[Discussion/Proposal] Drafting Clayton Keller 9th overall.

[Indecisive]

So recently I've seen quite a few posts about trading down with our #5 pick, and one destination that came up a lot was Montreal, for their 9th+

 

This is an idea that I've fallen in love with, as one player I've been hyping up is Clayton Keller, who is projected to go between 9 and 12

 

Assuming the draft goes as expected, it will go:

 

Matthews

Laine

Puljujarvi

Tkachuk

Dubois

 

Dubois is a great two way player, and a lot of people really like the "warrior" aspect that he has. However, we need skill players, as the game is shifting towards smaller, faster, and more skilled players. I'm not saying that Dubois has bad hands, but there are two players that I believe have better mitts than Dubois. Nylander, and Keller.

 

Time for some Keller hype

 

Keller is a strong, shifty skater with a powerful shot, displaying brilliance and hockey sense strikingly similar to what Marner brings to the ice. And while Marner is a winger, Keller is equally adept at bringing you out of your seat while leaving amazed opponents on the very edge of theirs. He’s schooled amateurs of all ages — U.S. college seniors, European stars, NHL-bound Canadian juniors; it doesn’t matter. He’s a hard-nosed, fearless player with a lot of flash, but he’s been Team USA’s leader and go-to option for every critical situation – defensive zone draws, killingpenalties, gaining entry into the offensive zone, etc. Does he have franchise potential? We’ll let you judge for yourself, but keep in mind he’s nearly produced as much as Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews did with the NTDP. Keller is also nearly a year younger than Matthews, who set the NTDP scoring record a year ago with 117 points. If Keller keep his current pace for the rest of the season and through the 2016 U18 tournament, he’ll come close to matching him.

-Steve Kournianos, thedraftanalyst.com

I watched a few highlights, and he always seems to have his head up, and is a good skater. So far, the only knock I've heard against him is his height at 5'10". Franchise player? Who knows, but by now we should know not to count out prospects coming from South of the border. Players like Kyle Connor, Austin Matthews, Jack Eichel,  and our own Brock Boeser and Thatcher Demko are examples of the US development.

Now to the proposal:

Vancouver trades- 5th overall pick (Dubois)

Montreal trades- 9th overall pick (Keller) + 2nd round pick (45th overall) + 5th round pick (129th overall)

 

Why does Montreal do it?

Dubois is the player that Montreal would want, and is most likely going at 5. He has size, skill, and is a Quebec native. He's a player that could very well make the team next year and have an impact, helping Montreal fight for a playoff spot as long as Price stays healthy. They have two 2nd and 5th round picks, and would be giving up the lower picks to us, and keep the better ones. Not only that, but management would love to grab a quebecois player to sell tickets.

Why Vancouver does it:

Time to face facts. We need a rebuild. Keller is probably not NHL ready yet, which is good because we have a logjam of players battling for 4th line spots. Keller will get time to develop, then sign when our new core begins to emerge and take the torch from the Sedins. With many good Dmen in the 2nd round (Johansen, Dineen, Clague, Hronek etc.) We could stock up on D prospects, and be ready for our 2023 cup run.

I know many people like Dubois, but I believe Keller will be more dynamic. This trade benefits both teams, and would make me extremely happy if we could pull it off.

 

Thoughts?

[thejazz97]

Ehhhhh

 

I mean, if it happens, it happens, but I'd rather draft Dubois. Keller's good, but he's going to Montreal or Ottawa.

[Warhippy]

Hi, My name is Alex Edler.  You might know me from such greats as

 

Where's Alex

 

and

Alex Edler, do we really need him.

 

But what you don't know is I hold value far above what CDC gives me and could capably land you a 1st round pick from the 9th to 14th spot almost all on my own.

 

You have a good one CDC

[Dral]

I'd want a bit more then a 2nd and a 5th to drop down to the 9th....

[ForsbergTheGreat]

If were picking 9th I'd be taking whatever of the three D are left. Preferably it would be Sergachev. 

[canadiangunner]

29 minutes ago, ForsbergTheGreat said:

If were picking 9th I'd be taking whatever of the three D are left. Preferably it would be Sergachev. 

This .

[kloubek]

I could absolutely see Montreal doing this.  Us... not so much. It is highly likely that those later picks won't amount to anything so we're likely giving up something for nothing.

