no chance you pass on drouin. mackinnon has bust written all over him. - therealagent
I live in Halifax and have watched him play more than a dozen times live this year and you really don't know what you're talking about. Even if his skill level doesn't pan out to the potential people expect, he'll still become a solid NHLer based solely on his amazing work ethic and explosive skating. He's the best player in the draft this year without question in my mind. Jones is 11 months older and you should never draft a defenseman at #1 if there are any forwards even comparable with skill level. Drouin is a beast too but he needs another year in junior to get a million points and develop his game without the puck and get stronger before he makes the jump to the NHL.
This kid kinda came outta no where for me, I hadn't even heard of him until it was announced that he is going to eligible for the draft. Great for Tampa if they can get the big skilled LW'er.
Not sure who started this "rumour". If your getting it from Richard Cloutier...then its absolute bullpoop.
Nichushkin has been rated #2 on ISS rankings for quite some time now. As far back as January. With his KHL contract a lot of NHL scouts said they had him rated that high, but would likely pass due to his KHL deal.
I've only seen Nichushkin play a couple times on TV. I've had discussions about him with other guys like Adam French who has seen him quite a bit. Sorry Frenchy but I'm going to paraphrase and put some words in your mouth. French thinks he's WAY over rated. Thinks the Ovi/Malkin comparison is absolutely ridiculous. He's big, but doesn't use his size and plays "soft". Thinks he takes way to many shifts/night off.
Drouin/Mackinnon may be smaller, but no way I'd pass on them to take Nich. Watch the memorial cup final today. Tell me what you think of Jones, Mac and Drouin after that. Should be an all out war.
Not sure who started this "rumour". If your getting it from Richard Cloutier...then its absolute bullpoop.
Nichushkin has been rated #2 on ISS rankings for quite some time now. As far back as January. With his KHL contract a lot of NHL scouts said they had him rated that high, but would likely pass due to his KHL deal.
I've only seen Nichushkin play a couple times on TV. I've had discussions about him with other guys like Adam French who has seen him quite a bit. Sorry Frenchy but I'm going to paraphrase and put some words in your mouth. French thinks he's WAY over rated. Thinks the Ovi/Malkin comparison is absolutely ridiculous. He's big, but doesn't use his size and plays "soft". Thinks he takes way to many shifts/night off.
Drouin/Mackinnon may be smaller, but no way I'd pass on them to take Nich. Watch the memorial cup final today. Tell me what you think of Jones, Mac and Drouin after that. Should be an all out war. - Iggysbff
The player himself confirmed the Lightning's interest. If you know my writing, you know I'm not in the business of posting rumors.
If Tampa takes Nichushkin, Nashville's in a very good position. I think they'd rather have Drouin than Nichushkin because Nichushkin is more of a one man show whereas Drouin can play within a system and make people around him better, much like Barkov. But, more so than Barkov, he puts the puck in the back of the net. A lot of Barkov's goals I have seen come from being in the right place in the right time. These are just videos so correct me if I'm wrong.
If Tampa takes Nichushkin, Nashville's in a very good position. I think they'd rather have Drouin than Nichushkin because Nichushkin is more of a one man show whereas Drouin can play within a system and make people around him better, much like Barkov. But, more so than Barkov, he puts the puck in the back of the net. - Bryant44
I saw the shootout videos beforehand but it doesn't ever seem like he uses those moves during game time. I don't know why that is but hopefully those hands will be used more in Nashville.
I saw the shootout videos beforehand but it doesn't ever seem like he uses those moves during game time. I don't know why that is but hopefully those hands will be used more in Nashville. - Bryant44
i think its just because hes a kid playing with Men..
How do you not take Nate if hes there...him and Stammer - PinkSock
I don't know if Nate makes it past two, but of course we won't know until the day of the draft. I like a lot of what MacKinnon brings, but the reality is that the team has got Stamkos, Lecavalier, Johnson, Namestnikov, and more lined up down the pipeline at center. If the team was going to add a center, I'd rather it be a guy with size like Barkov.
Great write-up Michael, however I don't see us taking a pass on Drouin. He has "point whore" written all over him and slotted next to Stamkos and St. Louis makes my heart go pitter-patter. I Do think that if it is between Mackinnon and Nichushkin then they'll take him because I don't believe we will go after another center. Mackinnon is far from a bust, but We have good Centers in the system already. Stamkos and Lecavalier (obviously), Thompson, Johnson, Namestnikov and Richard. - Artyukhin76
Like I said in another post, if we're going to take a center I would rather it be a guy with size. We have a lot of great centers in the pipeline, like you say, but a blue-chip guy with size like Barkov would never hurt. Honestly, everyone on Al Murray's top five gives Lightning fans something to be excited about.
"We’re sitting here, and I’m supposed to be the draft expert, and we’re talking about mock drafts. I mean listen, we’re sitting here talking about the mock draft, not the actual draft, not the actual draft, not the actual draft, but we’re talking about mock drafts. Not the actual draft that I go out there and die for and predict every pick like it’s my last but we’re talking about mock drafts man. How silly is that? … Now I know that I’m supposed to lead by example and all that but I’m not shoving that aside like it don’t mean anything. I know it’s important, I honestly do but we’re talking about mock drafts. We’re talking about mock drafts man. We’re talking about mock drafts. We’re talking about mock drafts. We’re not talking about the actual draft. We’re talking about mock drafts"
"We’re sitting here, and I’m supposed to be the draft expert, and we’re talking about mock drafts. I mean listen, we’re sitting here talking about the mock draft, not the actual draft, not the actual draft, not the actual draft, but we’re talking about mock drafts. Not the actual draft that I go out there and die for and predict every pick like it’s my last but we’re talking about mock drafts man. How silly is that? … Now I know that I’m supposed to lead by example and all that but I’m not shoving that aside like it don’t mean anything. I know it’s important, I honestly do but we’re talking about mock drafts. We’re talking about mock drafts man. We’re talking about mock drafts. We’re talking about mock drafts. We’re not talking about the actual draft. We’re talking about mock drafts"
I've seen some highlight's and Nichushkin is good, but the more I look at Nikita Zadorov the more i like him for our blueline.
2012-13 Regular Season London Knights gm63 g6 a19 p25 +33 54pm
2013 Playoffs London Knights gm20 g2 a4 p6 +5 36pm
solid, dependable, stay-at-home, hits hards and will fight at the drop of your wife's knickers . I'll put my money on this pony boys
I've seen some highlight's and Nichushkin is good, but the more I look at Nikita Zadorov the more i like him for our blueline.
2012-13 Regular Season London Knights gm63 g6 a19 p25 +33 54pm
2013 Playoffs London Knights gm20 g2 a4 p6 +5 36pm
solid, dependable, stay-at-home, hits hards and will fight at the drop of your wife's knickers . I'll put my money on this pony boys - Artyukhin76
Only way they draft him is if we trade down, or trade to acquire another pick in the first round. He's not in Murray's top five, so I doubt he gets taken at three.
Only way they draft him is if we trade down, or trade to acquire another pick in the first round. He's not in Murray's top five, so I doubt he gets taken at three. - Michael_Stuart
Read my blog - there's a link to his piece at the bottom. The five, in alphabetical order as to not tip his hat, are Barkov, Drouin, Jones, MacKinnon, and Nichushkin.
Read my blog - there's a link to his piece at the bottom. The five, in alphabetical order as to not tip his hat, are Barkov, Drouin, Jones, MacKinnon, and Nichushkin. - Michael_Stuart
. I'll put my money on this pony boys 
