Do you think Gillis would reach for Adam Pelech in the 1st?

No GM knows him better.

Brian,

Why is Forsberg so low? I saw him projected top 5 in a few mock drafts. He was supposed to be the #1 Euro at the draft.

Brian,

Why is Forsberg so low? I saw him projected top 5 in a few mock drafts. He was supposed to be the #1 Euro at the draft.
- MrData

Fact is he's getting drafted out of Allsvenskan, which is the Tier 2 league in Sweden. And his stats there aren't that great. Plus, since the lockout, only two players from that league have made it to the NHL.

1. Nail Yakupov
2. Alex Galchenyuk
3. Mikhail Grigorenko


I see the Oilers either taking Yakupov 1st or if the pick is traded the only reason a team would trade for it would be to take Yakupov.
At second I think that Columbus takes Galchenyuk. The supposed "Russian Factor" is there but if I'm right I believe he play for the US. Along with Johansen Columbus could be putting a few big pieces up the middle to try and help them get out of the basement.
The Habs bias comes in when I think they take Grigorenko at 3rd, mostly because I think he could be just what they need as a big centreman who can score, albeit in a more goal happy Q but I'll still take him at 3rd.

Cheers

Nikolai Prokhorkin

one things for sure.......

Yakupov is the most speedy player in first round..
Galchenyuk is the best 2 way in first round...
Grigorenko is the most skilled player in first round...
Murray is a chief on defense...
Dumba is the 2012 PK Subban

Steady is his game. He honestly could be a top pairing guy one day. He literally runs the ice when hes out there. Hes just so calm, and he has all the intangibles to dominate the entire ice (meaning offensively).

He is honestly a gem, and i wouldnt he surprised to see a team take him in the top ten who wants a safe, reliable pick that still has a high end ceiling.
- mochoson

So basically he is exactly what the Sens need. Could you imagine a shut down pair of him and Jared Cowen

Pontus Aberg out of top 55 ??

Not including Gemel Smith in your top 55 was a mistake.

Matt Rupert
Miles Koules
Josh Anderson

They are not even in top 100 of many pro scouts/analysts. Why would you rate them so high and Aberg so low?

one things for sure.......

Yakupov is the most speedy player in first round..
Galchenyuk is the best 2 way in first round...
Grigorenko is the most skilled player in first round...
Murray is a chief on defense...
Dumba is the 2012 PK Subban
- brizer

....that's 5 things

Matt Rupert
Miles Koules
Josh Anderson

They are not even in top 100 of many pro scouts/analysts. Why would you rate them so high and Aberg so low?
- rycky182

It's his personal list and he likes their game?

So basically he is exactly what the Sens need. Could you imagine a shut down pair of him and Jared Cowen
- ottsens12

If he pans out, it'd easily be one of the scariest parings in the league.

So Huds, what are your thoughts on Tobias Rieder? Will he turn out to be a Red Wings-esque steal for us?
- GuyLaDouche

Absolutely. Love his game, skill level and total compete. Could be a very good player.

hey brian, what's your thoughts on next years draft? who stands out to you right now?

also who do you think wins the ohl final? london or team canada? lol i'm a london fan but yet after watching last nights game and watching london get bullied in the corners, I'm going with niagara in 6
- Jimbarrou

Big fan of Seth Jones-- and then you have the top end skill of McKinnon, Monahan, Domi, Skinkairuk, etc. Veeeery good draft.

I'm gonna go with London, personally. I don't trust Visentin in net, and I think Houser can pull through.

Would it be fair to compare the Yakupov/Galchenyuk situation to one similar to a Ovechkin/Malkin?

Also say the teams pick in line with your rankings, would Maata make the Sens right away or would we need to wait a year or two?
- ottsens12

To an extent, it's similar. Don't think I'd compare them skill level wise or anything, but you get what I mean.

Maatta needs time. This is first OHL Season, and his game is based on IQ, not his physical skills, which still need a lot of time.

hey brian,

penguins could be from 14-17 probably. is there a guy that the penguins should target?

I was reading The Hockey New's draft guide and i liked Brendan Gaunce. He was ranked at 17 there and at 11 on your rankings.

Any chance that he falls to us? I also like Tom Wilson. I also noticed you have Riley falling, any chance the Penguins take him. Having a future defense of Harrington, Despres, Morrow, and Riley would be excellent.

Finally, any chance of you seeing either London and Scott Harrington or Portland and Joe Morrow. Just wondering your views of them when watching in person and when you expect them to reach the NHL.

thanks and keep up the good stuff.
- SuperHenderson13

Hard to say what the Pens would want, but if they want to eventually replace Staal, then Gaunce is their man. He should slip down around 15-20. I have him higher than most, and I really like the kid's game. I call him a "gamer".

Morrow could make the team or at least push for it. Harrington still needs some time, IMO. He's pretty unpolished right now, and they'll want him to work on his offensive game more over the next year or so.

Brian,

Why is Forsberg so low? I saw him projected top 5 in a few mock drafts. He was supposed to be the #1 Euro at the draft.
- MrData

Someone mentioned it earlier, but the league he plays in is hard to gauge. And similar to Paajarvi, I wonder if there's that natural finish there. He's a nice package, but some guys just don't have "it".

Do you think Gillis would reach for Adam Pelech in the 1st?

No GM knows him better.
- IanEsplen

Doubtful. From my understanding, the Canucks are high on advanced stats, and I'm willing to bet a guy like Pelech looks terrible on paper.

Pontus Aberg out of top 55 ??
- rycky182

Matt Rupert
Miles Koules
Josh Anderson

They are not even in top 100 of many pro scouts/analysts. Why would you rate them so high and Aberg so low?
- rycky182

Shoot. Every list I always leave out a guy in my hurry to get it out, haha. Aberg would slot in after Dansk.

