From what I've seen there are 4 centers tracking better than Jost in this draft. No superstars but lots of high end prospects
- CanuckDon

Gabriel Vilardi and Patrick look like good prospects, i dont see any others who would be better then Jost though.

People forget it wasn't only Edler . After the night in Col when we lost Sutter and Edler , JB started icing an AHL roster . They never made any trades but instead accepted the tank and dressed Grenier Tryamkin McCann Gaunce Virtanen and other Comets
- VANTEL

I don't know... it wasn't like we ever had Sutter. He played only a few games between injuries. We survived Hammer being out with a bunch of other guys out... it seemed we were about to get a bit healthier and then Edler happened... it felt like total collapse.

I can see it being possible that Benning used that as an excuse to serve the owner to just embrace a tank for the remainder of the season... which fits what you are saying. Both are likely... Edler still being the turning point though.

Agreed. When I suggested we take him at the draft it didn't go over very well though. Benning just wasn't listening to me I guess,
- Reubenkincade

So if he's that good then Avs can trade Duchene like they did O'Rielly to make room. Line up the trade proposals.

This draft is weeeeaaakkkk. I hear and see. Not just low on top end talent. Lack of skilled players.
- manvanfan

This draft isn't weak lol. Who told you that?
It's deeper than last years.
TBH no drafts moving forward will be weak. There is so much talent coming up, and all the kids are so well coached, you won't have bad drafts or picks like Patrick White in the first round anymore.

Gabriel Vilardi and Patrick look like good prospects, i dont see any others who would be better then Jost though.
- phyllee

Pretty frustrating to not be able to follow their development with the injuries... it may make the top 10 a little harder to figure out this season. When are they back?

I don't know... it wasn't like we ever had Sutter. He played only a few games between injuries. We survived Hammer being out with a bunch of other guys out... it seemed we were about to get a bit healthier and then Edler happened... it felt like total collapse.

I can see it being possible that Benning used that as an excuse to serve the owner to just embrace a tank for the remainder of the season... which fits what you are saying. Both are likely... Edler still being the turning point though.

- boonerbuck

I don't think it will be as bad this time . Stecher Gudbrandson is better than Weber Bartowski

Any Nickelback fans in the house?
- dshiddy

Vilardi, Patrick, Middlestad and Hischier...I think first overall is very much up in the air from what over read. There should be a lot of movement at the top. Vilardi and Patrick's injuries aren't helping
- CanuckDon

Those Centers will probably go at a higher position in the draft. I was reading an article on Hischier and it said he would have gone somewhere between 15-20 in last years draft. Sorry don't remember where I read it.

I don't know... it wasn't like we ever had Sutter. He played only a few games between injuries. We survived Hammer being out with a bunch of other guys out... it seemed we were about to get a bit healthier and then Edler happened... it felt like total collapse.

I can see it being possible that Benning used that as an excuse to serve the owner to just embrace a tank for the remainder of the season... which fits what you are saying. Both are likely... Edler still being the turning point though.

- boonerbuck

And so we have arrived there again. Thanks Colorado for the high.

Vilardi, Patrick, Middlestad and Hischier...I think first overall is very much up in the air from what over read. There should be a lot of movement at the top. Vilardi and Patrick's injuries aren't helping
- CanuckDon

Timothy Liljegren. He's most of the things Juolevi isn't and will compliment his style. Building from the back end has never been this franchises priority... I'm hoping JB continues to focus on the center and D positions, I know most people want offensive impact now but we wont see that out of this draft. We will see it from slow steady process of building.

Pretty frustrating to not be able to follow their development with the injuries... it may make the top 10 a little harder to figure out this season. When are they back?
- boonerbuck

Havent seen any updates on them, worst thing that can happen is Vilardi drops and if we dont win the lotto he would drop to us

People forget it wasn't only Edler . After the night in Col when we lost Sutter and Edler , JB started icing an AHL roster . They never made any trades but instead accepted the tank and dressed Grenier Tryamkin McCann Gaunce Virtanen and other Comets
- VANTEL

It wasn't only Edler, but his absence out of the lineup was easily the most statistically significant of all of the injuries (not even close). We lost Sutter much earlier in the year. he played only 20 games, While Edler played in 52. The 30 he missed did not go well, I expect that trend to continue for the next 4-6 weeks.

