Could of been a lot worse....Dylan Strome, Nick Ritchie, Ect.

Matthews, Marner and Nylander are all top players in their respected drafts.

Dermott was a fantastic pick. There seems to be some good prospects that can help fill out holes...I am very happy with what they done.

Sure there are Middleton’s...but every team has those picks.
- Santo_44

Although Nylander was drafted under Nonis but your point is still valid.

I think some people think they thought too outside the box and went off the board.

Every team does that, there’s a reason they put million dollars into scouting...they follow their own draft list not a mock draft from some hockey website with a quick tidbit on each player.
- Santo_44

As far as going off the board, it seems like it was only Korshkov. Not sure which board all GMs follow although it would save a (frank) load of time and money if someone could do a board and teams are given the next player at the draft. No one would have to show up and we'd know who we would get after the lottery.

Ducks, who draft really well apparently, have gotten 6 games from players drafted since 2014. 2 from a bloke called Troy Terry.

Although Nylander was drafted under Nonis but your point is still valid.
- Zezel

Shanahan was hired in 2014, before the draft. Thank god he was here, or else the Leafs would’ve drafted another “elite third liner.”

As far as going off the board, it seems like it was only Korshkov. Not sure which board all GMs follow although it would save a (frank) load of time and money if someone could do a board and teams are given the next player at the draft. No one would have to show up and we'd know who we would get after the lottery.
- walshyleafsfan

I think we should be holding off on Korshkov until a few years. We all said the same thing about Dermott.

He’s a talented big two way player who has consistency issues. I am interested to see what the Marlies can do with him. They have a great development program...much better than the KHL. I truly believe that the Marlies play a huge role in why guys like Brown, Johnson, Kap are having successful starts to their careers. They take late round picks and develop them properly down there.

Preds, another great drafting team have gotten 5 games from players drafted since 2014. And 73 from a guy they traded away.

I think we should be holding off on Korshkov until a few years. We all said the same thing about Dermott.

He’s a talented big two way player who has consistency issues. I am interested to see what the Marlies can do with him. They have a great development program...much better than the KHL. I truly believe that the Marlies play a huge role in why guys like Brown, Johnson, Kap are having successful starts to their careers. They take late round picks and develop them properly down there.
- Santo_44

I quite like Korshkov from the little I've seen of him. Think he'll make the NHL. As I think Grundstrom will as well.

Always been a Dermott fan. That kid has game. So glad they traded down and got him. Same with Sandin. Think we got SDA for our troubles.

Jesus, the Stars have 2 players that have played 1 game each that they drafted since 2014

It's actually quite funny looking at some of these draft picks.

I quite like Korshkov from the little I've seen of him. Think he'll make the NHL. As I think Grundstrom will as well.

Always been a Dermott fan. That kid has game. So glad they traded down and got him. Same with Sandin. Think we got SDA for our troubles.
- walshyleafsfan

I think so too, both will probably play full seasons this year in the AHL...unless they surprise. They will have Brown like rookie seasons on the Marlies and we will all be excited about them next year.

I’m a huge fan of what Dubas has been able to do to trade down. The first one worked out..we got a D we so desperately needed and a legit NHL prospect in Grundstrom.

Jesus, the Stars have 2 players that have played 1 game each that they drafted since 2014

It's actually quite funny looking at some of these draft picks.
- walshyleafsfan

Drafting is hard. I think if a player is even just a regular 4th lone player past the 1st round, it’s a successful pick.

Shanahan was hired in 2014, before the draft. Thank god he was here, or else the Leafs would’ve drafted another “elite third liner.”
- Steven_Seagull

But now, we can trade Nylander for an elite 2nd pairing dman!

But now, we can trade Nylander for an elite 2nd pairing dman!
- Zezel

Then we can trade a package of picks and prospects for a guy like Nylander! This GM thing is easy.

Is Korshkov playing for the Marlies this year? I figured he was staying in the KHL....

