but he doesn't. I just want this to be clear. that's all.
- hugefemale dog77

well I just don't think we know that for sure

I wouldn't neccasarily pencil any 18 year old kid outside of mackinnon straight onto any nhl teams squad.

but I also don't share the same issues with him returning to Russia to play in a pro league instead of the ahl. not totally ideal, but it wouldn't influence my pick.
and neither did it with klefbom when the oil picked him with the knowledge he was going back to Sweden for 2 years pretty much for sure

also, link to the "expects to be playing on top line of whatever team picks him"?
I have read that he 100% believes he can make the nhl. which is an effload different...
- hugefemale dog77

Oops, poor memory on my part.
Here's the interview:
http://en.rsport.ru/inter...w/20130523/663802581.html
He just said that "it would be better if I’m picked by the team that wanted to see me on their first line." And I think he means next year, not at some point in his career.

I can understand taking a forward instead of a dman. That is a preference for them and they have good forwards to pick from. Comparing Jones to any of them is comparing apples and oranges. They want to bolster their forwards just like Edmonton does. However they are deep at center and not just that, they pay their centers too much to unload them. Not easily anyways. I think they are mentioning this because their target is Drouin. They are looking to trade with Tampa.

Colorado wanting to add another young winger makes perfect sense and Drouin could turn out to be better than Jones and Mackinnon. First draft eligible player to with CHL player of the year since Crosby if TSN's article is correct. His points make the rest of the people look silly and he dominated at the world juniors. IMO he was second best behind nuge.
- Hall Fan

idk. Drouin had a 22% SH% compared to Mackinnon's 12%, and I don't see Drouin's game translating.

In EDM's case they're need is a better defensive C, and better higher level D men. That's why Lindholm, Monahan, Ristolainen, and nurse should be EDM's targets.

In COL's case, their forward core is stacked and has great depth. Their defence is abysmal. Jones could be a franchise D man. They won't find that in free agency.

yea unfortunately we can't find all the terms of the contract. I'm just going to assume if there's an out clause at all, he could use it for the AHL too.

Central scouting has him at like 2. He'd definitely be valuable. Although a 2nd line of Nich-Gags-Yak next year'd be a defensive slaughter. Could they play 5th line opposition?
- TheNugeIsHuge

I don't know Nich enough to comment. I do however like Yakupov's back checking. It seemed really good for a rookie that wasn't use to the role. I think he will be a great two way player this year. As for Sam, he is one of our PK guys. So I think his defense is sound. Regardless I think this is a moot point. I for one wouldn't put the Russians together. It is cool that they are both Russian but that would be the only reason.

I would have Nich out there with RNH and Eberle. Having two smaller guys that can pass with him would make sense. Maybe he can keep RNH from getting injured. I loved Hall and Yak together last year towards the end. They seemed to really be developing some chemistry. I don't know if Hall and Ganger will switch positions as some suggest but I think this gives Edmonton two stronger lines than putting the youngest two out with Sam.

I can understand taking a forward instead of a dman. That is a preference for them and they have good forwards to pick from. Comparing Jones to any of them is comparing apples and oranges. They want to bolster their forwards just like Edmonton does. However they are deep at center and not just that, they pay their centers too much to unload them. Not easily anyways. I think they are mentioning this because their target is Drouin. They are looking to trade with Tampa.

Colorado wanting to add another young winger makes perfect sense and Drouin could turn out to be better than Jones and Mackinnon. First draft eligible player to with CHL player of the year since Crosby if TSN's article is correct. His points make the rest of the people look silly and he dominated at the world juniors. IMO he was second best behind nuge.
- Hall Fan

predicting talent aint easy.
ive seen very little of jones, so I mostly go by the scouting reports when it comes to him.
but I saw a lot of Johnson and I gotta say, I was convinced he was gonna be an absolute star and deserved #1 over toews

he was the best dman by a country mile in the wjc and killed at every level including college.
such a fantastic skater and is such a moose. I cant really explain his struggles. maybe he's got no head for the game?

however I do think some of it has been exaggerated as he's still a pretty damn good two way defencemen. just nowhere near a superstar.
I still think there's time though

it's funny. I was reading a description of jones's skillset today and it sounded IDENTICAL to E johnsons description in his draft year.
big, mobile, elite skater, physical etc etc
- hugefemale dog77

The one thing that does seem different is when someone said that he can take control of a game and determine the flow single-handedly or something along those lines. That's a very pronger-esque skill, which is promising if it's true.

Seguin's a Dud. I take Hall over him 100 times out of 100, but Seguin'll be a Decent 3rd line winger
- TheNugeIsHuge

Fixed that one up for ya Nuge!

well I just don't think we know that for sure
- TheNugeIsHuge

k

predicting talent aint easy.
ive seen very little of jones, so I mostly go by the scouting reports when it comes to him.
but I saw a lot of Johnson and I gotta say, I was convinced he was gonna be an absolute star and deserved 1 over toews

he was the best dman by a country mile in the wjc and killed at every level including college.
such a fantastic skater and is such a moose. I cant really explain his struggles. maybe he's got no head for the game?

however I do think some of it has been exaggerated as he's still a pretty damn good two way defencemen. just nowhere near a superstar.
I still think there's time though
- hugefemale dog77

Idk Johnson could just be a bit of a late-bloomer? I mean, he's still only 25. Kimmo Timonen didn't hit his stride until later, either.

