I think many on here are over stating the foot speed narrative with Bouchard. The kid was playing 30 plus minutes a night, had to carry that team. Any footspped issues, i am sure will be corrected this summer, I am more concerned about us taking a puckwatcher like Hughes.
- Reubenkincade

Here's how I feel about his foot speed. Its average at best in Junior 5 on 5. That is one thing that could keep him from being a top 2 D man. If he is below average foot speed in the NHL... do you give him 25 minutes a night? No.

Whats more likely to be taught to a 18 yo prospect? The defensive side of the game for an intelligent skilled fast d or skating for a large offensive skilled D lacking it?

I understand his skating is debatable, but skating is the bigger hurdle. There's not much argument to that fact. That is where I stand.

Here's how I feel about his foot speed. Its average at best in Junior 5 on 5. That is one thing that could keep him from being a top 2 D man. If he is below average foot speed in the NHL... do you give him 25 minutes a night? No.

Whats more likely to be taught to a 18 yo prospect? The defensive side of the game for an intelligent skilled fast d or skating for a large offensive skilled D lacking it?

I understand his skating is debatable, but skating is the bigger hurdle. There's not much argument to that fact. That is where I stand.
- boonerbuck

a good double header for monday night hockey
- onesmallleap

Yes it was good to watch the Bruins loose.

Now let’s watch how our free agent plays for San Jose after being suspended...

dude , i like the hockey vegas on the road tied , see how they react now

Here's how I feel about his foot speed. Its average at best in Junior 5 on 5. That is one thing that could keep him from being a top 2 D man. If he is below average foot speed in the NHL... do you give him 25 minutes a night? No.

Whats more likely to be taught to a 18 yo prospect? The defensive side of the game for an intelligent skilled fast d or skating for a large offensive skilled D lacking it?

I understand his skating is debatable, but skating is the bigger hurdle. There's not much argument to that fact. That is where I stand.
- boonerbuck

i liked how good Sbisa could skate

i liked how good Sbisa could skate
- onesmallleap

He had good forward stride/speed. It had power. It has some agility. He would fall down on the pivot and was a sloppy backwards skater.

i think we pick Bouchard or Whalstrum whomever falls to us

i think we pick Bouchard or Whalstrum whomever falls to us
- onesmallleap

I could see Tkachuk dropping for teams that need a pure goal scorer in Wahlstromg. Arizona and Detroit i think go 100% on D.

He had good forward stride/speed. It had power. It has some agility. He would fall down on the pivot and was a sloppy backwards skater.
- boonerbuck

Yes it was good to watch the Bruins loose.

Now let’s watch how our free agent plays for San Jose after being suspended...
- Makita

With 30m in cap space anything can happen.

1) save it all except for RFA’s
2) take on a lousy contract or 2 for picks
3a) splurge a bit eg fill LW Kane 5/6m
3b) “ RHD Carlson 7/7m
4) both 3a) & 3b) leaves 17m cap space
6) a blend of 1) & 2)
7) 1) & a UFA plug at C


7 seems most likely with me wanting 1) 2) & 3b) to happen.

He made some pretty good trades with Chicago. Darling didn't work out. The team is still very young. Going to get another very good player this year. I think Dundeon or whatever his name is, is just that much of an idiot. I think the article said 8 potential GM candidates have declined interviews already.
- manvanfan

way to screw up your team right off the bat wow.

after 8 candidates declined is there even anyone left to interview??

I cant imagine any candidate would sign on with no president in place either.

way to screw up your team right off the bat wow.

after 8 candidates declined is there even anyone left to interview??

I cant imagine any candidate would sign on with no president in place either.
- SMBDragon

Burkie's available
maybe the Canes go the super-boss model , much like Quinn and F.Griffiths, the gm is the voice of reason

wasn't Quinn at times President/GM/Head coach

I could see Tkachuk dropping for teams that need a pure goal scorer in Wahlstromg. Arizona and Detroit i think go 100% on D.
- Retinalz

Thats a good take. Its up to the Habs. Do they go BPA with Zadina or Wahlstrom for upside & possibly play C or go for D? I don’t see them reaching for D. Sens pick D probably. Boqvist my guess.Means Tkachuk Wahlstrom goes 7 or later. 1 other D is left out of Boqvist Dobson Hughes Bouchard.

