Two years in a row in the 5 hole with the top D pick in the draft. I'm okay with that as well, but at some point that C issue needs to be addressed.
- VanHockeyGuy

Yes. Yes. See how chips fall. Here hoping Stars pull a CBJ and take Vilardi. Or they draft for need with D. Then Nucks get their C.

Hardest position to get is 1st line center at draft. #1D or more unpredictable with long term development they can come in lower picks.

No you don't have be at the games, but you sure as sh$t see a lot more of the little things - when you can focus on whatever you want and truly follow someone, whether it's behind the play or when cameras only focus on each zone, you miss a ton of game play on TV. Some guys here base all of their "knowledge" on YouTube highlight packages. All I'm saying is watching teams/players in person can be a better way to evaluate.
- Brooks_Light[/quote]

Of course it is and anyone who says different doesn't know squat. But hey telling the difference between a plug or a star on TV takes a keen mind.

Two years in a row in the 5 hole with the top D pick in the draft. I'm okay with that as well, but at some point that C issue needs to be addressed.
- VanHockeyGuy

I'm with ya. It may have to be thru trade. Gaudette probably tops out at 2/3 C.
I keep coming back to our biggest trade chip. Tanev. So valuable. Yet would have to add to land a legitimate 1 C. What u could do is land a potential 1 C (prospect) instead, + a 1st perhaps.

Interesting times.

[quote=Brooks_Light]No you don't have be at the games, but you sure as sh$t see a lot more of the little things - when you can focus on whatever you want and truly follow someone, whether it's behind the play or when cameras only focus on each zone, you miss a ton of game play on TV. Some guys here base all of their "knowledge" on YouTube highlight packages. All I'm saying is watching teams/players in person can be a better way to evaluate.
- Nuck4U[/quote]

Of course it is and anyone who says different doesn't know squat. But hey telling the difference between a plug or a star on TV takes a keen mind.

My uncle has season tickets to the Canucks, I'll tell him to sign up on HB and rule this thread with his expertise on every Canuck.

No you don't have be at the games, but you sure as sh$t see a lot more of the little things - when you can focus on whatever you want and truly follow someone, whether it's behind the play or when cameras only focus on each zone, you miss a ton of game play on TV. Some guys here base all of their "knowledge" on YouTube highlight packages. All I'm saying is watching teams/players in person can be a better way to evaluate.
- Brooks_Light

It absolutely is.

Honestly is he was so bad and his skating is such a problem then the people who scout for a living wouldn't have him in their top 10s. Dahlen was said to have fallen out of first round only because of his skating. No one has Vilardi out of their top 10.
Windsor gets to play in the mem cup. We can all get first hand look.

I'm with ya. It may have to be thru trade. Gaudette probably tops out at 2/3 C.
I keep coming back to our biggest trade chip. Tanev. So valuable. Yet would have to add to land a legitimate 1 C. What u could do is land a potential 1 C (prospect) instead, + a 1st perhaps.

Interesting times.
- storm88

There are less odds on that then Glass or Middlestadt being available to draft. So if they are it's a no brainer take them over the best D/F in this draft.

Getzlaf played on a trash team

Boucher had some nice linemates


That's why you have to factor in these things when evaluating players. How much they play, who they play with, team's style of play, etc.

And i'm sorry, but you don't have attend games in person to evaluate a player. I can see on my television that Horvat and Tanev are good and Megna sucks.
- Nucker101

Actually…you do. It's part and partial why top scouts fly all over the globe to watch players 'in person'. Sorry dude.

It absolutely is.

Honestly is he was so bad and his skating is such a problem then the people who scout for a living wouldn't have him in their top 10s. Dahlen was said to have fallen out of first round only because of his skating. No one has Vilardi out of their top 10.
Windsor gets to play in the mem cup. We can all get first hand look.
- manvanfan

Yes he's in top 10. He might be the highest ranked forward next to Tippett in this draft. I don't see him as a Center but RW power forward. Which is where you should think it's better for Nucks to take a C in Glass or Mittlestadt if available. If not, then the top D.

Actually…you do. It's part and partial why top scouts fly all over the globe to watch players 'in person'. Sorry dude.
- LordHumungous

It's preferred and the best way, yes,but it's not the only way. That's all I'm saying.

My uncle has season tickets to the Canucks, I'll tell him to sign up on HB and rule this thread with his expertise on every Canuck.
- Nucker101

Poor guy, how's he holding up? Does he know Tanbir from Surrey

Poor guy, how's he holding up? Does he know Tanbir from Surrey
- VanHockeyGuy

He gets him through the company he works for so he gets a discounted rate and he does sell tickets to some games so he really doesn't pay much per game.


I still have yet to understand this Tanbir's dude local fame. Probably because I don't listen to 1040

I'm with ya. It may have to be thru trade. Gaudette probably tops out at 2/3 C.
I keep coming back to our biggest trade chip. Tanev. So valuable. Yet would have to add to land a legitimate 1 C. What u could do is land a potential 1 C (prospect) instead, + a 1st perhaps.

