Ok so now that EDM has the top pick, it's safe to say that they will almost be forced to take it.

Which is different from what could have hypothetically happened had they snagged second, which would have made snagging a Dman much more rational. However, no Dman is close to being considered the top pick, so it will be interesting to see what they do.

I'd like to think that they could perhaps use the first in a trade, but there aren't many established Dmen out there who are available and worth a first.

So here is what I would consider to be the most likely top 5:

EDM - Yakupov
CBJ - Grigorenko/Galyenchuk
MTL - Galyenchuk/ Grigorenko
NYI - Murray/Dumba
Tor - Forsberg/Galyenchuk(It's whichever of those two are available)

I have a feeling Grigs goes before Galy, and that Galy will probably go before Forsberg.

Craig Button's take on the top 14 was reflective of what a moron he is.

He has CBJ drafting Murray 2nd overall, which doesn't make sense considering they got Jack Johnson at the deadline.

He also has NYI going after Forsberg at centre when they themselves need a defenceman, and probably aren't in urgent need of another centre after getting Ryan Strome last year
- AngryWhiteMale

never understood the "this is what they need" theory.

we're talking about what they need right this second, when the majority of these guys could take 3 years to develop and be nhl ready.

columbus doesn't have much outside of jack johnson. who's to say they aren't starving for dmen in 3 years?

take the best player available.

Ok so now that EDM has the top pick, it's safe to say that they will almost be forced to take it.

Which is different from what could have hypothetically happened had they snagged second, which would have made snagging a Dman much more rational. However, no Dman is close to being considered the top pick, so it will be interesting to see what they do.

I'd like to think that they could perhaps use the first in a trade, but there aren't many established Dmen out there who are available and worth a first.

So here is what I would consider to be the most likely top 5:

EDM - Yakupov
CBJ - Grigorenko/Galyenchuk
MTL - Galyenchuk/ Grigorenko
NYI - Murray/Dumba
Tor - Forsberg/Galyenchuk(It's whichever of those two are available)

I have a feeling Grigs goes before Galy, and that Galy will probably go before Forsberg.

Craig Button's take on the top 14 was reflective of what a moron he is.

He has CBJ drafting Murray 2nd overall, which doesn't make sense considering they got Jack Johnson at the deadline.

He also has NYI going after Forsberg at centre when they themselves need a defenceman, and probably aren't in urgent need of another centre after getting Ryan Strome last year
- AngryWhiteMale

How shocking.
- Gunslinger

He'll hide now for the next few weeks.

Fail again. Wrong player. Check FIRST NAME. Learn to read.
- dionschenn

You must have trouble reading. Not only is Catenacci leading the OHL in playoff scoring but Brandon Saad, another Leafs draft pick they traded, is 2nd.

Keep failing. 7th to 10th.

I love the Penguin fans (2005+) coming to the aid of the Oiler fans.
- Fan2

They aren't even Pens fans. They're Crosby/Malkin fans.

They aren't even Pens fans. They're Crosby/Malkin fans.
- jbold

Congrats guys. Prepare to be accused of being a bunch of tankers by lots of jealous folks...and wear those accusations like a badge of honor

Burke doesn't believe in the Edmonton, Pittsburg, washington models of rebuilds.
- stevecarpetman

Burke looked such the fool suggesting the Pittsburgh model was/is essentially based on winning the Crosby lottery when the Pens are a powerhouse without him. Malkin, Staal, Fleury, Letang, Orpik......quite a lot better than the core of the Leafs, to say nothing of the Neal, Kunitz trades.

Oilers now have 4-100 point players... proven.

You must have trouble reading. Not only is Catenacci leading the OHL in playoff scoring but Brandon Saad, another Leafs draft pick they traded, is 2nd.

Keep failing. 7th to 10th.


