Trade down to #4 and draft Barkov and get an additional pick. Problem solved.
- golfingsince

This is the route I feel we need to take.

This is the route I feel we need to take.
- Panthers88

I like that as well.

I like that as well.
- Nucker101

Well... I don't know why you as a Flyers fan like it but... it's the best route we could possibly take.

This is the route I feel we need to take.
- Panthers88

He could end up being the best player in the draft.

He could end up being the best player in the draft.
- golfingsince

I've been saying this for 10 weeks. When will this organization look at the roster and go "oh yeah, lol, we don't have a damn #1 center!". It's time for this to become a reality. Who cares what Tampa is going to do. Means nothing. Re-signing Weiss would be great... if we are looking at him as a #2 center.

Barkov has to be the pick. We have WAY TOO MANY defensive prospects, and this is in a league where you almost can't have too many prospects at any position. Trade down a spot or two, grab another pick/prospect, draft Barkov, and finally tell the NHL that the damn Florida Panthers are coming to kick a$$!

I should note that yes, we do have Nick Bjugstad. And yes, he will be an amazing NHL center.. in a season or two. Can you FATHOM Barkov, Bjugstad, Trocheck, Shore/Grimaldi taking draws for this team in two years?

I've been saying this for 10 weeks. When will this organization look at the roster and go "oh yeah, lol, we don't have a damn #1 center!". It's time for this to become a reality. Who cares what Tampa is going to do. Means nothing. Re-signing Weiss would be great... if we are looking at him as a #2 center.

Barkov has to be the pick. We have WAY TOO MANY defensive prospects, and this is in a league where you almost can't have too many prospects at any position. Trade down a spot or two, grab another pick/prospect, draft Barkov, and finally tell the NHL that the damn Florida Panthers are coming to kick a$$!
- Panthers88

I bet Tallon could get a nice return for that pick from the 4 spot, and even if it doesn't work out you get that extra pick and one of the other top 4. He could drop even further down and there are still some really good players out there.

To be clear though, if i'm Florida I'd rather take Barkov or Mackinnon. I'm wondering if the Avs are just posturing with mentioning their selection....

I bet Tallon could get a nice return for that pick from the 4 spot, and even if it doesn't work out you get that extra pick and one of the other top 4. He could drop even further down and there are still some really good players out there.

To be clear though, if i'm Florida I'd rather take Barkov or Mackinnon. I'm wondering if the Avs are just posturing with mentioning their selection....
- golfingsince

Unless Colorado has plans to bolster their defense any other way, I don't see how you can't take Jones. I think the Avs organization is making a huge mistake... I mean how many members of the '01 Stanley Cup team does it take to screw in a lightbulb? The answer is: 5.... so far (Tangs, Hejduk, Sakic, Roy, Foote...)

Unless Colorado has plans to bolster their defense any other way, I don't see how you can't take Jones. I think the Avs organization is making a huge mistake... I mean how many members of the '01 Stanley Cup team does it take to screw in a lightbulb? The answer is: 5.... so far (Tangs, Hejduk, Sakic, Roy, Foote...)
- Panthers88

The only way I see them drafting Mackinnon is if they have plans to move Duchene or O'Reilly ( after the 1 year) for a solid return. Then it makes sense. I don't think Stasny will bring back that much considering his contract and free agency status. How many top centres does a team need?

The only way I see them drafting Mackinnon is if they have plans to move Duchene or O'Reilly ( after the 1 year) for a solid return. Then it makes sense. I don't think Stasny will bring back that much considering his contract and free agency status. How many top centres does a team need?
- golfingsince

Exactly. And, in my opinion, if the Avs take Jones at #1... they will be considered an untrustworthy organization for a very long time.

The only way I see them drafting Mackinnon is if they have plans to move Duchene or O'Reilly ( after the 1 year) for a solid return. Then it makes sense. I don't think Stasny will bring back that much considering his contract and free agency status. How many top centres does a team need?
- golfingsince

I think Sakic was serious about taking Mackinnon, it didn't sound like posturing to me at all.

Duchene is untouchable, however both O'reilly or Stastny could be moved. We also have the Cap space to sign a solid FA and Elliot, Barrie and Siemens are all close to playing in the league. At the moment it is more about waiting for the contracts of Zanon, Hunwick and now Sarich to expire. Wilson is up in the air at this point.

Exactly. And, in my opinion, if the Avs take Jones at #1... they will be considered an untrustworthy organization for a very long time.
- Panthers88

There is always the possibility of them trading down and getting him there. Both Avs and Tallon have confirmed talking to each other quite a bit.

There is always the possibility of them trading down and getting him there. Both Avs and Tallon have confirmed talking to each other quite a bit.
- Meeqsb

Nope.. I don't want Tallon to trade up. I want you guys to make your pick and stick with it.

Panthers will get a great player either way... jones or MCk

the Avs are taking Jones first, so dont worry.....I am not buying their little circus. They are just trying to trade rape you guys to move up one spot.

