Need to hit the cap floor? Clarkson for anything...

Need to hit the cap floor? Clarkson for anything...
- Aaron85

True, but I think we still need Ekblad more. We don't have a true #1 D-man in our system.

I really think if we don't end up drafting him we trade the the pick for a top 6 winger. IMO
- Crazycaboose

You don't draft d-men of goalies 1st overall unless you're looking for the next bust.

Need to hit the cap floor? Clarkson for anything...
- Aaron85

You eat half his cap hit, we'll send you Weber.

Doesn't really seem like Tallon's style though, especially with the 1st overall.
- Sabresfan-365

Cam Barker still haunts him IMO.

Doesn't really seem like Tallon's style though, especially with the 1st overall.
- Sabresfan-365

Why? He took Gudbranson in the top 3 before. The reason he passed on jones last year was because we badly needed a top 6 center in Barkov with Weiss leaving. No one really saw Bjugstad becoming what he is already.

If Tallon thinks Ekblad is the BPA he will take him, just depends if he thinks he is or not.

Most people are just afraid to draft D-men high just because of their position. There is no reason to really be afraid to take a D-man 1st overall you just can't expect him to take a huge role like a forward could right after being drafted.

Cam Barker still haunts him IMO.
- dadeadhead

Yea that's a tough one. I think at 1st overall it's tough to justify taking a D-man. They may consider trading down but i get the feeling he'll go with Reinhart.

Why? He took Gudbranson in the top 3 before. The reason he passed on jones last year was because we badly needed a top 6 center in Barkov with Weiss leaving. No one really saw Bjugstad becoming what he is already.

If Tallon thinks Ekblad is the BPA he will take him, just depends if he thinks he is or not.

Most people are just afraid to draft D-men high just because of their position. There is no reason to really be afraid to take a D-man 1st overall you just can't expect him to take a huge role like a forward could right after being drafted.
- Crazycaboose

No I meant it doesn't seem like Tallon's style to trade out of a top 5 pick entirely

Ennis to the Oil for Sam Gagner.
- Der Kaiser

no thanks

Yea that's a tough one. I think at 1st overall it's tough to justify taking a D-man. They may consider trading down but i get the feeling he'll go with Reinhart.
- Sabresfan-365

He'll go Bennett, Ekblad, or trade back. They have zero need for Reinhart with Bjugstad and Barkov on the roster.

Ekblad falls to 4 IMO

Reinhart- FLA
Bennett - Buf
Draisaitl EDM
Ekblad CGY

You don't draft d-men of goalies 1st overall unless you're looking for the next bust.
- dadeadhead

Again I don't see why that is true froward can bust just as easy. Goalies are a whole different story. Just because a guy barker became a bust doesn't mean a guy like Ekblad would.

The question is would you really take the chance to pass on the next possible Shea Weber in the draft just because he is a D-man?

P.S. Not saying Eklbad is going to be Weber just using an example.

He'll go Bennett, Ekblad, or trade back. They have zero need for Reinhart with Bjugstad and Barkov on the roster.
- dadeadhead

If Reinhart is viewed as the top forward they will take him IMO. Colorado had 0 need for a center but drafted the best player at 1 and moved ROR to wing

No I meant it doesn't seem like Tallon's style to trade out of a top 5 pick entirely
- Sabresfan-365

Oh, ya I would completely agree I think he likes to draft to much that he would give up a top 5 pick and that's not even considering a 1st overall. Good luck getting it from him!

Ekblad falls to 4 IMO

Bennett FLA
Reinhart Buf
Draisaitl EDM
Ekblad CGY
- sbroads24

If Reinhart is viewed as the top forward they will take him IMO. Colorado had 0 need for a center but drafted the best player at 1 and moved ROR to wing
- sbroads24

That is true, so it really comes down to who dale thinks is the BPA.

If Reinhart is viewed as the top forward they will take him IMO. Colorado had 0 need for a center but drafted the best player at 1 and moved ROR to wing
- sbroads24

ROR was playing on the wing prior at times.

