Something to keep in mind on Faksa. Only three GMs went to see him live this year--> Burke, Holmgren and Rutherford.

Dave Morrison also skipped U18s (Forsberg) to see Faksa's every game for a two month period.

Something to keep in mind on Faksa. Only three GMs went to see him live this year--> Burke, Holmgren and Rutherford.

Dave Morrison also skipped U18s (Forsberg) to see Faksa's every game for a two month period.
- Brian Huddle

That's odd.

Right now, assuming no changes, this is the order I think the draft goes.
Oilers - Yakupov (its the pick)
Columbus - Galchenyuk Could go either way but I get the offensive upside is too much to pass up. Plus, they were likely around Sarnia a lot and got to know the kid, who's habits off the ice make him even a better package.
Montreal - Grigorenko by default the Habs get the bigger center. Quebec is just down the road, Timmins probably saw this kid enough to say it works for him.
NY Isles - Murray Excellent pick for the Isles who need to solidify the back end. Murray is about as can't miss as any in the draft.
Toronto - Forsberg I get the feeling he isn't the pick that they wanted, but he fills the void of their needs.
Anaheim - Dumba Loss of Justin puts a vacancy on prospect high end defenders. Dumba has the potential to be a kid looked back as the dark horse and Anaheim won't pass it up
Minnesota - Trouba Minnesota kid with excellent hockey sense and talent, fits the bill with the flock of young top 6 forwards on their way from the Wild's prospect vault.
Carolina - Faksa Rutherford loves him some Kitchener Rangers and Faksa is no different. potential 2nd line center with the versatility to slide onto the wing. Offers a fun combination of size and skill.
Winnipeg - Reinhart I kind of want to pick Gaunce here but I'll go with the big rugged blueliner.
Tampa - Reilly I think Tampa would be jacked to get Reilly here as a slick playmaking D to really help ignite the offense from the back end, something they are clearly lacking going forward. Pick almost makes itself.
- Lohaus

I keep seeing that none (including Murray) are truly #1 defensemen in this draft. Obviously I don't know because I don't get to see them play. No problem at all if the Isles take him, though.

I keep seeing that none (including Murray) are truly #1 defensemen in this draft. Obviously I don't know because I don't get to see them play. No problem at all if the Isles take him, though.
- eichiefs9

I think Trouba and Murray are likely 1B or good #2's who compliment a high end offensive #1.

And then Reinhart, Dumba, etc. have 1 upside, but have question marks and aren't as "safe".

I keep seeing that none (including Murray) are truly #1 defensemen in this draft. Obviously I don't know because I don't get to see them play. No problem at all if the Isles take him, though.
- eichiefs9

There is next year (Jones) and there will be the year after as well (Ekblad) just from a North American perspective.

i think flames will take Girgensons at 14 over a D

i think flames will take Girgensons at 14 over a D
- numbear

This isn't a mock

Just a personal ranking.

There is next year (Jones) and there will be the year after as well (Ekblad) just from a North American perspective.
- Lohaus

Last year at this time we heard about how the 2012 would be chalk full of good d-men. I heard during this year the samething. Forgive me when I don't really believe what people are saying about drafts that are so far away. People can't even figure the one out that is a month and a half away.

Last year at this time we heard about how the 2012 would be chalk full of good d-men. I heard during this year the samething. Forgive me when I don't really believe what people are saying about drafts that are so far away. People can't even figure the one out that is a month and a half away.
- Lahey

FWIW, Jones could play in the NHL right now, and he's 17, haha.

Players develop weird. But yea, there are a lot of good Dmen in this draft, but some of the higher end ones are projects because of injuries and such (Koekkoek, Reilly)

I keep seeing that none (including Murray) are truly #1 defensemen in this draft. Obviously I don't know because I don't get to see them play. No problem at all if the Isles take him, though.
- eichiefs9

Way too early to tell... For all we know, Murray may end up being the best defensemen in the NHL.

