So Turcotte has a history of injuries ... we selected Boqvist, who had a history of concussions, & he's our highest rated prospect, currently.

I'll have some more Kool-aid, please.

Dude. I know all that. I was just saying I watched Dach a few times and his skating is excellent. He doesn't have elite speed like Cozens but when taking all things into consideration, Dach is probably the better SKATER. His edge work is exquisite.
- Elbows15

Agreed and Dach is the more cerebral player of the two, who gets critisized because he's a pass first player. Cozen's "go right through the opponent to get to the net" approach has some intrigue but if I'm choosing a first round pick I want a guy with higher upside and I think those guys are Turcotte and Dach at forward and Byram on defense.

Marner hands down! Very, very good two way player, who I think has the best vision of any player in the NHL. When Boston played the leafs the last two playoffs it was Marner not Matthews they targeted to shut down. I think Marner is one of the top 5 players in the NHL.
- paulr

Marner isn’t top 5. He hasn’t done anything. Hasn’t won anything. Matthews has been absolutely lost in the play-offs. That does not mean Marner has been good. I don’t see offer sheets in Marner’s future - who is going to bankrupt their future for Marner.

Paul and I could make up some rumours for ya. We have done it before.
- Elbows15

Trouble is we no longer can get them verified by "REAL" sources.

So Turcotte has a history of injuries ... we selected Boqvist, who had a history of concussions, & he's our highest rated prospect, currently.

I'll have some more Kool-aid, please.
- I Am The Breadman

Its gonna be so cool for Turcotte to have Toews call his name.

Not new

Bobby Mac

Not getting caught up in semantics of “shopped” vs. “listening” — been there, done that, circa June, 2016 — but P.K. Subban’s name is out there floating around in the trade-sphere. NSH believed to be looking to clear cap space for either UFA shopping (Duchene?) or Josi extension.

Marner isn’t top 5. He hasn’t done anything. Hasn’t won anything. Matthews has been absolutely lost in the play-offs. That does not mean Marner has been good. I don’t see offer sheets in Marner’s future - who is going to bankrupt their future for Marner.
- Z3Hawk

OK .....

Agreed and Dach is the more cerebral player of the two, who gets critisized because he's a pass first player. Cozen's "go right through the opponent to get to the net" approach has some intrigue but if I'm choosing a first round pick I want a guy with higher upside and I think those guys are Turcotte and Dach at forward and Byram on defense.
- paulr

Dach is slow and plodding. End of story. Elite skating creates a higher ceiling and that is Cozens. Turcotte showed nothing in key games internationally.

Dach is slow and plodding. End of story. Elite skating creates a higher ceiling and that is Cozens. Turcotte showed nothing in key games internationally.
- Z3Hawk

OK ...

Agreed and Dach is the more cerebral player of the two, who gets critisized because he's a pass first player. Cozen's "go right through the opponent to get to the net" approach has some intrigue but if I'm choosing a first round pick I want a guy with higher upside and I think those guys are Turcotte and Dach at forward and Byram on defense.
- paulr

Here is my problem with Cozens. All the other prospects I watched showed me something in a game that when I read their scouting report after my initial viewing, I saw. I agree with you about ceilings. The other 4 have higher ceilings than Cozens.

Should've got an unsportsmanlike penalty for that
- just69sayin

Should have gotten his ass beat for that

Could be a good 4th line player.
- frafra

I can't see that at all. The only possibility would be to plug him in on the first line with Toews and Kahun. .....Oh Wait !!!!

I'm still against that trade. I hope I'm wrong about both Maatta and Kahun. Time will tell.

Not new

Bobby Mac

Not getting caught up in semantics of “shopped” vs. “listening” — been there, done that, circa June, 2016 — but P.K. Subban’s name is out there floating around in the trade-sphere. NSH believed to be looking to clear cap space for either UFA shopping (Duchene?) or Josi extension.
- mrpaulish

They are shopping him. There have been too many reports from multiple sources.

Here is my problem with Cozens. All the other prospects I watched showed me something in a game that when I read their scouting report after my initial viewing, I saw. I agree with you about ceilings. The other 4 have higher ceilings than Cozens.
- Elbows15

Well it seems we're both wrong. Dach is slow and plodding and Turcotte has done nothing.

Dach is slow and plodding. End of story. Elite skating creates a higher ceiling and that is Cozens. Turcotte showed nothing in key games internationally.
- Z3Hawk

Yeah like the way Cozens dominated that powerhouse Belarus team

Its gonna be so cool for Turcotte to have Toews call his name.
- Elbows15

Joki did have Kane & Toews call his name ...

Buttman said cap was going to be either 81.5 or 82. One of those two numbers. FWIW.

And Gifman is right, that should not completely halt everything which it seems it is. Not sure why it's so quiet.
- Lido_Shuffle

Maybe there is some scuttlebutt out there that the NJD and/or NYR won't go with the consensus first two picks.

Sorry... Hawks are lockdown from my contacts.
- Tyler Cameron

Thise are valid concern and obvious points of contention about Hughes. What is most likely tbe case, however, is that the kid has talent and can play for sure in tbe NHL. How well he aclimates to the size and checking may prove to be an on going issue. He can be useful and productive on the powerplay as both Hughes and his coach feel out and learn how to use his great talent at this level. Perhaps you caught the skill compliment on Hughes by P Kane made at The World Championship Tournament.

