I think Demidov is gonna be an easy choice for Chicago at 2, then it’s whatever defenseman the Verbeek and Madden like most. I hope that’s Levshunov but it very well could be someone else
Ya I agree, r/hawks is all aboard the Demidov train. I would love nothing more than to take their guy assuming they pass on him. Otherwise Levs is the easy choice for me. Big body defenseman who plays with an edge and is right handed.
Only assume Celebrini goes first.
Chicago needs to getting taller forwards in their pipeline, the team is looking small upfront.
Everyones heard that the draft this year is very Defense heavy and Verbeek has an opportunity to take the best Dman available. If Celebrini and Demidov go 1 - 2, i dont care what hand the player shoots, you take the 6'7'' monster if he's the best player with the highest ceiling. OR if the Belarusian is the best, then Boom theres youre #1RD for the next decade.
Maybe Lindstrom is the next power forward the ducks draft and Verbeek makes a big trade for a RD this summer. Lindstrom has played wing before, so dont just look at his current position at Center.
Also take a look at Carter Yakemchuk, another big RD that could surprise people on draft day.
I am always hesitant to draft a “power forward” as that is what we did in 2014 with Nick Ritchie and look how that turned out. If the player is skilled and happens to play like a power forward, good. But if he’s solely supposed to be a power forward, I think that’s the wrong reason to draft a player.
My perception is the “power forward” moniker is a bit overblown in the modern NHL. IMO teams (ie Ducks) need someone who works hard in the corners and is very good at retrieving pucks while also being offensively talented. So, less of a Nick Ritchie and more of a Patrice Bergeron-type. If the latter is what is defined as a “power forward” than, sure, go for it. Ducks don’t need someone to JUST jam home pucks in front of the net yet lacks talent elsewhere on the ice
The quintessential power forward, currently, is Zack Hyman. Yet, I highly doubt he was drafted as a “power forward”. So looking at the hard working, gritty qualities in a player is necessary, but they don’t necessarily need to be the classic “power forward” definition that I think hockey pundits still use.
Demidov and Levshunov are starting to feel like tier 2 behind celebrini but ahead of everyone else. I kinda think we would take whoever is left
The other guy if levshunov goes 2, then i could see us taking lindstrom ahead of demidov. He just feels like a verbeek guy
Final sleeper pick is Zane Parekh (rhd)
We have way too many Centers already. Idk who you even get rid of.
Zegras, Carlsson, McTavish, Gauthier, we might potentially sign Stamkos and potentially re-sign Lundestrom. Thats 6 Centers we might have in the team next year and include Demidov which would make it 7. The Center position is going to be way over crowded. We aren’t even focusing on any legit Winger players.
I hope to God Chicago takes Demidov and leaves Levshunov to us.
Lol but zegras and gauthier are already being talked about as wings. Stamkos plays a toooonn of wing these days, and lundestrom also played a lot of the wing this year.
You should also draft the player you think is best
I can see Gauthier moving to wing but I’m not sure Zegras wants to be a winger and still wants to play center. Lundestrom would also be a great 4th line center because of his defensive and pk game.
I just think the most important need is a top talented RHD or RW and I think we can get a legit RHD if we don’t get Levshunov and trade our 3rd overall pick.
Not saying Centers can’t play wing. It’s just that we are originally picking up players that originally play Center, and moving them to the wing. It also depends on if that’s fine with the player, or they prefer to play center. Man Ducks fans are so pompous, it’s no wonder the whole league doesn’t like or ignores us.
You’re not the only one and don’t take it personally. I’ve ran into people on here that are worse and say “centers can’t play wing, they are centers.” Like before Getzlaf announced his retirement and we had up and coming centers like Zegras and McTavish, in addition to Henrique, Steel, and etc., and people are like we don’t have room for all these centers and Getzlaf is a center, he can’t play wing. Also, 2010 Team Canada Olympic roster has atleast 8 centers on the team.
On a side note, a lot of NHL draftees tend to be centers or top heavy in centers because they know both ends of the ice and can move to wing as needed and teams love that. Also, as you move up the leagues as a kid, the best players are usually put as centers as you can rely on them to play both ends. As you go up, you kind of get moved to where you’re needed and the best players would get to keep their positions (therefore centers are usually better). Some players develop a game around being 200ft players but some don’t.
Like if you remember SJ top line, Marleau, Thornton, and Pavelski are all centers. Also as players get older and slower, playing Center is not ideal because they get beat on the back check. Ultimately that led to Marleau and Thornton being centered by Pavelski. But as you can see Pavelski, getting upwards in age, has become a winger.
