Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers First-Round Draft Poll

Wish I could take part. But I'd just be guessing. Don't know anything about any of the players. But it's a fun idea.

the flyers trade the first for a dman and 2 seconds

the flyers trade the first for a dman and 2 seconds
- vejim

I can see that happening for sure going to be interesting after the cup is awarded thats for sure.

Bill,
If Monahan is available and so are all the defenseman not named Jones, do you/Flyers take Monahan over Pulock/Nurse/Ristolainen?

Bill,
If Monahan is available and so are all the defenseman not named Jones, do you/Flyers take Monahan over Pulock/Nurse/Ristolainen?
- Marc D

If they go BPA route... and by all indications, they will ... then yes.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers First-Round Draft Poll
- bmeltzer

The fan in me picks Pulock... demonstrated two-way hockey sense trumps the ideal frame/skating/grit of guys like Ristolainen, Nurse and Zadorov.

My inner GM would go with Monahan, Horvat or Mantha. So much safer.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers First-Round Draft Poll
- bmeltzer

BPA, likely a forward.

From that group: Monahan. But I don't think he gets past CGY.

The fan in me picks Pulock... demonstrated two-way hockey sense trumps the ideal frame/skating/grit of guys like Ristolainen, Nurse and Zadorov.

My inner GM would go with Monahan, Horvat or Mantha. So much safer.
- Tomahawk

Agreed, if they go with a defenseman.

If they go BPA route... and by all indications, they will ... then yes.
- bmeltzer

Are there any other forwards outside of Drouin, MacKinnon, Barkov, Nichuskin, and Monahan ahead of the 2nd best defenseman?

Are there any other forwards outside of Drouin, MacKinnon, Barkov, Nichuskin, and Monahan ahead of the 2nd best defenseman?
- Marc D

According to the consensus rankings, Lindholm and Shinkaruk.

But the truth is it's wide open after 4-5... which should make this draft almost impossible to predict, despite how hard some will try.

I chose Pulock because I don't think Monahan will be available and I really have concerns about Nurse. He is a big big man playing in a kids league. I think Poluck is the safer choice and I also think a team will pick him up anyways before we draft at 11. I do NOT want to see the Flyers trade this pick unless it is a slam dunk of a trade. I would rather they draft and trade said draft choice (I know the asset loses value) after the fact if the right trade comes along. Or geee just keep the player and show some freaken patience


BTW: I was thinking about Brad Richards being available next year....I would stay very far away unless he for some insane reason wants to sign a contract for less then 4 years and 4M or lower (aka a bargain!). Next buyer beware! I think someone will be desperate enough to throw him some serious cash!

Now that the contract issue has been put to bed for Nichushkin, I see the top 11 going as follows (assumes no trades, which is highly doubtful!):
1. COL Jones
2. FLA MacKinnon
3. TB Drouin
4. NAS Barkov
5. CAR Nichushkin
6. CAL Monahan
7. EDM Nurse
8. BUF Lindholm
9. NJD Horvat
10. DAL Pulock
11. PHL Ristolainen

It wouidn't surprise me, after the picks they acquired, if Calgary tries to move up to #2 to get Mackinnon. I could also see the Flyers try to make a deal with Edmonton if Nichushkin or Monahan is still on the board. Yes I know they need D, but I don't see any defenseman other than Jones who is worth taking before those 2.
If the Flyers stay at 11, I could then see them packaging the 41st pick with next year's 2nd to snag another 1st rounder.

I chose Pulock because I don't think Monahan will be available and I really have concerns about Nurse. He is a big big man playing in a kids league. I think Poluck is the safer choice and I also think a team will pick him up anyways before we draft at 11. I do NOT want to see the Flyers trade this pick unless it is a slam dunk of a trade. I would rather they draft and trade said draft choice (I know the asset loses value) after the fact if the right trade comes along. Or geee just keep the player and show some freaken patience


BTW: I was thinking about Brad Richards being available next year....I would stay very far away unless he for some insane reason wants to sign a contract for less then 4 years and 4M or lower (aka a bargain!). Next buyer beware! I think someone will be desperate enough to throw him some serious cash!
- coffee junkie

Why would they want an aging center who has lost a step, when they already have Giroux, Schenn, Couturier and Laughton?

BTW: I was thinking about Brad Richards being available next year....I would stay very far away unless he for some insane reason wants to sign a contract for less then 4 years and 4M or lower (aka a bargain!). Next buyer beware! I think someone will be desperate enough to throw him some serious cash!
- coffee junkie

A return to Dallas or Tampa probably wouldn't be out of the question.

According to the consensus rankings, Lindholm and Shinkaruk.

But the truth is it's wide open after 4-5... which should make this draft almost impossible to predict, despite how hard some will try.
- Tomahawk

Luckily it won't be too long before we're put out of our misery regarding the draft.

I picked Zadorov only because I know there is no way a Flyers GM picks a Russian player with a pick that high (Yes, I know he's playing in the O right now).

The fan in me picks Pulock... demonstrated two-way hockey sense trumps the ideal frame/skating/grit of guys like Ristolainen, Nurse and Zadorov.

My inner GM would go with Monahan, Horvat or Mantha. So much safer.
- Tomahawk

This is probably the smart way to go.

I really haven't seen any of these guys enough to have a real good opinion on them.

I voted for Ristolainen. I think he could play on the Flyers next season if selected.

I voted for Ristolainen. I think he could play on the Flyers next season if selected.
- Feanor

Same.

Same.
- wolfhounds

Yup, I think he could too, plus I would think they would want him to be here especially while Timonen is still on the team to mentor him.

BTW I voted for Monahan, simply because I believe he is the best player on that list. However I think there is no chance he is still around at 11, even if he gets past Calgary, which is doubtful, either Buffalo or Jersey will grab him.

Yup, I think he could too, plus I would think they would want him to be here especially while Timonen is still on the team to mentor him.
- BiggE

Exactly. Similar to the Jagr/Voracek relationship. You can't predict that type of impact on a young player, but I certainly wouldn't underestimate it.

I voted for Ristolainen. I think he could play on the Flyers next season if selected.
- Feanor

That "he's closer to stepping in right away" rationale was what got them leaning toward Sbisa over MDZ back in 08 and it's hard to argue today that they probably should have re-though that.

The fan in me picks Pulock... demonstrated two-way hockey sense trumps the ideal frame/skating/grit of guys like Ristolainen, Nurse and Zadorov.

My inner GM would go with Monahan, Horvat or Mantha. So much safer.
- Tomahawk

I'd probably go with Pulock also.

I like his reported upside, two way play, and most importantly, his great (right handed) point shot.