Not including Gemel Smith in your top 55 was a mistake.
- scoots3131

I like his hustle, but he has tunnel vision. Reminds me of a Matthew Lombardi type player.

If you were GM of the oilers do you regard yakupov and galchenyuk so high that you wouldn't take murray even with the organizational need for defenseman?
or do you say F**K it and take a ridiculously skilled forward and work towards signing some better dmen?
- SPIbanez

Why is it a organisational weakness in defense only at the top level right now it is a weakness. Or are you like everyother idiot that thinks that Defense men start at the NHL w/o going thru CHL, ECHL, WHL levels?

1. Nail Yakupov
2. Alex Galchenyuk
3. Mikhail Grigorenko


I see the Oilers either taking Yakupov 1st or if the pick is traded the only reason a team would trade for it would be to take Yakupov.
At second I think that Columbus takes Galchenyuk. The supposed "Russian Factor" is there but if I'm right I believe he play for the US. Along with Johansen Columbus could be putting a few big pieces up the middle to try and help them get out of the basement.
The Habs bias comes in when I think they take Grigorenko at 3rd, mostly because I think he could be just what they need as a big centreman who can score, albeit in a more goal happy Q but I'll still take him at 3rd.

Cheers
- HamiltonHabber

What about murray is who is supposed to be NHL ready.

hey huds, how will murray playing at WC improve his ranks getting so much praise from lowe and keith? think lowe takes him #1?

1. Nail Yakupov
2. Alex Galchenyuk
3. Mikhail Grigorenko


I see the Oilers either taking Yakupov 1st or if the pick is traded the only reason a team would trade for it would be to take Yakupov.
At second I think that Columbus takes Galchenyuk. The supposed "Russian Factor" is there but if I'm right I believe he play for the US. Along with Johansen Columbus could be putting a few big pieces up the middle to try and help them get out of the basement.
The Habs bias comes in when I think they take Grigorenko at 3rd, mostly because I think he could be just what they need as a big centreman who can score, albeit in a more goal happy Q but I'll still take him at 3rd.

Cheers
- HamiltonHabber

I agree...I think the isles could land the top pick if they wanted too though.

I would have to be become a Columbus fan with Johansen and Galchenyuk up the middle... They would need some decent wingers and a good goalie but they could be a good team... I say they trade Nash for Yakupov...

I agree...I think the isles could land the top pick if they wanted too though.

I would have to be become a Columbus fan with Johansen and Galchenyuk up the middle... They would need some decent wingers and a good goalie but they could be a good team... I say they trade Nash for Yakupov...
- Bar-South

Well, whoever's drafting Yakupov (Oilers) probably wouldn't want Nash for him.

I agree...I think the isles could land the top pick if they wanted too though.

I would have to be become a Columbus fan with Johansen and Galchenyuk up the middle... They would need some decent wingers and a good goalie but they could be a good team... I say they trade Nash for Yakupov...
- Bar-South

I can think of 7.8 million reasons why I don't want Nash at any cost (let alone a future star on an ELC)

If we pay Nash 7.8 what do we have to play Nuge, Ebs, and Hall when it comes contract time? They will surely out produce Nash.

Nash is awesome but he is paid like a franchise player and he is not.

I can think of 7.8 million reasons why I don't want Nash at any cost (let alone a future star on an ELC)

If we pay Nash 7.8 what do we have to play Nuge, Ebs, and Hall when it comes contract time? They will surely out produce Nash.

Nash is awesome but he is paid like a franchise player and he is not.
- gretzky

I agree but the difference is, Nash was UFA-aged when he got his deal and had a longer, proven track record. The other three aren't going to get paid as much because they'll be coming off ELC's. UFA's usually tend to get paid way more than RFA's, and I'm sure their agents are well aware of that.

I agree but the difference is, Nash was UFA-aged when he got his deal and had a longer, proven track record. The other three aren't going to get paid as much because they'll be coming off ELC's. UFA's usually tend to get paid way more than RFA's, and I'm sure their agents are well aware of that.
- Jack-artist

So when they become UFA's a year or two after that are you prepared to give them 9 million each then?

Sets a terrible bench mark for them no matter what.

If Nash made 5.5 million then I would be all down for going after him. But 7.8 is more than Stamkos makes long term and almost Sidney Crosby money. Nash's last 3 seasons show he is a 60ish point guy. You just can't trade significant assets for a 60ish point guy that makes 7.8 million in a cap world unless he is your teams best player. He won't even be top 3 or 4.

So when they become UFA's a year or two after that are you prepared to give them 9 million each then?

Sets a terrible bench mark for them no matter what.

If Nash made 5.5 million then I would be all down for going after him. But 7.8 is more than Stamkos makes long term and almost Sidney Crosby money. Nash's last 3 seasons show he is a 60ish point guy. You just can't trade significant assets for a 60ish point guy that makes 7.8 million in a cap world unless he is your teams best player. He won't even be top 3 or 4.
- gretzky

Oh I have no desire for Nash at that price. He's overpaid. I just don't believe his contract alone will set the precedent for Hall or RNH or Eberle. Doubt they get paid 9 million each anyways. Not even when they're UFA aged, unless they all score 100+ points over their second contract consistently.

Oh I have no desire for Nash at that price. He's overpaid. I just don't believe his contract alone will set the precedent for Hall or RNH or Eberle. Doubt they get paid 9 million each anyways. Not even when they're UFA aged, unless they all score 100+ points over their second contract consistently.
- Jack-artist

I believe teammates contracts are used as benchmarks more than we think.

But who the (frank) really knows.

All I know is if I were Hall's agent and Nash was making 7.8 and Hall was massively out producing him I would definitely bring that up in negotiations...