Odd.

Someone please make sure Ian Cole doesn’t find out about our new reporter if he signs with us…

Wood grew 9 inches in the last 2.5 years.

Benson, Simashev, Wood in that order for me, whoever is available.

Hell if we decided to trade down to Nashville and grab an extra 2nd rounder, that’s 9 picks in the first 120 picks and 7 in the top 80. 9 picks in a deep draft. All you have to do is trade Miller and trade down 4 spots. You’ve set up the future of this franchise that has 3 core members in their young 20’s at each position, better off than 90% of rebuilding teams, and you didn’t sell off the entire team to do it. Sign Barbashev and Ryan O Reilly to replace Miller’s production, and you can even still ice a more balanced team (probably even better) to make some noise around April.

A lot of people don’t understand how young Pettersson and Hughes still are. Majority of the cup winners the last 10 years, the average age of core players is between 28-33 when they won their first cup. There’s a difference between icing a team good enough to make the playoffs and a team that can compete for the cup. We’re not competing for the cup anyway for the next 3-4 years, why not build towards that future, ice a team that can make some noise come April for now, and have our core guys now be the ones to lead this team when our futures are ready to start becoming contributing factors for us. The guys who we draft tomorrow, they’ll be Hughes and Pettersson’s playoff bubble age in 3-4 years. Imagine Pettersson and Hughes had core leaders back then, not having to be thrusted into the spotlight, being able to just freely play their game. Pettersson and Hughes can bear it so our future don’t have to. Hell both of them won’t even be 30 when these influx of prospects, if development is good, start becoming contributing factors.

Anyone want to bet this thread hits 500 pages by Friday?

The best fit for Miller is Colorado if a hypothetical trade were to happen. If Avs offered us 27, 31, 37, and Manson, I’m taking that 100% of the time. In this draft, each 1st rounder is worth more than other drafts just because of how stacked the top 40 is. Selecting 8 draft picks all in the top 120, including 3 firsts, is a step towards the future. By the time these guys are ready, Pettersson and Hughes will be 27-28, perfect for the cup window. They’ll be true leaders of this team and are of the appropriate age where their experience and poise alone will win them valuable playoff games. With a solid developmental plan, it’s reasonable to expect at least 4 of the 8 become contributing factors 3-4 years from now, on cheap ELC’s, influx of youth. They can also be used as valuable trade pieces for win now players if the fit is right. The team we have now Miller or not is barely good enough to crack a wildcard spot. ROR is a Conn Smythe and cup champion that is good at all facets of the game. He provides veteran presence, experience, and a reliable 2 way game that could potentially make us competitive while our prospects from this draft grow and develop. The problem with the Benning regime was he just plucked players here and there and assembled a mishmash of a team with long contracts and little cohesion. This batch of prospects will be able to flourish along the same timeframe, just as our current core guys grow into their later 20’s and well into their prime. Allvin shopped Miller at the TDL and almost pulled a trade where we could’ve gotten 2 firsts. Nothing out there except meaningless team promos suggest Miller is a core member of this team at the time of this post.

JT Miller to Colorado for picks 27, 31, 37 and Manson? Dream scenario. Load up on this draft. Even the later 1st is filled with guys who could go top 15 in weaker drafts. 4 picks in the top 40. 8 in the top 120. Our prospect board would be refilled with high end players. We get a RHD (cap dump) to play with Hughes. Sign Ryan O Reilly as our 2C for the next 2-3 years until one of our prospects are ready.

Oh shit you right you right

Certainly prefers a younger D partner.

So when’s the next coaching change gonna happen?

Idk, guy is a weirdo off the ice.

With Jets wanting younger win now players, I wonder if Boeser to Winnipeg for Wheeler contract and Logan Stanley could be something of interest. Wheeler is on the last year, and can be flipped at the TDL or be used in a RW role on the 2nd or third line and would provide some size and offense. Stanley should provide us with some size and PK options on the back end. Hughes/Juulsen Stanley/Hronek Wolanin/Woo Burroughs

Not good at center. I’d pass on Sharangovich. We already have Mikheyev to fill that middle 6 left winger role.

What would be the ideal package if the Canadiens were to get Dubois? I assume Dach, Slafkovsky, Hutson, Caufield/Suzuki, and Mailloux are untouchables. Perhaps Guhle, Kidney, and the Florida pick?

5 picks in the first 120 selections is pretty good. We should be able to find some gems. I’m hoping we can draft Juraj Pecarcik, Hannes Hellberg (could be the absolute steal of the draft), Andrew Gibson, Carter Sotheran, and or Dylan Mackinnon. Hannes Hellberg was eligible for last years draft but he will definitely go in the mid rounds this draft.

They’re all the same lol. Depth guys. Like 6 of em. don’t think it’s necessary to keep ‘em all

Starts at about 4:24 regarding the three defenseman. Realistically, I highly doubt all 3 resign anyway. There’s a considerable logjam at depth RHD. McWard Burroughs Woo Juulsen Bear Johansson Id love for us to sign Burroughs. I think he’d be a fine depth defenseman that can come in and play up and down the right side as necessary. As for Juulsen and Bear, I’m not nearly as high on them as others may be. And with younger guys like Woo and McWard who management really likes, good chance management sticks with them.

Can’t see the Flyers or Blues pass up on Benson. They need an offensive star like him.

Dvorak, Kidney + 2nd for Dubois lmao

Clarke, Spence, Anderson, Fiala, PLD, 4-5 more years of Doughty, Byfield, etc Very bright indeed. I’m sure they’ll find a goaltender in the free market or a trade for someone like Ullmark or Hart.

Wtf Mike Gillis running the show in St Louis? Why do Leddy and Scandella have NTC’s

Who says they would? When Hanifin is gone they’ll extend him.

Yup, and his skating is considered elite, which is impressive at 6’6 245lbs. I remember thinking how incredibly agile and athletic he was back in 2013 with the London Knights. Used to think he was a 6’6 Duncan Keith. Carved out more of a defensive career than an offensive one as his puck moving skills hadn’t translated to the NHL as well, but he’s truly one of the best at what he does.

Zadorov isn’t a low IQ player. He’s one of the best defensive defenseman in the game and easily would be in our top 4.