I have been high on Mittlestadt because he seems to have the most upside, hockey IQ and creativity among top centers. He has decent size like a Bo. But then I get stuck with how top 6 talent and prospects for Nucks don't have real size that's needed in the Pacific Division. Playoff brackets being what they are too.

That's why Nico despite his deceptive scoring talent isn't registering as a better pick for Nucks either. So then Nolan and Vilardi come up. Glass is there too being grittier but not bigger and less talented. Slower skater too.

So, despite injury in draft year Nolan hasn't been overtaken. If this had happened to Mathews or Hall then they would have dropped to Laine and Tyler. So that says either Nolan is special enough to maintain the gap or the rest are far back in development.

Thus, if Nucks have a chance they should take Nolan. They need the size with talent on 1st line. The Pacific Division sort of demands it. He'd be a solid 1LC. Same with Vilardi with lesser proven talent and some first step skating issues. But he's got size upside and no injury history to stain him.

I have been high on Mittlestadt because he seems to have the most upside, hockey IQ and creativity among top centers. He has decent size like a Bo. But then I get stuck with how top 6 talent and prospects for Nucks don't have real size that's needed in the Pacific Division. Playoff brackets being what they are too.

That's why Nico despite his deceptive scoring talent isn't registering as a better pick for Nucks either. So then Nolan and Vilardi come up. Glass is there too being grittier but not bigger and less talented. Slower skater too.

So, despite injury in draft year Nolan hasn't been overtaken. If this had happened to Mathews or Hall then they would have dropped to Laine and Tyler. So that says either Nolan is special enough to maintain the gap or the rest are far back in development.

Thus, if Nucks have a chance they should take Nolan. They need the size with talent on 1st line. The Pacific Division sort of demands it. He'd be a solid 1LC. Same with Vilardi with lesser proven talent and some first step skating issues. But he's got size upside and no injury history to stain him.
- Nuck4U

Size is always a nice bonus but the Canucks need high end talent more than any team other than Vegas. BPA. I think that's Nico. Benning needs to take the most skilled player in his opinion and not worry about size, nationality etc

Grant McCag's list.
- CanuckDon

Are you a member of his site? If so, how do his rankings differ from the mock?

Manvanfan suggested 3rd or 4th round, all sites suggest that also.
What I like about his scouting report is he has size skill and hockey IQ. After watching Ducks Oilers and the rest of conference playoffs we need some size preferably with skill.
A team like Oilers with Lucic Kassian Maroon Draisaitl and Nurse seems to have added confidence to players like RNH Letestu and Eberle, who have been hitting and playing much better than I have ever seen before.
I am not saying I want a team of meatheads, just some balance.
- Reubenkincade

Yes size and skill for top 6 needed on Nucks. I guess you were adding on to my point with Pacific Division. So you agree. Better this draft that isn't as clear with rankings and differences in skill level. Slant it toward size on Forwards, Right?

Are you a member of his site? If so, how do his rankings differ from the mock?
- DrChristianTroy

I'm not...but he does post his actual top 10 over on HF. His actual list appears pretty similar. He claims Heiskanen is a true 1 D and claims scouts agee. I like Heiskanen a lot but that's a bold claim

Yes size and skill for top 6 needed on Nucks. I guess you were adding on to my point with Pacific Division. So you agree. Better this draft that isn't as clear with rankings and differences in skill level. Slant it toward size on Forwards, Right?
- Nuck4U

Skilled with size this draft at forward yes. We need some of those types in our pool.

I'm not...but he does post his actual top 10 over on HF. His actual list appears pretty similar. He claims Heiskanen is a true 1 D and claims scouts agee. I like Heiskanen a lot but that's a bold claim
- CanuckDon

I like bold... and a dude who relies on a draft site as his sole source of income would be pretty short sighted to be making up sh!t like that, so I believe him. Pretty interesting!

