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Post by seventeen on Apr 9, 2012 14:27:12 GMT -5
Unfortunately, that is not the only position they need help in, and its the one that is fairly crowded right now....Pleks, DD, Eller, Leblanc, Gomez. Gomez is a goner, and the other 4 are not really #1's as we see them, yet. Nothing wrong with lots of bodies at a position, as one can then look to trade so shore up a weak spot.
AS BC says, even if we don't get that big #1 centre, we could be ok, as long was we have a great winger/scorer. Boston has Bergeron, Krejci and Kelly, none of whom I'd class as #1 centres. Seguin may turn into one, at some point. They're much like us, but with some luck, forgive me, with a lot of luck, they won the cup last year.
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Post by blny on Apr 9, 2012 14:41:30 GMT -5
I don't know that LL will be a center in the NHL.
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Post by BadCompany on Apr 9, 2012 15:31:34 GMT -5
The other thing the bothers me is that this team has been in need of a #1 centre for years. They have been there for the taking in the past (Getzlaf, Richards, Giroux) & they have opted to go elsewhere with their picks. If they pass on Grigorenko where is that #1 centre coming from? If they pass on him I would assume it's because they don't think he will be a #1 center. Yeah, they've missed a few over the years but I would hate to see them take an inferior player in the hopes that their evaluation of him is wrong and that he becomes what they don't think he will be. "We don't think he'll be a #1 center... but we'd better take him just in case he does." At any rate I think it will be a moot point. We're winning the lottery. |
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Post by Boston_Habs on Apr 9, 2012 15:35:36 GMT -5
As much as I want to believe Grigorenko is the answer, the last thing you want to do is become enamored with a position and the desire to get that #1 centre and overlook the quality of the player.
We need more production and I'll take it any way I can get it.
I can like with Desharnais, Plekanec, and Eller as our top 3 centres as long as we have scorers to play with them. The first line is set, but we have serious question marks on the 2nd and 3rd lines.
Win the lottery and we have an instant top 6 winger in Yakupov.
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Post by seventeen on Apr 9, 2012 18:37:20 GMT -5
[At any rate I think it will be a moot point. We're winning the lottery. The power of positive thinking. I'm planning a Yakupov party (dances jig) |
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Post by GNick99 on Apr 9, 2012 20:30:23 GMT -5
Kind of really far fetched but possible. I know Timmins doesn't favour Grigorenko, he has concerns about parts of his game. But he also has been scouting him heavily since just before playoffs started if he had no interest he would not waste his time. So, he has to be considering hm. This series with the Mooseheads no doubt Timmins will be front and center. Grigorenko vs. Mackinnon. I strong playoff and Roy coming here will do wonders for Grigorenko in Montreal next year. How do you know this? I often read Grant McCagg posts, he's about the best on the Habs I can find on the web. He use to scout for the Habs, now is publisher for McKeens and writes TSN's Bob Mckenzie articles. He says he is working on a Grigorenko special for Bob to do on TSN. Should stay tuned for that as should be out. Here's a link to some of his work. Comments and rankings are McCagg's. www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=58415 |
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Post by GNick99 on Apr 9, 2012 20:36:05 GMT -5
Unfortunately, that is not the only position they need help in, and its the one that is fairly crowded right now....Pleks, DD, Eller, Leblanc, Gomez. Gomez is a goner, and the other 4 are not really #1's as we see them, yet. Nothing wrong with lots of bodies at a position, as one can then look to trade so shore up a weak spot. AS BC says, even if we don't get that big #1 centre, we could be ok, as long was we have a great winger/scorer. Boston has Bergeron, Krejci and Kelly, none of whom I'd class as #1 centres. Seguin may turn into one, at some point. They're much like us, but with some luck, forgive me, with a lot of luck, they won the cup last year. Boston alot stronger down the middle than we are and those centers had good playoffs last spring. Especially Krejic I think he lead them in goals scored if I remember right. |
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Post by seventeen on Apr 9, 2012 22:33:54 GMT -5
But I could probably pick a number of centers I'd rather have than anyone on Boston.
