The Canucks need to start drafting defensemen in the first round, they can't continually rely on free agency and wishful thinking to land a player like Victor Hedman or Travis Sanheim.

In the past 20 years they've taken three defensemen in the first round, Luc Bourdon 05, Bryan Allen 98 & Brad Ference 97. That's not enough and lends itself to the reason we've never had a Norris caliber dman.

Or a Stanley Cup!!
- LeftCoaster

I agree, its been too long and it shows.

I agree it sounds like there is a big crop of D available and one of the reasons why I hope Benning can get some 2nds, I just always think you are more likely to get an impact player in the first by selecting a forward as they are generally more NHL ready at that point.
- belcherbd

One not named Brandon Carlo.

Columbus would really have to buy into the "intangibles" of Bieksa's game or what's left of it to do this...

Yup it would be a bit of a stretch but a mid 2nd and a depth D isn't that steep for a vet who as bad as he was last year is still an upgrade in their top 4 IMO.

Feels reasonable; chances would increase if they end up trading Lehtonen as some say they are looking to do.

Dallas needs a backup who can push Lehtonen, but in no way am I suggesting Markstrom will replace Lehtonen at this point.

Don't think this makes much sense for NJ...bring in another aging winger with limited offensive upside?? Lamiorello-old guys joke aside I don't see this. Higgins going direct to FLA though...

They have Havlat, Ryder, Gomez and Bernier as UFA's and don't have much in the way of forward prospects. Higgins is cheap and plays their style of play. But yes still hopeful.

So yeah, "hopeful" is the emphasis...they would certainly be good-looking moves to make...
- stevekariya

I agree, its been too long and it shows.
- VanHockeyGuy

I am not a fan of BPA . If a team needs a PMD or big hitter on the back end then you don't draft a small speedy forward.

I think drafting the BPA for the role that you need is different than just going out and taking the next in line in draft rankings

I know , thank you Captian Obvious.

You're welcome

I agree it sounds like there is a big crop of D available and one of the reasons why I hope Benning can get some 2nds, I just always think you are more likely to get an impact player in the first by selecting a forward as they are generally more NHL ready at that point.
- belcherbd

I'm hoping Benning can acquire two 2nd's, which he uses on a couple defensemen. As for NHL ready, I don't care about that, I care about three four five years down the road....long range plan.

I'm hoping Benning can acquire two 2nd's, which he uses on a couple defensemen. As for NHL ready, I don't care about that, I care about three four five years down the road....long range plan.
- LeftCoaster

Agreed. It will take five years.

Rip that bandaid off trade the core

I am not a fan of BPA . If a team needs a PMD or big hitter on the back end then you don't draft a small speedy forward.

I think drafting the BPA for the role that you need is different than just going out and taking the next in line in draft rankings

I know , thank you Captian Obvious.

You're welcome
- VANTEL

I agree with moving away from the BPA in the later part of the first round, once you get around 21 to 30 it's really not any sort of guarantee. Taking the BPA gets you a player like Jordan Schroeder...still bugs me!!

I'm hoping Benning can acquire two 2nd's, which he uses on a couple defensemen. As for NHL ready, I don't care about that, I care about three four five years down the road....long range plan.
- LeftCoaster

I mean forwards are easier to predict in the first because they generally take less time to adjust to the NHL while D usually take a few more years.

Obviously there are always exceptions but that is why I think you see a lot more forwards in the first round being successful players and you see as many high end D in the 2nd as you do in the 1st.

Dallas needs a backup who can push Lehtonen, but in no way am I suggesting Markstrom will replace Lehtonen at this point.
- belcherbd

I think if they want to move on from Lehtonen, they would target Lack, someone who can handle a bulk of starts. If they plan to keep and push him, Jack Campbell has a vote of confidence from management. He has had some troubles but I read an article a few months back that they were excited with his progress and feel he is their future number 1 still

The Canucks need to start drafting defensemen in the first round, they can't continually rely on free agency and wishful thinking to land a player like Victor Hedman or Travis Sanheim.

In the past 20 years they've taken three defensemen in the first round, Luc Bourdon 05, Bryan Allen 98 & Brad Ference 97. That's not enough and lends itself to the reason we've never had a Norris caliber dman.

Or a Stanley Cup!!
- LeftCoaster

This.

I think if they want to move on from Lehtonen, they would target Lack, someone who can handle a bulk of starts. If they plan to keep and push him, Jack Campbell has a vote of confidence from management. He has had some troubles but I read an article a few months back that they were excited with his progress and feel he is their future number 1 still
- WhiteLie

Much as we are stuck with Miller, they are stuck with Lehtonen, different situations obviously. I honestly don't know enough about Campbell but I saw that he was in the ECHL for a stint this last season so assumed he was struggling.

I mean forwards are easier to predict in the first because they generally take less time to adjust to the NHL while D usually take a few more years.

