I don't think it is fair no but, I don't think it is far and away and no I don't have a hard on for Laine. I still pick Mathews but to assume Laine is some scrub is asinine. This is an average draft not McDavid, Crosby or Ov VS the world. Gimme a break. You have been around long enough not to let this kind of hype get carried away. Come on now I do not see any generational player in this draft. If you say so you're a liar.
- thundachunk

Nobody is assuming he's some scrub, nor did anyone think Eichel was last year. Matthews would have gone right behind those two last draft. Any way you slice it, he's still a franchise C. The two Finns are both top line talent, and there could be a few top pairing D with Chychrun having a chance as a #1. There may be some other top line talent in there as well.

Mathews might not have the high end scoring of some of the other top C's drafted recently, but there are no holes in his game and he can still score.

But I like football. I'll blame basketball. Or Curling.

Edit: also, football is a game of stops and starts to begin with, but we've watched two coaches challenges suck the life out of what was a pretty good game.
- CubanBuffet

Just wait until one decides a series....

Maybe not generational but if you are in the top 5 (which I think the Nucks will stay there) then you are going to get a good player who can help you now as opposed to years down the road
- RatedR80

Aside from Matthews I'm not sure anyone else can step in right away and help a whole lot. There are players that can make weaker rosters (like ours), but Matthews could make any roster.

Nobody is assuming he's some scrub, nor did anyone think Eichel was last year. Matthews would have gone right behind those two last draft. Any way you slice it, he's still a franchise C. The two Finns are both top line talent, and there could be a few top pairing D with Chychrun having a chance as a #1. There may be some other top line talent in there as well.

Mathews might not have the high end scoring of some of the other top C's drafted recently, but there are no holes in his game and he can still score.
- golfingsince

Neither is Laine. Laine and Mathews are the top 2 of the draft.

Aside from Matthews I'm not sure anyone else can step in right away and help a whole lot. There are players that can make weaker rosters (like ours), but Matthews could make any roster.
- golfingsince

Just my opinion but dont discount Laine or Puljujärvi either and we both could end up with either one if the draft order stays the same and I would be willing to wager they will both be productive calder type players

This part made me laugh.

The whole situation was just gold like you say. I know Dragon has his strong opinions (and it wasn't an outrageous one) but reluctantly dragging Vantel into it just was too funny.
- WhiteLie

Something makes me think that people will be referencing this for a loooong time.
it will be the new 'he's worth 2 edlers' or whatever the hell the pack jumped on last time.

Within 2 years they'll have advertising on the jerseys.... you heard it here first boys and girl.
Take that Thundercat, only the most righteous of posters would make that claim
- Pres.cup

https://twitter.com/wyshy...status/721013529126408192

Thanks PuckDaddy

Neither is Laine. Laine and Mathews are the top 2 of the draft.
- thundachunk

I think it's safe to say that Mathews will be No.1
Laine will be a great No.2 pick for someone.
I don't understand the argument that Mathews would have been no. 2 if he was born earlier...maybe if Laine was born earlier he would be in a different draft position to. Weird argument.

I still think it's all moot, because we have such a small chance of getting the first 2 picks.

https://twitter.com/wyshynski/status/721013529126408192

Thanks PuckDaddy


- VANTEL

I think it's safe to say that Mathews will be No.1
Laine will be a great No.2 pick for someone.
I don't understand the argument that Mathews would have been no. 2 if he was born earlier...maybe if Laine was born earlier he would be in a different draft position to. Weird argument.

I still think it's all moot, because we have such a small chance of getting the first 2 picks.
- dbot

This was in reference to last years draft not this one coming up

This was in reference to last years draft not this one coming up
- RatedR80

Right. But i still don't see the logic of Mathews would have been 2nd overall pick last year somehow explains that he should be the no. 1 pick this year.

It's basically saying, Mathews is not as good as McDavid, but better than Eichel, who was good, so Mathews is good.

