[suomistyler]

if the Sens win the cup we will draft higher i believe...

[Fedor_Chubarov]

I just noticed something, Bourdon played 5 games in the playoffs, Rahimi played 4, yet Rahimi was with the moose for the end of the regular season, so he had weeks to get used to the team, and spent some time watching from the pressbox, Bourdon however being a top 10 pick 1st rounder seemed to get rushed into action on the moose, i don't think he was a healthy scratch once, unlike all the other prospects who joined the moose and who were slowly integrated in with the odd game and pressbox time. I wonder if the moose were pressured to make room for him, or if they have double standards?

[Vancouver_Canucks]

Fedor_Chubarov, on May 15 2007, 12:49 PM, said:

I just noticed something, Bourdon played 5 games in the playoffs, Rahimi played 4, yet Rahimi was with the moose for the end of the regular season, so he had weeks to get used to the team, and spent some time watching from the pressbox, Bourdon however being a top 10 pick 1st rounder seemed to get rushed into action on the moose, i don't think he was a healthy scratch once, unlike all the other prospects who joined the moose and who were slowly integrated in with the odd game and pressbox time. I wonder if the moose were pressured to make room for him, or if they have double standards?

It might have something to do with not being as familarized with the North American style hockey. He isn't as fine tuned as everyone else I guess and is coming from a larger ice surface.

I don't know though, either way Rahimi is the most intriguing prospect imo.

[Millerdraft]

I think the Moose will have even more of a fantastic year next year if we can convince Corey Schneider to turn pro. Think about what that'll do for the likes of Edler, Bourdon, Rahimi, Raymond, Hansen, Simek and Grabner (if he can gain some lbs). The skilled guys won't be afraid to take an extra chance if it presents itself and they'll all get a sniff of what it's like playing with a mini-Luongo behind them. The mirror imaging of the Canucks should do wonders, not to mention them all growing together at the AHL level first. I see the Moose fast becoming one helluva speedy transition team that'll feast on turnovers, sound defense and outstanding goaltending. Next year will be hella exciting.

[-mb]

Ever since I read about Eller I've been a big fan. In fact I think I was the one who first brought him up as a potential pick for the Canucks. However as much as I like him, and as good as he sounds there is still that other side of me that worries.

Will he be able to adapt to the NA style of play? As of right now he isn't the type of player that likes to play the physical type of game. Hansen came right over and had no problem. And even Rahimi, who stayed an extra year in Sweden, hasn't had much trouble adjusting. But those players aren't flash and dash skill players. They like to get into the battles down low and can both take and deal out hits. I'm not saying Eller is a "soft euro", but there's always the chance the adjustment to the NA pro game will be difficult for an offensive player like him.

Another knock on him that has been brought up is that although he is a pretty solid guy at 6'1 200lbs, he doesn't seem to use his size to his advantage. From what I've read one of the biggest things he lacks is that competitive edge. Scouts would like to see him take charge and not just play the game but compete. We've seen it with Chouinard this year. He's a big guy and he has NHL skill, but when he plays it's like he's asleep out there. Obviously I haven't seen Eller play, and am basing this whole thing on what I've read from scouting reports. I'm just trying to keep things in perspective.

I'm not saying Eller isn't a good player, and I'm not saying for whatever reason that the Canucks should not draft him. But it just seems to me that most of the reports about him posted in this thread have shown all of the great attributes and none of the things he may need to work on.

[Millerdraft]

OMFG that screams soft Euro/afraid to go to the net/dislikes physical contact. I will freak if we draft that kid in the 1st round. He's almost Kesler's size, ahem, lay some checks! Drive the net! No more perimeter players! They don't create open ice!!!

A 6'2"+ 200lb+ centre with vision, hands and a love of the physical game please. We have no one like that in our organization and we desperately need it (unless we plan on trading Mo and Bieksa for Marleau next year).

[Grabner]

You guys haven't even seen him play, so how can you say he's another soft Euro?

[Grabner]

25. Lars Eller – C - Vastra Frolunda (J20 SuperElit) 6’0 – 190lbs – Shoots L

Eller is the best Dane available this year. He has great size and is a very good two way player. Towards the end of the year, as the competition became stiffer, Eller added a good physical element to his game and began to muck and grind for the puck. Eller has a good skill set; strong skating, good vision and a great shot. He is very responsible at both ends of the ice and is strong on his skates. Eller’s biggest strength is his mature, smart style of play and his ability to dominate on special teams.

2006/07 Regular Season Stats: 38GP – 18G – 37A – 55Pts - +22 – 58PIM


http://nhldraftprevi...ft-ranking.html

[-mb]

Yeah F*ck it...

Let's draft Eller. If there's one guy we should take a chance on it's him.

