I'm not Bill, but I play him on TV.

Personally, I think he could be the steal of the draft, especially if he goes after top 10. For one thing, I don't think he's that small really. He's listed at 5'11" 175 (same-ish as Giroux) and might get to 6' 190, which is bigger than the "smurfs" of the league (Briere, St. Louis etc.). The kid has great balance/agility and is strong on his skates, he seems to avoid getting muscled around.

Back before the 2007 draft, I was following Patrick Kane pretty closely as he lit up the OHL to end his Jr career. Like, many I thought the Flyers would have a chance to draft him...we all know how that turned out...anyway, Shinkaruk reminds me of Patrick Kane in terms of his skating, moves and soft hands...Shinkaruk might even be an even more lethal goal scorer than Kane, but can make plays too...he's very creative, with a hockey IQ off the charts. In looking at most of the projected 1st rounders, I'd say Shinkaruk probably has a level of talent and hockey sense comparable with the top few (ranked) forwards.
- exlund

I appreciate your input.

The Flyers have pretty much always been able to find the big bodied, get to the front of the net forwards. Shinkaruk is just the opposite and I think would be a perfect compliment. From what I have read that is not to suggest Hunter plays strictly a perimeter game.

I can see the Flyers having potential interest in Pullock. However, they have done so well identifying forwards in the first round, why deviate? Certainly top pairing d-man can be drafted outside of the first round. It isn't going to be popular, but I susupect they go forward in the first round.

I can see that..strong skating big d man...though I think Nurse is a stronger, more gifted natural athlete, has a better set of two-way tools and has more consistent snarl imo.
- exlund

Nurse's hockey sense is the big unknown... it's really hard to tell right now if it's something that will come with time, or not at all.

Coburn's defensive hockey sense has developed nicely, but he hasn't been able to do the same on the other side of the puck. With his mobility, size and skills, he could be a #1 guy... but he's often behind the play in the o-zone.

And there's been good availability of games to watch in the various playoffs and now Memorial Cup. Not my cuppa. But certainly OB18 was on top of it well before we knew how bad the Flyers would be this year.
- bodiva88

Memorial Cup - London vs Portland (Winner plays Halifax Sunday for the title)

http://www.sportsnet.ca/memorial-cup/

I appreciate your input.

The Flyers have pretty much always been able to find the big bodied, get to the front of the net forwards. Shinkaruk is just the opposite and I think would be a perfect compliment. From what I have read that is not to suggest Hunter plays strictly a perimeter game.

I can see the Flyers having potential interest in Pullock. However, they have done so well identifying forwards in the first round, why deviate? Certainly top pairing d-man can be drafted outside of the first round. It isn't going to be popular, but I susupect they go forward in the first round.
- ravishingone

More on Shinkaruk
http://www.hockeybuzz.com...read.php?thread_id=106885

I am kind of leaning toward a D man, Nurse, Pulock, Zadorov, Maybe Morrissey...not a big fan of Ristolainen...but I have to say, I would be kind of excited if they drafted Shinkaruk. I really like Lindholm too...if they take one of them and somehow snag like a Sam Morin or Shea Theodore later on, that'd likely be a solid early draft for them.

Not a surprise Patterson not Stolarz in net for London & Leier is not expected to play again this tourney (he is from Saskatoon)

More on Shinkaruk
http://www.hockeybuzz.com...read.php?thread_id=106885

I am kind of leaning toward a D man, Nurse, Pulock, Zadorov, Maybe Morrissey...not a big fan of Ristolainen...but I have to say, I would be kind of excited if they drafted Shinkaruk. I really like Lindholm too...if they take one of them and somehow snag like a Sam Morin or Shea Theodore later on, that'd likely be a solid early draft for them.
- exlund

I am certainly a novice when it comes to evaluating prospects. However, I look at trends on what the team has done in the recent past. I would be shocked if they drafted a prospect who is currently playing in Europe in the first round. Since '95, they have drafted only two -Zubrus and Pitkanen. Also, during that time they have drafted Pitkanen, Woywitka, and Sbisa in the first round for d-man. Ironically, they have traded their first rounders just about as often for d-men. Off the top of my head Kimmo, Pronger, and Eminger (ouch).

They certainly seem more comfortable drafting forwards.

I am certainly a novice when it comes to evaluating prospects. However, I look at trends on what the team has done in the recent past. I would be shocked if they drafted a prospect who is currently playing in Europe in the first round. Since '95, they have drafted only two -Zubrus and Pitkanen. Also, during that time they have drafted Pitkanen, Woywitka, and Sbisa in the first round for d-man. Ironically, they have traded their first rounders just about as often for d-men. Off the top of my head Kimmo, Pronger, and Eminger (ouch).

They certainly seem more comfortable drafting forwards.
- ravishingone

Zubrus was playing in Canada when the Flyers picked him.

I could see them bucking a trend, but I also think that of all the defensemen that could slide out of the top 10-15, Ristolainen could be the one.

i'm kinda liking your idea of trading the higher 1st and the 2nd to get 2 picks in the middle. estimated from a few sources that there are a good 35 solid prospects in this draft...your way might be the best way.
- isaiah520

If I'm there at 11 and a guy like Monahan or Lindholm drops to 11 (say because of a run on defensemen or whatever) I would probably take them, rather than trade down, and then perhaps try to move up from the 2nd round later on, if a guy I wanted was on the board at a particular spot.