A prospect I really like is Bracco.

He has this top 6 or bust label on him for some reason. People need to stop looking at junior to evaluate guys once they turn pro, everyone sucks at D down there.

His D has improved steadily and has the playmaking skills and edge work to be a solid player in the NHL. Him and Ho Sang share a lot of similarities.

A prospect I really like is Bracco.

He has this top 6 or bust label on him for some reason. People need to stop looking at junior to evaluate guys once they turn pro, everyone sucks at D down there.

His D has improved steadily and has the playmaking skills and edge work to be a solid player in the NHL. Him and Ho Sang share a lot of similarities.
- Santo_44

tee hee

A prospect I really like is Bracco.

He has this top 6 or bust label on him for some reason. People need to stop looking at junior to evaluate guys once they turn pro, everyone sucks at D down there.

His D has improved steadily and has the playmaking skills and edge work to be a solid player in the NHL. Him and Ho Sang share a lot of similarities.
- Santo_44

Was just about to say Bracco. He should have great opportunity with the Marlies this year after going on a tear towards the end of last year. I think he'd be great on Matthews' wing eventually.

He was given the career AHLer label like Kapanen so should have a chip on his shoulder. He's so skilled and fun to watch.

My guess would be:

1. Lillybust
2. Johnsson
3. Sandin
4. Bracco
5. Grundstrom

Is Korshkov playing for the Marlies this year? I figured he was staying in the KHL....
- Corn_Logg

KHL

Let's go, Willy, sign that (frank)ing deal already!!!

Let's go, Willy, sign that (frank)ing deal already!!!
- As_I_See_It

Next week my source said.

Was just about to say Bracco. He should have great opportunity with the Marlies this year after going on a tear towards the end of last year. I think he'd be great on Matthews' wing eventually.

He was given the career AHLer label like Kapanen so should have a chip on his shoulder. He's so skilled and fun to watch.

My guess would be:

1. Lillybust
2. Johnsson
3. Sandin
4. Bracco
5. Grundstrom
- walshyleafsfan

1. Liljegren
2. Johnsson
3. Grundstrom
4. Bracco
5. Sandin

Next week my source said.
- LeafGuy89

I hope your source also said $6M x 6yrs too!

Let me just state the franking obvious here: Dubas/Hunter/Lou were franking horrible in drafting. Seriously franking horrible.

I'm hoping #1-5 are NHL prospects, because good lord, #6-25 have been franking embarrassing.
- Atomic Wedgie

I'm not too sure what we should expect. We have most of our prospects already graduated into the NHL - Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Kapanen, Brown, Dermott, and while it seems crazy, Rielly is younger than Brown.

The top 8 prospects in the system either have replacement potential or trade potential.

Very few teams are going to have more than 5 decent prospects at a time. Think about a "good" draft. You get 2-3 players. Most drafts, you get 1 decent to good player. Unless a team is deep and strong, players usually graduate to the NHL within 3 years . . . Meaning that having 5 decent prospects that haven't graduated is somewhat impressive.

1. Liljegren
2. Johnsson
3. Grundstrom
4. Bracco
5. Sandin
- LeafGuy89

Sandin will be better than liljegren

At least they didn't draft Hanafin and Laine.
- Zezel

Neither would have been bad picks.

That being said, they made the better picks. And if the trend continues whereby their 1st round pick is a hit or a home run, that's fine by me.

Let me just state the franking obvious here: Dubas/Hunter/Lou were franking horrible in drafting. Seriously franking horrible.

I'm hoping #1-5 are NHL prospects, because good lord, #6-25 have been franking embarrassing.
- Atomic Wedgie

Although I agree that the prospect list hasn't been that impressive, it also hasn't been enough time yet. How long did it take Kadri to develop into a good NHL player? And he was a 7th overall pick. When we're talking about anything after the top half of the 1st round, it's usually going to take more time for the players to develop into impact players.