Nishushkin or Monahan if they fell, I don't move back unless it's a solid offer liked with Columbus if they save give up #14 and another of their 1st rounders.
- ob18

I said if one of the defenseman don't drop and standouts like Nishushkin and Monahan AREN'T there, then you maybe look to drop a few spots. Sorry maybe I didn't word properly. But still your point is valid, you don't make a trade just to make a trade.

The KHL stuff is the Russian media. Whenever there's a Russian media report, you have to really take it with a grain of salt, because there's always some sort of agenda behind it.
- Jsaquella

Exactly, but still the conflicting reports have been all over, he is signed for 2 years, he is signed for 2 years with an opt out clause after 1, he isn't signed at all. Unless Homer gets personal confirmation from the player that he is coming to NA, it is definitely a factor they'd have to look into.

Rough night for Stolarz

Exactly, but still the conflicting reports have been all over, he is signed for 2 years, he is signed for 2 years with an opt out clause after 1, he isn't signed at all. Unless Homer gets personal confirmation from the player that he is coming to NA, it is definitely a factor they'd have to look into.
- GirouxForTheShow

I'm sure they'll do due diligence in that regard. Even if he signed a two year deal, it may well be worth drafting him. The kid doesn't play like a "protypical" Russian. He's willing to go to the dirty areas and has great size.

I'm sure they'll do due diligence in that regard. Even if he signed a two year deal, it may well be worth drafting him. The kid doesn't play like a "protypical" Russian. He's willing to go to the dirty areas and has great size.
- Jsaquella

No doubt he has the skill level of a top-5 pick, IMO. I think he'd be the only reasonable one that could drop, that I would take over Pulock/Nurse/Zadorov.

No doubt he has the skill level of a top-5 pick, IMO. I think he'd be the only reasonable one that could drop, that I would take over Pulock/Nurse/Zadorov.
- GirouxForTheShow

The only way I see others-say Monahan-drop is if there's a run on defensemen, like last year.

No doubt he has the skill level of a top-5 pick, IMO. I think he'd be the only reasonable one that could drop, that I would take over Pulock/Nurse/Zadorov.
- GirouxForTheShow

Well also, you have to consider where he might not be so willing to come play for any NHL team, he has explicitly put the Flyers and Rangers as the 2 teams he really wants to play for. If he's drafted to one of those teams maybe there's more of a chance of him staying here.

Well also, you have to consider where he might not be so willing to come play for any NHL team, he has explicitly put the Flyers and Rangers as the 2 teams he really wants to play for. If he's drafted to one of those teams maybe there's more of a chance of him staying here.
- JAKEw1234

Again, that's a report from Russia. Could be designed to scare teams from drafting him early and having him jump immediately to the NHL

The only way I see others-say Monahan-drop is if there's a run on defensemen, like last year.
- Jsaquella

Which I wouldn't be totally surprised on. Although it's becoming more and more obvious that it's not always the highest ranked D man that is the best of the draft class. But I still think teams now value a 1st pairing D man over a 1st line forward, unless it's of a franchise/superstar level.

Watching the Bruins game, d-men like Chara and Pronger have such an advantage to protect and move the puck with their size. If Zadorov is available, I think he has to be seriously considered.

Which I wouldn't be totally surprised on. Although it's becoming more and more obvious that it's not always the highest ranked D man that is the best of the draft class. But I still think teams now value a 1st pairing D man over a 1st line forward, unless it's of a franchise/superstar level.
- GirouxForTheShow

It's very possible. Of course, if you take the defenseman and he doesn't pan out, you've passed on a stud forward

Again, that's a report from Russia. Could be designed to scare teams from drafting him early and having him jump immediately to the NHL
- Jsaquella

Exactly, that could be the KHL paying a newspaper to come out with an article that scares teams into not taking him early so there is more incentive for him to stay in the KHL because the lack of pressure from the NHL team that drafted him. There's too much uncertainty when it comes to that kind of stuff. That's why it's on Homer to look into all of the options.

Added Nichushkin to the prospective draft profiles:

Valeri Nichushkin:
http://www.hockeybuzz.com...read.php?thread_id=106836

Darnell Nurse:
http://www.hockeybuzz.com...read.php?thread_id=106806

Nikita Zadorov:
http://www.hockeybuzz.com...read.php?thread_id=106797

Ryan Pulock:
http://www.hockeybuzz.com...read.php?thread_id=106801

Watching the Bruins game, d-men like Chara and Pronger have such an advantage to protect and move the puck with their size. If Zadorov is available, I think he has to be seriously considered.
- ravishingone

Problem is, Zadorov stands a MUCH greater chance of shaking out as a Boris Valabik/Kristian Kudroc/Branislav Mezei/Vladimir Mihalik than he does of turning into the next Zdeno Chara.

Final

London - 3
Barrie - 6 (empty net included)

Stolarz wasn't spectacular with 23 saves, the Knights looked a step slow all game.

Barrie leads the series 2 - 1

Carter with a sweet goal. Gets the Kings within 1.

Great to read almost everyone seems on board with being patient.

