Thing is that it takes him a long time to uncoil. For that reason, he's never going to score more than 2-4 goals a year. A couple time a year, when the opposing team plays far off him and he can wind and fire, he'll overpower a goalie. But he's never been a blueline scorer at any level and won't be in the NHL either.
- bmeltzer

Sounds similar to Kjell Samuelsson. He had a cannon, but it took about an hour and half for him to get it off.

We really need one of the top 4 D mean in this draft. I would hate to see us move down. The top 12 or so of this draft class is stacked.
- hereticpride

I guess you're right. According to hockeysfuture.com our prospect pool lacks ANY future 1st line or 1st pair players. We need some of those. and wingers, we have a lot of centers.

Not likely maybe if they offered all 3
- ob18

interesting.... i'd think that's a no-brainer

the more i think about it the more i want pulock. swing for the fences. rr seems like too conservative a pick

I guess you're right. According to hockeysfuture.com our prospect pool lacks ANY future 1st line or 1st pair players. We need some of those. and wingers, we have a lot of centers.
- JAKEw1234

Depending on how Gostibehere develops, he is our closest one. Laughton and Cousins both project to be 2nd-3rd liners. But with G, Voracek, Simmonds so young, and then Couts and BSchenn down the middle; Its not like bringing in youth is a huge necessity for the near future.

interesting.... i'd think that's a no-brainer

the more i think about it the more i want pulock. swing for the fences. rr seems like too conservative a pick
- FlyerMike18

Well it could be but those picks can and may change if they advance in the playoffs so right now nothing is set in stone.

But I like the top 10 pick and honestly unless I'm overwhelmed I stick with it.

Thing is that it takes him a long time to uncoil. For that reason, he's never going to score more than 2-4 goals a year. A couple time a year, when the opposing team plays far off him and he can wind and fire, he'll overpower a goalie. But he's never been a blueline scorer at any level and won't be in the NHL either.
- bmeltzer

Is that a mechanical issue, or a result of his size?

Not likely maybe if they offered all 3
- ob18

If they offered all 3, the Flyers would have to take it... pretty massive overpayment.... those picks in a package ought to get you into the top-3 at least.

With that said, who would be available to the Flyers at 8-10 that would prompt the Jackets to make that kind of gamble? Maybe if Nichushkin or Barkov dropped that far... not sure anybody would trade 3 1st-rounders for a shot at Ristolainen or Lindholm.

Well it could be but those picks can and may change if they advance in the playoffs so right now nothing is set in stone.

But I like the top 10 pick and honestly unless I'm overwhelmed I stick with it.
- ob18

definitely a fair way to look at it

Sounds similar to Kjell Samuelsson. He had a cannon, but it took about an hour and half for him to get it off.
- BiggE

Made the same comparison in a blog the other week. Kjell would get his 3 to 5 goals most years (once had 9 but that was a one-year aberration) in situations where the other team conceded the shot and paid the price. Most the time, though, that rocket of a shot -- which had pretty decent accuracy -- was a total non-factor.

Grossmann is also the same way. He can blast the puck pretty good but his release is way too slow to make his shot a legitimate weapon. Two of his three assists this year, however, were goals directly off rebounds of his shots. That's usually how Lauridsen's sporadic assists come about, too.

Regarding Columbus' three 1st rounders I would be a lot more interested in moving up with our 2nd for the 18th or 23rd in the 1st round.

That said I think Columbus would be smart to hold onto all three picks.

My worry is his ability to control the puck. Sure, he can tee it up, but I don't see him being able to bring the rock through the neutral zone and get it deep and be able to set himself up and take the time to blast one. But yes, it was very refreshing to see him hammer one short side high. I was impressed. As a defensive defenseman, a hard shot is very helpful.

Still Pulock is on an entire different level, his slapshot is clocked at 100+mph and he gets it off quick.
- GirouxForTheShow

I remember when Coburn used to be able to score from the right circle.

And yes, that would be a very nice slapshot to have in the lineup.

I wonder how hard Foster's shot is?

If they offered all 3, the Flyers would have to take it... pretty massive overpayment.... those picks in a package ought to get you into the top-3 at least.

With that said, who would be available to the Flyers at 8-10 that would prompt the Jackets to make that kind of gamble? Maybe if Nichushkin or Barkov dropped that far... not sure anybody would trade 3 1st-rounders for a shot at Ristolainen or Lindholm.
- Tomahawk

The thing is if they offer us that at 8 why not just offer that to the team sitting at 5 and get the better player? Highly unlikely.

If they offered all 3, the Flyers would have to take it... pretty massive overpayment.... those picks in a package ought to get you into the top-3 at least.

With that said, who would be available to the Flyers at 8-10 that would prompt the Jackets to make that kind of gamble? Maybe if Nichushkin or Barkov dropped that far... not sure anybody would trade 3 1st-rounders for a shot at Ristolainen or Lindholm.
- Tomahawk

Yes but is it overpayment based on how the NHL teams & scouts view the level of talent ?