Interesting times.
- storm88

Brett Howden and a first

He gets him through the company he works for so he gets a discounted rate and he does sell tickets to some games so he really doesn't pay much per game.


I still have yet to understand this Tanbir's dude local fame. Probably because I don't listen to 1040
- Nucker101

Smart man.

I don't see what the hype is about Middlestadt. He played high school hockey. What is that equivalent to Midget, junior B? I don't know. His time in USHL was a PP point producer. What is USHL equivalent to, BCHL? Again I don't know.
I just feel we dismiss a kid like Rasmussen because he gets a lot of points on PP in a tougher league (apparently), yet we value a player like Mittlestadt higher.
Has anyone seen him play?
I know a few posters on here have stated that they watched Rasmussen live a few times and thought he was a pretty darn good player.

whoever JB takes:

half of us will criticize
half of us will praise
99% of trolls will say he got it wrong
1% clicked the wrong banner and ended up here.

As disappointing as yesterdays result was i'm comfortable with whatever pick JB makes. If the C's he covets are gone i'm sure he'll take the same path he did last year (D). In that event how about trading down a spot or two? What's that worth?
- VanHockeyGuy

It's preferred and the best way, yes,but it's not the only way. That's all I'm saying.
- Nucker101

I agree it's not the only way but video, stats and analytics only go so far. I've scouted for two WHL teams so far and eventually you have to see the player in question in person.

Yes he's in top 10. He might be the highest ranked forward next to Tippett in this draft. I don't see him as a Center but RW power forward. Which is where you should think it's better for Nucks to take a C in Glass or Mittlestadt if available. If not, then the top D.
- Nuck4U

He's 4 in central scouting. (NA) listed as Center in Windsor and on central scouting. It sounds as if he's too good for 2nd line but Brown is older and Vilardi can play the wing. I remember in London series he did take faceoffs. He looked better as a Center. It's probably real close between the 3 leftover Centers.

I like Kassian's playoff beard

I like Kassian's playoff beard


- A_SteamingLombardi

I was pumped to see him play, the first time, he was playing with Addison, and my jaw dropped the first time he went up the ice, it was as though he had a bag of rocks strapped to him, everyone was out skating him.

Second time he was mediocre, he play some decent plays but nothing special, considering the Spitfires were a decent team, I'd say 7-8 other players stuck out much more than he did.

Third time, I didn't realize he was playing until the third period, my buddy said "hey wheres that Vilardi Kid?" I spend the next 5 minutes looking for him, I had actually forgotten he was on the team.

Now I admit clearly he's putting up some points so he's doing something right, I just have yet to see it. I wonder what his 5-5 and PP numbers are?
- Brooks_Light

His coach says Vilardi is their best player so he must be doing something right .

Edit. He doesn't appear impressive when the watch him but he is apparently a stud when analyzed with advanced stats. His coach called him the engine of his team.

I like Kassian's playoff beard


- A_SteamingLombardi

His coach says Vilardi is their best player so he must be doing something right .
- CanuckDon

I read that too, I just didn't see it - I go to lot of OHL games so i was just trying to share some first hand experience for anyone that lives out of province. Thats all i'm saying.

I'm guessing that for all his skill, IQ and other strengths, his skating is the one consistent thing that scouts/reports talk about, so it must be the cause of future concern. Maybe they figure he can overcome it? Maybe hiring Bo's skating coach is the answer, who knows?

I'd say he's ranked higher too solely due to the fact that he's a centre. Realistically, guys like Robertson, M Strome, Gadjovich, Keating all put up great numbers, some even better, but you don't see there names in the top 10.

I read that too, I just didn't see it - I go to lot of OHL games so i was just trying to share some first hand experience for anyone that lives out of province. Thats all i'm saying.

I'm guessing that for all his skill, IQ and other strengths, his skating is the one consistent thing that scouts/reports talk about, so it must be the cause of future concern. Maybe they figure he can overcome it? Maybe hiring Bo's skating coach is the answer, who knows?

I'd say he's ranked higher too solely due to the fact that he's a centre. Realistically, guys like Robertson, M Strome, Gadjovich, Keating all put up great numbers, some even better, but you don't see there names in the top 10.
- Brooks_Light

I'd actually probably prefer Glass but I won't be pissed if we draft Vilardi. He said he knows his skating isn't good enough and that he is committed to getting faster in the summer. I think the Mem cup is huge for him. He could rise to 3 or fall to 7

I read that too, I just didn't see it - I go to lot of OHL games so i was just trying to share some first hand experience for anyone that lives out of province. Thats all i'm saying.

I'm guessing that for all his skill, IQ and other strengths, his skating is the one consistent thing that scouts/reports talk about, so it must be the cause of future concern. Maybe they figure he can overcome it? Maybe hiring Bo's skating coach is the answer, who knows?

I'd say he's ranked higher too solely due to the fact that he's a centre. Realistically, guys like Robertson, M Strome, Gadjovich, Keating all put up great numbers, some even better, but you don't see there names in the top 10.
- Brooks_Light

I appreciate anyone's input who has seen players live. Thanks for the input.