I'd like to watch a few of Bouchard's games. I'm okay with anyone of the consensus top 5 picks, except Svechnikov. Yes, it's a Russian thing.
- VanHockeyGuy

I have only seen Svechnikov twice, but, he looks pretty good. Any of the top 5 will help fill some of our glaring holes.
I have some concerns about the Russians also, but moreso the ones that play in Russia. Malkin and Ovechkin seem to have worked out for their respective teams, as has Kucherov.
Although i prefer another centre, this team badly needs another player(or 3) that can score, so i would be pretty happy with Svechnikov or Zadina, assuming we dont get 1st overall.

Junior playoffs start this week.
Games of interest may be the Barrie Colts on Thursday(Svechnikov), London Knights, (Bouchard) Thursday and Halifax Moosehead(Zadina) on Friday.
- Reubenkincade

Been watching a lot more tape. This kid is unreal. Reminds me of Blake Wheeler, no way such a big guy should be able to go that fast to the net. I'm becoming a fan. Easy top3 for me. I like Bouchard, but not enough to take him unless it's at #5. He's not a top4 pick this year IMO.

Nope he had Boeser going 26th to MTL Calling myself out!
- storm88

It's a crap shoot. I'll stick with Bob McKenzie though.

It's a crap shoot. I'll stick with Bob McKenzie though.
- VanHockeyGuy

It's really difficult, which is why people get paid very well for being experts. I will also trust those people/a meta-analysis of them.
#science

Been watching a lot more tape. This kid is unreal. Reminds me of Blake Wheeler, no way such a big guy should be able to go that fast to the net. I'm becoming a fan. Easy top3 for me. I like Bouchard, but not enough to take him unless it's at #5. He's not a top4 pick this year IMO.
- neem55

I really like Bouchard as well, but as you say not in top 4. I have him as 2nd best defenseman @#5.
Dahlin, is clearcut #1, then a coin toss between Zadina and Svechnikov. Tkachuk at #4.

I really like Bouchard as well, but as you say not in top 4. I have him as 2nd best defenseman @#5.
Dahlin, is clearcut #1, then a coin toss between Zadina and Svechnikov. Tkachuk at #4.
- Reubenkincade

Agreed. I'm honestly starting to lean towards Svechnikov as he is very different than any player we have. Zadina is an incredible shooter, it would be crazy to have two 30 goal scorers but I'd rather have a big man that also has the skill/speed as I think we are lacking in that department. Also Svech scores more 5v5 than Zadina. I like that, it means to me he's harder to stop. I'm all for skill/speed, so Dahlin/Svech/Boquist are all high on the draft board.

Always. This and a first round Leaves exit and I'll be sorted.
- neem55

lol...Leafs are toast. Ho the hell they gonna get past BOS, TBL or PIT with no defense??

It's a crap shoot. I'll stick with Bob McKenzie though.
- VanHockeyGuy

Nope going with Button.

lol...Leafs are toast. Ho the hell they gonna get past BOS, TBL or PIT with no defense??
- LordHumungous

Still a lot of positives in Toronto these days. Their defense is not as awful as people make it out to be... but it isn't good either.

Yeah, that looks like a long, nasty path in the playoffs for a pretty young core with suspect defense.

Anyone know who possesses more speed, Zadina or Svechnikov? Screw size and age, its all about speed

Anyone know who possesses more speed, Zadina or Svechnikov? Screw size and age, its all about speed
- Bakwas

Zadina is fast for a 21 year old but Zadina is a little spark plug like Jonny G in Calgary. Zadina for sure

Anyone know who possesses more speed, Zadina or Svechnikov? Screw size and age, its all about speed
- Bakwas

any player we pick at this point is going to be a huge upgrade for us IMO. Unless we go off the board, there really isn't a player that we will pick that will be a loss for us. Our organization is in that rough of shape.