Malkin, Crosby, Getzlaf, Sedin, Thornton, Kopitar, Stamkos, Giroux, Tavares, Toews, Datsyuk, Eric Staal, and Brad Richards. Heck, I'd probably choose Ryan Nugent Hopkins and maybe Jonathan Huburdeau, with the potential they have, over the B's centres. In all fairness, I'm not a Seguin fan, though he's producing. Once again, there's been no adversity on Boston for their players to have to deal with. If Chara is out, the forecheck on Boston goes up big time and the time and space the other d-men have will shrink and they're goners. It's a very mediocre defense after Chara, but you don't need much if he's playing 30 minutes a game. Can you tell I'm having a huge party when the Bruins get knocked out?
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Post by GNick99 on Apr 10, 2012 9:07:23 GMT -5
But I could probably pick a number of centers I'd rather have than anyone on Boston. Malkin, Crosby, Getzlaf, Sedin, Thornton, Kopitar, Stamkos, Giroux, Tavares, Toews, Datsyuk, Eric Staal, and Brad Richards. Heck, I'd probably choose Ryan Nugent Hopkins and maybe Jonathan Huburdeau, with the potential they have, over the B's centres. In all fairness, I'm not a Seguin fan, though he's producing. Once again, there's been no adversity on Boston for their players to have to deal with. If Chara is out, the forecheck on Boston goes up big time and the time and space the other d-men have will shrink and they're goners. It's a very mediocre defense after Chara, but you don't need much if he's playing 30 minutes a game. Can you tell I'm having a huge party when the Bruins get knocked out? There's about 18-22 top centers in the game now. Can build a Cup team around. Could wait a year as team not close to Cup. Be a number of them in '13 draft. However, I'll be surprised TT don't draft a center, not sold on Grigorenko but if Roy comes back chances are he could be the pick. Unless we win today's lottery will change. Grigorenko scares me...he is soft...12 pim this season...Montreal fans eat him up if the heart is not there? Strong chance flee to KHL. Galenchyk is one I want, scouts(not McCagg or McKenzie) have compared him to a young J. Toews. If Oilers take him or trade pick and Gal is gone as of now it'll be between Dumba as he says they like him. Compared him to a cross between a Subban and Doughty, possible Forsberg. Timmins be watching Forsberg in upcoming U18 tourney he has him high also. I'm against taking a defenseman this high as not our need and so many top drafted d-men have failed. Komisarek and all the sushi-eating nonsense be example. Not just him but most ours have underachieved or failed ie. Wilkie, Svoboda, Bilodeau. Best d-men come from late in draft as it takes them longer to mature, ie. Gorges, Markov, Subban etc... If Savard is VP? Heard once he was then he wasn't? If he is governoring team in some capacity no doubt he'll be advising the new GM to get a top center. If Habs don't draft one he will trade for one. First thing Savard did other time he was GM was trade for Bobby Smith. Even though he had decent centers ie. Keith Acton, Pierre Mondou. Who would be relatively compared to what we have now. Price going to be steep to trade would rather draft. First guess to be moved Plekanec plus another top player or prospect. Once Smith's play start declining Savard traded for Kirk Muller. At time wanted team strong down the middle old Habs success was due to that. He said those playoff upsets in early 80s despite 100+ point teams and star talent like Robinson, Lafleur, Langway, Gainey, Shutt, etc...team wasn't strong enough down the middle. A top center then franchise goalie. We already have the franchise goalie, I think anyway. A stud defendeman, we already have. If he does draft Dumba maybe include a Beauleau with Plekanec? Or maybe trades down with Plekanec to get a star center(I doubt it I think TT would take either Dumba or Forsberg first). Top wingers I am not that worried about free agency generally can get them ie. Cole or Gionta. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Apr 10, 2012 10:19:59 GMT -5
I don't know that LL will be a center in the NHL. I'm wondering if he'll start next season in the AHL. I hope he sticks around, but who knows really? Cheers. |
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Post by blny on Apr 10, 2012 10:27:59 GMT -5
I don't know that LL will be a center in the NHL. I'm wondering if he'll start next season in the AHL. I hope he sticks around, but who knows really? Cheers. I thought he definitely got better as his end of season run went on. He's smart. I'm a tad concerned about his speed, but that's it. We'll see what the summer brings. Transactions may make room for him, or take away. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Apr 10, 2012 11:47:14 GMT -5
This is a very, very important draft, and as someone already mentioned it could be the draft that determines which direction we go from here. We could excel or we could wallow around in the basement for a few more years yet.
