Bill Meltzer: 2012 Draft: Laughton, Rumors, Day 2

First

I think Ryan will be donning the orange & black very soon. Anaheim doesnt have the leverage they once did...

No clue what would be going back tho.

Bill Meltzer: 2012 Draft: Laughton, Rumors, Day 2
- bmeltzer

I'm very content with what the Flyers did. Sure Shero made his big splashes, but what good are they if he doesn't get top FAs? Some of that new shiny cap room will go to Crosby & Malkin.

The Flyers were obviously kicking tires. But the costs were too high. We're not talking about a GM who shies away from big cost trades. That means the prices for Nash, Ryan et al. Were likely to expexpensive right now. They can make deals later.

As for the pick, remember when the Flyers missed out on Sanguinetti? Homer gets benefit of doubt from me on Laughton over Maatta and Finn

Bill Meltzer: 2012 Draft: Laughton, Rumors, Day 2
- bmeltzer

Pittsburgh traded away a potnetial #1 C and a top-4 D and somehow they're better off for it? Assuming they get Parise or spend their newly available cap space on other players, there's absolutely no guarantee that those additions will be able to even equal the production of Staal + Michalek, much less improve upon it. All they managed to do was mitigate the Staal situation, draft a couple of kids in a weak draft, and shed a terrible contract. There's absolutely nothing for the Flyers to worry about, much less get into an arms race over.

Pittsburgh traded away a potential #1 C and a top-4 D and somehow they're better off for it? Assuming they get Parise or spend their newly available cap space on other players, there's absolutely no guarantee that those additions will be able to even equal the production of Staal + Michalek, much less improve upon it. All they managed to do was mitigate the Staal situation, draft a couple of kids in a weak draft, and shed a terrible contract. There's absolutely nothing for the Flyers to worry about, much less get into an arms race over.
- Tomahawk

Amen. All Pittsburgh did was create cap room & add decent youngsters that may or may not replace what was traded

I'm very content with what the Flyers did. Sure Shero made his big splashes, but what good are they if he doesn't get top FAs? Some of that new shiny cap room will go to Crosby & Malkin.

The Flyers were obviously kicking tires. But the costs were too high. We're not talking about a GM who shies away from big cost trades. That means the prices for Nash, Ryan et al. Were likely to expexpensive right now. They can make deals later.

As for the pick, remember when the Flyers missed out on Sanguinetti? Homer gets benefit of doubt from me on Laughton over Maatta and Finn
- Jsaquella

As am I, now hope they address other needs today

Bill Meltzer: 2012 Draft: Laughton, Rumors, Day 2
- bmeltzer

Excellent blog Bill. Spot on as usual.

I think Laughton will prove to be a valuable pick. Flyers brass have given us no reason to doubt their ability to find talent in the lower 1st, especially with forwards.

I still think the Flyers are not getting Nash...and only bidding up his value to "screw" the rangers into overpaying

as for Ryan....good player, game changer no...but def a good player....worth JVR and Coots/Scheen...HELL NO....worth maybe JVR and a pick.....the price will go down on him once the Ducks sit on him not getting the asking price.

The Flyers would be better served going after Yandle or Hardcore after Weber...the Team needs backend help....I am tired of everyone talking about forwards when the D is the most needed fix.

i like laughton pick, seems to have some grit on him....pitts made noise but carolina won that trade imo and trading michalek away didnt make sense in there already weak top 4.

i have alot of respect for the sutter bloodline but he will never be able to hold jordans jock, jordan still has room to improove imo and will be the #1 center.

As for the pick, remember when the Flyers missed out on Sanguinetti? Homer gets benefit of doubt from me on Laughton over Maatta and Finn
- Jsaquella

Agreed. Actually Määttä is a bit like Laughton, except that he's a defenseman. What I mean by that is that both are actually pretty safe picks but there are many who think they have pretty limited offensive upside in the NHL but will play important support-role positions. The Flyers believe that Laughton will have some offensive impact over time, so I can certainly understand the move.

As for Finn, the consensus on him is a future 3 to 5 puck-moving defenseman. He dropped to round 2 because he does not excel in any one particular area. He's not a potential shutdown type like Määttä, not the potential power play point guy that Pouliot is, not a big hitter, average size frame, not blazingly fast. But he also doesn't have any major deficiencies. Again, I can see the logic behind the Laughton pick.

Gaunce is physically bigger than Laughton and plays a similar type of game. I guess the Flyers feel Laughton's long-term upside is a little higher. They have been right on so many late first-round forward draft picks that I think they deserve the benefit of the doubt right now.

I'm very content with what the Flyers did. Sure Shero made his big splashes, but what good are they if he doesn't get top FAs? Some of that new shiny cap room will go to Crosby & Malkin.

The Flyers were obviously kicking tires. But the costs were too high. We're not talking about a GM who shies away from big cost trades. That means the prices for Nash, Ryan et al. Were likely to expexpensive right now. They can make deals later.

As for the pick, remember when the Flyers missed out on Sanguinetti? Homer gets benefit of doubt from me on Laughton over Maatta and Finn
- Jsaquella

I still think the Rangers are a much bigger threat. Crosby could be done

As far a's the draft, it won't matter for a long time

No moves is a good thing. F Shero. They lost a stud player.

Ryan clearly wants to come home. But their GM won't just give him away.

No worries either way.

I like Jagr, but I hope he walks. I'm all about the cheaper options.