I'd take 2 and a prospect but if they refuse to offer a decent one I won't just give it away.

Is that a mechanical issue, or a result of his size?
- wolfhounds

His size more than anything. It's not hard to find big defensemen who can rocket the puck from the point when they step into it. But very of them -- except for the Chris Pronger, Shea Weber and Al MacInnis types -- also have the ability to get rid of the puck quickly and accurately.

Regarding Columbus' three 1st rounders I would be a lot more interested in moving up with our 2nd for the 18th or 23rd in the 1st round.

That said I think Columbus would be smart to hold onto all three picks.
- hereticpride

If the Rangers & Kings advance they aren't at those spots respectively. I absolutely consider it.

I remember when Coburn used to be able to score from the right circle.

And yes, that would be a very nice slapshot to have in the lineup.

I wonder how hard Foster's shot is?
- wolfhounds

I remember one where Kimmo one touched it over to him at the top of the right circle, and Coby roped one shortside high. I was in love, but he just never seems to be able to put it all together consistently.

Depending on how Gostibehere develops, he is our closest one. Laughton and Cousins both project to be 2nd-3rd liners. But with G, Voracek, Simmonds so young, and then Couts and BSchenn down the middle; Its not like bringing in youth is a huge necessity for the near future.
- GirouxForTheShow

Also true, all of our best players are at or below the age of 25. If we can find a way to preserve our offense youth core, while bolstering our defensive youth core, we can still be great for years to come.

If the Rangers & Kings advance they aren't at those spots respectively. I absolutely consider it.
- ob18

Very true. If we could get one of those picks and get out of the first round with Pulock plus someone like Morrissey or the not much talked about Robert Hagg, who could very well still be there I would be ecstatic.

Yes but is it overpayment based on how the NHL teams & scouts view the level of talent ?

I'd take 2 and a prospect but if they refuse to offer a decent one I won't just give it away.
- ob18

It's tough to say... based on post-lockout trade history, it's an overpayment, but because this draft is so wide open after the first three selections, it's going to be pretty unpredictable. Definitely going to be fun to see how things shake out, though!

I guess you're right. According to hockeysfuture.com our prospect pool lacks ANY future 1st line or 1st pair players. We need some of those. and wingers, we have a lot of centers.
- JAKEw1234

Well, we do have a couple of those types of prospects, they've just mostly bypassed prospect status and have graduated to the roster. If they do manage to land an 8.0+ prospects in this draft, chances are they probably wouldn't stay in the system for long either.

It's tough to say... based on post-lockout trade history, it's an overpayment, but because this draft is so wide open after the first three selections, it's going to be pretty unpredictable. Definitely going to be fun to see how things shake out, though!
- Tomahawk

I'd say it because we could use the system depth but the top 10 should be awesome and because it's deep to get the top level talent in it I set a price and if they want to pay it that's their call.

I'd also ask for it because it would without a doubt add 2 more prospects to our system that could use it.

Very true. If we could get one of those picks and get out of the first round with Pulock plus someone like Morrissey or the not much talked about Robert Hagg, who could very well still be there I would be ecstatic.
- hereticpride

Robert Hagg is like I think many European prospects in not being talked about for the draft. The fact they play games when most of us are at work and not always on a stream we can find to watch so we rely on the word of scouts or writers and that can vary based on the feelings of those watching/writing about a player.

I'd say it because we could use the system depth but the top 10 should be awesome and because it's deep to get the top level talent in it I set a price and if they want to pay it that's their call.

I'd also ask for it because it would without a doubt add 2 more prospects to our system that could use it.
- ob18

Yeah, I have the same mixed feelings.

Problem with the players we're all projecting to be there at 8-10 is that there are question marks with each of them. It may be wise to hedge our bets a bit, but the though of watching a player we missed by trading down go on to quickly reach their ceiling (or more) makes my stomach turn.

Not an easy decision, for sure.

Yeah, I have the same mixed feelings.

Problem with the players we're all projecting to be there at 8-10 is that there are question marks with each of them. It may be wise to hedge our bets a bit, but the though of watching a player we missed by trading down go on to quickly reach their ceiling (or more) makes my stomach turn.
- Tomahawk

There are question marks with every prospect. I entertain all scenarios as a GM and try not to lean one way or the other on any of them because something may turn up that's best for the team now & long term.

I'm just suggesting I don't give away the pick for the sake of moving down. I put it out there that yes I'd listen to offers but at the same time let the league know if they want to make an offer make it worthy my time to listen.

Robert Hagg is like I think many European prospects in not being talked about for the draft. The fact they play games when most of us are at work and not always on a stream we can find to watch so we rely on the word of scouts or writers and that can vary based on the feelings of those watching/writing about a player.
- ob18

I would definitely like to see more of him. He sounds quite promising from all the sippets I've seen. Runs the PP efficiently, logs heavy minutes in all situations, and is a very good skater.

Wasn't there a story about Renberg saying the Flyers contacted him about Hagg a few months back? Could be a good sign they intend on holding onto that 2nd rounder, if not intending to move up with it...