Mock Draft?

Not directed at me (I'm not a Leaf fan) but from what I can tell it's becuase Kessel isn't enough of a complete player. He might be the most talented player they've had since Sundin (and with Sundin, would be the two most talented players they've had since Sittler) but he doesn't get dirty in the corners or in front of the net.... doesn't play very good defense... so he's bashed.

It's the same fan base that complained Sundin wasn't a real Captain for years. Quite honestly, when Kessel finally gets run out of town, he'll be in pretty good company.

geschrocks33 said:
I'd just like to be Devils advocate here -

Leafs fans...why do you hate Phil Kessel so much?
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Please Flyers....NO Lawson Crouse! No more big, slow forwards. Take Provorov if available. Can never have too many D Men in the system.
 
Given how many teams are really in a cap crunch, I don't see GMs giving up a lot for players.

I don't expect many high end offer sheets either where 1st rounds are included in the compensation b/c of the draft lottery. You have to be pretty confident that your team is going to make the playoffs to do one of those types of offer sheets.
 
dismonkey1 said:
Please Flyers....NO Lawson Crouse! No more big, slow forwards. Take Provorov if available. Can never have too many D Men in the system.
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My gut says for some reason that the Flyers will pass b/c he's Russian. They may pick Werenski instead. Or if they luck out and Provorov goes early instead of Hanafin, Flyers will be all over him.

Maybe it depends which scout is given the nod to make the pick and if Hextall and Holmgren have a say in it.

In the last 3 years, the Flyers have drafted a lot of dmen.
 
30ranfordfan said:
It's not 99.9% certain the Oilers take McDavid with the 1st overall pick, it's 100% certain. Anything else would be the same as the Penguins dealing the #1 pick on the eve of the 2005 draft. It doesn't matter what else you have, when a player like that is available you take him. There isn't anything that anyone can offer you to change that.


Leafs will try and be busy, but what can you honestly expect them to do? Trade Bernier??? He'd be a good target for a few teams.... but what do you think he'll get in return?? How about a 2nd round pick, a weak backup goalie, and a fringe roster player? That's what the Leafs traded to get him 2 years ago.... does anyone believe that Bernier's trade value has gone up since then?

Trade Phaneuf? If the Leafs are willing to eat salary and accept a package that won't help them for another 2-3 years... it's doable.

Trade Kessel? Same issue as Phaneuf.

Nobody is going to trade young / cheap / top end talent to get those players. That's not the kind of deal that happens in the League. You get a draft pick or two, and a few prospects that are a ways from making the club.... and/or players that will round out the bottom of your roster.


Could Phaneuf and/or Bernier plug holes for the Oilers? I think they could. I actually be really happy with a Phaneuf trade... and something like the 16th overall pick + Nikitanen + mid-level prospect would seem fair to me... if the Leafs eat a million, or so, of his cap hit. Bernier? If I'm the Oilers I'd offer up the 33rd pick, and a prospect I'm ready to give up on. If that isn't enough for Bernier than it will be enough for someone else. Goalie market is a buyer's market, lots of half decent ones out there... only 60 jobs.
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I'm just messing with the Oiler fans on here. ;):D
 
I think my problem is I read the Internets too much.... and Leaf fans are everywhere.

It's okay though, Morgan Reily is basically a 21 year old version of Bobby Orr... and the Leafs are going to be contenders really soon....... and I can't even make fun of them with a straight face, because my team just celebrated the 9th anniversary of it's last playoff game :)

Leafsfan1967 said:
I'm just messing with the Oiler fans on here. ;):D
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I get a feeling that Hanafin is going to be the steal of the draft. No I would not even consider taking him in one of the top 2 slots... but everything you read about him, he's going to be a beast of a dman in the league, for a long, long time.

Phoenix is going to look at what they need organizationally (a forward, and specifically a Centre) and take Strome, even if the BPA is Hanafin.

