Michael Stuart: Valeri Nichushkin is on the Lightning's Radar

Michael Stuart: Valeri Nichushkin is on the Lightning's Radar
- Michael_Stuart

not at the 3rd pick, if anything could see them trade down for him

not at the 3rd pick, if anything could see them trade down for him
- Ur Not Me

They've got him in their top five, so I'm not sure that trading down really accomplishes much. How much do the Preds or Canes pay to jump up to three, if the thought is that the Bolts will pass on Drouin or MacKinnon (whichever one is there) anyways?

They've got him in their top five, so I'm not sure that trading down really accomplishes much. How much do the Preds or Canes pay to jump up to three, if the thought is that the Bolts will pass on Drouin or MacKinnon (whichever one is there) anyways?
- Michael_Stuart

no chance you pass on drouin. mackinnon has bust written all over him.

no chance you pass on drouin. mackinnon has bust written all over him.
- therealagent

I have a hard time believing they'll pass on Drouin, but where there's smoke there's fire.

You guys go ahead and take Drouin so we can take Nichushkin at 5th when we trade for Carolina's pick

You guys go ahead and take Drouin so we can take Nichushkin at 5th when we trade for Carolina's pick
- Hetfield

I don't even want to think about a Grigorenko/Nichushkin combo lining up on a nightly basis. That's scary to even consider. The more I learn about Valeri, the more I want the Lightning to select him. I think he could be absolutely fantastic.

I don't even want to think about a Grigorenko/Nichushkin combo lining up on a nightly basis. That's scary to even consider. The more I learn about Valeri, the more I want the Lightning to select him. I think he could be absolutely fantastic.
- Michael_Stuart

yep and then we can make a trade for Kucherov and form the
Russian connection: Nichushkin/Grigorenko/Kucherov

no chance you pass on drouin. mackinnon has bust written all over him.
- therealagent

Based on what?! His outstanding play in the regular season? His offensive skill combined with his defensive awareness and his grit? The guy hasn't played a single pro game yet and you're writing him off?

I don't even want to think about a Grigorenko/Nichushkin combo lining up on a nightly basis. That's scary to even consider. The more I learn about Valeri, the more I want the Lightning to select him. I think he could be absolutely fantastic.
- Michael_Stuart

He's good, if he can learn to use his size more often he could be really dangerous paired up with Stamkos

no chance you pass on drouin. mackinnon has bust written all over him.
- therealagent

How so?

yep and then we can make a trade for Kucherov and form the
Russian connection: Nichushkin/Grigorenko/Kucherov
- Hetfield

I'm keen on holding on to Kucherov

He's good, if he can learn to use his size more often he could be really dangerous paired up with Stamkos
- Sabresfan-365

Agreed. And man, is he slick with the puck. With Jon Cooper's coaching, I could see some very, very, very impressive things coming about.

Based on what?! His outstanding play in the regular season? His offensive skill combined with his defensive awareness and his grit? The guy hasn't played a single pro game yet and you're writing him off?
- Sabresfan-365

Agree that it's far too early to write anyone off at this point.

Agreed. And man, is he slick with the puck. With Jon Cooper's coaching, I could see some very, very, very impressive things coming about.
- Michael_Stuart

Thing is, I wonder if he could be had a little late in the draft (i e tampa could trade down). Teams like Edmonton, Calgary and Nashville are all looking at centres and Carolina might go with a defensemen. After Tampa I really only see the Sabres and Devils as teams that would take him top 10.

no chance you pass on drouin. mackinnon has bust written all over him.
- therealagent

i hope this was a joke

Thing is, I wonder if he could be had a little late in the draft (i e tampa could trade down). Teams like Edmonton, Calgary and Nashville are all looking at centres and Carolina might go with a defensemen. After Tampa I really only see the Sabres and Devils as teams that would take him top 10.
- Sabresfan-365

I dont see him going past 5. I think he ends up in carolina. I know they need D but unless they trade down none are worth a 5th pick other than jones

Thing is, I wonder if he could be had a little late in the draft (i e tampa could trade down). Teams like Edmonton, Calgary and Nashville are all looking at centres and Carolina might go with a defensemen. After Tampa I really only see the Sabres and Devils as teams that would take him top 10.
- Sabresfan-365

With him in the Lightning's top-five, I don't know that they take the chance and trade down. Realistically, what's the price for a move within the top-10? Is it another prospect? A second round pick? There's not really much of a precedent. It might make more sense for the Lightning just to take the player they want, and avoid the headache.

We know that Al Murray has Nichushkin in his top five, so it's not like he's going way off the board if he selects him at three (we don't know where in the top-5). I would agree with you that it would be great if the Lightning could draft down and still get him, but it's a big risk. Is it a risk that this team needs to take right now? Not in my opinion. I'd be content with Yzerman and Murray grabbing the player they want and getting out of there.

Of course, none of this really matters if Nichushkin isn't the guy the Bolts want.

I'd just like to point out I projected him to TB at 3 on April 30th and took a lot of grief

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...ost_id=51262#.UaGtyPq9Kc0

I'd just like to point out I projected him to TB at 3 on April 30th and took a lot of grief

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...ost_id=51262#.UaGtyPq9Kc0
- IanEsplen

I can't disagree with your logic on that one. And since then, the guy's only seen his stock continue to rise. I like him a lot.

no chance you pass on drouin. mackinnon has bust written all over him.
- therealagent

Wow pretty stupid comment !!

Great write-up Michael, however I don't see us taking a pass on Drouin. He has "point whore" written all over him and slotted next to Stamkos and St. Louis makes my heart go pitter-patter. I Do think that if it is between Mackinnon and Nichushkin then they'll take him because I don't believe we will go after another center. Mackinnon is far from a bust, but We have good Centers in the system already. Stamkos and Lecavalier (obviously), Thompson, Johnson, Namestnikov and Richard.

I don't know if Nashville is hard-pressed to take a center. Sure, a center would be great, but we've got a lot of players who have moved to wing because Trotz prefers to let older, more defensively responsible players take that spot. Defensive responsibility comes with maturity and we've got a few players who have played as centers in Watson, Wilson, Forsberg and Smith. I dont' see Poile having a problem with getting a "dynamic" winger to put along side Filip Forsberg (both at wing.)

I'd just like to point out I projected him to TB at 3 on April 30th and took a lot of grief

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...ost_id=51262#.UaGtyPq9Kc0
- IanEsplen

Didn't you also have the nucks in 6?

I'd just like to point out I projected him to TB at 3 on April 30th and took a lot of grief

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...ost_id=51262#.UaGtyPq9Kc0
- IanEsplen

Elias Lindholm at 12? Not happening.