Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks settle for 7th, Utica Comets try to complete the comeback The Vancouver Canucks came within one number of picking first overall at the 2018 NHL Draft. Instead, they'll settle for the seventh pick after Saturday's draft lottery. Meanwhile, the Utica Comets are looking to make some luck of their own in Toronto as they face the Marlies for a chance to advance to the second round of the AHL playoffs.

Thanks Carol!!

Hopefully Comets can rattle Sparks early

The draft lottery is a joke in this format anyway. No wonder we tried to send fin. I’m sure GM’s have better things to do other than fly out to sit in a chair for some pictures.

The draft lottery is a joke in this format anyway. No wonder we tried to send fin. I’m sure GM’s have better things to do other than fly out to sit in a chair for some pictures.
- thundachunk

Yeah It makes the GMs look like of contestants on American Idol. It would have more entertainment value if the mascots went

The 11th worst team should not be picking 2nd.

The 11th worst team should not be picking 2nd.
- thundachunk

Same as last year. Should be bottom 6 teams equal chance . Stops the tanking

Same as last year. Should be bottom 6 teams equal chance . Stops the tanking
- VANTEL

I agree. 6 teams 6 balls.

Judging by JBs comments to me it seems he has a defensemen he likes in that top 5.

If Boqvist or Bouchard are not available at 7 I think I would take Wahlstrom over the other Dobson or Hughes. It’s going to get weird after the top 3.

If Boqvist or Bouchard are not available at 7 I think I would take Wahlstrom over the other Dobson or Hughes. It’s going to get weird after the top 3.
- thundachunk

Hughes is on the Team USA roster for the World Championship. I'm excited about getting a chance to see him play live!

Hughes is on the Team USA roster for the World Championship. I'm excited about getting a chance to see him play live!
- Carol Schram

It will be interesting to see how he handles upgrade in competition

How can we get the 8th pick from Chicago without taking on Seabrook's contract? Imagine picking Wahlstrom and Dobson/Bouchard back to back...

Hughes is on the Team USA roster for the World Championship. I'm excited about getting a chance to see him play live!
- Carol Schram

It’s a good test to see if he is actually top 5 worthy. We will get a good look on how he plays against professionals a lot bigger than him. I hope he plays big. If his skating is what it’s touted to be he will be an excellent pick.

If Boqvist or Bouchard are not available at 7 I think I would take Wahlstrom over the other Dobson or Hughes. It’s going to get weird after the top 3.
- thundachunk

I think Wahlstrom will be good but the last thing we need is another winger especially a righty. Boeser, Lind, JV, MacEwen with Gad, Dahlen, Goldobin, Liepsic plus you then have Petterson who could be a winger.

Plus his number were way higher playing with Hughes than without.

Dobson is a lock to be a top 4 guy and almost a lock to be a 25 minute a night all situations top pairing guy which we have none of at this time.

The defense has to be addressed and you cant hope for late round surprises. This team needs 3 more top prospects to add to OJ as soon as they can. Because it will be 3 or 4 years once you have them before they are actual NHL players.

How can we get the 8th pick from Chicago without taking on Seabrook's contract? Imagine picking Wahlstrom and Dobson/Bouchard back to back...
- Bakwas

Imagine any combo of Hughes, Boqvist, Bouchard and Dobson. You add them to OJ and you are 1 more defensemen away from an actual top 4 like the Preds have.

How can we get the 8th pick from Chicago without taking on Seabrook's contract? Imagine picking Wahlstrom and Dobson/Bouchard back to back...
- Bakwas

Seabrooks contract isn’t that bad. One of the best leaders in all of the NHL.

I’m not say I want Seabreeze. FYI

I think Wahlstrom will be good but the last thing we need is another winger especially a righty. Boeser, Lind, JV, MacEwen with Gad, Dahlen, Goldobin, Liepsic plus you then have Petterson who could be a winger.

Plus his number were way higher playing with Hughes than without.

Dobson is a lock to be a top 4 guy and almost a lock to be a 25 minute a night all situations top pairing guy which we have none of at this time.

The defense has to be addressed and you cant hope for late round surprises. This team needs 3 more top prospects to add to OJ as soon as they can. Because it will be 3 or 4 years once you have them before they are actual NHL players.
- mauryballstein

Not saying we need him but I’m of the opinion you take BPA.

EP and OJ both played today in a pre tournament game. Neither got any points. Finland won 3-1

I really don't see a scenario that we get another top 15 pick

Not saying we need him but I’m of the opinion you take BPA.
- thundachunk

I dont think he is. Im taking any of the defense or wingers a head of him. If we were picking 9 you take him.

I really don't see a scenario that we get another top 15 pick
- VANTEL

I am really hoping we get more picks in the top 40. I would be looking to move Gud, tanev, Sven and Sutter while taking back bad contracts.

They need to finally start rebuilding and get this defense some future help because it has nothing at this point.

You build from the net out and then look at what the Preds, canes, philly and columbus have and you then realize how far away we are from a playoff spot.

A few teams in the top 15 are needing to make big changes. NYI will have to add defense if they resign Tavares if not they will rebuild around Barzal. The oilers and stars have to make the playoffs next year so they will be looking to deal. Florida might be looking for right now help as their young players are ready to make a playoff push. Who know what Chicago will be looking to do, either push for playoffs or rebuild..

There could be some options.. we just have not much to offer in the way of players but we have cap space for bad contracts.

They should change the draft format to have two lotteries. The first one to determine how many teams will be in the 2nd lottery to determine actual draft position.

First draw picks a single number between 3 and 15. (Maybe run this at the end of the regular season, just before playoffs start.) You can weight it however you want to make it more likely or less likely that a team who narrowly missed the playoffs even gets a chance to win 1st overall.

Less incentive for teams to tank but also helps losers like the Canucks get a better shot at players who will help their franchise.

I am really hoping we get more picks in the top 40. I would be looking to move Gud, tanev, Sven and Sutter while taking back bad contracts.

They need to finally start rebuilding and get this defense some future help because it has nothing at this point.

You build from the net out and then look at what the Preds, canes, philly and columbus have and you then realize how far away we are from a playoff spot.
- mauryballstein

I think Canucks could pick up a second for Spezza and a third for Hutton. I would like to see them go after Montreals 2 of 4 second Rounders .