Darren Dreger @DarrenDreger · 4m

Trade senses are on high alert. Starting to sound like Kesler deal is inching closer. Still working on destination, but next 24hrs, perhaps.

fwiw
- hillbillydeluxe

Beat me to it!!

I remember the Boston game and he was our only good player. Scored a rocket slapper off the crossbar... Also produced more 5 on 5 pts than Kesler before he was traded. Then again, I've been on a steady diet of Cuban cigars & flu meds all week so maybe I don't even know what you guys are arguing about...
- DrChristianTroy

yea I think that was the 2012 afternoon game around january....he got traded closer to the deadline that year.

so many cloudy memories of Vancouver/Boston..... I wonder why

I remember the Boston game and he was our only good player. Scored a rocket slapper off the crossbar... Also produced more 5 on 5 pts than Kesler before he was traded. Then again, I've been on a steady diet of Cuban cigars & flu meds all week so maybe I don't even know what you guys are arguing about...
- DrChristianTroy

That wasn't the cup run year.

That wasn't the cup run year.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Word. Serves me right for entering a convo I wasn't following

So nobody has their own pro comparables for Reinhart, Draisaitl, Bennett & DalColle?

Curious to know everyone's pro-projection comparables for Reinhart, Draisaitl, Bennett & DalColle... If you got 'em, post 'em (be as original as possible - I already know what the media & scouts are saying and I agree in some cases - don't in others).
- DrChristianTroy

Assuming they reach their absolute ceiling:

- I liked French's Nikolaj Ehlers comparison to Kessel, he'll play at a lighter weight though and likely not as good production-wise, but style wise(offensively), I see it.

- For Sam Reinhart, he does seem like Henrik Sedin type(less cycling, better off of the rush). Maybe RNH or Zetterberg, very smart offensive playmakers.

- I like Leon Draisaitl as a less physical Getzlaf or more competitive Vanek if he develops and lives up to his potential

- Michael Dal Colle seems like Jeff Carter with his knack for goal scoring, I haven't seen him play more than a few games, just going by what I've been reading and the limited times I saw him.

- Sam Bennett as potentially a more skilled/faster Mike Richards, he's still the top guy on my board. Petty much the complete package, he can get stronger.



These were their statistical comparisons based on PPG, adjusted for their league's scoring rate and age during draft year. 1 being the closest comp.


Dal Colle
1. Jeff Skinner
2. Brayden Schenn
3. Mikhail Grigorenko
4. Marek Zagrapan
5. Jakub Voracek




Leon Draisaitl
1. Bryan Little
2. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
3. Sean Couturier
4. Bobby Ryan
5. Gilbert Brule


Sam Benett
1. Bobby Ryan
2. Tyler Seguin
3. Sean Couturier
4. Ryan Strome
5. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins


Sam Reinhart
1. Steven Stamkos
2. John Tavares
3. Jonathan Huberdeau
4. Taylor Hall
5. Ryan Strome


Nikolaj Ehlers
1. Steven Stamkos
2. Jonathan Huberdeau
3. John Tavares
4. Ryan Strome
5. Tyler Seguin

So nobody has their own pro comparables for Reinhart, Draisaitl, Bennett & DalColle?
- DrChristianTroy

Waiting for you to rip mine apart and post your own.

Assuming they reach their absolute ceiling:

- I liked French's Nikolaj Ehlers comparison to Kessel, he'll play at a lighter weight though and likely not as good production-wise, but style wise(offensively), I see it.

- For Sam Reinhart, he does seem like Henrik Sedin type(less cycling, better off of the rush). Maybe RNH or Zetterberg, very smart offensive playmakers.

- I like Leon Draisaitl as a less physical Getzlaf or more competitive Vanek if he develops and lives up to his potential

- Michael Dal Colle seems like Jeff Carter with his knack for goal scoring, I haven't seen him play more than a few games, just going by what I've been reading and the limited times I saw him.

