I hope they take Juolevi but I have a feelings Edmonton will.

Juolevi one for me then Dubois.

I hope they trade Tanev and the 5th to Arizona for the 7th and their second first round pick from the Rangers

I hope they trade Tanev and the 5th to Arizona for the 7th and their second first round pick from the Rangers
- LeftCoaster

I hope your joking.

I hope your joking.
- Retinalz

Tanev is a top 4 D man (not a true top pairing) and was free via NCAA UFA, and we are in the midst of a rebuild. If you can get a mid-round 1st for him, you take that every time.

I hope your joking.
- Retinalz

Lefty is betting on Benning's ability to draft well. So two picks are better than one I guess.

Lefty is betting on Benning's ability to draft well. So two picks are better than one I guess.
- bloatedmosquito

If we take into account that IF we draft Dubois, he will play out the next year in the Q, and we will be going after Boeser after his season at UND, so next year we can 'write-off' being a cup contender or even super competitive team. I don't want to write us off for next year, but I still think we are a few years away from being a tough team to play against. SO, if we let Dubois/Juolevi play out there years in Junior next year, and we wait for Boeser, we can afford to take next year as another hard year and really start to turn things around 2017/2018.

Lefty is betting on Benning's ability to draft well. So two picks are better than one I guess.
- bloatedmosquito

Then why not just tare our 5th for their 7th OA and their 2nd rounder and keep Tanev?

If we take into account that IF we draft Dubois, he will play out the next year in the Q, and we will be going after Boeser after his season at UND, so next year we can 'write-off' being a cup contender or even super competitive team. I don't want to write us off for next year, but I still think we are a few years away from being a tough team to play against. SO, if we let Dubois/Juolevi play out there years in Junior next year, and we wait for Boeser, we can afford to take next year as another hard year and really start to turn things around 2017/2018.
- Codes1087

I think if we get a Defenceman, you do as best you can to get him into the lineup this year. Noah Hanafin managed ok this year being a top 5 pick and was the top rated D prospect (and I am presuming if Van take a D it will be the first one off the board). I just cant see them wanting to play out next season with a subpar team and then add 2-3 rookies the following season in Boeser, this year's pick, and probably the year after's pick (or Demko).

All really depends on the player they pick and the summer they and the team have, but I hope that if its a D they try to work them in sooner than later

Morning boys...another beautiful sunny west coast day out there!

Elliotte Friedman

"Hearing Fletcher has called ANA about Bruce Boudreau, but, sounds like he won't schedule any other interviews until after meeting Torchetti."

Wish the Canucks would can little Willie and hire Boudreau!
- LeftCoaster

So we can have another coach that can't win in the playoffs...outstanding!

I think if we get a Defenceman, you do as best you can to get him into the lineup this year. Noah Hanafin managed ok this year being a top 5 pick and was the top rated D prospect (and I am presuming if Van take a D it will be the first one off the board). I just cant see them wanting to play out next season with a subpar team and then add 2-3 rookies the following season in Boeser, this year's pick, and probably the year after's pick (or Demko).

All really depends on the player they pick and the summer they and the team have, but I hope that if its a D they try to work them in sooner than later
- WhiteLie

I think a big reason Hanifan made the jump is in large part due to the team. Carolina is lacking defense and has been for quite some time. Apart from Faulk, they actually have no one. I think the Canucks are in a similar boat, but I am not sure that is best for development, especially for defenseman.

Then why not just tare our 5th for their 7th OA and their 2nd rounder and keep Tanev?
- Retinalz

That works for me too. Once you're out of the top three, I say stockpile as many 1st and 2nd round picks you can. Got to work those percentages.

Benning live in TSN 1040:

We like players in and around the 20th overall range so we will be calling teams to see if we can get in on any of those.

We like Dan Hamhuis and we will continue to work with him to see if there is something we can do for both sides.

We think we have a very good shot at signing Drake Cagguila. He has met with us and 9 other teams but we still think we have a really good shot at signing him like anyone else.

given that the focus of the last draft was clearly skill and forwards (for the most part), I could see the Leafs going heavy D-man and Goalie picking... certainly starting in the 2nd round.

obviously its a crap-shoot the farther you get down the draft... but it would seem that Hunter and Co really do know what they are looking at. If they can pluck a couple of later round gems that could really back-fill the D prospects and goaltending.

I also would not be surprised to see Lou deal a couple of the existing prospects at the draft.... wouldn't be surprised at all to see Kapanen dealt or perhaps Corrado or Percy.
- BorjeFan4Ever

With the pittsburgh pick you guys should grab fabro or stanley. with 31 take hart. then with all of your other picks id just mix it up with dmen and goalies.

