He's 20 years old.
- PLindbergh31

Yep. I wonder if he'd benefit from a change the way Seguin did.

Quoted for posterity
- Scoob

I just picked up a dozen eggs. Now it's a waiting game

TB would be foolish to sell low on a player like Drouin because there isn't a spot open for him on their roster right now. Yzerman is not stupid. I'm not saying they wouldn't trade him if they were blown away. But the # 7 pick isn't even in the ball park.
- PLindbergh31

Why? He was selected 3rd overall in a year with no McDavid or Eichel in the draft. And it's not like Drouin has come in and put up Gaudreau-type numbers his rookie season. He could be a very good player, but maybe not...and whoever we pick with #7 could be very good, but maybe not...

Yep. I wonder if he'd benefit from a change the way Seguin did.
- Scoob

I don't even think it's a change of scenery. It's nothing more than TB having a stacked top 6, and Cooper correctly not trying to shoehorn Drouin into the lineup in a role he's not suited for.

I'd move the #7 for a high scoring winger, but I'd prefer a more established one.
- jmatchett383

My preference has always been to acquire centers and defenseman if you're going to pay a lot. Not saying wingers aren't important, but I feel centers and defenseman have more of an impact on driving possession.

Teams have won cups with average wingers, but teams never really win with average centers/defenseman.

It's just a philosophical approach I would take as a GM. I think the whole "flyers have too many centers who can't play wing" thing is overblown. Schenn looked fine at RW and Laughton hasn't even been tried at wing. Some guys are more suited for center, but it doesn't mean they can't still be effective at wing. Sometimes, it takes time to adjust like what happened with Carter. Was a mess at wing with the Flyers and settled in nicely with the Kings eventually.

Why? He was selected 3rd overall in a year with no McDavid or Eichel in the draft. And it's not like Drouin has come in and put up Gaudreau-type numbers his rookie season. He could be a very good player, but maybe not...and whoever we pick with #7 could be very good, but maybe not...
- wolfhounds

MacKinnon had 63 points as an 18 year old. How much better do you think McDavid or Eichel will be then that in 2015-2016?

I don't even think it's a change of scenery. It's nothing more than TB having a stacked top 6, and Cooper correctly not trying to shoehorn Drouin into the lineup in a role he's not suited for.
- PLindbergh31

If that's the case, what would you do if you're Yzerman? Clearly, something has to give and someone has to go. Either that or Drouin just becomes a player who never gets used.

I don't even think it's a change of scenery. It's nothing more than TB having a stacked top 6, and Cooper correctly not trying to shoehorn Drouin into the lineup in a role he's not suited for.
- PLindbergh31

Yeah, I meant change in terms of being on a team that could give him the opportunity to play.

MacKinnon had 63 points as an 18 year old. How much better do you think McDavid or Eichel will be then that in 2015-2016?
- PLindbergh31

I think that McDavid and Eicehl will be able to put up numbers similar to Crosby/Ovechkin rookie numbers. MacKinnon is a very good player, but these 2 players are projected (just projected, no guarantees) to be generational.

If that's the case, what would you do if you're Yzerman? Clearly, something has to give and someone has to go. Either that or Drouin just becomes a player who never gets used.
- jmatchett383

Lots of things can happen. What if they trade one of their current top 6 players for another monster on the blueline to play with Hedman. What if there is an injury? What if next camp Drouin improves tremendously and wins a top 6 spot? Tons of variables.

Does anyone really think Laughton will develop into a regular NHL'er? I'm not sure he has the wheels and size to be anything beyond a role player.
- Pixote Andolini

He's a very good skater, and is 6'1", 190 pounds.

http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=76690

Whether he will be a good NHLer depends on his hands and awareness and whether his scoring from Junior and the AHL translates.

Lots of things can happen. What if they trade one of their current top 6 players for another monster on the blueline to play with Hedman. What if there is an injury? What if next camp Drouin improves tremendously and wins a top 6 spot? Tons of variables.
- PLindbergh31

Which one of those 6 would you trade? Assuming no one's play drops off a cliff, as they're all relatively young, that means one of your current top-6 (really top-2, if you keep him at LW) is now playing out of their role in the bottom-6. So which player would you move this offseason if you're Yzerman?

TB would be foolish to sell low on a player like Drouin because there isn't a spot open for him on their roster right now. Yzerman is not stupid. I'm not saying they wouldn't trade him if they were blown away. But the # 7 pick isn't even in the ball park.
- PLindbergh31

This.

Makes no sense to trade him in the first place. It would make more sense to move a guy like Filipula to clear some space for Drouin and save money.

I think that McDavid and Eicehl will be able to put up numbers similar to Crosby/Ovechkin rookie numbers. MacKinnon is a very good player, but these 2 players are projected (just projected, no guarantees) to be generational.
- jmatchett383

The high scorer in the NHL this year was J. Benn with 87 points. McDavid and Eichel are going to come into the NHL this year on awful teams and approach 100 points? Ummmm.... No

See, I'd offer the 7th pick, and no more, and that'd be my best offer.

It's not that I don't think Drouin isn't an outstanding prospect. i just think you can get a guy who will be as good with that pick, and can keep Hagg or Gostisbehere
- Jsaquella

agreed....i would possibly offer them their pick back w/ another pick or prospect for him.

The high scorer in the NHL this year was Crosby with 87 points. McDavid and Eichel are going to come into the NHL this year on awful teams and approach 100 points? Ummmm.... No
- PLindbergh31

Can you guarantee they won't?

This.

Makes no sense to trade him in the first place. It would make more sense to move a guy like Filipula to clear some space for Drouin and save money.
- PhillySportsGuy

Exactly. Perfectly stated.

He's 20 years old.
- PLindbergh31

Yup, I know. He's still a prospect at this time, a player with potential and a very high ceiling. Very similar to the player the Flyers will be selecting at #7. I guess I prefer the potential of #7 to Drouin at this point in time.

Yup, I know. He's still a prospect at this time, a player with potential and a very high ceiling. Very similar to the player the Flyers will be selecting at #7. I guess I prefer the potential of #7 to Drouin at this point in time.
- wolfhounds

Ok. Fair enough. It's a hypothetical scenario anyway, because Yzerman would laugh if Hextall picked up the phone and proposed that trade.

Exactly. Perfectly stated.
- PLindbergh31

And what "monster defenseman" are they going to get for Filpula?

Exactly. Perfectly stated.
- PLindbergh31

He's something else, isn't he?

And what "monster defenseman" are they going to get for Filpula?
- jmatchett383

Luke Schenn.

If you guys redrafted 2013, where would Drouin be? I say the highest is 5th (Mac, Barkov, Jones, Monahan all ahead).

Ok. Fair enough. It's a hypothetical scenario anyway, because Yzerman would laugh if Hextall picked up the phone and proposed that trade.
- PLindbergh31

Of course he would. The deal wouldn't realistically work for TB because their window is open right now and, if they make space for Drouin, he can conceivably help them win now. The player taken with the #7 pick is likely 2 years away.

And what "monster defenseman" are they going to get for Filpula?
- jmatchett383

They don't really need a Dman. They have Hedman, Stralman, Garrison, Coburn, Carle, Sustr all signed through next season I believe. I would assume they'd acquire some picks.