Roland McKeown has fallen some (forgot to add him), was told by a scout recently "good 2-way game - not pure offensive guy,not punishing physical guy either, scouts have mixed views. Some higher than 17, some significantly lower than that. Needs a good second half to hold his spot in 1st round ( or in our case get him back in)"
- ob18

Ive seen the same thing. I cant really get a read on where he will go. I do agree that this is make or break time for him. A good second half can be the difference between him going at roughly 15th or around 30th.

Also I think that there will be a run on D at this draft due to the lack of them. That could allow him to go higher than he should.

How has his offense looked? I see his shooting percentage is a bit low, is he getting chances at least?

Nothing wrong with a 40-50 point defensive centre, it's what Edmonton desperately needs. Do you guys see him as a 65 point guy in the future?
- ystoil

Right now you'll have a good shot to select Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, Leon Draisaitl, or Michael dal Colle. You'll be fine.

True, but coach can be any nationality. For instance, despite coaching Latvia, Nolan is Canadian
- Jsaquella

Interesting. I thought Nolan was maybe First Nation and a bit Latvian or something. He is a great coach. Too bad he is stuck in Buffalo

Ive seen the same thing. I cant really get a read on where he will go. I do agree that this is make or break time for him. A good second half can be the difference between him going at roughly 15th or around 30th.

Also I think that there will be a run on D at this draft due to the lack of them. That could allow him to go higher than he should.
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

I'm more looking at forwards but always go with the BPA.

Interesting. I thought Nolan was maybe First Nation and a bit Latvian or something. He is a great coach. Too bad he is stuck in Buffalo
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

He is First Nation , for sure...during the Sweden-Finland game, they mentioned that one tourney , a Swede coached Finland & beat Tre Kronor in Sweden

Right now you'll have a good shot to select Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, Leon Draisaitl, or Michael dal Colle. You'll be fine.
- ob18

I'm personally hoping for a centre in this draft. Lots of fans keep rating Ekblad like a franchise Dman but I don't see it. I thought he looked okay at the World Juniors but I personally saw mistakes that would cost him in the NHL. Even Mackenzie said at the start of the year he looked like a second pairing guy. If we pick him, I will cheer him on no doubt.

I like Draisaitl's size (game is similar to Kopitar) and Bennet has intensity/grit. Bennet might grow a bit too and hopefully hit 6'1 200lbs in a couple years.

I'm personally hoping for a centre in this draft. Lots of fans keep rating Ekblad like a franchise Dman but I don't see it. I thought he looked okay at the World Juniors but I personally saw mistakes that would cost him in the NHL. Even Mackenzie said at the start of the year he looked like a second pairing guy. If we pick him, I will cheer him on no doubt.

I like Draisaitl's size (game is similar to Kopitar) and Bennet has intensity/grit. Bennet might grow a bit too and hopefully hit 6'1 200lbs in a couple years.
- ystoil

I like them all, Ekblad has had some rough games, but he's a solid player with top pair potential.

I'm a big fan of Dal Colle & Bennett......watched them play against each other last night, they'll do it again tomorrow.

If you're a USA fan you got to hope that they go a different direction both in the front office & behind bench. Specifically, got to limit Brian Burke's involvement as well as Poile's. Looking back at the articles by Allen & Burnside, it's not hard to see why neither Burke or Poile have managed to build a Stanley Cup winner despite nearly 45 combined years of experience as GMs.

I know Burke won in 2007, but Bryan Murray did most of the heavy lifting.

Also, highly unimpressed by Bylsma. Guy has Crosby & Malkin on his roster & has won 3 playoff series since 2009. That's pretty poor performance
- Jsaquella

where to find these?

where to find these?
- Marc D

Google inside USA Olympic team burnside & allen

I'm more looking at forwards but always go with the BPA.
- ob18

Of course. Ive always felt that you should go BPA. How many teams agree with that drafting philosophy? I have a hard time believing the Islanders do after they had that draft where they chose all defensemen.

