Rumors they want to move up with a specific target in mind (although I don't know who that target is).
- bmeltzer

Milbury thinks we should move up and take a goalie hahahaha

I kid but it wouldn't shock me to hear him say that.

Rumors they want to move up with a specific target in mind (although I don't know who that target is).
- bmeltzer

What do you think, the 7/8 pick and a late 20s pick will move you up how far? To pick 3 or 4? Seems kinda expensive to move up a few spots.

Love the depth of this blog. Nice work, Bill
- PhillySportsGuy

Seconded. Excellent article, Bill.

That's our boy.

- flyer_nutter

top shelf right there. Regardless of fame and money, that's pretty damn impressive.

top shelf right there. Regardless of fame and money, that's pretty damn impressive.
- PLindbergh31

is this a pun

LET THE GAMES BEGIN
- Giroux_Is_God

If I was moving up (for a non top two pick), it would be for Hanifin

Adding a top flight forward would be great, but it still doesn't help the defense. Keep the two picks and select BPA.

I just rewatched all of McDavid's WJC highlights and all of Eichel's WJC highlights. I think I'm a bit more hyped for Eichel at this point. Even compared to McDavid he just looked so explosive, creative, and in control of the game. His stick handling, speed, and acceleration are just insane and his strength is nothing to slouch at either. Whichever team gets him is incredibly lucky.

Eichel's WJC highlights: http://www.youtube.com/wa...ature=channel_video_title

McDavid's: http://www.youtube.com/wa...ature=channel_video_title

Adding a top flight forward would be great, but it still doesn't help the defense. Keep the two picks and select BPA.
- MJL

A lot of people see our group of D prospects as the best in the NHL. I wouldn't mind trading the two to get a top end forward and balance it out. It's not a huge deal, but it is a concern that our best forwards will be pushing 30 by the time our D prospects are impact players. It would be a nice luxury to have a core forward that is closer in age to them.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: A Look Inside Mason's Career Year
- bmeltzer

Bill Meltzer, you are the man!! Well done, Sir!!

As I posted during the game last night, anyone who cannot see that Steve Mason is the real deal and a top notch NHL starting goalie is simply a moron.

Case closed!

A lot of people see our group of D prospects as the best in the NHL. I wouldn't mind trading the two to get a top end forward and balance it out. It's not a huge deal, but it is a concern that our best forwards will be pushing 30 by the time our D prospects are impact players. It would be a nice luxury to have a core forward that is closer in age to them.
- JAKEw1234

I don't disagree with that. I'm just thinking of adding two core players versus one, for that very reason.

top shelf right there. Regardless of fame and money, that's pretty damn impressive.
- PLindbergh31

Imagine the girl he would have if he wasn't a "run of the mill' goalie.

Frank you Milbury!

I just rewatched all of McDavid's WJC highlights and all of Eichel's WJC highlights. I think I'm a bit more hyped for Eichel at this point. Even compared to McDavid he just looked so explosive, creative, and in control of the game. His stick handling, speed, and acceleration are just insane and his strength is nothing to slouch at either. Whichever team gets him is incredibly lucky.

Eichel's WJC highlights: http://www.youtube.com/wa...ature=channel_video_title

McDavid's: http://www.youtube.com/wa...ature=channel_video_title
- JAKEw1234

Are you forgetting that McDavid was playing with a recently broken hand??
He probably wasn't 100% until a few weeks after the tourney.

I don't disagree with that. I'm just thinking of adding two core players versus one, for that very reason.
- MJL

But with the two picks, especially when one is late in the round, there's a big risk of only getting one core player. To an extent there's even a risk of getting none. Getting one of those two is a guaranteed core player. Plus I think I'd rather have one franchise player than two core players. Core players are comparatively easy to add to the team. Thinking of it as simply a comparison of two core players versus one is a very simplistic way of looking at it.