That said, what could be gained, or lost mind you, if we traded our first-round pick away?
Cheers.
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Post by Willie Dog on Apr 10, 2012 13:03:59 GMT -5
But I could probably pick a number of centers I'd rather have than anyone on Boston. Malkin, Crosby, Getzlaf, Sedin, Thornton, Kopitar, Stamkos, Giroux, Tavares, Toews, Datsyuk, Eric Staal, and Brad Richards. Heck, I'd probably choose Ryan Nugent Hopkins and maybe Jonathan Huburdeau, with the potential they have, over the B's centres. In all fairness, I'm not a Seguin fan, though he's producing. Once again, there's been no adversity on Boston for their players to have to deal with. If Chara is out, the forecheck on Boston goes up big time and the time and space the other d-men have will shrink and they're goners. It's a very mediocre defense after Chara, but you don't need much if he's playing 30 minutes a game. Can you tell I'm having a huge party when the Bruins get knocked out? There's about 18-22 top centers in the game now. Can build a Cup team around. Could wait a year as team not close to Cup. Be a number of them in '13 draft. However, I'll be surprised TT don't draft a center, not sold on Grigorenko but if Roy comes back chances are he could be the pick. Unless we win today's lottery will change. Grigorenko scares me...he is soft...12 pim this season...Montreal fans eat him up if the heart is not there? Strong chance flee to KHL. Galenchyk is one I want, scouts(not McCagg or McKenzie) have compared him to a young J. Toews. If Oilers take him or trade pick and Gal is gone as of now it'll be between Dumba as he says they like him. Compared him to a cross between a Subban and Doughty, possible Forsberg. Timmins be watching Forsberg in upcoming U18 tourney he has him high also. I'm against taking a defenseman this high as not our need and so many top drafted d-men have failed. Komisarek and all the sushi-eating nonsense be example. Not just him but most ours have underachieved or failed ie. Wilkie, Svoboda, Bilodeau. Best d-men come from late in draft as it takes them longer to mature, ie. Gorges, Markov, Subban etc... If Savard is VP? Heard once he was then he wasn't? If he is governoring team in some capacity no doubt he'll be advising the new GM to get a top center. If Habs don't draft one he will trade for one. First thing Savard did other time he was GM was trade for Bobby Smith. Even though he had decent centers ie. Keith Acton, Pierre Mondou. Who would be relatively compared to what we have now. Price going to be steep to trade would rather draft. First guess to be moved Plekanec plus another top player or prospect. Once Smith's play start declining Savard traded for Kirk Muller. At time wanted team strong down the middle old Habs success was due to that. He said those playoff upsets in early 80s despite 100+ point teams and star talent like Robinson, Lafleur, Langway, Gainey, Shutt, etc...team wasn't strong enough down the middle. A top center then franchise goalie. We already have the franchise goalie, I think anyway. A stud defendeman, we already have. If he does draft Dumba maybe include a Beauleau with Plekanec? Or maybe trades down with Plekanec to get a star center(I doubt it I think TT would take either Dumba or Forsberg first). Top wingers I am not that worried about free agency generally can get them ie. Cole or Gionta. Interesting interview with Dan Stewart of Future Considerations. He thinks Galchenyuk would be a good fit on the Habs or leafs. www.coppernblue.com/2012/4/9/2936040/alex-galchenyuk-edmonton-oilers-first-round-pickIt seems like the top of the 2012 NHL Draft has been set for some time. Nail Yakupov is the clear #1 and Mikhail Grigorenko is cemented at #2. The troika of Filip Forsberg, Ryan Murray and Matthew Dumba are well back of #2, but so closely bunched at this point it's impossible to separate them.