Huberdeau was already moved to the wing and they seem pretty content with Bjugstad and Barkov as their 1-2.

You never draft a d-man, goalie, or winger 1st overall. The only exception is if you already have the centers, you then can take the winger. Bennett is the pick IMO.

ROR was playing on the wing prior at times.

Huberdeau was already moved to the wing and they seem pretty content with Bjugstad and Barkov as their 1-2.

You never draft a d-man, goalie, or winger 1st overall. The only exception is if you already have the centers, you then can take the winger.
- dadeadhead

You also got to think who else we have as centers too.

Trocheck, Pirri, Shore, Grimaldi. Somebody is going to have to go to wing and then adding another center!

You also got to think who else we have as centers too.

Trocheck, Pirri, Shore, Grimaldi. Somebody is going to have to go to wing and then adding another center!
- Crazycaboose

Pirri is you #3.

ROR was playing on the wing prior at times.

Huberdeau was already moved to the wing and they seem pretty content with Bjugstad and Barkov as their 1-2.

You never draft a d-man, goalie, or winger 1st overall. The only exception is if you already have the centers, you then can take the winger. Bennett is the pick IMO.
- dadeadhead

Why? positional discrimination at 1st overall is so cowardly. If you've got the right coaching and development they'll turn out great (although defensemen take longer). Plenty of examples where a winger is the clear cut choice. By that logic, the Jackets should have taken Pierre-Marc Bouchard instead of Rick Nash.

At 1st overall, 9/10 times BPA is the way to go. In a draft like this where the top 3 are relatively close I'd say you could get picky but generalizing that the only players taken 1st overall should be centres is weak

Pirri is you #3.
- dadeadhead

I think he will go to wing. Trocheck looks to be the perfect 3rd line center he needs more time in the AHL not much though.

The reason I see Pirri moving to wing is because due to his weak defensive game. He would be a much better fit on the wing next to Bjugstad who can cover for him.

Why? positional discrimination at 1st overall is so cowardly. If you've got the right coaching and development they'll turn out great (although defensemen take longer). Plenty of examples where a winger is the clear cut choice. By that logic, the Jackets should have taken Pierre-Marc Bouchard instead of Rick Nash.

At 1st overall, 9/10 times BPA is the way to go. In a draft like this where the top 3 are relatively close I'd say you could get picky but generalizing that the only players taken 1st overall should be centres is weak
- Sabresfan-365

Agreed 100%

Why? positional discrimination at 1st overall is so cowardly. If you've got the right coaching and development they'll turn out great (although defensemen take longer). Plenty of examples where a winger is the clear cut choice. By that logic, the Jackets should have taken Pierre-Marc Bouchard instead of Rick Nash.

At 1st overall, 9/10 times BPA is the way to go. In a draft like this where the top 3 are relatively close I'd say you could get picky but generalizing that the only players taken 1st overall should be centres is weak
- Sabresfan-365

You don't build a team around a winger.

It's why Columbus (w/Nash) and Washington(w/OV and Jagr prior) have failed.

Name me the team that won the cup where it was built completely around a winger with no top notch centers?

The answer is there hasn't been one.

Agreed 100%
- Crazycaboose

This years draft in particular I could see why it'd be a tough selling point to take a d-man 1st overall because there's some skepticism on how dominant Ekblad can really be (and whether he's peaked already). But saying no to Ekblad shouldn't be because he's a defensemen, it should be because they have a better deal in place or because they believe Bennett/Reinhart are better.

This years draft in particular I could see why it'd be a tough selling point to take a d-man 1st overall because there's some skepticism on how dominant Ekblad can really be (and whether he's peaked already). But saying no to Ekblad shouldn't be because he's a defensemen, it should be because they have a better deal in place or because they believe Bennett/Reinhart are better.
- Sabresfan-365

The only d-man taken 1st overall to ever amount to more than a solid top 4 over the last 50 years is Potvin.