I along with NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING see Matthews as the clear cut #1 pick. Laine looks like he is going to be a good player, but Matthews is going to be a star and a franchise player. The Leafs would be nuts to not pick him, unless Arizona offers a deal they can't pass up (like Strome or Dvorak, plus their 1st pick, plus another top prospect, and Mermis).

I along with NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING see Matthews as the clear cut #1 pick. Laine looks like he is going to be a good player, but Matthews is going to be a star and a franchise player. The Leafs would be nuts to not pick him, unless Arizona offers a deal they can't pass up (like Strome or Dvorak, plus their 1st pick, plus another top prospect, and Mermis).
- malcolmthornton

Leafs are probably going to go with Debrincat, IMHO tbh

Hamonic and 19 o/a

Call it a day

I always get a chuckle from all the fans that are so sure about how an 18 year old's career is going to turn out when the people paid to do so barely can. The most anyone knows is that as of May 2016, Laine is probably the most NHL ready of the two and even that's debatable.

How much Finnish hockey did y'all watch last year?

Considering expansion will be taking place in a little over a season by at least 1 team if not 2 Winnipeg is in no position to take any players that aren't expansion exempt. Meaning no more than 2 years of NHL/AHL contracts so moving the 2nd round pick for NHL ready prospects that can play in your top 6 that meet this caeat are slim to non existent.

There are only 2 protection formats 7F, 3D & 1G or 8 skaters & 1G. Winnipeg already has a protection problem baring trade. Enstrom & Buf have NMC's & need to be protected. Myers & Trouba make 4 D keepers so does that mean Winnipeg is only protecting 4 forwards, Little, Wheeler, Scheifele & 1 of Dano, Copp, Burmistrov, Armia or Lowry?

I hate silly season. This predraft BS. Winnipeg isn't adding to what is already a protection problem by moving the 2nd pick. If Toronto does in fact select Matthews then Winnepeg will draft Laine the best player available in this years draft in my opinion & he fits perfectly with winnipeg's needs.

Ehlers, Sheifele, Wheeler.
Laine, Little, Stafford.
Dano, Perreault, Burmistrov.
Copp/Lowry, Lowry/Copp, Thorburn.
- striker777

You omitted Kyle Connor, and I think a trade will be made to strengthen our LD but I agree, the Jets will take Laine. Chevy is just being Chevy and making everyone keep guessing.

ok I'll play and get royally ripped for it but here goes,

first,
to Edm. 3rd overall, Hartnell and Carlsson
to Columbus. 4th overall, RNH

then
to Edm. 2nd overall, Trouba, Burmistrov, Kostalek
to Jets. 3rd overall, Nurse, Hall

Edmonton
loses - hall, 4th overall, RNH and Nurse
gain - 2nd overall, Trouba, Hartnell, Carlsson, Burmistrov and Kostalek

Winnipeg
loses - 2nd overall, Trouba, Burmistrov, Kostalek
gains - 3rd overall, Hall and Nurse

Columbus
loses - 3rd overall, Hartnell and Carlsson
gains - 4th overall and RNH
- Ross77

I what world do they not take laine to replace Ladd seriously

They're both going to be great players, and I'm the first to admit the jets have pissed me off with their off the board picking in previous years, but we all have to admit they've done a great job. The main difference that I see here is the jets are picking 2nd and not 7th. The number 2 pick is Laine based on every single scout I've seen rank the players. Laine is tearing it up at the whc and the jets can't afford not to pick him at this point. If he's the 3rd best player in the draft when we look back in a few years then so what. But he's big, he scores and he's a Finn. Theres a lot going for him and this year I'll throw a remote at the tv is Chevy doesn't make the right pick. Laine is the right pick....

Hamonic and 19 o/a

Call it a day
- BringNYIhome

what? no.

The number 2 pick is Laine based on every single scout I've seen rank the players.
- JetsAvs

http://www.isshockey.com/

Matthews>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Laine>Puljujarvi

Nothing makes a lot of sense in this analysis. I think Laine is the best player in the draft. Imagine if he drops to 3rd. Everything about this kid screams Ovechkin. I understand the Leafs screwing up on him, they are the Leafs. I just don't believe that the Jets would miss.
- spatso

Haha, you're funny. Obviously a not very educated hockey fan of you think Laine is the best player in the draft. He isn't. Not by a long shot.

But what do you expect from a Sens fan

Nothing about this kid screams Ovechkin.

Nothing.

He's very good, but he's not even close to being on that level.
- BINGO!

Don't mind him, he's a lowly sens fan. Best to just ignore them.

