Michael Stuart: Mike's Mailbag: Part III

Let's go sens.. this is the year.!!!! 3 and 5 🥅🏒😍😍

I don’t think u guys can go wrong at 3 with Byfield or Stutzle. The #5 is where you guys can go a few different places. I know you guys have Chabot and Branstrom, but any thought at Drysdale? Then load up with forwards with those 2nd round picks?

I don’t think u guys can go wrong at 3 with Byfield or Stutzle. The #5 is where you guys can go a few different places. I know you guys have Chabot and Branstrom, but any thought at Drysdale? Then load up with forwards with those 2nd round picks?
- nyrangers9479

Definitely want rossi or raymond. I would like rossi and have him start with byfield/stutzle right away. Raymond has 1 year left overseas so we lose that. I would risk that. Take rossi now... ideally I want another pick islanders trade up with some seconds get seth Jarvis or lundell holtz drysdale is great addition but I would load up on forwards. Bernard docker will be great and cant wait for shane pinto. We got docker and lassi last year and I think 2021 draft we should grab a deep defense written year.

How do you see Ottawa exploiting Vancouver by taking on Erickson contract? What is the trade pieces to make it work??

I don't think Sens should trade for proven NHL players unless it fits as an intended long term option (Cerelli).

Counting #3 and #5, Ottawa will have 10 none roster forwards with a good shot at making the team. It is going to be a wild training camp.

In addition, there are 5 non roster Dmen that will be looking to make the team,

This year will be about development, having fun and letting the kids play.

The most Ottawa should offer for #1 is 3 and the NYI pick... apart from that I can’t see NYR doing any deal that starts with #5 and no way #3 and #5 equate to #1

I had the same question as Mungzen... who do you see as "bad" contracts on the Canucks, other than Ericksson....?

I would say that along with Eriksson that Roussel, Beagle, Ferland & Benn are pretty easy to qualify as bad contracts given how much they contribute vs. salary.

I had the same question as Mungzen... who do you see as "bad" contracts on the Canucks, other than Ericksson....?
- MisterBrown

sutter and myers aren't very good contracts...….they seem to be getting paid on what they were rather than what they are as players. they aren't crippling contracts, but both players are certainly overpaid for what they bring

I had the same question as Mungzen... who do you see as "bad" contracts on the Canucks, other than Ericksson....?
- MisterBrown

Others have already touched on this, but Sutter, Ferland (good player, but injuries), Beagle, Myers all immediately jump to mind. Myers has too much term for it to make sense as an acquisition, but the other three + Eriksson seem like opportunities.

Others have already touched on this, but Sutter, Ferland (good player, but injuries), Beagle, Myers all immediately jump to mind. Myers has too much term for it to make sense as an acquisition, but the other three + Eriksson seem like opportunities.
- Michael_Stuart

It's obvious that they have a pile of bad'ish contracts out in Van, and that Luongo retention doesn't help them either, but what would you be looking at trying to leverage in exchange for taking on cap hit of the Erikssons (or Russells) of those teams mentioned? Just picks? Roster players that fit your timeline?

I don’t think u guys can go wrong at 3 with Byfield or Stutzle. The #5 is where you guys can go a few different places. I know you guys have Chabot and Branstrom, but any thought at Drysdale? Then load up with forwards with those 2nd round picks?
- nyrangers9479

I've been saying since the draft that Ottawa should go with....

#3. Byfield or Stutzle (depending on who LA takes, But I'd rather Byfield)
#5. Drysdale

This would round out our forward prospects and D core extremely well.

I also would love to see a trade with the Wings to get #4 so we can pick up Rossi.

But picking #3, #4, #5 in a draft this deep is a pipe dream.

It's obvious that they have a pile of bad'ish contracts out in Van, and that Luongo retention doesn't help them either, but what would you be looking at trying to leverage in exchange for taking on cap hit of the Erikssons (or Russells) of those teams mentioned? Just picks? Roster players that fit your timeline?
- Beergu

Picks, most likely.

It's obvious that they have a pile of bad'ish contracts out in Van, and that Luongo retention doesn't help them either, but what would you be looking at trying to leverage in exchange for taking on cap hit of the Erikssons (or Russells) of those teams mentioned? Just picks? Roster players that fit your timeline?
- Beergu

It might not be the most feasible idea, but if they're trading with the Canucks I'd strongly consider Virtanen as a potential target instead of picks. He's a natural RW, skates really well, can be physical, and is just starting to realize his offensive potential (eg. 18G this year in only 13min/GP of ice time, and less than 1min/GP of PP time).

