2018 NHL Entry Draft Thread

[The Great Weal]

I love Smith, I love Kotkaniemi, I love Wahlstrom.

I'd probably go Wahlstrom/Kotkaniemi.

Imagine the offensive pool with those two, Ikonen, Poehling, Evans, Bitten ? Daaamn.

No love for Boqvist?

Imagine the defensive pool with Boqvist, Smith, Brook.

 

[Janne Niinimaa]

Wahlstrom + Smith would be an amazing haul. Can't complain with Boqvist + Kotkaniemi either though. Any combination of them is amazing.

 

[The Great Weal]

Wahlstrom + Smith would be an amazing haul. Can't complain with Boqvist + Kotkaniemi either though. Any combination of them is amazing.

Boqvist+Wahlstrom would be robbery

 

[Janne Niinimaa]

Boqvist+Wahlstrom would be robbery

If we get a ~10ish pick we have to hope teams love Bouchard, Hayton, Tkachuk and let one drop. Very unlikely.

 

[The Great Weal]

If we get a ~10ish pick we have to hope teams love Bouchard, Hayton, Tkachuk and let one drop. Very unlikely.

Crazier things have happened.

 

[Janne Niinimaa]

Crazier things have happened.

Wahlstrom + Smith is just as much of a steal IMO. But I'm higher on Smith than most.

 

[Mrb1p]

No love for Boqvist?

Imagine the defensive pool with Boqvist, Smith, Brook.

Boqvist/Kotkaniemi is probably the most potential available. I thought we werent taking Boqvist into account, clearly. I'd go with those two.

 

[The Great Weal]

Wahlstrom + Smith is just as much of a steal IMO. But I'm higher on Smith than most.

Can't agree. Boqvist is just on another level.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

I think we'd go Hughes/Veleno.

 

[The Great Weal]

I think we'd go Hughes/Veleno.

I would be insanely disappointed.

 

[S Bah]

Let's say we trade Pacioretty for the Oilers 1st. Kotkaniemi and Smith are both available, who do you take?

#1 I take Dahlin(LHD/PMD) then either Kotkaneimi or Veleno two way centers. Then with 4 - 2nd's load up with the BPA's, D. Bokk, J. McBain, N.Beaudin & X.Bouchard, that would make our system depth on a par with any team, IMHO!!!... Along with great skating, talent, desire and passion to be the best in the world. Alex Khovanov(C) the rookie that missed half a season, get him instead of X.Bouchard.

 

[le_sean]

The Isles aren’t trading those picks to move up. They need a good defender and a good centre (to play behind Barzal). They can grab both with their picks.

 

[The Great Weal]

The Isles aren’t trading those picks to move up. They need a good defender and a good centre (to play behind Barzal). They can grab both with their picks.

We are talking about Pacioretty for Oilers 1st.

 

[Yoshidas Island]

We might see a Dubois situation happen with Wahlstrom for the Habs. They might genuinely think (there’s merit to both sides) he can play C at the next level and take him wherever they pick.

 

[le_sean]

We are talking about Pacioretty for Oilers 1st.

Well then, carry on.

 

[The Great Weal]

Well then, carry on.

Which one for you?
Boqvist+Smith
Boqvist+Kotkaniemi
Wahlstrom+Smith
Wahlstrom+Kotkaniemi

 

[le_sean]

Which one for you?
Boqvist+Smith
Boqvist+Kotkaniemi
Wahlstrom+Smith
Wahlstrom+Kotkaniemi

Boqvist+Kotkaniemi. A potential elite gamebreaking PMD and a solid two-way C.

How come you didn’t give me a Tkachuk/Veleno option?

 

[The Great Weal]

Boqvist+Kotkaniemi. A potential elite gamebreaking PMD and a solid two-way C.

How come you didn’t give me a Tkachuk/Veleno option?

I knew you would choose it

 

[G0bias]

1 forward and 1 defenseman for sure? I can see the argument of Boqvist and Smith. Or Wahlstrom and Kotkaniemi.

I won't lie Wahlstrom and Kotkaniemi would be real tempting, we've been hurting so bad offensively the past few years, particularly this last one.

I'm personally sick of being a team who relies on goaltending more than anything - can we be an offensive powerhouse for a change. What if in the outside chance both develop into centers at the next level? That'd be absolutely massive going forward.

That said, one forward and one defenseman would probably be the smarter choice.

 

[The Great Weal]

I won't lie Wahlstrom and Kotkaniemi would be real tempting just based on the fact we've been hurting so bad offensively the last few years, particularly this one.

And I'm personally sick of being a team who relies on goaltending more than anything - can we change it up and be an offensive powerhouse for once? What if in the outside chance both develop into centers at the next level? That'd be absolutely massive going forward.

That said one forward and one defenseman would probably be the smarter choice.

Our 2nds can also be big factors. If we take 2 forwards, maybe Tychonick and Sandin are available with our 2nds. That would definitely make up for not taking a dman with one of the 1sts. Same thing if Dellandrea and Wise are available with our 2nds.

 

[G0bias]

Our 2nds can also be big factors. If we take 2 forwards, maybe Tychonick and Sandin are available with our 2nds. That would definitely make up for not taking a dman with one of the 1sts. Same thing if Dellandrea and Wise are available with our 2nds.

I'd usually just stick with BPA but if you're presented with an opportunity to stock up on high end forwards, odds are you'll need to get them early. Whereas quality defensemen have historically been more attainable in the 2nd round. It's something to consider I would say.

 

[yianik]

I'd usually just stick with BPA but if you're presented with an opportunity to stock up on high end forwards, odds are you'll need to get them early. Whereas quality defensemen have historically been more attainable in the 2nd round. It's something to consider I would say.

High end forward meaning centre ? I will assume that.

This is actually quite true. If you take a look at some teams with enviable Ds like Boston, Carolina, LA, Anaheim etc you will see that the top 4 includes players from a range of rounds.

Top 6 centres however are typically uncovered within the 1st 2 rounds , like 80% of them and 1Cs typically in the top 10 or so.

Bottom line is NHL scouts are very good at identifying centres so they go quickly, top 4 D on the other hand, not anywhere as efficient.

 

[Habs Icing]

You guys are talking about Captain Ready for Oliers' pick. Do you think it's unrealistic to trade Captain Not-So-Ready for the Islanders two first rounders?

 

[Mrb1p]

You guys are talking about Captain Ready for Oliers' pick. Do you think it's unrealistic to trade Captain Not-So-Ready for the Islanders two first rounders?

IMO its unlikely for both.

 

[Habs Icing]

IMO its unlikely for both.

But their GM is Garth Snow, MB's rival when it comes to the NHL Annual Mentally Handicap Achievement Award.