I actually REALLY like what we've done at center
Hodgson
Ennis
Grigorenko
Girgensons
Larsson
All of them could be #2 centers, or better!
Prob not any "Superstars" there...
But I think that's a heck of a group

And we may be able to add Lindholm or Monahan to that group without even moving up!
That works for me really well
(ps, I also LOVE Larsson though)
- jdfitz77

Drouin could very well be better then MacKinnon, but the price for Tampa to give up the stamkos drouin connection would be similar to the package colorado wants. Im wide open for sending vanek to Nashvile+ for 4th, they really want a top line winger to play across kane. At 4 we can get Barkov.

Trust me we know a thing or two about finishing 9th or 10th.
- Pierceme69

I know, it sucks. As an Oiler fan we spent plenty of years in and around there. Even making the show in 8th place only to get swept by Dallas had no benefit, aside from ticket revenue (2 games...whoopty poop).

Drouin could very well be better then MacKinnon, but the price for Tampa to give up the stamkos drouin connection would be similar to the package colorado wants. Im wide open for sending vanek to Nashvile+ for 4th, they really want a top line winger to play across kane. At 4 we can get Barkov.
- Djtyczy

Huh? The Oilers would give up Hemsky for a hell of a lot less.

Huh? The Oilers would give up Hemsky for a hell of a lot less.
- Jeropotato

Haha key word " top line winger"

I actually REALLY like what we've done at center
Hodgson
Ennis
Grigorenko
Girgensons
Larsson
All of them could be #2 centers, or better!
Prob not any "Superstars" there...
But I think that's a heck of a group

And we may be able to add Lindholm or Monahan to that group without even moving up!
That works for me really well
(ps, I also LOVE Larsson though)
- jdfitz77

totally agree, but Ennis will be back to wing next year and Girgensons hasnt played C since hes been Sabre property.

IMO hes going to be their version of Milan Lucic on the wing

NBC sports channel not available on FIOS?????? What the (frank)ing hell is going on?

I do understand that kind of thinking too
And MacKinnon prob will be pretty awesome

But since I think we draft top3 in the next two drafts anyways,
I wanna take advantage of how deep this draft class is

Think about it...
All the best teams have stars, but it's the teams that have quality DEPTH behind them that end up winning the Cup

We have the opportunity to build GREAT depth in this draft
And I don't wanna trade tht away just bc we are desperate for a "star"

We will get some very, very good players in the next two drafts as well
- jdfitz77

You actually understand you dont have to pick 1st to win. I would love to get either 4 or 5 to pick up Barkov or Nichushkin. At 8, it may seem like a reach but i want Zadorov, i think he may be the best defenseman in this draft his has such a unique talent for his size. At 16, i'd like to take Fucale. If we can get a pick in the early teens, I would like shinkurak or ristolinian.

Drouin could very well be better then MacKinnon, but the price for Tampa to give up the stamkos drouin connection would be similar to the package colorado wants. Im wide open for sending vanek to Nashvile+ for 4th, they really want a top line winger to play across kane. At 4 we can get Barkov.
- Djtyczy

I think Barkov is the best player in the draft
But I wouldn't overpay for him either

I think the top5, plus Lindholm will all be fantastic players
And for the most part,
The rest of the top25 should be really good too

totally agree, but Ennis will be back to wing next year and Girgensons hasnt played C since hes been Sabre property.

IMO hes going to be their version of Milan Lucic on the wing
- CaptPantalones

so who does that leave for the second line center?

Mair or Ellis?

totally agree, but Ennis will be back to wing next year and Girgensons hasnt played C since hes been Sabre property.

IMO hes going to be their version of Milan Lucic on the wing
- CaptPantalones

I could be wrong but didnt Girgs play C towards the end of the year? I know him and Larrsson played together, im not sure who centered but ik he got some time before the deadline. Buffalo wanted him to adjust to the AHL before giving him the responsibility of a C.

so who does that leave for the second line center?

Mair or Ellis?
- navinrjohnson

If they get their way, itll be Hodgson with MacKinnon as their #1

If not, itll likely be Grigorenko and/or a vet FA signing

I think Barkov is the best player in the draft
But I wouldn't overpay for him either

I think the top5, plus Lindholm will all be fantastic players
And for the most part,
The rest of the top25 should be really good too
- jdfitz77

I think Barkov and Nichushkin are both home runs,id prefer Nichushin because grigs wants to play with his big russian buddy, but I wont complain in here if we get Barkov.

I could be wrong but didnt Girgs play C towards the end of the year? I know him and Larrsson played together, im not sure who centered but ik he got some time before the deadline. Buffalo wanted him to adjust to the AHL before giving him the responsibility of a C.
- Djtyczy

You might be right. I think he played a bit towards the end, but the org seems to be leaning towards him as a winger. He played wing all through last years rookie camp

im sure when camp starts in 2 weeks well get a much better idea

If they get their way, itll be Hodgson with MacKinnon as their #1

If not, itll likely be Grigorenko and/or a vet FA signing
- CaptPantalones

I think it has to come via trade if it is not the gringo

http://www.capgeek.com/fr...osition_id=C&fa_type_id=2

is derek roy the best free agent center out there?

totally agree, but Ennis will be back to wing next year and Girgensons hasnt played C since hes been Sabre property.