- Unholy_Goalie

Are you that dumb? Daniel Catenacci IS NOT Michael Catenacci.

never understood the "this is what they need" theory.

we're talking about what they need right this second, when the majority of these guys could take 3 years to develop and be nhl ready.

columbus doesn't have much outside of jack johnson. who's to say they aren't starving for dmen in 3 years?

take the best player available.
- joel878

A lot of what CBJ does with their pick will ride on how certain they are of Rick Nash' future home, and what kind of return he will get them.

If they're certain they can replace his lost scoring touch with a few relatively solid young forwards to play alongside Johanssen then perhaps a defenceman would be good, but I'd still lean towards them going with a forward

Are you that dumb? Daniel Catenacci IS NOT Michael Catenacci.
- dionschenn

Yes. Yes he is.

I love the Penguin fans (2005+) coming to the aid of the Oiler fans.
- Fan2

Do you think Burke ever leads your team to the playoffs?

Are you that dumb? Daniel Catenacci IS NOT Michael Catenacci.
- dionschenn

33 goals and 72 points in the OHL. Horrible player.

Brandon Saad. Draft pick traded by the Leafs. 2nd in playoff scoring.

No big deal.

Oilers now have 4-100 point players... proven.
- robin_steele264

Minus the one they traded down in the draft to aquire a Dman and a 2nd rounder.

Do you think Burke ever leads your team to the playoffs?
- nhindian

He's not interested in finishing 8th... he could have done that the past couple years had he chosen to.

Do you think Burke ever leads your team to the playoffs?
- nhindian

I'd say he does once he says he's ready to relocate the team and that hooking and grabbing is way out of whack.

33 goals and 72 points in the OHL. Horrible player.

Brandon Saad. Draft pick traded by the Leafs. 2nd in playoff scoring.

No big deal.
- Unholy_Goalie

Minus the one they traded down in the draft to aquire a Dman and a 2nd rounder.
- Gunslinger

go on....

Burke looked such the fool suggesting the Pittsburgh model was/is essentially based on winning the Crosby lottery when the Pens are a powerhouse without him. Malkin, Staal, Fleury, Letang, Orpik......quite a lot better than the core of the Leafs, to say nothing of the Neal, Kunitz trades.
- Domidives

They were bad at the right time, same with CHI.

That was a golden stretch of talent coming through between 2003 and 2007, not saying anything bad about this current crop, or the next few years to come, but they were able to pull what EDM is now and get top 3 picks for a good half decade.

Which means if EDM gets its back end figured out they'll be rubbing another cup ring in CGYs faces around the time they finally decide to blow things up in cowtown

Do you think Burke ever leads your team to the playoffs?
- nhindian

Depends if he can get himself a goalie who can win/steal games.

Do you think Burke ever leads your team to the playoffs?
- nhindian

Depends. Does he have a whistle and wizards staff?

Do you think Burke ever leads your team to the playoffs?
- nhindian

Do I think Burke will ever lead the Leafs to the playoffs? Or do I think he sometimes leads them when nobody is looking?

Wording of this was strange.

They were bad at the right time, same with CHI.

That was a golden stretch of talent coming through between 2003 and 2007, not saying anything bad about this current crop, or the next few years to come, but they were able to pull what EDM is now and get top 3 picks for a good half decade.

Which means if EDM gets its back end figured out they'll be rubbing another cup ring in CGYs faces around the time they finally decide to blow things up in cowtown
- AngryWhiteMale

they just might blow it up now.

will be interesting to see what they do with iginla.

.. and if they trade iginla.. what they sit fit to do with kiprusoff.

33 goals and 72 points in the OHL. Horrible player.

Brandon Saad. Draft pick traded by the Leafs. 2nd in playoff scoring.

No big deal.
- Unholy_Goalie

The whole Brandon Saad thing is irrelevant to this. Yes, I am aware of the trade. The point is your record breaking fail. DANIEL Catenacci (did you read that correctly?) is 81st in scoring in the OHL playoffs. You thought he was first..... Point is your lover isn't looking like he's living up to your hype of being a great one. But you do have a history of failing in the department. (see Tlusty, Pogge,Earl,etc)

go on....
- robin_steele264

You have to insert another quarter. Or your penis. Its a choose your own adventure.