Edmonton needs to shed cap. Unless somehow they are offering 8 as a sweetener for someone taking Lucic, they are gonna try to get picks, not trade them
- 2sticks1puck

Picks are 2-3 years away, I don’t think they want to wait another 2-3 years. If anything I could see them trading 8 for NHL ready guys that can step in and play right away on ELC’s or RFA contracts to keep the cap down.

EDM needs depth but cheap depth, guys still on RFA contracts/ELC’s.

Buch Vesey

8 Lucic

Buch could play in the top 6, Vesey could be a 2nd/3rd liner for them.

Picks are 2-3 years away, I don’t think they want to wait another 2-3 years. If anything I could see them trading 8 for NHL ready guys that can step in and play right away on ELC’s or RFA contracts to keep the cap down.
- nyrangers9479

They’d probably be interested in Buchnevich. That’s a tough one, Buch and 20 for 8? Not sure I wanna do that tho

EDM needs depth but cheap depth, guys still on RFA contracts/ELC’s.

Buch Vesey

8 Lucic

Buch could play in the top 6, Vesey could be a 2nd/3rd liner for them.
- nyrangers9479

they can’t take on Lucic. That’s the one thing they cannot do is take on bad salary. No matter the return, it’s cutting off your nose to spite your face. I hate it

they can’t take on Lucic. That’s the one thing they cannot do is take on bad salary. No matter the return, it’s cutting off your nose to spite your face. I hate it
- Slimtj100

Yes and no, put him on the 4th line. By the time his contract is up Kravtsov Fox Kakko (Zegras if we traded up to 8) Chytil Andersson Lindgren Miller Hajek Shestyorkin Howden will all either still be on ELC’s or 1st year as RFA.

Just to maybe give us an idea of what we could get for Georgie, with 34 NHL games played, Martin Jones got traded for a 1st and Kuraly. Not saying we’ll get a 1st for him but he might have a little more value than we think.

Just to maybe give us an idea of what we could get for Georgie, with 34 NHL games played, Martin Jones got traded for a 1st and Kuraly. Not saying we’ll get a 1st for him but he might have a little more value than we think.
- nyrangers9479

How long had he played? I forget

I think talbot more then Jones and that wasn’t a first +

How long had he played? I forget

I think talbot more then Jones and that wasn’t a first +
- Slimtj100

Martin Jones had only played 34 NHL games when he got traded.

EDM was offering us a 1st for Talbot but we held out to get Yakupov then got less. Talbot had 57 games played when he got traded.

Georgiev has 43 games played.

Martin Jones had only played 34 NHL games when he got traded.

EDM was offering us a 1st for Talbot but we held out to get Yakupov then got less. Talbot had 57 games played when he got traded.

Georgiev has 43 games played.
- nyrangers9479

I’ll be pleasantly surprised if they got more then a 2nd for him

I’ll be pleasantly surprised if they got more then a 2nd for him
- Slimtj100

I think a 2nd is realistic, who needs a goalie?

EDM needs depth but cheap depth, guys still on RFA contracts/ELC’s.

Buch Vesey

8 Lucic

Buch could play in the top 6, Vesey could be a 2nd/3rd liner for them.
- nyrangers9479

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooo

Jack Hughes' most comparable players ? Elias Pettersson, Johnny Gaudreau, Nikita Kucherov, albeit the latter two are wingers, but similar characteristics.

Kaapo Kakko's most comparable players? Alexander Barkov, Leon Draisaitl?

Who would you rather have in the playoffs is the question.

After seeing what Kucherov and Gaudreau do in the playoffs, I know my answer.
- quinneroma

Kind of a flawed argument. This Hughes vs kakko debate is eerily reminiscent of Kane vs JVR debate years ago. Everyone worried if kanes size and small statute would translate into the NHL and JVR was the big power forward who would step in and play against men and be better suited for the physical NHL

How did that turn out, who would you rather have in the playoffs, Kane or JVR?