Are you forgetting that McDavid was playing with a recently broken hand??
He probably wasn't 100% until a few weeks after the tourney.
- fishbulb

I think you mistook this for me hating on McDavid. He still outscored Eichel in the tournament. But the way Eichel skates and dekes and throws the body has me excited.

But with the two picks, especially when one is late in the round, there's a big risk of only getting one core player. To an extent there's even a risk of getting none. Getting one of those two is a guaranteed core player. Plus I think I'd rather have one franchise player than two core players. Core players are comparatively easy to add to the team. Thinking of it as simply a comparison of two core players versus one is a very simplistic way of looking at it.
- JAKEw1234

There's no risk at all after McDavid and Eichel? Top 5 picks have never flopped before?

Flyers have two player Giroux and Voracek, who are top players in the league. Where were they picked?

History tells us that having a superstar player doesn't guarantee anything. Having a strong team is much better. The only way I'd want to trade up is if there is a defenseman who can step in right away and play.

But with the two picks, especially when one is late in the round, there's a big risk of only getting one core player. To an extent there's even a risk of getting none. Getting one of those two is a guaranteed core player. Plus I think I'd rather have one franchise player than two core players. Core players are comparatively easy to add to the team. Thinking of it as simply a comparison of two core players versus one is a very simplistic way of looking at it.
- JAKEw1234

Agreed, there is no way that you can guarantee that the player you take with Tampa's pick will be a "core" player. Hell, you can't even guarantee it for a guy taken 7th, 8th or 9th.

So, if they really love a guy that is available in the top 5, be it Strome, Provorov or, for Tomahawks sake, Marner, you make the move to get your guy.

There's no risk at all after McDavid and Eichel? Top 5 picks have never flopped before?

Flyers have two player Giroux and Voracek, who are top players in the league. Where were they picked?
- MJL

I was talking only about moving up for Eichel or Mcdavid. I wouldn't want to trade our two picks unless we were moving into the top 2

Agreed, there is no way that you can guarantee that the player you take with Tampa's pick will be a "core" player. Hell, you can't even guarantee it for a guy taken 7th, 8th or 9th.

So, if they really love a guy that is available in the top 5, be it Strome, Provorov or, for Tomahawks sake, Marner, you make the move to get your guy.
- BiggE

You could make that move and draft a flop, then you're up a creek without a paddle

There's no risk at all after McDavid and Eichel? Top 5 picks have never flopped before?

Flyers have two player Giroux and Voracek, who are top players in the league. Where were they picked?
- MJL

Yup, plenty of Top 5 picks haven't worked out as expected. Schenn's? But where G and Jake were picked is irrelevant because plenty of Top 5 picks have been exactly what everyone thought they would be.

I was talking only about moving up for Eichel or Mcdavid. I wouldn't want to trade our two picks unless we were moving into the top 2
- JAKEw1234

I don't see anybody moving up into the Top 2 without giving up some serious assets.

There's no risk at all after McDavid and Eichel? Top 5 picks have never flopped before?

Flyers have two player Giroux and Voracek, who are top players in the league. Where were they picked?

History tells us that having a superstar player doesn't guarantee anything. Having a strong team is much better. The only way I'd want to trade up is if there is a defenseman who can step in right away and play.
- MJL

Come on man McDavid and Eichel are as close to surefire all stars as you can get coming out of the draft.

Were you spouting "top 5 players never flopped before" when Crosby was the consensus #1?? Or an even better comparison, when Malkin and Ovechkin were going to get drafted? McDavid/Eichel is on par with Malkin/Ovechkin.

You're right. Hitting core players, let alone solid players, certainly includes some luck. But man...this is a little bit different.

I don't see anybody moving up into the Top 2 without giving up some serious assets.
- wolfhounds

This is the truth

This is the truth
- JAKEw1234

yup

Let's face it...trading up into the top 2 isn't going to happen. It's fun to think about though.

I'm sure they'll pick 2 solid prospects in the first round. That's the most likely scenario and the one I see happening.