LeftWinger

I'm sticking with these as my hopefuls for the 1st two rounds. Although Mat Samuelsson may be gone before #33. But DAMN! If we could somehow get another pick in order to take Wahlstrom! Would Vancouver take Nyquist, AA, VEG's #1, Both our #2's for #7? If we came out of the 1st round with BOTH Bouchard and Wahlstrom, it's be a great draft! Then we'd just need Liam Kirk in the 6th and we're in! Rebuild On FIRE!

Geezus! Montreal has FOUR 2nd rounders this draft! They'll get a stud in the 1st and then four very solid players in the 2nd!

With all the "experts" saying that The Wings should pick Bouchard, dare I say, a slam dunk, no brainer pick? We'll see Holland go away from them and pick someone else. I am already ready for the let down...honestly, with about 90% of them projecting that Bouchard will be our pick, I am to the point that (even though they would be good players) if Holland drafts Hughes, Dobson or Boqvist, I will be let down. Not a huge deal, because look at how Ras has developed thus far, but I will feel an initial let down for sure.

I say as soon as Carolina drafts Svechling, we get on the phone offering up Svech.

Where's Dr. Death when you need him!!! Just Kidding! Maybe we could nab Hanifin?

I hope you are joking because the 2018 draft is going to be our most important draft in a LONG time! He better not screw this up!!!

The thing is, how many draft picks does Arizona need? They've been drafting in the top half of the draft for how long now? It seems they don't pick the best players most of the time. It might be time of them to start dealing away draft picks for some established NHL players. The success of Vegas has to just chap their ass. Not saying we could send them anyone for draft picks, but I just don't see them getting any better through the draft. Their best draft pick is more than likely going to be traded or leave UFA and they'll probably pick Tkachuk just because of the family ties, which he isn't a bad pick, but they should really pick best player available, if he isn't. Maybe they select Boqvist in an attempt to keep OEL around, or eventually replace him. Not unless Ottawa takes him instead. Tell you what though, it's going to be a hell of a TDL this year with the likes of OEL AND Karlsson on the move!

Here is 2015. Obviously Svech is gonna make it, but I think the next two have a shot. Kenny talks highly about Van Pottelberghe.

This I feel is going to be a very good turn out for us. We just got to get this Sambrook kid signed to a deal! BTW, thank you @ChristopherReevesLegs for giving the idea of re-visiting draft threads and opening up discussion on the players! (BTW, sorry about your loss, but I am sure Margot Kidder is happy back being with her "Superman.") Sambrook only has until June 1 to sign a contract or he becomes a UFA I believe...or does he go back into the draft?

most definitely GOOD. It's kind of like he grew up and just destroyed the WHL and then since he cannot go to GR, he is going to come in and learn the NHL game right away and surprise ALL of his critics. I am not sure he'll stay at Center, especially with Z and Nielsen, but you never know. Maybe Z steps to the wing this season, but I have my doubts about that.

Discuss:

I've got a strange feeling about Ras. Considering my opinion when he was selected, I even surprise myself with it. Also, look at Pope and how long it took him to earn a deal. I'm not giving up on these kids yet. Maybe we should go back to 2014 draft thread and talk about how they're doing.

...and everyone was so excited when these players were drafted. Is Holland going to have a similar draft? With basically 4 1sts he shouldn't, but can he screw it up? We'll see...

Being a good start means, "we're sending you AA and a 1st for sure, what else is it going to take in addition?" Then the negotiating begins. They'd be getting AA and a 1st in addition to other assets. That's just the "start." Its a good starting point.

True!

Really? Thanks. That is why I said it would be a "good start." Why don't you try and add something to the conversation instead of just trolling and trying to talk down to people?

I guess we should be talking OEL and Karlsson in this thread instead of the 2018 one. The question is, could we afford BOTH via UFA come July 2019. Well, right now (before our RFA re-signs THIS summer) we are showing $35M available for 2019-2020. That is BEFORE the cap raises this summer (some say upwards of $83M.) It may go up a bit more come next summer too. If we could get Larkin and Mantha re-signed (this summer) for a nice bridge deal (lets say $4M) and instead of signing average UFA fillers and just brought up some kids on ELC's, we could possibly offer OEL and Karlsson upwards of $10M per season. I am thinking that AA is dealt at this draft, although I am a big fan, I don't think Holland is going to fool around with him this summer. He has to get people sign that want nothing less than to be here and make this franchise great again. Mantha, Larkin, Bertuzzi, Frk... We don't have the time for AA's shenanigans this summer. He is arbitration eligible, but we may as well just deal him before he is able to go to arbitration. He'll probably get a deal that he'll hate and be disgruntled all year long. Of course still not sure if Z is going to play after next year, so we may get a nice LTIR relief there too. Permanently promote Ras, Svech, Smith, Cholowski, Hronek and a young G to back up whoever is starting in 2019. That could possibly be Howard at a VERY reduced rate. I am sure Jimmy would just as well finish his career out here, and at something like $2M to $3M that wouldn't be a bad thing, especially if a young G on an ELC proves he can handle the NHL.

Maybe we do make a deal for OEL under the pretenses that he re-signs or he already re-signed and then traded. I am sure it would be expensive, but AA and VEG's 1st is a good start.

Ya, but could imagine if we COULD land both? Stranger things have happened! I am sure cap will rise again, we are losing Kronwall and Howards contract. Sure we'll be paying Larkin and Mantha more than now, but again, especially if we bomb out of the JT sweeps, we'd need about what, $16M-$18M to sign them? Maybe $20M? That's a lot to have tied up in 2 guys, but the quality of those 2 would be worth it IMO! If we don't waste anymore cash on average UFA's and just bring up our kids, we could swing $20M to those two guys... OEL - Bouchard (PLEASE!) Karlsson - Cholowski Hronek - Ericsson Extra It's nice to imagine!

It'd be nice to get OEL, it would help our chances in landing Karlsson.

We have the chance to draft THREE defenders in the 1st two rounds that are already better than what we have on our current team. Bouchard, Mat Samuelsson and Calen Addison. Now that doesn't mean they'll bump three of our D out this season, but add to those three, Cholowski and Hronek and the outside remote possibility that we could land Karlsson, we really don't need to take away from our top 6 future to add another D. Holland could go with Hughes, Boqvist or Dobsobn with #6 and they too are also better than anyone we have on D currently. The remains, you don't trade away players like Larkin.

With all due respect to Lidstrom, he was not the reason nor the cornerstone for us winning the Cups in 97 and 98. He was great, but he was only one part in a machine. I agree, you are offering way too much for Hamilton. As much as you need a "Hamilton" on the blueline, you also desperately need a Larkin in the top 6. There is nobody in the system that could replace Larkin. We'll draft our version of Hamilton (hopefully Bouchard) and we'll still have Larkin. Win-Win.

Caps all the way!

My kids are a big fan of Pacifica Northwest!

I'm looking for this piece if anyone can help...