this just in: water is still wet.
- hammarby31

if the defensemen aren't available id simply trade down. try to find some diamonds in the rough.
- JoeRussomanno

They need overall skill as much as defensemen. Trading back is an option, but I don't want to drop out of the top ten.

Some of them defy straight comparisons. You hear Crosby for McDavid, and some say Eric Staal for Zacha, I've heard Marner is similar to Giroux or maybe Patrick Kane.

To attempt it, and give kind of a "best case scenario" for each:

McDavid-Crosby(it's not exact, but he's got the same kind of vision and playmaking ability)

Eichel- The one I keep coming back to is Joe Thornton, but there's a bit of the flash of Kane to his game.

Strome- A pass first Jeff Carter or a more willing to shoot version of Henrik Sedin. Size wise he's more like Carter, style wise more like Sedin.

Marner-Kane or Giroux is pretty apt.

Hanifin & Provorov- I think that the best comparison to both is a guy like Gary Suter

Crouse- He's one of the more difficult ones. He's got elements of guys like Lucic and Simmonds, but he's a better skater and two way player than them.

Barzal- Elements of RNH and even Datsyuk in his game, but the more I think about it, Barzal is like Matt Duchene.

Rantanen-I've seen a few people use Corey Perry, I think he's a bit more Bobby Ryan.

Werenski-Bouwmeester or Pietrangelo are the best comparitives, IMO. He's big, got good skating ability, good skill set and very solid all around. Not overly physical with his size, but is also usually one of the youngest guys on the ice, even in college.

Meier-Reminds me of Joe Pavelski a bit, also see a bit of Kessel in the sheer ability to score goals
- Jsaquella

McDavid: Crosby's brain and hands grafted on to Darren Helm's feet,
Eichel: Mike Modano w/ Corey Perry's shot and slash to the net,
Strome: poor man's Joe Thornton,
Marner: Kane and Giroux mashup,
Provorov: Olli Maatta,
Hanifin: Bouwmeester,
Crouse: Andrew Ladd (plus?),
Werenski: Jack Johnson w/ a brain.

Damn, can we just order all of the above?
- BiggE

Sure:
1. McDavid
2. Eichel
3. Strome
4. Hanifin
5. Barzal
6. Marner
7. Provorov
8. Rantanen
9. Werenski
10. Zacha
11. Crouse
12. Meier
13. Connor(bonus)

The production thing is a factor. But if he had Bennett all year long, it wouldn't be mentioned, because he'd have been producing like a bastard. Crouse was basically forced to do it all until Bennett's return and the Frontenacs played a very conservative, D-first system because of the team they had.

Like Tomahawk said, he's not my first choice, but he's not a bad one. I think you could plug him in immediately and get 10-15G as a rookie
- Jsaquella

No doubt, he could certainly contribute right away, but I'm looking 2 or 3 years down the road. I could see him on the left with G and Jake and putting up 35 goals and 70+ points.

OTOH, in a few years I can see Barzal as #1 center, Provorov, Hanifin and perhaps Werenski as #1 dmen and Rantenan a dominant 1st line winger as well.

Decisions, decisions.

You know thats coming.

"With the 7th pick in the 2015 entry draft, the Philadelphia Flyers proudly select..."

And then

"How the hell could they take ??? over ???"
"What a reach"
"There has to be a trade following"
"They took who??"

Yup, its coming

- BiggE

of course it is. don't buy into any of this "i'll be happy with whomever they take. all good piayers." that's a bunch of bullpoop.

Are advertisements taking up like 3/4 of the comment boards for anyone else? They seem to do that for me sometimes, and it overlaps with the comments and then I can't read poop.
- benjichronic

It wasn't the ad. It was a really long link that when quoted didn't have a line break. Fixed.

