Generally I tend to value centers more-- I think they're generally harder to find, and teams want to keep them more. On top of that, their skill is pretty comparable, while Yak has the edge in speed and his shot. That being said, I think long term Galchenyuk is a #1 80-90 pt center, while Yak is a 90 pt winger.

Does the fact Galchenyuk play down the middle make him a bit more important? I tend to think so. Some don't.

Last point on it is, is that I worry about Yakupov's game and whether or not he'll be able to tone it down in the NHL. Hard to tell.
- Brian Huddle

If that's how our bastard thinks then I'd take the Center too. With that being said this is quite similar to Hall-Seguin and if Yakupov is slightly better in bastard's opinion then they will take the winger.

NO HUDDLE! The Leafs are supposed to get Galchenyuk!!!
- BlueNWhite19

I LOVE HIM!

And I actually really like Rupert, personally.



When Timmins takes him, I'll shed a small tear.



Rich's son. Lol.
- Brian Huddle

They just announced the Habs invited Grigorenko to their combine

As for goalies, I'm a big believer in teams drafting them regularly (one a year), but I think you can take chances lower on. This year, I'm a big believer in Daniel Altshuller who should go fairly lower (4th Round?), and even a guy like Colin Olson who should be a bit lower than that.

Goalies take longer, so take chances and see who develops right and who doesn't.
- Brian Huddle

I hate drafting goalies. We've royally screwed up developing DD and JDD recently simply because of being afraid of the NHL waiver system. I sooner take a guy in the 5th or 6th round and if you lose him you lose him.

Really wish we would've taken Brossoit last year. All I need is to hear Flames fans yapping about how we let this guy slip out from underneath us.

My $.02 is Sutter or Vasilevski (>Subban in my eyes) and Sam & Frk are wingers, not sure they need more (especially Frk in the small skilled variety)
- Boosinicka

Frk I've got a soft spot for, cause he always catches me off guard how pesky he is. He's skilled, but he mostly likes being a jerk. The only knock is, when he's not doing something huge, he's doing nothing. Real consistency issues.

If that's how our bastard thinks then I'd take the Center too. With that being said this is quite similar to Hall-Seguin and if Yakupov is slightly better in bastard's opinion then they will take the winger.
- Lahey

In a vaccuum, I'd take a centre over a winger all things equal. But we've already got Nuge who excels at scoring. If Galchenyuk were particularly praised for his amazing defensive zone play, it'd be a different story. I'm just not sure organizationally speaking whether we particularly need a high scoring centre more than a high scoring winger.

In a vaccuum, I'd take a centre over a winger all things equal. But we've already got Nuge who excels at scoring. If Galchenyuk were particularly praised for his amazing defensive zone play, it'd be a different story. I'm just not sure organizationally speaking whether we particularly need a high scoring centre more than a high scoring winger.
- Morris

Galchenyuk is a terrific two-way player, FWIW. Think Marian Hossa as a center.

Galchenyuk is a terrific two-way player, FWIW. Think Marian Hossa as a center.
- Brian Huddle

Hmmmm. I did not know that.

Stop making this so complicated!

In a vaccuum, I'd take a centre over a winger all things equal. But we've already got Nuge who excels at scoring. If Galchenyuk were particularly praised for his amazing defensive zone play, it'd be a different story. I'm just not sure organizationally speaking whether we particularly need a high scoring centre more than a high scoring winger.
- Morris

Drafting Galchenyuk makes Gagner expendable in the future. Drafting Yakupov makes Hemsky expendable in the future. Me thinks Gagner could be used to help out elsewhere. Hemsky might be able to get you something really depends on his health.

With that being said you can never have too many centers either.

Galchenyuk is a terrific two-way player, FWIW. Think Marian Hossa as a center.
- Brian Huddle

How does he use his frame?

Hmmmm. I did not know that.

Stop making this so complicated!
- Morris

It was all so (frank)ing easy when we were picking 2nd. It was either Murray or Ringo, but now we are 1 and there are 3 options and you don't want to screw up.

How does he use his frame?
- Lahey

Well. Protects puck like a beast. Brings some physical elements, but not too much to try being something he's not.

And FWIW, Gally is a gym rat. He drinks the pink and is ALWAYS working out. It's why he was able to get back for the playoffs.

As for goalies, I'm a big believer in teams drafting them regularly (one a year), but I think you can take chances lower on. This year, I'm a big believer in Daniel Altshuller who should go fairly lower (4th Round?), and even a guy like Colin Olson who should be a bit lower than that.

Goalies take longer, so take chances and see who develops right and who doesn't.
- Brian Huddle

Think someone takes Houser this time around?

Well. Protects puck like a beast. Brings some physical elements, but not too much to try being something he's not.

And FWIW, Gally is a gym rat. He drinks the pink and is ALWAYS working out. It's why he was able to get back for the playoffs.
- Brian Huddle

Where do I go with this one...

You know what really pisses me off?

When they mention NHL comparables for prospects, and the guys they use are under 25 and still establishing themselves. Oh really? Player X is going to be as good as P.K. Subban? (frank)ing useless.

Think someone takes Houser this time around?
- Boosinicka

Have to. OHL MVP, in the OHL Finals. Before his numbers were a bit "okay" and hsi club feet scared some teams off. He's proven himself. If he doesn't, he'll get a contract somewhere after Training Camp.

Where do I go with this one...
- Lahey

Don't know about the pink?

It's what they say about the Biosteel guys (Cammallerri, Yakupov, Galchenyuk, Seguin, Price, Stamkos, etc.)

Brian - are there any late 1st round gems that have caught your eye in the sense that they could end up being top liners a few years down the track?

Well. Protects puck like a beast. Brings some physical elements, but not too much to try being something he's not.

And FWIW, Gally is a gym rat. He drinks the pink and is ALWAYS working out. It's why he was able to get back for the playoffs.
- Brian Huddle

Isles need D but I'd be pissed if they passed on Gally if he slips to 4 somehow.

Don't know about the pink?

It's what they say about the Biosteel guys (Cammallerri, Yakupov, Galchenyuk, Seguin, Price, Stamkos, etc.)
- Brian Huddle

I think Eberle is suppose to go there this year. Him or RNH, thought it was Eberle though.

Isles need D but I'd be pissed if they passed on Gally if he slips to 4 somehow.
- eichiefs9

All it takes is one team to go off the board and things change. I don't think PHI or BOS thought they'd end up with Couturier/Hamilton.

I think Eberle is suppose to go there this year. Him or RNH, thought it was Eberle though.
- Lahey

Super-Eberle

Where do you see Taro Tsujimoto being picked?

All it takes is one team to go off the board and things change. I don't think PHI or BOS thought they'd end up with Couturier/Hamilton.
- Lahey

Good point. And Fowler for ANA. Almost every draft seems to have one "independent minded" GM that will stray from the scouting consensus within the top 10 or even top 5 picks.

How has Tinordi been in the playoffs?