Is it really that much iyo? I mean Schenn and Couturier are both potential 1st liners (high end), Luke schenn (With the way he's been developing recently) is a future top 2 d man, and an 11th overall is pretty huge value wise also. While Jones will undoubtedly be a franchise defenseman, don't you think that 2 1st liners, a top 2 dman, and what is sure to picked as atleast a top 4 dman or 2nd line forward, and 2 4th-3rd line players (2 3rd round picks) isn't at all excessive for an elite dman? Let me put that into modern terms. Last season (2011-2012), that would be near equivalent (value-wise) to LA trading Kopitar, Williams, Voynov, Jack Johnson, Penner, and Stoll to STL for Pietrangelo. Not even alittle excessive you think?
- JAKEw1234

To get Colorado's first overall I would guess it would take Couturier, Read, the 11th pick and probably next years 2nd at the very least

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

Since I don't get to watch I like to listen to everything I can Most of the discussions on the draft I've heard don't typically last long enough to get out of the top ten so I'm running kind of blind other then reading what I can find on line. Lot's of scouts, especially the ones from Central Scouting have really been chatting up Darnell Nurse since the final rankings have come out. That's why I have a bit of enthusiasm over him if he falls to 11.

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.
- five4fighting10

He has the knowledge I just find what I can.

Bill, you mentioned a few times in todays blog some players the Flyers could get if they traded down. Do you think there is any chance that they may try to trade up, not necessarily to #1, but perhaps to 4-6 and go for someone like Barkov or Monahan?

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

He's a big body that plays his position well and makes a good first pass. He isn't overly physical, and he struggled this year with a lack of physicality plus a lack of blazing foot speed. He's gotten the short end of the stick in St.L especially after the acquisition of Bouwmeester. I think he'd fall in line to be a possible player to acquire that would exceed expectations, but he could also continue to struggle. He is still young.

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

I wouldn't say I'm overly enamored with any of the names I listed. However reviewing Homer's past track record with obtaining Schenn, Carle, Mez, and to a lesser extent Coburn, he likes to obtain guys who have at least shown some ability to play at the NHL level. I'm not limited to just the names on that last because I'm not familiar with rosters of other teams to make sensible recommendations.

I'm basically looking at possibilities that will cost something, but not having to overspend.

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'd still stay put or move down, unless it's for a top 4 pick and not an outrageous cost. If, for instance, they could trade up 7 or 8 slots for the additional cost of a 2nd rounder or even a prospect like Cousins, it might be worth considering.

That said, I don't think it's likely. They can still move down and get a guy like Zadorov and pick up an extra guy, such as Zach Fucale or Warren Rychel

He's a big body that plays his position well and makes a good first pass. He isn't overly physical, and he struggled this year with a lack of physicality plus a lack of blazing foot speed. He's gotten the short end of the stick in St.L especially after the acquisition of Bouwmeester. I think he'd fall in line to be a possible player to acquire that would exceed expectations, but he could also continue to struggle. He is still young.
- GirouxForTheShow

I don't find anything impressive about him. He's a defensive defenseman that doesn't use his 220 lbs. Doesn't play a lot of special teams. The Flyers are better off developing players they already have, such as Lauridsen, then wasting assets to acquire Ian Cole.

I wouldn't say I'm overly enamored with any of the names I listed. However reviewing Homer's past track record with obtaining Schenn, Carle, Mez, and to a lesser extent Coburn, he likes to obtain guys who have at least shown some ability to play at the NHL level. I'm not limited to just the names on that last because I'm not familiar with rosters of other teams to make sensible recommendations.

I'm basically looking at possibilities that will cost something, but not having to overspend.
- ravishingone

Nick Leddy is definitely a player I'd be interested in. But he isn't coming cheap.

He's a big body that plays his position well and makes a good first pass. He isn't overly physical, and he struggled this year with a lack of physicality plus a lack of blazing foot speed. He's gotten the short end of the stick in St.L especially after the acquisition of Bouwmeester. I think he'd fall in line to be a possible player to acquire that would exceed expectations, but he could also continue to struggle. He is still young.
- GirouxForTheShow

I originally brought him up as a possible return when the rumor was floating around about the Blues wanting to acquire Danny Briere. I see him as a possible 4/5 defenseman that can spell in on the PP & PK.

He isn't really isn't an exceptional guy, but still young enough to possibly develop into a solid guy.

Ott/Mon should be a dandy of a series

I'd still stay put or move down, unless it's for a top 4 pick and not an outrageous cost. If, for instance, they could trade up 7 or 8 slots for the additional cost of a 2nd rounder or even a prospect like Cousins, it might be worth considering.