McDavid: Crosby's brain and hands grafted on to Darren Helm's feet,
Eichel: Mike Modano w/ Corey Perry's shot and slash to the net,
Strome: poor man's Joe Thornton,
Marner: Kane and Giroux mashup,
Provorov: Olli Maatta,
Hanifin: Bouwmeester,
Crouse: Andrew Ladd (plus?),
Werenski: Jack Johnson w/ a brain.
- Tomahawk

Those are good, too. Eichel is more "direct" than Jumbo. Excellent one for Crouse. A better version of Ladd is really a good desciption

Some of them defy straight comparisons. You hear Crosby for McDavid, and some say Eric Staal for Zacha, I've heard Marner is similar to Giroux or maybe Patrick Kane.

To attempt it, and give kind of a "best case scenario" for each:

McDavid-Crosby(it's not exact, but he's got the same kind of vision and playmaking ability)

Eichel- The one I keep coming back to is Joe Thornton, but there's a bit of the flash of Kane to his game.

Strome- A pass first Jeff Carter or a more willing to shoot version of Henrik Sedin. Size wise he's more like Carter, style wise more like Sedin.

Marner-Kane or Giroux is pretty apt.

Hanifin & Provorov- I think that the best comparison to both is a guy like Gary Suter

Crouse- He's one of the more difficult ones. He's got elements of guys like Lucic and Simmonds, but he's a better skater and two way player than them.

Barzal- Elements of RNH and even Datsyuk in his game, but the more I think about it, Barzal is like Matt Duchene.

Rantanen-I've seen a few people use Corey Perry, I think he's a bit more Bobby Ryan.

Werenski-Bouwmeester or Pietrangelo are the best comparitives, IMO. He's big, got good skating ability, good skill set and very solid all around. Not overly physical with his size, but is also usually one of the youngest guys on the ice, even in college.

Meier-Reminds me of Joe Pavelski a bit, also see a bit of Kessel in the sheer ability to score goals
- Jsaquella

Good list, but Eichel reminds me of Modano.

so the flyers get the finn. we shall see. i just want it over with so everyone can start complaining about the pick.
- hammarby31

Strome was the kid I wanted from the get go (minus the obvious top 2) but he is obviously not attainable at 7 so thats why I go to Rantanen. that said, if one of the 2 dmen are there at 7 its hard to pass that up even tho they need to add to the depth at forward prospects. but I didn't follow this like OB or Jsaq. any way you look at it, they SHOULD get a nice player at 7.

Those are good, too. Eichel is more "direct" than Jumbo. Excellent one for Crouse. A better version of Ladd is really a good desciption
- Jsaquella

I LOVE CHAD LADD!!!! c'mon CROUSE!!!!

Strome was the kid I wanted from the get go (minus the obvious top 2) but he is obviously not attainable at 7 so thats why I go to Rantanen. that said, if one of the 2 dmen are there at 7 its hard to pass that up even tho they need to add to the depth at forward prospects. but I didn't follow this like OB or Jsaq. any way you look at it, they SHOULD get a nice player at 7.
- nastyflyergirl

should. luke schenn says hi.

No doubt, he could certainly contribute right away, but I'm looking 2 or 3 years down the road. I could see him on the left with G and Jake and putting up 35 goals and 70+ points.

OTOH, in a few years I can see Barzal as #1 center, Provorov, Hanifin and perhaps Werenski as #1 dmen and Rantenan a dominant 1st line winger as well.

Decisions, decisions.
- BiggE

Yep. The best thing is, there might well be better choices, but there really doesn't seem to be a wrong one.

You can't teach size, nor can you teach innate hockey sense and this kid has both, along with good wheels and skills.
- BiggE

I personally can't stand that first saying, but the rest is what would really comfort me if they indeed made him the 7th-overall.

Sure:
1. McDavid
2. Eichel
3. Strome
4. Hanifin
5. Barzal
6. Marner
7. Provorov
8. Rantanen
9. Werenski
10. Zacha
11. Crouse
12. Meier
13. Connor(bonus)
- Jsaquella

That is very close to mine. Heck I'll go to 15.
1. McDavid
2. Eichel
3. Strome
4. Marner
5. Hanifin
6. Provorov
7. Barzal
8. Rantenan
9. Werenski
10. Crouse
11. Zacha
12. Meier
13. Connor
14. Konecny
15. Svechnikov

Good list, but Eichel reminds me of Modano.
- Feanor

There is a good bit of Modano in his game. He's definitely more aggressive than Thronton can be when it comes to shooting.