As for Finn, the consensus on him is a future 3 to 5 puck-moving defenseman. He dropped to round 2 because he does not excel in any one particular area. He's not a potential shutdown type like Määttä, not the potential power play point guy that Pouliot is, not a big hitter, average size frame, not blazingly fast. But he also doesn't have any major deficiencies. Again, I can see the logic behind the Laughton pick.

Gaunce is physically bigger than Laughton and plays a similar type of game. I guess the Flyers feel Laughton's long-term upside is a little higher. They have been right on so many late first-round forward draft picks that I think they deserve the benefit of the doubt right now.
- bmeltzer

Matt Finn=Matt Carle

Flyers take Laughton knowing a valuable dman is still there at #45, thats my guess

Agreed. Actually Määttä is a bit like Laughton, except that he's a defenseman. What I mean by that is that both are actually pretty safe picks but there are many who think they have pretty limited offensive upside in the NHL but will play important support-role positions. The Flyers believe that Laughton will have some offensive impact over time, so I can certainly understand the move.

As for Finn, the consensus on him is a future 3 to 5 puck-moving defenseman. He dropped to round 2 because he does not excel in any one particular area. He's not a potential shutdown type like Määttä, not the potential power play point guy that Pouliot is, not a big hitter, average size frame, not blazingly fast. But he also doesn't have any major deficiencies. Again, I can see the logic behind the Laughton pick.

Gaunce is physically bigger than Laughton and plays a similar type of game. I guess the Flyers feel Laughton's long-term upside is a little higher. They have been right on so many late first-round forward draft picks that I think they deserve the benefit of the doubt right now.
- bmeltzer

All we can do is trust in Homer & the scouts.

i like laughton pick, seems to have some grit on him....pitts made noise but carolina won that trade imo and trading michalek away didnt make sense in there already weak top 4.

i have alot of respect for the sutter bloodline but he will never be able to hold jordans jock, jordan still has room to improove imo and will be the #1 center.
- mydoglicks

Onlyme will tell, but there are many Canes fans here in Raleigh thinking that the Canes overpaid for Staal. Of course, I think the Canes are in a position in which they know they need to make the playoffs this year as the memories of winning the cup in 2006 is starting to wear thin in attracting fans.

anyone got a link to watch the draft?

anyone got a link to watch the draft?
- hereticpride

http://www.tsn.ca/social/draft2012.html

edit: Also on nhl.com, link right on the homepage. cant miss it.

http://www.tsn.ca/social/draft2012.html
- mochoson

thank you kindly.

thank you kindly.
- hereticpride

Pittsburgh traded away a potnetial #1 C and a top-4 D and somehow they're better off for it? Assuming they get Parise or spend their newly available cap space on other players, there's absolutely no guarantee that those additions will be able to even equal the production of Staal + Michalek, much less improve upon it. All they managed to do was mitigate the Staal situation, draft a couple of kids in a weak draft, and shed a terrible contract. There's absolutely nothing for the Flyers to worry about, much less get into an arms race over.
- Tomahawk

Remains to be seen.

I want to address the weak draft. All drafts have players who go on to have All-Star seasons and/or end up as long-tenured players in the league. This year's draft was called weak because there aren't all that many forwards -- and that's where the strength of a draft gets pre-judged -- who are projected as potential first-line types.

However, in terms of sheer volume of players who will go on to play in the NHL at some point or another -- whether as a regular starter, depth or fill-in player -- it may actually turn out to be an above-average draft in that regard. No one knows at this stage.

Flyers take Laughton knowing a valuable dman is still there at #45, thats my guess
- mochoson

Immediate organizational need is on defense, but as we saw from last summer, when the most glaring need was to restock up the middle, these things can change in a hurry with a trade or two.

Drafting for today is never a good move, and the vast majority of GM's refuse to draft based on position. You saw the Devils pass on Dansk, even though they're desperate for a replacement for Brodeur down the road, and Toronto pass on forwards even though they've got plenty of young dmen.

The only thing I don't understand is why didn't the Flyers trade down if they had their mind set on Laughton. I have read reports that Laughton may have been available at pick # 45.

Judging this pick now when 99% of us haven't even seen this kid play, makes very little sense, only time will quantify whether this pick is a good one.

Flyers took Laughton simply because he was the BPA on their board.

They wanted Wilson I think.

I still think the Rangers are a much bigger threat. Crosby could be done

As far a's the draft, it won't matter for a long time

No moves is a good thing. F Shero. They lost a stud player.

Ryan clearly wants to come home. But their GM won't just give him away.

No worries either way.

I like Jagr, but I hope he walks. I'm all about the cheaper options.
- Daman

I agree. Everyone is saying that the Pens made out great. Really? They lost a player, who if he moves out of the shadow of Crosby and Malkin, and plays with quality linemates, can be a real good player. He's already scored 27 goals in a Season, and he may be one of the best defensive Centers in the League. He may totally blossom in Carolina. So let's not pretend the Pens didn't lose anything here.

All we can do is trust in Homer & the scouts.
- ob18

Their track record supports that, so we should.

That said, the question was why didn't the Flyers drop down a bit, collect a future asset, and at the same time draft Laughton later on? My only assumption is that other teams, including Homer, had him rated higher that the TSN "experts" did and to take a chance that he'd still be around at the 41st selection was a risk Paul didn't want to make.

Regarding Maatta, the Flyers have close connections to London where Maatta played and I'm guessing they had him heavily scouted. They just felt Laughton was the better pick.

Oscar Dansk goes to Clb.