According to the consensus rankings, Lindholm and Shinkaruk.

But the truth is it's wide open after 4-5... which should make this draft almost impossible to predict, despite how hard some will try.
- Tomahawk

It's really hard to predict. We could see several teams go BPA. We could also just as easily see a run on forwards or defensemen, which could see a guy drop to 11th that shouldn't have.

fixed it
- Marc D

I thought about putting that, but I thought about taking ajab at every that thinks BPA is such a wonderful idea... why even have a draft, just deal the players out by rankings.

Bill any chance they try and move up to a better draft position, using maybe a player/prospect and the 11th, They are going to have to make tough decisions in the next year or two, esp with some contracts set to expire next off season (G, Coots, Read, Meszaros, even Mason depending on his play) and with the reality of not being able to keep everyone could they explore shipping off someone this offseason to save the pain next offseason and try to get some commodities now in this draft.

Bill any chance they try and move up to a better draft position, using maybe a player/prospect and the 11th, They are going to have to make tough decisions in the next year or two, esp with some contracts set to expire next off season (G, Coots, Read, Meszaros, even Mason depending on his play) and with the reality of not being able to keep everyone could they explore shipping off someone this offseason to save the pain next offseason and try to get some commodities now in this draft.
- Pyzik

I'd rather they use a roster player to address the defense, and possibly look at trading back, and possibly adding a second 1st round pick.

I thought about putting that, but I thought about taking ajab at every that thinks BPA is such a wonderful idea... why even have a draft, just deal the players out by rankings.
- youarewrong

Because different teams rate players differently. Also, different scouting services rate guys differently. In 2006, for instance, Giroux was ranked 27th by the ISS, and outside the top 30 by the CSB.

As far as I recall, only TSN's rankings had Giroux going where he ended up.

At least you don't pretend to know everything about every prospect like others
- FrankDrebbin

Actually, once it became pretty obvious the Flyers would have a high pick, quite a few of us decided to start paying more attention to the CHL and other draft prospects, to have a better idea of what is out there.

Brendan Ranford signs with the Texas Stars of the AHL
- bradleyc4

Interesting. I still think he can be a productive minor-league scorer. Have doubts he'll make it to the NHL.

I have this nagging belief that Homer can't wait to get his mitts on Bo Horvat.
- 77rams

I have a similar nagging belief, but I think it's about Max Domi.

Now that the contract issue has been put to bed for Nichushkin, I see the top 11 going as follows (assumes no trades, which is highly doubtful!):
1. COL Jones
2. FLA MacKinnon
3. TB Drouin
4. NAS Barkov
5. CAR Nichushkin
6. CAL Monahan
7. EDM Nurse
8. BUF Lindholm
9. NJD Horvat
10. DAL Pulock
11. PHL Ristolainen

It wouidn't surprise me, after the picks they acquired, if Calgary tries to move up to #2 to get Mackinnon. I could also see the Flyers try to make a deal with Edmonton if Nichushkin or Monahan is still on the board. Yes I know they need D, but I don't see any defenseman other than Jones who is worth taking before those 2.
If the Flyers stay at 11, I could then see them packaging the 41st pick with next year's 2nd to snag another 1st rounder.
- BiggE

If the top 10 shakes out that way, I'd be fine with the Flyers trading down a bit. If the Flyers take D-man, I personally would prefer they trade down a bit, pick up another draft pick and take Josh Morrissey or even Robert Hägg rather than staying at #11 for Ristolainen. In fact, if The Hockey News projections on Ristolainen -- which are lower than most other sources -- are accurate, the Flyers might be even be able to trade down quite a few spots and still have Ristolainen on the board. (Then again, THN's scout sources tend to rate down Europeans and elevate North Americans.... THN is still trying live down ranking Erik Karlsson out of their top 50 in the 2008 Draft Preview issue when almost everyone else but Kyle Woodlief -- who had him as a second-rounder -- had him as a first-round pick).

I have a similar nagging belief, but I think it's about Max Domi.
- johndewar

I think Flyers fans would end up being very happy with Max Domi. I love his skill level, speed and the way he can agitate opponents into bad penalties. I don't care about his lack of size because I think he's plenty good enough to succeed anyway.

It's really hard to predict. We could see several teams go BPA. We could also just as easily see a run on forwards or defensemen, which could see a guy drop to 11th that shouldn't have.
- Jsaquella

despite coots early season setbacks due to mono, i don't think anyone thought he'd drop to #8. just never know.

I think Flyers fans would end up being very happy with Max Domi. I love his skill level, speed and the way he can agitate opponents into bad penalties. I don't care about his lack of size because I think he's plenty good enough to succeed anyway.
- bmeltzer

I would imagine he put up with a good deal of players running him just based on his last name.

I would imagine he put up with a good deal of players running him just based on his last name.
- johndewar

Totally different type of player than his father, though, except for both having a low center of gravity.

