Right, just like Yakupov was a talent Edmonton couldn't pass up. Same with RNH. We will be bizarro Edmonton. Bottom line
- sbroads24

They are two amazing players correct....who have bad goaltenders....a complete lack of depth besides their 1st overall picks...and terrible defensemen

They cant worry about scoring goals when their D men and goaltenders cant even protect their backs in their own zone.

We need top end scoring but if we cant add Reinhart in a scenario you really think someone like Dal Colle will instantly step into that #1 center spot we are all crying for? Its a lofty bet anyone outside of Ekblad and Reinhart will make an immediate impact. If we want to build you take Ekblad who instantly can slot into a top two pairing and move someone else for an established player if we really are so desperate for scoring.

And dont act like ekblad cant assist our scoring woes as well. He has a insane slapper and is your prototypical PP quarterback. That can do allot for a team.

That goal is a lofty one. We won't be the only team "trying"
- sbroads24

No team has ever thrown a season in order to get better draft picks...

THE H3LL YOU SAY!!!!!



(Pitt, Boston, and Chicago)

All im saying it would be an honor to have this beard on our team

All im saying it would be an honor to have this beard on our team


- SiloCity

The kid is what 17? and he can grow a beard like that damn

Sup dorks

The kid is what 17? and he can grow a beard like that damn
- Cheeseballin

age rumors about to start ....

http://thehockeywriters.c...rries-exceptional-talent/

This was written a little while back but jesus the kid broke 200 lbs at age 15

"In order to be granted “exceptional player” status, Ekblad had to go through a very long application process, and a six-week review by a Hockey Canada panel. The panel reviewed everything from his academics, psychological maturity and of course, his on-ice ability. Ekblad even had to write an essay. After going through all that, Aaron’s application was approved unanimously, and a virtually permanent target was placed upon his back.

When you first see Aaron Ekblad, one of the first things you’ll likely noticed is his size. He’s six-foot-three, 205 pounds…at fifteen years old. Second, if you’ve ever watched an interview with him, you’ll notice that he doesn’t sound like your typical teenager one bit. Ekblad’s very intelligent and thoughtful, and if you think all the buzz around him might be getting to his head, you couldn’t be more wrong. He’s very humble considering his status. ”People say I have strength in reading the play, in both my offensive and defensive abilities,” he’s said. “But I know none of these have been perfected.” If you didn’t know beforehand, you would never guess that Ekblad was the youngest player currently in the OHL. As the Toronto Star’s Daniel Girard wrote, “You almost want to demand to see his birth certificate”.

exceptional player status Legendary defenseman Bobby Orr, who’s an “advisor” to the Ekblad family, says, “He’s going to have his ups and downs. It’s a big step for the kid. He’s going to need support and I’m sure he’s going to get it. He has a great opportunity to do very well in this game but he’s got a long way to go.” One of the players Ekblad is compared to the most just happens to be Orr, mostly because Aaron’s very talented offensively."

Sup dorks
- mhp

- gerbe75pts

http://thehockeywriters.com/aaron-ekblad-barries-exceptional-talent/

This was written a little while back but jesus the kid broke 200 lbs at age 15

"In order to be granted “exceptional player” status, Ekblad had to go through a very long application process, and a six-week review by a Hockey Canada panel. The panel reviewed everything from his academics, psychological maturity and of course, his on-ice ability. Ekblad even had to write an essay. After going through all that, Aaron’s application was approved unanimously, and a virtually permanent target was placed upon his back.

When you first see Aaron Ekblad, one of the first things you’ll likely noticed is his size. He’s six-foot-three, 205 pounds…at fifteen years old. Second, if you’ve ever watched an interview with him, you’ll notice that he doesn’t sound like your typical teenager one bit. Ekblad’s very intelligent and thoughtful, and if you think all the buzz around him might be getting to his head, you couldn’t be more wrong. He’s very humble considering his status. ”People say I have strength in reading the play, in both my offensive and defensive abilities,” he’s said. “But I know none of these have been perfected.” If you didn’t know beforehand, you would never guess that Ekblad was the youngest player currently in the OHL. As the Toronto Star’s Daniel Girard wrote, “You almost want to demand to see his birth certificate”.

exceptional player status Legendary defenseman Bobby Orr, who’s an “advisor” to the Ekblad family, says, “He’s going to have his ups and downs. It’s a big step for the kid. He’s going to need support and I’m sure he’s going to get it. He has a great opportunity to do very well in this game but he’s got a long way to go.” One of the players Ekblad is compared to the most just happens to be Orr, mostly because Aaron’s very talented offensively."
- SiloCity

Ennis+ Grigorenko+ Isles pick+ 2nd rounder to Florida . Lets get those top two picks

Right, just like Yakupov was a talent Edmonton couldn't pass up. Same with RNH. We will be bizarro Edmonton. Bottom line
- sbroads24

Also...Edmonton had had so many draft duds that they had a black hole of talent across the entire board. They are so far away from being competitive its not even funny.

They have a few exceptional players but overall their organization sucks a big one.

Buffalo has a decent group of talent in the forwards. Nothing to compare vs Edmonton but the depth is there so you wont kill your team going forward if you took someone like Ekblad.

Ennis+ Grigorenko+ Isles pick+ 2nd rounder to Florida . Lets get those top two picks
- Cheeseballin

If we were saying goodbye to dealing with a extension with Ennis Id love to give his money to Mouson

Moulson-Hodgson-Stafford
Leino-Reinhart-Girgensons
Foligno-Larsson-Armia
Flynn-???-D'Ags

Risto-Myers
Ehrhoff-Ekblad
Zadorov-McNabb

Enroth



....could move Pysyk,Miller,and Ott

you ever think Edmonton would even pick up the phone for Foligno+Myers or extras for Eberle or Hall

Also...Edmonton had had so many draft duds that they had a black hole of talent across the entire board. They are so far away from being competitive its not even funny.

