Yeah I'm not saying they're bad players, just that #1 center is a far bigger need for nearly every team.
- eichiefs9

Yeah, and who knows how things really play out in the end. Everyone this year thought that that there was a consensus Top 3, until the teams start drafting and see it differently. Hell, a guy that we all thought was going to be a mid first round pick went 5th overall before Zadina.

As of this past draft the odds were 18.5% that the worst team gets awarded #1 overall

https://www.usatoday.com/...-rasmus-dahlin/468317002/
- eichiefs9

Some teams, like Pittsburgh and Chicago have gotten lucky with sucking and getting some lottery luck in the right years. But on a whole, I think the downside of establishing a losing culture is a big risk. You always have to play to win games, and if you should get lucky, awesome! On a whole, I think the Rangers situation will take care of itself this year without them actively trying to tank and without me actively rooting for it in the first 10 games of the year.

Yeah, and who knows how things really play out in the end. Everyone this year thought that that there was a consensus Top 3, until the teams start drafting and see it differently. Hell, a guy that we all thought was going to be a mid first round pick went 5th overall before Zadina.
- Pete V

The draft is a total crapshoot, but usually when there is a #1 consensus pick, he doesn't really go anywhere but first overall. Kakko may ultimately give Hughes a run for his money, but unless he totally blows him out of the water then I still think the center goes #1. But yeah, there's nothing guaranteed in the draft. Dach's nearly-two-PPG pace so far in the WHL is definitely raising some eyebrows.

Some teams, like Pittsburgh and Chicago have gotten lucky with sucking and getting some lottery luck in the right years. But on a whole, I think the downside of establishing a losing culture is a big risk. You always have to play to win games, and if you should get lucky, awesome! On a whole, I think the Rangers situation will take care of itself this year without them actively trying to tank and without me actively rooting for it in the first 10 games of the year.
- Pete V

For sure. Not to mention the draft lottery odds in those years were FAR more in favor of the worst team than they are now. The new draft odds are definitely doing the intended job of discouraging teams from completely tanking for a specific player.

For sure. Not to mention the draft lottery odds in those years were FAR more in favor of the worst team than they are now. The new draft odds are definitely doing the intended job of discouraging teams from completely tanking for a specific player.
- eichiefs9

And it's also funny how guys that we talk about as potential Top 5 picks can fall. Hell, you got two of them that people were at least talking about as potential 5th/6th picks at number 11-12 in the draft.

But, there does seem to usually be some type of consensus on 1 and 2 (most years at least).

And it's also funny how guys that we talk about as potential Top 5 picks can fall. Hell, you got two of them that people were at least talking about as potential 5th/6th picks at number 11-12 in the draft.

But, there does seem to usually be some type of consensus on 1 and 2 (most years at least).
- Pete V

Yeah, I feel like there's not usually too much movement in the top 2 picks. But outside of that there's usually an interchangeable tier of players whose draft spot will vary based on team preference/need/etc... It starts to get increasingly more murky after that 2nd pick.

But man, Hayton was a terrible pick at 5. Chayka could've probably traded back 5-10 spots and still landed him, on top of another 1st or something.

Let me make sure I understand. A third round pouch who is still on his ELC and is only 23 years old is a bust?
- airjan23

I don't think Buch can be classified as a "bust", but I do think he shows flashes of talent and then completely disappears. Whether its work ethic, confidence, etc, who knows, but there are some serious deficiencies.

Some teams, like Pittsburgh and Chicago have gotten lucky with sucking and getting some lottery luck in the right years. But on a whole, I think the downside of establishing a losing culture is a big risk. You always have to play to win games, and if you should get lucky, awesome! On a whole, I think the Rangers situation will take care of itself this year without them actively trying to tank and without me actively rooting for it in the first 10 games of the year.
- Pete V

Yup. NY should have got Crosby in 05 draft

I don't think Buch can be classified as a "bust", but I do think he shows flashes of talent and then completely disappears. Whether its work ethic, confidence, etc, who knows, but there are some serious deficiencies.
- mdw7413

Typical Euro player as of now. Hopefully turns it around

I don't think Buch can be classified as a "bust", but I do think he shows flashes of talent and then completely disappears. Whether its work ethic, confidence, etc, who knows, but there are some serious deficiencies.
- mdw7413

He's just not my type of player, and to be honest, not someone I see being a part of the future (i.e., when the Rangers start competing again).

