29 other teams don't have that much cap space with most of the team under contract already .
- VANTEL

Many teams have cap space and will create space as they always do. I'm all for Okposo, but why would he come here instead of taking a contract in Florida or New York? If you were a free agent, would Van be your first choice, or would you rather Calgary? IMO if I'm a player, I'm going to a team on the up.

Why is it crazy? Tkachuk and Dubios are by no means consensus top-5 picks. I wouldn't pick d over the top-3, in fact I've said that several times.

Give me your top-20 d-men, I'll do the homework. No cheating
- neem55

Which D man do you think is worth a top 5 pick? I suppose it comes down to how you value these players. It's a forward heavy draft in my opinion and I just think there is more risk picking on of these guys. We can't afford to fail with a top 5 pick

Many teams have cap space and will create space as they always do. I'm all for Okposo, but why would he come here instead of taking a contract in Florida or New York? If you were a free agent, would Van be your first choice, or would you rather Calgary? IMO if I'm a player, I'm going to a team on the up.
- neem55

Florida do have cap space and are a better option . They also have an internal cap space . They wont spend to the cap to have top players come play in an empty building.

There are a couple of teams that have space and most of them are bottom feeders or cheap teams

Which D man do you think is worth a top 5 pick? I suppose it comes down to how you value these players. It's a forward heavy draft in my opinion and I just think there is more risk picking on of these guys. We can't afford to fail with a top 5 pick
- CanuckDon

I do agree with that sentiment, but lots of the best D in the NHL were top-10-15 guys. No matter how far(this is only on some boards, I might add) these guys have dropped, I see Chychrun, Sergachev and Juolevi (in that order) as having top-2 potential. It's always a risk. All three positions boom or bust every year, I think JB has his eye on a d-man if he lands outside of the top-3. If he thinks it makes sense to trade down a few picks and still get him at 7 or 8 I'm into that. If not if he chooses who he thinks is the best out of those 3 players at number 4 or 5, I'm going to be stoked. "sure things" are pretty rare in drafts, they usually come in the top 2 or 3. The rest is all risk.

Florida do have cap space and are a better option . They also have an internal cap space . They wont spend to the cap to have top players come play in an empty building.

There are a couple of teams that have space and most of them are bottom feeders or cheap teams
- VANTEL

Sure. But I think if Dallas wants a UFA d-man they get him. Calgary gets a goalie, and a lot of players will want to go there. Preds have space, but you're right about internal caps of some of these teams. I just don't see it in the cards for the nucks, ultimately a few years of growing pains and we land an elite player or two (hopefully starting with this lotto) and maybe we've got a chance. If I'm a UFA, Buffalo, Clagary, Florida... lots of options with great young players... not so much us.

I do agree with that sentiment, but lots of the best D in the NHL were top-10-15 guys. No matter how far(this is only on some boards, I might add) these guys have dropped, I see Chychrun, Sergachev and Juolevi (in that order) as having top-2 potential. It's always a risk. All three positions boom or bust every year, I think JB has his eye on a d-man if he lands outside of the top-3. If he thinks it makes sense to trade down a few picks and still get him at 7 or 8 I'm into that. If not if he chooses who he thinks is the best out of those 3 players at number 4 or 5, I'm going to be stoked. "sure things" are pretty rare in drafts, they usually come in the top 2 or 3. The rest is all risk.
- neem55

He was on the radio yesterday and it really sounds like he is taking a forward 1-5 and a D at 6...trying to read between the lines of course. I think it's a sound strategy. You are right, once you are out of the top 4 or 5 in a draft it's hard to tell who will be the best player from picks 6-20. Look no further than Boeser, I suspect he would be top 10 of the draft was redone

Grimace sniping today
- VANTEL

Fixed.

He was on the radio yesterday and it really sounds like he is taking a forward 1-5 and a D at 6...trying to read between the lines of course. I think it's a sound strategy. You are right, once you are out of the top 4 or 5 in a draft it's hard to tell who will be the best player from picks 6-20. Look no further than Boeser, I suspect he would be top 10 of the draft was redone
- CanuckDon

I heard something about him personally going to watch Dubois or something? Don't get me wrong, I ultimately do trust JB and think were getting another top-10 next year. I'm just sick of never drafting d in the first round. I look at a team like Nashville or St'louis at their D, or even chicago or La, and they've all drafted d 1st and 2nd round multiple times. There is a very good reason for this. While I'm aware guys make it from other rounds, I think it's time to prioritize the d a bit more in the draft. It's that simple. I think BPA in that spot should be pretty darn good, maybe Edmonton reaches for d but even they have Nurse who looks very good IMO.

Many teams have cap space and will create space as they always do. I'm all for Okposo, but why would he come here instead of taking a contract in Florida or New York? If you were a free agent, would Van be your first choice, or would you rather Calgary? IMO if I'm a player, I'm going to a team on the up.
- neem55

He was on the radio yesterday and it really sounds like he is taking a forward 1-5 and a D at 6...trying to read between the lines of course. I think it's a sound strategy. You are right, once you are out of the top 4 or 5 in a draft it's hard to tell who will be the best player from picks 6-20. Look no further than Boeser, I suspect he would be top 10 of the draft was redone
- CanuckDon

I agree.

