Great hit by Svechnikov! That's how you turn a game around. Good ole fashioned run the goalie ploy! Luv it!

If the flames offered they’re 9th for tk and floridas first rounder do you do it
- GPerogie

no

Mike Hage at 12, talented center.

If the flames offered they’re 9th for tk and floridas first rounder do you do it
- GPerogie

Def not before they are on the clock at the draft. If someone special drops to 9 I think you have to consider it. Not sure that happens in this draft tho.

Calgary has two 2nds in this draft as well. I’d probably try to get one of those out of them too if we’re giving them the Florida pick.

If the flames offered they’re 9th for tk and floridas first rounder do you do it
- GPerogie

No way. The top 5 D will be gone by at least pick 8 and at that point you’re trading TK and a late first for a 2nd line player.

My first initial gut feeling:

1) San Jose - Celebrini
2) Chicago - Demidov or Levshunov
3) Anaheim - Levshunov or Parekh
4) Columbus - Silayev or Demidov
5) Montreal - Lindstrom
6) Utah - Parekh or Silayev or Richardinson
7) Ottawa - Catton or Iginla
8) Seattle - Eiserman
9) Calgary - Iginla or Buium
10) New Jersey - Helenius
11) Buffalo - Yakemchuk or Richardinson
12) Philadelphia - Catton or Richardinson

Flyers are guaranteed atleast one of these:
Celebrini
Demidov
Levshunov
Lindstrom
Parekh
Silayev
Richardinson
Catton
Iginla
Eiserman
Buium
Helenius
- Glak18

I do wonder if the Russian influence will shake up your predictions?

Tij moved to wing this year and flourished. I’m not sure how he projects at the NHL
- hereticpride

I think a lot of people are getting fooled seeing his last name and thinking he’s a clone of his dad, he’s not. He doesn’t have the snarl of his dad’s game, but he’s not a push over by any means. Their similarity is their quality shot. I’ve seen him compared to Chris Kreider, though not as big. He projects as a top 6 winger. Feels like he’s likely a high end 2nd line wing.

If the flames offered they’re 9th for tk and floridas first rounder do you do it
- GPerogie

Without hesitation

I do wonder if the Russian influence will shake up your predictions?
- landros 2

Possible, but my gut feeling was about 90% what I thought the teams needs were and how I saw them drafting.

I do wonder if the Russian influence will shake up your predictions?
- landros 2

In what way? As far as contracts go, I believe Demidov has 1 year left and Silayev has 2 years left. Teams weren’t afraid to take guys last year, look at Arizona taking Simashev. Demidov hasn’t yet played in the KHL so is unlikely to be ready for the NHL next season and even the top defenseman take 2 years typically at best before they’re in the NHL. So no reason to be afraid of those contracts.

Millions of Ranger fans just went momentarily crazy lol

I do wonder if the Russian influence will shake up your predictions?
- landros 2

How awesome would it be if Demidov strong arms teams and only wants to play for the flyers too

How awesome would it be if Demidov strong arms teams and only wants to play for the flyers too
- Just5

Get Michkov on the phone

How awesome would it be if Demidov strong arms teams and only wants to play for the flyers too
- Just5

I think what is interesting about Russian prospects is not only convincing the player to come over, but pay the tax to get the player out of the contract.

I am curious who in the lottery besides AZ/Utah and the Flyers have Russian prospects in any Russian league.

In what way? As far as contracts go, I believe Demidov has 1 year left and Silayev has 2 years left. Teams weren’t afraid to take guys last year, look at Arizona taking Simashev. Demidov hasn’t yet played in the KHL so is unlikely to be ready for the NHL next season and even the top defenseman take 2 years typically at best before they’re in the NHL. So no reason to be afraid of those contracts.
- Schmojo

A lot can happen between now and the end of June. No way Michkov goes 7th in last year's draft if the “Russian question” isn’t a thing. It might be teams are less afraid of the geo political climate this year…I guess we’ll see.

How awesome would it be if Demidov strong arms teams and only wants to play for the flyers too
- Just5

I guess we’ll see.

