Probably because it was a top-heavy draft this year as opposed to last year. And I don't get what Nichuskin has done that has people drooling over him so much.
- jmatchett383

Having seen every game he's played so far, I can tell you that he has future superstar written all over him between his size, strength, speed, creativity and shot but is also very much an 18-year-old in the NHL and it's often just one or two shifts in a game where you get that picture of what could be as he matures.

In the not-too-distant future, I can easily see the line of Benn-Seguin-Nichushkin being one of the top lines in the entire league. The other 2/3 of the line is already dominant together and Nichushkin has been coming along nicely since being promoted to the top line.

who did what again?
- Marc D

Eric Clapton stole his supposed friend George Harrison's wife.

Having seen every game he's played so far, I can tell you that he has future superstar written all over him between his size, strength, speed, creativity and shot but is also very much an 18-year-old in the NHL and it's often just one or two shifts in a game where you get that picture of what could be as he matures.

In the not-too-distant future, I can easily see the line of Benn-Seguin-Nichushkin being one of the top lines in the entire league. The other 2/3 of the line is already dominant together and Nichushkin has been coming along nicely since being promoted to the top line.
- bmeltzer

That line has a lot of raw talent already

I think its more like people are trying to change his game. Or at least people in here don't find value in players unless they are perenial Selkie winners, that can throw devistating hits, and score 50 goals a year.

Not every players plays like that. A finesse player that has a natural nose for the net and super dangerous hands is exactly what the Flyers need. Not another pass first guy (Roo and Jake) not another slow unbalanced, brick hands power forward (Simmonds and Hartnell) Not another Mike Richards clone (Schenn and Couts). Give me a SNIPER. Give me a "I want the puck on my stick until its in the net" Type of player. Problem with having a whoel team that works along the boards is when you get the puck there is no-one infront to do anything with it.... GET ME YAKUPOV!
- youarewrong

There's just a baseline level of positional awareness that a player needs to have these days, since systems rely on guys being in the right place at the right time, or the whole thing goes capput. Yak not only doesn't have that yet, he's shown a disdain for it...

I'm not paying what is probably an Ovechkin-level price right now for a slightly better version of Nikita Filatov especially without a hint that he's going to eventually grow out of this at some point.

Having seen every game he's played so far, I can tell you that he has future superstar written all over him between his size, strength, speed, creativity and shot but is also very much an 18-year-old in the NHL and it's often just one or two shifts in a game where you get that picture of what could be as he matures.

In the not-too-distant future, I can easily see the line of Benn-Seguin-Nichushkin being one of the top lines in the entire league. The other 2/3 of the line is already dominant together and Nichushkin has been coming along nicely since being promoted to the top line.
- bmeltzer

Do you think he should have gone in the top 3 like some were suggesting over the likes of MacKinnon, Drouin, and Jones?

What did you mean?
- mayorofangrytown

That Yakupov's words might be misconstrued a bit in translation. And that even if not, he plays the game like Jagr and Bure. It took time for Jagr to be even marginal on a back check, and Bure till his last day was a cherry pick artist....

I think the problem was the Flyers negotiated a deal with him right after his career year. If they waited a year, they would have gotten him for much less. I still like him as a player most of the time. I like having a guy that can provide offense and stir the pot.

The cap hit is high, but the cap will continue to rise and teams will overpay for other PFs and make Hartnells deal look alright.
- PhillySportsGuy

thats true. i was largely evaluating it given the current cap landscape. i admit, my disdain for the market colors my view of deals. sometimes i need to just shake my head and accept the fact thats what things cost.

i also just for some reason dont see him holding up well.

thats true. i was largely evaluating it given the current cap landscape. i admit, my disdain for the market colors my view of deals. sometimes i need to just shake my head and accept the fact thats what things cost.

i also just for some reason dont see him holding up well.
- stayinthefnnet

We'll see, but in 3 or 4 years, PFs may be making 8M per year. You never know with the cap. Think of how bad Brian Campbells contract was and he was traded once and may be traded again.

That Yakupov's words might be misconstrued a bit in translation. And that even if not, he plays the game like Jagr and Bure. It took time for Jagr to be even marginal on a back check, and Bure till his last day was a cherry pick artist....
- youarewrong

I've seen him play, and I just don't like him. I see him as a guy like, as someone stated, Filatov. I personally don't think he's all that great, and I think he is a floater and always will be. Until I'm proven wrong, I will hold that opinion. That's just how it is.

Do you think he should have gone in the top 3 like some were suggesting over the likes of MacKinnon, Drouin, and Jones?
- jmatchett383

that kid is going to be special. although i do like nischukin as well. i will admit yakupov is starting to give grounds for a little concern, but its far too early to brand him anything close to a bust. id take a chance on him short of an astronomical price for sure

Even when we win and Streit plays 20 minutes with an assist and a +1 rating the whining about him in here never ends.

He's also the clear team leader in defensemen scoring.

There's just a baseline level of positional awareness that a player needs to have these days, since systems rely on guys being in the right place at the right time, or the whole thing goes capput. Yak not only doesn't have that yet, he's shown a disdain for it...

I'm not paying what is probably an Ovechkin-level price right now for a slightly better version of Nikita Filatov especially without a hint that he's going to eventually grow out of this at some point.
- Tomahawk

I understand what you are saying, but I think that will come with time and maturity.

Anyway, i wouldnt give up more then the Schenn Bros for him. I think fair price both ways. IMO.

