People forget how good Eric Staal was/is, beyond the Cup year. A legit monster 1C in his prime, who had the privilege to spend all of it without as much attention as others of his ilk (Canes effect), and most of it on teams beneath him that he carried. Even in his scoring decline the last couple years, and that disastrous Rangers stint, his advanced stats were through the roof always. Went to a contender and bam, put up 1C numbers again and people remembered him. Tangent. But that is likely best case for Patrick.

I think Sean Monahan is a good middle ground and realistic hope between Staal and.....Staal. A 30/30 guy, although Monahan gets to play with Gaudreau. Monahan's defense hasn't translated like thought, so if Patrick is actually Monahan with better defense, that's an excellent 1C. More than good enough with how the rest of our team is being built. Team Nico though.

Nice pick

(frank) this team

People forget how good Eric Staal was/is, beyond the Cup year. A legit monster 1C in his prime, who had the privilege to spend all of it without as much attention as others of his ilk (Canes effect), and most of it on teams beneath him that he carried. Even in his scoring decline the last couple years, and that disastrous Rangers stint, his advanced stats were through the roof always. Went to a contender and bam, put up 1C numbers again and people remembered him. Tangent. But that is likely best case for Patrick.

I think Sean Monahan is a good middle ground and realistic hope between Staal and.....Staal. A 30/30 guy, although Monahan gets to play with Gaudreau. Monahan's defense hasn't translated like thought, so if Patrick is actually Monahan with better defense, that's an excellent 1C. More than good enough with how the rest of our team is being built. Team Nico though.
- Mononoke

This litrally nothing left to do but sit and watch

This litrally nothing left to do but sit and watch
- Just5

I'm watching more of their games to sit and watch before I sit and watch

I'd like Nico as well. Fits the Flyers more- faster with higher offensive upside.

I'm not gonna be sad if we get stuck with Patrick though. Boo hoo

I'm watching more of their games to sit and watch before I sit and watch
- Mononoke

Should we have a primate or amac announce our pick?

do you see any chance of Vilardi being seriously considered at 2 or is there a clear separation after Patrick and Hischier?
- hereticpride

There should be clear separation to me. I like Vilardi. It's him or Glass for me as the next best forward. I have Vilardi ahead right now, but Glass may have more potential due to his rawness. A good Mem Cup showing could help create separation with others in his tier. I think he's the safer of he and Glass.

But Vilardi has nothing on the top 2 guys except he's a bit nastier down low. Equal IQ, touch less skill (more regarding Hischier), by far the worst skater, maybe the lesser of the 3 defensively though he's fine, and he plays wing right now, though he's a natural center and might still project as one. More guess work. He could end up as good, and he's very young for his year although well built, but I doubt he ends up better. At that point the choice seems easy to me and no need to overthink. Hextall is just being coy, as usual, with information.

I'd like Nico as well. Fits the Flyers more- faster with higher offensive upside.

I'm not gonna be sad if we get stuck with Patrick though. Boo hoo
- Giroux_Is_God

I'm hoping for Patrick. Something about Nico's tape just doesn't stick out to me. He's got the stats though and I can't argue with that.

Should we have a primate or amac announce our pick?
- Just5

Max Lamarche

I'm hoping for Patrick. Something about Nico's tape just doesn't stick out to me. He's got the stats though and I can't argue with that.
- hereticpride

The Vilardi discussion must be had

let's schedule it for in here tomorrow

I'm hoping for Patrick. Something about Nico's tape just doesn't stick out to me. He's got the stats though and I can't argue with that.
- hereticpride

Im leaning Patrick also

There should be clear separation to me. I like Vilardi. It's him or Glass for me as the next best forward. I have Vilardi ahead right now, but Glass may have more potential due to his rawness. A good Mem Cup showing could help create separation with others in his tier. I think he's the safer of he and Glass.

But Vilardi has nothing on the top 2 guys except he's a bit nastier down low. Equal IQ, touch less skill (more regarding Hischier), by far the worst skater, maybe the lesser of the 3 defensively though he's fine, and he plays wing right now, though he's a natural center and might still project as one. More guess work. He could end up as good, and he's very young for his year although well built, but I doubt he ends up better. At that point the choice seems easy to me and no need to overthink. Hextall is just being coy, as usual, with information.
- Mononoke

Good assessment. I was watching Vilardi's highlight and was very impressed with his play. Seems to play strong on the puck but yeah, just about everyone seems to have an issue with his skating.

I still really like the Zetterberg comparison for Nico. Body type, 2-way ability, compete level, play style. Just watch some prime Z and they look alike. But Hischier's edge work is something else. Not many who can cut like him.