IMO hes going to be their version of Milan Lucic on the wing
- CaptPantalones

He's being eased into it bc he's so young
he actually did play center for a little bit when he came back from injury
"Goose" saw a few of those games and said he looked good
(maybe putting him at LW was why he got off to a slow start?)
Then he went back to LW when we got Larsson

Regardless, we have options there
And I didn't even mention Catenacci, Kea, Jacobs, Nelson or Schaller
Not saying we don't have room for a "MacKinnon"
But I do like the depth we've built at the position

You actually understand you dont have to pick 1st to win. I would love to get either 4 or 5 to pick up Barkov or Nichushkin. At 8, it may seem like a reach but i want Zadorov, i think he may be the best defenseman in this draft his has such a unique talent for his size. At 16, i'd like to take Fucale. If we can get a pick in the early teens, I would like shinkurak or ristolinian.
- Djtyczy

I really like Ristolainen
If we can get him & Lindholm I'd be ecstatic

I think it has to come via trade if it is not the gringo

http://www.capgeek.com/fr...osition_id=C&fa_type_id=2

is derek roy the best free agent center out there?
- navinrjohnson

Maybe...
Let's see who gets bought out though

I really like Ristolainen
If we can get him & Lindholm I'd be ecstatic
- jdfitz77

I think the only way we get both is if we move up from 16 to 6/7.
Convince Calgary they need a goalie: (more likely one of our good prospects than miller) Hackett, enroth, makarov, ullmark. then add a 52 or 38 along with a prosspect or two such as cattenacci larson or adam.

Personally I think we pay a lot less than people think because its not that high of a pick and its still calgary.

To get the 7th from edmonton I really think they would like vanek. they have a ton of use and could use a veteran scorer to push them over the edge.

He's being eased into it bc he's so young
he actually did play center for a little bit when he came back from injury
"Goose" saw a few of those games and said he looked good
(maybe putting him at LW was why he got off to a slow start?)
Then he went back to LW when we got Larsson

Regardless, we have options there
And I didn't even mention Catenacci, Kea, Jacobs, Nelson or Schaller
Not saying we don't have room for a "MacKinnon"
But I do like the depth we've built at the position
- jdfitz77

I dont think anyone would be against MacKinnon, but im still very much against trading up to 1.

id rather try and get to 4 or 5 by using an extra 2nd or player and keeping 16.

My dream scenario is a trade or 2 before the draft to try and go into the draft with 3-4 1sts.

But im more then ok coming away with great picks @ 8 and 16

I think the only way we get both is if we move up from 16 to 6/7.
Convince Calgary they need a goalie: (more likely one of our good prospects than miller) Hackett, enroth, makarov, ullmark. then add a 52 or 38 along with a prosspect or two such as cattenacci larson or adam.

Personally I think we pay a lot less than people think because its not that high of a pick and its still calgary.

To get the 7th from edmonton I really think they would like vanek. they have a ton of use and could use a veteran scorer to push them over the edge.
- jc-13

Calgary isnt trading down. theyve said they only want to move up

And no way do we even consider trading Larsson.

If you want to move up from 16, look to NJ @ 9, Phx @ 12 and CBJ @ 14

I think it has to come via trade if it is not the gringo

http://www.capgeek.com/fr...osition_id=C&fa_type_id=2

is derek roy the best free agent center out there?
- navinrjohnson

O please no, he is not the guy you want on a rebuilding team. He gives effort and female doges when things go wrong. I would keep ott tho, give him the C, have him teach these kids how to work hard. I really like the tempo Ott and Weber have.

Calgary isnt trading down. theyve said they only want to move up

And no way do we even consider trading Larsson.

If you want to move up from 16, look to NJ @ 9, Phx @ 12 and CBJ @ 14
- CaptPantalones

True, I guess if they don't want to trade down they won't but I would definitely trade larsson if it meant getting lindholm.
I would be happy at those other spots you mentioned though because there will still be good players. I know a lot of people like shinkaruk and personally I think domi is being underrated.

Calgary isnt trading down. theyve said they only want to move up

And no way do we even consider trading Larsson.

If you want to move up from 16, look to NJ @ 9, Phx @ 12 and CBJ @ 14
- CaptPantalones

I think the most likely trade spots are Nashville (4), Carolina (5), Edmonton (7), NJ (9) they would love to pick up 16 and get Fucale and it would probably only cost 16 and a second, phili (11), phoenix (12) if smith doesn't resign miller would love to play out west, Jets (13), Islanders (15). Many of these teams want the same guy. I believe Vanek and Miller will be moved on June 29th or 30th.

NBC sports channel not available on FIOS?????? What the (frank)ing hell is going on?
- Buffalo--Sabres

Try the old Versus channel.

Haha key word " top line winger"
- Djtyczy

Sure, Vanek>Hemmer, no doubt, but who is the Kane guy on the Preds you speak of?