I dont think it would be ideal for him to spend 1 or 2 years in Utica, I really hope the only time he spends in the AHL is during the playoffs after his OHL season(s) has (have) ended. That high of a pick spending 2 years in Utica, would mean NHL rookie season at 22-23 for 5th overall would be shredded in this market
- WhiteLie

Given he is a 5th overall pick, I hope he is ready next season

Sutter should have the A
- VanHockeyGuy

Or Bo

Sergachev has looked like garbage so far, he should be back in junior.

Being a true number 1 isn't as subjective as you think. Some D can carry games, some can't.

I'm really happy with the Juolevi pick, I wanted a Dman and he "projected" to be the best available. I wanted no part of PLD.

Do I think he'll be top pairing? yes

Do I think he'll dominate at both ends of the rink? probably not.
- golfingsince

I'm also happy with the pick, would of been fine with Tkachuk as well at the time but for some reason I think he is an bumhole now.

That said I think OJ might still likely only top out as a Dan Hamhuis, Alex Edler type #1 defense-man. Those players were both very good in their prime and you need them but I'm not expecting an Elite D out of him.

Bonino and Corrado?
- CanuckDon

Dan Woodley and Jason Herter

Given he is a 5th overall pick, I hope he is ready next season
- CanuckDon

Agreed, at least get him on the roster in the "program" McCann and JV were on in their rookie seasons so he can continue to bulk up but play/practice against NHLers

Sergachev has looked like garbage so far, he should be back in junior.

Being a true number 1 isn't as subjective as you think. Some D can carry games, some can't.

I'm really happy with the Juolevi pick, I wanted a Dman and he "projected" to be the best available. I wanted no part of PLD.

Do I think he'll be top pairing? yes

Do I think he'll dominate at both ends of the rink? probably not.
- golfingsince

Juolevi is going to be excellent and we were lucky to get him. CLB thew a wrench into the draft when they took Dubois ahead of Puljujarvi. I worked Mem Cup last year and the word was EDM was looking hard at Juolevi for 4th overall. Also heard that benning wanted Dubois pretty badly so I think we made out better with Juolevi.

Given he is a 5th overall pick, I hope he is ready next season
- CanuckDon

If he bulks up by 15lbs he will be on the roster next year.

I dont think it would be ideal for him to spend 1 or 2 years in Utica, I really hope the only time he spends in the AHL is during the playoffs after his OHL season(s) has (have) ended. That high of a pick spending 2 years in Utica, would mean NHL rookie season at 22-23 for 5th overall would be shredded in this market
- WhiteLie

I couldn't disagree more. If the kid isn't ready next year, he isn't ready. AHL is the best development league for the NHL period.

I hope he is ready but very few 20 year old D are ready. I could care less how long a player takes to become a rookie as long as they make it.

This team hasn't spent time developing players in the AHL since Kesler/Edler/Burrows/Hansen all came through and that worked out pretty well.

They finally have a good relationship with their AHL team and they need to now let the process occur naturally. Some players might spend 50 games there and be ready and some might take 150.

Dan Woodley and Jason Herter
- golfingsince

Libor Polasek and Garth Butcher

If WD falters i'm going with....

Benning on Doug Jarvis: "He's a very smart coach. He understands the way you need to play to win. We did a good job teaching the players."

Libor Polasek and Garth Butcher
- CanuckDon

Patrick White

If WD falters i'm going with....

Benning on Doug Jarvis: "He's a very smart coach. He understands the way you need to play to win. We did a good job teaching the players."
- VanHockeyGuy

I'd like to see Jarvis and Green...too bad Green won't take an assistant job

We should be so lucky if Juolevi takes the same route that Provocop had taken. Provorov is an absolute beast of a player.
Juolevi really needs to bulk up though. His hockey IQ was evident during the pre-season. He just needs to get bigger and stronger. 1 or 2 years in Utica would not be the end of the world.
- Codes1087

Not the end of the world, but it likely means 2 years of junior first. IDK if he is Utica eligible after this year due to his European play or not.

I'd like to see Jarvis and Green...too bad Green won't take an assistant job
- CanuckDon

That is too bad as the experience would be good for him. These flavor of the month AHL coaches coming in the past 4-5 seasons have for the most part been disappointments. As Green would be if he was thrust into the head coaching job here.

Not while wearing an 'A' unfortunately. (Sorry Makita).
- Marwood

Don't be sorry, you know I you. Well in a platonic kind of way.

I couldn't disagree more. If the kid isn't ready next year, he isn't ready. AHL is the best development league for the NHL period.

I hope he is ready but very few 20 year old D are ready. I could care less how long a player takes to become a rookie as long as they make it.

This team hasn't spent time developing players in the AHL since Kesler/Edler/Burrows/Hansen all came through and that worked out pretty well.

They finally have a good relationship with their AHL team and they need to now let the process occur naturally. Some players might spend 50 games there and be ready and some might take 150.
- belcherbd

I think based on the reports this year on how he has the skill and intelligence to play at the NHL level right now and that his strength is the what is lacking should have him ready before he is eligible for a full season in the AHL.

Also I didnt say its a bad thing, as guys like Shea Weber, PK Subban, OEL, Suter have all spent a season or less in the AHL, I just am of the opinion a higher draft pick should be further along and require less time there, a la Doughty, Pietrangelo, Hedman

Watch the old guys slow down as the season wears on. Like Lefty for example
- VanHockeyGuy

That is too bad as the experience would be good for him. These flavor of the month AHL coaches coming in the past 4-5 seasons have for the most part been disappointments. As Green would be if he was thrust into the head coaching job here.
- LordHumungous

Jarvis/Malhotra

Jarvis/Malhotra
- VanHockeyGuy

lol

I think based on the reports this year on how he has the skill and intelligence to play at the NHL level right now and that his strength is the what is lacking should have him ready before he is eligible for a full season in the AHL.

Also I didnt say its a bad thing, as guys like Shea Weber, PK Subban, OEL, Suter have all spent a season or less in the AHL, I just am of the opinion a higher draft pick should be further along and require less time there, a la Doughty, Pietrangelo, Hedman
- WhiteLie

I think it's impossible to know how long a prospect should spend in the AHL until they get there. Lets see Juolevi dominate the OHL first before he even gets to the AHL.

lol
- LordHumungous

WD's winning right now, there's no pressure yet. They will make a change quick if things go sideways again though.

They did cheat. No way that the Canucks were the only team to be able to fine those "extra" exhibition games.
- belcherbd

Proof?

WD's winning right now, there's no pressure yet. They will make a change quick if things go sideways again though.
- VanHockeyGuy

WD should be fired after their first loss

Don't be sorry, you know I you. Well in a platonic kind of way.
- Makita

As long as you don't the way you Burrows.

WD should be fired after their first loss
- CanuckDon

I can't believe he's lasted this long, particularly after letting Eriksson score on his own goal.