But as is often the case, a late season interloper has joined the fray. Alex Galchenyuk, the silky-smooth Russian/American centre playing for the Sarnia Sting now sits 6th in the consensus Top 100, and if we were to toss out ISS' 16th ranking (8 spots lower than anyone else and a real outlier), Galchenyuk moves up to a tie for 4th. Hockey Prospectus' Corey Pronman has been consistent in his ranking of Galchenyuk (3rd) for the season, and The Scouting Report's mid-season rankings had Galcheyuk in the same spot. Pronman believes Galchenyuk can go anywhere from 2nd to 7th.
While Pronman has been high on Galchenyuk all along, Future Considerations has him on the rise. I spoke with Future Consideration's Scouting Director Dan Stewart about Galchenyuk.
Copper & Blue: Galchenyuk moved up two spots to #3 in your latest rankings. What is behind that move?
Dan Stewart, Future Considerations: The move was due to our guys comparing Alex against the Grigorenko’s, Forsberg’s and Dumba’s with regards to their NHL potential in three to five years. In our opinion Galchenyuk has the better NHL upside than all three of those other high end prospects.
C & B: He's playing in the middle in the OHL, does he project as a professional centre or will he need to move to the wing?
FC: In my opinion the skilled game Alex plays coupled with his drive, size and his two-way abilities make him a very enticing centre prospect. He would also excel on the wing but his game in my opinion is taylor made for the middle.
C & B: What is the strongest part of his game? Does he have any NHL-level skills yet?
TSR: Absolutely! He is creative with the puck, has very good hands, maybe some of the best in the entire draft. He has the size, skating ability and hunger you want in a No.1 NHL Centre. His Vision is elite as is his passing skills. He shoots the puck hard and get himself into prime scoring position.
C & B: What skill or trait is he going to struggle with, or what will hold him back?
TSR: I do not see much holding Galchenyuk back at all.
C & B: He's not huge, but at 6'1", 195 pounds, he should have the requisite size to play in the NHL - is he a physical player and does that project well?
FC: At the OHL level he is considered big, at the NHL level he is just above average. If he can add another inch and 15 pounds he will be considered good sized.
C & B: Are there any fears that his success is based on [Consensus #1} Nail Yakupov's presence in the lineup?
FC: Absolutely not. It is evident that each of these prospects has their own set of high end skills. The difference is Yakupov is a natural finisher while Alex leans more to the playmaking side of the spectrum. They were a dynamic tandem during their time together in Sarnia.
C & B: When he's on his game, who can you compare him to?
FC: I would say a similarity between Marion Hossa and Alex Galchenyuk both personality wise and skill set wise would be most accurate. Now, I do not think that a team that selects Alex should expect a Hossa clone to step right into the lineup as Hossa himself took time to get his game and consistency level up to the NHL star status we see now.
C & B: Can he jump to the NHL right now, or will he need one more year in the OHL?
FC: He would be best served both physically and mentally to dominate Major Junior one last season but if a bottom feeding team needed him immediately I could see him excelling in a second or third line role. Being forced into top line minutes and a pressure packed role next fall could have damaging affects on his psyche, especially after just coming off such a large injury just this past season.
C & B: If he's a top five talent, which of those bottom 7-8 teams in the NHL would be the best fit for Galchenyuk?
FC: Montreal or Toronto in my opinion would be the best fit for both sides at this point.
C & B: Thanks for your time, Dan. We'll talk again soon.
FC: Enjoy the draft! |
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Post by blny on Apr 10, 2012 20:11:51 GMT -5
Well, I watched the Moose lose again tonight. Down 0-3 to the Rempart. Grigorenko was not the big factor. A couple of slick plays, including a Kovalev like pass cross ice from the near halfwall on the pp. He's largely a perimeter player, not overly strong on his skates. He's an effortless skater and has great vision.
