I don't think Luke Schenn and Nurse are the same player. And there's little doubt he can move the puck. He may be still developing those skills but one scout said in an interview that every time they saw him this year he showed marked improvement in every skill they thought he was weak on.

I'll take big and skilled all day.

I can't effectively argue my point when I admittedly have no first hand knowledge just what I heard. It would be silly for me to try to use what I heard to dissuade anyone from their opinion. I've heard very little about Pulock being a top ten pick except here.
- mayorofangrytown

He's not a Top 10 pick, cause he'll go to the Flyers at 11

Good read, lots of information to process.

I do like how you stress that there's a lot of options, not only in the draft, but also in making a move to address the defense in the immediate future. I think a lot of folk get locked into one guy and ignore viable options that will cost less or maybe even be better in the long run.

I do agree with most of your thoughts, although I like Zadorov more than you do. That said, he'd be a guy I'd prefer landing if they were to move down a few picks. I agree with you that Pulock would be my second defenseman, behind Nurse. I love his hockey IQ.

It'll be interesting if we see a run on defensemen and maybe a forward like Elias Lindholm or Hunter Shinkaruk drop to 11...also wonder if Valeri Nichushkin slides after his deal with the KHL and the report that he would like t be a Flyer or Ranger.

Gotta think if a guy with that much talent is there at 11, it's a no brainer.
- Jsaquella

The two I want nothing to do with are Nichushkin are Shinkaruk.

Nichuskin I wonder about the dedication, and have my personal worries about taking a Russian forward so high in a draft. He could just be another Filatov, Radulov or Zherdev. Too much of a risk imo.

Shinkaruk has question marks about his size and more importantly defensive game. Too many players like that already on the team.

With the way defense has been hoarded the last 5 years it wouldn't surprise me if four are off the board in the top ten. I wonder how much consideration they're giving to moving up and what it's going to cost to get where they're going?
- mayorofangrytown

I think it's very possible after the 4th pick. If that happens it could cause them to go off the board or just go best player available.

The two I want nothing to do with are Nichushkin are Shinkaruk.

Nichuskin I wonder about the dedication, and have my personal worries about taking a Russian forward so high in a draft. He could just be another Filatov, Radulov or Zherdev. Too much of a risk imo.

Shinkaruk has question marks about his size and more importantly defensive game. Too many players like that already on the team.
- flyer_nutter

I think if Shinkaruk can get stronger on the puck and in fighting for the puck he "might" be worth it but I also wouldn't be eager to select him.

Good read, lots of information to process.

I do like how you stress that there's a lot of options, not only in the draft, but also in making a move to address the defense in the immediate future. I think a lot of folk get locked into one guy and ignore viable options that will cost less or maybe even be better in the long run.

I do agree with most of your thoughts, although I like Zadorov more than you do. That said, he'd be a guy I'd prefer landing if they were to move down a few picks. I agree with you that Pulock would be my second defenseman, behind Nurse. I love his hockey IQ.

It'll be interesting if we see a run on defensemen and maybe a forward like Elias Lindholm or Hunter Shinkaruk drop to 11...also wonder if Valeri Nichushkin slides after his deal with the KHL and the report that he would like t be a Flyer or Ranger.

Gotta think if a guy with that much talent is there at 11, it's a no brainer.
- Jsaquella

Without a 1st rounder it would be very interesting to see the Rangers try to trade into the top 10 for Nischushkin. He publically says he'd like to play for two teams in particular? This has Feaster pick written all over it.

The two I want nothing to do with are Nichushkin are Shinkaruk.

Nichuskin I wonder about the dedication, and have my personal worries about taking a Russian forward so high in a draft. He could just be another Filatov, Radulov or Zherdev. Too much of a risk imo.

Shinkaruk has question marks about his size and more importantly defensive game. Too many players like that already on the team.
- flyer_nutter

Nichuskin said in a Russian interview that his two teams he'd most prefer to play for are the Flyers and the Rangers, so that's why his name is being bounced around. He is crazy skilled, if he was Canadian he would be a Top 5 pick no doubt. If he falls to 11, and he is committed, I'd look extra hard at him.

I think it's very possible after the 4th pick. If that happens it could cause them to go off the board or just go best player available.
- ob18

I, as well, have beginning to wonder if teams are becoming more prone to selecting defenseman that are rated high, if only because good top pairing defense an are probably the most sought after. The past few drafts there have been a run of defenseman early on.

I, as well, have beginning to wonder if teams are becoming more prone to selecting defenseman that are rated high, if only because good top pairing defense an are probably the most sought after. The past few drafts there have been a run of defenseman early on.
- GirouxForTheShow

If it does happen then if they want D it puts Josh Morrissey, Robert Hagg, & Mirco Mueller into play.

Bill, what do you think of Jake Gardiner? If good, do you think he's a viable option to try for?
- JAKEw1234

I do like him and would certainly be in favor of his acquisition if reasonable. Young D with offensive upside and some NHL experience are a valuable commodity.

If it does happen then if they want D it puts Josh Morrissey, Robert Hagg, & Mirco Mueller into play.
- ob18

If there's a run on defense in the top ten some significant forward talent would be dropping to 11. If Nurse, Ristolanen and Pulock go top 10 and they don't take a forward at 11 or move down I'd be disappointed.

If there's a run on defense in the top ten some significant forward talent would be dropping to 11. If Nurse, Ristolanen and Pulock go top 10 and they don't take a forward at 11 or move down I'd be disappointed.
- mayorofangrytown

Yup, which is why you'd move towards taking one of them before jumping off the board to reach for a d-man.

