Alright guys what position are we drafting with our first round pick this upcoming draft?

Center, wing, or defenseman?

My vote goes towards defenseman. I think we’re stacked at forward, especially if Cat and Strome bounce back.

About young girls....
- StLBravesFan

Yes, & Boilermaker was correct as well.

Alright guys what position are we drafting with our first round pick this upcoming draft?

Center, wing, or defenseman?

My vote goes towards defenseman. I think we’re stacked at forward, especially if Cat and Strome bounce back.
- SimpleJack

Hmm, I thought Stan traded a young defenseman for a young forward because we had too many D prospects and not enough F prospects.

Best player available?

Alright guys what position are we drafting with our first round pick this upcoming draft?

Center, wing, or defenseman?

My vote goes towards defenseman. I think we’re stacked at forward, especially if Cat and Strome bounce back.
- SimpleJack

Wing is probably the strongest position in this draft and the Hawks could use a sniper. Quinn and Mercer fit that description. Holtz/Raymond would be even better but given the Hawks draft spot, those two might be gone.

Drysdale is prolly the only D-man in this draft worth a top 15-ish pick. Think he goes before the Hawks pick. Any other D-man would be a reach. IMO.

After Byfield, Rossi would interest me. Yeah he is around 5'10 but he is around 185 or so. Has an edge and is a tank.

Hmm, I thought Stan traded a young defenseman for a young forward because we had too many D prospects and not enough F prospects.

Best player available?
- scottak

Always. Never draft for need. Only time that applies is if 2 players are equal on their board.

Hmm, I thought Stan traded a young defenseman for a young forward because we had too many D prospects and not enough F prospects.

Best player available?
- scottak

Ding Ding Ding!

Alright guys what position are we drafting with our first round pick this upcoming draft?

Center, wing, or defenseman?

My vote goes towards defenseman. I think we’re stacked at forward, especially if Cat and Strome bounce back.
- SimpleJack

Toews, Kubalik, Saad, Kane, Dach - proven top-9. DeBrincat, Strome - need bounce back years, but probably top-9. Caggiula - questionable top-9. Nylander - unproven top-9.

Anyone else in the system that is a true top-9 skater - proven or not - not a player who can bounce up for a while but is really a fourth-liner?

I don’t think they’re “stacked ar forward”. Don’t forget the lengthy scoring droughts they experienced, bit on the PP and 5x5.

But yes - BPA.

Toews, Kubalik, Saad, Kane, Dach - proven top-9. DeBrincat, Strome - need bounce back years, but probably top-9. Caggiula - questionable top-9. Nylander - unproven top-9.

Anyone else in the system that is a true top-9 skater - proven or not - not a player who can bounce up for a while but is really a fourth-liner?

I don’t think they’re “stacked ar forward”. Don’t forget the lengthy scoring droughts they experienced, bit on the PP and 5x5.

But yes - BPA.
- StLBravesFan

Which given where we think the Hawks are going to draft is a forward.

Always draft best player available, you can then trade from position of strength to improve a weakness.

Wing is probably the strongest position in this draft and the Hawks could use a sniper. Quinn and Mercer fit that description. Holtz/Raymond would be even better but given the Hawks draft spot, those two might be gone.

Drysdale is prolly the only D-man in this draft worth a top 15-ish pick. Think he goes before the Hawks pick. Any other D-man would be a reach. IMO.

After Byfield, Rossi would interest me. Yeah he is around 5'10 but he is around 185 or so. Has an edge and is a tank.
- Elbows15

True about Drysdale probably already being gone before we have our pick, unless they league rigs the draft again and gives us another top 3 pick 😉

I’ve heard good things about Sanderson but I don’t know enough and I’ve never seen highlights or anything like that. Not sure if he’s worth a top 10ish pick.

What about Perfetti? Is he legit?

My dream best case scenarios are Drysdale and Stutzle. Wishful thinking.

Toews, Kubalik, Saad, Kane, Dach - proven top-9. DeBrincat, Strome - need bounce back years, but probably top-9. Caggiula - questionable top-9. Nylander - unproven top-9.

Anyone else in the system that is a true top-9 skater - proven or not - not a player who can bounce up for a while but is really a fourth-liner?

I don’t think they’re “stacked ar forward”. Don’t forget the lengthy scoring droughts they experienced, bit on the PP and 5x5.

But yes - BPA.
- StLBravesFan

It really all comes down to Cat and Strome IMO

IF they bounce back I think “stacked” would be accurate, especially with Kubalik bursting on the scene. Could give us 19-77-17 down the middle with plenty of wingers to plug in, even if they aren’t actual top 6 caliber in a vacuum(like Caggiula) they can still compliment a legit top 6 Center.

If those guys don’t bounce back our forwards are just above average.

Best case scenario though we can end up with 3 legit scoring lines using some combo of Kane, Saad, Kubalik, Caggiula, DeBrincat, and Nylander to play alongside 19-77-17.

True about Drysdale probably already being gone before we have our pick, unless they league rigs the draft again and gives us another top 3 pick 😉

I’ve heard good things about Sanderson but I don’t know enough and I’ve never seen highlights or anything like that. Not sure if he’s worth a top 10ish pick.

What about Perfetti? Is he legit?

My dream best case scenarios are Drysdale and Stutzle. Wishful thinking.
- SimpleJack

I like Rossi over Perfetti as a center. I like the wings I mention over Perfetti, too. I would take Holloway before Sanderson, too,
Sanderson is a good prospect but he carries that buzzword, for me, raw.

TBF, I haven't done a deep dive yet on prospects and these are my initial impressions.

Lundell is another name to keep an eye on.