I don't know Nich enough to comment. I do however like Yakupov's back checking. It seemed really good for a rookie that wasn't use to the role. I think he will be a great two way player this year. As for Sam, he is one of our PK guys. So I think his defense is sound. Regardless I think this is a moot point. I for one wouldn't put the Russians together. It is cool that they are both Russian but that would be the only reason.

I would have Nich out there with RNH and Eberle. Having two smaller guys that can pass with him would make sense. Maybe he can keep RNH from getting injured. I loved Hall and Yak together last year towards the end. They seemed to really be developing some chemistry. I don't know if Hall and Ganger will switch positions as some suggest but I think this gives Edmonton two stronger lines than putting the youngest two out with Sam.
- Hall Fan

agreed.

I don't know Nich enough to comment. I do however like Yakupov's back checking. It seemed really good for a rookie that wasn't use to the role. I think he will be a great two way player this year. As for Sam, he is one of our PK guys. So I think his defense is sound. Regardless I think this is a moot point. I for one wouldn't put the Russians together. It is cool that they are both Russian but that would be the only reason.

I would have Nich out there with RNH and Eberle. Having two smaller guys that can pass with him would make sense. Maybe he can keep RNH from getting injured. I loved Hall and Yak together last year towards the end. They seemed to really be developing some chemistry. I don't know if Hall and Ganger will switch positions as some suggest but I think this gives Edmonton two stronger lines than putting the youngest two out with Sam.
- Hall Fan

yak's defensive play definitely improved over the year. Don't think he'll be the two way guy Nuge is becoming ever or handle the tough minutes Hall can for a few years.

Nich-RNH-Eberle
Yak-Hall-Gags
does seem interesting. I just don't know enough about nich to say he's ready or not

Idk Johnson could just be a bit of a late-bloomer? I mean, he's still only 25. Kimmo Timonen didn't hit his stride until later, either.
- JAKEw1234

oh for sure.

u cant teach size and elite skating like he has. you can however sometimes teach the nuances of the game and learn your trade over time. especially at that position.
certainly possible he still becomes an elite defender with the skills he posseses

Fixed that one up for ya Nuge!
- Byfuglien Ate Me

he had 67P last year. He was just victim to a terrible playoff SH%, and below average regular season SH%. I bet he puts up 70+ next year.

If Seguin had shot at Bickell's SH% in the playoffs, he'd have had 13 goals

idk. Drouin had a 22% SH% compared to Mackinnon's 12%, and I don't see Drouin's game translating.

In EDM's case they're need is a better defensive C, and better higher level D men. That's why Lindholm, Monahan, Ristolainen, and nurse should be EDM's targets.

In COL's case, their forward core is stacked and has great depth. Their defence is abysmal. Jones could be a franchise D man. They won't find that in free agency.
- TheNugeIsHuge

Oh, I agree, if I was COL I would take Jones but I don't think they are lying when they say they aren't. The thing is that picking a center doesn't make sense either, nor does announcing their desire for a forward. The only two solid winger are Drouin and Nich. It makes sense if they announced this to trade down and take who they think is the better player and get an asset for it.

As for Edmontons need, I am not sure. I would love Lindholm but I don't think he will be there. I think the forward at our spot will be Nich or Monahan. With the d prospects we have, Edm should take either. Our D is kind of locked up for a few years. Justin, Petry and Smid are likely in for a while. Klefbom and Marcinin look good to make the team and play also for a long time. If Nurse is picked it would be to replace another young guy.

It would just seem weird to me to have that many d prospects and no goalie or forwards (other than maybe the five foot nine Rajala).

I would like a center but Nich is a good fit. He is huge and he really does seem ready to play.

Idk Johnson could just be a bit of a late-bloomer? I mean, he's still only 25. Kimmo Timonen didn't hit his stride until later, either.
- JAKEw1234

he's not a bad D man. He's still young and D me typically hit their prime at 27ish. he'll just have to take huge strides to be anything more than a #3 D man. Injury didn't help this year

yak's defensive play definitely improved over the year. Don't think he'll be the two way guy Nuge is becoming ever or handle the tough minutes Hall can for a few years.

Nich-RNH-Eberle
Yak-Hall-Gags
does seem interesting. I just don't know enough about nich to say he's ready or not
- TheNugeIsHuge

Yeah, I am kind of just going with youtube and TSN articles. Button's latest video on TSN said he was ready. I will have to take his word. He sure did look good at the World Juniors. He is a power forward. I do think Lind is going to put up bigger numbers in the hits column that any of the other top 6 forwards though. He is smaller but if you watch his clips he is a physical guy.

Oh, I agree, if I was COL I would take Jones but I don't think they are lying when they say they aren't. The thing is that picking a center doesn't make sense either, nor does announcing their desire for a forward. The only two solid winger are Drouin and Nich. It makes sense if they announced this to trade down and take who they think is the better player and get an asset for it.

