krsmith17

Sens in 7.

Rangers in 5.

Jackets in 7.

Caps in 5.

Exactly this. And it definitely will happen, just not so sure Holland will do it...

So your "ultimate 1st round" doesn't include us winning the draft lottery?

I really, really hope we don't take Rasmussen... He's another Logan Stanley / Frederik Gauthier type player in my opinion. AKA 3rd / 4th line center. I agree that we need size, but not at the expense of speed and skill...

I'll definitely be watching tomorrow night if he's in the lineup. Good luck Cholowski!

I agree, but I really think Glass needs to be added to the list of guys we should be going hard after. I'd be okay with Mittlestadt in the 7-10 range as well.

Lefty is going way overboard, as per usual. However, I too would be a little pissed if we took Pettersson in the top 7-10. I don't pretend to know everything about every player in the draft, but I do a fair bit of research (scouting reports / highlights) leading up to the drafts, and there are at least 10 players I'd take before this kid. Not saying that any of the kids I like will turn out any better. Who knows? Maybe they would be complete busts and Pettersson is the next Zetterberg, but I highly doubt it. I just don't like the pick for us, because, like Lefty said, we need to draft a C, RW or D, preferably right-handed and preferably with some size. Not a smallish, left-handed, LW. I'm still hoping for one of Patrick, Vilardi, Glass or Tippett, in that order. I'd also take any of Hischier, Mittlestadt, Liljegren before Pettersson, or trade back and take any of Foote, Heiskanen, Rasmussen, etc...

In Kronwall's best years he absolutely was a number one defenseman. However when Kronwall was Trouba's age, he was in his rookie season, and put up 5 points (1 goal, 4 assists) in 20 games... I think it's 100% reasonable to believe that Trouba will be better than Kronwall ever was, and could hit 50+ points once he hits his prime (next 4 years).

I agree. Trouba is a great young defenseman. Future stud in my opinion. I just had no idea he was putting up those godly numbers...

This whole "weak draft" bulls*** is being totally overblown in my opinion. Sure, there's no one close to McDavid or even Matthews or Eichel, but getting Patrick, Vilardi or a number of other guys in the top 5 would be huge for us. Whoever we draft will immediately be our top ranked prospect, will likely make this team in a year to two years from now, and quite possibly be the best player on the team in three to five years. Of course there's no guarantee, but I'd say there are at least 5-7 guys in this years draft that will turn out to be better than any of the top young kids currently on this team...

Fixed. I'm going for Rangers though.

Trouba is a top pair defenseman, and will most likely become a legit number one. In saying that, there's no way I'd give up a package close to Athanasiou and a 1st (top 10, possibly top 3 pick). This time last year we were in desperate need for that coveted right-handed, top pair defenseman, now, not so much. I think a lefty to pair with Green makes more sense for us right now. We have some righties in the pipeline that "could" develop into top pair defensemen, and where this team is at now, we should be taking the wait and see approach with some of these guys. At this point, I'm more concerned about stocking up on picks and high end prospects, than I am unloading said picks and high end prospects. If a trade comes along that makes sense, sure, pull the trigger, but we certainly shouldn't be willing to overpay for players.

Gotcha. Yeah, I seen it on Twitter a few days ago and then you had me wondering if you created it. It's his thing. It's kinda cute. It's like when the young boy picks on the young girl because he likes her... Deep down CRL likes Smitty.

Who's we? Did you make that Nerve?

I hope an otter scratches your ugly face... EDIT: on a lighter note, when was this beautiful Zetterberg emoji added? Haha f***ing awesome!

You know Cholowski is Canadian right?

Go Smith!

If we're winners in the draft lottery, we will pick top 3, not top 5. And even where we sit right now, we have a 24% chance to pick 1-3. Not bad odds...

Suzuki is another player I wouldn't be thrilled about taking in the top 10..

Curious, is there any particular reason you're so high on Mittelstadt? Have you seen him play? I don't know a ton about him, but he definitely doesn't stand out as a player I really want, especially if we keep our pick and pick in the top 10. I want one of Patrick, Vilardi, Glass or Tippett, in that order. What list are you looking at for this?

It was actually the Prince George Cougars that drafted him 200th overall in 2013. I remember when he was drafted hearing comparisons to Duncan Keith. If this kid turns out to be half as good as Keith, he'll be a solid player for us. From everything I've read, he seems to have a high hockey IQ, strong skater that can rush the puck as well as get it to his forwards. Not a hard shot, but is very good at getting pucks through from the point. All great qualities in an offensive defenseman...

I don't think it's been released yet, but I would expect it to be sometime in the next 3-4 weeks. It was on April 30th last year.