Agreed. I'm honestly starting to lean towards Svechnikov as he is very different than any player we have. Zadina is an incredible shooter, it would be crazy to have two 30 goal scorers but I'd rather have a big man that also has the skill/speed as I think we are lacking in that department. Also Svech scores more 5v5 than Zadina. I like that, it means to me he's harder to stop. I'm all for skill/speed, so Dahlin/Svech/Boquist are all high on the draft board.
- neem55

I'm still on the BT bandwagon but if I had to choose between the two Zadina plays a 200 ft game.

any player we pick at this point is going to be a huge upgrade for us IMO. Unless we go off the board, there really isn't a player that we will pick that will be a loss for us. Our organization is in that rough of shape.
- Codes1087

We need skill above all else. Arguably the least skilled team in the league. No to BT, yes to Zadina or Svech.

We need skill above all else. Arguably the least skilled team in the league. No to BT, yes to Zadina or Svech.
- CanuckDon

While I truly believe in the Russian Factor, there is a little piece of me that doesn't want to lose out on the potential for a Kucherov/Ovechkin by passing on Svechnikov. I don't really have a preference at this point, there are obviously some players I like more than others, but I have faith we will make the right decision in making the pick.

While I truly believe in the Russian Factor, there is a little piece of me that doesn't want to lose out on the potential for a Kucherov/Ovechkin by passing on Svechnikov. I don't really have a preference at this point, there are obviously some players I like more than others, but I have faith we will make the right decision in making the pick.
- Codes1087

I hear you and have the same concerns. Leaning towards Zadina but I’m going to try and watch all of the top guys over the next couple of weeks.

Still a lot of positives in Toronto these days. Their defense is not as awful as people make it out to be... but it isn't good either.

Yeah, that looks like a long, nasty path in the playoffs for a pretty young core with suspect defense.


- Aetherial

I think the Leafs are gonna score...question is how many can they keep out? Anderson has emerged for you guys but you really need a go to, shut down pair of dmen for the PO's.

Bad jokes are bad, they don't go over my head. In fact, I like to not let them get past me at all.
- neem55

Agreed. I'm honestly starting to lean towards Svechnikov as he is very different than any player we have. Zadina is an incredible shooter, it would be crazy to have two 30 goal scorers but I'd rather have a big man that also has the skill/speed as I think we are lacking in that department. Also Svech scores more 5v5 than Zadina. I like that, it means to me he's harder to stop. I'm all for skill/speed, so Dahlin/Svech/Boquist are all high on the draft board.
- neem55

this.

I think the Leafs are gonna score...question is how many can they keep out? Anderson has emerged for you guys but you really need a go to, shut down pair of dmen for the PO's.
- LordHumungous

Shanahan really crapped the bed by not trading littlegrain and two firsts for giddy and tanev...

Zadina is fast for a 21 year old but Zadina is a little spark plug like Jonny G in Calgary. Zadina for sure
- CanuckDon

Zadina is big for a little guy but Zadina really is quick for a big guy.

Day drinking



ZADINA

I hear you and have the same concerns. Leaning towards Zadina but I’m going to try and watch all of the top guys over the next couple of weeks.
- CanuckDon

True... between zadina and zadina, I'll take zadina 9 out of ten times.

I think the Leafs are gonna score...question is how many can they keep out? Anderson has emerged for you guys but you really need a go to, shut down pair of dmen for the PO's.
- LordHumungous

I agree. They have dmen who can move the puck and a nice group of forwards but I think the lack of a good defensive dman who can play against top lines will burn them eventually unless Andersen carries them.

Zadina is big for a little guy but Zadina really is quick for a big guy.

Day drinking



ZADINA
- Pres.cup

ZADINA for the win

While I truly believe in the Russian Factor, there is a little piece of me that doesn't want to lose out on the potential for a Kucherov/Ovechkin by passing on Svechnikov. I don't really have a preference at this point, there are obviously some players I like more than others, but I have faith we will make the right decision in making the pick.
- Codes1087

More of a Malkin. Hard to the net and can really shoot.