Ok, but what does that have to do with the talent level of this year's draft??

Right. But i still don't see the logic of Mathews would have been 2nd overall pick last year somehow explains that he should be the no. 1 pick this year.
- dbot

I guess no McDavid or Eichel means you are #1? I dont know

Right. But i still don't see the logic of Mathews would have been 2nd overall pick last year somehow explains that he should be the no. 1 pick this year.

It's basically saying, Mathews is not as good as McDavid, but better than Eichel, who was good, so Mathews is good.

Ok, but what does that have to do with the talent level of this year's draft??
- dbot

I think it just says, he would've been one of the youngest guys in that draft year and still considered the second or third best from that age group. Now he's one of the oldest, with that extra year experience in a top men's league really solidifies the idea that he's the most NHL ready. In 10 years, is it possible everyone catches up? Sure, but he was already very good and now has the head start on all 2016 prospects by being older

I think it just says, he would've been one of the youngest guys in that draft year and still considered the second or third best from that age group. Now he's one of the oldest, with that extra year experience in a top men's league really solidifies the idea that he's the most NHL ready. In 10 years, is it possible everyone catches up? Sure, but he was already very good and now has the head start on all 2016 prospects by being older
- WhiteLie

ah. That makes sense.
Cheers

I guess no McDavid or Eichel means you are #1? I dont know
- RatedR80

I am not an Edmonton fan but McDavid is in a league of his own. It really is moot. I am a big time Draisaitl fan and McDavid is beyond that. We have guys comparing 2 prospective picks like they are Eichel and Draisaitl. face palm.

well.....Ive been saying for awhile now laine to me is the best player in this draft IMO. Vantel also has wanted laine.
Funny though, Vantel and I were also both the only people who knew who tryamkin was the last 2 years. And he's clearly the real deal.

Maybe more should listen to us on talent assesment and not so much what scouts say.....case in point, as of today how would tryamkin NOT go in the 1st round instead of 3rd.....
- SMBDragon

I wish you would remove my name from this
- VANTEL

Best rejection of being name dropped ever.

Best rejection of being name dropped ever.

- boonerbuck

Best rejection of being name dropped ever.

- boonerbuck

Strong contender for post of the year for sure.

Can you please add Vantels name to this post too, thanks.
- pker2theend

I actually wouldnt have fished today if I knew the thread was going to be this fun.

I am not an Edmonton fan but McDavid is in a league of his own. It really is moot. I am a big time Draisaitl fan and McDavid is beyond that. We have guys comparing 2 prospective picks like they are Eichel and Draisaitl. face palm.
- thundachunk

Even the guys from Finland on HFboards say Matthews is the clear cut #1 pick in the draft, yet they split more on the 2 Finns. Whereas some say they think Laine will go #2, they think Puljujarvi will be a better player.

You can think whatever you want about Laine vs Mathews, it's your opinion and you're entitled to it. However, we're just as entitled to see Mathews as well above Laine.....like much of the hockey world does.

Strong contender for post of the year for sure.
- CubanBuffet

Its still early

- boonerbuck

Does that guy know that Nikita was skipped over in his first draft? When has a 19 year old been drafted as a first rounder?

Just watched those Det TBL highlights.
Some nasty ground and pound from Abdelkader at the end there.
Was he dropping elbows in there??

i appear wrong on my prediction on that series! Tampa has shown some good fight (no pun intended)

Even the guys from Finland on HFboards say Matthews is the clear cut #1 pick in the draft, yet they split more on the 2 Finns. Whereas some say they think Laine will go #2, they think Puljujarvi will be a better player.

You can think whatever you want about Laine vs Mathews, it's your opinion and you're entitled to it. However, we're just as entitled to see Mathews as well above Laine.....like much of the hockey world does.
- golfingsince

I have never stated I would take Laine over Mathews. I am only saying Laine is the clear cut #2.