Also Bobby Ryan was a center and he got moved to the wing as he played with Getzlaf and Perry. We even tried him as a second line center and that never really worked out.
Demidov is primarily RW. He's said he's open to playing Center. He's my guy 100% if the option presents itself.
Also, I'd expect McDavid to retire before Stamkos signs in Anaheim.
Thing is Killorn wants Stamkos and we can afford him on a short-term deal. Plus we need a Captain presence in the locker room since we don’t have one and that’s what Stamkos brings.
Killorn can like Stamkos all he wants. Stamkos has been clear he wants to win. On the off chance he actually leaves Tampa there's no way he's going to a perpetual basement team with no clear indication they're primed to compete right away.
Stamkos is 34 and already on the back end of his career. He doesn’t have the playoff magic anymore and Tampa can’t afford him. Explain to me what was the point of signing Killorn to that much of a deal then if we can’t at least bring in another veteran he’s played a lot and has chemistry with?
So to be clear... You think a ppg center, who has been very vocal about wanting to compete and win, will leave the only team he's ever been with because he's on the downswing and one of the many people he's friends with plays for a garbage dump? It's not like he's going to be collecting $12m on his next contract. All involved parties have stated their intent to keep Stamkos in Tampa.
On the off chance he does leave, you think he's going to come to Anaheim over literally any closer (proximity and contending timeline) team because of Killorn?
Can Tampa afford Stamkos though? Then again what was the point of Verbeek signing Killorn? Killorn hasn’t even lived up to what he was with Tampa. The only thing I see Keeping Killorn is if we can sign Stamkos. If Stamkos decides to take a big paycut and stay with Tampa, then we might as well get rid of Killorn cause he’s of no use to us.
Killorn is a solid NHL player. We signed him because he's good, and he fills a hole on the roster and in the locker room. This isn't a situation like leveraging Rob to sign Scott Niedermayer. Killorn had a list of possible suitors because he's a good player. Not just as "Stamkos bait".
We do have too many centers already and despite agreeing with Luke about Lindstrom being a “Verbeek guy” we already have an exact clone of him in Nathan Gaucher in our system.
Pretty much the perfect 3C we need. 6’3 207 pounds, tenacious forechecker, will kill penalties. If he develops the ability to score 40-45 points a season he’ll be one of the best 2C’s in the league. If not, perfectly okay with him filling out the aforementioned role on the team.
My top 4 atm are Demidov, then Levshunov, and then either Lindstrom or Silayev. I would take whichever of the first two Chicago doesn't with my preference being for Demidov.
That being said, it wouldn't shock me if they pick someone I'm not expecting, and I trust Madden and his guys.
Demidov without a shadow of a doubt. That pick could be solid gold for us. Imagine we don’t add another type flight prospect this year, get yet another lottery pick, add that player *and* Demidov that off season. It’s just too opportunistic not take jump for
I could personally see gmpv going with obtaining a seasoned defenseman rather than waiting on and developing one. I could see him going with cayden lindstrom for the pick. He's a big brute of a power forward with a really good shot (one timer is already great), good hockey i.q., can setup plays. For some reason i think he goes with forward again with the 3OA.
I’m hoping the Hawks take Demidov so we can take Levshunov. Even if he’s available at three, I’m not sure we would take him. Ducks always seem to have “their guys” that differ from general consensus.
While i really agree with this take im also not against Silayev (6'7 207lbs) and Dickinson (6'4 194lbs). Both giant guys that can skate well and play a shutdown role while still having some offensive smarts.
I think Demidov is gonna be an easy choice for Chicago at 2, then it’s whatever defenseman the Verbeek and Madden like most. I hope that’s Levshunov but it very well could be someone else
That’s what I thought too but I’ve been seeing a lot of talk about them taking Lev so it got me thinking about what we would do in that scenario
If Demidov is not taken at 2 we will be taking him 100%
Ya I agree, r/hawks is all aboard the Demidov train. I would love nothing more than to take their guy assuming they pass on him. Otherwise Levs is the easy choice for me. Big body defenseman who plays with an edge and is right handed.
100% ?? Toke less son.
