Jones will still likely go first, to Colorado. He fills a need, gives them a nice buzz with the whole (even incorrect) hometown kid angle and is still rated as the top prospect by most scouting entities.

That said, if MacKinnon goes first, it's possible that Jones drops. Florida has drafted a few defensemen in the last few years and could certainly go for Drouin, who would give them a sick pair with Huberdeau.

The thing is, if he does drop to 4, Nashville might not be willing to trade with the Flyers. There's been enough reliable reports that say that Brett Wilson is still livid with the Flyers over the Weber offer sheet.

I also wouldn't be that happy trading, basically, 3 1st rounders and a second rounder to move up and get Jones. That's an astronomical price for a guy who is not a sure bet.

I'd rather stand pat and get a shot at Pulock, Nurse, Zadorov, Morrissey or Ristolainen(or some of the other forwards like Horvat, Lazar or Shinkruk) who might be there at 11.
- Jsaquella

Sorry, but I forgot who said this... On Hockey Central today they were discussing Patrick Roy and amongst other things whether his hiring would alter the Avalanche's plans for the first overall pick. Can't remember whether it was a guess or a panelist but they said that shortly after the press conference they talked to several people in management (implying Joe Sakic heavily) and the scouting staff and everyone said that Jones was their pick and it would take a League changing move to alter their plans.

We are definately thinking alike on this draft. The fact is Mckinnon, Drouin, and Jones are 1a, 1b, and 1c. They really could go anyway. Jones shot up the ranks after his WJ performance, and dropped from the Finals. McKinnon is on top of eveyones mouth right now because of the final 9 games of the finals, but remember he was also absent prior to getting hot in those 9 games. A lot of people also discuss if McKinnon makes Drouin better or Drouin make McKinnon better. At a time he was ranked ahead of McKinnon too.

If Colorado has good repor with Tampa and Florida and they say they will take Drouin and Nichushkin, then a deal with Nashville (who needs a center like McKinnon bad) might be Colorado's best interest.
- youarewrong

Doubtful that Tampa and Florida are going to tip their hand, so Colorado can make a decision on what to do. Seems to me that Colorado needs defenseman. So taking Jones with the 1st overall pick might be in their best interests.

Sorry, but I forgot who said this... On Hockey Central today they were discussing Patrick Roy and amongst other things whether his hiring would alter the Avalanche's plans for the first overall pick. Can't remember whether it was a guess or a panelist but they said that shortly after the press conference they talked to several people in management (implying Joe Sakic heavily) and the scouting staff and everyone said that Jones was their pick and it would take a League changing move to alter their plans.
- mayorofangrytown

That makes sense.

We are definately thinking alike on this draft. The fact is Mckinnon, Drouin, and Jones are 1a, 1b, and 1c. They really could go anyway. Jones shot up the ranks after his WJ performance, and dropped from the Finals. McKinnon is on top of eveyones mouth right now because of the final 9 games of the finals, but remember he was also absent prior to getting hot in those 9 games. A lot of people also discuss if McKinnon makes Drouin better or Drouin make McKinnon better. At a time he was ranked ahead of McKinnon too.

If Colorado has good repor with Tampa and Florida and they say they will take Drouin and Nichushkin, then a deal with Nashville (who needs a center like McKinnon bad) might be Colorado's best interest.
- youarewrong

MacKinnon had a great year. Jones rose because of a great WJC, but they have been neck and neck all year long.

I've jumped between all 3 at one time or another, but I'd take MacKinnon if I had the top pick. But on the CSB list, it's been either Jones or MacKinnon topping the list all year.

The real wild card is if the Avs really would trade the pick. Nashville can stay at 4 and probably land Barkov, who is a damned good prospect and who played in a men's league at age 17/18 and averaged near a point per game.

Sorry, but I forgot who said this... On Hockey Central today they were discussing Patrick Roy and amongst other things whether his hiring would alter the Avalanche's plans for the first overall pick. Can't remember whether it was a guess or a panelist but they said that shortly after the press conference they talked to several people in management (implying Joe Sakic heavily) and the scouting staff and everyone said that Jones was their pick and it would take a League changing move to alter their plans.
- mayorofangrytown

I expect them to take Jones. It makes too much sense for them. Of course, if I had the top pick and was interested in driving the price, I'd be dropping hints allover the place to see if anyone bit.

Here is something interesting, the more I am looking at it, the more I think Seth Jones could drop to the 4th overall pick. Florida is in desperate need of scoring. Someone to pair with Huber. Thier defense is solid and dont need Seth Jones. They might take Drouin. Which brings us to Tampa. They would have a tough decision to make because they already have Hedman and they are very, very high on Nichuskin.

The queston is, if Jones dropped to 4th, could the Flyers trade with Nashville to get him... What would that cost? 11th overall, Couturier, 2nd rounder and next years first? Would you do it?
- youarewrong

I *MIGHT* give that much for the #1 or #2 pick.

