You never know with Dmen man. Some people thought Karlsson wouldn't amount to much and that Rundblad was a better bet. Subban, Keith, Weber, Byfuglien were all outside the first round. Sometimes your high pick Dman turns into Schenn, Hickey or Bogosian instead of Pietrangelo.
- Lindenis#1

You never really know with forwards either.

Look at Yakupov, J.Staal, Filatov. Chychrun has all the tools to be a top pairing guy, if not a #1. The question is wether he has the tool box IMO. Juolevi seems like a relatively safe #2,#3 guy. He just is more slightly built.

If someone wanted that spot enough to cough up a good prospect or high 2nd i'd trade down in the top 10.

Tyson Jost could end up being one of the better players past the top three?
- LeftCoaster

People under-estimate the BCHL because it is tough to compare to the CHL.

His U18 speaks for itself, as this list is the top scorer from each of the past U18's.

Third is what i've read all day long.

Last year the feelings were Eichel is the best player since Crosby, McDavid the best since Lemieux.
- golfingsince

Here's their draft -1 years for comparison:



Their draft years is difficult to compare (NCAA vs SUI), but Matthews certainly has the edge from the year before. During that year he also broke the record previously set by Kane (Kane's PPG in that season - his own draft -1 season - was 1.76).

Regardless, I think that Toronto have the chance to draft one hell of a player here

People under-estimate the BCHL because it is tough to compare to the CHL.

His U18 speaks for itself, as this list is the top scorer from each of the past U18's.

- classic321

I think that Jost looks like he could be one of the steals. If you guys walk away from the draft with either him or Keller ((frank) what people say about "too small") then you're in great shape... especially if you can get one by trading down a little for extra picks

Here's their draft -1 years for comparison:



Their draft years is difficult to compare (NCAA vs SUI), but Matthews certainly has the edge from the year before. During that year he also broke the record previously set by Kane (Kane's PPG in that season - his own draft -1 season - was 1.76).

Regardless, I think that Toronto have the chance to draft one hell of a player here
- lumlums

Don't listen people on here. They are just salty that we moved down when Winnipeg & F'n Columbus moved up

Matthews is the same level as Eichel

I think that Jost looks like he could be one of the steals. If you guys walk away from the draft with either him or Keller ((frank) what people say about "too small") then you're in great shape... especially if you can get one by trading down a little for extra picks
- lumlums

Jost is the guy I would take.

Plus he is going to North Dakota which has the best Training Facilities of any minor league team. They are on Par with NHL Teams facilities.

Don't listen people on here. They are just salty that we moved down when Winnipeg & F'n Columbus moved up

Matthews is the same level as Eichel
- classic321

Yeah, can't say that I'm thrilled about Winnipeg moving up.

I too think that Matthews is on the same level as Eichel. And if he can form a solid partnership with Marner we could have one of the top scoring partnerships in the league. Add in Nylander (plus what look to be some decent late round picks in Brown, Tymashov, Johnsson etc) and we're getting some good pieces in place. It's the D and G positions that truly worry me though...

Jost is the guy I would take.

Plus he is going to North Dakota which has the best Training Facilities of any minor league team. They are on Par with NHL Teams facilities.
- classic321

Yeah, Jost has looked awesome thus far. And ND knows how to grow hockey players as you say

Yeah, can't say that I'm thrilled about Winnipeg moving up.

I too think that Matthews is on the same level as Eichel. And if he can form a solid partnership with Marner we could have one of the top scoring partnerships in the league. Add in Nylander (plus what look to be some decent late round picks in Brown, Tymashov, Johnsson etc) and we're getting some good pieces in place. It's the D and G positions that truly worry me though...
- lumlums

Yeah you guys are on your way with what looks like 4 potential franchise players.
(reilly, marner, nylander and matthews)

We have yet to find one (potentially Horvat)

You guys should probably pick up Carter hart with your first 2nd rounder.

Really? From most of what I've read, he would have gone second last year. Better than Eichel, not as good as Jesus.
- NewYorkNuck

Matthews will be slightly better than Eichel...McDavid is more than a notch above both

Matthews will be slightly better than Eichel...McDavid is more than a notch above both
- LordHumungous

Yeah His skating is soo much better than either of them.

Yeah you guys are on your way with what looks like 4 potential franchise players.
(reilly, marner, nylander and matthews)

We have yet to find one (potentially Horvat)

You guys should probably pick up Carter hart with your first 2nd rounder.
- classic321

Nylander and Reilly are franchise players?

