I’d agree with you. The question is does Ray Shero and the Devil’s Scouting Department? I feel like anything could happen here. Ray has the balls to do whatever he thinks is best. That certainly could be Hughes.
- Queenie_5_hole

When Shero talks about the pick, 90% of his words talks about Hughes. He rarely mentions Kakko.

Who knows what that means just an observation I saw.

Also, if you guys didnt see, nhl.com has a 4 part interview with Shero. Its pretty neat. Talks about behind the scenes stuff we never heard before.

Both Blackwood and Cory named as goalies for Canada/USA respectively at the World Championships

Well, I don’t think you needed to write this article with the reason provided (it’s Hughes. Slam dunk), but I’m still glad for the info provided. He has a very good chance at being the Rangers’ choice, and it’s good to know the enemy.

Both Blackwood and Cory named as goalies for Canada/USA respectively at the World Championships
- vlongo4419

when's that start again?

Anyone else watch 3rd-OT of the Avs/Flames game? Holy crap some of the best offensive hockey I've seen. Landeskog-MacKinnon-Rantanen cannot be stopped. Then throw in this Makar kid and Barrie and my goodness. They were flying all over the ice.. everyone moving around.. fast and strong.. passes tape to tape.. really incredible.

Made me realize how far away we are. Hischier isn't MacKinnon, and neither is Hughes. And HUGHES won't be Rantanen.. he just doesn't have the size and strength. The smaller Monahan and Jonny Hockey are invisible out there. Watching that game gave me second thoughts.. that maybe Kappo could be a better option since it would give us a high-skill player with strength and size.. instead of a small speedy skilled center.

But I digress... Yzerman was 5'10 and 187 and he did ok at center. Hughes is 5'10 and 170.. could probably bump up to at least 180, maybe 185.

Hischier could still very well be an 80pt center, and maybe then we don't need a Hughes.. maybe we need a 2nd line center at that point (Oh hello Zacha! Just kidding, you bust). and then maybe a dominant RW would be the better move?

things to consider.

when's that start again?

Anyone else watch 3rd-OT of the Avs/Flames game? Holy crap some of the best offensive hockey I've seen. Landeskog-MacKinnon-Rantanen cannot be stopped. Then throw in this Makar kid and Barrie and my goodness. They were flying all over the ice.. everyone moving around.. fast and strong.. passes tape to tape.. really incredible.

Made me realize how far away we are. Hischier isn't MacKinnon, and neither is Hughes. And HUGHES won't be Rantanen.. he just doesn't have the size and strength. The smaller Monahan and Jonny Hockey are invisible out there. Watching that game gave me second thoughts.. that maybe Kappo could be a better option since it would give us a high-skill player with strength and size.. instead of a small speedy skilled center.

But I digress... Yzerman was 5'10 and 187 and he did ok at center. Hughes is 5'10 and 170.. could probably bump up to at least 180, maybe 185.

Hischier could still very well be an 80pt center, and maybe then we don't need a Hughes.. maybe we need a 2nd line center at that point (Oh hello Zacha! Just kidding, you bust). and then maybe a dominant RW would be the better move?

things to consider.
- MartysBetter88

What makes you think Hughes isn't Mac? Hughes could very well end up better. It took a little while for Mac to breakout. Once Nico breaks out his offence I have no doubt he'll be floating around 80 pts, like a 30/50 split.

Shero praises Hughes personality, the same way he did Nico. Team oriented, selfless, etc. He's picking Hughes.

when's that start again?

Anyone else watch 3rd-OT of the Avs/Flames game? Holy crap some of the best offensive hockey I've seen. Landeskog-MacKinnon-Rantanen cannot be stopped. Then throw in this Makar kid and Barrie and my goodness. They were flying all over the ice.. everyone moving around.. fast and strong.. passes tape to tape.. really incredible.

Made me realize how far away we are. Hischier isn't MacKinnon, and neither is Hughes. And HUGHES won't be Rantanen.. he just doesn't have the size and strength. The smaller Monahan and Jonny Hockey are invisible out there. Watching that game gave me second thoughts.. that maybe Kappo could be a better option since it would give us a high-skill player with strength and size.. instead of a small speedy skilled center.

But I digress... Yzerman was 5'10 and 187 and he did ok at center. Hughes is 5'10 and 170.. could probably bump up to at least 180, maybe 185.

Hischier could still very well be an 80pt center, and maybe then we don't need a Hughes.. maybe we need a 2nd line center at that point (Oh hello Zacha! Just kidding, you bust). and then maybe a dominant RW would be the better move?

things to consider.
- MartysBetter88

Such a bad take. We are talking about kids vs 4-6 year pros.

Nico has 99pts in his career to this point (151 games). At that point in MacKinnon's career he had 101pts (146 games). That looks pretty similar to me. Not saying that Nico is going to be in the running for the Hart every year but, he isn't too far behind where Mac was after his second season.

Who knows what Hughes is going to do in the league. We know he's DOMINATED at every level he's ever played. Sure that means nothing in the NHL but he is the number 1 pick, for sure.

By the way, all of you who were irate Shero did not sign some overpriced talent last year, well Shero looks like a friggin genious now. Lets hope he is and does some smart things.

Also WJC u 18, hughes started with an assist. Caufield had a hat trick. US team as a whole is incredible.

What makes you think Hughes isn't Mac? Hughes could very well end up better. It took a little while for Mac to breakout. Once Nico breaks out his offence I have no doubt he'll be floating around 80 pts, like a 30/50 split.

Shero praises Hughes personality, the same way he did Nico. Team oriented, selfless, etc. He's picking Hughes.
- Leniwm1

A few inches and 35 pounds. and Mac was a higher level prospect than Hughes is...and Hischier was. I'm not saying these kids can't or won't develop.. and I'm fully aware Mac is years into his development and all that. I'm just saying we're a good bit away from the powerhouse that the Avs top line is.

