He could be a #1 immediately? He wasn't even a #1 where we traded him to. Goalies never get a huge return in trades. I thought the Bernier comparison was pretty fair as far as trade value. I'd rather have No then what LA got
I agree with everything you've said here. If we do end up with Ritchie unless he earns a spot out of camp there's no way I'd think of keeping him up next year. Send him down, give him a game plan, and make him hungry. Should be the strategy with every pick past maybe the top 3 in almost any draft.
In Ritchie's case unless he really steals a spot in camp one more year of offensive development and physical conditioning would be ideal for him.
I was mostly poking fun about how everyone's argument is now turning into a contest about accusing the other of only reading into what they want to read from what's been said. And both sides are doing it.
Personally I believe they'll take either a top 5 faller or one of Virtanen/Ritchie. But I'd be just as happy with Ehlers or whoever they pick. They all have pros and con's.
I honestly just can't wait until after the draft so Merci and Absent will be able to sound off about something else.
Lindens already been interviewed and has stated he's excited about the prospect of adding a big winger at #6. And Benning has also said they're going to talk to the scouts about getting bigger. But obviously this is just me spinning what they said into what I wanted, since we're obviously going to draft Nylander or Ehlers because Benning actually said he likes talent and skill in the top 6... God I hate this thread and yet somehow I can't leave!!
I'm glad Benning will be with the team leading up to the draft. I wonder if Boston let him join out of good faith, or if the difference in draft position maybe helped since Boston will be targeting later in the first couple of rounds. And they probably haven't had there final meetings for recommended later round picks so he might not necessarily be in the know as to who they'd target past maybe the first and 2nd rounds.
I see it going
Ekblad - Edmonton
Rienhart - Buffalo
Ehlers - Florida
Bennett - Calgary
Da Colle - NYI
Drasaitl - Van
Edmonton needs Ekblad and its rumoured Tallon wants to trade down, as he's high on Ehlers.
Perhaps
3rd + Yakupov/Gagner
1st + Shore
I agree labelling players like that is stupid. Honestly I'll be happy with whoever we pick and enjoy watching them carve there own future. Be they big and skilled, or small and skilled.
Gaunce is their shutdown center, and still averages a PPG how is that bad? You think McDavid and the rest play against the other teams top scorers? Nope that's Gaunces job.
While he doesn't have sexy offensive stats, he's improved his consistency from year to year. He will be at the least an elite 3rd line shutdown center. I could see his consistency and other attributes putting him in contention for a top six role eventually ala Ryan Keslers career route.
He's not really horrible. He has very dominant games where he wins most of them. Then he tails off for a few games. If he's going to be a center he definitely needs to work on his consistency of winning draws.
But I agree with you he'd make an excellent winger with his size, speed, and tenacity.