The Leafs are going to step up @ #5..... know that they've already got two budding superstars on the blue line in their back pocket (Gardiner, Reily) and go after what they really need: A high scoring winger in Mich Marner (the London / Hunter connection helps here big time).

Then Carolina & New Jersey likely do the smart thing and pounce on the two dmen (Hanifin & Provorov, in that order) and leave Crouse for Philly.

tiger tiger said:
My gut says for some reason that the Flyers will pass b/c he's Russian. They may pick Werenski instead. Or if they luck out and Provorov goes early instead of Hanafin, Flyers will be all over him.

Maybe it depends which scout is given the nod to make the pick and if Hextall and Holmgren have a say in it.

In the last 3 years, the Flyers have drafted a lot of dmen.
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Leafsfan1967 said:
They still don't have a goalie, and unless McDavid can play defense, they are still in a heap of trouble in that area. He's only one player, which could be flipped for several of their immediate needs, and the 4th pick, which could be Hanifin, Provorov, Strome, or Marner. They aren't gonna be able to keep all those 1st round picks when they all to get paid more.

Yes, it would be extremely hard to give him up, not sure I would do it either, but a package like 4th pick overall, Kessel, Phaneuf, or even Rielly, plus either goalie, and the Leafs taking back a major contract, or two, plus whatever has to be done to make it work, should be thought about for at least a minute. McDavid alone is not gonna fix that team. They have 3-4 franchise type players already, or so they should be by their past drafting order. They are not the 80's Oilers that will win 8-7 every night. They may score 7, but that might not be enough with their defense, and tenders.

Having said all that, I think there is practically no chance it will happen, but it's fun to think about a huge deal like this happening on Friday. Something big is gonna happen. I just hope if the Leafs move Kessel, and Phaneuf, and a goalie, they get another top 10 pick this year, or even next. Lots of good prospects next year, too.
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Drafting at 4th overall doesn't help Edmonton and neither does the addition of Phaneuf or Kessel. Edmonton is a dumpster fire, they've finally made changes in management and they're about to draft the best prospect since Crosby.

The only trade that even comes close to making Edmonton think is OEL+3 for 1st. That would give Edmonton OEL-Hanifin, Hall, RNH, Eberle, Yakupov. I can't see Phoenix doing it honestly because yes getting McDavid would be great but you're talking about having two of the best defenseman in the league for 10+ years and still having a chance to get Matthews next year.
 
cardboardnostalgia said:
Drafting at 4th overall doesn't help Edmonton and neither does the addition of Phaneuf or Kessel. Edmonton is a dumpster fire, they've finally made changes in management and they're about to draft the best prospect since Crosby.

The only trade that even comes close to making Edmonton think is OEL+3 for 1st. That would give Edmonton OEL-Hanifin, Hall, RNH, Eberle, Yakupov. I can't see Phoenix doing it honestly because yes getting McDavid would be great but you're talking about having two of the best defenseman in the league for 10+ years and still having a chance to get Matthews next year.
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I think that Arizona has to look at those two together, and take him at #3. For the longest while, I wanted Toronto to get Strome at 4th, but his lack of foot speed is a bit concerning. I think he'll be a real good NHL player, but I'm not so sure passing on Marner is a good thing. He's small, but he could be a very similiar player to Patrick Kane? All I can say is I'm glad I'm not the GM. What a tough decision to make? :duh:
 
Leafsfan1967 said:
I think that Arizona has to look at those two together, and take him at #3. For the longest while, I wanted Toronto to get Strome at 4th, but his lack of foot speed is a bit concerning. I think he'll be a real good NHL player, but I'm not so sure passing on Marner is a good thing. He's small, but he could be a very similiar player to Patrick Kane? All I can say is I'm glad I'm not the GM. What a tough decision to make? :duh:
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The decision is easy to me. Franchise defenseman are the most valuable asset in the NHL. They're impossible to get in free agency and trading for one, especially a right hander means you're paying a ton.
 
