kipwinger

So when you said "I've seen PLENTY other rankings that have Tampa in the top 3rd of the league (#7), and Raddysh ranked 3rd or 4th in their system", you really meant that you've seen ONE such ranking? It's not a big deal, I only referenced one ranking as well. The difference between us is that I attributed mine to one person and didn't exaggerate, while you claimed to have seen PLENTY when in reality you didn't. Maybe don't do that anymore?

I know those rankings are Pronman's. That's why I attributed them to him. He's the most thorough evaluator of teams' prospect pools out there at the moment. Which other sources did you see that ranked Tampa in the top 3rd of the league? All of The Athletic, The Draft Analyst, Dobber's Prospects, and the Hockey Writers question his speed. Maybe it's his quickness, maybe not. But when lots of sources are all questioning the same part of someone's game I'd be pretty reluctant to gloss over it. However, I agree that targeting prospects and 2nd round picks might be the way to go at this deadline. Just wouldn't target this guy.

Mark Stone is a really great player, and is going to get PAID. I'm guessing in the 8.5 to 9 million range on a max deal. Which will look really good on the front end, but probably less good on the back end. Not sure where you're getting this "playoff warrior" stuff from, Stone's played 27 playoff games in his career. Not like Ottawa has been some perennial playoff team or anything. I'd honestly target Duchene this offseason and Trouba next in UFA.

I'd stay far away from Taylor Raddysh. His best attribute, being a net front PP guy, we've got in Ras and Mantha. He's not shown the ability to play center at the AHL level. He's not a very good skater. And his offense has been inconsistent since being drafted. Pronman had him listed at Tampa's 6th best prospect in his farm system rankings this summer. And Tampa has one of the league's worst farm systems. Buyer beware.

I had fun coming up with it?

Fun trade proposal I just made up after hearing about FLA's interest in Bobrovsky. To CBJ: Jimmy Howard, Derrick Brassard, FLA 2019 2nd. To Detroit: CBJ 2019 2nd, James Riemer, Aleksi Heponiemi To FLA: Sergei Bobrovsky, Detroit 2019 3rd.

Edit: NVM

Could relate to any team that's in the same general cap position, has the same general needs, has a similar prospect pool, and is in a similar position in the standings as the Islanders. So...like...nobody else.

I don't "like" McIsaac. I don't know him. The whole point I was making is that "liking" players is dumb. Trying your best to analyze them against criteria is better, but that means that sometimes you'll find out the players you "like" aren't very good, or players you don't "like" are. I'd argue that "liking" players is what gets you, KRSmith, into trouble because then you tie yourself in knots trying to explain away their failures. I probably wouldn't project either guy at this point. Why? Because they're still in junior hockey. They have no real track record and they're playing against kids. Same with Veleno. I like their skill sets, but unlike you I don't care as much about skill sets. There are plenty of 6'4, 200 lb, hockey players who are total puds. Only in REALLY rare circumstances can you accurately project how good a 2nd round pick is going to be this early in his career.

I corrected the stats above because I caught my mistake on the ppg thing. This year they're both at 1.1 ppg (1.12 for McIsaac, 1.19 for Wilde). The difference between the two, .06 equates to 3 points over a 60 game season (which is what most junior players play). Last year McIsaac had a higher ppg by a more considerable margin. Not sure why you think the USNDP is a "tougher" league than the Q? They're both extrememly offensive leagues. Crosby scored 130 points as a 16 year old in the Q. Matthews scored 117 points as a 16 yo in the USNDP. Clayton Keller scored 107 points in the USNDP. All in about 60 games. You're talking two of the highest scoring leagues in the junior hockey. Also, this year the top scorers in the OHL are actually scoring MORE than their QMJHL counterparts. So even if the OHL has traditionally been the lower scoring league, it's not true this year and this is the year we're comparing McIsaac and Wilde. And they both have 1.1 ppg. And I notice you didn't even address the fact that the consensus is that McIsaac is better defensively that Wilde according to most sources. So even if their offense is a wash, which statistically it isn't, McIsaac should probably still get the bump given that he's the better defender.

