No doubt, I think it's mainly because they just have more promise and when they play well, they look more dominant than a skill/speed guy. We saw it with Bernier and Kassian. Jake is obviously a much better skater than those 2 though so he should at least be able to provide energy on the forecheck and disrupt all over the ice when his offense isn't there.

He was floating way too much in Vancouver this year and never really threw his weight around. He's doing a better job of it in Utica now.
- Nucker101

Most of the blame was being thrown on the coach in here until I produced the Michelin Man pic of him.

I'm okay with that, not like WD has much to work with at this point. I could see Granlund fitting in well with Bo/Sven, they need a guy who goes to the net. Forecheck will be weak though, none of those 3 are great on the forecheck, entire team is obviously weak in that department after losing Hansen/Burrows.
- Nucker101

People want a look into the post Sedin future... well take a look... three players that will be in our top 6 playing together. It's never too early to be working on the chemistry...

Ok, he had an all star lineup of veterans last year.
We had no injuries & he is a lost cause.
You're a depressing person.

Do tell, what are my hopes for him?
- Nighthawk

Fixed

Thanks Carol,

It will be interesting to see how Tryamkin responds tonight after WD's strange remarks.

5-1 Oilers
- VanHockeyGuy

Which comments??

2 not 3. He said better.
- Nighthawk

It's still another team to factor in, which this has the same odds, not better and if they both lose the lotto gets to pick ahead.

I posted this in the last blog. There is a lot of time for me to change my mind though. We will see how it looks closer to the draft.

1. Nolan Patrick
2. Timothy Liljegren
3. Michael Rasmusen
4. Cale Makar
5. Gabriel Vilardi
6. Nico Hischier
7. Jusso Valimaki
8. Casey Middlestadt
9. Klim Kostin
10. Callan Foote

Honourable Mentions: Martin Necas and Owen Tippet.

This is just my order. Not saying this is how it will go down.
- thundachunk

Id be shocked if Nico fell below 2nd. I don't like Rasmussen or Liljegren at all. Like where you have Makar. I think he is the top D man

its still another team to factor in, which this has the same odds, not better and if they both lose the lotto gets to pick ahead.
- Nuck4U

But....... facts.

There are only two teams with better odds then the team that finishes with the third worst record.

Now i could say that there would only be three teams with equal or better odds then the team that finishes with the third worst record.

Semantics.

I'm putting LE lack of production on WD. He has been bumped up and down the lineup, he wasn't given 1st PP time as the net front presence, which is where he is the most dangerous. He has spent most the yr with a Sutter, who is a shooting, puck hogging centerman. As a good coach it's your responsibility to put your players in positions to play to their strengths. WD hasn't done that with LE. Next yr LE will score 25+ goals!
- Kaynine

Id be shocked if Nico fell below 2nd. I don't like Rasmussen or Liljegren at all. Like where you have Makar. I think he is the top D man
- CanuckDon

D man 2 years in a row unprecedented. Liking what I'm reading about Mittelstadt as well. JB will have some good options this year.

D man 2 years in a row unprecedented. Liking what I'm reading about Mittelstadt as well. JB will have some good options this year.
- VanHockeyGuy

I would take Patrick, Nico, Mittelstad or Vilardi before I'd consider a dman. We desperately need a center.

I would take Patrick, Nico, Mittelstad or Vilardi before I'd consider a dman. We desperately need a center.
- CanuckDon

Yes we do and there's some options there this year if they stay the course and get some lottery luck.

I would take Patrick, Nico, Mittelstad or Vilardi before I'd consider a dman. We desperately need a center.
- CanuckDon

I agree totally👍
Still like to see another deal get done & go full rebuild.
Necas should not be ignored either.

Yes we do and there's some options there this year if they stay the course and get some lottery luck.
- VanHockeyGuy

Yup, as long as we are picking top 6 we should get a nice young center prospect

Willie moving Chaput with the Sedin's and Granlund with Bo/Sven.

