You are always going to have some good and some bad, it's not an exact science. IMO the best thing you can do is give your team as many chances as possible.
- belcherbd

I only prescribe to that theory when a good trade garners picks.
Adding to that amassing picks is one thing but who is picked is another matter.

Summarizing it all up if JB gets a constant depth of prospects & feeds the team & makes it high competition awesome & then assets can be used to further build a contender. On the wing we look deep. D then C r always my preference in that order. Once the 1 2 punch on top D is in place then its elite C & then onto BPA. BPA for me is fluid & highly debatable at times. OJ would be a recent example but it was important then & now. Our D prospects would be miserable if we took Tkachuk. Tkachuk would've been a fan fave but it wouldn't help the rebuild move along simply cuz ppl liked him. Our C prospects look to be very exciting in the years to come so more top D r needed drafting but we have more wiggle room also.

On Virtanen...
Although my pick was Ehlers & i didn't want Nylander I'll stick by him as a good pick.
I'll eat it if he doesn't pan out as long as his naysayers do likewise if he does.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl2014e.html

His draft & no elite C or stud D were available.
Fans cried we were soft the. & now.
Far too early to judge picking JV

Neither Ehlers or Nylander success has amounted to much.
Jets r an enigma. Leafs made the PO's once as did we with JV.
Long term JV is more of a fit for us IMO.
Gadsjovich another big tough winger helps even more if it translates into an NHLer
- Nighthawk

Nylander was a much better pick. Even the Anti-Swede League can't deny that. Yes, I just invented another board camp. From the guy who brought you lemmings: the Anti-Swede League

The PTO's are coming fast and furious. Van hasn't announced their's yet

The rookie camp roster isn't even out yet.

On Virtanen...
Although my pick was Ehlers & i didn't want Nylander I'll stick by him as a good pick.
I'll eat it if he doesn't pan out as long as his naysayers do likewise if he does.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl2014e.html

His draft & no elite C or stud D were available.
Fans cried we were soft the. & now.
Far too early to judge picking JV

Neither Ehlers or Nylander success has amounted to much.
Jets r an enigma. Leafs made the PO's once as did we with JV.
Long term JV is more of a fit for us IMO.
Gadsjovich another big tough winger helps even more if it translates into an NHLer
- Nighthawk

I'll agree that it is to early to write JV but comparing those 3 is fair and I think most unbiased opinions would say that both Ehlers and Nylander are better players after 3 years. JV does bring a different skill set but it doesn't change the fact that skill is harder to acquire than grit.I can understand why Benning wanted a JV type player but taking him at that spot was then and still is a mistake.

None of those players are generational, so trying to equate their team's success to them specifically isn't relevant.

Draft for skill, trade/sign grit.

Nylander was a much better pick. Even the Anti-Swede League can't deny that. Yes, I just invented another board camp. From the guy who brought you lemmings: the Anti-Swede League
- neem55

I hearya but i am posting my thoughts back then & not using hindsight.
As for much better only if last season is the measuring stick.
Take away Matthews & this convo changes drastically.
Lets give it 2-3yrs then compare them on their own

I'll agree that it is to early to write JV but comparing those 3 is fair and I think most unbiased opinions would say that both Ehlers and Nylander are better players after 3 years. JV does bring a different skill set but it doesn't change the fact that skill is harder to acquire than grit.I can understand why Benning wanted a JV type player but taking him at that spot was then and still is a mistake.

None of those players are generational, so trying to equate their team's success to them specifically isn't relevant.

Draft for skill, trade/sign grit.
- belcherbd

Draft everything

I only prescribe to that theory when a good trade garners picks.
Adding to that amassing picks is one thing but who is picked is another matter.

Summarizing it all up if JB gets a constant depth of prospects & feeds the team & makes it high competition awesome & then assets can be used to further build a contender. On the wing we look deep. D then C r always my preference in that order. Once the 1 2 punch on top D is in place then its elite C & then onto BPA. BPA for me is fluid & highly debatable at times. OJ would be a recent example but it was important then & now. Our D prospects would be miserable of we took Tkachuk. Tkachuk would've been a fan fave but it wouldn't help the rebuild move along simply cuz ppl liked him. Our C prospects look to be very exciting in the years to come so more top D r needed drafting but we have more wiggle room also.
- Nighthawk

Prospect pools always look deep before the players turn pro. We have seen 1 drafted prospect graduate to the pro's with success so far under Benning and that player will be in Russia. Things are looking better but I'm not going to get excited until we see some success in the AHL or NHL over a half season.

Edit. Demko would make it 2.

I hearya but i am posting my thoughts back then & not using hindsight.
As for much better only if last season is the measuring stick.
Take away Matthews & this convo changes drastically.
Lets give it 2-3yrs then compare them on their own
- Nighthawk

How did Nylander look in the AHL and NHL prior to Mathews joining the laughs?

How did Nylander look in the AHL and NHL prior to Mathews joining the laughs?
- belcherbd

77 points in 75 AHL games, and 13 points in 22 NHL games - a 47 point pace

I hearya but i am posting my thoughts back then & not using hindsight.
As for much better only if last season is the measuring stick.
Take away Matthews & this convo changes drastically.
Lets give it 2-3yrs then compare them on their own
- Nighthawk

He has an elite shot and ability to slow the game down on his own. Matthews wouldn't have done as well without Nylander and vice versa. He is powerplay quarterback on the leagues best powerplay. Hard no.

77 points in 75 AHL games, and 13 points in 22 NHL games - a 47 point pace
- WhiteLie

So a developing player gets a point a game, comes to the NHL and needs to adjust. Matthews helped, but lets not get carried away here. I hate the leaves, but they've got more than one player going for them.