Nope.. I don't want Tallon to trade up. I want you guys to make your pick and stick with it.
- Panthers88

I am just saying they have been having a lot of talks. I would be SOOO happy with MacKinnon.

Mackinnon, Duchene, Landeskog for the next 10-15 years would be insane. That is one hell of a core if you ask me.

the Avs are taking Jones first, so dont worry.....I am not buying their little circus. They are just trying to trade rape you guys to move up one spot.
- Mentalorgasm5

I am just saying they have been having a lot of talks. I would be SOOO happy with MacKinnon.

Mackinnon, Duchene, Landeskog for the next 10-15 years would be insane. That is one hell of a core if you ask me.
- Meeqsb

I agree 100%, but I think the Avs have been completely unprofessional. Just me.

I agree 100%, but I think the Avs have been completely unprofessional. Just me.
- Panthers88

Why? I think its great they are stirring up some enthusiasm for the Avs after the awful year last year and creating some excitement around the team. I wish teams did this more often. GMs manipulate the media all the time, they just usually aren't this blunt lol.

I can understand teams being secretive with their pick so other teams might take them first but with the #1 overall its not like anyone else can do anything about it if the Avs want Mack. If anything them being open is doing the league a favor by letting the other GMs know whats going down and letting them decide what they want to do about it.

Interesting conundrum, I hope it works out for you. I think I would take Jones, just because the Panthers already have a good crop of defensive prospects but no one with Jones' potential, and he would be that #1 that Cup winning teams always seem to have.

Why? I think its great they are stirring up some enthusiasm for the Avs after the awful year last year and creating some excitement around the team. I wish teams did this more often. GMs manipulate the media all the time, they just usually aren't this blunt lol.

I can understand teams being secretive with their pick so other teams might take them first but with the #1 overall its not like anyone else can do anything about it if the Avs want Mack. If anything them being open is doing the league a favor by letting the other GMs know whats going down and letting them decide what they want to do about it.
- Meeqsb

That's all well and great, but in what professional league has a team publicly announced their pick weeks before the draft? That's the kind of stuff you keep secret. If you want to create excitement, give an interview like Tallon. Don't go on blast and tell the world who you're picking.

That's all well and great, but in what professional league has a team publicly announced their pick weeks before the draft? That's the kind of stuff you keep secret. If you want to create excitement, give an interview like Tallon. Don't go on blast and tell the world who you're picking.
- Panthers88

This happens pretty regularly in the NFL.

That's all well and great, but in what professional league has a team publicly announced their pick weeks before the draft? That's the kind of stuff you keep secret. If you want to create excitement, give an interview like Tallon. Don't go on blast and tell the world who you're picking.
- Panthers88

They haven't actually publicly announced who they will pick yet.

Well I wouldn't, but to each his own.

JT will find his way into the hall of fame with or without a cup. People who have been watching Sharks playoff games since 2011 would agree Thornton has been the Sharks best playoff performer. The issue really has been Marleau and the bottom 6 never showing up. I would honestly guess the Sharks bottom 6 forwards have been outscored by the opponents bottom 6 in every playoff series we've played since the lockout.
- sjsharks92

Marleau is your boy... and they year you guys got eliminated by Detroit or when you guys beat them.. it was Marleau carrying the team on his back. If I could have either on my team I'd take Marleau... funny they go 1-2 in the 1997 draft and end up playing together!

Marleau and Couture are siiiiiik... SJ will be fine for years still!

Tallon had Toews and Kane in Chicago and can have Huberdeau/Drouin in Florida. If history repeats itself Florida will be a Cup contender soon considering Tallon is the sole reason the Hawks won the first Cup with those two, and 50-70% the reason for the second. Stan did some good work but Tallon's core was still intact.
- PuckingOpinion

I like Dale Tallon, but he made a lot of terrible picks.

Duncan Keith, Dustin Byfuglien, Brent Seabrook were already in the system before he became GM.

Look at these DUD 1st rounders:
2004-Cam Barker -3rd overall
2005-Jake Skille -7th overall

He got Toews-3rd overall in 2007 and Kane-1st overall in 2008, but really...how brilliant were those picks?

His last 3 first rounders were Kyle Beach, Dylan Olsen and Kevin Hayes. All 3 are still considered prospects (especially Hayes), but but the luster is wearing off Olsen and Beach.

There were already some good players in place before Dale got there and he landed two blue chips then he made some great trades (Sharp, Versteeg) and then got a lot of cash to work with to haphazardly sign free agents.

Personally, I think the drafting since Tallon left has been better and 2011 is shaping up to be an absolutely dazzling draft for the Hawks...Brandon Saad and Andrew Shaw have already played key roles for the 2012 Cup winning team and there are at least 3 players with very high upside within 1-2 years from being in Chicago (Danault, Clendening, McNeil) if not sooner.

Though I'll admit Dale was much better working trades. Hell, he dumped the Rusty Tomato Can off on Bowman and the Hawks for Brian Campbell and while Soupy makes more money than many countries, he can play his ass off, something that can't be said for Rusty.