- Sam Bennett as potentially a more skilled/faster Mike Richards, he's still the top guy on my board. Petty much the complete package, he can get stronger.



These were their statistical comparisons based on PPG, adjusted for their league's scoring rate and age during draft year. 1 being the closest comp.


Dal Colle
1. Jeff Skinner
2. Brayden Schenn
3. Mikhail Grigorenko
4. Marek Zagrapan
5. Jakub Voracek




Leon Draisaitl
1. Bryan Little
2. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
3. Sean Couturier
4. Bobby Ryan
5. Gilbert Brule


Sam Benett
1. Bobby Ryan
2. Tyler Seguin
3. Sean Couturier
4. Ryan Strome
5. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins


Sam Reinhart
1. Steven Stamkos
2. John Tavares
3. Jonathan Huberdeau
4. Taylor Hall
5. Ryan Strome


Nikolaj Ehlers
1. Steven Stamkos
2. Jonathan Huberdeau
3. John Tavares
4. Ryan Strome
5. Tyler Seguin
- Nucker101

Interesting... Good stuff.

Interesting... Good stuff.
- DrChristianTroy

If these players live up to their potentials, this could turn out to be one of those weak-only-at-draft-day drafts.

Waiting for you to rip mine apart and post your own.
- Nucker101

No rippage necessary... I just like to know where everyone else is coming from in their evals/rankings.

Assuming they reach their absolute ceiling:

- I liked French's Nikolaj Ehlers comparison to Kessel, he'll play at a lighter weight though and likely not as good production-wise, but style wise(offensively), I see it.

- For Sam Reinhart, he does seem like Henrik Sedin type(less cycling, better off of the rush). Maybe RNH or Zetterberg, very smart offensive playmakers.

- I like Leon Draisaitl as a less physical Getzlaf or more competitive Vanek if he develops and lives up to his potential

- Michael Dal Colle seems like Jeff Carter with his knack for goal scoring, I haven't seen him play more than a few games, just going by what I've been reading and the limited times I saw him.

- Sam Bennett as potentially a more skilled/faster Mike Richards, he's still the top guy on my board. Petty much the complete package, he can get stronger.



These were their statistical comparisons based on PPG, adjusted for their league's scoring rate and age during draft year. 1 being the closest comp.


Dal Colle
1. Jeff Skinner
2. Brayden Schenn
3. Mikhail Grigorenko
4. Marek Zagrapan
5. Jakub Voracek




Leon Draisaitl
1. Bryan Little
2. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
3. Sean Couturier
4. Bobby Ryan
5. Gilbert Brule


Sam Benett
1. Bobby Ryan
2. Tyler Seguin
3. Sean Couturier
4. Ryan Strome
5. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins


Sam Reinhart
1. Steven Stamkos
2. John Tavares
3. Jonathan Huberdeau
4. Taylor Hall
5. Ryan Strome


Nikolaj Ehlers
1. Steven Stamkos
2. Jonathan Huberdeau
3. John Tavares
4. Ryan Strome
5. Tyler Seguin
- Nucker101

So nobody has their own pro comparables for Reinhart, Draisaitl, Bennett & DalColle?
- DrChristianTroy

They'll all be monsters...

I highly doubt a GM will agree to an extension 2 years ahead of time.
- Nucker101

Pretty sure you can't actually sign an extension until you enter the final year of a contract. Otherwise teams could get around the 8 year max

I may get crapped on for this.... but do we all remember a little whiny baby getting his way in 2011. Gillis shouldve kept Hodgson.... that trade was brutal(at that particular time) Hodgson was producing points in his role and arguably would've been a difference maker more than Kassian during that cup run.
- nelson911

I like this wait and see approach. We have the cap going up. There are reports that Toews and Kane are asking for around 12 per to renew their contracts that means open market top 6 center will be around 7-8mil per. That will make Kesler's deal way more enticing. Also there is only 2 centers available this UFA season and there are atleast 5 teams that need to fill that position. Supply and demand will create the market price. Also there is no way of knowing what we need till after the free agency opens and the draft. We will know the holes we need to plug and then trade Kesler for that purpose. Easier said then done but sometimes patience gets that elusive marlin.