This post has been edited by -mb: 15 May 2007 - 06:55 PM

[timw33]

Grabner, on May 15 2007, 06:16 PM, said:

25. Lars Eller – C - Vastra Frolunda (J20 SuperElit) 6’0 – 190lbs – Shoots L

Eller is the best Dane available this year. He has great size and is a very good two way player. Towards the end of the year, as the competition became stiffer, Eller added a good physical element to his game and began to muck and grind for the puck. Eller has a good skill set; strong skating, good vision and a great shot. He is very responsible at both ends of the ice and is strong on his skates. Eller’s biggest strength is his mature, smart style of play and his ability to dominate on special teams.

2006/07 Regular Season Stats: 38GP – 18G – 37A – 55Pts - +22 – 58PIM
http://nhldraftprevi...ft-ranking.html

Awesome.

I really want Eller, if we have to trade up a few spots to get him, do it.

[Millerdraft]

No, I've never seen him play but if at 6'0" 198lbs he's only now beginning to "add a physical element and muck and grind for loose pucks", I have some serious alarm bells going off. At 6'0" 200lbs he should have already figured that out. Sounds to me like he heard he might get drafted and started doing something that he's not at ALL comfortable doing, bodychecking, just to get drafted.

Aren't there any centres in this draft with size who bang naturally and posess good hands, vision and speed? We seriously need a tough, skilled centre who can create open ice for skilled wingers like Grabner and Hansen.

[Rahimi]

How bad is Brandon Sutter skating? Slower then the Sedins?

[Grabner]

Millerdraft, on May 15 2007, 07:15 PM, said:

No, I've never seen him play but if at 6'0" 198lbs he's only now beginning to "add a physical element and muck and grind for loose pucks", I have some serious alarm bells going off. At 6'0" 200lbs he should have already figured that out. Sounds to me like he heard he might get drafted and started doing something that he's not at ALL comfortable doing, bodychecking, just to get drafted.

Aren't there any centres in this draft with size who bang naturally and posess good hands, vision and speed? We seriously need a tough, skilled centre who can create open ice for skilled wingers like Grabner and Hansen.

Can you please stop overusing italics.

In the previous scouting report I posted it says he increased his physical play toward the end of the season (aka playoffs). Don't you want a guy who can elevate his play during the playoffs? And he might have had a pretty good clue he was going to get drafted for quite some time now.

[Millerdraft]

Grabner, on May 15 2007, 07:31 PM, said:

Can you please stop overusing italics.

In the previous scouting report I posted it says he increased his physical play toward the end of the season (aka playoffs). Don't you want a guy who can elevate his play during the playoffs? And he might have had a pretty good clue he was going to get drafted for quite some time now.

I can't. Italics are my e-crack and I'm addicted to adding over-emphasis into my posts. Sorry bud.

I understand he has begun to "change" his game so that it is better suited for NA hockey but that could have alot to do with draft positioning as well. The higher he gets drafted, the better contract and (this is not a bad reason) the better "shake" he'll get at making the NHL.

It's nothing against him personally but is there not another more naturally aggressive, yet highly skilled (we don't need another Kesler), centre with a similar speed/vision/creativity?

[-mb]

Millerdraft, on May 15 2007, 07:43 PM, said:

It's nothing against him personally but is there not another more naturally aggressive, yet highly skilled (we don't need another Kesler), centre with a similar speed/vision/creativity?

Put simply...No

The players that are in our draft range just don't have that all-around first line center mold. And that's not surprising considering we have such a late first round pick. If the Canucks are serious about this draft and want that kind of player they will have to trade up. If they don't, expect our first rounder to be a project player who may only become a second line player down the road.

[timw33]

Rahimi, on May 15 2007, 07:24 PM, said:

How bad is Brandon Sutter skating? Slower then the Sedins?

His skating is average, which is a huge problem.

We need a mobile centre.

[Millerdraft]

It sounds like we'd have to trade up to get Eller too so we might as well go for the whole package.

[timw33]

Millerdraft, on May 15 2007, 08:17 PM, said:

It sounds like we'd have to trade up to get Eller too so we might as well go for the whole package.

I think it would be worth it to trade up.

It shouldn't take too much to move up 5-6 spots in this kinda draft.

[Grabner]

timw33, on May 15 2007, 08:13 PM, said:

His skating is average, which is a huge problem.

We need a mobile centre.

Agree, solid skatiing is key in the new NHL.

[Millerdraft]

timw33, on May 15 2007, 08:18 PM, said:

I think it would be worth it to trade up.

It shouldn't take too much to move up 5-6 spots in this kinda draft.

If we're gonna trade up for a player who has question marks (Eller, toughness) instead of staying put and drafting a player with question marks (Sutter, skating), perhaps we should jump a little higher to get a less gamble of a player. As much as I like Bourdon, the Kopitar crowd has a point in regards to our lack of a big (6'3" 220lb) skilled centre. If there's one available, that's the one I want.

What about that Veilleux kid? Is he top-ten?