The game is moving more and more to speed and while kakko looks to certainly be a very good NHLer, hughes' best asset (his all around skating and elusiveness) is primed to thrive in the current and future NHL

Kind of a flawed argument. This Hughes vs kakko debate is eerily reminiscent of Kane vs JVR debate years ago. Everyone worried if kanes size and small statute would translate into the NHL and JVR was the big power forward who would step in and play against men and be better suited for the physical NHL

How did that turn out, who would you rather have in the playoffs, Kane or JVR?

The game is moving more and more to speed and while kakko looks to certainly be a very good NHLer, hughes' best asset (his all around skating and elusiveness) is primed to thrive in the current and future NHL
- Stan_Bowman

Either way, we are going to get one of them. Beauty of going 2nd is you can't be second guessed by anyone plus your pick hopefully carries a chip on their shoulder that they didn't go first. WIN/WIN

Either way, we are going to get one of them. Beauty of going 2nd is you can't be second guessed by anyone plus your pick hopefully carries a chip on their shoulder that they didn't go first. WIN/WIN
- TommyGTrain

Yeah, NYR really in a can't lose spot. Their decision is automatic no matter who falls and neither player looks like they will bust. If anything it's on NJD to make sure they don't take the long term lesser of the two upsides

Kind of a flawed argument. This Hughes vs kakko debate is eerily reminiscent of Kane vs JVR debate years ago. Everyone worried if kanes size and small statute would translate into the NHL and JVR was the big power forward who would step in and play against men and be better suited for the physical NHL

How did that turn out, who would you rather have in the playoffs, Kane or JVR?

The game is moving more and more to speed and while kakko looks to certainly be a very good NHLer, hughes' best asset (his all around skating and elusiveness) is primed to thrive in the current and future NHL
- Stan_Bowman

One knock on Kakko is that he doesn't have the speed to make enough entries into the offensive zone carrying the puck, and that he dumps it in too much. Whether or not it's true is above my pay grade. He looked fast enough on that breakaway goal.

He, like Hughes will improve all aspects of their games and will be playing with top 3 line mates

I have always been suspicious of the reasoning that made Hughes the overall choice as #1. Matthews went to Europe when he hit the crunch and realized that the US program did not offer the level of competition necessary to fill out his game. Hughes, on the other hand, continues playing a weak schedule.
- spatso

I posted this over in the Devils blog but being as we're talking about the same thing:

Where Hughes' birthday falls is an interesting factor in looking at his stats and comparing him to other players. His late birthday (young for the draft) is the reason he still played for the USNTDP his draft year whereas players like Kane and Matthews didn't.

Take the Matthews comparison. Matthews was eight months older when he was drafted than Hughes will be. Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel like when discussing 16-18 year olds, an eight month age gap is pretty significant, and I imagine there are many cases where an eight month gap or less is the difference in what year a player is draft eligible.

In Matthews D-1 year, he put up 1.95 PPG for the USNTDP, second highest PPG in the program's history. In Hughes' D-1 year, he was just behind Matthews at 1.93 PPG. That was Matthews age 17 season, whereas it was Hughes' age 16 season. Hughes' age 17 season? This past year where he put up 2.24 PPG, the highest in USNTDP history.

I'm not at all saying Hughes > Matthews (and no reputable scout is either) but it does bring up an interesting question in evaluating players' long term projections based on draft year vs based on age. Hughes' numbers are very impressive when you look at it purely on draft year. If you look purely at age his numbers seem insane. The "truth" is probably somewhere in the middle.

And for anyone curious, Kane was six months older than Hughes will be come draft day. His D-1 PPG for the USNTDP was 1.76 - and I do recognize that Hughes played on a more talented USNTDP team than either Matthews or Kane did.

I posted this over in the Devils blog but being as we're talking about the same thing:

Where Hughes' birthday falls is an interesting factor in looking at his stats and comparing him to other players. His late birthday (young for the draft) is the reason he still played for the USNTDP his draft year whereas players like Kane and Matthews didn't.

Take the Matthews comparison. Matthews was eight months older when he was drafted than Hughes will be. Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel like when discussing 16-18 year olds, an eight month age gap is pretty significant, and I imagine there are many cases where an eight month gap or less is the difference in what year a player is draft eligible.

