Derrico

You wouldn't take Pod at 7? Reminds me of the draft a few years ago where there was highly ranked Russian (can't remember the name) where he was suppose to go high and ended up falling to I think Dallas? Then there's also Grigorenko lol.

Jeez if Pod is there at 7 do we take him? From everything I've read the talent is all right there and for awhile was almost the consensus #3 pick. But at the same time the whole Russian factor is there. There appears to be significant talent this year at the 7 spot. Do we gamble?

This is hilarious. On a roll tonight.

Yep, we should all be pretty big stars fans next round.

So who are we thinking? It sounded like botts wanted an experienced guy but to me keefe and smith check most of the boxes. Maybe waiting to see if a coach still shakes loose now and if not go with someone like that? I’m cool with one of the Swedish guys as an assistant but no thanks to head coach.

I think officiating changes come playoff time in every sport. Just ask the saints ?

I’m good with this. Doesn’t the SHL usually play 40 or 50 games? The first year is a big adjustment in terms of travel and games played in the nhl. Give him a breather and full offseason to train. Im sure he will attend in future years (hopefully we’re in the playoffs and he can’t I guess).

@LGR4GM - you’ve advocated for some guys who have hit in the past (barbashev and BB come to mind). Will be interested in your final rankings once we get close to the draft. This is such a big pick for the franchise if the pick gets made.

This is a good point. I want botts to have full say on this hire but we shouldn’t forget the housley hire was almost unanimously approved by the fan base at the time.

Still have Smith as my #1 option but I would be good with Keefe.

24 year old centre who can score 25-35 goals consistently and we can 'shelter' him on our second line? Ummmmm yes. Would cost an absolute fortune tho. Don't think 7OA and Risto would come close. What would you be willing to give up for him?

Ya none of those names draw much excitement.

I'm still all aboard the DJ Smith train!!

Yes, to me Dubas is a different animal. There was legit interest in him becoming the next GM in short order (Lamarello was like 90). For coaching, Babcock has like 6 years left on his deal. Noway I could imagine the leafs barring him from trying to find a head coaching job in the NHL. It's not like there will likely be an opportunity in T.O. for the forseeable future.

Nice. Had a leaf fan ragging on my today about how long it's been since the Sabres made the playoffs. Not cool hearing it from him but no problems with a fellow Sabres fan!

Good lord. It’s difficult enough figuring the number for the sabres. No chance I know Americans numbers.

Wish he did that here.....

My apologies. Yes, I did read that wrong. I thought you were making two separate points there.

My guess is because he eventually wants to be a head coach in the NHL and this is the logical stepping stone.

How did I take it out of context? What's the context I'm missing? You said we can't miss on Pick 7 and I'm saying we absolutely can and I'll almost guarantee you one of the consensus top 7-8 guys will not live up to expectations. Just like Strome in 15, Dale Colle in 14, Nurse in 13 (I would still argue this), Yakupov in 12, Larrson in 11 (don't care what he was traded for), Gudbranson in 10, Glennie in 09, Filatov in 08, Hickey in 07.......

My guess is this means we had generally higher picks in each round and also had multiple extra picks.

Yep. Especially when he had multiple extra picks. Three high second round picks and he misses on all of them? I thought drafting was suppose to be his strength. Time will tell but JBott picks have much more promise imo.

This is just not true.

Yep. Talking heads are going to taking head. Show me some real examples to back it up.