If we chose Ekblad.. I will puke...

the only offensive player in our pipeline right now that has a realistic ceiling of the 2nd line or better is Armia...

yet in our D pipeline we have McCabe, Pysyk, McNabb, Risto, Zadorov, and Ruhwedel who could be #4-5 guys or better in future years. Not to mention young Tyler Myers in Buffalo now.
- JVince11

Scenario, Buffalo loses the lottery and drafts 2nd, you take Ekblad no questions asked.

On top of that, they have already paid him the bulk of his contract, so despite his $4M cap hit, which will not be punitive with the cap going up and quickly, they will actually be paying him that $4M and less as the years go by.

Why get rid of him when they already paid the brunt of his contract early and then have to pay the ugly recapture penalty later should he retire early?

Doesn't seem to make sense.
- kingcong39

Yep

I like Myers but Ekblad has a much higher ceiling than Tyler. Id rather have both. But Ekblad will be a better D man in the end.
- SiloCity

Oldie but a goodie...

Scenario, Buffalo loses the lottery and drafts 2nd, you take Ekblad no questions asked.
- dadeadhead

100% agree. Use the Islanders pick to go offense after that.

On top of that, they have already paid him the bulk of his contract, so despite his $4M cap hit, which will not be punitive with the cap going up and quickly, they will actually be paying him that $4M and less as the years go by.

Why get rid of him when they already paid the brunt of his contract early and then have to pay the ugly recapture penalty later should he retire early?

Doesn't seem to make sense.
- kingcong39

Bingo.

Scenario, Buffalo loses the lottery and drafts 2nd, you take Ekblad no questions asked.
- dadeadhead

And address scoring how? Keep Hodgson as a number 1 center for even longer? No thank you

100% agree. Use the Islanders pick to go offense after that.
- kingcong39

Even if they defer it you pick Ekblad hes too good to pass up for the next best forward. He will have a greater impact on a roster than someone else not named Reinhart

Moving Pysyk+ will net you someone equally or more talented than another forward

100% agree. Use the Islanders pick to go offense after that.
- kingcong39

Or work out a trade after you take him to move either him, Myers, risto, or Zadorov to improve the top 6 afterwards.

And address scoring how? Keep Hodgson as a number 1 center for even longer? No thank you
- sbroads24

Why does it matter if we enter 2015 with another slew of picks?

Are we doing a 1 year rebuild? No. You add the best prospect on the board Ekblad is the man after Sam

Or work out a trade after you take him to move either him, Myers, risto, or Zadorov to improve the top 6 afterwards.
- dadeadhead

So set back the rebuild another year.......

And address scoring how? Keep Hodgson as a number 1 center for even longer? No thank you
- sbroads24

You take the best player available. Worry about the needs afterwards. Trades can be made after you make the pick.

You take the best player available. Worry about the needs afterwards. Trades can be made after you make the pick.
- dadeadhead

Trades that don't get you fair value. Ristolainen doesn't get you what his potential is, neither does Myers or Zadarov. You can't trade for a number 1 center.

http://blogs.windsorstar....ed-to-team-canada-roster/

The 17-year-old Ekblad is the youngest defenceman in camp, but is in his third OHL season after being granted exceptional status.

“He was given special status to pay junior at (age) 15,” Sutter said.

“When you’re given that, you’re a very special player, unique and with gifts others don’t have. That being said, he’s certainly developed into an outstanding defenceman.”

Like Rychel, the six-foot-four, 217-pound Ekblad has shown well for Hockey Canada in the past winning a bronze medal at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Windsor in 2012 and captaining Canada’s under-18 summer team to a title at this year’s Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament.

“I’ve watched this tournament for as long as I can remember,” said Ekblad, who could be the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NHL Draft. “I’m a young guy and didn’t expect to be in this position, but the opportunity’s great and I’m going to run with it.”

So set back the rebuild another year.......
- sbroads24

How do you set it back?

Answer is you don't.

You don't pass up Ekblad at number 2 to draft on need. You do that you set the rebuild back.

The prize is McDavid.

On top of that, they have already paid him the bulk of his contract, so despite his $4M cap hit, which will not be punitive with the cap going up and quickly, they will actually be paying him that $4M and less as the years go by.

Why get rid of him when they already paid the brunt of his contract early and then have to pay the ugly recapture penalty later should he retire early?

Doesn't seem to make sense.
- kingcong39

Ya... I'll give you that line of reasoning... his cap hit is 4M but his salary goes down to 3M to 2M to 1M in the soon years.

Trades that don't get you fair value. Ristolainen doesn't get you what his potential is, neither does Myers or Zadarov. You can't trade for a number 1 center.
- sbroads24

So short sighted.

The goal is McDavid.

How do you set it back?

Answer is you don't.

You don't pass up Ekblad at number 2 to draft on need. You do that you set the rebuild back.

The prize is McDavid.
- dadeadhead

Yes you do. You become the Bizarro Edmonton. I have seen you post numberous times how they should have drafted Murray. This is the same situation

So set back the rebuild another year.......
- sbroads24

Your highly undervaluing the talent Ekblad possesses and its pretty funny

Hes the only D man invited to play for Canada in the national junior championships who hasnt been drafted yet

Only other player who fits that bill are Reinhart and McDavid

Kid is special and you dont pass over it

So short sighted.

The goal is McDavid.
- dadeadhead

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

Yes you do. You become the Bizarro Edmonton. I have seen you post numberous times how they should have drafted Murray. This is the same situation
- sbroads24

Yep if we picked Ekblad we would become another Edmonton

Yes you do. You become the Bizarro Edmonton. I have seen you post numberous times how they should have drafted Murray. This is the same situation
- sbroads24

Edmonton didn't take the best player available IMO.

Murray IMO was the best player available. I said it then and I'm saying it now.[/img]

Your highly undervaluing the talent Ekblad possesses and its pretty funny

Hes the only D man invited to play for Canada in the national junior championships who hasnt been drafted yet

Only other player who fits that bill are Reinhart and McDavid

Kid is special and you dont pass over it
- SiloCity

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

Yep if we picked Ekblad we would become another Edmonton
- SiloCity

No the exact opposite. Loaded with defensive talent that will look average because Matt Moulson or Cody Hodgson will be you're best forward

So set back the rebuild another year.......
- sbroads24

If only we were to entertain all these teams (that keep calling) and making huge offers for Weber, we might be looking at the playoffs as early as this year.

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

Right, but the draft is deep enough that there will be plenty of top end talent if they don't hit the lotto and draft first overall. Ask Junior.