The difference tonight was forecheck. Moose went up 3-1, and within two mins of that the Remparts had tied it. Moose didn't have an answer for the forecheck. From their faceoff circles to the endboards, they were dominated routinely. Grigorenko didn't factor in this at all, as it was largely the Quebec muckers that got the job done.
MacKinnon is a special player. He skates extremely well, and with great drive and determination. He's largely by himself out there, and he still gets points and creates scoring chances for himself and others. Definitely one to watch.
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Post by sergejean on Apr 10, 2012 20:57:51 GMT -5
I admit not having seen that much of the prospects out there but from what I read from different sources, it seems like Grigorenko could fall mostly because there are concerns with his level of competition and overall desire to be the best every night. I'm hearing the complete opposite about Galchenyuk i.e. High drive and desire. However, he already has a wonky knee...
Again from what I read, it seems like Forsberg is the player the most likely to reach his potential which apparently is 30+ goals with a physical presence. I also heard some comparison with Alfredsson.
Everything considered, I would be tempted to go with Forsberg at #3. I'm not against selecting a defensemen either. You have never enough depth on the blue line.
I just hope we go with one of the following at #3 - Forsberg, Galchenyuk, Murray... I would also listen carefully if a team was willing to trade for our pick... I.e. Leafs trade their #5 for our #3 and add #35 and #65 to compensate...
My two cents...
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Post by Disp on Apr 12, 2012 23:16:38 GMT -5
Things change pretty quick, what is a strength now might not be in 2, 3 years. Always go with the best player available. If that is Murray, do it. None of our defensive depth are sure things. Good dmen > good forward. If you're weak on the backend you're hooped.
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Post by PTH on Apr 12, 2012 23:39:33 GMT -5
Things change pretty quick, what is a strength now might not be in 2, 3 years. Always go with the best player available. Gotta agree. I always find it interesting that before the draft, most people project based only on (current) needs, whereas in hindsight people always judge based on best player available. We'll feel awfully silly in 3 years if we draft Grigorenko because we need a center with size, and he becomes a decent, 2nd line 60-point center who's iffy defensively, whereas Murray or Dumba becomes a dynamic game-changer, or Forsberg becomes a 40-goal, 80 point dynamic winger everyone drools over. Go for BPA, and fill the gaps in the future with trades and UFAs. It's better to have a strong player to trade than to draft a lesser one. |
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Post by BadCompany on Apr 13, 2012 6:51:40 GMT -5
Things change pretty quick, what is a strength now might not be in 2, 3 years. Always go with the best player available. Gotta agree. I always find it interesting that before the draft, most people project based only on (current) needs, whereas in hindsight people always judge based on best player available. We'll feel awfully silly in 3 years if we draft Grigorenko because we need a center with size, and he becomes a decent, 2nd line 60-point center who's iffy defensively, whereas Murray or Dumba becomes a dynamic game-changer, or Forsberg becomes a 40-goal, 80 point dynamic winger everyone drools over. Go for BPA, and fill the gaps in the future with trades and UFAs. It's better to have a strong player to trade than to draft a lesser one. I agree with the agreement. It seems that fans have always thought that we were "set" on defense. Remember all the raving about Hainsey, Komisarek and Valentenko? How about O'Byrne, Fischer and McDonagh? Souray, Rivet and Markov? Wilkie, Rivet and Fitzpatrick?? Heck, I can remember people proclaiming Andrew Archer to be the "next Komisarek." Things happen. Players get traded, they move on in free agency, they bust, they get injured. Our two best players in the longest while, Pacioretty and Subban, both took almost three years to establish themselves in the NHL. You can try to project three years from now - and I certainly hope whoever our GM is will do so - but you also need to prepare yourself for the worst too. And hey, if they all pan out you got lots of ammunition for a trade. Best player available. In Trevor we trust. |
