LeftWinger

If we stay 5 or 6, I am all in for Bouchard! He fits our bill nicely, PLUS he's RH'd! https://thehockeywriters.com/nhl-draft-ranking-march-2018/ Rank +/- Player Position Current Team 1 – Rasmus Dahlin D Frölunda HC (SHL) 2 – Filip Zadina LW Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) 3 – Andrei Svechnikov RW Barrie Colts (OHL) 4 – Adam Boqvist D Brynäs IF J20 5 – Brady Tkachuk C/LW Boston University (NCAA) 6 +1 Evan Bouchard D London Knights (OHL) 7 -1 Quinn Hughes D University of Michigan (NCAA) 8 +3 Barrett Hayton C Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) 9 – Noah Dobson D Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL) 10 -2 Oliver Wahlstrom C/RW U.S. National U18 Team (USDP) 11 -1 Ryan Merkley D Guelph Storm (OHL) 12 +2 Joe Veleno C Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) 13 – Bode Wilde D U.S. National U18 Team (USDP) 14 -2 Rasmus Kupari C Kärpät (Liiga) 15 +1 Joel Farabee LW U.S. National U18 Team (USDP) 16 +8 Grigori Denisenko LW Loko Yaroslavl (MHL) 17 – Serron Noel RW Oshawa Generals (OHL) 18 +5 Akil Thomas C Niagara IceDogs (OHL) 19 -1 Jared McIsaac D Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) 20 +1 Ty Smith D Spokane Chiefs (WHL) 21 -1 Benoit-Olivier Groulx C Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) 22 – Jett Woo D Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) 23 -8 Ryan McLeod C Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) 24 -5 Jesperi Kotkaniemi C Assät (Liiga) 25 +2 Allan McShane C Oshawa Generals (OHL) 26 – Isac Lundeström C/LW Luleå HF (SHL) 27 -2 Mattias Samuelsson D U.S. National U18 Team (USDP) 28 – Aidan Dudas C Owen Sound Attack (OHL) 29 – Jacob Olofsson C Timrå IK (Allsvenskan) 30 – Calen Addison D Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) 31 – Jack McBain C Toronto Jr. Canadiens (OJHL) Canada’s Bludgeoning Blueliner Ranked as the third-best defenceman in this month’s ranking, Bouchard of the London Knights has continued to take substantial steps in his personal development. Throughout the 2017-18 OHL campaign, Bouchard has continued to reinforce his stellar and enviable two-way game. Seemingly unsurpassable in his defensive end and a lethal playmaker in the opposing zone, Bouchard’s all-around game has earned him a wealth of praise ahead of the draft, and deservingly so. Bouchard has been an exceptional force in London this season. (Photo by Terry Wilson/OHL Images) A native of Oakville, Ontario, Bouchard’s unique ability to read and understand plays before they develop have made him an astute defender of ample potential. Capable of dismantling plays devised by his opposition before jumping into the rush himself, Bouchard’s on-ice awareness and excellent positional play should allow for a smooth transition to the NHL-level. Perhaps the scariest fact of all is that Bouchard and his game have continued to mature consistently this season, making his absolute potential of the sky-high variety.

Well, as of today we are 5th, after tomorrow's games, we can finish 4, 5 or 6. We need to lose, Montreal needs to win for us to move up to 4. If we win and Vancouver loses, we're 6th. If we all win, we stay 5th. I think we look good at 5. I just hope we don't drop in the lottery results. 5 Looks like a VERY solid NHL player as long as Holland stays within the ranked players and doesn't pull a Joe Murphy over Jimmy Carson!

Not even mentioning the storybook ending to their career with the OT goal, look at the Coyotes and Refs after the game! Utter UTTER respect and sportsmanship! THIS, my friends, is why Hockey is THE best sport in the world! There is NO sport that even compares! Good on you Arizona!

One less spot to dump Jimmy....ugh!

No, to all your sarcastic questions. If you look at the numbers I listed, they were and are a whole different class of player than the rest of the players. Especially the ones you listed in jest.