Considering that he was hired by Bob Clarke as his scouting director in Minnesota, is a former NHL GM and works for TSN, I would be more surprised if he didn't maintain some scouting contacts in the Flyers' organization. That said, I suspect it was more Button's fondness for the player and projecting him as Flyers-type player rather than a direct tip-off on how the Flyers might be leaning.
- bmeltzer

thats putting your finger on the Button, Bill

I don't think Luke Schenn and Nurse are the same player. And there's little doubt he can move the puck. He may be still developing those skills but one scout said in an interview that every time they saw him this year he showed marked improvement in every skill they thought he was weak on.

I'll take big and skilled all day.

I can't effectively argue my point when I admittedly have no first hand knowledge just what I heard. It would be silly for me to try to use what I heard to dissuade anyone from their opinion. I've heard very little about Pulock being a top ten pick except here.
- mayorofangrytown

Pulock was ranked as top-five candidate before the season, was #6 in the mid-term North American rankings by CSS and is #12 on the final rankings. That's a reflection of missing time with a chip fracture in his wrist and being unable to play in the Top Prospects Game.

Nurse entered the year generally projected around mid-to-late first round, rose to 9th in the CSS midterm and finished at Pulock's former #6 spot.

Pulock was ranked as top-five candidate before the season, was #6 in the mid-term North American rankings by CSS and is #12 on the final rankings. That's a reflection of missing time with a chip fracture in his wrist and being unable to play in the Top Prospects Game.

Nurse entered the year generally projected around mid-to-late first round, rose to 9th in the CSS midterm and finished at Pulock's former #6 spot.
- bmeltzer

Homer is taking notes

Pulock was ranked as top-five candidate before the season, was #6 in the mid-term North American rankings by CSS and is #12 on the final rankings. That's a reflection of missing time with a chip fracture in his wrist and being unable to play in the Top Prospects Game.

Nurse entered the year generally projected around mid-to-late first round, rose to 9th in the CSS midterm and finished at Pulock's former #6 spot.
- bmeltzer

I love draft discussions, almost makes up for the Flyers not being in the playoffs...almost

Homer is taking notes
- vejim

Sort of like Couturier dropping in the rankings due to mono. Would have no problem with a Sean Couturier Part II falling into our laps at pick 11.

I love draft discussions, almost makes up for the Flyers not being in the playoffs...almost
- five4fighting10

Guess if they missed the playoffs why the hell not with this kinds of draft.

Sort of like Couturier dropping in the rankings due to mono. Would have no problem with a Sean Couturier Part II falling into our laps at pick 11.
- five4fighting10

In a way sure, some players also stepped up their games it wasn't all because he had an injury.

I love draft discussions, almost makes up for the Flyers not being in the playoffs...almost
- five4fighting10

I like them also. I just can't get involved in them. So I lurk.

The best move for Homer (which he has done in the past) is to acquire a young d-man who hasn't reached his potential. Also, he may have struggled with his last team before being traded to the Flyers, much like Luke Schenn and Matt Carle.

So with that in mind, I'm hoping Homer pursues:

-Rundblad
-Gardiner
-Leddy
-Cole

Having a d-man who can handle 20 minutes a game and add a very good first pass or actually lead the rush and play sound defensively would do wonders for this team next season.

Guess if they missed the playoffs why the hell not with this kinds of draft.
- ob18

Absolutely, it's sort of a win-win. Obviously I'd rather be watching the Flyers in the playoffs, but since we can't, at least we have the draft to look forward to which is always exciting.

The best move for Homer (which he has done in the past) is to acquire a young d-man who hasn't reached his potential. Also, he may have struggled with his last team before being traded to the Flyers, much like Luke Schenn and Matt Carle.

So with that in mind, I'm hoping Homer pursues:

-Rundblad
-Gardiner
-Leddy
-Cole

Having a d-man who can handle 20 minutes a game and add a very good first pass or actually lead the rush and play sound defensively would do wonders for this team next season.
- ravishingone

Is that Ian Cole of St. Louis? I keep seeing his name mentioned. Don't see what the fascination is with him.

Absolutely, it's sort of a win-win. Obviously I'd rather be watching the Flyers in the playoffs, but since we can't, at least we have the draft to look forward to which is always exciting.
- five4fighting10

A nice prospect will arrive here in at least the opening 2 rounds.

Pulock was ranked as top-five candidate before the season, was #6 in the mid-term North American rankings by CSS and is #12 on the final rankings. That's a reflection of missing time with a chip fracture in his wrist and being unable to play in the Top Prospects Game.

Nurse entered the year generally projected around mid-to-late first round, rose to 9th in the CSS midterm and finished at Pulock's former #6 spot.
- bmeltzer

The reason I'm not as excited about Nurse is he is a big MAN playing in a kids league right now. I have not seen him play live. His highlights are of him pounding people faces in and pushing them around like rag dolls. How will that relate to the NHL? Hard to say, maybe very very well. Maybe not as well as hoped. Give me a 100mph slap shot on the net from the point all day long. Yes, I am projecting my desire for the team right now, which is not a great tactic for drafting as long term needs change rapidly. But those players are worth a ton in trade as well. Pulock is my choice if he is still around, so much so I would hate to trade down if he is still on the board.

Now for Gardner. What is his worth is the obvious next question. Read and 2014 1st? He has been a scratch yet has tons of upside and is still very young.

A nice prospect will arrive here in at least the opening 2 rounds.
- ob18

that's the hope. With your and Bill's knowledge of prospects, we need to get you guys a meeting with Mr. Snider and Holmgren prior to the draft.