I know Marner has ties with Hunter from London so a lot of people are expecting the Leafs to take him but in my opinion the Leafs should draft either Hanifin or Strome. You need a stud #1 center and #1 defenseman to go anywhere in this league and the only way to get them is to through the draft. Whomever Arizona takes the Leafs should take the other.

If the Leafs draft Hanifin I can see them hanging onto Phaneuf to somewhat insulate Hanifin and Rielly until they develop more. Either way I think Kessel is the one who will be moved.
 
I agree that nobody is going to trade away a stud dman very easily. I can't imagine OEL getting traded.

Hedman came into his own this playoffs. He's turning into the generational player that scouts had predicted. Stamkos didn't score a goal in the finals.

Hanafin has incredible hockey IQ. He can move the puck out of his own zone very efficiently and always makes the safe play. He rarely makes a mistake. He's not flashy, and could be totally underrated.

So many teams are looking for a good puck moving defenseman who can also play defense. His skating is world class. He could easily be compared to Doughty in a few years.
 
tiger tiger said:
I agree that nobody is going to trade away a stud dman very easily. I can't imagine OEL getting traded.

Hedman came into his own this playoffs. He's turning into the generational player that scouts had predicted. Stamkos didn't score a goal in the finals.

Hanafin has incredible hockey IQ. He can move the puck out of his own zone very efficiently and always makes the safe play. He rarely makes a mistake. He's not flashy, and could be totally underrated.

So many teams are looking for a good puck moving defenseman who can also play defense. His skating is world class. He could easily be compared to Doughty in a few years.
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Dare I say Ray Bourque? He loves to jump into the rush, but junior is not the NHL, and it isn't as easy getting back into position as quickly, especially if you are on the ice against guys like Helm, or Saad. He'll learn, but it won't be without a few mistakes. The more I think about it, the more I like this pick. If he's still there at 4, I think they should take him, and try to somehow get one of the 5-8 picks away from someone if they are interested in trading it.
 
I keep hearing "The best prospect since Crosby". First it was Jordan Staal was the next Crosby. Then it was Patrick Kane is the best prospect since Crosby. Then it was Steven Stamkos, then it was Tavares, then Hall, then Nugent-Hopkins, then Yakupov, then MacKinnon, now it's McDavid. Ok.....
 
MMarch said:
I keep hearing "The best prospect since Crosby". First it was Jordan Staal was the next Crosby. Then it was Patrick Kane is the best prospect since Crosby. Then it was Steven Stamkos, then it was Tavares, then Hall, then Nugent-Hopkins, then Yakupov, then MacKinnon, now it's McDavid. Ok.....
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Hang around HFboards for a few years. None of those prospects have been as hyped as Crosby. Tavares probably came the closest until McDavid came around. There is also the very good chance that McDavid can jump into the league next season and be better than MacKinnon, RNH, Hall and certainly Jordan Staal.
 
cardboardnostalgia said:
Hang around HFboards for a few years. None of those prospects have been as hyped as Crosby. Tavares probably came the closest until McDavid came around. There is also the very good chance that McDavid can jump into the league next season and be better than MacKinnon, RNH, Hall and certainly Jordan Staal.
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None of them have been as hyped as Crosby? Cool story...
 
McDavid is an extremely special player. Explosive speed, and skills way beyond anyone at, or near his age. Haven't watched Eichel play much, but I hear he is close to as good. I can't wait to see both in action. Jumping from junior to the NHL is not an easy task. Not many can jump right in, and dominate. We'll see if either, or both can do it. Eichel may stay in school for a while. Who knows?

I can't remember ever being this excited for the NHL entry draft. I follow the OHL pretty religiously, so know a lot of the top players that are available, but I am tingling with anticipation on what my favorite team Toronto may do with trades, and picks. :dance:
 
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MMarch said:
None of them have been as hyped as Crosby? Cool story...
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True story. I am a huge chl fan and as an Isles fan I was stoked for Tavares, he was the best player in the draft. I was excited! Best player in the draft is VERY different than generational! Very different!!
 

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