J.I.A.H.N

I am more worried Poolman's migraines get better if we finish off strong...just a worry!

Yeah, I have never been able to get behind garland being a top offensive player..........IMO, he is best suited to he a high end pain in the arse! (3rd liner)

I know San Jose does not have much to play for , other than pride, but Dallas has a lot to play for right now, so it is not like Dallas just laid down for us.

Maybe more for the prospects or draft threads, but now that we have Hronek, it appears that our defensive strengths are about even..........and in saying that, LHD Gulyeyev would not be a bad choice, if you wanted to go that way at the draft. He will be the best LHD in the draft.

I totally agree I mean, has Boeser ever played on a Canuck team with structure? With an actual defensive awareness? He has now. I mean, look how Miller is playing. The Tocchet effect is quite obvious..........How long did these board scream about our old assistants, and our structure. I have generally liked Boeser play as a offensive player, with defensive awareness. When was the last time those words were uttered?

I will bet you one shinny dollar, this is proven a good draft in 5 years.

I think we have to really think through moving Boeser. He is a pretty good RW. I am more inclined to move Garland.

Yes, I would love to have the 5th or 6th pick in the draft, but 9. Reinbacher (RHD) 10. Pellikka (RHD) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. Wood (RW) 12. Cristall (LW) 13. Moore (C) 14. Gulyayev (LHD) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 15. Leonard (RW) 16. Danielson (C) 17. Dragicevic (RHD) 18. Heidt (C) I don't necessarily want wingers, but I would be happy, with any of the others, and would probably be happy with Cristall as well. Is it ideal? No, but I am not going to beat myself up about it.

Players and Coaches will never tank, that is not in dispute...............but GM's can manipulate the roster to lose It is their call really.

Just remember that Boldy was 1 pick after Podkolzin, so 11 in a not so deep draft........ This years draft is deeper...........I think there will still be players that can help this team, where we pick, AND..............if management is proactive, we can move up if needed...... It is a matter of priorities...............what do you want, and how much will you pay for it?

Yes, just like Quinn Hughes will be a Devil in 5 years, Right?

IMO, if Chicago does not get Bedard..............they are going to take Michkov or Fantilli.........................My bet would be Michkov

I could not agree more with this comment. However, it is only a part of the question. feel very strongly, that "IF" I was a GM, I would have my scouts working full time at mining this point. However, I would also enlist a scouting service, to cross reference, my scouts. It would not to be against them, but to enhance them. In saying that........I do not necessarily believe in BPA. Let me give you some reasons why................... #1................as of right now, there are few teams that have a abundance RHD. To Draft BPA, then to use that to acquire one of these team best Dmen, is probably a very/extremely over payment type scenario. Take example, trying to acquire Seider, Clarke, Drystale, Nemec, or Juricek...................all top 10 type RHD.............not a chance you get them, so you are starting out at a lesser type quality RHD to start with, and the cost will be a Mid 1st, and a 2nd...........to start with.........or equivalent. They are just not traded unless you are giving them back something of equal or greater value. Which is huge! Now to draft the BPA, with the understanding that you may trade it, begs a question to me................why would you do that, knowing that you may not be able to pry the player you are wanting, without a huge overpayment. You simply do not know how that player will turn out, or if he will be of equal or greater value, of the player you want. But you have a dilemma, which is that you need a solid core RHD............so you have to either over pay, or settle for less, or draft one..............I am not suggesting reaching like Yzerman did, but it does bring a question up............... You have a race car that needs a right front ty-rod end, but when you shop, there is a steering wheel that is absolutely perfect and is at the perfect price. Why buy the Steering wheel, when you need the ty-rod end to race? Now, I am not saying we don't need spares, but getting back to the draft.............................. 8. Sale (RW) 9. Reinbacher (RHD) 10. Pellikka (RHD) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. Wood (RW) 12. Cristall (LW) 13. Moore (C) 14. Gulyayev (LHD) If you are at 12 and you need a RHD............you go after it If you are at 7 then the reach to Reinbacker and Pellikka is just not far.......... This is of course if your scouts and scouting service agree this is the order of the list, based on projections 2/3 years out....... As for me, I go off of lists from Hockey New etc..........I do not have the time, the knowledge, or the interest to go deeper..............I also read yours with interest, but unless you are a professional scout..............then respectfully...........meh! To make that clear........I am a meh!

