Undeniable skill. I would love him at 10-15. Its not the small players. Its the fact you are giving up a larger D who has the possibility of being a number 1 D for a smaller D that is further along in his development and knowing closer to what you are going to get. Probably a good number 2 D.
- manvanfan

Hughes looks like he belongs. Good defensive play against Horvat.

Watching Chabot in this game though and he looks great. I would love him on our team.

Barrie, spurgeon, krug, Ellis. Not number 1s though
- manvanfan

Those guys are great but I'd pick them after I've got a few guys I think are top four and I'd pick them later in the draft like Barrie and Spurgeon or a ufa like Krug.

I don't like taking players of his size as a 7th overall pick no, nothing to me says he's incredibly talented that you just gotta take him. 5'10" is too small for me, 6' minimum.

A 6' frame says to me you'll be at least 190lbs for a defenseman, you need that much size as a slick offensive defenseman.
- LeftCoaster

That's how you feel but it's far from the truth.

Those guys are great but I'd pick them after I've got a few guys I think are top four and I'd pick them later in the draft like Barrie and Spurgeon or a ufa like Krug.
- LeftCoaster

3 of those guys have number 1 D on their teams. Barrie plays a number 1 but sure isnt one.

😂 220 for a 5'10 hockey player would be INSANE!

Even if he got to 190 he would be a fine number 2 D. Unless Vans working towards a top 4 like Nashville it wouldnt be a good fit
- manvanfan

I am 5'10" and at my heaviest I was 228lb. I was fat. Right now and for the last 3 years I have been 180lb.

😂 220 for a 5'10 hockey player would be INSANE!

Even if he got to 190 he would be a fine number 2 D. Unless Vans working towards a top 4 like Nashville it wouldnt be a good fit
- manvanfan

200 is more likely than 220. Just saying it's possible.
Remember years back Sopel came in with 15 extra lbs and chiseled in a single summer. His strength was drastically increased.

3 of those guys have number 1 D on their teams. Barrie plays a number 1 but sure isnt one.
- manvanfan

Only one of those four guys was picked in the first round and he had a bunch of top four guys ahead of him when drafted, it took him four years to become an NHL regular.

He's not even drafted yet playing in a tourney with no shortage of NHL stars. He may get scratched who knows. He's getting serious attention from hockey people who have no time to mess around.
- boonerbuck

I would take him at 7. Its a risk but its time to take a risk. If not go with Wahlstrom who I feel is better than Tkachuk and Zadina.

while its unlikely he grows taller, men grow my width and muscularly till about 25-26 years old. Who knows how he'll be at that age, maybe 220 even.

I'd still prefer someone who is 6'4 and over 200 now tho
- SMBDragon

He's slight. He'll probably top out 10 pounds heavier in that 185 class. I assume he'll grow another inch. His body type doesnt say future pitbull to me at all. You are describing Palmu's body type a little more I think...

5'11 185 falls short of Lefty's mark but it's not a gap worth mentioning when you have this kids wheels and puck control ability.

I am 5'10" and at my heaviest I was 228lb. I was fat. Right now and for the last 3 years I have been 180lb.
- thundachunk

Tubby

That's how you feel but it's far from the truth.
- boonerbuck

ya it's my own little rule and I have nothing to back it up other than it's just how I feel. In the infancy of building I want more of a sure thing.

To me Dobson is a safer bet and he's just as talented with his overall game.

Only one of those four guys was picked in the first round and he had a bunch of top four guys ahead of him when drafted, it took him four years to become an NHL regular.
- LeftCoaster

They contradict your theory of 6' 190 lbs though.

Only one of those four guys was picked in the first round and he had a bunch of top four guys ahead of him when drafted, it took him four years to become an NHL regular.
- LeftCoaster

Ellis had a ridiculous season too. Someone is going to pick Hughes in the top 10 though. Just how this draft is set up. Precisely why unless a player who deserves to be pick at 7 is still there you take him. Otherwise trade down

They contradict your theory of 6' 190 lbs though.
- boonerbuck

It's just a ballpark figure, it's not written in stone.

I would take him at 7. Its a risk but its time to take a risk. If not go with Wahlstrom who I feel is better than Tkachuk and Zadina.
- thundachunk

Hughes, Dobson, Bouchard. For me now, that's who I want in that order at 7. I'm letting Boqvist slide to the Leafs.

It's just a ballpark figure, it's not written in stone.
- LeftCoaster

So hughes who will be close is ballpark.

I would take him at 7. Its a risk but its time to take a risk. If not go with Wahlstrom who I feel is better than Tkachuk and Zadina.
- thundachunk

personally I hope JB either

1. manages to jump up to 1oa for dahlin
or
2. acquires extra top 12 picks so we can pick more than 1 player, preferably D

So hughes who will be close is ballpark.

- boonerbuck

This came out April 4th and has him listed at 5'9.5" which is small. Like Manvan small, 5'9" and you're almost a midget if we're being honest.

https://www.isshockey.com...prospects-2018-nhl-draft/

ya it's my own little rule and I have nothing to back it up other than it's just how I feel. In the infancy of building I want more of a sure thing.

To me Dobson is a safer bet and he's just as talented with his overall game.
- LeftCoaster

Dobson for sure. He's not just a safe pick with lower ceiling either. I still see top pairing potential in him.... Hughes and Bouchard have risks... opposite risks. Size vs foot speed. I'll take Dobson and be happy knowing you can sleep well.

Hughes, Dobson, Bouchard. For me now, that's who I want in that order at 7. I'm letting Boqvist slide to the Leafs.

- boonerbuck

I was never into Boqvist. I would take anyone of those guys over him.

Ellis had a ridiculous season too. Someone is going to pick Hughes in the top 10 though. Just how this draft is set up. Precisely why unless a player who deserves to be pick at 7 is still there you take him. Otherwise trade down
- manvanfan

Depends where your scouts have him, some lists have him ahead of Dobson some have Dobson ahead of Hughes.

Tubby
- manvanfan

Not anymore.

Dobson for sure. He's not just a safe pick with lower ceiling either. I still see top pairing potential in him.... Hughes and Bouchard have risks... opposite risks. Size vs foot speed. I'll take Dobson and be happy knowing you can sleep well.

- boonerbuck

Not anymore.
- thundachunk

💪

I was never into Boqvist. I would take anyone of those guys over him.
- thundachunk

I tend to respect the consensus of the top 5 rankings earlier in the season out of lack of awareness. I have had a lot of looks now... and it's also showing in the updated rankings.