I saw Nurse play quite a few times this season while watching webcasts of SSM games to see Nick Cousins play (mostly before the NHL lockout ended). You know who he reminds me of at about the same age in terms of physical attributes and team role: Braydon Coburn.

I mean that as a compliment to Nurse, although some folks may not take it that way after Coburn's down season this year.

despite coots early season setbacks due to mono, i don't think anyone thought he'd drop to #8. just never know.
- hammarby31

Coots had dropped as far as #5-6 in the rankings up to that point, and then the old adage that it only takes a team liking one player better came into play with Scheifele and Strome getting taken before. Homer's post-pick interview on TSN revealed that he had some inkling that Coots might still be on the board by #8.

This draft should be even more hard to predict than 2011 was... so many good players at around the same level after #4-5... so much depends on each teams' biases and internal rankings.

I saw Nurse play quite a few times this season while watching webcasts of SSM games to see Nick Cousins play (mostly before the NHL lockout ended). You know who he reminds me of at about the same age in terms of physical attributes and team role: Braydon Coburn.

I mean that as a compliment to Nurse, although some folks may not take it that way after Coburn's down season this year.
- bmeltzer

The fact the Coburn seems to not be able handle the responsibilities of being a top-pairing Dman is more why I don't see it as a compliment. He seems like a career 2nd pairing guy. Pulock shows promise to be a top defenseman (at least offensively). I value Pulock over Nurse.

Coots had dropped as far as #5-6 in the rankings up to that point, and then the old adage that it only takes a team liking one player better came into play with Scheifele and Strome getting taken before. Homer's post-pick interview on TSN revealed that he had some inkling that Coots might still be on the board by #8.

This draft should be even more hard to predict than 2011 was... so many good players at around the same level after #4-5... so much depends on each teams' biases and internal rankings.
- Tomahawk

and those biases could be decided by their interviews with the players (if they interview them at all). they might like the attitude, personality etc of one player over another, and possible the guy they 'like" more is the less talented player.

I saw Nurse play quite a few times this season while watching webcasts of SSM games to see Nick Cousins play (mostly before the NHL lockout ended). You know who he reminds me of at about the same age in terms of physical attributes and team role: Braydon Coburn.

I mean that as a compliment to Nurse, although some folks may not take it that way after Coburn's down season this year.
- bmeltzer

It's a shame we lost Carle last summer or we could have contained all the blame for the poor Defense to one guy.

The fact the Coburn seems to not be able handle the responsibilities of being a top-pairing Dman is more why I don't see it as a compliment. He seems like a career 2nd pairing guy. Pulock shows promise to be a top defenseman (at least offensively). I value Pulock over Nurse.
- JAKEw1234

Coburn did fine on the top pairing when (a healthier and a few years younger) Timonen was his partner.

Coburn did fine on the top pairing when (a healthier and a few years younger) Timonen was his partner.
- bmeltzer

Timonen makes all his partners look better than what they really are.

Yesterday I watched the Wings, with almost all of their top forwards (save perhaps Cleary) low round European picks and mid career European free agents, beat a record setting Hawks team. Faced with the prospect of 3 straight elim. games, CHI could not get a shot on goal in last 5 mins +. On a pp in last 4 mins, they barely managed to enter the zone let alone get set up. Before this they beat the 2nd ranked team in conf.

Its unbelievable, is all I have to say. I don't recall the last time a Flyers team overachieved based on team play and tactics and sound hockey like this. In 2009-10 they should have never finished that low in conf. standings in the first place and so that is misleading.

Edit: and Abdelkader.

Coburn did fine on the top pairing when (a healthier and a few years younger) Timonen was his partner.
- bmeltzer

I still remember Coburn and Kimmo shutting down Ovechkin in the 2008 playoffs.
They were a great top pairing. And Lupul's goal. Good times.

Kimmo is under rated by most people I think.

Yesterday I watched the Wings, with almost all of their top forwards (save perhaps Cleary) low round European picks and mid career European free agents, beat a record setting Hawks team. Faced with the prospect of 3 straight elim. games, CHI could not get a shot on goal in last 5 mins +. On a pp in last 4 mins, they barely managed to enter the zone let alone get set up. Before this they beat the 2nd ranked team in conf.

Its unbelievable, is all I have to say. I don't recall the last time a Flyers team overachieved based on team play and tactics and sound hockey like this. In 2009-10 they should have never finished that low in conf. standings in the first place and so that is misleading.

Edit: and Abdelkader.
- PT21

It's not the only reason, but Babcock is a hell of a coach.

Bill,
If Monahan is available and so are all the defenseman not named Jones, do you/Flyers take Monahan over Pulock/Nurse/Ristolainen?
- Marc D

If this "should" happen run to the podium & draft Monahan.

If this "should" happen run to the podium & draft Monahan.
- ob18

why the rando quotes sir?