I don’t think u guys can go wrong at 3 with Byfield or Stutzle. The #5 is where you guys can go a few different places. I know you guys have Chabot and Branstrom, but any thought at Drysdale? Then load up with forwards with those 2nd round picks?
- nyrangers9479

It’s very possible the Sens select drysdale at 5 (if Detroit doesn’t select him).

The reason being is there aren’t many high end defenseman in this draft as opposed to next years draft. So it’s very possible teams (not just the Sens), capitalize on grabbing Dmen as early as possible.

The first 2 rounds are loaded with forwards, so if the Sens do select drysdale at 5, there will still be an abundance of forwards in the later rounds.

Garrioch quoting Melnyk: Sens will not trade #3 and #5. Funny. it was Garrioch just a couple of days ago saying "league executives" were talking about Sens dealing for Lafreniere.

Funny that Melnyk would even comment. Maybe there was a ton of negative blow back from the original Garrioch story.

It's obvious that they have a pile of bad'ish contracts out in Van, and that Luongo retention doesn't help them either, but what would you be looking at trying to leverage in exchange for taking on cap hit of the Erikssons (or Russells) of those teams mentioned? Just picks? Roster players that fit your timeline?
- Beergu

Brock Boeser has been rumored, only because there were rumours of the Nucks shopping him.

Reality is, I don't see the Sens making a Marleau type deal as the Canes and Leafs pulled off unless the Sens need to get to the cap floor, which actually might occur depending on what the Sens do in regards to resingings and plugging holes short term with free agents.

I think Pierre Dorion tries to get more picks.

Garrioch quoting Melnyk: Sens will not trade #3 and #5. Funny. it was Garrioch just a couple of days saying "league executives" were talking about Sens dealing for Lafreniere.

Funny that Melnyk would even comment. Maybe there was a ton of negative blow back from the original Garrioch story.
- spatso

One of the worst sports writers and worst owners combining for a bogus article.

For poops and giggles, I sort of see Lafreniere at the same ceiling as Taylor Hall. Star but not quite in the same convo as super stars. Consider Hall's draft year in 2010. At 3 and 5, Gudbranson and Neiderieter were taken. Interesting.

I get the argument that this years draft should be very strong so go to the 2003 draft which is argued as one of the deepest drafts in the first round ever and Horton and Vanek were taken at 3 and 5 while Fleury was taken at #1. Further interesting is that the Florida Panthers traded the first pick (which was later used to select Marc-Andre Fleury) and 73rd pick (Daniel Carcillo) to the Pittsburgh Penguins for the third pick (Nathan Horton), the 55th pick (Stefan Meyer) and Mikael Samuelsson. Again, interesting. That package is not nearly as massive as the #3 and #5 for #1.

Granted, there have historically been very good players taken at 3 and 5 but also historically, the top pick is usually has the best career. Cruising Wikipedia in past drafts is a wormhole that proves anything can really happen here.

If sens can trade for another 1st round pick. Deal some 2nds and Logan brown for 1st in the range of 6-12 I would be extremely happy. dorion should really pounce on these trades now. 3 5 and like 8 or so.. I would love 3 forwards and drysdale. I have a 40 % feeling LA will go with drysdale or Detroit. Detroit has only dekeyser signed right now LOL I think they want to start filling up the D and a good start for rebuild drysdale. LA's Defense also has an abundance of garbage. La can pick drysdale and have him learn under doughty for a long time. I'm going with my gut and say red wings and kings will choose drysdale.

One of the worst sports writers and worst owners combining for a bogus article.

For poops and giggles, I sort of see Lafreniere at the same ceiling as Taylor Hall. Star but not quite in the same convo as super stars. Consider Hall's draft year in 2010. At 3 and 5, Gudbranson and Neiderieter were taken. Interesting.

I get the argument that this years draft should be very strong so go to the 2003 draft which is argued as one of the deepest drafts in the first round ever and Horton and Vanek were taken at 3 and 5 while Fleury was taken at #1. Further interesting is that the Florida Panthers traded the first pick (which was later used to select Marc-Andre Fleury) and 73rd pick (Daniel Carcillo) to the Pittsburgh Penguins for the third pick (Nathan Horton), the 55th pick (Stefan Meyer) and Mikael Samuelsson. Again, interesting. That package is not nearly as massive as the #3 and #5 for #1.

