i agree with whipper.....(I actually opened a beer to type that)
- numbear

You could get two of their kajillion 2nds for Hudler and Jones probably.
- Morris

I'd take that, then trade those 2 picks for a late 1st and grab Mckeown or Tuch (this years wilson/hartman type)

I'd take that, then trade those 2 picks for a late 1st and grab Mckeown or Tuch (this years wilson/hartman type)
- numbear

I think Tuch will be a 10-15 pick.

McKenzie "I've heard that the Flames could have had Nyquist and Tatar for Bouwmeester or another player but chose not to"

— Hope_Smoke (@Hope_Smoke) April 15, 2014

Cundari, Berra and Poirier VS Nyquist and Tatar

McKenzie "I've heard that the Flames could have had Nyquist and Tatar for Bouwmeester or another player but chose not to"

— Hope_Smoke (@Hope_Smoke) April 15, 2014

Cundari, Berra and Poirier VS Nyquist and Tatar
- Morris

It's complete bullsh!t!

It's complete bullsh!t!
- whipper334

For the record I think that might be supposed to read "and another player", not or.

If all stays as it is:

Florida - Sam Reinhart - Try to convert him to a right wing to play with Barkov and Huberdeau. They seem happy with their defenseman prospects in Gudbranson, and Kulikov. They need better goals for as much as better goals against, and the addition of Luongo will help the against considerably.

Buffalo - Sam Bennett - With Reinhart gone they will take the best forward available.

Edmonton - Leon Draisaitl - They want a defenseman and an big number 2 center. But I believe they would rather get an established ready to go defenseman in trade (Gagner / Yakupov) so that they can contribute now.

Calgary - Aaron Ekblad - At 4th they can't pass him by. Say what you will about picking an early defenseman, at this draft spot he is the player to select. Under Gio's guidance he will be all he is hoped to be, and the Flames at this stage in their re-build can afford to be patient with his development.

NY Islanders - Michael Dal Colle - The sniper winger to play with JT and Okposo. They will not give this pick to Buffalo. To do so would admit failure for next season before it even gets started. Regardless of their management issues I cannot see any professional sports franchise admitting / accepting that 5 months before the season even starts.

Aside from that I can see the Panthers being open to trading this pick if they can still stay in the top 5. If they can get somebody established to help in one area and still have a pick for one of those top forwards I think they may take it. Wideman (salary retained) or Hudler plus 4th over all for 1st overall. Then Flames can truly decide between Reinhart and Ekblad. I may say pick Reinhart (convert to a right winger) and then offer the other of Hudler / Wideman and a 2nd rounder (preferably Colorado's) to the Islanders for Griffen Reinhart. If anybody has a history of pulling something like that off, it is Brian Burke

Id rate the top 4:

Reinhart
Bennett
Ekblad
Draisaitl


But I'm not MacT and his scouts.
- Iggysbff

Personally id swap Bennett and Reinhart but still thumbs up

If all stays as it is:

Florida - Sam Reinhart - Try to convert him to a right wing to play with Barkov and Huberdeau. They seem happy with their defenseman prospects in Gudbranson, and Kulikov. They need better goals for as much as better goals against, and the addition of Luongo will help the against considerably.

Buffalo - Sam Bennett - With Reinhart gone they will take the best forward available.

Edmonton - Leon Draisaitl - They want a defenseman and an big number 2 center. But I believe they would rather get an established ready to go defenseman in trade (Gagner / Yakupov) so that they can contribute now.

Calgary - Aaron Ekblad - At 4th they can't pass him by. Say what you will about picking an early defenseman, at this draft spot he is the player to select. Under Gio's guidance he will be all he is hoped to be, and the Flames at this stage in their re-build can afford to be patient with his development.

NY Islanders - Michael Dal Colle - The sniper winger to play with JT and Okposo. They will not give this pick to Buffalo. To do so would admit failure for next season before it even gets started. Regardless of their management issues I cannot see any professional sports franchise admitting / accepting that 5 months before the season even starts.

