I personally think we overvalue Coots on this board a little. What do you think his ceiling is? How many pts or goals in a normal season? Is he Keith Primeau in the future? Messier? In between?

I like the kid but I dont see greatness...I see pretty goodness.
- Daman

6-4 selke trophy candidate centers who can put up 20+ goals and 50 pts a year are just as rare as franchise defensemen. They are actually harder to get too as you get luck out and get a franchise defenseman after round 1 but you can't get a player of Couturier's skil outside the top 10 picks in any draft.

Jones is considered as close to a can't-miss as a teenage defenseman can be. But so was Erik Johnson. So were Roman Hamrlik and Jay Bouwmeester. All bonafide NHL defensemen but none who turned out to be the franchise players they were hyped to be. Ditto Joni Pitkanen. Chris Pronger was said to be can't miss, and really, really struggled his first few years in the NHL before blossoming into a superstar.

On the flip side, Zarley Zalapski was supposed to be the next Paul Coffey. Aki Berg and Shawn Anderson were called can't miss future All-Stars when they were taken near the top of their respective drafts.

The risk of taking a defenseman with a top five pick -- and especially first overall -- is higher than it is with a forward. If you are convinced Jones will be a franchise defenseman, you take the risks that come with bypassing the forwards to take him first overall.
- bmeltzer

Homer will select a center...book it

I personally think we overvalue Coots on this board a little. What do you think his ceiling is? How many pts or goals in a normal season? Is he Keith Primeau in the future? Messier? In between?

I like the kid but I dont see greatness...I see pretty goodness.
- Daman

I see a near-future Selke Trophy candidate who also scores 25 goals a season.

Jones is considered as close to a can't-miss as a teenage defenseman can be. But so was Erik Johnson. So were Roman Hamrlik and Jay Bouwmeester. All bonafide NHL defensemen but none who turned out to be the franchise players they were hyped to be. Ditto Joni Pitkanen. Chris Pronger was said to be can't miss, and really, really struggled his first few years in the NHL before blossoming into a superstar.

On the flip side, Zarley Zalapski was supposed to be the next Paul Coffey. Aki Berg and Shawn Anderson were called can't miss future All-Stars when they were taken near the top of their respective drafts.

The risk of taking a defenseman with a top five pick -- and especially first overall -- is higher than it is with a forward. If you are convinced Jones will be a franchise defenseman, you take the risks that come with bypassing the forwards to take him first overall.
- bmeltzer

And the flip side is where players like Nik Lidstrom and Shea Weber were drafted. The draft is such a crapshoot.

I would trade Coots and a second pick...not the rumored first
- vejim

I think the sun has fried your brain
Sub ban has talent and flair, but I don't think he will ever develop into "that guy". Some call it immaturity but I think he lacks leadership qualities. Giving up Coots plus a pick is gross overpayment to acquire a guy you would then have the honor overpaying financially because of his overinflated sense of selfworth

6-4 selke trophy candidate centers who can put up 20+ goals and 50 pts a year are just as rare as franchise defensemen. They are actually harder to get too as you get luck out and get a franchise defenseman after round 1 but you can't get a player of Couturier's skil outside the top 10 picks in any draft.
- psuhockey

I think his upside point wise is ever higher then that. May be the upper end of his potential. But I think there's a possibility that he puts up higher point totals. And I think a 2 way Center of his potential, is a very important player in building a team.

I think the sun has fried your brain
Sub ban has talent and flair, but I don't think he will ever develop into "that guy". Some call it immaturity but I think he lacks leadership qualities. Giving up Coots plus a pick is overpayment to acquire a guy you would then have the honor overpaying financially because of his overinflated sense of selfworth
- KINGKENZO

not for Subban...I am not that sun damaged...I would not trade Coots for Subban

So is Laughton staying? Thoughts on McGinn.

not for Subban...I am not that sun damaged...I would not trade Coots for Subban
- vejim

Sorry, I misunderstood then.....who were you talking about? The first overall pick?

So is Laughton staying? Thoughts on McGinn.
- LJF

I think he's staying. And I like McGinn a lot. Like him better then Sestito.

