I'd disagree, but that's just me. A guy who can play 25 minutes in a multitude of situations? That's exactly what Edmonton needs.
- Brian Huddle

Then why didn't you have him at 1?

Also... Anybody see the piece on Faksa last night?

http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip706196#clip706196
- Brian Huddle

I don't trust you, probably him with his mouth open eating a hot dog or something.

I'd disagree, but that's just me. A guy who can play 25 minutes in a multitude of situations? That's exactly what Edmonton needs.
- Brian Huddle

He probably won't solidify things for a few years. We need more immediate help than that, and while he's good, he's not the elite skillset prospect we've seen drafted top 5 in other years and like i said, the history of 1st overall drafted dmen is not great. I don't like it.

I'd disagree, but that's just me. A guy who can play 25 minutes in a multitude of situations? That's exactly what Edmonton needs.
- Brian Huddle

And not just because I'm a Leaf fan.

Then why didn't you have him at 1?
- Lahey

I don't think he's the best player. But I don't believe in BPA.

I don't trust you, probably him with his mouth open eating a hot dog or something.
- Lahey

It's about how he left home at 10 to live in a small room with no windows and play hockey every day to accomplish his dream while his divorced mother had to take care of his brothers and sisters.

I won't lie... had a couple tears. He just screams of leadership and character.

He probably won't solidify things for a few years. We need more immediate help than that, and while he's good, he's not the elite skillset prospect we've seen drafted top 5 in other years and like i said, the history of 1st overall drafted dmen is not great. I don't like it.
- sanfordnson

Stu saying top 2 or 3 doesn't help his cause.

I don't think he's the best player. But I don't believe in BPA.



It's about how he left home at 10 to live in a small room with no windows and play hockey every day to accomplish his dream while his divorced mother had to take care of his brothers and sisters.

I won't lie... had a couple tears. He just screams of leadership and character.
- Brian Huddle

How can't you believe in BPA? You think if 4 centers go before the Leafs that they should still draft a center?

Maybe they don't want to trade down to CLB in fear of CLB taking Murray #1?
- wolfos412

So, then they'd get Yakupov AND another asset?

I doubt too many would be overly disapointed in that.

How can't you believe in BPA? You think if 4 centers go before the Leafs that they should still draft a center?
- Lahey

He does believe in BPA, but his gut always goes with SPA. Sexiest player available.

Also... Anybody see the piece on Faksa last night?

http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip706196#clip706196
- Brian Huddle

geez, thanks for getting me all teared up......
fine then, let's draft him.

He probably won't solidify things for a few years. We need more immediate help than that, and while he's good, he's not the elite skillset prospect we've seen drafted top 5 in other years and like i said, the history of 1st overall drafted dmen is not great. I don't like it.
- sanfordnson

But, he'd be hitting his stride exactly when you'll need elite Dmen.

I honestly think Murray would be the best thing the Oilers can come out of this draft with.

How can't you believe in BPA? You think if 4 centers go before the Leafs that they should still draft a center?
- Lahey

I believe in drafting based on a philosophy as well as bringing depth chart into play.

Talent only goes so far, proper development atmosphere and opportunity are so key to a player actually becoming what he can become.

If I'm Pittsburgh with Crosby, Malkin, Staal and I have first overall one year. I know taking a center would be dumb, because he wouldn't have any opportunity in the lineup and his development could be hindered.

He does believe in BPA, but his gut always goes with SPA. Sexiest player available.
- Lohaus

geez, thanks for getting me all teared up......
fine then, let's draft him.
- Barx

ALL ABOARD THE FAKSA TRAIN!

So, then they'd get Yakupov AND another asset?

I doubt too many would be overly disapointed in that.
- prock

I get the feeling that Columbus is happy with whoever they get at 2 and the reason a deal hasn't happened is because they want EDM to have their hand forced. Maybe Columbus would rather Yakupov, sure, but have a feeling that EDM wants Murray. If Columbus is good with either Murray or Yakupov, then the Oilers have zero leverage to acquire another asset nd move down one spot to take that player they supposedly covet. Probably the worst spot they could be in if they do indeed want Murray and CLB won't budge. Trading down to 3 loses both options and picking Murray allows COLB to select the consensus number 1 pick at 2.

