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Dominating 16 year olds. His parents should be proud. :flirt:

That might take more than an extra million. Man has to maintain some credibility. :flirt:

Fancy stats. It's all the rage.

They might as well be playing quidditch

I am starting to hate this whole idea. Matthews in with no nhl experience Sam out, no Kessel. Just let each country field a squad set the top 6, Canada, Russia, Sweden Finland USA and Czech. Let everyone else play in in August. Each team can draft a player from a team not in the play in.

I am referring to fast skilled players like Palat, Johnson, Thiery, Kucherov, Kessel (ducks). The prototypical banger is not necessarily tougher to play against than a skilled positionally sound forward if said forward capitalizes on defensive miscues, and constantly brings pressure. I want scoring in this draft whether from the blueline or upfront. The pens also lacked the traditional banger and Hagelin Kessel Bonino showed the potential of a speedy attack that scores. Same could be said for Pavelski, Thornton and Hertl

It is also tough to play against a guy who will bury any mistake you make in the back of the net. The Lightning are riding that into the conference finals.

https://www.amazon.ca/Wheat-Kings-Vanishing-Landmarks-Canadian/dp/1550462490 This may help

I think Sergachev has that ability. The other 2 are a bit more iffy. I concur that drafting for perceived need is a bad idea, I just think many are underestimating the difficulty faced when trying to fix a hole in the top 4.

There are very few places where you get top 2 d other than by drafting them. Otherwise you get someone's cast offs and slot them in your top pair. If you want them you usually have to draft and develop them yourself alla Risto.

So,we go to 4 on a wink and a nod? I don't think so. I would prefer Sergachev. I think he has the upside to be better than Risto. We will have to agree to disagree.

You are going to give nhl players for a guy 2 years away. All the while depleting the cupboard for a trade for a lhd. Tkachuk is a nice player but not that much better than than the rest in that group to warrant the premium. I like him him but I would rather spend our chips more efficiently. .

Getting to 4 makes little sense unless you think you can get to 2. 4 thru 10 are not separated by much. If you can get to 4 and still deal to 2 do it. Otherwise you get a great prospect at 8 and still have trade chips. Outside of 1 or 2, none of the prospect make the jump this year. If I were Edmonton I would look to move up get Laine and you have your future core solidified and a ton of chips to trade with. Plus you can purge the stench of past regimes. I actually think they are in a better position than TO.

Vesey was a 3rd round pick. He was a late bloomer. Keller is more like Larkin spends a year in NCAA and looks to cash in. I wouldn't worry.

There would be value in getting to 4 if you still have the assets to move from 4 to 2 without mortgaging the farm. I think it will take a hefty overpay to get to 4. Imho, after 3 through 10 its not a huge talent drop and more of a decision on fit and style of play.

That's the general idea. It might take a 2 instead of a 3 but essentially we would be trading a 2 (Sam) for this years 2 overall. That's why I think it could work. And while I agree Sam is a proven commodity I don't think there is much chance Laine busts. I am of the minority that believes that there is value in putting players in their natural positions. Sam should be in the middle and I am having a hard time seeing when that will happen. But all of this is internet rambling with no reasonable likelihood of coming to fruition.

Two stalwarts at 2 and 8 would solidify the entire team. Not this year but perhaps in 2. That would make your core Eichel, Laine, Risto, Sergachev, ROR and I guess Lehner. The compliments of Fasching, Kane, Bailey McCabe and trading for a d or signing Gokigoski would be a formidable squad.

Just an observation, but when the talent becomes more concentrated, both Finns seem to amp up their games. I think both would benefit from playing with a higher caliber of talent around them.

I think one of our d prospects and a 3rd might do it. We keep 8 and draft whoever is left of Juolevi Sergachev et. al. That would work for me. Don't get me wrong I like Sam. I think he truly makes those around him better, as a C. I just think if you wanted to accelerate things it is a deal I would consider.

The peg has the second pick that is what I was referencing. I like Sam better than Pool Party but would think long and hard if there was a chance at getting Laine. Sorry if my post was confusing.

We are in a position where Samsons ceiling, imho, will be higher at center. But with the ROR deal it is hard to see Sam getting a top 6 look at center in the next few years. While he was productive at wing I feel Laine has a higher ceiling at that position. If ROR moves to the wing maybe that solves the issue, but with the new deal I don't think that is the plan.

As a center yes. But he would be in play if the Peg came a callin. I think I would do that deal.

Murray would have just traded the pick to the Sens for an assistant equipment manager and Chris Neal anyway. :flirt:

Good luck and God's speed.

I dont get it, but that's not unusual.