Just like I like Chych in the top 5 last year, my opinions on players don't change because they had an injury setback unless it's concussion
- neem55

But he has been brutal all season and a disaster at the U18's. He isn't even the best Swedish draft eligible defenseman but fair enough, stick to your guns.

He's not slow either, I think he might be the big sleeper (if a top5 can be called that) and may end up being the best player in the draft. Glass is another intriguing one. If we pick lower and vilardi is gone, I'd be into him being a 4 or 5 pick. I was challenged by a few posters about putting him low on my draft list and so have watched some tape, definitely an elite scoring center and may have the size to be the same at the next level.
- neem55

I don't know about "best" player but certainly a player like Sean Monahan. Scoring around the same pace. Near the same size. Play a similar game. Monahan has scored more points then Mackinnon.

He could probably work on his skating a bit.

Is on a better scoring pace then Bo was. Missed 19 games this season thanks to injury.

He is why I can't see anyone taking a D in the top 3.

I got a look at Glass at the u18s. He was good. Better then most. Explains why he is highly ranked this year. I don't know if he makes my top 5 though.

Juolevi heiskanen
Stech Tanev
Hutton EG
Tryamkin
Not bad

Nico
Horvat
Gaudette/Sutter
Sedin/ some scrub

Solid
- CanuckDon

D is ok.
Center is anything but solid.
just my opinion.

Surprised Dragon hasn't weighed in on Green, maybe he's waiting on which assistants get hired before he decides how good of a sword wielder Green is
- neem55

I dont really know much about green in that capacity. But EARLIER I DID SAY we will have to wait till at least part way through the season to begin to judge his abilities.

I don't know about "best" player but certainly a player like Sean Monahan. Scoring around the same pace. Near the same size. Play a similar game. Monahan has scored more points then Mackinnon.

He could probably work on his skating a bit.

Is on a better scoring pace then Bo was. Missed 19 games this season thanks to injury.

He is why I can't see anyone taking a D in the top 3.

I got a look at Glass at the u18s. He was good. Better then most. Explains why he is highly ranked this year. I don't know if he makes my top 5 though.
- manvanfan

Glass is an interesting one...kid has grown 5 inches in 18 months could be a beast when he is filled out/ coordinated

Mtl, NyR, Wsh all seem like logical destinations to land.

? maybe Tor (with Lou connection).
- dbot

The Devils own Kovy's rights so he would have to sign with them or be traded by NJ.

D is ok.
Center is anything but solid.
just my opinion.
- dbot

You don't think Horvat is a good 2nd line center? Or you don't think Sutter is a good 3rd line center?

Patrick
Nico
Vilardi
Liljgren
Glass

I'm starting to lean with Vilardi as a top 2.
- neem55

lol just because you hear some good things. Don't be like the rest. DCT will come in and pump up the tires of Mittelstadt and everyone will be on board for that again.

Juolevi heiskanen
Stech Tanev
Hutton EG
Tryamkin
Not bad

Nico
Horvat
Gaudette/Sutter
Sedin/ some scrub

Solid
- CanuckDon

Improvement for sure but this team has a long way to go in terms of depth. Tryamkin and Zhukenov going back home hurts a lot which is saying something.

You don't think Horvat is a good 2nd line center? Or you don't think Sutter is a good 3rd line center?
- CanuckDon

i don't think Nico is a 1C.

The Devils own Kovy's rights so he would have to sign with them or be traded by NJ.
- LeftCoaster

yup.

Improvement for sure but this team has a long way to go in terms of depth. Tryamkin and Zhukenov going back home hurts a lot which is saying something.
- belcherbd

Zhukenov isn't a loss. He doesn't hurt at all. Tryamkin is unfortunate but he will probably be back one day

i don't think Nico is a 1C.
- dbot

Agree to disagree on that one my Kiwi friend

Glass is an interesting one...kid has grown 5 inches in 18 months could be a beast when he is filled out/ coordinated
- CanuckDon

Patrick
Hischier
Vilardi
Mittelstadt
are my solid top 4.

Liljegren
Glass
Heiskanen
Necas
Makar
Tippett
round out my top 10. Don't know the order of them though.

Kristian Vesalainen
Nick Suzuki
Eeli Tolvanen
Michael Rasmussen
Elias Pettersson

Round out my top 15.

lol just because you hear some good things. Don't be like the rest. DCT will come in and pump up the tires of Mittelstadt and everyone will be on board for that again.
- manvanfan

I'm on the Mittlestadt hype train. I wouldn't have the balls to pick him over Nico or Patrick but I think he will turn out to be the best of the bunch.

Improvement for sure but this team has a long way to go in terms of depth. Tryamkin and Zhukenov going back home hurts a lot which is saying something.
- belcherbd

Is that a for sure? That wouldn't be bad for him to go play against men but rather him go to Utica.

lol just because you hear some good things. Don't be like the rest. DCT will come in and pump up the tires of Mittelstadt and everyone will be on board for that again.
- manvanfan

To be fair, I was doing that back when we were picking like 4-7. Nobody here knows my top 5 yet (& neither do I - it changes daily)

Every meathead in here trashing Virtanen will eating crow in a couple of years mark my words.
- Bettmanhatesus

hell ya biothches ...conn smythe VIRTANEN

Patrick
Hischier
Vilardi
Mittelstadt
are my solid top 4.

Liljegren
Glass
Heiskanen
Necas
Makar
Tippett
round out my top 10. Don't know the order of them though.

Kristian Vesalainen
Nick Suzuki
Eeli Tolvanen
Michael Rasmussen
Elias Pettersson

Round out my top 15.
- manvanfan

Interesting list...I wouldn't touch Liljegren with a top 20 pick but I agree with the rest of yours. Makar, Veslainen are in my top 10 and Heiskanen is my top D

Why wouldn't the NHL have more than one ambulance at a playoff game ? Let's just wait even longer to resume the game

Zhukenov isn't a loss. He doesn't hurt at all. Tryamkin is unfortunate but he will probably be back one day
- CanuckDon

This team has no centres in the pipeline other than Gaudette so it definitely hurts. Zhukenov is a good player even if he is a long shot for the NHL.

hell ya biothches ...con artist VIRTANEN
- onesmallleap

Well said

Agree to disagree on that one my Kiwi friend
- CanuckDon

Surely that's not an eye-popping worthy statement.

He's no McDavid, Mathews, Eichel.
I think he's a big ol ? to develop into a true 1c at this point.

Glass is an interesting one...kid has grown 5 inches in 18 months could be a beast when he is filled out/ coordinated
- CanuckDon

I liked the performance/skill notes on him as well

My preference in order for Canucks not necessarily the top 5.

Patrick
Vilardi
Glass
Necas
Heiskanen or Valimaki

Trying to pick order in this draft is difficult. Some teams may pick a defenseman that they rate higher than some of the centre's at top of draft so I am avoiding predicting when they go until after Saturday ping-pong tournament.