That said, I don't think it's likely. They can still move down and get a guy like Zadorov and pick up an extra guy, such as Zach Fucale or Warren Rychel
- Jsaquella

I can't see anyone giving up a top 4 pick for a 2nd and Cousins. They most likely would have to throw in next year's first as well. Even with the extra 1st, I would think really hard about doing it as I feel that MacKinnon, Drouin and Barkov all have potential to be huge impact players, and acquiring any of those 3 gives them the option, if they choose, to package Schenn or Couturier in a deal for a defenseman.

I still think it's more likely they trade down. If they could turn the 11th pick into Furcale and Zadorov as you suggested, I would be very happy with that too.

I can't see anyone giving up a top 4 pick for a 2nd and Cousins. They most likely would have to throw in next year's first as well. Even with the extra 1st, I would think really hard about doing it as I feel that MacKinnon, Drouin and Barkov all have potential to be huge impact players, and acquiring any of those 3 gives them the option, if they choose, to package Schenn or Couturier in a deal for a defenseman.

I still think it's more likely they trade down. If they could turn the 11th pick into Furcale and Zadorov as you suggested, I would be very happy with that too.
- BiggE

I was suggesting trading the 11th pick and their 2nd rounder or/and Cousins. There's no way they're moving up without using the 11th pick, unless they move a major asset

I was suggesting trading the 11th pick and their 2nd rounder or/and Cousins
- Jsaquella

I know, I thought the 11th pick went without saying. I just don't feel that adding the 41st pick and Nick Cousins is enough to move up into the top 4. If it is however, I would make that deal in a second.

I was suggesting trading the 11th pick and their 2nd rounder or/and Cousins. There's no way they're moving up without using the 11th pick, unless they move a major asset
- Jsaquella

I wonder if even that would get into the top 4, but to be honest I'd stick at 11th or try to make a move with Columbus to get an extra 1st.

Nick Leddy is definitely a player I'd be interested in. But he isn't coming cheap.
- MJL

I'm not necessarily looking at cheap, just not wanting to over pay. Mez for a 2nd rounder, Schenn for JVR, Carle for Downie wasn't really overpaying at the time.

I think those type of deals are out there this offseason. Leddy is interesting because of his ability. I wonder about his availability because of the money tied up in Seabrook and Keith. Also, Oduya and Hjalmarrsen are making over $3 million each. Leddy will be a RFA.

I know, I thought the 11th pick went without saying. I just don't feel that adding the 41st pick and Nick Cousins is enough to move up into the top 4. If it is however, I would make that deal in a second.
- BiggE

You're probably right. I misunderstood you. I'd definitely be willing

I wonder if even that would get into the top 4, but to be honest I'd stick at 11th or try to make a move with Columbus to get an extra 1st.
- ob18

If that move would move them into the top 4 though, would you do it?

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.
- coffee junkie

Hey, if Bill is convinced Pulock is our man, then I'm convinced. I think Gardiner has a similar situation in Toronto as Luke Schenn did. They aren't too kind to their young players . The price you listed sounds around par to me. I'd rather it be a 2015 1st though. Flyers host in 2014 and it's a little bit of a shame to not have the 1st rounder in the year you host the draft.

I wonder if even that would get into the top 4, but to be honest I'd stick at 11th or try to make a move with Columbus to get an extra 1st.
- ob18

Yeah, I think the ideal move is if they can land either the Rangers or Kings pick, along with 14 from the Jackets. Pretty sure that the Jackets would have to have a big hard on for a particular player for that to work, though.

If that move would move them into the top 4 though, would you do it?
- BiggE

To be honest I'd rather land more picks than move up. We aren't really in a spot we should be giving up picks and or the limited prospects we have in a move.

Yeah, I think the ideal move is if they can land either the Rangers or Kings pick, along with 14 from the Jackets. Pretty sure that the Jackets would have to have a big hard on for a particular player for that to work, though.
- Jsaquella

And therein lies the rub. I just can't see any one player at 11, that would be worth the Blue Jackets giving up the 14th and most likely the 18th pick.

I can't see anyone giving up a top 4 pick for a 2nd and Cousins. They most likely would have to throw in next year's first as well. Even with the extra 1st, I would think really hard about doing it as I feel that MacKinnon, Drouin and Barkov all have potential to be huge impact players, and acquiring any of those 3 gives them the option, if they choose, to package Schenn or Couturier in a deal for a defenseman.

I still think it's more likely they trade down. If they could turn the 11th pick into Furcale and Zadorov as you suggested, I would be very happy with that too.
- BiggE

I don't see it happening either. But remember when the Flyers traded Fedetenko to TB for the 4th overall pick? I'm still trying to figure that one out.

To be honest I'd rather land more picks than move up. We aren't really in a spot we should be giving up picks and or the limited prospects we have in a move.
- ob18

Good point, its just that I feel that Mackinnon, Drouin and Barkov are the type of impact players they won't get at 11.

And therein lies the rub. I just can't see any one player at 11, that would be worth the Blue Jackets giving up the 14th and most likely the 18th pick.
- BiggE

Yep. Unless there's a guy that Jarmo really likes that falls.