The Vilardi discussion must be had

let's schedule it for in here tomorrow
- Crimsoninja

I want them to trade Ghost and #2 for #4 (Heiskanainenen) and Michael Duchovny from the Avs before the draft. Its the only path forward.

The Vilardi discussion must be had

let's schedule it for in here tomorrow
- Crimsoninja

Why not Casey Mittelstadt or Cody Glass?

Why not Casey Mittelstadt or Cody Glass?
- ob18

what are your opinions on them?

I still really like the Zetterberg comparison for Nico. Body type, 2-way ability, compete level, play style. Just watch some prime Z and they look alike. But Hischier's edge work is something else. Not many who can cut like him.
- Mononoke

I noticed that right away. Stop on a dime and give you nine cents change. Changing speeds like that is a good skill to have in a super fast league.

Why not Casey Mittelstadt or Cody Glass?
- ob18

Because Mittelstadt sounds like a total hipster, and Cody Glass makes me think of Tanner Glass.


So....

what are your opinions on them?
- Mononoke

That if they really wanted to push the patience theme Casey Mittelstadt might be worth it.

But not suggesting at all they take him over the top 2 choices

Because Mittelstadt sounds like a total hipster, and Cody Glass makes me think of Tanner Glass.


So....


- Doc_Sarcasm

Cant argue with any of this logic...

Max Lamarche
- Mononoke

So a combination of both

I've seen limited full game viewings of both players, but plenty of clips. Here is one man's breakdown:

Nolan Patrick 6'3 198, turns 19 this September
Nico Hischier 6'0 176, turns 19 on Jan 4, 2018

Skating
Patrick is a very good, but not elite skater. He has a long stride and gets up to top speed in a hurry though. He also is deceptively quick and agile for a big man.

Hischier is an elite skater, with great speed, acceleration and quickness. He's not quite as dynamic as Connor McDavid, but he'd arguably be the fastest Flyers forward from day one.

Both players are just as fast with the puck as they are without it.

Size and strength
Patrick is man strong. He will likely continue to fill out and top out at around 210 lbs. He uses his size to protect the puck well, will win board battles and is very difficult to knock off the puck. He's not a particularly aggressive player physically, but he won't back down.

Hischier may still be growing, some sites are now listing him at 6'1 and he's likely around 180 lbs at this point. Obviously, he could benefit by filling out and getting stronger and he will likely top out around 195-200 lbs. That being said, he plays a fearless game, and will happily venture into the dirty parts of the ice. He is deceptively strong and hard to knock off the puck and he has a bit of mean in his game too.

Skills
Patrick has fantastic skills. He possesses a hard, accurate shot, is an excellent passer and has very soft hands that allow him to be an excellent stickhandler. He's going to put points at the NHL level, maybe not the 100+ of a McDavid, but 30+ goals and 80+ points are not out of the realm of possibility when he hits is prime.

Hischier has world class skills. He has innate sense of when to pass and when to shoot and the soft hands to stickhandle with the best of them. He has an accurate shot with a quick release too. Again, he won't put up McDavid numbers, but he too could top out at 30+ goals and 80+ points, and if he really hits his full potential, he could flirt with a few 90+ point seasons.

Overall hockey sense
Patrick is a complete player with very good defensive awareness. He is strong defensively and on faceoffs and competes hard in all three zones. He is a future team captain and a guy who will play in all situations. He is very composed and rarely makes a bad read or a bad play. Coaches are going to love this guy.

Hischier has fantastic on ice awareness, he seems to know where everyone on the ice is at all times and can make a seemingly blind pass out of nowhere. His defensive game is solid, but he could use a bit of improvement to play at the NHL level. He's 9 months younger and less experienced at as high a level as Patrick and that needs to be taken into consideration. Overall, his hockey sense is elite and from all accounts he's very coachable and hard working.

Negatives
Patrick's only negative is his injury history.

Hischier's only negative is that he needs to get a bit stronger.


My preference:
It's a very tough call, but I'd give the slightest of slight edges to Hischier. This is due to my feeling that he may just have a smidge more offensive skill and he's a better skater than Patrick. And, while I don't think it's a major issue, you also can't ignore Patrick's injury history.

My prediction:

I think Shero will go with Hischier and Patrick will be the captain of the Flyers by the early 2020s.
- BiggE

._.

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- dt99999

Hockeybuzz Royalty has made an appearance, on your knees, Mutants

*BL will appear in less than 2 mins*

So a combination of both
- YuenglingJagr

Hischier reminds me also of a more well-rounded offensively and defensively Mat(t)hew Barzal, with a better personality

Hischier reminds me also of a more well-rounded offensively and defensively Mat(t)hew Barzal, with a better personality
- Mononoke

He has a bit of work to do on his hair before he reaches Barzal level for me