Aside from that I can see the Panthers being open to trading this pick if they can still stay in the top 5. If they can get somebody established to help in one area and still have a pick for one of those top forwards I think they may take it. Wideman (salary retained) or Hudler plus 4th over all for 1st overall. Then Flames can truly decide between Reinhart and Ekblad. I may say pick Reinhart (convert to a right winger) and then offer the other of Hudler / Wideman and a 2nd rounder (preferably Colorado's) to the Islanders for Griffen Reinhart. If anybody has a history of pulling something like that off, it is Brian Burke
- dal_johnson

This draft scenario is probable. I could definitely see Florida trading down a few spots to take Dal Colle. Big powerful winger, exactly what they need.

Reinhart Bros

For the record I think that might be supposed to read "and another player", not or.
- Morris

That makes a little more sense.

If all stays as it is:

Florida - Sam Reinhart - Try to convert him to a right wing to play with Barkov and Huberdeau. They seem happy with their defenseman prospects in Gudbranson, and Kulikov. They need better goals for as much as better goals against, and the addition of Luongo will help the against considerably.

Buffalo - Sam Bennett - With Reinhart gone they will take the best forward available.

Edmonton - Leon Draisaitl - They want a defenseman and an big number 2 center. But I believe they would rather get an established ready to go defenseman in trade (Gagner / Yakupov) so that they can contribute now.

Calgary - Aaron Ekblad - At 4th they can't pass him by. Say what you will about picking an early defenseman, at this draft spot he is the player to select. Under Gio's guidance he will be all he is hoped to be, and the Flames at this stage in their re-build can afford to be patient with his development.

NY Islanders - Michael Dal Colle - The sniper winger to play with JT and Okposo. They will not give this pick to Buffalo. To do so would admit failure for next season before it even gets started. Regardless of their management issues I cannot see any professional sports franchise admitting / accepting that 5 months before the season even starts.

Aside from that I can see the Panthers being open to trading this pick if they can still stay in the top 5. If they can get somebody established to help in one area and still have a pick for one of those top forwards I think they may take it. Wideman (salary retained) or Hudler plus 4th over all for 1st overall. Then Flames can truly decide between Reinhart and Ekblad. I may say pick Reinhart (convert to a right winger) and then offer the other of Hudler / Wideman and a 2nd rounder (preferably Colorado's) to the Islanders for Griffen Reinhart. If anybody has a history of pulling something like that off, it is Brian Burke
- dal_johnson

I could see it panning out this way as well. I think some how Calgary will end up with either Ekblad or Dal Colle since Edmonton will go for Dreidel. That's how I see it anyway.

can anyone fill me in on why the Heat are moving??
- cpltanto

Aside from poor attendance, their deal with the city of abottsford was structured in a way that the Heat were guaranteed a certain profit that if not covered in ticket sales, the city would actually pay them. Abottsford has lost millions already and apparently the buyout of the contract, still being in the millions, will be cheaper than the projected losses.

I think Tuch will be a 10-15 pick.
- Iggysbff

I agree, maybe 8-12.

Ya the blades would have to go. Putting the Blades in Abby could work well. The thing with Saskatoon is that the city is comprised of people from all around the province (especially with the U of S in town) and it's hard for many to root for the Blades when they grew up in Moose Jaw, P.A, Regina, Swift Current, etc. An AHL team could solve that, but I may just be dreamin...
- Saskabush

Awesome idea. There are a lot of Oiler fans here though. I would love to see how an AHL team would do. If there was a rapid transit system to downtown that would have me sold on the idea personally.

I just don't see Ekblad falling that much in the draft. As much as I would love to get him.. I would want him themost. I just don't see it unless there is a swap in picks. I think the likely scenario is us draft Dal Colle or Draisitl. If we could get Bennett at 4 that would be amazing. If we got ekblad i would poop my pants

I just don't see Ekblad falling that much in the draft. As much as I would love to get him.. I would want him themost. I just don't see it unless there is a swap in picks. I think the likely scenario is us draft Dal Colle or Draisitl. If we could get Bennett at 4 that would be amazing. If we got ekblad i would poop my pants
- bigbear89

I honestly doubt he makes it past Buffalo. They've said already that they are really fond of him, and when ask about it Murray simply said they need help everywhere. I think (as they should) the Sabres think of Ekblad very highly and unless Burkie pulls some wizard move (he's got the hair, just needs the beard!), he doesn't make it past 2nd pick.

I… as much as I hate to say it… agree with Button on his pick for EDM. They need size and Draisaitl is the one of the biggest, most skilled guys in the draft. I still don't understand all the hate towards him, but I would be happy if we got any of the projected top four. Even Dal Colle would be a solid pick up. All in all I think we can land a bennett or a Draisaitl, but I think it will be hard to get Ekblad.

