Dan Spiegel: Nick Bjugstad Can Breathe Easier

panthers can breathe even better with drafting mckinnon

panthers can breathe even better with drafting mckinnon
- deks1

Hopefully not. Drouin...

Hopefully not. Drouin...
- spiegs13

I would always draft centers and defense over wingers, wingers are a dime a dozen. Franchise centers and defenders are not.

I would always draft centers and defense over wingers, wingers are a dime a dozen. Franchise centers and defenders are not.
- Avs-Ice

If Weiss is gone the chances of drafting MacKinnon go up, and that is still left to be decided. I feel Drouin is the better player, but I would be happy either way.

If Weiss is gone the chances of drafting MacKinnon go up, and that is still left to be decided. I feel Drouin is the better player, but I would be happy either way.
- spiegs13

If the Avs were still sitting at two I would have picked Drouin over MacKinnon too, but that's just because of our center depth we already have.

If the Avs were still sitting at two I would have picked Drouin over MacKinnon too, but that's just because of our center depth we already have.
- Avs-Ice

I think Tallon is relatively happy with Goc, Matthias, and Bjugstad as centers for next year, but if he thinks MacKinnon far and away could be the #1, next year, then I could see him going that direction. But if Weiss is signed, it will obviously be a long-term deal, and they'd probably go Drouin.

I think Tallon is relatively happy with Goc, Matthias, and Bjugstad as centers for next year, but if he thinks MacKinnon far and away could be the #1, next year, then I could see him going that direction. But if Weiss is signed, it will obviously be a long-term deal, and they'd probably go Drouin.
- spiegs13

Do you think there's a chance Tallon deals the pick for immediate help? I know that's not normally Uncle Dale's style but if Weiss goes that may change things.

I don't think weiss should have ANY impact on who you draft. He really isn't that good and has nothing to do with the panthers future Cup wise.

Mckinnon will still need a year to develop most likely anyways and you can never have TOO many good centers.

I don't think weiss should have ANY impact on who you draft. He really isn't that good and has nothing to do with the panthers future Cup wise.

Mckinnon will still need a year to develop most likely anyways and you can never have TOO many good centers.
- Meeqsb

I don't see how you say he isn't really that good. He has been one of our best players for a long time and he is a great two way player. I don't think one year with a bad with a wrist injury. If he sucks again next year then i would say he is no longer any good.

We really missed him this year and it showed!

Do you think there's a chance Tallon deals the pick for immediate help? I know that's not normally Uncle Dale's style but if Weiss goes that may change things.
- DarthKane

No way. I think now that he has had a few years to see who he has already drafted, he may deal some other picks and prospects for help.. maybe a Howden and a McFarland.

As for the pick, it's a tough one. I think Mac gets the call, but I would be okay with Drouin. Sometimes, though, I think of a line that has Huberdeau and Howden centered by MacKinnon... wow.

I don't see how you say he isn't really that good. He has been one of our best players for a long time and he is a great two way player. I don't think one year with a bad with a wrist injury. If he sucks again next year then i would say he is no longer any good.

We really missed him this year and it showed!
- Crazycaboose

He isn't a bad player but A smallish center who has gotten 60pts a few times in the grand scheme of the NHL is nothing too special. More importantly though he is 30, so especially with his injury by the time you guys are making a run for the cup in the grand scheme of things Weiss really wont matter.

He isn't a bad player but A smallish center who has gotten 60pts a few times in the grand scheme of the NHL is nothing too special. More importantly though he is 30, so especially with his injury by the time you guys are making a run for the cup in the grand scheme of things Weiss really wont matter.
- Meeqsb

Compared to what Mckinnon could be, neither him nor Bjustad should be too much of a concern

Hopefully not. Drouin...
- spiegs13

we finally agree!

It's funny how the three players the Penguins got at the trade deadline this year are three guys better than anyone on the panthers roster this year and next. Sad how the great teams keep getting better and the crap ones stay the same.

It's funny how the three players the Penguins got at the trade deadline this year are three guys better than anyone on the panthers roster this year and next. Sad how the great teams keep getting better and the crap ones stay the same.
- BallardHitsHard22

What's sad is how you're still here running your mouth about how bad the team is. It's funny how Pitt got those three players who are better than our own team,yet they seemed to struggle against the Islanders?

From your comments, I guess you consider the Panthers a great team! I mean we are getting better right? Won our first ever SouthEast Division title. This season was a fluke, so it really isn't counted. Add to that season a second overall draft pick that will be an elite talent, and it seems as though we're still getting better. We have the best prospect pool in the league (Not Panther fans touting but actual NHL analysts making their own predictions and observations)

So,in hindsight, I guess you really do have a softspot for the Panthers afterall. I mean calling them a great team and all.