Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Could Crouse be Good Fit at 7th?

First/worst

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Could Crouse be Good Fit at 7th?
- bmeltzer

Way to boom/bust for me at 7. Definitely a top 15 pick in terms of talent. I have him at 11 on my list. Him and Zacha are like neck and neck for me.

I like the kid and would take him at 7. he is what the flyers lack a big body up front who can bang and drive the net.

Bill if provorov and crouse are on the board at 7 who do u take?

Bill,

I've stated that, from the bits I've heard and read, that Crouse is a better version of Alex Tuch. He doesn't necessarily drive the offense, but is adept and being the finishing man who can turn that offense into production. Also, for a guy his size, he may just have a natural physical ability that lets him dominate at the junior levels but that may not translate against full-grown men in the NHL. Is this a valid comparison, or am I not giving him enough credit?

That last sentence is what scares me about Crouse. I don't want an effective checker with the 7th pick. He has upside for sure but there are higher ceiling guys to take there in my opinion. I think if they take Crouse, they are taking the "safe" route for a player. He may have a higher floor than most, but I want the higher upside guy with that pick.

Bill if provorov and crouse are on the board at 7 who do u take?
- Brimstone

Provorov. But if Barzal is there, I think that's my top pick. Wouldn't mind Crouse or Rantanen or Zacha, but I think Barzal is both fairly safe AND has strong upside.

I like the kid and would take him at 7. he is what the flyers lack a big body up front who can bang and drive the net.
- mace14

I'd rather not spend the 7th overall pick in the deepest draft in 12 years on a guy simply because he's "big" and can "bang" and "drive the net." There's a good amount of players at wing who can do that right now (Dwight King types) that you could get for cheaper either via trade or UFA. I'd rather take a guy with much more upside with such an early pick. Were the Flyers drafting around the 11-13 spot, different story.

I'd rather not spend the 7th overall pick in the deepest draft in 12 years on a guy simply because he's "big" and can "bang" and "drive the net." There's a good amount of players at wing who can do that right now (Dwight King types) that you could get for cheaper either via trade or UFA. I'd rather take a guy with much more upside with such an early pick. Were the Flyers drafting around the 11-13 spot, different story.
- jmatchett383

But on that top line the flyers need a guy like that. the revolving door of wingers to go on that top line is not going to work. a big body that can go to the net create space and has scoring touch would be a nice fit. Thats not saying that one of these other guys might be a better fit for the team but i dont think they will still be on the board at 7.

Stanley cups are won on defense and at center. Power wingers are the most overhyped players in the NHL. They do all the things fans love, score goals and make big hits, but are usually bit players on winning teams. You can guys to do that job all over the draft.

Draft defense or center at 7.

But on that top line the flyers need a guy like that. the revolving door of wingers to go on that top line is not going to work. a big body that can go to the net create space and has scoring touch would be a nice fit. Thats not saying that one of these other guys might be a better fit for the team but i dont think they will still be on the board at 7.
- mace14

Raffl just put up 20+ goals on that line banging bodies and driving the net.

Edit: I'm not saying I think he's necessarily a bad player, just that I'd rather them go for a more dynamic/gamechanging type of player with such a valuable pick.

Stanley cups are won on defense and at center. Power wingers are the most overhyped players in the NHL. They do all the things fans love, score goals and make big hits, but are usually bit players on winning teams. You can guys to do that job all over the draft.

Draft defense or center at 7.
- psuhockey

Agreed.

If the Flyers somehow lucked into the #7 pick AND had a deep organizational pipeline, you can maybe rationalize gambling on a guy with Crouse's skill set.

However, as it stands, the Flyers earned the #7 pick based on the "merits" of their on ice play and, frankly, their organizational depth is terrible.

I would be more prone to draft conservatively here.

I'm one of the minority who would have NO problem whatsoever with Crouse at #7. I see a 17 year old kid who is already 6'4 215, and who could easily top out at 6'5 225+, who skates really well, plays a strong 200 foot game, has good hockey sense and a good shot.

The fact that he was even on the World Junior squad at 17 is damned impressive, IMO. It's pretty rare to find a guy his size with good wheels, skills and sense.

