I'm trying to imagine what playing alongside Vinny or RJ would be analogous to in my men's leagues. Are they like the guys you have to dump out there for a minute shift a few times a period and hope they don't do to much damage? Like the guy who played Div III college puck 25 years ago but hadn't put on skates since? The athletic, fit dude who's skating for the first time and is a trainwreck when he tries to turn or stop? The beergut schlub who has some good hands but couldn't beat my grandmom on a pogo stick to a loose puck? The guy with Coke bottle glasses who inexplicably plays without them or contacts because he doesn't like a full face cage and subsequently can't see the puck on his own stick?

I'm sure guys who play can relate, but I've always wondered what that's like for a Giroux or Couturier to have to carry that dead weight.
- countreeman28

I think it would be comparable to playing with a guy who has been playing street hockey for a while so has some stick skills but just recently learned how to ice skate. There's a guy on my team like that. Lacav still has skill and makes good plays at times but his skating is really a drag to his game.

I think it would be comparable to playing with a guy who has been playing street hockey for a while so has some stick skills but just recently learned how to ice skate. There's a guy on my team like that. Lacav still has skill and makes good plays at times but his skating is really a drag to his game.
- JonnyHammerstix

I dig that. Perfect comparison!

I really want Barzal at 7. Speed, skill, passion, and playmaking ability for the second line. Perfect prospect for the Flyers (Assuming someone like Marner doesn't fall to 7). I'm a little worried that the Devils are going to snag him at 6 though (although Shero seems to really like to draft Dmen in round 1)

Plus hasn't he said that he looks up to and mimics his game to Giroux? I'm pretty sure I've heard that before. If that's true that could potentially be a little extra thrill and motivation for him to succeed here.
- JonnyHammerstix

Barzal could fall to the late teens. He could be a bit of a reach at 7. If one of Hanifin, Werenski or Povorov are on the board when we pick at 7 I'd have to go D there.

I think I'd lean Meier over Barzal at this point.

I really want Barzal at 7. Speed, skill, passion, and playmaking ability for the second line. Perfect prospect for the Flyers (Assuming someone like Marner doesn't fall to 7). I'm a little worried that the Devils are going to snag him at 6 though (although Shero seems to really like to draft Dmen in round 1)

Plus hasn't he said that he looks up to and mimics his game to Giroux? I'm pretty sure I've heard that before. If that's true that could potentially be a little extra thrill and motivation for him to succeed here.
- JonnyHammerstix

Barzal could fall to the late teens. He could be a bit of a reach at 7. If one of Hanifin, Werenski or Povorov are on the board when we pick at 7 I'd have to go D there.

I think I'd lean Meier over Barzal at this point.
- mayorofangrytown

If Barzal makes it past ten, I would be shocked. Only Hanifin out of those defenseman is a sure pick above him in my opinion.

@reporterchris: Jon Cooper on Braydon Coburn: "He's done nothing but make our general manager look good in that trade."


Wouldn't it be great if Kimmo played Coburn and Carle in the Finals?!

@reporterchris: Jon Cooper on Braydon Coburn: "He's done nothing but make our general manager look good in that trade."


Wouldn't it be great if Kimmo played Coburn and Carle in the Finals?!
- PhillySportsGuy

That would be spectacular. Fantastic. Awesome. Incredible.

Why not try Laughton at wing?

Just let things play out. No sense in trying to predict the future when you don't need to.
- PhillySportsGuy

That's what I would do, I think his skill set would allow him to be successful on the wing.

@reporterchris: Jon Cooper on Braydon Coburn: "He's done nothing but make our general manager look good in that trade."
- PhillySportsGuy

How about we see in a few years how the trade looks... that's great for them if it serves them well now, but our GM could come out looking like a frigging genius if those picks turn into something great.

How about we see in a few years how the trade looks... that's great for them if it serves them well now, but our GM could come out looking like a frigging genius if those picks turn into something great.
- WarriorHockey21

Beauvillier

Barzal could fall to the late teens. He could be a bit of a reach at 7. If one of Hanifin, Werenski or Povorov are on the board when we pick at 7 I'd have to go D there.