They have a few exceptional players but overall their organization sucks a big one.

Buffalo has a decent group of talent in the forwards. Nothing to compare vs Edmonton but the depth is there so you wont kill your team going forward if you took someone like Ekblad.
- SiloCity

Outside of our blueline, we are dismal. If Moulson leaves we will need 5 top 6 forwards pending Armia's development. It won't matter who is on defense

Also...Edmonton had had so many draft duds that they had a black hole of talent across the entire board. They are so far away from being competitive its not even funny.

They have a few exceptional players but overall their organization sucks a big one.

Buffalo has a decent group of talent in the forwards. Nothing to compare vs Edmonton but the depth is there so you wont kill your team going forward if you took someone like Ekblad.
- SiloCity

Say we get the Isles pick this year and we pick 2nd and 6th. If Ekblad is the best choice than I'd be ok with it. IMO we can't go another year without taking a high end forward prospect

- gerbe75pts

As i was scrolling down the page ... came to this at the same time BBT started on fox..

Outside of our blueline, we are dismal. If Moulson leaves we will need 5 top 6 forwards pending Armia's development. It won't matter who is on defense
- sbroads24

Well it always will matter.....

You then have the ability to move a more talented D man for one of those forwards.

We have another year worth of draft picks loaded up as well. Could trade Ott+ Miller if we wanted a prospect or roster player or another 1st to take someone or again address a established forward need...

I will take back allot of what Ive said today. I wouldnt be angry if we picked someone like Nylander or Dal Colle and passed on Ekblad if they believe hes the best option.

I just dont think adding them though helps much going forward....you can make big moves and build around Reinhart and Ekblad...not the rest of them.

If Moulson leaves we still are SOL in forwards even if we draft Reinhart.

Sam wont make us better in the standings next season by much if we stay the course

Well it always will matter.....

You then have the ability to move a more talented D man for one of those forwards.

We have another year worth of draft picks loaded up as well. Could trade Ott+ Miller if we wanted a prospect or roster player or another 1st to take someone or again address a established forward need...

I will take back allot of what Ive said today. I wouldnt be angry if we picked someone like Nylander or Dal Colle and passed on Ekblad if they believe hes the best option.

I just dont think adding them though helps much going forward....you can make big moves and build around Reinhart and Ekblad...not the rest of them.

If Moulson leaves we still are SOL in forwards even if we draft Reinhart.

Sam wont make us better in the standings next season by much if we stay the course
- SiloCity

Think about how depleted teams like Carolina,Islanders,Panthers +Sens are on the blue line. They might be open to moving a roster player or almost NHL ready talent for one of our better blueliners.

I want a forward before a D man this year but I also want one of the guys who was granted exceptional status in the draft if it comes down to it

Hard to gauge Ekblad as hes a man child but he has some gifted hands. Kid looks like hes molded from Brent Burns... He knows how to put the puck in the net and lay the boom. He already has a pro slap shot and wrister

Hard to gauge Ekblad as hes a man child but he has some gifted hands. Kid looks like hes molded from Brent Burns... He knows how to put the puck in the net and lay the boom. He already has a pro slap shot and wrister
- SiloCity

Interesting reads (reeds) on Ekblad. I didn't know too much about the guy other than the on here from posters. Seems like the real deal. This season we are destined to take 1st or 2nd. If the forward is gone and Ekblad is there . we take him. We are rebuilding and could use another top D man. We haven't had one of them in years. Address the forward with the prospects we have and get out franchise player next draft.

Interesting reads (reeds) on Ekblad. I didn't know too much about the guy other than the on here from posters. Seems like the real deal. This season we are destined to take 1st or 2nd. If the forward is gone and Ekblad is there . we take him. We are rebuilding and could use another top D man. We haven't had one of them in years. Address the forward with the prospects we have and get out franchise player next draft.
- cabin

Regardless if we had Reinhart Ekblad or Wayne Gretzky on this roster going forward we will be damn near terrible next season....Im going on the accepted assumption Miller and a few other roster players will leave.

2015-2016 season will be the start of something really nice I hope

Think about how depleted teams like Carolina,Islanders,Panthers +Sens are on the blue line. They might be open to moving a roster player or almost NHL ready talent for one of our better blueliners.

I want a forward before a D man this year but I also want one of the guys who was granted exceptional status in the draft if it comes down to it
- SiloCity

Right but we already have 5x what those teams have onbthe blue line. We have less than anyone in the league talent wise at forward

Hard to gauge Ekblad as hes a man child but he has some gifted hands. Kid looks like hes molded from Brent Burns... He knows how to put the puck in the net and lay the boom. He already has a pro slap shot and wrister
- SiloCity

That's all fine and dandy, but is he able to actually defend?

Regardless if we had Reinhart Ekblad or Wayne Gretzky on this roster going forward we will be damn near terrible next season....Im going on the accepted assumption Miller and a few other roster players will leave.

2015-2016 season will be the start of something really nice I hope
- SiloCity

Would be nice to have a couple consistent scoring leaders listed all the time .

That's all fine and dandy, but is he able to actually defend?
- HonkFortheGoose

From what I read (red) he anticipates the play and dissolves it with ease. I haven't seen him play. just going by what was posted.

From what I read (red) he anticipates the play and dissolves it with ease. I haven't seen him play. just going by what was posted.
- cabin

I just get nervous when they talk a lot about a defenseman's offensive skills. Usually means they leave a lot to be desired defensively.