Comments for Devil of a Draft at http://hockey.dobbersports.com , comment 1 to 17 out of 17 comments http://hockey.dobbersports.com Thu, 20 Jun 2013 01:06:05 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/matt-bugg/3616-devil-of-a-draft#comment-13361 I'm a bit late to respond to this post...but great job as usual Bugg. As for all the people saying a team has to draft the Best Player Available, I think that is a load of crap. Teams don't always take the BPA. And even if they do, teams don't always agree on who the BPA is. I think it is almost a certainty that RNH is going to Edmonton and Landeskog to Colorado. I don't know that those are the two Best Players Available, but I bet Edmonton and Colorado think they are right up there with Larsson, Couturier, etc. When it is such a close call, a team might as well grab the player who best fits their needs. I also think, despite what others are saying, that there isn't a huge gap between Couturier and Larsson. Who is better? The 6'4" centre who is one of the best puck protecters I have seen come out of the draft in years. Couturier can fend off defenders with his huge reach and size, cycle along the boards as well as any veteran NHLer. He already knows how to play defense, and he has put up back-to-back 90+ pt seasons. Larsson is also a stud two-way defender who can be nasty and help a team win a Stanley Cup someday. Both players are great talents, but which is the BPA? I don't think anyone can be too critical of Florida no matter who they pick. But calling any of the top 5 BPA is merely a subjective thing and I'm sure many NHL teams disagree on the exact order. - SeaDawg Sun, 17 Apr 2011 04:44:21 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/matt-bugg/3616-devil-of-a-draft#comment-13284 Similar to Dean, great analysis, despite not necessarily agreeing with a few of the placements of burgeoning stars listed in the back half of the top 14. Although, I really like how you addressed your projections, not in the best order of prospects available(as the central scouting would dictate), but rather from a fantasy- relevant viewpoint of where these kids may actually wind up based on needs of the teams selecting. Afterall, Cam Fowler & Brandon Gormley were simply not deemed priorities by those in the top 7 last year, regardless of ranking and boy did they ever drop.... at least until someone like Anaheim came knocking who needed serious blueline help(recently deprived of Scotty Niedermayer, Chris Pronger, etc) Solid insight Matt! - Anthony Lancione Wed, 13 Apr 2011 04:09:12 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/matt-bugg/3616-devil-of-a-draft#comment-13283 [b]RE: Blues/Avs Trade[/b] I don't think it's in anyone's one-sided favour really. At the time I think a lot of people were arking up about how the Blues robbed them (Stewart being a big strong power forward, difference maker, and EJ being a bust), but they didn't take into consideration the first round pick that came along with the deal as well. Now the Avs essentially have 2 top-10 picks and could easily revamp their team completely with the salary cap space available for next season (close to $31 mil available). If they make a play for Vokoun, and add another big market winger say Gagne or Connolly and then re-sign Flash/Hejduk. They could honestly be a contender next season with a top-six of: Mueller-Stastny-Hejduk Gagne/Connolly-Duchene-Flash throw in Landeskog and Hishon in the mix as well. (Saad too if he drops and is NHL ready) Solid supporting cast of O'Reilly, McClement, McLeod, Yip, Winnik, Porter, Jones and Galiardi. D not looking too shabby with Quincey possibly returning. Liles, EJ, Quincey and Stefan Elliott (looking NHL ready) depending on whether or not management wants to break the bank they could easily afford a "big name" D like Jovo, Markov, McCabe to really shore up the defense as well. Either way I think the Avs gave up a bit to acquire EJ, but they might have came out on the better end of the initially once thought of lopsided deal. - Ryan Ma Tue, 12 Apr 2011 21:17:40 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/matt-bugg/3616-devil-of-a-draft#comment-13282 Trust me dodospice, he won't go Top 3. Anybody would be stupid to pass on Larsson for Couturier, no matter what they need. - Big Ev Tue, 12 Apr 2011 20:54:09 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/matt-bugg/3616-devil-of-a-draft#comment-13281 So which side of the Blues-Avs trade is it looking more one sided for? EJ + 11th overall + McClement is pretty damn good return for Stewy + Shatty + 32nd overall. - Andrew K Tue, 12 Apr 2011 20:16:15 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/matt-bugg/3616-devil-of-a-draft#comment-13280 Thanks for the props, but it was Bugg who wrote it not me... hahaha - Ryan Ma Tue, 12 Apr 2011 20:11:25 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/matt-bugg/3616-devil-of-a-draft#comment-13279 Jeez seems Im