Its BPA & there r no nut D men this draft but many good ones to pick from.
As much as we have no D picked 1st round in the many years of drafting lately does not mean we r forced to pick one. If we don't trade down then i expect a top high end F in the 1st & D later on.

Saying Calgary is on the up is laughable.
They sucked as well & had 1 overachieving season last year.
Til they prove it they r only in the same position as many teams.

I heard something about him personally going to watch Dubois or something? Don't get me wrong, I ultimately do trust JB and think were getting another top-10 next year. I'm just sick of never drafting d in the first round. I look at a team like Nashville or St'louis at their D, or even chicago or La, and they've all drafted d 1st and 2nd round multiple times. There is a very good reason for this. While I'm aware guys make it from other rounds, I think it's time to prioritize the d a bit more in the draft. It's that simple. I think BPA in that spot should be pretty darn good, maybe Edmonton reaches for d but even they have Nurse who looks very good IMO.
- neem55

The last D we picked in the first round was Bourdon (RIP) and we should have taken Kopitar obviously. He was not looking like anything more than a 5 or 6 D. If we draft 6th I'd be ok with selecting a D 6th and 33rd

Saying Calgary is on the up is laughable.
They sucked as well & had 1 overachieving season last year.
Til they prove it they r only in the same position as many teams.
- Nighthawk

Brodie looks like a 1D, Monahan a 1C and Gaudreau like a bonified star... in what worldd are they not on the up? They had awful goaltending, and need to get better but you're on the wrong pills if you think were in better shape than Calgary. I say this as someone who hates Calgary, by the way.

Anybody watching the Nashville game? Weber, Ellis, Josi, Ekholm are unreal. All have something in common too

edit: Ekholm was picked later than 1st or 2nd round actually. two first rounders, a second and a 4th.

Brodie looks like a 1D, Monahan a 1C and Gaudreau like a bonified star... in what worldd are they not on the up? They had awful goaltending, and need to get better but you're on the wrong pills if you think were in better shape than Calgary. I say this as someone who hates Calgary, by the way.
- neem55

Calgary have 23 mil next year. No goalies and 7 RFAs including Gudreau and Monahan. Not as much space as you think.

Anybody watching the Nashville game? Weber, Ellis, Josi, Ekholm are unreal. All have something in common too

edit: Ekholm was picked later than 1st or 2nd round actually. two first rounders, a second and a 4th.
- neem55

How many of them were picked top 10?

Brodie looks like a 1D, Monahan a 1C and Gaudreau like a bonified star... in what worldd are they not on the up? They had awful goaltending, and need to get better but you're on the wrong pills if you think were in better shape than Calgary. I say this as someone who hates Calgary, by the way.
- neem55

Yes those r 3 top talents. In the world of results they r not on the up.
Eg the Jets were on the up n dropped miserably.
Teams on the up r Buffalo Dallas Florida SJ
Til Calgary actually becomes a perennial playoff team they r only what they r now.

Now on to what i think...
Care to guess or ask?

Calgary have 23 mil next year. No goalies and 7 RFAs including Gudreau and Monahan. Not as much space as you think.
- VANTEL

True. Gaudreau an Monahan will demand some serious bucks. Colborne is very good third line or maybe even second line center for them, the rest may or may not resign and if the y do don't demand much. The top two will get Barkov money, maybe matching contracts. Colborne 2-3 mil? still got some dough. I could see them moving Wideman if the can get him to waive. We'll see. I could see a lot of players wanting to go there for less and maybe Gaudreau/Monahan take a discount on this one.

How many of them were picked top 10?
- CanuckDon

Ellis 11 th Josi 38 th Weber 49 th

Yes those r 3 top talents. In the world of results they r not on the up.
Eg the Jets were on the up n dropped miserably.
Teams on the up r Buffalo Dallas Florida SJ
Til Calgary actually becomes a perennial playoff team they r only what they r now.

Now on to what i think...
Care to guess or ask?
- Nighthawk

Fire away

True. Gaudreau an Monahan will demand some serious bucks. Colborne is very good third line or maybe even second line center for them, the rest may or may not resign and if the y do don't demand much. The top two will get Barkov money, maybe matching contracts. Colborne 2-3 mil? still got some dough. I could see them moving Wideman if the can get him to waive. We'll see. I could see a lot of players wanting to go there for less and maybe Gaudreau/Monahan take a discount on this one.
- neem55

I don't see too many wanting to go to -40 days in the winter.

Ellis 11 th Josi 38 th Weber 49 th
- VANTEL

It was a rhetorical question but thanks. We can take a D at 33rd and 63rd. That's Josi and Weber right there. Why do we need any other D?

Anybody watching the Nashville game? Weber, Ellis, Josi, Ekholm are unreal. All have something in common too

edit: Ekholm was picked later than 1st or 2nd round actually. two first rounders, a second and a 4th.
- neem55

one 1st, two 2nds and a 4th

How many of them were picked top 10?
- CanuckDon

one 1st, two 2nds and a 4th
- A_SteamingLombardi

cheers, my bad.