Of course. Ive always felt that you should go BPA. How many teams agree with that drafting philosophy? I have a hard time believing the Islanders do after they had that draft where they chose all defensemen.
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

I'm sure some go away from it often & others from time to time.

He is First Nation , for sure...during the Sweden-Finland game, they mentioned that one tourney , a Swede coached Finland & beat Tre Kronor in Sweden
- Jsaquella

I remember hearing that and thinking that was odd but not thinking much of it. Huh. Im curious if they would change or keep that rule for the possible world cup of hockey.

Olli Frankin Maata. So good.
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

Kostka and Mottau on waivers

If you're a USA fan you got to hope that they go a different direction both in the front office & behind bench. Specifically, got to limit Brian Burke's involvement as well as Poile's. Looking back at the articles by Allen & Burnside, it's not hard to see why neither Burke or Poile have managed to build a Stanley Cup winner despite nearly 45 combined years of experience as GMs.

I know Burke won in 2007, but Bryan Murray did most of the heavy lifting.

Also, highly unimpressed by Bylsma. Guy has Crosby & Malkin on his roster & has won 3 playoff series since 2009. That's pretty poor performance
- Jsaquella

The problem with Burke is that once his mind is made up, he'll cut off his nose to spite his face.

On international ice, goals can be hard to come by.

Yes, I agreed that Team USA needed to be fast, and yes, I agreed with having guys on the team who could play two-way hockey.

But you can, and will, get beat by not being to put the puck in the net. I would've brought Bobby Ryan just to even play on the PP. Because he can flat-out score.

Burke doesn't like him, as a player, for whatever reason. OK. But at some point, you gotta ask yourself this question: Who's gonna score, when you're down a goal to the Canadians and you gotta have one?

I would've had Bobby Ryan in my back pocket, just to make sure. Because the guy can score goals. There's no reason whatsoever for that statement to be in dispute. Even if he just played the PP, with one shot, that guy could've been a difference-maker.

The problem with Burke is that once his mind is made up, he'll cut off his nose to spite his face.

On international ice, goals can be hard to come by.

Yes, I agreed that Team USA needed to be fast, and yes, I agreed with having guys on the team who could play two-way hockey.

But you can, and will, get beat by not being to put the puck in the net. I would've brought Bobby Ryan just to even play on the PP. Because he can flat-out score.

Burke doesn't like him, as a player, for whatever reason. OK. But at some point, you gotta ask yourself this question: Who's gonna score, when you're down a goal to the Canadians and you gotta have one?

I would've had Bobby Ryan in my back pocket, just to make sure. Because the guy can score goals. There's no reason whatsoever for that statement to be in dispute. Even if he just played the PP, with one shot, that guy could've been a difference-maker.
- AllInForFlyers

definitely. you find a spot for him.

If you're a USA fan you got to hope that they go a different direction both in the front office & behind bench. Specifically, got to limit Brian Burke's involvement as well as Poile's. Looking back at the articles by Allen & Burnside, it's not hard to see why neither Burke or Poile have managed to build a Stanley Cup winner despite nearly 45 combined years of experience as GMs.

I know Burke won in 2007, but Bryan Murray did most of the heavy lifting.

Also, highly unimpressed by Bylsma. Guy has Crosby & Malkin on his roster & has won 3 playoff series since 2009. That's pretty poor performance
- Jsaquella

I do not think Bylsma is worthy of praise. I think he's nothing special.

I've always thought that.

I do not think Bylsma is worthy of praise. I think he's nothing special.

I've always thought that.
- Giroux_Is_God

hes hard to get a read on for me. there are some things he does, both good and bad, that make you just wonder

I do not think Bylsma is worthy of praise. I think he's nothing special.

I've always thought that.
- Giroux_Is_God

Agreed. Given the tools at his disposal his inability to push the Pens (or team USA) in make or break situations is downright awful. Im curious if the Pens fall flat this year in the postseason whether Shero will get rid of his golden boy.

The problem with Burke is that once his mind is made up, he'll cut off his nose to spite his face.

On international ice, goals can be hard to come by.