I think I'd lean Meier over Barzal at this point.
- mayorofangrytown

Well there's really no right or wrong answer with the top 15 or so in this draft. I just really like Barzal's game and passion a lot from the few times I've seen him play. He also has a very sound defensive game too.

I understand all of the love that Barzal is getting. He would definitely be a great addition to the team. Here's a question that I've been thinking over...

If you had the option of drafting, either, Barzal or Provorov, who would you take?

Personally, I'd take Provorov. The thought of having 3 defensemen (Morin, Sanheim and Provorov) all ready to be on the team while still under entry level contract (or bridge deal) would do wonders for the cap situation. Given the premium that good defensemen make in FA, I'd think this would be a very enviable situation to be in.

No, it wouldn't help the need for more skilled, speedy forwards, but I think that those are also a bit easier to find later in the draft. It also might make Ghost redundant by that time (I see his skill-set closer to that of Sanheim/Provorov, with less upside), where he could be flipped for a forward asset.

I understand all of the love that Barzal is getting. He would definitely be a great addition to the team. Here's a question that I've been thinking over...

If you had the option of drafting, either, Barzal or Provorov, who would you take?

Personally, I'd take Provorov. The thought of having 3 defensemen (Morin, Sanheim and Provorov) all ready to be on the team while still under entry level contract (or bridge deal) would do wonders for the cap situation. Given the premium that good defensemen make in FA, I'd think this would be a very enviable situation to be in.

No, it wouldn't help the need for more skilled, speedy forwards, but I think that those are also a bit easier to find later in the draft. It also might make Ghost redundant by that time (I see his skill-set closer to that of Sanheim/Provorov, with less upside), where he could be flipped for a forward asset.
- Coleman

I would be very happy with Provorov too. I personally have them rated very close to eachother. I would just personally lean towards a forward in this draft at 7 if you have a Dman and forward ranked equally. They really need to add some skill to the forward ranks in the prospect system.

I understand all of the love that Barzal is getting. He would definitely be a great addition to the team. Here's a question that I've been thinking over...

If you had the option of drafting, either, Barzal or Provorov, who would you take?

Personally, I'd take Provorov. The thought of having 3 defensemen (Morin, Sanheim and Provorov) all ready to be on the team while still under entry level contract (or bridge deal) would do wonders for the cap situation. Given the premium that good defensemen make in FA, I'd think this would be a very enviable situation to be in.

No, it wouldn't help the need for more skilled, speedy forwards, but I think that those are also a bit easier to find later in the draft. It also might make Ghost redundant by that time (I see his skill-set closer to that of Sanheim/Provorov, with less upside), where he could be flipped for a forward asset.
- Coleman

I'd pick Barzal. His elite skating, great vision, and skill would be too much to pass up.

@reporterchris: Jon Cooper on Braydon Coburn: "He's done nothing but make our general manager look good in that trade."


Wouldn't it be great if Kimmo played Coburn and Carle in the Finals?!
- PhillySportsGuy

Amazing how good Coburn can be when he's not asked to be "the main guy" on defense.

I really want Barzal at 7. Speed, skill, passion, and playmaking ability for the second line. Perfect prospect for the Flyers (Assuming someone like Marner doesn't fall to 7). I'm a little worried that the Devils are going to snag him at 6 though (although Shero seems to really like to draft Dmen in round 1)

Plus hasn't he said that he looks up to and mimics his game to Giroux? I'm pretty sure I've heard that before. If that's true that could potentially be a little extra thrill and motivation for him to succeed here.
- JonnyHammerstix

I was just doing a lunch time bike ride thinking about this thread, and that was exactly the point I came up with. How would Read and Simmonds look if you put them with Giroux? Both have played pretty well during stretches with G. Obviously Raffl played much better than expected because he was paired with G. Really Schenn was the only player whose game was not raised playing with G.