I honestly doubt he makes it past Buffalo. They've said already that they are really fond of him, and when ask about it Murray simply said they need help everywhere. I think (as they should) the Sabres think of Ekblad very highly and unless Burkie pulls some wizard move (he's got the hair, just needs the beard!), he doesn't make it past 2nd pick.

I… as much as I hate to say it… agree with Button on his pick for EDM. They need size and Draisaitl is the one of the biggest, most skilled guys in the draft. I still don't understand all the hate towards him, but I would be happy if we got any of the projected top four. Even Dal Colle would be a solid pick up. All in all I think we can land a bennett or a Draisaitl, but I think it will be hard to get Ekblad.
- Talking_hockey1

Agreed, listening to a few interviews with Tim Murray they seem sold on Reinhart or Ekblad and are going for a best player available. MacT sounded like he was a big fan of Draisatl.

I think the hate for Draisatl is due to him playing through injury during World Juniors and a month or so after. I made sure to keep an eye out for him during the tournament and it looked like a knee injury. He looked dominant last year playing next to Tobias Reider.

Agreed, listening to a few interviews with Tim Murray they seem sold on Reinhart or Ekblad and are going for a best player available. MacT sounded like he was a big fan of Draisatl.
- fry

If Bennett's around when the Oilers pick, I think they need to strongly consider him.

I honestly doubt he makes it past Buffalo. They've said already that they are really fond of him, and when ask about it Murray simply said they need help everywhere. I think (as they should) the Sabres think of Ekblad very highly and unless Burkie pulls some wizard move (he's got the hair, just needs the beard!), he doesn't make it past 2nd pick.

I… as much as I hate to say it… agree with Button on his pick for EDM. They need size and Draisaitl is the one of the biggest, most skilled guys in the draft. I still don't understand all the hate towards him, but I would be happy if we got any of the projected top four. Even Dal Colle would be a solid pick up. All in all I think we can land a bennett or a Draisaitl, but I think it will be hard to get Ekblad.
- Talking_hockey1

It sounded to me like Tim Murray said exactly what any GM would say at that point in time. "We'll take the best player available" "We are still looking at it" "We could use help anywhere". It is almost cliché for answers given at the draft. Of course they are "fond" of him. Most of the time no team wants to tip their hand at all. They are fond of all of the top 5 players.

If Buffalo picks Ekblad (assuming he makes it past Florida) they are only delaying their process of a rebuild. They are very very deep on defensemen and defensemen prospects. Ehroff, Myers, Prysyk, McCabe, Ristolainen, Zadarov. For a struggling team (and when they still had Miller) their goals against wasn't horrible. They are very set in that department going forward.

Their goals for was atrocious. It was the lowest the NHL has seen since before the 04 lockout. If they don't address their offensive issues then they are only asking for future failure. They will without any doubt pick whichever they deem as the better of Reinhart or Bennett, or whichever is left to them should Florida select one of them.

If Bennett's around when the Oilers pick, I think they need to strongly consider him.
- Morris

I think it would be a mistake for the Oilers to select him over Draisaitl. They need size in their top 6 forwards.

Yes Bennett "plays big". But "playing big" isn't the same thing as actually being big.

Theo Fleury "played big".

Draisaitl is almost the perfect fit for the Oilers. A center to play behind RNH. Excellent on puck protection. And primarily a playmaker to perhaps match with Yakapov (assuming he is still there next season) and get him going again.

Bennett if and will be very good. But he is not the best fit for the Oilers. He would just be more of the same.

It sounded to me like Tim Murray said exactly what any GM would say at that point in time. "We'll take the best player available" "We are still looking at it" "We could use help anywhere". It is almost cliché for answers given at the draft. Of course they are "fond" of him. Most of the time no team wants to tip their hand at all. They are fond of all of the top 5 players.

If Buffalo picks Ekblad (assuming he makes it past Florida) they are only delaying their process of a rebuild. They are very very deep on defensemen and defensemen prospects. Ehroff, Myers, Prysyk, McCabe, Ristolainen, Zadarov. For a struggling team (and when they still had Miller) their goals against wasn't horrible. They are very set in that department going forward.