In Matthews D-1 year, he put up 1.95 PPG for the USNTDP, second highest PPG in the program's history. In Hughes' D-1 year, he was just behind Matthews at 1.93 PPG. That was Matthews age 17 season, whereas it was Hughes' age 16 season. Hughes' age 17 season? This past year where he put up 2.24 PPG, the highest in USNTDP history.

I'm not at all saying Hughes > Matthews (and no reputable scout is either) but it does bring up an interesting question in evaluating players' long term projections based on draft year vs based on age. Hughes' numbers are very impressive when you look at it purely on draft year. If you look purely at age his numbers seem insane. The "truth" is probably somewhere in the middle.

And for anyone curious, Kane was six months older than Hughes will be come draft day. His D-1 PPG for the USNTDP was 1.76 - and I do recognize that Hughes played on a more talented USNTDP team than either Matthews or Kane did.
- MannySilvers

Good point!

Many fans (especially NYR fans, due to our desire to speed up rebuild) state how Kappo is ready to play in NHL quicker than Hughes, which is probably true, considering his performance so far in World's, and his resume playing in a professional league against men the past two years.

Hughes may break into league, or be more effective later than Kakko, but focus should be what they will be a couple of seasons from now. Who ever has a quicker impact is only gravy

I posted this over in the Devils blog but being as we're talking about the same thing:

Where Hughes' birthday falls is an interesting factor in looking at his stats and comparing him to other players. His late birthday (young for the draft) is the reason he still played for the USNTDP his draft year whereas players like Kane and Matthews didn't.

Take the Matthews comparison. Matthews was eight months older when he was drafted than Hughes will be. Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel like when discussing 16-18 year olds, an eight month age gap is pretty significant, and I imagine there are many cases where an eight month gap or less is the difference in what year a player is draft eligible.

In Matthews D-1 year, he put up 1.95 PPG for the USNTDP, second highest PPG in the program's history. In Hughes' D-1 year, he was just behind Matthews at 1.93 PPG. That was Matthews age 17 season, whereas it was Hughes' age 16 season. Hughes' age 17 season? This past year where he put up 2.24 PPG, the highest in USNTDP history.

I'm not at all saying Hughes > Matthews (and no reputable scout is either) but it does bring up an interesting question in evaluating players' long term projections based on draft year vs based on age. Hughes' numbers are very impressive when you look at it purely on draft year. If you look purely at age his numbers seem insane. The "truth" is probably somewhere in the middle.

And for anyone curious, Kane was six months older than Hughes will be come draft day. His D-1 PPG for the USNTDP was 1.76 - and I do recognize that Hughes played on a more talented USNTDP team than either Matthews or Kane did.
- MannySilvers

For you guys I don't think you can go wrong with either player. imo Just like I prefer Kakko but will be just as thrilled with Hughes.

Of course people will compare their numbers from the 1st game they play(which will be annoying as hell) but I think both teams are going to be happy no matter what

For you guys I don't think you can go wrong with either player. imo Just like I prefer Kakko but will be just as thrilled with Hughes.

Of course people will compare their numbers from the 1st game they play(which will be annoying as hell) but I think both teams are going to be happy no matter what
- mdw7413

Only 5 more weeks

Only 5 more weeks
- rrentz

It seems like forever

It seems like forever
- mdw7413

The anticipation this for this year's draft and off-season is through the roof!!!!!!!

I posted this over in the Devils blog but being as we're talking about the same thing:

Where Hughes' birthday falls is an interesting factor in looking at his stats and comparing him to other players. His late birthday (young for the draft) is the reason he still played for the USNTDP his draft year whereas players like Kane and Matthews didn't.

Take the Matthews comparison. Matthews was eight months older when he was drafted than Hughes will be. Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel like when discussing 16-18 year olds, an eight month age gap is pretty significant, and I imagine there are many cases where an eight month gap or less is the difference in what year a player is draft eligible.

In Matthews D-1 year, he put up 1.95 PPG for the USNTDP, second highest PPG in the program's history. In Hughes' D-1 year, he was just behind Matthews at 1.93 PPG. That was Matthews age 17 season, whereas it was Hughes' age 16 season. Hughes' age 17 season? This past year where he put up 2.24 PPG, the highest in USNTDP history.