Added Nichushkin to the prospective draft profiles:

Valeri Nichushkin:
http://www.hockeybuzz.com...read.php?thread_id=106836

Darnell Nurse:
http://www.hockeybuzz.com...read.php?thread_id=106806

Nikita Zadorov:
http://www.hockeybuzz.com...read.php?thread_id=106797

Ryan Pulock:
http://www.hockeybuzz.com...read.php?thread_id=106801
- exlund

Just added Ristolainen...

Rasmus Ristolainen:
http://www.hockeybuzz.com...read.php?thread_id=106838


again, some of these will be works in progress...

I think I change my vote to Nichushkin. It makes alot of sense for us to get him, even if we have to trade up to do it. Scouts can find almost no flaw in his game... Even if he does play in the KHL for 2 more years before coming here, he'll be all the more NHL ready when he gets here. Look at Tarasenko, he's done nothing but amazing since he got here from the KHL, now St. Louis has come out better than almost anyone in that draft (with exception to Hall, Seguin, and Skinner), because they showed patience. He can be that big, sniping, do it all left winger we've been needing for Giroux and Voracek. He would make either coots or Schenn expendable to a certain extent, meaning we would have a very valuable asset cleared up to try to acquire a young, future top 2 dman, hell maybe even Pulock at that point. Nichushkin just seems to make sense, and if they have to draft up to get him then I wouldn't really mind at all... Most teams will probably pass up on him as they did Tarasenko, but do you think Tampa, the Islanders, and Columbus are happier with Connolly, Niederreiter, and Johansen than St. Louis is with Tarasenko? Playing in the KHL will probably even be better for Nichushkins development. I imagine the KHL is more competitive than the AHL anyways.

Gee, Ottawa is in the playoffs, and they lost their best offensive player, their best goal scorer, their dynamic, Norris trophy winning defenseman and their Vezina caliber goalie for stretches this year and are currently leading their playoff series.

The Flyers came in and tried to put on a trapeze act with dancing bears on defense, and waited too long to change. When they had an AHL caliber defense, they simplified things and played much better. Had they simply done that from the start, they're a playoff team now.
- Jsaquella

I think we would have been better off, having the injuries spread out... one forward, one defenseman, and frankly we did only have one goal (except the last few weeks when Mason came in). It's worse to have the injuries concentrate in the defenseman.

Lavy wasn't going to start the season with a 101 defense. The AHL defense didn't just start all at once. I agree that they did get better. But, did the poor 5-5 play (lack of scoring) a result of the simpler play?

That Regher hit behind the net should have been a penalty. DIRECTLY from behind

Problem is, Zadorov stands a MUCH greater chance of shaking out as a Boris Valabik/Kristian Kudroc/Branislav Mezei/Vladimir Mihalik than he does of turning into the next Zdeno Chara.
- Tomahawk

That's my biggest thing with drafting a monster defenseman who is geared more for a shutdown role then they are geared for offensive two-way play. Zadorov has decent offensive upside, but I'd fathom there is a higher chance that he turns into Seidenberg instead of Chara. With a guy like Pulock, you know you're getting someone who is adequate defensively with room to improve, but hockey sense/offensive skills that is off the charts and huge clapper to boot. I'd prefer to take the guy with higher offensive upside with a high-mid 1st rounder. Just my opinion.

I think we would have been better off, having the injuries spread out... one forward, one defenseman, and frankly we did only have one goal (except the last few weeks when Mason came in). It's worse to have the injuries concentrate in the defenseman.

Lavy wasn't going to start the season with a 101 defense. The AHL defense didn't just start all at once. I agree that they did get better. But, did the poor 5-5 play (lack of scoring) a result of the simpler play?
- leon neon

The Senators had other injuries on defense, Karlsson was just the most notable.

By the end of the season, the last ten games or so, they were scoring more, as well as playing better defense. If Laviolette couldn't realize after three years what he had in his team, why is he still the coach?

It's not just the defensemen. It's the poor team defense, the gap between the forwards and defense that led to countless turnovers and odd man rushes against.

That's my biggest thing with drafting a monster defenseman who is geared more for a shutdown role then they are geared for offensive two-way play. Zadorov has decent offensive upside, but I'd fathom there is a higher chance that he turns into Seidenberg instead of Chara. With a guy like Pulock, you know you're getting someone who is adequate defensively with room to improve, but hockey sense/offensive skills that is off the charts and huge clapper to boot. I'd prefer to take the guy with higher offensive upside with a high-mid 1st rounder. Just my opinion.
- GirouxForTheShow

Not to mention 3 of our top 4 Dmen are already big guys, and that's proving to be not such a great mix. Pulock would be my first choice, Ristolienen would be my second. If both are off the board I look to trade down and take Morrissey or Hagg.

That's my biggest thing with drafting a monster defenseman who is geared more for a shutdown role then they are geared for offensive two-way play. Zadorov has decent offensive upside, but I'd fathom there is a higher chance that he turns into Seidenberg instead of Chara. With a guy like Pulock, you know you're getting someone who is adequate defensively with room to improve, but hockey sense/offensive skills that is off the charts and huge clapper to boot. I'd prefer to take the guy with higher offensive upside with a high-mid 1st rounder. Just my opinion.
- GirouxForTheShow

Yeah, some GM is going to get seduced with how Zadorov looks on paper... that's how guys like Jessiman, McIlrath, Valabik, Gillies, Beach etc still get taken high year after year, despite all signs that these kinds of 'raw' prospects will probably never be worth the gamble.