 

I like how well this proposal was thought out, but I'd want to get a bit more back to give up a probable 1st liner in Dubois.  The thing with Keller is that unless he grows, he just doesn't have the size to compete against 210 pound guys.  Come playoff time when everyone is leaving it out on the ice, he'd get crushed.  This isn't to say he shouldn't be considered (look at Gaudeau), it's just that there is a real risk to drafting a player like this... regardless of skill level.  It's the same reason why I and so many others believe that, despite his obvious skill, Nylander is unlikely to be one of the first picks after the big 3.

If we were in 9th position, personally, I think I'd rather draft Brown or one of the defensemen.

[Agoork]

I'd rather have Dubois or Tkachuk, but if we had to trade back:

 

#9, #45 and #129 just isn't enough.   #9, #39 and #45 would at least make me think about it.

 

Arizona would give up #7 and #37 if Tkachuk was still available at #5, and I'd even push them for #7 and #20. 

Maybe compromise at # 7, #20 and #37 for our #5 and #33.  They give us #20, but move up 4 spots in the 2nd round.

Even then, not sure I would want to do it.

[Nuxfanabroad]

1 hour ago, Warhippy said:

Hi, My name is Alex Edler.  You might know me from such greats as

 

Where's Alex

 

and

Alex Edler, do we really need him.

 

But what you don't know is I hold value far above what CDC gives me and could capably land you a 1st round pick from the 9th to 14th spot almost all on my own.

 

You have a good one CDC

Are you HAPPY, Alex? Can we find you a new start ? Y'know, yer sitting on 'Go'..here's the 200$. Now just kindly roll the dice, you narcoleptic sloth...

[Monty]

CDC: "Isn't it great that we'll be drafting in the top 3?"

 

Draft Lottery Occurs and Canucks drop to 5th

 

CDC: "Weevz LotTZ OOT ON UOR FRANCHIZZ PLAAYAAZZ! &**##**&#&#*#*#&#&#*@@!"

 

Few Days Pass

 

CDC: "Since we're drafting 5th overall, we can't possibly get a good player at that position, so let's trade down."

[SaintPatrick33]

A top 5 pick can define a GM's legacy....(ie Burkie snagged the sedins, Quinn linden)

 

Heck lets see what ol' JB can do in a top 5 in a stacked draft class

[HKSR]

19 minutes ago, SaintPatrick33 said:

A top 5 pick can define a GM's legacy....(ie Burkie snagged the sedins, Quinn linden)

 

Heck lets see what ol' JB can do in a top 5 in a stacked draft class

I think you mean Top 3.  Sedins were 2 and 3.  Linden was 2.

 

If JB had 2 or 3 this year, it'd be Laine or Puulujarvi.  MUCH different class than everyone from #4 onwards.

[NaslundLindenBure]

If we want a skill player, why not draft nylander at 5?

[JustABandwagoner]

1 hour ago, Agoork said:

I'd rather have Dubois or Tkachuk, but if we had to trade back:

 

#9, #45 and #129 just isn't enough.   #9, #39 and #45 would at least make me think about it.

 

Arizona would give up #7 and #37 if Tkachuk was still available at #5, and I'd even push them for #7 and #20. 

Maybe compromise at # 7, #20 and #37 for our #5 and #33.  They give us #20, but move up 4 spots in the 2nd round.

Even then, not sure I would want to do it.

I would do 

 

7, 20, and 37 for our 5, and compensation 2nd rd pick from columbus. I'll even add in a 3rd. 

 

Draft Juolevi at 7. Or Jost :D :D :D 

[Noble 6]

I've been higher on Keller than most this year. I think he plays a lot like Kuznetsov, and they are similar as they both went later than they're talent indicated because of their size. I would not at all be opposed to picking up Keller. 

 

However, if Benning believes that Tkachuk/Dubois are good enough to be 1st line players, there's no chance we trade down. The chances of trading down are slim anyways, as the fans and media would rip on Benning for trading our highest pick in the last 15 years. 

 

Also, if we somehow end up in the 9-12 range, we will likely be picking a defensman. Our need on the backend is too great. While we don't have many elite forwards either, defensman take longer to develop, and the forwards can be added later. 

 

I think the our only hope for another 1st round pick is and Edler+Hansen package. A deal could likely be made with a team looking for some help for the Playoffs (Buffalo, Montreal, Ottawa, etc.) 

 

I would love to have Keller, but I don't think the situation will allow it.

[Indecisive]

Personally, I'm one of those people that believe that talent drops after the top 3, and then it's fairly even from 5-12ish. If you think i'm undervaluing a trade up 4 spots, you could be right, but considering what we got for Lack, and the quality difference in 4 spots, I could see the value being not as high. That's my reasoning. That's also why I made this post, because I don't believe Dubois has the highest upside out of that area.