I kinda expected to see some people in here freaking out
- WhiteLie

Give it time.

But....... facts.

There are only two teams with better odds then the team that finishes with the third worst record.

Now i could say that there would only be three teams with equal or better odds then the team that finishes with the third worst record.

Semantics.
- Pres.cup

You didn't say anything unless you are Lefty?!? But it's a factor that another team is competing for draft position weighted equally on odds. Plus having better position on draft pick, if lotto lost by both, and 3rd pick in each remaining round is more then semantics.

Bert's a perfect example of a guy who was mentally finesse 'til he realized he was capable of being a bull in a China shop without sacrificing creativity & skill.
- DrChristianTroy

Even Bertuzzi had an 18 goal season with the Islanders as a 20 year old.

Three. You forget it's not better then Vegas. Don tell know why you don't seem to realize the significance of their effect in the lotto and draft overall.
- Nuck4U

You're right, I forgot about Vegas. If we finish 3rd last they get the same odds as us. Still not better odds though.

Maybe not. I don't see why people had been saying wait and see on Shink to judge that trade for the last year but have written off JV already. It's funny how that works.

I want to see how JV handles his summer, training camp and preseason. If he shows up a punk again and is sent down,,,, then I write him off as not living up to potential. I'm just very concerned at this point.
- boonerbuck

Speaking from my own personal point of view, I haven't written him off, I just don't think he's going to be the player I thought he was going to be. Primarily because of his maturity issues.

I still think he can be an NHL player, just not as hopeful as I once was about his potential.

No doubt, I think it's mainly because they just have more promise and when they play well, they look more dominant than a skill/speed guy. We saw it with Bernier and Kassian. Jake is obviously a much better skater than those 2 though so he should at least be able to provide energy on the forecheck and disrupt all over the ice when his offense isn't there.

He was floating way too much in Vancouver this year and never really threw his weight around. He's doing a better job of it in Utica now.
- Nucker101

Good post

I think jake will be just fine

It's still another team to factor in, which this has the same odds, not better and if they both lose the lotto gets to pick ahead.
- Nuck4U

I still don't believe you understand how the lottery works

You didn't say anything unless you are Lefty?!? But it's a factor that another team is competing for draft position weighted equally on odds. Plus having better position on draft pick, if lotto lost by both, and 3rd pick in each remaining round is more then semantics.
- Nuck4U

I'm afraid that I'm better looking and a poorer fisher then lefty is. So no, I'm not lefty.

Grammatically when someone says that only two teams will have better odds then them, it is correct regardless if everyone has equal odds from then on, or if everyone else has poorer odds.

That is why I called out the statement, it was meaningless but an English law, hence, semantics.

They do not have better odds then the third placed team does.

Ugh..... nice day outside...... don't know what I'm doing in here.

I don't think there's as many true power forwards as people label guys, but, you're right in that it's a confidence thing, in part. Development is key for any kid, not just bigger guys.
- LeftCoaster

The power forwards can take longer probably because it's a bigger jump for them to be a force in using strength at higher level. That confidence of boys to men. Where skill use or scoring goals is just trying to fit in and take advantage of oppportinity. You don't need to dominate older NHL men physically to be successful as a skill player. Just survive the pressure and sneak in your scores.

Also on JV. He's not big really. I had him as an E.Kane type with less flash/skill. Problem is he's not as in good shape or has a swagger to drive the play out there. Though he can still be developed and figure out how to be effective at a high and consistent level. We'll see.

It's disappointing yes he isn't there yet while other types of players in his draft class are having early success. But that doesn't mean it's over for him as an elite player.

We know he can play in the NHL now. We want him to play at an elite level. Which is why they decunstructed his game. To build him up. Getting him there one aspect at a time.

Hopefully Draisaitl gets five points tonight, need to keep the pressure on in the Carols Crew Hockey Pool!!

Most of the blame was being thrown on the coach in here until I produced the Michelin Man pic of him.

- boonerbuck

Franking troublemaker