We'll see, but in 3 or 4 years, PFs may be making 8M per year. You never know with the cap. Think of how bad Brian Campbells contract was and he was traded once and may be traded again.
- PhillySportsGuy

i know. i wont pretend to know that i have any idea of what the cap will look like in 3 or 4 years, so i try to view it as best i can through a current lens. to me, it is more the length than the actual amount with hartnell's deal that would give me pause.

Do you think he should have gone in the top 3 like some were suggesting over the likes of MacKinnon, Drouin, and Jones?
- jmatchett383

I think this last draft was a lot of 1's and 1 a, b, c, d. I dont think you could go wrong picking any of McKinnon, Barkov, Druin, Jones, or Nichushkin in the top 3.

I am so happy I got a chance to even be at that draft. Still have the tickets.... Its going to be a special one IMO.

I understand what you are saying, but I think that will come with time and maturity.

Anyway, i wouldnt give up more then the Schenn Bros for him. I think fair price both ways. IMO.
- youarewrong

now that is an interesting trade for sure. like i said, i dont know how he would fit from a pens perspective, but for you guys needing that sniper (a point i think is pretty valid) that is at least worth considering. the schenn brothers arent garbage by any means, but they havent done anything to show that they should be untouchable.

Having seen every game he's played so far, I can tell you that he has future superstar written all over him between his size, strength, speed, creativity and shot but is also very much an 18-year-old in the NHL and it's often just one or two shifts in a game where you get that picture of what could be as he matures.

In the not-too-distant future, I can easily see the line of Benn-Seguin-Nichushkin being one of the top lines in the entire league. The other 2/3 of the line is already dominant together and Nichushkin has been coming along nicely since being promoted to the top line.
- bmeltzer

It KILLS me that I was watching him drop and drop... Sitting at the draft Booing Bettman... At 9 when NJ traded the pick I said... OMG Nichushkin might drop to us. and Sure enough horvat goes at 9. I said... 10. Dallas.... Dallas needs a defenseman BAD..... he is going to.... not drop.

Even when we win and Streit plays 20 minutes with an assist and a +1 rating the whining about him in here never ends.

He's also the clear team leader in defensemen scoring.
- Feanor

Are you going to argue that Streit has played well this year and has been worth every penny?

I understand what you are saying, but I think that will come with time and maturity.

Anyway, i wouldnt give up more then the Schenn Bros for him. I think fair price both ways. IMO.
- youarewrong

Dunno, I have no doubt that Yak will probably at least end up being a very good player, like Slava Kozlov or Valeri Bure... I'm just not completely sure he's got that sky-high ceiling of what people expect from a 1st-overall.

The problem that I have with the Flyers going after him is that his trade value right now is still too heavily tinged by his draft status... it would take a Seguin-esque trade to land him, most likely, and the Flyers really can't afford to make that kind of trade with organizational depth already being an issue.

now that is an interesting trade for sure. like i said, i dont know how he would fit from a pens perspective, but for you guys needing that sniper (a point i think is pretty valid) that is at least worth considering. the schenn brothers arent garbage by any means, but they havent done anything to show that they should be untouchable.
- stayinthefnnet

Smartest Pens fan ever!

Was it a rebound? I though it was a tip-in.
- jmatchett383

it was a tip-in i believe

Having seen every game he's played so far, I can tell you that he has future superstar written all over him between his size, strength, speed, creativity and shot but is also very much an 18-year-old in the NHL and it's often just one or two shifts in a game where you get that picture of what could be as he matures.

In the not-too-distant future, I can easily see the line of Benn-Seguin-Nichushkin being one of the top lines in the entire league. The other 2/3 of the line is already dominant together and Nichushkin has been coming along nicely since being promoted to the top line.
- bmeltzer

I have been looking forward to Couts vs those guys for a while.

Will the Dallas coach play match up and try to get that line away from Couts?

Eric Clapton stole his supposed friend George Harrison's wife.
- jmatchett383

what a lowlife scumbag guitar god

Dunno, I have no doubt that Yak will probably at least end up being a very good player, like Slava Kozlov or Valeri Bure... I'm just not completely sure he's got that sky-high ceiling of what people expect from a 1st-overall.

The problem that I have with the Flyers going after him is that his trade value right now is still too heavily tinged by his draft status... it would take a Seguin-esque trade to land him, most likely, and the Flyers really can't afford to make that kind of trade with organizational depth already being an issue.
- Tomahawk

I cna undestand peoples pause for getting him. He was on pace for 30 goals his rookie year, and really dropped off after. I mean a lot of guys have sophomore slumps.

But one thing I know is both Schenn's don't have sky-high ceilings like we originally thought when the Richards trade went down. So if I can trade them to get Someone that Might have it, and address a need for a sniper type of player... I'll do it.

I cna undestand peoples pause for getting him. He was on pace for 30 goals his rookie year, and really dropped off after. I mean a lot of guys have sophomore slumps.

But one thing I know is both Schenn's don't have sky-high ceilings like we originally thought when the Richards trade went down. So if I can trade them to get Someone that Might have it, and address a need for a sniper type of player... I'll do it.
- youarewrong

yeah. im not saying yakupov is a sure thing to reach it, but i would say is ceiling is higher than either of the schenns. and luke kind of is what he is. a useful guy for sure, but not a franchise cornerstone. brayden definitely still has much more room for growth, but then again so does yakupov. i understand the IF game, but giving giroux a talented sniper would be getting the most out of your playmaking center. and im sure a good setup man like giroux could help yak reach his potential more than a sam gagner type

I have been looking forward to Couts vs those guys for a while.

Will the Dallas coach play match up and try to get that line away from Couts?
- Marc D

He better if he wants that line to do anything.