 

Dubois is a safe pick, a 2nd/1st liner, but because we aren't in the top 3, and we have Horvat as a likely #2 Centre, I would either want a winger, or a player with a higher upside like Keller. For those who want a Dman, I would be OK with that too, but I just think Keller is more explosive, and could be a number one skill Centre. If we do stay at 5, I would draft Nylander. Best hands in the draft, and while hands aren't everything, our best players have been skilled players. The only reason I choose Keller over him is because we get another 2nd round pick and probably more.

 

Also, if you're questioning size, the NHL is trending towards smaller, faster, and more skilled players. Also, Keller still has room to grow at only 17.

[goblix]

3 hours ago, Monty said:

CDC: "Isn't it great that we'll be drafting in the top 3?"

 

Draft Lottery Occurs and Canucks drop to 5th

 

CDC: "Weevz LotTZ OOT ON UOR FRANCHIZZ PLAAYAAZZ! &**##**&#&#*#*#&#&#*@@!"

 

Few Days Pass

 

CDC: "Since we're drafting 5th overall, we can't possibly get a good player at that position, so let's trade down."

i'ts not that people think the 5th won't be a great player, it's that the drop off between the players picked at 5th vs 6-10 is not as drastic as from 3rd to 4-5.

 

Also there is a fair argument to trading a bit down to get additional picks. I think the best trade we could do is to Arizona and see if their 7th and their 18th pick are in play (canucks probably add a bit). They may want to put a big pitch in for local boy Tkatchuk if he is not taken at 4th overall and Benning has said he likes a few players around the 20 spot which would be a huge add if he can find another Boeser // McCann sniper pick.

[Indecisive]

9 minutes ago, Horvat is a Boss said:

I've been higher on Keller than most this year. I think he plays a lot like Kuznetsov, and they are similar as they both went later than they're talent indicated because of their size. I would not at all be opposed to picking up Keller. 

 

However, if Benning believes that Tkachuk/Dubois are good enough to be 1st line players, there's no chance we trade down. The chances of trading down are slim anyways, as the fans and media would rip on Benning for trading our highest pick in the last 15 years. 

 

Also, if we somehow end up in the 9-12 range, we will likely be picking a defensman. Our need on the backend is too great. While we don't have many elite forwards either, defensman take longer to develop, and the forwards can be added later. 

 

I think the our only hope for another 1st round pick is and Edler+Hansen package. A deal could likely be made with a team looking for some help for the Playoffs (Buffalo, Montreal, Ottawa, etc.) 

 

I would love to have Keller, but I don't think the situation will allow it.

I'm willing to reach to take Keller. Of course, there will probably be a forward in next year's draft too, but Keller is one that I really don't want to pass up. Making a package would be fine with me, but who would we trade? McCann+ would be OK with me, but I McCann't see that happening. This is the most likely scenario in my opinion, so that's why I went with it. 

 

Having a Dman would be great, but I just think the top 3 that are not named Olli will be number 1 Dmen that we need. There aren't standout Dmen like Hanifins or ekblads this year.

[Noble 6]

1 minute ago, Indecisive said:

I'm willing to reach to take Keller. Of course, there will probably be a forward in next year's draft too, but Keller is one that I really don't want to pass up. Making a package would be fine with me, but who would we trade? McCann+ would be OK with me, but I McCann't see that happening. This is the most likely scenario in my opinion, so that's why I went with it. 

 

Having a Dman would be great, but I just think the top 3 that are not named Olli will be number 1 Dmen that we need. There aren't standout Dmen like Hanifins or ekblads this year.

We have Edler+Hansen who could we hopefully deal in a package that could land us a pick in that range. Trading McCann would be risky, because I see his ceiling being pretty high. It all depends on how likely he is to reach that. 

 

Keller is one of the most talented players in the draft in my mind. His hockey IQ and vision are absolutely off the charts. He is top-3 in terms of pure talent for sure. The only question becomes whether or not he can translate that talent to the NHL against bigger, stronger competition. I think he could, but we would have to develop him for about 4-5 years, similar to Kuznetsov. 

 

I also agree grew with the defensman. I think Sergachyov and Chuchrun have a higher chance of being a #1 defensman than Juolevi. I personally think Sergachyov's chances are the highest, but his floor is also the lowest. It would be a tough call for me between Sergachyov and Keller, but I think I would lean towards the defensman. 

[LordHorvat]

What I'd love to see is we keep #5 pick and Benning somehow figures a way to land another mid 1st rounder like in the 10 to 16 range. But mainly I'd keep the pick.