I like bold... and a dude who relies on a draft site as his sole source of income would be pretty short sighted to be making up sh!t like that, so I believe him. Pretty interesting!
- DrChristianTroy

He was with mckeens before. Sounds like he has legit sources. He needs hits so part of it could be to get traffic to his site but he he appears to have some legitimacy

I'm not...but he does post his actual top 10 over on HF. His actual list appears pretty similar. He claims Heiskanen is a true 1 D and claims scouts agee. I like Heiskanen a lot but that's a bold claim
- CanuckDon

I have started to like Heiskanen recently also, but I am not sure if he will be a #1d. I guess it depends what people define as a # 1, is it a PP guy that gets points or is it a minute-munching all-situations defenseman.
Adam Larsson looks like a pretty good #1 defenseman for Edmonton right now, but is not known as a point producer.
Shattenkirk is a point producer that is maybe a #4 defenseman.(imo)

Size is always a nice bonus but the Canucks need high end talent more than any team other than Vegas. BPA. I think that's Nico. Benning needs to take the most skilled player in his opinion and not worry about size, nationality etc
- CanuckDon

Well those guys mentioned as choices are all high end talent and grouped with Nico. BPA can be highly subjective as you know. But we are talking about the same position of centers. So this narrows it down.

Then, given they are all high end talent centers what's the need or missing type of player on Nucks?

They have some skilled prospects in BB, Dahlen, Goldy that are top 6 types. Sven and Granlund have developed into that as well. Bo is solid for top 6 but not a big on size player.

Thus, if you had a choice of high end centers of same grouping of talent I'm saying what's best for for Nucks is to lean to size.

I agree that Nico is flashier or more exciting then the size guys, Nolan, Vilardi, Glass. But it doesn't make him more effective for the team.

Also, take Manvanfan's eye witness observations on Nolan seeing him 30 times. He described 1st impression Crosby like because of how he took a puck at high speed and set up a scoring chance.

I don't disregard what you are saying about Nico. But he's not head and shoulders above in talent. So the Nucks should consider what's best to compete in their division.

A little off topic but man were the guys in Steely Dan some ugly mother(frank)ers.


- A_SteamingLombardi

So good.

So good.
- dbot

yes...I really like Do it Again. Chill, serene feel

I agree with most here ! It suck when you see the opportunity for a young Coach with so much potential set up for failure, he seems like a good guy?but management has sold him this b.s. about being competitive next year or two, when it's more like 5/? It takes patients! , I know I'm a Canucks fan too! So again agree with you guys gone in two years at the most! Have a great day

Ducks got a taste of their own medicine from last series ...I still think they grind the oil down and win in 6
- Redmile247

This series was a tough call. If it goes 6-7 I think it actually may favour the Oil. Gonna be interesting...

I agree with most here ! It suck when you see the opportunity for a young Coach with so much potential set up for failure, he seems like a good guy?but management has sold him this b.s. about being competitive next year or two, when it's more like 5/? It takes patients! , I know I'm a Canucks fan too! So again agree with you guys gone in two years at the most! Have a great day
- MR.Hunter

Many here thought Babcock was set up to fail in TO as well…but he's doing ok.

This series was a tough call. If it goes 6-7 I think it actually may favour the Oil. Gonna be interesting...
- LordHumungous

I just think the ducks will wear the oil down ...they looked like they could put the puck on the boards and the oil just took a beating ...lucky bounce wins it

Many here thought Babcock was set up to fail in TO as well…but he's doing ok.
- LordHumungous

I just think the ducks will wear the oil down ...they looked like they could put the puck on the boards and the oil just took a beating ...lucky bounce wins it
- Redmile247

The Ducks hit iron like 3 or 4 times.

NFL Draft Day


Seahawks 1st OT


Suck it DCT

The Ducks hit iron like 3 or 4 times.
- thundachunk

Yup

NFL Draft Day


Seahawks 1st OT


Suck it DCT
- VanHockeyGuy

NY Giants

NFL Draft Day


Seahawks 1st OT


Suck it DCT
- VanHockeyGuy

I've been getting (frank)ed over onto these graveyards. It may happen again tonight.

I've been getting (frank)ed over onto these graveyards. It may happen again tonight.
- golfingsince

I hate graveyards. I haven't had to do one in over 10 years now.

I hate graveyards. I haven't had to do one in over 10 years now.
- thundachunk

spare board life man. I usually work about 1 a month, but i've been in a rut.

Oh well, at least i sleep in my own bed.

I just think the ducks will wear the oil down ...they looked like they could put the puck on the boards and the oil just took a beating ...lucky bounce wins it
- Redmile247

It's possible however the Oil do have players that can combat that. Kassian, Maroon, Lucic, Nurse, Pouliot, Larson can play ANA's 'big and heavy' game if need be. I'm not sold on the Ducks being overpowering just yet...

To me if gary's refs allow the Ducks to play dirty which is basically their moniker...they'll move on.

If the series is called fairly I give the edge to EDM.