I see this more like the St Louis Blues situation, they went from first overall in 2006 (which we won't be doing) to a 40+ win season and the playoffs three years later. #greatdrafting which started in 2013.
- LeftCoaster

The Rundblad trade that got them the pick for Tarasenko turned out amazing for them.

Rundblad was pretty highly touted at the time--put up big points in the SEL at a young age.

Good on them for identifying that his style might not suit the NA game as well.

Schwartz pick was awesome, as well.

Yup.

Would you prefer him over Cassels, if he was still available at 85?

Personally, that would be a difficult choice for me.

Cassels was considered a reach by some, but has performed better than we could have hoped.

The question is how much have his points inflated playing with Laughton and Dal Colle for stretches.

Either way, Cassels is a good pick, and has his grinding/defensive game to fall back on if his offense doesn't transfer as well to pro.
- Fosco

Tough call, he was a bit of a long shot at best. I like his size and skill level though. I'd be happy with either to be honest. Cassels looks to be a good pick!

The Rundblad trade that got them the pick for Tarasenko turned out amazing for them.

Rundblad was pretty highly touted at the time--put up big points in the SEL at a young age.

Good on them for identifying that his style might not suit the NA game as well.

Schwartz pick was awesome, as well.
- Fosco

Are you suggesting that Jensen should have been flipped after his SEL season?

The Rundblad trade that got them the pick for Tarasenko turned out amazing for them.

Rundblad was pretty highly touted at the time--put up big points in the SEL at a young age.

Good on them for identifying that his style might not suit the NA game as well.

Schwartz pick was awesome, as well.
- Fosco

Between 2005 and 2010 (inclusive) they made some great picks and some good trades to get where they're at.

2005 - Oshie 24th overall
2006 - Johnson 1st overall & Berglund 25th overall
2007 - Eller (Halak) 13th overall, Cole 18th overall & Perron 26th overall
2008 - Pietrangelo 4th overall
2009 - Rundblad (Tarasenko) 17th overall
2010 - Schwartz 14th overall & Tarasenko 16th overall

Are you suggesting that Jensen should have been flipped after his SEL season?
- Nucker101

Nope.

Jensen always played more of a NA-style power game on offense than a finesse game. Doesn't shy away from contact, either.

Dad's Canadian, and he played JR in Oshawa.

I'm guessing he was less physical at the beginning of the year because of his injury and his weight loss.

Only thing "euro" about his game is he tends to "float" away from the puck.

Between 2005 and 2010 (inclusive) they made some great picks and some good trades to get where they're at.

2005 - Oshie 24th overall
2006 - Johnson 1st overall & Berglund 25th overall
2007 - Eller (Halak) 13th overall, Cole 18th overall & Perron 26th overall
2008 - Pietrangelo 4th overall
2009 - Rundblad (Tarasenko) 17th overall
2010 - Schwartz 14th overall & Tarasenko 16th overall
- LeftCoaster

Yup.

Good picks.

Get a lot of practice when you have so many 1sts, and high picks

Except Oshie. (frank)ing hate that guy, and he's playing over his head.

He'll come back down to earth...

...or at least I'm hoping he will...

Was thinking more like Y.Weber for Bennet and a 1st...
- Fosco

That is not going to work. It has to be Crosby and 1st to start the negotiations.

AFTER we beat the Leafs
- LeftCoaster

Nope.

Jensen always played more of a NA-style power game on offense than a finesse game. Doesn't shy away from contact, either.

Dad's Canadian, and he played JR in Oshawa.

I'm guessing he was less physical at the beginning of the year because of his injury and his weight loss.

Only thing "euro" about his game is he tends to "float" away from the puck.
- Fosco

Was this intentional? If so, his decision or the Canucks? I think the team asking guys like Bernier and Kassian to drop weight made them less effective and took away from their strengths when they were here. If you want speed then draft guys who already have it and don't have to adjust to a difference in playing weight after they've been drafted.