I'm not at all saying Hughes > Matthews (and no reputable scout is either) but it does bring up an interesting question in evaluating players' long term projections based on draft year vs based on age. Hughes' numbers are very impressive when you look at it purely on draft year. If you look purely at age his numbers seem insane. The "truth" is probably somewhere in the middle.

And for anyone curious, Kane was six months older than Hughes will be come draft day. His D-1 PPG for the USNTDP was 1.76 - and I do recognize that Hughes played on a more talented USNTDP team than either Matthews or Kane did.
- MannySilvers

I have always been highly critical of the USNTDP. Players that have entered and come out of that program directly in the draft have OFTEN underwhelmed from expectation.

The players that have flourished, as mentioned, are ones that go play in another league leading up to the draft

Look at the last 10 drafts, the best players to come directly from the USNTDP are probably Jacob trouba and Dylan Larkin. Pretty good players but by no means superstars or elite players. It's just disappointing they can't take guys to another level for being the premier national development program.

Not saying this will be hughes' fate too, but I always prefer my team avoid those guys if there is a comparable guy from another league on the table

I have always been highly critical of the USNTDP. Players that have entered and come out of that program directly in the draft have OFTEN underwhelmed from expectation.

The players that have flourished, as mentioned, are ones that go play in another league leading up to the draft

Look at the last 10 drafts, the best players to come directly from the USNTDP are probably Jacob trouba and Dylan Larkin. Pretty good players but by no means superstars or elite players. It's just disappointing they can't take guys to another level for being the premier national development program.

Not saying this will be hughes' fate too, but I always prefer my team avoid those guys if there is a comparable guy from another league on the table
- Stan_Bowman

Is that an indictment of that program though? I’m not sure there is an equivalent program in the world. Maybe that is the issue in that we are the only ones really doing that route. Maybe the onus should fall on the teams to let them incubate in the AHL for half a season rather than sticking them right in the pros. I also don’t think the one season after getting out of the program is some sort of magic elixir.

The program isn’t even a quarter century old, I’d say that to an extent you have a valid argument, but since it’s relatively really young, it might not be a decade or two until we can really evaluate it.

I have always been highly critical of the USNTDP. Players that have entered and come out of that program directly in the draft have OFTEN underwhelmed from expectation.

The players that have flourished, as mentioned, are ones that go play in another league leading up to the draft

Look at the last 10 drafts, the best players to come directly from the USNTDP are probably Jacob trouba and Dylan Larkin. Pretty good players but by no means superstars or elite players. It's just disappointing they can't take guys to another level for being the premier national development program.

Not saying this will be hughes' fate too, but I always prefer my team avoid those guys if there is a comparable guy from another league on the table
- Stan_Bowman

They need an extra year, so they can play a year against men

Most of their games are against USHL teams, which a peg below Major Junior. Most of the USHL players go to college. Half of which will play in D3 schools. USHL is a great league, but not meant to translate into immediate AHL/NHL play. Those players needs time. The international Tourneys are better competition, but again, like USHL, not against men.

Even though Hughes is supposed to be the next coming, it would have been better for him to go Matthew's route. Don't understand why the high end Americans don't go over seas more often. Larger playing surface is often mentioned, but many colleges play on a 200x100 rink anyway.

Like you said, very few exceptions make that jump form US Development straight to the Show, and be effective from the get go

I think my point is that Hughes compares very well when you take his age into consideration, because he is young for his draft year. If Matthews was born two days earlier he would have been drafted in 2015 and likely would have also gone right from the USNTDP to the NHL. The draft year cutoff being what it is lead him to play an extra year pro before being drafted which certainly helped him adjust to the NHL as a rookie.

With that said, I think it's fair to expect Hughes to take a bit more time to adjust to the NHL and not tear it up right from the get go. It seems a lot of people who rank Hughes over Kakko concede that Kakko is likely to have the stronger rookie year, but when it comes to the draft it's about taking the guy you think will be best over a long career.