I think it’s incredibly unlikely he outscores Zuccarello over his career, but MBN has a lot of really good qualities outside scoring that Zuccarello doesn’t. I think he has the potential to be the better overall player. Not saying it’s likely, but he definitely has the potential.
Ah I’ll be honest I’m pretty down on most of those PWF types so a guy like MBN isn’t really on my radar in the top 15. With that said, he’s absolutely on Grier’s but I think if Jiricek or Eiserman are there at 14 that’s who he takes.
We've already gotten a good taste of what Grier likes in a player from last year's draft and his pickups, but due to the insane variance in player type in the top 20, we'll get a really good look at the team he's trying to build in the first two rounds this year. I agree he could go Eiserman or Jiricek at 14, very different picks. If he goes MBN or Sennecke or (God willing) Parekh or Yakemchuk, very different picks again. It'll really be fascinating to see every team's thought process.
He meant Fabian Zetterlund, not Mats Zuccarello. Huge difference between the two.
If the Pitts pick gets pushed to 2025 b/c they win the lottery, I’d be over the moon b/c that means we get Celibrini. Here’s hoping either we or they win it!
I think Pittsburgh winning and keeping their 4th overall is the scenario I’d prefer but not expecting. I’m expecting three and 14 and that’s still a good scenario to be in for the draft.
But that isnt what she meant. At all.
Not necessarily they could win the 2nd lottery but not the first.
33+42 to move into the 20s if needed.
I don’t know if I’d move up for Emery. Much as I like him, I don’t know if he’s anything more than a useful bottom pairing guy with an attractive archetype. Small chance of becoming Brandon Carlo, a very useful middle pairing guy, is what intrigues me. But there’s other similar defensemen like Elick and Badinka and I have to assume one of the three is likely to last to 33. If they don’t, then some skilled RWs are likely to be available, which we also do need.
Even without the character concerns I don't think he profiles like a Grier guy (another slightish build skill LW), and I don't think Grier will be a BPA no matter what guy. But even before that I bet he is the faller this year... He either becomes someone's Musty (if he grows up) or he continues to be a character concern.
Grier might not be a BPA guy, but he should be.
Reaching on Jiricek (or someone else) when he isn’t close to the BPA at 14 just because we need a D would be a mistake. If you really don’t want a winger that badly, trade down.
Even with the character concerns of Connelly?
I wouldn’t take Connolly but that’s purely because of the character concerns, not because of the type of player he is. If he didn’t have the character issues, I’d be thrilled to take him 14th. He’s really good and talent-wise belongs with the likes of Catton and Iginla in that tier.
I think what I would want to see is them draft Macklin or one of the 2-13 tier guys (if picking 2nd or 3rd of course) + another 2-13 tier guy if a team reaches for the next tier (so take the guy who drops to 14) or a winger from the next tier + try to trade up from 33 to grab Jiricek.
He played 19 games in the Czech Extraliga this season and was not good.
I’m not advocating for taking Connolly on account of his off-ice issues, but you don’t pass on a 6’1” 17 year old because he’s a little underweight. And he’s absolutely as skilled as Smith.
