Holy (frank) man, put down the pipe and walk away
- LeftCoaster

so what size is the Bouchard jersey for you going to be

#moneypuck


Eventually it'll work, right?
- LeftCoaster

he's been there for 2 years

It doesn't take long for bad management to destroy a franchise.
- Pacificgem

although clearly ottawa did it the fastest and so completely

so many scandals in a single season

clean house on management!

Doesn't Brackett run the draft now?
- Nucker101

No, the GM has the ultimate authority on this, at least until the mid to later rounds when the work the scouts have put in get leaned on heavily.

he's been there for 2 years
- Nucker101

that's what I'm sayin, eventually it's gonna work, right?

so what size is the Bouchard jersey for you going to be
- onesmallleap

don't get me wrong, I like the kid, love to have a guy with a big shot like that, just not at #7.

although clearly ottawa did it the fastest and so completely

so many scandals in a single season

clean house on management!
- SMBDragon

From what I've read, a lot of bad decisions have come from the owner and his money issues regarding player movement.

Under perfect circumstances.
Dahlin
Svechnikov
Kotkaniemi
Zadina
Hughes
Bouchard

That would leave Van with the choice of all 4 of the guys I like. Tkachuk, Wahlstrom, Boqvist, Dobson. Really would be awesome to get to choose.
- manvanfan

I get the sense Benning has a hard-on for Tkachuk. I don't have anything to prove that, just a feeling I have as he's a Benning type of player.
- LeftCoaster

That wouldn't be the end of the world.

I get the sense Benning has a hard-on for Tkachuk. I don't have anything to prove that, just a feeling I have as he's a Benning type of player.
- LeftCoaster

Pettersson and Juolevi and boeser.

- NorthNuck

Yep far more worried about other rounds

Maybe you dont understand
15 even strength goals to 8 even strength goals to 4 even strength goals.

Got it. Good
- classic321

If other people are scoring because he is distributing, that's good. Is Joe Thorton not good. Does everyone have to score? PPG, corsi, fenwick are all much more than GPG. Domi brings a physical elemnt also, totally different character than Chuky. I'm a huge Chuky fan, always have been, but Domi is a decent player to get back IMO.

I get the sense Benning has a hard-on for Tkachuk. I don't have anything to prove that, just a feeling I have as he's a Benning type of player.
- LeftCoaster

I could see this. He's a huge Lucic fan, they are very similar players.

he's been there for 2 years
- Nucker101

I really have liked most of his moves. Needs a goalie, but Smith was way too long in the tooth. Raanta was worth gambling on. Good first couple drafts, some nice trades and signings. Galchenyuk is a savvy pickup, if JB made a trade of that quality I'd be very impressed. Good young team, I expect them to be a bubble team after that awful start last year trying to find chemistry.

I really have liked most of his moves. Needs a goalie, but Smith was way too long in the tooth. Raanta was worth gambling on. Good first couple drafts, some nice trades and signings. Galchenyuk is a savvy pickup, if JB made a trade of that quality I'd be very impressed. Good young team, I expect them to be a bubble team after that awful start last year trying to find chemistry.
- neem55

He has done some quality moves, just needs it to gel

I could see this. He's a huge Lucic fan, they are very similar players.
- neem55

I hope not.

Pettersson and Juolevi and boeser.
- CanuckDon

Lefty's feeling are strange... and even after Benning put speed as his number one desire.... not position when asked.

Lefty's feeling are strange... and even after Benning put speed as his number one desire.... not position when asked.
- boonerbuck

Tkachuk is a good skater, his first step can be viewed as a concern as he doesn't explode out of the blocks but that's just strength and fitness, where are you reading he's not? His top speed is very good.

I'm not advocating picking him, I'm just saying he appears to be a big, fast, skilled, abrasive kid which is what kind of player I think Benning really covets.


"Tkachuk can dictate and control the play with his speed and physical attributes. He has the size, hands and ability down low to create matchup problems, and revels in high-pressure moments."

Pettersson and Juolevi and boeser.
- CanuckDon

So ??? Of course he's gonna pick the BPA available, he's stupid, he's not a complete moron. To me I just think / sense he likes that kind of player to complement the other guys.

Probably why reports are he really wanted Lucic and for all intents and purposes why he took Virtanen.

Tkachuk is a good skater, his first step can be viewed as a concern as he doesn't explode out of the blocks but that's just strength and fitness, where are you reading he's not? His top speed is very good.

I'm not advocating picking him, I'm just saying he appears to be a big, fast, skilled, abrasive kid which is what kind of player I think Benning really covets.


"Tkachuk can dictate and control the play with his speed and physical attributes. He has the size, hands and ability down low to create matchup problems, and revels in high-pressure moments."
- LeftCoaster

Sounds like a playoff performer.

Sounds like a playoff performer.
- manvanfan

I hope they take Wahlstrom or Kotkaniemi or a highend dman (Hughes only). Otherwise trade back and get more picks!!

I hope they take Wahlstrom or Kotkaniemi or a highend dman (Hughes only).
- LeftCoaster

Is Hughes that special to buck every trend that involves defensemen his size?

Brian Rafalski and Brian Campbell. in 08-09 and 09-10 are the only two D in the past 10 years to win a cup that are his size.
Rafalski had Kronwall and Lidstrom.
Campbell had Keith, Seabrook, Buff

Ryan Ellis and Nashville had a good run.

He's going to be a good player, I have never argued that.

I want to see Van win a cup and it seems to be difficult for players that size to win with their teams.

Is Hughes that special to buck every trend that involves defensemen his size?

Brian Rafalski and Brian Campbell. in 08-09 and 09-10 are the only two D in the past 10 years to win a cup that are his size.
Rafalski had Kronwall and Lidstrom.
Campbell had Keith, Seabrook, Buff

Ryan Ellis and Nashville had a good run.

He's going to be a good player, I have never argued that.

I want to see Van win a cup and it seems to be difficult for players that size to win with their teams.
- manvanfan

If he's the BPA you take him, otherwise pick the next best kid on YOUR list. You've gotta build one or two players at a time from each draft.

Kimmo Timonen also won a Cup with Chicago in 2015, he's 5'10" tall.
Andrew Ference in 2011.

If he's the BPA you take him, otherwise pick the next best kid on YOUR list.

Kimmo Timonen also won a Cup with Chicago in 2015, he's 5'10" tall.
Andrew Ference in 2011.
- LeftCoaster

NHL says Andrew Ference is 5'11"

Timonen, I left off the list because he played 8 minutes a game and had 0 points. It all counts I guess.

I wouldn't expect the 7oa pick to play 8 minutes a game in the playoffs.

Is Hughes that special to buck every trend that involves defensemen his size?

Brian Rafalski and Brian Campbell. in 08-09 and 09-10 are the only two D in the past 10 years to win a cup that are his size.
Rafalski had Kronwall and Lidstrom.
Campbell had Keith, Seabrook, Buff

Ryan Ellis and Nashville had a good run.

He's going to be a good player, I have never argued that.

I want to see Van win a cup and it seems to be difficult for players that size to win with their teams.
- manvanfan

Correlation does not equal causation.

Orlov is 5’11”, so is Strallman. Enstrom is 5’10”. Their teams are all great — it’s not a matter of an inch or two holding them and their teams back from winning a cup.

Not advocating for or against, just think it’s sort of shortsighted to not pick a kid because he doesn’t magically reach the 6’ bar right now.