Puljujarvi is VERY close to Laine. I'd put Laine as a bit better, but it is VERY close. Neither are in the same solar system as Matthews.

I always get a chuckle from all the fans that are so sure about how an 18 year old's career is going to turn out when the people paid to do so barely can. The most anyone knows is that as of May 2016, Laine is probably the most NHL ready of the two and even that's debatable.

How much Finnish hockey did y'all watch last year?
- Hunkulese

Solid post, Bubba.

ok I'll play and get royally ripped for it but here goes,

first,
to Edm. 3rd overall, Hartnell and Carlsson
to Columbus. 4th overall, RNH

then
to Edm. 2nd overall, Trouba, Burmistrov, Kostalek
to Jets. 3rd overall, Nurse, Hall

Edmonton
loses - hall, 4th overall, RNH and Nurse
gain - 2nd overall, Trouba, Hartnell, Carlsson, Burmistrov and Kostalek

Winnipeg
loses - 2nd overall, Trouba, Burmistrov, Kostalek
gains - 3rd overall, Hall and Nurse

Columbus's
loses - 3rd overall, Hartnell and Carlsson
gains - 4th overall and RNH
- Ross77

This is really confusing

ok I'll play and get royally ripped for it but here goes,

first,
to Edm. 3rd overall, Hartnell and Carlsson
to Columbus. 4th overall, RNH

then
to Edm. 2nd overall, Trouba, Burmistrov, Kostalek
to Jets. 3rd overall, Nurse, Hall

Edmonton
loses - hall, 4th overall, RNH and Nurse
gain - 2nd overall, Trouba, Hartnell, Carlsson, Burmistrov and Kostalek

Winnipeg
loses - 2nd overall, Trouba, Burmistrov, Kostalek
gains - 3rd overall, Hall and Nurse

Columbus
loses - 3rd overall, Hartnell and Carlsson
gains - 4th overall and RNH
- Ross77

That's a lot of work for PC to screw himself over. No way. Edmonton ends up with the poop end of the stick.

How about the Oilers trade RNH for Brodin and Grandlund and call er square?

Sens sign an trade Hoffman (5x5.5).

Hoffman, 12 and Colin White for 2nd overall...

Getting a 30g scorer, a top 15 pick and high end prospect.

I think Jets are crazy to trade it, but I wonder if this gets the conversation started.

How about the Ducks first rounder, Sami Vatanen, and Freddie Andersen for the second. I can't imagine there are any offensive players on Anaheim that don't have NMC's that the Jets would want. Maybe Silfverberg? Throw him in there too. Laine is going to be really good really soon and he could live with Teemu at his Coto de Caza compound and drive one of his 20 or so cars. I like it!

Hey Peter, when are you following up with the discussion of the "reader" posed questions from a few blogs back??

Leafs are probably going to go with Debrincat, IMHO tbh
- eichiefs9

and why would columbus trade any ways they have the 3rd and whatever tor and winnepeg pick columbus gets a great player, columbus will hide in the bushes and take their pick without giving away nothing but thanks for playing. sometimes you have to use common sense if winne want's puljujarvi then we will take laine and if they want laine we will take puljujarvi this is not hard. now if you just want to trade the pick for players then there is something to talk about but just to move up would be retarded for the jackets.what a great spot to be in this coming draft.

Interesting, I would've suggested that Winnipeg would be getting the better end of that deal by a longshot. Seth Jones was a #1 contender in his draft year and fell, but already one of the better puck moving D in the league at 21 years old, Murray former 2nd overall pick and only 22 is finally staying healthy enough to develop. Those two alone were the top D pairing for Columbus, playing 1st PP unit, 1st PK units and Winnipeg still would get Puljujarvi who some debate is nearly as good as Laine. Yes Trouba is a tough piece to give up, but Enstrom kills the deal in my eyes. Trouba/Myers/2OA for Jones/Murray/3OA, though unlikely, would probably be more fair IMO
- WhiteLie

and why would columbus do this? waiting in the bushes

The 2nd overall pick for

Haydn Fleury, the 21st overall pick.
- BINGO!

I'd do Haydn Fleury, & the 13th overall to get into the top 3 picks!!! Maybe even throw in one of our 2nd round picks, or another prospect to get it done!

Barring a severe injury, an over-the-top scandal or a Lindros-esque return for our #2 pick - if Chevy doesn't take Laine at the draft, I foresee riots in WPG.

Yeah, you heard me.

Riots.

Puljujarvi might be one hell of a player, but Jets fans are already invested in Laine. After Perry's trip on Laine yesterday, Jets fans went absolutely mental on Twitter. It won't be a good scene.

That said, I have a feeling Mr. Chipman will have a great deal of say in this decision.