Such a bad take. We are talking about kids vs 4-6 year pros.

Nico has 99pts in his career to this point (151 games). At that point in MacKinnon's career he had 101pts (146 games). That looks pretty similar to me. Not saying that Nico is going to be in the running for the Hart every year but, he isn't too far behind where Mac was after his second season.

Who knows what Hughes is going to do in the league. We know he's DOMINATED at every level he's ever played. Sure that means nothing in the NHL but he is the number 1 pick, for sure.
- sthompson1984@yaho

you're misunderstanding my such a bad take.

By the way, all of you who were irate Shero did not sign some overpriced talent last year, well Shero looks like a friggin genious now. Lets hope he is and does some smart things.

Also WJC u 18, hughes started with an assist. Caufield had a hat trick. US team as a whole is incredible.
- redmonsters

You aren’t a genius if you win the lottery. You’re lucky.

That said it is an incredibly fortunate moment for this team to have the first overall pick, 3 second round picks and 2 third round picks. Plus our regular 4th thru 7th round picks.

You aren’t a genius if you win the lottery. You’re lucky.

That said it is an incredibly fortunate moment for this team to have the first overall pick, 3 second round picks and 2 third round picks. Plus our regular 4th thru 7th round picks.
- Queenie_5_hole

The free agency pool was poopy last season, it was the right move.

You aren’t a genius if you win the lottery. You’re lucky.

That said it is an incredibly fortunate moment for this team to have the first overall pick, 3 second round picks and 2 third round picks. Plus our regular 4th thru 7th round picks.
- Queenie_5_hole

Yes you have to be lucky also. But the thing Shero has been great at is not making a dumb move, like sign free agents just because you have salary cap and the fans want to see something done. He has waited for things to come together and they are. He won't solve all the problems this off season, but with one or two moves he could set us up for years and point us in the right direction. Its on him right now.

Someone's gonna be real happy to land Caufield. Kid is good

Yes you have to be lucky also. But the thing Shero has been great at is not making a dumb move, like sign free agents just because you have salary cap and the fans want to see something done. He has waited for things to come together and they are. He won't solve all the problems this off season, but with one or two moves he could set us up for years and point us in the right direction. Its on him right now.
- redmonsters

I wouldn't say it would be the worse thing in the world to let the chips fall where they may this season... if not for needing Hall to re-sign. But then again.. if we get a top 3 pick again, then it would give us a star 18 year-old to go with our 21yr old hischier and then 19yr old hughes. . as opposed to a 29yr old Hall.

..but we're not going to finish bottom 5 unless Hall is out for most of the season, so we might as well make some moves and build in ways in addition to the draft.

Unless we're gona draft a future Hall with the 2020 pick, then we need to keep the current Hall in the offseason.

This is me rationalizing with myself lol

Anyone wanna take bets if Hall will be healthy all season or another 50 game season for him?

Someone's gonna be real happy to land Caufield. Kid is good
- willschulme

Turcotte, Dach and Caufield will be the best players from the draft

Anyone wanna take bets if Hall will be healthy all season or another 50 game season for him?
- Leniwm1

MVP season

Signs with new team plays 55 games and that team wins the draft lottery.

I wouldn't say it would be the worse thing in the world to let the chips fall where they may this season... if not for needing Hall to re-sign. But then again.. if we get a top 3 pick again, then it would give us a star 18 year-old to go with our 21yr old hischier and then 19yr old hughes. . as opposed to a 29yr old Hall.

..but we're not going to finish bottom 5 unless Hall is out for most of the season, so we might as well make some moves and build in ways in addition to the draft.

Unless we're gona draft a future Hall with the 2020 pick, then we need to keep the current Hall in the offseason.

This is me rationalizing with myself lol
- MartysBetter88

All good points. But I believe Shero already knows if he has Hall locked up. Otherwise he should be talking trade before this draft. Hall's aging and injury history have to concern Shero a little bit. But I love Hall and hope he stays and retires with us.

Shero has to make some decent trades because I believe the UFA that are worth the amount they get are signing with a contender or major market city, not us. Don't want Shero to waste salary cap on FA that do not take us to next level. And since he cannot spend to the cap next year he should be looking at taking a short term bad contract for some assets.

All good points. But I believe Shero already knows if he has Hall locked up. Otherwise he should be talking trade before this draft. Hall's aging and injury history have to concern Shero a little bit. But I love Hall and hope he stays and retires with us.

Shero has to make some decent trades because I believe the UFA that are worth the amount they get are signing with a contender or major market city, not us. Don't want Shero to waste salary cap on FA that do not take us to next level. And since he cannot spend to the cap next year he should be looking at taking a short term bad contract for some assets.
- redmonsters

Last season was bad, but before that he played 82, 72, and 76 game seasons. Not too bad there. Just gets risky as he gets older..

Hughes has 4 goals and 2 assists so far in today's game in case any of you were worried

Hughes has 4 goals and 2 assists so far in today's game in case any of you were worried
- willschulme

Add another assist lol, up to 4g and 3a now

Add another assist lol, up to 4g and 3a now
- vlongo4419

muthertrucker. Who are US playing?

muthertrucker. Who are US playing?
- Leniwm1

Slovakia lol. 12-5 win

Slovakia lol. 12-5 win
- vlongo4419

Yeah it's so bad that the iihf game center isn't keeping up individual player stats

Yeah it's so bad that the iihf game center isn't keeping up individual player stats
- willschulme

Yeah i was following it on some flashscore.com website lol, had to go through like 9 websites to finally find one that updated with the stats