Check my edits to the post above. See, I was like you; prior to the draft I though Wilde was probably the better option. But it turns out I was very wrong. McIsaac seems to be as good or better offensively AND better defensely. FWIW, The Hockey Writers magazine says they both have top pair upside. So that's something.

Just out of curiosity what do you project your boy Bode Wilde being? Because you seem really high on him, even said you would have preferred we took him over McIsaac and all. But McIsaac has the same ppg as Wilde this year. And a better ppg then Wilde did last year. Plus most scouting reports say McIsaac's defense is better. And he made Canada's WJC team in his draft plus one year, something Wilde didn't. So if Jared is only going to be a 3rd pair guy, Wilde is going to be...a 3rd pair guy? And if that's the case, then why do you like him so much?

I actually don't agree with that, but I don't think he's currently got many options. I've changed my tune on Blashill a lot. I think he's better than we give him credit for. His team is basically competing, and in each game, every night with 4 good forward and the league's worst defense. Plus all of our kids are becoming legit stud NHL players. I'll reserve my final judgement on Blashill once I see what he does with a competitive roster.

They just have no depth at all. So unless Larkin or AA take over a game completely they're probably not going to win. Wait until they've got 3 legit scoring lines, then those one games losses will turn into big wins. Think about this, and this is purely a hypothetical, but it's entirely possible that over the next two seasons this team could add a high end draft pick like Dach, Cozens, Zegras, top prospects like Hronek, Zadina, Veleno, and UFAs like Duchene and Trouba. And the only guy of any value we'll be losing is Nyquist. Everyone else we lose will be old guys at the tail end of their careers.

Anybody else get the feeling we're going to be a really fun offensive team to watch in the next couple of seasons? Really liking where this team is heading. Our forward group is good, and going to get much better. Our defense can only improve. And we haven't even touched UFAs.

That's like 5 assists in two games for Athanasiou, not sure where all this playmaking is coming from but I like it.

Pretty horrific that a defenseman with 1 goal on the season was out there twice in overtime though. Game winner or otherwise.

Hell of a game by Nyquist. Damn he's looked good this year.

I think they're similar because they're both skilled guys, but they're both pretty damn feisty as well.

Maybe it's just that we're playing Toronto, but does Larkin remind anyone else of Doug Gilmour?

Two goals tonight for Veleno.

I'm just wondering why you decided to put your cape on and fly to KRSmith's defense? Didn't think he could handle himself or what? He's done a pretty good job of dealing with me, but apparently my "drama" was just too much for you to handle eh? I'd think there are probably bigger worries in life. Again, feel free to ignore me. When I want your attention I'll jingle my zipper.

I've definitely heard that Zegras needs to improve his defensive game, but a couple of sources I've seen have been more positive on Newhook's all around game. The Athletic's Pronman said of Newhook... "He’s not the biggest forward at 5-foot-10 but has a lot of offensive tools. His skating, hands and vision all get plus grades. He can push the pace with his speed, while also being able to pull up and make a play at pace. Newhook isn’t just a skill guy; he competes well, which, combined with his great speed, allows him to always be around the puck. I don’t know if he’ll be a true defensive center in the NHL, but I like that he battles and doesn’t get pushed around without taking penalties." NHL Draft Central ranked him 5 out of 5 for speed, shooting, stickhandling. 4/5 for passing and hockey IQ, 3/5 competitiveness and physicality, and 2/5 for defense. But I agree with you on the BCHL thing for sure.

What am I right about again? And who else was I talking to? I've been battling it out with KRSmith for sure, but he's the only one. And so far he's been man enough to take it as well as he dishes it...which is why he's fun to talk to. Didn't realize you were so delicate. My bad. Feel free to ignore me though if my posts give you the vapors.

Riley Sheahan heading to Florida, where all hockey careers go to die...Florida. Good luck in retirement Riley.