Between Mathews, Marner and Nylander you are well on your way up front. But for next years draft I would start looking to keep adding dmen and forwards with size and grit. But since dmen take longer I would start looking to add them as soon as possible.

So we can have another coach that can't win in the playoffs...outstanding!
- LordHumungous

This aint about being competitive in the playoffs now. This is about developing a new, young core of players. He would do fine in that roll.

Sounds very much so that Benning will be drafting Dubois or Tkachuk with the 5th overall.

I think a big reason Hanifan made the jump is in large part due to the team. Carolina is lacking defense and has been for quite some time. Apart from Faulk, they actually have no one. I think the Canucks are in a similar boat, but I am not sure that is best for development, especially for defenseman.
- Codes1087

Im not sure any D is in the same class as previous years, but I was looking back and the first D taken in every draft since 2011 has played in the NHL the following year (I include Murray as he would have if he didnt have surgery). Adam Larsson at 4, Seth Jones at 4, plus Hedman and Doughty in 08 and 09. And even though Gudbranson didnt make it in his first year (2010 draft), Fowler from the same draft year played right away.

Again, I know this year isnt like the other years, but I dont think playing these guys in the NHL at 18-19 hurt their development, but instead worked out rather well a few years into it

Morning you SOB's

I am for keeping the 5th overall and taking Dubois (if EDM takes Juolevi) or taking Juolevi (obviously if EDM takes Dubois). There will be talent left at the 33rd overall pick as well (Sean Day Hopefully?)
Keeping positive despite losing out on the top 3
- Codes1087

sean day wont go in the 2nd round

Morning boys...another beautiful sunny west coast day out there!

Elliotte Friedman

"Hearing Fletcher has called ANA about Bruce Boudreau, but, sounds like he won't schedule any other interviews until after meeting Torchetti."

Wish the Canucks would can little Willie and hire Boudreau!
- LeftCoaster

I hope this is sarcasm.

Canucks will take Dubois. I'd like this guy since he's younger than most everyone else in the draft and from what i've read he has the size skills etc... to match up with the heavy teams in California.
- kaptaan

This is the way I go if he is available.

If Edm takes Dubois, would you guys consider trading down to 7th and take arizonas 2nd rounder this year? Take Either Brown, Jost, or Sergachev at 7? I think Arizona would do it to ensure taking Tkachuck(CGY will if he fell to 6th, They need forwards and goaltending more than anything)
- Retinalz

Absolutely thats the kind of deal I would like to make.

I hope they trade Tanev and the 5th to Arizona for the 7th and their second first round pick from the Rangers
- LeftCoaster

No Tanev. Both their 1st's for 5th if Tkachuk is available. They want him that bad this is the deal.

I think if we get a Defenceman, you do as best you can to get him into the lineup this year. Noah Hanafin managed ok this year being a top 5 pick and was the top rated D prospect (and I am presuming if Van take a D it will be the first one off the board). I just cant see them wanting to play out next season with a subpar team and then add 2-3 rookies the following season in Boeser, this year's pick, and probably the year after's pick (or Demko).

All really depends on the player they pick and the summer they and the team have, but I hope that if its a D they try to work them in sooner than later
- WhiteLie

The thing is Hanifin is so much better than any dman available in this draft.

sean day wont go in the 2nd round
- mauryballstein

I am not saying he should be taken with our 33rd (a very high 2nd round pick). I am saying that he should be closely monitored and could be a steal considering his past. I am thinking it would be a good idea to try and acquire a 2nd or 3rd and keep their eye on this kid. We need more D prospects and he could be a good piece moving forward as a late 2nd or early 3rd.

The thing is Hanifin is so much better than any dman available in this draft.
- mauryballstein

Can we really say that with certainty though? We dont often hear about year to year comparisons, with the exception of Matthews and last year's draft. Its possible that the forwards are just that much better and overshadow the quality of D, or the fact there is no clear cut gives the impression that everyone is mediocre. I am only playing devils advocate as I dont really believe it, but it does make you wonder. I mean, Charles McAvoy had more points at BC than Hanafin did in his draft year at BC

Tanev is a top 4 D man (not a true top pairing) and was free via NCAA UFA, and we are in the midst of a rebuild. If you can get a mid-round 1st for him, you take that every time.
- Codes1087

On a team with an overall terrible defence, you trade your best all round defenceman, a proven top pairing defender, for a chance at the rights to an 18 year old kid who may or may not become an NHL player in 2-3 years?