Between 2005 and 2010 (inclusive) they made some great picks and some good trades to get where they're at.

2005 - Oshie 24th overall
2006 - Johnson 1st overall & Berglund 25th overall
2007 - Eller (Halak) 13th overall, Cole 18th overall & Perron 26th overall
2008 - Pietrangelo 4th overall
2009 - Rundblad (Tarasenko) 17th overall
2010 - Schwartz 14th overall & Tarasenko 16th overall
- LeftCoaster

Amazing scouting for sure.

Soon to be the new Oilers, yes!
- Nucker101

That is not going to work. It has to be Crosby and 1st to start the negotiations.
- Linden_4_Capt

Yeah, we're going to get Crosby for Y. Weber

Let's be realistic here--Bennet and a 1st is close, maybe throw in Berglund...

Hopefully Henrik's hangnail is healed by the end of the Olympic break.

Hopefully Henrik's hangnail is healed by the end of the Olympic break.
- broadstreet11

That ship has sailed.

Was this intentional? If so, his decision or the Canucks? I think the team asking guys like Bernier and Kassian to drop weight made them less effective and took away from their strengths when they were here. If you want speed then draft guys who already have it and don't have to adjust to a difference in playing weight after they've been drafted.
- Nucker101

No idea, but he was listed at well over 200 (207ish) around the draft, then dropped to 202, then 197, and the latest I've read at the beginning of the year was 192...

Obviously those might not be 100% accurate, but it's pretty universal on the sites I've checked that he's dropped weight in the last few years.

It looked like he didn't have enough strength to do his patented drive to the net from the right boards early in the year.

Had some shoulder issues on and off over the last year and a bit, so I'm wondering if he didn't focus much on upper-body strength training in that span.

He's looked much better lately.

Hopefully Henrik's hangnail is healed by the end of the Olympic break.
- broadstreet11

Should be fine by then.

I heard it came off inside your mother, so it just has to heal now...

No idea, but he was listed at well over 200 around the draft, then dropped to 202, then 197, and the latest I've read at the beginning of the year was 192...

Obviously those might not be 100% accurate, but it's pretty universal on the sites I've checked that he's dropped weight in the last few years.

It looked like he didn't have enough strength to do his patented drive to the net from the right boards early in the year.

Had some shoulder issues on and off over the last year and a bit, so I'm wondering if he didn't focus much on upper-body strength training in that span.

He's looked much better lately.
- Fosco

That explains his struggles to an extent and makes me feel a little better about his drought earlier. I'd like to see him get back to 210+, he has the frame for it. I really hope that it wasn't the team's decision, I doubt teams like the Blues/Kings ask their big guys to drop weight.

That explains his struggles to an extent and makes me feel a little better about his drought earlier. I'd like to see him get back to 210+, he has the frame for it. I really hope that it wasn't the team's decision, I doubt teams like the Blues/Kings ask their big guys to drop weight.
- Nucker101

I think he's good at 205-210ish again.

Any more and I'd be concerned that his skating/speed might suffer.

Am I on the Oiler thread?
- whipper334

You shouldn't be casting stones....

The Flames thread is full of talk of draft lists right now....

Guys calm the (frank) down It's not that bad. It's an off year and you ve had some injuries. Now show some (frank)ing pride and win one for the gupper.

You shouldn't be casting stones....

The Flames thread is full of talk of draft lists right now....
- Iggysbff

Western Canada is a powerhouse

AFTER we beat the Leafs
- LeftCoaster

Hope you guys give them a good beatdown.

Haven't seen Yeti in here for a couple of days, has he been banned?
Edit: Oh spoke to soon

even before the injuries, this teams Tanking it.....Penguins need EDLER..im sure Alex would waive it to go there

Western Canada is a powerhouse
- Oilfan19

Yes it's pretty sad when Winnipeg looks like the best team in Western Canada!