History of 7th overall picks. Sorry if posted already.

http://www.mynhldraft.com...-picks/7th-overall/70509/

Crouse is going to be the guy I'd be fine with but the least excited about amongst the other top forwards.

Provorov. But if Barzal is there, I think that's my top pick. Wouldn't mind Crouse or Rantanen or Zacha, but I think Barzal is both fairly safe AND has strong upside.
- bmeltzer

Yeah, its a tough call, after the top 2, my next 10 would be:

Strome
Marner
Hanifin
Provorov
Barzal
Rantenan
Crouse
Werenski
Zacha
Meier

I think skating and creativity have to be more of a consideration than size. Drafting at 7 you take the highest ceiling projected player on the board. You take the kid who tries insane stuff on breakaways in practice or the kid who can skate faster than half the team backwards. You go Doughty not Hartnell.

Just my opinion.

History of 7th overall picks. Sorry if posted already.

http://www.mynhldraft.com...-picks/7th-overall/70509/
- funmaster18

Gonna go out on a limb and say that the person they take at 7 will be a better pick than Jamie Storr. I used to be really high on him.

http://www.philly.com/phi...antoms__coaching_job.html

flyers possibly hiring the erie otters coach because they plan to move up and take strome???? imagine if they could pull that off and still take provorov at 7.......wake me up, somebody

Thanks Bill. Crouse seems to fit the typical Flyers mold, and the biggest stand out for me is that he isn't afraid to go to the net. We really need someone who is willing to do that. We also need a D-man to clear out our crease, and a backup goalie (if Zepp isn't the answer). So, lots of needs to fill.

I think skating and creativity have to be more of a consideration than size. Drafting at 7 you take the highest ceiling projected player on the board. You take the kid who tries insane stuff on breakaways in practice or the kid who can skate faster than half the team backwards. You go Doughty not Hartnell.

Just my opinion.
- Pixote Andolini

If they are able to draft the next Scott Hartnell at #7, I'd be okay with it. However, very few power forwards are able to put up multiple 30+ goal season. I'm more afraid that Crouse would be the next Brian Boyle/Eric Fehr, who were both first-round picks in the deep 2003 draft. So yes, I'd rather take the more skilled player over the N/S power forward,

http://www.philly.com/phi...antoms__coaching_job.html

flyers possibly hiring the erie otters coach because they plan to move up and take strome???? imagine if they could pull that off and still take provorov at 7.......wake me up, somebody
- hogweed

Where does that article say they want to move up to get Strome?

Also, what would hiring an AHL head coach have to do with a player that can't play in the AHL for another 3 years?

For me, it's Provorov or Barzal. No one else even comes close for me. One of these two should be available at 7. If they aren't it means someone ranked above them fell.

1. McDavid
2. Eichel
3. Marner
4. Hanifin

I think Phoenix goes Marner over Strome. Marner will be the better player IMO, he just needs time to fill out his frame. I think he weighed in at a whopping 160lbs at the Combine (if I'm not mistaken). There's no way Hanifin drops below the 4th pick; Leafs would prefer a forward, but they'd be happy to take Hanifin. As good as Provorov and Werenski are, he really is the best dman in this draft as of this writing. I've never seen such a young defensmen control the blue-line the way Hanifin does playing D1 hockey.

5. Strome
6. Provorov
7. Barzal

Carolina happily takes one of Strome or Provorov at 5 and the Devils take the other. Should leave Barzal at 7. The only other player I'd be ok with at 7 should the first 6 players fall this way (not necessarily in this order) is Rantanen. If the Flyers want Meir or Zacha or Werenski, trade back. I'd prefer they just took Barzal and called it a day, but I have faith in Hextall.

Where does that article say they want to move up to get Strome?

Also, what would hiring an AHL head coach have to do with a player that can't play in the AHL for another 3 years?
- jmatchett383

it doesn't; pure speculation....i forgot about the ahl age rule and strome would likely play in the nhl this year, correct.....still, having a guy who coached the kid in the org may have some benefit for the team if they take him....