True.. the media will eat it up... especially with a fan fav like him. Will be a big story. I like it ...creates intrigue... Canucks fans need it this offseason, don't think there will be too much happening with them.
- nelson911

Why you don't want the circus, the story to remain- there hasn't been any discussion, is because if they do talk and Bieksa says, you can trade me to these teams- but the fit isn't there right now or he says you can move me at the tdl if we are out of the playoffs next season, you don't want it to get out now...

I'm curious, I'd be interested to know what is really going on, but I think it is smarter to keep it on the down low.

If Bieksa is being difficult, the team will leak he was asked to waive, just like I think Kesler's camp leaked out that he requested a trade....

After looking at your mock draft i'm not surprised. You may want to look at a few more scouting reports. Listen to what teams are saying what they are looking at. Bob mackenzie for the past years has been outstanding at predicting where players will go. NHl.com is saying what each team could use in their system.
- manvanfan

I'm just busting your balls

And man, I've been following the real draft experts all year along, no offense to Bob but he's just gathering a consensus list. I put more faith into the guys who follow certain junior leagues, euro countries and watch the players in those regions more often both on tv and in-person than the guys who try to crate a list by just looking at scouting reports and other people's lists.

Like I said, this is the first year I'm actually comfortable with posting a list. In past years, I just read the scouting reports a week or two before the draft and mostly looked at McKenzies and Pronman's list. Not this year though.

The guys who exclusively follow certain leagues like the OHL/WHL/QMJHL/College/Sweden/Russia give way more detailed reports on twitter and/or their blogs/sites.

How does he fit in with our long term plans? Why the hell would he accept a trade to the fishbowl that is Vancouver? And what would it cost (on top of $$$) to acquire him?

Eric Staal's apparently available too. I don't think Vancouver really needs another expensive #1 center in his 30s.
- KB3Point0

Not ideal, was just answering the question of if you moved Miller out, who would take on his contract?

I don't think Henrik would be happy with Jumbo here. I remember that time Joe was poking Henrik in the face by the penalty boxes, as he was pointing at something...

How much more would it cost? Maybe nothing? Depends how much SJ want to move him.

My top 30 for the draft.......Didn't take me hours to put this together since following a few draft/junior experts on twitter all year who watch these guys regularly made this easier for me than in year's past when I relied more on random scouting reports and stats. Probably the first time I've ever felt confident in putting together a top 30 list for fun since I actually feel like I have a good read on most of the top prospects.

1. Conor McDavid
2. Jack Eichel
3. Mitch Marner
4. Noah Hanifin
5. Kyle Connor
6. Dylan Strome
7. Matt Barzal
8. Pavel Zacha
9. Mikko Rantanen
10. Ivan Provorov
11. Zack Werenski
12. Lawson Crouse
13. Timo Meier
14. Nick Merkley
15. Joel Eriksson-Ek
16. Denis Gurianov
17. Evgeni Svechnikov
18. Brock Boeser
19. Travis Konecny
20. Jansen Harkins
21. Colin White
22. Jack Roslovic
23. Jakub Zboril
24. Jeremy Roy
25. Ilya Samsonov
26. Jake DeBrusk
27. Noah Juulsen
28. Oliver Kylington
29. Paul Bittner
30. Nicolas Meloche
- Nucker101

Did you not put Zboril higher in the draft because that's who you want to fall to the Canucks realisticly? I have him in the high teens like most of the scouts and people covering the eligibles. How many of these writers you speak of have him this late?

I'm trying to figure out what direction you want this team to go in?

Do you want to rebuild or be a contender? You talk about rebuilding but want to sign a number 1 C which would mean we have the Sedin's getting 14 mil on the 2nd line... which makes the Miller money look like pocket change????

Seriously. The Miller signing isn't complicating things as much as you claim. We have tradable assets because of it. Why is losing Lack such a dire situation?



I'm sure it will not be the set back you keep going on about.
- boonerbuck

Should have said future #1 centre or some youth with potential upside. I need to go back and see what’s available but signing an aging goalie to a bad contract specially after miller's disaster in the playoffs was not in the best interest of the canucks. Rebuild all the way

I'm just busting your balls

And man, I've been following the real draft experts all year along, no offense to Bob but he's just gathering a consensus list. I put more faith into the guys who follow certain junior leagues, euro countries and watch the players in those regions more often both on tv and in-person than the guys who try to crate a list by just looking at scouting reports and other people's lists.

Like I said, this is the first year I'm actually comfortable with posting a list. In past years, I just read the scouting reports a week or two before the draft and mostly looked at McKenzies and Pronman's list. Not this year though.
- Nucker101

Haha I know. Catch was sick though.

Bob last year was 28 out of 30 for first round picks and had 11 in correct spots. That's pretty damn good. I start to look at mocks at least a year ahead.
IMO about your mock. I can't see Connor breaking into the top 10. Eriksson at15 to the flames doesn't make much sense to me when they have 19 year sam bennett and sean mohanhan and just resigned backlund. They could probably use some size on the wing or a offensive D. I'm guessing Winnipeg and washington will pick up D's.

