It has been bugging me for years that we have no legit bruising prospects patrolling the blueline and I think that is an area for us to address at this draft. Drafting a few kids that can crush/pressure opposing Dmen with a heavy forecheck would also be great.
It has been made clear –and rightly so—that Neely/Sweeney will be adding some toughness to this team this summer but every hour McQuaid gets closer to signing elsewhere and Lucic is rumoured to be on the block...
This team was already butter soft last year and losing Lucic and McQuaid would make us the softest team in the league by some distance so obviously there are some guys out there already that Sweeney has to have his eyes on.
Lets Look At the Draft First:
Lawson Crouse: Not as nasty as Tom Wilson but same type of hitter. Unlikely to drop to 14 but could play next year if needed.
Meier: Thick kid that can take a hit and work the boards, don’t think he makes to us either but could also play.
Zboril or Bittner: One has snarl, the other has size –both will be there at 14 but neither will be ready for the Bruins next year.
Brandon Carlo: Huge wingspan and upside –would be great value in the 2nd but likely won’t be there and needs years to put on weight. Austin Strand (6’4 shutdown kid from the Rebels) would be great to grab later in the draft if you don’t get Carlo where you want him.
BTW: Anybody that bring us Trotman because of his size is delusional –my opinion only of course-- but he is way too soft and I don’t think he is/will be a full time NHLer.
But these guys are a long ways away (and, obviously, not even in our system) so what are the fixes here to bring in some size, snarl and speed for 2015/16?
Great draft for picking up some tough kids that can play the game. We will have a tough, mobile D in a few years down the road and Gabrielle should be a player too down the road.
As for the big club, out goes Lucic and in comes Rinaldo. Lucic, obviously, is much bigger and better but Rinaldo is a great energy 4th liner that might be the best open-ice hitting forward in the league alongside Tom Wilson.
People are livid with Sweeney right now for all sorts of reasons, but when Rinaldo is blowing up PK Subban and Emelin cutting across the middle then opinions will change on him in a hurry.
If you can disconnect the player from the draft pick and other trades this weekend then you can appreciate him for what he is. Teams don't attack as fast and reckless when he is on the ice and he draws penalties too (he doesn't just take them, surprise to some.... I know!).
Anyway, we added some real legit, sandpaper D prospects (with skill)
and I think we will be very happy with a few of them down the road.
Our 4th line was the softest in the league by a fair margin and I think adding one of the best hitters in hockey is a good start.
