So Craig Button says hes a 3/4. Every province writer has more bad then good to say about Hanifin.

One writer said Provorov and Werenski are "main-stay 1st pairing D". He didnt include Hanifin. Hanifin has 1 more year then both of them. So according to you the best D no question in that draft. Has now fallen behind two players picked below.
- manvanfan

I'm pretty tired of hearing about Craig Button. Go look at his draft record as GM of Calgary. He's irrelevant.

It's not according to me he was the best d in the draft, it was according to the entire professional scouting community who I tend to respect and listen to more than one of the worst drafting GM's in history and newspaper journalists.

That's your first mistake. The Canucks pro scouting has proven to be incompetent over the past five years.
- 1970vintage

Really? Seems just as competent as the amateur scouts to me. We trust them to assess amateurs but not pro's? what a bizarre narrative. You win some and you lose some in both assessing pro's and amateurs.

Anyone else interested in trying to buy low on Domi? I like his swagger. Apprently he's on the block.

I'm pretty tired of hearing about Craig Button. Go look at his draft record as GM of Calgary. He's irrelevant.

It's not according to me he was the best d in the draft, it was according to the entire professional scouting community who I tend to respect and listen to more than one of the worst drafting GM's in history and newspaper journalists.
- neem55

Draft is over. That was 3 years ago. 2 D are already better and PROVING it with one less year of experience.

Really? Seems just as competent as the amateur scouts to me. We trust them to assess amateurs but not pro's? what a bizarre narrative. You win some and you lose some in both assessing pro's and amateurs.
- neem55

The amateur scouts have identified several players who look like they have a real shot at playing in the NHL, especially beyond the first round. The pro scouts have identified Sutter, Gudbranson and Ericsson as "core" players, I'd say the narrative is far from bizarre.

Draft is over. That was 3 years ago. 2 D are already better and PROVING it with one less year of experience.
- manvanfan

He's 21. (frank)ing henny penny's around here, my god. Keep the drama coming.

The amateur scouts have identified several players who look like they have a real shot at playing in the NHL, especially beyond the first round. The pro scouts have identified Sutter, Gudbranson and Ericsson as "core" players, I'd say the narrative is far from bizarre.
- 1970vintage

Nice. It is convenient to leave out the players that have worked well. Sutter has been as advertised and was far and away our best d-forward. The story that somehow our management is only able to draft players is a funny one, when the team is losing apparently the drafting is the only thing that can't be blamed. we don't have a goalie. We have two, maybe three NHL dmen and 6-8 forwards of that calibre. It's not the pro scouts fault

He's 21. (frank)ing henny penny's around here, my god. Keep the drama coming.
- neem55

You seriously dont think that after 3 seasons? 246 games. People havent "assessed" his NHL potential?
By people I mean GMs, scouts, analysts.

You seriously dont think that after 3 seasons? 246 games. People havent "assessed" his NHL potential?
By people I mean GMs, scouts, analysts.
- manvanfan

I just think he's no where near his prime and is still improving. Pretty different, but paint a picture or write a little note down how ever you like.

here write this down:

Neem said Hanafin will be better next year than he was last year, still has room to grow because he's 21.

Nice. It is convenient to leave out the players that have worked well. Sutter has been as advertised and was far and away our best d-forward. The story that somehow our management is only able to draft players is a funny one, when the team is losing apparently the drafting is the only thing that can't be blamed.
- neem55

Which players have worked out well? Beartschi? Grandlund? If you would like to rehash what Sutter was advertised as I'm sure those with "lists" here could dig up all the articles pointing to the fact that Brandon Sutter is not a generational talent, not a superstar, not a star, not even a core player.

The pro scouts have a pretty terrible record over the past five years.

The amateur scouts have had better luck, but not perfect by any means.

Who knows, maybe the pro mistakes were all Benning/Linden over riding what the scouts were telling them. Maybe everyone on staff said don't touch Gudbranson with a 10' pole, and Benning said, we need guys like him, that's who you win with.

Yes but so would the 7th is what I am saying. So trading the 7th or OJ for him is not getting us further ahead.
- mauryballstein

True... but hanifin isn't as likely to bust as a number 7 pick ( around 30 percent of them just bust).
I wouldn't trade oj for him but I think I'd trade 7 if wahlstrom or bodqvist aren't there.

I just think he's no where near his prime and is still improving. Pretty different, but paint a picture or write a little note down how ever you like.
- neem55

OJ is going to be a first pairing defender then.