Barzal often gets compared to G. I think he can bring out the best in whoever is put on his line, more so than Laughton or Couturier.

Raffl- Barzal - Simmonds >>> Raffl- Laughton/Couts - Simmonds

@reporterchris: Jon Cooper on Braydon Coburn: "He's done nothing but make our general manager look good in that trade."


Wouldn't it be great if Kimmo played Coburn and Carle in the Finals?!
- PhillySportsGuy

Only if Michael Leighton is prominently involved.

Seriously, though....Always liked Coburn. I'm happy he's doing well. Don't get the hate.

I was just doing a lunch time bike ride thinking about this thread, and that was exactly the point I came up with. How would Read and Simmonds look if you put them with Giroux? Both have played pretty well during stretches with G. Obviously Raffl played much better than expected because he was paired with G. Really Schenn was the only player whose game was not raised playing with G.

Barzal often gets compared to G. I think he can bring out the best in whoever is put on his line, more so than Laughton or Couturier.

Raffl- Barzal - Simmonds >>> Raffl- Laughton/Couts - Simmonds
- TheGreat28

It kills me how far away the draft is still

If Barzal makes it past ten, I would be shocked. Only Hanifin out of those defenseman is a sure pick above him in my opinion.
- aflyerpower8

As of March only THW had him ranked in the top ten at 7 and 9.

Only if Michael Leighton is prominently involved.

Seriously, though....Always liked Coburn. I'm happy he's doing well. Don't get the hate.
- johndewar

Yeah, idk either.. He always did his job, and did it solid. He's not Shea Weber, nor should people expect him to be. I always liked him, but I like the trade as well (for moving forward), but I certainly wish him the best moving forward.

I'd pick Barzal. His elite skating, great vision, and skill would be too much to pass up.
- aflyerpower8

You can always trade for a top defenseman.

I don't think I'm selling him short. I think he can be a John Madden type. And Madden is a great example. Scored 98 points one year at Albany, but never more than 43 in the NHL. But his value as a shut-down line anchor was huge for those Devil's teams.

It's just that Sean Couturier can be that shut-down guy too. And we only need one.
- TheGreat28

Then lets try to develop one for the 2c spot, and the other for the 3c spot. simple solution

What do you mean by make due for 1-2 yrs?

You're going to fill with plugs and hope to make the playoffs?

If you want to talk me into trading Laughton I want an NHL ready winger back. That's just me.
- mayorofangrytown

i think he means make do

Only if Michael Leighton is prominently involved.

Seriously, though....Always liked Coburn. I'm happy he's doing well. Don't get the hate.
- johndewar

I'll admit, I jumped on the Coburn hate train this season. he didn't look like the same defender of past seasons, and I think we've pretty much covered that topic top to bottom, he's not as good/ comfortable being THE guy. When he's playing with a more dynamic defenseman, and he isn't the number one dude, he relaxes and his game improves.

I understand all of the love that Barzal is getting. He would definitely be a great addition to the team. Here's a question that I've been thinking over...

If you had the option of drafting, either, Barzal or Provorov, who would you take?

Personally, I'd take Provorov. The thought of having 3 defensemen (Morin, Sanheim and Provorov) all ready to be on the team while still under entry level contract (or bridge deal) would do wonders for the cap situation. Given the premium that good defensemen make in FA, I'd think this would be a very enviable situation to be in.

No, it wouldn't help the need for more skilled, speedy forwards, but I think that those are also a bit easier to find later in the draft. It also might make Ghost redundant by that time (I see his skill-set closer to that of Sanheim/Provorov, with less upside), where he could be flipped for a forward asset.
- Coleman

If they went in that direction, I won't be too disappointed. You can make a very good case for building out from the D. I'll be a little more upset if they go Rantanen or Zacha, and very disappointed if they go Crouse.

I also wonder if they go for someone like Kyle Connor as a dark horse. Can play C or LW, He's got a good combination of size and elite speed, above average hockey IQ and attention to defense. I think 7 might be too high, but have seen projections that have him as high as 7.