Here's their draft -1 years for comparison:



Their draft years is difficult to compare (NCAA vs SUI), but Matthews certainly has the edge from the year before. During that year he also broke the record previously set by Kane (Kane's PPG in that season - his own draft -1 season - was 1.76).

Regardless, I think that Toronto have the chance to draft one hell of a player here
- lumlums

If what your saying is true why are all these "analysts" saying he would have gone third.

If what your saying is true why are all these "analysts" saying he would have gone third.
- pker2theend

He is a leafs prospect. #generationaltalent

Jost is the guy I would take.

Plus he is going to North Dakota which has the best Training Facilities of any minor league team. They are on Par with NHL Teams facilities.
- classic321

One more reason trading down if not a D stands out for JB.
Maybe the Canes will deal their 2 1sts in a deal.
Pick Jost or Brown then McAvoy a RHD

http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...picks-team-2016-nhl-draft

There's enough quantity on D to be optimistic. Between Pedan, Stecher, Subban and Tryamkin you're gonna get something. Maybe that Cagguila(sp) signs too. Plus there are a couple CHL prospects that some people are getting a bit higher on.

There isn't much in the forward pipelines right now outside of Boeser. I guess Rodin hasn't quite debuted yet but he's 25. Hopefully McCann get some serious minutes in the AHL this year.

Not taking a forward is probably a mistake.
- Lindenis#1

I agree we have some good prospects and still this years UFA and draft season are coming up.
However What I disagree with is Subban. There are several of us here who dont see him making the nhl at 5'9 and crappy defensive instincts. Offense is superb yes and exciting to watch too, but the word on him is his defense needs immense amounts of work. If youre that small you have to be sound defensively.

I've said it before, since its unlikely he'll make nhl see if Habs will overpay due to the Subban name.

Otherwise our D prospects look good. Be interesting to see what Larson has.

Yeah, can't say that I'm thrilled about Winnipeg moving up.

I too think that Matthews is on the same level as Eichel. And if he can form a solid partnership with Marner we could have one of the top scoring partnerships in the league. Add in Nylander (plus what look to be some decent late round picks in Brown, Tymashov, Johnsson etc) and we're getting some good pieces in place. It's the D and G positions that truly worry me though...
- lumlums

given that the focus of the last draft was clearly skill and forwards (for the most part), I could see the Leafs going heavy D-man and Goalie picking... certainly starting in the 2nd round.

obviously its a crap-shoot the farther you get down the draft... but it would seem that Hunter and Co really do know what they are looking at. If they can pluck a couple of later round gems that could really back-fill the D prospects and goaltending.

I also would not be surprised to see Lou deal a couple of the existing prospects at the draft.... wouldn't be surprised at all to see Kapanen dealt or perhaps Corrado or Percy.

Matthews will be slightly better than Eichel...McDavid is more than a notch above both
- LordHumungous

Yeah I am thinking it could work out that way.

I would be pretty happy if Matthews had the rookie year that Eichel did though.

lol

Yeah, Jost has looked awesome thus far. And ND knows how to grow hockey players as you say
- lumlums

Too small, the western teams will bang him up good.

One more reason trading down if not a D stands out for JB.
Maybe the Canes will deal their 2 1sts in a deal.
Pick Jost or Brown then McAvoy a RHD

http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...picks-team-2016-nhl-draft
- Nighthawk

i'd always considered trading down but at this point a top end talent with Benning drafting good in lower rounds would probably be the best option.

Too small, the western teams will bang him up good.
- VanHockeyGuy

SHOW ME JONNY GAUDREAU!!!!

SHOW ME JONNY GAUDREAU!!!!
- manvanfan

I could see Jost doing well with a team back east.

I could see Jost doing well with a team back east.
- VanHockeyGuy

I don't know how big he is actually is, three websites i just looked at had him listed from 5'10" to 6' anywhere from 190-200. I wouldn't count him out because of size, thats been shown in the past years that guys are too small and do well. Maybe take them a year or two more to grow physically but high end skill can't be ignored anymore.

I don't know how big he is actually is, three websites i just looked at had him listed from 5'10" to 6' anywhere from 190-200. I wouldn't count him out because of size, thats been shown in the past years that guys are too small and do well. Maybe take them a year or two more to grow physically but high end skill can't be ignored anymore.
- manvanfan

Perhaps it's just me. I have seen him play lots, he's loaded with talent for sure. I don't know how that will translate into the pro game. Then again he's a kid and alot can happen, especially with a great program like North Dakota. JB needs to stick with the safe pick here.