OJ is going to be a first pairing defender then.
- manvanfan

He was the consensus best d left at 5 when they picked him...

He is elite at tying his skates and being a two-way defenseman, as opposed to Boqvist and Hanifin who are elite puckwatchers.
- Reubenkincade

Yes... but he's not a game changer. He is good and has value, but safe picks gets you OJ instead of serg or chyc, I love oj but he's elite at touring his skates and being a two way defensemen. Same with virtanen, safe pick, not a game changer, it's time to swing for the fences or ..... what?

He was the consensus best d left at 5 when they picked him...
- 1970vintage

Best to trust scouting community. I dont really care how long it takes OJ, as long in his first few seasons in the NHL. He shows what he is capable of.

Yes... but he's not a game changer. He is good and has value, but safe picks gets you OJ instead of serg or chyc, I love oj but he's elite at touring his skates and being a two way defensemen. Same with virtanen, safe pick, not a game changer, it's time to swing for the fences or ..... what?
- Pres.cup

Virtanen is only 21. Hes going to be a top 6 forward.

(frank)ing HB keeps re-directing me to a mac keeper spam site wanting me to download poop.

OJ is going to be a first pairing defender then.
- manvanfan

It's completely possible. I think it's pretty ignorant to suggest a guy drafted top10 has reached his potential at 21. We all know D take longer, yet the sky is falling trading for a 21 year old that hasn't lived up to the hype yet. The price has to right, but I would be inquiring for sure.

Here's a list of guys I think worked well for Van:
Trades:
Sbisa
Granlund
Sutter
Baerschi

UFA's
MDZ

I'm just saying the rate of success with the pro's is not much better or worse than those drafted. More than half the guys JB has drafted will not be regulars, best to deal with that reality now.

(frank)ing HB keeps re-directing me to a mac keeper spam site wanting me to download poop.
- 1970vintage

Happens on the wifes Mac book. My ipad and samsung phone it doesnt.

Virtanen is only 21. Hes going to be a top 6 forward.
- manvanfan

Could be, for sure. Lot's of power forwards have a longer arc to reaching their potential. I'm not willing to rule out guys that are showing signs of improvement. JV improved. NH improved. It's not rocket surgery, if they are improving, clearly they have potential to be better down the line when they are only 21.

Which players have worked out well? Beartschi? Grandlund? If you would like to rehash what Sutter was advertised as I'm sure those with "lists" here could dig up all the articles pointing to the fact that Brandon Sutter is not a generational talent, not a superstar, not a star, not even a core player.

The pro scouts have a pretty terrible record over the past five years.

The amateur scouts have had better luck, but not perfect by any means.

Who knows, maybe the pro mistakes were all Benning/Linden over riding what the scouts were telling them. Maybe everyone on staff said don't touch Gudbranson with a 10' pole, and Benning said, we need guys like him, that's who you win with.
- 1970vintage

Granlund has outproduced and is a legit 3rd liner. Hunter is a ahl player. granlund worked out.
Bearschi is on pace for 50pts each year but injury prone so far. valuewise he has worked out, you hope a 2nd rounder will be a 50pt player.

Hanifin just put up 10g 32pts with little PP time. He has a lot to learn defensively, but if given regular pp1 time he could be a 50pt guy for us. some people say contract year, but realistically it is a year he improved. I see a kid that will be a 2/3 and still has potential to be a 1.

Hanifin is only 21. Hes going to be a top 2 defensemen.
- manvanfan

I agree

Granlund has outproduced and is a legit 3rd liner. Hunter is a ahl player. granlund worked out.
Bearschi is on pace for 50pts each year but injury prone so far. valuewise he has worked out, you hope a 2nd rounder will be a 50pt player.

Hanifin just put up 10g 32pts with little PP time. He has a lot to learn defensively, but if given regular pp1 time he could be a 50pt guy for us. some people say contract year, but realistically it is a year he improved. I see a kid that will be a 2/3 and still has potential to be a 1.
- Retinalz

But he's going to cost more than just the #7 pick. Are you willing to pay 2 for 1?

The 7th overall for hanifin would be a mistake. We need to add 3 defensemen that have future top 4 potential. I really dont think benning has a clue. If we can add hanifin without the 7th or a core piece go ahead.
- mauryballstein

I have no idea what this means

I have no idea what this means
- CanuckDon