J. P. Dumont
Dean McAmmond
Alain Nasreddine

Killer B's - Babchuk Burish Barinka Brodeur Byfuglien Barker Bolland Bickell Berti Brouwer Blunden Bertram Brophey - all drafted 2002-2005

17 seconds incoming on NBCS

Can never watch it too many times

I like Rossi over Perfetti as a center. I like the wings I mention over Perfetti, too. I would take Holloway before Sanderson, too,
Sanderson is a good prospect but he carries that buzzword, for me, raw.

TBF, I haven't done a deep dive yet on prospects and these are my initial impressions.

Lundell is another name to keep an eye on.
- Elbows15

Interesting this seems like a rather deep draft. Hope we wind up with a gem.

17 seconds incoming on NBCS

Can never watch it too many times
- SimpleJack

I was just commenting elsewhere. Dat zone entry by Kane on the tying goal was unreal.

Interesting this seems like a rather deep draft. Hope we wind up with a gem.
- SimpleJack

Aside from US born players, it is a deep draft. Kind of an off year for the USNDT. Next year will be better.

I was just commenting elsewhere. Dat zone entry by Kane on the tying goal was unreal.
- Elbows15

Yup. Followed by that quick tic tac toe passing sequence finished off by Bickell with the goal. Each pass was perfect, and needed to be. Believe those passes were Kane to Keith, Keith to Toews, then Toews to Bickell.

Aside from US born players, it is a deep draft. Kind of an off year for the USNDT. Next year will be better.
- Elbows15

Heard

Toews, Kubalik, Saad, Kane, Dach - proven top-9. DeBrincat, Strome - need bounce back years, but probably top-9. Caggiula - questionable top-9. Nylander - unproven top-9.

Anyone else in the system that is a true top-9 skater - proven or not - not a player who can bounce up for a while but is really a fourth-liner?

I don’t think they’re “stacked ar forward”. Don’t forget the lengthy scoring droughts they experienced, bit on the PP and 5x5.

But yes - BPA.
- StLBravesFan

Unless the Hawks draft in the top 2 or 3, probably anybody they draft will not be ready for 2 or 3 years. By that time Saad and Caggiula may not be around, and Toews and Kane will be on the last year of their contracts. So going forward have to think about who's going to replace these players and not necessarily augment the existing roster of forwards.

I like Rossi over Perfetti as a center. I like the wings I mention over Perfetti, too. I would take Holloway before Sanderson, too,
Sanderson is a good prospect but he carries that buzzword, for me, raw.

TBF, I haven't done a deep dive yet on prospects and these are my initial impressions.

Lundell is another name to keep an eye on.
- Elbows15

Besides Drysdale, most of the D draftees seem to be safety picks to nab in the mid/late teens and 20's, i.e. Sanderson, Schneider, and Barron.

If a team can afford to wait for them to develop in 3-4 years and are looking for a defensive defenseman, then these prospects would be worth considering.

I definitely would not spend a top 10 pick on a defender other than Drysdale.

As far as complete 200-foot forwards with at least 2nd-line potential, I would consider wingers Raymond and Holtz and center Lundell.

Still waiting on Mitchell
- TJYTJY

You’ll be waiting for a while, he can’t sign with New York until August 2021.

Unless the Hawks draft in the top 2 or 3, probably anybody they draft will not be ready for 2 or 3 years. By that time Saad and Caggiula may not be around, and Toews and Kane will be on the last year of their contracts. So going forward have to think about who's going to replace these players and not necessarily augment the existing roster of forwards.
- boilermaker100

From your perspective (or anyone else), who else other than Lafreniere can step into the NHL next season? Not meant to be a snarky question, just inquisitive.

Perhaps Byfield. He has the build and strength but would he struggle? Maybe he can have a rookie season like Dach starting in the bottom 6 then graduating up as the season goes along.

Stutzle and Rossi? Maybe they thrive but could also see them hitting a wall quickly like Yamamoto for the Oilers. Extra development did him a world of good.

Drysdale, Raymond, Holtz, and Lundell could possibly make the NHL out of camp and be brought along slowly in a defensive role until their offensive game matures in due time.

Toews, Kubalik, Saad, Kane, Dach - proven top-9. DeBrincat, Strome - need bounce back years, but probably top-9. Caggiula - questionable top-9. Nylander - unproven top-9.

Anyone else in the system that is a true top-9 skater - proven or not - not a player who can bounce up for a while but is really a fourth-liner?

I don’t think they’re “stacked ar forward”. Don’t forget the lengthy scoring droughts they experienced, bit on the PP and 5x5.

But yes - BPA.
- StLBravesFan

Why would Kubalik be a proven top 9, but ADB be probable top 9? ADB had 2 top 6 years before having a tough year shooting percentage wise.

From your perspective (or anyone else), who else other than Lafreniere can step into the NHL next season? Not meant to be a snarky questions, just inquisitive.

Perhaps Byfield. He has the build and strength but would he struggle? Maybe he can have a rookie season like Dach starting in the bottom 6 then graduating up as the seaseon goes along.

Stutzle and Rossi? Maybe they thrive but could also see them hitting a wall quickly like Yamamoto for the Oilers. Extra development did him a world of good.

Drysdale, Raymond, Holtz, and Lundell could possibly make the NHL out of camp and be brought along slowly in a defensive role until their offensive game matures in due time.
- AEL_Fox

I think Lundell may be our guy this year ,with were we sit and all .He been playing against men for a bit now ,don't know how much offensive up side he will have .Could be the safest pick .And ready to make the jump next year . Rossi I think we would have to jump up to secure his services