Obviously there are always exceptions but that is why I think you see a lot more forwards in the first round being successful players and you see as many high end D in the 2nd as you do in the 1st.
- belcherbd

I think the general rule of thumb is a dman needs around 300 NHL games to adjust to the league. Something like that anyways?

We've taken some decent forwards the past four years, so I guess I'm thinking we need some defense that'll be ready to step in in three to four years when guys like McCann, Horvat and Virtanen are ready, assuming Sedins are gone, to contribute as the leaders of this club.

I am not a fan of BPA . If a team needs a PMD or big hitter on the back end then you don't draft a small speedy forward.

I think drafting the BPA for the role that you need is different than just going out and taking the next in line in draft rankings

I know , thank you Captian Obvious.

You're welcome
- VANTEL

The NHL draft is too much of a crapshoot to draft based on needs. Sure, if you're at the top and there's tons of great prospects available you can maybe get away with it during a strong draft year, but otherwise you're better off just getting the best player. It's never too difficult to trade good young players later, but it's hard to trade a young player who has struggled during their first pro season in the AHL or NHL.

Also, teams that reach for big defensemen who aren't as skilled as others ranked around them almost always end up regretting it.

I think the general rule of thumb is a dman needs around 300 NHL games to adjust to the league. Something like that anyways?

We've taken some decent forwards the past four years, so I guess I'm thinking we need some defense that'll be ready to step in in three to four years when guys like McCann, Horvat and Virtanen are ready, assuming Sedins are gone, to contribute as the leaders of this club.
- LeftCoaster

But there's no guarantee that McCann and Virtanen will be top 6 NHL'ers.

But there's no guarantee that McCann and Virtanen will be top 6 NHL'ers.
- Nucker101

No - you're right, there are no guarantee's. I just think they need to take a chance on a defenseman with a 23rd pick. The chances of finding a top four dman or a top six forward at 23 have to be pretty close.

The Canucks have zero in terms of players that are even projected to be top four defensemen, they do however, have prospects that could become top six forwards.

Edit: forgot about Clendening

No - you're right, there are no guarantee's. I just think they need to take a chance on a defenseman with a 23rd pick. The chances of finding a top four dman or a top six forward at 23 have to be pretty close.

The Canucks have zero in terms of players that are even projected to be top four defensemen, they do however, have prospects that could become top six forwards.

Edit: forgot about Clendening
- LeftCoaster

Maybe because I'm not as high on Clendening as some but I think Corrado has as good of a chance being a top 4 guy as well. Both I think realistically are long shots to be top 4 guys though imo.

Weber honestly has the best shot of being a top 4 guy of players in the system but I guess most don't consider him a prospect at this point.

Maybe because I'm not as high on Clendening as some but I think Corrado has as good of a chance being a top 4 guy as well. Both I think realistically are long shots to be top 4 guys though imo.

Weber honestly has the best shot of being a top 4 guy of players in the system but I guess most don't consider him a prospect at this point.
- belcherbd

I'm going to go with non of the above. I'm with you though, try to acquire a couple of 2nd's and draft at least 1 dman with them.

But I wouldn't be pissed if we go d-man heavy in this draft. If Jeremy Roy somehow fell into our lap that would be amazing, but I doubt it.

But more realistically, I like these guys in the late 1st and early 2nd round range:
Nicolas Meloche
Jakub Zboril
Noah Juulsen

http://hfboards.hockeysfu.../showthread.php?t=1907865

If the draft goes like this above, who would you select?

Jansen Harkins for me.
- Nucker101

Seeing as we are a little over 2 weeks out till the draft

I'm going with Bracco. High Risk, High Reward

Maybe because I'm not as high on Clendening as some but I think Corrado has as good of a chance being a top 4 guy as well. Both I think realistically are long shots to be top 4 guys though imo.

Weber honestly has the best shot of being a top 4 guy of players in the system but I guess most don't consider him a prospect at this point.
- belcherbd

Not when he turns 27 in September and was drafted in 2007.

You didn't have to look up that big speal. All you had to do was look at my location.

"This was for NUckers 1st comment on page 1. I don't know why but it won't let me quote it."

One not named Brandon Carlo.
- VanHockeyGuy

Kylington.

You didn't have to look up that big speal. All you had to do was look at my location.
- thundachunk

Have you seen him play much? Everything I've read from people who have watched him a lot is that he's jus a really solid prospect. Lower chance to bust but also has top 6 upside and plays in all situations with good leadership qualities.

Kylington.
- thundachunk

Too risky for a team who doesn't have a deep prospect pool in my eyes. I'd maybe take him if he fell into the 2nd round.

Kylington.
- thundachunk

Stock has been dropping consistently. Ranked #7 overall at the start of the year, now he will be lucky to be picked in the first.

Stock has been dropping consistently. Ranked #7 overall at the start of the year, now he will be lucky to be picked in the first.
- classic321

Schroeder-itis