The Marquis
Moderator
Tampa fan with my take on the draft. Not knowing what the side deals are it's hard to determine which way to go on some teams picks. I have them in tiers and I'll some notes.
No brainers
Boston-Lauzon best available should start in the top 6
Buffalo-Borgen RD is needed, other choices not good
Calgary-Giordano great trade piece, can retain and get better return
Columbus-Domi best available need C, other choices not good
Florida-Driedger seems like he's the starter
New Jersey-Merkley still has potential as former 1st, other choices don't stand out
New York-Guathier still has potential as former 1st, other choices didn't stand out
Ottawa-Daccord waiver exempt so can be your AHL starter, only concern injuries
Pittsburgh-Tanev 100% effort player, perfect team guy, contract is fair
San Jose-Gambrell decent 4C, other options not impressive
Washington-Vanacek great trade piece, cheap contract should help the return
Winnipeg-DeMelo top RD available
50/50
Anaheim-Fluery or Volkov went Fluery because still has potential and there's a lot of bottom 6 wings available
Carolina-Hamilton or Bean if Hamilton will sign then its easy but if he doesn't gotta go with the potential in Bean over a Niederrieter
Chicago-Delia or Subban need a cheap backup, either should do went Subban
LA-Grundstrom or Clague went Grundstrom because went Fluery earlier so going winger this time
Minnesota-Soucy or Kahkonen went Soucy as I think he's a top 4 D and with Driedger as the starter don't want to start a controversy if the backup is better
Nashville-Johansen or Jankrok went Johansen, need a top 6 C which he is, his contract is bad but think he still has something left, Jankrok has been good not sure if he can go any further and the bottom 6 is getting packed
New York-Eberle or Bailey went Bailey, liked his playoffs more the past two years and can play either wing
St. Louis-Tarasenko or Dunn went Tarasenko, need legit talent which he has, injury is a concern, other similar LD available so Dunn is a bit redundant
Toronto-McCann or Dermott went McCann, high end 3C, possibly breaking out, Dermott wouldn't be a top 3 LD
No idea which way to go
Arizona-Gross there's a lot of junk on that roster, Gross is a RD so take the chances he could be one of your top 3
Colorado-Landeskog seems like a no brainer but not sure he'll sign so if he does great if not there's not much else worthwhile
Dallas-Kero Bishop makes too much to be backup, Oleksiak is ok but probably wants too much and there are other LD, Kero is a depth forward maybe trade for a mid pick
Detroit-Stetcher RD which can be a good trade piece on a cheap deal, not a lot to work with otherwise
Edmonton-Khaira rugged 4C, not much else worthwhile
Montreal-Byron don't like the contract but think he would be a good bottom 6 guy, other pieces were too expensive so could be a team that does a side deal
Philadelphia-Van Reimsdyk of the big contracts think his gets the most value, Voracek and Gostisbehere are a bit to inconsistent for the money
Tampa-Foote RD with potential, so many choices it's hard to pick, Gourde seems obvious but concerns if he is a 2C and I have McCann as my cheaper 3C, Palat and Killorn would be great but wing spots are full, get the RD who you hope can be set in the top 4 for years
Vancouver-Gadjovich like his style of game, not a lot of standouts another team possible side deal
Landeskog (8x8) - Johansen - Tarasenko
Van Reimsdyk - Domi - Bailey
Tanev - McCann - Byron
Grundstrom - Gambrell - Gauthier
Gadjovich, Khaira, Merkley
Soucy - DeMelo
Lauzon - Foote
Bean - Borgen
Fluery, Gross
Driedger (3x3.5)
Subban
Daccord
Trade Giordano 50% retained for best offer, 2021 1st or two 2nd's
Trade Vanacek for best offer, 2nd + 3rd
Trade Stetcher + 5th for 3rd
Trade Kero for 4th
A REALLY great idea all around. A definitive playoff caliber set up. Those who disagree are dumb.