@hfialkov: Panthers source tells Sun Sentinel if they don't like offers for No. 1 pick then most likely they'll go for D Aaron Ekblad #FlaPanthers
Now that's a savvy move right there. Not picking Ekblad, but making it public that you want to pick Ekblad.
IMO they should try to get Edmonton to overpay and trade down to the 3rd overall pick and still be able to pick one of Bennett, Reinhart, or Ehlers. It's no secret the Oilers covet Ekblad..
They need a #1 C almost as badly as a #1 defenseman, they'll be happy taking Reinhart or Bennett.
But with their recent history of drafting forwards, you have to think that they'd take Ekblad if they picked first.
I guess another interesting question that gets raised is if the panthers do end up picking at 1st overall and select Ekblad, do then the panthers look to trade either kulikov or gudbranson or maybe both to try and get back into the 1st rd or improve the roster by trading for nhl talent..
I guess another interesting question that gets raised is if the panthers do end up picking at 1st overall and select Ekblad, do then the panthers look to trade either kulikov or gudbranson or maybe both to try and get back into the 1st rd or improve the roster by trading for nhl talent..
@hfialkov: Panthers source tells Sun Sentinel if they don't like offers for No. 1 pick then most likely they'll go for D Aaron Ekblad #FlaPanthers
And hopefully next week GR's sources say they are picking Reinhart and then Bennett and they get a GM to do something stupid.
Edmonton is feeling the heat with this rumor. I hear they'd almost do anything to get a position to draft Ekblad. Meanwhile, Buffalo is sittin' pretty at 2; gonna get what they want.
I'm curious as to why we are at liberty to trade anything with #3.
They're going to give us they're 3rd rounder at best. Maybe swap our 4 with their 5.
And we lose both the better player (prospective) and the organizational need? Stupid. It's pure gambling, because any asset we get from them will either be prospective as well or mediocre at the NHL level. Unless they're giving us Eberle to move up (lol), total pass.
I'm curious as to why we are at liberty to trade anything with #3.
They're going to give us they're 3rd rounder at best. Maybe swap our 4 with their 5.
And we lose both the better player (prospective) and the organizational need? Stupid. It's pure gambling, because any asset we get from them will either be prospective as well or mediocre at the NHL level. Unless they're giving us Eberle to move up (lol), total pass.
I'm curious as to why we are at liberty to trade anything with #3.
They're going to give us they're 3rd rounder at best. Maybe swap our 4 with their 5.
And we lose both the better player (prospective) and the organizational need? Stupid. It's pure gambling, because any asset we get from them will either be prospective as well or mediocre at the NHL level. Unless they're giving us Eberle to move up (lol), total pass.
Edmonton is feeling the heat with this rumor. I hear they'd almost do anything to get a position to draft Ekblad. Meanwhile, Buffalo is sittin' pretty at 2; gonna get what they want.
They need a #1 C almost as badly as a #1 defenseman, they'll be happy taking Reinhart or Bennett.
i think he'll select reinhart.
if he's pressed to be in a win now mode then he may not want to wait for ekblad, and we already got kulikov who i wouldnt give up on (give him a fresh season with an actual good line mate for once and a stronger all around team and see how he does), gudbranson, matheson, mccoshen, weegar, petrovic, olsen. i think they sign/trade for a few veteran D this offseason and select reinhart. thats if they stay at #1.
we have a vet in campbell still. we have our younger guys in kulikov and gudbranson but neither are 18yr old rookies and should take another step in the right direction of their development. bring in 2 solid D. the last spot could be jovo/olsen or acquired through trade.
reinhart has the ability to not only play center but rw as well. being versatile helps a lot for us. he's an extremely smart player. he can step in immediately, his size isnt an issue, has 3yrs of whl play under his belt, and can probably make more of an impact in the shorter term than ekblad.
i love bennett but i have a feeling tallon won't be taking him. it'll be between reinhart and ekblad and my money is back on reinhart.
I doubt Tallon ever trades Gudbranson and I don't think we trade Kuli either. We need to add some veteran defensemen to compliment them.
Tallon won't draft Ekblad with the presumption that he will make the team and play any sort of key role this season.