I like this wait and see approach. We have the cap going up. There are reports that Toews and Kane are asking for around 12 per to renew their contracts that means open market top 6 center will be around 7-8mil per. That will make Kesler's deal way more enticing. Also there is only 2 centers available this UFA season and there are atleast 5 teams that need to fill that position. Supply and demand will create the market price. Also there is no way of knowing what we need till after the free agency opens and the draft. We will know the holes we need to plug and then trade Kesler for that purpose. Easier said then done but sometimes patience gets that elusive marlin.
- Linden_4_Capt

Also curious to see what Stastny will get as an ufa. Can't wait til the next lockout.

Pretty sure you can't actually sign an extension until you enter the final year of a contract. Otherwise teams could get around the 8 year max
- 1970vintage

Yeah, I think he we referring to a gentlemen's agreement?

Also curious to see what Stastny will get as an ufa. Can't wait til the next lockout.

- hillbillydeluxe

I wonder who will be the Clarkson of this year.

Here's my justification for liking Draisaitl ahead of Reinhart. I see stuff in Draisaitl's game that makes me think of a potential Joe Thornton/Pavel Datsyuk hybrid (minus the latter's Selke skills). I see Reinhart as a poor man's Marc Savard/rich man's CoHo. When it comes to Bennett I draw a blank because he's got a pretty rare skillset - offensively, he's basically everything I wish Kesler was, but isn't... yet still has all of Kesler's best traits. DalColle for me is kind of a Jamie Benn lite.

I wonder who will be the Clarkson of this year.
- Linden_4_Capt

How much $$$ will Vanek, Richards and Stastny get?

If we could sign Stastny at 6.5 for 5 yearsish, that would be a deal, but I am thinking he may get as much as 8 if Kane and Toews are projected at $12m

Here's my justification for liking Draisaitl ahead of Reinhart. I see stuff in Draisaitl's game that makes me think of a potential Joe Thornton/Pavel Datsyuk hybrid (minus the latter's Selke skills). I see Reinhart as a poor man's Marc Savard/rich man's CoHo. When it comes to Bennett I draw a blank because he's got a pretty rare skillset - offensively, he's basically everything I wish Kesler was, but isn't... yet still has all of Kesler's best traits. DalColle for me is kind of a Jamie Benn lite.
- DrChristianTroy

Interesting. And what about Ehlers/Virtanen/Ritchie/Nylander? Any comps for them?

Darren Dreger @DarrenDreger · 4m

Trade senses are on high alert. Starting to sound like Kesler deal is inching closer. Still working on destination, but next 24hrs, perhaps.

fwiw
- hillbillydeluxe

this sounds like something Eklund would write

TRADE WINDS COMING, DOMINOS, MORE TO COME
but there is never any further update...

Interesting. And what about Ehlers/Virtanen/Ritchie/Nylander? Any comps for them?
- Nucker101

I see Virtanen as a Jake Voracek type player... will need a center who can get him the puck in high percentage areas where he can get open and use his shot.

I see Virtanen as a Jake Voracek type player... will need a center who can get him the puck in high percentage areas where he can get open and use his shot.
- nucks_94

Voracek is a much better playmaker. Virtanen's more physical and a better goal scorer. Personally I don't see it.

Voracek is a much better playmaker. Virtanen's more physical and a better goal scorer. Personally I don't see it.
- Nucker101

If Virtanen played with a better center, he wouldn't have to create for himself as much. I think you'll see his assist totals rise.

From Dreger:

As things escalate on Kesler watch, hearing teams are trying hard, unsuccessfully, to get on his list.



(frank)ing Kesler.