Russian factor or not, 18-year-old Malkin would go #1 in this draft year, hands down. Nichushkin is a borderline top-5 pick. He's not even the best Russian in the draft (Barkov).
- Tomahawk

I dunno, hindsight is easy. You've gotta actually look at 18-year old Malkin, not taking into account the player you know he turned into. Also, Barkov is Finnish, not Russian.

For every 3 beers a man buys a woman, a woman should buy him a steak.
- jmatchett383

I could think of better barter secenarios.

Hard to believe that as incompetent as he is, that he has kept a high level job in Pro Hockey for so long!
- MJL

Its amazing that how right you always are that you don't.

For every 3 beers a man buys a woman, a woman should buy him a steak.
- jmatchett383

In my house it's the opposite. I buy him beer and he buys me steak. It works out.

I dunno, hindsight is easy. You've gotta actually look at 18-year old Malkin, not taking into account the player you know he turned into. Also, Barkov is Finnish, not Russian.
- JAKEw1234

18-year old Malkin was heralded well before his draft year as a potential generational talent. Nichushkin's only really entered the conversation in the past 18-months or so.

Barkov has both Russian and Finnish citizenship.

Unless Seth Jones falls to #11, they better take a forward.
- bradleyc4

Yep. That's the smart move imo.

He is a Swede right?
- Lexington Flyer

Sort of. He grew up as a peasant farmer in the Dominican Republic when a group of marauders from Norway invaded. On their trek home, the ship was hit by a large hurricane and he escaped along the British coast.

After being taken in by a family of leprous fox trappers, he accidentally boarded a train headed for Germany, where he met the great German hockey player Marcel Goc. After experiencing Goc playing hockey, he decided to head north on a great trek to consult with the Gods about how to best become a professional hockey player.

Odin directed him to see out the mysterious force known as "Foppa." He was able to locate the Foppa father running a shoe company in Sweden, and found that Foppa had played for a team in Sweden. After showing Foppa the holy "Stone of Triumph" (a magic object that we call a "paper clip"), Foppa arranged for him to play on Sweden's Modo hockey team.

So yes, he's technically a Swede.

Sort of. He grew up as a peasant farmer in the Dominican Republic when a group of marauders from Norway invaded. On their trek home, the ship was hit by a large hurricane and he escaped along the British coast.

After being taken in by a family of leprous fox trappers, he accidentally boarded a train headed for Germany, where he met the great German hockey player Marcel Goc. After experiencing Goc, he decided to head north on a great trek to consult with the Gods about how to best become a professional hockey player.

Odin directed him to see out the mysterious force known as "Foppa." He was able to locate the Foppa father running a shoe company in Sweden, and found that Foppa had player for a team in Sweden. After showing Foppa the holy "Stone of Triumph" (a magic object that we call a "paper clip), Foppa arranged for him to play on Sweden's Modo hockey team.

So yes, he's technically a Swede.
- jmatchett383

Whao there Mr. Tangent. Cut out the Fan Fiction.

Sort of. He grew up as a peasant farmer in the Dominican Republic when a group of marauders from Norway invaded. On their trek home, the ship was hit by a large hurricane and he escaped along the British coast.

After being taken in by a family of leprous fox trappers, he accidentally boarded a train headed for Germany, where he met the great German hockey player Marcel Goc. After experiencing Goc playing hockey, he decided to head north on a great trek to consult with the Gods about how to best become a professional hockey player.

Odin directed him to see out the mysterious force known as "Foppa." He was able to locate the Foppa father running a shoe company in Sweden, and found that Foppa had player for a team in Sweden. After showing Foppa the holy "Stone of Triumph" (a magic object that we call a "paper clip), Foppa arranged for him to play on Sweden's Modo hockey team.

So yes, he's technically a Swede.
- jmatchett383

In my house it's the opposite. I buy him beer and he buys me steak. It works out.
- FlyersGrace

In my house (prior to her becoming pregnant), I bought her wine and I bought her steak. And I cooked the steak and poured the wine. And...damn.

18-year old Malkin was heralded well before his draft year as a potential generational talent. Nichushkin's only really entered the conversation in the past 18-months or so.

Barkov has both Russian and Finnish citizenship.
- Tomahawk

And as someone in here has pointed out, if Nichushkin was born in Canada he'd be in dispute for the 1st overall. Seeing as Mackinnon and Jones are both being heralded as generational talents, I think that merits something. Barkov was born in Finland. It's just like calling Galchenyuk Russian. He's American.

Unless Seth Jones falls to #11, they better take a forward.
- bradleyc4

I'd like them to trade down and try to get two first round picks.
Get two possible future blue chip players in this draft.
Would not hurt if one of them is a defenseman, especially if Risto or Robert Haag are still around when they pick.

Not sure if possible but with the cap and the current prospects, use this draft and stock up.

In my house it's the opposite. I buy him beer and he buys me steak. It works out.
- FlyersGrace

Who cooks though?

Yep. That's the smart move imo.
- BringBack25

Yes, since forwards are more easy to project and develop quicker, let's develop a new drafting system where we exclusively draft forwards in the first round. I see a Cup in our near future by employing this philosophy.

In my house (prior to her becoming pregnant), I bought her wine and I bought her steak. And I cooked the steak and poured the wine. And...damn.
- jmatchett383

Hey but kids make for great birth control don't they?! (Proud father of 2)

I'd like them to trade down and try to get two first round picks.
Get two possible future blue chip players in this draft.
Would not hurt if one of them is a defenseman, especially if Risto or Robert Haag are still around when they pick.

Not sure if possible but with the cap and the current prospects, use this draft and stock up.
- Marc D

It could work with Calgary's #22 and #28. Flyers would probably have to give up their 3rd rounder though, too.

#11 and #72 for #22 and #28.

In my house (prior to her becoming pregnant), I bought her wine and I bought her steak. And I cooked the steak and poured the wine. And...damn.
- jmatchett383

Funny you should say that, in my house I also do the cooking... though I am an awesome cook.

Hey but kids make for great birth control don't they?! (Proud father of 2)
- Lexington Flyer

I suppose. We'll see if that changes come early November.
By the way, it's gonna be a little girl.

In my house (prior to her becoming pregnant), I bought her wine and I bought her steak. And I cooked the steak and poured the wine. And...damn.
- jmatchett383

Well she didnt get pregnant on her own

- aightwebang17

Love how Chara's leg kick is pretty much even with Briere's face.

Well she didnt get pregnant on her own
- jak521

No. I gave her the ole in-out.

And as someone in here has pointed out, if Nichushkin was born in Canada he'd be in dispute for the 1st overall. Seeing as Mackinnon and Jones are both being heralded as generational talents, I think that merits something. Barkov was born in Finland. It's just like calling Galchenyuk Russian. He's American.
- JAKEw1234

Huh?

This draft is conspicuous in its apparent absence of generational talents.

Barkov is ethnically Russian, it's not a question of nationality.

No. I gave her the ole in-out.
- jmatchett383

Mods! We need a mod here!

It could work with Calgary's #22 and #28. Flyers would probably have to give up their 3rd rounder though, too.

#11 and #72 for #22 and #28.
- bradleyc4

Id be ok with that. Especially considering how well the Flyers draft in the late first round.