Sorry, I misunderstood then.....who were you talking about? The first overall pick?
- KINGKENZO

I would trade Coots for a quality D man, dont like Subban

I would trade Coots for a quality D man, dont like Subban
- vejim

It would have to be a well established fairly young defenseman for me to trade Couturier. It would be great to get Subban, but I wouldn't trade Couturier for him.

Jones is considered as close to a can't-miss as a teenage defenseman can be. But so was Erik Johnson. So were Roman Hamrlik and Jay Bouwmeester. All bonafide NHL defensemen but none who turned out to be the franchise players they were hyped to be. Ditto Joni Pitkanen. Chris Pronger was said to be can't miss, and really, really struggled his first few years in the NHL before blossoming into a superstar.

On the flip side, Zarley Zalapski was supposed to be the next Paul Coffey. Aki Berg and Shawn Anderson were called can't miss future All-Stars when they were taken near the top of their respective drafts.

The risk of taking a defenseman with a top five pick -- and especially first overall -- is higher than it is with a forward. If you are convinced Jones will be a franchise defenseman, you take the risks that come with bypassing the forwards to take him first overall.
- bmeltzer

I wonder how many of these guys would have had better careers if teams had shown the same patience with them as STL did w/ pietrangelo.

It would have to be a well established fairly young defenseman for me to trade Couturier. It would be great to get Subban, but I wouldn't trade Couturier for him.
- MJL

I would trade a second round pick and Laughton for Subban

I think he's staying. And I like McGinn a lot. Like him better then Sestito.
- MJL

I like McGinn also. I think they have no choice but to keep Laughton here. I've been impressed with his game.

I would trade a second round pick and Laughton for Subban
- vejim

That would not be acceptable to Montreal. Subban is worth more then that.

Watching the replay of NHL Tonight. You know the weekend starts when Kathryn wears something low cut

Will Leighton be starting one of these upcoming games?
- pharcyde

Does he have a choice ?

I see a big night from Giroux, Knuble and L Schenn

Will Leighton be starting one of these upcoming games?
- pharcyde

oh God, not tonight

Watching the replay of NHL Tonight. You know the weekend starts when Kathryn wears something low cut
- KINGKENZO

start tappin'

Jones is considered as close to a can't-miss as a teenage defenseman can be. But so was Erik Johnson. So were Roman Hamrlik and Jay Bouwmeester. All bonafide NHL defensemen but none who turned out to be the franchise players they were hyped to be. Ditto Joni Pitkanen. Chris Pronger was said to be can't miss, and really, really struggled his first few years in the NHL before blossoming into a superstar.

On the flip side, Zarley Zalapski was supposed to be the next Paul Coffey. Aki Berg and Shawn Anderson were called can't miss future All-Stars when they were taken near the top of their respective drafts.

The risk of taking a defenseman with a top five pick -- and especially first overall -- is higher than it is with a forward. If you are convinced Jones will be a franchise defenseman, you take the risks that come with bypassing the forwards to take him first overall.
- bmeltzer

I understand your points. But there is also Ryan Johannsen, Victor Hedman, JVR and Kyle Turris, Brayden Schenn, Bpbby Ryan, Nic Zerdev, and other forwards that were supposed to be franchise-level talent that haven't reached their potential either.

Giroux
Couturier
Schenn
Laughton

Regardless of if Laughton gets sent back, and what happens with Briere, this is nice to see. Our 4 young centres for the forseeable future, I'm hoping to see this at the start of next season.

I understand your points. But there is also Ryan Johannsen, Victor Hedman, JVR and Kyle Turris, Brayden Schenn, Bpbby Ryan, Nic Zerdev, and other forwards that were supposed to be franchise-level talent that haven't reached their potential either.
- TheGreat28

Brayden Schenn has played 78 NHL games, so I think we need to give him some time.

I understand your points. But there is also Ryan Johannsen, Victor Hedman, JVR and Kyle Turris, Brayden Schenn, Bpbby Ryan, Nic Zerdev, and other forwards that were supposed to be franchise-level talent that haven't reached their potential either.
- TheGreat28

Hedman is a decent top 4 d-man, I'd make a deal for him if the price is right. I'm not sure anyone labelled him franchise-level, and he certainly is not a forward.