Did you not put Zboril higher in the draft because that's who you want to fall to the Canucks realisticly? I have him in the high teens like most of the scouts and people covering the eligibles. How many of these writers you speak of have him this late?
- boonerbuck

He's usually ranked anywhere between the mid-late teens and mid 20's. I actually like him and would definitely be okay with the Canucks taking him since they need a d-man in their prospect pool and he has legit top 4 NHL upside from what I've read and also according to his numbers.

Haha I know. Catch was sick though.

Bob last year was 28 out of 30 for first round picks and had 11 in correct spots. That's pretty damn good. I start to look at mocks at least a year ahead.
IMO about your mock. I can't see Connor breaking into the top 10. Eriksson at15 to the flames doesn't make much sense to me when they have 19 year sam bennett and sean mohanhan and just resigned backlund. They could probably use some size on the wing or a offensive D. I'm guessing Winnipeg and washington will pick up D's.
- manvanfan

Mine's not a mock, just rankings. I'm not really into doing mock drafts.

Strange you are reminding me that nothing has been confirmed since the whole point of my post was to remind you of that. Thats why I mentioned Kesler's other side of the media story that was out.
- boonerbuck

I stated "if the reports are true and Kesler wanted out around the time of the Olympics..." There are CONFIRMED reports that this was the timeframe. Sure there are other rumours, but none that have been confirmed by anyone.

So what exactly are you reminding me of? That nothing has been confirmed? Or that there are also rumours out there that he made the request at an earlier date?

I'm totally fine with JB trading our 2nd for Baertchi. I think we'd be happy if we got a player like him with our own 2nd.
- boonerbuck

Me too...

Me too...
- LeftCoaster

Also agree. That was a nice deal.

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger · 2h2 hours ago
LA's Martin Jones remains a prime trade target on the goalie market. Moving him east sounds like preferred option for Kings brass. #TSN


what should it matter?

Renaud Lavoie ‏@renlavoietva · 2h2 hours ago
If the players didn't applied the 5% growth factor, the NHL cap would have decreased $1.1M to $67.9M next season. #nightmare

Also agree. That was a nice deal.
- Nucker101

From a Flames perspective or Canucks?

What #1 centre is there available for us to acquire and use Miller's money on?
- KB3Point0

Give me a second. You gonna make me work you female dog.

If miller wasn't signed and JB didn't sign an alternate UFA but instead held onto his cap space, it might have given him the ability to work a trade with a bit more ease during the season.

People can provide lots of examples of why the signing of miller was a positive but you can still argue that the miller signing was a poor decision. It ain't a moot point. It's only been one season and has he made that much of a difference?

Drouin for the 3rd overall... sounds like it's a possibility. Makes sense for both teams.

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger · 2h2 hours ago
LA's Martin Jones remains a prime trade target on the goalie market. Moving him east sounds like preferred option for Kings brass. #TSN


what should it matter?

Renaud Lavoie ‏@renlavoietva · 2h2 hours ago
If the players didn't applied the 5% growth factor, the NHL cap would have decreased $1.1M to $67.9M next season. #nightmare
- hillbillydeluxe

26 teams are east of LA

Give me a second. You gonna make me work you female dog.

If miller wasn't signed and JB didn't sign an alternate UFA but instead held onto his cap space, it might have given him the ability to work a trade with a bit more ease during the season.

People can provide lots of examples of why the signing of miller was a positive but you can still argue that the miller signing was a poor decision. It ain't a moot point. It's only been one season and has he made that much of a difference?
- bloatedmosquito

I think the only thing to consider was the "core" requesting an experienced goalie come in. If JB ignores them, he starts his management career with the bad rep that he doesnt listen to or care about what his best players want. From an outsiders perspective it seems stupid, but most athletes are headcases and this was to appease them

26 teams are east of LA
- A_SteamingLombardi

Perspective.

From a Flames perspective or Canucks?
- LeftCoaster

Both, I hate all equally.

26 teams are east of LA
- A_SteamingLombardi

I think it was Spector who said bieska and Kassian for okposo

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger · 2h2 hours ago
LA's Martin Jones remains a prime trade target on the goalie market. Moving him east sounds like preferred option for Kings brass. #TSN


what should it matter?

Renaud Lavoie ‏@renlavoietva · 2h2 hours ago
If the players didn't applied the 5% growth factor, the NHL cap would have decreased $1.1M to $67.9M next season. #nightmare
- hillbillydeluxe

Kings always find a way to screw over the Canucks

I think it was Spector who said bieska and Kassian for okposo
- manvanfan

Benning would be a hero.

Drouin for the 3rd overall... sounds like it's a possibility. Makes sense for both teams.
- Mungo

Now that's trading from a position of power. To be able to trade like that must be awesome.

Dealing within the top three and still being a great team with an excellent future. Those years of 'tanking' sure hurt the Bolts. Tanking, winning the cup, tanking, competing for the cup (probably for a few years) seems so flawed. Thank god the canucks don't follow the Lightning model!

I think it was Spector who said bieska and Kassian for okposo
- manvanfan

didn't Okposo have his retina detach last year?

Drouin for the 3rd overall... sounds like it's a possibility. Makes sense for both teams.
- Mungo

I love Drouin, but if I'm Tampa I think I pull the trigger on that one or try to push Maloney to accept it now before Maloney gets nervous about it and pumped about Marner/Hanifin when he gets to the draft table.