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Post by clear observer on Apr 13, 2012 10:54:16 GMT -5
And hey, if they all pan out you got lots of ammunition for a trade. Best player available. Unless offered a "no-brainer-stupid-to-say-no" deal, you keep the pick and choose the BPA. |
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Post by blny on Apr 13, 2012 15:40:36 GMT -5
Brent Bilodeau ftw!  |
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Post by GNick99 on Apr 16, 2012 7:35:01 GMT -5
Well, I watched the Moose lose again tonight. Down 0-3 to the Rempart. Grigorenko was not the big factor. A couple of slick plays, including a Kovalev like pass cross ice from the near halfwall on the pp. He's largely a perimeter player, not overly strong on his skates. He's an effortless skater and has great vision. The difference tonight was forecheck. Moose went up 3-1, and within two mins of that the Remparts had tied it. Moose didn't have an answer for the forecheck. From their faceoff circles to the endboards, they were dominated routinely. Grigorenko didn't factor in this at all, as it was largely the Quebec muckers that got the job done. MacKinnon is a special player. He skates extremely well, and with great drive and determination. He's largely by himself out there, and he still gets points and creates scoring chances for himself and others. Definitely one to watch. What did you think of Frk? Could he be a choice at 33? I heard he plays a hard nosed future 25 goal scorer in NHL someday. But can't recall seeing him play myself |
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Post by BadCompany on Apr 16, 2012 9:19:46 GMT -5
I don't know if Frk will be around for the second round, though he does look like an interesting option. But he's not overly big for a power-forward, so there might be an injury concern there.
Getting harder and harder to completely disregard Ryan Murray with our first pick. Not the popular choice by any means, but geez, the kid is about to get an invite to play for Team Canada at the World Championships. Has that ever happened with an undrafted 18 year old?? I know a lot of it (most of it) has to do with a lot of other players opting out, but still, there are many, many Canadian NHL defensemen that they could have gone to before Murray. Heck, I'm sure there are a bunch of AHL defensemen that would have leapt at the chance too. To be looking at Murray says a lot, in my opinion.
He's older than most of the other kids in the draft, and will be 19 by the time next season starts. He's thought to be NHL ready. Don't we need a defensemen for next season? Granted, he's a leftie, and we could use a rightie, but still. He's been compared to Scott Niedermeyer in terms of skating, and while he doesn't have a whack of points compared to others how much of that is because he's playing on a lousy team? His character is supposedly off the charts. Probably the safest pick, I know it won't be acceptable to the majority of fans, but would it be the best thing, for both the short AND long term?
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Apr 16, 2012 11:35:37 GMT -5
Ryan Murray's name keeps popping up here and elsewhere when draft day is mentioned. Just for conversation's sake let's add Murray to the following list of defensive prospects. In no particular order:
Frederic St. Denis,
Alexei Emelin,
Raphael Diaz,
Darren Dietz,
Nathan Beaulieu,
Jarred Tinordi,
Morgan Ellis, and
Ryan Murray.
Of that list, I think the defenceman who has the most experience is Frederic St. Denis. He knows the North American game much better than Emelin and/or Diaz. He's also an older player at what? 26?
Adding Murray to this mix gives the new GM a few more options. And those options increase when you think that Greg Pateryn and Mac Bennett aren't on that list either. Could Bennett develop into another Ian White if he's paired with Beaulieu?
The only thing that concerns me when I look at that list is the amount of support these youngsters will have/not have. As it is now, Josh Gorges is the go-to guy with regards to mentoring. I feel PK is starting to deveop into a star, but I'm not so sure putting him in a mentoring role at this point would be the right thing to do. Markov? Absolutely, but how long will we have Andrei for? If he doesn't re-injure that knee it will be a big surprise ... well, to me anyway.
Still like this Forsberg kid, though. Big time compete level and I think that was one of the things missing from our lineup this year as well.
Cheers.