As for Edmontons need, I am not sure. I would love Lindholm but I don't think he will be there. I think the forward at our spot will be Nich or Monahan. With the d prospects we have, Edm should take either. Our D is kind of locked up for a few years. Justin, Petry and Smid are likely in for a while. Klefbom and Marcinin look good to make the team and play also for a long time. If Nurse is picked it would be to replace another young guy.

It would just seem weird to me to have that many d prospects and no goalie or forwards (other than maybe the five foot nine Rajala).

I would like a center but Nich is a good fit. He is huge and he really does seem ready to play.
- Hall Fan

forward prospects aren't too important right now since their top 6 is basically set for the next decade. A D man like ristolainen or nurse'd be insanely helpful. Clouts somehow thinks Klefbom'll be playing top pairing minutes by the end of the year, but in reality, he could flop in the AHL and return to sweden. EDM could have that #1 guy in J Schultz in a couple years, but it doesn't hurt to have more candidates.

he's not a bad D man. He's still young and D me typically hit their prime at 27ish. he'll just have to take huge strides to be anything more than a #3 D man. Injury didn't help this year
- TheNugeIsHuge

Idk people aren't cookie cutters. Hartnell didn't catch his stride till later. That number could be 28 or 29 for some guys.

Yeah, I am kind of just going with youtube and TSN articles. Button's latest video on TSN said he was ready. I will have to take his word. He sure did look good at the World Juniors. He is a power forward. I do think Lind is going to put up bigger numbers in the hits column that any of the other top 6 forwards though. He is smaller but if you watch his clips he is a physical guy.
- Hall Fan

he's also 58% in the dot and from what I've seen and read, a real 200 feet player.

It's not like he's small at 6'0.5 190ish. He's still young and has time to grow. He also put up a better PPG than Backstrom did in his draft year. So I'm guessing he'll light the lamp a good amount in the NHL

forward prospects aren't too important right now since their top 6 is basically set for the next decade. A D man like ristolainen or nurse'd be insanely helpful. Clouts somehow thinks Klefbom'll be playing top pairing minutes by the end of the year, but in reality, he could flop in the AHL and return to sweden. EDM could have that #1 guy in J Schultz in a couple years, but it doesn't hurt to have more candidates.
- TheNugeIsHuge

Try more than set. I'm worried how you'll afford all of your talent when rookie contracts start to run out.

forward prospects aren't too important right now since their top 6 is basically set for the next decade. A D man like ristolainen or nurse'd be insanely helpful. Clouts somehow thinks Klefbom'll be playing top pairing minutes by the end of the year, but in reality, he could flop in the AHL and return to sweden. EDM could have that #1 guy in J Schultz in a couple years, but it doesn't hurt to have more candidates.
- TheNugeIsHuge

the same could be said of nurse or risto, they could turn out to be flops.

but I think just going by pure numbers of quality defensive prospects to offensive ones, his point is valid.

without extrapolating too much on gernat or musil or khaira etc....

we have 2 defensive guys (marincin, klefbom) out of a possible 6 roster spots that without using the homer glasses too much, could potentially make our squad in the near future.
while right now at least, I think we could really only say lander is even close out of a possible 12 forward roster spots.

either way, im sure it'll be BPA. but if scouting felt like it was a toss up or relatively close, I then look to positional need. top 6 winger with size on the left side

the same could be said of nurse or risto, they could turn out to be flops.

but I think just going by pure numbers of quality defensive prospects to offensive ones, his point is valid.

without extrapolating too much on gernat or musil or khaira etc....

we have 2 defensive guys out of a possible 6 roster spots that without using the homer glasses too much, could potentially make our squad in the near future.
while right now at least I think we could really only say lander is even close out of a possible 12 forward roster spots.
- hugefemale dog77

I just safely see Marincin and Klefbom as 3-4 guys. Klefbom having the potential to be a #2 also. Gernat and Musil having lesser shots at the NHL and as more of 5-6 guys. Need that 1/2 to play with J Schultz. That could be Nurse or Ristolainen.

Try more than set. I'm worried how you'll afford all of your talent when rookie contracts start to run out.
- JAKEw1234

I'm not too worried. If worst comes to worst, they deal one for a stud D man/D prospect

I just safely see Marincin and Klefbom as 3-4 guys. Klefbom having the potential to be a #2 also. Gernat and Musil having lesser shots at the NHL and as more of 5-6 guys. Need that 1/2 to play with J Schultz. That could be Nurse or Ristolainen.
- TheNugeIsHuge

I see. so you think nurse has a higher ceiling than klefbom?

fair enough. but I don't agree

I'm not too worried. If worst comes to worst, they deal one for a stud D man/D prospect
- TheNugeIsHuge

Ya and what happens when he has to get paid? From a 3rd party standpoint, I can say that if I were the Oilers I would trade one of Nuge or Eberle for a stud dman (See Letang, Kris). I'd then trade one stud forward to add some really good depth. If you guys can get really good depth, keep 2 studs at forward, 2 studs on defense (Assuming J Shultz reaches stud status) and get a good goalie (See Bryzgalov, Ilya), then you guys are cup contenders in maybe 2 or 3 years.