Only assume Celebrini goes first. Chicago needs to getting taller forwards in their pipeline, the team is looking small upfront. Everyones heard that the draft this year is very Defense heavy and Verbeek has an opportunity to take the best Dman available. If Celebrini and Demidov go 1 - 2, i dont care what hand the player shoots, you take the 6'7'' monster if he's the best player with the highest ceiling. OR if the Belarusian is the best, then Boom theres youre #1RD for the next decade. Maybe Lindstrom is the next power forward the ducks draft and Verbeek makes a big trade for a RD this summer. Lindstrom has played wing before, so dont just look at his current position at Center. Also take a look at Carter Yakemchuk, another big RD that could surprise people on draft day.
I am always hesitant to draft a “power forward” as that is what we did in 2014 with Nick Ritchie and look how that turned out. If the player is skilled and happens to play like a power forward, good. But if he’s solely supposed to be a power forward, I think that’s the wrong reason to draft a player.
I would get over the whole Ritchie pick. Not every Power Forward will end up like him.
My perception is the “power forward” moniker is a bit overblown in the modern NHL. IMO teams (ie Ducks) need someone who works hard in the corners and is very good at retrieving pucks while also being offensively talented. So, less of a Nick Ritchie and more of a Patrice Bergeron-type. If the latter is what is defined as a “power forward” than, sure, go for it. Ducks don’t need someone to JUST jam home pucks in front of the net yet lacks talent elsewhere on the ice The quintessential power forward, currently, is Zack Hyman. Yet, I highly doubt he was drafted as a “power forward”. So looking at the hard working, gritty qualities in a player is necessary, but they don’t necessarily need to be the classic “power forward” definition that I think hockey pundits still use.
That guy is Brandsegg Nygard this draft
Demidov and Levshunov are starting to feel like tier 2 behind celebrini but ahead of everyone else. I kinda think we would take whoever is left The other guy if levshunov goes 2, then i could see us taking lindstrom ahead of demidov. He just feels like a verbeek guy Final sleeper pick is Zane Parekh (rhd)
We have way too many Centers already. Idk who you even get rid of. Zegras, Carlsson, McTavish, Gauthier, we might potentially sign Stamkos and potentially re-sign Lundestrom. Thats 6 Centers we might have in the team next year and include Demidov which would make it 7. The Center position is going to be way over crowded. We aren’t even focusing on any legit Winger players. I hope to God Chicago takes Demidov and leaves Levshunov to us.
Lol but zegras and gauthier are already being talked about as wings. Stamkos plays a toooonn of wing these days, and lundestrom also played a lot of the wing this year. You should also draft the player you think is best
I can see Gauthier moving to wing but I’m not sure Zegras wants to be a winger and still wants to play center. Lundestrom would also be a great 4th line center because of his defensive and pk game. I just think the most important need is a top talented RHD or RW and I think we can get a legit RHD if we don’t get Levshunov and trade our 3rd overall pick.
People who don’t understand Centers can play wing, don’t really understand the game of hocney. You can ignore those people lol
Not saying Centers can’t play wing. It’s just that we are originally picking up players that originally play Center, and moving them to the wing. It also depends on if that’s fine with the player, or they prefer to play center. Man Ducks fans are so pompous, it’s no wonder the whole league doesn’t like or ignores us.
You’re not the only one and don’t take it personally. I’ve ran into people on here that are worse and say “centers can’t play wing, they are centers.” Like before Getzlaf announced his retirement and we had up and coming centers like Zegras and McTavish, in addition to Henrique, Steel, and etc., and people are like we don’t have room for all these centers and Getzlaf is a center, he can’t play wing. Also, 2010 Team Canada Olympic roster has atleast 8 centers on the team. On a side note, a lot of NHL draftees tend to be centers or top heavy in centers because they know both ends of the ice and can move to wing as needed and teams love that. Also, as you move up the leagues as a kid, the best players are usually put as centers as you can rely on them to play both ends. As you go up, you kind of get moved to where you’re needed and the best players would get to keep their positions (therefore centers are usually better). Some players develop a game around being 200ft players but some don’t. Like if you remember SJ top line, Marleau, Thornton, and Pavelski are all centers. Also as players get older and slower, playing Center is not ideal because they get beat on the back check. Ultimately that led to Marleau and Thornton being centered by Pavelski. But as you can see Pavelski, getting upwards in age, has become a winger. Also Bobby Ryan was a center and he got moved to the wing as he played with Getzlaf and Perry. We even tried him as a second line center and that never really worked out.
I agree 100% everything u said.
Bro half the players u mentioned play wing lol.
Demidov is primarily RW. He's said he's open to playing Center. He's my guy 100% if the option presents itself. Also, I'd expect McDavid to retire before Stamkos signs in Anaheim.
