Derrico

Fair but I give Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and Ryan O'Reilly much more of the credit.

This. I doubt the Sabres would want 5 years. It's either a 2/3 year bridge deal or 6/7 year deal IMO.

I think that's the more likely route they take. If you ignore Edmonton's need then virtually no draft has a Dman being taken 4th overall. Edmonton just has so many guys that they could trade up front and it sounds like there will be quite a few Dmen available for trade that I think they figure out their D via trade.

I thought his year was similar to Reilly last season. They each had 9 goals and Risto had 5 more assists. I haven't watched Reilly enough to gauge how well his defensive game has been but Risto has had his ups and downs. More ups then downs but there was a stretch in the second half that was pretty ugly. I'd be good with 6 years at $5.5 per. I'll agree with you Drunkard that I would rather an 8 year deal (although closer to $6mil per for that) but those don't seem to be handed out to players this age. Maybe the player doesn't want so many UFA years being eaten into.

I won't be shocked. They've got high end skill forwards but Tkachuk is a guy who has strong play along the boards and in the corners. I think he's too valuable of a prospect for them to pass on. I think they trade Eberle or Nugent-Hopkins for their D help rather than waiting 3 years for these D prospects to make an impact. I think the first D comes of the board with Arizona's pick.

So begrudgingly I've been looking again at the top 3 D (well 2 because I don't think Serg will be the pick). I noticed that Juolevi played for London 'on loan' from Finland. This is a loophole in the CHL-NHL transfer agreement and he is eligible to play in the AHL next season whereas Chychrun must go back to the OHL. Does this influence which guy to take if their both on the board? I would think Juolevi is probably a year in the AHL and then could really compete for a spot the following season. Chychrun would have to go to the OHL, then probably another year in the AHL before he competes for a spot. Just an interesting issues. Sorry if it's already been discussed.

ISS (not to be confused with ISIS or the other ISS) released their final rankings. http://www.isshockey.com/iss-hockey-releases-final-rankings-in-its-2016-iss-nhl-draft-guide/

Ya I'd like to see this happen sooner than later. Two good comps in my view who signed recently are: Olli Maatta: 6 year deal @ $4.083 mil per Morgan Reilly: 6 year deal @ $5.0 mil per Career Numbers GP G A P Pts/G Risto: 194 19 46 65 0.335 Maata: 165 16 41 57 0.345 Reilly: 236 19 73 92 0.390 Avg TOI last year Risto: 25:17 Maata: 19:58 Reilly: 23:14 So Risto is playing a couple of more minutes on average then Reilly and 5 more minutes per game than Maata but producing slightly less points per game then both. Although IMO Risto has a higher upside then both of those players. I would hope we could sign Risto similar to Reilly at 6 years $30 million. If Risto is wanting $5.5 or $6 per I would be fine at $5.5 but would hope I don't have to go right to $6 based on these two comps.

That was my first thought also.

off lol

Sure they've got some nice young pieces but I don't like them more then ours. The days of Datsyuk/Zetterberg and Lidstrome are long over and even Babcock isn't there anymore. They sneaked in the last playoff spot this year and were easily handled in the first round. Take away one of their best (albeit older and injury prone) players and I don't think a Stamkos makes them contenders. I just don't see the appeal of Detroit.

Nevermind Pegula's cronies :ph34r:

For whatever reason he didn't seem to fit in last season. He's young and I like his game ok but would be fine including him in a trade to upgrade the D. Last offseason I would not have said this. I also want to echo that it's good having you back Hoss. You add a lot to this board. Sounds like there is a ton of trade chatter out there and I think we will see some big trades across the league. The way GMTM likes to operate I'd be surprised if we weren't in the thick of discussions. You never see three team trades anymore but I'm predicting one over the next month. Teams don't like making trades during the Stanley Cup finals (Vancouver and Florida excluded I guess). Once this series ends I could see a bunch of deals coming down in the 2 or 3 weeks leading up to the draft.

Why do you say Detroit out of curiosity? They've got a couple promising young guys like Larkin but outside of that are they not on the decline? Datsyuk sounds like he's gone next year and how much life does Zetterberg have left?

I keep hearing rumors of Detroit if they could find the cap space. If Datsyuk is really leaving I don't see how they will be ready to compete for the cup now.

Yes.

Please Please do this.

Tickets went on sale at 10:00am. I tried a few times but it was 'too high of a demand to process at this time'. Now it's 10:02 and looks like it's sold out as there 'are not any available together' (even if I only select 1 ticket and best available).

Understandable. I enjoy your analysis, thanks for the work.

I take it you have Keller ranked highly in this draft? Any idea when you will have your 2016 draft rankings out?

Rakish, your numbers always have Mathews on a significantly higher level than Eichel. You think he's a much better prospect? Or am I reading your numbers wrong?

Yep, just last offseason.

Ok you know what, I may actually be coming around on the Stamkos idea. I know we need help on D, there's no question. But, Pittsburgh doesn't have that scary of a D, they have such good forwards that most of the game is played in the other teams end. I can't even imagine how potent this lineup could be with Stamkos in the lineup. True, you could get your wish of ROR and Eichel together. My 3rd line would be the same as yours. My top 6 would be: O'Reilly-Eichel-Pray Tyler Ennis is ok Girgensons-Stamkos-Reinhart That's not only a playoff group of forwards on paper but one that could do some serious damage. Our PP was incredible without Stamkos. Add him in and it won't be like the PP is over if the first unit doesn't score similar to last year.

:lol:

It's scouting reports similar to what you posted that are having people fall in love with the idea of Keller. Risk is there but potential Patty Kane ceiling? I think picking 2nd vs 8th might have something to do with picking on Reinhart's size (although I think it was more skating that people were worried about then size). At 2nd overall you want a franchise player there. At 8th your hoping for an impact player but understand they likely will have a couple of warts.