Crisp Breakout
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Skating can be taught. Tavares was arguably just as bad or worse than Drouin when he was drafted.
No doubt, it can be improved. But you can't teach skating like MacKinnon's. He's on Duchene's level, no joke.
Skating can be taught. Tavares was arguably just as bad or worse than Drouin when he was drafted.
We need a player like Drouin and a player like Jones. Jones will play more minutes per game. Also, we need to finally have a good d so our forwards can play the way they probably are able to. It's not only coaching but also the lack of vision and puck moving skills of the defenders which holds the offense down.
Another reason to draft Jones is that it's so difficult to get a #1 defender through trade or FA signing.
Both Drouin or MacKinnon would be great additions if Jones is already picked, of course.
Skating can be taught. Tavares was arguably just as bad or worse than Drouin when he was drafted.
Nate!! Seriously, I think he will be the best to come from the draft.
Both are listed at 5'11", but MacKinnon seems to be significantly taller than Drouin.
Both are listed at 5'11", but MacKinnon seems to be significantly taller than Drouin.
If the Avs are drafting 4th or 5th and trade it for quantity, I'll be pissed. This team needs young players on their entry level deals to balance out to contracts the older core will likely get next summer. Not to mention guys like Barkov and Lindholm are great talents in their own right. When was the last time a team offered up a crazy package for a top 5 pick anyway?1)Jones
2)MacKinnon
3)Drouin
4)TRADE Pick for a Defenseman
The more I read, the more I like MacKinnon (as winger for now) over Drouin.
-Jones does fill a need assuming EJ or Jones will switch to the left, so even though it seems equally good defensemen seem to be found later in the draft, I'll keep him at #1 for now.
After the big 3 I think the value is there to get a very good Defenseman and some extras (winger, 2nd, etc) for Barkov and the rest, and the trade would be just as beneficial if not more so for the team due to their abundance of youth in the existing core.
Honestly for the same reason ablove, I personally would not be upset to lose out on one of the big 3 if a team offered a huge package for the right to take him. (ex: Fowler+DSP/Etem+, or J.Johnson+Foligno+)
I think in Taveres' case, his IQ is sooooooo high, it doesn't matter he has merely average skating ability. It also helps that he has hands of gold.
Just like Huberdeau had the potential to be a top 5 forward? There is no Tavares prospect, just about anyone will tell you that. We all know what Hall did in Windsor as well as being Canada's best player at the WJC. Now being PPG in his 3rd season. I still see Mac as a Seguin. Great player, great tools, but not a franchise changer.There's no Tavares in this draft based on what exactly? Not even a Hall? Funny Nail was considered the next bog thing last year. Drouin has the potential to be a top 5 forward potential. Prove me wrong.
Draft BPA
Well the doesn't make sense. Good thing penguins and caps didn't draft Barker over the 2 Russians.
Lol what? I take it you haven't seen the kid play at all? He's got 40-50 goal scorer written all over him and I'll bet you he turns out to be better than Taylor Hall. Kid's stuck on the 3rd line all season playing with Shawn Horcoff and Ryan Smyth, ,there's a reason he isn't exactly lighting the league up this season but make no mistake about it he will be a fantastic player. Ovechkin 2.0, just a smaller body but just as physical. If this was his draft year, I'd still take him over both MacKinnon and Drouin
However, I agree with your defense rationale, this team needs Jones
If the Avs are drafting 4th or 5th and trade it for quantity, I'll be pissed. This team needs young players on their entry level deals to balance out to contracts the older core will likely get next summer. Not to mention guys like Barkov and Lindholm are great talents in their own right. When was the last time a team offered up a crazy package for a top 5 pick anyway?
For those who say it's too risky to draft a dman with this high of a pick. Defenseman drafted high based on hockey IQ/ smarts have been pretty damn successful. Doughty, Pietrangelo, OEL, Fowler. The ones drafted on physical tools have been the disappointments. EJ, Hedman, Bogosian, Gudbranson. Jones falls into the former.
As would I, just a common argument I've seen on here.These two aren't disappointments. And Johnsonand Gudbranson are still developing, I'd still take them on my team. (and to think Doughty wasn't drafted for his physical tools)
And Jones has high hockey IQ so its a moot point.