Pretty frustrating to not be able to follow their development with the injuries... it may make the top 10 a little harder to figure out this season. When are they back?
- boonerbuck

Yeah. Probably after World Junior tournament. But then we might become aware of other gems in the tournament. Is there a Laine type who might come to light?

This draft isn't weak lol. Who told you that?
It's deeper than last years.
TBH no drafts moving forward will be weak. There is so much talent coming up, and all the kids are so well coached, you won't have bad drafts or picks like Patrick White in the first round anymore.
- dshiddy

We might not agree on much, but this is one. Young players are getting better, being trained earlier by better staff in better facilities.

It wasn't only Edler, but his absence out of the lineup was easily the most statistically significant of all of the injuries (not even close). We lost Sutter much earlier in the year. he played only 20 games, While Edler played in 52. The 30 he missed did not go well, I expect that trend to continue for the next 4-6 weeks.
- neem55

They also brought back Hamhuis Higgins and a bunch of other sad sacks.

As much as Scooby hates Chaput , him and Megna have not looked bad. We also had Vrbata who packed it in. There was so much going wrong last year. It won't be as bad this time around

Those Centers will probably go at a higher position in the draft. I was reading an article on Hischier and it said he would have gone somewhere between 15-20 in last years draft. Sorry don't remember where I read it.
- manvanfan

I have seen multiple reports that Hishier is tracking better than Ehlers...admittedly I havent seen him play but he is having a big year. That's why this draft will be interesting because rankings are all over the map

They also brought back Hamhuis Higgins and a bunch of other sad sacks.

As much as Scooby hates Chaput , him and Megna have not looked bad. We also had Vrbata who packed it in. There was so much going wrong last year. It won't be as bad this time around
- VANTEL

Were'currently 5th from the bottom and just lost our best d-man, I respectfully disagree. I don't see this as a bad thing, should give JB the green light on making some deals happen.

I have personally liked Chaput too, he seems to not make many mistakes and creates turnovers. I haven't seen Megna yet, I missed a few games.

Were 5th from the bottom and just lost our best d-man, I respectfully disagree. I have personally liked Chaput too, he seems to not make many mistakes and creates turnovers. I haven't seen Megna yet, I missed a few games.
- neem55

We have also picked up 11 out of 18 points in the last 9 games.

If we win our next game we move up to 18 th spot .

I have seen multiple reports that Hishier is tracking better than Ehlers...admittedly I havent seen him play but he is having a big year. That's why this draft will be interesting because rankings are all over the map
- CanuckDon

A good read. Was at the start of the season though
http://www.tsn.ca/mckenzi...an-patrick-draft-1.567410

I don't think it will be as bad this time . Stecher Gudbrandson is better than Weber Bartowski
- VANTEL

Sbisa?

Sbisa?
- VanHockeyGuy

He gave up his pizza delivery job.

We have also picked up 11 out of 18 points in the last 9 games.
- VANTEL

With Edler in the lineup. I know you, like many on here, want to hold onto playoff/bubble team aspirations but we don't have depth on D. I will enjoy the kids on D getting the shot at lots of icetime, but I don't expect much more than .500 hockey

This draft is weeeeaaakkkk. I hear and see. Not just low on top end talent. Lack of skilled players.
- manvanfan

There are still some solid centers avail in the top 5 that are looking better than Jost.

With Edler in the lineup. I know you, like many on here, want to hold onto playoff/bubble team aspirations but we don't have depth on D. I will enjoy the kids on D getting the shot at lots of icetime, but I don't expect much more than .500 hockey
- neem55

Even with Edler in the lineup we were on course for .500.

I love the fact that we are getting away for him to see what we have. I Love the sink or swim experience they are going to encounter. This is a perfect year to experiment.

I don't think it will be as bad this time . Stecher Gudbrandson is better than Weber Bartowski
- VANTEL

We are deeper and healthier this season...at this point.