Oh the humanity!

I get the feeling that Columbus is happy with whoever they get at 2 and the reason a deal hasn't happened is because they want EDM to have their hand forced. Maybe Columbus would rather Yakupov, sure, but have a feeling that EDM wants Murray. If Columbus is good with either Murray or Yakupov, then the Oilers have zero leverage to acquire another asset nd move down one spot to take that player they supposedly covet. Probably the worst spot they could be in if they do indeed want Murray and CLB won't budge. Trading down to 3 loses both options and picking Murray allows COLB to select the consensus number 1 pick at 2.

Oh the humanity!
- Lohaus

Aportzline (CBJ's awesome beat guy) has said a couple times he's been told that CBJ will pass over Yak if he falls to 2. Could conceivably be a Hab.

I believe in drafting based on a philosophy as well as bringing depth chart into play.

Talent only goes so far, proper development atmosphere and opportunity are so key to a player actually becoming what he can become.

If I'm Pittsburgh with Crosby, Malkin, Staal and I have first overall one year. I know taking a center would be dumb, because he wouldn't have any opportunity in the lineup and his development could be hindered.
- Brian Huddle

Taking a center is never a bad thing, just look at Seguin.

You draft base on depth chart you end up screwing yourself. Especially at #1. You want to take some flyers later then go right ahead, but I just can't see how it's a good thing to pass on a better player because you don't think you have a need for him.

Aportzline (CBJ's awesome beat guy) has said a couple times he's been told that CBJ will pass over Yak if he falls to 2. Could conceivably be a Hab.
- Brian Huddle

One of the best in the biz. I don't know why they'd pass on him, they could really sell him as the franchise player. He has the flash.

Taking a center is never a bad thing, just look at Seguin.

You draft base on depth chart you end up screwing yourself. Especially at #1. You want to take some flyers later then go right ahead, but I just can't see how it's a good thing to pass on a better player because you don't think you have a need for him.
- Lahey

It depends on how close you think they are. If the guy is leaps and bounds ahead of someone else who you "need" than yea, you take him, but I don't think that's the case for EDM at all here.

In fact, if I were a GM, I would pass on Yakupov.

@billmeltzer Per RDS's Stephane Leroux, it seems like Habs plan to take Teuvo Teräväinen with the 3rd pick.

It depends on how close you think they are. If the guy is leaps and bounds ahead of someone else who you "need" than yea, you take him, but I don't think that's the case for EDM at all here.

In fact, if I were a GM, I would pass on Yakupov.
- Brian Huddle

In favor of who though? Galchenyuk? Murray? The problem I have is that all these top 5 kids have something about them that concerns me either injury or ceiling.

For Columbus, I can see Yakupov being the guy they do want and it's out there that they won't take him intentionally. If the idea is that they are dealing Nash, they'll need someone to score. Yakupov certainly does that and if the idea is that Johannsen is a legit top line center, 2/3's of their forward line is solved, and with any luck the final piece arrives back in the Nash deal.

I like Galchenyuk as much as I like Yakupov, and if it were me, I'd debate between the two but I'd have a hard time passing on Yakupov if I had the center already on my team.

@billmeltzer Per RDS's Stephane Leroux, it seems like Habs plan to take Teuvo Teräväinen with the 3rd pick.
- Brian Huddle

He would be the tallest forward on their team.

@billmeltzer Per RDS's Stephane Leroux, it seems like Habs plan to take Teuvo Teräväinen with the 3rd pick.
- Brian Huddle

Seems like something they'd do.

Seems like something they'd do.
- Lahey

It's a bold pick, if true.

Seems like something they'd do.
- Lahey

They haven't been the same since they lost their last great Finnish player.

They haven't been the same since they lost their last great Finnish player.
- Lohaus

They haven't been the same since Roy left.