krsmith17

Winnipeg take Samberg...

Lindstrom's one of the players I wanted, but didn't think we'd use a 2nd on him. Thought he'd make it to the 3rd round..

Gustav Lindstrom.

F***! Two of the guys I wanted... Yup, they're doing great thing so far.

That's fine, and I don't think a single person is saying that Rasmussen is a bad player, just that he was a bad pick at 9 with the players that were left on the board. If you want a big guy that can bang in rebounds, pick him in the later rounds. Hell, I would have been okay if we picked Rasmussen after trading back to the mid round, without Vilardi and others on the board, and picking up another 2nd. With a top 10 pick (the first one in a quarter century) we should have taken the most skilled player available. Rasmussen was not close to that in my opinion.

I'm trying to get behind this pick, and I've read several scouting reports and it still sounds like it may turn out to be somewhat of a botched pick. Not because he's terrible, but because he's not great, and I feel there were still some great players available at 9. It seems like his biggest assets are his size, strength and ability to protect the puck. All things that should be a given for a 6'6", 215 lb. kid playing mostly against kids half his size. What happens when he turns pro and is playing against men? Is he going to be able to continue to push players around, and drive the net for those dirty goals? Maybe, but there's no guarantee. To me, Rasmussen lacks the overall raw skill that you should be looking for in the top 10. All of his goals are scored on rebounds within a couple feet of the crease, and while that is something this team could use, I hope he's capable of more than that. I'm not furious about the pick, disappointed yes, because I feel there were several better options available. I would have been ecstatic if we picked a player like Rasmussen in the later rounds, but it just doesn't seem to me to be a top 10 talent level pick. I hope I'm wrong. I hope he pans out, but I honestly don't expect him to be anything more than a reliable, two-way, middle 6 center. I want one of Timmins or Hague personally. Hopefully both if Holland is able to trade a couple 3rd round picks for another 2nd.

I do think Rasmussen was the wrong pick with Vilardi still on the board, but who knows how they'll turn out. Regardless, he's a Red Wing now and has instantly become one of our top prospects. Hopefully he ends up better than Vilardi and develops into a true number one center. I'm hoping Holland still has something up his sleeve in this draft. He should trade a couple 3rd round picks for another 2nd, and draft two of Timmons, Hague, Samberg or Brook.

Yzerman takes Adam Foote's son...

They could have traded back, picked up another pick, still got their guy, or ya know, a better player like Vilardi, Liljegren or Tippett... Rasmussen was one of two players I didn't want us to draft. He'll end up a solid 3rd line center. Awesome...

Vilardi or Liljegren!!!

Yes I do. I don't see Vatanen as a top pair defenseman, more of a 2nd pair, power-play quarterback. And while that is valuable, we have a boat load of 2nd pair quality defensemen. I'd prefer to keep Athanasiou, unless it's in a package for a legit top pair defenseman. We also have Saarijarvi coming up over the next couple years and he's basically the same type player. I pass on Vatanen.

There's no need for Anaheim to move Vatanen, unless some team offers up something they can't refuse. I wouldn't overpay for him, certainly wouldn't trade Athansiou or Svechnikov plus.

I think he's as close to a sure thing for a 21 year old defenseman. Yeah, it is a lot (may be too much), but I believe that's what it's going to take (over payment) to get an elite talent like Theodore on our blue line.

I agree and yes he is, but the point you alluded to in another thread just now about Athansiou, no player should be "untouchable" and at the right price, any player could be traded. If we offered them say Svechnikov, Hronek and a 2nd, I think we'd at least get their attention. I know it's never going to happen though, so whatever. I'm still shocked that Anaheim gave him away for basically nothing. It would suck losing Vatanen, but better him than Theodore in my opinion. Too me it's similar to if we protected all of our forwards, but couldn't protect Nyquist, so we gave Vegas Mantha to not take him...

That's unfortunate. Hopefully Holland was one of the three. Keep kicking THAT tire Kenny. Make him an offer he can't refuse...

I agree that Zetterberg boosted Larkin's point total quite a bit, but because Larkin was on the top line with Z, he also spent more time playing against other teams top players. I didn't say anything close to that. I think Athanasiou has the potential to become a very good top 6 winger (maybe center), but I think Larkin has the potential to become a very good top line center (at worst 2nd line center). Like I said, the difference isn't huge, but I give the slight edge to Larkin, if for no other reason, that he's two years younger (still only 20). Also, this. Athanasiou may become a center, but I wouldn't be surprised if he stays on the wing, and centers are far more valuable than wingers. I'm not in any way saying I "want" to trade AA, but of the forwards we would likely have to part with to fetch a top end defenseman, I move Athanasiou or Svechnikov in a package before Larkin or Mantha.

Could have sworn that's what I was doing for the past couple pages. Guess you missed it. Oh well...

I agree. At worst he will become a very good 2nd line center, but 1st line potential is definitely there. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for Athanasiou.

Yes, please let's continue to beat this dead horse... We have differing opinions. I'm okay with that. For whatever reason you're not... I'm done now.

Sportsnet is one example. There are countless others.

Athanasiou puts up 0.43 points per game. Larkin puts up 0.48 points per game, plays a more complete game and is 2 years younger. I don't think it's a landslide by any stretch, but I'd give the slight edge to Larkin.

Ok, and I said right from the beginning it was all speculation, my speculation, aka opinion... So again, what's your point? If you want to discuss this further (I have no idea why you would), PM me...

I have absolutely no issue with someone challenging or criticizing my opinion, I just don't get why you're so set on changing people's opinions. You don't agree? Move on... I do doubt it, and like I said, it's all speculation. I just find it very difficult to believe anyone would find more value in Tomas Nosek over Petr Mrazek. Maybe McPhee really does believe Nosek can develop into something, or maybe he thinks Mrazek is a career backup. I have no idea.

That's what I think it will take too, and I'm okay with moving either of Athanasiou or Svechnikov in the right deal for a top defenseman. I completely disagree with trading Larkin before Athanasiou though. You have to remember that Larkin is only 20 (2 years younger than AA) and he has almost twice as many points as Athanasiou. I love AA too, but if we're moving one, he's the odd man out for me.

Oh you mean my opinion... Why are you so set on trying to change it? Get over it. I'm not stretching anything, and I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything. Maybe Holland wanted Mrazek gone and maybe McPhee seen more upside in a bottom 6 forward over a potential elite goaltender. I doubt it, but who knows... Holland knowing beforehand that McPhee wasn't interested in Mrazek is exactly what I'm talking about when I said "something we are unaware of"... So again, if he exposed Mrazek to potentially get rid of him, he's an idiot, despite what ended up happening. But if he exposed him, knowing McPhee wouldn't take him, that negates my "Holland is an idiot" comment...