For what it's worth, Really liked the Burrows blog.
Miss his heart and wish him well.

To me drafting BPA is drafting the player with the highest ceiling and the highest likelihood of meeting or exceeding that potential, thats why I liked the Juolevi pick. Tkachuk looks great now, but I would imagine that in a short period of time Puljujarvi (who seems forgotten since the draft) and Dubois will end up better players despite Tkachuk's head start at the NHL level
- WhiteLie

I think the oilers are pretty high on bringing him up for the playoff run, he just needed polishing in the AHL. Columbus scooping Dubois up definitely disappointed me, he's going to be really good.

I think all 3 have complimentary PP skills, in that they are the puck distributors but not the threat. IMO a #1 PP defenseman is a threat, like Karlsson, Burns, Doughty, Lindholm/Vatanen, Weber, Ellis, Mike Green in his prime, etc.

Of who we have I think Stecher could possibly become that, but looking at his UND time it still ran primarily through Boeser and the forwards
- WhiteLie

Benning on draft interests: "If there's true No. 1 PP defensemen, we look hard. A top playmaking centre is one thing we'll concentrate on."

Vantel mentioned the D a few weeks back, and several of us debated us needing a high draft pick to find that illusive center.
- VanHockeyGuy

*crosses off all wingers from 1st round draft list*


Not like drafting for need has ever hurt this team in the past.....


Good thing is that there are a lot of good centers ranked in the top 15

Benning on draft interests: "If there's true No. 1 PP defensemen, we look hard. A top playmaking centre is one thing we'll concentrate on."

Vantel mentioned the D a few weeks back, and several of us debated us needing a high draft pick to find that illusive center.
- VanHockeyGuy

@Vantel from last blog

I think Benning targets Patrick-Nico-Vilardi followed by mittelstad. I doubt he wants Liljegren. If we drop to 7-10, he might take Makar. He seems like a pure offense/ pure pp dman.

I see OJ as a hamhuis, vlasic or tanev type dman. He will be a good steady player who can play with anyone.

I dont see him as having any potential to lead the team in scoring from the back end and if he is then we are in trouble.
- mauryballstein

Agreed. That's his ceiling, although I still think he's not as steady defensively as I'd like to say he's a future Tanev/Vlasic. I'd say worse defensively than Tanev, but better offensively would be a safe bet, assuming he reaches his potential.

How much more weight does Virtanen have to lose??

I think Keith is a good comparable for OJ myself. Likely not THAT good, but Keith isn't flashy, he is more defensive than offensive. But can carry the puck out, has a great first pass and can put a shot on net. Often in areas that allow for a good tip in or rebound. OJ seems to have a lot of that ability. Time will tell if he can take it to an elite level though.
- Retinalz

OJ will need to play at a higher level for those attributes to come out more. So hope he makes it up to Nucks soon and they have elite talent coming in to advance that aspect in his play.

How much more weight does Virtanen have to lose??
- kaptaan

He should play at 6'1-210

How much more weight does Virtanen have to lose??
- kaptaan

It's not solely about weight.

Bo is a tank at 6 foot, 210+ lbs, and he's in great shape. Or you can be Kyle Wellwood at 5'10" and 180 lbs and look like an average dude.


So it's possible for Jake to be at 215+ and still be in good shape by NHL standards.

He should play at 6'1-210
- CanuckDon

What was his weight at the beginning of the season? I seem to remember 238 lbs.

What was his weight at the beginning of the season? I seem to remember 238 lbs.
- Marwood

Yes, he was around 230. I saw him out, he was a fat (frank). I figured he was around 20 pounds overweight so he probably needs to lose another 5. He lost his speed with the weight gain.

It's not solely about weight.

Bo is a tank at 6 foot, 210+ lbs, and he's in great shape. Or you can be Kyle Wellwood at 5'10" and 180 lbs and look like an average dude.


So it's possible for Jake to be at 215+ and still be in good shape by NHL standards.
- Nucker101

it is when you were able to skate pretty quickly on the ice at 200/205 lbs and can't take 10 strides without sucking wind at 225+

I see OJ as a hamhuis, vlasic or tanev type dman. He will be a good steady player who can play with anyone.

I dont see him as having any potential to lead the team in scoring from the back end and if he is then we are in trouble.
- mauryballstein

I Vlasic would be more likely. I see him having more offensive instincts than Hammer or Tanev. Already has a better shot than Tanev. Vlasic is no slouch on offensive. I see OJ being a 40 pt dman(much like Vlasic/Keith) with a few season of less and a few of more.

Agreed. That's his ceiling, although I still think he's not as steady defensively as I'd like to say he's a future Tanev/Vlasic. I'd say worse defensively than Tanev, but better offensively would be a safe bet, assuming he reaches his potential.
- Nucker101

Vlasic would be excellent. Not a true #1 but better than a #2 IMO. OJ doesn't seem to block shots and much, but has excellent positioning and stick. He also has good offensive instincts. A Liljegren or Foote would look great in a top pairing with him.

It's not solely about weight.

Bo is a tank at 6 foot, 210+ lbs, and he's in great shape. Or you can be Kyle Wellwood at 5'10" and 180 lbs and look like an average dude.


So it's possible for Jake to be at 215+ and still be in good shape by NHL standards.
- Nucker101

it's not weight; it's conditioning.

he's losing pounds as his conditioning/cardio improves and he loses the beer/wings fat he had in the summer. he put on weight in the summer but it wasn't good weight. he needs to lose the fat and then slowly put on muscle.

i still think that his frame can support a 225 pound power forward but the extra pounds have to come from good/healthy eating plus extremely good work outs.

no more being mac from it's always sunny who was "cultivating mass."

it's not weight; it's conditioning.

he's losing pounds as his conditioning/cardio improves and he loses the beer/wings fat he had in the summer. he put on weight in the summer but it wasn't good weight. he needs to lose the fat and then slowly put on muscle.

i still think that his frame can support a 225 pound power forward but the extra pounds have to come from good/healthy eating plus extremely good work outs.

no more being mac from it's always sunny who was "cultivating mass."
- RealityChecker

- SRam19

The Mac references get me every time

- SRam19

- SRam19

rum Ham

The Mac references get me every time
- Whiskey-Tango

from the last thread - man i hate postings a minute too late before new blog goes up - feel like such a douche....




thanks for the twitter link - JB answered a lot of questions there.

I'm expecting they draft 5th again. If so, play making centers available could be Vilardi or Mittlestadt. If not, he'll probably take Liljegren if he's still there. The big question is whether or not, Avs, Yotes, Wings or Devils need D more than a Forward. Vegas is the wild card, who knows what theyll need.
- Brooks_Light

Hey folks.... sorry, been away for a few days.... but what I notice when I came back today is the amount of comments on all blogs is way way down. Anyone else notice this?

What was his weight at the beginning of the season? I seem to remember 238 lbs.
- Marwood

Benning said recently he was at 231 in camp and is now at 213