They need overall skill as much as defensemen. Trading back is an option, but I don't want to drop out of the top ten.
- Jsaquella

since defensemen command more of a return in a trade, id like to see them draft those players high. it's basically a win win situation. where you draft a forward who doesn't pan out them well you end in stagnation.

Some of them defy straight comparisons. You hear Crosby for McDavid, and some say Eric Staal for Zacha, I've heard Marner is similar to Giroux or maybe Patrick Kane.

To attempt it, and give kind of a "best case scenario" for each:

McDavid-Crosby(it's not exact, but he's got the same kind of vision and playmaking ability)

Eichel- The one I keep coming back to is Joe Thornton, but there's a bit of the flash of Kane to his game.

Strome- A pass first Jeff Carter or a more willing to shoot version of Henrik Sedin. Size wise he's more like Carter, style wise more like Sedin.

Marner-Kane or Giroux is pretty apt.

Hanifin & Provorov- I think that the best comparison to both is a guy like Gary Suter

Crouse- He's one of the more difficult ones. He's got elements of guys like Lucic and Simmonds, but he's a better skater and two way player than them.

Barzal- Elements of RNH and even Datsyuk in his game, but the more I think about it, Barzal is like Matt Duchene.

Rantanen-I've seen a few people use Corey Perry, I think he's a bit more Bobby Ryan.

Werenski-Bouwmeester or Pietrangelo are the best comparitives, IMO. He's big, got good skating ability, good skill set and very solid all around. Not overly physical with his size, but is also usually one of the youngest guys on the ice, even in college.

Meier-Reminds me of Joe Pavelski a bit, also see a bit of Kessel in the sheer ability to score goals
- Jsaquella

GREAT comparisons.

Yep. The best thing is, there might well be better choices, but there really doesn't seem to be a wrong one.
- Jsaquella

Agreed

I personally can't stand that first saying, but the rest is what would really comfort me if they indeed made him the 7th-overall.
- Tomahawk

Yes, similar to an earlier post, Hugh Jessiman says hi.

That is very close to mine. Heck I'll go to 15.
1. McDavid
2. Eichel
3. Strome
4. Marner
5. Hanifin
6. Provorov
7. Barzal
8. Rantenan
9. Werenski
10. Crouse
11. Zacha
12. Meier
13. Connor
14. Konecny
15. Svechnikov
- BiggE

I like both 14 & 15 on your list. Add Merkley & Chabot in the mix there.

I personally can't stand that first saying, but the rest is what would really comfort me if they indeed made him the 7th-overall.
- Tomahawk

I hear what your saying, and I know that under the current rules, smaller players can succeed in today's NHL. However, if everything else is equal, I'll still take a big guy over a small one. I have to think that if Marner was 6'2 200 with the exact same skill set, he'd either be challenging the top 2 guys for 1st overall and certainly, at worst, he'd be a lock for 3rd.

There is a good bit of Modano in his game. He's definitely more aggressive than Thronton can be when it comes to shooting.
- Jsaquella

I think it's the skating and ability to dominate N-S/off-wing as well as having the strength and skill to barrel to the net w/ the puck ... Thornton's always been more of a slow-it-down, perimeter tactician, and I see more of that in Strome.

I like both 14 & 15 on your list. Add Merkley & Chabot in the mix there.
- Jsaquella

It's really tough ranking them. There are so many guys that could easily go as high as 14 or so, or drop to the end of the first round/early second. This really is an amazingly deep draft class.

since defensemen command more of a return in a trade, id like to see them draft those players high. it's basically a win win situation. where you draft a forward who doesn't pan out them well you end in stagnation.
- JoeRussomanno

And if you draft a defenseman that doesn't pan out, it's the same thing...Look at Bobby Sanguinetti or Thomas Hickey