Possible, but my gut feeling was about 90% what I thought the teams needs were and how I saw them drafting.
- Glak18

I like your list…but the possibility of the Russian issue is still a thing…we’ll see in June just how much.

I was thinking while watching the Car/NYR game...

Based on scoring winner and considering who is arguably the best player during a time period.

2018 - 2024 (McDavid Era)
2005 - 2017 (Crosby Era)
2003 - 2004 (??)
1997 - 2002 (Jagr Era)
1992 - 1996 (Lemiuex Era)
1979 - 1991 (Gretzky Era)

Seems really lopsided. Found it interesting that Edmonton and Pittsburgh have never met in a Stanley Cup finals.

Update:
Based on this, Edmonton and Pittsburgh should be banned from having a generational player for AT LEAST 100 years now.

Anaheim drafted a Dmen @ 10 in the '22 draft. Minny drafted a fwd @ 24 in the '22 draft. All other Russian prospects drafted in the 1st rd were playing in North America already.

It will be interesting who takes the plunge. So far, it just looks like the Flyers, Utah, Anaheim, and Minny have taken Russian prospects playing in Russia.

A lot can happen between now and the end of June. No way Michkov goes 7th in last year's draft if the “Russian question” isn’t a thing. It might be teams are less afraid of the geompolitical climate this year…I guess we’ll see.
- landros 2

The geopolitics can always scare people off. Kucherov dropped over KHL drama and that’s nothing compared to what’s going on now. But as far as the contracts go MM was signed for 3 more years compared to only 1 & 2 for Demidov and Silayev. Only Fedotov, who broke a law, has been prevented from coming over and now that’s been resolved. No other players have been prevented from coming over to this point. But I do acknowledge that can change.

The geopolitics can always scare people off. Kucherov dropped over KHL drama and that’s nothing compared to what’s going on now. But as far as the contracts go MM was signed for 3 more years compared to only 1 & 2 for Demidov and Silayev. Only Fedotov, who broke a law, has been prevented from coming over and now that’s been resolved. No other players have been prevented from coming over to this point. But I do acknowledge that can change.
- Schmojo

The real question is why does the "Russian factor" ever get mentioned then or why do teams pass on Russian players? Didn't stop Washington and Pittsburgh to pass on AO or Malkin.

Is it an excuse to pass on players or is it based on the team drafting them?

Also everything could be fine and dandy, but a lot of behind the scenes stuff can happen in a 2-3 year span.

A lot can happen between now and the end of June. No way Michkov goes 7th in last year's draft if the “Russian question” isn’t a thing. It might be teams are less afraid of the geo political climate this year…I guess we’ll see.
- landros 2

Maybe Flyers are breaking their old habits. Russians were never prevalent on this team. Now they have their savior from Russia. Not 1 but 2 highly regarded goalies from Russia. An NHL starting D who is also Russian. And a few Russian prospects still in Russia. And the Russians who run Michkovs team said they have a good relationship with the Flyers. Maybe there’s something going on. 🤔 Wouldnt that be grand?! A Russian kid strong arms the top 10 teams and says I only wanna play for Philly. You draft me and I say Nyet

The geopolitics can always scare people off. Kucherov dropped over KHL drama and that’s nothing compared to what’s going on now. But as far as the contracts go MM was signed for 3 more years compared to only 1 & 2 for Demidov and Silayev. Only Fedotov, who broke a law, has been prevented from coming over and now that’s been resolved. No other players have been prevented from coming over to this point. But I do acknowledge that can change.
- Schmojo

That’s my only point. I don’t pretend to know what teams think or what they will do. I do think that it’s a factor that may influence the overall draft order.

That’s my only point. I don’t pretend to know what teams think or what they will do. I do think that it’s a factor that may influence the overall draft order.
- landros 2

I personally think it's not a blanket absolute case, as Bill has said multiple times it is a case by case situation.

Those factors involve, but not limited to:
Who the player is?
Who they play for?
What team drafts them and their relationship with them?

There's a reason some teams draft more Russians than others and why some teams don't draft them at all.

I’ve seen some recent mocks including one that has Eiserman falling to us. Best case scenario.