I think the kid's got loads of talent. But he is a young punk and young punks want to score and win. He's going to flourish on the Blues. They have the system and players to allow kids like Yak to do their thing.

They will show patience with him and over time teach him how to be more defensively responsible. The Blues call that player development. The Oilers call it magic.
- bloatedmosquito

I initially thought the same, that Yak would flourish being free, but I also thought that about Filatov when he escaped Columbus so I am second guessing myself

I'd say Bieksa in the 5th is a homerun.

Datsyuk is a series sweep.
- golfingsince

(frank)in Detroit hey, how many times did they take a flyer on a guy and it paid off in spades. Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Fedorov, Lidstrom, Konstantinov

Their 1989 draft was incredible!!

Its a good thing I never said anything along those lines.....tho delusional fans are worth a laugh
- RatedR80

Yeah sorry, I wasn't pointing at you directly. It was just hilarious at the time......and I believe PK won the Norris that year.

You need to hit home runs in all 7 rounds.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Pretty hilarious, Corrado has played in 4 of the 50 games he has dressed for. The kids career has been ruined in TO.

Yeah sorry, I wasn't pointing at you directly. It was just hilarious at the time......and I believe PK won the Norris that year.
- golfingsince

If I am Price, I take Weber > PK any day.

Speaking of draft picks, i wonder what the future holds for Olli Juolevi. Sucks to see Mikhail Sergachev and Jakob Chychrun playing already. Chychrun got his first last night too. I think in the long run Olli will probably become our elite dman we've been missing
- bigpetar

Sergachev I think was pegged as most NHL ready physically, but despite how bad the Canucks defense was last year, the lineup they had in camp was much tougher to crack than what Arizona and Montreal had in theirs

(frank)in Detroit hey, how many times did they take a flyer on a guy and it paid off in spades. Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Fedorov, Lidstrom, Konstantinov

Their 1989 draft was incredible!!
- LeftCoaster

Yeah, one great draft can change the fortunes of a team for decades.

Yeah, one great draft can change the fortunes of a team for decades.
- golfingsince

Four guys from that draft (Detroits) played over 1000 NHL games, that's an incredible feat!!

Yeah I can see as an outsider how you think this but reality is Yak was given a ton of chances to succeed...he got to play with McDavid....if that isnt giving a guy a chance to flourish then I dunno wtf is...he dropped the ball plain and simple and Ebs did much better in that position....he played with Nuge and Hall and same results....maybe he will turn out to be a good player but im not ready to crown him as such after only 5 games...lets revisit this after game 41
- RatedR80

The kids played 4 seasons, 252 games and has scored 111 points.

He played on a poop team, with no direction and still put up good numbers. What did you expect from him?

Not surprised by Vans start. They are grossly underestimated.

2 solid NHL starters. A decent top 4. A great top line. And a slew full of decent NHL forwards that if they play as team can win on any given night.

No real weaknesses in any area.

Having said all that I still expect to see them miss the playoffs over a full season but the pacific is the most wide open it has ever been. There is really no team that can absolutely lay claim to the #2 & #3 spots this year. The #1 "should" go to SJS but maybe even that is up in the air.

I initially thought the same, that Yak would flourish being free, but I also thought that about Filatov when he escaped Columbus so I am second guessing myself
- WhiteLie

But what's wrong with his stats considering he was on the oil? To me he looks like a productive young player. Not his fault the oilers picked him 1st overall.

I disagree, you just have to draft well and bring in quality players. Edler, as an example, is a solid pick for a third rounder. Bieksa was a solid pick for a fifth rounder, neither are home runs but rather just good contributing members of good teams.

You need to hit a home run when you draft top three or five.
- LeftCoaster

I'd consider Bieksa and Edler home runs at the spots they were taken, probably what he meant aswell

The Canucks are 4 and 0
- CanuckDon

Standard reply when you don't actually have one.

I'd consider Bieksa and Edler home runs at the spots they were taken, probably what he meant aswell
- ClarksonDavid

Fair enough, I was just thinking home runs are better player but those two were/are good players.

you're such a meathead, the Oilers are a prime example of how drafting wins you Stanley Cups, they drafted all their HHOF players from their dynasty except Wayne Gretzky.

Messier, Coffey, Kurri, Fuhr, Anderson...any of those guys ring a bell? Incompetent management doesn't negate the fact drafting is the most important thing a franchise can do.

I love how there's one example of incompetence and somehow it's passed off as the norm???
- LeftCoaster

FFS talk about being stupid how about being current. They won back in the 80s . Thirty years ago . What next how about when the Leafs won in 67.

Yes, we all see that. Missing the point. Is it easier to build around a young superstar, bring together a supporting cast that works off his strengths?

Or do you build a supporting cast first and then hope to find a star that fits in with the roster you have built?

1st line centre, defensive forward, offensive dman, goalie. You need to have stars in those positions to be a cup contender. Drafting high is a good way to start building that core.
- bloatedmosquito

I think if you have a young superstar then yes it makes it easier but if you dont thats where a good GM comes in and is able to work around that through drafting/UFA/trades

Yeah sorry, I wasn't pointing at you directly. It was just hilarious at the time......and I believe PK won the Norris that year.
- golfingsince

No worries if anything im laughing with you on how some people think

FFS talk about being stupid how about being current. They won back in the 80s . Thirty years ago . What next how about when the Leafs won in 67.
- VANTEL

LOL...that doesn't take away from the fact drafting is important. Every successful team drafted well but all you ever say is it didn't work for the Oilers...it's just getting a bit tiresome.

It doesn't matter two-(frank)s when you drafted well, 30-20-10 years ago, what matters is it's still the most effective, proven way to build your franchise into a competitive team.

Only in canuck nation can a first overall pick become a bad thing.

Why is it a bad thing? Because it doesn't guarantee success.

Holy (frank) that pisses me off.

But what's wrong with his stats considering he was on the oil? To me he looks like a productive young player. Not his fault the oilers picked him 1st overall.
- bloatedmosquito

Nothing wrong, but I think he will be somewhere in the 2nd to 3rd line spot, which is good for St Louis and what they paid to get him. Just dont think he will reach the potential anymore after going through what happened in Edmonton

Standard reply when you don't actually have one.
- bloatedmosquito

Not really...I have responded to your posts regarding tanking many times. I will never agree with you. As I said before, I don't think real fans cheer for their team to lose.

I'd say Bieksa in the 5th is a homerun.

Datsyuk is a series sweep.
- golfingsince

Hansen in the 9th

Only in canuck nation can a first overall pick become a bad thing.

Why is it a bad thing? Because it doesn't guarantee success.

Holy (frank) that pisses me off.
- bloatedmosquito

Did anybody say that a 1st overall pick is a bad thing?

Fair enough, I was just thinking home runs are better player but those two were/are good players.
- LeftCoaster

Yeah I know. If your drafting those guys in their slots you're coming out on top I'd say.

I think if you have a young superstar then yes it makes it easier but if you dont thats where a good GM comes in and is able to work around that through drafting/UFA/trades
- RatedR80

Yes! That's why I'm pleading for the tank.