Nah, there are a lot of players forced to retire due to concussions. You won't find Franzen on any list because he technically did not retire yet. But a Bing search will show some surprising names!

I too would select Bouchard over Hughes, but either would help our D tremendously! Here's what I do, if this scenario happens: We get #4, Philly gets #8 (which then St. Louis would have the option to take that pick back and give them their 2019 1st, which in my scenario happens) St. Louis Claims that pick back, we make a deal with St. Louis to trade them the #4 OA for the #8 AND the Winnipeg 1st they have, we draft Bouchard at 8 and then STILL have 2 more 1sts PLUS those two EARLY 2NDS! Imagine having the 8th, 23rd, 24th, 33rd, and 37th picks! St. Louis gets Tkachuk, Zandina or Boqvist and we get a haul of players with serious NHL potential! (of course it is noted that while they are out at the moment, St. Louis could still make the playoffs, screwing this scenario up! ) IMO BOTH Hughes and Bouchard will be available after 7 anyhow, there is always that team or two that selects a kid that is a surprise pick!

I admit when I'm wrong. Was never wrong about Franzen. Hossa was the clear choice and Franzen never lived up to his contract, even before he was injured all the time. But that is an OLD subject. Let's move on back to topic. My only point was don't include me in the laughs because I was never against or wrong about 40 going up, laugh at me when I am clearly wrong and you (not you personally) are clearly right. I will admit it and laugh along with you...just like with Mrazek. (I'm still crossing my fingers on DD though!) Again, as my opinion has been and still remains, ALL FOUR should be up in the rafters, but its not up to us as fans, and that is too bad! I think that for his contributions to the Dynasty and the continued success of this team #96 should get serious consideration. I'd even consider #33 and #18, but now I am pushing it. But like I said, the #'s retirement is a fan thing and an appreciation of what that player did for the franchise and the fans. I understand that Holland (or whoever decides) has a much different measuring stick and unfortunately its the fans that are losing out. I think if we retired all four of these, then also 8, 18, 33, 14, 96 (not all at once) it really wouldn't water down the high standards that the organization holds, those guys are really the main cogs that were around for our entire Dynasty and even though there were a few others, those 5 is where I'd stop it, because it would be a huge can of worms I we tried to honor all of them....but I know it won't happen, so don't think I seriously feel it will. Of course I also have a good argument for Red Kelly and Marcel Pronovost....but now we're talking strict personal opinions!

Wrong and Wrong. I argued with tons of people about Hudler becoming a star here, and Franzen had started regressing before his concussion. But none of this is my point. My point was don't include me in the "I told you so" unless I was of opposition. I never said 40 shouldn't and wouldn't go up, so there's nothing for azz to be right about when it comes to me.

Ottawa finishing lower than us is a win-win. We may still get a spot above them in the lottery, plus we have their 2nd so it'll be a better pick as well.

It was a response to you saying that you should laugh when you're right. Just like I used to laugh back then when those two ideas were always brought up, before everyone realized it wasn't going to happen. Point being you can laugh at me when you're right and I'm wrong, but I never said 40 wouldn't go up, so don't include me in your laughs like I was always against it happening. More times than not, players from other countries are more loyal to their national team, I applauded Z and E for what they did. Doesn't mran it doesn't happen with a ton of other players. So its not fake news.

I was far from The first person to say that! Plus, if you go over this thread, I said, multiple times ALL need to be retired. Never once said Z should not have his jersey retired! Save your laughter for when Hudler leads our team or when playoff Franzen shows back up! Oh wait, they never happened! When you're right about something that everyone else was wrong about, then you can laugh.