Their goals for was atrocious. It was the lowest the NHL has seen since before the 04 lockout. If they don't address their offensive issues then they are only asking for future failure. They will without any doubt pick whichever they deem as the better of Reinhart or Bennett, or whichever is left to them should Florida select one of them.
- dal_johnson

Just the way they've talked about the prospects, Ekblad seems to get the most attention from Murray and company. I'm just saying, IMO he doesn't make it past top two.

I think it would be a mistake for the Oilers to select him over Draisaitl. They need size in their top 6 forwards.

Yes Bennett "plays big". But "playing big" isn't the same thing as actually being big.

Theo Fleury "played big".

Draisaitl is almost the perfect fit for the Oilers. A center to play behind RNH. Excellent on puck protection. And primarily a playmaker to perhaps match with Yakapov (assuming he is still there next season) and get him going again.

Bennett if and will be very good. But he is not the best fit for the Oilers. He would just be more of the same.
- dal_johnson

Even Nuge is not as good defensively as Bennett. Bennett would be the best two-way forward we'd have in very short order.

Draistal is big, but he's not huge really like Joe Thornton or anything. He's a little bigger than Taylor Hall (so like, Magnus Pajaarvi). The character issues scare me, and not that I'm not happy with Nail Yakupov, but it wouldn't surprise me after this year with him if they went for the straight-up hard-nosed North American guy.

Then again, I don't know a ton about either, and I kinda hope they trade the pick if Ekblad doesn't magically fall to them.

Even Nuge is not as good defensively as Bennett. Bennett would be the best two-way forward we'd have in very short order.

Draistal is big, but he's not huge really like Joe Thornton or anything. He's a little bigger than Taylor Hall (so like, Magnus Pajaarvi). The character issues scare me, and not that I'm not happy with Nail Yakupov, but it wouldn't surprise me after this year with him if they went for the straight-up hard-nosed North American guy.

Then again, I don't know a ton about either, and I kinda hope they trade the pick if Ekblad doesn't magically fall to them.
- Morris

Well Hall is listed at 6'01" 194, Thornton is obviously a big guy at 6'04" 230lbs, but Drraisitl is no push over. He's 6'01" and 209lbs, as an 18 year old. Kid has room to grow still. Also, I don't understand how you can judge his character other than that he had a poor WJC performance and bounced back to be tied with Reinhart in points. I still honestly don't understand all the animosity towards him. He's big, he's strong, he's skilled and he produces. What more do you want from a prospect?

Well Hall is listed at 6'01" 194, Thornton is obviously a big guy at 6'04" 230lbs, but Drraisitl is no push over. He's 6'01" and 209lbs, as an 18 year old. Kid has room to grow still. Also, I don't understand how you can judge his character other than that he had a poor WJC performance and bounced back to be tied with Reinhart in points. I still honestly don't understand all the animosity towards him. He's big, he's strong, he's skilled and he produces. What more do you want from a prospect?
- Talking_hockey1

I'm not personally judging his character. I'm saying the oilers may look at two guys - one with oft-reported character issues who's been scouted as being quite lazy without the puck, and one with oft-praised character who's been scouted as being among the better defensive forwards of the top-end draft prospects - and they might opt for the latter.

As I say, I don't want anything from the prospects as I want to shop the pick for immediate help. I just think it's not a lock that they take Draistal over Bennett if they have an opportunity for both.

Well Hall is listed at 6'01" 194, Thornton is obviously a big guy at 6'04" 230lbs, but Drraisitl is no push over. He's 6'01" and 209lbs, as an 18 year old. Kid has room to grow still. Also, I don't understand how you can judge his character other than that he had a poor WJC performance and bounced back to be tied with Reinhart in points. I still honestly don't understand all the animosity towards him. He's big, he's strong, he's skilled and he produces. What more do you want from a prospect?
- Talking_hockey1

And considering that is Thornton's size now. When he was 18 he was probably about the same as Draisaitl.

I think his character did come into question after the WJC. He had a very bad tournament and was dropping in the rankings. But very much to his credit he took notice of that himself and made the steps to fix that side of himself and went on to an amazing second half of the season. Doesn't that speak volumes to his character that at 18 he can actively recognize his short comings and put in the work to better himself. Can some other Oiler kids (Yakapov) remotely say the same?

It's never a lock. But they need real size in their top 6. To argue different is just the Oilers continuing to kid themselves as to what their team really needs.