But if they traded 11 & 41 and ended up landing Haag or Morrissey and a kid like Jason Dickinson or Fucale, that's a good solid move and adds more depth

If I'm there at 11 and a guy like Monahan or Lindholm drops to 11 (say because of a run on defensemen or whatever) I would probably take them, rather than trade down, and then perhaps try to move up from the 2nd round later on, if a guy I wanted was on the board at a particular spot.

But if they traded 11 & 41 and ended up landing Haag or Morrissey and a kid like Jason Dickinson or Fucale, that's a good solid move and adds more depth
- Jsaquella

Jason Dickinson is a solid player, his numbers won't show it but the kid is fun to watch & the numbers will come.

Jason Dickinson is a solid player, his numbers won't show it but the kid is fun to watch & the numbers will come.
- ob18

Yeah, I was doing some reading and watching video on him. If they can add a pick in the mid to late 20's, he's well worth a roll of the dice.

Zubrus was playing in Canada when the Flyers picked him.

I could see them bucking a trend, but I also think that of all the defensemen that could slide out of the top 10-15, Ristolainen could be the one.
- Jsaquella

Certainly anything is possible. It is just amazing to see how much this organization didn't keep their second round picks. They've had 5 2nd round picks since '06. However, three of those picks were in '06. Before that, they used their second round pick in '98. Wow.

Yeah, I was doing some reading and watching video on him. If they can add a pick in the mid to late 20's, he's well worth a roll of the dice.
- Jsaquella

Some feel he's got top 10 talent & that he could fall even out of the 1st round.

Certainly anything is possible. It is just amazing to see how much this organization didn't keep their second round picks. They've had 5 2nd round picks since '06. However, three of those picks were in '06. Before that, they used their second round pick in '98. Wow.
- ravishingone

That's what happens when you trade for defensemen, rather than develop them.

Not that it's a bad thing. You trade a pick for an established defenseman, you know what you're getting. You also avoid picking Kevin Marshall over PK Subban.

Of course, you might trade a pick that becomes Subban for Pavel Kubina

Some feel he's got top 10 talent & that he could fall even out of the 1st round.
- ob18

The lack of numbers is a concern, but the talent is evident in watching the videos on the internet. He does seem like the kind of guy the Flyers would take if they were picking in their normal, 22-27 slot.

The lack of numbers is a concern, but the talent is evident in watching the videos on the internet. He does seem like the kind of guy the Flyers would take if they were picking in their normal, 22-27 slot.
- Jsaquella

I might still want Oliver Bjorkstrand if they wanted another forward but wouldn't have much issue with Dickison either

That's what happens when you trade for defensemen, rather than develop them.

Not that it's a bad thing. You trade a pick for an established defenseman, you know what you're getting. You also avoid picking Kevin Marshall over PK Subban.

Of course, you might trade a pick that becomes Subban for Pavel Kubina
- Jsaquella

To me, it just shows an organizational philsophy that remains unchanged for 20 years. It can be debated if it is the right approach. I just find it interesting. I still feel this offseason they will upgrade the blueline thru a trade and draft the next top 6 forward in the first round. Again, just the philosophy over the last 20 years.

I might still want Oliver Bjorkstrand if they wanted another forward but wouldn't have much issue with Dickison either
- ob18

Yeah, I read up on Bjorkstrand, as well. I'd be cool if he ended up a Flyer.

To me, it just shows an organizational philsophy that remains unchanged for 20 years. It can be debated if it is the right approach. I just find it interesting. I still feel this offseason they will upgrade the blueline thru a trade and draft the next top 6 forward in the first round. Again, just the philosophy over the last 20 years.
- ravishingone

20 years? Try 46.

The last time the Flyers best defenseman(for more than a season or two) was a home grown, drafted kid was Jimmy Watson. The only other guy they've ever drafted that was the team's top defenseman, for even one year, was Joni Pitkanen.

They have had a lot of success with that approach, despite not reaching the mountaintop.

Yeah, I read up on Bjorkstrand, as well. I'd be cool if he ended up a Flyer.
- Jsaquella

But in the 2nd I also wouldn't mind Madison Bowey, Tristan Jarry, or Chris Bigras either.

Your ineptitude is comical, Pierre.

What a douche

But in the 2nd I also wouldn't mind Madison Bowey, Tristan Jarry, or Chris Bigras either.
- ob18

I like what I have seen & read on Bowey and Bigras. Not familiar with Jarry.

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

+500000 sir!

I like what I have seen & read on Bowey and Bigras. Not familiar with Jarry.
- Jsaquella

Goalie for the Edmonton OilKings (most likely to take over starter next season)

http://ca.sports.yahoo.co...-oil-kings-165732291.html

http://thehockeywriters.c...3-draft-prospect-profile/

http://www.hockeysfuture..../prospects/tristan-jarry/

http://www.whl.ca/roster/show/id/6690

Goalie for the Edmonton OilKings (most likely to take over starter next season)

http://ca.sports.yahoo.co...-oil-kings-165732291.html

http://thehockeywriters.c...3-draft-prospect-profile/

http://www.hockeysfuture..../prospects/tristan-jarry/

http://www.whl.ca/roster/show/id/6690
- ob18

Impressive numbers. Good size. Interesting pick. I'd be onboard with that.

20 years? Try 46.

The last time the Flyers best defenseman(for more than a season or two) was a home grown, drafted kid was Jimmy Watson. The only other guy they've ever drafted that was the team's top defenseman, for even one year, was Joni Pitkanen.

They have had a lot of success with that approach, despite not reaching the mountaintop.
- Jsaquella

Welp, buckle up for the ride in the pursuit of one of the following: Pieterangelo, Bogo, or Edler. Not sure which one.