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Post by Doc Holliday on Apr 16, 2012 12:14:03 GMT -5
The only thing that concerns me when I look at that list is the amount of support these youngsters will have/not have. As it is now, Josh Gorges is the go-to guy with regards to mentoring. Same here. But to me the mentoring has to come, hopefully, from behind the bench. As for picking Murray. With either of Yakupov, Grigorenko, Galchenuyk and Forsberg available when it is our time to speak, picking Murray would be quite the surprise. I agree with not picking in terms of present NHL needs, but adding top shelf offensive talent is a great organisational need nonetheless. Not only are we slim right now, but only Gallagher projects to be a somewhat sure top 6 player in the few years. Adding another good dmen prospect isn’t a bad thing in itself but we already have too many options there for the future. Without Murray we already have options to trade one or 2 dmen prospects. Given our actual organisational defensive depth, I’d definitely “risk” passing over Murray to pick one of the top 4 forwards. |
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Post by blny on Apr 16, 2012 14:04:02 GMT -5
Well, I watched the Moose lose again tonight. Down 0-3 to the Rempart. Grigorenko was not the big factor. A couple of slick plays, including a Kovalev like pass cross ice from the near halfwall on the pp. He's largely a perimeter player, not overly strong on his skates. He's an effortless skater and has great vision. The difference tonight was forecheck. Moose went up 3-1, and within two mins of that the Remparts had tied it. Moose didn't have an answer for the forecheck. From their faceoff circles to the endboards, they were dominated routinely. Grigorenko didn't factor in this at all, as it was largely the Quebec muckers that got the job done. MacKinnon is a special player. He skates extremely well, and with great drive and determination. He's largely by himself out there, and he still gets points and creates scoring chances for himself and others. Definitely one to watch. What did you think of Frk? Could he be a choice at 33? I heard he plays a hard nosed future 25 goal scorer in NHL someday. But can't recall seeing him play myself He's a pretty smart two way player. I saw him take a number of undisciplined penalties in the game last week. He's not shy, and will hit. I'm not sure he's a 33rd pick in most draft years, but it wouldn't be a terrible pick. |
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Post by Andrew on Apr 16, 2012 14:12:09 GMT -5
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Post by blny on Apr 16, 2012 14:15:42 GMT -5
While we may not have elite defensive prospects, imo there are a plethora of good ones. Pateryn and Bennett have come on strong this year. Lots of good press about both. Tinordi and Beaulieu still look very promising. Ellis too.
Of the pros, I think Emelin availed himself quite well in his rookie year. Two months into the season, and he was one of the more feared hitters in the league. He needs to be signed to a multi year deal and fast. St Denis looked okay. Diaz, as far as I'm concerned, can go back to Europe. He's just not good enough offensively to make up for his lack of size or his lack of ability in his own end. He and Weber are clones. Yannick has another year on his deal - ugh.
In all, I think there's some quality defensive depth outside pro hockey. I think the org has to look at what it's going to do to fill spots until they're ready.
What I'd like to see next fall is something like this:
Gorges-Subban
Markov-Emelin
Kaberle-Jackman/Hannan/Allen/Sarich
*Insert depth guy of choice here as #7.
Anyone of those guys with Kaberle give you a large, physical, presence in your end. They don't play huge minutes, but will be good in front of the net, and kill some penalties. You could look at signing two, and rotate them in a 5-7 scenario with Kaberle (as I think Kaberle will be back next year).
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Post by blny on Apr 16, 2012 15:20:09 GMT -5
www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=49649Button's list has always differed from the rest of the pack, but some big changes. Grig is out of the top ten. He has Dumba, Reilly, Reinhart, Finn and Lindholm ahead of Murray.
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Post by blny on Apr 16, 2012 21:07:38 GMT -5
Grigorenko being outplayed by MacKinnon. Moose have come from 0-3 down to force game 7 tomorrow night.
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Post by GNick99 on Apr 16, 2012 21:21:14 GMT -5
Grigorenko being outplayed by MacKinnon. Moose have come from 0-3 down to force game 7 tomorrow night. Wouldn't be surprised if Grigorenko does major slide in this draft. Shows right there difference in an elite center |
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