Go Nashville, go Jets, go Habs, go Blues, go Oilers.

Go Nashville, go Jets, go Habs, go Blues, go Oilers.
- MartysBetter88

I just want all the division winners and Islanders to lose before the Semis.

Holtz not in the line up for Binghamton

Let's go Palms! What a snipe to win it

Let's go Palms! What a snipe to win it
- vlongo4419

two great snipes. what a game for Palms.

I want the isles to beat Pitt but I also want them to lose so it’s a better pick for us, go Pitt
- shvingter88

(frank) Pittsburgh.

All 4 D have the ceiling to be a true top pairing D, and all are very good skaters. They all have a higher ceiling than Smith, for instance. And I'll give an NHL comparable that ive heard the most on each guy that is purely a stylistic comparison, and not based on skill level or ability.

Luke doesnt have the same elite offensive ceiling that Quinn has but it's not far off, and he should end up being a better all-around D than Quinn. He is the best skater in the draft imo. His D is a still a work in progress, and he needs to improve his decision making with the puck though. But hes also one of the youngest players in the draft and has way more room to grow, hes essentially a full development year behind the other 3 big D(if he was born 6 days later he would've been in next years draft). His NHL comparable Tyson Barrie, and even his brother to an extent.

Power is currently the most polished D, which is why hes almost certainly going #1. He has the potential to be an all situations, 30 minute a night #1 D. He just needs to work on his physicality and using his big frame to his advantage. His NHL comparable is Victor Hedman.

Clarke is an all-around 2 way D and has made huge strides this past season playing pro in Slovakia. He's in the same boat as Hughes, in that he needs to work on his defensive game but he's ahead in terms of decision making with the puck. Also, its a bonus for us that hes the only RHD of the bunch. His NHL comparable is Erik Karlsson.

Edvinsson is the wild card here. He could be the best D in the draft and arguably has the highest upside. He has the most complete and well rounded game right along with Power, but he's just been very inconsistent. He needs to work on his shot and get stronger, but he has all the tools in his arsenal to become an all-around top pairing D if he can just put it together. Whoever drafts him needs to have a good development system, because his inconsistency is the biggest issue with him. His NHL comparable is OEL.

None of these D should be in the NHL next season, and some will likely need another year after that.

My preferred order is Hughes>Clarke>Power>Edvinsson. But judging from scouts and people with inside league knowledge, the likely draft outcome(depending on who wins the lottery) is Power>Edvinsson>Clarke>Hughes
- vlongo4419

If there is a legitimate Hedman-esque guy available, that would really move the needle for this club. I mean Hedman has 100 points in his last 110 games (and 25 points in his past 26 playoff games), and is absolutely lights out defensively with a modes +60 through that span. He doesn't get the credit he deserves in my opinion, as he should be in the Hart race this year for what he does through 200'. A guy like that chewing up 25-30 minutes a night is a great foundation to build on.

I hope no bias goes into Hughes should someone our scouting ranks higher is still available. I am also cautious about the potential of taking the 4th highest ranked D, when the top ranked C/LW/RW may still be on the table. However, I have been very happy with our scouting/drafting the past 4 years now, as Smith was a great late 1st, Sharan/Walsh/Maltsev were all fantastic depth picks, and Mercer/Shak may be some solid late 1st' picks similar to Smith.

two great snipes. what a game for Palms.
- Pomegrant

And a beauty from Coleman. If you get a chance to watch the florida series, it is unreal hockey. Kuch didn't skip a beat after a questionable hiatus.

And a beauty from Coleman. If you get a chance to watch the florida series, it is unreal hockey. Kuch didn't skip a beat after a questionable hiatus.
- bikeguy99

Yep. That game was incredible. I think Florida got robbed with a few ridiculous penalties, but it is what it is. They were hungry and played well. More speed in that game than I thought there would be.

If there is a legitimate Hedman-esque guy available, that would really move the needle for this club. I mean Hedman has 100 points in his last 110 games (and 25 points in his past 26 playoff games), and is absolutely lights out defensively with a modes +60 through that span. He doesn't get the credit he deserves in my opinion, as he should be in the Hart race this year for what he does through 200'. A guy like that chewing up 25-30 minutes a night is a great foundation to build on.

I hope no bias goes into Hughes should someone our scouting ranks higher is still available. I am also cautious about the potential of taking the 4th highest ranked D, when the top ranked C/LW/RW may still be on the table. However, I have been very happy with our scouting/drafting the past 4 years now, as Smith was a great late 1st, Sharan/Walsh/Maltsev were all fantastic depth picks, and Mercer/Shak may be some solid late 1st' picks similar to Smith.
- bikeguy99

Its purely a stylistic comparison, it has nothing to do with actual ability or skill level. I prefer Hughes or Clarke over Power all day, but im happy walking out of the draft with any of the top 4 D.

We can't go wrong with the spot we're in. i was just hoping to be in range of getting one of the top 4 D or top 5 forwards, so we're guaranteed to get a good prospect no matter who we take. Unfortunately that's the issue with this draft, theres no elite/franchise cornerstone or very great prospects at the top. But theres good depth, im way more excited and interested about what we do with the Isles pick over our own

And a beauty from Coleman. If you get a chance to watch the florida series, it is unreal hockey. Kuch didn't skip a beat after a questionable hiatus.
- bikeguy99

Of course he didn’t.. cuz he wasn’t injured that whole time. I wonder how long he’s been skating hard, or even practicing with the team.