Draft everything
- manvanfan

You need a vision, you need to forecast your need and draft for that specific position. I understand what you are saying, that a diverse prospect pool beats out a one dimensional one, to some degree, but I actually really like what Benning said about "speed/skill". Look at Tampa for example, their forwards are small, but they are insanely skilled. Last year was an off year, but look at Cirelli, Point, and Stephens. Look at the last draft. Yamamoto, Suzuki, Pettersson, Heiskanen, Tolvanen, Makar, Andersson, Thomas, Brannstrom.
Apart from EP, all players listed are under 6 feet tall. Speed and Skill has been the growing trend where as big/tall is almost a thing of the past.

How did Nylander look in the AHL and NHL prior to Mathews joining the laughs?
- belcherbd

Nylander is no joke man. The kid is going to be a gamer.

I'll agree that it is to early to write JV but comparing those 3 is fair and I think most unbiased opinions would say that both Ehlers and Nylander are better players after 3 years. JV does bring a different skill set but it doesn't change the fact that skill is harder to acquire than grit.I can understand why Benning wanted a JV type player but taking him at that spot was then and still is a mistake.

None of those players are generational, so trying to equate their team's success to them specifically isn't relevant.

Draft for skill, trade/sign grit.
- belcherbd

As all 3 r wingers yes i can equate their teams success into the equation.
Remove Matthews & play Nylander in his 1st season for a better comparison.
As for Ehlers he is on a very talented team without goaltending & discipline.
Luck & circumstances has played a role for both of them.
Not nearly so much for JV. Still in 2-3yrs will be the better time to judge.

So a developing player gets a point a game, comes to the NHL and needs to adjust. Matthews helped, but lets not get carried away here. I hate the leaves, but they've got more than one player going for them.
- neem55

Agreed, not a fan of the Leafs but they have a few exciting players.

I also like the patience they used with Nylander. Came over from Europe, kept him in the AHL for the rest of that year, then started the next season in the AHL before bringing him up. With many opportunities to give him a taste of the NHL on a bottom feeder, they stuck to their development plan. I am hoping Vancouver emulates this to some degree

How did Nylander look in the AHL and NHL prior to Mathews joining the laughs?
- belcherbd

Looked great. How did he look in Sweden before that?
Idc about anything other than will they be PO performers & be the difference?
So far 3 teams r in different places & nothing much proven yet.
Team success counts not personal stats & what those players do.

77 points in 75 AHL games, and 13 points in 22 NHL games - a 47 point pace
- WhiteLie

Pretty good in my books for a rook. I don't think it's necessary to post JV's contribution.

Agreed, not a fan of the Leafs but they have a few exciting players.

I also like the patience they used with Nylander. Came over from Europe, kept him in the AHL for the rest of that year, then started the next season in the AHL before bringing him up. With many opportunities to give him a taste of the NHL on a bottom feeder, they stuck to their development plan. I am hoping Vancouver emulates this to some degree
- WhiteLie

Exactly. No need to rush anyone into the show, can really hurt guys (as we've all seen). This is why I'm all for the sign and trade/PTO option. Make them beat out the older guys for spots and icetime, trade the older guys when you think they're ready to take on more. Leaves did really well with this model, as have teams like TB/Wings/Minni.

Pretty good in my books for a rook. I don't think it's necessary to post JV's contribution.
- belcherbd

I think in a redraft he's top5, arguably top 3. Jury is still out on Ekblad, hope he gets back on track this year.

Looked great. How did he look in Sweden before that?
Idc about anything other than will they be PO performers & be the difference?
So far 3 teams r in different places & nothing much proven yet.
Team success counts not personal stats & what those players do.
- Nighthawk

You do realize that Nylander also produced in the playoffs though right?

Prospect pools always look deep before the players turn pro. We have seen 1 drafted prospect graduate to the pro's with success so far under Benning and that player will be in Russia. Things are looking better but I'm not going to get excited until we see some success in the AHL or NHL over a half season.

Edit. Demko would make it 2.
- belcherbd

Easy to say & correct but it also ignores we have never been in this position before. Jury is out til we see the prospects in NHL games

Easy to say & correct but it also ignores we have never been in this position before. Jury is out til we see the prospects in NHL hames
- Nighthawk

I agree with your last statement 100%, although I would add that AHL success is a pretty good indicator as well.

We have seen the prospects in plenty of pro games and can judge how they have performed IMO.

He has an elite shot and ability to slow the game down on his own. Matthews wouldn't have done as well without Nylander and vice versa. He is powerplay quarterback on the leagues best powerplay. Hard no.
- neem55

Yes & yet the Leafs were a bubble team & we made the PO's in JV's 1st season.
So nothing monumental has been achieved by either team.
The Leafs at least have a good season to build on but won't get any easier.
Leafs r trending up but lack D & we started our rebuild later.

Agreed, not a fan of the Leafs but they have a few exciting players.

I also like the patience they used with Nylander. Came over from Europe, kept him in the AHL for the rest of that year, then started the next season in the AHL before bringing him up. With many opportunities to give him a taste of the NHL on a bottom feeder, they stuck to their development plan. I am hoping Vancouver emulates this to some degree
- WhiteLie

I totally agree & thats what we r now doing.

I think in a redraft he's top5, arguably top 3. Jury is still out on Ekblad, hope he gets back on track this year.
- neem55

I'll admit I didn't think he was worth the #1 at the time but Ekblad has been pretty good, unfortunately concussion are tricky. Hope he recovers and this doesn't continue to plague h