Curt

Kaliyev to Caps? I am predicting it!

Uh, 6 picks to go before 31. Kaliyev, Suzuki, Brink, Dorofeyev, Hoglander, Robertson, Pelletier, McMicheal all still on the board.

Probably haven’t watched enough full game footage to give an opinion I’m 100% confident in, but..........I think it’s good, uses his size to protect puck decently well, not afraid to get into the dirty areas in corners and net front. I think he will be a lot more physically impactful when he hits 6’3” 205 instead of 6’3” 183. He has the mentality to be a real physical force when he gets that much stronger.

Agree, but I think Dach’s shot is close and I think the playmaking is behind all of them. Skating is behind Turcotte and ahead of Dach. Maybe I’m wrongish.

His WHL numbers? Yes, he had a lot of assists, but I’m not seeing high end playmaking or passing skills from watching him. I hope he is able to continue creating chances for teammates at the next level. How is he getting those assists? Driving the net and creating havoc? On the cycle? Whatever it is, is fine with me as long as it translates to the NHL. Or were you saying his WHL coach? That’s interesting. I honestly like him a lot. I would love to see an analysis of how Cozens creates chances for teammates.

Yes! I’m partly glad he picked a CHL player just because it flys in the face of that narrative. I think the reason for favoring NCAA and Euro prospects in later rounds makes sense.

He has good skills, but not as much as Turcotte, Dach, Zegras, Newhook. His skills shouldn’t be downplayed though. Only thing I really question is his ability to be a playmaker.

My Dylan Cozens Opinion. Strengths: He is big. He is a great skater. He plays a strong 2-way game. He has a great motor. He has a great character. He has a very good shot. Questions: Is he going to be a C or W in the NHL? Is his playmaking going to come along? Personally, I had Zegras ranked higher, but I don’t have an issue with the pick. He is a very different player from Mittelstadt and they could form a diverse 2/3C combo in the near future. I think he is a good fit for the Sabres.

No worries, no offense taken. I was just trying to get clarity. Probably could have done without the dictionary definition, but that’s ok, haha. The bolded is basically what I was looking for. Im not sure that is what the writer meant. If it is, I mostly disagree. Zegras is great on the PP though.

I don’t understand what you think that means about him as a hockey player. You just keep repeating the quoted words.

I’m reading the words too and telling you what I believe they mean. So what do you think “PP reliant” means?

So on the PP his a playmaker and 5-on-5 he is not? Is that what you were thinking? I think you are trying to read too deep into it. He is a playmaker and he is especially good on the PP.

I took it as reliant on PP production to get to that 60-70 points, moreso than the normal top-6 forward. How did you take it? He is reliant on the PP to do what?

Is Mittelstadt a PP specialist? I don’t know if it was meant as shade. Saying that someone can be a 60-70 point forward who puts up tons of points on the PP isn’t really a negative. Zegras truly is fantastic on the PP. With the extra time and space available, he is really in able to use his skating, passing and offensive awareness to pick apart the D and create some great chances. He is better on the PP than he is at even strength. Is that bad?

What don’t you like about Cozens? I think he would be a pretty good fit.

Is everyone excited?! I'm excited! Assuming that Hughes, Kakko, Byram, and Turcotte all go in the top-6 (should be safe assumption), my wish for the Sabres is: 1) One of Dach, Zegras, Newhook. I feel like those are the guys who have the best chance to become true star players. As in 75+ points, #1C type of guys. 2) One of Cozens, Boldy, Krebs. Really like these guys too and wouldn't be disappointed, but would be slightly less excited with the upside than the group above. If they do not pick one of the listed players, that would make me a little disappointed.

Agree, and I just feel that Dahlin is not going to demand more than #1C and Captain, Jack Eichel. Maybe a matching $10M AAV though if he lights it up next season.

Is that what they tell people from Winnipeg to get them to stay? JK, I’m sure it’s lovely.

Haha, yes. He didn’t need to stay in Winnipeg. In fact, he didn’t stay in Winnipeg. We all have options.

Legit question. Do we actually have any examples of players who pretty consistently put up bad shot metrics (Corsi) for years, they either moved to another team or had a significant change in usage that led to them then putting up consistently better shot metrics? What precedent is there for this thing that some people claim would happen with Risto?

Hmm, Vancouver. 7 for 10 and Jett Woo? 7 for 10, 40, and 2020 4th?

2 did. But, once for sure he demanded a trade, and the 2nd time....... Anyway, Horvat is exactly what Vancouver needs. They like him, he likes them, he is signed long term. He isn’t getting traded to Buffalo.

I think maybe Radar was saying it would still be a No from Vancouver. Does everyone realize that Bo Horvat is a 24 year old, low end #1/high end #2 C? He is basically ROR. He has gotten better and better each year in the league. I can’t think of a reason that Vancouver would want to trade him.

All true. I don’t think it’s unfair to the player. Not really. Never actually said anything bad about the system. I was just pointing out that Trouba had basically no choice that he was in Winnipeg, so when life happens and he really needs to be living somewhere else, don’t be upset that he forced the team’s hand. Doesn’t make him a bad guy and seems like the team did right by him.

But Zegras played a lot of the season on the wing with Hughes.....