not the only one who thinks Sean Couturier should/will go top 3? Big Ev why arent you ripping at him like you did me? Hmmmmmm....... - dodospice Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:44:16 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/matt-bugg/3616-devil-of-a-draft#comment-13278 While I don't agree with every selection you have made, I cannot argue any of them either. It's that exact reason why this years' draft class is one of the most interesting years since the Kane, JVR and Turris draft class (2007) If Larsson does indeed slip to NJD they may be the luckiest franchises in recent memory. It's almost as though the Devils are being rewarded for not "tanking" like they easily could have. Nice writeup Ryan. The entire 1st round of this draft interests me as you clearly pointed out there are plenty of other good players left on the board (Namestnikov, Jensen, Jenner, Armia....) Personally, I think Edmonton needs to select Larsson but you really can't ignore the hype surrounding RNH in that city right now. It's safe to say that any team in the Top 9-10 picks will be getting a very good player. - Dean Youngblood Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:10:29 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/matt-bugg/3616-devil-of-a-draft#comment-13277 I have a hard time believing the Jackets will let Murphy slipped by them. They have been in need of a PP QB for ever...But I can see where you're going there as alot of people think Murphy is the second coming of Ryan Russel. To me, he is the second best talent in this class after RNH - Hugo Twigg Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:06:32 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/matt-bugg/3616-devil-of-a-draft#comment-13276 There is no way Columbus passes on Murphy. - Blackie_O Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:05:54 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/matt-bugg/3616-devil-of-a-draft#comment-13275 Too bad that was their old office making those decisions. You obviously didn't know what to write in that part of the article, so you go to the ol' rip on the Wild organization for their bad drafting even though the personnel has changed two years ago. - Ugh Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:22:22 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/matt-bugg/3616-devil-of-a-draft#comment-13274 The thing is Edmonton needs a top flight high skilled center, as a few of the other forums posts have identified, NHL ready D is readily available and pop up more frequently than number 1 centers. RNH is the best player available and I don't think the Oilers will budge. Landeskog is a great heart and soul player, and that's exactly what the Avs need. Plus they have the 11th pick as well, so they could land Saad or Rattie or something weird happens and Murphy or Siemens slips like what happened last year with Fowler/Gromley... The interesting play will be what FLA does. They have Kulikov, Gubdranson, Petrovic and Robak, so it's not like they're have a heavy need to pick up Larsson. But then again if Tallon repeats the Hawks model where he snags D first then follows it up with offense in later years, he might be inclined to go after Larsson. - Ryan Ma Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:09:22 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/matt-bugg/3616-devil-of-a-draft#comment-13273 Edmonton already has so many undersized forwards, though. I can see them taking Larsson, perhaps by trading down a couple of spots. - Jamie Nay Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:57:09 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/matt-bugg/3616-devil-of-a-draft#comment-13272 You draft Best Player Available. After RNH, Larsson is the BPA, in my opinion. Obviously each team will have their owen different BPA. I can't see Colorado passing on him. EJ-Larsson combo would be sick. Larsson is consensus Top 3 and I don't see him dropping. Florida and Colorado should be even worse next year too so they can grab Yakupov or Galchenyuk or Grigorenko. - Evan Hotham Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:56:21 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/matt-bugg/3616-devil-of-a-draft#comment-13271 If Edmonton doesn't take him, then I can't see COL or FLA taking a defenseman. So yeah, Larsson slips to four in my books. Florida should be shot if they don't take a star forward. - Dobber Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:42:34 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/matt-bugg/3616-devil-of-a-draft#comment-13270 Forgot to add, great mock. Looking good apart from the Larsson drop :) - Big Ev Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:35:57 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/matt-bugg/3616-devil-of-a-draft#comment-13269 Highly unlikely Larsson falls to 4. - Big Ev Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:27:37 +0100