Scott Burnside hired by the Stars as Sr Digital Correspondent.

I agree 100% Bill. I think, by the end of their careers, Konecny will be remembered as the better player because, more than any other reason, I just think he "wants it" more. The kid seems to be determined to do whatever it takes to improve his game and succeed at the NHL level and I think he will top out as a complete player who, depending on pp usage, will put up anywhere from 50-65 points on a consistent basis and also eventually be used as a PKer as well.

I don't see the same commitment to working on all aspects of the game from Drouin. Is he a better pure offensively talented player? Yeah, he is. But, as you said, he's not going to put up the Pavel Bure type of numbers that will allow you to happily excuse the other shortcomings in his game.
- BiggE

FWIW I don't agree at all. I think it is doubtful Konecny ends up as a better player, even though I like both players a lot. I think the holdout gave Drouins name a negative connotation that he will have to overcome, but I have seen several times where he is committed to all phases of the game.

Also Konecny, despite how committed he is or how hard he tries, the stats don't really show a big improvement in defense over someone like Drouin. I know it is only his age 19 season, but I wouldn't call Konecny better defensively.

Drouin is a great player, there just isnt really a trade scenario that makes sense for the Flyers, and especially for the Lightning. The lightning's "prime" window is in like the next 2 years (if they trade Drouin), so I would bet they'd want someone more proven than a D prospect

Noel Fogelman is just torturing Isles fans today.


- mayorofangrytown

Is that our clown in disguise?

FWIW I don't agree at all. I think it is doubtful Konecny ends up as a better player, even though I like both players a lot. I think the holdout gave Drouins name a negative connotation that he will have to overcome, but I have seen several times where he is committed to all phases of the game.

Also Konecny, despite how committed he is or how hard he tries, the stats don't really show a big improvement in defense over someone like Drouin. I know it is only his age 19 season, but I wouldn't call Konecny better defensively.

Drouin is a great player, there just isnt really a trade scenario that makes sense for the Flyers, and especially for the Lightning. The lightning's "prime" window is in like the next 2 years (if they trade Drouin), so I would bet they'd want someone more proven than a D prospect
- YuenglingJagr

I agree somewhat. First of all, Drouin is not a great player now. Not yet. I also don't see a fit with the Flyers unless they want to include Gostisbehere. I also agree that while Konecny has obvious talent and doesn't have a black mark against him maturity wise, Konecny has a ton to learn about playing in the NHL on both sides of the puck. So right now even considering the difference in experience, Konecny doesn't have any edge over Drouin in overall game. The Flyers are better off developing their talent including who they select 2nd overall than trading multiple top assets for Drouin

I'm not trading Morin. I think if he keeps listening to Kjell and working on what he needs to he could be the next line of big intimidating defenders that the Flyers have had. The Flyers haven't had that big feared guy since Pronger and we all know they miss that part of the game.

I want the opposition to have to think about what may happen if they come across the blue line on his side or if they get in front of the net when he's on the ice.
- dragonoffrost

Exactly, it's always nice to have a big guy who can skate, who has a genuine mean streak, patrolling our blue line. I love having highly skilled Dmen, but if you have guys like Ghost, Provorov and soon Sanheim and Myers in your group, you certainly have room for a guy like Morin.

FWIW I don't agree at all. I think it is doubtful Konecny ends up as a better player, even though I like both players a lot. I think the holdout gave Drouins name a negative connotation that he will have to overcome, but I have seen several times where he is committed to all phases of the game.

Also Konecny, despite how committed he is or how hard he tries, the stats don't really show a big improvement in defense over someone like Drouin. I know it is only his age 19 season, but I wouldn't call Konecny better defensively.

Drouin is a great player, there just isnt really a trade scenario that makes sense for the Flyers, and especially for the Lightning. The lightning's "prime" window is in like the next 2 years (if they trade Drouin), so I would bet they'd want someone more proven than a D prospect
- YuenglingJagr

Maybe, maybe not. From everything I've read Konecny is fully committed and determined to work on improving all aspects of his game and never complains about his usage or ice time. Maybe the whole prima donna thing is something that Drouin grows out of, but it just raises a red flag for me. I can't stand that type of attitude from a rookie who at that point had accomplished squat as a pro.

You could be right, but for now, I'll take TK. The fact that Konecny has 2 years left on his rookie deal doesn't hurt either.

Maybe, maybe not. From everything I've read Konecny is fully committed and determined to work on improving all aspects of his game and never complains about his usage or ice time. Maybe the whole prima donna thing is something that Drouin grows out of, but it just raises a red flag for me. I can't stand that type of attitude from a rookie who at that point had accomplished squat as a pro.

You could be right, but for now, I'll take TK. The fact that Konecny has 2 years left on his rookie deal doesn't hurt either.
- BiggE

Heck yeah. Drouin still has a good amount of RFA years left, but the Flyers would be smart to not move out any player with 5+ years of control they see as part of the next core. The financial portion of a Drouin trade cannot be ignored when it comes to his value, but I also don't see it as an either/or situation.

Allan Walsh has a different client I want to trade for :D

So what's everyone Drouin this weekend?

So what's everyone Drouin this weekend?
- Pixote Andolini

So what's everyone Drouin this weekend?
- Pixote Andolini

I think somethings Bruin...

Maybe, maybe not. From everything I've read Konecny is fully committed and determined to work on improving all aspects of his game and never complains about his usage or ice time. Maybe the whole prima donna thing is something that Drouin grows out of, but it just raises a red flag for me. I can't stand that type of attitude from a rookie who at that point had accomplished squat as a pro.