Granted, there have historically been very good players taken at 3 and 5 but also historically, the top pick is usually has the best career. Cruising Wikipedia in past drafts is a wormhole that proves anything can really happen here.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Other than being fed stories by the Sens, I don't think that Garrioch really has a clue about what makes for a successful hockey team.

Teams are getting a lot better at drafting. A 3 and 5 in a strong draft is precious. The 3 and 5 combinations from the last 3 drafts were Dach and Turcotte; Kotkaniemi and Hayton; Heiskenan and Petterson.

Some of the guys at #4 were strong picks as well. If you go out one more year (2017) the #3 pick was Jean Luc Dubois.

My favourite recent #3 is Leon Draisaitl in 2014. The best #5 has to be Petterson in 2017.

If sens can trade for another 1st round pick. Deal some 2nds and Logan brown for 1st in the range of 6-12 I would be extremely happy. dorion should really pounce on these trades now. 3 5 and like 8 or so.. I would love 3 forwards and drysdale. I have a 40 % feeling LA will go with drysdale or Detroit. Detroit has only dekeyser signed right now LOL I think they want to start filling up the D and a good start for rebuild drysdale. LA's Defense also has an abundance of garbage. La can pick drysdale and have him learn under doughty for a long time. I'm going with my gut and say red wings and kings will choose drysdale.
- SENS-sational

But, they both can't draft him.

Other than being fed stories by the Sens, I don't think that Garrioch really has a clue about what makes for a successful hockey team.

Teams are getting a lot better at drafting. A 3 and 5 in a strong draft is precious. The 3 and 5 combinations from the last 3 drafts were Dach and Turcotte; Kotkaniemi and Hayton; Heiskenan and Petterson.

Some of the guys at #4 were strong picks as well. If you go out one more year (2017) the #3 pick was Jean Luc Dubois.

My favourite recent #3 is Leon Draisaitl in 2014. The best #5 has to be Petterson in 2017.
- spatso

Harder to gauge the players due to recent drafts, but Hughes, Dahlin, and Hischier are good players in the #1 slots of those drafts. Petterson is very close to being better than Hischier though, if not already. Can't argue Draisaitl in 2014.

Personally, I wouldn't trade 3 and 5 for 1 but I also don't think it's set in stone we are better off with those picks than having #1 as many make it out to be. I also don't think the price for #1 should be that high if the talent in this draft is actually that great as people say. If that is the price, that is how much better Laf is than the rest and therefore a generational talent (which no one has said) if the rest of the draft is deep or the draft isn't as deep as people make it out to be. Both scenarios make you think.

One of the worst sports writers and worst owners combining for a bogus article.

For poops and giggles, I sort of see Lafreniere at the same ceiling as Taylor Hall. Star but not quite in the same convo as super stars. Consider Hall's draft year in 2010. At 3 and 5, Gudbranson and Neiderieter were taken. Interesting.

I get the argument that this years draft should be very strong so go to the 2003 draft which is argued as one of the deepest drafts in the first round ever and Horton and Vanek were taken at 3 and 5 while Fleury was taken at #1. Further interesting is that the Florida Panthers traded the first pick (which was later used to select Marc-Andre Fleury) and 73rd pick (Daniel Carcillo) to the Pittsburgh Penguins for the third pick (Nathan Horton), the 55th pick (Stefan Meyer) and Mikael Samuelsson. Again, interesting. That package is not nearly as massive as the #3 and #5 for #1.

Granted, there have historically been very good players taken at 3 and 5 but also historically, the top pick is usually has the best career. Cruising Wikipedia in past drafts is a wormhole that proves anything can really happen here.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I don’t think that’s a bad comparison. What i think makes Laf scary though is that he actually hits, and he’s got the other tools down (speed, shot). Both Hall and Laf are 6’1..difference being Laf is just 18.

Hall had a better shot coming out of Windsor..Laf has better hands.

I think Laf will surpass Hall in terms of stats and overall impact...especially if he goes to the rangers..who have good players he could lineup with.

What about doing a Datsyuk type trade - taking another teams bad contract to swap first round picks? Maybe Edmonton's first and Russell for the Islanders first? Moving to 14th from likely a low 20 position may allow another good prospect like Quinn or Sanderson - its so deep at the top that someone has to drop.