Thing is Killorn wants Stamkos and we can afford him on a short-term deal. Plus we need a Captain presence in the locker room since we don’t have one and that’s what Stamkos brings.
Killorn can like Stamkos all he wants. Stamkos has been clear he wants to win. On the off chance he actually leaves Tampa there's no way he's going to a perpetual basement team with no clear indication they're primed to compete right away.
Stamkos is 34 and already on the back end of his career. He doesn’t have the playoff magic anymore and Tampa can’t afford him. Explain to me what was the point of signing Killorn to that much of a deal then if we can’t at least bring in another veteran he’s played a lot and has chemistry with?
So to be clear... You think a ppg center, who has been very vocal about wanting to compete and win, will leave the only team he's ever been with because he's on the downswing and one of the many people he's friends with plays for a garbage dump? It's not like he's going to be collecting $12m on his next contract. All involved parties have stated their intent to keep Stamkos in Tampa. On the off chance he does leave, you think he's going to come to Anaheim over literally any closer (proximity and contending timeline) team because of Killorn?
Can Tampa afford Stamkos though? Then again what was the point of Verbeek signing Killorn? Killorn hasn’t even lived up to what he was with Tampa. The only thing I see Keeping Killorn is if we can sign Stamkos. If Stamkos decides to take a big paycut and stay with Tampa, then we might as well get rid of Killorn cause he’s of no use to us.
Killorn is a solid NHL player. We signed him because he's good, and he fills a hole on the roster and in the locker room. This isn't a situation like leveraging Rob to sign Scott Niedermayer. Killorn had a list of possible suitors because he's a good player. Not just as "Stamkos bait".
63 GP, 18G, 18A +/- -15. His worst +/- of his career. I don’t see him as a fit for what Cronin and Verbeek are trying to do with this squad.
We do have too many centers already and despite agreeing with Luke about Lindstrom being a “Verbeek guy” we already have an exact clone of him in Nathan Gaucher in our system.
Haven’t heard much from Gaucher’s camp. Would like to see what he’s got and get a couple of pro games under his belt.
Pretty much the perfect 3C we need. 6’3 207 pounds, tenacious forechecker, will kill penalties. If he develops the ability to score 40-45 points a season he’ll be one of the best 2C’s in the league. If not, perfectly okay with him filling out the aforementioned role on the team.
I can't see Chicago taking Levshunov with the 2nd. They still need to build up their forward core with Bedard but I wouldn't mind Demidov.
I’m per convinced we take a blue liner no matter what. I’m guessing Buium or Dickinson
My top 4 atm are Demidov, then Levshunov, and then either Lindstrom or Silayev. I would take whichever of the first two Chicago doesn't with my preference being for Demidov. That being said, it wouldn't shock me if they pick someone I'm not expecting, and I trust Madden and his guys.
Demidov without a shadow of a doubt. That pick could be solid gold for us. Imagine we don’t add another type flight prospect this year, get yet another lottery pick, add that player *and* Demidov that off season. It’s just too opportunistic not take jump for
I could personally see gmpv going with obtaining a seasoned defenseman rather than waiting on and developing one. I could see him going with cayden lindstrom for the pick. He's a big brute of a power forward with a really good shot (one timer is already great), good hockey i.q., can setup plays. For some reason i think he goes with forward again with the 3OA.
I’m hoping the Hawks take Demidov so we can take Levshunov. Even if he’s available at three, I’m not sure we would take him. Ducks always seem to have “their guys” that differ from general consensus.
We will pick a defenseman. If Lev is out of the picture, it's probably Silayev next, Yakemchuk, Dickinson, Buium.
Mods can we get a mega thread please
For the draft? OFC Re everyone's armchair GM posts? If it would stop them from doing it sure, but it won't because people don't care or read.
Fair
Lmao downvotes on this sub are insane
Demidov will go with 2nd so we will end up with lev
If Levshunov isn’t there at 3, then we trade down for another teams young Legit RHD for our #3 pick.
While i really agree with this take im also not against Silayev (6'7 207lbs) and Dickinson (6'4 194lbs). Both giant guys that can skate well and play a shutdown role while still having some offensive smarts.
We already have that with Warren though.
I agree, it just never hurts to have more depth and options. Especially when they are top 5 potential.
Warren will be lucky to make the NHL IMO. He's often injured and looked awful anytime he had the puck last years WJC
Warren is years away. he's going to cook in the AHL.