He's just not my type of player, and to be honest, not someone I see being a part of the future (i.e., when the Rangers start competing again).
- Pete V

Yeah. I just get amazed how many fans latch on to him like he is this great player who gets a raw deal from coaching. I want every draft pick to succeed, but the Buch stuff is a bit baffling to me.

Yeah. I just get amazed how many fans latch on to him like he is this great player who gets a raw deal from coaching. I want every draft pick to succeed, but the Buch stuff is a bit baffling to me.
- mdw7413

He's a floater that isn't skilled enough to be a floater. Not that anyone should be, but if you are going to give a half ass effort, you better be supremely talented, and he's not good enough to put up with that type of crap.

The draft is a total crapshoot, but usually when there is a #1 consensus pick, he doesn't really go anywhere but first overall. Kakko may ultimately give Hughes a run for his money, but unless he totally blows him out of the water then I still think the center goes #1. But yeah, there's nothing guaranteed in the draft. Dach's nearly-two-PPG pace so far in the WHL is definitely raising some eyebrows.
- eichiefs9

Agreed. The more 1st round picks you have the greater change to snag a good player. I think the rangers need to keep drafting high by selling off talent that is not getting any better.

He's a floater that isn't skilled enough to be a floater. Not that anyone should be, but if you are going to give a half ass effort, you better be supremely talented, and he's not good enough to put up with that type of crap.
- Pete V

Buchnevich for Lucic.

I’d rather a player that floats than one who sinks.

Buchnevich for Lucic.

I’d rather a player that floats than one who sinks.
- Wildschwein

Hell no to the 1000th exponential degree

Buchnevich for Lucic.

I’d rather a player that floats than one who sinks.
- Wildschwein

No. No 1 million times over.

Hell no to the 1000th exponential degree
- airjan23

That’s what I figured.

We talking draft prospects?!

No. No 1 million times over.
- tomburton99

Oh you’re such a (frank)ing liar. All I’d have to do is dangle a 1st to go with Lucic and your loins would get all frothy.

Oh you’re such a (frank)ing liar. All I’d have to do is dangle a 1st to go with Lucic and your loins would get all frothy.
- Wildschwein

That is different. Add the 1st and I'm all ears. But a 1 for 1 deal like that is a hard no.

Agreed. The more 1st round picks you have the greater change to snag a good player. I think the rangers need to keep drafting high by selling off talent that is not getting any better.
- disorca

I love this. It's like a language of love. Sing it to me.

Agreed. The more 1st round picks you have the greater change to snag a good player. I think the rangers need to keep drafting high by selling off talent that is not getting any better.
- disorca

It's certainly a practice I agree with and hope the Islanders can apply. I have a strong feeling that Nelson and/or Eberle will be sent to contenders at-or-around the deadline.

It's certainly a practice I agree with and hope the Islanders can apply. I have a strong feeling that Nelson and/or Eberle will be sent to contenders at-or-around the deadline.
- eichiefs9

You are keeping Ebs and Nelson and getting rid of Lee.

It's certainly a practice I agree with and hope the Islanders can apply. I have a strong feeling that Nelson and/or Eberle will be sent to contenders at-or-around the deadline.
- eichiefs9

Which is fine. But I need the Isles to beat the Rangers a couple of times.

You are keeping Ebs and Nelson and getting rid of Lee.
- mdw7413

I even have my reservations about re-signing Lee. I think, given the fact that they named him captain pretty quickly, that they're planning on doing it...but so far (too small of sample size to say anything definitive yet) he's on pace for 23 goals which is an obviously-massive drop in goal scoring production from the last two years where he had Tavares. Not to mention that he's already going to be 29 when his next deal starts.

He's a fantastic person and a great teammate, but if they pay him long-term based on those two seasons he played with Tavares then I think it's going to end up as a massive overpay/mistake.