Rychel is the one you want of that group, but word is that Buffalo is targeting him with their second first round pick, if they don't trade it.

I *MIGHT* give that much for the #1 or #2 pick.
- JAKEw1234

That's too much, but I think that because I have that high an opinion of the future of Couturier.

Doubtful that Tampa and Florida are going to tip their hand, so Colorado can make a decision on what to do. Seems to me that Colorado needs defenseman. So taking Jones with the 1st overall pick might be in their best interests.
- MJL

Makes perfect sense.

I expect them to take Jones. It makes too much sense for them. Of course, if I had the top pick and was interested in driving the price, I'd be dropping hints allover the place to see if anyone bit.
- Jsaquella

I think the best chance for a trade is if MacKinnon goes number one. I'd be shocked if Carolina and Florida don't push their draft tables together.

I wonder if anyone in the top 5 would jump if CBS or CAL packaged 2 or 3 of their first this year? That would be interesting to watch play out over the years.

Rychel is the one you want of that group, but word is that Buffalo is targeting him with their second first round pick, if they don't trade it.
- kingcong39

Another awesome player to watch, came a long way from earlier in the year when it was said he didn't give a 100% effort when playing.

I wonder if anyone in the top 5 would jump if CBS or CAL packaged 2 or 3 of their first this year? That would be interesting to watch play out over the years.
- mayorofangrytown

Something tells me Jarmo wants to sit on every first round pick and draft 3 stud Europeans.

Something tells me Jarmo wants to sit on every first round pick and draft 3 stud Europeans.
- GirouxForTheShow

Calgary is in a better position to make that move for sure. I wouldn't be surprised to see Columbus make a move. I saw one mock draft with them taking 2 D in the top 20.

Calgary is in a better position to make that move for sure. I wouldn't be surprised to see Columbus make a move. I saw one mock draft with them taking 2 D in the top 20.
- mayorofangrytown

If they're going best player available that's one thing but for me, the jackets really need to focus on drafting some quality forwards with their early round picks the next few years. That is to say assuming they dont trade any of the picks for forward help.

Despite the Flyers showing little to no interest to moving him, Talbot seemed to be gaining a lot of attention as a player teams were drooling over before his injury. Does anyone think that interest might still be present at the draft? Even if the Flyers aren't actively shopping him.

Despite the Flyers showing little to no interest to moving him, Talbot seemed to be gaining a lot of attention as a player teams were drooling over before his injury. Does anyone think that interest might still be present at the draft? Even if the Flyers aren't actively shopping him.
- hereticpride

Don't really recall reading about a lot of attention concerning Talbot.

Don't really recall reading about a lot of attention concerning Talbot.
- MJL

Rumors mostly but I know the Habs were the biggest of the rumored. I think the Pens and Blues were rumored at one point as well.

He's not someone I would actively shop but if the price was right. For example the Habs own Calgary's 2nd rounder(36th overall). That and a later pick would have me interested.

Here is something interesting, the more I am looking at it, the more I think Seth Jones could drop to the 4th overall pick. Florida is in desperate need of scoring. Someone to pair with Huber. Thier defense is solid and dont need Seth Jones. They might take Drouin. Which brings us to Tampa. They would have a tough decision to make because they already have Hedman and they are very, very high on Nichuskin.

The queston is, if Jones dropped to 4th, could the Flyers trade with Nashville to get him... What would that cost? 11th overall, Couturier, 2nd rounder and next years first? Would you do it?
- youarewrong

No. And I have a hard time believing the Flyers would trade a first round pick in a draft that they are hosting in 2014.

No. And I have a hard time believing the Flyers would trade a first round pick in a draft that they are hosting in 2014.
- MBFlyerfan

Not that I'm hoping for this but they'll move the pick+ for Bobby Ryan and the place will go nuts. Calling it now.

Rumors mostly but I know the Habs were the biggest of the rumored. I think the Pens and Blues were rumored at one point as well.

He's not someone I would actively shop but if the price was right. For example the Habs own Calgary's 2nd rounder(36th overall). That and a later pick would have me interested.
- hereticpride

I'd rather have Talbot then those picks to be honest.

Not that I'm hoping for this but they'll move the pick+ for Bobby Ryan and the place will go nuts. Calling it now.
- hereticpride

And then there isn't much chance of landing a defenseman to upgrade.

I'd rather have Talbot then those picks to be honest.
- MJL

It would depend who is on the board for me and possibly how far I could move up combining the 36th and 41st picks.

Really no reason to move him tho. Just spitballin'

And then there isn't much chance of landing a defenseman to upgrade.
- MJL

It just seems like the Flyers thing to do.

So the closest I saw was in 2003 when pittsburg traded the 3rd overall, 2nd rounder and 3rd rounder for the 1st overall. So for only 1 spot lower down, my "offer" of the 4th overall and Ellis (11th overall) is about right.
- youarewrong

That was an entirely different NHL in terms of the financials. Much higher premiums on high draft picks now than ten years ago IMO.