Of course he didn’t.. cuz he wasn’t injured that whole time. I wonder how long he’s been skating hard, or even practicing with the team.
- MartysBetter88

He's been practicing with the team for a month. It's one of the most egregious examples of cap circumvention in league history and they are trying to sweep it under the rug. Somebody better make a huge stink about this during the GM meetings and get the rules changed because it makes no sense that one team just gets to have 10 million more cap than the others and not be punished for it.

Akirma Schmid signed his ELC, i'm interested to see how he does in the AHL next season. Hard to judge his good USHL season this year based off him being an overager

He's been practicing with the team for a month. It's one of the most egregious examples of cap circumvention in league history and they are trying to sweep it under the rug. Somebody better make a huge stink about this during the GM meetings and get the rules changed because it makes no sense that one team just gets to have 10 million more cap than the others and not be punished for it.
- Pomegrant

Why not? It's not like the Devils did it. Bettman will be fine with this. He'll make a little noise and maybe try to address it in future.

You know the NHL double standards. If Tom Wilson does something it's OK because it's the Caps. If you're Dalton Prout hitting Radko Gudas then is worthy of a suspension:

https://www.bing.com/vide...n%2BGudas%26FORM%3DHDRSC3


This is fine with no time off:
https://www.bing.com/vide...the%2Bice%26FORM%3DHDRSC3

Why not? It's not like the Devils did it. Bettman will be fine with this. He'll make a little noise and maybe try to address it in future. But it's like Tom Wilson or Brad Marchand trying to injure someone. No big deal as long as it's not Dalton Prout hitting Radko Gudas because this was suspension worthy:

https://www.bing.com/vide...n%2BGudas%26FORM%3DHDRSC3
- Queenie_5_hole

GMs took a stand against the burying a guy in the minors for being an unfair advantage. And they did address the LTIR hiding contracts to an extent. This is just the next step to fixing it. But yeah, you're right. They are going to get no penalty for anything because (frank) it.

GMs took a stand against the burying a guy in the minors for being an unfair advantage. And they did address the LTIR hiding contracts to an extent. This is just the next step to fixing it. But yeah, you're right. They are going to get no penalty for anything because (frank) it.
- Pomegrant

I think you're right and it'll get addressed because other teams will have a problem with it. And certainly I understand the league wants star players on the ice. But it's just frustrating. I mean the league basically put in the trapezoid because they got sick of Marty handling the puck and playing against our defense. So its not like they couldn't take some action. They acted pretty quick on that Kovy contract. This has been the worst kept secret all year.

Vince Dunn is a scratch for the Blues tonight for some reason. He's someone im very interested in trying to acquire this offseason and it seems like hes all but gone after this season. Would slot nicely into our top 4 and would be a nice boost to the PP. His style of game would fit nicely into how we want to play. His analytics are decent too, which will catch the eye of our FO

Vince Dunn is a scratch for the Blues tonight for some reason. He's someone im very interested in trying to acquire this offseason and it seems like hes all but gone after this season. Would slot nicely into our top 4 and would be a nice boost to the PP. His style of game would fit nicely into how we want to play. His analytics are decent too, which will catch the eye of our FO
- vlongo4419

What would it cost? Realistically

What would it cost? Realistically
- dmarsden2988

I honestly have no idea tbh. Hes an RFA, and they took calls on him this past offseason/early in the season but the price was very high apparently. They wanted a 1st and nobody offered one, so maybe a 2nd and another piece gets it done? Fitz should definitely be on the phone once they get eliminated to find out the price though

The closer you get to expansion, the cheaper you can probably get him. Because the Blues would just lose him for free and get nothing back from Seattle

I honestly have no idea tbh. Hes an RFA, and they took calls on him this past offseason/early in the season but the price was very high apparently. They wanted a 1st and nobody offered one, so maybe a 2nd and another piece gets it done? Fitz should definitely be on the phone once they get eliminated to find out the price though

The closer you get to expansion, the cheaper you can probably get him. Because the Blues would just lose him for free and get nothing back from Seattle
- vlongo4419

Trade window isn't open anymore though. We'll have to wait until draft to do anything.

Trade window isn't open anymore though. We'll have to wait until draft to do anything.
- Pomegrant

I mean, we can always make a trade, even right now. The Blues just won't do it until the offseason.

The trade deadline doesnt mean trades cant happen, it just means those players are ineligible for the playoffs

I heard a strong rumor regarding Barkov, Butcher, Mercer and 2 firsts

I heard a strong rumor regarding Barkov, Butcher, Mercer and 2 firsts
- Leniwm1

From who? Nothing personal, but this sounds like fantasy hockey.

From who? Nothing personal, but this sounds like fantasy hockey.
- redmonsters

I won't lie. I might have made this up.

So I think we have reasonable confidence that islanders pick is staying where it’s at. Preds and Blues were easily outmatched.