These comments only remind me that even at the draft, it is only a snippet in time, and the prospects will develop more afterwards, causing the rankings, and re-drafts, to all recalibrate. This is why, IMHO, someone like Buttons (not that he is good or accurate) who tries to project his rankings 2 or 3 years in the future, which of course all pro-ranking services do. The rankings only give you the current ball park area of their final position............exactly how accurate is it really?

OK, I did a very un-scientific poll, based on 20 individuals on the Capfriendly site, who had posted top 32 - 2023 Draft prospects......very un-scientific! Here is goes! 1. Bedard (C) ............the only unanimous pick (Go figure!) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Fantilli (C) 3. Carlsson (C) 4. Michkov (RW) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. Smith (C) 6. Benson (LW) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. Dvorsky (C) 8. Sale (RW) 9. Reinbacher (RHD) 10. Pellikka (RHD) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. Wood (RW) 12. Cristall (LW) 13. Moore (C) 14. Gulyayev (LHD) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 15. Leonard (RW) 16. Danielson (C) 17. Dragicevic (RHD) 18. Heidt (C) 19. Richie (C) 20. Perreault (RW) 21. Musty (LW) 22. Bonk (RHD) 23. Lindstien (LHD) 24. Honzek (LW) 25. Gauthier (RW) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This was the cut off for players who were all in the top 32..........all others below had 2nd round picks as well 26. Price (LHD) 27. Brindley (C) 28. Stenberg (LW/C) 29. But (LW) 30. Stramel (C) 31. Halttunen (RW) 32. Allen (RHD) 33. Hrabal (G)

Here is the thing SS They played a team of lessers that have no system ......forecheck or defensively And SJ has no depth.....none, which is why they are at the bottom........... Yes, for a first game he looked decent...........not saying anything otherwise But put him up against a top 10 team, and let's see how he does.......... Completely different animal when you have no time and space And I am not saying anything bad, just lets take it slow before anointing him If he shows good..great! That is what I want, and what I expect. But yes, he certainly looked good for a first game.

Ok...............great game Blah, blah, blah We just played the second worst team in the league and you guys are going to evaluate Hronek on this game...........lol PS..........I loved the score, loved the goals.......but come on guys!

Give me 30 wingers that have 4 point games this year. hell, give me 20! The trouble is people get fixated on dumping on a guy when he is down, and then never let up. If I remember right he has a goal and 2 posts in the last 3 games............i wonder how many close chances Podkolzin has in the same time I think people get really confused between production and actual play, when compared to salary. IMO, since Tocchet has arrived, I think Boeser has played well. Just MHO

Sports Net will be firing up the Trade Center for this one!

Fixed it for you!

So, I am a little sick and a little cranky...........here is my take on the last 10 pages The sky is falling! But is it? Look, the chances of getting Bedard has always been slim, but the great thing is, this is a deep draft, and is loaded with good forwards, well past 10 OA, so if we do our scouting, we should be coming out of the draft with something close to a core piece. (Just for a sad reality, we picked Podkolzin at 10, and Boldy was picked at 11, and that was in a not so deep draft. We will get a good player, and "IF" we are super lucky, maybe a #1 or #2 OA pick..........don't hold your breath! The second thing that comes to ind today, is this.............We added Mikheyev, Hronek, Beauvillier, Bear, and Kuzmenko, while moving out Horvat...........that is a good trade, and adds a lot of what we needed. We are not the same as we were last year. I would also remind everyone we added Raty, Lekkerimaki and McDonaugh into our prospect pool as well. We are a better team, now than last year. Certainly deeper! I will also say this........Boeser is playing much better under Tocchet.......far more structure! that is how it looks to me, anyways! The key, to this whole picture is "IF" Tocchet can get them out of the gait, playing with structure, and emotion. That is the key, and that is the question......... All the rest is, what it is! I am not stressing, and trying to enjoy watching Hughes turn and leave guys turning the other way, and Pettersson's awesome shot. I am trying to be a glass half full, kinda guy, and just enjoy the wins!

