Jonas Mahonas

If Hicketts doesn't come in faster this year, he will go the way of the dinosaur. He was behind the play A LOT last year.

Agreed. Larkin is beloved.

It's a rumor/talk. If I had a written article to link, I would put it in the off season thread.

I'm in the bay area. Are you?

Larkin is the better of the 2 by far. The #7 vs. #30 is probably not worth the risk. I think you are right.

There is talk that Vancouver has offered Bo Horvat and pick #7 to the Wings in exchange for Larkin and pick #30. Tough call for Kenny there.

No one knew Yzerman was going to be Yzerman. Minnesota and Hartford would probably like to rechoose if given the chance. I'm not comparing Zadina to Yzerman. I'm illustrating that a number 3 selection has a much greater chance of having a higher ceiling and reaching it than the guys we would be giving up in that trade scenario. I don't like giving up Mantha and 3 good prospects. But getting a legit first line winger is important. All signs are pointing to Zadina being just that.

Agree with this 100%.

Steve Yzerman went #4. The top 7-10 picks in this draft are pretty surefire NHL 1st line/1st d pairing players. Why would you NOT trade a slow, offense only, Franzen ceiling like sniper + prospect + pick 30 (prospect) + pick 36 (prospect) for a sure fire 1st liner with Yzerman level ceiling?

Ha!

The problem is that our players suck. What could we get for Abdelkader, Nielsen, and Helm if they didn't have NTCs? Jack and Squat. They suck and are highly overpaid. Trading for one of them is like asking the dentist for a cavity.

I heard we are in talks with Vancouver for their 1st Rounder. Asking price is Athanasiou, #31, and a second.

2 years from now, Larkin and Athanasiou will have 5 years in the league, Mantha will have 4. They will be vets and leading. Abdelkader and Nielsen contracts need to go. You don't want veteran followership in a rebuild.

This would be amazing. They have two 1sts and two 2nds in this draft. I wonder if we could unload Ouellet or anyone else to them as well... they do currently have the lowest cap hit right now (although they need to re-sign Tavares and only have 8 forwards, 4 defensemen and 1 goalie signed right now). Even better. Nyquist, Nielsen, Abdelkader, Ericsson, Kronwall, and Howard for a 2nd Round pick.