FWIW, Jones could play in the NHL right now, and he's 17, haha.

Players develop weird. But yea, there are a lot of good Dmen in this draft, but some of the higher end ones are projects because of injuries and such (Koekkoek, Reilly)
- Brian Huddle

So you are telling me the Oilers should plan for another lotto?

So you are telling me the Oilers should plan for another lotto?
- Lahey

No, but if you do.... Jones is the man. He misses this draft by 2 weeks. If he were in it, he'd go 1 or 2.

This isn't a mock

Just a personal ranking.
- Brian Huddle

got ya

then where's Thrower

oops see him. I wish flames had a 2nd round pick to grab him

got ya

then where's Thrower
- numbear

42

HUDZZ!

So, the big question is who are the leafs going to take...? Do you think the draft order will have the 4 forwards going 1...4 or will a D man be thrown into the top 4 by the draft?

HUDZZ!

So, the big question is who are the leafs going to take...? Do you think the draft order will have the 4 forwards going 1...4 or will a D man be thrown into the top 4 by the draft?
- A_Tree

NYI will go D, I bet.

Toronto ends up with Faksa. =P

NYI will go D, I bet.

Toronto ends up with Faksa. =P
- Brian Huddle

I'd be so happy for once... I wish my girlfriend could excite me this much.




LOL! I joke. Seriously though, I was thinking maybe if a team sees something they like on the current leafs roster do you think they take the chance and draft him (or one of the other Fwrd's) to try and swindle a deal?

I'd be so happy for once... I wish my girlfriend could excite me this much.




LOL! I joke. Seriously though, I was thinking maybe if a team sees something they like on the current leafs roster do you think they take the chance and draft him (or one of the other Fwrd's) to try and swindle a deal?
- A_Tree

Doubt it. Too important in Top 4 to do that.

Doubt it. Too important in Top 4 to do that.
- Brian Huddle

I can't wait...!

Something to keep in mind on Faksa. Only three GMs went to see him live this year--> Burke, Holmgren and Rutherford.

Dave Morrison also skipped U18s (Forsberg) to see Faksa's every game for a two month period.
- Brian Huddle

I find this very intriguing

I will be ecstatic if Philly somehow ends up with Maata.

Button is ahead of the curve a lot. He tends to pick out guys before the other scouting agencies clue in. He's got some weird views, but you'd be surprised to know that most NHL Teams have lists that are completely different.

Toronto's likely has guys higher up that are dripping with character, grit, size, while Detroit would higher rank players who could deke inside a phonebooth and then Vancouver would have guys who they think are a higher "CORSI" types towards the top. Even Bobby Mac said that something like 8 out of 10 teams he asked had Yak at 1, but not all 10.
- Brian Huddle

Do you know of any teams that actually use Corsi metrics and the like for amateur scouting?

I will be ecstatic if Philly somehow ends up with Maata.
- mochoson

Lose your next two out of your next four games and it becomes a lot easier.

Lose your next two out of your next four games and it becomes a lot easier.
- Jack-artist

Series is only 2-1, I think Philly climbs back into it with a win in Jersey. Laviolette will have these guys ready by then.

Devils just dont have the talent to hang in my opinion. They have done a fantastic job defensively thus far, but in the time off between game 3 and 4, I think Lava is going to further break down what needs to be done to win this series. The Flyers will execute this, hopefully, in Game 4. They need to bring the momentum back to Philly.

But anyway, I think Maata is an excellent pick if we can somehow get him with our first rounder.

I also wouldnt mind taking a chance on Tanner Pearson with one of our later picks if we can grab him. With our depth up front, he can have all the time he needs to develop in the A. I see him as a guy that's probably going to need at least a season if not two in the A to really asses how good of a pro he will be, if at all.

Hey Brian, I know I've asked this before, but now that the OJHL has ended and Stoufville had a pretty decent run, do you think any differently of my buddy Drake Caggiula? Sadly I didn't have a chance to go to any of his games so I don't know much myself.
Thanks