@BPA @DownUndaCanuck Hey, Guys, thanks for playing! I am open to other ideas, and more married to my premise, which I believe, is a way, we move forward, get our needed pieces, and still draft a developing piece. I thought my adding our 1st was steep, and a over payment......I just did not know by how much. I can say this, though..............I really like Kotkaniemi, who is a fast, and aggressive player, who produces and has upside..........and as Miller ages out, might just be a great replacement for him, if he takes another step. If he does not, he still is a perfect 3rd line center, who would be around for a long time. I think he is a perfect fit, and which is why he might be hard to pry out of Carolina. (Hence the overpayment in part) Morrow, is a great add, 6'2" 195 lbs, has a great offensive game, and knows how to play defense. IMO, I think he is another piece that would be hard to get out of Carolina, but would be worth it, if possible. IMO, he is a 2/3 type player when fully developed. Carolina's 2023-1st should be around the 26 to 28 mark, which could get you that big defensive RHD that we are looking at in Reinbacher (albeit, maybe not quite the upside)....there are, as mentioned 3 or 4 RHD prospects that are in the late 1st/early 2nd area, which as stated, I like. Can we get them? Can we get them cheaper? Can we make a better trade, using the same premise? I do not know? Just an idea! How do your idea's match up to this? Are they better, more realistic? I am not sure???? Just as good, that is for sure! Again, thanks for playing!

Ok, so IMHO we just are not that far from having a team that is playoff bound, BUT! I think we need to look at moving our 2023-1st to be ready, for next year...........here is how I see it play out. If our 2023-1st round pick is in the 8th or 9th spot, I would propose the following trade............. Vancouver trades: 2023-1st (8th OA), Brock Boeser and Lekkerimaki Carolina trades: 2023 - 1st (26th to 28th OA), Kotkaniemi, and Morrow Now, on the surface, this looks like an overpayment for Vancouver, but the truth of the matter is we are in need of Kotkaniemi and Morrow, now. They fit out age grouping, and will be around for awhile (7 to 10 years). They are also, top to mid type players, with Kotkaniemi already scoring at a 50 point level, and Morrow, is ready to step in. Carolina will not like to give up on them, but the 8th OA, could be a 1st line player, which Kotkaniemi is not. (He does have 2nd line potential) Morrow will be 21 near the start of next season, and has shown to be ready. Again, Morrow will hurt to give up, but Boeser will help them immediately, which will help them with their next years playoff drive. Lekkerimaki is still considered a blue chip prospect, but it is the 8th OA pick that gives them another potential elite winger, which they are short on. The Carolina 1st, which is late, will allow us to still pick a decent prospect. Think Bonk/Brzustewicz/Strabak/Allen This is a win - win for both franchises, and gives both franchises the ability to improve, immediately. The question I ask you is, does Kotkaniemi and Morrow make us better now? I say they do!.

Ok...............just dreamin here Obviously we win #1 and we pick Bedard If we pick #2 pick...................................... David Juricek and 2023 2nd........................for.....................#2 pick Ryan Pulock and 2024 1st...........................for ....................#2 pick and Myers Rasmus Anderson and 2023 1st..................for......................#2 pick and OEL

Best game Boeser has played in 5 years! Maybe I over-stated it a bit, but he played well!