Yes, I agreed that Team USA needed to be fast, and yes, I agreed with having guys on the team who could play two-way hockey.

But you can, and will, get beat by not being to put the puck in the net. I would've brought Bobby Ryan just to even play on the PP. Because he can flat-out score.

Burke doesn't like him, as a player, for whatever reason. OK. But at some point, you gotta ask yourself this question: Who's gonna score, when you're down a goal to the Canadians and you gotta have one?

I would've had Bobby Ryan in my back pocket, just to make sure. Because the guy can score goals. There's no reason whatsoever for that statement to be in dispute. Even if he just played the PP, with one shot, that guy could've been a difference-maker.
- AllInForFlyers

I don't disagree with you, Bobby Ryan should've been on the team. Doubt he would of made a difference today, getting routed 5-0. But he could've made a difference against Canada.

hes hard to get a read on for me. there are some things he does, both good and bad, that make you just wonder
- stayinthefnnet

Exactly. By absolutely no means do I think he's a BAD coach, but I don't think he's perennial Jack Adams candidate material like he's played out to be.

You look at guys like Tippet and Babcock...those are the games great coaches year in and year out, and it seems like they hardly get the "Coach of the Year" look.

Just having a good team doesn't constitute a good coach. Which is why it annoys me that Boudreau is getting some praise as being a great coach this year. Like come on- look at that team.

His name escapes me, but my vote for an early Jack Adams goes to the coach for Tampa. He's got his players bought into a system that he put forth that works like a charm, and he's had no Stamkos since what....Halloween?

Hell, I think Berube should even get a look (inb4 homer).

This year, Bylsma's situation is a little bit different. The way he's kept the Pens winning this year with Harry Z playing in the top 6 is beyond me. I mean yeah he's got Mary Kate and Ashley and Fleury has been tremendous, but you can't ignore that.

Kind of comes full circle to what you said about it being hard to get a read on the guy

Exactly. By absolutely no means do I think he's a BAD coach, but I don't think he's perennial Jack Adams candidate material like he's played out to be.
- Giroux_Is_God

Out of all the coaches we've seen from 24/7, Bylsma was by far the most impressive. He seemed to really connect with his players, kept them on an even keel, was thoughtful during he evaluation process, and was the most succinct and clear when it came to communicating tactics/X's & O's.

Babcock and Torts both came across as high-handed, while Boudreau seemed more a cheerleader than a leader. Lavi was pretty impressive, but seemed too quick to lose his cool. Carlyle came across as an idiot.

100% agree with you on Tippett... I'd love to see the cameras follow his process.

Out of all the coaches we've seen from 24/7, Bylsma was by far the most impressive. He seemed to really connect with his players, kept them on an even keel, was thoughtful during he evaluation process, and was the most succinct and clear when it came to communicating tactics/X's & O's.

Babcock and Torts both came across as high-handed, while Boudreau seemed more a cheerleader than a leader. Lavi was pretty impressive, but seemed too quick to lose his cool. Carlyle came across as an idiot.

100% agree with you on Tippett... I'd love to see the cameras follow his process.
- Tomahawk

Babcock, in my opinion, is like a respected Dean. He is heavy handed, but I think his players trust him so much that it's almost his best quality.

There's a difference being heavy handed in Babcock's case, and being heavy handed like Tortorella. Babcock is like a wise sage who lays down the law, while Tortorella is a douchebag.

Babcock, in my opinion, is like a respected Dean. He is heavy handed, but I think his players trust him so much that it's almost his best quality.

There's a difference being heavy handed in Babcock's case, and being heavy handed like Tortorella. Babcock is like a wise sage who lays down the law, while Tortorella is a douchebag.
- Giroux_Is_God

Lot of Babcock's former players don't have many nice things to say about him. He wins, but he's also known for having sabotaged a few careers along the way, too.

Kostka and Mottau on waivers
- mochoson

Blackhawks are one of the few teams that really need veteran depth dmen... We know the Flyers have a ton of those... I'd love to get Brandon Pirri or one of their other prospects back in any deal.