We choose Wahlstrom Tkachuk Bouchard?

- A_SteamingLombardi

Online bullying is wrong. I told my mom on you. She wants to know if you’re single.

Maybe I should apply to be their GM
- Retinalz

yes you should, then you can immediately trade us the #2oa and all their good prospects for nilson, chaput and megna

Thats a good take. Its up to the Habs. Do they go BPA with Zadina or Wahlstrom for upside & possibly play C or go for D? I don’t see them reaching for D. Sens pick D probably. Boqvist my guess.Means Tkachuk Wahlstrom goes 7 or later. 1 other D is left out of Boqvist Dobson Hughes Bouchard.

We choose Wahlstrom Tkachuk Bouchard?
- Nighthawk

I am less high on Bouchard TBH, i keep reading about skating issues and poor defensive play. I think I would take Tkachuk to go with EP's skill.

Thats a good take. Its up to the Habs. Do they go BPA with Zadina or Wahlstrom for upside & possibly play C or go for D? I don’t see them reaching for D. Sens pick D probably. Boqvist my guess.Means Tkachuk Wahlstrom goes 7 or later. 1 other D is left out of Boqvist Dobson Hughes Bouchard.

We choose Wahlstrom Tkachuk Bouchard?
- Nighthawk

is dropping 4-6 mil in cap space worth dropping 3-4 spots in the draft?

Thank god. I feel like we are in pretty good shape going into this draft. I want JB to open up some roster spots on both forwards and defence.
- thundachunk

Except they don't have enough picks for a bottom team.

All i can add is knocking who picks the 6 ahead of us.

Buffalo DAHLIN
Carolina SVECH
Montreal ZADINA/Wahlstrom/Boqvist coin flip
Ottawa BOQVIST Dobson Hughes
Arizona BPA D DOBSON Hughes
Detroit BOUCHARD Wahlstrom Hughes

Out of the above i see Tkachuk falling cuz of a D rush with Wahlstrom there for us if Wings go for D. Zadina is in a strange predicament but goes as BPA. Wings could go any way & need a RHD but hard to pass on Wahlstrom which is my hope. Safe pick is Bouchard. Hughes along with Tkachuk could be later pick gems by my assessnent.

At 7 we take WAHLSTROM i predict.

Chicago HUGHES
NYR TKACHUK
Edmonton KOTKANIEMI
NYI FARABEE
NYI SMITH

Hawks need to restock D. NYR luvs getting Tkachuk who slides. Oilers go BPA vs need.
NYI BPA & need.

12-31 unexciting but a few big potentials in prospects & possible top 4D.
- Nighthawk

I think youre pretty close here.

is dropping 4-6 mil in cap space worth dropping 3-4 spots in the draft?
- onesmallleap

Yes but need more details 1st. Thx

Here's how I feel about his foot speed. Its average at best in Junior 5 on 5. That is one thing that could keep him from being a top 2 D man. If he is below average foot speed in the NHL... do you give him 25 minutes a night? No.

Whats more likely to be taught to a 18 yo prospect? The defensive side of the game for an intelligent skilled fast d or skating for a large offensive skilled D lacking it?

I understand his skating is debatable, but skating is the bigger hurdle. There's not much argument to that fact. That is where I stand.
- boonerbuck

Skating is he most important trait at the NHL level. I agree.

Except they don't have enough picks for a bottom team.
- LeftCoaster

My biggest bone 🍖

Here's how I feel about his foot speed. Its average at best in Junior 5 on 5. That is one thing that could keep him from being a top 2 D man. If he is below average foot speed in the NHL... do you give him 25 minutes a night? No.

Whats more likely to be taught to a 18 yo prospect? The defensive side of the game for an intelligent skilled fast d or skating for a large offensive skilled D lacking it?

I understand his skating is debatable, but skating is the bigger hurdle. There's not much argument to that fact. That is where I stand.
- boonerbuck

Ask Bo about the challenge to improve your skating....

is this Rogers attempt to promote the new and improve'd Burkie for the NEW NHL

If we get Spezza/pick for a song & a dance.

Sven Bo BB
EP Spezza Goldy
Leipsic AG JV
Gaunce Sutter LE
Granlund Gagner

Am i missing anyone?