How would you guys rank 4-8 in the draft (assuming Mac, Drouin and Jones are gone). I have 4th overall and 6th overall in a keeper league. So I'm looking at 2 of Barkov, Lindholm, Nichushkin and Monahan which is pretty exciting!
How would you guys rank 4-8 in the draft (assuming Mac, Drouin and Jones are gone). I have 4th overall and 6th overall in a keeper league. So I'm looking at 2 of Barkov, Lindholm, Nichushkin and Monahan which is pretty exciting!
Personally I think I'll be happy with whoever the Oilers pick at 7. I still have quite a bit of faith in their drafting, not so much their developing though. I wouldn't mind trading down either really, but Lazar flat out at 7 without trading down would be unfortunate.
How would you guys rank 4-8 in the draft (assuming Mac, Drouin and Jones are gone). I have 4th overall and 6th overall in a keeper league. So I'm looking at 2 of Barkov, Lindholm, Nichushkin and Monahan which is pretty exciting!
Yeah because it's so easy to watch Finnish Elaine league games in Edmonton. Maybe I'll just roll into Boston Pizza at 7 AM and see if they're playing one.
I agree the Oil need a centre, preferably one with size, but if Nichushkin is there at 7, I think they'd be nuts to pass on him. I'd take him, even over Monahan, the guy is a monster and he's got first line, first overall talent, first overall size, and he plays LW, which we are short one of. I don't think he'll slip to us, but if he does, I think the Oil would be crazy to pass on him.
Like Yakupov Nichushkin is best on the right wing.
Like Yakupov Nichushkin is best on the right wing.
Like Yakupov Nichushkin is best on the right wing.
Barkov, Nichushkin, Lindholm, Monahan. Also for a keeper league, it actually wouldn't surprise me if Jones is there at 4, just based on DMen being kind of a crapshoot. MacKinnon, Drouin and Barkov will all likely be 1st line players who can put up big points.
From an Oilers POV: Barkov, Monahan, Lindholm, Nichushkin
From a fantasy hockey POV: Barkov, Lindholm, Nichushkin, Monahan
I'm expecting most to go Mac, Drouin, Barkov, so you'll probably land Jones at 4 (take him. He's the best d prospect to come along for a LONG time), and then Lindholm probably goes 5. If you don't care about the Russian factor, go for Nichushkin. If you do, take Monahan
He has primarily played LW in the KHL. But honestly, he is capable of playing all 3 forward positions, playing some C in the subway super series and the WJC.
I hate the 2003 draft comparisons because whenever I read them I can't help but think almost everybody ends up with a great player and we end up with a Pouliot. Call it hindsight or not, but in the context of that draft that might be our worst draft pick in the 21st century.
Even though LA came out of it with Brown, they had 3 picks in the 1st round that year, and used two of them on Brian Boyle and Jeff Tambellini.
Nichushkin isn't a sniper who depends a lot on one-timers or being set up to finish plays from the slot etc. He's a power forward, bull-his-way to the net type of player. That style doesn't really depend on skating in from the right/left and/or centre for that matter.
After watching him play, I think he could play either wing effectively. Whether he can play centre adequately of course depends on his faceoff and defensive abilities BUT saying that, there are plenty of centres (even 1st liners) around the league with average to mediocre faceoff skills their entire careers.
His defensive abilities are likely something that will need work... as is the case with basically every 18 year old player so expecting him to jump into a C role versus other top lines in his rookie year is asking a lot regardless.
Very few forward prospects at the age of 18 play C and excel defensively... Couturier being one of the few exceptions.
I personally have no illusions that it might be a rocky year or two with Nichushkin as he learns the NHL game... same with many, many other prospects. His ceiling is enormous though and his skillset and talent level is obvious. Drafting is always a risk/reward process when comparing various prospects and I think Nichushkin is worth the risk.
How would you guys rank 4-8 in the draft (assuming Mac, Drouin and Jones are gone). I have 4th overall and 6th overall in a keeper league. So I'm looking at 2 of Barkov, Lindholm, Nichushkin and Monahan which is pretty exciting!
He definitely played wing at the WJC, I think played wing at the Subway series too. He is going to be a winger in the NHL.
I'll be very surprised, and disappointed, if Mact actually trots up to the podium and makes the pick at 7th. Trade for a player or trade down for a pick+player.
I'd take Barkov with the 4th and Pulock with the 6th. Pulock IMO will put up more points then any other d man in the 1st round.
1st I can't see the Oilers trading the pick until they are on the clock. 2nd I can't see an opposing team acquiring the pick until they know who is on the board. Even if Phi is going to trade say Hartnell for our pick....they aren't going to do it until the first six picks are made and they know their guy is still available.
And if Monahan is available when we pick then I don't see us trading it since MacT have talked so highly of him. If he is gone....yeah I can see a trade. Remember Stu and MacT have said that they can't see Monahan being available at their pick