Meh, I'm done channeling the old LeftWinger. I hope I could create some laughs! Honestly, you know I've never been a Howard fan and am glad he is helping us tank. I don't care who's in net now, just don't win anymore or get loser points! I hope he's not back next year, especially if we get Dahlin and hit the lottery again with JT. If those two happen we need to be actively looking for some sort of upgrade. A goalie that can take us on a playoff run. Jimmy can't, that's been proven. If you can't trade him in the summer, start the season and be looking to acquire one. Who? Dunno...but if Jimmy does stay to finish his contract, he cannot be brought back to be our starter, if he re-signs it's to be a backup and at a backup salary. $1M.

Lol! Ottawa, a team worse than ours and we're supposed to be impressed by Jimmy getting a shutout? Bawahaha!

I just don't believe he is Horrible, he is actually horrible. never (see what I did there) been good, ever. Worst rebound control in the whole hockey world.

Any team not named Penguins or Wild.

I only mentioned it once in the form of a question, don't really need to "calm down" about it. It's not like I was ranting or anything near that fact.

That'll work!

ran the lottery mock draft simulator on capfriendly.com and it freaking took me 37 tries to get Detroit #1. Meanwhile there were multiple wins by Chicago, Florida, Philly, Rangers, Sens, and Islanders. ugh! Anyhow, not including our first rounder since we have no clue as to where we'll pick, I did a mock as the Red Wings and the later picks (1st and 2 2nds) I wound up #27 - Evan Bouchard, #33 - K'Andre Miller and #37 - Riley Sutter. I seen a mock on one of those sites (I forgot which one, sorry, there are SO many) that had us staying at 6th. Our picks in the first two rounds were: 1st: Quin Hughes Dominik Bokk 2nd K'Andre Miller Jet Woo

Ok, CBA Guru's, what would be the penalty and Cap hit and for how long for the Wings if Z retired after this season? If the numbers are higher, would it be more of a savings to just buy him out instead of him retiring? Here is the buyout schedule, cap friendly doesn't have a way to calculate if a player like Z would retire, probably because there aren't very many of those cap circumvention contracts left out there... Here is one if he played one more year then "retired" like is being rumored:

because playoffs.

A sign and trade of Hasek would've been great! He went back to Ottawa the next season (after lockout) right? Could've just traded him to Ottawa after signing him for at least some draft picks. Imagine the loyalty that would've shown Cujo? Speaking of Cujo, NO WAY was anything his fault the two years he was here. Of his career he had his nest GAA and SAV% while in Detroit! He had 50 wins in 92 games, if Holland would've sign and traded Hasek, could you imagine the stats Cujo may have had actually being happy here for his second year? It's all speculation, but he did not cause our playoff exits, lack of scoring on hot goalies did. Giguere and Kiprusoff were the cause of our demise.

too literal kip...

didn't say I'd rather have Mrazek. Holland traded the goalie that got the best return. IT's just Howard is showing that he is crappier than most thought. To be fair, I have NEVER been on the Howard bandwagon. I would've loved to see both dealt at the TDL and let Coreau tank us into a guaranteed top 5. I am glad we lost, I am not flaming Howard for the loss, it's just that he is so horrible it's almost like he is doing things on purpose! He makes WAY too much money, NEVER earned that contract and has NEVER lived up to it. He will be of no value come TDL, best to dump him after his NTC expires for a couple of conditional draft picks. Sure I want them to have another lottery pick next year, but not at the expense of $5.2M, we can sign a UFA goalie for $2M or less and re-sign Coreau for pennies and not be wasting my money on Howard. In the end, its the fans that pay the players salary and if I am gonna tank, I do not want to pay Howad $5.2M to do so. Right now I'd rather have Halak and Coreau be our goalies for next year until this organization finds a top tier goalie to sign or draft. Howard is just so horrible it makes tanking hurt. It'll be nice when there is no NTC blocking his trade this summer.

Howard's s***ty puck control caused 4th goal and I think my dog could've stopped the OT goal...but for sure didn't need any points, but this guy is reallyg bad. He'll probably be back next season, but he shouldn't. Don't know if I can watch another season of him. He's NEVER earned the money he was paid. Tank is fine next year, but do it without having a goalie sucking up your money. Ugh....he's horrible.