When deciding upon choices 3-5 you first determine if it is a forward or dman at your draft slot.

Byram may or may not have defensive recognition and an issue to become eventually a top one or top
two pair. You do realize his great ability is compromised if you rush his development and he is not able to make enough strides in progress to play adequately. You may wind uo having to be patient with him. Sure a team is going to try fast forward progress. If totally enamorated then you live with his progress and eventual NHL dman outcome.

R Ellis, Nashville, had to learn basics how to play NHL defense. Trotz tried at first to spot him but Ellis wound up in the AHL for one season. Trotz surely then guided him along his path. It is a different focus on exactly what Byram must overcome and learn. I say wiz is correct when he questions Byram.......but wiz also did not say that Byram will fail. It will ne a process for him and who knows how good all parts of his game are in a few years.

Cozens is going to be productive and the things you read about his skill will play out. I wouldn't make too big a deal about his slow down speed as he makes plays ability.....he still is going to get points and he is not lacking ability, maybe not everything playmaking is at top speed. Button made that revelation and everyone said, oh his stock drops. Nope good scouts know what Cozens brings and his playing nasty size speed is what teams need.

Now you have a difference in north south play if you look at that aspect when you compare Cozens to Dach. In Dach you have the tenacity checking toughness with size factor. Dach holds the puck very well and appears to be a pain to play against him. Dach is a playmaker not really a goal scorer but he can score too.
His consistency producing points has been questioned. I read where Dach and Coisins are your 65 point scorer projection but oh they give you so much more. You need forwards like them.

Zegras and Turcotte are the skill forwards. Turcotte is the tenacious on the pick and can play at high speed. Zegras has elite passing and scoring ability. Reportedly plays more aggressive than P Kane. I believe this means he wil get involved and not necessarily shy regarding contact. But definetely not a boards type player.

Oh btw in a hockeybuzz post i forget whom it was did explain Dach does not have a skating issue. In one respect he is average skater but overall he is not lacking in skating.

Chicago really really needs to have more compete physical edge, more grit and that is why they should choose a forward. They have enough dmen prospects and i believe Bowman now finally relents and takes the forward whom is not the pure skill pick like TT was indicative of the Bowman approach.

But in being able to play at speed and being tenacious on the puck makes Turcotte the choice over the other forwards

Zegras is that good as to not totally surprise me if he jumps to #3. I go with Bowman puts them in preferancial order: Turcotte, Cozens, Dach, Zegrass then either Boldy/Podzlinski or a goaltender.....if they acquire a second first round pick. Interstingly enough Broberg skating compares to Keith.
- jhawk59

When I heard Kane’s comments about Hughes’ skill I thought he was just being nice as Hughes had been a total bust at the World Championships. Just being a good Captain.

Very interesting Draft with Hawks with a 3. Cozens has been my choice from the beginning. He is the best and fastest skater by far and you can’t teach that. If they take someone else hope they know what they are doing.

A trade for Marner would be painful. ADB would probably be one part of it.
- paulr

NO EFFIN WAY. That stupidity by Bowman can not be tolerated. Fire the SOB right now if ADB in moved in any way.

Its going to be Alex Turcotte.

-Bowman had a dream the night before the lottery that he would get the 3rd pick. If the pattern continues it must be the Toews doppelganger

-Mark Kelley will always take an American over a Canadian in a tie

-Hes a hometown boy.

-He idolizes Toews.

-Theres no such thing as a 5th horseman.

-They just traded for Maatta.

-Top forward prospect is...Sikura.

-Chi boy Alex Turcotte goes to Colorado? No way.

*If Im somehow wrong (unpossible!) then itll be the other American Zegras.

OK .....
- paulr

So what do you think the Leafs and other teams are going to do with 26 goal scorer Marner? How much?

Turcotte will never be more than a solid nhl player, not a GameChanger by any means. A top 3 pick has to have a shot at being special...a high ceiling guy, Byram is that guy big mistake to pass on him

When I heard Kane’s comments about Hughes’ skill I thought he was just being nice as Hughes had been a total bust at the World Championships. Just being a good Captain.

Very interesting Draft with Hawks with a 3. Cozens has been my choice from the beginning. He is the best and fastest skater by far and you can’t teach that. If they take someone else hope they know what they are doing.
- Z3Hawk

Can you please explain to me what made Hughes a huge bust at the worlds ? Do you have any facts or stats ? Todd Cordell has made multiple arguements that Hughes was pretty much as impressive as Kakko when you factor everything in, which you clearly arent factoring in anything.

Here is my problem with Cozens. All the other prospects I watched showed me something in a game that when I read their scouting report after my initial viewing, I saw. I agree with you about ceilings. The other 4 have higher ceilings than Cozens.
- Elbows15

What games are you watching? Dach is slow. Even slower if compared to Cozens. There is no chance Dach is chosen at 3. It was Cozens in his first season that played above all other first year players and won the Rookie of the Year in the WHL - guess they were all blind.