You could be right, but for now, I'll take TK. The fact that Konecny has 2 years left on his rookie deal doesn't hurt either.
- BiggE

Cry me a river. Crosby also takes about 4 dives, 3 head tosses to fake getting high-sticked, 9 direct whining complaints to the ref, and 11 whacks on opponents with his stick of his own every game.

And did you seriously just write "with no call"???????
- MountainHockey

Why are you describing Claude Giroux?

Really, have you even watched Crosby play the last 3 seasons?

What marks does he deserve? He's still pretty much one-dimensional and doesn't yet produce offense at a level where a coach can overlook it (i.e., a latter-day Pavel Bure). Eventually, he may. Far from a guarantee that he ever will. He was the third overall pick of his draft year, which means nothing once you are in the NHL. That's especially true with the heavy emphasis on structure in today's game. Love it or hate it, that's not going to change anytime soon.

Konecny's ceiling may be a bit below Drouin's but not all that much, and I like TK's chances of maxing his potential more than I like Drouin's because the former has the right mindset to keep getting better and better while the latter has displayed a need to grow up a little bit more emotionally.

As far as how Ron Hextall might see it -- and his is the only opinion that ultimately counts -- I think the fact that he selected Jon Cooper as Team Canada's head coach and that Drouin was not invited to play on the team (but Brayden Point was), speaks to where his views fall on the clashes between Cooper and Drouin early in his career.
- bmeltzer

I personally don't think TK's ceiling is nearly as close to JD's. If you could do something involving Simmonds, I would do that all day long.
I wouldn't read to much into Cooper not selecting him for team Canada. There is obviously something not right between him and Cooper. He is worth a flyer on a team that will need offensive help going forward.

I personally don't think TK's ceiling is nearly as close to JD's. If you could do something involving Simmonds, I would do that all day long.
I wouldn't read to much into Cooper not selecting him for team Canada. There is obviously something not right between him and Cooper. He is worth a flyer on a team that will need offensive help going forward.
- all-pgh

You are willing to trade a 30 goals a year, in his prime player for someone who is a huge question mark with potential? I wouldn't stick my neck on that guillotine

Warren G is the greatest lyrical genius of our time.

This is not up for debate.

And now, what absolutely no one has been waiting for...My 2017 NHL mock draft!!!

THE TOP 10
1. New Jersey-Nico Hischier C
Shero goes for the best pure offensive upside in the draft
2. Philadelphia-Nolan Patrick C
No brainer pick for Hexy

And now a trade: Vancouver trades up sending the 5th overall pick and their 2nd rounder (#33) to Dallas for the 3rd overall pick

3. Vancouver-Gabe Vilardi C
The Canucks get what they hope is their future 1C

4. Colorado-Miro Heiskenen D
The Avs need D, Sakic goes with the talented Finn

5. Dallas-Timothy Liljegren D
The Stars also need D and take arguably one of the top 2 in this draft

6. Las Vegas-Casey Mittelstadt C
Vegas has the time to wait for this kid to develop

7. Arizona-Cody Glass C
BPA for the Yotes

8. Buffalo-Owen Tippet RW
The Sabres are deep up the middle, but could use a pure scorer on the wing

9. Detroit-Martin Necas C/RW
He's the kind of player Holland loves

10. Florida-Eeli Tolvanen
Should be a nice fit for the Panthers

up next 11-20

You are willing to trade a 30 goals a year, in his prime player for someone who is a huge question mark with potential? I wouldn't stick my neck on that guillotine
- dragonoffrost

I guess it all depends on if you think this team as constructed can win in the next two years or build for the future. Wayne isn't going to be around when your D and Nolan/Hischier are mature enough to make some noise.

And now, the mock continues!!
11-20

11. Los Angeles-Michael Rassmussen C
LA loves them big centers

12. Carolina-Elias Pettersson C
Have the D, need the O

13. Winnipeg-Kristin Versalainen LW
I really like this kid, and so do the Jets

14. Tampa Bay-Cale Makar D
Best Dman left on the board, IMO

15. NY Islanders-Klim Kostin RW
Could be a steal, could be a bust...

16. Calgary-Cal Foote D
Burke loves guys like Foote

17. Toronto-Ryan Poehling C
Leafs gonna be good for a long time

18. Boston-Nick Suzuki C
Bruins need some youth up front

19. San Jose-Isaac Ratcliffe LW
The Sharks like em big, enough said

20. St. Louis-Kailer Yamamoto RW
If this kid was a couple of inches taller he'd be a top 10 pick, Blues make a shrewd pick here.

Next up 21-31

And finally numbers 21-31 in my mock draft!

21. NY Rangers-Juuso Valimaki D
Satan's spawn go D, I hope he's an utter bust!

22. Edmonton-Lias Andersson C
Should slot in nicely as a 3C in Edmonton in a few years

23. Arizona-Nic Hague D
With Glass already in the fold, Maloney goes D

24. Columbus-Maxime Comtois LW
starts getting really hard to predict at this point, LOL

25. Montreal-Shane Bowers C
26. Chicago-Robert Thomas C
27. St. Louis-Conor Timins D
28. Ottawa-Urho Vaakanainan D
(can't wait to hear Coatsey try and say this kids name!)

29. Dallas-Jason Robertson LW
30. Nashville (sadly) -Henri Jokiharju D
31. Pittsburgh (dammit) -Erik Branstrom D

And now, the mock continues!!

- BiggE

Copied and saved for future praise or ridicule.

Is that our clown in disguise?
- dragonoffrost

Man you would think if you read that blog wouldn't you?

BiggE,

If St. Louis doesn't promote that kid as The Admiral, I seriously question their marketing team.

Copied and saved for future praise or ridicule.




- MBFlyerfan

BiggE,

If St. Louis doesn't promote that kid as The Admiral, I seriously question their marketing team.




- MBFlyerfan

Oh, absolutely!