQ and intangibles, but Dubois is a centre and is a better skater.

Honestly, you ask me tommorow and i'll probably prefer Tkachuk. They are both great core pieces.

[Infinit47]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

Treliving was probably just bluffing to make Edmonton think we wanted Puljujarvi really badly, just to help ensure they would take him.

Trelieving went full Jedi mind trick on Chia.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by bax

Really? Dubois is a good young player, but Tkachuk is already one of the most dominant 200 foot players in the league and he is still on his entry level. He literally does everything well. No way I trade him for Dubois.

Tkachuk has 14 more points this year and plays on our second line. Dubois plays first line with Panarin and Atkinson. Both are on their teams respective top PP units.

Agreed. I would take Tkachuk over Laine everyday as well. Only Matthews is better from that draft.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

This is true - in fact, I also heard it said he was more ready than Laine. In hindsight, I think those who said that were only looking at size.
.

You'd have to be an Oiler scout to think Puljujärvi was more ready than Laine, IMO. At best you could have called them even, but I felt it was pretty clear that Laine was the sure bet and closer to ready, while Puljujärvi had the higher upside but had more questionmarks. (I have a vague memory that I'm paraphrasing myself from the draft thread back in the day.)

[Hackey]

From what I remember Laine was lighting it up and a major contributor in the playoffs in his league. Puljujarvi was getting like third line minutes. Laine was the clear superior player.

[Phagoof]

Originally Posted by Infinit47

Trelieving went full Jedi mind trick on Chia.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by Hackey

From what I remember Laine was lighting it up and a major contributor in the playoffs in his league. Puljujarvi was getting like third line minutes. Laine was the clear superior player.

That world juniors where that Finnish top line had their comming our party. And everyone thought the chopped liver side thought was their center who was already drafted by Carolina, can’t remember the name but some A-hole

[Gundo]

I’m going to answer this, that almost happened scenario the same way I answer my wife when she brings up “what could have happened”.




But it didn’t so it doesn’t matter and it worked out just fine!

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Hackey

From what I remember Laine was lighting it up and a major contributor in the playoffs in his league. Puljujarvi was getting like third line minutes. Laine was the clear superior player.

Puljujärvi put up 9 points in 10 games in those playoffs. He was also playing with an injured foot that was only operated after the U18-championships.

That injury was also why he wasn't chosen for the adult world championship team, why he didn't play all the games in the playoffs and why his minutes were kept low. But he was still a major contributor.

In the U18 he btw scored a hat trick in the final to help Finland get the gold, while also playing with a hand that was obviously still hurting badly from a ridiculous tomahawk chop he'd gotten from team USA in the semifinal, and that bad foot that was still waiting for an operation. I remember watching that game and thinking what a warrior the guy was, he was so obviously in pain all through the game.

Puljujärvi had a great spring. Laine ALSO had a great spring, scoring 10 goals and fifteen points in 18 games to help Tappara to the national championship.

[Hackey]

Laine lead his team in scoring in the playoffs and had double the amount of goals as the next highest scorer. About 30% of his teams playoff goals. He was scoring game winners and a major factor in their success. He was also top goal scorer at the World Championships that year and tournament MVP. Regardless of what Puljujarvi did or didnt do I dont think any GM in the league would have taken Puljujarvi over Laine.