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Good prospect news: Givani Smith has 18 points in 18 playoff games. Larsson named USHL goalie of the year.

I believe he misses game 1 in the next round too. Not smart by any means, but he's just a kid, so not such a big deal IMO. I mean, its not like he was driving an SUV with a .30 blood alcohol level in a Teletubby costume!

Ovie is playing with a ton of heart. I mean you can tell he really wants to beat the Pens almost as if his life depends on it. Say what you will about him, but the guy is a competitor.

Obviously! Realistically, what would you expect that to cost? I'm sure it would be a lot more than I'd be willing to pay, and definitely more than Holland would be willing to pay... If we did somehow get two top 10 picks (not going to happen), I'd go defense and forward. Ideal scenario for me would be Bouchard and Wahlstrom.

So what, if he drafts a good player its because he listed to people at the table, but if he drafts a player you dont like he made the decision himself?

Its a contact sport. There are always kids with past concussions being drafted (some diagnosed, some not). Its worthy of consideration, but I wouldn't call Boqvist "damaged goods".

I've said for months now, I think we are getting Bouchard and I'm good with it.

I agree. A full off-season dedicated to training should do Bertuzzi a lot of good too. I like that he's concentrated more on the skill side of the game, but I don't want him to completely lose that nasty edge he had in Guelph / Grand Rapids either. I'd love for both to develop into top 6 power-forward types that can play physically, but can also contribute offensively. I think middle 6 may be a more realistic expectation for both though. Bertuzzi took a huge step in his development this year, and took everybody by surprise. Hopefully he can have another big season next year and avoid the sophomore slump. And hopefully Smith continues on a similar path as Bert.

Those similarities are pretty crazy. It would be amazing if both could turn into top 6 power forwards, retrieving pucks in the corners/behind the net for their lines, while also chipping in with goals. They both seem like they're tough to play against/won't give opponents much time to set up a breakout, and I love having players like that. If even one of them ends up being a legit top 6 power forward, I'll call that a success. Bertuzzi seems like he's improving faster that I expected.. hope he keeps that up.

Those two are on the top of my list as well. Wahlstrom has been a goal scoring machine and it'd be really nice to have a good right handed shooter on the left circle for the PP. The trick, obviously, is who, in the top 10, would trade their pick. If I were Chicago, I'd look to trade that pick for something that can help the team now before Kane and Toews window closes. By the time that pick makes it to the NHL, those two will be on their way out or close to.

Ovechkin scores with just over a minute left!

i hate the Penguins but their jersey colors look about 1000x better than their former unis

If they do deem the best player available to be a winger, then they should take the winger. Always take the best player available. The issue I'd have with that, this year picking at 6, I think there will be at least one defenseman available better than any winger. Bouchard may be the only player outside of the top 2-3 that could be NHL ready next season. I think he makes any other team out of camp. If we take him, I'd hope he'd be given every opportunity to make the Wings. There's not a doubt in my mind that he'd be an upgrade over a few of our defensemen today...

And 10 years from now when Boqvist is looking for a big pay day, they'll take the next elite Swedish defenseman in the 2028 draft in hopes he can replace Boqvist. Rinse and repeat. I feel so bad for Sens fans...

Any team interested in him will know anything and everything about his medical condition. Having had a concussion does not automatically mean risk. There is so much more to it. Hearing that word and automatically assuming risk is just being paranoid. Boqvist would be an amazing get for us or any other team that can't have Dahlin.

In some ways, I almost wish that we did drop back to 8th. That way there would only be one of Dahlin,Svech,Zadina Tkachuk, Wahlstrom, Boqvist, Hughes and Bouchard left for Holland to take and I wouldn't have to listen to all of the "Holland took the wrong player" bickering for the next 10-15 years.

Maybe they'll turn into a decent NHL pairing and we can refer to them as the "Czech Mates".

Yeah it's pretty easy to win Stanley Cups when you're the only team who's allowed to have 7 players on the ice.