Derrico

Sure they've got some nice young pieces but I don't like them more then ours. The days of Datsyuk/Zetterberg and Lidstrome are long over and even Babcock isn't there anymore. They sneaked in the last playoff spot this year and were easily handled in the first round. Take away one of their best (albeit older and injury prone) players and I don't think a Stamkos makes them contenders. I just don't see the appeal of Detroit.

Nevermind Pegula's cronies :ph34r:

For whatever reason he didn't seem to fit in last season. He's young and I like his game ok but would be fine including him in a trade to upgrade the D. Last offseason I would not have said this. I also want to echo that it's good having you back Hoss. You add a lot to this board. Sounds like there is a ton of trade chatter out there and I think we will see some big trades across the league. The way GMTM likes to operate I'd be surprised if we weren't in the thick of discussions. You never see three team trades anymore but I'm predicting one over the next month. Teams don't like making trades during the Stanley Cup finals (Vancouver and Florida excluded I guess). Once this series ends I could see a bunch of deals coming down in the 2 or 3 weeks leading up to the draft.

Why do you say Detroit out of curiosity? They've got a couple promising young guys like Larkin but outside of that are they not on the decline? Datsyuk sounds like he's gone next year and how much life does Zetterberg have left?

I keep hearing rumors of Detroit if they could find the cap space. If Datsyuk is really leaving I don't see how they will be ready to compete for the cup now.

Yes.

Please Please do this.

Tickets went on sale at 10:00am. I tried a few times but it was 'too high of a demand to process at this time'. Now it's 10:02 and looks like it's sold out as there 'are not any available together' (even if I only select 1 ticket and best available).

Understandable. I enjoy your analysis, thanks for the work.

I take it you have Keller ranked highly in this draft? Any idea when you will have your 2016 draft rankings out?

Rakish, your numbers always have Mathews on a significantly higher level than Eichel. You think he's a much better prospect? Or am I reading your numbers wrong?

Yep, just last offseason.

Ok you know what, I may actually be coming around on the Stamkos idea. I know we need help on D, there's no question. But, Pittsburgh doesn't have that scary of a D, they have such good forwards that most of the game is played in the other teams end. I can't even imagine how potent this lineup could be with Stamkos in the lineup. True, you could get your wish of ROR and Eichel together. My 3rd line would be the same as yours. My top 6 would be: O'Reilly-Eichel-Pray Tyler Ennis is ok Girgensons-Stamkos-Reinhart That's not only a playoff group of forwards on paper but one that could do some serious damage. Our PP was incredible without Stamkos. Add him in and it won't be like the PP is over if the first unit doesn't score similar to last year.

:lol:

It's scouting reports similar to what you posted that are having people fall in love with the idea of Keller. Risk is there but potential Patty Kane ceiling? I think picking 2nd vs 8th might have something to do with picking on Reinhart's size (although I think it was more skating that people were worried about then size). At 2nd overall you want a franchise player there. At 8th your hoping for an impact player but understand they likely will have a couple of warts.

I could see this and this :lol:

Wow, so I read the exchange and I didn't even think that came close to worthy of being so upset you would leave.

:w00t: Please let this happen. Then we just need one of the D to get taken before us and we've got our choice between Keller and Nylander.

This seems right to me as well. Was just hoping that the analysis (read work) has been completed out there in the interwebs. I'm sure the teams have info similar to this but in this day and age I would have thought there would be an analysis floating around out there. It's your money and I don't blame you for doing this but it's going to be very disappointing seeing leaf fans overrun our building for the draft......

Ya I wish the analysis looked at success rates of forwards vs defensemen at certain spots in the draft.

I stole this info from HF. Here is some good analysis on the expected utility of defensemen selected in the first round and in the 2nd/3rd round. Worth a read IMO. Spoiler alert, defensemen selected higher usually work out better. https://bluebulletreport.com/2016/03/21/expected-draft-value-of-a-first-round-defenseman/ https://bluebulletreport.com/2016/04/01/expected-draft-value-of-a-second-third-round-defenseman/

I think Pi's current avatar should be the default.

I guess part of it is I don't think any of the 3 will turn into a top 2 d. Sure we can pick a d based on need but if they aren't good enough prospects to develop into a top pairing then we're still SOL.

:lol: This isn't 2006 TBG, update your list of meme

Don't know about the entire NHL but I don't think it's going to be long before Buffalo, Toronto and the 2 Florida teams will be the top 4 in the division and fighting for the top 3 divisional spots for a long stretch. I think Boston and Montreal days as near perennial top dogs are coming to an end and I think Ottawa continues to wade in mediocrity. With Datsyuk leaving I also think it's an end of an era for Detroit. They won't be competing with the top 4 dogs for a number of years.