SDBillsfan

Assuming we don't trade #11 for some immediate veteran help, I'd say that Tij Iginla would be my first choice as a realistic #1 pick. Good chance he's gone by then, though, especially with Calgary slotted ahead of us.

It's interesting. When we traded Eichel, Risto and Reinhart, the Reinhart return easily seemed the most disappointing- a late 1st rounder and a "too small", 7th round goalie. And yet we ended up with Kulich, who far outplayed his draft position in his 1st AHL season, and Levi, a kid who quite possibly is our long-term solution in goal. Now that return looks not just good, but potentially great. Ya never know.

I'd love that draft, although I don't see any way that Bonk lasts to #39. I'd also include Simashev in that group with Willander, Moore and Wood. I'd be pleased with any of those four, and I believe that at least one or two of them will be available at #13.

Simashev has a lot of admirers and a few who think he should go more towards the end of the first round. The book on him is that he has a lot of raw tools to go with a large 6'4" frame, but lacks offensive production. Having looked at a lot of video of all the top prospects, he actually impressed me more than a few of the prospects generally ranked in the top ten. There is a lot to work with there, and I think that in time his offense will improve. I would be very happy if he's our pick at #13.

I'm really starting to warm to the idea of drafting Simashev with our #1 pick. Excellent defender (our biggest need, as opposed to a smaller puck mover like Sandin Pellika), and I've seen recently more than one analyst say that he is the best available defenseman in this draft. From the video I've seen, I'd agree, I think he looks extremely impressive. And, thanks to the drafting of several top Russian prospects the past two years, there'd probably be a level of comfort to him joining our organization. Thoughts?

Agreed. And if we do extend him for 6 or 7 years, there's gonna be Helle to pay!

Most pundits like Savoie and many of them have him in their top ten. Interestingly however, Scouch has serious reservations.

Three somewhat realistic dream draft scenarios for me (at least for today!): #9 Savoie, #16 Nazar, #28 Chesley #9 Lekkermaki, #16 Korchinski, #28 Miroschnichenko #9 Kemmel, #16 Yurov, #28 Snuggerud Which of these three specific packages would you be happiest with, and why? Realistically, what three picks would you like to see?

Thanks!

Maybe someone can answer this question, just curious... Why do players in Russia use the Latin alphabet to spell out their names on their jerseys instead of the Cyrillic alphabet? Seems odd that they wouldn't use their own alphabet for this purpose, in their own country. I know it's a small, almost totally insignificant observation (especially now), but it just strikes me as odd.

The Buffalo News is reporting the Sabres return is the goalie Levi and a first round 2022 pick. Hard not to be disappointed in this return.

I get that Florida is almost certainly wanting to protect another skater from being selected, that makes complete sense. I guess I'm just baffled by KA not taking advantage of the expansion situation to pluck a goalie from a team that needs to expose one that would certainly be better than anyone we currently have. Hopefully we get an answer soon.

Good thing we don't need one!

Also, why would we not rather have someone like Driedger who can play right away in a league in which he's had some success, than a third rounder that, if we're lucky, might contribute in some way four years down the line?

Eichel is 24! It's not as if they'd be destroying their youth movement by adding some over the hill guy who doesn't fit into their window of opportunity.

Who? And what are we waiting for?

So why aren't we making a deal with Florida (say sending them a 2nd or 3rd round pick) to get Driedger, protect him and expose Tokarski, who Seattle will never select? Both teams would benefit. I'm really puzzled over our lack of attention or urgency to our goaltending situation, and this seems like a golden opportunity to snag a young, promising goaltender without having to make it any part of an Eichel, Reinhart or Risto trade. And if they do have another goaltender in mind to be a piece of one of those trades, then Driedger would probably be an excellent backup candidate. Am I missing something?

One player who I think is being overlooked is Jamie Drysdale. If the Ducks stand firm on Zegras but offer up Drysdale, 3OA and another solid prospect, I think it should be considered. Drysdale is a very high- end D-man who looked great last year after being called up from San Diego and looked every part the ascending NHL star that Zegras will be. Then you could draft any two of Berniers, Eklund or Power. I personally would then go with the two forwards, because I think Drysdale is every bit the prospect that Power is. Thoughts?